I got a call from my wife, who'd I'd left in bed after a "stealth mode" exit from my abode. Sadly stealth mode is not my strongest mode. She wanted to know if I'd actually bothered cycling the 60kms to get to the start line as the roads were not dissimilar to a scene from the movie Frozen.
Naturally I'd thrown caution to the wind and had gone. The ride down to Worthing at 6.30 in the morning was tranquil but slow due to the amount of ice everywhere. I managed to arrive at Dial Post as the peloton and first grupetto were riding in the opposite direction. Not to worry, I'd take my time - head to the start location, removing my overshoes and cleated shoes to respect the wooden surface of the village hall so that future cycling events would be welcome. Actually I'd say that every cyclist seemed to respect this rule of footwear removal - even tired riders returning at the end of the day. We as cyclists are respectful of other people's wishes regularly and that makes me happy knowing that.
Anyways, I loaded up on the supplied biscuits and necked a coffee - off I went. After re-tracing the route I'd followed to get there I came across a gent changing an innertube on the path around a traingularbout. As is customary I slowed to ask if all was ok and he replied that his patch had failed and he was probably ok as he was in the process of re-patching the tube. As I was one of the last riders to set off I stayed with him to make sure it inflated. It didn't. Nor did the next 3 patches. I'm glad I stayed, it wouldn't have been much of a ride for him if it ended within a couple of kms of the start.
We rided together and chatted for the remaining 100k of the ride and what a ride it was. Although the highlight climb of the ride was heading up Alderbrook and it's 180m of brutal ascent where the gradient changes repeatedly and the top isn't the top I would say that as there was no discernible view from the top my favourite parts of the ride were spend shooting along the flat sections, being able to chat with Ben, the gent who'd had the inner tube issues.I think that is where a lot of the Audax allure is. Everyone out on the road has the same goal - to complete and enjoy the route. It doesn't make a blind bit of difference if you're a millionaire or broke, posh or not, a racer or a tourer. Not one bit of difference. You've all got the same hills to get up and the same turn on the front to take.
I'm writing this report in June about a ride I completed in February and can confirm that, although at times quirky, I've never met such a friendly and welcoming bunch as the cyclists met on Audax rides. If you enjoy riding your bike and you've not tried an Audax then please do - you'll love it.
Ben and I parted ways after some snacks that were kindly laid out at the arrivee and I started the 60kms back home.
