Well I knew this ride was going to be a toughy so for a change I’d trained for it (33 mile ride last Sunday and 30mins on the turbo on Tuesday) and I had a plan (eat lots but not too much at one sitting, don’t get lost).

Tea and toast at the start followed by an easy first stage in Johnny Thin’s company with a slight tailwind meant an hour in hand at the Uttoxeter control.  The second stage started as easy going but after another 15km or so the climbing started, it was pretty well up or down for the next 200km.

The route climbed gently up the A52 then turned R for Ilam where a millstone announced I had entered the Peak District.  Almost immediately the sun came out to illuminate a flock of goldfinches.  The well surfaced lane when downwards, then a turn and more downwards.  Johnny Thin was taking a moments break to appreciate the scenery at the bridge at the bottom (well actually he was patching his front wheel and bloody elbow).  It was glorious!

Then the route went up over Ilam moor and rolled along to Longnor where a faster bunch were leaving.  I stuck to my plan and ate scones and jam and cream.  Left with over an hour in hand.  Quite a lot of up on the next stage.  Axe Edge then the Cat and Fiddle, just steady slogs but below minimum speed for long stretches.   After an Info we seemed to do some steeper down the up which I’ve since identified as the Jenkin’s Chapel climb (I do like a name for a hill, it somehow justifies the 8kph granny cog plod).  I think I found Maladict somewhere round here, or was it earlier.  Then down to Whaley Bridge, then up again as Audaxes tend to do after anywhere with ‘bridge’ in the name.  After Glossop  I started to contemplate the soon to be scaled Holme Moss, I wasn’t suffering yet but knew what was coming so I ate some Clif Shot and reminded myself that this was going to take a while.  An age later I reached the mast then descended for what seemed like forever to stagger into the cafe at Holmefirth.  Treacle sponge with custard and a cup of tea were ordered and Maladict arrived shortly after having been oblidged to stop and refuel halfway up the hill.

I think that stage is one of the toughest I’ve done on any Audax!

A short stage over to Bamford which served hills of the shorter but ‘steep with blind bends at the bottom’ type for variety.  The Strines they seem to be called.  Sandwich cake and tea at Bamford then off through Hope and Edale to climb Mam Nick, the last hill with a name I think.  It wasn’t too bad and I was reassured that, while my knees were starting to complain loudly, both left and right hurt about the same so at least i was spreading the load evenly.  Three more bumps showed on the profile between us and Ashbourne.  We plodded on, up and down and up and down, till I thought we’d done them.  Maladict pointed out that the 3rd hadn’t really been tough enough and he was right, up loomed another.  I’d conned myself into thinking the last 15km of this stage was one long descent into Ashbourne so neglected to eat any bonk rations.  In reality it rolled up and down, I was miserable.

Despite enough time in hand to finish late but comfortable and a pint of ‘coke’ and cheesy chips at Ashbourne, I continued to plod the start of the last stage.  I was tired and wanted a nap.  Maladict was hanging back for me.  I’d done the hills and didn’t want to do the last flat 50k.  So I ate this caffeine reinforced energy gel and within 5 mins was flying along.  Unfortunately it only lasted about 20k and I found myself looking at taillights disappearing in the distance and then I found a bus shelter with a bench.  A few minutes later I was up to speed again.  The route out from the start and the nicer route back (you can choose the main road one, they’re both detailed on the routesheet) are close together and cross each other at times so I wasn’t always sure which one I was following on the GPS.  I eventually finished at 2:30 to find Maladict hadn’t arrived yet, turned out he’d found an extra hill just before the finish that I’d bypassed.  A bowl of Danial’s excellent vege ratatouille sorted me out at the finish.

What a ride!  My favourite so far this season and I think it’s the toughest 300 I’ve ever done.  Thanks to you and your team for organising it Danial.