What with this being my first 300 since 2008 I expected to be stepping outside my comfort zone during The Dean 2011 – this notwithstanding my suspicion that I’ve ridden it more often than any other AUK. Still there we all were at the Peartree P&R carpark getting a baffled look from the bus driver who kindly waited while we flew up the road at 6:00 am. I took it easy near the back while the large lead group made an impressive sight as they cruised up the A44.

Turning into the lanes the sun seemed to be promising a bright day later and I enjoyed the ride to the Stow control where a quick stop at the ATM and a munch then I was off through the Cotswold towards Newent. Martin, another fixed rider, caught me after the fast descent out of Stow and said I seemed to be spinning fine – I think I hit 30mph so a 150 plus cadence. I’d made the mistake of removing my jacket and before long the mist seemed to become fog and the temperature seemed to go down not up. Still I enjoyed the ups and downs and the intermittent company as faster riders caught me and vice versa. I told myself that once we dropped of the escarpment the fog would clear and it would be much warmer but this was only partly true. Team Rapha passed with a cheerful hello on the flat after Bishop’s Cleeve.

I ate 3 of a 5 bag of doughnuts from Newent Coop, and bought a pack of safety pins as I was getting annoyed by the my leg-warmer’s tendency to slip down every time I honked up a hill. I put my coat and gloves back on slightly worried to be already wearing my night gear at midday.

The next stage through the Forest of Dean was great but slow as it’s rather hilly. The sun started winning against the fog. Lambs everywhere, including a couple on the road with mum. A lad walking down the lane only to be called back by an old boy from a doorway ‘you need a bucket, you won’t get near ‘im without a bucket’. All became clear soon as JJ and another conscientious AUK were spotted trying to entice a pony off the road. I berated them for not being properly equiped with a bucket then told them help was on the way. I was happy not to spot the dead wild boar piglet reported by another rider though I guess this is evidence of a live colony somewhere in the trees. The jacket came off again.

I honked up the climb to Bream no problem and after a few more lumps was caught up by Judith who I promptly led the wrong way through a Chepstow subway on a misjudged shortcut. Still we met with JJ at Tesco Express and refuelled then off over the Severn Bridge back to England where we chatted away the miles till the climb up to the Somerset Monument which I knew I was going to be walking. Matt and Richard caught up for the spin into the Malmesbury control.

Nik and Paul at Malmesbury (photo thanks LEE from YACF)

There were still bikes everywhere even 200k in, the Derby Mercury contingent rolled in complete with Jim on trike, Paul set off on his fixed trying for the next control before dark fell, the cafe was buried in bikes. The first 300 qualifier in PBP year is guaranteed a good field and now it had warmed up it felt a fine day.

I enjoyed the ride and banter with Matt and Richard much of the next stage. I was pleased to stay on board for the Broad Town climb but had to take a walk on up Hackpen which followed soon after. The guys had found an excuse to wait at the top and I did my best to keep up on the long descent, legs spinning till I was sure my joints would shake loose. We got the Info at Marlborough but I got dropped soon after and was happy to ease off. Wheeled my bike into the foyer then orange juice, cold chips and crap coffee at Membury Services where I was surprised to be the only cyclist, the others all having settled for the petrol station option. Still it’s always fun to watch the motorists try and work out what a bike is doing in the motorway services.

On my way for the last leg, glad of my good lights and my GPS to guide me in the dark, potholes lanes. Everyone catches me somewhere around the Lambourn Downs which is fortunate as my GPS suddenly dies, it’s running on what’s supposed to be over 20 hours worth of back-up battery so I’m not pleased (the next day this appears to be user error). Still Derby Mercury seem to know where they’re going and I’m on home territory soon. I hang on till after the Stanford Info control but can’t keep it up in my 67″ gear and have no idea of the time or my speed any more.

I let them all slowly fade into an abstract of red LED but still reckon I might be on for a 17 hour finish – I’d only hoped for 18 so this was good. My shoulders and hands ached and I was well into the ‘countdown to finish’ mindset. Another rider had lost the group and I knew he was suffering from the uneconomic pedal pedal whirr pattern as he grabbed a moments free-wheel every few revolutions. In familiar territory now I found the distance between villages, between junctions, seemed to have grown. The pace hadn’t slowed but my mind had, prolonging discomfort. It was nice to have company though- no need to speak just plough on through the night close enough to anticipate arrivée.

Almost in Cumnor and I catch a glance of a rider watering the hedge, soon I find Dave and express surprise to have caught him, he’s says he was waiting for JJ who soon joins us and minutes later we’re spinning down Cumnor Hill into Oxford. I don’t realise I’d lost my companion till too late. Dave goes right, we take in Saturday night George Street where the young folk are into their cups, JJ heads left for Summerton. I grab a receipt at Cowley Road Tesco ATM giving me a 16hr 45m finish, my second fastest Dean and easily my fastest on fixed.