Day 359 - Snowdrop Path Ride

Some weeks ago, Andy suggested that I and a group of my fellow cyclists enter the Audax Primrose Path ride, a 102km cycling event starting from Corscombe, near Beaminster and advertised as being a scenic tour of quiet West Dorset lanes; only 7km on A & B roads; a good test of climbing fitness.

I've been focusing on my climbing over the winter but it still remains the one area of my cycling which gives me the greatest frustration when out riding with others; I'm seeing just 'marginal gains' for increased effort I'm putting in. This Audax ride has an impressive 5,600 feet of climb but topping the club's Strava climbing leaderboard last week and having completed a single ride of the same distance, I was feeling unusually confident for this Primrose Path event.

Topping the club's Strava climbing leaderboard

Andy and I agreed we'd take my car which required a practice loading to ensure we could get the bikes and our kit in the back ahead of the big day. We also spent some time walking through the route using Google maps street view to familiarise ourselves with the relevant junctions, as Audax rides are not marshalled nor their routes signed; riders have to follow directions to control points using route cards. Having proven we could squeeze the two Specialized road bikes into my small coupe hatch and having marked out the route onto an OS map, we were good to go.

Andy & Ed at the depart

By mid week, the weather was looking decidedly unfavourable for the weekend. A new storm front was arriving Saturday night forecast to bring torrential rain and strong gusts to the SW during Sunday. As the days passed, while the winds were still very much in evidence in all forecasts, the risk of rain diminished and so the consensus was that we should give it a go. 

Andy and I arrived at the start in good time to select the first competitors' parking spot, which for those who know me is not as easy as it sounds. The rest of the riders, some 19 in total, 7 of which were from the AVP, arrived shortly after and we made our way into the hall to sign in. The mood amongst my fellow AVP riders was jovial. Ed, being the master of all things wood, had crafted an ingenious board on which to secure the route cards and map. Ed was thus selected to be our navigator.

Finally, at 09:00 we were were on our way, the AVP boys keeping together for the first 10 minutes. Hitting our first climb our small peloton broke into two; Clive, Nelly, Rex, and Richard up front and myself, Andy and Ed bringing up the rear. This gap was further widened some 10 miles into our ride when we made the obligatory stop for a photo on Primrose Hill! 

Andy & Ed on Primrose Hill

Your's truly on Primrose Hill

5 miles later, we made a navigational error which was to unfortunately sour the rest of the ride. Having made a 2 mile 10% climb up the wrong hill, we lost further 30 minutes on the leaders and to top it all, I was starting to feel decidedly unwell with a reoccurring bout of stomach cramps! The effect of this, strong pain killing medication, high winds and the climbing weighted towards the first half of the ride, conspired to sap anything that I may have had left in reserve. The next 20 miles were painfully soul destroying ... I felt I had neither energy or passion to go on, for the first time in a long while, I was not enjoying my cycling. 

Having climbed up Eggardon Hill, the site of an Iron Age hill fort with amazing views across the surrounding Dorset countryside, Andy and I made the decision to do a Team GB and pull out of the ride, while Ed, with up to 30 years on us and noticeably still fresh, decided to go on and attempt a finish. We parted company on the road to Maiden Newton, Andy and I returning north back towards Hooke. The cross winds were unbelievably strong, with at least one of the earlier riders being physically blown off the road. 

Andy and I en route to Hooke

Surprisingly, there were very few primroses to be found along this route although the banks and grass verges on either side of the road were, for many of the early miles, lined with a carpet of white snowdrops; giving the name Andy and I eventually chose for our section of this ride.

With the wind behind us, there came a deftly silence and the legs were able to take a much needed breather. 15 or so miles later, I was pleased to finally see the hall we'd left in such good spirits 5 hours earlier. Bikes reloaded into the car, we made a quick change into civvies before heading off to find a friendly pub for some much needed food, drink and a debriefing. 

Overall, I'm feeling somewhat disillusioned with my first Audax experience and am even tempted to cancel my entry on the Dartmoor Classic. It has made me think about what I most enjoy about cycling and I've decided that this is the camaraderie of our club and Sunday rides, exploring new places and our stops for coffee, cake and a friendly chat. I'd always said that this would be a year for me to try out some sportifs, and this I am doing. I'm still looking forward to the RideLondon in August, as this will be a once in a lifetime ride on closed roads along the main route taken by our 2012 Olympians, through London and Surrey, something which only the pros normally get to experience. I'll be doing this with another good friend of mine, so this ticks the camaraderie box and very importantly, I am also looking to raise money for charity and thus this is an additional key motivator.  

So, if I've learned anything from this weekend's event, it is that social club rides are probably more my thing. I am too competitive to be constantly disappointed in my performance vs others. I need to focus on that part of cycling I most enjoy or, all too soon, I'll be giving it up - at least until I can keep up, anyway!

Having a leisurely few days off work this week, the AVP Wednesday and Friday morning and my regular Thursday evening club runs are looking very inviting and I'm hoping, weather permitting, these will remind me of that which I enjoy about cycling!