Roubaix Rides Again

For one reason and another, I've missed the last three evening rides with the AVP, so tonight, with the sun shining, it was great to meet up with everyone again for what was to be one of our quickest and longest evening rides of the season.

I've managed to get in a number of solo rides on my Roubaix over the past few weeks, so thought I'd give the Crosstrail a run out; the ability to switch to off road mode has often given me the edge on some more recent evening routes! Meeting at the Kings Arms, however, I soon realised that amongst the other 13 riders, I was seemingly the odd one out. It was like turning up at a party in causal wear and seeing everyone else in black tie. Andy persuaded me to make a hasty retreat to switch bikes, he was right, I needed to be riding the Roubaix tonight.

Our route took us out to Axmouth, up to Boshill and along Trinity Hill Road, where a breakaway group made up of at least Rex, Andy, Nelly and Richard .. I only saw them disappear into the distance .. raced on ahead. I saw later that Andy and Rex got 7th & 8th positions respectively on that Strava segment, running at an average speed of a few points shy of 20mph!

We crossed the A35 together on to Crewkerne Road, to Hawkchurch and Wadbrook. Returning via Smallridge, Weycroft, Axminster, back across the A35 to Kilmington, Whitford and Musbury, we clocked up a good 28 miles in under 2 hours. No punctures, only 1,900 ft of climbing and some quick pedalling! At one point, moving rapidly up Combe Road out of Axmouth, I thought 'goodness I'm feeling unfit', that was however, until I realised it was Rex and Nelly, out front setting the pace! That said, we all did well keeping up a good cadence and were very ready for our beer and chips back at the Kings Arms.

Day 213 - AVP Night Ride

This was my first night ride, not just with the AVP but since time began! Having purchased my awesome set of Beema AS-2000 front lights last weekend, this was the test of tests for them. Back on my winterised Specialized Crosstrail hybrid, we headed out at 6:30ish pm towards Beer, just as the sun was setting ahead of us.

As one of our number was riding on wheels fixed with security locks for which he had neglected to bring the key, not the best position to be in should he puncture, the objective of our ride was not to stray more than a few miles from our starting point, but still to complete a 20 mile circuit. Luckily, we have  many small villages and interlocking lanes around us which meant that this challenge was easily achieved.

By the time we'd reached our first pause, after climbing Quarry Lane, it was officially dark and the 'magnificent' 7 riders lit up the Devon country roads as we snaked our way down narrow lanes through Colyton, Shute, Kilmington, Whitford and Musbury. Tonight was an 'away night', which meant that rather than returning to our Kings Arms base in Seaton, those wanting an apres cycling beer and chips would rendezvous with our fellow mountain bikers at the the White Heart, Colyford. I, however, with an annual medical checkup scheduled for early in the morning, had unfortunately to forego the welcomed carbs and return to Seaton. The smells emitting from the Chinese restaurant, curry houses and chip shops was tormenting!

Having driven this route many hundreds of occasions before, the final ride into Seaton, along the estuary was somehow different from any other. In the darkness, the lights from the town reflecting in the river was wonderfully atmospheric. I was also surprised as to how the whole evening ride had been equally atmospheric and how glad I was that I made my weekend light purchase! I'm now looking forward to next Thursday's ride and hope the weather stays kind to us pedallers.

Route art this evening: a seated rabbit at the alert!

Stats: 19.42 mi, 1hr 34m, Avg 12.3 mph, Max 30.8 mph, 1,122 kcal