Lincoln Imp Audax – 21 Mar 2009
So what is an Audax: The term 'audax', meaning audacious, was the name given to a movement which started a little over 100 years ago in Italy, it can involve walking, running, swimming and cycling.
My first endeavour of an Audax was on Saturday 21 March, taking part in a 109 km (approximate distance) cycle ride from the Turks Head in Heighington, Lincolnshire, organized by Andy Townhill of the Lincoln CTC.
Getting up on the morning of the ride, I peered out of the bedroom window to be greeted with a day resplendent in sunshine and little wind as forecast earlier in the week. Living in Lincoln I decided to ride to the start, a touch over 7 miles, having arranged for Elaine to meet me at the end when/if I had completed the ride.
Arriving at the start just before 9am I was met with the cheery faces of fellow riders who like me were looking forward to the ride. I parked my bike up (early birthday pressie, Carrera Virtuoso) chained it to the railings and went inside to book in for the ride. Andy was busy booking lots of riders in, having at least ½ the field already booked in. The pub had laid on bacon and sausage sarnies, plus hot drinks for £2.50, quiet reasonable I thought. I only had a couple of cuppas, so I passed over a quid. I sat and chatted with John and Tim, fellow riders from the Sunday CTC rides that Andy leads.
9:30 approached and we all trooped outside to start the event. I wasn’t in a rush to start so I got the camera out and took a couple of pics for our website. Everybody set off, carefully crossing the road to head off down the High Street. I was soon on my bike following the lead bunch down the street, and then onto the open highway heading to the river and 5 mile bridge. On the cycle path heading to Bardney with the sun beaming down I was joined by another guy from Lincoln, called Robert. He had done a couple of Audax’s before, this event and one from Louth.
A couple of miles down the track, and we passed the first casualty of the day, a rider with a puncture. I bumped into this guy later and he told me that he had suffered 2 punctures, and his mate had a slow one.
Through Bardney on the main road, and then onto Bucknall, Horsington and Thimbleby. Here we took a right turn and headed down to Langton. Robert had dropped behind at this point; I was averaging 15 – 16 mph. We then rode onto Thornton and down a long road which gave rest to our legs on a long decent. From there if was onto Mareham on the Hill, Hammeringham and then Lusby, before arriving at our first check point in Hagworthingham at JJ’s café. I booked in and then headed to the counter for a black coffee and bacon sarnie. £2.30 that’s a bargain!
Whilst I was at the rest point, Robert arrived after catching up a large group and cycled in with them. We both set off for our 2nd check point at Ludford, in the Lincolnshire Wolds. This was to be the toughest part of the ride, as it also included the biggest climb. We headed towards Bag Enderby, and then onto Somersby. We did a little climbing, and then had a gentle decent into Tetford. Robert was with me just before the village, but then he fell behind again. Through the village, and a lovely one at that, and then out to be met by the big climb. A little deceptive this one, as you have a steep climb, a slight levelling out, and then a longer climb out. Bike into first gear, and in and out of the saddle to gently climb the hill. I passed a fellow cyclist who had succumbed to walking, and carried on ahead. Just as I had crested the top I was passed by another cyclist who was really pushing hard. My heart was certainly pumping, and I didn’t want to push too hard, however it was a nice respite to crest the top, head left towards Belchford, and gently catch the guy who had ‘flown’ past me in the climb. Halfway along the road I pulled over and took a couple of photos, just to show that Lincolnshire isn’t flat.
Whilst I was sorting out my bag, I was joined again by Robert. He stopped for a snack, and then we set off again. After a distance of approximately 5k, we were taken left to the village of Scamblesby. Robert had dropped back again, and I cruised down the hill very carefully. The road was narrow, twisty and fast, covering the distance in a very short space of time. At one point a car decided to come up the hill at speed and my side of the road, hence the careful decent. The pretty village of Scamblesby beckoned, through the village and out onto the A153. After approximately 700mtrs, it was a left to Donnington-on-Bain. Again the route was undulating, but not as bad as earlier. Through the village of Steingot and the Donnington. I passed another cyclist, not realizing that it was John from the club. I stopped at a road sign to confirm directions and John came past. We rode together for a short while, onto Biscathorpe and into Burgh-on-Bain. John fell back due to a slow puncture, and I turned right towards Ludford, with approximately 4km to the check point.
Arriving at the check point in the Garden Centre, I booked in and had a cuppa. John was approximately 5 minutes behind, and joined both Tim and I for a brew. We all set off together, on the homeward leg. The route took us through West and East Torrington, and then onto Wragby. The wind had picked up a little bit, and was now in our face. One thing we can guarantee in Lincolnshire is head winds. Luckily going into Wragby we were able to head south, and pick up the pace. John dropped off the pace and Tim was way ahead chasing down a Tandem. He had to stop to tie a lace and I carried on. I didn’t see Tim then until the end.
Through Wragby, and then onto the back road to Goltho and Stainfield. The wind was picking up a little more, making the progress just a little slower, and a couple of loonies in cars decided that a line of cyclists in single file obeying the Highway Code was a hazard. I wouldn’t mind but we were heading towards them. Through Stainfield, and then right towards Fiskerton. Over the bridge at Short Ferry, and then into the wind on the back road. First left in Fiskerton, taking the narrow lane to 5 Mile Bridge, and a quick dismount to walk over the bridge. Talk about jelly legs. Back in the saddle for the last 3k or so to the end. Arriving at the Turks Head I checked my cycle clock. I had been out for 6 hours, but cycling for 4hr 40mins. It was reporting that I had done 120km, 75 miles in old money, add that to the 7 mile at the start and I had covered 82 miles; furthest I had cycled before was 50. I handed my card into Andy and ordered a nice cold pint of Lager and then another! Think I deserved it!!
My thanks go to Andy and his team for organizing the event, and for ensuring that we had the best of weather. Back again next year, you bet.
Paul Hennessey Lincoln.
Photo's click Here |