Day 50
Rider: Andy/Grant/Al/Raph
Bike: Cannondale, Pinarello FP2, Focus, Felt F85
Location: Brands Hatch
Conditions: Dry, but cold and very misty
Total Mileage: 47 miles/73miles
Time: Bloody early start - up and out by 7am to pick Al and Raph up at 7.15am
Food: Weetabix and honey, Tea, Latte (courtesy of Al), Energy Bar, gel, Flapjack, Muffin, 2 x Banana, Soup, and bloody big pig-out chinese once home.
Kentish Killer: Once we actually found Brands Hatch we parked up along with the hundreds of other cars and unloaded our bikes. It was cold and we got the bikes out and put together as quickly as possible. It was then up to register and get our ride numbers attached to our bikes. Raph and Al were going to ride the shorter distance (47 miles) and they set off a bit earlier than us. I was getting my bike fixed at the workshop (gear issues), but sadly the mechanic couldn't fix it and actually made it worse.
http://kentishkiller.ning.com
The Route: http://www.bikemap.net/route/332022
Grant and I hung around waiting for Johnny ( he was probably chatting or shopping), while we froze out tits off. 9am and we were off. Now, I did say I would cycle with Grant and genuinely I had real intentions of staying with him, at least for a while. It kind of didn't happen though. As we turned out of Brands Hatch and round the first corner, I cycled off into the distance - apparently, still visible in the distance for about 8 miles or so. I did think about turning round, but after I had made my move I felt a bit guilty, so decided best not too.
Things were going well and apart from not being able to get in my lowest or highest gear, I was making a good pace, especially up the hills. (i was still feeling guilty by the way). The first feed station came around fairly quickly. A quick in and out, wee stop and fill up the water bottle and off. (don't read that the wrong way please). The next section up to 50 miles was not my best. I struggled a bit between 40-50 miles and was really looking forward to seeing the second feed station. I think i had not been drinking enough on this stretch and should have had an energy bar or gel. The fact that my glasses were all steamed up didn't help either and I ended up putting the glasses in my pocket as they were no use on my head.
The second feed didn't arrive early enough, but i was so glad when i saw it. I had been there around 5 mins or so and was about to leave when Johnny appeared. Was good to see him on form, so much so, i quickly scampered off to get some distance between us again. Nothing worse than having Johnny biting at your legs.
It was the last 20 miles where all the fun started. I was feeling much better for the break and the food and was moving at a good pace again, all ready for Ide Hill. As it happens Ide HIll was ok and not as tough as i had remembered. I was on target for 5hr or a touch under, which was what i was hoping for. I kept looking at my pace and my watch and thinking about the finish. (the tea and cake).
But then, disaster struck. Yes, i got a bloody puncture. It didn't go instantly flat, but I soon started to notice the handling change and then felt the tarmac pounding my rims. ARSE!, ARSE!, ARSE!
I struggled to get any air in tyre (i had forgotten my pump was crap) and decided to try and get further miles on what was essentially a flat tyre. Not recommended and I had to keep stopping every half mile or so to try and get a bit more air in the tyre.
After a mile or so further the tyre was completely flat again. I tried once more to pump up the tyre, but unfortunately snapped the valve. So i had to change the tube yet again.
And yet again i was struggling to get any air in the tube. The remaining 4-5 miles were cycled on a tyre that had hardly any air in it. Frustrating to say the least and i had to stop another 5 or 6 times to try and get some more air in the tube, just to be able to keep going.
The end didn't come soon enough.
