Two years ago this ride had been my first 200 kilometer event. I was looking forward to riding it again and recognising some of the route. I got up at 5.30 on the morning of Sunday the 16th of August and was out the door by 6.30. I drove the 50 miles to the start in glorious morning sunshine. This was quite a change from the weather we'd had over the past few weeks.
Arriving at Evesham, I got the bike out of the car and cycled the few hundred yards to the start at the cafe by the river. There was a fair bit of light hearted banter going on, encouraged by the glorious morning. At 8 o'clock we were off. It felt a bit chilly under the shade of the trees lining the road, but soon we were in the sun. Just after Pershore, there is a ford. Two years ago the level was too high to ride through, but this year it was o.k., just. My feet got wet, but the wheel axles and bottom bracket didn't go under water.
I followed a chap riding a green trike for a few miles. This is the first time I've seen a trike in action up close. I thought I'd have to slow in the corners, but this chap was round the corners faster than I was. The cornering techniques are incredible. This first section is fairly flat, but about 3 miles from Clifton-Upon-Teme the road starts to go up and you climb into the hills. Two years ago it had rained all through this first section, but this year there were superb views to be had.
After drinking a cup of squash and eating a few biscuits, I header off onto the second stage. The route dropped down into Tenbury Wells. This is a good descent, especially in the dry this year. From Tenbury Wells, the route headed westward to Leominster. The wind had started to pick up and now there was an annoying headwind which was slowing me down. Along the road to Leominster is a 15% climb. I climbed in my lowest gear, but me left knee started to give me serious pain. It had been sending me signs since half way into the first section. Having climbed this 15%er I eased back to try and reduce the strain on my knee. I cycled through Leominster and on through the lanes to Weobley. Again, the strong headwind slowed me down, it also got a little chilly as the cloud cover increased. I reached Weobley at 12:55. Roy Goodbier was there checking everybody in and generally telling various cycling stories. Like how he'd started last years Edinburgh - London, with half a supermarkets worth of food on his tandem (slight exageration here). I ate a few biscuits and cakes, swilled down with some more squash.
The route from here passes to the west and south of Hereford. The pain in my knee seemed to have gone, although every know and again I'd get a twinge. The route went through various villages before arriving at Hoarwithy, where there was an information control. The question wanted to know the name of the pub brewery. Well, this was not displayed anywhere outside, so you had to go into the pub to find out. I think the landlady was getting tired of all these cyclist asking for the name of the brewery all afternoon. There then followed a long climb out of Hoarwithy up to Much Marcle. A few miles later and I was in Ledbury, where the control point was in a cafe. Apparently, the owners had gone on holiday, but had allowed the cafe to open for this event.
At twenty to five I left Ledbury for the final 31 miles. After the climb out of Ledbury, it is mainly down hill or flat. I pushed on and finally made it to Evesham by 6:55.
It was a good ride, the weather had been good and my knee had held up. I was happy.The Three Counties Randonee is a ride organised by Roy Goodbier, under the Audax UK banner. It is a 200 kilometer ride starting and finishing in Evesham, Worcestershire.
Two years ago this ride had been my first 200 kilometer event. I was looking forward to riding it again and recognising some of the route. I got up at 5.30 on the morning of Sunday the 16th of August and was out the door by 6.30. I drove the 50 miles to the start in glorious morning sunshine. This was quite a change from the weather we'd had over the past few weeks.
Arriving at Evesham, I got the bike out of the car and cycled the few hundred yards to the start at the cafe by the river. There was a fair bit of light hearted banter going on, encouraged by the glorious morning. At 8 o'clock we were off. It felt a bit chilly under the shade of the trees lining the road, but soon we were in the sun. Just after Pershore, there is a ford. Two years ago the level was too high to ride through, but this year it was o.k., just. My feet got wet, but the wheel axles and bottom bracket didn't go under water.
I followed a chap riding a green trike for a few miles. This is the first time I've seen a trike in action up close. I thought I'd have to slow in the corners, but this chap was round the corners faster than I was. The cornering techniques are incredible. This first section is fairly flat, but about 3 miles from Clifton-Upon-Teme the road starts to go up and you climb into the hills. Two years ago it had rained all through this first section, but this year there were superb views to be had.
After drinking a cup of squash and eating a few biscuits, I header off onto the second stage. The route dropped down into Tenbury Wells. This is a good descent, especially in the dry this year. From Tenbury Wells, the route headed westward to Leominster. The wind had started to pick up and now there was an annoying headwind which was slowing me down. Along the road to Leominster is a 15% climb. I climbed in my lowest gear, but me left knee started to give me serious pain. It had been sending me signs since half way into the first section. Having climbed this 15%er I eased back to try and reduce the strain on my knee. I cycled through Leominster and on through the lanes to Weobley. Again, the strong headwind slowed me down, it also got a little chilly as the cloud cover increased. I reached Weobley at 12:55. Roy Goodbier was there checking everybody in and generally telling various cycling stories. Like how he'd started last years Edinburgh - London, with half a supermarkets worth of food on his tandem (slight exageration here). I ate a few biscuits and cakes, swilled down with some more squash.
The route from here passes to the west and south of Hereford. The pain in my knee seemed to have gone, although every know and again I'd get a twinge. The route went through various villages before arriving at Hoarwithy, where there was an information control. The question wanted to know the name of the pub brewery. Well, this was not displayed anywhere outside, so you had to go into the pub to find out. I think the landlady was getting tired of all these cyclist asking for the name of the brewery all afternoon. There then followed a long climb out of Hoarwithy up to Much Marcle. A few miles later and I was in Ledbury, where the control point was in a cafe. Apparently, the owners had gone on holiday, but had allowed the cafe to open for this event.
At twenty to five I left Ledbury for the final 31 miles. After the climb out of Ledbury, it is mainly down hill or flat. I pushed on and finally made it to Evesham by 6:55.
It was a good ride, the weather had been good and my knee had held up. I was happy.
Steve Price