(no subject)

[juliet]

Final Dunwich post, mostly for my own reference for another occasion.

Miles: 119 (116 + 3mi wrong turn) (+ 4.5 to Hackney at the start)
Time: 12h5m
Time actually cycled: 9h
Av speed: 13.2mph riding time, 9.9mph including stops
Punctures: 0![0]
Food consumed: half packet Hobnobs, 1 banana, 1 corn on the cob, half plate pasta+salad, most of largish box pasta & potato salad (homemade, allotment potatoes & green veg!), 1 packet hula hoops, 1 fry-up (at end)
Calories expended: (according to odometer which may be wrong) 2646
Quantity of rain: too bloody much (2-3hrs maybe? Maybe 4, actually)
Number of gears on bike in theory: 21
Number of gears available in practice for most of ride: 12
Number of times chain fell off: 4 (only once really dramatically, thankfully)
Number of times OYB cursed, yea, even unto the 100th generation, for bolloxing up+derailleur when fitting new chain & cassette: innumerable (NB now rescinded since a) should have checked more thoroughly before setting off & b) they fixed them for free while I waited on Monday morning).
Number of times fell off: 0! (once v nearly, mind, when turning & feeling quite tired - clipless moment...)
Number of wrong turns taken: 3, but only one serious (others I realised after 20yds)

[0] This was actually my biggest worry; I *can* fix punctures/replace inner tubes, but dislike doing it & had forgotten to borrow kitty_goth's head-torch.

Things for another time:
- don't bother waiting for food at the food-stop, take my own.
- check bike properly before kickoff!
- contemplate alternative to 'official' coach as waiting till 1pm was far & away the worst bit of the whole experience.
- waterproof trousers really not worth carrying (I didn't wear them as I really don't like them); knee-warmers may be worth looking into, though.
- remember the damn head-torch!
- more batteries good. Possibly better front light also worthwhile.