www.dadswell.co.uk Mostly cycling records, mostly on three wheels
26 August 1990 : Bath and back
My Bath & back for 1990 featured a different
approach from 1988. I chose
to start between Maidenhead and Slough, rather than west of Reading as
previously. I was pleased
to be told that this choice for a start was unwise.
That kind of talk tends to motivate me - especially when I feel
that I know more than the critics.
("So, you actually ride *that*?)
As before, Den Mills was in the car. This time though, I had recruited Audrey Hughes as timekeeper and driver.
With Mr Woodburn watching, Audrey despatched me towards London at 0530.
I held onto my schedule for 60 miles.
I then started to slip behind, but was only 8 minutes adrift at
Bath.
(Edwin and Shelagh were my witnesses at Bath. Really not
sure why I wore that hat.)
I believed that a helpful wind to the finish would allow me to claw back the necessary 5 minutes to get the record.
(on the way back from Bath, struggling)
Unfortunately, there seemed to be no wind.
(Den gives me a clear message. Get on with it!)
I was still 9 minutes down at Calne (150 miles), and was
demoralised as I climbed towards Marlborough.
I gave up.
I could have carried on, but didn't want the indignity of
completing the ride for a second time, and still failing to beat the
record. I now wish that I'd
continued, as there's not really any indignity at stake.
I guess that fatigue interferes with clarity of thought.
When later recounting my failure to John Woodburn,
he made two observations which I have remembered ever since.
His first point was that I should have regarded the ride as a
serious piece of training - and hence not abandoned, even when down on
schedule. Secondly, he gave
guidance on when to pack.
He said that you should only stop if you're 10 minutes down with an hour
to go.
Wise words, which I could hear in my head when
making my third attempt on Bath and back, in 1991.
I am sure they influenced the result of that ride, as I was
contemplating abandoning at Calne on that occasion as well.
A good job I didn't, as the wind rose after Marlborough!