Kate Churchill rides 313km audax in high winds

Velo Club Baracchi rider Kate Churchill’s cycling Saturday was not spoilt by the windy weather that had forced the cancellation of time trials, affecting others.

Her event, the Capitals of East Anglia 313km Audax went ahead (that’s 197 miles).

She reported that 57 brave souls started, with some trepidation, from Girton near Cambridge at 6am on Saturday morning. 

In her own words, “Storm Hannah was already upon us so the first leg to Ipswich was quickly completed with a strong tail-wind.  The wind was mostly helpful for the next two sections to Dunwich and Norwich, although we did have some showery rain.

Norwich (190km) was reached in the early afternoon and then it was time to pay back the earlier debt of tail-wind. 

First we rode east to Watton – a 55 km leg.  This would normally take just over two hours, but the severe headwind slowed our riding speed to below 10 mph at times and it took nearer three hours. 

After a brief stop at Watton it was onward yet again into the teeth of the gale, destination Ely, in the Fens, with no hedges or anything to shelter behind. 

This was without a doubt the hardest part of the whole ride and I was very tired and hungry by the time I got to Ely so I dived into the first chippy I saw and demolished a portion of chips and a pickled egg, washed down with a full-fat coke!”

She described the last stage back to Girton as mercifully very short at only 17 miles and she was back at the HQ by 9.15pm and to her surprise one of the earlier finishers.  

Churchill is working towards the Paris-Brest-Paris 1200km Audax and said, “So now I’ve done the 200 and the 300 PBP qualifiers, leaving just the 400 next Saturday, and the 600 on May 18 to go.  Really hoping for better weather next weekend!”

Riders with lesser goals could do well to consider the Beccles Cycle for Life charity ride on May 12, with distance options of 8, 16, 25, 41 and 50 miles.

The advance entry closes this Saturday May 4. After that, entry on the day is £20 per head or £40 for a family group of four people (max two adults), or with another £5 for one extra child.

Cycling helmets must be worn this year. Full details are available on the event website becclescycleforlife.org

The Godric CC club 10 last Tuesday was won by VCB’s Nick Partridge in 20:29 and other VCB times were Paul Hayward 22:26, Stuart Supple 24:21 and Paul Reed 25:27.