Silver lining to the Cloud

Like in the Welsh rally, I ended up with a silver award, but the experience was very different. Firstly, silver wasn't the target - gold was. I had to shorten my route after encountering a few problems. But what else? The weather was far from ideal. I don't remember any point at which there wasn't a strong wind, and the rain came down to coincide nicely with the fall of darkness. Ah, yes, darkness, another difference. Then there were the roads. In Wales, interesting roads. On this rally, erm, some interesting ones, but also a fair few motorways and dual carriageways.

What went right? Refraining from using the GPS until I really needed it was one thing. I knew the battery wouldn't last the whole trip, so I had to ration usage, and I got that right. I got the re-fuelling right, too. This was more by luck than judgement, aided by getting 150 miles per tank from the TMax on this occasion. Usually I can only count on 120-130 but for some reason I discovered - after 3 years of ownership - that I could squeeze extra fuel in when I'd previously assumed the tank was full. In addition, the buffeting from the wind and consequent noise in the helmet made me keep speeds down to 50-60 mph, which probably helped. Nevertheless there were at least two occasions when I noticed the needle was in the red and I didn't really know where the next (open) petrol station was going to be. Lighting was also right-ish. I'd fitted a Halfords "90 per cent brighter" main beam bulb, and it did make a difference. Finally, on the getting-it-right front, I just about rested often enough and at the right moments, although I was pushing it at one point. This was after a particularly long and difficult leg (see below), when someone at the Kegworth control thought it necessary to advise me to "take it steady". I'd already decided to cut out a section at this point, and thought the advice unnecessary. But when I arrived at the next control (Leicester) I realised I was slightly dizzy, very tired and definitely needed to rest. This was around 2.00 am. Fortunately this control had the best facilities of any of the ones I visited, including a warm club-house, food, hot drinks and even lilos to crash out on. I took full advantage - thanks Fosse Riders MCA :-)

The main problem I had was on the route to Kegworth (travelling NE). The police had closed the M42, which I had planned to take. I made a detour, intending to pick up the A42 where it takes over from the M42, but that, too, was shut. So I took a fair bit longer on that leg than should have been the case. Checking the time, and factoring in the weather and how I felt, I decided at that point that discretion was the better part of valour and I'd drop down to the silver distance, cutting out the Gainsborough leg.

It was great to arrive at Bletchley Park, and feel I'd done the rally properly. It was also amazing to realise that I'd ridden a motorcycle for about 18 hours solid, with only occasional and fairly brief rest breaks totalling a couple of hours, plus control-stamping stops, within that time span. I didn't know I could do that.

I take my hat off to the folks who man the controls, in bad weather, all night. Often they were just in little awnings in car parks or lay-bys. Not much fun, I imagine, and with little chance of winning the 'best control' vote, compared with Fosse Riders!

Would I do it again? Ask me next year.

Dunchurch

Is where I am at 5.20 am.

On the way to Corby

No bugle, thankfully, but he's self-avowedly ex Army. Held forth at length over breakfast about various challenges of running a B+B: certain customers, health + safety costs etc. Can't stand bullies - 'had enough of them in the Army' - so when he perceived one customer to be one he tore him off a strip. Glad I didn't get on the wrong side of him.

I set off in the rain, but the sun' shining now. I've done the Great Doddington landmark (I think), seen Wellingborough and departed rapidly, and am now in only slightly more salubrious Kettering. I'm avoiding Corby until start time, as I was told by a fellow B+B-er that it's full of Scottish steel workers. Of course, they might be charming.....

The night before the 20 hour day after

Today was about getting to within an easy ride of the start control, whilst knocking off a couple of Round Britain Rally landmarks. Boxes duly ticked (although I'm a bit dubious about the 2nd landmark). Blogging this on the Blackberry from a pub in Clapham (Bedfordshire, for those at the back). Back to B+B run by a retired military bod soon. I hope he isn't planning a bugle call for 5 am....

Nearly ready for the off

I've completed the planning. Route planned in detail on the road atlas. Large scale map of each control printed out from the GPS software, and placed in plastic sleeves in an A5 ring binder. Route and waypoints uploaded to GPS. Route notes written for each stage.

The forecast is still not good - heavy showers. I've realised that one benefit of my zig-zag route is that I can cut out a zig or a zag to shorten it. If conditions are atrocious I'll probably take short cut and go for a lesser award than gold.

National Rally Preparation Begins

This really is going to be the Max for me. 500 miles in 20 hours, in the National Rally this weekend. I have never ridden so far in a day before. And I will have to ride during the night.

I've done the (English) National Rally twice before, but only the 'daytime' version, which ends at midnight. That can add up to nearly 400 miles, including getting to the start and home from the final control, and it includes 2 hours of riding in the dark. But at least I got a good night's sleep at the end of it. This time, going the whole hog and doing the 'full' rally, means starting at 2pm on Saturday and finishing at the final control, at Bletchley Park (of Enigma Code fame), before 10.00 am on the Sunday morning.

In other respects the rules are the same as for the daytime rally. Plan your own route, visiting whichever controls you like, provided you clock up the required number of miles for the award you're aiming for. In my case, this year, it's Gold. Before you swoon with admiration, bear in mind there are in fact two awards above this: Special Gold and Platinum. So at least I'll have a target for the next year or two after this.

Why do people want to do an event like this? If others are like me, it's two things. Firstly, a challenge, and secondly, a long ride on the bike. The challenge starts before the ride itself, at the planning stage. Beside the obvious point of needing to get the number of miles right, you need to know the route, and exactly where the controls are. You do not want to waste time looking for them if you can help it. I use a GPS, which is a boon, but I need back-up information in case the GPS fails or the battery runs down. It's also wise to think where you might get fuel at 3 am, for example; and where the best places to rest are going to be.

Another difference from last year is that I'm not starting from home. I fancy a change from the south, but I also want to avoid starting the rally with a ride through London on the Saturday. Unnecessary hassle. So I've booked a B&B near Bedford – in a village called Clapham, actually, for Thursday night, and I'll start at the Corby control. This also has the advantage of allowing me to collect another three landmarks on the Round Britain Rally.

Unlike on the Welsh rally, the family aren't joining me on this one. There's a lot going on (still builder-related) and in any case the format of this one doesn't lend itself to a meet-up.

Am I looking forward to it? Of course, but slightly daunted, too.

Bikers of a feather flock together in Abergavenny

The manned control in the bus station at Abergavenny.

Quick Rally Review

Bottom line: it all went smoothly. Lovely weather, lovely countryside and lovely roads. I got the silver award I was aiming for. 285 miles meant I didn't stop for long anywhere. Initially I was on unclassified roads that didn't allow more than 20 mph, but later it was sweeping A roads where 60 was a breeze. I took in the Brecon Beacons, Abergavenny, Merthyr Tydfyl and the Valleys, then back up via Llandovery, Rhayader, Newtown.

There were plenty of sheep. At one point I was going to nip over a gate to take a leak, but about 25 of the woolly items saw me and started running towards me, so I found another spot.

Agnes and Jonathan had a good day too, including a ride on a steam train. The day ended with a delicious meal cooked by the B+B owner.

Off soon, London-wards, possibly via an RBR landmark or two. Then we'll see how Thomas did in his two football tournaments.

Day 3 yet more

Well, tomorrow's the main event. The Welsh National Rally. A couple of guys in the pub were poring over maps in preparation. I've taken the lazy approach this year: put the checkpoints into the GPS and let it work out a route. I've also marked the checkpoints on a small road atlas, but not made route notes. So I don't know how it will go. Could do with some sleep, but Agnes and Jonathan are still an hour away...

Smallest theatre

Day 3 continued

So after Stroud it was Cheltenham, then a stop 8 miles north of there for a landmark. This one one was an obscure, funny-shaped stone so beloved of the RBR organiser(s). Then Tewksbury, Malvern. Eschewing the well, I headed for the smallest theatre in the world, seating 12 and housed in a converted gents' toilet. Hence the name: the Theatre of Small Convenience. The next landmark at Bromyard was less interesting - a sheep sculpture. And I wasn't even in
Wales yet. Then Leominster (lunch out of a paper bag in a car park). After that north and north-west on A and B roads to Welshpool and Llanfair Caereinion.

End of day 3

Blogging this from the pub, on the Blackberry. Might do more later, as the B+B has free wifi, although whether that's intentional I don't know. I'm in Llanfair Cereinion, near Welshpool. Food + beer good. Listening to the Welsh lilts.

Towelling the raindrops off the tent left me wondering about the weather for the day ahead, but it remained dry.

Breakfast was in a Little Chef ('fraid so), at which I chatted to a fellow biker on a 1969 Triumph Bonneville. He was waiting for a mate+ g/friend, who shortly afterwards arrived noisily on his Kawasaki 1500- derived trike. They were all heading off to a naturist bikers rally somewhere. I hope the weather holds for them.

Off to B+B now, as Agnes and Jonathan will be arriving soon.

Roosting in Slimbridge

I've ended up in Slimbridge, which I first heard of at Peter Symonds, as John Taverner (geography master) used to organise birdwatching trips to the place. Not being a birdwatcher, my main reason for being here is that it's the location of the only campsite near(ish) to Stroud. With all the NT markings on the map I assumed there would be loads of campsites next door, but it seems not. Nice campsite with a good pub next door, though.

After Weston-S-M I headed up the (blustery) M5 to J14 for the Cotswolds. Then B roads through Wotton-Under-Edge (good name, eh?) And Nailsworth. Some nice stretches, others marred by following lorries. I think I've clocked up about 260-odd miles so far - 120 on day 1 and 140 ish today. Better not overdo it tomorrow as I'll need to do that in a single day on the Welsh rally.

Super Weston (western?)

Tempting to have a dip

John Cleese would be proud...

I'm in Weston-super-Mare. I think JC was brought up there. I feel a silly walk coming on.

So far today: Bradford-on-Avon (been there years ago, nice place), Kilmersdon (origin of the Jack and Jill nursery rhyme) for a RBR landmark, Midsomer Norton, Banwell for another landmark, Weston-super-Mare.

I was thirsty at Kilmersdon, having left my water bottle at the campsite. I asked a girl sitting outside the post office where I could buy water. The pub from 1200, she said. It being 1030 this wasn't much use. As I walked away she offered me a glass of water. It was only then that I realised the PO was no longer in service. Apparently she's used to people asking for stamps.

And we're off again

Just packed up and am heading off in the direction of Midsomer Norton. More later

My local

Laid up in Lacock

End of day one sees me in Lacock, Wiltshire, somewhere near Trowbridge. Tent pitched, showered, I am now quaffing a pint of Wadsworth 6X in The George Inn. It's been a tough ride, so I deserve it ;-)

Lacock is a strange village. I can't work out if it's genuine, or some kind of theme village. I keep expecting to see locals doing archery practice (as required by the King instead of football).

Where did I go after lunch? The RBR Wiltshire landmark was the first stop. This was a unique and ancient stone - can't give too m,y details or I'll be disqualified. Then on towards Swindon on the back roads - lots of thatched cottages. Chippenham was a pit stop for water - what a hot day- a chat with another biker, and information about campsites.

Lunch in Wantage

King Alfred's Head - a bit pricey but they let me park the bike where I wanted to

Made it to Wantage

So far it's been a pleasant ride on a lovely day. I'm sitting outside a pub in Wantage, enjoying the sunshine. needed a place I could keep an eye on the bike, and it's 2 metres away, parked on the cobbled forecourt. Pic to follow.

The route this morning:
Battersea, Kingston, Staines, Ascot, Bracknell, M4, Pangbourne, Wantage.

I doubt this pub has wifi so I won't even attempt Google maps for now.

Off in minute to find the Kingston Lisle landmark, just a few miles away.