Day 5 Meriden to Newbury

The day started off on a sombre note as Shaun arrived for breakfast with no cycling gear on and a heavily strapped shoulder. He announced that The Road To Lisbon dream was over for him. Credit to him for putting on a brave face, he will be missed but the show must go on.

Chief Organiser Paul Muldoon lost his Bank cards yesterday (Sunday). As he agonised over the various options to try and get a replacement he asked me if it was possible to get to Newbury before the Banks closed? I immediately offered to get him there by setting a pace for him and dragging him away from any distractions along the route (like refreshment stops).

A plan was drawn up that included us getting a jump start before the scheduled 07.30h departure time and minimising (non moving time) on the route. As the bikes started to roll out in the wind and driving rain I noticed Paul with Ricky the mechanic. He was changing brake blocks ???? I just sat with him for 30 mins at breakfast and NOW he is changing brakes. We were actually stone last to depart at 07.37h

Soon we caught the main group and flew past them. We made great time to the first stop at 40 Km, where the fast group were just leaving after having been refreshed. The knew the Bank deadline and told us to pass them as soon as we could. We had a very quick refreshment stop and set of with Ruairi in tow. As we passed the fast group Shane came with us and we were now 4. The weather was atrocious. strong head winds, driving rain and cold because of it.

I stayed up front all the way to the lunch stop at 96 Km, I seem to be getting stronger as the days go by.

We were well on target to get Paul to the Bank on time in spite of a severe headwind and a couple of other unexpected delays.

We lost a full 30 mins because two van drivers got stuck on a narrow country lane ...................

Eventually the rain stopped and the wind dried us out. Ruairi and Shane took over the lead and I was able to sit in behind with Paul and benefit from drafting them. If you're not sure what that means then let me explain?

A group of cyclist riding together is called a Peloton, the guy or pair at the front are doing all the work and the riders in behind save up to 30% of their energy by sitting close behind in their slipstream. We call it "Drafting".

I recorded a short clip today and posted it on facebook, you can see it here https://www.facebook.com/pledwidge/videos/10154833403599751/

We were bombing along and past the afternoon refreshment stop before the support crew had time to get there and set it up. We even thought about a coffee stop and decided if we past through a village we would take a breather. We were moving fast but it was hard work against the wind.

It was so windy we didn't need to brake on descents.

Paul punctured his front tyre so that was our afternoon stop. As we fixed it we ate and drank what we had then set off for the Newbury hotel.

We arrived at the hotel at 16.30h, but before we had time to congratulate ourselves on an epic ride we learned that we had lost another cyclist to injury and another dream is over. Paul made the Bank on time and bought me a 0% Erdinger Isotonic Beer with his new card.

Distance covered 164.3 Km

Climbing 1,438 M

Moving time 07:30:00

You can see a graphic reconstruction of the route here https://www.relive.cc/view/987477300

Summary:

Probably the best days cycling I have ever done as I learn and get stronger, very tough day into the wind and rain.

Difficulty rating 8/10