11 January - The Poor Student 200

This is the first of the training rides and the first time I will be doing 200km in January. It will not be easy, its a long way, it will be cold and it is a shoestring event. A shoestring event, means there will not be the usual Audax controls where you can get a morale boost by seeing friendly controllers and have a cup a tea with a piece of cake. Either you carry all supplies or stop at bakeries, petrol stations, Tescos, etc.

However, several of the Fabulous Faccombe Four will be riding, and that already provides for plenty of morale support. The Faccombe Four are Keeks, Urban_Biker, Chillmoister and LEE whom I met on the Faccombe Haul, last year. We have met up again on various rides since then.

Wizzbike in Brentford serviced my bike. There was a bit of work to be done, because I wanted lower gearing and they found the back brake to be faulty. I rode the bike home along the canal and it was running beautifully. Top marks to the mechanic Karim. He seemed very knowledgeable and quite a perfectionist.