Every Easter teams of 3 to 5 riders converge on York from all parts of the UK in a 24 hour ‘Fleche’ or ‘Arrow’ event during which at least 360km must be covered under Audax rules.
Often weather at Easter is unfavourable and there are legendary tales of past ordeals through flood, gale, snow and ice to fulfil the commitment. 2014 happened to have Easter almost as late as it can be, thus offering the chance of fairer conditions and so a record 23 teams were enticed to enter.
My ad-hoc team, Southern Softies, was formed at the last minute by power of internet and comprised also of Captain Rimas, Sam (Dulwich Paragon) and Alan (South Western RC). We gathered on Good Friday for a 9am start on London Bridge and set off through the almost deserted City and East End to our first ‘control’ point at Loughton.
It quickly transpired that despite being virtually unknown to each other, we were evenly matched and knitted together well, chatting about a range of high-brow subjects and navigating easily by the GPS route prepared by Rimas.
Heading North we passed Redhill (Hertfordshire, and not too far from Wallington & Nasty) and on to St Ives for lunch. On then across the open fens, which offered no shelter against a constant north easterly breeze, to Spalding. Supper was at Woodhall Spa where night fell, and the sky having cleared, so did the temperature, and by 10pm the verges were frosty white by our four LED lights. Being somewhat under-gloved I was most uncomfortable. Lesson learnt.
Our pre-defined control points were then at Market Rasen and Pocklington (via the Humber Bridge) then a zig-zag south west to Howden at dawn before the run-in to York arriving right on schedule at 08:45 with 411km covered. Mission accomplished, we spent a few hours devouring Wetherspoons breakfasts, resting and chatting to friends old and new before disbanding.
Good Friday 2015 is on 03 April. - Just saying.