I’ve ridden Martyn’s Many Rivers to Cross a couple of times and each time there has been around half a dozen or more entrants – this year there was just the one, a woman I think. However there were seven of us starting the shorter, Four Hundreds, 200 km route. If we had been tracked and ‘dot watched’ we might have resembled an acrobatic leach stretching and contracting as riders pass and get passed. At around 40 km, and during an interesting stop at the village shop in St Keverne, all seven riders eventually gathered. Ben and I were the first to arrive and joined soon after by Alex, a bike mechanic we met first after the recent audax rides from Perranwell. Grumbles from a local farmer about – – – -ing cyclists! Apparently they can’t see us in the lanes – even in our brightly coloured lycra. Another local arrives and has difficulty getting out of his car he’s so big – and he’s also less than happy. I suppose because we’re spreading all this health and fitness everywhere.
“Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s amazing what you do just don’t come here on a Sunday morning and rub it in all our faces!”
He didn’t actually say the last bit but I know that’s how he felt. The bottom line is that cyclists can be irritating. And should we all wear hi viz? Well, if we want to give it our best shot at being seen, I suppose yes. Quite how he would take my advice about diet and how much of a burden he will be for the rest of society when he can finally no longer move himself around I’m not sure. Badly I suppose. I suggested to Ben that we leave and let the other five battle it out. There are no winners in this argument, people just have to learn to get on.
The next ‘free’ control was in Probus and the reception there was not dissimilar. Who is giving cycling this bad reputation?
But there were cheery waves from patient motorists on the lanes less ridden which sort of made up for things. We arrived in St Agnes and refuelled almost unnoticed and with Lands End within sight our spirits rose. Quite how well I would have coped with the 300km ride I’m not sure – I suppose you just get on with it. Odd bunch audax riders 😜😂.
Just over ten and half hours in total and pleased with the achievement – not too shattered either. Mind you we didn’t envy Charlie having to ride home 🤪! Thank you Martyn and Margaret.