Fear of the Dark 200

Ride Details

Series 6 Audax Season 2024-25, Ride number 9

Ride Stats

Ride Notes

“I am a man who walks alone And when I’m walking a dark road At night or strolling through the park When the light begins to change I sometimes feel a little strange A little anxious when it’s dark”

I’d been intrigued by TCV Cyclists ‘The Trooper’ series (https://tgv-cyclists.ddns.net/news/2025-audax-series/) since I first noticed it on the Audax CE list - being an ‘Irons’ fan since virtually the beginning of time (well late 70s when I bought their eponymous first album on vinyl) the fact that it paid homage to 50 years of the band appealed. Unfortunately I couldn’t make the earlier rides so didn’t qualify for the series patch, but decided on the 200km ‘Fear of the Dark’ as my July RRtY effort.

The départ from outside Swindon was relatively late at 08:30 as 200s go but meant I could get there in good time. Guy, who I’d persuaded to join me, arrived soon after and we bagged parking spaces right opposite the start point. Karolina and Adam arrived and set up ready for registration which, given the small select bunch, was a breeze. After the obligatory briefing we were off on quiet roads towards the first info control at 28km in East Tytherton. The skies had been overcast and the rain started just after the control - I stopped to put on my coat and the rain promptly stopped as usual.

Before the ride I’d checked out the parcours and noticed that the first BIG climb came just after control #2 in Nailsworth - accordingly Guy and I decided to stop in Minchinhampton at the top of the hill and have a coffee there. I’d not been up the ‘W’ before - it was steep but not too long and the views from the top were great. After the stop it was 60km to stop #3 in Witney - mostly downhill this section was great as there was a nice tail wind meaning we made really good time. At the coffee stop (Ue Coffee Roasters who, according to the server, are NOT Costa and don’t do buckets of latté) Karolina, Adam and a couple of the other riders were sat outside - we had a nice chat with Karolina before heading off.

It was properly warm now and we rolled through the countryside, only stopping for a photo at Buckland (for obvious reasons), heading for Hungerford. Bowlingstone Hill was a brute but the reward was a fine run down the valley into Lambourn before more lumpy stuff on the outskirts of town. I missed the the turn for Tesco in Hungerford - the final control and a handy stop for water and food before the final 40km back towards, and around, Swindon.

At the arrivée, we were greeted by Adam and Karloina in their garden accompanied by a soundtrack of Iron Maiden toons (I think The Evil That Men Do was playing as we arrived). After a chat and a drink we left with our gift of Iron Maiden Anniversary Beer.

A thoroughly enjoyable day out on an event with a great theme and organisation.

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