Hertfordshire-based Audaxer Richard Bragg was determined Covid-19 wouldn’t scupper his plans to complete another Super Randonneur series. But he had to deal with more than the pandemic, as his attempt was hindered by sand storms, floods, and a police hunt. This is how he eventually did it…
WORDS & PICTURES RICHARD BRAGG
AGAINST THE ODDS AT THE START of the 19/20 season I expected to complete another SR series as part of my Audax cycling. But then came the disruption of Covid-19. Across the season there were just 106 SR series completed. I achieved mine in the end but it was a bit more of a challenge than usual.
Arrivée152Summer2021
October 2019 200km Cambridge Autumnal 100km event and ECE
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up. How fortuitous! This would be my last chance of a ride like this for quite a while. The route took us through familiar roads from Oxford, through the Cotwolds and down to Tewkesbury. The Forest of Dean was looking very scenic in its spring colours as we headed south for Chepstow. I’ve never found a great stop there, but we found a friendly enough bakery for lunch. We crossed the Severn Bridge, then up
that familiar steep climb to the Somerset Monument and down to tea in Malmesbury. I’m sure the bike wanted to point east back to the start at this point, but as darkness fell we headed south to Marlborough to search for a shop door info control then on to Hungerford services. I always like the confused looks on the faces of motorists when I cycle into a motorway services!
The season started with a lovely autumn day out with Andy Broadbent. We chose a 100km Audax and added an ECE of 50km at each end. We had an early start from just south of St Neots. Andy had planned a lovely route – just enough hills to keep us warm without too much strain. We arrived at Girton as the last of the 200s were leaving. So, we had plenty of time for breakfast before the 100 started. It was good to catch up with a few familiar faces, some of whom I’d not seen since PBP. We left at 9am and were soon into the rolling countryside of Cambridgeshire and north Essex. We stopped in Parrishes in Thaxted. In the afternoon we had the long descent into Cambridge then the treat of the Arrivée cakes. With the 100 over, we carried on with a bit of the busway then south back to St Neots and the end of a relaxed day of cycling. March 2020 300km The Dean
I hadn’t planned on riding the Dean, but had heard good things about the route. A few friends from our newly formed Tring Audaxers group were doing it so I signed
300… Richard crossing the Severn Bridge on the Dean
