Ninja wheels

The Mere 200 Audax yesterday was more than a test for both myself, and the new Mavic Ksyrium Elite rear wheel I have acquired.

I have to say, I am very impressed. It feels as if it 'rolls well' and what's more the freewheel mechanism is almost silent, so you can sneak up ninja-like behind your mates and slipstream them most wickedly. Not that I would personally do such a thing, as I can't usually catch people to slipstream them.

The weather yesterday was particularly kind. Rain on waking (5:15) disappeared by the 8 a.m. start, and the breezy conditions dried up some of the mess on the road. With a share of A roads this ride was ideal for a speed test, and the morning went well, delivering us to a much later food stop than normal at 122km. This was well worth waiting for. Truckstops are GREAT for Audax controls.

The lady owner looked us up and down, and declared that she knew we required beans on toast. Not so. A Full English Breakfast each later, and we were on our way again, albeit a little slower. Thankfully common sense triumphed over bravado, and we only went for the Full English and not the Raven Gut Buster. Finishing may have been severely compromised.

The fine weather led us to 35km from home before lights were required and speeds inevitably dropped. Nonetheless we rolled into Cheadle at 18:50 for my fastest ever 200km Audax.

Obligatory Stats:
208km/129 miles
1638 Memory Map Metres of climbing
Average moving speed 21.9kmh/13.6mph
Riding time 9:29
Elapsed time 10:50
Top speed 47.6kmh/29.6mph
Total calories burned 8,309


And finally, the weight today 107.3kg, a loss of 0.3kg in the last 2 weeks.