Wildwood 400k Pre-ride.
I left 2 hours after the rest of the pre-riding volunteers. I think there were 6 of them. I was planning on doing a bit of a pursuit and then maybe having a little company in the middle to break up a long day.
The section to the first Control was very fast on newly paved roads, meaning I got there ahead of opening time by about 15 minutes. Having no official Brevet Card though meant I could just carry on.
Get through the next Control ahead of time as well. Made up a 2 hour gap by the 3rd Control at 91-miles. The group was stopped there doing Rando things while I just said hi and rode through. First hundred miles were under 5-hours.
The section along the beach is always slow and windy, my pace dropped down to 18mph or so. Being solo I needed to mind my effort and stay in the green.
200k Control I sat down and took about 5-minutes, the first real break all day. 7:09 at the 50% mark.
Next section is on a bike path and requires dodging other trail users. Not fast. Also has a closed road. Cool section.
View attachment 95625
Blow through the 145-mile Control and make the push to the Rando's Mecca, Super Wawa at mile 179. There, I take another prolonged stop.
View attachment 95626
There was a fire somewhere and I had to do a minor re-route before hitting the last Control at 215 miles. Relatively short stop to refill and throw on my reflective gear as it would be dark in the next hour.
Finished up with an 18mph average in 15-hours. 14 hour ride time. With red lights and stuff that normally effects moving time I think I was off the bike for 20ish minutes total. Rode about 45 minutes faster than last year despite being solo.
View attachment 95627View attachment 95628
The battery on the new 830 is bananas. 69% left after 15 hours with no external power. Insanity. Easily will do a 600k without needing a charge.
View attachment 95629