My first audax of the year is officially in the books! This time, it was the Knights Templar Compasses, a 100km ride organised by Audax Club Mid-Essex (ACME). Part of their 100k Winter Brevet Series, this route takes riders on a journey through history, with stops at Knights Templar-related landmarks.
The adventure began in Witham, with a control stop at The Compasses in Littley Green – ACME’s spiritual home and an excellent spot for a huffer lunch. A Huffer is half a loaf of bread, packed with hearty fillings, that farm workers would take out to the fields for a long day’s work. The route also passed Cressing Temple Barns, a location steeped in Knights Templar legend, before winding past three Square & Compasses pubs – a proper Essex mystery tour!
The Ride: Headwinds, Rain & a Battle Against the Elements
Let’s be honest – wasn’t exactly in peak condition for this one. After a winter of minimal riding (only a handful of indoor turbo trainer sessions and two long outdoor rides), I knew this would be a challenge. The first 20 miles felt great, but then… BAM! A relentless headwind and a steady drizzle kicked in. I pulled on my rain jacket and questioned my life choices. Why was I doing this again? Any cyclist will give the answer to that one!
The Compasses pub at the halfway point was warm, inviting, and had an open fire. Tempting. But I resisted—I just wanted to get this ride done. Instead, I pushed on, my legs getting heavier and the rain keeping me company.
A Coffee Break & A Mechanical Rescue Mission
At mile 50, I made a much-needed coffee and snack stop at a Co-op store. Just as I was sipping my coffee (and inhaling an almond-flavoured croissant), I spotted a fellow rider battling a puncture. He’d fixed the tube but couldn’t get the tyre back on. Enter my trusty Easy Tyre Tool—a quick flick and the tyre was sorted!
But disaster struck. Somehow, he had managed to knock the wheel axle out. It was game over – DNF and a taxi ride to the end. He took it well, though. It was a reminder of the camaraderie in the cycling community, where we’re always ready to lend a hand to a fellow rider in need.
The Final Push – Counting Down Every Mile
By this point, I was running on fumes. Every mile felt like a marathon. I kept pedalling, ticking off the distance mile by mile, pushing through fatigue, although the drizzle did stop. Finally, the finish line! The sense of accomplishment as I crossed the line, despite the rain, the struggle, and my lack of fitness, was indescribable. It was a reminder that anything is possible with determination and a love for the sport.
Despite the rain, the struggle, and my lack of fitness, I enjoyed the ride. The route was fantastic, winding through quiet country lanes and scenic single-track roads most of the way. It’s a route that demands to be revisited, especially in the summer when the countryside is in full bloom!
Next up? Another audax in a month, The Horsepower 100. The anticipation is already building, the excitement of the challenge ahead. It’s time to get some serious training in and prepare for the next adventure on two wheels.