The weather was perfect for this event, warm, sunny and not a breath of wind. For some this was their first Audax and for Sue it was her longest bike ever and her first Audax as well.

We set off at a brisk pace with the boy racer (Jonesy) champing at the bit to get ahead but as with any cycle event you never know what is going to happen. We had only gone about 2 miles when Martin had a double puncture and all the rest of the field cruised past us. We then slowed up at Creech St Michael for Martin to replenish his supply of inner tubes and also for toilet stops. Then shortly after that my bottle cage came detached from my frame on and, Oh, Sue fell off and didn't quite take me out as well. Luckily she was OK and we set off towards Langport towards the first control.

At the first control in Langport, there was standing room in the cafe only, so we decided to get our cards stamped and head off straight away to see if we could make up some lost ground. From Langport to Sparkford we went along at a brisk pace and soon began to catch up with the rest of the field.

A very pleasant lunch stop was had at Sparkford Motor Museum and then it was back out on the road to return via a different route to Langport. The return journey took us through Yeovilton Airbase, Ilchester and the wrong way around the Langport Tri route to Langport. We got up to a fair speed along the main road with Paul (boy racer) Jones leading the head of the chain gang.

Another quick stop in Langport and it was back to Bishops Lydeard to a well-earned cup of tea, malt loaf and cakes - great.

Well done to Sue for that large jump in mileage and for not being sick (and still smiling) at North Curry.