A tough ride just 4 days after returning from Scotland, I was intending to be full value for this one. I was indeed full value, lantern rouge in fact but for all the wrong reasons. I took the first section steadily, eating a flapjack in the queue at the cafe to maximise carbohydrate intake. The ride from Church Stretton over the Long Mynd was hard going but with beautiful views. As I rode towards Montgomery my brakes were failing. At Montgomery I managed to adjust them slightly with the help of some other audax riders. However they weren't fully engaging and I had to walk the really steep descents or ride them very slowly. The other riders soon overtook me and by Ludlow I was only just within the time limit. In the final section of the ride my brakes got worse again and by 15km from the end I was walking every downhill. I finally reached Belbroughton with 10 minutes to spare. I've never wished for more up hills on a ride but on the kidderminster killer they were the easiest bit.
Glucose control was shocking. Profile looks similar to the elevation profile of the ride. I'd given up injecting insulin by the time I reached Ludlow.
