20\02\16 - The Chiltern Grit 200km Audax

A good ride with no major complications until about 25kms from the end.  The first hundred was fast and (as per the weather forecast) the winds were strengthening.  By the halfway stage it had got quite wet.  The second stage was hilly, but the clue to this was in the title.  By the time we set on on stage three the winds were gale-force and the journey from Aylesbury to Thame won't be forgotten for a long time but as with Stage 2 it was a circular(ish) route so it was never going to be a headwind all the way.  At 184kms (in the High Wycombe mountains) I started to experience mechanical problems but managed to nurse the bike onto 193kms where the rear derailleur snapped.  I managed to free the back wheel so that it turned, but the bike was unrideable.  I was at ease about this as all I needed was to find a house with an outside light (or even just a street light) and I'd be able to convert to a fixie.  So I turned down offers of help from both motorists and cyclists and walked\ran.  However it wasn't until 200kms that I was able to knock on someone's door for some assistance in getting the derailleur\chain off the bike.  Then, horrors.  My chain-splitter was unusable.  The last 9kms were both interesting and painful as I needed to be back by 21:52.  Got back with about 15 minutes to spare.
PS The next day I reread the notes to find that the finish time was 22:52.  Who's a silly old sod then?  PW.