Solo 400k Ride

I completed my first solo 400k ride and this was my 4th time riding this route. The ride did not give me any credits and was not organized by any club, organization or institution. I completed the ride entirely on my own, self-supported, on a track bike without handbrakes. I receive nothing but personal glory and accolades from friends for this. The route was a version of the u/pa_randonneurs, 4-State 400k modified to my preferences and I ended up adding 125m of elevation and 12k to the original. All climbs were completed even though I could have gone any way I wanted. But, I did not want to be a poser so I did them anyway. No gravel was ridden. Fresh oil and chips were avoided. My record overall time for the OG 4-state was 19:00 and I completed this version in 20:21. I believe the time difference mainly had to do with the hot temperature during the day of this ride. However, there is something different about doing these rides with other people that helps in ways that are not apparent on the surface. In the end, my hands and feet are bruised from not just the climbing but the descending that is equally as difficult while riding without handbrakes. I feel accomplished and clear. What was done, was done and it makes me personally feel better to accomplish goals for personal glory rather than trophies, rando credits or anything beyond my own fully lived life. It’s done now. Cinelli Vigorelli. 53/17.