Author Topic: Who wants to do a Wessex SR in 2012 ? (Read 24544 times)

Pete Mas · « **Reply #450 on:** June 04, 2012, 12:01:41 PM »

+ 1 re photos. Most enjoyable.
Not on google plus yet, so cant put comments there.
Re your Mille Miglia jersey question -in 2010 I ordered a jersey, matching two tone bib shorts(red and white, very Italian!), and a polo shirt and a baseball cap from the organisers in advance of the event. It was either an email request, or a form to complete on the website.
I put on the jersey and shorts at the second bag drop, after riding 1000k , with a mere 600k to go, so I reckoned I'd 'earned' them by that stage...However, of course I got pretty saddle-sore, wearing new shorts, so dont copy me! I have lost the cap, so if you're going, order a spare for me, and will pay later!

Hummers · « **Reply #451 on:** June 28, 2012, 07:23:37 AM »

Not forgotten....but rescheduled.

I will have to pass on the Hellfire on the 14th/15th as I have too much going on before going on leave

Luckily, there is another date, proposed by Mr Loakes - 1st and 2nd of September - that has received the 'household green light'

Just the Porkers to try and fit in but this would have to be either before or after this and during the week due to time pressure

Anyone else interested in these dates/arrangements?

H

Jonah · « **Reply #452 on:** July 10, 2012, 03:05:17 PM »

Any more takers for Hellfire this Saturday/Sunday?

Hummers · « **Reply #453 on:** July 10, 2012, 05:14:14 PM »

Quote from: Jonah on July 10, 2012, 03:05:17 PM

Any more takers for Hellfire this Saturday/Sunday?

Saturday night doesn't seem too bad.

H

Jonah · « **Reply #454 on:** July 10, 2012, 07:27:26 PM »

We're planning on starting 06:00 on Saturday (I have to get back on Sunday for family duties on Monday morning)

Hummers · « **Reply #455 on:** July 11, 2012, 08:10:09 AM »

Have fun m'dears and especially, enjoy the leg to Exmouth.

H

Jonah · « **Reply #456 on:** July 11, 2012, 08:25:35 AM »

Is the leg to Exmouth lumpy?

Hummers · « **Reply #457 on:** July 11, 2012, 09:49:46 AM »

Quote from: Jonah on July 11, 2012, 08:25:35 AM

Is the leg to Exmouth lumpy?

As one rolls into Beaminster (after a series of reasonably pleasant flat/rolling sections), the norm is for riders new to this series to start to think that they must have the Wessex SR in the bag.

The next leg will reassure you that the rides name (and route) is not given without due consideration to the reputation of the Wessex SR series.

H

Jonah · « **Reply #458 on:** July 11, 2012, 12:08:07 PM »

Could anyone recomend a bike friendly hotel/B&B near to the start of Hellfire?

Hummers · « **Reply #459 on:** July 11, 2012, 12:50:22 PM »

Quote from: Jonah on July 11, 2012, 12:08:07 PM

Could anyone recomend a bike friendly hotel/B&B near to the start of Hellfire?

The Shah of Persia just up the road has been used by Mr Toothfairy.

H

Jonah · « **Reply #460 on:** July 11, 2012, 12:51:31 PM »

Cheers Hummers

Jonah · « **Reply #461 on:** July 13, 2012, 06:45:21 PM »

In case anybody has any last minute changes of thought - we're in the Shah of Persia - 06:00 start

marcusjb · « **Reply #462 on:** July 13, 2012, 11:15:12 PM »

Bonne route jonah!

Who is riding? You and ridehard?

Jonah · « **Reply #463 on:** July 16, 2012, 08:15:37 PM »

It was just me riding in the end - great countryside and met some lovely people over the weekend - I got soaked 2 hours into the ride but from early Saturday evening the weather was fine

One slight problem though; THE ROUTE SHEET

I took my first DNF at the 520K mark (just before Nunny Catch) when I realised I wasn't going to make the Arrive in time

I'll be returning to the Shah of Persia on Saturday 9th September with a brand new GPS

If you're thinking of doing this route without a GPS you'll need to bring a native American tracker (preferably one that's used to riding a bike up steep hills, and not a horse).

J

parkysouthlondon · « **Reply #464 on:** July 16, 2012, 10:13:40 PM »

I started the Porkers the previous weekend (7th July) but didn't get very far before DNF. Poured with rain, gully grates and manhole lids lifting with the water pressure. Tarmac surface being washed away, then front light went out and i didn't have a spare. Failure.

Jonah · « **Reply #465 on:** July 17, 2012, 03:21:16 AM »

Quote from: parkysouthlondon on July 16, 2012, 10:13:40 PM

I started the Porkers the previous weekend (7th July) but didn't get very far before DNF. Poured with rain, gully grates and manhole lids lifting with the water pressure. Tarmac surface being washed away, then front light went out and i didn't have a spare. Failure.

What did you use for a route? CC Hackney are down to do Porkers 4th/5th August

Hummers · « **Reply #466 on:** July 17, 2012, 07:42:22 AM »

Crikey, two solo efforts...Sorry to hear that your attempts were scuppered so close to the end. To be honest, I have completed the Hellfire twice and have not needed anything other than the route sheet and a fair measure of The Force.

Good luck on the September outing.

H

Jonah · « **Reply #467 on:** July 17, 2012, 10:42:23 AM »

Cheers Hummers - I am determined to achieve the Wessex SR this season - I think I can pretty much remember the Hellfire route now, the sections covered in daylight at least, and I have also just recieved some excellent GPS advice from JJ.

That leg to Exmouth is a bit of a bugger aye? It seems to start getting hairy when you leave Beaminster and that hill into Lime Regis was a ball buster.

Do you have any Porkers tips?

Pete Mas · « **Reply #468 on:** July 17, 2012, 12:15:32 PM »

There are tips, ride reports, GPX's etc re Porkers and Hellfire to be found earlier in this thread -try browsing from around page 20 onwards, and good luck for future attempts.

Jonah · « **Reply #469 on:** July 17, 2012, 12:45:00 PM »

Cheers Pete

Hummers · « **Reply #470 on:** July 17, 2012, 07:34:14 PM »

Quote from: Jonah on July 17, 2012, 10:42:23 AM

Do you have any Porkers tips?

It is my favourite 400k but I have only done it twice so others may have more to add:

There is a chippy the other side of the hospital otherwise there are plenty of reasonable eateries on the quay in Poole
A fast, flatish and pleasant ride down to tip of Portland Bill is rewarded by the Lobster Pot cafe - well worth a cream tea or Dorset Apple Cake
After a rolling ride to Portesham, things start getting more scenic
There are plenty of refeshment options at Beaminster. I recommend the Greyhound pub for food
You are probably already looking forward to a warm welcome at the luxurious Taunton Deane services
A quiet night ride awaits for your journey to Corscombe. There is nothing open but the village hall has a covered porch if you feel like a kip
There is a pub at Winterborne Whitechurch control but as you will be there at around 6:00-6:30am in the morning, it will be shut. Note: If you are tight for time at Winterborne Whitechurch do not despair. The next section over Salisbury Plain is normally where you can make up time.
Shrewton (the next control) should have an open garage but there is also a garage at the top of Sutton Veny
In case you start to feel too comfortable sat in the saddle, the final section offers ample opportunity to stretch your legs

I have heard said it is named the Porkers because it is "a pig of a ride".

H

Ian H · « **Reply #471 on:** July 17, 2012, 09:50:19 PM »

Is there a chorus?

Hummers · « **Reply #472 on:** July 17, 2012, 11:35:55 PM »

Quote from: Ian H on July 17, 2012, 09:50:19 PM

Is there a chorus?

H

Jonah · « **Reply #473 on:** July 25, 2012, 03:57:19 PM »

Re. Hellfire

Where is the start: the BP Garage on Longfleet (just down from the Shah of Persia) or, the BP Garge up the (slight) hill on the roundabout?

I visited both just in case but didn't want the extra chore of carrying two flap jacks when we retry in September

Hummers · « **Reply #474 on:** July 25, 2012, 06:48:16 PM »

Longfleet m'dear, opposite the hospital. If you are riding at a weekend, you should be lucky with the parking too (if driving to the start).

H