Author Topic: Dr Fosters Summer Saunter (Read 1016 times)

Banjo · « **on:** July 03, 2012, 07:32:13 PM »

I am thinking of entering this one ,anyone done it that would care to comment on the route.

Mainly I am wondering what the canal path bits will be like on skinny tyre road bike if this lousy weather keeps up. I do have a hybrid with bigger tyres but would sooner ride the road bike when I can.

PpPete · « **Reply #1 on:** July 03, 2012, 07:56:24 PM »

In the AUK calendar page description it says "easily rideable on a road bike." but without qualification on the weather.

If it's the section north from Slimbridge (common to Mark Rigby's Rough Diamond) then local opinion is that it is just as quick to go back to the A38 which has a cycle path along most of it, then dive into Gloucester on the B4008 (Bristol Rd).

CountrySickness · « **Reply #2 on:** July 03, 2012, 08:14:14 PM »

Fit 28c tyres as there's a lot of Mon-Brec canal path in the last bit, where I snapped a spoke on 36h wheels, lovely ride mind.

I did it on a dry day, but I suspect parts would be a bit slippery when, er, wet.

Banjo · « **Reply #3 on:** July 04, 2012, 06:45:27 AM »

Thanks for the replies. I think I may give the Trek Hybrid a good looking at , new cables etc and use that. My road bike can only take 23 tyres and I have suffered on off road bits before. Little bit of speed I lose on the road will be gained back a bit on the paths.

PpPete · « **Reply #4 on:** July 04, 2012, 09:52:28 AM »

Or have another look at the route.
If no info controls on the tow path are there any road alternatives than you can use to bypass the relevant sections.

Banjo · « **Reply #5 on:** July 04, 2012, 11:14:16 AM »

I don't actually have the route. Anyone got a link to it on a map site I could have a look at?

BlackSheep · « **Reply #6 on:** July 04, 2012, 02:03:35 PM »

Quote from: Banjo on July 03, 2012, 07:32:13 PM

I am thinking of entering this one ,anyone done it that would care to comment on the route.

This is a great route/day out. And that's in spite of shattering my shoulder en-route in 2007. And have ridden it just about every month of the year, probably 20 - 30 times over the last 5 years.

There are "off road" bits, but these are all NCRs of one number or another, and have surfaces typical of sustrans quality.

The first bit comes soon after the Transporter Bridge and is about 1km long, there are chicanes at either end - so it pays to get in front of any tandems or recumbants. NCR part 2 is on the Caldicot levels - this is best described as a cinder track - but has never caused me any problems.

NCR part 3 is from Shepherds Patch to Frampton - this can be a bit like cycling on cobbles, so pick top gear and keep a steady speed. There'll more than likely be other users on the track, so forget about road-speeds.

NCR part 4, from Elmore to/and through Gloucester. The surface is good standard - you'll be saying good morning to all the anglers along the canal path for half an hour or more. There's a road option, but it's such a busy route I'm not explaining it here as the organiser's gone to lengths to find a pleasant alternative.

Cycle path part 5, from Symond's Yat East to Monmouth - You cycle down the banks of the River Wye. The surface is again typical sustrans quality - 2009 we were doing evens along most of this bit. (that was Phil Chadwick, Mike Pain, Ian Llewelyn and myself). There is one small stretch (10 to 20 m) which was cut-up by a loggers truck.

NCR part 6, from Pontypool to (about 3km before) the finish. The final control's on this bit. You get onto the Brecon & Usk Canal just before the Pontypool boundary sign, and follow a couple of NCRs virtually to Arrivee, and it's 99% down hill. The surfaces are again of typical sustrans standard.

I've never had any issues with the surface of any of these stretches, and have only ever ridden them on 23mm tyres. All stretches are by-passable by using main roads - but why you should want to is beyond me, enter it and ride it for what it is - a summer saunter.

Banjo · « **Reply #7 on:** July 04, 2012, 02:55:26 PM »

Thanks for the detailed reply Mark. Sounds a bit more encouraging. Not sure if I can tt evens on a road never mind a track :-)looking forward to this one now entry form is in the snail mail crawling towards Nelson . Cheers

howieduck · « **Reply #8 on:** July 31, 2012, 11:13:54 PM »

Anyone got a Gpx of this please?

bikey-mikey · « **Reply #9 on:** July 31, 2012, 11:29:12 PM »

I may write a gpx, but it's harder with all the Cycle path bits ....

Mark may have one!

John Cleland · « **Reply #10 on:** August 01, 2012, 10:27:15 AM »

I have created a file ~~to a fashion~~ for this one.

You are welcome to share (at your own risk!!!) and/or comment on its accuracy.

Pm me

BlackSheep · « **Reply #11 on:** August 01, 2012, 02:18:15 PM »

Quote from: bikey-mikey on July 31, 2012, 11:29:12 PM

I may write a gpx, but it's harder with all the Cycle path bits ....

Mark may have one!

I've stored this one to the memory banks, and never bothered with the routesheet/GPS since the first time I rode it

.

Fairly fast'n'furious for the first 130km, the "only climb" coming at 160km (Dave Lewis' words not mine) - what would we do without Pen-y-Clawd?

Not sure what the control at Symonds Yat East is, but previously The Rose Cottage Cafe has been used - it looked fairly dormant when I passed it last Thursday - I'm sure organiser has it all under control. Some of us have been known to have a pint of Blacksheep

at The Penny Farthing (Aston Crews) - not any more it's been closed since early spring

.

Sadly I'm on domestique duties for Mrs. BlAAAckSheep on the 5th (Nev Chanin Memorial), so I'm having to give my favorite non BS 200 a miss, but I'm planning on 2013.

Have good day's cycling.

bikey-mikey · « **Reply #12 on:** August 01, 2012, 04:47:57 PM »

I had a go today. V hard doing the cycle path bits cos no google street view... I used some roads out of necessity but have used the bulk of the CPs. Came our about 6 km shorter. PM me of you wanna see, but no guarantees.

BlackSheep · « **Reply #13 on:** August 01, 2012, 10:11:34 PM »

Quote from: bikey-mikey on August 01, 2012, 04:47:57 PM

I had a go today. V hard doing the cycle path bits cos no google street view... I used some roads out of necessity but have used the bulk of the CPs. Came our about 6 km shorter. PM me of you wanna see, but no guarantees.

You'll find plotting the last 18km a nightmare - I've ridden it dozens of times, and could cycle that bit faster than I could plot it.

The cycleway is well marked, and you'll make faster progress by using a route sheet rather than following a small screen.

I remember one year John Hayes leading a group of us down the main roads - def longer but much quicker also much less enjoyable. Reason for the deviation was slow puncture, only reuired three boosts, rather than the dozen or more the cyclpath would have demanded.

I think you'll have more luck with the bikehike site, as it's possible to plot the tcx or gpx using OS mapping - it will show the NCRs.

howieduck · « **Reply #14 on:** August 01, 2012, 10:25:50 PM »

Thanks. I'm sure I'll manage the route sheet! Even though I always get lost or miss a turn!

bikey-mikey · « **Reply #15 on:** August 02, 2012, 12:13:02 AM »

Quote from: BlackSheep on August 01, 2012, 10:11:34 PM

Quote from: bikey-mikey on August 01, 2012, 04:47:57 PM
I had a go today. V hard doing the cycle path bits cos no google street view... I used some roads out of necessity but have used the bulk of the CPs. Came our about 6 km shorter. PM me of you wanna see, but no guarantees.

You'll find plotting the last 18km a nightmare - I've ridden it dozens of times, and could cycle that bit faster than I could plot it.

The cycleway is well marked, and you'll make faster progress by using a route sheet rather than following a small screen.

I remember one year John Hayes leading a group of us down the main roads - def longer but much quicker also much less enjoyable. Reason for the deviation was slow puncture, only reuired three boosts, rather than the dozen or more the cyclpath would have demanded.

I think you'll have more luck with the bikehike site, as it's possible to plot the tcx or gpx using OS mapping - it will show the NCRs.

Cheers Mark

Bikeroutetoaster does have a cycle screen that shows the NCRs which I used. Biggest problem was knowing where to turn onto the paths but I sussed that I think. It all fun anyway

I always have a route sheet to follow as well cos it makes everything more interesting & confirms things both ways !!!

davebax · « **Reply #16 on:** August 03, 2012, 04:33:22 PM »

Quote from: bikey-mikey on August 02, 2012, 12:13:02 AM

I always have a route sheet to follow as well cos it makes everything more interesting & confirms things both ways !!!

. . . or confuses things and creates a dilemma! The route sheet and GPX versions of the route may differ, perhaps deliberately, as recently discussed at http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=61386.msg1277740#msg1277740

howieduck · « **Reply #17 on:** August 03, 2012, 08:25:04 PM »

There's a lot of rain right now. Bet pack my water wings for the morning!

BlackSheep · « **Reply #18 on:** August 03, 2012, 09:05:09 PM »

Quote from: howieduck on August 03, 2012, 08:25:04 PM

There's a lot of rain right now. Bet pack my water wings for the morning!

I know that rain's regarded as the best weather for ducks, if you're still having a good time tomorrow morning - don't stop at the first control, just carry-on to the end of the lane

Banjo · « **Reply #19 on:** August 03, 2012, 09:07:24 PM »

We may need to fit lightening rods for tommorow morning.Thunder storms forecast for South Wales.I like Summer, the rain is a bit warmer.

bikey-mikey · « **Reply #20 on:** August 03, 2012, 11:03:58 PM »

Keeps you cool so you can go faster....

Bairdy · « **Reply #21 on:** August 04, 2012, 05:43:42 AM »

Quote from: bikey-mikey on August 03, 2012, 11:03:58 PM

Keeps you cool so you can go faster....

But doesn't it make you heavier??

bikey-mikey · « **Reply #22 on:** August 04, 2012, 05:49:03 AM »

I ain't heavy, I'm my brother....

bikey-mikey · « **Reply #23 on:** August 04, 2012, 10:35:17 PM »

and a great day was had by all, topping off by reaching the penultimate control in perfect time to watch the GB girls win the team pursuit !!

I rode with a very friendly group and I loved it !!

Thanks Tony and Kathy

Bairdy · « **Reply #24 on:** August 05, 2012, 12:51:28 AM »

Quote from: bikey-mikey on August 04, 2012, 10:35:17 PM

and a great day was had by all, topping off by reaching the penultimate control in perfect time to watch the GB girls win the team pursuit !!

I rode with a very friendly group and I loved it !!

Thanks Tony

I'll second that. Lots of laughs on

this one, great fun.