I'm sure Steve will welcome constructive comments on what's already a fine route, and for a first-running of the event (and keeping it all in perspective) there was far more praise than grumbles. Well done Steve
I'm sure Steve will, as he will be wanting to iron out any wrinkles, and as this was the only one in an otherwise utterly brilliant day of route and controls there is an easy fix. No need for a change of start venue.
Hi All- my turn
I am deeply moved and encouraged by the reactions I read and, believe you me, I also hate that final climb. Big difference, though, is I am normally riding it solo and it is only a few minutes of hassle from an otherwise hassle-free (and from what I read and secretly know - great) ride. The BIG Q remains “do I (should I) as Organiser” inflict this ‘risky hill’ on 80+ other riders?....if there are ‘easier (and safer?)’ routes. The easier routes below do work well but are best in daylight; so, the remaining Q is ”which is ‘not too bad’ at night?”
I see the HF alt from Park Corner>Daglingworth>Perrotts Brook>Whiteway>Whithington>A; big problem there is the descent through Withy Woods with poor surface and nasty L bend. Otherwise, fine. I respect HF’s local knowledge.
Another alt would be to continue from Park Corner> Winstone>(under) A417>Colesbourne>Withington>A
The current route does have Bubbs Hill, so somewhere returning there is going to be a nasty descent and bend. Solution is to find the least painful. Of course, anyone with local knowledge can ride how they want from Tetbury, or even Lacock.
My thoughts are to use Winstone> Colesbourne>Withington and I will certainly research this. It avoids going too deep into the R Churn valley and from previous (Cal Corker) riding, should work well. The return from Withington is quite benign and will be familiar to those finishing in the dark.
You probably saw I had a very small team working for you yesterday. I would rather see cyclists on their bikes than standing at a Control. With Black Sheep/Ewe’s great help and my cycling-widow Shirley womanning the kitchen (did you notice I even ‘let’ Black Ewe ride a quick-Corker before inflicting her on you?).
Sorry about the 11.5km ‘extra-Value’ around Faringdon. I was also caught out as I rode to the Uffington WI Control, but fortuitously picked up 2 very late 150 starters and we made Uffington at close time. I am overjoyed that the U & B Controls worked so well and will forward YOUR comments to the 2 Teams. I am sure they will be there next year together with an improved finish.
Thought?? My return ride from Uffington was fairly direct through Highworth, Lechlade, Fairford, Chedworth and Withington. This, with the route to Uffington, gave me a ride with the only common section to/from Withington. That could make a nice little relaxing 100-ish km mini-Flyer. How about that?
Do note you can ride it as a Perm with a Charlton Kings S/F, so you have a flying finish down Lillybrook Hill, rather than "that" climb up Chatcombe Pitch.
It is a huge weight off my mind to feel that the New Flyer might have a future after Ron’s sterling work over more than 20 years. And it was a real pleasure that Ron was keen to Start you off.
SteveP