Yet Another Cycling Forum
General Category => Audax => Topic started by: willpom gwraudax on 16 July, 2019, 09:43:22 pm
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05:00 18th - 22:00 23rd June 2020
Throwing this out there for people to chew on as I see all these lovely looking longer distance rides popping up. This is all dependant on my upgrade to the next level.
Bristol-Glasgow-Bristol 1600. It came to me whilst riding back from Brest 4yrs ago chatting with Paul Rainbow. It was my first year of Audax; never heard of it a few years before that. Was in awe of fellow CTC members doing these distances and then was convinced to join the fun and Audax Club Bristol. Any way the chat got round to LEL so I had an idea for a 'West Country' one. It didn't go away. Cycling back home from Paris it was churning over in my head; that and the 'Stopical' but that's another story.... I was putting mental markers on my inner map. Back home I set about plotting. It didn't take long, tweaked over time. Ridden as a DIY in 2017, then Vilas Silverton rode it a month later. A few more tweaks ensued. Stuck it on the planner end of this Spring and applied for my upgrade.
It will be a pure X rated event, just collect PoP as you go. Why no sleep facilities? Because it's hard, bloody hard, but you do get a good amount of time to do it in. Looking at mine and Vilas' rides we set off at similar times albeit a month apart but slept at completely different distances. Telbert James also gave it a crack on fixed :o , made it half way, and he too chose different places to stop. Therefore it has lead me to the conclusion we are all wildly different and forcing a set distance to a sleep control wouldn't be beneficial! There are plenty of B&Bs etc en route that people can make use of, or, being around the solstice, bivy!
A quick overview: Taking in some amazing hills up and down the country; some remote forest tracks, high cobbled moorland roads & an old railway; a few urban areas including Glasgow Central Station probably on the shortest night; hills & more hills :demon: I love 'em I does!
1644km in 137hrs | 23,960m / 24 AAA = about 14.6m/km average
Watch this space!
PS I'll have an arduous SR series to get you in the mood in the lead up!
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Bristol-Glasgow-Bristol 1600.
. . . just collect PoP as you go. overview: Taking in some amazing hills up and down the country; some remote forest tracks, high cobbled moorland roads & an old railway;
1644km in 137hrs | 23,960m / 24 AAA = about 14.6m/km average
Sorry - did I miss where you want us to collect PoPs from, Will?
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Ah, that's really tempting, but I think I'll be busy that weekend :(
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Links to see the 3 attempts so far would be cool too.
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Interested in this as a route as I have family in the Real Capital ™ who can put me up at the halfway.
The prospect of going through Shropshire and whatnot is really appealing. Interested to see how it shapes up 🙌
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Ah, that's really tempting, but I think I'll be busy that weekend :(
Summer Arrow?
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For some reason it's not letting me quote...
Ajax Bay - Here's a few; Wales, England, Scotland... ;)
Deano - Hair appointment?
FifeingEejit - Mine. The others have their's as private at the mo, all part of the mystery.
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/6h0f1n9uo8aq8w1/strava4174842555480848198.jpg?raw=1)
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/zcos6wmqfceh9y6/elevation_profile.jpg?raw=1)
Bludger - Shropshire doesn't get a look in, Herefordshire does briefly. Glasgow is an excellent aim for the 3rd night.
If all goes well I shall be departing with the rag tag bunch of velobonds that take the plunge!
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Vilas Silverton writeup (https://cycling.srichinmoyraces.org/bristol-glasgow-bristol-1635km-ride)
After the first day, however, I realized that I was slightly out of touch with reality when it came to covering that distance with so many hills.
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Vilas Silverton writeup (https://cycling.srichinmoyraces.org/bristol-glasgow-bristol-1635km-ride)
After the first day, however, I realized that I was slightly out of touch with reality when it came to covering that distance with so many hills.
:thumbsup: He finished, and has expressed to me he want's to do it again ;D
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Vilas Silverton writeup (https://cycling.srichinmoyraces.org/bristol-glasgow-bristol-1635km-ride)
After the first day, however, I realized that I was slightly out of touch with reality when it came to covering that distance with so many hills.
Ah I've read that before...
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The special whisky at the end will be included: Bladnoch Samsara (Rebirth)
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Wow - what an epic, I briefly considered ECE the Blackpool-Glasgow-Blackpool from Bristol last year, but a step too far for me. I'm looking forward to following online the brave souls who take this on.
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Wow - what an epic, I briefly considered ECE the Blackpool-Glasgow-Blackpool from Bristol last year, but a step too far for me. I'm looking forward to following online the brave souls who take this on.
If you consider that again DIY there and back. It's about 325km. Gives you the extra time and if you need to sack one part off you can without forsaking the other. That's what I did for MP1k last yr
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Finally I get to bring this to the calendar :demon: A bit of escapism for the soul O:-)
Restrictions dependant of course!
It'll be a totally x-rated event for this instance. I'm working on ride type format at the moment; a combination of BP and BR or RM, maybe a relay. Event will take place late August with plans to finish on the BH Monday. Max event length probably 10 days. Actual distance about 1630-1640km, climb about 24,000m, some gravel involved. As soon as I'm allowed I'll be off with my sleeping bag and tarp to make sure the everything is still there, and admire the views :smug:
For an overview and current details: www.gwraudax.co.uk/bgb1600 (http://www.gwraudax.co.uk/bgb1600)
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Finally I get to bring this to the calendar :demon: A bit of escapism for the soul O:-)
Restrictions dependant of course!
It'll be a totally x-rated event for this instance. I'm working on ride type format at the moment; a combination of BP and BR or RM, maybe a relay. Event will take place late August with plans to finish on the BH Monday. Max event length probably 10 days. Actual distance about 1630-1640km, climb about 24,000m, some gravel involved. As soon as I'm allowed I'll be off with my sleeping bag and tarp to make sure the everything is still there, and admire the views :smug:
For an overview and current details: www.gwraudax.co.uk/bgb1600 (http://www.gwraudax.co.uk/bgb1600)
Looks like a nice summer ride. I could well be interested. What am I saying... here, take my money! :D
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Finally I get to bring this to the calendar :demon: A bit of escapism for the soul O:-)
Restrictions dependant of course!
It'll be a totally x-rated event for this instance. I'm working on ride type format at the moment; a combination of BP and BR or RM, maybe a relay. Event will take place late August with plans to finish on the BH Monday. Max event length probably 10 days. Actual distance about 1630-1640km, climb about 24,000m, some gravel involved. As soon as I'm allowed I'll be off with my sleeping bag and tarp to make sure the everything is still there, and admire the views :smug:
For an overview and current details: www.gwraudax.co.uk/bgb1600 (http://www.gwraudax.co.uk/bgb1600)
I've had a dig round the ride-reports and maps; looks a brilliant ride. :thumbsup: Given our (likely) foreign trip restrictions, I'm very keen;
but there's no way I'd try it at BR(M) pace, so if you don't run a BP I'd fancy doing it as nx200km rides (which will be hard enough, based on my experience on the Eiger ride).
(Is the time limit right on your page? I think 184h is way too long for 1600km - 8.9kph Might be right for a 200km/day schedule?
EDIT: Finally found this:
1300 to 1800 km – 12 kph
1900 to 2400 km - 10 kph
2500 km and over – 8⅓ kph )
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Looks like a nice summer ride. I could well be interested. What am I saying... here, take my money! :D
I can't wait to do it again Lee. It cleared my mind last time. Judging by the interest I'll have to get quite a bit of the Bladnoch Samsara in for the finish; aptly meaning rebirth!
Is the time limit right on your page?
Just working out the final details Matt of what event type to use. There will be a 10day BP for sure. Weighing up pros and cons of BR, BR relay and RM (additional time allowed as climbing over 11m/km).
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Looks like a nice summer ride. I could well be interested. What am I saying... here, take my money! :D
Nice warm up, quick change then off to Belgium :P
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Will
Are you talking to LRM about extra time due to the amount of climbing?
Their regs say:
1.3.5 For events where the rate of climbing is greater than 11 meters per kilometre the President will give consideration to requests for extra time. This will normally be based on a 5% allowance for every full m/km of extra climbing (examples are given in Appendix 3). Specificauthority to adopt these allowances must be sought from the LRM President.
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Are you talking to LRM about extra time due to the amount of climbing?
Indirectly I hope to be.
Unsure what software they use to calculate climb, whether AUKs AAA calculator or OpenRunner like I had to use for the SR600, I've played it on the safe side and found a few extra hills to push it just over 15m/km in OpenRunner. Hopefully it'll all be given a :thumbsup: and will get an extra 20% time allowance. So Randonneur pace at 6d19h12m & Populaire pace at 9d10h40m.
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Route check done! Any questions fire away.
Entries are now open.
Big Gert Brevet (http://www.gwraudax.co.uk/bgb1600bp) - Populaire - 10days - from 10:00 Sat 21 Aug - www.gwraudax.co.uk/bgb1600bp (http://www.gwraudax.co.uk/bgb1600bp)
Bristol Glasgow Bristol (http://www.gwraudax.co.uk/bgb1600) - Randonneur - 7days - from 05:00 Sun 22nd Aug - www.gwraudax.co.uk/bgb1600 (http://www.gwraudax.co.uk/bgb1600)
As the randonneur pace event is being validated by LRM it benefits from extra time based on the additional rate of climb above 11m/km; 5% for every metre. It comes in at ~15.4m/km so benefits from 20% extra time; or a minimum speed of 10kph. This equates to 240km per 24hr period.
The populaire is an average of 163km/day; get the AAA points AND the distance if doing the fixed wheel challenge.
(https://www.pedalution.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/2021-06-19-19.10.27-scaled.jpg)
A bit about the route check:
No doubt about it, it was hard, exactly as intended.
I did it on a SWB steel racer with 25mm Conti Gatorskins; I've done some cracking events on this bike but having ridden 37mm slicks for the past 3yrs it wouldn't be my choice for longer events nowadays, let alone those with a bit of off road. So why did I use it? As the organiser I wanted to demonstrate that it is possible on any road bike. It isn't what you ride but how you ride it!
I set out with the advantage of knowing (mainly) what to expect so paced my self accordingly, my physical fitness wasn't at its best but my mental fitness (some may call it stubbornness) was at its peak; having got to Scotland I knew I'd finish in time excluding any major mechanical or medical. The lockdown layers and lack of distance cycling to date had tested me the first few days so I took the decision to go full value doing about 200km on each of the final 3 days.
The off road sections will take you to some remote locations, as well as some of the road sections; and offer some of the most amazing views. Some walking was required whilst off road; fatter tyres at a lower pressure would have been a vast benefit.
Overall I completed it with 3hrs to spare but as I've said I rode to the time.
Post check a few minor changes have been made resulting in the final gratuitous byway climb that was actually a stream bed being removed, hence it is slightly easier on the last day through the Cotswolds.
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Isn't this like doing two super randonees back to back?
Even though randonesia has set in, and riding a super randonee is appealing, I am pretty sure at the finish of the one I did, I was not thinking I could knock out another one straight away.
And I STILL find myself being tempted, must need my head checked.
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After meeting you that dusky Friday evening at the Vrynwy Dam, Will, during your recce, I was annoyed I didn't take a picture: if an image isn't shared it 'sort of' didn't happen. Hope some climbing types enter: the ascent will make this no ordinary tour, as @vilas discovered. Doing an SR600 (600km with 10,000+m of climb) first would be a sensible warm up to check 'condition'.
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Isn't this like doing two super randonees back to back?
Even though randonesia has set in, and riding a super randonee is appealing, I am pretty sure at the finish of the one I did, I was not thinking I could knock out another one straight away.
And I STILL find myself being tempted, must need my head checked.
7 days, or 10, of hills and remote places is an excellent time to shuffle through the inner workings of your head and re-align thoughts. And once you've finished you will realise that any thing is possible if you put your mind to it.
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After meeting you that dusky Friday evening at the Vrynwy Dam, Will, during your recce, I was annoyed I didn't take a picture: if an image isn't shared it 'sort of' didn't happen. Hope some climbing types enter: the ascent will make this no ordinary tour, as @vilas discovered. Doing an SR600 (600km with 10,000+m of climb) first would be a sensible warm up to check 'condition'.
Was good to see you John. Hope your recce went well. I think the state of my legs after those lakeside midges prove it happened!
Yes an SR600 would be a good start. Vilas did have it harder as it was a DIY BR event it didn't benefit from the 15% extra time had it been an LRM. I added a couple more hills and it's now 20% more which took the edge of considerably. 1st time I was aiming at 300km a day to stay on top and give a buffer, this time 250km a day. Flip side of that is if you break it up like that you get your eyes tested at Barnard Castle on the 2nd night. Stanhope over to Hexham in the morning is likely to put that day's average pace below what you are aiming for and fill you with bad head thoughts; but from Hexham on you slowly claw back that day's pace to end in the green again.
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Isn't this like doing two super randonees back to back?
Even though randonesia has set in, and riding a super randonee is appealing, I am pretty sure at the finish of the one I did, I was not thinking I could knock out another one straight away.
And I STILL find myself being tempted, must need my head checked.
7 days, or 10, of hills and remote places is an excellent time to shuffle through the inner workings of your head and re-align thoughts. And once you've finished you will realise that any thing is possible if you put your mind to it.
10 days would be a nice tour.
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10 days would be a nice tour.
That's the BP version. The escapism for the sake of it; and a handful of AAAs. Thought people would appreciate that at this time.
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After meeting you that dusky Friday evening at the Vrynwy Dam, Will, during your recce, I was annoyed I didn't take a picture: if an image isn't shared it 'sort of' didn't happen. Hope some climbing types enter: the ascent will make this no ordinary tour, as @vilas discovered. Doing an SR600 (600km with 10,000+m of climb) first would be a sensible warm up to check 'condition'.
Was good to see you John. Hope your recce went well. I think the state of my legs after those lakeside midges prove it happened!
Yes an SR600 would be a good start. Vilas did have it harder as it was a DIY BR event it didn't benefit from the 15% extra time had it been an LRM. I added a couple more hills and it's now 20% more which took the edge of considerably. 1st time I was aiming at 300km a day to stay on top and give a buffer, this time 250km a day. Flip side of that is if you break it up like that you get your eyes tested at Barnard Castle on the 2nd night. Stanhope over to Hexham in the morning is likely to put that day's average pace below what you are aiming for and fill you with bad head thoughts; but from Hexham on you slowly claw back that day's pace to end in the green again.
Route studying has begun... I remember the section between Barnard Castle and Hexham from day 2 of Mille Pennine. I shall expect bad thoughts! ;)
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I'll sort out the bare route with controls for planning later in the week for advanced planning purposes. Need to still go through all the cue edits I made for the route sheet.
I will say if you know what you are looking for there are plenty of suitable places to stop. I did all of mine on the fly other than the 1st night where I had a selection; I was over optimistic on my fitness ::-)
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I'm thinking of attempting this averaging about 200 miles per day. I'm thinking maybe: Runcorn; Newcastleton; Abington Services; Burnley (home) and then making a break for it back to Bristol probably arriving early Friday morning. What do you think Will?
Andy Corless
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If I'd been cycling long hilly stuff all over lockdown I'd have been looking to do it in about 5.5-6d. Similar to my first time where there was less tracks and about 3,000m less climb; but I did get some long nights sleep then. I was no where near that level this time though.
Depending on your fitness, how much sleep you get and how you handle the tougher off road sections your aim is possible. Don't under estimate some of the smaller Welsh hills on the first day though they can catch you unaware if you are expecting the more classic mountain roads.
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Don't under estimate some of the smaller Welsh hills on the first day though they can catch you unaware if you are expecting the more classic mountain roads.
This is an important point Will makes.
I did a 600DIY back in May which the first half did a large part of day 1 (slightly east of the route) and up to lake Vrnwy it was constant small but very steep hills which had the effect on average speed as some were so steep I ended up walking and the descents were slow as well due to the road surface and were of a nature that you cannot let go of the brakes all of which made for very slow going. It was my slowest 200 I have done in a long time and i was shattered by the time I got to the shop. I never really recovered from this section and ultimately pulled the plug at 500kms.
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I'm out! Been suffering a bit all week and the weather forecast wasn't favourable for me as well as struggling to get time off work also. I do hope the event goes well (both events!) and also hope that it runs again soon (next year?). I know it's early days but anyone know how it's going?
Andy Corless
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Entry for the ultimate PBP qualifier is now open!
A few extra hills and it tips it over into the next rate of climb bracket so you now benefit from 25% extra time - inclusive innit :thumbsup:
https://www.pedalution.co.uk/events/bristol-glasgow-bristol-1600/ (https://www.pedalution.co.uk/events/bristol-glasgow-bristol-1600/)
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Not long till the depart
Big Gert Brevet 1600 - the 13d16h excursion - 06:00 22 May - https://www.pedalution.co.uk/events/big-gert-brevet-1600/ (https://www.pedalution.co.uk/events/big-gert-brevet-1600/)
Bristol Glasgow Bristol 1600 - 7d2h randonneur pace - 04:00 29 May - https://www.pedalution.co.uk/events/bristol-glasgow-bristol-1600/ (https://www.pedalution.co.uk/events/bristol-glasgow-bristol-1600/)
About 230km/d for full value.
The route has seen some changes since last year. The obvious bits being:
- The inclusion of Wayfarer's Memorial on a bit of Welsh gravel as it'd be rude not to and an obvious oversight of mine last year!
- Avoiding the north Manchester satellite towns and going north across Heptonstall Moor.
Homemade pizza & whisky for all finishers, in or out of time. Fun guaranteed, type variable :thumbsup: