Mr. Pickwick's March madness 4th March '17 200k, Tewkesbury.

[BlackSheep]

Probably the last running of the ride in this exact form, 2018 will more than likely see a change of lunch time control.

Spaces are filling-up faster than previous years, I expect to close entry early.

I've probably described the event too many times to potential cyclists*, so it's probably best you read what past completers think of the route and ride.

Last year's details are here https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=95855.0

Their 2015 accounts can be found here   https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=88209.0

2014 comments here   https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=79910.0

And you go here to be part of the 2017 history http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/17-376/


*A Spring classic. Tackling the Malverns before breakfast. To & through the Forest of Dean for lunch. And an afternoon in the Severn Vale. Fine views throughout the ride.

This early spring event is proving to be very popular with both riders that wish to keep their points tally ticking-over, and those that are AAA points chasing. The AAA bit comes early in the ride, so there's plenty of time to recover, and make good progress on easy roads/lanes for the finish of the ride. Good quality controls used throughout, all have experience of handling AUK events, hot and cold food available at each control. A few km of off-road sections (either NCRs or SUSTRANS approved, and these can be avoided if wished). Only one major urban complex on the ride, and this is passed-through virtually traffic-free. The finish is at The Royal Hop Pole in Tewkesbury, there's plenty of room to park the bike, and again there's a good selection of food and re-hydration is possible until 11pm. GPS routes and comprehensive event details supplied to all riders on receipt of entry, reasonable all day parking at start, free parking at finish after 17:30 - should you want to move your car after you complete the ride and wait for any lift-sharers.

[U.N.Dulates]

We're in. Traditional season starter & (imo) the best of the BlackSheep routes - hope it won't have to change too much in future years.

[Clemo]

A good early season jaunt 


P.S Mark if you want someone to try out the 2018 version prior to the event let me know as I am going to be a professional rider at the end of the summer 

[BobScarle]

I'm in. Really enjoy this ride especially when the sun shines. Pity about the cafe at Soudley, but that's a whole story on it's own.

[BlackSheep]

We're in. Traditional season starter .......

Looking forward to seeing you both again, and the purple speed steed.

We're in. Traditional season starter & (imo) the best of the BlackSheep routes - .......

Thank you for that vote of confidence U.N.Dulates. Have you not tried Mr. Pickwick's high summer meander? It's back on this year after a few years off, probably a prettier ride than this one. You still get to visit the cafe at Soudley and the forest of Dean. You return via a long loop around the Cotswolds.

... . .. .  .  . - hope it won't have to change too much in future years.

Agreed. Kay and her team WILL be vacating the cafe in October. But BlackSheep CC events will be visiting the cafe every month from March to August (except May). There are alternatives, but none with all the attributes that Dean Heritage currently offer.

[U.N.Dulates]

We're in. Traditional season starter & (imo) the best of the BlackSheep routes - .......

Thank you for that vote of confidence U.N.Dulates. Have you not tried Mr. Pickwick's high summer meander? It's back on this year after a few years off, probably a prettier ride than this one. You still get to visit the cafe at Soudley and the forest of Dean. You return via a long loop around the Cotswolds.

Yes, tried the High Summer Meander a few years back. Another fine route. See it's on again this year but clashes with other stuff unfortunately.

There's just something special about the MM. Perfect for the time of year.

[Bairdy]

I'm in....like Flynn.

[BlackSheep]

Spaces are filling-up faster than previous years, I expect to close entry early.

AUK guidelines advise organisers to look at their entry list two weeks prior to the event, then potentially consider ordering cards about double the number of entries at that date. Well here we are 7 weeks before the event and I've reached that point.

So it looks like there's going to be "no room at the inn" earlier than expected.

[Hot Flatus]

I think Im in.

Love this ride. Always feel pretty knackered by the end.

[BlackSheep]

I think Im in.

 

[Lee Killestein]

A chance to add another Tewkesbury ride to my repertoire. Missed this one last year due to an ear infection, I felt I'd be even more unstable than normal on two wheels. Looking forward to this year's (with fingers crossed). 

[Lady Cavendish]

I see the letters AAA and almost poo my pants but it's about time I got over to Tewkesbury for an event, so I'd better enter.

[Chris N]

I'm in too.

[The Solo Socialist]

I'm in !!!

[The Solo Socialist]

Feasible on fixed ??

[Chris N]

Feasible on fixed ??

I hope so.

[Hot Flatus]

Feasible on fixed ??

I did it on fixed 48/16 a few years back.

The only time I had to get into second gear was that short sharp brute on the lanes to St Briavels, and that was only because I couldnt get a run up.

[Philip Whiteman]

The section between Bromyard and Soudley felt like a very long way last time and it was surprisingly lumpy. 

I'm entered and looking forward to it,I think.

[The Solo Socialist]

Feasible on fixed ??

I hope so.

me too

[BlackSheep]

I will be doing a final route Che k in a couple of weeks time, route sheet and GPS will be issued after that.

I know a number of you have paid by paypal but the AUK system has marked you as cancelled or not paid. This is not the case, you're in.

[Lady Cavendish]

I have just entered. I am very old now and can't handle getting up at crazy o clock for an M4/M5 bash, so I'm staying the night before. If anyone is eating or drinking the night before just shout

I think this will be my hardest one I'll have done in a while. First 200k since November as well, so I will be a bit of a dawdler I think

[BlackSheep]

The section between Bromyard and Soudley felt like a very long way last time and it was surprisingly lumpy. . . . .  .   ..

The trick is to keep Vistaed (otp) in sight, then you will get to the Soudley lunch stop in good time, such good time in fact you'll be able to stop for an hour and still leave before the next rider arrives. (Of course that's assuming he's riding, data protection prevents me confirming this one way or another).

[Clemo]

popped in the Soudley control for a brew on Tuesday. 

[vistaed]

The section between Bromyard and Soudley felt like a very long way last time and it was surprisingly lumpy. . . . .  .   ..

The trick is to keep Vistaed (otp) in sight, then you will get to the Soudley lunch stop in good time, such good time in fact you'll be able to stop for an hour and still leave before the next rider arrives. (Of course that's assuming he's riding, data protection prevents me confirming this one way or another).

I am indeed riding but have plans 'take it easy' this time as I'll be nursing a friend round his first 200km in about 10 years. What I plan to do on the Dean a few weeks later is another matter:)

[PAC]

Entered