Yet Another Cycling Forum

General Category => Audax => Topic started by: ian_oli on 28 February, 2013, 01:09:52 am

Title: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: ian_oli on 28 February, 2013, 01:09:52 am

Time to mention Willesden CC's excellent 300K ride. 2013’s ride on 6th April. From just west of London at Chalfont St Peter, it goes across the Chilterns, the eastern edge of the Berkshire downs, the Hampshire Downs  at White Hill, along the Test Valley and across the New Forest to Fordingbridge and, err, back again by a different route. Breakfast is included in the price and refreshments/light meals available at the end with commercial controls in between.

The fact that the return route has a following prevailing wind and the last 60k is fairly flat make this a good first 300K and also makes it reasonably easy for fixies. You will need lights for the first ten minutes or so and even full value riders should get to around Preston Candover before needing lights. You can get details of the controls, a draft GPX and the 3Down crossword at  http://iansaudax.blogspot.co.uk/. (http://iansaudax.blogspot.co.uk/.)

(http://www.aukweb.net/official/pix/417.jpg)
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: tonyh on 28 February, 2013, 09:14:28 am
"Excellent" certainly describes that link, as well as the event!
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: swiss hat on 28 February, 2013, 12:32:15 pm
Yes agree that it's an excellent route and is ideal for anyone considering their first fixed ride >200km. Unfortunately it's the same day as the Hard Boiled 300 otherwise I'd be riding. Might be up for a route check tho' Ian!
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: ian_oli on 09 March, 2013, 05:00:06 pm
Off checking 2/3rds of the route tomorrow - before I run out of time to do it. The weather looks cold, damp in parts (OK so far) and a "brisk easterly wind"  :o  So a tiring return.
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013 Routecheck ride report
Post by: ian_oli on 14 March, 2013, 09:49:13 am
This year I decided to break the 3Down route check into two -  two thirds, Pangbourne to near Basingstoke one weekend, the start and finish the following one.

So, on Saturday I sat down with Google Maps to plan. The minimum distance of the route to be checked was around 187kms. Limited train options on a Sunday morning meant with a start from Reading and adding 2-3kms at the end around Basingstoke, I could have a 200DIY and Routecheck in one go. Taking the car to start earlier, I set off from Reading just after 8am.
It started off a dull, cool day with a light tailwind, Pangbourne, the ride's first control was reached in about 30 minutes and now I was on the 3 Down route. The café stop has changed hands since the last 3Down, but not needing food, I decided to leave introducing myself until the second check. Knowing the route too well, I sailed past three of the first half dozen routesheet points without checking whether the signage on the road matched the routesheet, so each time I had to spin round and check. The lesson was eventually learned. Arriving at a dip before Stanford Dingley where the road was flooded, I carried on - deep enough to get my feet sprayed, shallow enough not to cover the bottom bracket - unlikely to be there in a month so nothing to note. A few kms further on, a sign had changed and I spotted a significant error in the incrementing distance - something to correct at last.

It was a pleasant ride with an increasing tailwind and I was quickly in Whitchurch, where I stopped to flip the routesheet and tighten up a loose mudguard stay. Then it was down the Test Valley, one of my favourite stretches of the ride – it is fairly flat with a winning landscape of woodland, wetland and rustic villages. I arrived at  the Kimbridge control, way earlier than on previous checks. About a hundred yards before its entrance I heard the car behind me hoot - I turned ready to snarl, thinking it was at me, but it was for an Audi sports car overtaking it on a road that was barely two car widths wide with another car coming in the opposite direction. It swerved to avoid the oncoming car right in front of me. I was surely joined by the two other drivers in mouthing obscenities at the idiot. Once in Kimbridge, I bumped into Alun, its manager, discussed arrangements for 6th April, then looked for a place to sit and grab a bite. The penny dropped - Mother's day and not an unreserved seat in the house!  Alun very kindly arranged a sandwich and a coffee for me though, which I scoffed standing.

The short stretch over to the New Forest consists of small steep wooded hills with a suburban sprawl where most of the "farms" are scruffy horse places (I am not selling the ride here – most of it is really nice, honest!). Every time I do it, I find it wearing and this time was no exception. Next is a sharp little climb onto the New Forest Plateau and now the tailwind is ferocious (far more likely to be a headwind on the event). I was getting up to 40kph on the flat without effort - great - but I was conscious I had to come back. Animals range free here and in Godshill I had to slow right down for a herd of bullocks, most of whom seemed to be taking a communal pee in the road, and a gang of ponies following them. I managed to slip through - the car that had been right behind me must have been caught several minutes. A lightning stop for chocolate milk at the garage in Fordingbridge, around 105km into the ride and then the turn south along the western edge of the forest, roads full of mountain bikers in anoraks and more herds of ponies. For the first time I have ridden here, there was water in the fords, but they were negotiable.

Next was the dreaded turn into the headwind. Not too bad at first as the woodland and the folds of the landscape block the worst. I stopped in Linwood to check the Info control and found myself surrounded by runners on an event  - a tough one by the looks on their faces. Finally back on top. Now it is nasty - 16-17kph tops in the unrelenting headwind and my heart rate up to 80% of max. While nowhere else is quite as exposed, the slightly shorter return portion takes nearly two hours longer than the outward ride. The fact that I’ve not ridden more than 70k in one day for five months catches up with me and I find I need to stop for several breathers and food breaks. Climbing to Sparsholt, the other Info control, the snow flurries started.

I ploughed on to Alresford and arrived about 6pm, just as it was getting dark. While there is a choice on Saturdays, the event day, on Sunday evenings the only place  is Tesco Express. Am I the only person to be slightly depressed at the sight of one appearing to be the heart of the community - there was a continual coming and going of cars and people? Whatever: 2 chocolate milks and a battery change later I was on my way and it was now just about dark.

The route to Basingstoke is mainly two long gentle climbs punctuated by a couple of down-hills. At around zero degrees with a howling headwind, the exposed part of my face was freezing, but the climbing, ski gloves, with thinner gloves underneath, four layers on my feet and 6 layers round my trunk kept me well clear of hypothermia. It was just a slow grind using the hedgerows for shelter as best I could. I made an en-route executive decision to cut one very marginal but rather crappy short cut.  A salt-gritter passed the other way - the first ever time for me on a bike. I was glad of the wraps protecting my eyes as crystals up to an inch across bounced around me. For the first few kms, before car tyres had ground them down, though, my headlight picked out the crystals and made them look like diamonds - or at least something from a Disney World grotto.

I reached the point to turn off the route and make up the 200K DIY. OK until I was through Old Basing, then I hit the hell that is Basingstoke. In the dark, with no knowledge of the place and just the GPS for navigation, it was dual carriageways, intersections and roundabouts till I finally arrived at the station. I had finished - 205km in 12 hours. I bought my ticket back to Reading and with plenty of waiting time went to look for a coffee. I found one - the best I can say is that it was hot.

Back at Reading my fingers got so cold at the end of packing away the bike, I couldn’t undo my helmet clasp until I was a couple of miles into the drive home. I was so tired that when I went to sleep I apparently spent 15 minutes entertaining my wife by loudly swearing at random.

But, riders, you will have up-to-date instructions.
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: Ashaman42 on 14 March, 2013, 08:08:11 pm
Thanks for the ride report Ian, sounds like a testing second half for you.

Currently pondering at the moment, not fit for the distance at the moment and don't actually have my new bike (and my old/current one nearly broke me on my first 300k) yet so undecided. Is the closing date for entries on the AudaxUK website correct (5/4/13)? Seems rather close to the ride.
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: ian_oli on 15 March, 2013, 09:10:05 am
Thanks for the ride report Ian, sounds like a testing second half for you.

Currently pondering at the moment, not fit for the distance at the moment and don't actually have my new bike (and my old/current one nearly broke me on my first 300k) yet so undecided. Is the closing date for entries on the AudaxUK website correct (5/4/13)? Seems rather close to the ride.

Yes - assuming I have enough Brevet cards to go around and that I don't hit the size limit, I will close early the evening before the event. Being able to keep open this late is one of the benefits of online entry - for a long ride like this I don't offer EOL.  The ride's now about 2/3rds full - so there is a chance it may fill.
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: Tynan on 15 March, 2013, 03:41:55 pm
Entered last night for my first official 300, an ECEd 200 and an Easter Arrow stoking notwithstanding, this'll be the step up from 200 this year in prep for LEL, hopefully

I assume Basingstoke in the dark at the end isn't part of the route on the day, and howling headwinds, and gritters, and floods, and bullocks pissing in the road

If the steep hills can be flattened a bit too, so much the better
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: Bunker22 on 15 March, 2013, 07:57:45 pm
Looking forward to doing this ride again. Last year we had a fairly quick run down to the New Forest but slowed on the return. Made the mistake of stopping at Pizza Express in Alresford for a pasta load up which wasted a lot of time. Co-op this time methinks and then I might be back before midnight!
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: Tynan on 15 March, 2013, 09:24:27 pm
midnight?

so looking forward to the step up from 200s
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: Bunker22 on 15 March, 2013, 09:47:12 pm
Valuable Learning Experience: you don't have to stop for a full meal at ALL the controls. DAHIKT!
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: Manotea on 17 March, 2013, 08:23:25 pm
Looking forward to doing this ride again. Last year we had a fairly quick run down to the New Forest but slowed on the return. Made the mistake of stopping at Pizza Express in Alresford for a pasta load up which wasted a lot of time. Co-op this time methinks and then I might be back before midnight!

The co-op has a nice picnic lawn where you can wave at AUKs as they ride by.
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: Hummers on 18 March, 2013, 08:48:42 am
Is the 3 Down the 300k that used to go to Mick's Burger Van on Portsdown Hill? I remember seeing PeterM there about 7 years ago manning a control point.

H
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: Manotea on 18 March, 2013, 08:55:19 am
That was the rural south. The 3 down goes from chalfont down to the new forest.

I like seeing the ponies and donkeys playing statues in the middle of the road.
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: Hummers on 18 March, 2013, 09:06:25 am
That was the rural south. The 3 down goes from chalfont down to the new forest.

I like seeing the donkeys playing statues in the middle of the road.

Ah ha  :thumbsup:

Cheers.

H
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: stevevw on 18 March, 2013, 11:13:06 am
midnight?

so looking forward to the step up from 200s

Tynan
You will have gone home long before midnight  ;)
See at the start.
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: ian_oli on 18 March, 2013, 03:17:10 pm
Had it confirmed that it will be OK to allow riders to sleep the night before in the Community Centre. You'll want sleeping bag and mat which I can look after during the day. You may be asked to help with breakfast etc. for a short while - though you will still have time to fettle.

Anyone wishing to sleep after the ride will be kicked out once the last rider has returned, I'm afraid.

If you want to avail yourself of the facility please email (rather than PM) me by a couple of days ahead of the ride - see www.aukweb.net/events/detail/13-417/  (http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/13-417/) for my address.
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: Tynan on 27 March, 2013, 02:39:16 pm
midnight?

so looking forward to the step up from 200s

Tynan
You will have gone home long before midnight  ;)
See at the start.
and never again after the first downhill and for that matter the first flat bit

although at every control where you will exit with a tart quip as I arrive

I look forward to it

how tired will a fella be after a 300 after getting up at 4am odd? Will I be good to drive home
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: L CC on 27 March, 2013, 03:38:11 pm
how tired will a fella be after a 300 after getting up at 4am odd? Will I be good to drive home
Depends mostly how hard you push yourself on the ride, and how good at spotting you need to stop in the car. I'd drive. But I'd be ready to pull over and kip under a blanket if I needed to.
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: Bunker22 on 27 March, 2013, 04:39:18 pm
midnight?

so looking forward to the step up from 200s

Tynan
You will have gone home long before midnight  ;)
See at the start.
and never again after the first downhill and for that matter the first flat bit

although at every control where you will exit with a tart quip as I arrive

I look forward to it

how tired will a fella be after a 300 after getting up at 4am odd? Will I be good to drive home
Depends how far you have to go. I did after last year. Never again. It was the combination of the 3.30am wake up call, 300k and 2 hr drive home that (nearly) did for me. Should have stopped for some shut eye on the way home but the temptation is to think 'I'm only 1/2 hr away from home' and push on.

This year planning a night in the Ibis before so can sleep later, and contingency to sleep in the car for a bit before setting off home if needed.
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: Tynan on 27 March, 2013, 06:56:14 pm
45mins around the north circular

aye aye blanket in the car, ta
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: Lady Cavendish on 02 April, 2013, 03:59:35 pm
I'm usually fine to drive after a 300 with no problems.

I did actually also drive straight home after my 400 and 600 as well, but I'm not really sure that's advisable, after the 400 really probably wasn't the best plan. But a 300 is fine.

I don't live that far away from Chalfont, so I'll be cycling to and from this one. Means a horribly early start though.

But at least it's summertime now, so the short sleeves and shorts will be on, and suncream at the ready. Ice creams in the New Forest.
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: teethgrinder on 02 April, 2013, 04:16:43 pm
I'm usually fine to drive after a 300 with no problems.

I'm never safe to drive home after even a 200.

(not being able to drive may have some significance here)

I always find it best to cycle home from events. Much more fun and a good way of "getting the miles in." :thumbsup:

I'm not riding the 300 this year though. It's too far for me!
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: dave d on 02 April, 2013, 06:34:04 pm
It will be my first 300 and I intend driving back (about 30 mins).

However one of the main purposes of my ride is training for the 300km Vatterundan which takes place round a lake in Sweden in June (I wanted to try a 300 in the UK first).
One of their rules is:
'In the interest of safety you must rest for a minimum of six hours after completing Vätternrundan before driving anywhere.  This includes driving back to nearby accommodation.  The police will be out to enforce this.'
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: teethgrinder on 02 April, 2013, 07:19:14 pm
Sleeping policemen?

Sounds a bit OTT to me.
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: Tynan on 02 April, 2013, 09:08:42 pm
the forecast today suggest a tailwind all day, it rather splendidly reverses at lunchtime to a SWerly

assuming we survive the start which is forecast for -1/feels like -5

when will this bloody weather warm up, as if a 6am start isn't going to be miserable enough

Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: PAC on 02 April, 2013, 10:15:27 pm
We can only hope....
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: ian_oli on 03 April, 2013, 10:15:08 pm
About to issue a route change to people. Some flooding near Stanford Dingley, a bit after Pangbourne, is the cause and a check with the local council made it clear it will still be there on Saturday. The diverted route is actually a tiny tad shorter.

Also it is almost sold out, so if you're still thinking about entering, get in quick!
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: L CC on 04 April, 2013, 10:08:40 am
Anyone considering taking a tow from us this weekend should bear in mind that we will be playing fast & loose with the proscribed route and early morning main road detours will feature.

(Not a criticism of the route as written, mr_oli, more a reflection on our strengths as a tandem team. Skoggy lanes, choppy terrain, and T at bottom of hill affect us more than your average solo rider.)
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: Tynan on 04 April, 2013, 03:44:42 pm
how selfish

does anyone have the route split into control by control?

I'm in the process of trying to segment it in course creator but it's rather painful work, for me anyway

my lowly gps only allows 750 points and that's a bit sparse for 300km
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: R_nger on 04 April, 2013, 06:36:14 pm
I have split the track and reduced the point count...you could PM me your email address or I could (try to) put them in a public dropbox folder ?    Usual disclaimers apply  ;)
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: ian_oli on 04 April, 2013, 07:40:21 pm
how selfish

does anyone have the route split into control by control?

I'm in the process of trying to segment it in course creator but it's rather painful work, for me anyway

my lowly gps only allows 750 points and that's a bit sparse for 300km


Download and install  Garmin Mapsource (It's unsupported, Garmin replaced it with a pile of poo) - you dont need a Garmin. Find a suitable map to use (google something lie "OSM" "Britain" "garmin" " download" and there are a number of sites with suitable maps plus instrcutions of how to get them on your PC).  Then open two instances  of Mapsource - open the GPX I supplied in one. With the other Start a new track and using the map paste across the section, save the track and repeat creating tracks within your limit (its low) until you get to the end.

While its a faff to do once, next time is a piece of cake. Whil I now have a GPS that takes something like 5000 track points, I still like to break up routes into out and back to avoid confusion.
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: Chris S on 04 April, 2013, 07:50:19 pm
Really looking forward to this ride. The run down the Test valley looks lovely on the map, and the forecast (once you get past the -4c early frost) looks decidedly promising - at long last. And of course, we loved the New Forest section of the On Off Shore last year, and fancy more of that.

The only reason we're taking an alternative early on is because we can; the A4/A329 should be more tandem friendly at that time of day. You're welcome to tag along if you want, Tynan  :). We may well use main roads between Pangbourne and Brimpton Common too; after that, we'll enjoy the published route.
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: PAC on 04 April, 2013, 09:59:43 pm
Decisions decisions....I might peg it along the Tidmarsh Road & A4 to Woolhampton after Pangbourne ;D

The madness will be the fact that I live a mere 1 mile from Pangbourne & will be travelling 35 miles to the start & back :facepalm:
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: Tynan on 04 April, 2013, 11:49:59 pm
oh yes, my first calendar 300 and spend it straining to keep up with a tandem diverting onto a tandem friendly route

I shall wave at the start and then settle down to plodding around the course while squinting at the route sheet

pm for you R_anger, and thanks oli
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: Chris S on 05 April, 2013, 09:46:06 am
We have adjusted our overnight arrangements somewhat, and have - surplus to requirements - a double room at Uxbridge Travelodge for tonight and tomorrow night.

Anyone who wants to take this over - bung me a PM.
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: Slimline Saxon on 05 April, 2013, 02:44:42 pm
Sorry to say the dreaded tendonitis in the wrist has not gone away fully yet, so will have to miss out on the pleasant ride to the New Forest. Hopefully another day of rest will allow me to complete SSOS on Sunday.

Good luck to everyone, see you another day.
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: Tynan on 05 April, 2013, 07:12:22 pm
bike washed! it was filthy, my experimental coat hanger route sheet holder has been extended to a two up size, extra spare tube bought to respectful/pitying looks from the LBS posse

going to put my shoes in the car now to avoid any early morning forgetting of important things, chain cleaned, knees slightly achey, I suspect olm man syndrome from last week, saddle rotated fractionally counter clockwise after slight rag last week

that hotel sounds like a good idea, oh well, two hours befoe the crack of dawn start it is then

weather looks very good all things considered although the splendid forecast of a tailwind all day has moderated to outward and a slightly weaker crosswind on the return, unless sir sets off for the ome leg at 10pm ...

'pleasant ride in the New Forest'
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: Frank9755 on 05 April, 2013, 08:58:20 pm
I've just done a couple of route hacks.  I'm riding a TT bike so I am seeking similar terrain to a tandem.  Distance is fairly neutral but a bit less climbing / some bigger roads.  The main one is the first stage out to Pangbourne but I also spotted a variation on Alresford-Winnersh that seems a bit less hilly.  There may well be a good reason why the route doesn't run that way and I may find out, to my cost, what it is!

They are here, in case anyone is interested:
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/2313862 (http://ridewithgps.com/routes/2313862)
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/2313910  (http://ridewithgps.com/routes/2313910)

I spotted one more earlier on (somewhere near Winchester) but it was so marginal that I didn't bother mapping it!
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: PAC on 05 April, 2013, 09:16:55 pm
For the 1st section you'd be better off dropping from the A40 down the A455, then down Ship Hill, Heathfield Road & Cliveden Road to the A4...that way you'll miss a big section of dual carriageway.

The section from New Alresford to Winnersh looks a good alternative... :thumbsup:
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: Frank9755 on 05 April, 2013, 09:27:17 pm
That would certainly work.  Distance is probably similar.  I like my way though as it follows one of our local TT courses (with a short cut) and that dual carriageway section of the A404 is very nice to ride - early in the morning. 

My first thought was the A4155 Marlow to Henley, which is a reasonable road and does make going through Reading simpler but is a bit longer.
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: PAC on 05 April, 2013, 09:34:42 pm
Forgot to mention...when you come down the Kings Road in Reading you could go down Kings Street & follow the one way round the of Broad Street, up St Mary Butts & then onto the Oxford Road...it'll be a bit shorter.

Also, if you're on a TT bike, the Tidmarsh Road & A4 will be superb for that after Pangbourne ;D
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: Frank9755 on 05 April, 2013, 10:32:05 pm
Thank you.  I'd missed that bit after Pangbourne!
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: L CC on 07 April, 2013, 09:48:44 am
That was fun.
Frank shot past us on his TT bike after Pangbourne, so he must have started quite late.
Test Valley was brill.
New Forest pretty, although the
headwind after the turn made it a bit of a slog over the tops. We rewarded ourselves with a stop at a pub in Alresford, the landlord saying we weren't the first.
Alresford to Winnersh seemed entirely uphill, and the noise coming from our drive chain was grim.
We'd had enough then, but managed at least 3 wrong turnings on the last section which although quickly spotted, required the lumbering u-turn of the supertanker.
New Roads, and Spring-ish. Excellent.
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: Frank9755 on 07 April, 2013, 10:42:39 am
It was you two!
I'd spotted you in Reading on the elevated dual carriageway bit but couldn't quite catch you, then missed my turnoff, so lost a bit of time.  When you went another way I assumed it must have been another tandem (loads of them out in Reading at 7am on cold mornings!).  But you must have had a better route to pangbourne and left before I got there.  Was I imaging it or were you really riding in shorts?  Hardier than me!
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: Lady Cavendish on 07 April, 2013, 10:56:56 am
Really really nice ride. After so many freezing miserable winter 200s I can't believe the day actually came when I stood in a petrol station forecourt in the New Forest wearing short sleeves and eating an ice cream. Unbelievable. I think I got a little overexcited at all the donkeys and ponies too.

I ECEd this (only ever done 1 x 400 before and i was so rubbish i had to try it again one day) It did get veryyyyyy cold again about 1-2am on my ride home, and I made much less of a hash of it so I never have to do a 400 again now!

Lovely sociable day out (even if MattC did nearly actually try to kill me at one point- tho only ended up taking himself out). Thanks to all the helpers/organisers
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: Bunker22 on 07 April, 2013, 10:58:05 am
Excellent day out. Started a little late and tried to make up time by using the A4 through Reading, but got lost and used up all the time gain getting to Pangbourne. I hooked up with a small group including MattC and Lady Cav at Kimbridge and enjoyed their company for the rest of the ride. Thanks for towing me around  ;D

Chapeau to Lady Cav who was doing a 400 ECE and still had to face 65k back into the cold (and it did get cold quickly after dark)  after the arrivee. I did not envy you one bit!
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: blueskies on 07 April, 2013, 11:00:09 am
That was harder than I remember it from 2 years ago. Started off cold and never really warmed up over the first section, rode on my own to the first control but met up with Alex and Nick (on his first ever 300 but an ex-wold cup rower so no problem with the engine). We made great progress as it gradually warmed up and rolled into Kimbride with a couple of riders in tow, including Frank, who we would haunt all day. Met up with PAC and the four of us rolled on through the new Forest aided by a nice tailwind and Alex's even stronger pace meant we were at Fordingbridge, halfway, by midday. There's a good chip shop in town which we opted for, a better alternative than the garage.

Of course the tailwind that pushed us down became a strong headwind over the top of the New Forest, and i found myself hanging off the back, then detached from the group. They kindly waited as we headed into a bit of shelter but the early pace took it's toll and I was regularly off the back as we went uphill, and chasing back on over the flats. I let them go just before the Linwood control and took 5-10 minutes off the bike to sort my head out. I climbed up the gentle rise to Linwood and lo, there were my trusty band of brothers waiting on grass by the church. Knights of the road, one and all. A pub dinner in Arlesford and a quick run to Winnersh and things were looking up. As the last of the day faded it became colder but by now we were all in good spirits with the end in sight, rolling in at 8.20.

I can't remember feeling quite so done in on any previous audax, but many thanks to my fellow riders for providing great company and support, it made for a tough but ultimately enjoyable day out. Many thanks to ian_oli, a lovely route, perfect routesheet and faultless organisation. Right, off to find my climbing legs, i must have left them somewhere....

Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: Tynan on 07 April, 2013, 11:41:56 am
erm yes, what everyone else said, cold start but got very nice, lots of ponies, donkies, two big cows and sceneries, some very nice houses and some exquisite churches and a lot of hill, strong on hills for a pleasantly long time but the legs slowly ran out of enthusiam and they got rather desperate operations towards the end, thank heaven it flattened out later on

big up to Simon my LEL training partner who dragged me home at the end when I felt very unenthusiastic

saw a loon on a TT bike tear past us fairly early on, lovely kitchen at the end, saw what must have been Lady Cav at the end (pink top?) getting ready, I struggled to believe it then, the 65 home was on top of 400 already ridden? jesus

Did anyone else see the Cycling+ team? I wouldn't want to dis but there was considerable material for humour in there

I was filled with a mixture of pleasure and pity when, as I left at the end after a lengthly recuperation, the org said there were 21 riders still incoming at 11.15ish, I saw two chaps grimly coming in as I drove through the divertion outward, and the second tandem was coming through the door as I walked out of the centre

£4.90 for beans on toast and tea at the first cafe control!

Feel good about it today but there were some dark moments yesterday (including cancelling LEL because 300 was tough enough), I think I need to eat more and more often, and sort out saddle position, still a work in progress, and it'll be a lot warmer and a lot more daylight and I'l get better at it, right? the legs kept gong, the mind and the arse and the arms all grumbled, knees whinged a bit, back made some loud unhappy noises towards the end

but feel good today, nice ride and nice day out
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: dave d on 07 April, 2013, 11:45:30 am
Earlier in the year I was thinking about what would be my first 300 and settled on either The Dean or this.  Well I certainly made the right choice, a lovely day out in the sunshine and many thanks to Lady C and MattC for helping us novices through it all.

Thanks to the organisers for an impeccably organised event.

It really struck me how far I had been when my wife asked 'why did you text me saying you had nearly finished when you were only in Winnersh?'.  I guess 2 hours to go is 'nearly' in Audax terms!
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: dave d on 07 April, 2013, 11:53:17 am
As soon as we saw the 3 guys and their support/photographer, we thought they looked like the sort who grace the cover of C+, so no surprise when we discovered what they were doing.  We might be in the background of some of their pictures (so they will have to Photoshop us out!).
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: L CC on 07 April, 2013, 11:54:49 am
Was I imaging it or were you really riding in shorts?  Hardier than me!
3/4s. I've been wearing them all winter, pretty much. So only a little bit hardier than you ;)

(& I have Merino long johns under them too)
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: teethgrinder on 07 April, 2013, 12:26:21 pm
It really struck me how far I had been when my wife asked 'why did you text me saying you had nearly finished when you were only in Winnersh?'.  I guess 2 hours to go is 'nearly' in Audax terms!

It's all relative.
I remember thinking that it was a shame that I'de nearly finished PBP when I was 200km from finishing.
I also remember thinking, "Right! Home straight now, soon be home again." when I was at John O Groats on my 2006 Grand Triangle.


On the other hand I've been 50km from home and thinking that I had a long ride to get home...
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: R_nger on 07 April, 2013, 06:43:09 pm
My first successful Audax over 100km and an interesting experience. I may even go as far as "enjoyable" once the memories of my struggle from kilometres 180 to 240 have faded !  It all started well and at halfway I seemed to be in the company of a number of rider. But I was struggling to take on food - every time I ate I felt nauseous and the wind returning through the New Forest really took its toll. Being carved up by the "support car" and covered in dust didn't improve my mood and I hit rock bottom around Sparsholt. Peanuts and a Muller Rice at Arlesford (eaten with a large wooden spoon purchased from the same Co-Op, to the amusement/confusion of the checkout girl) perked me up. Riding the dark lanes alone for the last 4 hours demanded high levels of concentration and my finish at 12:30am was almost anti-climatic (unlike the soup served by Oliver junior !).

Many thanks to Ian and his team for flawless organisation and to various riders for their company and encouragment.
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: PAC on 07 April, 2013, 07:03:04 pm
Fantastic day out yesterday...thanks for doing a superb job of organising it Ian :thumbsup:

I set out at a quick pace to Pangbourne & kept that up over the beautiful Hampshire Downs & Test Valley to Kimbridge where the 1st puncture struck...not a problem because it gave me chance to have a snack whilst repairing it & timed well to join up with Blueskies, Alex & Nick, plus another chap to Fordingbridge.  Other chap vanished, I opted for the petrol station & re-repaired the puncture :facepalm: whilst the other headed for the chippy before we joined up again & battled the headwinds in the sunshine across a very scenic New Forest...superb :thumbsup:

Nice lunch at New Alresford & then hanging onto Alex as he powered along with the rest of us in tow for a really good run to Winnersh just before 6pm before the final stretch to Chalfont as the sun set, arriving back at about 8:20pm.  Excluding stops, average speed 27.9kph ;D

Next calendar event for me is Heart of England, but might, just might squeeze in a DIY200 (and actually tr and finish it...175k and 180k bail out on recent ones isn't the best :facepalm: ) in next Saturday.

Cheers,

Peter.
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: Frank9755 on 07 April, 2013, 07:34:21 pm
A satisfying ride, at times enjoyable, and at other times, fairly challenging.   I've not ridden much since mid-Feb, with the weather and a spot of chicken pox keeping me inside, so I wasn't sure how it would go so was very pleased.

Good points
- Got round comfortably enough and still felt ok at the end.  Legs ached (and still do) and some bits hurt, but that's to be expected.
- Route tweaks to suit the TT bike and the type of ride I wanted to do worked well.
- Event organisation and ambiance (thanks to Ian and family).  Was great to get back to the warmth of the hall and have a hot bowl of soup and linger, chatting (in short sentences) for an hour or so. 
- Weather.  We were so lucky.  Three days ago it was snowing!
- Feeding.  Have been experimenting with home-made energy drinks and gels so I can keep my calories topped up as I ride.  Worked well in that I neither ran out of energy nor felt sick.
- Test Valley.  My very first audax, back in May 2010, was the Taste of the Test 100km, which went down here and it was great to see it again.  A lovely road.
- Finishing in the daylight (just).  Was a lovely evening and sunset. 

Bad points
- Misjudged time to ride out so was late for the start, but only 10 mins, so not a big deal
- The zips on both of my jackets broke during the day (I was pleased it didn't get too warm in the afternoon as I couldn't take my jacket off or even lower the zip!)
- That long, bumpy straight bit back across the New Forest: purgatory!
- Was not quite fast enough to be able to keep up with Alex/Nick/Blueskies/PAC on the hillier bits - although I must have bumped into them half a dozen times.  Partly the bike which, while quite fast downhill on a straight road is not ideal for climbs or twisty lanes, but mostly my legs, to which much the same applies!
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: Frank9755 on 07 April, 2013, 07:37:21 pm
saw a loon on a TT bike tear past us fairly early on

Tynan, I was expecting you to jump on my wheel: I'd prepared myself for the sound of heavy breathing!
Was that just coming out of Beaconsfield?
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: OrangeAndy on 07 April, 2013, 08:15:31 pm
Thank you Ian for a great ride, and the team looking after us at the HQ, it seemed I started a run on the Chickpea Dhal.

Spent today fixing several of my annoying squeaks and rattles that got on my nerves, wasn't it great to find those "oh so few" smooth bits of road surface, or was it just me? Fantastic route by the river Test, helped by also being relatively flat and a tail wind. There were points on the ride where I thought it couldn't keep on going up forever.

Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: Bolt on 07 April, 2013, 10:45:23 pm
Thanks for a great day's ride and most of all for the control point at Arlesford and their splendid and historic public convenience, which provided a most historic and splendid sit down experience after a near embarrassing incident in the co-op :-[
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-0KgGDcO9mis/UWGdSTnm1CI/AAAAAAAABW0/KfiD4xKBeWk/s378/3+Down+Audax+2013.jpg)
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: Tynan on 07 April, 2013, 11:56:29 pm
saw a loon on a TT bike tear past us fairly early on

Tynan, I was expecting you to jump on my wheel: I'd prepared myself for the sound of heavy breathing!
Was that just coming out of Beaconsfield?

 :)

very good

you went past us like a train, we were two, me in a nightvision top, neither of us twitched other than to both say ''fucking hell'

well done remebering me puffing like a train, I'd had two pints and a big pie and was out of shape then, that puffing only happened a few times on that ride, much later on  steepish hills when the legs were not so keen

you know full bloody well I've never got onto your wheel but I appreciate you suggesting I might   :D
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013 - gloves left behind
Post by: ian_oli on 09 April, 2013, 07:26:10 pm
Someone left a pair of nice gloves behind at the Arrivee. PM or email me if you think they are your's.
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: Tynan on 09 April, 2013, 07:56:50 pm
oooo

I need a nice pair of gloves

They're not mine though

What size? Tynan takes a large
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: Swarm_Catcher on 09 April, 2013, 09:05:54 pm
The day ride was fantastic, with great scenery and lovely sunshine.  The night ride was tough on the mind.  I'm thankful to have had Colin's company in those last dark hours, he caught up with me after a little 'detour'.  We got full value and lantern rouge to boot. 

I recovered quite well and am now already looking forward to the Severn Across 400.   

Thanks to Ian and team for organising.

MyPhotos (https://picasaweb.google.com/113386555289222850470/The3Down300?authuser=0&feat=directlink)
MyBlog (http://bikesandbees.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/the-3down-300.html)

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-QH6QN8nUbvM/UWGvs8H0VNI/AAAAAAAASlY/p47ipwDpHZM/s400/IMG_0778.JPG)
Ian and fboab (?) in the kitchen at HQ Chalfont St Peter.
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: dave d on 25 May, 2013, 04:29:35 pm
As soon as we saw the 3 guys and their support/photographer, we thought they looked like the sort who grace the cover of C+, so no surprise when we discovered what they were doing.  We might be in the background of some of their pictures (so they will have to Photoshop us out!).

Well I just about made it into Cycling Plus!  I am poking out behind the 3 riders at the bottom of page 214.  My clubmate is on the right on what was one of the rare occasions we were ahead of Lady Cav (it looks like her in pink behind us) and MattC.
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: ian_oli on 26 May, 2013, 09:46:58 am
Well I just about made it into Cycling Plus!  I am poking out behind the 3 riders at the bottom of page 214.  My clubmate is on the right on what was one of the rare occasions we were ahead of Lady Cav (it looks like her in pink behind us) and MattC.

Is that in the June edition or are they already into July? I ask as when I looked at C+ in the newsagent the other day all the copies were wrapped in top-shelf plastic covers so I couldnt check if anything had appeared before buying.

btw the cards are now back with me, so you'll get them in the next few days.
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: dave d on 26 May, 2013, 05:50:57 pm

Is that in the June edition or are they already into July? I ask as when I looked at C+ in the newsagent the other day all the copies were wrapped in top-shelf plastic covers so I couldnt check if anything had appeared before buying.


The July one (the one that also has a Tour de France preview) has 2 pages on the 3Down.
Title: 3 Down 300K, 4th April, 2015
Post by: Manotea on 02 March, 2015, 05:46:11 pm
Hello Chaps,

We are just about on 80 entries so far, which is our riders 'on the road target', however, being ever aware of the attractions that an extra day in bed holds for some of even our most intrepid AUKs we are accepting up to 100 entries. So if you haven't entered now is the time to do so, because once they are gone they are gone, and THERE WILL BE NO ENTRIES ACCEPTED ON THE DAY. I'll say that again, THERE WILL BE NO ENTRIES ACCEPTED ON THE DAY.

And if you don't believe me, check out the calendar listing...

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/26765083/3down.png)

Eyethangyou.

Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: i cycle on 03 March, 2015, 08:19:34 pm
Sorry to miss it this due to the Easter arrow, enjoyed the last 2 years doing it. :'(
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: Phil W on 07 March, 2015, 07:41:21 pm
Looking forward to it, with a few beers the night before.
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2015
Post by: marcusjb on 22 March, 2015, 10:40:18 am
Route check done!

It really is a lovely ride this - my second time around it and I appreciated it much more this time.

The wind. The wind!  Last year we had horrendous head winds on the section across the top of the new forest to fordingbridge. This time I flew along there as fast as my little legs could carry me on fixed!  However that meant the return journey was very hard work, the wind was on my nose and very strong for the rest of the day. Soul-destroying stuff.

I will email Manotea with the observations for the route check (3 missing signposts).

One to note from last year - if the kimbridge control is really busy, then about 3-4 km further on is Gilbert's nursery with a nice cafe (you would still have to control at Annie's but it does get busy).

Ooh and Sainsburies at winnersh is very different, it has had a massive refit and the lobby  is much more open now. Still a fairly chilly and soulless place to sit and eat stuff of a Saturday night. The burger van over the way is good (and the only option if you are in winnersh post 10pm) from last year.

My longest day on fixed - not sure until I download all the Garmin data, but somewhere around 360km by the time I rode out to CSP and part of the way back home (tube at Uxbridge rather seduced a very tired and cold Randonneur!).

I hope everyone has a fabulous time in a couple of weeks. And the wind is less strong (there seems to always be wind over the new forest section though) and/or is in a more favourable direction (blows you home).
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: contango on 23 March, 2015, 02:24:52 am
I enjoyed it last year, my first 300. I would ride it againif I were a little more local.
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: jefmcg on 31 March, 2015, 10:15:49 am
Trying to decide if I should DNS for this, or just wait to DNF  :(

I broke my clavicle in January, a clean simple break apparently but I'm one of the happy 10% with non-union; ie it will probably need to be be plated which means a 2 hour operation (!!) with 6 weeks of no riding and another one to remove it again later.  At the moment the pain is not bad, so I can postpone it - maybe forever.

Riding 200km hasn't been a problem with the shoulder, but I can't get around in time.  I had about 8 weeks off the bike with the injury and due to things beyond my control, my only exercise in the meantime was walking.  I seriously bonked at around 160km on the steamride, but that was badly jetlagged and only my second ride of any sort in 8 weeks.  On the Stevenage ride on Sunday, I ran out of puff at 183km but that was in atrocious conditions and some serious gps problems.  In both cases I made it to the end, just well out of time.  Some pain around neck, but none in the shoulder.  Oddly potholes aren't a problem, but coughing is.  Medical opinion is split on how bad an off would be at the moment.

So, I guess at this point I'd be confident about finishing a 200km in time, assuming no gales.  Would I be a fool to try a 300km?  I am thinking of PBP, but that thought is fading fast.

(yup, I'm the same jefmcg who flailed about on this forum a lot before LEL 2013   :-[ - and DNF'd that)
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: gustibus on 31 March, 2015, 10:59:43 am
It is, of course, entirely for you to decide.

If it were me, I'd be thinking of getting myself fixed up and building up to some longer events. Live to fight another day.
It's the risk of making it much worse (or someone / something making it much worse) that would concern me.

Very impressed that you've been doing 200's with a broken clavicle  :o
I'd have been at home thinking "oh me poor clavicle, I'd love to go out in the wind and rain but will have to stay home and eat cake instead."


Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: Manotea on 31 March, 2015, 02:28:02 pm
Hi jef, something to consider is the the 3Down is a long skinny route, so you could cut across from say Kimbridge to Alresford for a 200km day out. I did that one year and arrived back about 30minutes before Swisshat who hadn't. I blame the long lunch stop with WCC Legend Ray Kelly in Alresford!
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: jefmcg on 31 March, 2015, 11:35:08 pm
Thanks.

Gustibus - the broken clavicle is just the explanation for why I have become detrained.  While NHS are gun-ho to operate, a private orthopaedic surgeon thinks it's better to leave it alone if it's not giving me too much trouble, and that falling on it would be fine, as there is nothing to break  :o  And there is no hurry to the surgery, it's can be done months or years into the future.

Manotea - yup, turning it into a 200 is a good idea - though I bet at 100km I decide to see how far I can get.
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: Phil W on 01 April, 2015, 09:39:55 pm
Wind is forecast much weaker with no gusts Saturday. I'd say go for it. Have you managed a 200 PBP qualifier in time?
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: jefmcg on 02 April, 2015, 04:13:46 pm
I decided I'd try for PBP on 20 January, and picked my rides and rejoined AUK.  21 January, I broke my clavicle.  So I haven't got a 200 under my belt.  If by some miracle I get round this in time, I will go back the aukweb and pour over possible ways to qualify.  I've got a 400 and 600 all ready to DNF.

Honestly, if I was at all superstitious, I'd assume the universe does not want me to enter PBP.  Fortunately I am pretty sure that the universe does not care.

I will give it a go on Saturday: throw the dice and leave the fates to decide.

Thanks for the support.
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: marcusjb on 02 April, 2015, 04:32:45 pm
Panic not - it's still early. 

Plenty of time yet. 

15 more BRM 200 qualifiers after this weekend
16 BRM 300s
15 BRM 400s
16 BRM 600s

And that's without looking over the channel etc.

I've got a 400 and 600 all ready to DNF.

However, you need a kick up the arse with that approach or you will be far more likely to DNF.  Sorry for the tough love - but self-belief is key to doing this shit. 
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: jefmcg on 02 April, 2015, 09:54:44 pm
Thanks Marcus.

Yeah, I know.  Bit miserable at the moment.  I'll try to pull it together.

Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: Laid Back Rich on 03 April, 2015, 10:12:58 am
looks like we'll be cruising out with good tailwind, but a bit of a slog back, should stay cool and dry
http://www.weatherbagel.com/f/42bff796-2089-4438-a1e6-ee8057f2c308
see you in the pub  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: jefmcg on 03 April, 2015, 11:59:53 am
Oh, weather bagel - that's cool.  I was a bit worried about the headwind, until I put in the route last weekend (http://www.weatherbagel.com/f/d48a3f97-8969-448b-8be3-04337254156c). Tomorrow should be a walk in the park.
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: JohnOnABike on 03 April, 2015, 02:34:19 pm
Wow, look at that wind  :o
Definitely going to be a ride of two halves...
See you in the pub at 9 ish...   ;D
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: Somnolent on 03 April, 2015, 04:58:34 pm
If that prediction for wind holds, the bit between
2nd Left, no $ @160 km
and
L @ T $ Bramshaw @ 164 km
is going to be utterly horrid.

The rest of it is certainly not all sheltered, but I can't recall anything as exposed.
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: Phil W on 03 April, 2015, 06:00:42 pm
That wind speed is in km/h about a third of what we had last weekend, and there are no gust forecast. I'd say it look fairly benign at the moment.
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: martind on 03 April, 2015, 06:01:59 pm
After 7 hours home into the strong head wind on the Stevenage ride last weekend I'm confident looking at the forecast this isn't anywhere near as bad.
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: Frank9755 on 05 April, 2015, 08:36:25 am
The first half of the ride is such a joy, even more so with a tailwind.  But I'd forgotten how many ups and downs there are on the way back.  I probably say that every year but I'm going to write it down this time so that I remember!

I will give it a go on Saturday: throw the dice and leave the fates to decide.

How did it go?  [fingers crossed!]

Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: jefmcg on 05 April, 2015, 11:06:47 am

I will give it a go on Saturday: throw the dice and leave the fates to decide.

How did it go?  [fingers crossed!]

https://www.strava.com/activities/279506955

Elapsed time 19:55!!!!

 ;D  (where's the dancing  emoticon???)

I'll probably post more later, but at the moment I haven't actually sat up in bed yet.
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: Von Broad on 05 April, 2015, 11:46:08 am
The first half of the ride is such a joy, even more so with a tailwind.  But I'd forgotten how many ups and downs there are on the way back.

Ain't that the truth, although the last time I'd rode was in 2007 so the route may have changed since 2007.
[In fact I've just unearthed the old card and the last control was Wokingham no Winnersh, but I'd suspect the the lumpy bit was the same].

Compared to The Dean last week, it's not as varied in terrain or view...but it has a lot going for it, a nice rolling rural ride and I'd recommend it no problem. It's been a while since I was down in the New Forest and I'd forgotten just how remote and barren it can feel down there.

It was all quiet until Maidenhead and the bit of the A4 towards Slough where I got loads of drunken mockery from wandering teenagers  :D

Chicken curry was so lovely at the end. Thanks to all.
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: Manotea on 05 April, 2015, 01:04:00 pm
I've yet to do the sums but we had about 85 on the road yesterday, with just four DNFs that I'm aware of, so it was a good day. Many thanks to Reijet Oliver and family for taking care of the catering, and for Martin, Richard and Peter for looking after Saturday morning. Congrats to jefmcg as our last rider home, and equally to a duo NOTP who rolled in at 11:55 elapsed....
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: Somnolent on 05 April, 2015, 04:22:25 pm
Don't normally stop at info controls, but having conquered the headwinds across the forest, this park bench was just too inviting.

(http://i623.photobucket.com/albums/tt318/porkypete58/IMG_20150404_161338236_HDR_zpsxszvbqjo.jpg)

Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: gustibus on 05 April, 2015, 05:10:23 pm

https://www.strava.com/activities/279506955

Elapsed time 19:55!!!!

 ;D  (where's the dancing  emoticon???)

I'll probably post more later, but at the moment I haven't actually sat up in bed yet.

 :thumbsup:

I have been letting out small whimpering noises going up or down stairs today so I share some of your pain.

Good day out with an excellent route, manages to avoid main roads except at the start/end when the roads are quiet - or they are at the times I get there anyway.

Road was closed temporarily by cars and donkeys in the New Forest, one came over to check out my bike and when I gave him/her a pat on the head, Suarez the donkey had a chomp on my arm  :-[

Thanks to Paul and helpers for an excellent day, lots of company / conversations on the route greatly appreciated, especially coming from Winnersh where it helped me ignore the dark, cold and rabid donkey bite.
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: Phil W on 05 April, 2015, 06:23:16 pm
Don't normally stop at info controls, but having conquered the headwinds across the forest, this park bench was just too inviting.

(http://i623.photobucket.com/albums/tt318/porkypete58/IMG_20150404_161338236_HDR_zpsxszvbqjo.jpg)

I stopped at the pub just down the road on the left.
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: Phil W on 05 April, 2015, 06:25:27 pm

I will give it a go on Saturday: throw the dice and leave the fates to decide.

How did it go?  [fingers crossed!]

https://www.strava.com/activities/279506955

Elapsed time 19:55!!!!

 ;D  (where's the dancing  emoticon???)

I'll probably post more later, but at the moment I haven't actually sat up in bed yet.

That's brilliant, told you you could do it down the pub the night before.
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: Laid Back Rich on 06 April, 2015, 01:25:18 am
Elapsed time 19:55!!!!
 ;D  (where's the dancing  emoticon???)
I'll probably post more later, but at the moment I haven't actually sat up in bed yet.

Brilliant, well done Joan, a truly full-value ride there! See you in Paris!

Compared to The Dean last week, it's not as varied in terrain or view...but it has a lot going for it, a nice rolling rural ride and I'd recommend it no problem...

I imagine Gary that compared to the Kennet Valley Run it was also quite a bit easier... assuming you didn't go round with the brakes on (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=88315.msg1825318#msg1825318) this time  :facepalm:

Thanks Paul and team for another great Willesden ride with all the trimmings, marvellous high standards as usual  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: Pete Mas on 06 April, 2015, 01:21:16 pm
Don't normally stop at info controls, but having conquered the headwinds across the forest, this park bench was just too inviting.

(http://i623.photobucket.com/albums/tt318/porkypete58/IMG_20150404_161338236_HDR_zpsxszvbqjo.jpg)
Yes, I wasn't going to sit down, but when a space appeared I couldn't resist it.
A very nice ride, great to ride with faces old and new -at lest two riders told me they were only on their second audax-and good to be back in a large bunch of riders again as its PBP year. Back about 10.30pm. Thanks to Paul and the team.A nice chicken korma at the end as well, and thanks to Martin for a lift to Hampton Court.
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: bloat on 06 April, 2015, 06:15:09 pm
Thanks very much to all the organizers for this ride - I really enjoyed it, and was pleased to do my first 300 in a sensible time (just over 16 hours). The bolt holding my saddle snapped just before Winnersh, so had to do the last bit with everything held together with cable ties.

Was very happy to finally find a use for the spare tire I've carried an all (only 3) of my Audax rides so far - a fellow rider with a ruined side wall whom I found by the side of the road near the Leather Bottle in Eversley. He was going to wait in the pub for a lift home, but unfortunately for him I turned up and left him no excuse but to carry on  :-) .

Walking was a fairly contentious issue for most of Sunday - but now the pain is worn off I'm thinking about the next one already.

Thanks again!
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: Frank9755 on 06 April, 2015, 08:11:37 pm

I imagine Gary that compared to the Kennet Valley Run it was also quite a bit easier... assuming you didn't go round with the brakes on (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=88315.msg1825318#msg1825318) this time  :facepalm:


Just made the connection and realised why you had to use a piece of driftwood for a brake on the Dean - because you'd worn your blocks away on the KVR!
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: Von Broad on 06 April, 2015, 08:54:32 pm

I imagine Gary that compared to the Kennet Valley Run it was also quite a bit easier... assuming you didn't go round with the brakes on (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=88315.msg1825318#msg1825318) this time  :facepalm:


Just made the connection and realised why you had to use a piece of driftwood for a brake on the Dean - because you'd worn your blocks away on the KVR!

Joke.  :facepalm:

Some mechanicals are unforeseen [see Salvatore's chain and Veloboy's crank being reported today] and some are simply because of negligence [err.....my brakes].

I remember ranting on about how many bikes I had to sort out on LEL because of dreadfully poor preparation before hand. So many unnecessary mechanicals, what's wrong with these people?

What's the expression? Something to do with stones and glass houses  ;D

I've just bought myself a huge magnifiying glass and a pair of reading glasses, for ultra close bike inspection. If I come out to play next weekend in Wales, I'm looking to give myself the best possible chance of getting round..believe me!
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: jefmcg on 06 April, 2015, 09:37:01 pm
I'll probably post more later, but at the moment I haven't actually sat up in bed yet.

Not much more to say.  It was, as you might suppose, at the limit of my ability. And thanks to lots of support, it was just inside rather than just outside. 

One flat, no biggie there.  Only delay were all the damn riders coming past who kept offering to help, so I had to stop fixing it and wave them away with a friendly word :)

The headwind wasn't a big problem after last weekend.   Hills are, and I did walk a few, even ones I could ride. 

I was flagging approaching the 200km mark, so I promised myself a break at the first info point. I must have been really out of it, because I rested my bike against the notices board and sat on the grass, about 10 metres from the lovely seat in the post above - but I never saw the seat at all.  The break and snack did me a lot of good, so even though I left the control with practically no time in hand, that still left me with 100km to go in 7 hours.  How hard could that be?

About then I started crossing paths with Jeremy, riding a blue Ribble.  He was a little faster than me, so he passed me twice after taking wrong turns.  As we approached Winnersh, we started riding together, and after getting our cards signed he tried to get a new light going to read his route sheet.  It wasn't working, and I couldn't leave him behind, nor could I wait for him.  So I suggested we ride together - my slower riding was more accurate, so he'd likely to be faster.

We steamed together for the last leg (or steamed by my standards). He kept reporting the time left, and I kept reporting number of km left. We were pretty sure we were out of time, but we weren't giving up. His chain came off just at the bottom of the last hill into Gerrard's Cross.  I stopped to see what was happening, then cursed myself for losing the precious momentum.  While he sorted his bike out, I started walking to the top of the hill, to keep making progress while not getting away from him. 

We pushed and pulled each other over the last few kms.  He wouldn't have made it without my GPS, and I would have taken one too many breathers without him.  Finally got to the arrivee with seconds or minutes to spare - I made it about 1.58, Manotoa reckoned a little earlier.  I'm not quibbling.

Too pieces of gallantry that wrapped up the evening for me: Jeremy holding the door of the community centre for me (so I guess he was actually the last rider in).  And Manotoa driving me home: it was only 26km ride, but when it became obvious I couldn't remember how to get on my bike, he felt pity for me. It was a most welcome rescue.  Put it this way - when we got to Chiswick roundabout, which I know very well, I couldn't remember how to get to Brentford from there.  I was tired.

Long way to go for PBP, but this is progress.  I haven't got eating  (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=75068.0)or drinking right yet, I lost 3kg over the day, which must be dehydration.  It was OK for 300km, but would have started to take it's toll on a 400.

That break picked me up a bit, and things went ok from there.  I got to 
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: Von Broad on 06 April, 2015, 09:51:45 pm
Long way to go for PBP, but this is progress.

Hey, well done for getting round within the time.
It's all good progress.

As far as eating and drinking go, we learn with each ride what works for us, and more importantly, what doesn't!
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: RPhilips on 08 April, 2015, 06:30:40 pm
Just thought I'd (finally) add my thoughts on the ride here.

I really enjoyed riding 3down. It was my first 300 of this year, and ever. It's a great route this one and I had a lovely day on the bike. I rode with Pppete off and on for most of the day which was nice as I rode with him and Maggie on my first ever audax last year.

The first half scared me a little as it had some not bad hills in it which I actually enjoyed (a new experience to me). I think I'm echoing the sentiments of others when I say that the section from 150km-200km was brutal. The 10km of new forest headwind followed by some rolling until the info control at 200 I really suffered through. I was worrying about if I'd finish when I got to the info and just had to get off the bike for a bit, but I joined up with a couple of chaps for the leg into the next control which helped to boost moral and remind me that I was enjoying myself!

There's not much to say about the last 100 other than it was nice to be a bit more sheltered and I continued to be amazed at how the roads were all so quiet (a feature of the entire ride really). A quick blast from winnersh to Chalfont saw me finishing at 10:30 which was an hour and a half earlier than I'd been hoping for!  Definitely the conditions were a factor and this was a ride of two halves; the first half took 7.5 hours and the second 9!

TL;DR great route, bit windy although I still managed to finish in good time.
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: Somnolent on 08 April, 2015, 11:07:47 pm
I say that the section from 150km-200km was brutal. The 10km of new forest headwind followed by some rolling until the info control at 200 I really suffered through.
Aye, but you were still a good bit faster than me over it, I left Fordingbridge before you, but you not only overtook me but had time for your sit-down at Sparsholt and still got away from there before I arrived.
To be fair, a little local knowledge goes a long way...I warned of headwinds over Ocknell Plain in #82 of this thread.... and I knew that last drag up to Sparsholt from Timsbury, although  barely noticeable when done at the start of 'local' ride would feel a lot harder with 180km in the legs.    Fretting about time elapsed over a stretch like that was always going to be counter-productive, far better to try to keep fuelled, hydrated and just grind it out.
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: Bunker22 on 09 April, 2015, 10:07:14 am
I say that the section from 150km-200km was brutal. The 10km of new forest headwind followed by some rolling until the info control at 200 I really suffered through.
Aye, but you were still a good bit faster than me over it, I left Fordingbridge before you, but you not only overtook me but had time for your sit-down at Sparsholt and still got away from there before I arrived.
To be fair, a little local knowledge goes a long way...I warned of headwinds over Ocknell Plain in #82 of this thread.... and I knew that last drag up to Sparsholt from Timsbury, although  barely noticeable when done at the start of 'local' ride would feel a lot harder with 180km in the legs.    Fretting about time elapsed over a stretch like that was always going to be counter-productive, far better to try to keep fuelled, hydrated and just grind it out.

Tell me you had booked this ride as a back up Pete, and weren't planing on riding the Wonderful Wessex the day before as well!
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: RPhilips on 09 April, 2015, 01:12:24 pm
I say that the section from 150km-200km was brutal. The 10km of new forest headwind followed by some rolling until the info control at 200 I really suffered through.
Aye, but you were still a good bit faster than me over it, I left Fordingbridge before you, but you not only overtook me but had time for your sit-down at Sparsholt and still got away from there before I arrived.
To be fair, a little local knowledge goes a long way...I warned of headwinds over Ocknell Plain in #82 of this thread.... and I knew that last drag up to Sparsholt from Timsbury, although  barely noticeable when done at the start of 'local' ride would feel a lot harder with 180km in the legs.    Fretting about time elapsed over a stretch like that was always going to be counter-productive, far better to try to keep fuelled, hydrated and just grind it out.

I don't know if I'd seen your other message on this thread, however you did tell me on the day that there'd be a nasty headwind section later.  So I shouldn't have been been surprised that it was a nasty section.  Although my fretting was less about time lost over that section but how wrecked I felt on it as I did still have another 100km to go!
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: jefmcg on 09 April, 2015, 02:35:38 pm
+1 on Pppete's comment about 160-164km (though it was a bit further than that).  It was a comfort when pushing through the headwind.

So, how many of us stopped for a breather outside the Sparsholt Church? That 15 8* minutes on the grass got me to the end.

(just realised, this is only the second ever calendar ride I've completed ..... can't decide if that's should have a smiley or a sad face after it)

*Edit: I didn't stop nearly as long as I thought.  It made quite a difference though.
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: Crofton on 09 April, 2015, 02:51:58 pm
This was my first 300 and only my second audax (after the Steam Ride last month). I think I was just setting off from Sparsholt as that picture was taken.

I am glad it was not just me in need of a sit down after that windy section but I had decided I needed more than a few minutes on a bench and pushed on to the next control at Alresford. On arrival I spied a group of riders departing from Pizza Express and realised that was just what I needed. I took a long stop and wondered if I could complete the ride but figured that a hypothetical taxi back to Chalfont St Peter would be cheaper if I could go a bit further, so I drank a double espresso and set off.

The rest/food/caffeine helped and the wind had dropped by now. I got my second wind and started to enjoy the ride again but route finding got tricky as it got dark and my lights were pathetic. Fresh batteries at Sainsburys in Winnersh helped but not as much as tagging on with a pair of locals who seemed to know exactly where they were going. I managed to hang with them to the finish getting in just after 22:30.

I found the ride very hard and when I got on a bike the next day to avoid stiffening up I seemed to have nothing left in my legs. I am now wondering whether to continue with my SR (and potentially PBP) plans and do the Asparagus and Strawberries 400 next month or to back off and ease myself into audax riding more gently.
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: Bunker22 on 09 April, 2015, 03:24:14 pm
This was my first 300 and only my second audax (after the Steam Ride last month). I think I was just setting off from Sparsholt as that picture was taken.

I am glad it was not just me in need of a sit down after that windy section but I had decided I needed more than a few minutes on a bench and pushed on to the next control at Alresford. On arrival I spied a group of riders departing from Pizza Express and realised that was just what I needed. I took a long stop and wondered if I could complete the ride but figured that a hypothetical taxi back to Chalfont St Peter would be cheaper if I could go a bit further, so I drank a double espresso and set off.

The rest/food/caffeine helped and the wind had dropped by now. I got my second wind and started to enjoy the ride again but route finding got tricky as it got dark and my lights were pathetic. Fresh batteries at Sainsburys in Winnersh helped but not as much as tagging on with a pair of locals who seemed to know exactly where they were going. I managed to hang with them to the finish getting in just after 22:30.

I found the ride very hard and when I got on a bike the next day to avoid stiffening up I seemed to have nothing left in my legs. I am now wondering whether to continue with my SR (and potentially PBP) plans and do the Asparagus and Strawberries 400 next month or to back off and ease myself into audax riding more gently.

Go for it. 16.5 hours for a first (any!) 300k is a respectable time. 400k is only another 4-5 hours in the saddle. If you ease up a little in speed your distance will improve markedly.
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: Somnolent on 13 April, 2015, 10:06:44 pm
I found the ride very hard and when I got on a bike the next day to avoid stiffening up I seemed to have nothing left in my legs. I am now wondering whether to continue with my SR (and potentially PBP) plans and do the Asparagus and Strawberries 400 next month or to back off and ease myself into audax riding more gently.

I never have anything left in my legs the day after.  Don't matter if it's a 200, a 300, a 400 - there's nothing there.  Fortunately I'm that slow on 600s and longer that I get so little sleep and my legs don't have a chance to realise it's "the day after"  ;D
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: Laid Back Rich on 18 April, 2015, 11:39:37 pm
a late addition to this thread, I forgot I had taken a couple of pics to illustrate the glamour of audax

https://flic.kr/p/rULQXi

https://flic.kr/p/scaWKv

sadly it is beyond my ability to embed these photos in the message, I have been trying for 1/2 an hour and it's now past my bed time
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: jefmcg on 19 April, 2015, 01:14:43 am
sadly it is beyond my ability to embed these photos in the message, I have been trying for 1/2 an hour and it's now past my bed time
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8794/17006126599_4489da1bfc_b.jpg)
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7605/17191697611_eb5792d35a_c.jpg)
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: swiss hat on 19 April, 2015, 10:56:14 am
Just one of the five a day. Maintaining the high standards of Willesden CC out on the road  ;D
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013 now 2016
Post by: ian_oli on 28 February, 2016, 10:20:20 pm
Just to remind you that the 2016 Willesden 3 Down 300K will be run just over a month from now on Saturday April 2.  And you can get better nosh than the cold baked beans my illustrious clubmate (see above posts) wolfed down at Fordingbridge.

I can't promise there won't be headwinds, but the last 70K is reasonably benign when it comes to hills and so it makes a good first 300 ride.

Details and entry at http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/16-417/
 (http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/16-417/)
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: Lady Cavendish on 12 December, 2016, 04:36:03 pm
Does anyone know if this is planned for 2017 or whether there will be a year off?
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2017
Post by: swiss hat on 12 December, 2016, 07:31:13 pm
Good news! Plans are being hatched to run the event on 1st April 2017, the foolish and non-foolish will all be welcome.
The event should be listed in the AUK calendar soon.
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: Dominic on 01 January, 2017, 05:34:22 pm
Does anybody know if this is going to be run this year? Just trying to formalise some sort of plan for the year.

Cheers and Happy New Year
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: Veloman on 01 January, 2017, 06:07:21 pm
Have you checked the AUK calendar for April?
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: Dominic on 01 January, 2017, 08:39:41 pm
Err, yes and I can't find it, hence why I am asking.  The last post said it was scheduled for the 01 /04/17 and unless it's a very early April fools joke, it ain't there at the moment.
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: iddu on 01 January, 2017, 09:07:30 pm
[Official Hat On]

The current Org wishes to pass over the event - an acceptable replacement has yet to be agreed, and until then the event has not been listed.

[/OHO]
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: Dominic on 02 January, 2017, 07:39:06 am
Thanks for that, let's hope your search is successful!
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: iddu on 04 January, 2017, 11:15:16 am
[Official Hat On]

The current Org wishes to pass over the event - an acceptable replacement has yet to be agreed, and until then the event has not been listed.

[/OHO]

Now listed, fill yer boots!
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: Dominic on 04 January, 2017, 12:48:36 pm
Woo Hoo, will have to re-arrange my calendar again ;D
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2018
Post by: ian_oli on 05 July, 2018, 01:53:54 pm
The 300K 3 Down is back again this year on September the 8th. Being late in the Audax year it gives a good chance to pick up points for PBP pre-qualification.

It runs from Chalfont St Peter just outside the M25, scenically to the far side of the New Forest and back.

The route is essentially the same as in previous years, except that Annie's cafe which has closed, is being replaced by somewhere nearby.

If you have done the ride before, in the usual April slot with only the first few shoots of spring, the lushness of summer makes it almost seem like a different ride.

Several people have already asked me about 2019. It will run as a BRM for PBP qualification, so the event will be published in September. Enter at http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/18-417/
Title: 3 Down 300K, 2018 8th September
Post by: ian_oli on 28 August, 2018, 10:10:03 pm
Still space and a Friday night sleepover is on offer for arriving at the Chalfont St Peter Community Centre between around 10.00pm and 11:15. There are pubs and a restaurant or two if you are earlier.

Route all checked and long chunks are lovely in their late summer lushness. The alpaca herd of Whitchurch provide a little taste of the Andes in a small corner of rural Berkshire and a branch of the Test across the road from the new Stockbridge control had fat trout jumping for bread when I passed that way. The ford at Eversley, a feature of early 3 Downs has been reinstated to avoid a nasty bit of A Road.

In terms of climbs only one longish one, White Hill after Kingsclere at 100m for 11% is any great challenge, there are a few others that are short and sharp.

A link to event entry is in my previous post.
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: ian_oli on 05 September, 2018, 06:52:36 pm
Still wondering what to do this weekend - I have a few places left on the 3 Down, Just re-christened  Near London to just past New Forest  Entry at http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/18-417/   

Get in quick and for hardened audaxers there is the bus shelter with a mosaic right opposite the Sparsholt info.
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: LiamFitz on 07 September, 2018, 10:20:59 am
Looking forward to this - and the weather looks good (although a bit of group riding on the way out might be good).
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: mattc on 07 September, 2018, 10:33:18 am
Is Costa the recommended stop in Pangbourne?

(I could pop down before seeing a Pangbourne man  about a dog ... )
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: JonBuoy on 07 September, 2018, 12:38:46 pm
It is indeed.
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: LiamFitz on 07 September, 2018, 01:18:54 pm
Is Costa the recommended stop in Pangbourne?

(I could pop down before seeing a Pangbourne man  about a dog ... )

It would be jolly nice to see you...
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: JonBuoy on 09 September, 2018, 12:36:07 pm
I had a lovely day out.  The route, weather and company was all excellent.  Lots of new roads for me  :)



Thanks to Ian and Willesden CC for running the event.
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: LiamFitz on 11 September, 2018, 07:48:29 pm
The Test Valley around Stockbridge is especially nice.

Glad of company into the wind after Nomansland...

Liam
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2019
Post by: ian_oli on 21 February, 2019, 09:45:11 pm
Set for April 6th

For riders who have done it before, Pangbourne's control will be the village hall. Stockbridge (which replaces Kimbridge) will be a cafe control, included in the price. I was down in the New Forest today and the  Fordingbridge garage is being replaced by a pub/cafe control - I have prioritised 3 to strike a deal with, which should be sorted in the next few days - but the food will not be included in the fee. Sparsholt with its mosaic bedecked bus shelter will remain an info. The Alresford and Winnersh controls will both remain open controls.

I am down to the last few general places. I will be keeping some places open for women after that and I will be running a waitlist.
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: jiberjaber on 22 February, 2019, 11:02:11 am
Looking forward to this, is there still space to overnight in the hall?
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: ian_oli on 25 February, 2019, 09:21:35 am
Looking forward to this, is there still space to overnight in the hall?
Yes. I will be coming back with details nearer the event.

My trip to Fordingbridge to find a new control proved abortive in the end and it will stay being the petrol station, with cafes in Fordingbridge being an option.
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: halhorner on 05 April, 2019, 03:25:06 pm
looking forward to this tomorrow... looks like we might get a bit of headwind on the way back mind: http://www.weatherbagel.com/f/dc7f77df-bda4-4eba-8ad4-ba067e484281 (http://www.weatherbagel.com/f/dc7f77df-bda4-4eba-8ad4-ba067e484281)
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: jiberjaber on 05 April, 2019, 04:31:57 pm
Tail wind out though but....

I am unsure on what to wear now though, looks warm 14 C for the New Forrest bit and sunny, but then there's that return wind.... I hate these decisions at this time of year! Still... at least it looks dry :)
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: Chris S on 05 April, 2019, 08:47:39 pm
Have fun in the Test Valley.

Fboab's got us doing some tour of the Thatchered Coalfields of Co Durham or somesuch.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: Von Broad on 05 April, 2019, 08:58:24 pm
looking forward to this tomorrow... looks like we might get a bit of headwind on the way back mind: http://www.weatherbagel.com/f/dc7f77df-bda4-4eba-8ad4-ba067e484281 (http://www.weatherbagel.com/f/dc7f77df-bda4-4eba-8ad4-ba067e484281)

After The Dean a few weeks ago - that forecast looks positively serene :-)
And for that reason, I'd expect the turnout to be near the maximum.
It's been a while.
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: Phil W on 06 April, 2019, 03:28:11 pm
Enjoy, nice light winds (if cold) out there today.
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: orejas on 07 April, 2019, 07:48:46 am
Thanks to the organiser and helpers at Chalfont ang Pangbourne. The control at Stockbriidge was awsome (best sconea ever). The wind in the New Forest did me in, but i dragged myself around despite intending to pack it in at Alresford. Thnaks to those I shared the road with formyour company
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: Sezdavies on 07 April, 2019, 10:30:22 am
Thanks to the organiser and helpers at Chalfont ang Pangbourne. The control at Stockbriidge was awsome (best sconea ever). The wind in the New Forest did me in, but i dragged myself around despite intending to pack it in at Alresford. Thnaks to those I shared the road with formyour company

They really were the best scones ever! And I have eaten a lot of scones!! Loved that control . Thanks all for the organising- just wish you could have turned that wind off on the way back - especially over the exposed bit of the New Forest where 4 of us did our best to work together but it was super tough!
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: Von Broad on 07 April, 2019, 12:21:55 pm
As age marches inescapably on  - I seem to increasingly find every ride these days somewhat of a physical onslaught. That's perfectly understandable and acceptable, but I suffered a lot internally yesterday, mostly expressed with what seemed like an interminable monologue running along the lines of 'what one earth I am doing? my heart's not in this anymore'. It might have just been a bad day or maybe there's a truth I need to acknowledge a bit more honestly.

Terrific ride though. What always amazes me about this ride, is that you never quite know where on earth you are as you weave your way down through a whole array of villages to the [almost] south coast. Flying on a magic carpet on the recumbent over the New Forest into Fordingbridge was brill, but the section after Fordingbridge to Alresford hits a bit hard after 150km though.

Many thanks to Ian and all the helpers.
The soup and samosas at the finish were to die for, they really were.
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: markldn on 07 April, 2019, 04:14:18 pm
What a superb route down to New Forest and back. Quite an effort to piece all that together I thought as I rode it. And I’m sure it was done before we had all these new fangled heat maps and auto route builders. I think these routes will become legendary as time passes. They already are. Maybe one day I’ll be able to piece together my own.

Cycling these distances relies just as much on your mind as it does on your legs, if not more (as we all know). Eat well, drink well, think well. Coming back at New Forest I was expecting to hit the wind, to go slower, that it would be harder. But also I was happy it wasn’t raining, my bike was working, and to take it in stages. My legs felt great and I cherished being able to give others shelter behind me as I had done two weeks earlier on the Gently Bentley as the wind and weather punished us all that day.

I did learned something new as is always appreciated. As great as you’re feeling, a kebab will quickly unravel that. Grateful to my mate Patrick who carried me home for the last 38km.

(https://i.ibb.co/7z6LPq1/DD379-B83-99-F6-4-E57-86-DD-79-F8-BB62-DA69.jpg) (https://ibb.co/ZJk750M)
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: halhorner on 07 April, 2019, 05:33:57 pm
Definitely a classic route, the stretches through the Test Valley and over the New Forest in particular. Loads of TLC laid on, Reading CTC ran a very tight ship at Pangbourne and there was even artisan coffee and the aforementioned scones at Stocksbridge (the homemade sausage rolls looked good too).
It felt pretty chilly all day due to a NE wind, which also made the return across New Forest a bit of a slog. A bag of chips at Alresford restored morale (if not energy) and I was happy enough to take it easy for the last 100km over the hill to Basingstoke and home.
Thanks to Ian and all the helpers for all the hard work that must have gone into putting this on, it was great.
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: alotronic on 08 April, 2019, 11:32:01 pm
Ride report filed: https://audaxery.wordpress.com/2019/04/08/3-down/ (https://audaxery.wordpress.com/2019/04/08/3-down/)

TLDR: Great route, great day, faster out than back. Thanks to the organisers - as above a lot of thought went into that route!
Title: Re: 3 Down 300K, 2013
Post by: jiberjaber on 09 April, 2019, 10:34:23 am
Another good read Al  :thumbsup:

I opted to stay over at the hall where the ride started from as a bit of an experiment, it appears I got just under 6 hours sleep though I felt I was forever struggling to get comfortable I appear to have got about 3 hours deep sleep, so it sort of worked. It was a close call in terms of comparing it to being just over an hour away by car but I know I always sleep badly before an event, so no harm in trying!  The final thing that swayed me was knowing there was a large entry field there may be issues finding parking but that wasn't the case in the end..  Adding to my apprehensiveness was a lot of doubt of being able to do the distance - obviously rubbish idea but one I couldn't shift all week on the run up.
 
The usual mix of faces and a high entry level with this being one of the first 300km PBP qualifiers of the season, 150 riders were signed up, not sure the final on the road tally. Very cold start, murky all the way up past the first control. First control had the largest gathering of Alpacas just before we turned in to the town I have ever seen! Every ride has to feature Alpacas - I'm lucky that I seem to find them on almost every one I do - but this was on a different scale! Reading CTC put on a great spread there - looking forward to seeing the card stampers at our Woodman audax this weekend.

Test valley was loverly with an all you can eat banquet of cakes and proper coffee at the next control. Into the New Forrest with its roaming animals and then a great decent down to Fordingbridge (twinned with Vimoutiers!) for the halfway control and a proper audax garage forecourt session..
We had a flattering tail wind and our average was easily 24 kph for the first half, I was an hour ahead of my schedule, as we turned we still didn't get the headwind but then as we climbed on to the plateau we got the full effect and Joss and I then started to rotate to try and ease the progress, Joss was on fixed so at least I had somewhere to hide in my gears - his marathon training is certainly paying off as he was able to keep a good constant 21/22kph in to that headwind.. as we dropped off the plateau and hit the rollers the sun had gone in and it was starting to get quite cold, arriving in Alresford we opted for the chip shop but it was sub optimal - huge portions, but not really what I desired to eat, the only bonus for me being I managed to get a cup of tea in there to warm up.   

For the next leg I had a different route via Hook to the next control.  I had based this off Frank's TT bike version of the ride a few years earlier and was mostly in order to get me to somewhere to eat that was still open - this worked out excellent, the shop let me bring my bike in whilst I went about buying some jelly babies and a tuna & sweetcorn sandwich. Less well was the supposed 100m less climbing! With the jelly babies kicking in I was soon back to 26kph and on my way to Winnersh to control. From there is was mostly flat but with the odd 5% lump which felt more like 10% but I was able to keep something close to a 23kph average and also managed the usual effort to fully empty the tank on the run in to the Arrivee. 
I arrived back in the Arrivee for around 10:20 to a welcome cuppa and some rice pudding & fruit plus a bonus bowl of soup. (wish I'd had more of the spring rolls and tried a samosa now!)

After various faffing and chatting I put the bike in the car and grabbed an hours kip before setting off home. Another grand day out and 50% of my PBP qualifiers now done.  Thanks for the ride guys!

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