Author Topic: Everybody Rides to Skeggy (300). 16th April 2011.  (Read 11093 times)

Androcles

  • Cycling Weakly
Re: Everybody Rides to Skeggy (300). 16th April 2011.
« Reply #25 on: 10 April, 2011, 11:23:21 pm »
Full? Have you spoken with Ian?
Wave upon wave of demented avengers march cheerfully out of obscurity into a dream

Re: Everybody Rides to Skeggy (300). 16th April 2011.
« Reply #26 on: 11 April, 2011, 11:03:56 am »
My new route sheet doesn't appear to have arrived courtesy of Royal mail. Going to email Ian, but does anyone here have an electronic copy or a list of the changes since the version on the website?

Weather forecast is looking good for saturday, except that wind direction is looking like a head wind for the return leg.......

αdαmsκι

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Re: Everybody Rides to Skeggy (300). 16th April 2011.
« Reply #27 on: 11 April, 2011, 11:40:18 am »
Event full  :'(
Full? Have you spoken with Ian?

Ian knows I'm a DNS so there could well be space.
What on earth am I doing here on this beautiful day?! This is the only life I've got!!

https://tyredandhungry.wordpress.com/

Androcles

  • Cycling Weakly
Re: Everybody Rides to Skeggy (300). 16th April 2011.
« Reply #28 on: 11 April, 2011, 07:03:26 pm »
My new route sheet doesn't appear to have arrived courtesy of Royal mail. Going to email Ian, but does anyone here have an electronic copy or a list of the changes since the version on the website?


I think that the version on the website is the latest.  The changes are in Lincoln to avoid the centre and having to ride on the A57 much before the Trent crossing.
Wave upon wave of demented avengers march cheerfully out of obscurity into a dream

Re: Everybody Rides to Skeggy (300). 16th April 2011.
« Reply #29 on: 12 April, 2011, 01:46:21 pm »
Event full  :'(
Full? Have you spoken with Ian?

Ian knows I'm a DNS so there could well be space.

It was Ian who originally told me that the event was full, however...
Email from him last night... I'm in  :o

Re: Everybody Rides to Skeggy (300). 16th April 2011.
« Reply #30 on: 12 April, 2011, 08:51:02 pm »
Skeggy full? How many people constitute a full Skegness I wonder.

When I ride it I shall be looking for the hat I lost in 2001.
You're only as successful as your last 1200...

Androcles

  • Cycling Weakly
Re: Everybody Rides to Skeggy (300). 16th April 2011.
« Reply #31 on: 12 April, 2011, 11:07:26 pm »
It will be remarkable to see 100 riders lining up for this.  I wonder whether Gannets realise what's coming their way.
Wave upon wave of demented avengers march cheerfully out of obscurity into a dream

Euan Uzami

Re: Everybody Rides to Skeggy (300). 16th April 2011.
« Reply #32 on: 13 April, 2011, 10:36:59 am »
I am now finding the fact that it has become full due to record entry levels slightly ironic as the (non-cycling) event that I DNSed in favour of has now suffered the opposite problem and cancelled due to lack of entries, leading me to engage in an attempt to un-DNS this.

Re: Everybody Rides to Skeggy (300). 16th April 2011.
« Reply #33 on: 17 April, 2011, 08:43:23 am »
That's my first 300 done. Lovely day for it. Threatened headwinds on the way back into Lincoln, but nothing too horrible. The fact 50 appears to have prevented any major burning.

Biggest lesson of the day - pace thyself. Got the bit between my teeth for the first 100km and ended up putting in fastet ever 100,  which was to come back with a vengance later on. Should have stopped properly at Newark Spent a lot of the next 150km going round with Chris and Adrian from huddersfield. Minor blow up on the hill up to Tuxford, so had a 15 minute break at the side of the road, and then plodded through Edwinstowe and Mansfield at my own pace. Was nice to have a finish in Alfreton that didn't involve grinding back up through Pinxton  :thumbsup: 

Only one slight nav error on the way to Slipsby which I've no idea how I managed, must have been oblivious. Though it was good to bump into someone else who'd done the same just to reassure me it's not just me.


Re: Everybody Rides to Skeggy (300). 16th April 2011.
« Reply #34 on: 17 April, 2011, 10:00:05 am »
It was a good 'do'. My first 300 also. Fortunately the headwind wasn't too bad; although can't understand how there was a headwind from Skeggy toSutton then after the turn a headwind from Sutton to Horncastle  ???. Bit bumpy from Sutton to Horncastle too.
Thanks to all the people who kept me company... I was the guy in the old acf top  :-[

vindec

  • per ardua ad aqua
Re: Everybody Rides to Skeggy (300). 16th April 2011.
« Reply #35 on: 17 April, 2011, 10:58:38 am »
Yes, this was a really well organised and supported event - many thanks to Ian & co. Going through Lincoln I was sure I must have gone off track a few times, but no, the route notes had it all covered. Personally I've never ridden the first 150km of any ride so fast. It wasn't intentional but just felt right! Still felt pretty good at the finish too (unlike last year). It was good to meet up with several riders from the Elenith last week. Two 300s in the sunshine - exceptional!

Euan Uzami

Re: Everybody Rides to Skeggy (300). 16th April 2011.
« Reply #36 on: 17 April, 2011, 02:39:06 pm »
It was *Good* well organised as ever.

I was a bit unsure about the new way through Lincoln and nearly opted for the old one which is easy-peasy as you just follw signs for the A57. In the event although you needed your wits about you to follow the instructions but they were 100% correct and detailed enough to avoid errors. The advantage of this new route are twofold. Firstly it gives accesss to a Sainsbury's cafe, a fish and chip cafe and a 24 hour garage. Secondly it cut down the long slog to Bardney on the A57. The route was far more sheltered and at one point passed through a heavily wooded section which cut out the majority of the wind. We even had a tailwind for the last section up to rejoin the A57.

AC


I just turned right up high street, left dixon street/valenine road, then down tritton road, right on doddington road, then went to doddington hall farm shop cafe, which is a lot more poncy than I remember it. But it was a way I knew once I'd got to the st catherine's roundabout.

The caff itself seems to have decked itself out as a place where posh ladies of high social standing have afternoon tea, but in reality were quite a lot of normal families with kids. Wasn't too sure about the 'please wait here to be seated' sign, but after all it wasn't actually that slow. Best option seemed to be scones and cream. Although there is a large boarded up section behind which is apparently building work going on on a whole new cafe there.

Also came back through huthwaite, blackwell, westhouses, rather than A38. Marginally hillier but avoids A38.

Lovely ride, enjoyed it. All controls were great. Organisation and catering first class, also told the organiser the annotated gpx that was provided was very helpful.

Re: Everybody Rides to Skeggy (300). 16th April 2011.
« Reply #37 on: 17 April, 2011, 02:40:27 pm »
I always enjoy this event and as usual it was well organised. On the return I cycled through parts where I spent my childhood. On the way out did anyone see the sign put out by the farmer which said "Well hung Lincolnshire beef". I am not sure what he was trying to say but I did titter for quite sometime.
O'LEL what have I done!

Euan Uzami

Re: Everybody Rides to Skeggy (300). 16th April 2011.
« Reply #38 on: 17 April, 2011, 02:41:39 pm »
I always enjoy this event and as usual it was well organised. On the return I cycled through parts where I spent my childhood. On the way out did anyone see the sign put out by the farmer which said "Well hung Lincolnshire beef". I am not sure what he was trying to say but I did titter for quite sometime.

yes, I saw that. Did you also see the security sign somewhere near kirkstead bridge which said "WARNING: do not enter! Tony Martin security Ltd in operation!"  ;D

In all seriousness what he was trying to say was that beef that has been hung for a long time after being killed is tenderer. Not that the actual animal it came from happened to be well endowed ;D

Re: Everybody Rides to Skeggy (300). 16th April 2011.
« Reply #39 on: 17 April, 2011, 02:53:02 pm »
Did anybody see the swan that had decided to build a nest on the verge about 2m from the side of the road?  :o

A huge contrast to last year, it felt like summer. The porridge and cream at Gannets was excellent!
"There are proven ways; play on the certain knowledge of their superiority, the mystique of secret covenant, the esprit of shared suffering"

Re: Everybody Rides to Skeggy (300). 16th April 2011.
« Reply #40 on: 17 April, 2011, 04:31:24 pm »
Yes, saw the swan & thought not the best place for a nest

The porridge & cream really hit the spot!

Androcles

  • Cycling Weakly
Re: Everybody Rides to Skeggy (300). 16th April 2011.
« Reply #41 on: 17 April, 2011, 05:27:46 pm »
Great ride with a nice mix of people who I ride with every week and those I met for the first time yesterday.  My main objective was to ride easily without feeling too stretched and this happened, even if the pace was quite high at times.  Both Gannet's and Dorrit's were heaving when we reached them but good alternatives are never far away; Janet's cafe in Woodhall was like having tea in a cross between someone's front room and a museum to Bomber Command - and a discount for cyclists.

We got a bit confused in Lincoln but soon found that we were on the right track.  Sainsbury's might take longer than the garage but it's nicer to have a sit down before setting off on a 65k last leg, and the route out of Lincoln is better. 

Did anyone find out about the cyclist down at the TLs after Sainsbury's?  The scene was clear by the time we got there, but some of the shoppers we spoke to, while reassuring us that it wasn't "one of yours, i.e. no lycra, were quite upset by it.
Wave upon wave of demented avengers march cheerfully out of obscurity into a dream

Re: Everybody Rides to Skeggy (300). 16th April 2011.
« Reply #42 on: 17 April, 2011, 07:56:45 pm »
Did Hulver make it out?

Re: Everybody Rides to Skeggy (300). 16th April 2011.
« Reply #43 on: 17 April, 2011, 08:55:23 pm »
Did anyone find out about the cyclist down at the TLs after Sainsbury's?  The scene was clear by the time we got there, but some of the shoppers we spoke to, while reassuring us that it wasn't "one of yours, i.e. no lycra, were quite upset by it.

I got there shortly after it had happened. He/she was still on the tarmac but was being treated by paramedics. The police had closed the junction completely, so I dismounted and walked past. The rider involved was on a MTB and part of the bike had clearly gone under the car. The car involved was still in the middle of the junction minus a wing mirror.
You're only as successful as your last 1200...

hulver

  • I am a mole and I live in a hole.
Re: Everybody Rides to Skeggy (300). 16th April 2011.
« Reply #44 on: 19 April, 2011, 04:45:14 pm »
My first 300 ride, and I was determined not to make a mess of it. I'd been reading all the tips threads, and I had plenty of snacks, and a wide variety of them as well.

I got to the start not late, but not leaving plenty of time either. I registered and was fiddling about with my bike, when I turned around everybody had gone out of a side entrance rather than the main entrance I was waiting next to.

Oh well, I set off 5 minutes late. I eventually saw a cyclist ahead, but determined not to go too quickly and burn out too soon. It was Bigsybaby, and I eventually caught up to him and we had a little natter before I gradually crept ahead using my greater downhill speed.

That was sort of the theme for the morning. I would stop for some reason, either to have a snack or change some clothes and Bigsybaby would come past. Then I would overtake him again later. This came in handy at the first info control, as I sailed straight past it looking on the wrong side of the road. I was stopped checking the card to see where it should have been when Bigsybaby came past me again. I had the choice of going back looking for the info, or asking Bigsybaby. I managed to catch him up again (eventually) and he was wondering if I'd managed to see it as I'd gone past so quickly.

Had a nice slice of carrot cake at the first cafe control, which hit the spot. Then off again. Took a wrong turn due to not pressing start on my GPS again after leaving the cafe, but was soon back on track.

Then, the first time sink of the day. I got a puncture in my front wheel. That took me about 20 minutes to change, as I took hellymedic's advice and ate something before I got my hands mucky taking the wheel off. Puncture fixed and tyre checked I got on the way again, only for it to puncture again 1 km further down the road. This time the tyre had a big hole in it that I could almost fit my little finger through.

I had a bit of an "Oh FFS" moment, and considered ways of just packing it all in and going home. Hardly the attitude required though, so I constructed a make shift tyre boot out of the thick plastic bag I'd kept my last spare tube in, and pumped the tyre up again. Another 20 minutes lost, but I was on my way again.

I grabbed a quick slice of cake at Little Dorrits. I don't think they were expecting anybody else. Then pushed on towards Skeggy. The next two hours were just nice cycling. Slightly dull, being so flat, but there was next to no wind, the sun was shining, I was feeling great. It was a beautiful day.

I made it to Poppies just as Bigsybaby was leaving but decided to take a bit of time for a good feed instead of trying to push on too quickly. I was just leaving on the A158 when there was a huge BANG! and my front tyre exploded. My boot had failed, taking with it my last whole tube.

Determined to carry on, I consulted the incredibly handy list of bike shops printed on the back of the route sheet and after chatting to an old guy for directions, headed for Halfords (the other shop I tried wasn't answering the phone so I assumed they'd be shut). Finding Halfords was a bit of a pain, as I took a wrong turn. If I'd turned right instead of left I'd have saved myself about 3km of walking before I found the shop.

Still, freshly shod with new rubber (and a few more spare tubes just in case) I put my head down a bit and got going, heading for Sutton-on-sea. This is where I started to get things a bit wrong. Worried about the time, I pressed on for longer than I had been doing, instead of stopping occasionally to have a break and eat something I was snacking on the bike and trying to keep the speed up.

I eventually stopped about 15km from Horncastle and had a proper rest and something to eat, and carried on feeling much better. I was rather glad the last run to the control was downhill, and I made it with 6 minutes spare.

I had another sit down, topped up my bottles and had something else to eat, then pressed on to Lincoln. Seeing the cathedral in the distance, all lit up and growing as I got closer was fantastic. I made it to the Lincoln control with half an hour in hand. Only 67km left to go!

The rest of the route was a bit of a blur. I was getting increasingly cold, despite the two jerseys and the jacket I was wearing. I pressed on for almost another 4 hours, but with over 20km left to go and with no energy left I was done. There was no way I could make it back in time. My belly was refusing to take any more food, riding the bike was awful. As soon as I set off the wind made sucked the warmth out of me. I could ride a couple of km then have to stop again to warm up. I rang the organiser and told them that I was packing and wouldn't make it back in time. I was offered a lift back, which I stupidly refused, thinking that I could make it to Mansfield and get a taxi back to the start.

Another few km of chilling myself to the bone and I was on the phone again, asking if he could please pick me up. Which he did. Hats off to Ian for helping me out there. I really appreciate it.

So close, but no cigar. 281km covered in 19 and a bit hours.

Lessons learnt? The first 2/3 of the ride I think I handled well. Despite the punctures it was my fastest 100km ever (well, it was also my first Audax on a geared bike rather than fixed which might have had something to do with it). I didn't push myself and had plenty of time in hand for the usual problems that crop up. Well, maybe not plenty of time but I was quite comfortable. Ignoring the bike computer and leaving the GPS on map view was great.

It's only when I started fretting about time too much that things went wrong. I was obsessively checking how long it was to the next turn, worrying about if I'd make it to the next control in time, pushing on too much instead of just doing what had been working for the first half of the ride.

I will be back. This time with a few more 200s under my belt first.

Re: Everybody Rides to Skeggy (300). 16th April 2011.
« Reply #45 on: 19 April, 2011, 04:49:36 pm »
So close, but no cigar. 281km covered in 19 and a bit hours.

Well, from where I'm sitting that is a bloody good effort for a first go.  You'll make it easily next time   :thumbsup:


Euan Uzami

Re: Everybody Rides to Skeggy (300). 16th April 2011.
« Reply #46 on: 19 April, 2011, 05:03:05 pm »
well done anyway hulver, good effort  - sounds like you probably would have made it if it hadn't have been for the punctures. I've packed a ride before due to losing too much time for not being able to fix a puncture so I feel your pain, in my case it was a broken pump , resulting in the downward spiral of hunting for a bike shop, walking, getting back on to the route, etc etc. that you've become painfully familiar with.
But good to hear that you're determined to come back fighting  :thumbsup:
FWIW, I carry an actual piece of old tyre (with just the beads cut off), about 3" long, to use as a boot.

jogler

  • mojo operandi
Re: Everybody Rides to Skeggy (300). 16th April 2011.
« Reply #47 on: 19 April, 2011, 05:03:58 pm »
Your first attempt at a 300 met with more success than mine on the Mull It Over(approx 100km more) so I reckon you done good :thumbsup:

Ray 6701

  • SO @ T
    • Tamworth cycling club
Re: Everybody Rides to Skeggy (300). 16th April 2011.
« Reply #48 on: 19 April, 2011, 05:27:24 pm »
Wel done anyways Hulver, as said before minus the mechanicals especially the tyre explosion & walk to Halfords you'd have finished in time & good on Ian for picking you up (TOP Bloke)  :thumbsup:

I carry these:
   Wiggle | Park Tools Emergency Tyre Boot Patch Puncture Kits & Levers

& use these:
   Wiggle | Park Tools Puncture Repair Kit Super Patch Puncture Kits & Levers

SR 2010/11/12/13/14/15
RRTY. PBP. LeJoG 1400. LEL.




Re: Everybody Rides to Skeggy (300). 16th April 2011.
« Reply #49 on: 19 April, 2011, 11:38:04 pm »
Hulver,

Well done for your first attempt. I have been in the situation where no matter how hard you try the gods are against you. In fact the reason I was on this ride was because I had a "mare" of a day on the Elineth. There is always another day so keep on going. It will feel sweeter when you do succeed.
When you came into Poppies I had no idea that you were struggling. I had a spare tyre in my saddlebag I would have gladly let you have, but I had no idea. In fact that tyre was given to me by someone off this parish last year when I had a tyre blowout and it was gratefully accepted. Otherwise I would have spent a long night in the cold near Whitchurch.

I guess if there is a moral to be had "Speak out when you have a problem" we are all "cycling buddies", Someone may be able to help you.

I also remember Ian giving me a lift from the last control on the China run one year when dehydration was affecting everybody - top bloke and someone I would be proud to call a friend.
O'LEL what have I done!