Yet Another Cycling Forum
General Category => Audax => Topic started by: αdαmsκι on 21 February, 2013, 07:25:38 pm
-
Info for anyone doing Tomsk's Asparagus & Strawberries audax: cheap train tickets are already available from London to Manningtree for 11th May. The 2012 route is here: click (http://bikehike.co.uk/mapview.php?lnk=https://sites.google.com/site/youngadamski/gpx/calendar-events/A%26S%20400.tcx).
-
...Thanks for this Adamski, as well as kindly sharing your G&Y Fields .gpx
Manningtree Station Cafe opens for breakfast at 08:00 - I'll be there from about then....
-
Hi, can I have the GPS as well please? Thanks!
-
Info for anyone doing Tomsk's Asparagus & Strawberries audax: cheap train tickets are already available from London to Manningtree for 11th May. The 2012 route is here: click (http://bikehike.co.uk/mapview.php?lnk=https://sites.google.com/site/youngadamski/gpx/calendar-events/A%26S%20400.tcx).
And this year there's no engineering work on the Sunday, so a much easier trip home.
-
Chris, gpx for the A&S400 can be downloaded from the link above (tho you'll have to download it from bikehike). Tomsk has put the gpx for the G&Y Fields on the audax events page (the A&S400 may also be on the audax events page).
Rob: Yes, easier to get back this year (as I'm planning to turn it into a 500 by cycling home :facepalm:).
-
Giving this ride some serious thought... bit concerned however that I'll be finishing 3-4 hours before the first train leaves Manningtree at 07.53am back into London... any thoughts? Yes, I know I could ride it slower, but after the G&Y on the weekend, I don't think I could handle less than 23-24kph moving average :facepalm:
Could ride home, but since this will be my first ride over 300k, it may be a bridge too far...
I did try reasoning with catching the last train home on the Saturday night, but that means just under 30kph overall average speed, which is over the maximum allowed.... and probably a bit fast for me ;D
Could take a pack of cards and play solitaire for a few hours :thumbsup:
-
I'm in :)
what do you mean by cheap fares Adamski? cheaper than I can get with a Network Card?
-
Could take a pack of cards and play solitaire for a few hours :thumbsup:
Shall I bring Travel Scrabble? (Although you'll be playing it with someone else -- I know I'm not as quick as you ::-))
-
what do you mean by cheap fares Adamski? cheaper than I can get with a Network Card?
Cheap as in one way from Liverpool St. to Manningtree costing £8.
-
Could take a pack of cards and play solitaire for a few hours :thumbsup:
Shall I bring Travel Scrabble? (Although you'll be playing it with someone else -- I know I'm not as quick as you ::-))
Sure, haven't played scrabble in a while. Actually the most obvious thing to do if finishing early is just to find a spot to have a kip...
-
On the last 3 occasions I've rolled in just before 7am. I'm booked on the 7.53 home.
I can very comfortably handle a less than 23kph rolling average, so it should all work out nicely.
-
I arrived about 1.5 or 2 hours before the first train the last time i did it (2 years back). If I'm going similarly well this time around, I will make my evening pub stop a lot longer ;) I might have to try to find somewhere a bit earlier in the route than last time around (when I used the Fox & Hounds at Weasenham IIRC)
Edited to add:- looking back at my 2011 Brevet, I finished an hour and 3 quarters before the first train, but that was a finish in Dedham and not Manningtree. It also looks like it was a 10:00 start then as opposed to 09:00 this year... if I'm going OK this year, I will probably either hole up in the same pub for a bit longer this time around, or find somewhere near Fakenham, or vary the route out of Wells for a nice pub closer to there to spend the early evening in (perhaps in Walsingham, for example).
-
The first train back to Cambridge seems to be at 08.21 on the 12th. So not ideal if I'd get around in the 21-ish hours that should be feasible without killing myself on this route. Nice thing living in Cambridge is I can make a small detour at Balsham at "Deniece's Corner" and go down the hill to Cambridge. Head home and have a three to four hour nap and then finish the ride.
-
Hi all from a YACF newbie :thumbsup:
Looking forward to meeting you all after reading your write-ups on the G&Y, it'll be only my second 400 so need to pace myself to the 'nth degree ;)
Driving down Friday eve and staying at Capel St Mary travelodge and hope to stash the car somewhere in Manningtree.
I only live a couple of miles from Acle which is a bit too early for a quick kip in my own bed, never mind tho' hope someone can recommend a nice bus shelter around Saffron way ;D
-
Hi all from a YACF newbie :thumbsup:
Welcome poweredbyveg!
Looking forward to meeting you all after reading your write-ups on the G&Y, it'll be only my second 400 so need to pace myself to the 'nth degree ;)
See you there: it'll be only my first 400 and I have a known and [self-]recorded history of failing to pace myself to the 'nth degree :facepalm:
-
As this is also my first 400, I'm also slightly stressing at making sure I'm pacing myself correctly. Had a bit of fun earlier making a 'schedule'... it's in excel format so I could play with the timings - feel free to use it for your own schedule 8)
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3861627/Asp_and_Strawbs_414k_schedule.xlsx
-
As this is also my first 400, I'm also slightly stressing at making sure I'm pacing myself correctly. Had a bit of fun earlier making a 'schedule'... it's in excel format so I could play with the timings - feel free to use it for your own schedule 8)
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3861627/Asp_and_Strawbs_414k_schedule.xlsx
Very interesting, thanks! :thumbsup:
Your average moving speed scared me a little (following my recent experience of Green & Yellow Fields), but adding just 15 minutes onto each of the moving-section times brought me home at 8am at a steady moving speed of 21kph (18kph overall), which I think is readily achievable (for me) and comfortably in time for the first train back to Cambridge (unless I fail to pace myself again).
-
Giving this ride some serious thought... bit concerned however that I'll be finishing 3-4 hours before the first train leaves Manningtree at 07.53am back into London... any thoughts?
You could book somewhere to sleep for a few hours overnight. I've booked a travelodge at Barton Mills for just that purpose, which if all goes to plan, should make this a rather civilised ride.
-
Don't forget Manningtree Station Cafe opens at 08:00 - a very good reason to have a 23 hour schedule! And to get to the start early too!
Assuming most riders make the chippy at Wells before it closes at 21:00 [or get something before then] there are several pubs to linger in [and the Tandoori on the Quay if you need food later on....] An evening stroll by the sea would be fine too! Not much chance of an ice-cream at that time of day though. Better to hang about there than in the middle of the night somewhere.
I'll let the Bridge Cafe at Halesworth know we're coming, they're worth patronising, but the cafe in Ixworth is too early for many riders to stop; most go to the village shop.
-
Thanks Tom, I've made further adjustments to slow myself down another hour. I look forward to spending almost 2 hours feasting at the Tandoori in Wells followed by a leisurely meander around the town and beach!
Now arriving in Manningtree at 7am, which gives me just under an hour before the 07:53 arrives for London - good buffer for mechanicals and bodily functions etc. ;)
-
Also gone for the Travelodge at Capel St Mary and car to Manningtree to give me maximum energy potential for the day. Realistically a 24 hour ride for me based on G&Y so will have to plan the food stops well, riding hungry in the dark is not a good idea.
-
Also gone for the Travelodge at Capel St Mary and car to Manningtree to give me maximum energy potential for the day. Realistically a 24 hour ride for me based on G&Y so will have to plan the food stops well, riding hungry in the dark is not a good idea.
I try to have a decent meal at one of the chippies in Wells and then another big feed at the Mildenhall garage. I then carry some food from there which I eat in the (deserted) square in Saffron Walden.
-
I remembered to enter. Now I need to get away for long enough.
If we're starting earlier there may be somewhere I want to go to in Wells. Previous visits have had me getting a bank receipt, ransacking my rack pack and proceeding to the petrol station on the way past Fakenham (at the roundabout). Then taking on more food to eat around Saffron Walden.
What are Red Lodge café opening hours at the moment - I thought it was still 24 hours over the weekend? I haven't been there in a while though.
-
Interesting, Arabella, though from the recent Newmarket Journal reviews, some negative comments about their food... that said at 3am or so, I doubt there'd be many audaxers complaining as they wolf down all manner of grub regardless.
http://www.newmarketjournal.co.uk/findit?action=showPlace&placeid=384214
I think I'll pay them a visit - not far off course.
-
Last time we went there on this ride was Herman's swansong in 2011.
I believe Tomsk re-routed as Red Lodge was now shut overnight at the weekends.
I'm sure he'll be along to confirm.
Anyway we're audaxers - sitting around outside petrol stations in the early hours is what we do.
Rob
-
Sadly Red Lodge no longer provides the surreal nocturnal experience it was once famous for, being only open normal cafe hours. All the more reason to linger at Wells, then push on through the wasteland to breakfast.
The 24 hour Esso garage 'should' be expecting riders through the night and open up the shop to use the coffee machine [and hopefully not decide to shut both down to clean ::-)]
Enterprising riders do a 'Deniece' and make a reclining chair out of sacks of coal/logs/barbecue briquettes etc for al fresco forecourt comfort....
-
Enterprising riders do a 'Deniece' and make a reclining chair out of sacks of coal/logs/barbecue briquettes etc for al fresco forecourt comfort....
Although if it's as cold as the last time we stopped at Mildenhall garages, we will have to set light to those sacks rather than do a 'Deniece' on them :facepalm:
-
I think it was last time I rode this that I had a cracking 2 or 3 hour sleep in the house, that was just off route, of a forum member, who was riding the event as well - sadly ( for sleep options ) that choice is no longer available. I remember seeing Manotea asleep on the verge ( same ride I think?) -so must have been a warm night. Another year Ara got some stick when she tried to doze / sleep on/under a chair at Red Lodge - but that option has gone now. Mildenhall roundabout has some possibilities I think - decides to engage brain - and THINK about options.
-
Barton Mills Travelodge £37 a room for 11th may -- get 4 or 5 in there and it looks vaguely possible if there was a similar paced group. Did teethgrinder get 8 in a room once?
-
Sadly Red Lodge no longer provides the surreal nocturnal experience it was once famous for, being only open normal cafe hours. All the more reason to linger at Wells, then push on through the wasteland to breakfast.
The 24 hour Esso garage 'should' be expecting riders through the night and open up the shop to use the coffee machine [and hopefully not decide to shut both down to clean ::-)]
Enterprising riders do a 'Deniece' and make a reclining chair out of sacks of coal/logs/barbecue briquettes etc for al fresco forecourt comfort....
That's a pity... not to worry, will probably find a nice bit of soft grass somewhere to collapse for 30-minutes or so. I recall having a 10-minute snooze in the sun about 4-hours before getting to Manningtree on the G&Y - did me the world of good. Will pack a bivvy in the saddle bag for the occasion.
-
Also gone for the Travelodge at Capel St Mary and car to Manningtree to give me maximum energy potential for the day. Realistically a 24 hour ride for me based on G&Y so will have to plan the food stops well, riding hungry in the dark is not a good idea.
Hi Big Saxon, I'm planning on leaving C st Mary travelodge at 8 then parking up in Manningtree, looked at the industrial areas off Station Road on streetview for possible parking places.
-
Most of us parked at co-op on the G&Y, i will leave my car there again.
-
Most of us parked at co-op on the G&Y, i will leave my car there again.
Hey that looks good on streetview i-cycle, good tip :thumbsup:
-
There's also that picnic area where the ride used to start, in Brantham (next to where it says Ree Hall on the map).
Or the verges of the A137 are popular with walkers, it seems.
-
I rode from home (London) to join the Asparagus and Strawberries route from around Lavenham to Reedham Ferry today. I can report that the yellow fields that were so tardy in appearing are now out in full. In fact so much, that I am now suffering with monster hay fever in a darkened room. But it was a good ride and with a stonking tail wind almost all the way (responsible for a 230km ride in not much over 8 hours). I hope Tom has arranged something similar for next week with a swing in wind direction for us in the evening.
I had forgotten how pretty some bits of this ride are. I love the picture postcard villages (trying not to think of all the UKIP councillors they have just elected) and that stretch before Mellis, which feels like you're riding through a Constable painting.
Looking forward to the full 400 next week.
-
I'll be on the 0800 out of L'pool St arr 0855 :) may christen my winter bike with its first 200+ ride
-
Most of us parked at co-op on the G&Y, i will leave my car there again.
They warn about locking their gates but I suppose that won't matter if you're not back that early. There's parking on the road that leads to the co-op and goes alongside it - might be a better option.
-
We did not park in their car park as it was closed when we got there for the g&y, we parked along the road and it was fine.
-
Forecast for Sat night looks as if it is going to feel VERY cold - so make sure you have enough kit with you to keep warm.
Goes away to contemplate using a Barley saddle bag
-
If it is really unpleasant - the Lloyds bank in Mildenhall has a foyer that you have to enter to get to the ATMs - so carry a debit card - swipe your way in - and you have a carpeted lie down area - and only 2 kms away from the Mildenhall roundabout
-
Forecast for Sat night looks as if it is going to feel VERY cold - so make sure you have enough kit with you to keep warm.
Goes away to contemplate using a Barley saddle bag
(checks forecast)
Minimum 5c.
You weren't on the Green & Yellow Fields, were you Rog? ;) :)
-
What, plus 5! So I'll have to ice my own water. :)
-
Spot the man who's been in Oz recently!
5 whole degrees - summer's coming!
-
Those of us of an Essex persuasion have plans for BEER OVERCOATS after Wells :thumbsup:
The winter socks and gloves will be in the saddlebag though, too.
-
Night section?! That's what Travelodges are for!
-
BUT BUT -- although it is forecast to be 5 - my web page says it will feel like ZERO - and since we are likely to be wet too - I reckon good chance of fairly miserable
-
And for the Green and White Fields ride the actual temperature was about 4 below forecast!
-
Well. It's certainly not looking as nice as last weekend turned out to be.
Sigh...
That was summer, wasn't it? Welcome to Autumn everyone :facepalm:.
-
Doesn't look too bad......
Showery in the afternoon. Headwind from Acle to Wells, but there's always a headwind from Acle to Wells.
Cool overnight but doesn't look daft. I'll pack the thicker gloves but probably not overshoes.
-
Good luck everyone. Keep safe.
I wish I was with you - sort of ;D
-
I've just returned from Manningtree Station where I breakfasted with the intrepid audaxers (the Station Café's "Half Breakfast" is excellent value) and admired some bikes before they headed off.
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/942299_10151372582546786_1223655659_n.jpg)
It was good to see SteveVW who I know from CycleChat but haven't seen for a while. He sold me my first Garmin!
-
Thinking of the Essex boys whilst I decide whether to go to bed yet. Take care out there me old darlings.
-
Yeah, it's raining buckets here!
-
Done about 350 km so far and now in Cambridge 14ways Travelodge. Rode with Jo until 3 miles before Wells Next the Sea, when he got a puncture. I was soaking wet from the rain squall we'd just ridden through, so pushed onto Wells. I was there for at least half hour, but Jo never reappeared. Odd.
Now time for tea, shower and sleep.
-
After my first puncture, I had a second one about a mile later. Lots of flinty grit washed onto the road. Must have arrived at the chippy about 45 minutes after you. Had a blast down the A roads to Barton where I got to my Travelodge room by 10pm. Great ride this morning too although quite tough into the headwind to make it to Safron Walden in time.
-
First 400 where I had a sleep break! That panned out very well! Plan was to move on at a steady pace and have generous but not excessive breaks. Then at the 300k control have the option to either crack on the final 115k through the night to Manningtree. Or detour home to Cambridge, adding 25k to the ride but getting a nice sleep break and going for not full but good value for the entry fee. Problem being that first train back from the finish was 23.5 hours after the start. And with the thought of having to stand around outdoors shivering for 2-3 hours not so appealing. Plus I simply don't enjoy riding through a whole night in cool temps with no proper indoor cosy village hall or similar control. Easter Arrow still too fresh in the mind... And also there didn't seem to be much of indoor waiting opportunities around Manningtree if one would get there early. That's the nature of those x-rated long rides...
Reached the 300k garage control at around 11pm. Quite cold and tired. So decided to go home via Fordham. Was in bed at 1.45am. Up again at 5.30am. Quite surreal, sunny fine morning. And with the sleep break resetting body and mind was almost like starting a new ride afresh! The section between Saffron Walden and Manningtree was great - sun, tailwind and that great feeling knowing you're going to finish a long ride with plenty of time in hand. Only rider from the event I encountered was Adamski who also after a sleep break came swooshing past me at Sible Hedingham. Eh, no way I was even going to attempt to latch onto his pace... :-)
After some navigation issues in the latter laney stages rolled into the Lawford garage to get the final receipt. With the detour and 5.5 hour break ended up at 440k in 26 hours. Can't complain about that! :)
Fine route with pretty rural fields and picturesque villages. Interesting observation - with this ride and the the Witham 150 ECEd to a 300 a couple of weeks back the routes have taken me through those South Essex places:
- Cock Green
- Gay Bowers Road
- Asslingtom
- Burnt Dick Hill
- Cock Hill
Hmmm :o
-
Well done to everyone that took part :thumbsup:
Did anyone actually manage to eat some asparagus or strawberries?
-
Very much a ride of two halves (absolutely deliberately ;))
Tomsk, huggy and I had discussed the ride at our Wednesday mid-Essex pub meeting. We decided to aim for a 24 hour schedule, and go all-out to build up a buffer before arriving at a pub on the A1065, in order to stop for a pint or two. (I did something similar on my own in 2011, and thoroughly enjoyed the ride).
It has to be said that huggy was slightly less convinced by the plan than Tomsk and I ;D - I think he'd originally been planning a more "full-value" ride. Nevertheless, the mid-Essex pub-mission-peloton worked well and stayed together most of the way to Halesworth, then regrouped after lunch, to head up to Reedham, where Tomsk and I arrived just in time to see the ferry depart with a group of randonneurs. As we were finally setting off on our crossing, huggy arrived to experience the same whilst we waved cheerily from the boat. ;)
[The Bridge Cafe at Halesworth seemed to be having some issues, with orders taking a much longer time than normal to come out (FidgetBuzz got fed up of waiting for his and left before it appeared).]
At Acle, huggy decided to stay on for a bit so Tomsk and I headed off in direction of Wells. (Apart from a glitch when Tomsk pointed out I'd left my helmet behind and I had to dash back about a mile to pick it up). I finally caught up with Tomsk at Aylsham, by which time I was fairly soaked through. We arrived in Wells around 19:00, pretty much on our planned schedule.
Huggy arrived around 40 minutes later, and after discussing the options, Tomsk and I headed off towards our "Plan A" pub, huggy planning to head off later after eating and perhaps see us there. We arrived at the Fox and Hounds (at 154 miles form Manningtree) after just over 12 hours elapsed for a pint or three of Adnams Ghost Ship and Spitfire. After a short while we were joined by the tandem and, a little later, huggy arrived. We left shortly before 11p.m.
From the pub-stop onwards, we throttled back considerably, in order not to arrive back too early (and, certainly in my case, because I couldn't maintain the pace much longer ;D).
Tomsk and I spotted an inviting, and unoccupied bus shelter in Balsham, just before the infamous left turn, and pulled up there to have a snack, take on caffeine and hole up/snooze until it kicked in. Just as we were about to retreat inside, huggy arrived, but he opted to carry on towards Saffron Walden. We snoozed for a short while and then made out way towards Saffron Walden where we met huggy resting in a doorway.
We set off towards the Manningtree, and although huggy decided that he'd ride at his own pace, we did stay together for a while. Eventually though he dropped back, and Tomsk and I carried on with the Manningtree station cafe in mind.
I could have done without the added drama, just 2 miles from the arrivée, of an explosive unplanned deflation of my front tyre while descending at at least 28mph (the speed on the last GPS data point before my hurried deceleration), but luckily I was travelling in a straight line at the time and managed to come to a halt without incident. Apologies to the tandemistas who were not too far behind - I don't think whatever it was i shouted was particularly intelligible. Luckily they could take evasive action when I hung on the rear anchor.
I arrived back at Manningtree about 25 minutes after Tomsk, having had to fit a tyre boot to contain a sidewall cut.
Well done to everyone that took part :thumbsup:
Did anyone actually manage to eat some asparagus or strawberries?
We didn't eat any asparagus or strawberries (although I did have strawberries for my tea earlier today). I did try to eat chips and curry sauce twice in separate towns only to find out that apparently East Anglia has sold out of the stuff.
-
Like Oaky, I had a ride of two
halves parts - to use the word halves is incorrect as the first section was much longer. I got to Manningtree at 08h55, giving me enough time to grab a card from Tom & fire up the Garmin. Leaving Manningtree I started overtaking people & on one uphill section I overtook someone on fixed. I kinda heard someone shout something, but it didn't really register. Only later did it twig that was probably Rob - if that's correct, sorry for ignoring you. My ride plan was simple - get to Wells Next the Sea asap, have some chips & then hammer down the mainroad to Barton Mills & onwards to the Travelodge near Abington. Jo had a similar plan & we ended up riding together.
The section up to Wells went really well as we bounced through all the controls and made the most of the winds. The ferry trip was fab; there were massive stately homes around and some great road. However, somewhere around Saxthorpe our luck with the rain ran out and we got a thorough soaking. The heavy stuff didn't last too long, but it was very cold & the roads were quickly flooded as the drains couldn't cope. Jo then got a puncture just before Wells, but said he was happy if I carried on the 5 km to Wells, which I did as I was already cold. As I previously said, I then didn't see Jo again.
The first proper sit down stop at Wells was welcome. I then carried on down the A1065, tho I only got 2 km out of Wells before having to stop to put on a baselayer as I was now cold. The A1065 had some beautiful sections, with bluebelled woods & a setting sun. RAF Lakenheath seems to go on forever, as always! I got to Barton Mills just as dusk became night & brought food for the night section to Abington & morning section to Saffron. Leaving Barton Mills my teeth were a-chattering, but adding my gilet on top of my waterproof helped. Travelodge by 23h15, followed by a shower, tea & bed. Whoop.
This morning I left Abington at 07h15, got to Saffron way out of time, as planned, and then had a great ride back to Mannington, with the wind helping a lot. Weeeeeeeeeeee. Pippa arrived on the train from London and we set off around 11h15 to ride back to London. After a tasty lunch in Stitsed (& spotting photos of fboab on the wall) we ditched that plan as the idea of another 60 km into a headwind, which was threatening rain, didn't appeal. Instead we got the train back from Witham. Still, around 490 km for the weekend :thumbsup:.
-
Short of miles and with Wikyboy saying he wanted to learn to pace himself - we still could not ease back enough - reasonable up to Ixworth ( but still nearly 25kph av) and then fast across to Halesworth with a tail wind. Riding most of the time with katetheplumber. Bridge cafe was horror story - 25 minutes and they could not produce beans on toast - this tends to drive a punch and go character over the edge - so I just upped and left. Cold lashing rain Coltishall to Aylsham - produced very cold and wet thighs and into the wind - Rog began to slow down - Kate dropped me - but then got lost and packed - I think she was underprepared for clothing when she got wet.
Wells was the chippy with quite a gathering - but by then Rog had shot his bolt - so it was slowly on - passing the pub with three or 4 bikes outside -at Mildenhall 5 minutes after arriving the cashier said "You all have to be out in 5 minutes" - which rather scotched my plan for a 60 minute lie down and recover. Also made a mistake here - did not fill both bottles so later on during the night was short of fluid. Slow steady progress - and interesting to note that Wilkyboy failed to pass me - so I think he must have missed his 8.00 train - Chapman is going to be tough for him next weekend. had to walk Cocks Hill - no power in thighs at all. Rolled in at 8.00am - which was OK -
but still the major debate - why do I need to do this to myself - what am I trying to prove to whom?
-
Rog. 8am is well inside time. It's well inside the time you and I have ridden it!
But if you are not enjoying it - that's another thing entirely. You are trying to find something to prove. I think that's what makes you tick, and you've been foundering since Mille Alba - which almost certainly answered all the questions about what you had to prove; big distance, big hills, and big weather.
Now you have to decide whether you still enjoy long distance, without having to prove something? Maybe you're looking for a way to enjoy long distance cycling without having to prove you're doing something nobody has done before?
FWIW, I'll ride with you on any ride you care to name, and I'll ignore all that "you're too fast for me" bollocks... :)
-
Yes Chris - dont forget we had slept at your place for several hours - this was a straight thru ride - no sleep
-
I don't know whether to christen this ride "I hate wind" (!), or "too many stings in the tail, Tom", or "the plan that didn't quite". But as it was my first 400, maybe it should just be called "into the unknown".
This ride bore all the hallmarks of a Tomsk ride (at least the calendar ones I've done, which isn't many) -- informal start from the station at Manningtree, x-rated so receipts required (little special TLC), seeing Tomsk at (nearly) every control (and he still finished ahead of us), night riding on the A1055 in bitter cold, garages that keep their doors closed in spite of hypothermic customers outside, lots of climbing in the final leg (it felt like there were too many of these this time -- too many stings to the tail), not all of the flora in the title evident on the ground.
We started at 9am (a pleasant change from the last time out (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=68514.msg1467127#msg1467127)) in sunshine!! As we rode out I was quickly dropped towards the back of the group -- it isn't a race, people! -- where I met a DunRunner who I rode with last year (my first 150+ and still my fastest 190km by quite a way), and we chatted about avoiding carbs -- it felt a bit of a tandem moment (you know you are). Bumped into Fidgetbuzz, who is solely responsible for all of this in my life :thumbsup: and he promptly upped the pace claiming that I should be riding quicker :o Rode with FB for quite a way, along with katetheplumber, Dave (who I've previously mentioned in my Old Squit and G&Y Fields write-ups), Tim, ketocarb guy and a handful of others.
(http://i1320.photobucket.com/albums/u528/wilkyboy1666/Audax%202013/2013-05-11%20Asparagus%20and%20Strawberries%20400/DSCN0409_zps722e5c22.jpg) (http://i1320.photobucket.com/albums/u528/wilkyboy1666/Audax%202013/2013-05-11%20Asparagus%20and%20Strawberries%20400/DSCN0407_zpsba47a641.jpg)
On FB's suggestion we bounced through Ixworth (passing the Tomsk train) and pushed on to Halesworth (stopping briefly for a train in Mellis just as we were caught and passed back by the Tomsk train, who also had to stop).
(http://i1320.photobucket.com/albums/u528/wilkyboy1666/Audax%202013/2013-05-11%20Asparagus%20and%20Strawberries%20400/DSCN0401_zps7ce51d2b.jpg) (http://i1320.photobucket.com/albums/u528/wilkyboy1666/Audax%202013/2013-05-11%20Asparagus%20and%20Strawberries%20400/DSCN0416_zps790bebab.jpg)
The previously reported fiasco really did take place in the Bridge Cafe: cook managed to get into a one-in-one-out mood, so rather than putting on lots of toast for baked beans and doing a big batch, they waited until somebody else's salad was cooked before starting on the next: we arrived sometime after the Tomsk train and they still hadn't been served. FB left without eating and mine arrived after a 40-minute wait. To the proprietor's credit she apologised and did appear to take control of the kitchen with everything else coming through more-or-less at the same time. 40 minutes to be served with BBonT is a bit pants, though.
Following that we had a following wind -- a following wind to get to Halesworth and following wind on departure :hand: Getting my feeding strategy right is a major issue I feel, because it just got worse the further on we went. Mrs WB has me sleeping in the spare bedroom tonight :facepalm: Sorry.
At this point it was Dave, Tim and me and we put on a decent showing across the wind to Reedham, passing Big Saxon on the way, with the ferryman bringing the ferry back to shore to let us on, to the groans of our comrades already aboard :P We were joined by a mahoosive police patrol vehicle that nearly filled the rest of the space on the ferry, so I took their picture. The spin up to Acle was straightforward and we got there to find the Tomsk train making the green look untidy ;D
(http://i1320.photobucket.com/albums/u528/wilkyboy1666/Audax%202013/2013-05-11%20Asparagus%20and%20Strawberries%20400/DSCN0419_zpsfb4ff43f.jpg) (http://i1320.photobucket.com/albums/u528/wilkyboy1666/Audax%202013/2013-05-11%20Asparagus%20and%20Strawberries%20400/DSCN0421_zps20d4e058.jpg)
(http://i1320.photobucket.com/albums/u528/wilkyboy1666/Audax%202013/2013-05-11%20Asparagus%20and%20Strawberries%20400/DSCN0420_zps674d0f81.jpg) (http://i1320.photobucket.com/albums/u528/wilkyboy1666/Audax%202013/2013-05-11%20Asparagus%20and%20Strawberries%20400/DSCN0422_zpsbd94ec68.jpg)
At this point Dave and I rode on with Tim saying he'd catch us up: he never did and the last report was that he got caught in the rain and bailed at Aylsham, but that's unconfirmed. We also got caught in the rain, which was unwelcome (Tomsk, please could you cancel this part for next year), so we found a pub in Aylsham and had a nice cup of tea while the rain blew itself out. We then made okay time to Wells for a very nice plate of fish and chips where we bumped into FB for the final time. Big Saxon arrived and left while we were eating, too.
A dry pair of socks (inside some big SealSkinz socks for the night/cold section), some knee warmers and extra layers and we were ready to move off. No, wait, Dave faffed, then I faffed, then I got my picture took (to show the missus that I really did do the ride), and then we moved off. Huggy had decided to join us to start the next leg and was very patient, at least he looked it in the failing light. At this point there were no bikes on the quayside, so I reckon we may have been lanterne rouge, although we left over an hour before the control closed.
We turned south and headed towards Fakenham taking turns on the front in the wind. This was not a pleasant section and taking a turn on the front was decidedly hard work. Huggy bailed on us at the Fox and Hounds (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=68746.msg1481306#msg1481306), but we figured that it was already going to be a long night and beer wasn't the answer, so Dave and I pushed on. And then stopped a bit. And then pushed on. And then stopped a bit. One thing about stopping: it absolutely hammers the averages!
Sleep-depravation affected me far more than I was expecting (I have done plenty of all-nighters) and I kept waking up halfway into a ditch or over on the other side of the road. I needed to sleep! At Barton Mills the bugger in the garage refused to open the doors, so we shivered on the forecourt. Cold appears to affect some more than others, as I was hardly able to think and others were able to sit or lie on the ground and sleep, but not me. The Tomsk train rode in while we were there and we left them chilling out.
(http://i1320.photobucket.com/albums/u528/wilkyboy1666/Audax%202013/2013-05-11%20Asparagus%20and%20Strawberries%20400/DSCN0426_zps8bf550e4.jpg)
Dave and I pushed on and after a missed turn (okay, Garmin was right, we were wrong for a change) made fairly good time to Newmarket where there was a fully open BP garage. With coffee. And hot food. And chairs and tables!! They told us to bring the bikes inside (lots of drunks at 3am, they said) and didn't say anything when I put my head down on the table and went straight to sleep while Dave fought off the locals who wanted to wake me up :thumbsup: :facepalm:
After Newmarket it dawned on us that dawn was upon us as we could read the routesheet without a torch, and it looked like it was going to be a fine, sunny morning :thumbsup: However, that meant we could also see the hills that Tom had saved for us looming around every corner: lots of short ones that could be cranked over, lots of long meandering ones with false summits that required a more patient approach. Even Dave was getting sick of them and he's a much better climber than me and much more patient, too.
Saffron Walden came and went -- there's not a lot to do there at 5am. We passed the Tomsk train parked up in the café in Sible Hedingham before catching up with Big Saxon again -- he eventually rolled into Manningtree just 15 minutes after us. Stopping for an off-bike moment a few miles later we were caught by the Tomsk train as they stopped for that particular hedge's charms (turns out it's a regular haunt, little did we know). The next time we saw Tomsk and Huggy was at second breakfast in Manningtree, with Oaky playing with the [puncture] fairies a few miles before that.
Those final hills were a bit unnecessary: we had already completed 400km and then Tomsk threw in a handful more climbs!! The reverse G&Y Fields run back into Manningtree was nice, until we remembered that there had been two significant descents on that ride, which were now two significant climbs. We cranked our way up -- for both of us that was 100% success on the hills without dabbing (we aren't talking about Cumbrian or Cambrian hills here, so not a great claim, but it still drives me to the top). On the very last climb up the short slope to the roundabout in Manningtree I raced past Dave, but he still caught and passed me easily enough before the top :facepalm: But I got him on the descent to the station clocking 62kph as I whooshed past to his surprise :thumbsup: (I have a bit of a dinner plate for a front ring, probably needs changing to something smaller).
We arrived back at the station at about 09:30, so my fastest 400 to date (my only 400 to date) and plenty of time in hand. Stoppage time of nearly 5 hours and moving time of just over 19.5 hours, of which apparently over 7 hours were climbing! I feel shattered like I didn't for Yr Elenydd, although I think that ride was harder because I was only just in time that time; this time I think was the wind and sleep-dep. I had been aiming to be in by 8am to catch the first train back to Cambridge, which we missed, and although we were in time for the next train an hour later, Dave and I opted for a big buffet breakfast instead ;D
The last few rides I have ridden out too quickly and blown up after around 100km and as this was my first 400 I needed to avoid this at all costs. So last week I worked out a rolling speed I thought I could maintain for each stage of this ride, as well as an estimated duration spent at each control, with a view to slowing down in the early stages. It was a good plan, really it was, compensating times for hills, freshness of legs, time of day -- actually, it was more an experiment than a plan just to see whether I could hit the numbers (roughly) and if I did then how did I feel particularly beyond 100km. However, that was before Fidgetbuzz took an interest and dragged me along much faster than my target speeds and bounced through controls, giving me oodles of time in hand! :facepalm: This actually paid dividends later (the time), although I did fade in the wind and the rain. But actually on reviewing the numbers and accounting for a couple (several) unscheduled stops (hiding from the rain, hiding from being awake, hiding from the pain by getting off the bike) the final result was near enough the same, but the calculations to get there were way out. I won't bore you with the details -- feel free to ask me about it on a ride and I will probably have an updated plan with me for that ride running another 'experiment'.
Interestingly (for me) Big Saxon was doing the same thing, except aiming for a flat 20kph and bouncing as many controls as possible. The difference was that we rode the first and second legs above 25kph and slowed down later (with lots of stops) and BS just kept going and we arrived within 15 minutes of each other!! I am in awe that you could just maintain that pace the whole time without really stopping :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
-
Yes Chris - dont forget we had slept at your place for several hours - this was a straight thru ride - no sleep
But Rog you did a 200 less than a week before this! You haven't got the base miles this year to ride 200 and 400 in the same week without any effect on pace.
Nice write-up wilky.
As far as pace is concerned my mantra used to be:
Ride as fast as you can for as long as you can, and then eat jelly babies.
Obviously YMMV, and these days, so does mine.
Nowadays it's babybels ;)
-
... and interesting to note that Wilkyboy failed to pass me - so I think he must have missed his 8.00 train - Chapman is going to be tough for him next weekend.
From my ride report: "I had been aiming to be in by 8am to catch the first train back to Cambridge, which we missed, and although we were in time for the next train an hour later, Dave and I opted for a big buffet breakfast instead". I fell apart a bit on the run to Barton Mills and arrived just after you left I think. And then we spent best part of an hour in Newmarket, so I think our pace was about the same, but we were less successful at bouncing through controls.
And I am bricking it about the Chapman next weekend, especially as I don't think I will be fully recovered by then and sleep-dep is more of a problem for me than I thought.
Really good to ride with you btw Rog!
-
Hey dammit - you were at Ixworth just 5 minutes before your target time - so I dont think i dragged you along too quickly - and after Ixworth - I doubt whether I was the leader - and on this stage - what was your target riding time- and what was it actually.
Reality I suspect is that the post Wells ride times were VERY wrong - when chatting to me you had cut back from 24s to 22s - well if you did 22s after Wells - then you did well -- I would suspect that I am just about on 20kms to Mild - and getting slower still for the last 2 stages
Vice versa your planned stops of 1 hour at each control were "unusual" - you can not stop for an hour at Saff W or at Mildenhall and Ixworth at 50k should also be bounced. one hour at Halesworth yes OK but under normal circumstances - generous. In my view the first 200kms of a ride need somewhere between 1 hour and 1.45 - of stopped time- depending on conditions etc.
very very best of fortune next weekend - hope this has been a useful training ride
-
Yes Chris - dont forget we had slept at your place for several hours - this was a straight thru ride - no sleep
Nice write-up wilky.
As far as pace is concerned my mantra used to be:
Ride as fast as you can for as long as you can, and then eat jelly babies.
Obviously YMMV, and these days, so does mine.
Nowadays it's babybels ;)
Thank you. I got through three bags of jelly babies and one of Fangtastics -- I finished the ride with time to spare, so there must be some truth to it, although my teeth could've been used to strip paint ... :facepalm:
-
But Rog you did a 200 less than a week before this! You haven't got the base miles this year to ride 200 and 400 in the same week without any effect on pace.
True it was quite a quick ride to Cambridge and back on Weds - bu stop trying to cheer me up - i want to be unhappy !!
Rog
-
Hey dammit - you were at Ixworth just 5 minutes before your target time - so I dont think i dragged you along too quickly - and after Ixworth - I doubt whether I was the leader - and on this stage - what was your target riding time- and what was it actually.
Reality I suspect is that the post Wells ride times were VERY wrong - when chatting to me you had cut back from 24s to 22s - well if you did 22s after Wells - then you did well -- I would suspect that I am just about on 20kms to Mild - and getting slower still for the last 2 stages
Vice versa your planned stops of 1 hour at each control were "unusual" - you can not stop for an hour at Saff W or at Mildenhall and Ixworth at 50k should also be bounced. one hour at Halesworth yes OK but under normal circumstances - generous. In my view the first 200kms of a ride need somewhere between 1 hour and 1.45 - of stopped time- depending on conditions etc.
We rode the first stage 10min quicker than plan and the second stage 2mins quicker. Bouncing the first control and a slightly shorter stop at the second (in spite of the horrors of the Bridge Cafe) put me 50mins ahead of plan, i.e. 1h45m in hand. After Acle it all went downhill (but not disastrously so). I guess the thing I am trying to determine is how much less effort is required if I drop the average by one or two kph, and whether that would contribute to me being stronger for longer and whether I would still finish in time. That's why I found Big Saxon's own experiment interesting.
The later speeds were very, very wrong: we averaged about 14.5kph to Barton Mills (several off-bike stops of a few minutes each) compared to 24kph planned, 11.5kph to Saffron Walden (that includes a 45-minute stop at Newmarket) compared to 23kph planned, and 18kph back to Manningtree (which considering all the climbing and that it was the end of the ride is okay I think) compared to 22 planned.
TBH I intended the planned control times to be stoppage times for mechanicals, moments and controls on each section rolled into one. But they were still well beyond generous, except for Wells, and Barton Mills if you include the sleep stop at Newmarket in that.
very very best of fortune next weekend - hope this has been a useful training ride
Many thanks! Good fortune is exactly what I am going to need!
-
On timings - Looking at the last 3 A&Ss I did I was way earlier at Wells this time but finished later than normal, just over 22hrs.
It was fast riding all the way to the turn as the wind was friendly and the terrain is pretty benign. I didn't find the headwind leg down to Saffron Walden that hard but must have been travelling slower than previous years. I also found the lumps in last 20k a bit tougher than usual.
Adamski - it was me that shouted at you. I know better than to try and keep up with you, though.
Rob
-
Go away and realise that an average moving speed of 20 kph gives you 30 hours riding for a 600 ( remember to allow for overdistance if it is a BRM) so equal chunks of 22s to start with followed by 20s and then 18s will still get you there- and therefore you have 10 hours off bike - work out sleep - 2 /3/4 hours whatever you need - and then with (10 minus 2/3/4) now work out stops of 15 or 20 minutes ( ie nearly a bounce) and longer ones of 1/1+ hours.
Certainly thta is my general background approach on a really long one - but you should be able to do better ( younger) but possibly offset by bike which may cause extra oddities thta I do not know about.
-
I did try to eat chips and curry sauce twice in separate towns only to find out that apparently East Anglia has sold out of the stuff.
I'll think you'll find curry sauce on chips is not the done thing in Norfolk. On Yarmouth market chip stalls they do a very wide selection of mayonaise and flavoured vinegars. Also peas with mint sauce. But no curry sauce :hand: It's far too exotic.
Enjoyed the write ups and congratulations to all.
-
But Rog you did a 200 less than a week before this! You haven't got the base miles this year to ride 200 and 400 in the same week without any effect on pace.
True it was quite a quick ride to Cambridge and back on Weds - bu stop trying to cheer me up - i want to be unhappy !!
Rog
AUK needs a new strapline.
Audax UK. Bringing out the curmudgeon in you since 1985. :thumbsup:
-
Enjoyed your write-up wilkyboy - sounded like an episode of 'Tank-Engine Tomsk Again', but I owe it to Oaky for doing most of the towing! Our 2 hour pub-stop got the timing spot on so we could press on through the night, only needing the bus-shelter moment in Balsham to cope. The good folk of Weasenham St Peter were well impressed by us, especially our iron wills, enabling us to leave a warm pub after a few pints and tackle a cold and increasingly damp night.....
A special mention for huggy, who was going down with something nasty and who struggled bravely on - reminds me of self two years ago - on a mission for my only chance that year at a PBP qualifier.
Commiserations to the two DNFs I've heard about so far.
I will re-think the Barton Mills control for next year [and for the G&Y Fields], possibly an El Supremo-style roadside control in the Forest. All the way past RAF Lakenheath, I kept thinking, I bet they've got a cosy 24 hour cafeteria in there along with all the military hardware, nukes etc!
-
Tomsk, never mind 24-hour cafes in nuclear bunkers, you should have a control where riders can actually buy and eat asparagus and strawberries!
-
A sign for asparagus and strawberries was spotted, but no roadside produce stalls selling any, though we have had local sparrowgrass in Dunmow market recently....
Lots of green and yellow fields though ;D
-
I will re-think the Barton Mills control for next year [and for the G&Y Fields], possibly an El Supremo-style roadside control in the Forest. All the way past RAF Lakenheath, I kept thinking, I bet they've got a cosy 24 hour cafeteria in there along with all the military hardware, nukes etc!
We're unlikely to ride these next year so shout if you want help. I'm in BSE but have stove, will travel.
-
I will re-think the Barton Mills control for next year [and for the G&Y Fields], possibly an El Supremo-style roadside control in the Forest. All the way past RAF Lakenheath, I kept thinking, I bet they've got a cosy 24 hour cafeteria in there along with all the military hardware, nukes etc!
We're unlikely to ride these next year so shout if you want help. I'm in BSE but have stove, will travel.
Any chance of a camp bed or two :thumbsup:
-
I will re-think the Barton Mills control for next year [and for the G&Y Fields], possibly an El Supremo-style roadside control in the Forest. All the way past RAF Lakenheath, I kept thinking, I bet they've got a cosy 24 hour cafeteria in there along with all the military hardware, nukes etc!
We're unlikely to ride these next year so shout if you want help. I'm in BSE but have stove, will travel.
Any chance of a camp bed or two :thumbsup:
The back of a Volvo probably runs a close second ;)
-
Go away and realise that an average moving speed of 20 kph gives you 30 hours riding for a 600 ( remember to allow for overdistance if it is a BRM) so equal chunks of 22s to start with followed by 20s and then 18s will still get you there- and therefore you have 10 hours off bike - work out sleep - 2 /3/4 hours whatever you need - and then with (10 minus 2/3/4) now work out stops of 15 or 20 minutes ( ie nearly a bounce) and longer ones of 1/1+ hours.
Certainly thta is my general background approach on a really long one - but you should be able to do better ( younger) but possibly offset by bike which may cause extra oddities thta I do not know about.
You're right, Rog, I am over-thinking it and worrying myself. I am sure I am capable of the distance and I think I can do it at 20s +/- 2 in spite of the hills, which as you say gives plenty of time for stops, so it will all be fine (although a bit uncomfortable). One control at a time.
-
Tomsk, never mind 24-hour cafes in nuclear bunkers, you should have a control where riders can actually buy and eat asparagus and strawberries!
The asparagus would make for rather distinctive hedge stop scent-marking. (And a much shorter route sheet: "R out of control and follow your nose to Saffron Walden")
-
Tomsk - you could perhaps explore that petrol station at Newmarket that Wilkyboy has written up. Take the old route to Red Lodge - and ride about 1 mile on the A11 - it is pretty safe at that time of night -- I did it this time - dual carriageway, no traffic and a reasonable side strip if you feel the need to pull out of the inside lane.
-
Being this was my 1st 400 I did not know what I was going to be like or what to expect, but having done 3 x 300 in the last 4 weeks I knew that I would need some sleep at around 18hr mark.
Looking at the weather forecast I knew it was going to be cold at night and wet at some point so I decided to take extra clothing with me for the night leg as I made the mistake on the 3 down not to take anything warm for the night leg after misreading the forecast.
I made Wells at 7:30 around the time I was hoping for, but I knew the next 2 legs would be harder due to the wind. Around 10pm I had a puncture which delayed me.
I arrived at Barton Mills at 1am only to find the coffee machine had just switched off. Tried to get some sleep there but it was too cold.
Got to Newmarket and decided that I need sleep, so fell asleep outside a garage at 2:45 which was round the 18hr mark as I predicted.
Got to Saffron Walden to find a few others arriving at the same time.
Enjoyed the last leg back arriving at 9, also I am glad I did the last leg in daylight due to hills and bends.
Really enjoyed the route and was surprised on how good the roads were after riding some really bad ones lately.
Thanks for a another good one Tom.
-
That was an awesome ride, it's not only my first 400k (the most I done in one day is 250km) but also my first X-rated audax too.
First thing first, I must apologise for appearing unsociable, the main reason is that because I'm profoundly deaf and wear a hearing aids, it's extraordinary hard to listen to people while riding let alone read their lips when necessary, the hearing aids is more akin to having a microphone facing against a gale force wind (or Kerry Katona's whine), so all I hear is pretty much white noise.
This is why I was wearing those fancy noise-cancelling headphone (aren't they're great for keeping your ears nice and toasty?), rather than an attempt to not socialised with anyone during the ride.
This is me in case you're not sure whom I was;
(http://i1320.photobucket.com/albums/u528/wilkyboy1666/Audax%202013/2013-05-11%20Asparagus%20and%20Strawberries%20400/DSCN0420_zps674d0f81.jpg)
Will post photos soon, but for the TL:DR readership, the ride was awesome, and the people involved made it so.
-
A sign for asparagus and strawberries was spotted, but no roadside produce stalls selling any, though we have had local sparrowgrass in Dunmow market recently....
Lots of green and yellow fields though ;D
I bought a punnet of strawberries from a wayside table in Lawford (at the top of the hill from Manningtree) about half an hour ago so they are available now!
-
That was an awesome ride, it's not only my first 400k (the most I done in one day is 250km) but also my first X-rated audax too.
First thing first, I must apologise for appearing unsociable, the main reason is that because I'm profoundly deaf and wear a hearing aids, it's extraordinary hard to listen to people while riding let alone read their lips when necessary, the hearing aids is more akin to having a microphone facing against a gale force wind (or Kerry Katona's whine), so all I hear is pretty much white noise.
This is why I was wearing those fancy noise-cancelling headphone (aren't they're great for keeping your ears nice and toasty?), rather than an attempt to not socialised with anyone during the ride.
When I last saw you, you looked like you were enjoying yourself and you were going really strongly, so I don't think the headphones slowed you down at all ;)
Will post photos soon, but for the TL:DR readership, the ride was awesome, and the people involved made it so.
Haha, that's a very succinct summary :thumbsup: and you aren't the first to comment on the length of some reports, but at least I include pictures for the impatient ;D
-
It was my first 400 as well, think you can just about see me in the back of the police car!
(http://i1320.photobucket.com/albums/u528/wilkyboy1666/Audax%202013/2013-05-11%20Asparagus%20and%20Strawberries%20400/DSCN0421_zps20d4e058.jpg)
Need to work on the food intake, but apart from that happy with the ride, the wind, rain and dark certainly made it interesting. I do feel bad about the guy I refused to share my double bed with, when he was getting turned away from the Barton Travelodge at 1am, I'll book a twin room next time!
Thanks for all the words of encouragement along the way. Now I know the only way I can complete the Kernow 600 is at a slow and steady pace with no time for a sleep stop. Trying to ride faster over the first part to make time for a longer break doesn't really work for me.
Ivan
-
Small world.
Ivan - I got the train up with you.
Ed - Chatted with you over fish and chips in Wells. Love the bike - proper randonneur machine.
Rob
-
I do feel bad about the guy I refused to share my double bed with, when he was getting turned away from the Barton Travelodge at 1am, I'll book a twin room next time!
I think we're all adept at building relationships with men we've met on the interweb (or in parks in my case) but being expected to share a double bed with a random chap (whom I'm sure was delightful in every way) you've never met before is a bit hardcore ;D
-
Christ. A chance to shack up with a random guy on an audax and you turned him down? That doesn't seem very audacious!
-
Christ. A chance to shack up with a random guy on an audax and you turned him down? That doesn't seem very audacious!
;D and ...
>:( (tea dribbling from one's nostrils is not a nice look :hand: )
-
Ivan
I am so glad you said NO to my advances. When I saw you on the road past Lakenheath my head was in a very bad place probably because of only getting around 6 hours sleep since Thursday (not a good way to prepare for a 400) all I could think about was getting in a nice warm bed for some sleep. Anyway after being told they had no rooms and you said no the only other options where to get arrested or MTFU and get on with it. I chose the later but was so nearly the former as I was caught on CCTV applying sudacream to the undercarriage on the Barton Mills garage forecourt. I had an hours rest/sleep there then got on the way. After laughing at the drunks at Swaffam and Newmarket I remembered that I had seen a likely looking Audax hotel in Balsham the year before, when I arrived it was already occupied but this chap was willing to share ;0) This bus shelter was not as I remembered and thought it must have been modernised. It was so cold and the bench was one of those sloping things I went for a little nap in the adjacent phone box instead. After checking out I got 200m down the road to see the bus stop I was expecting a full on 5 star affair, brick built, glass window and a glorious bench that you could actually lay down on. Must remember better for next year. So thanks again Ivan for making me do the right thing.
PS I only wanted to lay on the floor not cuddle up to you in your double bed.
edscoble
Next time I see you on a ride I want to spend some time having a proper look at your lovely Oak Cycles Randonneur. Great that another bespoke bike is being used for its intended purpose of being ridden and not as a trinket to be looked at. Thanks for your kind comments on my Ruby. I also need to have a closer look at the Orange Roberts tandem.
-
After checking out I got 200m down the road to see the bus stop I was expecting a full on 5 star affair, brick built, glass window and a glorious bench that you could actually lay down on.
That was where the Tomsk train holed up for 20 mins power napping. A very nice shelter - walls on 3.5 sides, a proper slatted bench and glass windows to the front.
In fact the floor underneath was clean enough for Tomsk to classify the accommodation as "bunk beds" and check with me if I wanted top or bottom bunk ;). As it happened, I was happy just to slump in the corner at one end of the benchtop bunk.
-
This is my first x-rated Audax as well as my first 400k, the most I've ever ridden in one day is 250km, I decided to enter this particular 400k due to the lack of climbing required as I wasn't in the best of form especially when I DNS a couple audaxes before this.
(http://static.lfgss.com/attachments/67702d1368458678-sdim0183.jpg)
(http://static.lfgss.com/attachments/67646d1368382903-sdim0201_zpsdfd24616.jpg)
It's also a perfect audax to test out my new audax bicycle that I've been aching to eat up the kilometres on, and did so brilliantly, lightweight 42c tyres and huge handlebar bag make a massive difference compared to my previous audax bike with skinny 28c and your traditional Carradice saddlebag, I was even convinced that the bag somehow reduced aerodynamic drag when I get on the drop (and barely notice my knees getting cold too which is new), placebo effect of a new bike I'm sure.
(http://static.lfgss.com/attachments/67647d1368382903-sdim0210_zpsa3e7a41e.jpg)
Was rather amusing to hear the general tones that my tyres and handlebar bag look quite big and heavy.
(http://static.lfgss.com/attachments/67703d1368458678-sdim0197.jpg)
(http://static.lfgss.com/attachments/67649d1368382903-sdim0194_zps9ef55373.jpg)
One thing I can says about the A&S is that the severe lack of climb is surprisingly off putting for someone who take great pleasure in ascending the notorious of hill, I remember it being a constant trundling of tiny ascent and descent with a lots of "false hill", basically a road that look fairly level but isn't so (riding from Wells was a very long and slight ascent). There was little moment where I can just sit back and descend for a long time, or drop your cadence and spin comfortably on the flat like I did in previous audaxes/tours.
Norfolk is definitely not flat, that's for sure.
(http://static.lfgss.com/attachments/67704d1368458678-sdim0209.jpg)
(http://static.lfgss.com/attachments/67706d1368458678-sdim0211.jpg)
I've never done a proper night ride others than the Dunwich Dynamo (several times), I'm starting to understand the solitary of riding in the night alone with only yourself and the tiny beam of the dynamo light to content with, except instead of thinking up philosophical quotes in the like of Hemingway, mine was more about the stupidly of not owning knees warmers let alone being able to find my 3/4t trousers for the best pair of an hours.
(http://static.lfgss.com/attachments/67648d1368382903-sdim0215_zpsf4a2b7a3.jpg)
And repeating the same damn song in my head after the headphone's battery die (I'm Afraid of Americans - David Bowie, after it die, I started repeating the chorus but with object I've seen on the way).
(http://static.lfgss.com/attachments/67709d1368458883-sdim0218.jpg)
The distance between Wells and Barton was quite large, something like 80km between each control so it was rather draining to fight against the wind all the time made worse by the aptly located RAF Lakenhealth which was long and tedious, luckily the next control was nearby, although didn't know it at the time.
I also remember thinking why am I riding at night and out of my depth, and why is this considered fun*.
I must remember to bring my headtorch as I was extremely lucky to get a puncture after Barton in a street lit towns full of drunks (and a mobile drunk centre thingy to help the drunkard, was that Swaffam?), could not find the tiny hole in the inner tube, so replaced with fresh one (and removing a very long piece of broken glass from the front tyre), was hoping no more mishaps as I can only find one inner tube.
I took the advice of a veteran audaxer (audaxee?) that a 15 minutes sleep make a world of a difference, after Newmarket I kept an eyes out for a bus shelter to sleep in, but for some reason I managed to stumble upon an occupied one already taken by a audaxer, it wasn't till after Saffron Walden I managed to find an empty one at 5am and promptly slept before waking up freaking out at how long I was out for (literally blacked out).
The last legs was the most enjoyable with hills to play with, beautiful view but didn't take any photos as I was in quite a lots of pain on my shoulder realising that the bar/brake set-up wasn't suited for more than 250km (I since then changed them for a classic road drop with aero levers).
(http://static.lfgss.com/attachments/67708d1368458883-sdim0221.jpg)
Arrived in Manningtree at half 8, texted my girlfriend to let her know breakfast is delayed, took the train to Liverpool Street, rode back home and have falafel for lunch.
(http://static.lfgss.com/attachments/67707d1368458883-sdim0233.jpg)
Loved the ride, it was great to relax and banters with others, more so than a says, 100k audaxes for example (I'm looking at you Dulwich Paragon for taking the fun out of it!).
*probably due to the lack of battery light, inner tubes and hydration.
Ed - Chatted with you over fish and chips in Wells. Love the bike - proper randonneur machine.
Thank man, few tweak and it'll be perfect.
-
Any chance of a camp bed or two :thumbsup:
The back of a Volvo probably runs a close second ;)
[/quote]
one of the support crew at last years Mersey Roads 24TT discovered the back of the joglerVolvo with the seats down & a sleeping bag/mat combo to be sufficiently comfy for several hours overnight sleep :)
-
Great pictures Ed :thumbsup:
-
Ed - great pictures, must have been at Barton same time as me as my bike's leaning outside. I was then in the bus shelter in Balsham, you stopped to ask if I was ok but I thought you wanted to stop too. Gorgeous bike, I had to google it and found a nice bit on Oak's site about the build.
All in all a great Audax, my second 400 and a bit different to the National last year. Tried to put some faces to names off this forum.
After leaving Barton it then got a bit drizzly, I was v cold and thought I need a bus shelter. Found one in Balsham, the one SteveVW eventually joined me in. 2 hours I spent in there :-[
Spent 6 hours in stops overall, including a very relaxed lunch of cheesy chips and treacle sponge at Bridge Cafe. Snack outside Acle co-op, where I think it was Big Saxon who I offered to buy one of his multipack Powerades but he let me have it gratis, I owe you one chap :thumbsup:
Stopped at Melton C for a salad pitta bread in the pizza shop, hoping for a warm up, but the door was open and the pitta not too warming, should have had pizza :facepalm:
So Wells chippie called for mushy peas, coffee and then using the small loo to change into nice dry long winter bibs and dry socks.
Bit of a drag down to Barton so stopped at Swaffham for a snack stop and glove change where Rob B and another were. SteveVW and I think Roger Cortis? then stopped too and we watched some drunk dancing like a loon in one of the pubs ;D
Just got to Barton for a coffee and crisps, and banana for later just as the assistant wanted to shut shop. Next bit to Newmarket was good but later used the Balsham bus stop, the crap glass one not the nice one 200 yds down the road. Couldn't really sleep or warm up and kept stirring every time someone cycled past. Set off again at about 0420 begging for some daylight to start appearing and cheer me up.
Got to saffron about 0530 where there were a few riders spread around the square, quick banana/ATM stop and onwards.
I had forgotten about Sible cafe and was glad to spot it was open and stopped for a coffee and manky toast. Inside were Tom D and friend and then the tandem and SteveVW arrived.
Just the last little bit of hills and hills and hills was a real test for this Norfolk Boy, but well worth it, gettin to station at 0915, not too shabby for me after 6 hours of stops.
Hopefully see some of you again for the Hereward in July :thumbsup:
-
You stopped to ask if I was ok but I thought you wanted to stop too.
The way you sit down (sleeping?), I thought you were miffed off waiting for someone to come along! you're the first one I saw in the bus stop where I thought about doing the same, further down, another one is in a bus stop, next town, same again...
-
I also remember thinking why am I riding at night and out of my depth, and why is this considered fun*.
+1 ;D
Nice write up and pics Ed :thumbsup:
-
You stopped to ask if I was ok but I thought you wanted to stop too.
The way you sit down (sleeping?), I thought you were miffed off waiting for someone to come along! you're the first one I saw in the bus stop where I thought about doing the same, further down, another one is in a bus stop, next town, same again...
The bench was too narrow for a lay down so I was trying to sleep sitting, cheers though for checking :thumbsup:
If it wasn't for the perfect storm of wet/cold/wind/dark I would have ploughed on regardless, all good practice though ;D
-
By the way, for those who were asking about OrangeAndy's Scotland to Lowestoft ride (which he started on Saturday), I have had the following texts:
Saturday, 18:42
In Crief, 50 miles N Edinburgh. Ahead of schedule. Another update tomorrow.
Today, 08:34
Arrived Harrogate 1:30am, felt v tired. Left 7:30 this morning, now in Wetherby having breakfast. Andy.
And just now (21:21)
Hi all. In Spalding, a little more south then turn East for Lowestoft with a tail wind, hope to be there for breakfast.
-
First 400 for me as well, all week I was thinking " get to Wells before the chip shop closes ", as there may be little chance of food and drink after that. There were many objectives for the day, complete 400k in 24 hours as LEL preparation, actually managed 404 at 24 hours so on track. Secondly, complete the next stage of the Essex SR, thirdly, accumulate more points towards 100 target. Now got 31 and on target for 4 x SR and RRTY. Even if things go pearshaped I just need Hereward the Wake, UK National, LEL and Flatlands to have a good season, everything else is a bonus.
More importantly, after one or two setbacks in March, enjoy every ride, meet new friends, especially having joined the forum recently, and improve on every aspect of long distance cycling, having learned from many mistakes. Stayed in the Travelodge nearby overnight, and met up with some familiar faces at Manningtree station, fully rested and ready to go. Being a notorious slow starter, everyone flew past early on, and as happens on every ride before the first control the little voices came into my head asking if I really fancied riding all that way. First control out of the way, time in hand and a tailwind, happy days, next stop the cafe at Halesworth for tea and cake, or so I thought. Had planned for something hot at 100k, 218k and 297k. Got there and it was fulll of cyclists waiting to be served, thought better of it and bought a BLT sandwich and Banana milkshake at the supermarket instead.
On to Reedham Ferry, caught up with a big group and the police 4x4, and so to Acle to pick up more supplies. Then the rains came, first thought was no finish, no Essex SR medal, so no point complaining, get on with it. Tesco at Aylesham was next stop, looking for a cheap drinks bottle, having forgotten mine. No joy so just put Powerade in the cages upside down. Passed Blickling Hall, very impressive, I like period houses, and Suffolk and Norfolk are blessed with many fine examples. On to Wells, bottle of coke, tea and fish and chips to prepare for the night section, then out again before dark, with 15 hours to complete the return.
Kept meeting up with Wilkyboy and riding partner doing yoga at the side of the road, plus I-Cycle. Passed through Fakenham without comment from the drunks, then an attractive lady in pink walking her dog in Swaffham around midnight called out greetings, I thought I might be invited round for something warm but I had to banish those thoughts. Barton arrived, only to be thwarted by elf and safety, so a quick Snickers bar and also applied some Sudocrem to the undercarriage, hoping not to be captured on CCTV.
Tempted by the BP garage in Newmarket, but settled briefly in a bus stop at the other end of town. It was more of a perch than a seat so pushed on , knowing that there was a bus stop in Balsham. Guess what, it was fully occupied, so rode on until dawn when my lights ran out before Saffron, but I could see where I was going. A brief nap on the Town Hall steps, accompanied by I-Cycle in the other doorway, and saw the Tomsk crew arrive. I knew the last section was lumpy, and judging by the total elevation figures there was a lot to come. I thought I would do it bit by bit, taking a rest as necessary, but in the end did not stop, passing the riders at Sible Hedingham cafe before being passed by the tandem for at least the fifth time that day.
Finished at the Lawford garage for a caramel flapjack reward, then dropped down to the station cafe to meet a few more who were having breakfast. Suitably refreshed, drove to Chelmsford to see my parents, had to refuse the offer of lunch as I could not face any more food for a while. That soon passed and had a Macdonalds on the way home.
Pleased to have stuck to the game plan and finished with plenty of time to spare, just over 3 hours off the bike for refuelling and hedge stops, now ready to take on a programme of 3 x 400 and 2 x 600 by the end of June. Next week the carbon comes out for some speed training, doing Tom's 200 perm Boudiccas Revenge on Saturday then a Wiggle 150K sportive round Essex on Sunday.
Thanks to Wilkyboy for your comments about my riding endurance, that is my German efficiency, use time off the bike well and maximise the time on it, and no heroics. That way you can trundle along for days, which of course is the objective for LEL.
-
Great sharp pics Ed! Love the one of the chippie in Wells - flock of birds on the roof and flock of bikes at the entrance!
Good reading the various summaries of the ride. The tales of cold dark night, Audax hotel stays, encounters with drunks at 24h garages almost makes me feel like a cheat for opting of going home to sleep in a warm bed rather than having a proper Audax experience! :facepalm:
Interesting incident at the Barton Mills garage. I was about to pay when someone suddenly asked "hey is anyone driving that van"? Turned to the right and saw a big white van slowly coming to a stop 1/2 m from the entrance. Turns out the driver who was also inside the shop had forgotten the brake. And the slight slope from the pump towards the shop was enough to get it rolling. Luckily no damage. Bit of a scare as the van came to a stop very close to my parked bike... :hand:
Btw, did anyone see the strange pedal-powered vehicle some chap was travelling in close to Lawford a few miles from the finish? Looked like some kind recumbent with a body built around it. Unfortunately didn't have a camera, and was longing too much for the station cafe to stop and ask him what he was up to...
-
Some great photos and reports - perhaps one of you might like to do a full write-up for Arrivee? I'd appreciate it if you could send me some photos anyway....
Here are a few of mine: Randonneur's picnic in Ixworth - Richard Thomas and rob, huggy and oaky in the background. -
(http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y387/Tomskinessex/April2013013_zpsa1a8ffe9.jpg) (http://s1272.photobucket.com/user/Tomskinessex/media/April2013013_zpsa1a8ffe9.jpg.html)
Just missed the ferry, damn! oaky couldn't resist the comment of 'chain's a bit slack....'-
(http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y387/Tomskinessex/April2013014_zps98b2f046.jpg) (http://s1272.photobucket.com/user/Tomskinessex/media/April2013014_zps98b2f046.jpg.html)
Beyond the thousand yard stare, scarecrow festival at Wighton - hey those are Gore shorts!! -
(http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y387/Tomskinessex/April2013018_zps9086de56.jpg) (http://s1272.photobucket.com/user/Tomskinessex/media/April2013018_zps9086de56.jpg.html)
-
By the way, for those who were asking about OrangeAndy's Scotland to Lowestoft ride (which he started on Saturday)
How many km? sound like he put my London-Cumbria ride to shame.
-
Thanks for the write ups guys. Love the photos and the bike Ed.
-
Why am I sat down eating in all these photos ? My legs are telling me I did a lot of miles this weekend, but the evidence says otherwise.
-
By the way, for those who were asking about OrangeAndy's Scotland to Lowestoft ride (which he started on Saturday)
How many km? sound like he put my London-Cumbria ride to shame.
He did say but I can't remember. I think it was above 1000km though.
-
Blimey, that's impressive!
-
Why am I sat down eating in all these photos ? My legs are telling me I did a lot of miles this weekend, but the evidence says otherwise.
So you're not the guy who man each control?
-
First 400 for me as well, all week I was thinking " get to Wells before the chip shop closes ", as there may be little chance of food and drink after that. There were many objectives for the day, complete 400k in 24 hours as LEL preparation, actually managed 404 at 24 hours so on track. Secondly, complete the next stage of the Essex SR, thirdly, accumulate more points towards 100 target. Now got 31 and on target for 4 x SR and RRTY. Even if things go pearshaped I just need Hereward the Wake, UK National, LEL and Flatlands to have a good season, everything else is a bonus.
Nice write up, Big Saxon :thumbsup:
It's interesting how well it went for you by properly pacing yourself and minimising time in controls. It's great info for my first 600 this coming weekend -- perhaps yoga isn't helping my averages after all :facepalm:
-
Another text from OrangeAndy:
Hi all and good morning. Have arrived, but I prefer the west to the east. 1035km in 76 hours 30 minutes. Might have another go. But not this year! Andy.
-
By the way, for those who were asking about OrangeAndy's Scotland to Lowestoft ride (which he started on Saturday)
How many km? sound like he put my London-Cumbria ride to shame.
He did say but I can't remember. I think it was above 1000km though.
I'm guessing it's this one:-
http://www.aukweb.net/perms/detail/JT01/
Lowestoft - Arndnamurchan
(It can be ridden in either direction).
-
Yeah, it must be that one. He did tell me and I am familiar with the two names (Wowbagger did the ride not so long ago) but somehow I don't remember hearing Ardnamurchan but I can't hear that well so no great surprise!
-
I too have enjoyed all the write ups, and have little to add to the overall experience reported but here are a couple.
This was my 2nd 400km ride and stage 3 of my quest for the Essex SR medal.
An insanely quick, for me anyway, first 100km to Halesworth may have contributed to me struggling in the final stages but trying to keep up with Tomsk and Oaky to tow me along overrode my thoughts of a more steady pace. Also, a now obvious illness must have been getting ready to take me down for a few days, hence my late contribution to the thread.
It was always my intention to ride through to the end without any sleep stop, which I did except for a couple of snooze moments, one on the steps of Saffron Walden Barclays Bank after ATM control and another in Sible Headingham cafe over an unfinished breakfast. Having ridden the G&YF and A&S rides like this I now need to decide on a statergy for The Flatlands 600k in September - Audax 2* or 3* hotel or Travelodge for a 4 to 6 hour stop?
I would like to thank all of our fellow audaxers that I thought were supposed to be friends for waving at us left on the South bank as the Reedham Ferry pulled away. The ferry did of course return for further customers but with only 3 cyclists on board the ferryman seemed keen to turn back when already a 3rd the way across to pick up a good number more and the Police (photos earlier in the thread). No matter, it just delayed our arrival in Acle to the point where Tomsk & Oaky were almost ready to push on. Time for me to revert to Plan A and ride at my own pace.
The torrential rain hit me about 5pm, right on forecasted time. I was glad to have packed full wet weather gear in my overstuffed pannier. The pannier was intentionally packed for everything I might need for a 600k ride to prove to myself what I really needed to take on The Flatlands, in the end I used all but the 2nd pair of dry socks I'd packed.
I again arrived at the next control to wave off Oaky & Tomsk. I sat down with pie, chips & beans in Platten's Chippy and ate as much as I could, then went to change in to dry clothes - why didn't I do that first?!? I happened upon the disabled and baby changer toilet at the back of Platten's and used the baby changer shelf to full effect as a dry place for holding fresh baselayers to put on and wet gear to pack away. Such facilities should also be highlighted in the Audaxer's preferred places to visit!
As Wilky mentioned in one of his posts I waited for him and Dave to be ready for the off, not an entirely altruistic action as I fancied riding with others to share the workload, sorry if I didn't put as much effort is as you guys. Just as I was really getting in to the rythm of the riding in our threesome the Fox & Hounds Pub appeared where I peeled off to meet up with Tomsk & Oaky again.
The rest is pretty well documented by others, except that much of my climbing in the last few kms was spent walking, arrivee was about 10:40.
Btw, did anyone see the strange pedal-powered vehicle some chap was travelling in close to Lawford a few miles from the finish? Looked like some kind recumbent with a body built around it. Unfortunately didn't have a camera, and was longing too much for the station cafe to stop and ask him what he was up to...
I did see this vehicle and the Dutchman pedalling it flagged me down about 5km outside of Manningtree to ask directions to Ipswich - I was tempted to say "I wouldn't start from here", but I did my best to assist with my sleep deprived and weary brain. I regret not taking any photos of the strange amphibious vehicle which had been cycled all over, too many places were mentioned for me to recall from the malfunctioning memory but having googled some of what I do recall I think some of this refers - the name on the printed on the back was ad-infinitum (at least I'm sure it was).
http://www.bentrideronline.com/messageboard/showthread.php?t=93599
There seems to be very little available on the Internet considering the undertaking the Dutchman was in the middle of, or may be reaching the end. He told me he was heading for Ipswich where he would the cycle/sail across the North Sea back home to The Netherlands.
EDIT: This is the chappie - http://www.willpowered.nl/en/de-bootfiets/
Looking at his last plotted position he made it to Ipswich! Heading for Lowestoft.
September seems a long way off right now before The Flatlands, some training rides to keep the legs moving will be required....
-
.
http://www.bentrideronline.com/messageboard/showthread.php?t=93599
That bootfiets is just the thing for some of OD's routes.
Very wise of the rider to have donned hi-iz in the videos - he might have been invisible otherwise.
-
I too have enjoyed all the write ups, and have little to add to the overall experience reported but here are a couple.
Btw, did anyone see the strange pedal-powered vehicle some chap was travelling in close to Lawford a few miles from the finish? Looked like some kind recumbent with a body built around it. Unfortunately didn't have a camera, and was longing too much for the station cafe to stop and ask him what he was up to...
I did see this vehicle and the Dutchman pedalling it flagged me down about 5km outside of Manningtree to ask directions to Ipswich - I was tempted to say "I wouldn't start from here", but I did my best to assist with my sleep deprived and weary brain. I regret not taking any photos of the strange amphibious vehicle which had been cycled all over, too many places were mentioned for me to recall from the malfunctioning memory but having googled some of what I do recall I think some of this refers - the name on the printed on the back was ad-infinitum (at least I'm sure it was).
http://www.bentrideronline.com/messageboard/showthread.php?t=93599
There seems to be very little available on the Internet considering the undertaking the Dutchman was in the middle of, or may be reaching the end. He told me he was heading for Ipswich where he would the cycle/sail across the North Sea back home to The Netherlands.
EDIT: This is the chappie - http://www.willpowered.nl/en/de-bootfiets/
Looking at his last plotted position he made it to Ipswich! Heading for Lowestoft.
September seems a long way off right now before The Flatlands, some training rides to keep the legs moving will be required....
Yes, that was him! Wow, should have taken the opportunity to talk him and ask for his autograph! Quite an adventurer it seems! Looked a bit dangerous though, the big quite low vehicle moving at a low speed taking up so much space. It just suddenly appeared in front of me out of nowhere at a road bend. Can imagine at the wrong spot he'd have unpleasant close calls with cars... Definitely up there among the most surprising things randomly encountered during an Audax...
-
Hello all – delayed contribution to this thread as I had to wait for my new forum account (back half of orange tandem) to be approved!
This was our first 400km (it seems there were quite a lot of us first-timers) and we would like to say thank you to everyone who chatted to us and especially to Tom for organising a great event, and for letting us “hitch a lift” back from Sible Hedingham which saved us having to think about route finding for the last few miles.
We had no idea really what to expect as it was by far the longest we had ridden in 24 hours, our main aim was just to ride at our own pace. Best tip we had I think was to not try to get round too quickly and end up spending time in deserted towns. Consequently our timing was spot on for a breakfast stop at the Corner Café, we got there just as it was opening at about 06.50. The tea and beans on toast made all the difference to me and resulted in the final stretch being a pleasure (albeit a rather lumpy one) rather than a chore.
Low spots were getting wet (although it was totally expected) and spotting the 5 star bus shelter but seeing it occupied. Also noticing and remarking upon the open garage at Newmarket but somehow failing to convey a desire to stop to the one in charge of the brakes!
On the plus side, lots of excellent countryside, the Reedham ferry and the barn owl(s). Did anyone else see it/them? It was on the section just before Lakenheath – first of all one flew across the road about 10m in front of us, and then another one (or the same one again) flew alongside us and briefly stopped on a fence post about 3m from us – beautifully white against the darkness and so silent.
We finished just after 9 which was way earlier than our booked train back to London - but Anglia Trains displayed their usual flexibility and we had no issue getting on the 09.53, with the train manager cheerfully helping us secure the bike.
-
Yes I too encountered a barn owl a little earlier along that leg. It flew parallel to me for maybe 400m along the road. Magical.
-
Also noticing and remarking upon the open garage at Newmarket but somehow failing to convey a desire to stop to the one in charge of the brakes!
As the bhoabt (back half of a blue tandem) I can surely relate to this!
-
Also noticing and remarking upon the open garage at Newmarket but somehow failing to convey a desire to stop to the one in charge of the brakes!
As the bhoabt (back half of a blue tandem) I can surely relate to this!
stoker operated secondary rear hub brake ftw
-
stoker operated secondary rear hub brake ftw
Can't help but see how evil that can be, applied brakes (especially on bhoot's Roberts tandem with a bar-end friction shifter to apply the rear brake), ask the other half if his legs is tired and would like to pull over for a bit.
Note to self - let girlfriend be in charge of the tandem (after getting her Cycle Training).
Oh yes - great to meet you bhoot, glad to see you made the entire route at the station.
-
Actually got me thinking this; why does the women tend to be the stoker on a tandem?
-
Actually got me thinking this; why does the women tend to be the stoker on a tandem?
Because men are control freaks.
The main answer is to do with strength - you typically want the stronger rider up front (I understand it's very different on racing tandems though) as they have to hold the bike and stoker up at junctions etc.
But it's not essential - there are teams out there with the larger rider at the rear (a team with a blind stoker for example cannot choose where that rider goes on the bike).
-
There would be a lot to be said for being able to swap places.
I've seen a couple of tandem teams who could do it. We can't - we're too different in height.
-
We keep saying we should - even though there's 4 inches between us in height, our legs are the same length.
-
Speaking to my girlfriend about this, she pointed out that the smaller person would find the front more beneficial of being able to see ahead, whether the taller one on the back also still get to see ahead instead of a sweaty back.
-
Actually got me thinking this; why does the women tend to be the stoker on a tandem?
Because men are control freaks.
The main answer is to do with strength - you typically want the stronger rider up front (I understand it's very different on racing tandems though) as they have to hold the bike and stoker up at junctions etc.
But it's not essential - there are teams out there with the larger rider at the rear (a team with a blind stoker for example cannot choose where that rider goes on the bike).
That's upper body strength, not cycling strength, btw. Chris & I are pretty much matched for speed on solos, as long as I've got gears- he's faster than me if we're both on fixed, but I have better stamina, and a stronger finish, usually.
I would struggle to pilot a tandem with my weight on the rear, although I have had my mum on mine and she's 5'8" to my 5'3", though probably not as heavy as me. It's not true that the pilot has to hold the stoker up at junctions or whatever- Chris doesn't hold me up (except by not getting going when I want to ;) ), and I only hold up lightweight children, not the almost fully grown ones on mine. You do have to be a bit better coordinated with each other if you don't hold them up is all. I find as a pilot there's more 'steering' to do; on a solo, you just kind of lean, intuitively.
On a racing tandem you still need upper body strength on the front, you just can't get away with a passenger on the back. The gears tend to be on the back for racing which requires pretty good communication- we moved them on the Swallow as I didn't think it was wise for someone who can't see the road ahead to decide which gear to put it in.
The real advantage to the larger rider at the front is to stop the stoker seeing where they're going and demanding stops at petrol stations and the like.
-
I think I'll add my 2p here. If the stoker is navigating they need to be able to see where they're going. We tried it once on the longbarrow and promptly abandoned the idea (as many of you are aware, assasin is ever so slightly larger than I am).
I've only had lightweight childer on the back (well, the 2nd was later on the tag along, having outgrown the kiddy seat). I don't remember it being a problem holing them up (but no idea what they weighed compared to me either - standard 9yo, smallish 6yo, lightish mum).
Last time I looked it was really a question of 'are you man enough to let her drive'?
I never found it a problem having the gears at the back, just changed when I normally would. The occasions when I changed wrongly were so few that I only remember there probably were some. But then you can't stall and topple off with a trike.
-
I saw this in Germany and thought of you all!
(http://www.auntiehelen.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/20130611-182726.jpg)
-
I saw this in Germany and thought of you all!
(http://www.auntiehelen.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/20130611-182726.jpg)
Excellent :D
Maybe the calendar version should become 'Spargel und Erdbeeren' to avoid confusion with Herman Ramsey's original permanent? 'Sparrow-Grass and Strayberries' would be more authentically East Anglian, on second thoughts....
-
I should have nicked the poster as there's room for a 'k' before the 'm' and you could have changed the 100 to a 400!
-
I should have nicked the poster as there's room for a 'k' before the 'm' and you could have changed the 100 to a 400!
;D :thumbsup: