Author Topic: The Cambridge Autumnals 200 + 100 – Sat 27 October 2018  (Read 5903 times)

wilkyboy

  • "nick" by any other name
    • 16-inch wheels
The Cambridge Autumnals 200 + 100 – Sat 27 October 2018
« on: 23 September, 2018, 11:58:45 am »
We're once again running The Cambridge Autumnals, two late-year/early-season, very sociable rides from Girton, Cambridge.

The 200km Cambridge Autumnal heads due east to the historic and picturesque castle-and-market town of Framlingham in Suffolk, as frequented at about 2am on the Dunwich Dynamo.  The first stage is a straight 101km stage via Newmarket, Bury St Edmunds and Debenham to Framlingham, but you can pass straight through without stopping and carry on all the way to Fram without putting a foot down (this has been achieved, on fixed-wheel, no less!).  After a light lunch (or a heavy one if that takes your fancy), the return route gets a little lumpier with a crossways return via Stowmarket to the Maglia Rosso bike shop + café in Hawstead.  It's then a laney run all the way back to Balsham and Fulbourn descent back to Cambridge.  Just two commercial controls, zero infos.  Details for the 200 here.

The 100km Cambridge Autumnal climbs up onto the chalk massif via Six Mile Bottom and heads fairly directly to the first control at Great Thurlow, where Alex will be stamping cards.  The next stage hits a series of very narrow, deserted lanes to cross from Suffolk to Essex, visits everyone's favourite medieval Thaxted and heads on to the historic Saffron Walden for lunch.  The return is over a couple of noticeable climbs to Balsham, and one info control, to then blast down the 7km descent to Fulbourn and Cambridge.  We think this is a delightful route for those not yet confident at 200km in possibly wintry conditions — although who knows, it may be sunny!  8)  Three commercial controls, one info.  Details for the 100 here.

These are ideal rides to give the winter bike a shakedown, as the routes are straightforward and will be vaguely challenging only if the weather's up, and scenic in the sense of having lots of scenery (but not hilly).  We've ridden both routes many times on fixed-gear, and both are fixed-friendly, if your winter-steed's a fixie  ;)

We will be serving hot and cold refreshments at the start, and something hot with plenty of Mrs W's homemade cake at the arrivée  :thumbsup:

These events are a week later than last year due to a prior booking in the hall, but they will return to the third Saturday in October next year — we've booked the hall over a year in advance, just to be sure!

As always, the start is easy to get to by train from London and the 8am start of the 200 allows enough time for London-based riders to catch the first train from King's Cross.  Girton is also easy to get to by car.  Hopefully many will simply cycle to the start.

And in other news:

The Cambridge Pork Pie 200 on 16 March 2019 will be a qualifier for Paris-Brest-Paris.  And there's The Cambridge Spring Dash 100 on the same day.

Our brand new event, The Capitals of East Anglia 300 on 27 April 2019, will also be a qualifier for PBP.
Lockdown lethargy. RRTY: wot's that? Can't remember if I'm on #8 or #9 ...

Re: The Cambridge Autumnals 200 + 100 — 27 October 2018
« Reply #1 on: 23 September, 2018, 12:44:03 pm »
Are the GPX files marked 2017 still correct?

wilkyboy

  • "nick" by any other name
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Re: The Cambridge Autumnals 200 + 100 — 27 October 2018
« Reply #2 on: 23 September, 2018, 12:49:41 pm »
Are the GPX files marked 2017 still correct?

Probably.  Route check will happen maybe next weekend, maybe the weekend before the event and any corrections will be applied then.  We're planning on keeping the route exactly the same, but there's no accounting for Anglian Water arbitrarily closing roads we want to use ...
Lockdown lethargy. RRTY: wot's that? Can't remember if I'm on #8 or #9 ...

Re: The Cambridge Autumnals 200 + 100 — 27 October 2018
« Reply #3 on: 23 September, 2018, 12:52:48 pm »
Sounds about right! Or the council deciding to spend what's left on the budget redressing a road with the sharpest flint-based stones known to man...

rob

Re: The Cambridge Autumnals 200 + 100 — 27 October 2018
« Reply #4 on: 23 September, 2018, 12:54:54 pm »
I may still be on my Summer bike.   The Winter bike may be re-built by then, but it’s touch and go.

Both are fixed, though.

Is the sausage festival on this year ?

wilkyboy

  • "nick" by any other name
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Re: The Cambridge Autumnals 200 + 100 — 27 October 2018
« Reply #5 on: 23 September, 2018, 01:15:18 pm »
Sounds about right! Or the council deciding to spend what's left on the budget redressing a road with the sharpest flint-based stones known to man...

The first year we ran it, the 200 coincided with hedge-trimming season in Suffolk, and there was one 1km stretch that caused a dozen punctures!  We're much later in the season now, so less likely to be an issue, plus I think we miss that stretch of road since a minor update to the route last year.
Lockdown lethargy. RRTY: wot's that? Can't remember if I'm on #8 or #9 ...

wilkyboy

  • "nick" by any other name
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Re: The Cambridge Autumnals 200 + 100 — 27 October 2018
« Reply #6 on: 23 September, 2018, 01:16:39 pm »
Is the sausage festival on this year ?

Unfortunately not, it's a fortnight before — https://www.framlinghamsausagefestival.com/

And I seem to recall you didn't stop long enough to sample anything when it did coincide, Rob?
Lockdown lethargy. RRTY: wot's that? Can't remember if I'm on #8 or #9 ...

rob

Re: The Cambridge Autumnals 200 + 100 — 27 October 2018
« Reply #7 on: 23 September, 2018, 01:28:06 pm »
Is the sausage festival on this year ?

Unfortunately not, it's a fortnight before — https://www.framlinghamsausagefestival.com/

And I seem to recall you didn't stop long enough to sample anything when it did coincide, Rob?

TBH I only had a brief stop in Framlingham, but a longer one at the Maglia Rosso.   I also had a little navigational issue on the last leg, which I’ll try to avoid this time.

Re: The Cambridge Autumnals 200 + 100 — 27 October 2018
« Reply #8 on: 23 September, 2018, 01:56:16 pm »
2 am? I think it was getting on for 8 am the first year I did it!

Re: The Cambridge Autumnals 200 + 100 — Sat 27 October 2018
« Reply #9 on: 23 September, 2018, 10:53:21 pm »
If I am not busy and the weather forecast is reasonable.....

wilkyboy

  • "nick" by any other name
    • 16-inch wheels
Re: The Cambridge Autumnals 200 + 100 — Sat 27 October 2018
« Reply #10 on: 04 October, 2018, 10:17:36 pm »
It's definitely beginning to look autumnal out there!  I checked the 100km route (as a DIY) last weekend and the leaves are already beginning to turn, it should be the most autumnal yet!

I'll be sending out acknowledgements to all entrants after the weekend  :thumbsup:  Still room for plenty more!  ;)

I'm stamping cards at the first control on The Richard Ellis Memorial 200 this weekend — we're forecast rain.  Hopefully you'll be treated to something a little less autumnal in a few weeks' time.
Lockdown lethargy. RRTY: wot's that? Can't remember if I'm on #8 or #9 ...

Re: The Cambridge Autumnals 200 + 100 – Sat 27 October 2018
« Reply #11 on: 15 October, 2018, 04:59:43 pm »
I'm in. Another meal deal at the Framlingham Co-op :)



wilkyboy

  • "nick" by any other name
    • 16-inch wheels
Re: The Cambridge Autumnals 200 + 100 – Sat 27 October 2018
« Reply #12 on: 15 October, 2018, 05:08:57 pm »
I'm in. Another meal deal at the Framlingham Co-op :)

Other — possibly nicer — eating establishments are also available  :thumbsup:
Lockdown lethargy. RRTY: wot's that? Can't remember if I'm on #8 or #9 ...

rob

Re: The Cambridge Autumnals 200 + 100 – Sat 27 October 2018
« Reply #13 on: 15 October, 2018, 07:36:04 pm »
Hoping my body is a bit more in shape in 10 days time.....

wilkyboy

  • "nick" by any other name
    • 16-inch wheels
Re: The Cambridge Autumnals 200 + 100 – Sat 27 October 2018
« Reply #14 on: 16 October, 2018, 07:57:57 am »
I'm hoping all the Weather we had this weekend just gone means there's not much left and we'll get a nice day  :thumbsup:
Lockdown lethargy. RRTY: wot's that? Can't remember if I'm on #8 or #9 ...

j_a_m_e_s_

  • Prisoner 17091
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Re: The Cambridge Autumnals 200 + 100 – Sat 27 October 2018
« Reply #15 on: 19 October, 2018, 12:49:15 pm »
Lateish entry from me. Have I missed any emails?

I've opted for the 100. Seeing as I'll be pedalling the 240km round trip to the start, I've chickened out of doing a 450km day with the chance Autumn weather.

And I get an extra hour in bed.
Rule 77

wilkyboy

  • "nick" by any other name
    • 16-inch wheels
Re: The Cambridge Autumnals 200 + 100 – Sat 27 October 2018
« Reply #16 on: 19 October, 2018, 12:57:50 pm »
Lateish entry from me. Have I missed any emails?

I've opted for the 100. Seeing as I'll be pedalling the 240km round trip to the start, I've chickened out of doing a 450km day with the chance Autumn weather.

And I get an extra hour in bed.

Emails should go out this evening.  Still space for a few more on both events.

The weather is looking nice this time  :thumbsup:

And we're looking forward to that extra hour after we've cleared up the hall  ;)
Lockdown lethargy. RRTY: wot's that? Can't remember if I'm on #8 or #9 ...

Re: The Cambridge Autumnals 200 + 100 – Sat 27 October 2018
« Reply #17 on: 19 October, 2018, 01:21:40 pm »
Don't tempt the weather gods just yet!  If its like this weekend I'll be very pleased.

Talking of which I should really get some accommodation booked for Friday evening.
Frequent Audax and bike ride videos:

https://www.youtube.com/user/djrikki2008/videos

wilkyboy

  • "nick" by any other name
    • 16-inch wheels
Re: The Cambridge Autumnals 200 + 100 – Sat 27 October 2018
« Reply #18 on: 21 October, 2018, 12:48:14 am »
I've just sent out emails with details for next weekend — if you think you've entered and didn't receive the email, drop me a line — nick@camaudax.uk.

There are still spaces on both events — I've ordered extra brevets, and moved the closing date by a few days, so get your friends to enter and join you on the event  :thumbsup:

It's getting exciting — we start baking in a couple of days, and that's always fun, I'm so easy to please  ;D
Lockdown lethargy. RRTY: wot's that? Can't remember if I'm on #8 or #9 ...

rob

Re: The Cambridge Autumnals 200 + 100 – Sat 27 October 2018
« Reply #19 on: 23 October, 2018, 11:18:01 am »
Guess who booked his hotel room for Thursday instead of Friday.......

Re: The Cambridge Autumnals 200 + 100 – Sat 27 October 2018
« Reply #20 on: 23 October, 2018, 03:01:43 pm »
      .--,       
     :   /\     
    /   ,  \     
   /   /    \   
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 /   /  / \   \ 
/   ;  /\  \   \
\"""\ /  \  \ ; 
 `---`    `--`   
                 
this guy
Frequent Audax and bike ride videos:

https://www.youtube.com/user/djrikki2008/videos

Fidgetbuzz

  • L sp MOON. 1st R sp MARS . At X SO sp STARS
Re: The Cambridge Autumnals 200 + 100 – Sat 27 October 2018
« Reply #21 on: 26 October, 2018, 12:12:11 pm »
Wow .. full on winter gear and a strong cross wind both ways !!
I was an accountant until I discovered Audax !!

rob

Re: The Cambridge Autumnals 200 + 100 – Sat 27 October 2018
« Reply #22 on: 26 October, 2018, 12:34:44 pm »
Wow .. full on winter gear and a strong cross wind both ways !!

What's not to like ?

wilkyboy

  • "nick" by any other name
    • 16-inch wheels
Re: The Cambridge Autumnals 200 + 100 – Sat 27 October 2018
« Reply #23 on: 26 October, 2018, 02:38:02 pm »
Wow .. full on winter gear and a strong cross wind both ways !!

Mildly bracing, 'tis all.  It's a good 10°C warmer and 25MPH less windy than The Cambridge Pork Pie in March and everyone enjoyed themselves then, too  :thumbsup:
Lockdown lethargy. RRTY: wot's that? Can't remember if I'm on #8 or #9 ...

Re: The Cambridge Autumnals 200 + 100 – Sat 27 October 2018
« Reply #24 on: 26 October, 2018, 04:00:30 pm »
We did?

Oh yes, sorry.

We absolutely did Mr Organiser, sah!
Turn, turn, turn again
Turn, turn to the rain
And the wind