Yet Another Cycling Forum
General Category => Audax => Topic started by: teethgrinder on 21 July, 2008, 10:42:18 pm
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Middle Road 600: Very accurate distance wise. Also has a routesheet so it will mean that faster riders can press on ahead. I know the route without needing a routesheet, so if we are together, absolutely no navigation issues. I will look after the slowest, but if I don't think you have a chance of finishing I will do what I can to help you get rescued or get yourself home. But don't start the ride if you have no real chance of finishing please. This route has some hills though. Worst of them are in Rutland, it also has very flat stages from Lincoln to the turn at Howden (approx 160km) You'll probably notice the hills in the last 100km too.
Norfolk 600: A more meandering route, so if it is windy, we won't have 250km of constant headwind at a time. I think it more scenic (but I've ridden the Middle Road sooo many times now) The terrain is probably much easier. Last time I rode this route I ended up doing about 630km. I may be able to chop some of that off if I get round to studying the maps and checking things, but it will probably mean a lot of stopping for map checks on the ride, which will cost us time. Maybe someone who wants to ride has a satnav or some other navigation device which is fast and reliable? (I wouldn't use one myself, yet)
Both rides have a sleeping oppurtunity at Travelodges, which I'll probably book anyway. Even an hour in bed can make your ride.
Norfolk route Travelode is about 400km, Middle Road is about 370km.
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Two in one month? You getting bored?
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I'll be in America, otherwise I'd come along and wow you with my improved 600 skillz. ;D
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Two in one month? You getting bored?
Two? Have I promised to ride one on another weekend too?
Ah well, never mind, I'll do both if it keeps everyone happy ;D
Two a month, hah!
That's slacking in my book! ;D
(remembers last season when I was riding 1000km a week for 2 months)
I'll be in America, otherwise I'd come along and wow you with my improved 600 skillz.
You allready did that by finishing the Bryan Chapman :thumbsup:
I'll let you off not coming, this time, but only because you'll be touring.
You'll have a lot of fun touring in America.
But, if you are really keen on showing me your prowess at riding a 600, you only have to let me know and I'm sure that we can arrange a 600.
I'll look forward to hearing from you and will look forward to your (and Charlottes) company on another 600.
By the way Liz and Charlotte, are busy this Christmas? Shame to waste all those holidays from work by watching crap telly. Soooo much better to be getting some winter miles in. Gets you good and tough so that summer 600s are a doddle ;D
I'll pencil you two in.
Shall I?
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I mentioned this to Mrs Chris, and she said that I could do it. She didn't even charge me any brownie points! My vote is for the Norfolk route, although I would happily do the Middle Road, which passes about 150 metres from home (Moulton just NE of Northampton), and we could make use of it for food, water, sleep etc.
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I'm definitely in and have already booked the Friday off work.
Not fussed about which route.
Rich.
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I'm heading off to Forn Parts as well (though the cycle-touring part doesn't come in till November when I reach Australia), so will be declining this kind offer. Plus I already did my 600 for the season ;D
However I can strongly recommend the Teethgrinder September 600 Experience to anyone considering it - the Middle Road last year was most enjoyable. Er, for "cycling 600k in 40 hours" values of "enjoyable"...
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I'll pencil you two in.
Shall I?
Please.
I need another 600 to complete my fixed SR this season and was considering one in early October when we get back from the states.
Options are Cambridge-York-Cambridge, Epsom-Lincoln-Epsom or the Middle Roads. Mind you - this Norfolk 600 sounds fun, too. If you don't ride it in September (maybe the Middle Roads would be better for n00bs) then let's do the Norfolk ride the month after.
I have just got my GPS working and would be happy to plot it all out on that :)
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If you are thinking of coming on this ride on 27/28 September, would you prefer to do the Middle Road, or my Norfolk route?
Rather sadly, I found this question loaded with double entendre. Too much time spent having party-party over the past month.
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Count me in.
I haven't voted yet. I see pros and cons to both routes but at the moment neither sticks out as 'better'. I'll vote as soon as possible...
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I am in two minds as to whether I come along and watch Charlotte suffer on fixed, or whether I have an "I'm not doing a 600" weekend of utter debauchery.
Hmmm....
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I am in two minds as to whether I come along and watch Charlotte suffer on fixed, or whether I have an "I'm not doing a 600" weekend of utter debauchery.
Hmmm....
Or ride your new soot bike and have it easy?
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Depending on where your route goes, when in September it is, and where I am, I may be able to provide midnight supplies again on a Norfolk route.
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:-[
Must learn to read!
Teethgrinder suggests 27/28 September.
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I'm keen.
Haven't voted as not sure which route would be best for me. Most of my rides have been at the non-scenic end of the audax range (Fairies Flattest 300, Asparagus and Strawb's 400, and 4 200's without any AAAs).
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Norfolk 600: A more meandering route, so if it is windy, we won't have 250km of constant headwind at a time. I think it more scenic (but I've ridden the Middle Road sooo many times now) The terrain is probably much easier.
Will we see the sea? I like a 600 to 'go' somewhere, so the sea, or other scenic attractions, would be a bonus.
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I'm in, but haven't voted. Forgive me for sitting on the fence here, but I really don't mind which route is chosen.
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I'm not in if it's on that date.
Helping with the Cambridge 100k.
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Right!
Liz, don't be silly, you're coming with Charlotte and I in October. (Sort her out Charlotte!)
Maybe we could do it on your new tandem if you're not in the mood for pedalling. I should manage to fit on the front OK ;D
Nutkin,
Thanks. :-* :-* :-* I was thinking of reversing the route I did last time, thinking that Needham Market came at 400km, but it comes at around 450km, so I might stay with the original route, which is:-
Milton Keynes
Saffron Walden
Needham Market
Swaffham
Cromer
Hunstanton
Kings Lynn Travel Inn at around 400km
Spalding
Downham Market
Ely
Gamlingay
Milton Keynes
mattc,
You'll sort of see the sea. It'll be night time when we get there. You should get some sense of going somewhere. The scenery does change, but the Middle Road will be just as good for a sense of going somewhere.
Maladict,
looks like there's another 600 in October so you can always do that one instead. Or we can do a 600 earlier in September as a recce for this one. I can try and trim the distance down.
leeg,
gwan, gwan, It'll be a good laugh.
I think :-\
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September may be a bit of a Month of Panic for me so I will only know what I can do closer to the time. Sorry.
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I'm on for one of these. I fancy the Middle Road.
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I'd like to do this, and don't really mind which one. I need to check that no-one is expecting me to go with them to the Brompton World Championships though...
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Just added another option on the votes.
Middle Road seems to make the most sense to me, especially if we have a pretty wide variation in the speed of riders.
I will do a 600 on another day as well if anyone is up for it.
So far, we have one at the end of September.
Charlotte and Liz are also thinking of an October 600 (2nd weekend would be good for me) That will most likely be the Norfolk route. (better for fixed wheel)
Maladict is also after a 600, which we could do early to mid September.
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An October one sounds good to me too. Doing 2 600's would save me from having to do a 400. :-)
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That's my reasoning too.
Though I've already done one 400 this season.
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That's my reasoning too.
Though I've already done one 400 this season.
Well, it'll save you from doing another. :)
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I'm up for doing this for sure! Don't fancy doing a 400 on my own and to be honest would love to do another 600 to complete my SR for this season!!!
Am I in time???
I've voted for Middle Road...
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I'm thinking that the Middle Road would be better. Partly, I doubt that I will get my arse in gear and cut off the extra distance on the Norfolk route.
Also, having a routesheet will make it easier for faster riders to press on and get more sleep. Plus I know the way, so it'll probably be the Middle Road.
You'll need to send an entry to Ross Bentley Davies by the end of the month. Or I could order a batch of cards and you can all just send your entry forms in to RBD (no cheque needed, just tell him you are using one of my cards) Then you only need to get your entry in before the day of the ride.
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This will be my first permanent so I'm not sure of the entry drill.
The Middle Road 600 page on the AUK website says to 'Please indicate proposed controls on reverse of entry form'. What controls are we going to use?
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"Route as <TG> — see his entry form"
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Oops! Just noticed that I need to get my entry in ASAP. :-\
Some advice, pelase (keeping in mind this is my first 600 and I didn't finish with loads of time to spare on my 300 and 400)... I wish to ride a 200 earlier in September. Would I be better off going for the tougher ride (Anfractuous) two weeks before or the easier ride (Chelmer Coast Caper) one week before the teethgrinder special?
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The Anfractuous isn't tough so I'd say it'd not take too much out to do that.
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Anafractuous is of average hilliness/difficulty for an audax ride. It does have a small number of stiff climbs, particularly on the way back to Chalfont.
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After 2 600s in as many weeks, I think I'm going to give this one a miss. I've entered the London to Brighton off road ride instead. Hope you all have a great ride, and good luck to those on their first 600.
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OK, we'll do the Middle Road.
The route is,
START: Milton Keynes, I have a double sofabed, a camper bed and some cushions, then it's floor space if you want a sleepover before or after the ride. First come, first served, so if you're quick you'll get the bed. Travelodge and Travel Inn or even a Holiday Inn if you're posh, plus many other hotels are also nearby.
Oakham 100km (Cafe at Co-Op)
Lincoln 200km ish (Morrisons cafe or petrol garage)
Howden (Co-Op and a pub)
Lincoln (Petrol garage, maybe a restaurant if we;re quick enough)
Gonerby Moor services 370km sleep control (Travelodge plus M/way service station type stuff)
Oakham (Co-Op with cafe)
Billing Aquadrome (Pub restaurant or shop)
Thame 550km (Little Chef or petrol garage with coffee shop cafe)
Milton Keynes 600km
I haven't filled in all the distances of controls which I don't remember too well.
There are other places en route to get food, so don't be put off if it looks like we will be riding 200km without being able to eat.
There's a 24 hour garage in Gainsborough between Howden and Lincoln at night. Also a very good and cheap pub north of Gainsborough (Misterton, The Gate Inn) plus others.
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I'm assuming an early start, so I'll need to come up the night before. I'll take a bed, please.
What would be our finish deadline? Need to consider trains back to London town.
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Andrij - go for the Anfractuous - it's a lovely ride. See you there (knee permitting).
Mr Grinder - I haven't ruled out possibly being up for your 600; but this is highly dependent on my knee, how it continues to mend, what the Orthopedic surgeon says next week, how I do on the Mildenhall 300 and so on. Put me on the list in very light pencil for now...
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Andrij - go for the Anfractuous - it's a lovely ride. See you there (knee permitting).
Mr Grinder - I haven't ruled out possibly being up for your 600; but this is highly dependent on my knee, how it continues to mend, what the Orthopedic surgeon says next week, how I do on the Mildenhall 300 and so on. Put me on the list in very light pencil for now...
Heaves lump of granite into living room and carves Chris S at the top ;D :demon:
Enter it. If you don't turn up and ride, you don't turn up and ride. That's all there is to it. :thumbsup:
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START: Milton Keynes, I have a double sofabed, a camper bed and some cushions, then it's floor space if you want a sleepover before or after the ride. First come, first served, so if you're quick you'll get the bed.
Can I book a wing of your palace too please, Steve?
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I'd really like to do this ride, but realistically I am going to be too busy with work before then to get in the required training. I'll have a think about the October offering, but even then I doubt I will have the time to train.
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I'm assuming an early start, so I'll need to come up the night before. I'll take a bed, please.
What would be our finish deadline? Need to consider trains back to London town.
You're first, so you've bagged the bed.
We have 42 hours (I thought we only had 40 last year), so a 0600 start gives a midnight finish time. But I hope to finish at around 19-2100. You can bail out and save yourself about 100km by not riding to Thame if things get bad.
Can I book a wing of your palace too please, Steve?
A wing of my palace?
You've obviously never visited my flat before. A cubicle in the toilet would be a more appropriate choice of words. But you're welcome to stay if you like. Which puts you in the bed with Andrij, or the camp bed if you're shy.
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My season has been sadly lacking in TG 600s. So far as I know, the Work Gods will allow me to ride that weekend. So count me in, if there's room on TG's floor.
Peter
I may, or may not, bring more than one gear.
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My season has been sadly lacking in TG 600s. So far as I know, the Work Gods will allow me to ride that weekend. So count me in, if there's room on TG's floor.
Peter
I may, or may not, bring more than one gear.
Wow! We may have the, "Master of the Universe," with us!
It'd be very good to have you on the ride.
I hope you can handle the pace though. (We might be a bit on the slow side)
But if you know the route up to Howden, then you could lead a fast group (relatively speaking) and get extra Zs at the Travelodge in Great Gonerby. I know how much you love that place and can allready sense your excitement ;D. Just be gratefull it will be dark when you get there the 2nd time, so won't look much different to anywhere else at 2am.
You've just bagged the cushions from the sofa.
I have 3 sleeping bags (maybe 4) 2 of them may be a bit too warm, so it might help tobring your own if you are a bit fussy.
Any more wanting to sleep over are welcome, but it starts getting a bit crowded from now. Early warning would help, so that I can get my finger out and do soe housework to clear some space. (I avoid housework at all costs unless I really need to do some)
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I can't help with any beds here but I know of a B+B that will do a room only with no breakfast for £12.
I'll even lead the way to Steve's as I have to pass there on the way myself.
Rich.
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My card arrived in the post yesterday. This is becoming real now...
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My card arrived in the post yesterday. This is becoming real now...
Err, it is a Middle Road card you've got. Isn't it?
Not a DIY card.
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My card arrived in the post yesterday. This is becoming real now...
Err, it is a Middle Road card you've got. Isn't it?
Not a DIY card.
It is not a DIY card, but Middle Road perm card.
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My card arrived in the post yesterday. This is becoming real now...
Err, it is a Middle Road card you've got. Isn't it?
Not a DIY card.
It is not a DIY card, but Middle Road perm card.
That's OK then :thumbsup:
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I'd still like to do this, but I've still not got around to riding a 300, and I think I ought to at least do that first... Just waiting for the Brompton to come back from having it's gears fixed and then I'm doing the Dean as a perm :-) When does one need to enter by, do you think? I suppose I could just get a card...
Duncan
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I'd still like to do this, but I've still not got around to riding a 300, and I think I ought to at least do that first... Just waiting for the Brompton to come back from having it's gears fixed and then I'm doing the Dean as a perm :-) When does one need to enter by, do you think? I suppose I could just get a card...
Duncan
You need to get your entry form in before you ride. The AUK calendar says a month before the event for permanents. But that's only if you need a routesheet etc and don't know about the ride.
I have some old Middle Road cards, so it's no trouble if you don't have a card. But I only have a few left now, so it's better if you get your own card.
Good luck with the 300.
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Im actually interested in this one now, so can you count me in please.
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Im actually interested in this one now, so can you count me in please.
A one
A two
A one, two three four...
Sorry, I might get bored with that one day. ;D
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I got round the Dean with about an hour and a half to spare (though it would have been only 15 minutes if the min speed had been 15kph rather than 14.3 :-\). I think that's fast enough to manage a flatter 600 though, so I'll get my entry in :-).
Duncan
PS Can I borrow some floor TG? I may have my VW camper back by then, in which case I can just park that somewhere in the vicinity instead...
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PS Can I borrow some floor TG? I may have my VW camper back by then, in which case I can just park that somewhere in the vicinity instead...
Yes.
I'll have to do some housework soon :'( :'( :'(
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Nothing like inviting a bunch of people to stay as motivation for tidying.
I ain't doing any more long rides this season BTW, so count me out.
(that's your cue)
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Yes.
Thanks! My entry is now in the post :-)
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I can't help with any beds here but I know of a B+B that will do a room only with no breakfast for £12.
I'll even lead the way to Steve's as I have to pass there on the way myself.
Rich.
Price has gone up to £25 now. Asked him today.
The other option is for the Premier Inn at CMK or Furzton Lake (£60 & £52 for a twin room at the moment).
The Furzton lake one is on my way to Steves so can also lead from there in the morning.
Rich.
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[
Price has gone up to £25 now. Asked him today.
The other option is for the Premier Inn at CMK or Furzton Lake (£60 & £52 for a twin room at the moment).
The Furzton lake one is on my way to Steves so can also lead from there in the morning.
Rich.
Or the Travelodge, near the train station. We can start from here if anyone stays there.
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A few questions...
What time will we start on Saturday? (From whence I will derive our finish time and see if I can still get a train back to London Sunday night.)
What is the mid-ride sleep situation? Has something been booked? I'd really rather not have to sleep rough on my first 600.
teethgrinder, please PM me your address so I can work out a route to your place from the train station.
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A few questions...
What time will we start on Saturday? (From whence I will derive our finish time and see if I can still get a train back to London Sunday night.)
What is the mid-ride sleep situation? Has something been booked? I'd really rather not have to sleep rough on my first 600.
teethgrinder, please PM me your address so I can work out a route to your place from the train station.
START: Milton Keynes at 0600 (in theory)
Oakham 100km (Cafe at Co-Op)
Lincoln 200km ish (Morrisons cafe or petrol garage)
Howden (Co-Op and a pub)
Lincoln (Petrol garage, maybe a restaurant if we;re quick enough)
Gonerby Moor services 370km sleep control (Travelodge plus M/way service station type stuff)
Oakham (Co-Op with cafe)
Billing Aquadrome (Pub restaurant or shop)
Thame 550km (Little Chef or petrol garage with coffee shop cafe)
Milton Keynes 600km
No room booked at the Travelodge yet.
I hope to finish at around 20-2100 Sunday night, but we have 42 hours, so we can finish at midnight.
I'll meet you at the train station if your coming up by train. It's only 5-10 minutes away.
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Hmm, after ducking out of this (having done 2 600s this year and more than reached my target), i am now very jealous!!
NO!! RESIST TEMPTATION!!!
Have a good ride everyone!
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I've been on holiday so missed the rush for floorspace at teethgrinder's.
The Milton Keynes Central Travelodge has rooms for £29 so I'll book one of those if that is the Travelodge mentioned in an earlier post.
No cycling for 18 days (and too much food/booze) has made even my 14 mile e/w commute seem like hard work this week.
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I've been on holiday so missed the rush for floorspace at teethgrinder's.
The Milton Keynes Central Travelodge has rooms for £29 so I'll book one of those if that is the Travelodge mentioned in an earlier post.
No cycling for 18 days (and too much food/booze) has made even my 14 mile e/w commute seem like hard work this week.
Milton Keynes Central sounds about right.
I can't remember how many people I've promised floor space to now or who is coming on this ride.
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I can't remember how many people I've promised floor space to now or who is coming on this ride.
I still intend on riding. Have you got a spare cad for me, or do I need to send off for one?
I'm planning on bribing Mrs Chris to drive me to the start and to fetch me afterwards, so I won't be needing any floor space.
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I can't remember how many people I've promised floor space to now or who is coming on this ride.
I still intend on riding. Have you got a spare cad for me, or do I need to send off for one?
I'm planning on bribing Mrs Chris to drive me to the start and to fetch me afterwards, so I won't be needing any floor space.
You still have time to get a brevet card, but I probably have a few lying around somewhere. I'll probably find them when I get around to doing some housework.
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You still have time to get a brevet card.
Anyone who hasn't yet applied for a card for this ride needs to get a move on. I've got two entries on my desk that I plan to send cards for tonight. You have about another week, and then I plan on not being at home (and I don't plan on showing MrsBD where the cards are).
In the event that you decide to ride this event at the last minute and I'm not able to send a card in time it is acceptable to collect receipts on the ride without having a brevet card provided that you have sent an entry form before you start. I'll then send you a card as soon as I return and you can marry up the receipts and card and send them back together.
Whereabouts on Aukweb.net do I find the forms? What is your address?
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You still have time to get a brevet card.
Anyone who hasn't yet applied for a card for this ride needs to get a move on. I've got two entries on my desk that I plan to send cards for tonight. You have about another week, and then I plan on not being at home (and I don't plan on showing MrsBD where the cards are).
In the event that you decide to ride this event at the last minute and I'm not able to send a card in time it is acceptable to collect receipts on the ride without having a brevet card provided that you have sent an entry form before you start. I'll then send you a card as soon as I return and you can marry up the receipts and card and send them back together.
Whereabouts on Aukweb.net do I find the forms? What is your address?
If you go to the Permanents page Audax UK Calendar (http://www.aukweb.net/cal/perms/index.htm)
The entry forms are downloadable on the bottom of the left menu.
Rich.
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Finally got round to booking a £29 Travelodge room last night, only to find its now £61. Any other accomodation suggestions, how far away is the B&B mentioned earlier? Jury's is about £50. I'm not that keen on sleeping rough or on the floor as Sat night is likely to be uncomfortable enough.
Any chance of leaving a bag at Chez Teethgrinder? I'll be coming straight from work on Friday and it'll mean carrying pointless luggage unless any of the foodstops have a 'smart casual' dress code.
I sent my entry last week so I'm hoping its one of the two on RossBD's desk.
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The best deal that I found was through www.laterooms.com and at the De Vere Harben Hotel which has been massively reduced to just £39 for that particular night, so I booked a room. Sauna, Steam Room, Jacuzzi and Gym all included in the price.
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Finally got round to booking a £29 Travelodge room last night, only to find its now £61. Any other accomodation suggestions, how far away is the B&B mentioned earlier? Jury's is about £50. I'm not that keen on sleeping rough or on the floor as Sat night is likely to be uncomfortable enough.
Any chance of leaving a bag at Chez Teethgrinder? I'll be coming straight from work on Friday and it'll mean carrying pointless luggage unless any of the foodstops have a 'smart casual' dress code.
I sent my entry last week so I'm hoping its one of the two on RossBD's desk.
You can leave a bag here if you like.
Have you tried Quality Inn?
I'd be surprised if you can get a hotel room for under £50. That's about what they cost. I'm surprised that Jury's Inn is £50. It looks a bit posh to me. The Travel Inns are over £50 a night too.
Is the Old Stratford Travelodge any cheaper?
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Just sent the entry off. Now to sacrifice a chicken to the weather gods....
Peter
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Just sent the entry off. Now to sacrifice a chicken to the weather gods....
Peter
I sacrificed a chicken last night.
It was very tasty. :P
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Just sent the entry off. Now to sacrifice a chicken to the weather gods....
Peter
I sacrificed a chicken last night.
It was very tasty. :P
Did you choke it first?
;D
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I'm going to have to pull out of this, I'm afraid. I did a 200 perm on wednesday and limped round in just under 13 hours due to my Achilles tendons not being recovered from the Dean in August :-(
I hope I haven't caused you to do too much housework, TG, and if you've booked a stop somewhere, then you must let me pay my share of it!
Duncan
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I hope I haven't caused you to do too much housework, TG, and if you've booked a stop somewhere, then you must let me pay my share of it!
For an on-route stop there's bound to be a taker.
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None have been booked yet, I'll book a family room (sleeps 3, 1 double and a single) £40 at the minute.
Who is definately on the ride, so more rooms can be booked.
Ross has said he's sent out 9 cards.
Rich.
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One of those cards is me, and I'm not going to be going :-(
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I've managed with my big fingers to book 2 rooms ::-)
Rich.
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I'm still planning on doing this ride, so count me in for a bed.
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I want to do it but I'm still not sure whether I can. If I can I will send off the entry at the last minute and ride without a brevet card. If Steve wants to allocate my wing of his palace to someone else that will be fine.
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I want to do it but I'm still not sure whether I can. If I can I will send off the entry at the last minute and ride without a brevet card. If Steve wants to allocate my wing of his palace to someone else that will be fine.
I should have a few spare brevet cards, so you can use one of those instead.
Pete Turnbull will be riding with us.
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I have a brevet card I can put in the post to someone if that helps!
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I should have a few spare brevet cards, so you can use one of those instead.
Pete Turnbull will be riding with us.
Mine's arrived from Mr BD. Including a couple of spares for future use.
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I've got my card and am planning to ride. I've got Friday night booked at the De Vere Harben which looks about 5km from the centre of MK.
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Its looking a bit doubtful for me at the moment. Mainly motivation im afraid as this is usually the time of year that I wind down instead of winding up.
Sadly, this will end my ambitions for my first SR, but having gained my Brevet 4000 (20 x 200k) and Brevet 5000 (50 points) and with just one more ride for my RRTY, I am still very pleased with my first serious year of Audaxing.
Having achieved all of these, what else would I have had left to aim at next year?
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Sadly, this will end my ambitions for my first SR, but having gained my Brevet 4000 (20 x 200k) and Brevet 5000 (50 points) and with just one more ride for my RRTY, I am still very pleased with my first serious year of Audaxing.
Obviously you're not very serious about this long distance cycling lark. :P
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Its looking a bit doubtful for me at the moment. Mainly motivation im afraid as this is usually the time of year that I wind down instead of winding up.
Sadly, this will end my ambitions for my first SR, but having gained my Brevet 4000 (20 x 200k) and Brevet 5000 (50 points) and with just one more ride for my RRTY, I am still very pleased with my first serious year of Audaxing.
Having achieved all of these, what else would I have had left to aim at next year?
100 points?
LEL?
Grand Triangle?
2 SRs
Foreign long ride.
RRTY with a 300 a month?
Just off the top of my head.
Sorry of you aren't coming on the ride. It should be a good one with good company. The weather will hopefully be OK, but there's never any guarantee.
A journey of a thousdand miles begins with a single step. The first step is often one of the most difficult.
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Got my card. Now must attempt to locate some fitness...
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What's the plan for Saturday morning? Do we meet somewhere in the centre of MK for a 6am start?
How many of us are there, and how many of those are on their first 600 (a few of the names look like serious 600 veterans)?
I managed to get my rear derailleur entangled in my rear wheel last night so I'm bikeless at the moment. Bent hanger, severely bent derailleur and a couple of bent spokes (rim looks ok). Dropped it off at the LBS this morning and they have ensured me it'll be ready by Friday lunchtime.
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I hope it will be my first 600 (did 500km of the Daylight last year).
Weather at the moment looks pretty good!
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I am very keen on starting at 6AM on Saturday, mainly because if I'm pushing the time limit there's still a good chance of catching the last train back to London. As I'll probably sleep quite poorly Friday night I'm not against starting a bit earlier...
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Mrs Chris has offered to do some proper food for us all here at Moulton (proabably adds 2 miles to the route). If the ride is at about the same speed as last years that should be early Sunday afternoon. My only worry is that it would take too much time.
Failing that she could cook some flapjack and stuff, and to bring it along to Billing Aquadump.
I'm feeling a bit under prepared with regard to the route. I know TG is going to be guiding us, but I'm a bit worried about going off route and getting lost. Does anyone have a detailed route, or do I need to work out where I'm supposed to be going in case I end up on my own?
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What's the plan for Saturday morning? Do we meet somewhere in the centre of MK for a 6am start?
How many of us are there, and how many of those are on their first 600 (a few of the names look like serious 600 veterans)?
I managed to get my rear derailleur entangled in my rear wheel last night so I'm bikeless at the moment. Bent hanger, severely bent derailleur and a couple of bent spokes (rim looks ok). Dropped it off at the LBS this morning and they have ensured me it'll be ready by Friday lunchtime.
Plans?
Err, not quite there yet, I'll do a count up tomorrow by reading through this thread and adding one.
True enough, there are a few veterans who've ridden a few 600s in their time, including AUK points champion, Pete Turnbull ;D But I won't leave anyone behind. I hope that we'll split into two groups if some don't want to hang around. I'll bring up the rear.
It's a 0600 start.
Starting from my flat, then maybe meeting some others in Newport Pagnell, possibly via the train station. If so, we'll start from there at 0600.
I should have it all organised by tomorrow night.
Your bike shouldn't take long to repair. It sounds like about half an hours work to me. Unless you really clouted your wheel, then your rim should be OK. I hope that your rear mech hanger is steel rather than aluminium though. If it's aluminium and is bolted on, I'd get a new one. If it's steel, then just bend it back into alignment.
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Mrs Chris has offered to do some proper food for us all here at Moulton (proabably adds 2 miles to the route). If the ride is at about the same speed as last years that should be early Sunday afternoon. My only worry is that it would take too much time.
Failing that she could cook some flapjack and stuff, and to bring it along to Billing Aquadump.
I'm feeling a bit under prepared with regard to the route. I know TG is going to be guiding us, but I'm a bit worried about going off route and getting lost. Does anyone have a detailed route, or do I need to work out where I'm supposed to be going in case I end up on my own?
That's very nice of Mrs Chris, but I'm always wary of taking hospitality on this type of ride. Especially when you may not be in a position to seem very gratefull for their hard work. Sometimes you have to get a move on and cut out the niceities if you want to complete the ride in time. You also never know how much time it will cost you. Visiting a home can take more time than using a control. It depends on how organised thins are. but on the other hand it can work out very well.
I'll take you up on that offer, but only if Mrs Chris knows what she may be letting herself in for. There will be a few of us too. Most likely, it will all turn out OK.
The Middle Road route does actualy go through Moulton. Allthough there are alternatives. I used the main road route last year because things were getting tight and Liz was sufferring with her knee.
Peter M has a routesheet. I'm hoping that we have a fast and slow group, possibly an intermediate too, with a navigator in each group. I'll look after the slowest. So as long as you stay in one of the groups, you should be OK.
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I'll take you up on that offer, but only if Mrs Chris knows what she may be letting herself in for. There will be a few of us too. Most likely, it will all turn out OK.
Mrs Chris has read your reply and is quite prepared to look after us. She used to work in retail, and now looks after 30 six year old every day, so is used to there being no niceties. She is also used to dealing with lots of hungry cyclists. As long as she gets 45 minutes warning of each group arriving I don't see there being a problem.
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Mrs Chris has read your reply and is quite prepared to look after us. She used to work in retail, and now looks after 30 six year old every day, so is used to there being no niceties. She is also used to dealing with lots of hungry cyclists. As long as she gets 45 minutes warning of each group arriving I don't see there being a problem.
30 six year olds you say. That's about the same as a few tired AUKs, so business as usual then. ;D
Thanks.
(What sort of chocolates does Mrs Chris like?)
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Start details in MK please. I shall be bringing a pillow for Friday night and hoping to find some floor space.
PeterM, could you PM me the route sheet please? I rode one of the TG 600's last year and I know from personal experience that I tend to fade. So I might need some directional backup.
Looks like the sacrificed chicken was accepted - looks like there is one less excuse for me to pull out. It must be time to get my head around the task.
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Start details in MK please. I shall be bringing a pillow for Friday night and hoping to find some floor space.
PeterM, could you PM me the route sheet please? I rode one of the TG 600's last year and I know from personal experience that I tend to fade. So I might need some directional backup.
Start details.
Meet at the train station for a 0600 departure. The train station is sign posted and near the Travelodge. Just bring your brevet card with you, I have a stamp and I can do that after the ride. I don't know where everyone is staying before the ride, so meeting at the station seems like the obvious thing to do.
Looks like the sacrificed chicken was accepted -
Yes, it was very tasty indeed. I decided to sacrifice a few more, just to be on the safe side.
List of riders now stands at
teethgrinder (thats me ;D)
Rich Forrest
Leeg
MattC
Dodge
Ian H
Pete Turnbull
Chris S
chris
Andrij (1st dibs at the sofabed)
dKahn (2nd dibs at the sofa bed, or the camp bed) But may not be riding?
PeterM (can have his favourite cushions on the floor)
Justin(e) (whatever floor space is left)
So 12 definites and a maybe.
And only 2 rooms booked at the Travelodge at Gonerby. My goodness, that's gunna be very cosy indeed! :o I underestimated the popularity of this ride a tad!
I'll discuss tactics for smuggling ourselves into two rooms on the ride.
What are we doing for food on Friday night?
The menu is this:-
Tuna, tomato pasta, cooked by me.
Local chip shop (they're pretty good)
A good Indian Restaurant in Stony Stratford. Costs around £15 for a very good feed
A pub dinner (Two for One at Furzton)
Or whatever else...
I'll avoid the town centre on a Friday night, but there are lots of places to eat where you're safe to leave your bike outside.
Personally, I'd prefer a dinner out. I don't mind cooking, but I can only really cook for 4 at a stretch, unless I invest in some new kitchen equipment. I think it'd be nice to have a pre ride meal together, but if you want to save a few quid, then I'm all for that too.
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My train is scheduled to arrive at MKCentral at 20:08. If that's a bit late for folk for dinner I can eat before I get on the train - will have tons of time to kill after work. Meal preference is simple and cheap.
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List of riders now stands at
teethgrinder (thats me ;D)
Rich Forrest
Leeg
MattC
...
And only 2 rooms booked at the Travelodge at Gonerby. My goodness, that's gunna be very cosy indeed! :o I underestimated the popularity of this ride a tad!
The good news is that I'm down for the OCTOBER ride, but not this one! So it's gona-be a smidge less cosy at the 'Lodge.
I think AUK should hire TG a secretary to organise these things for him. I'll bring it up at the AGM.
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I'm staying in Newpag Portnell. I'd be up for a meal out if a venue can be decided and directions given. Not entirely sure whether curry the night before a 600 is wise...Oh! let's throw caution to the wind (parp!)
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I can no longer make this ride, sorry - didn't realise I was still on the start list.
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I'm out too. Family affairs. Sorry everyone. Peter M can move up one floor space in the pecking order.
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I think AUK should hire TG a secretary to organise these things for him. I'll bring it up at the AGM.
A desk that clips on to his bars should suffice. After all, he's got nothing else to do when he's riding.
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OK then.
We'll meet Andrij at the train station just after 2000 and take it from there where we go to eat. there's a Whetherspoons up the road, an Indian next to the station plus several other pubs and restaurants around, we're spoilt for choice really.
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Peter M has a routesheet.
Err.... Do I? I've got a card from Ross, and I rode some of the Middle Road eight years ago. I expect there's still tumbleweed blowing through the streets of Desborough, though. Don't recall the navigation being too tricky.
Email me a route and I'll print it and sweatproof it.
I'm aiming to pedal gently to Chateau TG, arriving by around 1900 on Fri.
Probably on gears. Will reserve the fixed for Oct, if this goes OK.
(Why has everything gone brown?)
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Will reserve the fixed for Oct, if this goes OK.
Oh no... What have I said?
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Peter M has a routesheet.
Err.... Do I? I've got a card from Ross, and I rode some of the Middle Road eight years ago. I expect there's still tumbleweed blowing through the streets of Desborough, though. Don't recall the navigation being too tricky.
Email me a route and I'll print it and sweatproof it.
I'm aiming to pedal gently to Chateau TG, arriving by around 1900 on Fri.
Probably on gears. Will reserve the fixed for Oct, if this goes OK.
(Why has everything gone brown?)
Looks like there's no route sheet then. Oh well, never mind, we have Pete Turnbull to follow. :demon:
We probably won't go through Desborough though. They built a new A6 to bypass Desborough (it's that bad!) but thought that nobody needed to use that nice quiet lane to get into Desborough, so it's a dead end now.
See you at 1900 ish, then we'll goto the station and meet the others for food.
(Mines gone back to blue again ???)Will reserve the fixed for Oct, if this goes OK.
Oh no... What have I said?
Too late now mate.
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Too late now mate.
Drat. And double drat.
P.
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I've done the route to Lincoln 3 times in the past year and through Thorne to York once.
Know the route reasonably well.
Famous last words ;D
Rich.
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Just purchased my train tickets. This is now becoming all too real and I'm starting to get nervous. I may well be a total wreck by Saturday morning... :-\
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I may well be a total wreck by Saturday morning... :-\
Don't worry, just think how much worse you'll feel on Sunday evening. ;)
Sorry— joking. It'll be a steady ride with everyone looking after everyone else and a great introduction to proper cycling.
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I'm hoping to be on the train that arrives at 20:08. I could be up for some food but not sure I fancy a curry.
I'm staying at the De Vere Hebden which looks near to Newport Pagnell, so I get to do an extra 8km riding in to MK station in the morning.
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Just about to head out. I have enough packed to last for a month. Not sure teethgrinder is going to be all that impressed with all my 'stuff'.
Here goes nothing.
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Next post of mine will be a ride report.
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Just about to head out. I have enough packed to last for a month. Not sure teethgrinder is going to be all that impressed with all my 'stuff'.
Here goes nothing.
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Next post of mine will be a ride report.
After the ride we did last year with Mike Kelly, I'm amazed that you're carrying any luggage at all. Hope you have some good tyres this time instead of some which have only done 3000 miles ;D
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Not sure if you'll all get to read this before you've finished, but GOOD LUCK! Especially to those for whom this will be the first 600.
I'm currently sitting here dead jealous, cos it sounds like it's going to be a blast - really good group, great weather! Should be brilliant.
I'm going to console myself by doing the London to Brighton off road which should also be great fun.
Look forward to reading the ride reports!
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Received some texts today....
10.40: 1st control, 95km
14.15: 2nd control, Lincoln, 170km
Finished the first 200km in 10.25
19.15: Howden, 257km
Apparently there was a lot of fog at the start of this ride, which took some time to clear.
Last message read "of to a pub" - I think they deserve it!
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I'm dead jealous too. I wonder if the achilles tendons will be ok for October...
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Last night:
23.29: Gainsborough, 316km
Today:
03.45: Gonerby, 380km, sleep stop
07.34: About to set off again
09.45: Oakham, 419km
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Now 0951 hours, Oakham. 270 miles.
They are predicting the first flapjack raid to arrive at our house 1300 hours. :)
They are at Old(e) now, which is about 6 miles away. 12.28pm :)
1304 - First Contingent of RichForrest, Ian and another guy.
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16.52: Buckingham, 520km
They've got Thame to go, then on to Milton Keynes.
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18.48: Thame, 5556km
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Message from Andrij just before 10 to say that he had finished.
Mad, mad people, all of them.
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Finished at 2145
Richsrd Forrest
Justin(e)
Pete Turnbull
leeg
Chris
teethgrinder
Ian H
Andrij
Peter M was last seen at Thame. i expect he finished his 600 too.
First time 600s for Andrij, leeg and Chris.
Thanks to Mrs Chris and family for the feed in their garden.
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Mad, mad people, all of them.
Not wrong there ;D
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18.48: Thame, 5556km
Now I've heard that PeteT's navigation is a bit dodgy, but that's a long trip to Thame...
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Peter M was last seen at Thame. i expect he finished his 600 too.
Didn't stop at Thame. Got to Goring just after 2030, just about dead on 600k. Then a 20k pootle home...
A good ride (though I wouldn't have said so at Gainsborough last night).
Congrats to all the first-timers!
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Well done you absolute nutters.
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Well done to everyone :thumbsup: You certainly chose a good weekend for the trip too.
18.48: Thame, 5556km
Now I've heard that PeteT's navigation is a bit dodgy, but that's a long trip to Thame...
That is what happens when Nutkin does the navigation.
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Well done everyone. I'll look forward to getting the cards!
I don't think they do 'Wish You Were Here' cards in Thorne!
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I don't usually do ride reports, as writing isn't one of my strong points, but here goes -
I wasn't sure whether to do this ride, but I'm glad that I did. I expressed an interest in it back in July when Steve offered to look after the slowest riders, and after exchanging a few PMs with Steve explaining just how slow I am I decided to give it a go. I had hoped to get a few long rides in between July and the start of this ride, but having three kids an a job based nearly 400 miles from home that didn't happen. The only decent ride I did was two weeks ago when I rode out to Oundle and did the 100km Audax and then rode home making a total of about 200km and I felt strong at the end, so thought that there was a chance of making around Steves 600. When I looked at the weather forecast at the beginning of last week it looked just about perfect, 18-20 degrees both days and a slight tailwind on Saturday so I decided to definitely give it a go.
Mrs Chris kindly offered to drive me down to Milton Keynes for the start. The drive down there was through dense fog, and at times we were down to 20mph, and even though we allowed an hour for the 25 mile drive at times it looked like we wouldn't get there on time. We arrived at MK at about five to six, Rich Forest was the only other rider there, then at six o'clock Steve and five other riders appeared out of the fog. We immediately set off (I'd head that Steve doesn't like faffing around), at a cracking pace and my immediate thoughts were that there was no way that I could keep this up for another 380 miles. At Newport Pagnell we were joined by Leeg and we continued back up the B526 towards Northampton and at about 25 miles we passed about 120 metres from my house. We were on familiar roads, and the route as far a Harrington is one that I ride often. From Harrington Steve chose a route that I do not ride much, up and down the hills of south east Leicestershire. Hills are not my strong point (going up them that is) and I was soon off the back of the group. When we got to the big hills in the five or so miles leading up to Uppingham, Steve dropped back and gave me some moral support. He told me to take it as easy as possible over the hills so as not to wear myself out. He also described the features of each hill so that I knew what was coming. I took his advice and used the granny ring up some hills that I would usually use middle ring on. At Uppingham it was a bash up the A603 to Oakham including a down then up that I have often thought about riding which Steve described as 'the Big Dipper' - 43 mph freewheeling down and 4.3mph grinding up the other side. We got a receipt at the garage at Uppingham at about 10:45, that was 60 miles in 4 hours 45 minutes, probably my fastest ever 100km, and we still had another 500km to go!
After a sandwich or two we headed north and as we passed the lumpy parts of the Vale of Belvoir, the mist finally lifted and the sun came out. We passed the Travel Lodge at Great Gonerby that was to be our rest stop one hundred and fifty miles later! A quick bash up the A1 and a nasty right turn across it saw us on the fens across to Lincoln. With a slight following wind I started to feel a bit more comfortable as we made good progress at about 18-19 mph. At Lincoln we battled through the traffic and stopped for a proper meal in the cafe at Morrisons.
Lincoln is on a gert big hill and we left the cafe and climbed it on full stomachs. It wasn't as bad as I expected and we were soon on the flat again making our way north towards Yorkshire. The ride up to the turning point at Howden was mainly on narrow lanes, nearly all flat and very pleasant, but it seemed to just go on forever. I kept trying to do some mental maths as to how far it was, but couldn't seem to get a sensible answer, so I just kept pedalling. We passed Thorne Rugby Club which is used as a control on LEL, then through Thorne and onto Howden where we stopped at the CO-OP to get a receipt. We retraced back a few miles and stopped at a pub for a meal and a well earned rest.
The next control was at Gainsborough about 30 miles south. I don't remeber a lot about this leg other than one village where the local yoof had been drinking too much Tesco value cider and a couple of them ran out into the road and tried, without any success to push leeg (I think) off his bike. We arrived at Gainsborough at around midnight, and I gained comfort from that thought that I felt a lot better than Ian H and Peter M looked!
After a 30 minute stop for yet more food we were on our way again and I drew comfort from the fact that there was only another 40 miles to go before I could get a couple of hours sleep. At some point on this leg I hit the low point of the whole ride. I was struggling to keep up with anybody else, Steve dropped back and rode with me, but I was finding it hard to keep going. Just before Lincoln we came across Pete Turnbull who had stopped to mend his rack I stopped and told Steve that I needed a couple of minutes rest, be he told me to keep going. I reluctantly pedalled off and five minutes later I felt strong again and pedalled up the hill into Lincoln with no problems. Riding down the big hill in Lincoln in the early hours was a bit of a buzz as I hit 47mph. We only had about another twenty miles to the Travel Lodge and I was feeling remarkable good until we got to the A17 which I mistook for the A1 and I thought I was only about a mile from the stop. I found the next five miles very hard and I was glad when I finally made it to the Travel Lodge at about 3:15 on Sunday morning.
Steve had suggested a six o'clock start so that meant only two and a half hours sleep. Pete Turnbull kindly let me have the bed and I was soon asleep. At about quarter to six I got ready, then went to the cafe for a cooked breakfast. We seemed to take a long time to get going, and I struggled from the start, probably due to the virtually no existent nutritional value of service station food. I knew that there were some big hills near the Vale of Belvoir and I was dreading them. Steve rode with me giving lots of encouragement, yet letting me ride at a pace that suited me. We arrived at Oakham and had a quick stop for a snack before heading off for Moulton. The 'big dipper' between Oakham and Uppingham is harder when heading south, and I had to dig deep to climb up out of the valley. The hills after Uppingham were hard, but I just spun away in my lowest gear, I knew if I could get up them without getting out of breathe I had a good chance of finishing the ride. Steve was a great help on this section describing the gradient of each hill before we got there so I knew what to expect. From Harrington onwards I was on familiar territory and the next ten miles were a lot easier. We all stopped at my house in Moulton where Mrs Chris had laid on some food. I had a good feed and changed into some clean clothes. Earlier in the ride I had thought about quitting when I had got home, but I now knew I was capable of finishing well within the time limit, and quitting now was the last thing on my mind.
I was feeling confident when we left Moulton, and the next fifty miles were probably my strongest fifty of the whole ride. I kept up with Rich Forest until just before Stoke Bruerne where we got separated due to traffic whilst crossing the A508. The last seven miles into Buckingham were a blast along the undulating main road. More food and a receipt at the service station, and we were on our way to the final control at Thame.
This section had a sting in the tail, the climb up out of Long Crendon into Thame. From the bottom I could see Pete Turnbull climbing slowly after the left hand bend that is half way up. A lot of twiddling in granny gear, and I was at the top, it didn't seem a bad as it had looked. Another receipt and a pint of milk in Thame and it was time to put the lights on before making our way back to Milton Keynes.
I was begining to feel tired now, but knew that I had five hours to do thirty miles so I decided to take it easy. The road to Aylesbury was quite flat and I managed to keep up with everyone else, but after Aylesbury it starts to undulate and I dropped back and pedalled at my own rate. Eventually there was a sign for Milton Keynes - 2 miles and two miles later there was releif as we passed a sign saying 'Welcome to Milton Keynes', but MK is a large city and it was another couple of miles to the finish and they seemed to go on for ever.
I finished with the others at quarter to ten, two and a quarter hours to spare. Mrs Chris was waiting for me so it was a quick goodbye to everyone before heading of home.
I knowI would have found this ride a lot harder without the help from Steve and the encouragement from the other more experienced riders - Justin(e), Pete Turnbull, Ian H, Peter M and Rich Forest.
This was a great experience and a fantastic introduction to long rides, so thanks Steve for giving up a weekend to ride at my speed, and thanks to the other riders for the good company and for waiting for me when I dropped behind.
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That's extra well-done for managing to leave home after about 400km - it's always hard to carry on cycling away from home, I find!
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Well Done folks, and nice write up chris. :thumbsup:
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That's extra well-done for managing to leave home after about 400km - it's always hard to carry on cycling away from home, I find!
But if I had stayed, I would have had to do the washing-up!
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I'm really sad to have missed this. I think it was the right decision though. I wonder how long I should rest the tendons for before I do another long ride...
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Very nice write-up Chris, well done.
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local yoof had been drinking too much Tesco value cider and a couple of them ran out into the road and tried, without any success to push leeg (I think) off his bike.
The yoof stepped out towards me where I thought he was just going to shout abuse, but he threw a punch which hit me on the left cheek. It was only a glancing blow but shook me up for a few miles.
Other than that I hated every minute of it (except the excellent grub at Chris's) and I expect I'll hate the next 600 I do, and the one after that....
Actually, I quite enjoyed it at the time and am already beginning to forget the bad bits. My legs stood up to the distance and hills OK but I really struggled about 30 mins after each big meal, almost falling asleep on the bike after Morrisons on Saturday. Maybe a little and more often approach to refuelling would be better.
Pete Turnbull kindly let me have the bed
...kindness, or the fact that I was already asleep in the other side of the bed after 380km an no shower.
Thanks to Steve for arranging and to everybody else who helped us newbies round. Congratulations to Andrij, Chris (and me) for completing our first 600.
Lee.
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...kindness, or the fact that I was already asleep in the other side of the bed after 380km an no shower.
Were you? I was too tired to notice, or care, but I did notice that Andrij was eager to take my place once I got out ;).
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Looks like we were lucky with the weather as the forecast is for >50mph gusts the next few days!!
Great ride, good company, lots of time off the bike as I only clocked 30.22hrs riding.
Some memorable bits include the excellent downhills with people moving out the way 'cause they thought it was a motorbike coming past. Is the twin dynamo setup that loud ;)
PeteT seeing me and trying his hardest to out sprint me on one ;D
Pacing Ian away from the bunch a few times after he bridged the gap as I went past.
On getting onto the grid roads in MK I said to all "Follow this road it will take you straight to the station" next roundabout PeteT turns left! ;D
The pleased look on the riders faces that they had finished first 600s, SR's etc.
Only bad bit I had was the road to Gonerby, it seemed to go on for ever (it was the same last year ;)) the price and quality of breakfast (which is to be expected at a service station I suppose).
Walked a couple of hills but a lot less than I expected too.
Thanks for organising it Steve I really enjoyed this one, and may do it again next year if you do another.
Also another thanks to FamilyChris for the food stop.
Rich.
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Well done everyone, especially those on their first 600. Thanks to Chris's family for a superb control, and to Steve for his organisational efforts. Thanks also to Mr Forrest for making my legs tired.
It was interesting to view the different approaches to the event.
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Well done all! Great write up Chris! I am now even more jealous than before the ride that I didn't accompany you!
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Im also really sad to have missed this one with such good weather. (Why couldnt it have been like this in June, July and August?).
Instead, I rode a 200k perm (Marlborough Connection) whilst thinking of you all, but was struggling towards the end and thinking that I need a good rest right now.
One more event (Gavin Greenhows 200 from Droitwich on 11th Oct) for my RRTY and then that will be it for the year.
Would really like to ride your event in the future though Steve, but preferable earlier in the year, but well done to everyone. 600k is still a hell of a long way especially this time of the year.
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Congratulations everyone. Well done Chris for an excellent write-up. I'm quite regretting not having been able to join you.
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*yawn* *stretch* *wince*
That was quite an experience. I want to do a proper ride report, but in the mean time I just wanted to say THANK YOU to my fellow riders and all those others on this forum and elsewhere for their support.
I'm glad I did it, glad I exceeded my expectations (doubted I'd manage a 400 this year) and I'm already considering my next 600 ... but no earlier than May next year. I hope to recover by then.
:)
EDIT: Didn't realise nutkin was going to be posting my updates here. Those times are mine (others were faster) and distance are from my computer, which appears to be a bit under.
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Well done Andrij :)
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Every event like this is a trip into the unknown. There is a touch of the existential when I ride this far out of my comfort zone.
Normally I suffer like a dog in the early hours of the morning, so I need to go at a quick pace in order to build up some time to get some sleep and get some rest. This ride was 'old-school' type audaxing, Instead of setting off all together and then making our own way with the benefit of a route sheet, we were guided by a leader. This works very well on a short CTC ride, but a 600 is a different beast. The speed was going to be out of my control - and that made me a little nervous.
This was definitely an introductory 600. It was advertised as such and I knew that this would be a different ride. Of the nine who set off, three had not done this distance before, but the remaining six boasted a total of 15 PBP's between them - so there was a very good balance between experience and enthusiasm.
I choose to ride audaxes mainly for two reasons. The first is the English countryside and the second is the company. This 600 had both of these in spades. In my experience, a 600 can be a fairly solitary experience as a handful of riders stretch out. Since we mainly stuck together there was a sense of solidarity between us. Much more so than usual.
As expected, I had a bad patch on Sunday morning, about 30 miles out of the overnight sleep. I seemed to be yo-yoing off the back. At one stage I noticed that Andrij was swapping with me - the he failed to get back on. I really wanted to go back and encourage him back on to the group, but I was in self-preservation mode. I alerted those in front, and Steve went back to help him out. As I said above, I learnt a little bit about myself, and I was not strong enough to help out a fellow traveler. Chapeau to Steve for his selflessness then and at many other times during the ride.
When we made it to the hotel, I slept like a baby for three solid hours. A huge vote of thanks to Rich for organising two Travelodge rooms for the nine riders. Normally, three people are allowed to sleep in one room, but it is possible to illegally squeeze four in. I was 'lucky' enough to share a bed with Ian, but there was still one person who was going to miss out. It will not surprise you to know that it was the rider who did the most work (Steve) who did not get a bed.
To paraphrase Rich, I spent the night in a bed in a cheap hotel, with a man I met on the internet, hardly got any sleep and woke up with sore bottom. But the sleep was glorious.
In the morning Rich collected some money of most of us, but I got a feeling that he (inadvertently) sponsored some of us. He did not complain which was typical of the group's dynamics.
The morning was difficult and I think I was a little bit too grumpy. My patience was wearing thin so I have to thank Rich (for his affability) and PeterM (for his experience). Peter guided Lee, Andrij and myself through the morning - showing all of us the route and me how to be a little patient. After breakfast, things were looking better and we had the promise of proper food from Mrs Chris.
'Family Chris' showed wonderful hospitality and perfect cycling food. It was probably the highlight of the trip. To be welcomed into a stranger's home and all of us to share a meal in genial company was a real tonic. I was (of course) very sore, but my mood had lifted and I was able to enjoy the remainder of the trip.
Thank you to all for a great ride. Congrats to the new SR's - it is very big thing to have achieved. Probably the hardest physical challenge they have ever done. I expect all three will soon add a 1200. I say this without melodrama; it was a privilege to have shared this experience with you.
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We arrived at Gainsborough at around midnight, and I gained comfort from that thought that I felt a lot better than Ian H and Peter M looked!
Ian always looks like that on a long ride...
Gainsborough was definitely my low point. I was cold and sleepy, and it was still a long way to bed, so I felt the best thing to do was to get back on the bike as soon as possible. (This is the special audax definition of "the best thing to do.") I rode on my own to Gonerby services, expecting to be caught by the group, and was fast asleep by the time everybody else arrived.
I usually enjoy the second day of 600s, and the hills in the Vale of Belvoir showed that my legs were working okay. Ian shot off after Rich, and I continued with Lee, Andrij, Justin, and Peter T, with Steve and Chris bringing up the rear. Peter succumbed to the mysterious lure of sandwiches with a side order of petrol fumes at the garage outside Oakham, but Andrij and Justin had slept longer rather than breakfast at the services, so we found a cafe where they could fuel up for the roller coaster to Uppingham and the subsequent hills. Andrij, riding by far the heaviest bike, was finding the undulations a bit of a struggle, so I did what I could to distract him by talking Total Bollocks (TM). I'm good at that, especially on the second day of a 600.
A wonderful "secret control" chez Chris revitalised everyone, and we pottered sociably on to Buckingham via another roller coaster road. At Thame I left the others to return to Milton Keynes and headed home via Ewelme and Goring.
Good to meet people--I was very impressed with the grit and determination shown by Chris, Andrij, and Lee on their first 600s.
Oh yes, the other low point, apart from Gainsborough: On Saturday I was stung between the eyes by a Something as I belted down the slip road onto the A1. It hurt like hell for much of Saturday afternoon, but was okay thereafter. Until Monday morning, when I woke up looking like the Elephant Man...
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I think you all give me too much credit.
Planning this ride was very easy for me. I know the route, all I have to do is send my entry off and that's about it really. It's not a chore, it's what I like doing.
As I said above, I learnt a little bit about myself, and I was not strong enough to help out a fellow traveler. Chapeau to Steve for his selflessness then and at many other times during the ride.
It's hard to help others out when you're tired and need to look after yourself. I was never stretched on this ride, it was just a gentle 600km pootle for me. I've ridden at least one 600km per month for 23 months now (allthough not all of them count as Audax rides) so I'm pretty well conditioned to this sort of ride and feel comfortable for all of the ride. I know that I need to be in pretty good shape and not too tired if I'm going to help people round their first 600, so I make sure that I am OK. That's why I won't do this in mid summer. It's easier for me to ride a 600 at my own pace and get more sleep. Especialy when I'm tired after some even longer rides, or a series of rides.
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Well done to you all for completing this ride, and especially to those who have completed their first 600k.
Remember, if you have the time and the inclination, forward your ride reports to Arrivee so that others may benefit from your wonderful adventures.
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Gainsborough was definitely my low point.
I can sympathize with that - I lived the first 17 years of my life there.
Well done all.
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I think you all give me too much credit.
Planning this ride was very easy for me. I know the route, all I have to do is send my entry off and that's about it really. It's not a chore, it's what I like doing.
This may be true, but if it was someone else who had the idea would they get as many people thinking about the ride.
What with your experience of these rides and the enthusiasm you have about getting people to try longer ones, knowing they will be helped along and not be left behind, which they might be on a calendar ride.
Reading the ride reports from last years and this years ride probably helped and will help people make up their mind to try it and others.
Rich.
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Can't say I always get that much from ride reports, but for whatever reason, I enjoyed reading these.
Well done to all and especially first timers. :thumbsup:
[Having only ever done one 600, I guess I too am still a first timer!]
And as for Teethgrinder's 'one a month for 23 months', well.....the mind boggles. From where I sit....it's 'ardcore alright.
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Well done chaps and especially those of you that have cracked their first 600.
H
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Good show, and some awesome reports :thumbsup:
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The ride up to the turning point at Howden was mainly on narrow lanes, nearly all flat and very pleasant, but it seemed to just go on forever. I kept trying to do some mental maths as to how far it was, but couldn't seem to get a sensible answer, so I just kept pedalling. We passed Thorne Rugby Club which is used as a control on LEL, then through Thorne and onto Howden where we stopped at the CO-OP to get a receipt.
Did you use this endless flat'n'straight bit (which is on the LEL route)?
Google Maps (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&saddr=Misterton,+Doncaster,+Nottinghamshire,+United+Kingdom&daddr=53.469861,-0.897789+to:sandtoft&hl=en&geocode=&mra=dpe&mrcr=0&mrsp=1&sz=12&via=1&sll=53.484164,-0.857277&sspn=0.091114,0.219727&ie=UTF8&z=12)
I rode this in both directions 5 days after you lot, and you'll be pleased to hear the wind was merciless (luckily never a proper headwind). The N-S bit is a ruler straight 6.5 miles - is there a longer stretch of straight road in the UK?
The flat bits definitely go on forever. I rode the LEL route from Misterton to York*, slept, turned round. 110 miles of complete flatland. I don't know if there are any contour lines between Misterton and the Lincon hill.
*i.e. I turned off it just outside York.
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Did you use this endless flat'n'straight bit (which is on the LEL route)?
Yes. We followed the LEL route from Gainsborough to Howden and back. (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?[/quote)