Yet Another Cycling Forum
General Category => Audax => Topic started by: Lady Cavendish on 03 May, 2016, 11:11:44 am
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So this seems to be the one that will pull me out of retirement. I've even just rejoined AUK :-o
I still haven't *quite* entered because I'm a bit of a chicken when it comes to anything that keeps me up when I should be asleep.
Who's doing this? New event right?
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I'm in. Looks like sleep back at base as the sun goes down so no looking for bus shelters. ;D
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It looks like a nice new 400 — an easy late-morning start, so no problem travelling to it. Dinnertime control at Harwich (160km). Bedtime control back at Great Dunmow (273km), so opportunity for a bit of shut-eye, perhaps change kit from the boot of the car (for those who've driven). The route is rolling Essexonia, Danbury probably being the biggest climb at 100m or so, but I rode it last week and it was fine (on fixed).
Tomsk has a reputation for providing welcome TLC at his manned controls, too, so this could be considered a good alternative to the National 400 if you can't make that date (which unfortunately I can't) — as in, it's a relatively straightforward 400 with TLC at probably the two most important controls (dinner and bed), on a route that's rolling but not challenging on roads that are easy to navigate, I think.
I've mapped it on RideWithGPS here: https://ridewithgps.com/events/Kingdom-of-the-Saxons-400km-Audax. There's a wide variety of types of road, a lot of lanes, but some B-roads too, plus a seaside cycle path.
I'm looking forward to it — the later start means ECEing this from Cambridge will be straightforward even with a bit of a lie-in ;)
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I'm in - looking forward to it!
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I'm going to test ride a section of the route next week: in particular I need to check out progress at the re-vamped Pier Hotel in Harwich...
I always intended this as a 'National 400' style ride with the late morning start, plenty of tlc, sleeping after 250+ kms, benign route - ok, some climbs on the chalk in the North-West of the county, around the River Stour on the Suffolk border and of course the Mighty North Hill at Little Baddow [1/12th Alpe d'Huez!]. Hoping to attract first timers at the distance, as well as those who want to discover the very best bits of Essex, rather than head straight out to foreign parts, as all my other rides do!
Pub finish too! :thumbsup: Traditional Essex arrivee! [That is unless you're super-fast and get back to St Mary's Room before the tail-enders have been sent out on the final loop.]
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I've never slept in a 400 before! But with the later start I like the idea. What time do we need to finish by on the Sunday?
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Sleeping on a 400 is so much nicer and a later start makes it very attractive (the Porkers with it's 2pm start also lends itself to this). I really struggle to ride a 400 with no sleep - just not fast enough to make it safely around.
A 6am start (and therefore, 9am finish for a BRM) means you reach the point where you might want to sleep (say midnightish) and most riders will be reaching the point where they are getting into the last 50-100km and you have the issue of do you just get it done, or do you take a sleep?
This puts most at that 250km point around midnight to 2am (i.e. 13-15 hours of riding). Sleep and set off at 5-6am to give yourself 8-9 hours for that final 150km - nice! Little night riding (sun will set around 9:30-10 I guess, so only 3 or so hours of night riding needed hopefully). Even those of fuller value should be able to grab at least an hour or two of kip and really separate the two days.
Anyway - this sounds a great ride and if I weren't on the Pennine 1000, I'd seriously be up for it.
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God it sounds so civilised when you put it like that Marcus!
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Lady C, marcusjb is correct. Sleeping on a 400 is very pleasant and makes the event more enjoyable. In my 1.0 guise I always slept on 400s (well, on the Brevet Cymru, my only 400, and the Snowpocalypse Easter Arrow, somewhat too deeply). The transition to 2.0 with optional sleep occurred on Brevet Cymru 2015, when I knew I'd not wake up/start again during the overnight deluge. Stress, adrenaline, and survival instinct kicked in (and the need to complete a PBP qualifier).
So I'd suggest you aim to sleep and only carry on without if you're able to do so safely and something forces the decision. It really is much more civilised, as you say.
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I've never slept in a 400 before! But with the later start I like the idea. What time do we need to finish by on the Sunday?
Churchend Control, after the first 268km loop, is open from 19:56 to 04:52. I'm guessing those that might want to sleep would get in around midnight, then get sent out again in the wee small hours, but then have the prospect of dawn breaking soon. Even a 'lantern rouge' leaving on the time limit would have roughly 9 hours for the final 140-ish kilometres.
At present the plan is to have an area for sleeping in the main hall, but if there are enough entries and the budget allows, I'll get the smaller hall too [St Mary's Centre], for those needing more than a power nap.
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I've never slept in a 400 before! But with the later start I like the idea. What time do we need to finish by on the Sunday?
Neither had I until last year's National 400 and when I arrived at a control late at night it was already getting so cold that I decided it was a sensible way forward and as audax is not a race, there was no rush to finish. A most fantastic experience, thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend when starts like this event accommodate such a strategy.
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This is where the late morning start is so good. I'm absolutely useless between 12 and 4-5 anyway, so will take all the sleep I can get!!!! Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz. I will have the ladies dormitory please ;)
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Having said this, I think I will do this weekends 200k and see how it all goes first to check I am not getting over carried away. (I did 115 miles last weekend but 250 miles is a whole new ballgame!)
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Sleeping does sound good, but changes a 1 day event into a 2 day event. Horses for courses I guess.
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Surely starting at 1100 means it will be a 2 day event anyway, unless you plan on 30kph.
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Surely starting at 1100 means it will be a 2 day event anyway, unless you plan on 30kph.
sure the choice is an event like this where you can get up at a reasonable time before travelling to the start, ride 250km have a sleep and finish before you travel home after the ride on day 2. Or the alternative style where you start at 6am, and by the time you think about havign a sleep have 50-75km left and so might as well just push on, finish at 3am and go home. If the start is local, then you have only used one day, and had a slightly short sleep.
I didn't mean you could do this without sleeping as a one day event, but that whether you are time constrained or would prefer the more relaxed approach and choose events accordingly.
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If the start isn't local though, I don't feel you've lost any time, as you'd have a night away before the ride that you don't need with an 11am start.
I don't want to ride the same events over and over again because they're local. I liked the Severn Across, my 'local' one. But I don't want to do it again because I've done it. For me, these aren't just to say 'oh I've done a 400' Nothing to prove there. I want to see new places and do something different, that's the point of them for me :)
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I've quit fannying around and entered it :o :o :o
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This might be a go'er for me too. Bookmarking the thread.
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I rode the first 260km loop this week, over two days [with camping gear], checking the route [loads of changes to signage etc since I last passed that way and actually took any notice!] & lots of extra control info to go on the route sheet. Harwich control venue is still a big unknown...
I expect to check the final 140km-ish loop fairly soon.
I'll get some photos up here soon to whet your appetite. Day one was great, especially the run along the Stour Valley and Constable Country, but a bit wet yesterday, so not many pics.
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(http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y387/Tomskinessex/Kingdom%20of%20the%20East%20Saxons%201%20May%202016%20033_zpspgktamaw.jpg) (http://s1272.photobucket.com/user/Tomskinessex/media/Kingdom%20of%20the%20East%20Saxons%201%20May%202016%20033_zpspgktamaw.jpg.html)
^Just a few hills in NW Essex...
(http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y387/Tomskinessex/Kingdom%20of%20the%20East%20Saxons%201%20May%202016%20035_zpsfhdr5kpb.jpg) (http://s1272.photobucket.com/user/Tomskinessex/media/Kingdom%20of%20the%20East%20Saxons%201%20May%202016%20035_zpsfhdr5kpb.jpg.html)
^A long-held ambition to stop here - passed may times on 'Dick Turpin's Day Out'.
(http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y387/Tomskinessex/Kingdom%20of%20the%20East%20Saxons%201%20May%202016%20037_zpshpy7mkud.jpg) (http://s1272.photobucket.com/user/Tomskinessex/media/Kingdom%20of%20the%20East%20Saxons%201%20May%202016%20037_zpshpy7mkud.jpg.html)
^Dedham Vale view.
(http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y387/Tomskinessex/Kingdom%20of%20the%20East%20Saxons%201%20May%202016%20040_zpshwfbb8al.jpg) (http://s1272.photobucket.com/user/Tomskinessex/media/Kingdom%20of%20the%20East%20Saxons%201%20May%202016%20040_zpshwfbb8al.jpg.html)
^A little [illegal] wild camping, can't say where...
(http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y387/Tomskinessex/Kingdom%20of%20the%20East%20Saxons%201%20May%202016%20044_zpsuftfxwen.jpg) (http://s1272.photobucket.com/user/Tomskinessex/media/Kingdom%20of%20the%20East%20Saxons%201%20May%202016%20044_zpsuftfxwen.jpg.html)
^On the Colne in Colchester: old house boats and new flats [rebuilt a long time after Ms Boudicca's little spree].
Last 140km to be test-ridden soon...
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Looks great :)
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The final 140km loop, ridden this morning. Bit of a nagging headwind going south, but after elevenses at the 'Tall Green House', I set off back with a decent bit of help. By now a few motorbikes out enjoying the 'Burnham Bends' [where the road does 90 degree turns around the ancient field system]. Most riders should be through here well before the B1010 gets busy:
(http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y387/Tomskinessex/Saxons%202%2021.05.2016%20004_zpstpzzvpar.jpg) (http://s1272.photobucket.com/user/Tomskinessex/media/Saxons%202%2021.05.2016%20004_zpstpzzvpar.jpg.html)
^ Crouch Vale: Radar Hill on the left, South Woodham Ferrers in the distance.
(http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y387/Tomskinessex/Saxons%202%2021.05.2016%20005_zps0xvyp5zk.jpg) (http://s1272.photobucket.com/user/Tomskinessex/media/Saxons%202%2021.05.2016%20005_zps0xvyp5zk.jpg.html)
^ Vineyard looking over the Crouch towards Burnham.
(http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y387/Tomskinessex/Saxons%202%2021.05.2016%20007_zpsm18cdfth.jpg) (http://s1272.photobucket.com/user/Tomskinessex/media/Saxons%202%2021.05.2016%20007_zpsm18cdfth.jpg.html)
^ 10 o'clock ferry about to leave.
(http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y387/Tomskinessex/Saxons%202%2021.05.2016%20009_zpsbkh5imyp.jpg) (http://s1272.photobucket.com/user/Tomskinessex/media/Saxons%202%2021.05.2016%20009_zpsbkh5imyp.jpg.html)
^ Royal Corinthian Yacht Club in the distance, from Burnham Quay. There's an info control just out of sight ;D
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I hope to be able to ride this. Bother sadly prevented owing to need to attend concert in which my wife is playng
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I am hoping to ride it as well (but holding off entry until I'm sure I'm up to it). It looks great.
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Harwich control is sorted. :thumbsup: Fine details to be agreed with Steve and Sarah at the Cafe on the Pier, but basically sandwich/cake + drink free, pay for any extras. Collect a sticker and write your time in. Riders will get sent a menu in due course and when you collect your brevet card at the start, it will have a meal ticket stapled to it.
Lovely spot on the Ha'penny Pier looking out over the yacht haven, Trinity House depot and across to Felixstowe. [Most riders I expect to be there between 18:00-20:00, café staying open late specially for us until 21:24 when the control closes.]
If you fancy a 'sundowner', the refurbished and now very up-market Pier Hotel opposite has a terrace out the front.
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So the route is 'rolling' right? Are there any elevation numbers, or are we just going with 'some hills but not massively hilly?!'
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Wilkyboy has done a great job as usual of pulling together a route on RWGPS:
https://ridewithgps.com/events/Kingdom-of-the-Saxons-400km-Audax
Not sure if its the official version, circa 1900m in the first half, 1000m in the second half....
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So the route is 'rolling' right? Are there any elevation numbers, or are we just going with 'some hills but not massively hilly?!'
Familiar with a lot of that route and it's not hilly, more bumpy, but lots and lots of them. There certainly isn't much that is genuinely flat. I think there will be a few surprised legs towards the end of it. I'm sure as feck not doing it on fixed, though I daresay wilkyboy and Tom will be.
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I'm sure as feck not doing it on fixed, though I daresay wilkyboy and Tom will be.
Naturally ;D
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Wilkyboy has done a great job as usual of pulling together a route on RWGPS:
https://ridewithgps.com/events/Kingdom-of-the-Saxons-400km-Audax
Not sure if its the official version, circa 1900m in the first half, 1000m in the second half....
I checked my RWGPS routes last night against Tom's latest routesheet and there don't appear to be any changes — none that I spotted, anyway. I've done my usual slice'n'dice of the routes into a number of different GPX/TCX/500-point formats for y'all and you can download from here:
http://www.camaudax.uk/rides/east-saxons-400/
Let me know if you spot anything amiss and if not then I'll see you on the road ... hopefully not lost, somewhere in Essex, never to be seen again ... ::-)
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Wilkyboy has done a great job as usual of pulling together a route on RWGPS:
https://ridewithgps.com/events/Kingdom-of-the-Saxons-400km-Audax
Not sure if its the official version, circa 1900m in the first half, 1000m in the second half....
I checked my RWGPS routes last night against Tom's latest routesheet and there don't appear to be any changes — none that I spotted, anyway. I've done my usual slice'n'dice of the routes into a number of different GPX/TCX/500-point formats for y'all and you can download from here:
http://www.camaudax.uk/rides/east-saxons-400/
Let me know if you spot anything amiss and if not then I'll see you on the road ... hopefully not lost, somewhere in Essex, never to be seen again ... ::-)
We will be route checking this at the weekend. So will let you know if we spot any issues with the route. Wish us luck as the weather seems to be improving.
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Careful on Creephedge and Buckhatch, ECC have been out with the surface dressing and left the road like beach dunes of stones.
Might be flattened out a bit since the rain of last night/today.
There are a lot of routes round there plus over towards Maldon / Tiptree where they've been out or are planning on being out!
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I'm sure as feck not doing it on fixed, though I daresay wilkyboy and Tom will be.
Naturally ;D
Thought so! I will be on gears - just rebuilding an old favourite steel bike, will probably take that, but then again if I can't get it ready in time...
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I'm sure as feck not doing it on fixed, though I daresay wilkyboy and Tom will be.
Naturally ;D
Thought so! I will be on gears - just rebuilding an old favourite steel bike, will probably take that, but then again if I can't get it ready in time...
Actually realised that I can't make it, have family over from down under so must do duties - Tom I will come and help in the morning for a bit though if you want some extra help handing out cards and washing up, me and my Mum!
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Not having done one of Thomsk's events before, am I waiting for an e-mail with a route sheet or can I download the one on the AUK site that has provisional written across the top?
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Not having done one of Thomsk's events before, am I waiting for an e-mail with a route sheet or can I download the one on the AUK site that has provisional written across the top?
You should've received an email this evening with updated routesheet from the helpers' ride over the weekend — I got it and I suspect so did all the other entrants. If not, email Tom — his details are on the AUK site.
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Not having done one of Thomsk's events before, am I waiting for an e-mail with a route sheet or can I download the one on the AUK site that has provisional written across the top?
Route sheet is sent out, hope everyone got it! I forgot to remove the 'provisional' from the top though!
To re-iterate: gps files are on Wilkyboy's camaudax site, not AUKweb.
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Email received, thanks :) :)
Erm, how much 'light off roading' is there and what does it involve?!
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Email received, thanks :) :)
Erm, how much 'light off roading' is there and what does it involve?!
We completed the route check and was fine on 23mm tyres. But you might want to bring mudguards if you want to keep the water etc off. I think the route sheet say something to that effect.
Here is what I mean.
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/v8bskdej01d8mgn/AAD3b9-Tq2Ldnq__BDz7PQGha?dl=0 (https://www.dropbox.com/sh/v8bskdej01d8mgn/AAD3b9-Tq2Ldnq__BDz7PQGha?dl=0)
There is a lot and I mean a lot of lose chippings on the road from all the rain so watch out on the corners. Really enjoyed the route and nice heading back to Dunmow for R&R.
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Got the e-mail, all sorted thanks.
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:o :o :o :o
(whereabouts is that lane thing that doesn't look like a road?)
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I reckon that is Hundred Lane (https://goo.gl/maps/jE6KzeDZdzz) near Langham.
I've ridden that previously and it looks like it used to be a road and is now a path and just a but overgrown with stuff falling and washed onto it, nothing terrible though.
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Yer, the pics are showing it after a lot of rain. But all ridable on 23mm tyres :thumbsup:
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The only complaint about Hundred lane I've had [also on the new Flitch Bikes 200, now Richard Ellis Memorial route] was about nettles overhanging the lane. It has a reasonable surface though. All the 'off-road' is ride-able on narrow-ish road tyres. The Sudbury railway path, Walton to Clacton coastal track/concrete road and the Wivenhoe trail are some of the best bits imho...a bit of light relief :)
I'll hear the cursing back at HQ when you get to 'The Only Hill in Essex', though ;D
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Looking forward to this with a little trepidation as it will be my first 400 but just wondering what is the best station for Dunmow? Stansted seems the obvious choice but I have a feeling they don't allow bikes on the Stansted Express?
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If they throw you off beforehand its straightforward navigation from Bishops Stortford too; a bit further from Tottenham Hale!
(Assuming you're going from London)
Or get on a London-Cambridge train from Liverpool St and don't worry about the revenue inspection agent.
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...what is the best station for Dunmow?
One train an hour [the Stratford one I think] to the Airport does allow bikes. Exiting the airport is a bit of a pain.
Cambridge trains would be my preferred option to either Bishops Stortford [direct main-road route or skirt round to the SE via Hatfield Forest] or Elsenham [nice country lanes and brings you into Dunmow on the north side for the start at Churchend].
Braintree, via the East Coast line works well too. Distances to Dunmow from those stations all about the same: 8-10 miles.
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Photos uploaded to Google for all to view. Feel free to use them as you please.
Kingdom of the East Saxons 400 Riders (https://goo.gl/photos/YR8eDPgdX9XM7ssU7)
I felt much better about taking the pictures at the start compared to the end last time.
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Many thanks to Tom and the ACME crew for putting on such a great event.
This was my first 400 ride, and it was the perfect introduction to that distance. It was made all the more interesting when 5k in, my chain snapped and my well used chain tool, decided this was the one time to bend instead of moving the pin. I am forever indebted to the ACME rider who came back to lend me his splitter so that I could carry on (I'm sorry, but I forgot your name).
The pasta and hour's nap back at the hall was much needed at 1.30am, strangely I developed a bit of a sore throat and a 200 a day wheeze in the morning, so it was just survival mode from then on, but I think I stumbled back just after midday.
Once again, many thanks to the ACME crew.
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Many thanks to Tom and the ACME crew for putting on such a great event.
Thank you for your appreciation :thumbsup:...and just to add that some of the wonderful crew were poached from our lovely audaxing neighbours CC Sudbury and Audax Club Hackney. Also thanks to Kiwi Mama Alotronic for ably assisting in the kitchen at the start. The Silver Ball and Café on the Pier done good too, and we always seem to slip seamlessly into Sunday boozing and noshing at the Angel and Harp too.
A few mechanicals, the odd scrape but no serious accidents, 5 DNFs [commiserations], torrential rain, a wedding reception punch-up kicking off in Clacton [later riders reported police in attendance], beautiful sunrise and dawn chorus, mixing it with an early morning time-trial...Essex Audaxing Life!
We couldn't quite manage to stuff enough food down you all: some long-life left-overs will re-appear at a future ACME event; the perishables/short sell-by dates were gratefully received at Redbond Lodge, a local old people's home.
A merry evening of card checking and data-uploading awaits me...
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Many thanks to Tom and the ACME crew for putting on such a great event.
This was my first 400 ride, and it was the perfect introduction to that distance. It was made all the more interesting when 5k in, my chain snapped and my well used chain tool, decided this was the one time to bend instead of moving the pin. I am forever indebted to the ACME rider who came back to lend me his splitter so that I could carry on (I'm sorry, but I forgot your name).
The pasta and hour's nap back at the hall was much needed at 1.30am, strangely I developed a bit of a sore throat and a 200 a day wheeze in the morning, so it was just survival mode from then on, but I think I stumbled back just after midday.
Once again, many thanks to the ACME crew.
Hi Paul - good to ride with you on the first leg to the cafe. Great to hear you made it round. I think it was Nik who helped you out with the fix.
I'm still recovering from the ride this morning, not sure where the 10 pints of beer it feels like I have drunk was... another audax on the "I enjoyed that" list.... especially helped by the company of Billericay Ricky and Sister Carlos and towards the end, Oaky. I'll write more and add some more pictures later when I am more with it...
But more importantly, the TLC offered by Team ACME (plus ACH & other helpers) was epic from the valet parking service to the room service and luxury sleeping... I was quite overwhelmed
(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160704/8f3afd6317940a65b8f4d3e9b4353bb5.jpg)
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How come the helpers look worse than the rider :o
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Judging by the eyes, I think tippers must've been on his Columbian stuff overnight.
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Judging by the eyes, I think tippers must've been on his Columbian stuff overnight.
That would explain a whole host of things.
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First 400k for me and a great experience, especially as it was all in places where I had never cycled before (or actually even visited at all before).
Thanks for the photos, especially as you got one of all three of us from my club riding together. Thanks to Tom and all the helpers particularly for the tlc back at base. Nothing seemed too much trouble. I just hope that whatever item(s) of crockery that went crashing at some point in the middle of the night weren’t too valuable!!
Not knowing what at all to expect I loved the mostly smooth country lanes that were the majority of the ride. I don’t know why most of the housing estates have such horribly surfaced concrete though. Not a great fan of off road riding, but they all added to the experience. I couldn’t help being nervous on them though after a flat on the first railway path. We seemed to just avoid most (not all) of the worst of the weather coming across roads that had obviously just seen rain and being able to experience most of a downpour while we were in the Harwich cafe. Only real disappointment was not being able to have proper fish & chips at Clacton as all the chippies seemed to be already closed at 9:00pm.
Thanks again all!
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Well done Dave - I was following updates on your grupetto's progress! :thumbsup:
So which 600 are you all doing?
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So which 600 are you all doing?
Thanks Matt.
Well... given where we live, a trip to Chester and back next year was mentioned.
We have been promised that 600 is no more difficult than 400, just longer!
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A big thumbs up to those starters who braved the windy and torrential downpour conditions. :thumbsup:
Had much easier life sitting on other side of fence, assisting with ACME and ACH helpers, free food and drinks. Certainly much cheaper and healthier than dining in a 'all you can eat buffet' outlet. Only did half shift and was tucked up asleep before Jibers took photo of Tomsk, Tippers, Tedshred at their twilight hours best. Did 200km audax in Norfolk on Sunday with several of my fellow CCS brothers and Big Saxon.
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I was wondering where you were! I tried out Bounties on the ride... great fuel!
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So which 600 are you all doing?
Thanks Matt.
Well... given where we live, a trip to Chester and back next year was mentioned.
We have been promised that 600 is no more difficult than 400, just longer!
I have a 600 in September...
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Finally got time to puts some words down...
Mid last week I hatched a plan to get my 600km ride in for this year’s SR. I had signed up to ride the 400km ride out of Dunmow which also included a sleep control in a church hall… this removed the need to sleep in a bus shelter somewhere and meant I would be riding with others for two thirds of the 600km, so I purchased an extended calendar event brevet to add 200km on to the 400km and a plan took shape…
I loaded the bike up with a change of clothes, sleeping bag and a sleeping mat and rolled out of home around 07:15. I’d planned a leisurely ride out to the start of the 400km calendar event to get as many kms in before so I didn’t have to do many after. 68km out through Writtle and along NCN1 in to a wearing wind then a section over towards Stansted airport and wiggle through some villages and in to Dunmow got me to the start for 10:30. The 400km started at 11AM and it was still sunny… The route up to the first Control at Silver Ball was familiar, and I rode it mostly with Cold Snail. First bit of rain happened whilst I tucked in to B&T plus milkshake in the cafe and met up with Sister Carlos and was introduced to Bus Shelter Bertie.
We rode out with blue sky then the order of the day as far as the next control at Claire where we took shelter for 5 mins whilst the rain passed and then raided the Co-Op as a control and food stop.
It was then off towards Sudbury via Cavendish and across the Denham Vale via its scenic ups and downs which didn’t feel as bad as on the A&S ride, though this time I only had 200km ridden instead of nearly 400km of then. Over to Mistley and along the Stour estuary which was getting a good downpour, which we soon caught up with. Our reward for enduring the edge of the storm was a large double rainbow arch we had to cycle towards but never through!
In to Harwich for control at the Café on the Pier, complete with Ricki recommended sautéed potatoes and then it was on to Walton as the sun set and then Clacton via the (flooded) coastal path to control at the Tesco Metro (pasty and milkshake), on wards giving the Wivenhoe trail a swerve as I thought it might be more wet and muddy than expected and making a fast dash along the main road in to Colchester with the odd bit of Essex night wildlife thrown in for good measure. It felt like a circular route around the countryside to arrive at somewhere I recognised, Tiptree… before we headed over to Dunmow where I managed 1 hour sleep.
Great TLC and I was off to be treated to the sunrise as I left Dunmow, nice lanes down to Felsted and beyond. I put the thoughts of another 200km left to ride to the back of my head with my slowest climb up TMNH where Bus Shelter Bertie joined me again and we headed over the Billericay to more delightful shop food, this time M&S branded! Now with Oaky in the group, we headed out to Burnham for an Info control and then up through Hatfield Peveral and past a steam engine back to Dunmow!
I was worried I might be getting a bit of heat exhaustion as I had an unquenchable thirst but seemed OK after a quick pint of juice at the arrivee in the pub garden.
Finally it was off to finish the job of completing the ECE… Half a plan to stop at Greenstead Green for coffee was scrapped when I got there after they had closed due to my schedule overrunning – no kip in a field as I was worried about the time, mental capacity was limited and I was getting a little confused about how long I had left (how hard can be adding 4 to 6 be!).
Another co-op raid to feed the engine at Kelvdon, this time managing to buy sparkling water instead of still! Then off up to Tiptree and the end of last night’s route in reverse which was a lot drier than the night time direction found it to be. Eventually made it to The Hurdlemakers Arms for a quick half after enjoying the sunset on the way.
The last 30km was fairly straightforward, I was feeling fine until 597km when the engine went in to limp mode, not helped by realising I had put a loop in to ensure I made the 200km ECE. The reward however was a great (real) wild life show, Munkjack deer, bats flying at the same speed as me in front of my helmet lamp but best of all was the barn owl sat in the middle of the road, he only flew off because of the noise on my front break as I stopped to take a picture!.
Last section from 606km was slow as I came across a lady walking with a broken bike in the dark with no lights so I did the honourable thing and fixed her bike, lent her my spare rear light and rode with her to get her home safely…
Overall an enjoyable audax, paced well and eaten well and the usual good craic…. The riding with Mark, Carl and Ricki really helped me make it round as did the TLC from the team at the base...
I noticed some oddness about my HR as I was on the last 150km or so, it wouldn't seem to go above 136bmp irrespective of how much power I put out (though the power wasn't as sustainable as normal), my LHR is circa 146 and as the ride went on in this last stage, it sat between 110 and 120 till the end, perhaps this is how the body reacts as an endurance mode ?
Just need to sort out my numb thumb and aching torso now!
Some pics on Faceache: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10154297902354938.1073741881.814969937&type=1&l=f3f88b85cc
Also on Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/629703646
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BRAVO Jibers. Great account and you have now cracked the SR mystery. There's one more rung on left on the ladder. LEL 2017........? Glad to hear the choco bounties helped!
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Chapeau jiberjaber ! :thumbsup:
Stopping on the final kilometres of an audax to help a damsel in distress, a true gentleman.
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Good write up there! Well done again, I am seriously impressed at all who ECE more than 50 each end.
That heart rate thing sounds familiar. I only really noticed it first on PBP.
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Many thanks to Tomsk and his merry helpers for putting on a great event - my first 400.
Packed my Barley for all weather conditions, sun and rain, used it all. And surprising how cold it can get on a cloudless summer's night.
The tlc back at base in Dunmow at 268km was a treat. Lovely food, endless cups of tea and encouragement from team Tomsk. The candles were a nice touch. A warm glow in which to rest my eyes for an hour (didn't fancy a proper lie-down sleep).
Looking forward to the Flatlands in Sept.
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BRAVO Jibers. Great account and you have now cracked the SR mystery. There's one more rung on left on the ladder. LEL 2017........? Glad to hear the choco bounties helped!
Unfortunately not quite.... still need a 300 to complete the set, but its not long now! :)
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Nice one jibers old chap!
A fun ride, although I found it a bit gruelling during sections of the first loop. In my defense, it was my first 400 on fixed (and the first ride in my attempt on a fixed SR this season) although I have done the Flatlands 600 on fixed.
I got to the hall around 10:40 after the ride over from Witham, to see a number of familiar faces, both riding and helping out. The weather was almost perfect. There was a distinct easterly wind, which would be in our faces to Reed (40km), but which would blow us all the way to Harwich (156km).
I was feeling pretty good on the way over to Reed, hopping in and out of a couple of groups, and so had a fairly quick stop at the Silver Ball for an Eccles cake and can of Tango. Went quite well as far as Clare where I opted for the golf course tea room. I didn't really feel like a proper meal at this point, so just had a coffee and some chocolate: a picnic bar and a bounty.
I started to get some twinges of cramp in my quads after this, on uphill out of the saddle efforts mostly, and put this down to possibly starting the day a bit dehydrated. I swapped to the bottle with an alactrolyte tab in it in case that was the reason and upped my liquid intake a bit. Later on I started to find the hills a bit if a struggle - the cramping in the quads had been joined by a similar feeling in my triceps (which is where it usually hurts me when climbing on fixed if I'm not fit and used to it) so I made the decision that whenever my speed dropped below walking pace, I'd get off and walk. I think I needed to do that three times in the end.
On crossing the A12 just before Dedham, I spotted a garage just off the route, and headed down there for a hot pasty, some more water and a lucozade sport, one of the raspberry ones (I'm quite wary of these though since my forst 600 where I think I overdosed on them only to throw up tons of purple stuff in the loo at a petrol station in Biggleswade -- oh the glamour of it all)!. Pasty onboard, and bottles filled with a mix of the lucozade and water, I set off towards Mistley and Harwich.
I started to feel a bit better, although my climbing legs still weren't anywhere to be found. Shortly afterwards, the sunshine was replace by cloud and then the rain started. I was approaching the L@T ont the A137 between Dedham Heath and Manningtree when the heavens really opened. I pressed on briefly, then found a bus shelter just after the T to shelter in. I tried to get a picture of the heaviness of the rain but my phone camera didn't really pick it up.
(http://www.oakden.org/mark/bike/yacf/pics/03rain.jpg)
But I was treated after this to a fantastic double rainbow directly ahead which persisted pretty much until I reached Harwich. The sun was back out for that stretch but I could see and hear weather in the distance off to the southeast somewhere (dark clouds, lightning flashes and thunder rumbles).
(http://www.oakden.org/mark/bike/yacf/pics/04rainbow.jpg)
In Harwich I found a couple of ACME regulars, jiberjaber and carlosfandango in the Cafe on the Pier, tucking into some hot food. I was also introduced to Bus Shelter Bertie. I found out that at this point I was the second to last rider out in the field. The lanterne Rouge arrived just as we were getting ready to make a move.
We rode on together for a while, although eventually carlos and I drifted off the front (jibers had a strict ride plan to avoid overcooking himself on the way to his 600 ECE). carlos and I rode together (drifting ahead or behind occasionally) until just after Clacton where (drunks mostly avoided and an emergency vegetable samosa purchased for the overnight stretch).
Sometime after this I dropped back from carlos and went back to solo riding. I only saw one other rider on the way from there to Dunmow, just after a hedge stop on the Wivenhoe trail, a rider appeared from behind. We barrelled along there (as much as you can barrel along on that surface in the dark) for a while, then a pair of muntjac appeared just ahead and ran along ahead for what seemed like an age (although probably only 10 seconds or so) before disappearing into the undergrowth.
I carried on, again solo for a while, until the same chap (not sure who it was) passed me again whilst I was donning my extra layers and tucking into my emergency samosa (and $LOTS of wine gums for dessert). He also slowed to check if I was alright in one of those very-Audax cameraderie moments which reminds me why our calendar events are so pleasant to ride. It's a testament to the conditions we had that it wasn't until after Kelvedon, at 20 past midnight, that I felt the need to don any extra clothing.
I arrived at Dunmow just after the bulge (but considering where I was at Harwich, was surprised not to be outrigh Lanterne Rouge). I was still well ahead of my pre-event, hastily constructed schedule, by 80 mins, and was planning an hour's stop in Dunmow, so decided to grad a brevet card stamp, a banana and a caramel wafer and press on in order to divert off-route to home (Witham) for a longer break.
Arriving home at 03:20, I decided to set my alarm for 2 hours later before doing anything else. A shower, some food, some ibuprofen and a sleep in the spare bed was well incredibly refreshing, but I really didn't want to get up when my alarm went at 05:20. I put on some fresh kit, breakfasted and was on the road by 06:00 for the last 74 miles.
North Hill is very familiar to me, the foot is only 6 miles or so from home and I've ridden hill repeats on there on fixed a number of times in the past. Despite this, I was already resigned to walking some portion of it for the first time ever. Sure enough, my "walking pace" rule kicked in where the road get's a little steeper above The Rodney, and I walked a couple of hundred metres to where the gradient eases off a little wher ethe cars are perpetually parked on the left.
Very familiar roads took me to the outskirts of Stock, and less familiar ones to Billericay. At the garage, I found jiberjaber and Bus Shelter Bertie again and rode most of the rest of the day with them.
The day was heating up, and when I mentioned in passing that Radar Hill was still to come, jibers mentioned that he'd tuned the route to avoid it. My ears pricked up, particularly as I wasn't keen to walk up a hill when people were watching ;) , so I followed him on the jibered version.
It's only the second time I've ever been to Burnham, despite living relatively locally. Both times I've been on an Audax and on a schedule so haven't really looked around properly but it seems like a lovely place.
Onwards to Maldon. I was feeling the heat a bit by this time, and briefly considered taking off my base layer. In the end, I couldn't be bothered, and pressed on with Bus Shelter Bertie. jibers, riding well within himself with an eye on his ECE homeward leg, arrived as we were locking bikes up to visit Costa.
A sandwich, some juicy water and a short rest later we set off towards Dunmow for the last 21 miles. These were very familiar roads (and I'd ridden most of already once in each direction already on my way to the start and on my way home for my sleep stop) and actually seemed to fly by comapratively. My legs still creaked on every little rise, but it finally felt like I was definitely going to finish.
One thing that struck me throughout was that a combination of the weather, the timings and the sundial effect meant that I spent a huge proportion of this ride pedalling towards my shadow. :)
The off-road sections were "interesting" :) (Tomsk and the other ACME folks will know my legendary love of COR).
Huge Thanks to Tomsk, Soupy, the tippers family and all of the other helpers.
I only took one photo on day 2. Bus Shelter Bertie showing the glamorous side of Audax in Burnham-on-Crouch (or Sunburnham-on-Crouch, perhaps):-
(http://www.oakden.org/mark/bike/yacf/pics/08burnham.jpg)
Strava: day 1 (https://www.strava.com/activities/629098948) day 2 (https://www.strava.com/activities/629101741)
Some random pictures, mostly day 1: (dropbox gallery) (https://www.dropbox.com/sc/ambmdrw8go2z0y7/AACk2qKBu_1qvXxmgK2AhHs5a)
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Top reports and photos from this ride here and elsewhere.
Chapeau to all the riders, and the organiser and volunteers.
I really must ride more over that way. This has to go on the to-do list if it runs again.
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I really must ride more over that way. This has to go on the to-do list if it runs again.
:thumbsup: I think it will! Same time of year - it'll be few weeks before LEL...
I might up the cap on numbers a bit: 35 starters out of 50 entries and the hall wasn't too packed at night during the 'bulge', though some opted for a car/campervan kip instead. A couple of riders went home to sleep, as well. All the larger halls are either very expensive or are out of action on a Sunday with church commitments. At least we can fairly easily transfer across to the Angel and Harp - that operation mid-arrivee was the thing that caused me sleepless nights, but as it turned out we only had a couple of faster finishers come in during the 20 minute transition [and one totally zonked DNF on the floor], so it went pretty smoothly. This was when I was most glad of the many [by now quite tired] helpers. :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
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On the basis of this picture of tippers:-
(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160704/8f3afd6317940a65b8f4d3e9b4353bb5.jpg)
I fixed the below for you:-
This was when I was most glad of the many [by now quite wired] helpers. :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
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Well.....the littlest Tipper awoke from sleeping under the Control table (and about 45 minutes on a mat) had a quick stretch and proceeded to carry on with Cartwheels, back and front walks overs and round offs.....oh to be 8 years old again!
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Cross posting this from LFGSS, but:
Kingdom of the East Saxons was great - as Tom's rides always are. Was on my own for basically the entire thing and found myself at the front of the field. The ride was a series of two loops, both starting/ending in Gt Dunmow. It started at 11AM and I finished the first 268k at 22:20. The route was brilliant, almost entirely lanes and there were even some off road bike paths in there - they were like hard packed dirt, which was a nice change of scenery. From Harwich to Clacton there was a miserable, miserable head wind on the sea front and a full on thunder and lightning storm happening directly over my head, so that was a bit crap. By the time I finished I thought it was too early to get any sleep so I decided to head back out. By the time I'd left for the second loop, nobody else had shown up so I was at least an hour in front of the next guy - very lonely stuff indeed. As always, I suffered from the dozie's quite bad at around 1.30-2, so had to neck an iced coffee from the Billericay service station, which was a control and a bloody good one at that. Woke me right up! Was pretty much plain sailing after that. Finished at 5.25 in the end which I was pleased with. My Super Randonneur is now complete too, which I am really happy about.
Only picture that I took - sunrise at 4.52:
(https://scontent-lhr3-1.cdninstagram.com/t51.2885-15/e35/13549448_294761650859299_491288387_n.jpg)
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If you are only going to take one picture then that's the one to take :)
I think we crossed paths when you were on your way back via the quiet lanes around Felsted.
Congratulations on the podium :)
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Steve and Sarah at The Café on the Pier, Harwich say: "...Our pleasure. It was really fun working and looking after such nice people. Look forward to next year"
:thumbsup:
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Excellent! They were a great control :)
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It always takes me a couple of days at least to gather my thoughts and write them down semi-coherently. Here's my ride report,, with pictures:
www.16inchwheels.uk/2016/07/02/kingdom-of-the-east-saxons-400 (http://www.16inchwheels.uk/2016/07/02/kingdom-of-the-east-saxons-400/)
A successful completion of Tom's rather nice new 400km event, plus 200km ECE to make it a round 600km for my Essex SR badge sans Flatlands :smug:
Many thanks to Tom for the organising the route and the event and to all his helpers on the days. I was particularly impressed with Alotronic's mum, who travelled all the way from Australia to help out; with The Straggler (?), who greeted us back at sleep-o'clock, only to get up and ride the Garboldisham Groveller himself the following day; and with the two young mini-tippers, who were still stamping cards well past the witching hour when they should've been in bed. It felt odd to be chatting with fhoot without bhoot "in tow" so to speak*, and I had to keep looking over my shoulder ;)
I haven't organised anything above 200km yet, so I'm yet to experience the additional hassles of overnight support, but I understand the organisation level is up another notch or two, so well done to Tom for a successful first running of this event with so much TLC :thumbsup:
Next up Hereward the Wake in a week's time.
* As so often with tandem couples, you do get the feeling the engine room's really in charge ... I'm just saying :-*
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Great write up Nick - brought back good memories of the weekend!