Yet Another Cycling Forum
General Category => Audax => Topic started by: bairn again on 19 September, 2018, 09:32:21 am
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Hi there. In the absence of any full service events in 2019 I'm going to put on an X rated version of the Auld Alliance next year as an early PBP qualifier.
2100 start in Edinburgh (Edit - Friday night), commercial or info controls throughout and a postal finish.
Should be on the calendar soon.
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Fantastic news. Hoping to hear / see more Edinburgh based rides next year for PBP qualification.
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I've always missed this one in the past for one reason or another, so hoping to ride it this year.
Friday night starts for a 400 suit me too, as it leaves Sunday free for real life stuff.
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That Bo'ness control is in just so we have to ride Skinfalts isn't it? ;D
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Any logistical reason for the change in route compared to 2017? Enjoyed the early morning ride up to Inverbervie and then the ride up Glenfarg in the afternoon smelling the wild garlic.
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Any logistical reason for the change in route compared to 2017? Enjoyed the early morning ride up to Inverbervie and then the ride up Glenfarg in the afternoon smelling the wild garlic.
Rationale for the route change is that in 2017 there was the village hall control in Comrie. [edit sorry it was actually St Davids there was a wedding on in Comrie and the hall was unavailable]
With a basic event in 2019 there wont be any village halls so I need to think of the first location with 24 hr faciltites.
Hence the reroute to take riders to Broxden at just over 100km. And with Comrie at 300km folk should be there when shops etc are open and not the middle of the night. Ditto Dunblane.
G
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Makes sense! Thanks for explaining.
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The 2015 running (https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/770228888) running was x-rated too.
The route looks similar, but I've not looked in detail.
As a 400, most folks would not be looking for a sleep stop having already ridden through the night.
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Fairly sure that 2015 had a village hall control in Comrie - run by eck I think.
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The 2015 running (https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/770228888) running was x-rated too.
The route looks similar, but I've not looked in detail.
As a 400, most folks would not be looking for a sleep stop having already ridden through the night.
Main difference I can see is in 2015 one leg went via forfar and returning via Kirrie; where as 2019 is going through Forfar twice and also going through Coupar Angus
Route wise it looks a cracker, I rarely stray into those parts of the country for rides; too short for a DIY 200 and too long for an evenings blast.
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Fairly sure that 2015 had a village hall control in Comrie - run by eck I think.
I think you are right.
And possibly some unpublished pop-up tea/coffee points courtesy of Dave Crampton.
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Fairly sure that 2015 had a village hall control in Comrie - run by eck I think.
I think you are right.
And possibly some unpublished pop-up tea/coffee points courtesy of Dave Crampton.
Which remains one of my fondest audax moments. This ride was also the first time I was ever pleased to go to a McDonalds.
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wouldnt mind doing this one again, enjoyed the 2015 version, if not the weather that went with it. It did stop at the village hall in Comrie, I also remember the pop up coffee points and my having spent over an hour at the McDonalds on the edge of Forfar eating multiple breakfasts and drinking enormous ammounts of coffee.
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Thats it on the calendar now. 2 entries received today!
No rush on this one, unlimited field and entries right up until the day before (PBP year approach)
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Having smashed through the 30 entries barrier I contacted all entrants (who had entered by 2359 Sat) as follows
Subject: Auld Alliance 400k - Fri/Sat 26/27 April - Rider Update 27 Jan 2019
To:
Hi there. Just three months to go!
Ive had a flurry of entries since the turn of the year so thought it worthwhile contacting you all (a) as confirmation of entry and (b) to add a few details.
The draft route sheet is available from the AUK website : http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/19-435/
Draft gpx is available below in 2 sections split roughly 50/50
Edinburgh - Brechin : https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28630702
Brechin - Edinburgh : https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28630773
All of the above subject to confirmation / revision. I'm planning to ride the event myself 13/14 April so final versions will be available soon after.
Start will be from Haymarket Station Edinburgh. If you are driving to Edinburgh and want free parking Id suggest Hermiston Park & Ride. A suggested route to the start from Hermiston P&R is here ---->. https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28630773
You could freewheel down to Edinburgh Park Station (just over 2km) and stick your bike on the tram to the start (but you wont be allowed on 1630 - 1830).
I dont believe there is any free parking close to the start.
Haymarket has many eating options for a pre event feed.
Finally, the event will finish at Monty's Bar in Morrison St 2 mins from Haymarket Station where some food will be available as part of the entry fee. We'll have the whole upstairs area reserved for us so friends family WAGS, Entourages, Tifosi etc all welcome. If you want to leave any small bags with me at the start I'll do my best to accommodate you (i expect a few folk who might be staying over in Edinburgh Saturday night would welcome a left luggage option).
I'll be back in touch again nearer the time but in the meantime feel free to contact me if anything isn't clear.
Regards
Just a reminder - and folk who rode last years West Highlands 1000km event will know this....Monty's Bar has a rather splendid collection of proper beer (incl. some very nice low alcohol / alcohol free ones) and single malts.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4875/39941317273_24653bf9a7_c.jpg)
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The number of entries has reached the threshold where I'm investigating a proper control in Dunblane (70km : 2348 - 0140)
http://church.stmarysdunblane.org/church-hall/
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The number of entries has reached the threshold where I'm investigating a proper control in Dunblane (70km : 2348 - 0140)
http://church.stmarysdunblane.org/church-hall/
Hall in Dunblane now confirmed. Bonus is that it adds no distance, and my plan is now that a trip to Broxden Services in Perth will now be optional and the event comes in at 401 km (removing Broxden trims about 3 km off).
gps track for the 1st half of the event duly updated. https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28630702
40 entries in.
Planning a route check of the 1st half this coming Sunday as a DIY 200.
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Just spotted that the B9112 is called Necessity Brae... thankfully we're gan doon it ;D
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Just spotted that the B9112 is called Necessity Brae... thankfully we're gan doon it ;D
An audax rider once told me that Necessity Brae and nearby Needless Road were so named so that the coal delivery men knew where they would need both horses or not to pull the wagon. Could be an outrageous old wives tale mind you.
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I've entered, for no other reason than Monty's bar is the finish control.
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Just spotted that the B9112 is called Necessity Brae... thankfully we're gan doon it ;D
An audax rider once told me that Necessity Brae and nearby Needless Road were so named so that the coal delivery men knew where they would need both horses or not to pull the wagon. Could be an outrageous old wives tale mind you.
Past tense, Old?
This is Perth we're talking about...
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I've entered, for no other reason than Monty's bar is the finish control.
Measures will be in place to regulate the extent to which post event consumption is covered by the event. :o
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I shall use the early bird savings on the rail tickets already booked to ensure adequate post-ride recovery ;D
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A shameless bump for this event which starts 2 weeks on Friday.
While I'm happy to take entries up to the day before, I plan to order brevet cards middle of next week and while I'll order a few extra I may end up having to close to new entries based on the number of cards.
There are 50 due to start as things stand.
I'm planning on riding the event myself Wed 17th / Thu 18th so will send entrants final details after that.
The first control in Dunblane 70km will be the Church Hall - originally intended as an info control - but I reckoned a bit of tlc was preferable. :thumbsup:
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I'm really looking forward to this! :thumbsup:
QUick nap stop for me will be McD's I think. Hopefully not as many yobos as when fifeingeijit and I were there on The Kingdom Come 400 at 3am back in December.
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What's the bike storage situation while in Monty's at the end?
Attached to a lammy with best lock you can carry?
Affects various aspects of my planning!
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What's the bike storage situation while in Monty's at the end?
Attached to a lammy with best lock you can carry?
Affects various aspects of my planning!
Probably best. If I were riding and planned to enjoy a refreshment post event Id bring a HBFO lock and leave it on a convenient set of railings nr Haymarket Station and collect at the finish.
Folk left bikes locked outside Montys after the WH 1000 without any issues.
The pub has a small enclosed beer garden at the side and it might be possible to pop a bike in there but the area might be in use especially if the weather is good enough for al fresco drinking.
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I have just signed up for this having rejoined AUK after a 3 year sabbatical. I have completed a couple of DIY 200’s this year and a lot of training Km’s ......this will be my first 400. It’s relatively local to me and I am familiar with various parts of the route, so I hope I am not too late to join you guys as It seems an ideal event for my first 400. Looking forward to it :-)
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I'll be coming off a plane in ABZ after 2 weeks in Cairo, and travelling directly down to Edinburgh.
Looking forward to it.
Spent a short while fettling the Garmin with tracks, waypoints and routes yesterday evening in the hotel.
From the GPS track, it looks like the start is at the Haymarket Yards, down the wee side street where the tram tracks go, just beside the station.
Same place as the 1000k last year.
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final update sent 2 mins ago to everybody Im expecting on the start line.....
Hi everybody. Not long to go now. Final update - apologies for leaving this so late but Ive been away for Easter and Im just back. Please read on.......
THE START
Will be at the car park of HMRCs Elgin House on Haymarket Yards. This is just round the corner from Haymarket Railway Station (follow the tram lines west i.e. away from the city centre). If its wet I'm hoping we can use their covered bike shed.
INTERMEDIATE CONTROLS
These will either be
- an information control where you answer a question on your brevet card
- a control where you should get your card stamped. Dunblane is the only control like this on this event. There will be food and drinks here - if you have any special dietary requirements let me know (but safely assume everything will be vegetarian).
- a control where you should obtain a receipt showing place and time. If that's not possible (faster riders at Comrie possibly?), take a selfie that identifies where you are.
FINISH CONTROL
Will be in Monty's Bar Morrison Street just up from Haymarket Station. Its next door to the prominent Leonardo Hotel. There will be grub and a drink here as part of your entry fee. If you plan to leave your bike, I suggest bringing a lock with you. You can leave this at the start.
If you cant be bothered with the one way system and tram lines in the final 1km simply dismount when you reach the traffic lights at Haymarket Railway Station and walk up Morrison Street on the pavement (its one way against you).
THROUGH THE NIGHT
After Dunblane most riders wont find anything open till McDonalds in Forfar almost 100km further on. Take something for your back pocket just in case. Full value riders might catch the Scotmid in Coupar Angus (opens 0530) or the Spar in Meigle (opens 0600).
If you're really struggling when you get to Perth (114.9 km) take a left up to Broxden Services about 1km up the road. This has a 24 hr McDonalds.
LUGGAGE
You can leave a bag with me at the start and collect it at the finish.
ROUTE INFO
An Old Skool route sheet is attached and is also available on the calendar page http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/19-435/
GPS tracks are attached - I've split these in two as the event features some retrace. There are both standard and 500 point versions. If you are looking for something else, try the routes online they are
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28630702 and
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28630773
The route is advisory - you're free to choose any route between controls and the event has no secret controls.
One exception - please do not be tempted to use the A9 between Dunblane and Braco as its a motorway in all but name and saves only around 400m anyway.
BIKE SHOPS
There might be others but there is at least the following -
There's one in FORFAR town centre around 216km
You'll pass a Halfords in PERTH around 265km
There's a bike shop just before the RAB in Causewayhead at 340km.
AND FINALLY......
Culross is pronounced "Coo russ".
Seeyizaw Friday.
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Final visit to the event finish just to er confirm numbers. They have got a fantastic Pilot brewery peach wheat beer on. Im not sure it will still be there by Saturday.
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Looking forward to this event - it will be my first 400k
This year ! 8)
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AND FINALLY......
Culross is pronounced "Coo russ".
Thanks to Gordon Ramsay some people may think we're going to Brekin.
There's a few others along the way
Scone
Coupar Angus
Glamis
But surely no one can get Forfar wrong...
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But surely no one can get Forfar wrong...
All together now, East Fife four, Forfar five.
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But surely no one can get Forfar wrong...
All together now, East Fife four, Forfar five.
Ha fallen at the first.
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Thanks Graeme ,
Really looking forward to this event
Currently on train from London - keeping an eye on Storm
Hannah !
Main incentive for the ride was the Monty”s Bar finish - I thought
I’d practise riding to a schedule for once with the incentive to arrive
before closing time !
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This passes my house at approximately 119 and 263 km.
Just saw four (maybe five- guy at the back on a mountain bike) riders who looked kitted out for Audax pass on their way back, headed into Perth. Looked like they were going well, but it’s downhill so hard to tell.
It’s very wet out there.
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Got into a group with Feanor and two others at the start, hanging on to a brisk pace through the cycle lanes. Wondered about my judgment as I wouldn’t last 400km at this rate. Then the rain started, quite heavy through Bo’ness and Grangemouth and I did some long steady turns on the front. Soup and cake at Dunblane were brilliant.
Night stretch to Forfar was good, we worked well as a group and that kept the dozies at bay (mostly). McD’s was disappointing as it still had the night menu and the heating was unnoticeable. But we weren’t far into the next stretch before the first signs of daylight. Eagle eyes spotted a newsagent open before six in Brechin and we were soon back to Forfar for the McD’s breakfast menu which was now on.
The rain which had been off and on all night (mostly on) came back with a vengeance but fuelled and caffeinated we enjoyed the A94-free route and occasional glimpses of views. We tried to guess the first name on the war memorial (but none of us guessed right). Perth traffic was heavy with potholes hidden in the wet. It was still a long way to Comrie but the sun came out and we had a quick stop to delayer. That brought the rain back and Feanor noticed low pressure in my rear tyre.
The Comrie Cafe was an oasis of dry, except for a sojourn to pump up my rear tyre and confirm it was a puncture. We rode together over the hill and into dry roads around Braco and signs of a northwesterly to blow us home. I should have eaten more at Dunblane (brain fade in busy supermarket) and so after the fun of the cycle paths through Alloa, Clackmannan, and Kincardine I got dropped on a little climb and despite the others soft pedalling didn’t have the strength to get back on. Had a quick stop to raid the bonk rations and set off at a civilised pace watching the good people of Edinburgh enjoying the cycle paths in another spell of sunshine.
Was only ten minutes behind the others and settled in to enjoy the delights of Monty’s Bar. Eventually lack of sleep and a few beers weighed heavily so retired to my hotel. Congratulations Graeme for another great event.
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Made a meal of it in various ways, didn't help that Dunblane to Dunning is one of my regular routes homewards and was having second thoughts.
Picked up by Andy Berne's group on the way through Perth and rode with the to Forfar, really picked me up though I did accidentally split the group in Coupar Angus when I shot off round the bypass rather than follow the route through the centre.
Just missed ordering breakfast but decided to do the loop before having pancakes.
Couldn't hang on to anyone on the way out of forfar and when another rider spoke to me I realized I needed to sleep. As if by magic a bus shelter appeared and I sat in the corner for an unknown period of time.
Was woken by 2 gun shots from the fields and was amazingly awake, rode up to Brechin and seemed to bump into the same riders so couldn't have been that long.
Back to forfar for pancakes and reckoned I had enough in me to get to comrie at that point.
Caught up with Revolutions group at Collace, I thought they were doing some Shakesperian tourism but turned out they were fixing a puncture, eventually rode with them to just before Comrie where I ran out of energy on the climb in.... I'm sure that road's flat.
Cracking breakfast at Hansens, plus 2 cakes.
Climbed over the hill with them but I didn't have enough left to keep up with them downhill... given my extra weight means I'm usually faster down a non-technical descent this was worrying.
Struggled a bit on the Kinbuck road, and didn't eat anywhere near enough from the tesco.
Down to Culross, went into the pub for a sugar rush and then struggled alone onto the crap bit from Cairneyhill to the bridge
Twiddled through Edinburgh, was too tired to respond to a walker who had a huff at me for not using the Toucan crossing and using the normal junction instead... the road was deserted there was no advantage for me to use the crossing...
Finally got to Monty's just over the 23hr mark, took ages to figure out how to lock the bike up.
Had hoped to be considerably faster than that but it didn't happen.
Thanks to Bairn Again for putting the ride on, the route is generally spot on, ride the boring bits in the dark and the interesting bits in daylight.
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The Auld Alliance 400k. An evening start is a bit of a leveller, because everyone has to ride through the night and all next day. The rain hardly let up the whole time. There's a phrase in the Audax world: "As much fun as a wet 400." This is the kind of event that really brings out the subtleties and nuances of that wee phrase.
An excellent feedstop at Dumblane was just what was needed to top you up before a long night stretch to McD in Forfar.
A hop up to Brechin, and back to McD for McBreakfast, and back on the road.
I learned something new: there *is* a café in Comrie, and very good it was.
An oasis of warmth in the middle of a cold wet ride.
The finish was at the most excellent Monty's bar near Haymarket, where G. had arranged beer vouchers and a fine charcuterie spread! Thanks to G. for organising, and to Robbie, Jon, and CET who made up our wee grupetto.
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Written up now.
https://fifeingeejit.blogspot.com/2019/04/auld-alliance-26th-and-27th-april-2019.html
I've emptied the contents of my bag into the sunporch to dry out; as an indicator of how wet it was, I carry a small tube of High5 electrolyte tabs.
The seal is reasonable on it... it was a tube of partly dissolved tablets. Had to finish the process to empty it.
and even the kit in dry bags had got damp.
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Written up now.
https://fifeingeejit.blogspot.com/2019/04/auld-alliance-26th-and-27th-april-2019.html
I've emptied the contents of my bag into the sunporch to dry out; as an indicator of how wet it was, I carry a small tube of High5 electrolyte tabs.
The seal is reasonable on it... it was a tube of partly dissolved tablets. Had to finish the process to empty it.
and even the kit in dry bags had got damp.
Plug for my Nelson Carradice Longflap, which had been sitting on a shelf in my garage for the last two years (riding events with a pannier instead), which kept everything dry.
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Written up now.
https://fifeingeejit.blogspot.com/2019/04/auld-alliance-26th-and-27th-april-2019.html
I've emptied the contents of my bag into the sunporch to dry out; as an indicator of how wet it was, I carry a small tube of High5 electrolyte tabs.
The seal is reasonable on it... it was a tube of partly dissolved tablets. Had to finish the process to empty it.
and even the kit in dry bags had got damp.
Plug for my Nelson Carradice Longflap, which had been sitting on a shelf in my garage for the last two years (riding events with a pannier instead), which kept everything dry.
Ah was that you that mentioned mine on the way out of Edinburgh in the passing?
The High5 tube was in my frame bag, the dry bags were in the carradice, but they aren't particularly good ones evidently as they let the contents suck in damp air.
The Carradice contents were otherwise in good confition.
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The final reckoning was as follows (including my orgs ride in pleasant conditions yesterday/today ;D)
Entries : 60
DNS : 19 (no advance notification from 10 :hand:)
DNF : 5 (lower than expected given very wet conditions)
Of the 36 finishers -
1st home : 18h 55m (grupetto of 3)
Median finisher : 21h 45m
Lanterne rouge : 26h 45m
Let me know if there are any issues with the route as I do plan to put this event on again.
It will likely be early June 2020 with a different start time (around 10am) and again featuring a proper control at night (probably Comrie at the 300km mark).
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Thanks for organising @bairn again.
It was rather wet, but the spacing of the controls gave just enough time to get dry, before venturing outside for another soaking ;)
Highpoints were definitely food related, soup and fruit cake at Dunblane (thanks to the helpers here, much appreciated) and Hansen's Kitchen at Comrie both first class.
One thing i never thought i'd say was pleasant, was the cycle through Grangemouth. With all the flares, combining with the low-lying mist and steam, it really was an impressive sight.
One note about route issues, the A985 heading towards Rosyth was horrible. I'm not sure if it was the time of day, the weather, or just lack of sleep, but I couldn't wait to get off it. Not being familiar with the area, i'm not sure what alternatives there are, and you've probably already looked at them.
Thanks again
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One note about route issues, the A985 heading towards Rosyth was horrible. I'm not sure if it was the time of day, the weather, or just lack of sleep, but I couldn't wait to get off it. Not being familiar with the area, i'm not sure what alternatives there are, and you've probably already looked at them.
Thanks again
Hi Russell. Interesting. Of the entire 400km the 7km from the RAB at Cairneyhill to the Rosyth Dockyard turn off is my least favourite bit. I will tolerate it if Im doing a DIY 200 which would be mid / late afternoon Saturdays but I always breath a sigh of relief when I get to the Rosyth turn. I stuck with it in the hope that it might be quiet later on a Saturday but it looks like its got traffic heading for the M90 in a hurry day and night. Another finisher mentioned it as well and in advance it was the bit Id most reservations over.
There's a loop round by Limekilns but that only partially helpful as it still features riding on the A985 rather than eliminating it entirely and I dont think that there is a fully tarmac alternative option.
Its probably worth looking at an option that sees folk crossing to the south side on the Clackmannan Bridge with a jink round the wee "Round the Forth" roads by Powfoulis to get back to Grangemouth. A reversal of the routes out and back or changing to a straight "south side out and back" is probably not that good an idea as the A905 can also be a bit of a racetrack by day.
Any other suggestions welcome.
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There's the fully tarmac cycle track (764) from Clackmannan, used on Dave C's 200k. It could be used to come off just above Crossford and missing most of the A985 which it runs parallel to.
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Route thoughts:
Generally good with the way it was structured, busier roads when it's quiet and the more scenic roads during the day.
For a morning start I'm not sure about riding through west lothian, it was better than I expected at night.
The sights through Grangemouth was something else! Wanted to stop and get the camera out but reckoned security might have an issue.
South Fife
Craineyhill to Rosyth was indeed crap, but it's South Fife, 3rd most populous part of Scotland, what can we expect?!
The old railway line from Clackmannan to Dunfermline worked reasonably well on Borders of Fife, but might come up short on distance overall, and isn't as scenic.
Or stick with the hillfoots a bit longer and ride up to Alva, cycle path alongto dollar and then the A91 is pretty quiet to Muckhart, south via Cleish from there?
The Tour De forth route is a bit clumsy but mostly avoids the bits without cycle path.
https://ridewithgps.com/trips/15052661
West Lothian/Falkirk
TdF already mentioned and linked to, all I remember of that was it was indecently hilly for the end of an easy coastal loop, but I was riding a bike that was falling apart.
What about the PfS route via Kirkliston to Linlithgow, rode it twice a long time ago now and remember it being fairly quiet despite the roads being open.
When Iv'e been round Falkirk way I've never found the roads around Falkirk too bad during the day when getting to the Kelpies from Denny...
Perth area
The A94 section might also be a bit duff during the day.
The A9 road works are ramping up which may cause chaos, Dundee/Perth to Pitlochry could be faster in the car via Kirkmichael or Meigle... and certainly more enjoyable than crawling from Luncarty to Birnham at 30mph. Think we've got 2 to 3 years of that, works start properly this summer.
Once the new bridge goes in (a few years away yet) at Perth the A90 will no longer be the fastest route to Aberdeen from Western Perth so traffic may increase significantly on the A94 too
(One of the advantages of the A94 is it's a good wide road that used to be the main Perth to Forfar road, now relegated thanks to the relative difficulty getting onto it since the M90/A90 was upgraded and extended all the way to Aberdeen)
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Big thanks to Bairn Again for organising. The spread of food and beer at the Arrivee was really top class as well as the soup and cake at the Dunblane Control
While the rain was against us all day the wind seemed to be mostly kind and did turn to give us a push both ways.
I managed to suck some wheels through West Lothian and find myself in the unfamiliar place of the front group. My thanks to Ron, Jon and Colin for towing me along and my apologies for not being able to take more turns on the front.
Beyond what has been said above the night section of the ride was uneventful beyond a pair of fire engines racing NE out of Scone before turning around just ahead of us and racing back. No obvious fire, but a smell of something burning in the air.
Got my train back north and fell asleep instantly occasionally awaking with my neighbor (victim) having to deal with my damp smelly head falling onto her shoulder.
Dreading having to face the bike for a clean tonight
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There's the fully tarmac cycle track (764) from Clackmannan, used on Dave C's 200k. It could be used to come off just above Crossford and missing most of the A985 which it runs parallel to.
:thumbsup:
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You can avoid cycling on the A895 between Cairney hill and Rosyth by using the tarmac path that runs alongside the south lane. It detours through Crombie. It eventually connects with another path that goes up the Waggon Road towards Crossford so you'd be back on the road again from there but it's better than mixing with the traffic at the worst times of the day.