Yet Another Cycling Forum
General Category => Audax => Topic started by: diced_tread on 20 May, 2014, 10:21:54 pm
-
It’s been rested for a few years, but I thought I’d highlight that the Rural South 300 will be running again this July. A fine ride around the Downs of Hampshire, Sussex and Surrey.
Entries are now open :)
More info at: https://sites.google.com/site/thamesvalleyaudax/events-in-the-thames-valley-area/rural-south
-
Ooooh yes, July 26th. I've not done this ride but have heard tell that it is well worth doing. I need a 300 under my belt so it's in the diary :)
It's good to have the choice, but at the same time it's a bit of a shame it clashes with the Up The Downs and Down The Ups 200 and 100s - both good days out in themselves. I've ridden both of those in recent years though so am looking forward to trying out the Rural South instead.
-
On my calendar - I'm a sucker for rides I've not done before !!
-
On my calendar - I'm a sucker for rides I've not done before !!
This one's a great ride, so good to see it back. I just need to remember to go at your pace across the South Downs section :thumbsup:
-
On my calendar - I'm a sucker for rides I've not done before !!
This one's a great ride, so good to see it back. I just need to remember to go at your pace across the South Downs section :thumbsup:
Yes, you deserve a good rest!!
;)
-
was thinking about entering this year's edition, on 27th June, seeing as how it was my first ever 300 and I've wanted to do it again ever since.
can anyone reccommend a camp site near the HQ. Turning up and caming in the HQ carpark is probably not a good idea as someone will want to park on top of my tent, or similar.
-
The Rural South is a great ride - it was my second Audax in 1998. It started off dry, then rain gradually enveloped the whole of the ride. Flints abound, I had many punctures, and ran out of tubes! I remember patching tubes under a rain cape on the side of the lanes (the patch didn't stick really well!).
I remember getting onto a groupeto, with Ian H and Jack Eason and eventually ruled into the finish at the hall. Trouble was, I had just missed the last train back to London. And the hall had to close. Someone suggested, 'just keep riding east, you'll arrive in London by daylight' - and that's what I had to do! I remember a kebab stand on the outskirts of Heathrow; then a puncture on Shaftesbury Ave in the West End (not fun) - - but I did eventually get home in Hackney (where i was living at the time) just before sunrise!
Still, I'll probably do this again, as later years were a truly great ride with generally very good weather!
Very much recommended! :thumbsup:
-
I am signed on for this one, it has such a good reputation with the
old gits more experienced riders.
I don't think I can train it for the start time, so I will ride I guess. Might even ride back and see if I can find that kebab van.
-
I have read a few excellent reviews of this ride and so entered last night. I dunno about camping, but I've booked a room in the Reading M4 eastbound Travelodge for the Friday night for £28. Hopefully I won't miss the final train back to London on the Saturday evening!
-
For something that goes so close to London it is a great route. I really liked it, nothing spectacular, just a flowing, rolling ride.
-
I rode this last year on a very hot day. It was one of my rides of the year as pointed out above some great countryside and lovely rolling hills. At the most southerly point there are great views over Portsmouth. All the villages seemed to have cricket matches on! Controls are all good (the one in some kind of childrens' adventure centre was a bit ropey). It was hillier than I expected but that was largely my naivety in conflating no AAA points with flatness. I will try and do it again but it's a very early start from Bristol and a long drive home at the end.
-
I've just entered + will be ECE'ing to 400k as my first attempt at the distance. Primarily a 95km out-leg to Wantage, topped up with the (probably very slow) ride straight home. Fingers crossed :o
can anyone reccommend a camp site near the HQ. Turning up and caming in the HQ carpark is probably not a good idea as someone will want to park on top of my tent, or similar.
Not much camping in this area generally, except by co-incidence at Wellington Country Park only a couple of miles down the road, see http://www.wellington-country-park.co.uk/camping-and-caravanning/ (http://www.wellington-country-park.co.uk/camping-and-caravanning/) I haven't been to the park in years & have never camped there so can't comment on the site either way I'm afraid. However I'd assume it's very family orientated, thus busy until ~9PM when the little darlings are shoved off to bed so Mum & Dad can hit the plonk ;)
-
and fate has intervened again so I won't be joining you. Away workwise during the week so can't be away also at the weekend. >:(
Enjoy.
(Wellington campsite apparently priced to include free entry to the park as well)
-
Entered. This will be my first 300.
-
I've split the gpx track that is on www.tinyurl.com/rural-south in half (well, at Cosham which is 100 km into the route) and reduced the number of trackpoints. If anyone wants to grab the files they can be obtained from bikehike:
Part 1 (http://bikehike.co.uk/mapview.php?lnk=https://sites.google.com/site/youngadamski/gpx/day-rides/Rural%20South%201.gpx)
Part 2 (http://bikehike.co.uk/mapview.php?lnk=https://sites.google.com/site/youngadamski/gpx/day-rides/Rural%20South%202.gpx)
-
In. A great ride if you like village cricket!
Probably riding with club newbie Chris (who posted on f***b*** about this). If he doesnt tear off he will have a lovely day (and look a lot fresher than me at the finish ::-)
-
Looking forward to this now after a couple of very stressful weeks.
Been to see my man at the Bike Whisperer today to be prodded and poked and (hopefully) sorted from the position that broke me on my 600.
Staying overnight in reading on Friday and then aiming for last trains home to london. If I don't succeed, then I have another 50-60km to get to bed (or rock up at a travelodge and see if they will give me a bed for the night)
-
I'm quite excited at the prospect of my first 300 and the forecast looks pretty decent as well :)
I've created routes for the five sections on Ride with GPS if anyone is interested...
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/8549364
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/8549373
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/8549382
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/8549690
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/8549692
You can download GPX/TCX as required.
-
Excellent job Mr. Jochta, INFO controls as well - I've nabbed a copy, ta very much.
-
Excellent job Mr. Jochta, INFO controls as well - I've nabbed a copy, ta very much.
No probs. Don't blame me if you get lost though ;)
I've set the info controls a little bit before them as an aide memoir. I'll be using the route sheet as well BTW.
-
Apologies if everyone knew this but the routesheet was updated on 21/6 per:
https://sites.google.com/site/thamesvalleyaudax/events-in-the-thames-valley-area/rural-south (https://sites.google.com/site/thamesvalleyaudax/events-in-the-thames-valley-area/rural-south)
I rode the route last Friday. Based on this I've now uploaded an updated routesheet, with a few edits and corrections, so please ensure that you use this one on the day.
Cross-checking seems to show the only changes are at - 11.6km / 21.2km / 37.2km / 109.8km / 135.6km. Of course please check yourself, but in my view they are all minor except 37.2km as it refers to the Info Control.
Finally the route from 287km (-100m) to 289.5km can be replaced by NCN 23 as per the early part of the Anorak's Delight Perm (reversed). It's possibly a bit fiddly but does miss out the big A33 roundabout at 288.3km which is pretty busy & fast.
Looking forward to it all :-)
-
Apologies if everyone knew this but the routesheet was updated on 21/6 per:
https://sites.google.com/site/thamesvalleyaudax/events-in-the-thames-valley-area/rural-south (https://sites.google.com/site/thamesvalleyaudax/events-in-the-thames-valley-area/rural-south)
I rode the route last Friday. Based on this I've now uploaded an updated routesheet, with a few edits and corrections, so please ensure that you use this one on the day.
Cross-checking seems to show the only changes are at - 11.6km / 21.2km / 37.2km / 109.8km / 135.6km. Of course please check yourself, but in my view they are all minor except 37.2km as it refers to the Info Control.
Finally the route from 287km (-100m) to 289.5km can be replaced by NCN 23 as per the early part of the Anorak's Delight Perm (reversed). It's possibly a bit fiddly but does miss out the big A33 roundabout at 288.3km which is pretty busy & fast.
Looking forward to it all :-)
Well spotted. None of the changes make any differences to the Ride with GPS routes I created as far as I can see.
-
Fingers crossed Weather Bagel have got things right: http://www.weatherbagel.com/f/3aa737cc-0eeb-4966-9b34-8a80a0502e5e
-
I am just about to do my packing, and I normally do a last minute weather check to give me some sort of idea what to take.
Just checked the various controls' weather forecasts on the Met Office site, and all is looking good.
Highs of 22 degrees around Elstead mid afternoon, no less, and predominantly less than 5% chance of rain anywhere on course
I apologise in advance to everyone for my 'red kneed spider' look, following yesterdays ride in the sun in shorts !!
-
The weather is looking very good tomorrow! 22 degrees, westerly 10mph wind.
I'll be rocking up 30min late, as the first fast train from London gets into Reading at 05:52, so should be down to Beech Hill by 06:30. Guess it will be a game of catching up the field!
-
I’ll be bringing gears, because my fixed wheel bike is still set up for riding TTs.
Few things to fettle on the bike before I head to Reading later.
-
That was fantastic & it lived up to the name of "Rural" South as it is pretty much 300 km of lanes (with gravel thrown down the middle of the road & at the bottom of every descent!). I'm amazed such a route can exist considering how close to some large town it passes. I was slower than I'd planned, but all the climbing & careful descending is a good excuse.
I'm now on the train home, then dinner, sleep & 80 mile ride to Cambridge tomorrow. Hopefully the weather will remain the same!
Thanks to all the helpers. :-)
-
An echo of above.
A fabulous route on primarily very quiet roads (some of which do not appear to have had any vehicle traverse them for many years!).
Some superb scenery.
Quite challenging terrain with constant up and down all day.
Saw the Red Arrows.
Thanks for everyone's company and especially the org and all the helpers.
Brilliant day out!
-
Ditto
Enjoyed a great day riding mainly with Marcus, Adamski, & David B, not necessarily all the time, but often enough...
It amazes me how quiet it all was, despite being close to the towns and villages.
Had a silly moment. I forgot to reconnect the long strap that tightens around the Koala bag on the seat post. Some time later I was descending a really fast hill with really smooth tarmac, touching 60 kph, and feeling totally secure, when the rear wheel locked up completely. Oh shit, I'm doing an extended Swedish Rally sideways slide at over 50 kph, and the bikes not even slowing and its twitchy all over the place and its still happening and oh god I'm beginning to get scared and I don know whether to jump or fight the slide till it stops...funny how you get scared when there is time to visualise the pain... Any way I finally stopped and saw what had happened... The strap had wound round and found the rear axle, and in so doing it stopped the wheel... The tyre had worn right through the tread and two layers of puncture resistant material, and the damage was roughly the size of my little finger, and it looked horrible, but the air was still safe inside it, so I tried riding it expecting it to blow at any time, but it lasted another maybe 180 Kms.. Go figure...
-
I should have listened to the voice that said "DNS". I've been tired all week since the WCA 12h. My legs felt like lead from the start and every small hill was hard work. Turned around and rode back to the start after less than half an hour.
Back home we went for a walk up the hill this evening. Less than 2h. Was knackered by that. If I'd pushed on it would not have gone well.
I enjoyed this event in 2010 so it's a shame to miss out.
PS slight problem getting to the hotel at the services last night with the M4 closed!
-
I forgot to say that Marcus had a 'thing' with my bald patch..
Something akin to being almost hypnotised / mesmerised..
I'm sure he could explain better than me...
-
Agreed a very enjoyable day out with great organisation. Thanks to Jochta + Rob (on YACF?) for company and mutal support throughout the day. Now completed my first 400 (Event + 100k ECE) which I'm chuffed with. No doubt slow at ~21:45, but made it home in good shape & a controlled manner so am happy with that.
-
+1 all of the above and...
Oh, what a great day out a'wheel!
Amazing day out (despite staring 30min later), meant riding the majority solo. The gravel, the hills, the weird 'almost, but not quite' figure of eight with the SW wind.
A great and challenging ride - long may it continue!
-
I forgot to say that Marcus had a 'thing' with my bald patch..
Something akin to being almost hypnotised / mesmerised..
I'm sure he could explain better than me...
Mikey's bald patch. Not on his head, but his tyre - following his luggage strap skid, there was a very large bald patch on his tyre.
Following him up a hill, the flash of white on every rotation was hypnotic!
Lucky chap - that strap could have taken out a large number of spokes and as it was, completely destroyed his rear tyre.
-
I forgot to say that Marcus had a 'thing' with my bald patch..
<snippage> ...
Lucky chap - that strap could have taken out a large number of spokes and as it was, completely destroyed his rear tyre.
He could also have locked up on a much dodgier descent, and then seriously come a cropper!
[Just say to No to these new-fangled luggages, peeps :hand:
;) ]
Glad everyone was OK. Gravel rash boy (Peter?) was fine*, despite spraying seeerious amounts of claret around. Mainly from his thumb (which he kept showing me at every control :sick: )
Not ideal on a first 300k, so well done to him (also on a demo bike, which sounded like it MUST explode at any minute. carbon is weeeird stuff).
*thanks everyone for stopping, by the way! Not. ;)
Matt [at work on double-time, watching torrential rain :smug: ]
-
Public Information Announcement: A cyclist (not necessarily on this ride) left a pair of black Oakleys at the Spar in Elstead. If it was you, they might still be there.
I rode nearly all the way with occasional poster Phil (Kerry Ban otp), who incidentally owns 2 John Spooners, and learnt much about timber technology (incl. E Meon church tower), Glenn Hoddle and a fascinating tale of finding lost relatives. In return I imparted some AUK folklore - e.g. we passed the farm where iddu rang for a taxi having run out of inner tubes on his first audax (he was on an MTB so no-could lend him one)1.
A harder ride than expected (even though I've ridden it before - I'll never learn). I also paid back a tiny part of the kindness from strangers and friends which has enabled my PBP qualification - 2 cyclists from Huddersfield flagged us down on a fast descent somewhere before Portsdown and I lent an allen key so one of them could tighten his slipping seatpost.
Big thanks to Ian and Phil (and all the other helpers) - they were at the hall when I arrived at the hall shortly after 5 a.m. and were still there packing up when I left to ride home over 19 hours later.
1. I should add that he took the taxi past event HQ to Waterlooville Halfords and returned to the farm with the new tube so he could finish the ride.
-
Mrs Brymbo put a spanner in the works of my PBP preparation, meaning that I'd have to ride a planned 300 this weekend. Was about to dust off my Pangbourne-St.Ives route when I came across this event. Entered on the line and never looked back (actually I did when the rider 30m behind came off on gravel - I did stop but it appeared that nurse mattc had everything under control).
As others have said, the route is superb, but you pay for the views and lack of traffic with quite challenging rolling terrain. This was much better than an out-and-back from home to St. Ives. A calendar event is so much more fun than solo; you have periods of riding with others and some solo, and it's good to meet up at controls.
The organisation was excellent with a good variety of food at the start and finish, and an unexpected offering of food/drink at Portsdown (this didn't stop marcusjb from sampling a Mick's burger). Thanks very much to Ian and helpers (I saw Phil and Mary Dyson, but there must have been others I'm not aware of).
-
+1 to all the above, a superb event and it was my first 300 back in 2008.
Loved the traffic free route and views. It was harder than expected as it rolls all the time and lots of gravel to be aware off.
Did slow down for the fallen rider, as he was just in front, but he was in the capable hands of Matt. Rode solo up to Wisborough Green but then teamed up with 3 others for the final two legs.
Big thanks to Ian and nice to see Phil and Mary Dyson looking after us at the finish.
-
Echo the above, great ride, awesome weather, my
sunburn cycling tan has now been established for 2015 :) Could have done without the puncture after the 1st hour, but my instant patch held out for the rest of the ride. Mick's 'small' bacon, sausage & egg was perfect fodder, and I enjoyed my lunch in front of the cricket at Wisborough.
Still hate the road from Arlesford to Basingstoke though. Well, until the descent into Cliddesden. :D
Many thanks to the organisers.
-
Great route, pretty tough at times. Parts of it seemed a bit cruel with the constant ups and downs and felt like it was avoiding flatter roads deliberately!
Huge thanks to Simon_A with whom I rode nearly the whole event (congrats on his first 400k by ECEing). Also Rob for the final 1/3rd, mattc and Chris early on too. Great to have company and to share the road. The tea-shop at West Dean was a godsend as I was going to really struggle to get to the control at 180km without a proper break and something to eat. The last 20km to the Selborne "£4.65 for an orange juice and lemonade" Arms I was flagging and relying a bit too much on Simon and Rob to tow me there, hopefully I repaid my debt afterwards!
Felt better after this my first 300k then I did after my first 200k so that must be progress?!
-
Public Information Announcement: A cyclist (not necessarily on this ride) left a pair of black Oakleys at the Spar in Elstead. If it was you, they might still be there.
I rode nearly all the way with occasional poster Phil (Kerry Ban otp), who incidentally owns 2 John Spooners, and learnt much about timber technologies (incl. E Meon church tower), Glenn Hoddle and a fascinating tale of finding lost relatives. In return I imparted some AUK folklore - e.g. we passed the farm where iddu rang for a taxi having run out of inner tubes on his first audax (he was on an MTB so no-could lend him one)1.
A harder ride than expected (even though I've ridden it before - I'll never learn). I also paid back a tiny part of the kindness from strangers and friends which has enabled my PBP qualification - 2 cyclists from Huddersfield flagged us down on a fast descent somewhere before Portsdown and I lent an allen key so one of them could tighten his slipping seatpost.
Big thanks to Ian and Phil (and all the other helpers) - they were at the hall when I arrived at the hall shortly after 5 a.m. and were still there packing up when I left to ride home over 19 hours later.
1. I should add that he took the taxi past event HQ to Waterlooville Halfords and returned to the farm with the new tube so he could finish the ride.
Folklore? Damn me, it'll all be myths & legends, and epic sagas (with full Ring chorus) next - 'tis only a bike ride ;)
-
'tis only a bike ride ;)
and a taxi ride.
-
2016 Edition !!!
I'm in, anyone else? Will be my June RRTY so I'd better not DNF as it's very late :o
-
Giving it some serious thought as I need a 300 to complete an SR series. Just thinking how to get there on time from SW London
-
I've entered. Hoping not to <rant removed> so I should be there 10 years after my previous attempt.
Meanwhile my plan to overnight x2 chez colleague has died as it turns out she is away that w/e ...
-
Entered as well, now need to figure out how to get there from London. ::-)
-
I should be able to give A N Other a lift from Ealing or nearby in SW London. pm me if interested.
-
Sadly I'm a DNS. Nursing some seriously bruised ribs after an off at the weekend. Hopefully will be in shape for the Buzzard in a couple of weeks :-\
Have a great ride folks.
-
I'm doing the 100k as my "comeback" event. Rode 40 flat miles last week, so I'm fairly optimistic.
Will try to get there for the 200k start to give Phil a hand.
(Was there a seperate thread for the Alan Furley 100/200 ? )
-
I have had a cold and been off work this week. I will ride the 200km if I get to the start and feel OK. But I may join Matt on the 100 if I have not recovered enough. I will be riding my new Bianchi carbon mean machine so please put up gloating about my new wheels.
BB
-
That was great. Ian does a great job organising this along with the chap who runs the 100 & 200 (sorry, I can't remember the name). I did it 2 years ago and it is a wonderful route that barely touches any kind of urban landscape, it's mostly 300 km of rolling English landscape with picturesque villages and has a very high count of village cricket matches. First section pretty flat but one road caused puncture mayhem, lots of skog and potholes. I had two, frustratingly the second was caused where I'd fitted my spare tyre and not seated it on the rim properly and it went off like a gunshot. There must have been 4 or 5 along that stretch changing tubes.
Nice breakfast at New Arlesford, and a short section up to the lay-by with great views over Portsmouth. Then the ride through the South Downs which is the toughest. After the first major climb, the heavens opened and torrential rain followed for about an hour, it turned many of the roads into rivers and washed all kinds of skog across them, very tricky riding conditions. Next control is at Fishers Farm which is some kind of kids adventure park, very weird audax control. The rain started again and quite a party of riders built up there waiting for it to subside, I felt I'd been hanging around too long and set off when there was a short break but it came back with a vengeance. Met up with Alan (Parky) at the final control at Selborne and Mark and we rode a fast final 60k (also joined at some point by a young French guy who was very fast but kept getting lost, maybe called Clement), the sun was shining by this point and the rain only came back for the last 30 mins or so.
Reckon this is one of the finest 300s on the calendar, it's such a lovely route, it's tough enough, no AAAs but plenty of hills. A fine day out.
-
Great ride and many thanks to Org Ian + Phil and team back at the control. Even managed to dodge most (but not all) of the rain. Thanks David (Crest Ilford CC, on YACF?) for company on the first 1/3 or so, your pace was just to fast for me in the end!!! Hope the two riders who went down on the manky lane from Ashampstead got home OK, one of you had some pretty nasty grazes :-(
-
That was great. Ian does a great job organising this along with the chap who runs the 100 & 200 (sorry, I can't remember the name). I did it 2 years ago and it is a wonderful route that barely touches any kind of urban landscape, it's mostly 300 km of rolling English landscape with picturesque villages and has a very high count of village cricket matches. First section pretty flat but one road caused puncture mayhem, lots of skog and potholes. I had two, frustratingly the second was caused where I'd fitted my spare tyre and not seated it on the rim properly and it went off like a gunshot. There must have been 4 or 5 along that stretch changing tubes.
Nice breakfast at New Arlesford, and a short section up to the lay-by with great views over Portsmouth. Then the ride through the South Downs which is the toughest. After the first major climb, the heavens opened and torrential rain followed for about an hour, it turned many of the roads into rivers and washed all kinds of skog across them, very tricky riding conditions. Next control is at Fishers Farm which is some kind of kids adventure park, very weird audax control. The rain started again and quite a party of riders built up there waiting for it to subside, I felt I'd been hanging around too long and set off when there was a short break but it came back with a vengeance. Met up with Alan (Parky) at the final control at Selborne and Mark and we rode a fast final 60k (also joined at some point by a young French guy who was very fast but kept getting lost, maybe called Clement), the sun was shining by this point and the rain only came back for the last 30 mins or so.
Reckon this is one of the finest 300s on the calendar, it's such a lovely route, it's tough enough, no AAAs but plenty of hills. A fine day out.
Have you forgotten to mention about parking your bike under a lean too at Fishers farm only to find the gutter overflowing all over your saddlebag.
I like this event, as this is where my audaxing started back in 2009.
-
Yep, I was the young French guy that kept on getting lost... err took a couple of wrong turns :). A proper mapholder (not a ziplock taped to the handlerbars) would help, as well as actually having a look at the route beforehand I guess.
So this was my second 300 (3rd if you count the one I DNFd in France last year) and it felt harder than the 1st (Heart Of England) by some margin. It seems I still have a long way to go in terms of food and effort handling.
I rode along swiss hat (Martin) up to right before the 2nd control, where I realised the breakfast+extra toasts at New Arlesford just wouldn't cut it and I stopped and waited for what seemed like forever for a burger and some chips (at the wrong truck though, the one right before the control :()
Then the South Downs hit me right there, without even mentioning the big shower. So I was feeling all down and moody (and muddy) at the 3rd control (a bit odd this one); left it a bit relinquishing (but the rain was dying and you can handle screaming children only for that long) and then somehow the two sandwiches and the huge bun I got there hit the spot and I thoroughly enjoyed myself for the last 100s of km. Even the last bout of rain didn't feel that bad.
Many thanks to Ian, and to the fine gentlemen I had the chance to ride with, and Martin and Alan for the lifts.
Quote of the day: "When rain is hammering like that it's good, it means it won't last long!"
-
Have you forgotten to mention about parking your bike under a lean too at Fishers farm only to find the gutter overflowing all over your saddlebag.
Ah yes, not the best parking spot ... it made my saddlebag light come on and wouldn't turn off again :facepalm:
-
And thank you Phil and Ian for staying up so late ... :-[
And also to Alan for your help and moral support along the way. :thumbsup:
My first attempt at this distance (Audax or othewise), limping in at 12:30 it felt like utter madness, but as the man at the finish said, I now find myself looking at the calendar. Cheddar Gorgeous looks nice ...
-
My first attempt at this distance (Audax or othewise), limping in at 12:30 it felt like utter madness, but as the man at the finish said, I now find myself looking at the calendar. Cheddar Gorgeous looks nice ...
Well done Huisdean for sticking it out. My first 300k took a similar time about 18 months ago and it made me a lot more confident afterwards. The Cheddar Gorgeous (or the Perm at least, I assume it's the same route) is great ride, I'm sure you'll enjoy it :thumbsup:
-
The CG may be slightly easier (although all the tough bits are in the middle, which is worth knowing so you don't overcook, or get demoralised by the clock). An equally nice route, with different characteristics.
-
meh, had to retire early so now on the unfinished business list.
tyre gave up after Wisborough Green and with no spare tyre I missed the fine evening.
I removed the valve from an inner to use as a complete tyre boot but didn't feel comfortable continuing beyond the minimum needed to get me to the nearest station. Hindsight says better options were available but there you go.
I swapped digits when letting the organiser know so he had to chase me up :-[
-
meh, had to retire early so now on the unfinished business list.
tyre gave up after Wisborough Green and with no spare tyre I missed the fine evening.
I removed the valve from an inner to use as a complete tyre boot but didn't feel comfortable continuing beyond the minimum needed to get me to the nearest station. Hindsight says better options were available but there you go.
I swapped digits when letting the organiser know so he had to chase me up :-[
Sorry to hear that Arabella, the roads did take a heavy toll on tyres and tubes. I had to call on my spare tyre 40km into the ride.
-
Just signed up for this on Saturday, first 300 in nearly 2 years - I think i’m Looking forward to it ;)
-
I rolled in as a group of 3 making lantern rouge - something like 40 mins in hand.
I set off with a mate, Glenn 20 mins late, and caught up with Nick on his first 300 fairly soon. We made good progress until ~120k when Glenn’s legs fell off. He’s done LEL/PBP so the distance wasn’t an issue, but boy did he have a bad day...
On every climb Glenn struggled and dropped right down to 1st gear, and on this ride there are a lot of climbs to tackle. I rode with him trying to distract, and at the half way point we talked about if a finish was possible. I rode ahead to Nick, outlining we’d finish but much closer to 2am than planned (telling him it was fine to just ride on when he wanted to).
The views and pretty villages/houses/churches on this ride are outstanding. Unfortunately I cannot say the same for the quality of the roads! Gravel trap became a common theme as did the short sections that were basically unsurfaced.
We made a couple of extra stops for Glenn to eat and recover (another pub and a co-op). The controls are well placed and made nice food, at 180k we were too late for Farm Park, so stopped in the green at a village fate, the guys running the BBQ we’re avid cyclists who couldn’t believe the distances covered on Audax’s. they pampered to uscwhiskt we chatted. From here Nick rode on to make up some time.
The route kept rolling, Glenn kept going, i’d try my hardest to give him a wheel to follow - staying in the little ring even on the flats (there are not many flat bits!). Even so I kept dropping him :( we caught Nick again who’d made a wrong turn. I told him to push on as I was starting to doubt we’d make it in time.
215k & nick pulled away again, Glenn tried to insist I left him, but having ridden together for 20years+ our only rule is that you never abandon the other (sure, escort them to a train or similar, but never abandon). 230k we caught Nick again, after that he rode with us until the end - made for good company. After a swift half at the next control we pushed onwards & upwards , more undulating gravely roads. It was now dark and with so little traffic we easily rode 3 a-breast thinning out on the rare occasion car lights appeared, or letting Glenn shelter behind us as needed.
Around Basingstoke the hills finally stopped and we had some smooth/wide/downwards roads to make a little speed on. Slowly but surely the distance left ticked away, we stopped to check 2 separate people who had fallen into the gutter. Drunk they both got back up and seemed ok...
Finally 2k to go, 1k to go - we’re done. The ride lives up to its name - it is indeed the rural south, the price you pay for such quiet roads is the poor road surface. My legs were not taxed just due to the speed we rode, but my hands & wrists hurt! Well done Nick on his first 300, well done Glenn for a massive effort and finally, thanks to Ian and Phil for looking after us especially at the finish where tea and food was very welcome!
-
Second time for me, and have to say it's a great ride. Looking forward to the next one.
-
I rolled in as a group of 3 making lantern rouge - something like 40 mins in hand.
I was glad to see you three roll in before the clock stopped. Was a pleasure to meet and chat to you guys. (I was the chap on the red Equilibrium).
-
I rolled in as a group of 3 making lantern rouge - something like 40 mins in hand.
I was glad to see you three roll in before the clock stopped. Was a pleasure to meet and chat to you guys. (I was the chap on the red Equilibrium).
Cool, I was on the Ti Equilibrium
Nice to put a forum name to a face :) esp as we yo-yo’d quite a bit on the road
-
Just to highlight that entries are open for this year’s ride – Saturday 15th June: www.aukweb.net/events/detail/19-246 :)
-
I've now posted the updated route sheet and information - a couple of minor edits, but the route is unchanged.
Not far away now :)
-
After a few years break, the Rural South is back on this year on Saturday 2nd July: https://www.audax.uk/event-details?eventId=9665&Evno=22-246 (https://www.audax.uk/event-details?eventId=9665&Evno=22-246) :)
-
I've done this ride a couple of times and it's one of my favourite 300s, it's a really nice route through some lovely countryside. Unfortunately, I can't make it this year but hopefully next year.
-
Just to say that I checked the route last week and the updated route sheet / rider information are now on the website https://www.readingctc.co.uk/the-rural-south/ (https://www.readingctc.co.uk/the-rural-south/)
It's next weekend (Saturday 2nd) if you fancy riding it.
-
Looks a cracking route :thumbsup:
I'm doing the 200 on the same day - I'm hoping to do a couple of 300's next year and this one really appeals.
-
And that day has come - I'm booked on this years edition.
https://www.audax.uk/event-details/10299-the_rural_south (https://www.audax.uk/event-details/10299-the_rural_south)
I can't wait. Especially given the write ups.
I'll be sorry to miss the "Up the Downs" which runs on the same day - that's a brilliant 200km route: One of my favourites from last year.
Given all the comments of gravel and visitations - I'll bring the Elan with its 35mm Marathon tyres. Although I'll pay for its weight on the climbs!
-
And that day has come - I'm booked on this years edition.
https://www.audax.uk/event-details/10299-the_rural_south (https://www.audax.uk/event-details/10299-the_rural_south)
I can't wait. Especially given the write ups.
I'll be sorry to miss the "Up the Downs" which runs on the same day - that's a brilliant 200km route: One of my favourites from last year.
Given all the comments of gravel and visitations - I'll bring the Elan with its 35mm Marathon tyres. Although I'll pay for its weight on the climbs!
It’s a superb ride, which I’ve done a few times (DNF’s twice also). I’ve entered it again this year, and really want to do Up Downs too, so will probably do that as a DIY in the summer👍
-
Just to let everyone know that I've now sent out this year's route. It's also on the website https://www.readingctc.co.uk/the-rural-south/ (https://www.readingctc.co.uk/the-rural-south/)
Look forward to seeing everyone on Saturday :)
-
In!
(this is my nearest (33km away?) summer 300. it's been a while ... )
-
It’s going to be a toasty one again this year….sun cream will be basted on😎👍
-
How did you all get on? I swapped to the Up the Downs For Reasons - but even that was hard work in the heat.
-
How did you all get on? I swapped to the Up the Downs For Reasons - but even that was hard work in the heat.
I cooked myself and took a swift right turn into Milford Station and jumped on a train back home😆👍. I don’t think I was the only one to DNF it and there were only 11 starters.
-
How did you all get on? I swapped to the Up the Downs For Reasons - but even that was hard work in the heat.
I cooked myself and took a swift right turn into Milford Station and jumped on a train back home😆👍. I don’t think I was the only one to DNF it and there were only 11 starters.
That's a shame. I would have DNF'ed too - I took 12 hours for the 200km which extrapolated into 260km Shelborne means I would have missed serving time. And later on - even missed the chance to get water. It didn't get much cooler in the evening that day so not many options to cool down - other than just to stop more often.
-
Just to say that this year’s Rural South 300km is on Saturday 29th June, and is now open for entries here https://www.audax.uk/event-details/10728-the_rural_south (https://www.audax.uk/event-details/10728-the_rural_south)
Based on feedback, there’s some changes to the commercial controls so the event now uses a pub/café in East Meon and the village shop/café in Kirdford. I’ve also tweaked the route: you’ll cycle over the Devils Punchbowl on what was the old A3 (now a tarmaced sustain route), and avoid the Basingstoke surbubs near the end.
Hope to see you there :)
-
Such a good route.
Rode it with jwo once. Had a great time.
-
Just to say that this year’s Rural South 300km is on Saturday 29th June, and is now open for entries here https://www.audax.uk/event-details/10728-the_rural_south (https://www.audax.uk/event-details/10728-the_rural_south)
Based on feedback, there’s some changes to the commercial controls so the event now uses a pub/café in East Meon and the village shop/café in Kirdford. I’ve also tweaked the route: you’ll cycle over the Devils Punchbowl on what was the old A3 (now a tarmaced sustain route), and avoid the Basingstoke surbubs near the end.
Hope to see you there :)
ooh! I have a June gap, and doing The Punchbowl sounds fun. I was never keen on the Basingstoke suburbs bit either!
-
Just to say that this year’s Rural South 300km is on Saturday 29th June, and is now open for entries here https://www.audax.uk/event-details/10728-the_rural_south (https://www.audax.uk/event-details/10728-the_rural_south)
Based on feedback, there’s some changes to the commercial controls so the event now uses a pub/café in East Meon and the village shop/café in Kirdford. I’ve also tweaked the route: you’ll cycle over the Devils Punchbowl on what was the old A3 (now a tarmaced sustain route), and avoid the Basingstoke surbubs near the end.
Hope to see you there :)
ooh! I have a June gap, and doing The Punchbowl sounds fun. I was never keen on the Basingstoke suburbs bit either!
I'm rather keen on those suburbs. If they weren't there I'd be homeless. It's the closest any AUK route has ever gone to my house and the one time I did the Rural South I passed within 400m of home with about 20km to go, and suffered a massive hunger knock on the little hill up to Tesco in Chineham. I did enjoy the ride, but it usually clashes with longer plans these days.