Post by: Phil W on 17 August, 2018, 01:15:14 pm
The Four Minute Mile 200
A new event. An outing to the Iffley stadium, Oxford where the four minute mile was broken by Roger Bannister in 1954. Double crossing of Chilterns, rolling and scenic ridgeline through Vale of Aylesbury.
(https://hertsaudax.uk/content/images/2018/05/2018051310430010_edited-1.jpg)
http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/18-265/
https://hertsaudax.uk/the-four-minute-mile-200/
Hertfordshire Greenways 100
A new event. An outing to explore The Cole Green Way, Alban Way, Nickey Line, and Ayot Greenway. All disused railways that have been turned into greenways.
(https://hertsaudax.uk/content/images/2018/05/Greenway-19.jpg)
Approx 45km of the route is on the greenways / gravel sections. Mix of paved and gravel sections suitable for a road bike. A couple of easy gravel sections in addition to the greenways. Cafe at half way point. An x rated event that uses commercial controls. Nice relaxed time limit to allow you to enjoy the greenways and / or have a picnic along the way,
http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/18-268/
https://hertsaudax.uk/hertfordshire-greenways-100/
Post by: Carlosfandango on 17 August, 2018, 01:38:27 pm
Post by: whosatthewheel on 17 August, 2018, 01:39:00 pm
You might want to amend the site... it is Missenden
Post by: psyclist on 17 August, 2018, 01:45:25 pm
Looks very tempting, thanks Phil.
Indeed. Are you thinking of ECEing the Greenways?
Post by: Phil W on 17 August, 2018, 01:45:57 pm
You might want to amend the site... it is Missenden
Whoops, corrected, and best check spelling on route sheet as well.
Post by: jiberjaber on 17 August, 2018, 02:04:13 pm
Looks very tempting, thanks Phil.
Indeed. Are you thinking of ECEing the Greenways?
Do we know where the start is located, looking like a 70km one way for me. Subject to how I feel after the dutch trip.
Post by: psyclist on 17 August, 2018, 02:18:57 pm
Looks very tempting, thanks Phil.
Indeed. Are you thinking of ECEing the Greenways?
Do we know where the start is located, looking like a 70km one way for me. Subject to how I feel after the dutch trip.
Fairlands Valley, Stevenage
Post by: Carlosfandango on 17 August, 2018, 02:24:49 pm
Looks very tempting, thanks Phil.
Indeed. Are you thinking of ECEing the Greenways?
Do we know where the start is located, looking like a 70km one way for me. Subject to how I feel after the dutch trip.
SG2 0BL, Fairlands Valley Park.
ECEing The Greenway would be good. Bit too flat for you though Psyclist. I suppose the journey to the Tour Divide must start somewhere though, in your case Stevenage!
I don't think I'll have the weekend free for this, unfortunately.
Post by: Phil W on 17 August, 2018, 02:28:41 pm
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Post by: jiberjaber on 17 August, 2018, 03:31:24 pm
Also the day after some birthday celebrations... so a lot stacking against it unfortunately though I will be riding some of the Greenways in a weeks time on my way SW so looking forward to them.
Should be a grand event :thumbsup:
Post by: tippers_kiwi on 17 August, 2018, 03:44:27 pm
I ECE'ed one of the other Stevenage rides when I was still in Tiptree and it made for a really nice 300.
Post by: Phil W on 17 August, 2018, 05:46:45 pm
The lowest I can get this down to is 64k with some A road bashing to Sawbridgeworth - 8AM start however means brevet o'clock is quite early :o Route back would be longer to avoid the A roads, so probably a 135k round trip
Also the day after some birthday celebrations... so a lot stacking against it unfortunately though I will be riding some of the Greenways in a weeks time on my way SW so looking forward to them.
Should be a grand event :thumbsup:
If you turn up I will align my tyre logos especially for you. How about that for an incentive!
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Post by: jiberjaber on 17 August, 2018, 06:34:40 pm
The lowest I can get this down to is 64k with some A road bashing to Sawbridgeworth - 8AM start however means brevet o'clock is quite early :o Route back would be longer to avoid the A roads, so probably a 135k round trip
Also the day after some birthday celebrations... so a lot stacking against it unfortunately though I will be riding some of the Greenways in a weeks time on my way SW so looking forward to them.
Should be a grand event :thumbsup:
If you turn up I will align my tyre logos especially for you. How about that for an incentive!
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
That's tempting, but I suspect brevet o'clock and a hangover might not mix :D
Post by: drossall on 18 August, 2018, 09:12:04 am
Post by: EllysH on 18 August, 2018, 09:53:07 am
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Post by: Phil W on 18 August, 2018, 07:51:49 pm
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/rkhqkq7nt01iurt/20180818_120701.jpg?raw=1)
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/rul34umgjs8u5cp/20180818_172007.jpg?raw=1)
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/b3yn8tpvfesytgy/20180818_172228.jpg?raw=1)
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/bzrgb2rx75jrt2q/20180818_172241.jpg?raw=1)
Post by: Phil W on 18 August, 2018, 08:01:50 pm
Oh come on Phil, you're making my decision between this and the Humber 200 REALLY hard!
Sent from my PLK-L01 using Tapatalk
I can't compete with the Humber bridge but my 200 route is scenic throughout and has no info controls. ;D
Post by: EllysH on 19 August, 2018, 08:01:38 am
Oh come on Phil, you're making my decision between this and the Humber 200 REALLY hard!
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I can't compete with the Humber bridge but my 200 route is scenic throughout and has no info controls. ;D
Well that's good, I'd only forget a pencil anyway!
Post by: Thing2 on 19 August, 2018, 08:43:20 am
Post by: tippers_kiwi on 19 August, 2018, 09:17:52 am
Quiet lanes and traffic free Greenways are the order of the day. A lot of time spent riding through obviously very urban areas but because you are on the greenways there is no traffic and for the most part it is uninterrupted progress. Looking at the map this morning I am surprised at just how far into some of these towns we were, it never really felt like that.
There is a bit of rolling terrain around St Albans but as I was feeling in pretty poor shape yesterday I can't really say it was overly arduous and it really is quite concentrated.
The pub at the finish is lovely (and was VERY much needed for me yesterday)
Post by: Phil W on 28 August, 2018, 03:04:50 pm
I need to pop out and take some photos of the final stages of the Hertfordshire Greenways 100 and get them on the website. I have rerouted it at no extra distance to come by the Stevenage pub the Four Minute Mile 200 finishes at. Thus later 100 finishers can mix with the faster 200 finishers. If anything the finishing lanes of the 100 are even quieter than my original choice. Not that either are busy.
The steepest grade on the Four Minute Mile is 20% plus a few 13-15% hills later on. The 20% hill is not for very long as I rerouted to avoid the full straight up climb that the original route had. Optionally you can still climb the full length of the 20% hill should you choose.
(https://hertsaudax.uk/content/images/2018/05/2018051314520033_edited-1.jpg)
This is around some of the steeper lanes encountered in the Chilterns (on the Four Minute Mile 200).
If anyone would like to join me on the helpers ride / route check of the Four Minute Mile 200 on Sat Sept 15th and can sit in a pub late afternoon on Sat Sept 22nd waiting for riders; let me know.
Post by: Phil W on 08 September, 2018, 10:15:05 am
Post by: Phil W on 10 September, 2018, 12:45:35 pm
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/czqx9dymj0hxobu/Card1.jpg?raw=1)
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/md22je5akts5z0x/Card2.jpg?raw=1)
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/z5x3o9yn52bu4d7/Card3.jpg?raw=1)
Post by: Phil W on 16 September, 2018, 02:42:01 pm
I am now down to single figures for spare brevet cards (including the extra already ordered) for both events. I will keep entries open but be aware if you leave it till the last minute you may end up with a photocopy of a brevet card.
Looking forward to welcoming you all to these first editions.
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/pobx01lk3nf770a/20180915_125957.jpg?raw=1)
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/qr7jegbdxugfpol/20180915_092739.jpg?raw=1)
Post by: drossall on 16 September, 2018, 06:39:54 pm
Post by: phydaux on 16 September, 2018, 09:06:28 pm
Post by: Thing2 on 16 September, 2018, 09:19:28 pm
Post by: Phil W on 17 September, 2018, 12:25:54 am
Post by: drossall on 17 September, 2018, 08:03:45 am
Post by: Phil W on 17 September, 2018, 09:16:16 am
Post by: Phil W on 20 September, 2018, 10:48:04 am
Costello’s café at the Start in Fairland’s Valley Park will now be opening early for us at 6:45am / 7:00am on Sat 22nd Sept. This means that there will be breakfast and toilet facilities at the start.
They will definitely be opening at 7.00am and I am trying to see if they will they will open a little earlier at 6:45am to give the 200 riders a bit more time to have breakfasts.
Head down left from the main car down the access road (and speed bumps) and the café is on the left past a small car park (do not park there). I will be in the café to hand out your cards, and we will now start you off from the small car park down by the café. There is plenty of space by the café to bring your bikes down whilst you have breakfast / sign on.
Post by: Phil W on 20 September, 2018, 12:56:34 pm
Post by: drossall on 20 September, 2018, 09:55:15 pm
No doubt all will be revealed :thumbsup:
Post by: Phil W on 21 September, 2018, 10:43:19 am
Post by: Martin on 21 September, 2018, 11:41:29 am
Could someone fill me in on which off road tracks it uses? I know about the St Albans - Hatfield section;
looks like it also goes along the Chinnor preserved railway!
Post by: Phil W on 21 September, 2018, 11:45:25 am
I very hurriedly converted the gpx to a Garmin route this morning and it's determined not to take me along many parts presumably as they are not roads,
Could someone fill me in on which off road tracks it uses? I know about the St Albans - Hatfield section;
looks like it also goes along the Chinnor preserved railway!
In Order
1. Stevenage Cycleways
2. Some cycle tracks coming into Oxford after Horspath
3. Phoenix Greenway (Thame)
4. Alban Way (St Albans)
Post by: Martin on 21 September, 2018, 11:48:37 am
I very hurriedly converted the gpx to a Garmin route this morning and it's determined not to take me along many parts presumably as they are not roads,
Could someone fill me in on which off road tracks it uses? I know about the St Albans - Hatfield section;
looks like it also goes along the Chinnor preserved railway!
In Order
1. Stevenage Cycleways
2. Some cycle tracks coming into Oxford after Horspath
3. Phoenix Greenway (Thame)
4. Alban Way (St Albans)
Thanks :thumbsup:
Post by: Phil W on 22 September, 2018, 11:23:47 am
A high DNS rate for the 200 but near full turnout for the 100. I guess the winds yesterday and forecast tomorrow put many off. Light drizzle now falling but becalmed wind wise.
Post by: freeflow on 22 September, 2018, 12:26:01 pm
Post by: freeflow on 22 September, 2018, 04:43:21 pm
Post by: phydaux on 22 September, 2018, 07:41:21 pm
Post by: MK_Fordy on 22 September, 2018, 09:27:24 pm
Great route and superb organisation by Phil and his support crew. Thanks you for an awesome day out. I’ll definitely be back for this one again.
Post by: grams on 22 September, 2018, 09:47:22 pm
I also did a detour early on to do the Westmill Parkrun, which cost a good 45 minutes, which meant I barely saw anyone the rest of the ride.
Anyway, excellent route. Thanks Phil!
Post by: drossall on 23 September, 2018, 12:22:23 am
Just after we turned onto the line at Hertford, something snagged in my front mudguard, which folded up under the crown and brought me to a juddering halt. I rode the rest of the way with only half a mudguard, and finished looking like I'd been on a mountain bike.
Another bit I hadn't done before was the climb on the Nicky Line out of Hemel. No wonder they needed two engines on that!
Post by: oldcycler on 23 September, 2018, 11:31:57 am
Post by: Phil W on 23 September, 2018, 05:40:52 pm
I have now provionally put them in the Audax UK calendar for Sat 15th June 2019. I have also submitted the 200 for perm status.
Post by: Martin on 23 September, 2018, 06:01:58 pm
Very challenging hills over the Chilterns but the flat off road section from St Albans to Welwyn was a real joy definitely helped by the friendly confident green line on the gps. Full value ride for me partly due to helping two young chaps back on their first 200
Thanks Phil and helpers, yes this would make a good year round perm with the right weather
Post by: Manotea on 23 September, 2018, 09:14:49 pm
Bit damp later on but shoe covers and my endura adrenaline did their job and short fingand mitts prevailed. Great to be out and about again.