Yet Another Cycling Forum

General Category => Audax => Topic started by: BlackSheep on 01 December, 2017, 04:21:27 pm

Title: Mr. Pickwick's January Sale - 200k - T'kesbury - Saturday January 6th, 2018.
Post by: BlackSheep on 01 December, 2017, 04:21:27 pm
Spend a day at the sales, whilst out on your bike. Route specificly chosen to be rideworthy in potential winter conditions. Hot & cold food/drink available at all controls, just in case the day's a bit on the chilly side.

The first stage heads north from Tewkesbury along Worcestershire lanes for a breakfast stop at Rowberry's Nursery.

Then quiet rural roads through 'Shakespear's County' and early(ish) lunch at M40 services (Warwick South).

The rest of the ride is spent in the Cotswolds - so no excuse for not keeping warm. An afternoon stop at The Old Mill Cafe in Chipping Norton. after a few more undulations the final part of enjoying The Cotswolds is descending Soudley hill to Winchcombe - The ancient capital of Mercia.

The final dozen kilometers are a gentle traverse across The Severn Vale back to Tha Royal Hop Pole in Tewkesbury, where Mr. Pickwick drank too much ale. For the interested, there are some pics and write-ups concerning Charles Dickens' links with the departure/arrivee.

Instant validation available for this event, so no need for brevet return SAE.

If you use GPS - .tcx files supplied. Routesheet also supplied electronicly (MS Xls) - so no need for route-return SAE.

Or go completely electronic and use Paypal. I don't know how so much cycling entertainment can be crammed-into one ride for only a pound*

If you're riding Kings, Castles, Priests and Churches on December 2nd, you can effectively get this ride for free **


*postal entries only.

** Offset against parking discount on this ride.


Please note the ride departure is from the Gloucester Road car park at 07.00, basic start, toilets available.
Title: Re: Mr. Pickwick's January Sale - 200k - T'kesbury - Saturday January 6th, 2018.
Post by: BlackSheep on 19 December, 2017, 09:32:22 am
Route checking will be completed during the week, routes will then be distributed.

All controls have been visited and await your visits.

Title: Re: Mr. Pickwick's January Sale - 200k - T'kesbury - Saturday January 6th, 2018.
Post by: whosatthewheel on 19 December, 2017, 10:27:20 am
I am surprised Sudley hill is considered rideworthy in wintry conditions... I find it quite treacherous in June: steep, twisty, horrible surface, shaded by trees and always wet...

Is it really safe on a cold January day?
Title: Re: Mr. Pickwick's January Sale - 200k - T'kesbury - Saturday January 6th, 2018.
Post by: Rod Marton on 19 December, 2017, 11:25:26 am
I've done this event a couple of times and not had a problem with Sudeley Hill, though I descend it cautiously. And it certainly wasn't good weather last year, though (marginally) above freezing. Are you sure you aren't confusing this hill with Corndean Lane (the other steep hill into Winchcombe)? That can be truly awful in bad weather.

If you are worried you can always divert through Stanway. This is a gentler descent and gritted in bad weather - and doesn't add much to the total distance.
Title: Re: Mr. Pickwick's January Sale - 200k - T'kesbury - Saturday January 6th, 2018.
Post by: De Sisti on 19 December, 2017, 11:33:46 am
I've always thought Suedley Hill was more difficult to descend than Corndean Lane.


(and to climb too)
Title: Re: Mr. Pickwick's January Sale - 200k - T'kesbury - Saturday January 6th, 2018.
Post by: BobScarle on 19 December, 2017, 11:59:53 am
I don't particularly like coming down Sudley hill especially in the wet but I have never had a problem on it. There are others ways round but you always have to come down from the Cotswolds. Stanway may be a better bet and is lovely on a clear summers day but is still a fast descent. Campden Lane is not a steep as Sudley and it does take you quite a long way round. If you are looking for an easier hill, I would suggest Snowshill, but that will take you nearly into Broadway.

Edit: Sorry. Got confiused between Campden and Corndean.
Title: Re: Mr. Pickwick's January Sale - 200k - T'kesbury - Saturday January 6th, 2018.
Post by: Philip Whiteman on 19 December, 2017, 02:02:04 pm
A year ago the local authority undertook drainage works and improved the gutter down the side of Sudley Bank at the lower end of the wooded section. It is much better than previous.
Title: Re: Mr. Pickwick's January Sale - 200k - T'kesbury - Saturday January 6th, 2018.
Post by: Lee Killestein on 19 December, 2017, 04:22:55 pm
I don't particularly like coming down Sudley hill especially in the wet but I have never had a problem on it.

A couple of years ago I began descending Sudeley hill into Winchcombe in steady rain and darkness, only to discover that I had no brakes! What followed was a scary few moments while I unclipped both feet and used my cleats to scrub off enough speed to be able to fall sideways into the muddy bank. As I stood there catching my breath I heard a shriek from further up the hill. Another rider had not been so lucky!

I have been down it several times since though and had no issues. With functioning brakes, it's quite exhilarating!
Title: Re: Mr. Pickwick's January Sale - 200k - T'kesbury - Saturday January 6th, 2018.
Post by: whosatthewheel on 19 December, 2017, 04:28:29 pm
A year ago the local authority undertook drainage works and improved the gutter down the side of Sudley Bank at the lower end of the wooded section. It is much better than previous.

If you make it to that point, it means the road is safe to ride on, the worst bit is above...  ::-)

My point is that, knowing the area, it is a descent I avoid in winter, it does sound strange to see it associated with a "rideworthy in wintry conditions" deifnition...
Title: Re: Mr. Pickwick's January Sale - 200k - T'kesbury - Saturday January 6th, 2018.
Post by: NeilP on 19 December, 2017, 04:59:18 pm
I'm in and agree on that descent, not a hill I particularly enjoy coming down I must be honest.
Title: Re: Mr. Pickwick's January Sale - 200k - T'kesbury - Saturday January 6th, 2018.
Post by: BrawleyBurst on 20 December, 2017, 11:06:35 am
I support Mark on this one, Sudeley is a careful descent at any time but especially in the dark and wet, you can't see far ahead and you really can't let the brakes go at any point so caution is the motto. Take it easy and provided you have functional brakes you should be fine.
Title: Re: Mr. Pickwick's January Sale - 200k - T'kesbury - Saturday January 6th, 2018.
Post by: Lee Killestein on 20 December, 2017, 11:24:30 am
I support Mark on this one, Sudeley is a careful descent at any time but especially in the dark and wet, you can't see far ahead and you really can't let the brakes go at any point so caution is the motto. Take it easy and provided you have functional brakes you should be fine.

I'll be taking it extra carefully this year, I'll be riding the event on fixed!
Title: Re: Mr. Pickwick's January Sale - 200k - T'kesbury - Saturday January 6th, 2018.
Post by: JonB on 20 December, 2017, 05:21:17 pm
When I first rode this 4 years ago, there were lots of flooded roads and a lot of rain on the day, by the time I got to Sudeley Hill the rear brake pads were no more :facepalm: and this was some feat as they were virtually new.  Didn't enjoy descending on the front brake but generally, as long as the speed doesn't get up too much, then I think it's okay. I've done it a few times now on Mark's rides and on DIYs and it's definitely a lot nicer in the light but overall I think it's fine, just easy on the speed and ride the conditions.

Lee K - I've been down it three times this year on fixed - it's definitely a work out :)

The best thing about it is that by the time you get there you've done a whole batch of ups and downs from Chipping Norton that sap the energy but it's nice coming into Winchcombe in the knowledge that it's a gentle run to the Hop Pole.

I'm in :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Mr. Pickwick's January Sale - 200k - T'kesbury - Saturday January 6th, 2018.
Post by: Clemo on 20 December, 2017, 06:37:38 pm
See you on the day,  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Mr. Pickwick's January Sale - 200k - T'kesbury - Saturday January 6th, 2018.
Post by: mattc on 20 December, 2017, 07:54:28 pm
I support Mark on this one, Sudeley is a careful descent at any time but especially in the dark and wet, you can't see far ahead and you really can't let the brakes go at any point so caution is the motto. Take it easy and provided you have functional brakes you should be fine.
I'd second that. Never ridden down in the dark, but lots of damp descents (usually in March). It's not a dangerous road, it doesn't have a bad surface or any specific nasties - it's just a steep descent which is usually wet. Normal sensible ride caution applies.

[ Is there an info in Winchcombe? Cos if riders just need to get back to Tewkesbury, the Stanway descent (B4077) is much less technical (in the dry it's lovely-n-swoopy!) and quicker/shorter route. Slightly miserable last few miles into town, but that's arguably preferable to laney stuff on a January ride. If there IS an info in Winchcombe, then Stanway does indeed add a few km, but those kms are on fast roads. If ice is an issue, the B4077 has to be the safer option? disclaimer: never ridden either close to zero'c]
Title: Re: Mr. Pickwick's January Sale - 200k - T'kesbury - Saturday January 6th, 2018.
Post by: Lady Cavendish on 20 December, 2017, 09:09:26 pm
Omg, FA cup 3rd round day. Destined never to do another event again 🙈🙈
Title: Re: Mr. Pickwick's January Sale - 200k - T'kesbury - Saturday January 6th, 2018.
Post by: vistaed on 20 December, 2017, 10:28:27 pm
I plan to come along and hope not destroy my bike on the way home this time. Hang on, I still need to enter.
Title: Re: Mr. Pickwick's January Sale - 200k - T'kesbury - Saturday January 6th, 2018.
Post by: Rod Marton on 21 December, 2017, 11:22:20 am

[ Is there an info in Winchcombe? Cos if riders just need to get back to Tewkesbury, the Stanway descent (B4077) is much less technical (in the dry it's lovely-n-swoopy!) and quicker/shorter route. Slightly miserable last few miles into town, but that's arguably preferable to laney stuff on a January ride. If there IS an info in Winchcombe, then Stanway does indeed add a few km, but those kms are on fast roads. If ice is an issue, the B4077 has to be the safer option? disclaimer: never ridden either close to zero'c]

Unless it's changed this year, the info is in one of the villages after Winchcombe (either Gretton or Gotherington, I forget which). It's quite possible to cut across from the Stanway descent from these without adding significant distance. And this means you get the quiet laney route into Tewkesbury rather than the busy main road.
Title: Re: Mr. Pickwick's January Sale - 200k - T'kesbury - Saturday January 6th, 2018.
Post by: Mr Green on 21 December, 2017, 02:06:48 pm
Looking forward to it.
Title: Re: Mr. Pickwick's January Sale - 200k - T'kesbury - Saturday January 6th, 2018.
Post by: mattc on 21 December, 2017, 06:52:37 pm
Omg, FA cup 3rd round day. Destined never to do another event again 🙈🙈

This puts Meghan+Harry's cup final dilemma into perspective.
Title: Re: Mr. Pickwick's January Sale - 200k - T'kesbury - Saturday January 6th, 2018.
Post by: Lady Cavendish on 22 December, 2017, 06:52:35 pm
Well Wills won’t be at the wedding if villa get to the final 😂

I’ve got my tickets already dammit, will have to try Feb to come out of this incredibly long retirement. I suppose that gives me more time to get something resembling a long ride in first
Title: Re: Mr. Pickwick's January Sale - 200k - T'kesbury - Saturday January 6th, 2018.
Post by: BrawleyBurst on 23 December, 2017, 09:20:28 am
My first January Sale was in 2014 and it was a baptism of water rather than fire. I parked up next to another rider at about 6.30 am and the rain was absolutely hammering down. Ten minutes later my neighbour drove back out of the car park and I assume went home, having concluded that it would be mad to spend a day in such conditions. I lacked the common sense to follow his lead and I remember a band of very wet riders heading off at Mark's signal at 7.00 am, me included. After 10 minutes I realised that I had left my water bottles (how ironic was that) in the car so had to go back and collect them. I saw a latecomer setting off in one of those huge old fashioned cycling capes I hadn't seen since I was a schoolboy. Back on the road and navigation with a route sheet was tricky in the dark and rain on my own, it was hard to tell road from flood at times.

The first control at Chaddesley Corbett was like a casualty clearing station with soaked cyclists and water everywhere.

It did stop raining after a couple of hours but cars threw up large amounts of water as they drive through the flooded roads and I recall having what felt like a bucket of water thrown in my face as one of these benighted chaps threw up a mini tidal wave as he came towards me.

My brake blocks were being ground down by a paste of water and road muck all the time and I had replace the rear blocks at the end of the ride.

I made it to the Hop Pole with seven minutes to spare.

It was one of the toughest but most memorable rides I have ever done.

I did the ride again in 2015, it was wet again but not as bad as 2014, but I jumped a line on the route sheet then got lost, which convinced me that it was time to invest in a Garmin. The lost time proved fatal and I arrived at the Hop Pole 40 minutes after the cut off.

2016 was rather like 2014, more rain and into the Hop Pole with nine minutes to spare.

My bike was hors de combat in January 2017 so I missed out (?).

Looking forward to 6th January 2018!
Title: Re: Mr. Pickwick's January Sale - 200k - T'kesbury - Saturday January 6th, 2018.
Post by: BlackSheep on 24 December, 2017, 09:24:30 pm
Route sheets etc now sent to contact registered with AUK.

Merry Christmas all and a peaceful new year.
Title: Re: Mr. Pickwick's January Sale - 200k - T'kesbury - Saturday January 6th, 2018.
Post by: Doo on 27 December, 2017, 07:10:28 pm
Peace out indeed!

Looking forward to this. Will be my first 200 of the new year. Have cycled it twice and on both occasions thought I had frost bite.

:)
Title: Re: Mr. Pickwick's January Sale - 200k - T'kesbury - Saturday January 6th, 2018.
Post by: Steve Orchard on 31 December, 2017, 09:51:10 am
Does anyone local to Tewkesbury know if the car park at the start has spaces big enough for a 6.5 metre van?
Or is there anywhere else that does have spaces big enough?

 Thanks

Sent from my SM-T580 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Mr. Pickwick's January Sale - 200k - T'kesbury - Saturday January 6th, 2018.
Post by: Joolz on 31 December, 2017, 11:53:45 am
The car park in Gloucester Road where the ride starts have large ish spares at the back.  I have seem campavans there early on Saturday morning.  I don’t know if this is ok with the council.  Also, quite often a minibus pulls in.

https://www.tewkesbury.gov.uk/car-parks/gloucester-road-car-and-coach-park
Title: Re: Mr. Pickwick's January Sale - 200k - T'kesbury - Saturday January 6th, 2018.
Post by: Steve Orchard on 31 December, 2017, 12:25:04 pm
The car park in Gloucester Road where the ride starts have large ish spares at the back.  I have seem campavans there early on Saturday morning.  I don’t know if this is ok with the council.  Also, quite often a minibus pulls in.

https://www.tewkesbury.gov.uk/car-parks/gloucester-road-car-and-coach-park
Thanks. I obviously didn't look closely enough at street view.

Sent from my SM-T580 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Mr. Pickwick's January Sale - 200k - T'kesbury - Saturday January 6th, 2018.
Post by: Philip Whiteman on 31 December, 2017, 02:09:38 pm
Does anyone local to Tewkesbury know if the car park at the start has spaces big enough for a 6.5 metre van?
Or is there anywhere else that does have spaces big enough?

 Thanks

Sent from my SM-T580 using Tapatalk

No it does not.  A friend parked his van and he received a penalty notice for crossing the allocated designated parking space.  Gloucester Road car park is probably a better bet.
Title: Re: Mr. Pickwick's January Sale - 200k - T'kesbury - Saturday January 6th, 2018.
Post by: BlackSheep on 31 December, 2017, 09:34:50 pm
Does anyone local to Tewkesbury know if the car park at the start has spaces big enough for a 6.5 metre van?
Or is there anywhere else that does have spaces big enough?

 Thanks

Sent from my SM-T580 using Tapatalk


No it does not.  A friend parked his van and he received a penalty notice for crossing the allocated designated parking space.  Gloucester Road car park is probably a better bet.



Perhaps it might be an idea if the CEOs and TBC communicated. The following is lifted from the TBC parking web pages. Note the specified ific reference to motor home parking

Parking bays

Disabled parking

Blue badge holders displaying their badge are entitled to unlimited parking in all bays within the car park. All car parks have an allocation of disabled bays that are only permitted for the use of blue badge holders.

Motorcycle parking

Motorcycle parking is free of charge in all of our pay and display car parks. However, when parking your motorcycle please avoid using coach and disabled bays.

Motorhome parking

Station Road, Rails Meadow, Oldbury Road and Vineyards car parks have height restriction barriers. All other car parks are available for motorhomes provided that all wheels fit within a standard bay. Larger limited spaces are available in Spring Garden and Lankett Lane car parks.



So if you can get your wheels in the parking bay, everything is peachy.
Title: Re: Mr. Pickwick's January Sale - 200k - T'kesbury - Saturday January 6th, 2018.
Post by: Steve Orchard on 31 December, 2017, 11:35:06 pm
Thanks Black Sheep

Sent from my SM-A320FL using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Mr. Pickwick's January Sale - 200k - T'kesbury - Saturday January 6th, 2018.
Post by: Bikeabilityman on 01 January, 2018, 12:24:33 pm
I'm in. Looking at my results, I haven't done a Blacksheep event since Feb '16. Been heading to Essex too much (and it ISN'T flat there!). At least I'll have forgotten how easy/hard the hills are.
Title: Re: Mr. Pickwick's January Sale - 200k - T'kesbury - Saturday January 6th, 2018.
Post by: mattc on 01 January, 2018, 01:44:21 pm
I'll probably do the usual gatecrash at Chipping trick - this saves BS some paperwork and avoids making the parking situation worse.  ;)

Might see some of you there :)
Title: Re: Mr. Pickwick's January Sale - 200k - T'kesbury - Saturday January 6th, 2018.
Post by: Bikeabilityman on 01 January, 2018, 04:37:34 pm
Gatecrash Chipping? I'll be cycling through there to the start, and on the way home again, unless the weather's foul (I'm going soft).
Title: Re: Mr. Pickwick's January Sale - 200k - T'kesbury - Saturday January 6th, 2018.
Post by: mattc on 01 January, 2018, 05:59:35 pm
Gatecrash Chipping? I'll be cycling through there to the start, and on the way home again, unless the weather's foul (I'm going soft).
Yes but you're very silly!
Title: Re: Mr. Pickwick's January Sale - 200k - T'kesbury - Saturday January 6th, 2018.
Post by: Bikeabilityman on 01 January, 2018, 06:13:43 pm
I only regret it when I watch the other finishes enjoying the RHP refreshments at the end. I'm environmentally friendly and not working enough to splash out on petrol.
Title: Re: Mr. Pickwick's January Sale - 200k - T'kesbury - Saturday January 6th, 2018.
Post by: BlackSheep on 05 January, 2018, 08:56:20 pm
The floods are up to about normal winter levels. Those that habitually use the vineyards car park may need to change their parking plans.

The Meadows lane car park will likely also be submerged.

Station Road,  and the town centre car parks will be your best bet.

Gloucester Road is dry, as is St Mary's lane, and it would need a fair bit more sky juice to flood these. So see you all in Gloucester Road CP  tomoz.
Title: Re: Mr. Pickwick's January Sale - 200k - T'kesbury - Saturday January 6th, 2018.
Post by: Bikeabilityman on 06 January, 2018, 12:46:01 am
Just texted Mark my dns. Not slept, despite a caffeine free day. Not felt on bike after giving blood this week, and I don't feel enthusiastic about a freezing cold 70 miler to Tewkesbury as my re-introduction to Blacksheep events (memories of a freezing cold ride home from the last one). Will do a club ride later. Hope you all enjoy the hills and scenery (and the RHP).
Title: Re: Mr. Pickwick's January Sale - 200k - T'kesbury - Saturday January 6th, 2018.
Post by: NeilP on 06 January, 2018, 08:09:56 pm
That was a tough day. Over 8000ft of climbing, how there are no AAA points I just don't know (Well, apart from the rules saying it doesn't fit the bill). Pleased to have got my January RRtY ride ticked off.
Title: Re: Mr. Pickwick's January Sale - 200k - T'kesbury - Saturday January 6th, 2018.
Post by: Doo on 07 January, 2018, 08:48:02 am
Best audax this year so far! A £ well spent!
Thank's Mark for being the top notch organiser / sound bloke that you are.
Just as hilly as I remembered it - I thought there was AAA points, no? Oh, well...
Hopefully see you at another Black Sheep event soon.

Cheers, Doo :)
Title: Re: Mr. Pickwick's January Sale - 200k - T'kesbury - Saturday January 6th, 2018.
Post by: Clemo on 07 January, 2018, 10:28:20 am
A good day out despite my mechanical issues, a collapsed bearing race in the headset which gave me random tightness on the steering and my front shifter stopped working so I rode the whole way around on the small ring  :facepalm:

There was less people sat outside the pub in Hook Norton than when we did this route in August, I cant understand why  ;D


A
Thanks Mark  :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Mr. Pickwick's January Sale - 200k - T'kesbury - Saturday January 6th, 2018.
Post by: BrawleyBurst on 07 January, 2018, 11:03:02 am
This was the fourth time I had ridden The Sale and I can report it was once again full value for money.

We had the novelty of black ice on the first section, when I saw a couple of riders slowing and someone called out "ice" I instinctively braked and of course went straight down, at least my elbow took the impact this time so after a fall in December when my hip and shoulder took the punishment I now have a very even spread of bruises on the right hand side of my body.

After the first section all was well and the challenge was to keep up a decent pace because as a full value rider I have been scraping in at the Hop Pole with nine and seven minutes to spare, I won't mention the 40 minutes after the cut off when I went off route and had to retrace.

After the debate about the merits of descending Sudely Hill in the dark and wet, when I had supported Mark's route, I began to worry that if the frost arrived early in the evening it might freeze the wet surface and another tumble on black ice on my way down the hill would not only be unwelcome but might result in me sliding all the way down a very long hill at high speed. Your imagination does strange things on an Audax and it was a blessed relief to discover that the road surface was its normal wet self and a slow and steady descent was fine.

I arrived at the Hop Pole with 30 minutes to spare so that was a good result for me.

Thanks to Mark for being his normal unflappable self and for his good humour and knowledge of all things Audax and cycling.

Title: Re: Mr. Pickwick's January Sale - 200k - T'kesbury - Saturday January 6th, 2018.
Post by: Jamesha on 07 January, 2018, 11:12:41 am
I came down with a virus which resulted in a DNS - I am pretty gutted about that as I am trying for RRtY and this would have been my third ride.

I have signed up for Dr. Foster's Winter Warmer in a fortnight - has anyone done this? - looks like quite a bit of A road on the route.

Title: Re: Mr. Pickwick's January Sale - 200k - T'kesbury - Saturday January 6th, 2018.
Post by: NeilP on 08 January, 2018, 07:26:35 pm
Well that was leg 4 of my inaugural RRTY attempt and have already entered Mark's early February 200. Having read the thread on the 2016 event it could be an eventful day.
Title: Re: Mr. Pickwick's January Sale - 200k - T'kesbury - Saturday January 6th, 2018.
Post by: BlackSheep on 09 January, 2018, 07:53:34 pm
Well that was leg 4 of my inaugural RRTY attempt and have already entered Mark's early February 200. Having read the thread on the 2016 event it could be an eventful day.

The offending metal plate (BT I believe) was covered with some "antislip" material. Google maps shows the reddish rectangle.