Stevenage Start of Summertime 200km - March 29th 2020

[Phil W]

Hi,

Just to let you know that the 200km event will be returning as an Audax UK registered event on Sun March 29th 2020 with me as organiser.  I've been chatting with my local CTC group about taking it over and they are keen to revive it.

I'm also going to look at making it available as a perm but lets get the calendar event back first

Expect it to appear in the Audax UK calendar sometime in Nov.

Cheers

Phil

[HowardK]

Looking forward to it Phil. Although on second thoughts I probably owe you a favour or two, so get in touch if you cannot mobilise the CTC and you need any assistance at controls etc.

Howard

[jsabine]

Fab news - thanks Phil. I was sorry that it left the AUK calendar before I'd had a chance to ridegot round to riding it, though I know it had continued as a CTC event.

[simonp]

Great news, it was a lovely ride.

[Phil W]

Fab news - thanks Phil. I was sorry that it left the AUK calendar before I'd had a chance to ridegot round to riding it, though I know it had continued as a CTC event.

Last run as an Audax in 2016, then as CTC event in 2017. Not run since then in either format.

[drossall]

The 200 wasn't, although I for one rode the 160km event earlier this year.

Good to see the 200km back though. And I've always felt that the Stevenage events attracted a wider range of participants than almost any event I've seen, which can't be a bad thing for them.

[Phil W]

New route drafted, a mix of the classic route and new lanes.  Out via Saffron Walden, turn at Lavenham as always, returning via Thaxted. Got a few bits to coordinate with local CTC group regards the shorter rides they'll be running same day.  We'll be sharing controls with the shorter rides where possible. Plan is for it to be published in Audax calendar this side of Christmas. I'm hoping to get out and ride the draft route in next few weeks.

Saffron Walden is  the usual turning point for Emmitremus, End of Summertime 100 in October. So you're getting a mix of the reverse of the end of summertime, plus the return leg of the Start of Summertime with a few new lanes thrown in to the mix.

Thaxted as a control for these rides has never been the same after Poppies (the cafe in the lane up to the Windmill) closed

The 66,100,160km rides will be running same day as CTC rides if you fancy something shorter. They will be found on Stevenage CTCs calendar page nearer the time.

[Phil W]

The newly revived Stevenage Start of Summertime 200 is now published in the Audax UK calendar. It will be running on Sunday 29th March 2020.





http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/20-321/

It retains its classic turn at the lovely market town of Lavenhan, Suffolk. But there is a new outbound route through Saffron Walden with the return coming back via Thaxted. So a nice mix of the old lanes and new.

Supported by my local CTC group with shorter (non audax) distances of 66,100,160km also running. It's a justifiable popular day of cycling.

Easily accessible by train from London and other places via the East Coast mainline.

Looking forward to seeing old and new faces alike. Entries will open on 15th December 2019.

I'll also be looking to make this a perm, once I've got the calendar event out of the way.

[drossall]

Can't see the pictures in that post?

[Phil W]

Sorted hopefully

[robgul]

The newly revived Stevenage Start of Summertime 200 is now published in the Audax UK calendar. It will be running on Sunday 29th March 2020.





http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/20-321/

It retains its classic turn at the lovely market town of Lavenhan, Suffolk. But there is a new outbound route through Saffron Walden with the return coming back via Thaxted. So a nice mix of the old lanes and new.

Supported by my local CTC group with shorter (non audax) distances of 66,100,160km also running. It's a justifiable popular day of cycling.

Easily accessible by train from London and other places via the East Coast mainline.

Looking forward to seeing old and new faces alike. Entries will open on 15th December 2019.

I'll also be looking to make this a perm, once I've got the calendar event out of the way.

Shame that the old Audax 100km isn't being revived, rather than a CTC event - I think I rode about 5 or 6 times either start or end of summertime when Jim was organising - perhaps between about 2006 and 2012?

Rob

Rob

[hellymedic]

Lovely classic ride. Did Jim's second, I think, in 1995 and Emitremmus...

[drossall]

Sorted hopefully

Sorry, no.

[Phil W]

Sorted hopefully

Sorry, no.

Try again. I think the Google photo  links were expiring. Hopefully these latest links are more long lasting.

[drossall]

Oh and there I am in the middle of the photo

[Sebo]

This looks like a good’un. I’m up for it

[Phil W]

Entries now open.

Rode first and last sections of new route yesterday.  Retains quiet lanes, lovely villages, and gently rolling terrain.  Somewhat wet and cold yesterday with decent headwind on returning back west.

http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/20-321/

Easy access by train, and a good first or returning 200. First ran in 1994, and supported by local CTC.

[Phil W]

Entries steadily trickling in now.

Hoping to get out and do a full route sheet check next week if favourable weather window appears.  Writing corrections to draft routesheets best not done in rain and windy weather.



Entries at http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/20-321/

[Phil W]

Got a good number entered now, so will probably set you off in two or three groups.

Final route check a week on Sunday then I’ll be issuing final information , route sheets and GPX for the day.

Instant validation this year.

[Lightning Phil]

During lockdown I have completed route check and route sheet updates of a perm version. It's now registered as a perm and showing on the Audax uk website. The work to enable validation by GPS should be complete this week.  Start anywhere on route and go clockwise or anti clockwise.

First control (after start control) is Buntingford to allow traditional proof of passage but route joins calendar route before Saffron Walden and then they are identical.

Available to enter like other perms from 1st August (all being well)

[Lightning Phil]

Now open for new date Sun 20th Sept.

Limited to max 30 entries
Staggered starts from Fairlands Valley car park, Stevenage
As x rated as can be
Postal finish.

[drossall]

Very short summer this year

You're doing the Oxford event the day before as well? Might suit me better on dates, but looks as though it's hillier?

[Lightning Phil]

Yes packing them into a single weekend.  Not manning a pub finish or running my shorter events means it’s not so time consuming for each. Yes the Oxford one has about 50% more climbing and it’s much steeper than anything on the SSOSS.

[drossall]

Thanks for the reply. You'll be busy! Not sure I'm up to packing them into one weekend as rides!

I've done some good events around the Chilterns, but shorter ones. Never been a climber, so I've entered the Summertime.

[Lightning Phil]

Seen your entry.

I just thought I’d bring them into the same weekend then I have one busy weekend then my remaining autumn ones are free.

I’m still contemplating whether to attempt an SR before end of Oct. Not quite decided yet. Need to think of possible weekends and routes.