Yet Another Cycling Forum
General Category => Audax => Topic started by: JohnHamilton on 03 October, 2011, 01:10:49 pm
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[shameless plug]
Long live The Elenith...
Dave Pountney may have retired but The Elenith lives on. From 2012 Yr Elenydd will be an undulates(TM) event, to be held on Sat 14th April.
There'll be a new start, from Upton Magna just outside Shrewsbury (familiar to Pengwern veterans and I can happily report that the village pub has now re-opened :)). Basic accommodation (camping or use of the AUK strategic campbed reserve) will be available before and after the ride.
A flattish start follows Roman Roads through Church Stretton to Leintwardine, Mortimers X and the first control at Shobdon (mmm, the smell of aviation fuel in the morning), with a couple of small bumps along the way to wake you up.
From Shobdon the classic Elenith route is retained across to Builth Wells, the infamous Tregaron Mountain Toad and the Ystwyth & Elan mountain road to Rhayader. All the same controls will be present, including the secret(sshh) feed stop at the Devil's Staircase. Thanks to Dave, his helpers and the Tregaron Bowls club for continuing their association with this classic event.
The return route leaves the A44 at Penybont to follow the A488 over Penybont common, through Dolau and Bleddfa to return to England at Knighton. A short section of B roads takes you to the new final control at Little Brampton who'll be staying open for us and doing a special cyclists menu for the occasion.
The hills don't finish here - the final leg will take you to the west of the Long Mynd up the Onny Valley and the final climb of the day (or night) over the Mynd at Thresholds. Then it's a flat out 20k descent (bring good lights) through Picklescott and all the way to the finish.
Overall my (rough) contour count gives a total climbing figure of 4,500m. A GPS track is with the AAA man for a definitive figure, which I expect to be roughly the same as the current route.
See you all in Upton Magna...
[/shameless plug]
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This is brilliant news!
I've only ridden the Elenith once (this year) and the weather was amazing - I feel I haven't really had the authentic experience, so I am glad it all lives on and if you could please see to it that the weather is atrocious - I want hail, wind, lightning, ice, the works please! ;)
No, in all seriousness, it really was one of my highlights of the year despite some mechanical challenges (seatpost slipping down all the time due to a frame problem) - it was a staggering route, the weather was amazing and there are some really good lumps to test the legs.
It's gone into my provisional diary for next year!
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From 2012 Yr Elenydd will be an undulates(TM) event...
:facepalm:
Is there going to be a flat bit anywhere? ;D
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Bendigedig :)
That sounds like a great route; good to see the event surviving, and even adapting to be something with the feel of the old one but its own personality too.
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Excellent - closer to home and free camping. Will the rest of the Pengwern SR be on next year too?
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Nice one!
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This is encouraging news.
Further away for me Chris ;D but it's an overnight plus a journey anyhow
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From 2012 Yr Elenydd will be an undulates(TM) event...
:facepalm:
Is there going to be a flat bit anywhere? ;D
Be assured that the floor of Upton Magna village hall is flat :)
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Unfortunately it puts it a bit too far for me to do there-and-back in the day now, but I can't complain as it's been easy for me for many years and now it's easy for people who live the other side of Birmingham :)
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I fancy this one! it's in my diary...
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Well done that man for picking up the gauntlet.
I still ain't doing it though. About 4,000m of climb too much for me :)
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It's time I did something bigger than a 200 again. Always fancied this, but always felt it was a bit early in the year with guaranteed night riding. Pencilled into my diary - may get rubbed out again!
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Tewdric & I have done the middle "Elenydd" horseshoe part as a perm starting from Chepstow. It's a hard ride and needs to be done in the summer, really, since it takes in a traverse of Epynt on the way to the Elenydd
Maybe you could join us next summer :)
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Duly pencilled in.
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With the camping option this is one for me - I love the hilly stuff... O:-)
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Superb news - many thanks for taking up the baton!
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[I thought] I'd never heard of Thresholds, so I looked it up. It turns out I went along that road last Tuesday, between Picklescott and Bridges. Not a flat road.
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Great news :thumbsup:
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This is a mix of good news and bad for me.
Undulates is a worthy successor to Dave and many thanks for keeping a classic event on the calendar. :thumbsup:
I'll be out of the country and won't be able to ride :demon:
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It sounds like a great route! :thumbsup:
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Anyone got a link to an online route map?? TIA.
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Route map, GPS & draft route sheet will be available soon.
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The hills don't finish here -
I didn't think they would somehow ;D
Really hope you get the same kind of turnout that Dave used to get John. No reason why not.
I'll see if I can brace myself to click the paypal button whne the time comes [assuming there is one!].
Good news!
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Glad this ride will continue as I have it on my 'to do' list (Keira Knightley is also on my 'to do' list but it probably won't happen) ;D
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WRT Keira Knightly.Don't fret it.She's NGIB ;)
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Jogler, not sure how you know that, but well done.
That's 1 off the to do list (by default)
JJ
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Catherine Jenkins has now moved up the list + others, then the Elenydd :demon:
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Brilliant news - my favourite ride of all time. I'll be back again next year!
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just entered :) how does the route differ from the old one? I presume I can sneak in a mining trip in Cwmystwyth?
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just entered :) how does the route differ from the old one? I presume I can sneak in a mining trip in Cwmystwyth?
It starts and ends in a different place, but the section from Shobdon to Tregaron and back to Rhayader is the same.
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Cheers U.N Dulates.
This is on my list for this year and will be a revisit from the last/first time I rode it back in 2006.
H
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Booked this one in today - I look forward to it, the Elenith was one of my most memorable days cycling last year, so I trust that the weather will behave itself and we'll be basking in lovely warm sunshine all day again!
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Thanks to everyone who's entered so far (40 as of 31st Jan). Quick plug to say the website (http://www.audax-salop.talktalk.net/elenydd)is now up with more info and draft route sheet and GPS downloads.
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Hi Undulates,
If wanting to zzzzz in the village hall before and after, is it just a case of turning up the night before or would names need to be pre-booked?
Great website, hope the weather is as kind on the day as it was on the day the photos were taken.
JJ
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I'd like to know please (email or PM). So I a) know how many camp beds to bring along, and b) to avoid having too many turn up (reckon there's room for a couple of dozen or so before things start getting too squashed). There is however, plenty of room for tents (massive field outside the hall) so you can just turn up if you want to camp.
I'll be emailing everyone later today who's entered so far.
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I've entered it today John postally I'll probably camp outside if that's ok.cheers
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I've just entered online, :) my first 300 :-\
Can't be as lumpy as everyone says ;)
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I've just entered online, :) my first 300 :-\
Can't be as lumpy as everyone says ;)
I am sure it can be! I only rode the original once, last year and it was one of the best days out on a bike I've ever had, despite some seat-post slippage challenges followed by exploding knees.
The bad news is the old one was lumpy enough, yet the new one is ever so slightly more so!
I'm looking forward to it very much - even that sizeable bump at the end - but it does give us a chance to freewheel all the way home (sorry fixie-riders!).
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Can't be as lumpy as everyone says ;)
Oh, yes it can!
Still, I am looking foward to it, ...........I think
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The bad news is the old one was lumpy enough, yet the new one is ever so slightly more so!
I'm looking forward to it very much - even that sizeable bump at the end - but it does give us a chance to freewheel all the way home (sorry fixie-riders!).
It's difficult to compare climbing figures without knowing exactly how they were generated. The new one is from a GPS survey I did fo the route last September. GPS tends to give a slightly higher figure than a contour count (especially in places like the Elan Valley) - I've always found about 200m or so increase over my original contour counts when getting a GPS derived figure from the AAA man. I don't know how Dave Pountney's old figure was derived.
But my impression having ridden the route is that it is slightly hillier than the Kidderminster route. The difference is primarily at the end - the return leg along the A488 to the last control is hillier than the route back down the A44 to Kingsland was. And of course there's that little bump at the end, which is somewhat more challenging than Clows Top was.
I would also say that my revisions have made the route slower. Gone is the fast blast along the A456 at the start and (less so) the end. Replaced by a rather lanier route down through the Shropshire hills (although you sneak through the Stretton fault on the way out).
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I'd like to know please (email or PM). So I a) know how many camp beds to bring along, and b) to avoid having too many turn up (reckon there's room for a couple of dozen or so before things start getting too squashed). There is however, plenty of room for tents (massive field outside the hall) so you can just turn up if you want to camp.
I'll be emailing everyone later today who's entered so far.
I'd like to bring my tent for camping both before and after, though if it's pissing with rain, a spot on the floor indoors would be perfect.
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...there's that little bump at the end, which is somewhat more challenging than Clows Top was.
I would also say that my revisions have made the route slower. Gone is the fast blast along the A456 at the start and (less so) the end. Replaced by a rather lanier route down through the Shropshire hills (although you sneak through the Stretton fault on the way out).
Clows Top isn't a vicious climb but it being so near the end and ascended in darkness it seemed to take forever.
The faster bits at the beginning/end were always a fun part of the old Elenith but it's the middle that has the real wow factor.
Train tickets booked and entry done
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The bad news is the old one was lumpy enough, yet the new one is ever so slightly more so!
Bad news? ???
H
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The bad news is the old one was lumpy enough, yet the new one is ever so slightly more so!
Bad news? ???
H
Quite. It's not going to be quite as quick from Rhayader on but I'm really looking forward to riding over the Long Mynd in the dark. :thumbsup:
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I've just entered this, and see that an update on the website (http://www.audax-salop.talktalk.net/elenydd) says that there is only 2 places left... hopefully thats now down to 1 and I'm not too late...
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.. hopefully thats now down to 1 and I'm not too late...
.....I've having those same thoughts myself.
It's not going to be quite as quick from Rhayader on but I'm really looking forward to riding over the Long Mynd in the dark. :thumbsup:
You say not 'quite as quick' but that still means it's quick, right Nick? Nothing too worry too much about, right? :)
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Well, the old route was 60 miles of A road (and most of that was trunk road) from Rhayader to the finish. Now it's 25 miles of A road followed by 35 miles of B/C/D road. Two major climbs (to 400m) between Rhayader and Knighton then the Long Mynd (450m) 15 miles from the finish.
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.. hopefully thats now down to 1 and I'm not too late...
.....I've having those same thoughts myself.
And then there were none. Yossarian, Von Broad, you've got the last two places.
Final route check was done yesterday and route sheets are on the website. Emails will be going out to everyone tonight.
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I'm in
Looks like a fantastic route. I've always liked riding in Wales, so really looking forward to it.
Gonna ECE my way from home (Derby) to the start too, makes it a non too shoddy 500km & the furthest I've ever ridden.
Fingers crossed for the weather.
I've seen the photos from previous years - ranging from gorgeous spring days to pushing a van out of the car park in the snow.
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Bollox .........too late.....................let me know if any fall outs
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Would anyone be so kind as to give me the heads-up on the hills? Are they short and sharp, or long and more gradual?
J
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Would anyone be so kind as to give me the heads-up on the hills? Are they short and sharp, or long and more gradual?
J
Yes.
;)
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Would anyone be so kind as to give me the heads-up on the hills? Are they short and sharp, or long and more gradual?
J
All of the above. Sometimes at the same time.
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Would anyone be so kind as to give me the heads-up on the hills? Are they short and sharp, or long and more gradual?
J
All of the above. Sometimes at the same time.
How did I know I was going to hear that?
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Would anyone be so kind as to give me the heads-up on the hills? Are they short and sharp, or long and more gradual?
J
Yes.
;)
PM sent - cheers
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There are some lush hills - most famously the Devils Staircase, but plenty of other undulation too!
(http://www.aukweb.net/pix2/1150710985elenit.jpg)
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There are some lush hills - most famously the Devils Staircase, but plenty of other undulation too!
(http://www.aukweb.net/pix2/1150710985elenit.jpg)
Riden the Ellenith 5 times, walked the DS 5 times.
Not a cat in hells chance. :facepalm:
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There are some lush hills - most famously the Devils Staircase, but plenty of other undulation too!
(http://www.aukweb.net/pix2/1150710985elenit.jpg)
hey that's me! (I only rode because someone was waiting at the top with a camera!)
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hey that's me! (I only rode because someone was waiting at the top with a camera!)
And that's me behind you! 2005.
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There are some lush hills - most famously the Devils Staircase, but plenty of other undulation too!
(http://www.aukweb.net/pix2/1150710985elenit.jpg)
hey that's me! (I only rode because someone was waiting at the top with a camera!)
That's near Abergwesyn, yes? If so, I got up there last year, though I did use a lot of the road at times, and it was a bit.. err.. frantic, at times !! Once I got going I couldn't unclip, so had no real choice :sick:
it was on the Tregaron Dragon, as I recall...
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Abergwesyn rings a bell (although it's not actually near anywhere!)
I found the centre of the road was best in order to get the least worn tarmac and avoid wheelslip
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You leave the main road at Beulah, go to Abergwesyn, then you have 3 beautiful miles up the Irfon Valley to the Devils Staircase. There always used to be a control there which was a bit of a mixed blessing. The Staircase is the hardest climb on the ride because it is relentlessly steep, and quite long given the steepness. It's obviously do-able, but walking it is almost as fast and probably more efficient. After that you have 3 or 4 short stabby climbs, the last one being just after the phone box, then a long descent to Tregaron. After Tregaron you've no real climbing until Pontryhydigroes, where there is about 500m long climb up to the Hafod turn, where you have a short 1 in 5. There is another short one after Cwmystwyth and then it is more benign although there is a long one past the Élan Valley turn before the descent to Rhayader.
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I found the centre of the road was best in order to get the least worn tarmac and avoid wheelslip
I never thought of that ??? - I rode near very near the left and sometimes very near the right, on the theory that when I fell off it would be into the softer greenery... :smug:
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I tend to zig zag up it. The turns can be fraught.
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Excuse my technical ineptitude....but.......
The site says the gpx is made up of individual tracks however I can only get it into bike hike as a single gpx and reducing the track points will make it a bit sparse. Can anyone offer me some direction? Some browsing suggests GPS babel, but I have an old mac so this is not possible.
I am quite happy with the route sheet if it comes to that.
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I've just split the gpx that John provided into 6 separate tracks, each with less than 500 points. PM me your email address and I'll send them on to you.
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PM sent.
Many thanks.
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Somehow, I missed this. Jealous.
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The GPX file was prepared in Garmin MapSource and contains 6 tracks, plus waypoints for the start/finish and each control. How that'll open up in something that doesn't support multiple tracks I've no idea.
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The GPX file was prepared in Garmin MapSource and contains 6 tracks, plus waypoints for the start/finish and each control. How that'll open up in something that doesn't support multiple tracks I've no idea.
It doesn't, at least on my GPS - my lowly eTrex can only handle 500 points per track and one track per file. It's easy enough to get bikehike to split and simplify the tracks though.
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For future reference I also opened it in ridewithgps (other sites available) and the multiple tracks were visible with waymarks etc.
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How do you manage with gps batteries lasting for a 300, or are you all speed merchants???
Anyhoo, I am looking forward to this and hope to finish not too long after midnight, but according to the met office it could be a v cold evening with a NE breeze, so I will be stowing a few spare layers and winter gloves in the saddlebag. It will be my first attempt at a 300 and, if successful, will also complete my maiden AAARTY so am 'well up for it'! It will also be nice to re-visit the area around Ysbyty Ystwyth/Cwmystwyth for the first time in about 20 years - lovely spot.
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How do you manage with gps batteries lasting for a 300, or are you all speed merchants???
Anyhoo, I am looking forward to this and hope to finish not too long after midnight, but according to the met office it could be a v cold evening with a NE breeze, so I will be stowing a few spare layers and winter gloves in the saddlebag. It will be my first attempt at a 300 and, if successful, will also complete my maiden AAARTY so am 'well up for it'! It will also be nice to re-visit the area around Ysbyty Ystwyth/Cwmystwyth for the first time in about 20 years - lovely spot.
My etrex vista hcx lasts >25h on freshly charged 2850s, with backlight on auto (comes on for 15s at waypoints or if I press something) rather than on all the time at night. It'd be enough for a 400k.
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How do you manage with gps batteries lasting for a 300, or are you all speed merchants???
I've an Edge 800, and rely on one of these - http://bit.ly/mvblTl - and a usb cable long enough to reach from the carradice at the back to the gps on the stem.
Only my 2nd official AAA ride, so shall see how it goes. Hoping for a not too late finish as well. Have spent this morning double checking that I've got all the route pieces on the GPS after the faff on the Dean.
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How do you manage with gps batteries lasting for a 300, or are you all speed merchants???
My etrex vista hcx lasts >25h on freshly charged 2850s, with backlight on auto (comes on for 15s at waypoints or if I press something) rather than on all the time at night. It'd be enough for a 400k.
And my eTrex H will last for 24 hours on 2900mAh rechargeables, or 36 hours+ on lithiums.
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How do you manage with gps batteries lasting for a 300, or are you all speed merchants???
I use a route sheet. It doesn't require batteries except at night, then I turn the head torch on and off as needed
If i get lost I have a phone with google maps and I've loaded the gps route into that
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I use the same thing as eeymsmo from my little bar bag.
Edge 800 tends to last about 10 hours - so I need to charge it on a 300. Reckon I can charge it at least 3 times on the battery pack - so it'll do a 600, though I then tend to run my E-Werk to give me battery charging during the day.
Looking forward to the weekend very much. Plotted my GPS routes, thinking about what to pack. Looks like an interesting weather weekend - pretty chilly and possibly wet.
Anyone else staying at Travelodge Bayston Hill?
I am trying to work out how to get from the Travelodge to Upton Magna - the A5 doesn't look like the kind of road I want to cycle down! (might bottle it and drive over....)
Aiming to finish by midnight as well.
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I opened the gpx on Mapsource and managed to create a route for my eTrex with just 28 waypoints for the whole thing; not a great load of alternative roads for a lot of it
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Anyone else staying at Travelodge Bayston Hill?
I am trying to work out how to get from the Travelodge to Upton Magna - the A5 doesn't look like the kind of road I want to cycle down! (might bottle it and drive over....)
It's not particularly, although should be pretty quiet at that time of morning. I'd take the old Shrewsbury bypass (B4380) myself http://g.co/maps/bmqg4 (http://g.co/maps/bmqg4)
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I have a jynx every time it comes to one of U.N.Dulate's events. Yet again, I am suffering some form of virus and may be a DNS. I just hope this clears by tomorrow.
I blame AudaxUK.
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Anyone else staying at Travelodge Bayston Hill?
I am trying to work out how to get from the Travelodge to Upton Magna - the A5 doesn't look like the kind of road I want to cycle down! (might bottle it and drive over....)
It's not particularly, although should be pretty quiet at that time of morning. I'd take the old Shrewsbury bypass (B4380) myself http://g.co/maps/bmqg4 (http://g.co/maps/bmqg4)
Brilliant - thanks - I had thought that looked like an option from the map without adding on too many miles. I would prefer to ride - so that's probably the route I will take.
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Oh I see - you all got nice shiny toys - Vorsprung, I'm with you with the headtorch and map/routesheet! The only bit I'm concerned about is navigating my way near to the finish, but if I get a move on I will be able to keep up with a few others and do some sneaky wheelsucking :demon:
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How do you manage with gps batteries lasting for a 300, or are you all speed merchants???
I use a 705 connected to a battery in a tri-bag. If I did more rides >=300 km than I currently do, I'd be sensible and get an eTrex.
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How do you manage with gps batteries lasting for a 300, or are you all speed merchants???
I use a 705 connected to a battery in a tri-bag. If I did more rides >=300 km than I currently do, I'd be sensible and get an eTrex.
I have recently replaced my knackered eTrex HCx with an eTrex 30 which I got so I could use its HRM facility. I have not tried to test its battery life yet, but I reckon on early impressions it will be at least as good as the older model's - I got around PBP in 89 hours with one change of lithiums and careful use with the old one.
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OK - so I am on my way up to Upton Magna having left Bristol at 06:30
The forecast said 6 degrees at 7:00 am and 10 degrees at 10:00 am so I wore sparse clothing and a nice pair of wind n waterproof Sealskinz.
I get 30 mins on the road and the Garmin says it is MINUS 2.3 degrees....... WTF !!!
I must be completely mad.....
Could not feels fingers or toes....
So I'm camped in Costas at Severn View services with a large skinny latte waiting for the sun to burn off the freezing fog....
Mutter mutter mutter......
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enjoy the ride and the coffee!
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Generally, tomorrows predicted weather for the Elenydd looks to be some showers but not raining all the time, something like a tail wind out but decaying later so there is no or reduced headwind back.
It's giving quite low temperatures some places for early morning or late night, so be sure to have that extra jumper to hand
Glad I just got some new overshoes :thumbsup:
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I get 30 mins on the road and the Garmin says it is MINUS 2.3 degrees....... WTF !!!
has your garmin got a thermometer then? mine hasn't
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Generally, tomorrows predicted weather for the Elenydd looks to be some showers but not raining all the time, something like a tail wind out but decaying later so there is no or reduced headwind back.
It's giving quite low temperatures some places for early morning or late night, so be sure to have that extra jumper to hand
Glad I just got some new overshoes :thumbsup:
So I won't need the suncream like last time is what you're saying?
It does look like it will be quite chilly particularly into the night for fuller value riders like myself.
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Generally, tomorrows predicted weather for the Elenydd looks to be some showers but not raining all the time, something like a tail wind out but decaying later so there is no or reduced headwind back.
It's giving quite low temperatures some places for early morning or late night, so be sure to have that extra jumper to hand
Glad I just got some new overshoes :thumbsup:
So I won't need the suncream like last time is what you're saying?
It does look like it will be quite chilly particularly into the night for fuller value riders like myself.
I got bad sunburn on an Elenith a number of years back. Not a warm day by any means, around 15C max, but very sunny all day. I never even got out of long sleeves and kneewarmers so the only exposed bit was the back of my calves. The sunburn lines in that area were still visible at the end of the summer...
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Sunshine on the Elenith is pretty rare. Although ISTR the last two have been good this is not normal :)
I think I participated in the old Elenith from Kidderminster 5 times. Twice it was "nice", dry roads, bit of sun, some blue skies and not too breezy.
The other three times there was substantial rain, hail and strong winds
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Lovely sunshine at the moment in Telford. Anyone else staying over in Telford tonight? There's a half decent looking carvery/pub next door to the Travel lodge for a bit of pre Elenydd pig out...
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The first Elenith I did had decent weather but some drizzle and snow late on.
The other two have had lovely weather.
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I get 30 mins on the road and the Garmin says it is MINUS 2.3 degrees....... WTF !!!
has your garmin got a thermometer then? mine hasn't
Yep the 800 tells you how cold it is!!
Takes about ten mins to adjust from Costa temp (20 degrees) to outside...
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Now in Ludlow Costas - need to waste some time as the hall isn't open till 8.
At least my leg and arm warmers are off !!
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Now in Ludlow Costas - need to waste some time as the hall isn't open till 8.
That's what the pub in Upton Magna's for ;D
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Now in Ludlow Costas - need to waste some time as the hall isn't open till 8.
That's what the pub in Upton Magna's for ;D
I'm about to.enter the Corbet Arms, and Friday night is PIE night.
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Weather wise it doesn't look too bad, cold in the morning and at night, but reasonably dry during the day.
But sadly not for me, I've had to pull out due to injury.
First Ellenydd missed in five years :(
Still, hope all goes well for John & the team, and all those riding the new version.
Long may it continue.
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I am just north of Llandovery.
It is grey and wet here.
Hope weather's better for riders!
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Been a pretty grim first 110km. Fairly hard rain into shobden, cold, and raining again now in Builth wells. Next 100 will be hard!
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Being totally selfish, having been a borderline DNS due to cold, I now feel vindicated for being a non-starter. More seriously though, I hope the weather improves for the rest of you.
It is quite curious how the weather can differ only a few miles to the east. Here in Worcestershire it has been a fine day.
Keep the effort up and enjoy the day. :thumbsup:
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Llandovery weather now dry, warmer and brighter. Not sunny but OK nonetheless.
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Was riding with the front group until Shobdon... Hit the wall with the next 2 hills and with 4 hours of rain and cold decided to call it a day 10k from Bulith Wells - rode back to travel lodge in Telford via Knighton. Still clocked up 190k in total so don't feel too bad for quitting. The snow on the mountains was beautiful... Hope the rest of you have a good ride!
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Was riding with the front group until Shobdon... Hit the wall with the next 2 hills and with 4 hours of rain and cold decided to call it a day 10k from Bulith Wells - rode back to travel lodge in Telford via Knighton. Still clocked up 190k in total so don't feel too bad for quitting. The snow on the mountains was beautiful... Hope the rest of you have a good ride!
Well done, very good effort considering the conditions.
I withdrew earlier this week due to a bad back... think I would have struggled today :-[
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It was pretty grimover to Builth, but it cleared up afterwards and by the Devil's Staircase was actually quite pleasant. Nagging headwind all the way back to Shrewsbury though.
First riders back about 30 minutes ago.
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Rather harder than my previous ride of the old elenith.
Weather was tough, rain, very cold, even a bit of hail.
It did actually get a little sunny towards the end of the day.
Some bruising head winds on the return.
Bonked in the elan valley. Was all over the place.
Brilliant organisation. New final control was lovely, beef stew!
About to get a few mins shut eye and then pedal to hotel to sleep for a long time.
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All new to me as I never rode the previous version.
Did most of the ride with wet feet due to not checking the depth of a ford near the start (yes, no spare socks is a rookie mistake, but I do carry moistened wipes). And then the rain kept coming.
The road to Tregaron was stunning, though I think some of the sparkling bits may have been down to hypoxia from the climbs. 2 dismounts and about 5 metres walking on the devils staircase. Glad I replaced my brake blocks just before the ride, only scared myself once on the drop to Tregaron when the Cantis didn't have quite the power I wanted and I started to run out of road.
Almost clipped a couple of sheep dropping into Rhayader. Wheelwrights was a welcome sight. Walking out into a downpour less so. The last 20km were pretty much downhill as stated which was most welcome.
Great catering at the finish set me up for the drive home. Top event.
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Well, I have just got back to the sunny South Lakes and when I got the tent out of the car it was still covered in little 'bullets' of frozen rain - don't tell me it wasn't cold! Anyway, that's my first 300 under the belt, albeit slowly (I didn't get in till 1:40am) but was still pretty pleased to get round in one piece and have lots of 'magic moments' to look back on. Well organised, I am sure this version will soon become a classic.
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Well done, chaps, especially the (well) after midnight brigade.
Gosh, checking the records, I only rode the old Elenid in 2006 and 2007. 2006 was a wet year. I have a memory of climbing out of the Tregaron into sunshine and looking back down into the valley shrouded in drizzle. The weather was a lot nicer in 2007 which was just as well as I was distinctly less fit then I was in 2006, but I decided to go anyway.
Here is a picture of me at Tregaron in 2007 by John Spooner (http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnspooner/470981027/) contemplating the fact that I was shattered, behind the clock with 150km to go, and wondering how the hell was I going to get back to Kidderminster?
Happy days.
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A great day out. Terrible weather from Shobdon to Builth, really wet and cold, though the tailwind was welcome. I went into the new bike shop in Builth to see if I could buy some winter tights I was that cold - they didn't have any, and fortunately it cleared up by the time I got to Beulah. Lovely stroll up the Staircase, as usual, and I was pleased that the wonderfully smooth tarmac on the descent into Tregaron hadn't broken up. Back into the wind from Tregaron, but at least it was mostly dry for once along the Ystwyth and Elan valleys. Lovely road from Penybont to Knighton - the first time I'd ridden that section, really enjoyed the climb from Monaughty in particular. The stew and crumble at Wheelwrights was very welcome and set me up nicely for the walk up the Long Mynd. :thumbsup:
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I'm about 80km into my homeward 200 DIY, and the legs still work...
I never had enough clothing so froze for the first leg, and I also had two completely wet feet. Reaching the airfield I decided to strip down to bare feet, and I stayed there for one hour and three seconds.. About the last to leave!!!
I ripped through the next leg, meeting (in passing) quite a few that I hardly ever see, which was good. Apologies for sprinting up a steep bit past a couple of riders, going too fast to say more than "hi"...
For a while in the middle I was not too cold and took off my boil in a bag to climb the staircase - bit of an anti climax to tell the truth - but made my heart rate soar...
Wheelwrights a success - I was down a bit and someone passing said "apple crumble and custard at the next control". I flew...
Finished quite early and chatted for hours.
Next year I will be sweltering with too much clothing!!!
But I'll be back
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Just sorting the washing out ad realised I'm missing a glove. Don't suppose anyone spotted a lonely black sealskins glove lying in the hall or the field did they?
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Just sorting the washing out ad realised I'm missing a glove. Don't suppose anyone spotted a lonely black sealskins glove lying in the hall or the field did they?
A glove answering that description was handed to John this morning.
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Offical Rule Change
The Spooner rule of "Rhyader by 7pm Picklescott by 12:30am and you'll be fine"
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Just sorting the washing out ad realised I'm missing a glove. Don't suppose anyone spotted a lonely black sealskins glove lying in the hall or the field did they?
A glove answering that description was handed to John this morning.
I've also got a couple of other items of lost property. If anyone's lost a helmet, head torch, pair of gloves and/or and AUK cap get in touch so I can repatriate them.
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Just sorting the washing out ad realised I'm missing a glove. Don't suppose anyone spotted a lonely black sealskins glove lying in the hall or the field did they?
A glove answering that description was handed to John this morning.
I've also got a couple of other items of lost property. If anyone's lost a helmet, head torch, pair of gloves and/or and AUK cap get in touch so I can repatriate them.
If it's a red helmet with a PBP number sticker on the side it's mine. Please bin it, it's old and it stinks!
If it isn't a red helmet I guess left it on the train
Sorry to dump my crappy old plastic hat with you, it wasn't deliberate...
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Well done everyone. I met Bob Bialek today on Spring Into The Dales, which he was doing after having completed The Elenith and then had one hour's sleep. A Man Of Steel. Manotea, I've just clicked the link to your photo. Was that really necessary?! Mikey, i'm not sure we like people who refer to The Devil's Staircase as a bit of an anticlimax. You have done just a bit more riding than most, this season! (I'm glad it is going so well for you.) Revellinho, chapeau! You can pick 'em!
Thanks, everyone for your reports and to John for organising what seems to have been a wonderful event.
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Manotea, I've just clicked the link to your photo. Was that really necessary?!
I call that photo, 'The Spirit of Audax'.
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Manotea, I've just clicked the link to your photo. Was that really necessary?!
I call that photo, 'The Spirit of Audax'.
;D
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someone passing said "apple crumble and custard at the next control".
That was me. I was very pleased that they actually had crumble and custard.
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someone passing said "apple crumble and custard at the next control".
That was me. I was very pleased that they actually had crumble and custard.
The apple crumble & custard was better than my mum's
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I've also got a couple of other items of lost property. If anyone's lost a helmet, head torch, pair of gloves and/or and AUK cap get in touch so I can repatriate them.
I've 'fessed up that the helmet, the head torch and the gloves are me. Ooops. Sorry.
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I met Bob Bialek today on Spring Into The Dales, which he was doing after having completed The Elenith and then had one hour's sleep. A Man Of Steel.
+1 The man is a machine.
Staircase (which I got up in one hit)
I am witness to this fact and also that Martin's feet never actually touched tarmac for the entire Tragaron road other than to wait for his companions.
Didn't spot famous toad anywhere.
Did most of the ride with wet feet due to not checking the depth of a ford near the start (yes, no spare socks is a rookie mistake, but I do carry moistened wipes). And then the rain kept coming.
That 'ford' is usually dry. I did have two pairs of socks but unfortunately I was wearing both of them. :facepalm:
JH (and Linda) now have the logistics needed for these big field epic Audaxes off to a fine art. Superbly well organised. I'm looking forward to the day when they turn their attention North East of the Shire?
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A few pictures on the blog now
(http://audaxing.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/imag0171.jpg?w=500&h=376) (http://audaxing.wordpress.com/2012/04/16/yr-elenydd/)
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Did most of the ride with wet feet due to not checking the depth of a ford near the start (yes, no spare socks is a rookie mistake, but I do carry moistened wipes). And then the rain kept coming.
That 'ford' is usually dry. I did have two pairs of socks but unfortunately I was wearing both of them. :facepalm:
Both fords along the Roman Road are usually no problem. The first is nearly always dry, the second rarely has more than a trickle. We were unfortunate with lots of heavy showers this week and rain on Friday.
I'm looking forward to the day when they turn their attention North East of the Shire?
NE of Shrewsbury is generally pretty dull until you get to the Peak District which is quite a way away. South & West is where all the good stuff is. And it's where I know best.
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It was my very first Elenith, so can't compare this one with the previous route. Thoroughly enjoyed it, It's a fantastic route, particularly the mountain road to Tregaron and the road up the Elan Valley.
I rode 100km from home that morning & was starting to feel a bit dozy as we set off from Upton Magna, fortunately the daylight started to wake me up & I was right as rain (pun not intended) by Shobden. I rode most of the ride with wet feet too after riding through the first ford - it was deeper that I was expecting - learnt from that (too late!) and walked across the foot bridge on the second ford.
There was a fair covering of snow on the hills on the way to Builth Wells & I was wondering if there would be snow up on the Tregaron road, but luckily the snow wasn't that far west.
The weather picked up after Tregaron, although we were now riding into a headwind. I stopped to help Bob Bialek tighten up his slipping saddle, but that meant i lost touch with the group I was with and battled the headwind up the Elan valley on my own.
Long Mynd in the dark was an experience. I rode the climb so slowly I was suprised my dynamo lamp was still lighting the road & the descent back down was fun in a hair-raising kinda way - dont think I've ever been so fast on narrow gravel strewn lanes in the dark, while fighting to stay awake!
I made the arrivee by about 11pm ish, had a pasta supper & crashed out for a bit of sleep. I slept suprisingly well despite all the hustle and bustle in the hall & left at first light to ride home to complete the ECE and at 500km, it was also my longest ever Audax ride and the completion of my first RRTY - so a sucessfull weekend!
I though all the controls were excellent, very quick service meant not too much hanging around & good food on offer - especially the final stop at Old Wheelwrights, that was a real unexpected treat.
Thanks very much to John & team, for the excellent organisation & catering. :)
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left at first light to ride home to complete the ECE and at 500km, it was also my longest ever Audax ride and the completion of my first RRTY - so a sucessfull weekend!
Successful indeed! Chapeau - a great way to round off a first RRtY!
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someone passing said "apple crumble and custard at the next control".
That was me. I was very pleased that they actually had crumble and custard.
My eternal thanks for that...... :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
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Thats was probably one of the hardest rides I've done I think, relentless wind and climbing for the whole 20hrs - still an excellent and well organised ride! Time to have a few days off I think, I feel like I've overdone it in the last two weeks.
Photos and fragmented write up on my blog... http://thesquarepusher.blogspot.co.uk/
Joel
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Mikey, i'm not sure we like people who refer to The Devil's Staircase as a bit of an anticlimax. You have done just a bit more riding than most, this season! (I'm glad it is going so well for you.)
Well in hindsight I should have said that the unexpected bonus of several pieces of excellent CAIK at the bottom was certainly very welcome and not deserving of the anticlimax comment - apologies to the friendly and efficient helpers there!! I still like that climb, and the group that follows, as the first one gets your legs going, and the others teach you to hang on in there... ;D ;D
What did we all think of the Long Mynd? I heard comments both ways at the arrivee, so wondered what the majority think???
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I much prefer the new Elenith.
I never did like the main road bash back for the last 100k when the roads got a bit busy. This new route is lanes all the way. It's slower, but much better IMO.
Having the village hall the night before and after makes a difference too. I always like the socialising before and after events. I was too tired to hang around and see the last riders finish though. It's now almost twice as far for me to cycle to the start, but having my GPS means that I can do a nice route along lanes instead of bashing up the A5. I even found a very good tea room serving roast turkey on my way home. This will be featured in future DIY events if I can make it work. Alternatively, Shrewsbury is very trainable for me. The whole weekend was 700k for me, so that should help me get a bit fitter.
I think that this route would have never been done 15 years ago, when cycle lights were very poor, with all those lanes in the dark at the end.
I think that the Long Mynd adds something too. While climbing, I did have doubts about whether I'd manage to ride up it, partly because I had cramp in my leg since before the last control. It wasn't bad, but I wasn't especially tired. I think that quite a few would have struggled up that hill at the end of a long ride. But it was the last hill and after that, you can literally see Sherwsbury and it's almost downhill all the way to the finish. The descent was no problem with my Six Pack set on medium.
Yet another great ride from U.N.Dulates. One of the reasons for me entering was my previous experience of his events and this one didn't dissapoint.
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Thanks, all. Teethgrinder, you are fit enough already; stop it! Yossarian, I liked the blog; good pictures of Justin and the Tregaron road.
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I thought it was a wonderful route but must admit I was thinking differently as I hit the Long Mynd climb just before the end!
The mountain roads proved really wonderful riding but I did swear after eating a cake at the control to swing around and be confronted by the wall sorry climb of the Devil's Staircase.
I also found the people and service at all the controls to be outstanding and it was great to meet a lot of fellow Audax riders from near and far.
Pete well done on your first SR series. I find this hard to believe as you have always rode a extra few 100 km's on every ride I've met you on!
Brilliant ride and all what was missing was a bit of better weather - I had to purchase a fleece and gloves as I was froze on reaching Builth!
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Well, it certainly lived up to the expectations - in fact, turned out ultimately epic!!!
The Roman Road was a little too wet, muddy/grassy/gravelly for my liking..., so moved to the front and rode with ekimeno.
The fords were running near 15cm deep [I wondered if my BB at some point might be submurged!].
Then the persistent and sustained rain Shobdon [a quick stop, we pushed on, thinking it MUST we hoped it would get better]!
But the rain got heavier and the temperature dropped [2.2 degrees, I was told at the Staircase control!] and SNOW on the hills 25m aboveus!!! Getting to Builth was a real effort - especially enjoyed the alteration via Warden Road (sp Picnic Site) alternative to Builth! Slightly shorter [but hillier] I suspect [and in the process, dropped ekimeno]!
Arrived in Builth (only 46km) and feeling really in a bad way - probably not enough layers [was counting on 8-9 degrees, as forecasted, as opposed to the 2-3 degrees actual conditions...].
THANKFULLY, we arrived and found a cafe cum pub with a warm welcome and LOG FIRE where we could dry our we wares! Had a full cooked brekkie, and it wasn't too bad either!
Still, it was cold and challenging for the remainder of the ride - the headwind all the way home!! And never really got warm during the day.
After climbing the staircase (1st climb) I discovered that what seemed like a small rock/pebble in my glove was actually a frayed gear cable strand! Not the place for this, but made it to Rhayader and at least found a 'Campag compatible' cable from the LBS [insurance policy=£3] - - still, the original lasted to the end(and home)!
The descent off the Mynd just before dusk was something magical was like a magic carpet ride o the finish! Was pleased to finish just after dusk with Greg!
Many thanks to UND and his team for such a superb event and repellent catering at the finish!
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repellent catering at the finish!
It wasn't that bad surely.
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I liked the Long Mynd section. I'd rather a hilly laney route than an A road bash any day (even in the dark). . This is an AAA event after all.
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I liked the Long Mynd section. I'd rather a hilly laney route than an A road bash any day (even in the dark). . This is an AAA event after all.
+1 - I really liked the climb (even with pretty battered legs), though the kick up once you made the right turn to Thresholds was resolve-testing.
I think it was an improvement on the old route overall, that last section in particular, the climb up Clee? Hill into Kidderminster was such a drag with a number of false summits.
And that descent back into the finish was pretty much as promised!
I can see myself riding this ride next year - it's just too good a ride to miss out on (even on a pretty miserable day like Saturday).
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What did we all think of the Long Mynd? I heard comments both ways at the arrivee, so wondered what the majority think???
I thought that was the best bit of the ride to be honest. like teethgrinder says i like how you can see the lights of shrewsbury in the distance, and I like how the descent doesn't stop when you get to picklescott but carries on (enjoyed it so much I almost went the wrong way where the tracks met at atcham bridge and headed off out for another lap ;) )
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What did we all think of the Long Mynd? I heard comments both ways at the arrivee, so wondered what the majority think???
Like I said to you at the end, I don't see what the fuss was about.
I'm glad I had a good light for the lanely mostly-ascent ride to the finish from the top of it
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I really enjoyed the last leg - despite a heavy shower just before the Long Mynd. I don't know what they put in the custard at the Wheelwrights, but it certainly gave me a new lease of life. The climb over the Long Mynd wasn't as bad as I'd feared and the run back to Upton Magna was a blast, with a few scarry moments on one or two of those bends. It was just such a relief to be able to turn the pedals easily for the first time since the climb out of Presteigne.
Overall, a great day out - my thanks to John and all your helpers.
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as I'd feared and the run back to Upton Magna was a blast, with a few scarry moments on one or two of those bends.
Blimey. How many times did you fall off ? ;D
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I really enjoyed the last leg - despite a heavy shower just before the Long Mynd.
You should have been at the back with us slow ones - it was a fantastic starry, starry night as we rode along with belly-fulls of custard!
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Hello,
Bez and I had a great ride. Weather to b-Wells was not nice at all. One of highlight was the picnic road instead of the main road bash. All controls great, the bowls club must be the best control on any Audax. The wheelwrights was great and much needed, John and Linda thank you taking this on the Audax year would not be the same without it. I know at the end of the ride I mentioned that I didn't like the decent to the end on the country lanes, now I have thought about it I think it's a better end. Overall a great route that is a bit slower than the old one with more hills and lanes. Can't wait to next year Joolz