Mille Cymru - Welsh 1000 - 23-26/07/2010

[DanialW]

I hope the more ambitious organisers among you are taking notes here.

Great route + legible website + paypal = flood of entries.

[kcass]

I hope the more ambitious organisers among you are taking notes here.

Great route + legible website + paypal

+fear of missing out

= flood of entries.

[Weirdy Biker]

You missed out reputation.

A big factor why I was keen not to miss out on this is that JH is a tip top organiser who puts effort into thinking about the route and the riders.  Wrekin to Sea remains one of my most memorable rides.

[teethgrinder]

This just goes to show the appetite for epic rides is untapped.
LEL sells out years in advance
Mille Cymru sells out in days

Is that so?
In that case. Anyone else want to join Pete T, Mike K and I on El Supremos 1000k permanent, starting from Strensham (or Tewkesbury if it's OK with El) on 27/12/09.

Don't all rush at once now.

[Panoramix]

I hope the more ambitious organisers among you are taking notes here.

Great route + legible website + paypal = flood of entries.

I think that the "sportive paradox" has just been sorted out.

[arvid]

I hope the more ambitious organisers among you are taking notes here.

Great route + legible website + paypal

+fear of missing out

= flood of entries.

A Great Ride has to be a bit of a Challenge for me. I don't fear the Lowlands 1200, so that ride is not nearly as tempting as the Mille Cymru.

[Greenbank]

So, who's making it a proper challenge by doing it on fixed?

I would have had I been able to enter it. I'm assuming ChrisN would have too if he'd been able to enter it. But then it's fantastically easy to say that when you don't have to actually do it.

(I do need to put my money where my mouth is on a similar statement as I was heard saying I'd to the MSG 300 on fixed if I ever did it again. Sadly it may not be running as a calendar event again but there's nothing stopping me doing the Perm version if I ever got a chance. 63" would work, I can't descend towards Edale any slower than I did even with a freewheel.)

[border-rider]

So, who's making it a proper challenge by doing it on fixed?

I would think so

The idea of a thousand on gears has little appeal

[Chris N]

I would have had I been able to enter it. I'm assuming ChrisN would have too if he'd been able to enter it. But then it's fantastically easy to say that when you don't have to actually do it.

   I deliberately didn't enter.  I also doubt I'd have ridden it fixed - I'll be riding gears for most of my audaxes next year.

[TOBY]

So, who's making it a proper challenge by doing it on fixed?

Taken from the Mille website

Mechanical Assistance

Riders are expected to start with a roadworthy machine and be independent on the event, in the Audax UK tradition of self sufficiency. The control at Aberystwyth will have a selection of tools available and spares for sale to help assist with minor mechanical issues. There will also be a cobbler available for those "riding" fixed.

 

[border-rider]

Indeed.  Not one to do with Look pedals

[Greenbank]

There's always some loon though (see Crackpot 1000 attempt on fixed for example).

[teethgrinder]

The idea of a thousand on gears has little appeal

FTFY

I'll be riding gears for most of my audaxes next year.

Traitor!

There's always some loon though (see Crackpot 1000 attempt on fixed for example).

Every attempt at the Crackpot on fixed has been successfull. Which is more than can be said for those crazy fools with their multiple gears.

[red marley]

I am in and intend(ed) to ride it on fixed. I would like to know a little more about the proportion and frequency of really steep bits though. On my scale of things, Brevet Cymru / BCM type roads are very fixed friendly. Elenith is doable on fixed for most of the route so isn't too bad since the walky bits are very obiously walky and not too long. I don't really know much about Pembrokeshire terrain - if it is continually steep up and down along the coastal bits (as, e.g. Cornwall) that could be a bit more worrying.

Talking of worrying, perhaps I should forget I have entered this for a few months and leave the fretting until July.

[border-rider]

Dave Lewis's old 400 used to go out that way, a bit, and I've ridden around the Tenby area

it's hard.

[Euan Uzami]

So, who's making it a proper challenge by doing it on fixed?

I would have had I been able to enter it. I'm assuming ChrisN would have too if he'd been able to enter it. But then it's fantastically easy to say that when you don't have to actually do it.

(I do need to put my money where my mouth is on a similar statement as I was heard saying I'd to the MSG 300 on fixed if I ever did it again. Sadly it may not be running as a calendar event again but there's nothing stopping me doing the Perm version if I ever got a chance. 63" would work, I can't descend towards Edale any slower than I did even with a freewheel.)

mam tor? best way down that's hollins cross to hollowford road castleton. poetry in motion...
consider it a travesty to descend it any other way   i've only ever rode UP that road from edale.  and probably only ever will

is the MSG not on then at all this year or is it just yet to be put up?

[Paul D]

Talking of worrying, perhaps I should forget I have entered this for a few months and leave the fretting until July.

What we've done is plan a ludicrously hilly 1300 in Scotland in May, therefore no 'worrying about the Mille Cymru' will take place until June. Like when someone stamps on your foot to help you forget you've hurt your hand.

[kcass]

is the MSG not on then at all this year or is it just yet to be put up?

Yes it is not on. Cancelled due to past poor attendance. Shame as it seems more people were interested this year.

[Greenbank]

The Midlander - RIP

I suggest any further posts resurrect that thread (or start a new one) rather than clogging up this one (my fault again!) with details about the MSG.

[Martin]

I'm not going near that one again until the Spring.  Other riders should be able to experience the "joys" of that one in September, as it's been added to the AUK calendar event (19/9 grimping fans).  I've tweaked the route, to include an extra stop for tea.  That this means even more climbing is by the by....

No AAA's?

[simonp]

Talking of worrying, perhaps I should forget I have entered this for a few months and leave the fretting until July.

Quite right.  It's just a slightly longer Bryan Chapman really.  And whilst I'm already looking forwards to rocking up at the start of the BCM I'm certainly not worrying about that.

I'm slightly more worried about the fact I've only got two points so far this season.  That bothers me - I'm already behind last year.

[Manotea]

You should worry - I've already DNFd* (wanders off spitting blood, cursing oaths, etc.)

*Tho' not morally (wanders off again to find voodoo doll....)

[Weirdy Biker]

I'm not going near that one again until the Spring.  Other riders should be able to experience the "joys" of that one in September, as it's been added to the AUK calendar event (19/9 grimping fans).  I've tweaked the route, to include an extra stop for tea.  That this means even more climbing is by the by....

No AAA's?

I need to submit to the AAA man, which I intend to do after contour counting to make sure it meets the minimum criteria.

[JohnHamilton]

A Great Ride has to be a bit of a Challenge for me. I don't fear the Lowlands 1200, so that ride is not nearly as tempting as the Mille Cymru.

Well said. Precisely my approach to organising. Be afraid. In Cymru, only the sheep can hear you scream...

[JohnHamilton]

So, who's making it a proper challenge by doing it on fixed?

I would think so

The idea of a thousand on gears has little appeal

That's one cog to ride them all then.