Author Topic: Severn Across 400k 12/05/2012 (Read 9047 times)

jimc101 · « **Reply #25 on:** 09 May, 2012, 01:42:32 pm »

Doing it, will be my first Audax 400 this year, weather looks to be good for Saturday

pangolin · « **Reply #26 on:** 09 May, 2012, 02:23:11 pm »

It looks surprisingly nice doesn't it! Sunny, not too hot, slight headwind out, slight tailwind back. Trying not to get my hopes up too much but looking good.

Look forward to seeing some of you there. Need to wrestle a route into my GPS tonight.

Ben Bike Writer · « **Reply #27 on:** 09 May, 2012, 03:13:14 pm »

Hi everyone yeah this'll be my first 400. :DBaggage supplied by bikebins.com

pangolin · « **Reply #28 on:** 09 May, 2012, 03:15:57 pm »

How interesting Ben! Tell us more about these Bins you speak of?

jimc101 · « **Reply #29 on:** 09 May, 2012, 03:27:12 pm »

Not Ben, but do have some Bikebins.

I Wouldn't want to use them for Audax rides, and haven't found them to be too much use as normal panniers either. The biggest problem with them is their internal shape, as it's not square / rectangular, just because something fits in the top, it won't fit all the way to the bottom, so no use for taking parcels to the PO, also as they are rigid, they will bash any soft objects like bananas to bits. They
can't compress down either to fit things / as you use stuff up, can't have anything sticking out the top.

On the + side, they aren't that heavy, if you use a pair, they give a nice level top if you need it, and they are strong & waterproof.

bikey-mikey · « **Reply #30 on:** 09 May, 2012, 10:42:40 pm »

Quote from: pangolin on 25 April, 2012, 03:44:40 pm

I think I found the route here http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Severn-Across-Audax-2009 but I couldn't see a link to the file I need.

I just clicked your link, went to 'share' which offered me a range of options including 'download GPX' - I clicked that, and chose what to call it and where to put it on my laptop...

I then uploaded that downloaded file to bikeroutetoaster where I store all my routes, and am currently checking it against the routesheet - it definitely goes through the first two controls, and I thought it best to reply now, so you can get on with it yourself - I will confirm when I have checked all the controls, though of course some of the in between bits may / will vary, but still get you there, as they say....

cygnet · « **Reply #31 on:** 09 May, 2012, 11:43:31 pm »

Quote from: Martin on 08 May, 2012, 02:07:31 pm

Quote from: pangolin on 08 May, 2012, 11:19:38 am
Many people doing this then? It will be my first 400, only done a 200 before. Little apprehensive!

me

I did that for my first 400; it's not a bad step up, in fact it's easier than many 300s which tend to be a bit lumpy

Me too.

Quote from: bikey-mikey on 09 May, 2012, 10:42:40 pm

I just clicked your link, went to 'share' which offered me a range of options including 'download GPX' - I clicked that, and chose what to call it and where to put it on my laptop...

I then uploaded that downloaded file to bikeroutetoaster where I store all my routes, and am currently checking it against the routesheet - it definitely goes through the first two controls, and I thought it best to reply now, so you can get on with it yourself - I will confirm when I have checked all the controls, though of course some of the in between bits may / will vary, but still get you there, as they say....

I picked up on a slight deviation between Chepstow and the Severn bridge. Not a lot of difference as far as I can tell though.

bikey-mikey · « **Reply #32 on:** 10 May, 2012, 12:45:30 am »

Indeed as you climb out of Chepstow and turn left onto Bulwark Road there are a few ways to the bridge - none of them of significance really..

The route mentioned and downloaded as above goes straight through Bulwark (where we finished the Brevet Cymru last weekend!!), and this takes you a fair bit downhill before turning right and climbing back to the M48 rbt, but you can also turn right onto Heol Merthyr Tewdrig, then Mathern Road, then left onto Maple Avenue and on your right within 25 yards is a tiny cut through onto the main cycle path and left down to the M48 roundabout - that's the best way - done on many many club runs - cos you don't go down hill and come back up as the route file does - but as I said it's only a few metres...

I checked the whole thing and left in the routesheet way to the bridge, rather than my alternative above - the original file ends with the alternative finish 14B - I have tidied it up, especially around some of the big rbts which it straightlines, which might upset some Garmins... and changed it to the 14A recommended route end - just a few streets to the finish, and a couple of kms less to ride. You can download this from bikeroutetoaster here

http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=393077

(if you look at the Chepstow to bridge bit, choose 'cycle' for your view, and you can see my alternative....)

As always I have done my best but if it's wrong - it's up to you to be sure and choose your route accordingly !!

pangolin · « **Reply #33 on:** 10 May, 2012, 09:00:31 am »

Thanks for the tips bikey-mikey!

I had found the share button a couple of days ago, and managed to get the gpx into basecamp, whittle it down to 250 points and make it a route rather than a track. I think I have done it correctly!

I may try it with your amended route for practice.

pangolin · « **Reply #34 on:** 10 May, 2012, 10:08:56 am »

Out of interest mikey, why are some of the points on BRT course points? Are they ones that need additional info?

Trying to get to grips with way points, track points, via points etc in the garmin.

bikey-mikey · « **Reply #35 on:** 10 May, 2012, 04:46:45 pm »

Quote from: pangolin on 10 May, 2012, 10:08:56 am

Out of interest mikey, why are some of the points on BRT course points? Are they ones that need additional info?

Trying to get to grips with way points, track points, via points etc in the garmin.

Certainly they are not related to event 'Information Controls' where you get asked a question and your answer proves you were at that point.

I think coursepoints are put in by the software, often it seems to me, at crucial points - they can have text added to them if you want, but I have never found out how to actually show it when riding, so I don't bother now..

Good luck on Saturday, and maybe Sunday !!

Lycra Man · « **Reply #36 on:** 11 May, 2012, 06:05:48 pm »

Sorry to say that I cannot do this ride after all. W*rk has intervened, so I'm thinking of planning out a DIY 400, using most of the route and starting from the comfort of my own home,(near Aylesbury) in two weekend's time (Saturday May 26th). I need to keep my RRTY going.

If that strikes a chord with anyone else not able to take part tomorrow, get in touch.

I hope you all enjoy the ride. Looks like good weather, if a bit breezy.

Lycra Man

pangolin · « **Reply #37 on:** 11 May, 2012, 06:46:35 pm »

On the train to the other train to gerrards cross. Hope I've got everything, tried not to over pack. The hills will let me know.

teethgrinder · « **Reply #38 on:** 11 May, 2012, 06:53:31 pm »

Quote from: Lycra Man on 11 May, 2012, 06:05:48 pm

Sorry to say that I cannot do this ride after all. W*rk has intervened, so I'm thinking of planning out a DIY 400, using most of the route and starting from the comfort of my own home,(near Aylesbury) in two weekend's time (Saturday May 26th). I need to keep my RRTY going.

If that strikes a chord with anyone else not able to take part tomorrow, get in touch.

I hope you all enjoy the ride. Looks like good weather, if a bit breezy.

Lycra Man

I could very well be up for a DIY 400 (how about making it a 600?)
I'll be riding the Severn Across though, so am not keen on doing the same roads again. How about a more direct route to Wales and some Brecon Beacons instead?

Lycra Man · « **Reply #39 on:** 11 May, 2012, 11:34:20 pm »

TG, I only have time for one day's riding, so for me that means 400. Do you have a route or destination in mind?

Lycra Man

BlackSheep · « **Reply #40 on:** 12 May, 2012, 10:15:13 am »

Been told that some have left Woodstock and are heading for Tewkesbury, so I'm off down town to give some encouragement.

I hope they're all careful going down Soudley Hill, it's usually clean - but with all the rain recently there's sure to be debrisin places.

bikey-mikey · « **Reply #41 on:** 13 May, 2012, 05:09:06 am »

Great day with Cygnet (Sam 1) n Pangolin (Sam 2). Got towed by a missile !!! (Sam, Two !! ). Please can all the others ident?

pangolin · « **Reply #42 on:** 13 May, 2012, 11:56:25 am »

Hooray I finished! I think I was second last

Found the last 15k extremely slow going, body seemed to be shutting down... I have never been so happy to see a community centre.

I'll try and upload some pics and a short report at some point.

Frank9755 · « **Reply #43 on:** 13 May, 2012, 12:52:29 pm »

Quote from: pangolin on 13 May, 2012, 11:56:25 am

Hooray I finished! I think I was second last

Found the last 15k extremely slow going, body seemed to be shutting down... I have never been so happy to see a community centre.

I'll try and upload some pics and a short report at some point.

Well done on getting round! You said you were tired at the last control so, setting off at bedtime to do a cold night ride was not an easy thing to do!

bikey-mikey · « **Reply #44 on:** 13 May, 2012, 06:06:48 pm »

Quote from: pangolin on 13 May, 2012, 11:56:25 am

Hooray I finished! I think I was second last

Found the last 15k extremely slow going, body seemed to be shutting down... I have never been so happy to see a community centre.

I'll try and upload some pics and a short report at some point.

So glad you made it - Well done - just over halfway home now (Sunday 18:05) - feeling very tired n sleepy !!!

pangolin · « **Reply #45 on:** 14 May, 2012, 05:32:30 pm »

Here's a tasty ride report

http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=59582.0

cygnet · « **Reply #46 on:** 15 May, 2012, 09:11:31 pm »

^ You've got some good photo's there.
It was nice to ride on some new roads and meet new people too. Got some good weather too - again. If I hadn't been coughing and sneezing up so much slime it would have been even better.

Ben Bike Writer · « **Reply #47 on:** 16 May, 2012, 05:16:42 pm »

Great ride report Pangolin. Sorry to say I turned back at Stow, only did 300k. Surprised at how few riders there were, really. Not a lot of conversation going on.

Apparently I was banned from this forum for inadvertently advertising a certain brand of plastic bike pannier. I received an email from 'Roger' who said sorry - for excluding me immediately from the forum immediately after my first-ever post - but then he said this certain brand of plastic bike pannier was a 'very non-Audax product'. Well, it may be, or it may not be, but I didn't want to start a discussion about it, just wanted to say 'Hi' to people doing the ride and suggest how they might recognise my machine set-up.

Well from this experience, all I can do is appeal to the established Audax community to be a little more welcoming to newbies like 33-year-old-me who want to try longer distances.

mattc · « **Reply #48 on:** 16 May, 2012, 06:33:32 pm »

Well I for one have no interest in hearing what PRIVATE emails you have been sent, but:

If you want to talk Audax, you're very welcome! Sorry to hear of your DNF.

teethgrinder · « **Reply #49 on:** 16 May, 2012, 06:58:44 pm »

Quote from: Ben Bike Writer on 16 May, 2012, 05:16:42 pm

Well from this experience, all I can do is appeal to the established Audax community to be a little more welcoming to newbies like 33-year-old-me who want to try longer distances.

Well, you're always welcome on the 600k DIY I always do from Milton Keynes each September, or i could easily be persuaded to do a 600 almost anytime in the year, as long as it doesn't clash with something else I've allready planned. These tend to be very sociable because it's usualy a case of following the only one or two people who know where we are going. No route sheets! But I always aim it at helping people do their first 600 and have always managed that so far.
I did pass you somewhere on the ride and noticed that certain brand of plastic pannier. I have a pair myself and I was wondering how come mine ratlle and sound like Cozy Powell on a bad acid trip and yours seemed very quiet. Mine are quieter with stuff in them, but still ratle quite a bit.
I've heard others say that audax isn't very sociable. I don't really know how it compares with anything else but I do find that Audax events tend to become more sociable after about 200k. Everyone seems to rush the first 200 and it sorts riders into groups. Then after 200k, probably a feed as well, people tend to settle down for the rest of the ride and relax a lot more. Less so on a 300, when it's only 100k to the finish but more so on 600s and longer.