Yet Another Cycling Forum

General Category => Audax => Topic started by: iddu on 02 October, 2016, 10:32:15 pm

Title: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: iddu on 02 October, 2016, 10:32:15 pm
M'wahhhh, mad, you're all mad...

And we're up and running.  Widdershins this year, so you get the scenery first - but then thanks to calendar you've got an extra few days to train first  ;D
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Wycombewheeler on 02 October, 2016, 11:32:11 pm
Looking forward to this.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: htcboy on 04 October, 2016, 11:55:01 am
Can't Wait, especially with it being Widdershins ( I had to Google that!)
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Wycombewheeler on 04 October, 2016, 07:11:07 pm
Can't Wait, especially with it being Widdershins ( I had to Google that!)

Definitely  seems the best way to me. Warm up in the hills first thing, then ride the prevailing wind home. Seems preferable to being ground down by the wins and then getting hills.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Datameister on 06 October, 2016, 01:29:57 pm
Oooh!  I've never been round that way  :)
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: dutchboy1979 on 21 November, 2016, 08:50:42 pm
Can't Wait, especially with it being Widdershins ( I had to Google that!)

Definitely  seems the best way to me. Warm up in the hills first thing, then ride the prevailing wind home. Seems preferable to being ground down by the wins and then getting hills.

Sounds far more sensible! Really looking forward to this one having done it as a perm over the summer. 
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: citoyen on 21 November, 2016, 09:22:10 pm
Oooh!  I've never been round that way  :)

Me neither. Should be interesting!
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: PAC on 21 November, 2016, 10:25:29 pm
Tempted to enter this again...haven't ridden it for a while & particularly like doing it the reverse way round....it makes the Whiteway enjoyable ;D :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Redlight on 22 November, 2016, 11:48:28 am
Tempted to enter this again...haven't ridden it for a while & particularly like doing it the reverse way round....it makes the Whiteway enjoyable ;D :thumbsup:

Is that the long uphill out of Cirencester - or am I getting my rides mixed up?
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: NeilH on 22 November, 2016, 12:02:29 pm
Tempted to enter this again...haven't ridden it for a while & particularly like doing it the reverse way round....it makes the Whiteway enjoyable ;D :thumbsup:

Is that the long uphill out of Cirencester - or am I getting my rides mixed up?

It is - but in the anti-clockwise variant of the route being run this January, it becomes a nice, long, gradual, downhill run into Cirencester ...
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Redlight on 22 November, 2016, 10:09:41 pm
Ah.  Lovely.  So , if I recall, that also means a lovely long downhill into Oxford near the finish as well...
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Martin on 22 November, 2016, 11:57:46 pm
I'm in
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: mattc on 23 November, 2016, 09:20:02 am
Ah.  Lovely.  So , if I recall, that also means a lovely long downhill into Oxford near the finish as well...
Yes. It's pretty much the same as the final miles of The Dean 300.

There is no doubt that mentally, this way round is easier (with climbing first mainly). But it is a funny thing, cos the amount of calories required is almost certainly the same !
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: TigaSefi on 23 November, 2016, 01:28:33 pm
I am in! !Now play nice weather!

Train or Drive to Oxford.... Driving from London is 1 hour 10 minutes at Sefi speed so that's sorted.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: iddu on 23 November, 2016, 04:38:28 pm
I am in! !Now play nice weather!

Train or Drive to Oxford.... Driving from London is 1 hour 10 minutes at Sefi speed so that's sorted.

Ha Ha Ha Ha  - you're funny... ;D
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Redlight on 23 November, 2016, 08:32:46 pm
It's in the diary.  Last time I rode, it was wet, bitterly cold and I went through the middle of Swindon (a couple of laps) by mistake.

Loved it  ;D
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: bhoot on 23 November, 2016, 10:17:52 pm
It was my first 200 ever in 2013 and it was cold and anti-clockwise. For non-GPS types that direction seemed to work really well as nearly all the junctions after it got dark were "L at T" or "R at T", allowing us to just cycle with no fear of missing the next turn. In 2014 (the flooded year) it was clockwise and I think the post darkness route was a bit harder to follow from a route sheet.
Overall anti-clock gets my vote..... so maybe it's time to do it again.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: citoyen on 24 November, 2016, 01:09:52 pm
I've just checked my results on the AUK website and it seems the last time I did it was in 2007, back when Nik W was the organiser. I had attempted it once before but DNF - bailed out at Compton Abdale and rode back to Oxford along the A40 (using the cycle path). Conditions were actually far worse at the second attempt - torrential rain pretty much all the way from Chipping Campden to the finish - but I was in a much better place mentally. IIRC it was only ever run clockwise in those days.

It's pretty much the same as the final miles of The Dean 300.

Hmmm. I got lost on the way back into Oxford when I did the Dean.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Phil W on 24 November, 2016, 10:05:37 pm
Looking forward to this. First audax with my niece and her longest ride by a bit.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 25 November, 2016, 08:03:13 am
Probably.  If I'm good over Christmas and don't upset Santa.  Like it this way round but it will probably rain with a stiff easterly wind picking up in the afternoon.  Although it will definitely not be as much as fun as the wet year  (route sheet - left at triangle, no useful road markings; visual - three sets of verges separated by ten foot wide tracks of six inch deep muddy water and sonar or the equivalent required to detect tarmac let alone road markings)  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Justin(e) on 25 November, 2016, 01:52:48 pm
Looking forward to this. First audax with my niece and her longest ride by a bit.

Big ask for a wee lass.

Hope you both enjoy it.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Pip on 25 November, 2016, 03:04:43 pm
For those who have never ridden this event, here is a taste of the 2014 edition which we rode clockwise: (I hope it is OK to post this).

https://stravaddict.wordpress.com/2014/01/07/poor-student-audax-205-kms-4th-january-2014/

I think it is a harder ride 'widdershins' or anti-clockwise as the wind tends to be a northwesterly, which means kicking off with hills AND wind.  :)

Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Phil W on 25 November, 2016, 04:02:25 pm
Looking forward to this. First audax with my niece and her longest ride by a bit.

Big ask for a wee lass.

Hope you both enjoy it.

My niece is 24 so she can drag me round whilst I take care of nav and any mechanicals that arise.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: vorsprung on 25 November, 2016, 08:42:30 pm
It's a great route, I did it in 2007

But in January?

Maybe I'll finally get around to riding the Poor Student route in the summer
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Diesel on 04 December, 2016, 05:16:23 pm
Just to clarify, in 2017 is this anti-clockwise?
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: TigaSefi on 04 December, 2016, 06:08:18 pm
Yes
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: iddu on 04 December, 2016, 07:02:33 pm
Just to clarify, in 2017 is this anti-clockwise?

Yup.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: TheRedEyeJedi on 09 December, 2016, 01:17:18 pm
Audax membership paid
Event entered.

Time to break my cherry.

I have a question that wasn't immediately answered by a search if you don't mind.   I am fairly confident of my ability to turn up on the day, even in questionable weather and try to get around.   However I have a few mates who are stupid enough to give it a go, would be capable in theory of completing it but who could also drop out if they don't get enough training before hand, or if its terrible weather ect ect.

They could also struggle on the day as it would be way longer than what they have been up to recently.  We are local so they may make the ride shorter if they are struggling and head back home as a group rather than to the final control

What is the etiquette for a non appearance to the event, or a withdrawal during it.  I know there is no assistance provided if you want to DNF but should you notify someone if your not turning up or withdrawing?
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Banjo on 09 December, 2016, 02:12:02 pm
There is often a phone number on the brevet card with the orgs number. If you start the event then decide not to finish phone to let the org know if possible. If you take a shorter route home you could go back to the start and inform him that you are back but didn't complete the ride.you would then be a DNF

If you don't tell the org he is obliged to wait at the finish control until the time limit is up .The last rider may be in an hour before that .

If you decide not to do the ride at all you could email to let the organizer know . you will be a DNS .

Good Luck and hopefully you will get round no problem. :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Brakeless on 09 December, 2016, 03:00:29 pm
It's always good form and the right thing to do to drop the organiser an email if you've entered and you know you won't be there, it saves them putting your name on a brevit card. On most events you should also ring or text the organiser if you stop mid route somewhere. The Poor student however is an X rated event and there won't be anyone waiting at the finish, the first time the organisr will know you haven't completed the ride is when your card doesn't appear in the post.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: TheRedEyeJedi on 09 December, 2016, 03:18:29 pm
It's always good form and the right thing to do to drop the organiser an email if you've entered and you know you won't be there, it saves them putting your name on a brevit card. On most events you should also ring or text the organiser if you stop mid route somewhere. The Poor student however is an X rated event and there won't be anyone waiting at the finish, the first time the organisr will know you haven't completed the ride is when your card doesn't appear in the post.

Ok great, so there is an organizer at the start but not at the end.  So if any of our group DNF they can just inform the organizer by email once home.

How to you prove you have finished then, receipt from the services at pear tree ect?
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 09 December, 2016, 03:20:40 pm
Usually, yes.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Brakeless on 09 December, 2016, 04:51:51 pm
It's always good form and the right thing to do to drop the organiser an email if you've entered and you know you won't be there, it saves them putting your name on a brevit card. On most events you should also ring or text the organiser if you stop mid route somewhere. The Poor student however is an X rated event and there won't be anyone waiting at the finish, the first time the organisr will know you haven't completed the ride is when your card doesn't appear in the post.

Ok great, so there is an organizer at the start but not at the end.  So if any of our group DNF they can just inform the organizer by email once home.

How to you prove you have finished then, receipt from the services at pear tree ect?

Yep receipt from Services. I really like the Poor Student as it just has two controls as well as the finish, no messing around with info controls in the rain and cold etc. I've ridden it the past 3 years, I've yet to ride it in the dry!!!
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Phil W on 09 December, 2016, 05:11:20 pm
I've ridden it the past 3 years, I've yet to ride it in the dry!!!
Tell me you are not riding it this year.  ::-)
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: TheRedEyeJedi on 09 December, 2016, 05:36:06 pm
It's always good form and the right thing to do to drop the organiser an email if you've entered and you know you won't be there, it saves them putting your name on a brevit card. On most events you should also ring or text the organiser if you stop mid route somewhere. The Poor student however is an X rated event and there won't be anyone waiting at the finish, the first time the organisr will know you haven't completed the ride is when your card doesn't appear in the post.

Ok great, so there is an organizer at the start but not at the end.  So if any of our group DNF they can just inform the organizer by email once home.

How to you prove you have finished then, receipt from the services at pear tree ect?

Yep receipt from Services. I really like the Poor Student as it just has two controls as well as the finish, no messing around with info controls in the rain and cold etc. I've ridden it the past 3 years, I've yet to ride it in the dry!!!

Great thanks - I'm not one for stopping for long so sounds good.   I've ridden most of the route in sections too so looking forward to it
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 15 December, 2016, 08:52:54 pm
I'm in.  I like this ride despite the fact that my refrigerator is usually warmer than the ride.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: iddu on 17 December, 2016, 09:39:38 pm
Hills, RSM?
HILLS, ALL PRESENT AND CORRECT, SAH!

And what a lovely collection they are  :)

Shame the day was a bit mank, mist 'til about 11, back at 3, so the view weren't great, tootsies were cold, and persistently having to swipe lenses every 5 metres was irritating.

No sharks seen tho'

Off to correct the (mis)directions...
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: tonyh on 19 December, 2016, 05:05:49 pm
Iddu, thanks for all the work!

Entered. Looking forwards to trying to ride it backwards.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Phil W on 19 December, 2016, 06:08:03 pm
Iddu, thanks for all the work!

Entered. Looking forwards to trying to ride it backwards.

Careful you don't run anyone over whilst sat on your handlebars
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: tonyh on 19 December, 2016, 06:14:49 pm
It's ok Phil, they'll all be facing the same way, won't they?
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: bikey-mikey on 19 December, 2016, 07:49:20 pm
Funnily enuff Tony, I'm riding 2 2 2 2.........
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: tonyh on 19 December, 2016, 08:34:56 pm
That's good news Mikey!
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Phil W on 19 December, 2016, 08:40:05 pm
It's ok Phil, they'll all be facing the same way, won't they?

He he. I'll be there too as my Jan effort for RRTY. With my niece on her first audax. She's 24 and far fitter than me but worried about the distance. I'll be there to help keep her pace down and ensure we make full use of cafe stops,
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: tonyh on 19 December, 2016, 08:57:58 pm
That's good news too!

(I'll be trying to catch up while you are enjoying your cafe stops... )
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Redlight on 19 December, 2016, 10:36:54 pm
I'm in. A 200 on the first weekend of the year is as good a statement of intent as any!   And it's a very enjoyable route, so long as you don't inadvertently go via Swindon.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: bikey-mikey on 19 December, 2016, 11:28:26 pm
I'm in. A 200 on the first weekend of the year is as good a statement of intent as any!   And it's a very enjoyable route, so long as you don't inadvertently go via Swindon.

errrrr... the first weekend of the year was in........   October......
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Redlight on 20 December, 2016, 09:09:57 am
 ;D ;D ;D

When did you last hear of someone having a Dry October?
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: citoyen on 20 December, 2016, 09:25:37 am
When did you last hear of someone having a Dry October?

https://www.gosober.org.uk/about
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: TigaSefi on 20 December, 2016, 12:44:37 pm
Just checked the long range forecast........  ;D
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Bagman on 20 December, 2016, 02:06:33 pm

Tuesday 3 January—Monday 9 January
A battle between pressure systems.

In the start of the new year, there is a lot of uncertainty surrounding the weather forecast; however it looks most likely for now that high pressure will tend to build in, bringing more settled conditions to what we will see over the festive period. We are most likely then to have longer drier and quieter spells and a greater likelihood of lower temperatures along with frost and fog by night.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 20 December, 2016, 04:35:49 pm
At this time of year rain might be preferable to the alternative (ice, snow....).

2012 - breezy, mostly cloudy and cold but little rain  :thumbsup:
2014 - rain, roads badly flooded, epic  :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
2015 - cold and wet  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: zigzag on 20 December, 2016, 08:15:01 pm
my excuse from the potential misery is that i have to be somewhere else that saturday, otherwise i'd join in.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 20 December, 2016, 09:22:02 pm
2014 was quite special.  I got accused of having sonar in my bar bag to spot potholes under the water.   :smug:
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Redlight on 20 December, 2016, 09:28:21 pm
Looks like it's going to be 'take your chances" on the trains to and from of London - no bike reservations available.  I don't recall it being a problem in the past, but it's always a worry.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Banjo on 27 December, 2016, 11:37:08 am
Don't forget its widdershins this year. Get some practice in.

(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/638/31792954371_952a073604_z.jpg)
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Phil W on 27 December, 2016, 04:48:01 pm
Ha, I remember many a time riding our bikes backwards like that as a kid. We also did jumps on the bike that way around when just riding backwards got a bit easy.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Wycombewheeler on 28 December, 2016, 02:07:29 am
Looks like it's going to be 'take your chances" on the trains to and from of London - no bike reservations available.  I don't recall it being a problem in the past, but it's always a worry.
is that GWR or chiltern railways? Chiltern now offer an option to oxford parkway from marylebone. more convenient for the start than oxford station.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Redlight on 29 December, 2016, 01:19:42 pm
Looks like it's going to be 'take your chances" on the trains to and from of London - no bike reservations available.  I don't recall it being a problem in the past, but it's always a worry.
is that GWR or chiltern railways? Chiltern now offer an option to oxford parkway from marylebone. more convenient for the start than oxford station.

That was GWR. I wasn't aware of Parkway station. That does look like an easier option, although I presume it's a slightly roundabout route to Peartree as there's no apparent access to the A34 from the station itself, if Google Maps is to be believed.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Yellow Giant on 29 December, 2016, 01:29:37 pm
Just realised how late I've left entering - now less than 2 weeks.  Went through OK from AUK website so assuming as you've got my money I'm in...?
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Brakeless on 29 December, 2016, 05:01:50 pm
Are the arrows on the outline map on the Auk calender page pointing in the wrong direction for the 2017 ride?

http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/17-41/
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: TheRedEyeJedi on 29 December, 2016, 06:24:16 pm
Looks like it's going to be 'take your chances" on the trains to and from of London - no bike reservations available.  I don't recall it being a problem in the past, but it's always a worry.
is that GWR or chiltern railways? Chiltern now offer an option to oxford parkway from marylebone. more convenient for the start than oxford station.

That was GWR. I wasn't aware of Parkway station. That does look like an easier option, although I presume it's a slightly roundabout route to Peartree as there's no apparent access to the A34 from the station itself, if Google Maps is to be believed.

Its much closer than the main station though.   Just head up the oxford road and cut through 5 mile Drive, then its a shot scoot down the hill to the Park and Ride.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: iddu on 29 December, 2016, 09:33:18 pm
Just realised how late I've left entering - now less than 2 weeks.  Went through OK from AUK website so assuming as you've got my money I'm in...?

Not sure, how does a big yellow duck sign its name?

Everybody that I've seen entry for has got a place, which leads to...
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: iddu on 29 December, 2016, 09:35:27 pm
[Colonel]...I'm not having things getting silly.[/Colonel]

I'm going to cap this.

19 17 10 spaces left.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Redlight on 29 December, 2016, 11:06:04 pm
Looks like it's going to be 'take your chances" on the trains to and from of London - no bike reservations available.  I don't recall it being a problem in the past, but it's always a worry.
is that GWR or chiltern railways? Chiltern now offer an option to oxford parkway from marylebone. more convenient for the start than oxford station.

That was GWR. I wasn't aware of Parkway station. That does look like an easier option, although I presume it's a slightly roundabout route to Peartree as there's no apparent access to the A34 from the station itself, if Google Maps is to be believed.

Its much closer than the main station though.   Just head up the oxford road and cut through 5 mile Drive, then its a shot scoot down the hill to the Park and Ride.

All good stuff. Tickets are cheaper, provided I finish in time to get the train I've booked back, and according to my calculations it's only about 3km to the start. Still means leaving home at 5.30 to get to the station, but at least the roads are quiet  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 31 December, 2016, 10:21:56 am
[Colonel]...I'm not having things getting silly.[/Colonel]

I'm going to cap this.

19 17 spaces left.

Make that 18.  I had an off on black ice yesterday so will not be starting.  Nothing broken but badly bruised hip requiring rest, TLC and physio before I consider two wheels again.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Bianchi Boy on 31 December, 2016, 03:26:26 pm
[Colonel]...I'm not having things getting silly.[/Colonel]

I'm going to cap this.

19 17 spaces left.

Make that 18.  I had an off on black ice yesterday so will not be starting.  Nothing broken but badly bruised hip requiring rest, TLC and physio before I consider two wheels again.

I am sure I have read that red wine has anti-inflammatory powers and has been known to reduce the perception of pain.  :thumbsup:

BB 
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Mr Green on 02 January, 2017, 08:18:31 pm
Just registered online with PayPal. I hope I'm not too late? Looking forward to kick-starting 2017 with my 3rd Poor Student

Arthur.  :smug:
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: iddu on 03 January, 2017, 12:11:02 am
I've closed entries - anything post-now will be put on a reserve list, on first-come first-served basis, pending notified withdrawals.


Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Rumps on 03 January, 2017, 02:54:28 pm
Hi,
I entered yday with paypal .
Hope this means I am in???
Signed -Nick Allen -but will answer to most things.
thanks and hope I see you on Saturday.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: iddu on 03 January, 2017, 03:14:28 pm
Yes, you made the cut...
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: EMnut on 03 January, 2017, 03:59:01 pm
All being well, I'm up for this, wanted to do this for years. I've not had a great mileage prep in 2016, think that my longest ride was 40 miles or so. But my hope is low gearing, and steady pace, plus some pain will get me round. I wonder am I alone in not having done any long rides / training, or am just being super optomistic that willpower and non-faffage will get me round (I did do the Barbury Bash a few years ago, and failed due to being 6 minutes too late to the penultimate control due to faffage)?
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Rumps on 03 January, 2017, 05:10:45 pm
Great -thanks!
see you on Saturday.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: phil d on 03 January, 2017, 05:17:12 pm
(Reply to EMnut)
Non-faffage is important, especially at this time of year.  In my experience winter 200s tend to be slower because (a) it's cold - I seem to travel more slowly when it's cold than on a warm summer's day, and (b) some of the ride will be in the dark (some might get round before sunset, but your post suggests you won't be one of them) and again riding tends to get slower in the dark.  So to give yourself the best chance you will need to keep down the time spent in cafes. 

Bantam Tearooms in Chipping Campden is very nice, but can be very slow.  And once you're sat down in a nice warm room it's a bit more difficult to get going again.  I would suggest getting something nutritious and easily digestible from the general store opposite the "town hall".  Again, Summer Tearoom in Malmesbury can be very slow.  The garden centre before you get to Malmesbury might be quicker; I've never used it.  When I've done PS I've always stopped at the garage just outside the town.  It's pretty soulless, and thus doesn't encourage you to linger! 

If you can get yourself in a small group after Malmesbury you'll probably finish more quickly.  It's reasonably flat, and in a group you can share the effort and the navigation in the dark.

You'll enjoy it - PS is a lovely ride.  I've done it 10 times, in a wide range of weather conditions (but usually wind!)
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: EMnut on 03 January, 2017, 05:25:53 pm
I seem to get my longer rides in during the winter now due to childcare and summer holiday issues (all school holidays become no cycling possible zones). I did an Abingdon to Bristol your last year, so got a mid winter 200 miles in 2 days done, and managed that OK. I'll probably start conking out at the 80 mile mark, then after I'll plod, but quite used to keeping going in zombie fashion if need be. I'll be very happy to get round however long it takes, and am really looking forward to this
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: TheRedEyeJedi on 03 January, 2017, 06:59:18 pm
Stop panicking P ... you will be fine. You have enough experience to pace yourself around.  Let's make sure we have enough food and drink on us to just crank out the first 80 miles with minimum faffing.    Then we have the last 40 miles on familiar, flat roads.   

I now have my full length mudguards on and when combined with my larger post Christmas frame should provide you with a lovely wind break if necessary!
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: JamieD on 03 January, 2017, 10:00:38 pm
Does anyone have any experience of how pissy GWR will be about bikes getting from Paddington to Oxford on Saturday morning. All the trains we've looked at say we can't reserve a bike space.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Redlight on 03 January, 2017, 10:45:54 pm
Does anyone have any experience of how pissy GWR will be about bikes getting from Paddington to Oxford on Saturday morning. All the trains we've looked at say we can't reserve a bike space.

See above (or below, if you have the board set up that way). I raised the same question and was recommended to try Chiltern from Marylebone to Oxford Parkway. I think the train is at about 6.30, allowing plenty of time for a leisurely ride to the start.  From what I recall in past years, GWR hasn't been a problem at that time of the morning but may be more sniffy in the evening.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: EMnut on 04 January, 2017, 09:05:49 am
I've taken my bike on the GWR stopper service that runs between London and Oxford quite a bit this year. In my experience all the GWR staff have been great, and seemed very happy to help me with my bike. My top tip is bring a bungee cord to secure your bike, as you leave them leaning on the carriage exit next to the doorway and they tend to fall over with being secured. The road layout near Oxford station is shared space, so feels a bit odd, but should be quiet early on saturday.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Rod Marton on 04 January, 2017, 10:23:08 am
GWR cycle reservation has now become so inefficient that many people don't bother anymore. Official policy is now that unreserved bicycles may be carried if there is space, however they don't publicise this and their staff may not know it either. The overall effect is that the number of bikes on the train has plummeted (which is probably what GWR wanted). I don't use Paddington so can't comment about it, but at Reading I have never had a problem getting my bike on a train (and I use the train every day). So just turn up at the station and you should be OK (if you are questioned, just say you had a reservation on the earlier train and missed it).
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: jochta on 04 January, 2017, 02:18:44 pm
This might be the first time I ride this event in non-crap weather!!

In reply to above I always use the garden centre in Malmesbury (https://goo.gl/maps/HFHPmQjAEXr). The Summer café is too small and too busy and the garden centre does a fab all day breakfast :)

PS if you want to avoid the B4044 from Farmoor and the short stretch on the A420 dual carriageway at the very end when it's likely to be dark there's a handy 'shortcut' via Cumnor Hill and a cycle track immediately before the A34 overbridge in Botley which takes you to the Botley Interchange roundabout which has a cycle route across it to the track to Wytham. See...

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/18358698
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Redlight on 04 January, 2017, 02:49:17 pm
Being increasingly long-sighted but too stingy to buy a Garmin, I shall be reformatting Pat's route sheet in large (16-18pt) type in a Word file ahead of the event.  Subject to the usual caveats about errors, if you'd like a copy please DM me.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: mattc on 04 January, 2017, 03:22:03 pm
This might be the first time I ride this event in non-crap weather!!

In reply to above I always use the garden centre in Malmesbury (https://goo.gl/maps/HFHPmQjAEXr). The Summer café is too small and too busy and the garden centre does a fab all day breakfast :)

PS if you want to avoid the B4044 from Farmoor and the short stretch on the A420 dual carriageway at the very end when it's likely to be dark there's a handy 'shortcut' via Cumnor Hill and a cycle track immediately before the A34 overbridge in Botley which takes you to the Botley Interchange roundabout which has a cycle route across it to the track to Wytham. See...

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/18358698
Top route tip John  :thumbsup:

That garden centre is really good, breakfast-wise - but I haven't tried going there in the afternoon. It's at 125km, so that will be tight for a lot of us if they stop hot food at 2 or 3pm.

I might try stopping at Cirencester for "proper lunch" this year (it's halfway, but with all the big climbing done) and bounce everywhere else (with Shrivenham & Stanford-ITV as backups if flagging late on!). Waitrose café is en-route as you leave the town centre I think, haven't found anywhere else better for audax porpoises.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: iddu on 04 January, 2017, 03:38:33 pm
1) Not going via Farmoor/Wytham this year...

2) Waitrose is now v. slightly off-route; please read notes re Cirencester...
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: citoyen on 04 January, 2017, 04:29:01 pm
please read notes re Cirencester...

After your last email about this, I looked on Google Street View to get a better understanding. As far as I can see, the signs at the end of Cricklade Street only ban motor vehicles - nothing about bikes. Are the Street View pictures out of date? I'd be most peeved if I got a ticket for riding a bike down there.

I will probably play it safe and stick to the suggested route anyway - it's not like it adds much extra distance.

This may become a moot point anyway given reluctance of lingering chest lurgy to do one. (Will let you know if I do withdraw but I am keen to at least start this one.)
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Phil W on 04 January, 2017, 04:48:35 pm
This might be the first time I ride this event in non-crap weather!!

Be away with your curses
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: jochta on 04 January, 2017, 04:48:49 pm
1) Not going via Farmoor/Wytham this year...

The routesheet on https://sites.google.com/site/idduaudaxing/home/ps200 is...
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: jochta on 04 January, 2017, 04:51:17 pm
This might be the first time I ride this event in non-crap weather!!

In reply to above I always use the garden centre in Malmesbury (https://goo.gl/maps/HFHPmQjAEXr). The Summer café is too small and too busy and the garden centre does a fab all day breakfast :)

PS if you want to avoid the B4044 from Farmoor and the short stretch on the A420 dual carriageway at the very end when it's likely to be dark there's a handy 'shortcut' via Cumnor Hill and a cycle track immediately before the A34 overbridge in Botley which takes you to the Botley Interchange roundabout which has a cycle route across it to the track to Wytham. See...

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/18358698
Top route tip John  :thumbsup:

That garden centre is really good, breakfast-wise - but I haven't tried going there in the afternoon. It's at 125km, so that will be tight for a lot of us if they stop hot food at 2 or 3pm.

I might try stopping at Cirencester for "proper lunch" this year (it's halfway, but with all the big climbing done) and bounce everywhere else (with Shrivenham & Stanford-ITV as backups if flagging late on!). Waitrose café is en-route as you leave the town centre I think, haven't found anywhere else better for audax porpoises.

Breakfast was served until 3.30pm last time I was there. Note that the garden centre is now accessed from a new roundabout which confused me recently!! Their website claims...

"Our café serves a “Choose Your Own Breakfast” and a “Hangover Breakfast”, hugely popular with our customers and served from 9am to 3pm, Monday to Saturday."
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: iddu on 05 January, 2017, 12:06:23 am
1) Not going via Farmoor/Wytham this year...

The routesheet on https://sites.google.com/site/idduaudaxing/home/ps200 is...

Indeed.  But that's not the directional instructions et al that has been sent to entrants...
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: iddu on 05 January, 2017, 12:20:30 am
please read notes re Cirencester...

After your last email about this, I looked on Google Street View to get a better understanding. As far as I can see, the signs at the end of Cricklade Street only ban motor vehicles - nothing about bikes. Are the Street View pictures out of date? I'd be most peeved if I got a ticket for riding a bike down there.

I will probably play it safe and stick to the suggested route anyway - it's not like it adds much extra distance.

This may become a moot point anyway given reluctance of lingering chest lurgy to do one. (Will let you know if I do withdraw but I am keen to at least start this one.)

http://cirencester.gov.uk/new-blog/2015/12/1/town-centre-regeneration-project, Nov 2016 update.

Discussions elsewhere exist concerning (i) the complete dogs dinner they've made of the signage, and (ii) intimating the TRO(*) for Cricklade Street does make it pedestrian only during stated hours, with the exclusions list including cycling

(*) Haven't tracked it down yet for definitive answer, but it's not worth (giving y'all) the hassle - just go around...
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: jochta on 05 January, 2017, 09:20:37 am
1) Not going via Farmoor/Wytham this year...

The routesheet on https://sites.google.com/site/idduaudaxing/home/ps200 is...

Indeed.  But that's not the directional instructions et al that has been sent to entrants...

Yes. Found that now. I had made the naive assumption the route was the same as 2015  ;D
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: citoyen on 05 January, 2017, 10:06:25 am
Discussions elsewhere exist concerning (i) the complete dogs dinner they've made of the signage, and (ii) intimating the TRO(*) for Cricklade Street does make it pedestrian only during stated hours, with the exclusions list including cycling

(*) Haven't tracked it down yet for definitive answer, but it's not worth (giving y'all) the hassle - just go around...

Thanks for the clarification. Sounds like standard local govt fuckwittery. Canterbury city centre has a similar arrangement but they've managed to get the signage right to make it clear where cycling is and isn't permitted. And if the thoroughly incompetent and corrupt Canterbury council can manage it, no one else has an excuse.

I'll be a good boy and go round the long way.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Yellow Giant on 05 January, 2017, 10:49:20 am
In reply to above I always use the garden centre in Malmesbury (https://goo.gl/maps/HFHPmQjAEXr). The Summer café is too small and too busy and the garden centre does a fab all day breakfast :)
That garden centre is really good, breakfast-wise - but I haven't tried going there in the afternoon. It's at 125km, so that will be tight for a lot of us if they stop hot food at 2 or 3pm.

Breakfast was served until 3.30pm last time I was there. Note that the garden centre is now accessed from a new roundabout which confused me recently!! Their website claims...

"Our café serves a “Choose Your Own Breakfast” and a “Hangover Breakfast”, hugely popular with our customers and served from 9am to 3pm, Monday to Saturday."

If late for the all day breakfast, appears cooked food still available until 4.30!

"Our garden café is open:  Monday to Saturday: 9am to 4:30 cooking times apply"


Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Jack_P on 05 January, 2017, 12:23:09 pm
As the car park has a height restriction, can anyone offer any advice for parking a large campervan, overnight from Friday. thanks.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Steve Orchard on 05 January, 2017, 12:53:02 pm
Thanks for the suggestion for eating at the garden centre in Malmesbury.
Does anyone have a preferred cafe in Chipping Campden?

Sent from my SM-A300FU using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: citoyen on 05 January, 2017, 01:06:11 pm
The Bantam Tea Rooms is the classic audax cafe in Chipping Campden - you can't miss it, it's on the High Street. Also there will probably be several bikes outside when you get there.

When I did the Dean 300, I was in need of a proper meal and a sit down by the time I got to Malmesbury so I had dinner at a pub. Can't remember what it's called but it's behind that rather ornate audax hotel in the centre of town. Google suggests it's called the Whole Hog. It was quite good, iirc, but that was a few years ago now.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Phil W on 05 January, 2017, 01:35:10 pm
I know the Pear Park and Ride and Services next door. Do we gather in the actual Park and Ride or at the actual services?  Do I just look for the nearest collection of bikes?
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Brakeless on 05 January, 2017, 01:44:29 pm
I know the Pear Park and Ride and Services next door. Do we gather in the actual Park and Ride or at the actual services?  Do I just look for the nearest collection of bikes?

Brevent cards have been collected from the Bus stop in the Park and ride car park for the past few years.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: mattc on 05 January, 2017, 01:47:22 pm
I know the Pear Park and Ride and Services next door. Do we gather in the actual Park and Ride or at the actual services?  Do I just look for the nearest collection of bikes?
have you not read the lovingly crafted email+PDF from iddu ON THIS VERY SUBJECT???

(I'm pretty sure it's in the P&R, as per previous years)

When I did the Dean 300, I was in need of a proper meal and a sit down by the time I got to Malmesbury so I had dinner at a pub. Can't remember what it's called but it's behind that rather ornate audax hotel in the centre of town. Google suggests it's called the Whole Hog. It was quite good, iirc, but that was a few years ago now.

I am ALWAYS in need of a proper meal by Malmesbury on that ride! The "Whole Hog" rings a bell - I believe SimonP dragged me in there on The Wet-n-Windy Edition (2008?). I suspect we only had coffee-n-crisps, but even that felt like life-saving medication. One of the more surreal encounters between normal folk out on a Saturday night and soaked-frazzled-Audaxen.

ANWAY: phoned the GC, they close the doors at 4:30, and hot food stops at 3pm. From the cook's mouth.
If I'm really flagging at Cirencester, it'll be the Coffee #1. Just to the right of the route, as we turn left into the marketplace.

Probably.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: TigaSefi on 05 January, 2017, 01:51:55 pm
Just realised that I don't have a provided SAE. Should it have come by now?
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: iddu on 05 January, 2017, 02:07:11 pm
Just realised that I don't have a provided SAE. Should it have come by now?

Delivered by dainty hand, to accompany your brevet card...
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: TigaSefi on 05 January, 2017, 02:08:05 pm
Just realised that I don't have a provided SAE. Should it have come by now?

Delivere by dainty hand, to accompany your brevet card...

haha ok got ya! All those alternative directions scare me too! I think i am going to stick with a group!
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: iddu on 05 January, 2017, 02:15:28 pm
haha ok got ya! All those alternative directions scare me too! I think i am going to stick with a group!

For you:-

1) Turn R. Head NW for 60Km
2) Turn L. Head SSW for 67Km
3) Turn L. Head ENE for 80Km.

Better? ;D
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: iddu on 05 January, 2017, 02:56:00 pm
As the car park has a height restriction, can anyone offer any advice for parking a large campervan, overnight from Friday. thanks.

Peartree Services offer paid parking (costs unknown). 
Five Mile Drive (off the A40/A44 rbt) has restricted parking bays, where restriction is Mon-Fri daytime only. 
There's a layby / scrubland alongside A44, Northbound of the A34/A44 rbt - Very Des. Res. ;)
Otherwise you're going to be scouting round the local suburbs...
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Redlight on 06 January, 2017, 03:03:17 pm
I've never tracked this on the map before but noticed an interesting little direction at 39.1km.  The route sheet says R@T on the A436, then left, sp Addlestrop.  If I recall, that takes you up a bit of a drag before the turn.  The map appears to show that if you go L@T and then almost immediately right, you end up in the same place, but without the climb.  Am I missing some obvious reason, assuming it's a free route, why you wouldn't take the latter option?
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Jack_P on 06 January, 2017, 04:46:54 pm
GPX track I have shows the L-R route round Adlestrop park, so guess its just a route sheet anomoly
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: tonyh on 06 January, 2017, 04:52:33 pm
The longer way does give you a poem-related sightseeing opportunity:

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=adlestrop+bus+shelter&client=firefox-b-ab&tbm=isch&imgil=EujiWdc0dDhSvM%253A%253Blr9La3Fgq_4GSM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252

Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: citoyen on 06 January, 2017, 05:29:50 pm
GPX track I have shows the L-R route round Adlestrop park, so guess its just a route sheet anomoly

That's odd. The GPX track I have (the one iddu sent out by email recently) goes the long way round.

Funnily enough, I plotted my own track on Garmin Connect and had to insert extra waypoints to force it to take the official route rather than the shortcut. Didn't occur to me to just go the short way instead - I've just had a look at it on Google Street View and can see no good reason not to.

Nice of iddu to sneak in an extra hill as a special treat for us, but seeing as I'll be on fixed, I think I'll give it a miss.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: JonBuoy on 06 January, 2017, 05:53:32 pm
...or you could follow NCN route 442 and go straight on at the junction, missing most of the hill and rejoining the route in Adlestrop. 

So that's along the bridleway - past the cricket pitch - onto the tree-covered grassy track etc.

OK - so there is no Streetview coverage but it is an NCN route so what could possibly go wrong ?
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: mattc on 06 January, 2017, 06:28:43 pm
The longer way does give you a poem-related sightseeing opportunity:

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=adlestrop+bus+shelter&client=firefox-b-ab&tbm=isch&imgil=EujiWdc0dDhSvM%253A%253Blr9La3Fgq_4GSM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252
I wouldnt be at ALL surprised if that's why iddu has done it  ;D


Meanwhile, I had a chat with the weather gods about this dry/mild forecast for tomorrow. They said they had a LOT of water over Oxfordshire (with rather a mean smirk). So I persuaded them to wring out the skies this afternoon and dump all the water on me as I rode home.

If they were fibbing I shall be very very cross ...
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Mr Green on 06 January, 2017, 09:12:23 pm
Looking forward to tomorrow. The Poor Student is a classic, and I'm in danger of being a regular now - this will be my 3rd effort + a dns for that very wet year it was cancelled, was it 2015?
 :smug: :smug:
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: jochta on 06 January, 2017, 10:02:35 pm
I've never tracked this on the map before but noticed an interesting little direction at 39.1km.  The route sheet says R@T on the A436, then left, sp Addlestrop.  If I recall, that takes you up a bit of a drag before the turn.  The map appears to show that if you go L@T and then almost immediately right, you end up in the same place, but without the climb.  Am I missing some obvious reason, assuming it's a free route, why you wouldn't take the latter option?

I'd never noticed this before and always followed the route sheet the long way around. The only reason I can see is it's a left then a right off of a main road rather than a right then left but it's up a steep A-road to get there so I will try the shorter alternative tomorrow.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: iddu on 07 January, 2017, 08:33:04 am
Impressed - near 90% turnout.

Bonne route, and enjoy the day...
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: PAC on 07 January, 2017, 06:31:53 pm
A good day out - Thanks Iddu :thumbsup:

Did anyone else with a Garmin 810 have a problem with it turning off an not saving the route?  Mine did it at Chipping Campden and also just before Highworth... Most annoying, but at least I wasn't doing a GPS DIY!

Cheers,

Peter.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Wycombewheeler on 07 January, 2017, 06:34:48 pm
thanks for a fantastic route and flawless gps file.

What do you use to make the file? and how do you get one gpx to create 3 routes in garmin? Great for not missing controls. Turn instructions also great, mine are always a bit hit and miss.

Definitely the best 200 I have ridden.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Clemo on 07 January, 2017, 06:43:29 pm
Cheers Pat, I had a good day out on the bike.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Mr Green on 07 January, 2017, 07:09:43 pm
Cheers Pat,
Great ride, and the weather was kind this year: no ice, mild temperatures, and no rain or wind. I even quite enjoyed the atmospheric fog.

Arthur.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Redlight on 07 January, 2017, 07:59:55 pm
Great route, etc., but I was Mr Legs of Lead today and am only now on the train back to London. Don't know what happened but I was definitely not firing on all cylinders.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: jochta on 07 January, 2017, 09:00:07 pm
Great ride as usual! Thanks for organising Pat. Liked the mist :)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/18968701/forum%20images/GOPR3740.JPG)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/18968701/forum%20images/GOPR3741.JPG)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/18968701/forum%20images/GOPR3745.JPG)
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: tonyh on 07 January, 2017, 09:27:45 pm
Very nice set of three!
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Malmesbury Monk on 07 January, 2017, 09:39:20 pm
I saw the ElliptiGo bikes parked under the market cross in Malmesbury at about 4.30pm, as I was driving my son back home after he'd raced in Bath. Assuming they were on the Poor Student, I hope their riders made it back in time.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: TigaSefi on 07 January, 2017, 09:42:39 pm
Good day out and weather behaved! Legs misbehaved till I had full English in Malmesbury!
Title: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: citoyen on 07 January, 2017, 11:48:16 pm
That was hard work, but I made it. Might have had to walk a few times around the Compton Abdale area but considering that's my first proper ride on fixed for a few years, I'm pretty pleased really. I'm going to feel it tomorrow though.

I was a bit late setting off after my companion was delayed getting to the start, so by the time we got to Chipping Campden the Bantam was heaving. I had to kick up a minor fuss when the waitress went to take the order of a group who had arrived a good 10 minutes after us. Never mind.

At least I got to try on an LEL 2017 gilet while I was waiting - thanks Phil!

Conversely, by the time I got to Malmesbury the Summer Cafe was almost empty and I got served pretty quickly. Although they didn't have much food left by then.

Another yacf name/face combo ticked off when I rode with fellow autobusser Redlight for a bit.

All in all, a good day out - thanks Pat. Legs and lungs live to fight another day.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Steve Orchard on 08 January, 2017, 09:02:15 am
Thanks Pat for a fun day out. Ditto to the praise already given above.
It's been a while since I have done such a well attended Audax. Lots of chattter in the numerous groups I rode with.
Bit strange sitting in Starbucks with loads of muddy faced cyclists.

Sent from my SM-A300FU using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Manotea on 08 January, 2017, 10:05:12 am
Finally, Manotea has come back to the Poor Student. Its been a while and everything seems to changed, including the route which was the wrong way round...

A late arrival - note to self, must get to bed before midnight the day before an Audax event - meant that I started even after Mr Kirkland but a quick stop at Chipping Camden put me back in company. The morning mists rather obscured the fine views offered by the Oxford Alps. This was the first time I've ridden this section in daylight which seemed remarkably hilly - no wonder it seems such hard work coming the other way. I'd always put that down to fatigue at the end of the day but perhaps its not all down to me after all. After Chipping came the ride to Compton Abdale. Whilst I enjoyed the long descent to the village the climbs after seemed even longer. Seems to me the route is harder the sinister way... it seemed plausible I might one day make all the climbs in the regular direction but that feels a far off dream 'a sinister'. We shall find out next year. Meanwhile I suspect I didn't lose 'road position' whilst in the 24" gear.  The pay off for all this was the run home from Malmsbury. This was mostly flat and with a gentle tailwind, and fuelled by a second breakfast from the Malmsbury Garden Centre - and some illicit apple crumble - the KMs flew by. There was a mild sting in the tail - the last few KMs through the heart of the Oxford - but all done soon enough and then a quiet snooze at the Welcome Break before the drive home. Excellent!

We get to do it all again in a couple of months on the Dean but before then comes the Willy Warmer. See you there. :)
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Banjo on 08 January, 2017, 11:12:30 am
I couldn't enter yesterday but would like to ride it as a perm one day. Malmesbury is the closest corner for me so I was thinking of starting there and going North first clockwise to do the hilly bit early .

Does that seem a good plan?

Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: citoyen on 08 January, 2017, 12:44:20 pm
a quiet snooze at the Welcome Break before the drive home. Excellent!

I think I spoke to you briefly at the finish - you were the one hogging the sofa in Starbucks, right? I knew I recognised the face but couldn't put a name to it. I was just getting ready to leave when you woke up and we discussed whether or not it was harder this way round.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Neil C on 08 January, 2017, 12:48:38 pm
Thanks Pat for a successful day out. The route was great and I'd like to do it again on a clear day and in daylight to see it all. The lack of traffic was most welcome especially in the dark.

I started "behind the bulge" and so had a lonely first half to the ride. The legs were very weak from two weeks of lurgy and I had plenty of time to consider if it was really a good idea being there. Saw plenty of cyclists as I arrived in Chipping Campden but I think I was the last to leave The Bantam Tearooms.

After the big hills I joined up with John Irwin, and then Phil W and his niece Nicola. Suddenly I was in group and my mood and legs improved greatly. Thanks guys for the lift. After Cirencester the youth and experience in the group shot off up the road and left me and John to plod on to Malmesbury. The Summer Cafe still had some cake left and that fueled me up for the dark section back to Oxford.

I was happy just to make it round but grateful that the legs felt better at the end than the beginning.

That's ten months of my first RRTY, all calendar events, but it looks like I'll need a perm for February.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Malmesbury Monk on 08 January, 2017, 01:06:21 pm
I couldn't enter yesterday but would like to ride it as a perm one day. Malmesbury is the closest corner for me so I was thinking of starting there and going North first clockwise to do the hilly bit early .

Does that seem a good plan?

Yes, it does. I've ridden it as a perm from Malmesbury. You definitely get the lumpy bits out of the way first by heading North. Oxford back to Malmesbury is all fairly flat, although the day I rode it there was a fierce headwind across the open Oxfordshire lanes.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: TigaSefi on 08 January, 2017, 03:21:17 pm
The people running summer cafe never been so happy lol
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: TheRedEyeJedi on 08 January, 2017, 03:37:50 pm
Enjoyed my first audax yesterday.  The three of us that rode together made it back in time but it was looking close at one point due to punctures and my disk brakes needing road side surgery in Cirencester.   Got a bit lost at the Malmesbury roundabout  and went a slightly different route from the GPX but caught it up 5 or 10 miles later.   Made good tie back from there especially when we got back on familiar roads.

Big thumbs up for the chippy in Purton - that's a good one!

Got 154 miles in which is my longest ever and will hopefully be back for The Dean.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: JamieD on 08 January, 2017, 03:56:00 pm
It was a great day out and what really caught my attention after riding in Kent was how pleasant the drivers were. Over 200K ridden and not a single incident of aggressive passing, beeping or just generally being unpleasant. Once we got into the Cotswolds drivers went from friendly to very friendly with people making a real effort to be courteous and accommodating.

If this is normal I'm going to have to make an effort to ride in that part of the country more frequently.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 08 January, 2017, 03:57:14 pm
Now you know why many cyclists think drivers from your part of the world are a bunch of Kents.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: LiamFitz on 08 January, 2017, 03:59:47 pm
A fab day with some very nice company...

Interestingly I wonder if a few AUKs were doing a DIY clockwise as I kept seeing faces I recognised.

L
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: TheRedEyeJedi on 08 January, 2017, 04:15:55 pm
It was a great day out and what really caught my attention after riding in Kent was how pleasant the drivers were. Over 200K ridden and not a single incident of aggressive passing, beeping or just generally being unpleasant. Once we got into the Cotswolds drivers went from friendly to very friendly with people making a real effort to be courteous and accommodating.

If this is normal I'm going to have to make an effort to ride in that part of the country more frequently.

We had the same impression...I punctured in Malmesbury and a 4x4 stopped to ask if we were ok!  Thats a first for me
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: mattc on 08 January, 2017, 04:24:46 pm
a quiet snooze at the Welcome Break before the drive home. Excellent!

I think I spoke to you briefly at the finish - you were the one hogging the sofa in Starbucks, right? I knew I recognised the face but couldn't put a name to it. I was just getting ready to leave when you woke up and we discussed whether or not it was harder this way round.
That's hilarious! We need to find out if Manotea woke up more - or less - quickly after riding the other way round.

Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: jochta on 08 January, 2017, 04:53:31 pm
It was a great day out and what really caught my attention after riding in Kent was how pleasant the drivers were. Over 200K ridden and not a single incident of aggressive passing, beeping or just generally being unpleasant. Once we got into the Cotswolds drivers went from friendly to very friendly with people making a real effort to be courteous and accommodating.

If this is normal I'm going to have to make an effort to ride in that part of the country more frequently.

I had a right idiot in a BMW (surprise surprise) try and drive me off of a single track near Malmesbury. Followed me for about 400m with his hand on the horn and then had a go at me at the next junction where I went left and he went right. Not sure where I was supposed to go, down into the ditch maybe. He wasted more time shouting at me then if he'd just followed and shared the road. So I'm afraid there are idiots everywhere.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: citoyen on 08 January, 2017, 05:08:12 pm
I had a couple of close passes yesterday, plus one idiot who decided to overtake on a narrow road when there were cars coming the other way, so he had to cut in very sharply and almost took out my front wheel.

Tbh, I didn't find it much different to riding in Kent on the whole. This is neither a good nor a bad thing.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: jochta on 08 January, 2017, 05:30:58 pm
I had a couple of close passes yesterday, plus one idiot who decided to overtake on a narrow road when there were cars coming the other way, so he had to cut in very sharply and almost took out my front wheel.

Tbh, I didn't find it much different to riding in Kent on the whole. This is neither a good nor a bad thing.

There's always one or two idiots to try and spoil every ride.

This was the lane I had my issue on, Hare Lane near Hankerton. Recently resurfaced with chippings so edges of the road loose, verges drop down into ditches and muddy in January...

https://goo.gl/maps/QY4RJCYt6ir

Driver reckons I should pull over to let him pass, not sure why I should and where I would go and he and I both knew there was a junction ahead. And once he decided to hold his hand on the horn there was no way I was gonna be bullied into pulling over.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Yellow Giant on 08 January, 2017, 06:40:12 pm
Fantastic ride, great turnout and many thanks for organising.
I've learnt a few things as well, I usually do!
If going on a 12 hour ride think about how to deal with a Garmin with a 11 hour battery life (result - 1 corrupted route).
If relying on a Garmin to provide your route, have a backup for when it runs out of juice (luckily had 'smart phone', even if user not too smart!)
On wet & muddy roads, even those with mudguards throw up wet mud in your face unless they have mud flaps/long mudguards.
Having mentioned the above to another rider, now need to do something about my own mudguards - seem some lovely DIY versions.
Garden centre cafes have some wonderful fuel - huge Yorkshire pudding overflowing with beef casserole (photographic evidence available but no idea how to upload...)
Total respect to those riding single speed / fixed wheel / other variations - I find it difficult enough with all the gears, let alone only having one!
Pleased with my ride, especially considering total lack of miles in legs.  Need to do something about that.
Thanks once again, look forward to trying again the 'correct' way round.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: mattc on 08 January, 2017, 07:39:00 pm
And once he decided to hold his hand on the horn there was no way I was gonna be bullied into pulling over.

 :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Manotea on 08 January, 2017, 07:57:28 pm
I left it all on the road, Matt, and by the state of my bike, the road was clearly not taking it lying down...

Ref posts up thread, honourable mentions are due to the passenger of the silver Volkswagen who offered a sneering 'do you mind' when I stood aside to let them pass (I was pushing my bike up the hill after Compton Abdale at the time), and the WVM who drove his van straight at a group of riders on a lane about six inches wider than his vehicle without slowing.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: citoyen on 08 January, 2017, 08:17:38 pm
If going on a 12 hour ride think about how to deal with a Garmin with a 11 hour battery life (result - 1 corrupted route).

Which Garmin do you have? My Edge 510 still has 15% juice left, even though I had the screen light on for the last few hours, and I didn't take much less than 12 hours to get round myself.

Might be worth checking the settings to see if there are things you can do to reduce energy consumption (eg turn off Bluetooth, if applicable).
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Lee Killestein on 08 January, 2017, 08:19:27 pm
Total respect to those riding single speed / fixed wheel / other variations - I find it difficult enough with all the gears, let alone only having one!

There were a couple of points where I questioned my decision to ride fixed, one involving a short walk, but on the whole not a bad route. The mind quickly rewrites history after a good meal and a good night's rest!
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: TheRedEyeJedi on 08 January, 2017, 09:04:45 pm
I left it all on the road, Matt, and by the state of my bike, the road was clearly not taking it lying down...

Ref posts up thread, honourable mentions are due to the passenger of the silver Volkswagen who offered a sneering 'do you mind' when I stood aside to let them pass (I was pushing my bike up the hill after Compton Abdale at the time), and the WVM who drove his van straight at a group of riders on a lane about six inches wider than his vehicle without slowing.

Yes now you mention it I was one of the riders who wvm drove at - both his off side wheels were on the verge and he wasn't hanging about .... probably withdraw my earlier comment  :facepalm:
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: citoyen on 08 January, 2017, 09:06:20 pm
So was I. I'd forgotten about that idiot. (Or maybe it was a different idiot - it's possible, with such behaviour not being uncommon among WVMs.)
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Wycombewheeler on 08 January, 2017, 11:00:15 pm
Fantastic ride, great turnout and many thanks for organising.
I've learnt a few things as well, I usually do!
If going on a 12 hour ride think about how to deal with a Garmin with a 11 hour battery life (result - 1 corrupted route).
If relying on a Garmin to provide your route, have a backup for when it runs out of juice (luckily had 'smart phone', even if user not too smart!)
On wet & muddy roads, even those with mudguards throw up wet mud in your face unless they have mud flaps/long mudguards.
Having mentioned the above to another rider, now need to do something about my own mudguards - seem some lovely DIY versions.
Garden centre cafes have some wonderful fuel - huge Yorkshire pudding overflowing with beef casserole (photographic evidence available but no idea how to upload...)
Total respect to those riding single speed / fixed wheel / other variations - I find it difficult enough with all the gears, let alone only having one!
Pleased with my ride, especially considering total lack of miles in legs.  Need to do something about that.
Thanks once again, look forward to trying again the 'correct' way round.
garmin life extension I have discovered.
1)don't use bluetooth/ant
2) use headlight to read screen not garmin back light
3) power up on the go with an external battery, with a power only(non data) cable it shouldnt go to memor mode and so be able to keep going. Worked for me on london wales london last year.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: TigaSefi on 08 January, 2017, 11:21:53 pm
 Drivers on my part of the route were complete numpties.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Yellow Giant on 09 January, 2017, 12:07:30 am

3) power up on the go with an external battery, with a power only(non data) cable it shouldnt go to memor mode and so be able to keep going. Worked for me on london wales london last year.
Power only cable should be the answer. Thks.


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Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: TheRedEyeJedi on 09 January, 2017, 06:43:06 am
So was I. I'd forgotten about that idiot. (Or maybe it was a different idiot - it's possible, with such behaviour not being uncommon among WVMs.)

Pretty sure we are talking about same van ... i think you were just in front of me at the time.   Fixie with Rapha top on correct?   You made my knees ache!
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: citoyen on 09 January, 2017, 08:32:26 am
Fixie with Rapha top on correct?   You made my knees ache!

Yep, that's right. I made my own knees ache too - along with various other bits of me.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: EMnut on 09 January, 2017, 09:48:04 am
Thanks for organizing such a great ride Pat.

Gosh that was a toughie! My fears about not having many miles in the legs beforehand turned out to be well founded. But my fellow riders from Abingdon Freewheeling waited at the top of every climb where I was always the last up, and drafted me along in the flatter places (redeyedjedi being one of them), as well as sorting the navigation, so all I needed to do was keep peddling.

It certainly made the rider far easier for me , as I think I might have got home in the early hours without them, and possibly headed back to Abingdon to cut a few miles off at the end, but it felt great to roll back into Peartree at 8.00ish. I've done longer rides than this, but none where I have had to dig so deep to finish

Weather in early Jan is rarely nice, but although murky I think we were quite blessed, barely any headwinds (maybe I was riding too slowly to notice them), and the fog made some sections look quite spooky (the long road in the woods after Chipping Camden being one of them).

My moment when I wobbled came on the last of the really tough climbs before Cirencester, I though a 30 inch lowest gear would make climbs relatively easy, but I'd have used lower gears still had I had them. I was zig zagging up just trying to concentrate on making it to the next zig/zag, behind me was citoyen walking up (I was with redeye when the WVM charged), and ahead of me was another rider in a blue jersey who was also inching up, and I did then wonder then if I would finish. But then Shaun and Andy were waiting at the top, and having taken 40 minutes to cover 2 miles, we covered the next 8 miles into Cirencester quite swiftly.

From that moment, whenever the road pointed up, my legs were like jelly and I had to use my lowest gear to ride up any climbs (even the final small bit in Cumnor which I normally power up out of the saddle).

RedEyes mechanical was very swiftly resolved, and having got through the toughest part there was no way we were not going to finish, even if we missed the last control time. A roadside repair just adds to the story of the ride.

At Purton the climb was rewarded by the amazing fish and chip shop, never have I been so grateful for battered cod and a can on coke. Eating some hot food, and then finding ourselves on known roads was the final spur to making it home.

The last 48 hours I’ve barely been able to walk up the stairs, and cannot feel the fingers in my left hand, the price I’ve paid for no training beforehand. But my goodness do I feel good about finishing this! My only regret was that I carried too much stuff and made my bike miles heaver than it should have been, should know better at my age.

I hope my fellow rides where I struggled up the climb made it back to Peartree, real respect to citoyen for doing this on a fixie!!. But really must thank my riding companions for their support, it made all the difference.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Rumps on 09 January, 2017, 11:07:04 am
just to add my thanks to Iddu and Ms/Mrs Iddu for organising a great day out. The lanes to Cirencester in particular were v enjoyable. And I heard possibly for the first time , Parky utter the words , " Let's not stop " in Chipping Camden. I was in shock all the way to Cirencester where we did have a proper sit down lunch with some of the Cotswolds finest as we dripped and clip clopped across the polished boards.
 I appreciate I am about to sound like a sad old  git now for mentioning the M word. However, there were too many bikes without ( functioning )mudguards IMHO.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Jethro on 09 January, 2017, 11:09:04 am
Not ridden this 'calender' event for some years now and after going down on an icy stretch but did do the 'perm' version (same route) a couple of years ago starting and finishing in Chipping Campden and doing the course in reverse on a nice Summer day which was so very enjoyable.  Must do it again this year I think.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: citoyen on 09 January, 2017, 11:57:07 am
real respect to citoyen for doing this on a fixie!!

Thanks, but far more respect is due to the AC Hackney rider who rode to the start from North London and home again afterwards for a total of 417km!

(Don't know what name he goes by here but he's in the yacf group on Strava.)

Quote
My moment when I wobbled came on the last of the really tough climbs before Cirencester, I though a 30 inch lowest gear would make climbs relatively easy, but I'd have used lower gears still had I had them.

Was slightly concerned you were going to topple over when I heard the crunch of gears and saw you wobble, but well done for saving it.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 09 January, 2017, 12:01:06 pm
HK tells me that somebody did hit the deck on a later climb as she (on trike) was catching him.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: EMnut on 09 January, 2017, 12:04:47 pm
Might have been me, I'd hoped no one had noticed! I fell off on the hill up to Purton, a fall onto a nice boggy verge at about 1mph
It lapsed from my memory on account of a most excellent battered cod and coke in Purton, thah chippy was a lifesaver
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Redlight on 09 January, 2017, 12:39:18 pm
I appreciate I am about to sound like a sad old  git now for mentioning the M word. However, there were too many bikes without ( functioning )mudguards IMHO.

I'm happy to be considered a sad old git and agree with you. I backed off and let riders get ahead several times to avoid being sprayed with that wonderful Cotswold Combination of mud, water and horse manure.  There were several guys at the cafe in Chipping who looked as though they had been in a cyclocross.  I'm not sure what the poor lass behind the counter knew what to make of them.

I wouldn't want a return to the obsessive M rule of the old days, but at this time of year it can't be too hard to attach a pair of clip-on mudguards to most frames, surely?
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: JJ on 09 January, 2017, 02:11:54 pm
Well, that ride doesn't get much more benign than this year's.  For the benefit of this weekend's Audax first timers, that doesn't mean it was an easy one.  Chapeau Mesdames et Messieurs, to everyone who popped their cherry with the Poor Student.

I had a lovely time riding with some old friends and some new ones.  Reading this, I realise there were more old friends present whom I never saw.  Hope to see you sometime soon.

I proved to my satisfaction that riding up some of those hills is barely quicker than walking.

The highlight of my day was undoubtedly the beef stew in a bowl made of yorkshire pud at the Malmesbury garden centre.  I've now tried the pub, the chippie, the coop, the petrol station and the garden centre and that'll my top option for a winter ride now, although LiamFitz did mutter about a Waitrose cafe too.

Thanks for the ride Iddu!
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: JamieD on 09 January, 2017, 03:22:16 pm
I wouldn't want a return to the obsessive M rule of the old days, but at this time of year it can't be too hard to attach a pair of clip-on mudguards to most frames, surely?

As one of the rather filthy people my experience was that clip on mudguards did very little for stopping mud hitting people behind them. I noticed a huge difference in following people with additional rear flaps and will have to invest in some for my mudguards

(http://i.imgur.com/O8v7U1H.jpg)
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: HK on 09 January, 2017, 03:41:39 pm
I saw the ElliptiGo bikes parked under the market cross in Malmesbury at about 4.30pm, as I was driving my son back home after he'd raced in Bath. Assuming they were on the Poor Student, I hope their riders made it back in time.

Indeed the Elliptigos were on the brevet.  With my unintentional late start I passed them early on in the ride. Great care was taken as I passed as I didn't want a repeat of the PBP incident.


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Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Brakeless on 09 January, 2017, 03:57:28 pm
My fourth time round the Poor Student and the driest by far, previous rides have involved wringing out socks at the finish! The garden centre at Malmesbury was great for a quick lunch, a cheeky entrance down thier exit road means it is literally a minute off route and far less hassle than the cramped town centre options.
I've been riding a lot for the past couple of months including doing the Rapha 500 over christmas and it seems to be paying off as I got back to Oxford just after 4pm.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: HK on 09 January, 2017, 03:58:40 pm
Might have been me, I'd hoped no one had noticed! I fell off on the hill up to Purton, a fall onto a nice boggy verge at about 1mph
It lapsed from my memory on account of a most excellent battered cod and coke in Purton, thah chippy was a lifesaver

If a small woman on a shiny trike muttered 'those will never catch on' as she asked nicely to come by before the two wheeled person remounted (due to the lane being a tad trike unfriendly) that would be you. Alternatively more of those funny two wheeled contraptions were loosing balance up those climbs


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Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: reynard on 09 January, 2017, 04:21:43 pm
Great ride, thanks for organising. No mishaps, and just one close call, for Derek who rode into a front wheel sized hole in Purton   :facepalm:, but managed to stay upright!   :thumbsup: #skills

(http://imageshack.com/a/img924/8104/vP9csf.jpg)
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: hellymedic on 09 January, 2017, 04:31:01 pm
Has that drain cover been reported to fillthathole? Other riders might not have the skillz!
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Brakeless on 09 January, 2017, 04:35:25 pm
I don't want to derail the thread but why would you be riding so close to the kerb ? If the drain didn't get you the kerb probably would.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: reynard on 09 January, 2017, 04:40:05 pm
just done it...thanks for the suggestion  :thumbsup:

Has that drain cover been reported to fillthathole? Other riders might not have the skillz!

Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: hellymedic on 09 January, 2017, 04:49:30 pm
just done it...thanks for the suggestion  :thumbsup:

Has that drain cover been reported to fillthathole? Other riders might not have the skillz!

Excellent!
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: EMnut on 09 January, 2017, 05:11:58 pm
The one trike I saw was in Yarnton, and it whizzed ahead of me, definitely raises the spirits to see one
So it must have been someone else who fell off

With the mud-guards issue, my rear one is long and has not flap, but it kept the cow poo of my water bottle (liquid cow poo is now less tasty
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: EMnut on 09 January, 2017, 05:22:48 pm
sorry I meant cow poo is less tasty than the water :facepalm:
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: jochta on 09 January, 2017, 06:58:27 pm
I wouldn't want a return to the obsessive M rule of the old days, but at this time of year it can't be too hard to attach a pair of clip-on mudguards to most frames, surely?

As one of the rather filthy people my experience was that clip on mudguards did very little for stopping mud hitting people behind them. I noticed a huge difference in following people with additional rear flaps and will have to invest in some for my mudguards

(http://i.imgur.com/O8v7U1H.jpg)

Long flaps are the only way to avoid splash back... http://rawmudflap.uk/
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Bikeabilityman on 09 January, 2017, 07:50:08 pm
My new bike came with an inadequate (as a few clubmates have noted) rear flap. I haven't yet had the heart to take it off, or add a home made or bought one to it, as that looks naff, but I know I need to act. Team MK's new kit supplier are doing matching bidons and flaps, but the raw ones are cheaper, and I like the East Yorkshire (my home county) CTC one!
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Clemo on 09 January, 2017, 08:36:39 pm

Long flaps are the only way to avoid splash back... http://rawmudflap.uk/

I have one of those flaps, not fitted on Saturday due to breaking my rear mudguard in two places and fitted the replacement the night before, so didnt have time. However they are excellent quality.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: longflaps on 09 January, 2017, 11:10:19 pm
For some reason that turned out to be tougher than expected - despite making good progress to the first control. I started a little late so missed the guys I'd planned to cycle with but met some new people along the way which is always a bonus at the start of a new year. So chatted with D on a fixie and C (a sort of member of RCC) for much of that first leg. Passing those taking only the briefest of stops down the street I headed straight for the Bantam Tea Rooms who provided a good portion of beans a a thick door-stopper of a slice of toast at a table right next to the fire - handy for getting things a little dried and warmed up ready for the ascent up and over Snowshill in the swirling mists and fog. On the next table A of those wonderful Gregorio boys recognised me. I also spotted some LEL17 tops being sported in the cafe too - they look very fetching.

D and I seemed to be setting a nice steady pace together so stuck with it all the way down to Malmsbury where I could have sworn I saw T heading in the opposite direction around the Compton Abdale alps where quite a number of us (including Kiwi couple N and his girlfriend tackling her first Audax ride and the man who hates Jams) had sort of ground to a snails-pace on the ascents and carried on together to the outskirts of Malmsbury where I was hell-bent on revisiting the Summer Cafe which D hadn't visited before (maybe next time I'll try out the Garden Centre given the favourable reviews of their generous portions found above and which the rest of the group D and I had rideen with from CA Alps went to try out). Outside the cafe I met B who was on his trusty handmade fixie and looking good considering all of those hills.

I managed to secure the last sausage roll and washed down with coffee and some walnut cake was ready to tackle the final leg. It was also at Malmsbury where I also remet those wonderful Gregorio boys who seem to stick together through thick and thin and always seem to start and finish together. J was there with an even different machine (this one had 3-wheels) from the special Moulton which was being much admired by a chap on another tricycle who I noticed, on the stretch between Purton and the north of Swindon had found our rear wheels and was milking them for all they were worth. 

Shortly after this point (I'd jumped onto the dual-use pavement/cycleway by the roadworks) I lost D and when I hung back to check if he was still around, discovered that he must have gone off with the group which included the Kiwis and the tricyclist. I began to weary on the way to Highworth and was passed by those truly amazing Gregorio boys only to pass them in the town. The road from Shrivenham to Oxford is a fine quiet road and I pedalled along in a revelrie passing a few pairs of riders taking breathers the side of the road until my right-hand down shifter collapsed near Pusey and I had to make a quick repair with cable ties and make do to the long-awaited arrivee. I was completely spent and downed 2 pints of milk in the forecourt garage with a couple of fine fellows from Essex who were taking on board some caffeine ready for the long drive back. The man who loves Jams appeared and asked us why we did such a daft thing instead of staying at home in the warm and watching the telly. We were lost for an answer just then. I'd been unusually thirsty on this winter ride and I think that was a sign that the cold I'd been fighting for the past 2 weeks was still lingering and draining me. I was unusually wiped out when I got home and went straight to bed after a shower and some painkillers.

Hats off once again to iddu for getting us all off our collective arses to have such fun on a mid-winters day. It really is a beautiful route and must try it one day in the summer to see if it feels any easier. Great also to meet so many new people too. Now I'm really looking forward to LEL.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: LiamFitz on 10 January, 2017, 07:51:55 am
I was one of the unguarded - in my rush to pack on Friday night it was the thing i missed.  I regretted it all day as it made me antisocial and gave me splattered legs.  Even the clip-ons would have been an improvement.

I suspect WVM had more than one encounter with the ride on narrow roads.  However, having known Manotea for some years I sympathise with the passenger in the VW who asked him "Do you mind?..."

L
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Phil W on 10 January, 2017, 05:59:57 pm
I also spotted some LEL17 tops being sported in the cafe too - they look very fetching.

Now I'm really looking forward to LEL.

That would have been me. I have the sample jersey and gilet in the volunteer colour scheme (reversed on rider ones). I was offering the gilet for audaxers to try on for size in the cafe. That may have given the impression that more than one set of LEL2017 tops were out there. If you'd asked you could have tried it on as well.

The jersey and gilet are standing up well in use having had them since May '16. They've been worn on over 2100km of audaxing, in all weathers, and are good as new so far.

The jersey and gilet will next be in evidence on the Pork Pie 200 in March. February will be more of a DIY by GPS month.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Phil W on 10 January, 2017, 07:33:33 pm
After the big hills I joined up with John Irwin, and then Phil W and his niece Nicola. Suddenly I was in group and my mood and legs improved greatly. Thanks guys for the lift.

Riding it for the first time and mentoring my niece Nicola round her first audax.

She loved the understated start , no horn or loud music , riders just started rolling off. We had a good run to Chipping Campden on the fairly gentle terrain. She liked spotting PBP gilets after I pointed them out.  I'd told her not to worry about what other people were doing pace wise. She was pleased to see that people who passed us, we passed them later on and so on leap frogging each other. It helped her relax and not worry we were going too slow (we weren't) but at just the right pace yo get round.

At the Bantam baked potato and hot chocolate were enjoyed. I offered the LEL2017 gilet for a few to try on for size whilst waiting for my food.

I noticed she was beginning to fade in the hills on the second leg. Not helped by a rider saying "It's like this all the way to Cirencester". After telling him that was "too much information"  we stopped at the top of the hill and the emergency wine gums were broken out.  About 30 mins later she got a puncture which I fixed then left her to pump up before we put the wheel back in the fork.  I then towed her along and caught Neil and John. I sat on the front of the group whilst the old reprobates chatted up my niece and helped the miles pass without thought. We stopped in Cirencester for a photo by the cathedral. Coming out of Cirencester I pulled away with Nicola in tow.

Malmesbury we saw bikes outside the coffee house in the cinema / art gallery complex. Toasties, Paninis and ice cream milkshakes were enjoyed. Darkness fell on the next leg and I got out the proper front light I'd brought for Nicola's bike.  I had my large red saddlebag on my bike as Nicola hasn't ridden an audax before and I was carrying all her spare clothes in case she got cold, wet or both. Nicola was drafting me on the final leg still being tired. Subsequently her light caught my saddlebag in its throw and a large shadow fell across me. But all was well.

We caught and rode with one rider for a while, but he was going slower than the average speed I wanted to maintain to get Nicola back not too fast and not too slow.  So we pulled ahead and didn't see him again.

Nicola hadn't done a 100 mile ride yet and was keen I let her know when we reached a 100 miles. I wouldn't let her look at Strava running on her phone in case it wasn't as far as she thought and she got dispirited. I guessed at roughly the right point and she saw we were at 99 miles. We took a selfie when we got to a dark lane at 103 miles. She loved the riding in the dark on those quiet lanes.With about 9 miles left she had begun to fade again. So we broke out the M&M emergency rations to see her to the end on the final tow.

We caught a rider as we entered Oxford. He was glad as his GPS had run out of power. So we rode as a group of three. Nicola lives near Oxford and works there and as soon as she knew how far the Park and Ride was, she was off in a final sprint of youth and exuberance. I and our fellow rider were following in her mudguardless wake with  our air brake saddlebags on the back.

We then went to the services for a KFC (which certainly wasn't fast food) and final receipt plus chat with other riders in the other eating area.

I'd like to thank every rider we met who spoke and encouraged her along helping the miles to pass without too much thought, I'd also like to thank those she spoke to at the cafe stops or whilst we were fixing the puncture.  She was one of the mudguardless ones and had the badger stripe of honour. But no one made a rude comment about it. I'd like to thank Judith for speaking to her at the finish and providing such a great trike for her to look at. She has finished her first audax greatly encouraged and remarked how friendly it all was but shame more women weren't riding.

She now understands the importance of a good saddle, good lights, and mudguards plus a decent saddlebag to carry your spare kit. She also understands that it's ok to say if you're fading a little and need to slow down, no one will mind. Plus that punctures aren't the end of the world and don't take that long to fix if you don't rush the process.

She's so keen she's already posted off her brevet card and receipts before I reminded her today. So I think you'll be seeing her on a few more as it moves to Spring. I'm wondering if I can persuade her to ride an Essex 300 end of April with me, which will be a bit flatter and easier.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Brakeless on 10 January, 2017, 07:46:04 pm
Good write up Phil :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: LiamFitz on 10 January, 2017, 08:20:45 pm
Not helped by a rider saying "It's like this all the way to Cirencester". After telling him that was "too much information"  we stopped at the top of the hill and the emergency wine gums were broken out. 

Maintaining a sense of optimism is so important - I was rather zealously telling everyone that after Compton Abdale it was flat with a slight downward incline.  And when I last did PBP i remember telling a rider to F Off because he was so keen on sharing his misery.  I hope your niece got the message that legs help but audaxing is all about the top two inches...
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Marmitegeoff on 10 January, 2017, 09:13:22 pm
Good write up Phil :thumbsup:

+1  looks like we an other hooked. :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Redlight on 10 January, 2017, 09:27:00 pm
The jersey and gilet are standing up well in use having had them since May '16. They've been worn on over 2100km of audaxing, in all weathers, and are good as new so far.

Have they got the dates on them this time? It's always irritated me that my LEL jersey doesn't even have the year, let alone that actual ride dates.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Redlight on 10 January, 2017, 09:37:25 pm
I noticed she was beginning to fade in the hills on the second leg. Not helped by a rider saying "It's like this all the way to Cirencester". After telling him that was "too much information"  we stopped at the top of the hill and the emergency wine gums were broken out. 

Apologies. I think that may have been me (I was wearing an orange YACF top) and my joviality was clearly inappropriate.  On the other hand, if I recall, she was climbing very steadily and certainly got to the top before me. 

I'm riding the Kelvedon Oyster in Essex on the 21st so will promise to be better behaved. And I'm sure we all look forward to Nicola's account of PBP 2019  ;)
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Phil W on 10 January, 2017, 10:51:38 pm
I noticed she was beginning to fade in the hills on the second leg. Not helped by a rider saying "It's like this all the way to Cirencester". After telling him that was "too much information"  we stopped at the top of the hill and the emergency wine gums were broken out. 

Apologies. I think that may have been me (I was wearing an orange YACF top) and my joviality was clearly inappropriate.  On the other hand, if I recall, she was climbing very steadily and certainly got to the top before me. 

I'm riding the Kelvedon Oyster in Essex on the 21st so will promise to be better behaved. And I'm sure we all look forward to Nicola's account of PBP 2019  ;)

Orange top, yes I think it must have been.

I'd been coaching her about riding in the moment, not to think about what we'd done and not to worry about what was to come. Just appreciating that exact moment and taking in the beautiful atmospheric landscape we were privileged to be riding through.  I'd also been working on her climbing to keep it that steady pace you saw to ensure she didn't push too hard and blow up later.  But she was very much fading even if she said she was OK whenever I asked. She had already told me she was finding the hills hard about 5 mins before you passed. So right then, even though she may have looked OK on the outside, she was finding it tough. Being in the moment was helping her with that.

We know it's mental strength (or a mentor) that gets you through when you're finding it tough and for a new audax rider, and one you don't know, mentioning difficulties ahead at the wrong moment can just add to those doubts in their mind.

Not to worry she had some words to say about you when we reached Cirencester but I won't repeat them!

She'll be training for the London and Paris Marathons (sub 3:20 at London last year so not too shabby) now. Once out the way sure we'll be working out what next for her riding this year.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Redlight on 11 January, 2017, 08:42:36 am
I'm now feeling very guilty so please pass on my apologies.  :-[ :-[ :-[

(Did I not also say that there was a nice downhill into Cirencester though?)
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Yellow Giant on 11 January, 2017, 09:36:22 am
We caught a rider as we entered Oxford. He was glad as his GPS had run out of power. So we rode as a group of three. Nicola lives near Oxford and works there and as soon as she knew how far the Park and Ride was, she was off in a final sprint of youth and exuberance. I and our fellow rider were following in her mudguardless wake with  our air brake saddlebags on the back.

Great write up Phil.

That was me who was Garminless - thanks to you and Nicola for guiding me through Oxford.  Was nice to get a bit of a tow for the last few ks as well.

With reference to Nicola's comments about lack of female riders, I guess a lot of this has to do with the age of most AUK members.  I imagine most of us have families and we enjoy our audax time escaping from the day to day routines that are life.  Some call it 'me' time.  I would suggest that many women with families would find it much more difficult to clear off for the whole day (and night). 

An alternative theory is that women are far more sensible than blokes and have got far better things to do than bugger about on a bike all day!

How we encourage female members to join this mad sport is beyond my small brain. 

PS I've just had a horrible thought and I hope in these days where everything said must not be sexist that my comments above taken in the right way
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 11 January, 2017, 09:56:38 am
Some countries I've ridden in (e.g. Greece, USA) have a higher percentage of female Audaxers/ randonneuses than the UK. Others have a lower percentage (e.g. Ireland, Portugal)
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Phil W on 11 January, 2017, 10:19:37 am
Nicola has told me she is going to write up her experience of this ride this weekend.  I asked her a favour at the end of the ride and said that if she wrote it up (as many or as few words as she wants) that I'd help get it published in the Audax UK magazine.  So hopefully you'll get to read her thoughts on her first audax in the next edition.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Phil W on 11 January, 2017, 10:38:49 am
The jersey and gilet are standing up well in use having had them since May '16. They've been worn on over 2100km of audaxing, in all weathers, and are good as new so far.

Have they got the dates on them this time? It's always irritated me that my LEL jersey doesn't even have the year, let alone that actual ride dates.

They have the year on them but not the dates.  The gilet has the year printed across the mesh back. The LEL2013 jersey has the year printed on it as well, but in a different place to this years edition.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: citoyen on 11 January, 2017, 10:50:28 am
She's so keen she's already posted off her brevet card and receipts before I reminded her today.

Ooh! Thanks for reminding me though. Now I've just got to remember which pocket I stashed my card in...  (ETA: Phew! Found it.)

Good write-up. Looking forward to reading Nicola's account.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: JBB on 11 January, 2017, 11:28:51 am
We caught a rider as we entered Oxford. He was glad as his GPS had run out of power. So we rode as a group of three. Nicola lives near Oxford and works there and as soon as she knew how far the Park and Ride was, she was off in a final sprint of youth and exuberance. I and our fellow rider were following in her mudguardless wake with  our air brake saddlebags on the back.

Great write up Phil.

That was me who was Garminless - thanks to you and Nicola for guiding me through Oxford.  Was nice to get a bit of a tow for the last few ks as well.

With reference to Nicola's comments about lack of female riders, I guess a lot of this has to do with the age of most AUK members.  I imagine most of us have families and we enjoy our audax time escaping from the day to day routines that are life.  Some call it 'me' time.  I would suggest that many women with families would find it much more difficult to clear off for the whole day (and night). 

An alternative theory is that women are far more sensible than blokes and have got far better things to do than bugger about on a bike all day!

How we encourage female members to join this mad sport is beyond my small brain. 

PS I've just had a horrible thought and I hope in these days where everything said must not be sexist that my comments above taken in the right way

I think there are 2 main reasons for lack of female participants.

1 - Societal expectations, both in terms of "Ugh women don't get sweaty" and women frequently doing most of the everyday stuff that glues families together and feeling guilty if they take time from that for their own leisure pursuits.

2 - Women just don't generally produce as many watts as men. Once we do the sums of watts per kilo and add in the bike weight this becomes even more of a handicap. It's obvious from Nicola's marathon time she is fit with plenty of endurance - probably top 10% of her age group?
I'm at the back on any audax I do but I'm bloody minded. I have seen several all female trios or pairs dropping out on populaires. Once that's happened it's unlikely they'll be back, never mind moving up the distances.

I would add that I'm well aware this doesn't answer the question!
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: JohnL on 11 January, 2017, 01:10:21 pm
Picking up on a couple of points here and putting them together to come to no particular conclusion...

I noticed that for some reason, the majority of the mudguardless riders I saw were of the young female persuasion. I don't know what this means but I thought it of note. Particularly as it seems  that 'getting all dirty' seems to be used as a reason to not do long distance rides. Some of them were filthy [insert innuendo here].

As I said I don't know why this was and what it means. Perhaps they were new to these type of rides? (although most were cruising easily past me with a cheery wave, so perhaps not).

John
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Ruthie on 11 January, 2017, 01:13:12 pm
If you're new to cycling, forking out for accessories gives a high cost-benefit ratio.  In terms of pleasure per miles.  Maybe they were newbies who'll see the point of forking out for 'guards now.

I don't have guards on my road bike, but I'm getting some because everyone else seems to ride a fast bike in the winter now, so I'm leaving the tourer in the shed for the club rides.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: TigaSefi on 11 January, 2017, 01:16:39 pm
If you're new to cycling, forking out for accessories gives a high cost-benefit ratio.  In terms of pleasure per miles.  Maybe they were newbies who'll see the point of forking out for 'guards now.

I don't have guards on my road bike, but I'm getting some because everyone else seems to ride a fast bike in the winter now, so I'm leaving the tourer in the shed for the club rides.

Aijn't that the truth! I hate this. My summer bike is too good to be used on debris filled muddy roads!

Pat, is it too early to ask if you got my envelope safely?
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: hellymedic on 11 January, 2017, 01:25:24 pm
I am only not riding now because I can't.
I am female and never had many watts but still got round rides that weren't too hilly.

I have no offspring though.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: iddu on 11 January, 2017, 01:55:47 pm
Pat, is it too early to ask if you got my envelope safely?

Maybe- currently working through a pile of 100...
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: TigaSefi on 11 January, 2017, 02:04:59 pm
Pat, is it too early to ask if you got my envelope safely?

Maybe- currently working through a pile of 100...

I'll come back in an hour then ;)
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Phil W on 11 January, 2017, 02:34:07 pm
Nicola said that none of her friends really cycle.  She worries about getting lost and about navigation. She worries that she won't be able to fix a mechanical.  She worries about failing at something publicly. This may be a general thing it may not.  Her one "experienced" cyclist friend who found out she was doing this ride said there's no way Nicola would manage it and she'd fail.  I get the feeling it is more about her confidence than her ability. For she is very able.

When I was a child I'd go out and ride my bikes with my mates, we'd ride on the road, we'd ride in the woods (tracker bikes), we'd do jumps across streams.  We'd ride into the Peak District for the day. We'd get lost but we'd find our way back. We didn't use maps or GPS (yet to be invented) we just went riding.  This built confidence and enjoyment in being out on the bike, fixing things when they broke, and not worrying about a thing.  I might take it for granted but it is the foundation of my cycling. If you never had that phase in your child hood with friends who did it with you as well how long does it take to build it as an adult?

So if you can nurture that ability and project your confidence so it becomes their confidence then you can watch them blossom beyond your very own abilities and smile.  I loved mentoring her round the Poor Student, to see her smile and grow in confidence as the ride went on. The realisation towards the end that yes she really was going to do it lit her up like a blazing star.

I'm hoping that by hearing her voice in an article in Arrivee it'll encourage other women and younger riders to come forward and that someone will be there to help mentor them through their first Audax. So please share it with your female relatives and children when you see it. There might just be a few more women and young people who decide to give it a go with your help and guidance.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Yellow Giant on 11 January, 2017, 02:48:42 pm
Her one "experienced" cyclist friend who found out she was doing this ride said there's no way Nicola would manage it and she'd fail.

That's a great 'friend'! 

When I was a child I'd go out and ride my bikes with my mates, we'd ride on the road, we'd ride in the woods (tracker bikes), we'd do jumps across streams.  We'd ride into the Peak District for the day. We'd get lost but we'd find our way back. We didn't use maps or GPS (yet to be invented) we just went riding.  This built confidence and enjoyment in being out on the bike and not worrying about a thing.

Must admit I forget how those of us of a certain age just grew up with our bikes.  They gave us our independence and confidence.  Out for the day with a jam sandwich and back in time for tea.  lf you got a puncture you walked - or rode the bike with a flat tyre.    Water bottles - what were they?  Falling off; falling in streams; making your own bike from bits you found at the local scrap heap.  Head out for the day and find your way home - I guess that's how some of us got a sense of direction.  Single speed bike, or if you were flash you had a 'racer' with 5!  Remminicing too much now...

I hope Nicola continues to build up her confidence.  With your mentoring I think she'll be just fine.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Phil W on 11 January, 2017, 03:21:21 pm
Her one "experienced" cyclist friend who found out she was doing this ride said there's no way Nicola would manage it and she'd fail.

That's a great 'friend'! 


I don't think it was malicious in any way though I wasn't there when it was said.  We have to remember that for most cyclists a 100 mile cycle ride might be a target they build up to for the whole year.  Maybe her friend had followed a magazine training program over many weeks or months, for her friend had completed Ride London last summer.   So if your friend finds out you are going to go for a ride 7 days into the year, in the middle of winter, and it's going to be much hillier and longer than Ride London which they trained for and did in the height of summer.  Maybe they will think you can't do it.   Maybe they think nobody can do it apart from extreme cyclists you read about. Surely your friend who mostly "just" runs isn't one of them?

Besides who hasn't got the friend who always likes to outbid you in whatever you've accomplished?  That was another side of audax and Saturday she liked.  We spoke to quite a few on the road. After we parted company I'd mention to her some of the rides the others had done. She'd remark about how nice they were and she was never made to feel as though she didn't fit in with these riders who'd done "amazing rides"
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: duracellbunnyonabike on 11 January, 2017, 03:30:23 pm
The Poor Student was a great event. Many thanks for organising.

The mudguard debate: I only realised afterwards that my clip-on mudguard without flap was great for keeping the mud off me but not so great for those riding behind me. Male-female is of no relevance in the mudguard debate. It just comes down to how you normally use your bike (eg not permitted for race), how often you ride in groups etc. I will add a flap for the next muddy one, but generally it isn't a problem as I mostly ride solo, like to ride fast and tend to finish early.

As to the 'why don't more women ride these events'? Watts are irrelevant. It is about endurance and women can be just as bloody minded as men. It is certainly about confidence. While that applies to new riders or both sexes, I think women tend to feel more confident when they know other women are doing the same event. Initiatives such as the Adventure Syndicate and Emily Chappell's talks on long distance cycling at Rapha clubs around the country over winter are a great example of how things are starting to change. Organisers can help with preferential entry for women and fellow riders can help with dropping innuendo (which by the way I have never experienced at an event... on the contrary, people have been most welcoming and even helping with punctures etc).
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: iddu on 11 January, 2017, 05:22:09 pm
Phil - if only we could clone you ;D Long may you ride and be what you are :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: mattc on 11 January, 2017, 07:16:17 pm
Besides who hasn't got the friend who always likes to outbid you in whatever you've accomplished?

I've got at least two.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: citoyen on 11 January, 2017, 07:18:06 pm
Besides who hasn't got the friend who always likes to outbid you in whatever you've accomplished?

I've got at least two.

 ;D
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: JBB on 11 January, 2017, 10:07:40 pm
The Poor Student was a great event. Many thanks for organising.

The mudguard debate: I only realised afterwards that my clip-on mudguard without flap was great for keeping the mud off me but not so great for those riding behind me. Male-female is of no relevance in the mudguard debate. It just comes down to how you normally use your bike (eg not permitted for race), how often you ride in groups etc. I will add a flap for the next muddy one, but generally it isn't a problem as I mostly ride solo, like to ride fast and tend to finish early.

As to the 'why don't more women ride these events'? Watts are irrelevant. It is about endurance and women can be just as bloody minded as men. It is certainly about confidence. While that applies to new riders or both sexes, I think women tend to feel more confident when they know other women are doing the same event. Initiatives such as the Adventure Syndicate and Emily Chappell's talks on long distance cycling at Rapha clubs around the country over winter are a great example of how things are starting to change. Organisers can help with preferential entry for women and fellow riders can help with dropping innuendo (which by the way I have never experienced at an event... on the contrary, people have been most welcoming and even helping with punctures etc).

I'm not to sure why watts are irrelevant when it comes to completing a physical task within a time limit. Of course we can be as bloody minded as the chaps and we are generally reckoned to be OK at endurance. However the sheer power to go faster means you have a greater buffer and therefore less need for the other 2 attributes! I'm quite happy not to have preferential entry and to be towards (at?) the back of the field. It does mean it's less of a relaxing ride though when you always have to keep an eye on the time. I don't think I've ever experienced anyone being patronising, a bit gauche perhaps but that's cyclists for you!

Julia
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: LiamFitz on 12 January, 2017, 11:30:12 am


As to the 'why don't more women ride these events'? Watts are irrelevant. It is about endurance and women can be just as bloody minded as men. It is certainly about confidence. While that applies to new riders or both sexes, I think women tend to feel more confident when they know other women are doing the same event. Initiatives such as the Adventure Syndicate and Emily Chappell's talks on long distance cycling at Rapha clubs around the country over winter are a great example of how things are starting to change. Organisers can help with preferential entry for women and fellow riders can help with dropping innuendo (which by the way I have never experienced at an event... on the contrary, people have been most welcoming and even helping with punctures etc).

Emily had a good post on her blog about this - http://thatemilychappell.com/

FWIW I think Audax has long suffered from a general lack of diversity - not just gender imbalance.  I have little evidence for this but have always felt that most rides tended to attract a particular sort of man in large numbers (myself included).  I'll leave others to fill in the stereotype but anything we can do to broaden out the family would be welcomed by me.

On London Wales London I've tried to attract a slightly more mixed crowd... I'll know on April how successful I've been.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Rumps on 12 January, 2017, 02:34:00 pm
In my experience , confidence is the biggest issue -followed by route finding.
I ride quite a bit with my wife and her mates and they are nervous before EVERY ride . We then proceed to do 50 or more miles often round the North Downs and including the climb of Coombe Bottom which is pretty tough but they are terrified each time.
Then at the end of it they all say what a great time they had.
A week later -it is the same all over again. These are middle aged women who have only started riding a bike in the last 5 years . They do ride for 4-7 days each year , unsupported carrying all of their stuff, through France doing 100- 120kms a day.
My point is they can all ride a bike, usually not with a fast average speed, it is just they lack confidence .
I am determined to get them to do a 100kms audax this year . But it will not be the Tour of the Surrey Hills ( for those who don't know is 2100m of ascent in 100kms)! I am confident that they would be made to feel very welcome.
Would a women's only audax be allowed under the rules?? They all did Davina MCall's women only sportive a couple of years ago and loved the atmosphere of that.

PS
Phil do not let Nicola mention she can run a marathon in 3.20 in the article in Arrivee!! She is clearly an athlete of no little ability and that will not help persuade less fit riders ( of either sex )!
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Jack_P on 12 January, 2017, 07:07:51 pm
I wouldn't want a return to the obsessive M rule of the old days, but at this time of year it can't be too hard to attach a pair of clip-on mudguards to most frames, surely?

As one of the rather filthy people my experience was that clip on mudguards did very little for stopping mud hitting people behind them. I noticed a huge difference in following people with additional rear flaps and will have to invest in some for my mudguards

(http://i.imgur.com/O8v7U1H.jpg)

Had a really enjoyable ride once I had gotten over the foggy and damp ride in from Northants. It was great to introduce 4 Audax newbies (including the two ladies above)  to the joy of these events and they will certainly be back.

Infact on the subject of more ladies, Katherine above hadn't done 200k before and has set a target of doing an SR this year already and has a commission from a women's health magazine to write an article about Audaxing.  :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Jack_P on 12 January, 2017, 07:13:02 pm
Oh and without going back through the posts my very gratefull thanks for the alternative route into Oxford on the cycle path. Once found and out in the open it is a superb way to finish the ride, so much calmer than the manic section in Oxford done many times before.

Isn't this worth modifying the routes finishing at Peartree to officially adopt this. I won't be riding through Oxford again now it's in the databanks
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Wycombewheeler on 12 January, 2017, 08:32:22 pm
Oh and without going back through the posts my very gratefull thanks for the alternative route into Oxford on the cycle path. Once found and out in the open it is a superb way to finish the ride, so much calmer than the manic section in Oxford done many times before.

Isn't this worth modifying the routes finishing at Peartree to officially adopt this. I won't be riding through Oxford again now it's in the databanks
I thought there must be a better way. How do you get onto it?
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Jack_P on 12 January, 2017, 08:47:33 pm
Oh and without going back through the posts my very gratefull thanks for the alternative route into Oxford on the cycle path. Once found and out in the open it is a superb way to finish the ride, so much calmer than the manic section in Oxford done many times before.

Isn't this worth modifying the routes finishing at Peartree to officially adopt this. I won't be riding through Oxford again now it's in the databanks
I thought there must be a better way. How do you get onto it?

Left off the West way onto a narrow cycle path here, just before the bypass bridge. Then the path and quiet road skirts the bypass to Wytham
https://www.google.com/maps/@51.7525072,-1.2968264,3a,73.7y,8.9h,89.41t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sLlcBeh3FY_0HXEp7-6Zu7A!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Wycombewheeler on 12 January, 2017, 09:29:01 pm
thanks, I'll remember that for the Dean. Also think I prefer the Severn across route from Stow on the Wold to Winchcombe, than the Dean route, fewer steep descents as I recall.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: iddu on 12 January, 2017, 10:25:49 pm
Pat, is it too early to ask if you got my envelope safely?

Maybe- currently working through a pile of 100...

I'll come back in an hour then ;)

Processed...
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: jochta on 12 January, 2017, 11:28:47 pm
Oh and without going back through the posts my very gratefull thanks for the alternative route into Oxford on the cycle path. Once found and out in the open it is a superb way to finish the ride, so much calmer than the manic section in Oxford done many times before.

Isn't this worth modifying the routes finishing at Peartree to officially adopt this. I won't be riding through Oxford again now it's in the databanks
I thought there must be a better way. How do you get onto it?

I posted it earlier in the thread. Immediately before the A34 overbridge in Botley at the traffic lights there is a cycle path that runs alongside the A34 off ramp and takes you up to Botley Interchange. You can then use the traffic light controlled crossings to get across to the path alongside the A34 on ramp which goes through the hedge onto the road to Wytham. See... https://ridewithgps.com/routes/18358698
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: longflaps on 12 January, 2017, 11:51:35 pm
She has finished her first audax greatly encouraged and remarked how friendly it all was but shame more women weren't riding.

Great write up Phil and good to read that Nicola now has finished her first audax. Two years ago The Poor Student was my first audax too and I often think back to it as one of those life-changing moments.

I actually noticed quite a few female riders (and also before Christmas on the Upper Thames); and particularly on some of the rides out of London. As I mentioned in my own account of the ride above I met one other New Zealand female rider or her first 200k audax too which means that there were quite a few audax virgins on The Poor Student [o dear, now I'm really in trouble].

From experience I think that female riders can be concerned about how to handle mechanicals and get a little anxious about going off-route (which is understandable given how many routes are way out in the back of beyond [and scandi-noir such a dominant genre in print and on the small screen]). I think that the articles that Nicola and Katherine plan to write will do a great deal to shatter some of the myths that are out there about audax riding (and I know plenty of guys who are uncomfortable with the idea of doing a 200k audax too - even though they're experienced riders who will happily do a club ride).

As for mudguard-less riders I think this is largely a generational thing - as in the younger generations seem not be be too bothered about what happens behind them (or to their own rear). Spray and mud aside, what I do worry about is that some of these fine cafes we all write so fondly about will stick up a sign in the window saying "Sorry, no cyclists!" which would be a great shame for all of us. As my name implies, I favour the hand-made extension to an all-encompassing full mudguard.

It has been said of me that I am an easy wheel to follow. This is probably as much to do with my slow but steady pace as much as the aforementioned crud deflectors.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: TigaSefi on 13 January, 2017, 09:19:43 am
Pat, is it too early to ask if you got my envelope safely?

Maybe- currently working through a pile of 100...

I'll come back in an hour then ;)

Processed...

Amazing work Pat!  ;D
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: htcboy on 13 January, 2017, 05:14:26 pm
Great ride, thanks for organising. No mishaps, and just one close call, for Derek who rode into a front wheel sized hole in Purton   :facepalm:, but managed to stay upright!   :thumbsup: #skills

(http://imageshack.com/a/img924/8104/vP9csf.jpg)

Maybe I should clarify that I wasn't 'riding' at the point this happened. A car had stopped in the road to turn right, with traffic coming the other way it was waiting. So I decided to unclip left foot and push along the pavement, the 'hole' was full of mud so not visible. In popped the wheel!! Still thanks to my saviour Reynard I was afforded a dismount befitting a queen and thus saving any damage to the wheel.

I will of course, recount this to my clubmates as 'Hit the hole at 20, flicked it out, bunny hopped the rider how came down in front and then went straight into a cobbled section... uphill'
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: duracellbunnyonabike on 14 January, 2017, 09:34:27 am
https://totalwomenscycling.com/road-cycling/technique/rookie-randonneur-diary-first-audax#kYL74tmYubbA8I5q.97
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Wycombewheeler on 14 January, 2017, 07:56:14 pm
https://totalwomenscycling.com/road-cycling/technique/rookie-randonneur-diary-first-audax#kYL74tmYubbA8I5q.97

there's a great point in there about it not being a race and enjoying the ride. On most of my audaxer,  my biggest regret is not pausing to take photos. 5 or even 10 minutes delay isn't going to make any difference to me, but there have been lots of fantastic views I wish I'd recorded.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: longflaps on 15 January, 2017, 02:53:39 pm
https://totalwomenscycling.com/road-cycling/technique/rookie-randonneur-diary-first-audax#kYL74tmYubbA8I5q.97

Great  write-up and some great advice. Sounds like Katherine has caught the Audax bug!
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: iddu on 15 January, 2017, 07:16:13 pm
Hurrumph...

I've always taken it that part of the appeal of this event in its o!d skool form is the brutal honesty - you're required to do A to B to C, with no mollycoddling, working off the Xmas excesses, and proving via receipts you did indeed visit A, B & C.

If your opinion differs, please feel free to say so.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Clemo on 15 January, 2017, 07:56:27 pm
I've always taken it that part of the appeal of this event in its o!d skool form is the brutal honesty - you're required to do A to B to C, with no mollycoddling, working off the Xmas excesses, and proving via receipts you did indeed visit A, B & C.

It is indeed its appeal Pat  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Marmitegeoff on 15 January, 2017, 08:00:47 pm
I've always taken it that part of the appeal of this event in its o!d skool form is the brutal honesty - you're required to do A to B to C, with no mollycoddling, working off the Xmas excesses, and proving via receipts you did indeed visit A, B & C.

It is indeed its appeal Pat  :thumbsup:

+1  do not change it.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: PAC on 15 January, 2017, 09:04:13 pm
I've always taken it that part of the appeal of this event in its o!d skool form is the brutal honesty - you're required to do A to B to C, with no mollycoddling, working off the Xmas excesses, and proving via receipts you did indeed visit A, B & C.

It is indeed its appeal Pat  :thumbsup:

+1  do not change it.
It's fine Iddu...particularly anti clockwise :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Wycombewheeler on 16 January, 2017, 03:04:39 am
Hurrumph...

I've always taken it that part of the appeal of this event in its o!d skool form is the brutal honesty - you're required to do A to B to C, with no mollycoddling, working off the Xmas excesses, and proving via receipts you did indeed visit A, B & C.

If your opinion differs, please feel free to say so.
Nope it was great two controls + the finish, no infos, reasonably spaced
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: LiamFitz on 17 January, 2017, 07:26:13 am
Hurrumph...

I've always taken it that part of the appeal of this event in its o!d skool form is the brutal honesty - you're required to do A to B to C, with no mollycoddling, working off the Xmas excesses, and proving via receipts you did indeed visit A, B & C.

If your opinion differs, please feel free to say so.

Not broke, no fix needed

Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: citoyen on 17 January, 2017, 10:01:21 am
Terrible ride. The controls are awful, the route is shocking, entry fee is outrageously high, organiser is hopeless, and all the other riders who do it are idiots. No idea why I bothered to enter it to be honest.

(Not really.)
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Redlight on 17 January, 2017, 10:02:16 am
No idea why I bothered to enter it to be honest.

Because you enjoy hill walking?  :demon:
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: citoyen on 17 January, 2017, 10:51:38 am
Yeah, that'll be it.  ;D
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: mattc on 17 January, 2017, 10:59:00 am
No idea why I bothered to enter it to be honest.

Because you enjoy hill walking?  :demon:
Ouch!
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Redlight on 17 January, 2017, 12:28:27 pm
No idea why I bothered to enter it to be honest.

Because you enjoy hill walking?  :demon:
Ouch!

It's all right - Citoyen (with his fixed gear) walking pretty much caught me up as I was swaying from side to side to keep upright  ;D
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: alexb on 17 January, 2017, 11:22:00 pm
Phil, had you thought about asking your niece to write up her piece for Casquette or Total Women's Cycling?
It seems like a piece on Audax in a women's cycling magazine might help convince some riders that there is an alternative to Sportives and charity rides
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: mattc on 18 January, 2017, 08:25:13 am
Phil, had you thought about asking your niece to write up her piece for Casquette or Total Women's Cycling?
It seems like a piece on Audax in a women's cycling magazine might help convince some riders that there is an alternative to Sportives and charity rides
The link below is to an article on TWC. Just FYI.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: PaulF on 18 January, 2017, 09:36:34 am
Phil, had you thought about asking your niece to write up her piece for Casquette or Total Women's Cycling?
It seems like a piece on Audax in a women's cycling magazine might help convince some riders that there is an alternative to Sportives and charity rides
The link below is to an article on TWC. Just FYI.

No link ???
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: jsabine on 18 January, 2017, 10:57:34 am
Phil, had you thought about asking your niece to write up her piece for Casquette or Total Women's Cycling?
It seems like a piece on Audax in a women's cycling magazine might help convince some riders that there is an alternative to Sportives and charity rides
The link below is to an article on TWC. Just FYI.

No link ???

Matt may mean this one from an earlier post.

https://totalwomenscycling.com/road-cycling/technique/rookie-randonneur-diary-first-audax#kYL74tmYubbA8I5q.97
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: mattc on 18 January, 2017, 11:50:34 am
Indeedy  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Phil W on 18 January, 2017, 03:29:54 pm
Phil, had you thought about asking your niece to write up her piece for Casquette or Total Women's Cycling?
It seems like a piece on Audax in a women's cycling magazine might help convince some riders that there is an alternative to Sportives and charity rides

She's hasn't submitted anything to a magazine before so I thought I'd keep it low key.  She was too busy last weekend and so hasn't written anything yet.   Hopefully something this week but I don't want to pressure her into it so she feels she has to write something. Bit of encouragement from me, but if she decides not too in the end that is ok also.

As Matt pointed out TWC already has a Poor Student article as linked upthread.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: iddu on 21 January, 2017, 12:42:13 pm
Postal returns now closed, so the Validation Secs/Recorder will be doin' their thang...

Title: Re: Poor Student, 06/01/2018
Post by: Neil C on 04 January, 2018, 10:43:06 pm
Ten pages of discussion last year, nothing yet this.

Will it just be me and iddu in the carpark on Saturday?
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 04 January, 2018, 11:25:19 pm
No, HK and I will be there, since the weather is looking worthwhile. Between injury and crap weather, I've missed a few editions.

You do know that the title is for last year's event, which would tend to discourage discussion for this year.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Kangaroocourt on 05 January, 2018, 01:43:17 pm
Huff n Puff and I are in too, although after a bout of pneumonia getting around might be a different matter.  It's always good to make your excuses early, I find :-)

Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: jayteezim on 05 January, 2018, 02:09:25 pm
i am going down this evening and staying in the travelodge. never cycled this part of the world and will be my first january audax if all goes well. I don't know names however I remember LittleWheelsandBig from the Girton ride a few months ago as he kindly pulled me through the wind on his fixie.
Looking forward to it
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Hot Flatus on 05 January, 2018, 02:59:41 pm
I'm not riding it but I might toddle down to Malmesbury and say hello.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Thing2 on 05 January, 2018, 04:58:21 pm
Us Things will be dns's  :( There's too much snot and coughing going on to spend a day outside on the bike.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Redlight on 05 January, 2018, 08:22:26 pm
Missing it this year, which is a shame as I've only ever ridden it anti-clockwise and have a point to prove after last year's P-O-P cock-up denied me a validated card  :'(.  My son has one of his secondary school entrance exams in the morning so getting him there on time has to take priority.

Hope everyone has a great ride.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: mattc on 05 January, 2018, 08:41:37 pm
Please look out for ice early on, folks. I've seen (and heard about) too many people with battered limbs on this event, it seems to be an ice magnet.

Oxfordshire County‏
@OxfordshireCC
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Our gritters will hit the roads just after 7pm. It's a cold Friday night ahead so if you're out for a drink don't sit in the beer garden!! If any of you have plans for driving tomorrow morning please take care on the roads. Gritting helps - but it's still Winter conditions.

https://twitter.com/OxfordshireCC/status/949353304739459072
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: PaulF on 05 January, 2018, 09:47:49 pm
Heavy frost 15 miles South of Oxford at the moment.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 06/01/2018
Post by: Neil C on 05 January, 2018, 09:50:00 pm
Good to know others are coming -  see you in the morning.

Get well soon Things.

Thanks for the good wishes Redlight.

If others can spread the grit as they go, I'll sweep from the back.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 06/01/2018
Post by: longflaps on 05 January, 2018, 10:39:12 pm
Ten pages of discussion last year, nothing yet this.

Will it just be me and iddu in the carpark on Saturday?

And still only at 10 pages. Maybe this one will tip it over to 11.

Looking forward to the 2018 edition!
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: whosatthewheel on 06 January, 2018, 05:18:00 pm
It was rather frosty this morning... I went out around lunchtime for 70 km... very cold with that northerly wind. Zero envy for those still out there since 8 AM this morning...

Randonneuring in January... madness!  ::-)
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: cgg on 06 January, 2018, 06:32:26 pm
Nice ride today, many thanks for the organization!

I had one ice moment, when getting off the train. Not much apart from that, except for some slush here and there.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: NeilP on 06 January, 2018, 08:11:11 pm
It was rather frosty this morning... I went out around lunchtime for 70 km... very cold with that northerly wind. Zero envy for those still out there since 8 AM this morning...

Randonneuring in January... madness!  ::-)

7am for us hardy Tewkesbury souls!!
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 07 January, 2018, 11:19:52 am
Rolled round just fine, no ice to speak of along the route, had to walk several hills, mostly in the middle section. It is too early in the year and too cold for me to muscle an over-geared fixed the whole way.

Collected along the way:
Endura red gillet - returned to owner in Malmesbury (a pity, it probably was better than mine)
Northwave clear glasses (tell me the frame colour and they're yours)

Collected at the finish:
Black winter gloves (tell me the make, etc.)
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: longflaps on 07 January, 2018, 01:06:50 pm
A pretty tough edition with that chilly headwind most notably after Cirencester and then the hills that never seem to get any easier thereafter. Good to meet so many new faces along the way and get the year off to a proper start. This year tried the garden centre at Malmesbury for the first time and was pleasantly surprised with the range of food options, friendliness of staff and spaciousness of the cafe. Back to Bantam Tearooms after local supermarket in 2016. Nothing beats that log fire and their wholesome meals on such a chilling afternoon. Not often you get to the end to find someone wanting to take a picture of your bike. Flattered.

Top marks to the guys on the grass verge cheerily eating pasta just beyond Chipping Campden.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Smeth on 07 January, 2018, 04:33:36 pm


A pretty tough edition with that chilly headwind

Missed you again Bob! Just needed to get it done so I took off like me a nutter and finished fairly early but with spaghetti legs. Not exactly sub-zero temps but a really grey bone-chiller most of the day.. Thanks orgs. See you next year.

Sent from my SM-J510FN using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: duncan on 07 January, 2018, 11:26:56 pm
no ice to speak of along the route

You must be a lot quicker than us: the single track road after Finstock was getting pretty treacherous by the end.

Anyway - first Randonnée for me on the Pino, and for my stoker on anything at all, and we got round with loads of time to spare (8 minutes). The Chipping Campden control is my new personal best at cutting it fine - one minute to spare on the receipt!

Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Neil C on 08 January, 2018, 01:26:01 am
Well done Duncan. The Pino looked like fun but hard work. I saw your bike parked in Chipping Campden when I came out of the pub and realised you were close to the time limit. The Bantam Tearooms were shut (but with Phil W locked inside!) so went to the pub to get something hot. No food was being served so had to make do with a coffee.

There was plenty of frost glinting in the front light for the last hour so were taking it very carefully but just got a bit of wheelspin on the uphills.

Definitely a tough ride and half an hour slower on the road than last year.

Looking forward to some warmer weather.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 08 January, 2018, 07:35:58 am
I saw a Pino pair on the way round but didn't know you were on the brevet. I finished before 19:00 as I didn't want to spend too much time in the dark in January.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: Huff n Puff on 08 January, 2018, 09:46:11 am
I thought that was a fairly acceptable ride for January, cold wind etc, but have had worse weather on the Poor Student, notably one particularly wet edition. Still, I may have been warmed by the knowledge that this ride completed a Double RRTY in twelve months.
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: duncan on 08 January, 2018, 11:38:39 am
I saw a Pino pair on the way round but didn't know you were on the brevet. I finished before 19:00 as I didn't want to spend too much time in the dark in January.

Very wise. It felt quite dark this time, so the downhill stretches had to be slower than I'd normally take them. I also need to sort out better lights on the Pino - current setup is nowhere near as good as I have on the Brompton I used for all my previous Poor Student rides.

All in all I'd say those were pretty decent conditions for January, but could have done without the headwind on the hilly middle section!
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: cgg on 08 January, 2018, 01:17:05 pm
Just noticed my receipt for Malmesbury says "Summer Cafe, 4 High Street" but doesn't mention Malmesbury. It will be alright, will it?
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: duncan on 08 January, 2018, 02:27:42 pm
Just noticed my receipt for Malmesbury says "Summer Cafe, 4 High Street" but doesn't mention Malmesbury. It will be alright, will it?

I'm sure it will. Summer Cafe is even listed on the route sheet!
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: iddu on 08 January, 2018, 10:35:26 pm
Just noticed my receipt for Malmesbury says "Summer Cafe, 4 High Street" but doesn't mention Malmesbury. It will be alright, will it?

[Running Joke]Only if it's BST[/RJ]
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: 3peaker on 09 January, 2018, 10:33:24 am
I belatedly had to ride on Sat rather than my preferred Sun, so thought to enter the PS but noted the NE wind would mean hitting it head-on over the Cotswolds. As it was I rode my Severn Br 200 Perm which, going AC, hits The Whiteway late in the ride. The wind made that section slow but I was close to home in Cheltenham and I turned off after Chedworth. I rode the PS Perm AC a couple months ago and whilst I finished doing the hilly northern section (starting in Andoversford), the AC would be my preferred route with an Oxford start, as it is a lovely run back from Malmesbury (when tired and in the dark?).
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: duncan on 09 January, 2018, 11:03:50 am
Is the chap on the recumbent at the Poor Student this weekend a YACFer? He was looking decidedly cold in KFC afterwards with the shakes - just hoping the drive back home went OK!
Title: Re: Poor Student, 07/01/2017
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 12 January, 2018, 04:56:42 pm
Yup, the LEL webmaster too.