Author Topic: The Horsepower 200/100/50km 09/03/2024 (Read 3076 times)

Tomsk · « **on:** 20 January, 2024, 10:15:39 am »

New for this year - a 50km Horsepower alongside the 200 & 100km events! 10:00 start on 09/03/2024, all the details are on audax.uk

Unfortunately, for the 200km event the date doesn't coincide with a car or motorcycle open track day, so we'll be using the A11 services next door. When I set up events well in advance for the AUK/BRM calendar, their following year dates aren't finalised so I have to take a punt on it. Usually there's one on the first two Saturdays in March, but sadly not this time. Looking at their calendar, they do seem to be going for mid-week dates and more private hire at the weekends compared to past years.

However, its route (along with the 100 & 50km) is as good as ever (though I say so myself!), with evenly spaced commercial controls about 50km apart. There'll be the same warm welcome back at St Mary's (hopefully using the church again) for reviving soup and rolls, cake, TLC etc.

All being well, we'll have a Helpers' Ride on the weekend before (2/3 March), picking whichever day has the better weather forecast.

drossall · « **Reply #1 on:** 20 January, 2024, 07:45:59 pm »

Looking forward to the 100km.

BFC · « **Reply #2 on:** 20 January, 2024, 07:48:29 pm »

The 2 of us are available for any helpers' duties.

Owen · « **Reply #3 on:** 23 January, 2024, 11:27:06 am »

Put me down for the helpers ride.

I have already booked the bus stop in Lavenham for stamping duties

Owen

Tomsk · « **Reply #4 on:** 23 January, 2024, 07:06:17 pm »

Cheers Owen, BFC & Arabella!

Tomsk · « **Reply #5 on:** 18 February, 2024, 07:20:39 pm »

The first batch of information emails have gone out to riders. I'll be contacting subsequent entries in bite-sized batches every few days. Given the recent weather and the Horsepower's reputation for 'challenging' conditions, I won't blame anyone for holding off until the last minute. Entries will close 2 days before the event, by the way ...

Wilkyboy has put the gps tracks on tomsk.co.uk (many thanks!) and I have had confirmation that we can use the church (though it's a bit 'spendy') especially with the cost of heating such a large space.

drossall · « **Reply #6 on:** 19 February, 2024, 12:45:14 pm »

Here's hoping there's no engineering work (or strikes) on the trains this time!

Toby's Dad · « **Reply #7 on:** 26 February, 2024, 09:44:40 pm »

Looking forward to the helpers ride as long as it is on the Saturday!

Tomsk · « **Reply #8 on:** 01 March, 2024, 09:01:23 am »

Helpers' Ride tomorrow, Saturday 2nd March. Meet from 07:30 at 'Paradise' café in Dunmow, set off when ready, as near to 08:00 as possible. Probably a bit damp and breezy, but more helpers can make it tomorrow than Sunday ... does this mean the weather might be better next week and not true to type (ie dire!)?

ElyDave · « **Reply #9 on:** 02 March, 2024, 09:54:13 pm »

I'm in for the main event, last time I rode it, it was glorious weather for early March

ElyDave · « **Reply #10 on:** 02 March, 2024, 09:55:22 pm »

Is e-brevet on offer btw?

czarop · « **Reply #11 on:** 03 March, 2024, 11:44:04 am »

Will try and get down for the 200. Generous 8am start looks doable.
Will be a last minute entry as can’t be fussed with weather so far this year.
E-Brevet would be smashing if poss… although tbf 3x coffee stops is realistic!

psyclist · « **Reply #12 on:** 03 March, 2024, 04:16:23 pm »

Long range forecast is looking quite benign for next Saturday. The easterly wind is probably the most favourable overall, especially for those who need to ride home in the westward direction after the finish.

If only we had the means to 'lock in' a forecast.

bobb · « **Reply #13 on:** 03 March, 2024, 06:51:36 pm »

Well, it can't be any worse than yesterday! Are we sure the helpers made it? Or did they all drown?!

BFC · « **Reply #14 on:** 03 March, 2024, 06:53:19 pm »

gurgle gurgle gurgle
(we all made it, and a fine day we had of it too (fsvo fine))

Owen · « **Reply #15 on:** 04 March, 2024, 09:07:24 am »

Quote from: bobb on 03 March, 2024, 06:51:36 pm

Well, it can't be any worse than yesterday! Are we sure the helpers made it? Or did they all drown?!

Surprisingly little flooding. A very enjoyable day out. Could have done without the rain but it could have been a lot worse.

I don't believe e-brevet is on offer.

I look forward to seeing you all in Lavenham to stamp your cards.

Owen

huggy · « **Reply #16 on:** 04 March, 2024, 04:25:10 pm »

No e-brevet for the Horsepower events. The 200k is BRM so physical brevets need to be completed and sent off for ACP validation.
There's only one commercial control on each of the three distances.

Tomsk · « **Reply #17 on:** 04 March, 2024, 08:13:34 pm »

Quote from: huggy on 04 March, 2024, 04:25:10 pm

No e-brevet for the Horsepower events. The 200k is BRM so physical brevets need to be completed and sent off for ACP validation.
There's only one commercial control on each of the three distances.

2 on the 200 ... Snetterton & Newmarket. Owen will be controlling in the bus shelter at Lavenham.

We managed three civilised stops on the helpers' ride:
1) Big slabs of cake at Chilli & Chives café: Lemon Curd cake was a popular choice, good choice and all looked good.
2) Greggs @ A11 services: warm, seating + table, but toilets out of order. McD's and Starbucks facilities were ok apparently. (Will try and get through to check the situationlater this week - the manageress wasn't optimistic.)
3) Newmarket Wetherspoons for crumble and custard all round (plus a few shandies).

Talking to Chelmsford CTC riders yesterday, it looks like there was more rain in Essex than further north, on Saturday.

Currently about 88 entries on the 200km, 38 on the 100km and 15 or so on the 50km.

ElyDave · « **Reply #18 on:** 04 March, 2024, 10:51:24 pm »

I can also recommend the coffee shop on the corner of sun Lane, all saints Road, Palace street in Newmarket always used to be very welcoming of cyclists with great cakes

drossall · « **Reply #19 on:** 05 March, 2024, 08:44:33 pm »

Ooh good reminder. I think it was the Espresso bar on Exeter Road, just by the roundabout at the top of Newmarket town centre, that a local sent me to last time. That was good too, will probably go back

psyclist · « **Reply #20 on:** 08 March, 2024, 04:21:13 pm »

Quote from: psyclist on 03 March, 2024, 04:16:23 pm

Long range forecast is looking quite benign for next Saturday. The easterly wind is probably the most favourable overall, especially for those who need to ride home in the westward direction after the finish.

If only we had the means to 'lock in' a forecast.

Luckily I found out how to 'lock in' the forecast.

thing1 · « **Reply #21 on:** 10 March, 2024, 09:54:48 am »

Thank you Tom and team for a wonderful day out. Whatever you did, it worked! you secured best weather of the year (so far). What a great route. My first time on it but won't be my last.

drossall · « **Reply #22 on:** 10 March, 2024, 11:56:24 pm »

Bernster · « **Reply #23 on:** 11 March, 2024, 09:25:04 am »

Thanks Tom and team for a really nice day out - a relatively full value crawl round the 200 with Psyclist mainly due to both of us recovering from recent illness, but an enjoyable route, nice weather and some very welcome TLC from the band of helpers back at ACME HQ. I particularly enjoyed the new route back from Newmarket, which although slightly longer, is a lot more scenic, laney and car free than the previous version

Deano4 · « **Reply #24 on:** 11 March, 2024, 09:26:13 am »

Thanks to Tom and co. Had a nice day on Saturday and was good to catch up with everyone.