Yet Another Cycling Forum

General Category => Audax => Topic started by: Hot Flatus on 29 March, 2008, 10:55:02 am

Title: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: Hot Flatus on 29 March, 2008, 10:55:02 am: Me
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: Chris N on 29 March, 2008, 11:02:05 am: Me
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: Noodley on 29 March, 2008, 11:56:59 am: Me.
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: Rollo on 29 March, 2008, 12:40:44 pm: Him.
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: GruB on 29 March, 2008, 12:41:39 pm: When is it?
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: Hot Flatus on 29 March, 2008, 12:56:58 pm: Next saturday.

You'll be there ;)
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: Blade on 29 March, 2008, 03:34:47 pm: My friend Stuart and I will both be riding.
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: richie on 29 March, 2008, 04:57:23 pm: and me....
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: Von Broad on 29 March, 2008, 08:43:51 pm: Hopefully, all being well. The 'well' in this instance is all to do with climate. There is no way on this earth I will be there if it's a day like today. For some it would 'up' the challenge of it all, for me I think it would put me the wrong side of 'dangerous'!

Last year, when the weather was great, I found myself right on the perimeter of what was possible, and I was in better shape. I was last back with about 15mins to spare I think at around some crazy hour like 2.40am [plenty of room for improvement there then!], with Dave still seemingly perfectly happy to be waiting around until the time limit expires -

I feel this is a big risk going in for The Elenith with those concerns. But still, what a ride it is....

Anyway, it's a good excuse to try the new bike (http://homepage.ntlworld.com/vindaloo77/100_1222b.jpg), not quite finished yet.....

Hopefully catch up with folk on the day.
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: Ian H on 29 March, 2008, 10:04:23 pm: Er...me. For the first time in yonks.
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: GruB on 29 March, 2008, 10:27:41 pm: Quote from: Monsieur Pumpé on 29 March, 2008, 12:56:58 pm
Next saturday.

You'll be there ;)

No, I'll be here. (http://maps.live.com/#JndoZXJlMT13YXZlcmxleStyb2FkJTJjK3doZWVsZXJzK2hpbGwmYmI9LTM3Ljg4MzQ5MTEwOTQ2OTUlN2UxNDUuMjIzNDY0OTY1ODIlN2UtMzcuOTA1OTc4MjkwOTE1NyU3ZTE0NS4xODYyMTQ0NDcwMjE=). Just in the wooded area to the right of the large tin roof, having a picnic with my Aussie relatives. It will probably be very hot and sunny. No rain. I will think of you guys ;) Promise.
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: Hot Flatus on 30 March, 2008, 11:49:41 am: Ah of course, I forgot! Apparently there is a place in Sydney that actually has a computer, but I'm not sure about internet access so if we don't hear from you ..have a great time!
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: GruB on 30 March, 2008, 02:10:07 pm: You are such a cheeky one. You owe me a keyboard now.
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: Maladict on 30 March, 2008, 03:18:37 pm: Me. ???
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: Hot Flatus on 30 March, 2008, 03:50:34 pm: Quote from: Maladict on 30 March, 2008, 03:18:37 pm
Me. ???

Excellent! Just read your Dean ride report. I DNS'd and for the first time (apart from BCM 2006) do not regret that decision. Hope you are refreshed by next saturday.
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: Greenbank on 30 March, 2008, 07:25:07 pm: Me.
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: border-rider on 30 March, 2008, 07:42:54 pm: Not me

First one I've missed since 1999 - except 2001, when it didn't run
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: Noodley on 30 March, 2008, 11:51:31 pm: Quote from: Noodley on 29 March, 2008, 11:56:59 am
Me.

Er, actually...not me anymore :( (Likelihood is I won't be at BC either.)

Oh well...maybe next year.
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: Salvatore on 31 March, 2008, 11:54:32 am: Moi.

(Just back from 1000km or so of snow, rain, hail wind & sun round Bretagne & Loire Valley)
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: Maladict on 31 March, 2008, 03:38:52 pm: Quote from: Monsieur Pumpé on 30 March, 2008, 03:50:34 pm
Quote from: Maladict on 30 March, 2008, 03:18:37 pm
Me. ???

Excellent! Just read your Dean ride report. I DNS'd and for the first time (apart from BCM 2006) do not regret that decision. Hope you are refreshed by next saturday.

Legs are sore today. That will be fixed in time I'm sure. I think I need a new rear mudguard unless I can find the right size of clip in time (LBS had nothing small enough).

I'm glad to hear that was the worst weather ever for The Dean. I'd hate to think what it'd have been like had it been worse!
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: cornelius on 31 March, 2008, 11:41:28 pm: Me too. Decision on 3 wheels versus 2 to be based on a leg count later in the week - currently they feel like licorice sticks after The Dean :(
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: tonyh on 01 April, 2008, 08:00:22 am: Me. Nervous after packing, without really good reason, on The Dean.
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: Greenbank on 01 April, 2008, 11:09:56 am: Aching in the legs has subsided and my upper body (arms, shoulders, neck) is also recovering well from the fixed-grimping workout. I've also got feeling back in my little finger on my left hand.

Back to commuting by bike tomorrow and looking forward to a 7am start (rather than 6am!).
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: Ian H on 01 April, 2008, 12:28:18 pm: Just produced a BIG PRINT version of the routesheet.
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: cornelius on 01 April, 2008, 12:46:56 pm: Now Mr H, could one presume to beg :) (attempt at appealing and pretty please smiley)

I took Stephen P up on his offer of a text download but to no avail. His contrary-wise orienation doesn't fit my bodge mapclip.

If you could see your way to sharing your genius my email is on the side... 'tis worth a cup of cheer come Saturday!
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: Ian H on 01 April, 2008, 12:55:11 pm: Quote from: cornelius on 01 April, 2008, 12:46:56 pm
...my email is on the side...

Actually, it isn't.

File here waiting.
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: cornelius on 01 April, 2008, 01:47:44 pm: Ian H - you have PM.

:-[ fooled myself 'cos I could see something which you can't!
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: Ian H on 01 April, 2008, 02:10:32 pm: Quote from: cornelius on 01 April, 2008, 01:47:44 pm
Ian H - you have PM.

:-[ fooled myself 'cos I could see something which you can't!

File sent in what I trust is a usable format.
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: marcus on 01 April, 2008, 07:03:09 pm: Yes, I'll be there. I warmed up for it by riding the Devil's Staircase last weekend on a permanent. Sucker for punishment.
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: daflloyd on 01 April, 2008, 09:23:55 pm: I'll be there too. My first ever audax outside God's Country 8)

I'll be nice to catch up with familiar faces and meet a few new ones too.
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: Hot Flatus on 01 April, 2008, 10:15:55 pm: God's country?

Not this bit (http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d43/MrPumpy/devil.jpg)
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: Chris N on 02 April, 2008, 09:35:00 am: Quote from: Monsieur Pumpé on 01 April, 2008, 10:15:55 pm
God's country?

Not this bit (http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d43/MrPumpy/devil.jpg)

That makes it look much worse than it actually is. Granted, it's pretty steep but I think the second climb (http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=280290&Y=257225&A=Y&Z=4) is harder - longer and generally with a headwind as it's more exposed.
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: Salvatore on 02 April, 2008, 11:21:36 am: Quote from: Monsieur Pumpé on 01 April, 2008, 10:15:55 pm
God's country?

Not this bit (http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d43/MrPumpy/devil.jpg)

Another view of the same bit - for the benefit of those of a nervous disposition, the steepest bit is hidden behind the trees. Little Richard didn't even try to ride.

(http://farm1.static.flickr.com/193/470980477_66b041386b.jpg)
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: Hot Flatus on 02 April, 2008, 02:58:26 pm: That's quite reassuring cos it looks like he's walking downhill ;D ;D
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: Ian H on 02 April, 2008, 03:30:55 pm: Quote from: johnspooner on 31 March, 2008, 11:54:32 am
Moi.

(Just back from 1000km or so of snow, rain, hail wind & sun round Bretagne & Loire Valley)

Do I hear the sound of a gauntlet being flung down?

(I did a 200 in Feb).
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: Maladict on 02 April, 2008, 04:50:55 pm: *swallows tongue*

(We need a smiley for that, I feel)
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: Salvatore on 02 April, 2008, 05:27:56 pm: Quote from: Ian H on 02 April, 2008, 03:30:55 pm
Quote from: johnspooner on 31 March, 2008, 11:54:32 am
Moi.

(Just back from 1000km or so of snow, rain, hail wind & sun round Bretagne & Loire Valley)

Do I hear the sound of a gauntlet being flung down?

(I did a 200 in Feb).

If you can hear a gauntlet it certainly isn't mine (although my Aldi gloves do make a satisfyingly soggy 'splot' sound). As you may know, my views on points, championships and the like are somewhere beyond those of Jim Hopper.

This was a leisurely 100-140 km per day tour (as in touring), going where the spirit (but mostly the wind) took me, with fine food and drink (starting with tea and cake at Hummers Halls, and a lead-out to the ferry by the man himself), sightseeing and plenty of sleep in warm hotel beds.

(I also did a 200 in Feb)
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: Maladict on 02 April, 2008, 08:45:36 pm: Cleaned the bike this evening.

It'll bucket it down, then.
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: Maladict on 02 April, 2008, 11:59:19 pm: I have created a set of waypoints for the turns on the routesheet, named to give instructions for each turn.

Email me if you want it.

(GPX format available)
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: Chris N on 04 April, 2008, 11:26:58 am: Quote from: Maladict on 02 April, 2008, 08:45:36 pm
Cleaned the bike this evening.

It'll bucket it down, then.

I didn't, mine's filthy. Panniers all packed though - I'm riding down to the Travelodge in Hartlebury this afternoon. Got extra clothes for the ride back up North on Sunday cos it looks like it could be a little chilly: Metcheck is claiming a 'feels like' of -8ºC for 7.00AM Sunday morning :o.
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: Noodley on 04 April, 2008, 03:06:59 pm: Best wishes to all for a successful ride :thumbsup:

Have fun...
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: MSeries on 04 April, 2008, 03:08:07 pm: This and da Oirsh Meal are ones that I was looking forward to in 2008, then I crashed.
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: Mr Larrington on 04 April, 2008, 03:26:50 pm: I am semi-reliably informed that TWFKAML's ex-housemate's new bloke is doing it. Say hello to a Steve from Highbury...
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: Martin on 04 April, 2008, 03:31:09 pm: be afraid

(http://www.pdmartin.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/images/devil1.jpg)
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: Greenbank on 04 April, 2008, 03:42:14 pm: Quote from: Chris N on 04 April, 2008, 11:26:58 am
Metcheck is claiming a 'feels like' of -8ºC for 7.00AM Sunday morning :o.

I'm going to have a lie-in then. Only -2^oC by 10am.

Luckily I uploaded the route to my GPS before one of the pins on the connector won't pop out any more (and it's a data pin rather than power) so I'll just have to get to Foregate street then next day using my brain.
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: Von Broad on 04 April, 2008, 04:33:38 pm: With the forecast looking as it is, this looks like an occasion to get round quick before the weather gets bad.

Yeah right.

Looks like I picked the wrong ride to get round quick :D

Still, nice and scenic during the day. Last year I was wearing an 18/32 low gear. Still walked up the staircase :)

Preparation is much better this year - nought since January :o
'Squeal like a pig boy'!
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: Chris N on 06 April, 2008, 03:21:28 pm: Cor, that was tougher than last year. Stronger headwind on the outbound leg combined with little sleep (though not as little as Pumpe), a 100km ride to the start the day before and a few beers the night before meant I didn't finish until 12.30. Strangely, I enjoyed it more than last year's ride - haven't quite worked out why. Same cracking controls (including dinner at Mum and Dad's :)), same scenery, same route - just nicer. A (mostly) pleasant ride back today brings my tally for the weekend to 500km. :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: Maladict on 06 April, 2008, 03:38:45 pm: I set out to try to pace myself so there was none of this tearing off with the fast guys then regretting it later. The climb up to Clows Top near the start was fun as was the descent, then a team time trial with John Spooner across the flat section before we arrived at the airfield control to see Judith Swallow just leaving.

The next bit was where the undulations began as promised, but the climb before Builth Wells was relatively easy, and the descent was fun, and I got there with about 1h30 in hand. That was a nice control and then we were off into the real meat of the ride. The climb up to the checkpoint was OK, I had to stop for a comfort break. Met some kids on mountain bikes on the way up and chatted to one of them. I noticed the climb through the trees on the approach, thought "that looks interesting". Had some of the jelly babies, oiled my chain, Alex arrived and we started the climb together. As we rounded the corner into the forest Alex spotted the climb for the first time and announced something along the lines of "Oh, fuck". We started climbing, I got round the first hairpin, and halfway up the next leg before deciding I was going to explode/throw up/die so swallowed my pride and walked the remainder. Then it was a short descent before another steep climb which Andrew Uttley was in the process of walking, I walked with him for a bit but didn't have to walk after that. That was by far the hardest section. Then once we'd made it over all the undulations it was down to Tregaron. Despite being warned I'd lose time on this section, I didn't so I arrived there with 50 minutes in hand that I'd had when I left Builth Wells.

Off again into the wind and Alan Vance was too fast for me to hold onto so I rode with John Spooner and Andrew for a bit til I stopped to remove the jacket, then started the climb towards the Red Kite road. That was the steepest of the remaining climbs, once that was done the climb up the valley was relatively easy. Got hailed on briefly in an apparently clear blue sky. At the summit of that section I was riding with the wind, at the same speed as the wind so it was perfectly silent. All I could hear were the birds. The sun was quite low now and it was brining out all the colours. I hit 73kph on the descent to Rhyader which is a new record, got a bit cold though. That was a lovely Cafe, and I spent an hour there so was 20 minutes out of time on leaving. Thus I time trialled (by my standards) over to the next control, making up 1h20. I think I overtook 5 people on that section.

On one of the long, straight roads there I had a car pull alongside with the window down, "uh-oh" I thought. "Are you doing an Audax?" asked a female voice. "Yes." "Oh, good for you, is it a 400k". "No, 300, going back to Kidderminster". "Oh, well, good luck" and off they went. smiley

John and Andrew were at the Kingsland control having left me behind at Rhyader. I left there with about 30 mins in hand. On the next climb I got snowed on a little - very tiny flakes. Caught Rust Bucket at the bottom, his chain having broke for the 2nd time and then dropped him and someone else near the bottom of the climb back to Clows Top. I saw some lights ahead, and it was John and Andy again so I reeled them in by the time we got to the descent, but used them for navigation through Bewedley. Got in, in steady rain at 02.15. No-one else arrived til about 02.45 and the last I saw arrived at 02.55. Rust Bucket had had a 3rd chain breakage, apart from those issues he'd have been well on to beat last year's time.

I did a rolling average of about 20kph and an overall average of 15.9, which had been as low as 14.5 due to the slow control at Rhyader. Considering The Dean was 14.7kph overall, that'll do for now. Unlike The Dean, I don't have aching thighs today, which is nice.
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: Chris N on 06 April, 2008, 03:44:47 pm: Glad you got back ok Maladict - I think I spotted you at Shobdon but didn't get a chance to introduce myself. Did Greenbank finish?
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: Maladict on 06 April, 2008, 03:51:27 pm: Quote from: Chris N on 06 April, 2008, 03:44:47 pm
Glad you got back ok Maladict - I think I spotted you at Shobdon but didn't get a chance to introduce myself. Did Greenbank finish?

Yes he finished at 2.45iirc. Good value for money. :)
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: Hot Flatus on 06 April, 2008, 05:18:10 pm: Quote from: Maladict on 06 April, 2008, 03:38:45 pm
we arrived at the airfield control to see Judith Swallow just leaving.

With me and IanH, didn't realise it was you until afterwards.

Well I am in bits today but I don't know why. I can barely get up and down the stairs. Yesterday was a huge struggle and I crawled along the entire way. At no point did I feel good. Maybe it was the couple of beers the night before, or more likely the complete lack of sleep on the friday night in the bloody Travelodge (I can never sleep in those places). I had anticipated taking it easy and still getting in at about 10 or 11pm. As it was I got in at 12.30pm, (albeit with about a 20 minute add-on after not taking that downhill left turn in Bewdley) feeling absolutely shattered.

Don't get me wrong, it is a great route with great controls but if I said I enjoyed it I would be lying. The only point I felt remotely normal was on the Kite road, partly because I was in a gentle rhythm but also because there was some lovely sunshine.

Made the right decision and took the Dinotte 600 to supplement the solidlights. Great though the solidlights is it isnt enough for anything above 15mph. Having the 600 meant I could fly down the descents on the last stage.
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: Blade on 06 April, 2008, 05:43:41 pm: Out of all the Eleniths that I've ridden, this was probably my toughest. Not helped by the fact that I had two punctures.

This was my first ride of the year that was over 70 miles.

The many hours of riding into a constant headwind for 80 miles or so were quite wearing, also it was cold all day and I don't like the cold.

As usual I was towards the tail end of the field and slowly moved further back ;D

At Rhyader we had an ACF meet-up with around five or six of us there.

After that it just got colder and damper as the evening went on.

Various riders rode past me on the last section and for the last half an hour it rained heavily.

Finished in last place at 2.55 a.m. Luckily the heavy fall of snow didn't appear until 15 minutes later.
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: border-rider on 06 April, 2008, 07:53:21 pm: Quote from: Monsieur Pumpé on 06 April, 2008, 05:18:10 pm

Made the right decision and took the Dinotte 600 to supplement the solidlights. Great though the solidlights is it isnt enough for anything above 15mph. Having the 600 meant I could fly down the descents on the last stage.

You must have it set up wrong

My experience has been the ability to really fly with the Solidlights, down steep hills and long ones and down windy dark lanes. I've never had to hold back - in fact last year Treewheeler and I ride the 3D300 (2 am start) and we were dropping ordinary machines and even a tandem on the descents because we had Solidlights and could see properly.
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: border-rider on 06 April, 2008, 07:54:52 pm: Quote from: Maladict on 06 April, 2008, 03:38:45 pm
I set out to try to pace myself so there was none of this tearing off with the fast guys then regretting it later.

Erm, isn't that the whole point of the Elenith ? :)
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: Ian H on 06 April, 2008, 08:00:17 pm: Quote from: Mal Volio on 06 April, 2008, 07:54:52 pm
Quote from: Maladict on 06 April, 2008, 03:38:45 pm
I set out to try to pace myself so there was none of this tearing off with the fast guys then regretting it later.

Erm, isn't that the whole point of the Elenith ? :)

I did something right then.

Preparation this year of one each of 200, 100, 150k, the 200 back in Feb, was, I can say authoritively, inadequate.
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: Von Broad on 06 April, 2008, 09:05:58 pm: Well. How time erodes pain and distorts memory.

It's only half way round that you suddenly remember what you thought the first time you did it - this ride is a brute, but a brute with plenty of beauty in it.

Not having done anythng since a 100k in January [no commutes, nothing] I knew this was going to

be tough. In fact I had serious doubts whether it was a good idea at all. But the lure was too great to yield to those kind of reservations. My only aim was to get round in the time, and in so doing hopefully beat my time of last year of 2.40am, 20 mins inside the cutoff time :-)

Many made the comment that hauling a recumbent round this one is probably not the best way to help yourself in that respect, but, well....I just can't help it.

Nice to put more faces to names, and this time for me was the turn of Chris N. He introduced himself, and I got the distinct feeling straight away that I probably wouldn't be seeing a great deal of him throughout the day :-)

For the most part we had cold, clear, sunny beautiful weather. After dusk, things changed a bit. For the first 200km, up to Rhayader I was going well, or as well as could be expected. Bizarrely I kept dumping in to Maladict & Co at the controls, and expecting to be passed at any moment, but they never showed up until much later. [See, contrary to popular wisdom recumbents reign supreme in the mountains:-). Last year I got to Tregarron at 5 pm, with not a sole in sight, well and truly holding up the rear end, but this year I was there at 4pm and not alone! And I arrived at Rhayader at 7.pm, over an hour fro last year, so things were looking good. Wow, I could be on to knock maybe 1 1/2 hrs off last years time.

But then the wheels came off somewhat, or rather the chain did - snapping three times in the last 100km! shortened chains start to get prety tight when they've been repaired them 3 times. In the end it was almost a fixed-wheel recumbent [sounds more like an old Saddam Hussain torture]. On setting out to repair it first time at about 70km from base I found my head torch batteries where dying. I couldn't see a damn thing. Broken chain, no light, pitch blackness and then the sleet started. Nice. However I was rescued, temporarily by a couple walking through the lanes to a nearby pub after being at a wedding all day. Or so I thought. They crouched down beside me using the night light from their mobile phones to give me assistance, but their alcoholic in take was preventing them keeping still. First you see it, then you don't. So I still couldn't see a bloody thing! Alas, enter sober veteran campaigner John Spooner and his riding mate Andy Utley to the rescue. Experienced and prepared as ever, John had a spare head torch which he leant me. Good old boy. They stayed around for 10 mins or so to see my fix the chain, only to see I'd mended it in reverse! roll eyes What a dumbo. I thought I'd have the bright idea of pedalling backwards, but wise man Utley assured me, 'Nah, you'll never do that'. No, sure enough, I was going nowhere like that.

I gave myself a hard time after they'd left for holding them up a while. One is always grateful for help, but really help like that should only be necessary when you can do nothing for yourself and not because of bad preparation. A fully charged head torch = essential night time riding. What with forgetting my leggings and having to do the whole thing in a pair of Primark jogging bottoms I think in the future I'm going to have an 'Audax check list' to make sure everything's on board before I leave for the event - including spare batteries for a head torch! I'd be lax preparing for this and paid the price.

Another break after the last control and again some 15k down the road saw me lose all my precious time I'd worked so hard to bank. Now my bottle dynamo gave up, so had zero front lights, and it was raining and sleeting and I couldn't see a thing. What's he using a old clapped out bottle dynamo for? Yes, I know. The rim on my SON wheel has split [again!], so I hadn't had the time to lace a new rim. Actually, truth is, I had had the time but couldn't be bothered. No sympathy there then. At this point decent bloke Tonyh turned up and he guided me back for the last 30k or so. At this point I was really, really shot to bits. And I started to feel the bonk encroaching.

One odd and amusing moment happened in Tenbury Wells, 30km from base. I'd stopped to mess with the chain line [yet again], when I caught sight of this chap who came strolling over, looking rather Santaesque with his white beard and hair sticking out from under his bobble hat.

"That's a strange looking bike"
"It's called a recumbent bike" I said, being civil but really wanting to get going.
"And I can tell ya exactly where it's made", as he points knowingly
"Oh yeah"
"Yeah, that is a Pashley bike"
"It is?"
"Yeah, that's a Pashley bike. And you know how I know that? [He pauses] Because I used to work there", as he nods his head, again knowingly
"Right"
"We used to make all the Post Office bikes, and I recognised it immediately"
Oh boy, this has only gone on for 10secs, and I can't take much more already.
"Ok mate, must get going. See ya"

As I engaged gear, pulled away I could still here him telling me, "Yeah, recognised it straight away, It's a Pashley".

I just had to leave that place. I just wasn't in this part of the world to discuss how one might easily mistake this (http://www.pashley.co.uk/products/mailstar.html) for this (http://homepage.ntlworld.com/vindaloo77/100_1222b.jpg).

Anyway...

There are some who can conquer this ride with aplomb. How do these people get back at 19.30pm? [those riders were an hour last this year. Still unbelievable to me though] but I think for many this ride is a difficult ride to get the psychological upper hand, and I think just getting round is a good achievement. It's a toughie. Such a feat can easily get lost sometimes. The Elenith has a quality about it that tempts you back. Once is enough for some rides, but this is different somehow.

Can I get round a bit quicker? Can I beat my last time? Can I get round at all? Well, this year I was up by 1 1/2, well on course to crush last year's attempt of 2.40am, but alas, after all that, I ended up rolling in at 2.50am :D In the end I was just grateful to just get home. Sociable gathering at the end. Greenback still looked as fresh as when he started. And Blade, you must have been there too I guess, I didn't get the chance. Maybe next time.

Still, many thanks to Dave Pountney and the team. It's a great ride.
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: Hot Flatus on 06 April, 2008, 10:16:51 pm: Quote from: Mal Volio on 06 April, 2008, 07:53:21 pm
You must have it set up wrong

Well, it's clamped onto the bars, plugged in and angled down.... not sure what else I can do???
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: border-rider on 06 April, 2008, 10:18:07 pm: Angle it down more ? I found it needed to be angled a lot further down than I expected
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: Hot Flatus on 06 April, 2008, 10:22:03 pm: I see you were waiting for my response ;)

It couldn't be angled further down! Actually, I've a thought... maybe you should come down a hill with my 600 and see if you still think the Solidlights is adequate :o
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: border-rider on 06 April, 2008, 10:32:00 pm: Maybe.

I'm not saying that the Solidlights is the brightest thing ever - no denial that the design is a bit dated now, for one - but I've done an awful lot of dark miles on one in the last few years and I've never needed extra light. Extra light is fun, though, of course :)
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: Salvatore on 06 April, 2008, 10:45:16 pm: If you've been reading this thread closely you'll know that:
a) I didn't catch M Pumpé
b) I rode with Maladict to Shobdon
c) I rode most of the day with Andy Uttley
d) I lent rust bucket my headtorch (he didn't mention he was riding his MkII creation - much sleeker than Mk I. ~~Looks like a Pashley~~)
e) It was a super ride.

The real fun started after the ride, something like this:

Early hours of Sunday: finish ride & socialise
3:00 a.m: Say farewell and thank organiser. Exit to car. Notice winter wonderland which has appeared.
3:05 Attempt to drive car off playing field. Succeed only in navigating (in a skating/skiing fashion) to the opposite side of playing field. Conclude there is no chance of getting out.
3:07 Return to hall.
3:15 Put on all available clothes (cycling and non-cycling) and try to sleep on mats on the stage
4:15 wake up shivering
5:30 Give up trying to sleep and go back to car in an attempt to get going again. Notice subtle re-arrangement of cars on the playing field (including one abandoned right in front of mine, blocking me in).
5:35 Return to hall. Sit on chair.
6:15 Breakfast arrives. Eat lashings of toast and marmalade. Swap 1989 LEL anecdotes with Lee Shale, Alan Jones and Dave P (see below).
7:00 Team forms to move vehicles
7:20 Team succeeds in moving big Derby Mercury van after much sliding, spraying of mud/snow, swearing, laughing and shoving.
7:30 All other cars moved on to tarmac
7:32. Leave Wolverley
7:55 Arrive at sister's for shower and sleep.

Like blade I'll ride it as long as Dave keeps organising it. (Sounds like I can add garry to the list)

Also riding, and making a comeback after 9 years, were LEL Inaugurals Lee Shale and Alan Jones. I rode the 2nd half of the ride with Alan in the 1987 'Wet' Elenith when we finished at 5:30 (Sunday).
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: daflloyd on 06 April, 2008, 11:48:10 pm: Quote from: Mal Volio on 06 April, 2008, 07:54:52 pm
Quote from: Maladict on 06 April, 2008, 03:38:45 pm
I set out to try to pace myself so there was none of this tearing off with the fast guys then regretting it later.

Erm, isn't that the whole point of the Elenith ? :)

Ah, so that's where I went wrong!!

As Chris N and Pumpe's roomy, I hope that my deep sleep snoring didn't add to their poor night's sleep and they're just being polite on here. Nice couple of beers and craic with them the evening before.

I'm afraid I underestimated how hard this one would be and paid the penalty. I did find a good group and had a fast first leg, and then mopped up 5 guys who took my wheel into the headwind up to the Discoed checkpoint.(One of them was Lee Shale, as mentioned by JS - The first time I'd met him, spent a bit of road time and a lot of control time in his company - nice guy, climbs better than me suprisingly!!). After climbing to Forest Inn, I got on the big ring to Builth.

The run to the bottom of the devil's staircase was a bit of a grind, but stunning. I was chatting to a Willesden lad along here, and you can see why people travel the big distances to ride these roads. I suppose I'm a bit spoilt having this type of terrain close to home.

All the studying of maps and contour lines can't prepare one for a relentless 1:4 climb. I got to the second hairpin, saw the road ahead offered no restbite, swallowed my pride and walked the remainder (and there's plenty of "remainder" after the second hairpin). I knew there was at least 2 other climbs, which both took a little bit more out of the tank. In fact as I aproached the third climb, I asked the aforementioned Lee Shale if this was the last one before Tregaron, to which he replied "No, you'd better leave a bit in reserve". :o.To compound the agony of the climbs, the steep, narrow, twisty, gravelly descents needed great concentration and offered little opportunity to let the bike go. My stats show a 14kph ave from the checkpoint to Tregaron - the slowest leg of my Audax life by far.

I know the run from Tregaron to Rhayader (Peacocks and Kites leg), and knew that my battered legs would struggle with the last bit of the climb after Pontrhydygroes. So by the time the right turn had come along, I'd already convinced myslef to hop off and walk the last steep bit. This section was a mental low point - physically tired, and only just halfway through - the stuff you tell yourself to do ("think of the next contol only") gets overridden, and I'm having the "how the hell am I gonna get 130k out of these legs?" conversation with myself.

By 25k out of Rhayader I was struggling to keep a decent rhythm when a Simon Gent/George Hanna/John Barkman train arrived and beckoned me onto the back wheel. I managed to chase them down and latch on and amazingly stayed with them in the big ring for the 35k into the control. I even took a turn at the front near the control 8). If they hadn't passed by, I probably would have limped into Kingsland, but their appearance triggered a wonderful second wind.

The aforementioned train left me within 10k of leaving Kingsland, so I had a slow, dark, lonely run into Wolverley. I got in at 11pm for a bit of craic and then a slow drive home.

During the ride, I was questionning the very reason of why I was doing these events if I was not enjoying and hurting so much. Now that I'm in a warm house, remembering the company and landscape, and casually forgetting some of the "scenery" the ride seems more appealing.
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: Hot Flatus on 07 April, 2008, 09:36:33 am: Quote from: daflloyd on 06 April, 2008, 11:48:10 pm

As Chris N and Pumpe's roomy,........ Nice couple of beers and craic with them the evening before.

Yeah, that craic stuff you gave me must have been what kept me up. It's a bit moreish too...
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: Andydauddwr on 07 April, 2008, 09:42:58 am: Chapeau to you all. Sounds like a hard day out. I must give this a go next year!

AC
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: border-rider on 07 April, 2008, 09:48:55 am: Local roads for you Andy...

A classic ride, and the middle is tough, but the first and last sections are pretty fast - my experience has been like Maladict's - that this ride can be faster than for example the Dean or (some years) the Rural South

It's not consistently tough like the 3D 300 is tough, or Ian H's Devon & Exemore 300. I think that's why it's fun - you get to suffer a bit and feel you've achieved something, but get to whizz along too :)
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: Hot Flatus on 07 April, 2008, 10:28:07 am: Quote from: Mal Volio on 06 April, 2008, 10:32:00 pm
but I've done an awful lot of dark miles on one in the last few years and I've never needed extra light.

It has just occured to me that I am discussing the need for bright lighting on fast descents with ~~a mentalist~~ someone who rides the Elenith on fixed.

I think I'd better order a second 600l, just in case

;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: border-rider on 07 April, 2008, 10:46:27 am: Damn. I wondered how long it would take before you noticed :)
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: Greenbank on 07 April, 2008, 11:26:44 am: Stunning ride and I am an utter zombie this morning; waited in a cafe for about 2 minutes for them to give me my sandwich, I was already holding it.

Value for money again (15 minutes spare) and great fun. Got in just before the blizzard started. No problem with Solidlights on the descents, but then I only got to about 60kph in the dark (and not much more in the light).

Really happy when I'd done enough mental arithmetic to know that I'd get to Rhayader within time (thanks for the tip Mr Spooner). Took it easy on the last section as I was feeling very dozy (had to stop to pop a couple of ibuprofen purely for the caffeine they put in the pills, should have had a coffee at Kingsland and not Hot Chocolate). Rode most of it on my own or just within sight of some lights in the distance.

Seriously considering turbo purchase (now that Mr HMRC has given me my money) so I can work on improving power output. I don't mind scraping round just inside the time limits on hilly rides (or rides with lots of weather, like this year's Dean), but I'd like to be a bit faster. Growing up in flat Cambridge, and now commuting in flat London mean I have rubbish climbing legs.

Next year? Quite possibly (although it'll be a few years before I'd attempt it on fixed¹).

1. Oh how quickly the insanity spreads.
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: Ian H on 07 April, 2008, 12:48:16 pm: Quote from: john spooner on 06 April, 2008, 10:45:16 pm

Also riding, and making a comeback after 9 years, were LEL Inaugurals Lee Shale...

It was very pleasant to make Mr S's acquaintance again. A cyclist and a gentleman.
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: richie on 07 April, 2008, 02:41:25 pm: A wonderful ride in retrospect.

Low points - the horrid climb out of Pont Rhyd-y-Groes. Generally feeling crap on more than one occasion.

High points - Cymystwyth and Elan valley - beautiful scenery in bright sunshine. The mad hailstorm coming off Clows Top, which i think i enjoyed as i new the finish was near.

So how does the climbing on this compare to the BCM?? I'd love to do the BCM but felt like I was going backwards on this - severe doubts as to whether i could hack another 300k on top!
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: border-rider on 07 April, 2008, 02:48:52 pm: BCM is (mostly) long draggy climbs. I have to walk two hills on the Elenith (the DS and that steep one after Pont Rhyd-y-Groes, and if the wind is agin that becomes 3 or 4 (the two steepies after the "secret" control, which I can do sometimes)

On the BCM I only have to walk one - the YH drive - and last year I even managed that :)

Itchy, I doubt you'd have any trouble on the BCM.
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: richie on 07 April, 2008, 03:00:35 pm: I've now go to convince myself that the BCM is a possibility.... which i thought it was earlier this year but now i'm having doubts. Going to give the Severn Across a whirl and see how I get on over 400.

Trying to balance work,family life and audaxing is becoming something of a juggling act!
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: Hot Flatus on 07 April, 2008, 03:29:41 pm: I found this Elenith harder than last years BCM scenic, and I should be in better condition this year.

There is about 30% less climbing on the BCM than the Elenith, mile for mile and as MV says (unless you do the scenic) it is long drags where you can get into some semblance of a rhythm. The thought of walking up any gradients didn't even occur to me on the BCM scenic, but last saturday the Devils staircase and the bit up onto the hafod road required me to walk. (I might have persisted if I'd had a triple chainset)

If you can do the Elenith you can do the BCM.
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: Maladict on 07 April, 2008, 10:04:40 pm: I now have a picture in my mind, courtesy of Pumpers' RR:

Quote
Don't look at me, I am so ~~shy~~slow. Don't look at me, just pretend I am not here. I am ~~shy~~slow. I am ~~S-H-Y~~S-L-O-W.

Unfortunately I didn't need the maid's outfit / Pumpers juxtaposition. Pass the brain bleach. :(
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 07 April, 2008, 11:23:36 pm: Quote from: rust bucket on 06 April, 2008, 09:05:58 pm

"That's a strange looking bike"
"It's called a recumbent bike" I said, being civil but really wanting to get going.
"And I can tell ya exactly where it's made", as he points knowingly
"Oh yeah"
"Yeah, that is a Pashley bike"
"It is?"

Maybe he meant one of these Pashley bikes http://www.pashley.co.uk/pashley/products/pdq_half.htm
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: Maladict on 08 April, 2008, 09:39:36 am: Quote from: Monsieur Pumpé on 08 April, 2008, 09:24:31 am
Quote from: Maladict on 07 April, 2008, 10:04:40 pm
I now have a picture in my mind, courtesy of Pumpers' RR:

Quote
Don't look at me, I am so ~~shy~~slow. Don't look at me, just pretend I am not here. I am ~~shy~~slow. I am ~~S-H-Y~~S-L-O-W.

Unfortunately I didn't need the maid's outfit / Pumpers juxtaposition. Pass the brain bleach. :(

I am at a total loss to know what this means ??? ??? ???

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2woVEO6Zdm0
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: border-rider on 08 April, 2008, 09:44:00 am: I knew what he meant :)
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: tonyh on 08 April, 2008, 10:00:52 am: Quote from: itchy on 07 April, 2008, 02:41:25 pm
So how does the climbing on this compare to the BCM?? I'd love to do the BCM but felt like I was going backwards on this - severe doubts as to whether i could hack another 300k on top!
The Elenith has some steep descents, and you can "lose" a lot of time on those; not so on the BCM. And you'll have ages in hand, as well.

Thanks to all for the fascinating ride reports and stories!
I'm trying to recover enough to write something (that's what I'm still saying about my Chiltern-Cotswold DIY Calendar 300, over 3 weeks ago [SO long ago that I now enjoyed it immensely]).
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: Greenbank on 15 April, 2008, 10:35:33 pm: Not mine, hence a link rather than inline:-

http://www.panoramio.com/photo/8121662

:)
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: border-rider on 15 April, 2008, 10:38:25 pm: As featured in the Grauniad a couple of months ago :)
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: Greenbank on 15 April, 2008, 10:42:49 pm: Spotted it on Google Earth after looking for some nice photos of the Devil's Staircase (there aren't any) and the Elan Valley (there are some).
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: Chris N on 16 April, 2008, 10:03:34 am: Dave's pics of this year's Elenith are up, including another of the phone box:

http://www.kidderminsterctc.smugmug.com/gallery/2292089_5NrUT#278322260_kvgHS
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: border-rider on 16 April, 2008, 10:55:28 am: Great pictures !

For anyone who's not ridden it - they really capture its essence.

The Alan Vance one is amusing - I guess that's on the top bit where it is possible to hoy a fixie. I don't think many people could ride the lower part on 63"
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: Ian H on 16 April, 2008, 11:02:50 am: I was a couple of miles further on, patching a tyre. He arrived looking a little grey.
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: Blade on 17 April, 2008, 09:08:23 pm: Fantastic pictures from Dave Pountney . But how can he stop and take all those picures, yet still finish so far in front of me?

My photo at the finish shows just how wrecked I was, yet so pleased to have finished with FIVE whole minutes in hand ;D
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: Greenbank on 22 May, 2008, 09:05:29 pm: Anyone had their Brevet card back from the Elenith?

I'm waiting to be quite proud of it (and work out what all of the stamps spelt out.)

Results have long since been up on the AUK site but no sign of the card.

(This isn't a whinge at all, and I understand that someone involved in the validation chain has been waylaid recently...GWS...)
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: Jethro on 23 May, 2008, 02:27:52 pm: Waiting for my card as well, so you are not alone.
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: Ian H on 23 May, 2008, 02:29:49 pm: It's BRM. Got to wait for the ACP validation stickers.
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: Greenbank on 23 May, 2008, 03:18:24 pm: Good point. Ta very much.
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: Greenbank on 24 May, 2008, 09:39:44 am: Arrived this morning!

Took a minute to work out what the control stamps spelt out. I was trying to think if "popweedral" could be split into any Welsh words but then the morning coffee kicked in.
Title: Re: Elenith 2008 roll call
Post by: Blade on 26 May, 2008, 08:27:44 pm: My all-time favourite of Elenith control phrases was from a year when it was run on the first of April.

The control stamps spelt out the phrase 'APRIL FOOL' ;D