'The Flatlands' 600km 13/14th September 2014

[Tomsk]

   Heads up folks: Got the go-ahead for my new 600, 'The Flatlands'. Up and down the east of England, so as the name suggests, flat[ish]. I hope this will satisfy the demand for an easier 600 [is there such a thing - bearing in mind the second slowest 600 I ever did was Cambridge-York-Cambridge, with headwinds both ways!]

   I'd have arranged it for July, but needed to avoid LEL and other commitments, so there will be a rather longer September night to contend with, but on the other hand, a summer of touring should see fitness at a peak....?

    The routesheet details are still tba, but the controls are: Dunmow, Red Lodge, Whittlesey, Boston, Kirton-in-Lindsey, Goole, Gainsborough, Sleaford, Chatteris, Potton, Dunmow. I hope to have a Friday night sleepover and breakfast arranged at the Church Hall; lots of good cafes en-route and also inevitably, a couple of 24-hour garages. X-rated and probably pub/cafe/shop/atm at the finish, [selfishly, so I can ride too.]

   There is now a Flitchbikes SR for 2013; I'll have to see about medals.....

[Gaddi]

Hmmm - very tempting, as it sounds like a good first 600k... But perhaps I'm mad to even contemplate a first 300k, 400k and 600k in my second year of audaxing - will have to ponder on this one 

[Veloman]

Hmmm - very tempting, as it sounds like a good first 600k... But perhaps I'm mad to even contemplate a first 300k, 400k and 600k in my second year of audaxing - will have to ponder on this one 

Not mad at all.  If you are absolutely brand new to cycling, then a challenge it will be, but it looks like you are not brand new and are looking at moving to longer distances in your second year of audaxing.

I believe it is largely in the mind (once you have got the comfort side sorted of saddle/backside interface) and if you don't go too mad speed wise and blow up, you will complete those events.  Clearly, getting used to riding at night will be a new challenge, but it's something I quite enjoy, and it just needs some thought on equipment and kit.

Go for it!

[Hillbilly]

Does it have AAA points?

More seriously, it is good to see a late season ride over 200km.  There is a definite lack of longer rides after July (although there are stray 300s and 400s) despite it being perfectly feasible to ride well into September - after all, the Equinox isn't until late September.

That said, other plans mean I won't be able to do this year's event but will no doubt find myself attracted to it next year (I've plans to "go far" next year).  As such, hope the 2013 edition goes well.

[marcusjb]

Hmmm.

Interesting and good to see a late(ish) season 600.

Weather in September tends to be pretty favourable.

I am interested.

[L CC]

Make it a BRM 1000k and I'm there!

Seriously, it's a riding weekend, so we'll probably ride. Unless we're burnt out by then, in which case I'll run a control for you, if you like.

[Tomsk]

Make it a BRM 1000k and I'm there!

Seriously, it's a riding weekend, so we'll probably ride. Unless we're burnt out by then, in which case I'll run a control for you, if you like.

Thanks boab - the only really X control is at Kirton, as the co-op closes at 22:00, bit far to go for you? In the spirit of X events, there's always an atm later on.....

Possibly not a good first time 600 if you have bum-comfort issues - you'll spend a lot of time on that saddle and will be longing for a few hills!

[Gaddi]

Possibly not a good first time 600 if you have bum-comfort issues - you'll spend a lot of time on that saddle and will be longing for a few hills!
[/quote]

I doubt any 600k a is good first one if you have 'bum-comfort' issues...
Will have to wait and see what work-commitments arise, but otherwise will be there, I think. Thanks, Veloman, for your considered encouragement 
Irm

[L CC]

Does that control have my name on it... 

[Ray 6701]

Definitely interested.  Pity its the same weekend as our Tamworth rides 

[Lars]

Excellent! If the seasn goes as planned definitely interested. This event fills two major gaps in the AUK calendar - a late season 600 and a 600 HQ'd in East Anglia!  big

[teethgrinder]

Oooooh gooody!

A new 600.

I might even be tempted to join in with this one. I'll see if I can do the Milton Keynes September DIY job late in the month so that if any novice doesn't manage it, they can recover and have one last chance.

[PloddinPedro]

................................ flat[ish]. .............

Hmmm, yummy!

Only problem is I'm booked for our annual Old Farts' Tour that week, returning home Saturday morning from Diss. Might be able to finesse it though.

Definitely like the idea.

[rob]

Interested as I'm struggling for a 600 this year and was going to opt for a perm.

It is the weekend after the KCA 12hr which may cause me to struggle a little.   Will make a decision as we get towards the Summer.



Rob

[nightrider]

Tom are you organising a 400 ride this year?

[Old Git]

  If I have finished the LEL by then 

[Martin]

Tom are you organising a 400 ride this year?

yes; Asparagus and Strawberries in May ( I'm in)

not sure if I need another 600; it would put me 3 SR's away from an UR (which stands for something else to me!)

[Tomsk]

Tom are you organising a 400 ride this year?

Flitchbikes 50/100/200km, Green & Yellow Fields 300, Hereward the Wake 300, Asparagus & Strawberries 400, The Flatlands 600. Funny that I'm organising 2 x 300s - its always been my least fave distance, possibly because of the typical early start & late finish. That's why I've gone for midnight and 9pm starts respectively - suit me sir

[Tomsk]

Does that control have my name on it... 

Ohhh yesss...you have to control Lindsay's Bakery in Potton - this is YOUR ride!

[SR Steve]

I had the Tamworth "Wem we get there" pencilled in for the Saturday, but I am now likely to be led astray by this one.

[arabella]

Taller guy's 17th birthday is around then (exact date not included for internet security reasons), I'll be on mummy duty.
Next year otoh...

For a non-BRM 1000 over similar terrain, there is the great eastern perm:  South mimms to scotch corner.  It gets you a lovely AUK badge when put together with your other AUK something 5000 stuff.

[RichForrest]

Or for a 1000 in the Netherlands, Zoetermeer - Paris - Zoetermeer has just shown up in my FB feed.

Rich

[Bianchi Boy]

Or for a 1000 in the Netherlands, Zoetermeer - Paris - Zoetermeer has just shown up in my FB feed.

Rich

Is there a link for that one. I quite like The Netherlands
BB

[Old Git]

I like it because its FLAT 

[Bianchi Boy]

I like it because its FLAT 

No because they drink a lot of beer!