Author Topic: Your winter "Get it done" DIY 200k  (Read 3725 times)

Your winter "Get it done" DIY 200k
« on: 12 October, 2020, 09:54:37 am »
Trying to do the RRTY, recapture your cycling mojo, keeping the winter pounds at bay or just wanting to get out and do it. So for those cold, wet & dark winter runs what is your diy ride that will have the best possible chance of success for you to start/complete.
My nomination would be one that I first used a few years ago when I did my one and only RRTY and just for good measure had another bash at it yesterday. So what is it and why?
My route starts from home in Gourock and heads to Lochgilphead turns and retraces on the same road

Advantages
Pretty good main road surfaces for virtually all of the route.
Traffic volumes are pretty low in the winter months (Nov-Mar)
Door to door there is only 1380m of climbing with the highest point at 100m so no real issues with ice etc (except in the worst of weather). So makes for a quick route
Although it’s an out and back it takes a U shape and follows the water for a fair bit so it’s not a 100k bash into the wind or over exposed moor land.
Only two turns on the whole route so not a lot of time wasted navigating through towns etc.
A ferry trip to start and finish, others may not see that as an advantage but it adds to the feeling of a day out and if you are running late you can always take your breakfast and eat it on the ferry.
The scenery is fantastic.

Disadvantages
An out and back route, normally not my preferred type of route and I did struggle when doing the RRTY, thinking why am I riding this road just to turn back again. However it is a ” get it done” route so beggars can’t be choosers.
A 20min ferry trip at the start and end of the route so not for everyone maybe but I am a regular on the ferry so it is worth it for me to get on such great roads.
Not many cafes open at that time of year so not many sit down options but good shop options at Inverary and Lochgilphead (or take some food with you and enjoy a picnic in Lochgilphead.

https://ridewithgps.com/trips/20519287

Re: Your winter "Get it done" DIY 200k
« Reply #1 on: 12 October, 2020, 09:59:28 am »
I'd be quite happy to do that route sometime soon, be a change of scenery for me.
Mind of a cyclist, body of a dart player.

Re: Your winter "Get it done" DIY 200k
« Reply #2 on: 12 October, 2020, 10:31:12 am »
I was the original organiser of the Vale of Belvoir 200k from Lichfield, Staffs which is an out-and-back ride. The route has changed a little over the years but I still have the original route which makes for a good DIY.  Its a relatively flat route heading NE to the edge of Grantham but can often be a headwind on the way back.

Another is my Severn & Dean 200k DIY Perm from Worcester with controls at Newent, Monmouth, Severn Bridge Services and Gloucester but it does go into Wales (Monmouth & Chepstow) so it looks like that one will have to wait for a while.

Re: Your winter "Get it done" DIY 200k
« Reply #3 on: 12 October, 2020, 10:31:58 am »
I use a fairly flat route in North Yorkshire as a default ride for RRtY, including through the winter.  Mixture of minor roads and main road, so I have to careful about overnight temperatures as the smaller roads aren't gritted.  However as I'm retired I have the luxury of being able to choose any day of the week to do the ride.

It has enough variation to keep some interest.  Quite hilly in the first section, from Piercebridge across to Barnard castle.  My favourite bit is the lovely tree lined road from Barney to Whorlton which looks different through the seasons.

https://ridewithgps.com/trips/57393823?privacy_code=ANItwsfG9BZmnpGK

Sunshine approaching from the South.

First time in 1,000 years.

quixoticgeek

  • Mostly Harmless
Re: Your winter "Get it done" DIY 200k
« Reply #4 on: 12 October, 2020, 11:27:31 am »


I have a number of routes planned that are generally either home to a station, or a station to home. Then if I want to do a DIY, I can look at which direction the wind will be, file the DIY, and then ride with the wind, for 200k. Having them preplanned means that I can go at quite short notice.

J
--
Beer, bikes, and backpacking
http://b.42q.eu/

Re: Your winter "Get it done" DIY 200k
« Reply #5 on: 12 October, 2020, 02:04:54 pm »
I'd be quite happy to do that route sometime soon, be a change of scenery for me.

I'm sure we can arrange that  :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

FifeingEejit

  • Not Small
Re: Your winter "Get it done" DIY 200k
« Reply #6 on: 12 October, 2020, 03:32:51 pm »
Aberfoyle and back
Newport to auchterarder by coast road and forgandenny then through Strathallan past some big golf course, Braco into Dunblane (Auchenlay or main road depending on conditions) blat to Doune and then along the Laich to Aberfoyle.

Pros:
Fairly flat (Edit: Not as flat as I thought)
Mostly on gritter route

Cons:
20km over distance
Fairly dull

Temporary Con:
Lots of Plague zone

Route: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/30381386


It's actually flatter to ride the 210km to Fort William
And I could make it flatter than it is by avoiding the hills at the start/finish, which is an edit I'll need to make from this winter anyway since I'm moving a bit further south.

bairn again

Re: Your winter "Get it done" DIY 200k
« Reply #7 on: 12 October, 2020, 04:40:44 pm »
Im not a devotee of RRTY but have in the past been keen to keep the points ticking over through winter months  so my main 2 are

(a).  From home in West Edinburgh to Bridge of Allan and back for 125km, then out to Dirleton and back for the remaining 75km.  About 1,400m climbing, majority on bearable A roads and street lights for the final 30km or so.  Lunch and a change of clothes at home as well if required.  Ive also used this as a midweek day/night 200 in the months with longer days. 

(b).  Like quixoticgeek, a one way ride from Edinburgh with the wind to Stonehaven / Aberdeen and the train home.  First established to visit daughter #1 in the Granite City when she was studying there, now just for fun (and terminating in Stoney to avoid Ury / Milltimber with the minimum distance achieved via a Montrose dogleg).   1,700m climbing but a tailwind makes a huge difference (recall getting to The Prince of Wales just after 1pm one time!).  Quiet roads between  Perth and Forfar arent the best in poor weather mind and the A94 alternative isnt really much fun so its one for a cool dry day.  I hope the railway line opens soon to allow me to ride this one again. 

Edit to add routes

(a) https://ridewithgps.com/trips/12855060

(b)(i) Edin - Aberdeen https://ridewithgps.com/trips/2266461
(b) (ii) EDin - Stoney https://ridewithgps.com/trips/40976308

Ive ridden to Carlisle via Dumfries when the wind has been from the North but thats not so great as it involves the B7076 and well, theres no easy way to put this, you end up in Carlisle.   :hand:

Re: Your winter "Get it done" DIY 200k
« Reply #8 on: 12 October, 2020, 04:45:01 pm »
I've taken the train to Carlisle and ridden back...

See Also: Doncaster.

Re: Your winter "Get it done" DIY 200k
« Reply #9 on: 12 October, 2020, 05:13:28 pm »
Depends how hilly I want it, the middle ground is a figure of 8.

Roughly speaking Sheffield-Glossop-Chapel-Sheffield-Bawtry-Sheffield

A bit like this but there are a bunch of little variations, there's lots of enjoyable roads to cycle round these parts.

https://www.strava.com/activities/3645230338

JonB

  • Granny Ring ... Yes Please!
Re: Your winter "Get it done" DIY 200k
« Reply #10 on: 12 October, 2020, 05:25:43 pm »
Has to be the Brecon out and back ride - 100km each way from Bristol, devised by Bairdy and used by quite a few of the Bristol riders. Over the Severn Bridge and then it's B road out of Chepstow and virtually all the way - Usk, Abergavenny, Talybont on Usk, Brecon (there is a bit of A40 here but there's also the canal path option which I tend to eschew). Turn round and ride the same route back. Co-op in Usk for stops at 50 and 150km and the cafe at Talybont either way or options in Brecon. The best thing about it is that it's a nice ride, the B road that runs from Abergavenny and parallel with the canal is great with the Brecon Beacons on one side and the Sugar Loaf on the other side. There are subtle variations that are used to break up the out and back aspect but I tend to stick to the basic version, especially in winter.
Here's one from earlier in the year https://ridewithgps.com/trips/45024115

vorsprung

  • Opposites Attract
    • Audaxing
Re: Your winter "Get it done" DIY 200k
« Reply #11 on: 13 October, 2020, 09:26:22 am »
I do tend to latch on to other people in my little group of local pub going audax riders.  They are much more keen on RRTY than me

They tend to go west on the old A30, north to South Moulton, east to Bampton, Taunton and then back to Exeter.  Or the same route the other way

At the weekend we did Wellington, Taunton, Bridgwater, Dunster, Tiverton, Crediton, Tedburn St Mary, Exeter

I have a couple of favoured 200 routes, "zoom to Frome" which is Street, Frome and then back again or "a pasty in wells" which is Tiverton, Bampton, Wiveliscombe, Bishops Lydeard, Street, Wells and back


Re: Your winter "Get it done" DIY 200k
« Reply #12 on: 13 October, 2020, 12:30:00 pm »
I'd be interested to see if anyone had such a route that isn't too far from or includes Newcastle (upon Tyne) that I could steal/adapt. I'm doing my first RRTY and have yet to plan my December-February-ready route yet. Ideally on gritted roads etc.

Re: Your winter "Get it done" DIY 200k
« Reply #13 on: 13 October, 2020, 12:35:10 pm »
Just follow the 167.

Re: Your winter "Get it done" DIY 200k
« Reply #14 on: 13 October, 2020, 01:16:41 pm »
Socks is in front so far with the least amount of climbing.
I think I have it on ease of navigation  ;D

Some nice looking routes as well, I had never considered doing the route as an overnight but with the ferry timings it's easily doable at any time of the year as traffic volume is almost nonexistent at night (I'll forget about the height of midge season).

quixoticgeek

  • Mostly Harmless
Re: Your winter "Get it done" DIY 200k
« Reply #15 on: 13 October, 2020, 01:22:37 pm »
Socks is in front so far with the least amount of climbing.
I think I have it on ease of navigation  ;D

You sure about that?

This is one of my routes for when there's a stonker of a NE wind.

https://www.strava.com/activities/1707228772

Unfortunately the dyke is closed to cyclists so I can't do it this winter.

I think the next flattest I've managed is this one:

https://www.strava.com/activities/2302891761

J
--
Beer, bikes, and backpacking
http://b.42q.eu/

Re: Your winter "Get it done" DIY 200k
« Reply #16 on: 13 October, 2020, 01:29:57 pm »
I think I have it on ease of navigation  ;D

Not sure about that, either
Just follow the 167.

I've ridden all these this roads but I wouldn't do it even as a winter banker - I'd give up out of boredom. I suffer from the curse of Needing New Roads- I very rarely repeat a route.


Re: Your winter "Get it done" DIY 200k
« Reply #17 on: 13 October, 2020, 01:44:20 pm »
I'd be quite happy to do that route sometime soon, be a change of scenery for me.

I'm sure we can arrange that  :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

This weekend maybe? (subject to weather etc)
Mind of a cyclist, body of a dart player.

arabella

  • عربللا
  • onwendeð wyrda gesceaft weoruld under heofonum
Re: Your winter "Get it done" DIY 200k
« Reply #18 on: 13 October, 2020, 02:52:10 pm »
Ipswich-Fakenham out and back.  Often (mainly) overnight.  Grand total of 2 turnings off the road (iirc) in each direction, the rest is all SO @ X or wevs at T junction or in a  built up/lit up area, with lots of follow the B1077 thrown in.
24hr options at Diss and Dereham.
Not that I've gotten very much done any time recently. :-(
More 'overnight' than 'winter' though would work for either.  Plus loads of 100 circuits that could be linked.
Any fool can admire a mountain.  It takes real discernment to appreciate the fens.

Re: Your winter "Get it done" DIY 200k
« Reply #19 on: 13 October, 2020, 06:08:12 pm »
Socks is in front so far with the least amount of climbing.
I think I have it on ease of navigation  ;D

You sure about that?

This is one of my routes for when there's a stonker of a NE wind.

https://www.strava.com/activities/1707228772

Unfortunately the dyke is closed to cyclists so I can't do it this winter.

I think the next flattest I've managed is this one:

https://www.strava.com/activities/2302891761

J

To be fair you hadn't posted the route but yes I doubt anyone could compete with 82m of climbing for a 200km  ;D ;D

I think I have it on ease of navigation  ;D

Not sure about that, either
Just follow the 167.

I've ridden all these this roads but I wouldn't do it even as a winter banker - I'd give up out of boredom. I suffer from the curse of Needing New Roads- I very rarely repeat a route.



That's not fair if you were providing a route sheet there would be more than two bit's of information required  :P :P but yes you are right. :P :P




quixoticgeek

  • Mostly Harmless
Re: Your winter "Get it done" DIY 200k
« Reply #20 on: 13 October, 2020, 06:10:17 pm »
To be fair you hadn't posted the route but yes I doubt anyone could compete with 82m of climbing for a 200km  ;D ;D



GPX available on request.

J
--
Beer, bikes, and backpacking
http://b.42q.eu/

Re: Your winter "Get it done" DIY 200k
« Reply #21 on: 16 October, 2020, 07:49:07 am »
A 200km from denmead ( nr Portsmouth) to Lymington in the new forest and back, was always my December 200,  been ridden after and before night shifts, plus when i am on my knee's from long hours at work, December is a very busy month at work and this is a nice easy 200.

Plus there are plenty of good cafes for hot food.

Re: Your winter "Get it done" DIY 200k
« Reply #22 on: 16 October, 2020, 08:34:27 am »
I've done various versions of the Citadel 200 as a winter 200. Actually, I'm about to set out on another DIY 200 in half an hour or so, this time out and back to Germany (visits to the max of 24 hours to Germany are still allowed).

Photo's:

https://www.zonerama.com/ivomiesen/Album/5167619

Strava:

https://www.strava.com/activities/1232359424

quixoticgeek

  • Mostly Harmless
Re: Your winter "Get it done" DIY 200k
« Reply #23 on: 16 October, 2020, 10:57:57 am »
I've done various versions of the Citadel 200 as a winter 200. Actually, I'm about to set out on another DIY 200 in half an hour or so, this time out and back to Germany (visits to the max of 24 hours to Germany are still allowed).

https://www.strava.com/activities/1232359424

hey now?!? Is that a version that avoids the scary death trap that is Liege? Why do we not get to run such a route? I've decided not to do the Namur rides if they go through Liege cos I'm fed up with Belgians trying to kill me. Have we found a nicer route into Namur yet that doesn't involve crossing a dual carriage way?

J
--
Beer, bikes, and backpacking
http://b.42q.eu/

Re: Your winter "Get it done" DIY 200k
« Reply #24 on: 16 October, 2020, 12:40:22 pm »

To be fair you hadn't posted the route but yes I doubt anyone could compete with 82m of climbing for a 200km  ;D ;D


I can lower the bar to 60m of climbing: https://www.strava.com/activities/2904667160 . Tomorrow's 200 could decrease it even further (elevation data in gpx-file says 57m of climbing).

(This was a winter 200k DIY, but definitely not my "Get it done" route as it included some offroad sections to capture a bunch of tiles.)