Author Topic: Upper Thames 5th November 2022 (Read 106199 times)

phil d · « **Reply #450 on:** 17 October, 2018, 09:07:12 am »

Updated routesheet (cosmetic changes only) posted to my website. GPX file is unchanged from last year except for the relocation of one of the info controls. I may need to adjust the train times in the cover notes - I hope to do this later today.

90 entries as I type. Still room for a few more.

Martin · « **Reply #451 on:** 18 October, 2018, 08:37:57 pm »

Thanks Phil looking forward to this classic autumnal ride after a couple of years' absence

simonp · « **Reply #452 on:** 19 October, 2018, 12:37:45 pm »

Hotel booked, non-refundable. Guess that's commitment.

CrazyEnglishTriathlete · « **Reply #453 on:** 20 October, 2018, 07:52:01 pm »

Hoping the weather will be good so can ride to the start from home - which has been an ambition for few years. The autumn colours are early this year, but should still be around for what's always been a very pretty ride.

Simon_A · « **Reply #454 on:** 24 October, 2018, 02:50:38 pm »

I'm in

Quote from: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 20 October, 2018, 07:52:01 pm

Hoping the weather will be good so can ride to the start from home - which has been an ambition for few years. The autumn colours are early this year, but should still be around for what's always been a very pretty ride.

CET - I've PM'd you re. riding to the start.

LiamFitz · « **Reply #455 on:** 02 November, 2018, 11:55:42 am »

Looking forward to this! Wind forecast after Chippy mean it could be a good day for practicing groups riding skills!

Neil C · « **Reply #456 on:** 02 November, 2018, 01:15:32 pm »

I'll be there too. Please wait for me in Chippy, Liam. Your help across The New Forest in September was much appreciated!

simonp · « **Reply #457 on:** 02 November, 2018, 01:27:05 pm »

Afternoon off to get bike etc ready. Swapping to 4 seasons tyres and making sure everything is charged mainly.

Weather forecast looks very tolerable for November. Staying at the Milton Premier Inn.

LiamFitz · « **Reply #458 on:** 02 November, 2018, 01:40:16 pm »

Quote from: Neil C on 02 November, 2018, 01:15:32 pm

I'll be there too. Please wait for me in Chippy, Liam. Your help across The New Forest in September was much appreciated!

Looking forward to seeing you... perhaps we can get a decent train going! I see there may be some hills you can drag me up

LiamFitz · « **Reply #459 on:** 02 November, 2018, 01:41:14 pm »

Quote from: simonp on 02 November, 2018, 01:27:05 pm

Staying at the Milton Premier Inn.

Is that the new name for Le Manoir...?

simonp · « **Reply #460 on:** 02 November, 2018, 01:50:03 pm »

Quote from: LiamFitz on 02 November, 2018, 01:41:14 pm

Quote from: simonp on 02 November, 2018, 01:27:05 pm
Staying at the Milton Premier Inn.

Is that the new name for Le Manoir...?

Bit posh for an Audax innit.

Huff n Puff · « **Reply #461 on:** 02 November, 2018, 02:02:44 pm »

...looking forward to another trip up the Upper.

JonBuoy · « **Reply #462 on:** 02 November, 2018, 02:12:13 pm »

First time for me and lots of new roads. Looking forward to it.

andyoxon · « **Reply #463 on:** 02 November, 2018, 02:57:24 pm »

Quote from: simonp on 02 November, 2018, 01:50:03 pm

Quote from: LiamFitz on 02 November, 2018, 01:41:14 pm
Quote from: simonp on 02 November, 2018, 01:27:05 pm
Staying at the Milton Premier Inn.

Is that the new name for Le Manoir...?

Bit posh for an Audax innit.

...whose full name is: The Almost Didcot, Milton interchange - Premier inn

LiamFitz · « **Reply #464 on:** 02 November, 2018, 03:14:47 pm »

Quote from: Huff n Puff on 02 November, 2018, 02:02:44 pm

...looking forward to another trip up the Upper.

Another potential member of the train!!!

simonp · « **Reply #465 on:** 02 November, 2018, 08:59:42 pm »

Disaster has struck and I have no working rear brake. It seems it wasn't bled properly when the bike was built and turning it over to take the wheels out to change the tyres => air has escaped from the master cylinder.

DNS for me. No bleed kit here.

CrazyEnglishTriathlete · « **Reply #466 on:** 02 November, 2018, 09:03:52 pm »

The free hub on the Enigma machine went. It's been repaired but the bike shop suggest it would be wise not to test it with a 280k day out, so I'm back on the old faithful yellow Roberts. It will be pressed into diesel service if anyone wants a tow...

JonBuoy · « **Reply #467 on:** 03 November, 2018, 08:51:14 pm »

Well I had a lovely day out. Thanks everyone.

Manotea · « **Reply #468 on:** 03 November, 2018, 10:48:30 pm »

Once again the Martin and Manotea combine have set new records for an event.

Good to be out ... a bit nippy and windy on the return but working so hard didn't really notice.

Thanks to all involved with the event'.

Von Broad · « **Reply #469 on:** 04 November, 2018, 12:09:50 pm »

The UT is the event I've ridden the most by far. Never get tired of coming back for another outing.
Yesterday was the first 200 in two years and boy, I really had my doubts in the first section - sober confirmation that there is serious work to be done if I have intentions of going to France next year.
Mate of mine did his first 200 yesterday, and I think he was stronger than me over the day, so chapeau to him.

Many thanks once again to Phil, Mary and the team for being there.

LiamFitz · « **Reply #470 on:** 04 November, 2018, 12:59:50 pm »

A fab day as ever.

The rising wind in the first 60k was mostly a benefit but occasionally turning into it (e.g the short run down Waterperry Lane) was quite menacing. However, riding with a selection of groups took the sting out of it.

The cafe in Chipping played a blinder. I turned up with the bulge and the place was rammed but they still managed to get food in front of people really quickly.

The section south from there wasn't half as bad feared - riding with Keith and Neil allowed a bit of shelter. And the scenery from here is utterly stunning as the late autumn sun set. And with 20k to go, we were swept up by the ACH train which was very welcome. The only niggle is that we arrived back earlier than usual which meant that the full firework display hadn't kicked off properly!

This really is one of my favourite rides - Phil and Mary really have it taped now (especially with the hot food at the Arrivee). If the rain stays away you get some of the most amazing country in the full range of yellow, copper and brown tones.

Whippet · « **Reply #471 on:** 04 November, 2018, 01:15:03 pm »

Thanks to Phil, Mary and all the helpers for an excellent event. A stubborn winter bug meant that I was knackered before I reached Waterperry, from then on it was just a case of survival. Apologies to Steve from High Wycombe who was excellent company, but I was just too tired to talk. At least being at the back of the field meant I got the full fireworks display, very nice of the locals to celebrate my ride in such a way.

andyoxon · « **Reply #472 on:** 04 November, 2018, 02:03:23 pm »

The Chilterns looked stunning yesterday, particularly enjoyed Lambridge wood just before Bix. One of my favourite views though is looking East heading down the hill from Christmas common. It was good to have the tailwind to Waterperry, but in the latter stages, I found the cold cross & headwind, plus my digestive system, a battle, but pleased to have completed my second UT200, following two DNFs. Wallingford fireworks from Cholsey mountain were a good end to the ride... Many thanks to Phil, Mary & team.

grams · « **Reply #473 on:** 04 November, 2018, 02:30:33 pm »

I'm used to being slow but having almost everyone else pass me and speed away into the distance in the first twenty minutes was a surprise. I really need to work on my hill-climbing...

I struggled a lot on the middle section between Bicester and Chipping Norton and was convinced I'd be out of time - I was barely averaging 13 km/h and expecting the wind to get worse. But slowly the wind relented and I made it in 3rd last.

Thanks to the organisers, and Manotea and Martin for saving me from dead last.

phil d · « **Reply #474 on:** 04 November, 2018, 03:51:01 pm »

Thanks for all the nice comments above. I think scenery-wise this must have been one of the best ever. Shame about that wind in the last section, but at least coming from the south meant it wasn't too cold. The headwind is usually on the Bicester - Chippy section, which is steadily rising as well and thus generally Hard Work.

Well done to everyone that finished - 98 out of 104 starters.

As ever the event relies on the help I get. Particularly Mary, of course, and also Jim, Matt and Brian who gave unstinting assistance at the arrivee. And thanks to everyone for supporting the event. As usual, the surplus (including the donation bowls) goes to the Thames Valley and Chiltern Air Ambulance. I have just sent them £350.

See you on November 2nd 2019 - it should be visible in the calendar soon.

Phil

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Author Topic: Upper Thames 5th November 2022 (Read 106199 times)

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