Author Topic: Back to the Smoke & Exe Buzzard 2023  (Read 2650 times)

Back to the Smoke & Exe Buzzard 2023
« on: 18 May, 2023, 03:17:02 pm »
Ian, I cannot find a 24 hr garage/shop in Buckingham and as this is my 400 PBP qualifier, I'm concerned about how it will be validated? Also on the Exe Buzzard last year you accepted pics at Pangbourne and Chandlers Ford will this be good enough for PBP? Are you able to advise? Posting here so others can pick up on your answers. Thanks, Sean

Re: Back to the Smoke & Exe Buzzard 2023
« Reply #1 on: 18 May, 2023, 04:12:57 pm »
For the back to the smoke, I'm pretty sure I remember shivering outside here https://goo.gl/maps/8emSZTsmqE6Rc4MM8 (ESSO EG BUCKINGHAM) in the wee small hours last year. The problem that year was Stow-On-The-Wold, which was closed when I got there, but I think the control has changed to Cirencester now.

Not done the Buzzard.

Rob

Re: Back to the Smoke & Exe Buzzard 2023
« Reply #2 on: 18 May, 2023, 04:25:49 pm »
The Ex-Buzzard has a sleep & feed hall at Pangbourne this year.

The Exeter-London has a revised route to Cirencester instead of Stow-on-the-Wold.  There are two garages on the right along the Buckingham by-pass which should be open 24hrs.  Otherwise a time-stamped photo of a Buckingham sign, or a ridden .gpx file will suffice.

See links on the AUK event page for details.  I'll be sending an email out for the 400 v shortly.

Re: Back to the Smoke & Exe Buzzard 2023
« Reply #3 on: 18 May, 2023, 06:40:25 pm »
All current entrants now spammed.  There only appears to be one (Esso) 24hr garage at Buckingham now (on the right just after the Roundabout with pedestrian lights after it). 
There also now appears to be a 24hr BP garage with M&S Simply Food just north of the town on the Stratford Road, but I haven't had time to investigate for this year (you're welcome to have a look).

See you outside Exeter St David's on the 27th.  If anyone gets stuck on a late-running train, let me know and I'll wait.

Bianchi Boy

  • Cycling is my doctor
  • Is it possible for a ride to be too long?
    • Reading Cycling Club
Re: Back to the Smoke & Exe Buzzard 2023
« Reply #4 on: 18 May, 2023, 08:50:09 pm »
Set a fire for a man and he will be warm for a day, set a man on fire and he is warm for the rest of his life.

Re: Back to the Smoke & Exe Buzzard 2023
« Reply #5 on: 18 May, 2023, 09:32:57 pm »
On the Back to The Smoke Ride.
There is a very friendly 24hr garage in Wooton Bassett, 218km on the A3102.  Quicker riders may find the takeaways still open.
There is a 24hr garage @ Bicester although off the route on the A41 junc by the Bicester Village.  There appears to be a CP and we should be there in the early hopurs with little traffice.
At 358km turn right @ RAB and go through Tring and there is a 24hr garage just before you pick up the London Road.

Hope this is helpful.


Re: Back to the Smoke & Exe Buzzard 2023
« Reply #7 on: 19 May, 2023, 11:10:58 am »
Thanks all for the clarification  :). See you there. Sean

Re: Back to the Smoke & Exe Buzzard 2023
« Reply #8 on: 20 May, 2023, 04:24:26 pm »
Looking forward to this very much!

Debating... do I take the recommended fast flat route in from Aldbury down BMW alley through the land of close pass, or follow my old commute route on quieter roads but a) have a couple of smallish climbs and b) pass my front door at 380km and the possible mental temptation that I will have cycled the last section the day before on the way in to Paddington to get the train to Exeter....


Liam

Re: Back to the Smoke & Exe Buzzard 2023
« Reply #9 on: 25 May, 2023, 09:36:23 am »
On the Back to the Smoke route I have found a 24hr garage in Witney.  At 276km go right @ RAB then left @ next RAB - Shell garage. Then carry on through Witeny to rejoin the route.

Wycombewheeler

  • PBP-2019 LEL-2022
Re: Back to the Smoke & Exe Buzzard 2023
« Reply #10 on: 25 May, 2023, 10:57:37 am »
Looking forward to this very much!

Debating... do I take the recommended fast flat route in from Aldbury down BMW alley through the land of close pass, or follow my old commute route on quieter roads but a) have a couple of smallish climbs and b) pass my front door at 380km and the possible mental temptation that I will have cycled the last section the day before on the way in to Paddington to get the train to Exeter....


Liam

not many close passes early Sunday morning, could be very different at noon. So it depends entirely on what time you get there. When I did back to the smoke in 2019 it was very early I passed that way, I definitely don't remember any close passes. If there is a good southwesterly wind it will be a faster than average 400.

Eddington  127miles, 170km

Re: Back to the Smoke & Exe Buzzard 2023
« Reply #11 on: 25 May, 2023, 12:59:40 pm »
If there is a good southwesterly wind it will be a faster than average 400.
Dream on! For Saturday we can enjoy a few hours of ~9mph headwind till it dies away to negligible from Wells on. No tailwinds, except for one of our band who plans to ECE (+200) back to Amesbury! She should appreciate the Sunday afternoon ENEerly.
https://www.ventusky.com/?p=51.48;-2.44;7&l=wind-10m&t=20230527/1100

Wycombewheeler

  • PBP-2019 LEL-2022
Re: Back to the Smoke & Exe Buzzard 2023
« Reply #12 on: 25 May, 2023, 03:28:52 pm »
If there is a good southwesterly wind it will be a faster than average 400.
Dream on! For Saturday we can enjoy a few hours of ~9mph headwind till it dies away to negligible from Wells on. No tailwinds, except for one of our band who plans to ECE (+200) back to Amesbury! She should appreciate the Sunday afternoon ENEerly.

could be very tough indeed then, tail wind from Buckingham to London though

Eddington  127miles, 170km

Re: Back to the Smoke & Exe Buzzard 2023
« Reply #13 on: 28 May, 2023, 06:15:42 pm »
Why did I have the Arrive as Marylebone station not Paddington!!
Good job I had plenty of time in hand.

Re: Back to the Smoke & Exe Buzzard 2023
« Reply #14 on: 28 May, 2023, 07:17:39 pm »
Oh dear just realised the Arrive was Marylebone not Paddington :(
I have sent off my GPX file to Ian to prove I went  to Marylebone first.
If I can't get it validated so be it, my misitake!

Re: Back to the Smoke & Exe Buzzard 2023
« Reply #15 on: 28 May, 2023, 10:23:23 pm »
Oh dear just realised the Arrive was Marylebone not Paddington :(
I have sent off my GPX file to Ian to prove I went  to Marylebone first.
If I can't get it validated so be it, my misitake!

GPX should be good enough proof.

Re: Back to the Smoke & Exe Buzzard 2023
« Reply #16 on: 29 May, 2023, 11:08:31 am »
Ian - thank you

Re: Back to the Smoke & Exe Buzzard 2023
« Reply #17 on: 05 June, 2023, 11:39:43 am »
Hi Ian, when can we expect the Brevets to be validated as we obviously only have until the end of this week to confirm our preregistration?

Re: Back to the Smoke & Exe Buzzard 2023
« Reply #18 on: 05 June, 2023, 08:38:33 pm »
Hi Ian, when can we expect the Brevets to be validated as we obviously only have until the end of this week to confirm our preregistration?

I'm still waiting for two cards.  I've chased and set a deadline of tomorrow.  I shall post the cards & complete the finish list later tomorrow, & the validation sec can start on that in advance of her receiving the cards.

Talk about herding cats.

Also, if any validations are late ACP will be flexible (we've asked).

Re: Back to the Smoke & Exe Buzzard 2023
« Reply #19 on: 06 June, 2023, 11:33:25 am »
Thanks for the update Ian  :thumbsup:

Re: Back to the Smoke & Exe Buzzard 2023
« Reply #20 on: 09 June, 2023, 01:22:08 pm »
Look forward to seeing all those riding to Buzzard and back in the Cranberry Farm pub (l'arrivée) on Sunday afternoon/evening. Pub stops serving food at 2000 so we plan to have sustenance (besides access to the bar and its crisps) with us for those on their last nutritional legs.

Re: Back to the Smoke & Exe Buzzard 2023
« Reply #21 on: 09 June, 2023, 08:56:28 pm »
Provisional results for the 400 are up.  Hard luck, I'm afraid, to the two who didn't bother to tell me what happened to them, despite chasing. 

Re: Back to the Smoke & Exe Buzzard 2023
« Reply #22 on: 09 June, 2023, 09:00:44 pm »
Ex-Buzzard 600.
I shall be at the start (M5 J30 services, by the shops/restaurant entrance) tomorrow by 0530 latest, with cards, etc. 
I'm not expecting any on-the-line entries, but if anyone does turn up - right money, no change given, and a completed entry form, or better still do a last-minute on-line entry.  It's still open.

JonB

  • Granny Ring ... Yes Please!
Re: Back to the Smoke & Exe Buzzard 2023
« Reply #23 on: 12 June, 2023, 09:20:20 pm »
A big thanks to IanH for organising and all the helpers at the sleep control and finish (including vorsprung and Ajax Bay).
A great route which was a bit tougher than I expected. I took the fixed gear bike based on a casual glance at the overall climbing figure which worked out well for the first 500km, I had to walk the 15% just before the sleep control. Things got progressively more challenging after Sherbourne with 3 monster climbs, walked a bit of the middle one but just about managed the others, spurred on by the need to get my booked train at 9:20 from Exeter.
Lots of new roads and areas for me from the north of Burford round to Salisbury, I loved the rolling hills and landscape north of Winchester especially in the bright morning sunshine.

Re: Back to the Smoke & Exe Buzzard 2023
« Reply #24 on: 13 June, 2023, 11:30:18 pm »
Well done, Jon and all, including the 'autobus 3' who were getting in practice for their Hands attempt.