The list in Martin's list suggests there are less than 6 qualifying events towards the end of the season?
I count 6 August - October
(if it hasn't been spam-bombed again :-\)
Has anyone heard whether Tim Wainwright is running the Battle and Back rides in 2009? Nice grimpeur event that is left a hole in the range of events in the SE.
The Battle and Back is likely to run. Confirmation to follow after the AGM...
The Battle and Back is likely to run. Confirmation to follow after the AGM...
The Battle and Back is likely to run. Confirmation to follow after the AGM...
Thinks; the 200 would be a good July RRTY but do I really want to do the Grimpeur? especially a week before the Ide Hill one? :'(
is the 150k B and B running? (that was worth a smidgen of an AAA IIRC without any obvious shortcuts possible)
Alas, having received details of Battle and Back from the previous organiser, it is clear that it will be a significant amount of work to make the grimpeur route compliant with the stricter AUK distance requirements. As a result this event will not run in 2009.
is the 150k B and B running? (that was worth a smidgen of an AAA IIRC without any obvious shortcuts possible)
Not on my watch. In anycase, probably a bit too close to Pat's event in both distance and date to put on in isolation.
sorry; crossed porpoises; I thought it was just the 200 Grimpeur that was scrubbed and the 150/200 Sporting would still run;
So did the 200 Grimpeur go up Bayleys Hill instead of Ide Hill? (only ever ridden the old 160; 200 Sporting and 150)
is the 150k B and B running? (that was worth a smidgen of an AAA IIRC without any obvious shortcuts possible)
Not on my watch. In anycase, probably a bit too close to Pat's event in both distance and date to put on in isolation.
sorry; crossed porpoises; I thought it was just the 200 Grimpeur that was scrubbed and the 150/200 Sporting would still run;
So did the 200 Grimpeur go up Bayleys Hill instead of Ide Hill? (only ever ridden the old 160; 200 Sporting and 150)
Yes, but it climbed Ide Hill on the way south.
Martin - presumably it isn't too late to add this ride to the G.du.S?
Martin - presumably it isn't too late to add this ride to the G.du.S?
no not at all; even if an event isn't listed for some omission by myself it's still eligible as long as it makes the grade :) there is no cutoff date
Oh does that mean it will be nice and sunny the week before when route checking, but a downpour on the day. Or was that only a one off for 2009?
Anyone else aiming to ride Mad Jack's -John Seviour Memorial 120Km this Sat 0900 from Hailsham?
next year's qualifying rides are now up
http://www.egcc.net/display-items.asp?intTypeID=90&intItemID=417
NB anyone thinking of using the 1066 as a qualifier; it isn't. It's been given the South Coast Sportive details in error (but it's still not flat although being an El S ride you probably knew that), the April South Coast Super Sportive will become a qualifier once the AAA's are decided. The old favourites Faccombe Haul and TotH are yet to appear in the calendar.
For those who are interested in what a 200km grimpeur in the South East looks like, a tracklog of my "William the Conkerer" event (that will be run in September) has been uploaded to my audax website
http://www.egcc.net/display-items.asp?intTypeID=90&intItemID=417
Could this link appear on the AUK website somewhere?
cruel man; that's going to be my hardest ride of the year (punishment for dreaming up the GdS idea)
North of Watford counts as the south :-X
to clarify the position with regard to DIYs and perms for the GdS;
I don't think we can apply any sort of limit realistically on how many DIY AAA perms are eligible for the GdS because it's an AUK Brevet award like any other and there is no such restriction on any other awards,
to clarify the position with regard to DIYs and perms for the GdS;
I don't think we can apply any sort of limit realistically on how many DIY AAA perms are eligible for the GdS because it's an AUK Brevet award like any other and there is no such restriction on any other awards,
Is it? I thought it was an independently managed award scheme recognised by the AUK in much the same way the RRTY is, and as such you have some scope to develop* the GDS rules to allow for changing circumstance, for example, to limit the number of perms that might be included in the award.
*Ref: Dec'09 being snowed off for RRTY purposes.
Alas, it is the curse of the internet that any publicly declaration attracts comment...
Funnily enough, logistically, getting the GdS has been one of the most difficult awards to bag, which made it all the more desirable. I will, however, claim that pin later this year :)
I personally (uh-oh, curse of the internet strikes) think allowing GPS with DIYs to count towards the GdS cheapens the award. There is something noble about having a limited number of events to choose from and being forced to plan around them. A GdSRTY on the other hand...
A lovely rideI noted the above phrases - they fired me with enthusiasm! and have sent off my three quid. :thumbsup: I'm looking forward to having a go at it. What's more, it's local.
long descent
you drop down
You drop down
all the descents are on well surfaced single carriageway roads which make this an ideal winter ride
the views
the long descent to Maresfield
the final and welcome whizz back down to Edenbridge
I'm looking forward to having a go at it. What's more, it's local.Had a go at it on Saturday, and can recommend it as a route. Good surfaces virtually all the way round, only a few hundred yards of smallish potholes. Plenty of food opportunities en route. It strikes me as an ideal shorter hardish route to do in the winter when you won't want to be out in bad weather for a long time. A rather clever use of the hills around - there was some traffic but not really too much. And as an added bonus there are some really rather super descents that went on for simply ages - but of course, all descents must be bought or paid for.
my Down to Downs will be put on as calendar events next year.This is a super route and I'd recommend it.
PS: If it works, variants on this and my Down to Downs will be put on as calendar events next year. In lieu of William the Conkerer which is a nice route, but not the hilly 200 the south east deserves.
my Down to Downs will be put on as calendar events next year.This is a super route and I'd recommend it.
Good organisation, evidenced by a perfect route sheet (well, at least I didn't get lost without a GPS) and a fine bowl of veggie chilli at the end :thumbsup:This was my 3rd Tim Ford event and each time there was good, homemade food. Highly recommended!
... fairy of the San Fairy (Ann) kind ... made an appearance.That'll be me, then!
edit: that'll be GdS X 4 :smug:
medal available cost £100; that's what a minimum run in gold metal will costI'd be happy with a plastic one painted yellow. but i'm as tight as a gnat's chuff. :facepalm:
on a more serious note, a series of 100k hilly rides to go at through the year would suit me down to the ground - not too long to be out on the bike on horrid weather, with enough hills to get the legs fit, something tangible to aim for. i'd be quite keen on that. O:-)
There are gpx files publicly available for many of the calendar GdS events; all of which would be GdS eligible as a DIY by GPS, I'm happy for mine to be used but not sure about the other orgs.That's fantastic. I had no idea. This means I can have a go at them at short notice if I can wangle a day off work and the weather is good. All i need to do now is replace my old GPS I sold for £20 cos it was an old entry-level Etrex. :smug:
There are gpx files publicly available for many of the calendar GdS events; all of which would be GdS eligible as a DIY by GPS, I'm happy for mine to be used but not sure about the other orgs.That's fantastic. I had no idea. This means I can have a go at them at short notice if I can wangle a day off work and the weather is good. All i need to do now is replace my old GPS I sold for £20 cos it was an old entry-level Etrex. :smug:
Am thinking of the top range Etrex - any comments?
See the GPS section;great - done that, read the comments, will buy one - looks like they can be had for about £130. Very many thanks - a personal recommendation is worth more than a hundred online reviews.
I have a Vista HcX which is perfect for the job.
I want the 300 to be the definitive grimpeur event in the South East, which to me means taking in half a dozen of the "classic" climbs of the area (White Lane, Leith Hill, Box Hill, Yorks Hill/Ide Hill, the Wall, White Down, Toys Hill). I am so close to getting these into a nice route, albeit currently at 315km and goes down rather than up the Wall. So, so, tantalisingly close. I'm genuinely looking forward to making it happen.Box Hill? Perhaps Cycling Weekly would be interested?
Not sure how they stopped riders nailing it up the A22 avoiding Upper Ricker, Ripe etc?
yes of those 169 riders maybe 10 or 12 were AUK regulars from the Rovers; Wanderers and the Grinny :-\
Did the Lewes bag the event.. any one get around in 3hr15!! - No room for error.
Noticed on the route sheet-Refreshments will NOT be provided at the Checkpoints!! :-[
169 a great number for a Reliability trial, sort of Numbers we need for AUK events down here!
How do you find out about local reliability rides? I fancy giving one a go.
Is there a 2011 list of events to be found?
Is there a 2011 list of events to be found?
Martin, how many GDS do you need to do to bag the badge..
people might skip the MSHThey would be very silly to do that. It's a fine ride.
people might skip the MSHThey would be very silly to do that. It's a fine ride.
Martin, how many GDS do you need to do to bag the badge..
and that is 1.11 to 31.10, not the new season they are introducing next year which ends in September, otherwise people might skip the MSH thinking they can catch up later
Martin, how many GDS do you need to do to bag the badge..
and that is 1.11 to 31.10, not the new season they are introducing next year which ends in September, otherwise people might skip the MSH thinking they can catch up later
Someone's jumping the gun here. We just talked about it at the end of the last AGM. It'll need to be thought through and a proposal submitted to the next AGM, which must be approved by the meeting before anything can be changed. Of course that means that no change can be made until the end of the 2012 season at the earliest.
5 in any AUK year, including any perms / AAA DIY's / the IOW Randonee. You Sir have already bagged it last year just need to stump up 2 of the BRITONS pounds if you want one
Yes indeed, Sold! Pls bring one with you when you do Hills & Mills Sir..
AAA Milne (108km, 1.75AAA, Edenbridge-Forest Row-Mayfield-Langton Green-Uckfield-Edenbridge) is now available for rides taking place on or after 15 January 2011. Part of the growing 'Round Weald Series. Paper entries in the usual way (Form + fee + SAEs).
Fantastic Sir, Can we join it at say, Mayfield or Uckfield, as it's only 10 miles from Hailsham..
;D
Does that make the required five events to wear and the coveted badge? - or do the Down to Downs (one as a perm, the other as a calendar event) count only as one event?
who's up for the South Park 100?Me. I hope to get to the controls with more than a minute to spare. Unlike on Saturday. :o Also hope not to be blown - bike and all :'( - into the verge by a strong gust of wind. also unlike Saturday. ::-)
who's up for the South Park 100
How about some sort of communal get-together at a local hostelry following the final GdS event of the year?
Maybe a pub near Chailey?
Or perhaps keep the village hall for an hour or two longer and have some sort of do? Maybe get in a barrel of Harveys? I could suggest an outside caterer who might be prepared to help
who's up for the South Park 100?Me. I hope to get to the controls with more than a minute to spare. Unlike on Saturday. :o Also hope not to be blown - bike and all :'( - into the verge by a strong gust of wind. also unlike Saturday. ::-)
El's oven was a great hit - piping hot tea by the gallon, hot mini-sausages and sausage rolls. Mmmmm. :thumbsup:
i have followed the route on the map - there are lots of climbs and some are repated - I suspect we will be cursing all the gratuitous violence in the route planning. I might arrive at the start early to get away promptly so I finish before the dropdead point.
was absolutely frozen all the way to the finishGreat day out. Friggin freezing. V scary on the v frequent White bits. V tough with 12 hills. I now have 2 events towards the GdS badge. today was an excellent example of the warm glow of satisfaction felt once you have learnt to strive and not to yield.
Cos those hills had me flagging towards the end.You and me both.
Redhill, Surrey William the Conkerer 200 AA3
Redhill, Surrey William the Conkerer 200 AA3
Not running this year. I am preparing a revised route that can be offered as a permanent (a project for March/April), in which case the GdS will have a 200km ride. It will run in the calendar in July 2012 and (if well received) every year
Consider entering my audax events in the East Surrey/West Sussex areaIs this a carefully-concealed attempt to suggest that the Redhill Beach Trip is actually a quite flat ride?
12.2.11: Redhill Beach Trip (200km, 0AAA)
25.4.11: Down to Downs (100km, 1.75AAA)
Consider entering my audax events in the East Surrey/West Sussex areaIs this a carefully-concealed attempt to suggest that the Redhill Beach Trip is actually a quite flat ride?
12.2.11: Redhill Beach Trip (200km, 0AAA)
25.4.11: Down to Downs (100km, 1.75AAA)
is the climb out of East Dean on the way out or back?; the A259 to Eastbourne from ED yesterday was this,
purgatory;
I much prefer the Birling Gap road eastbound and will probably take that way anyway,
is the climb out of East Dean on the way out or back?; the A259 to Eastbourne from ED yesterday was this,
purgatory;
I much prefer the Birling Gap road eastbound and will probably take that way anyway,
Both. You do a loop of the Beachy Head peninsula, returning to the right turn to Litlington/Alfriston.
Birling Gap - Beachy Head (clockwise)
Birling Gap - Beachy Head (clockwise)
that's anticlockwise
Good photo on the inside cover of the latest Arrivee Zoom, (Mid Sussex Hilly).
Colin's going like a train as he did on Hills and Mills..
Colin always goes like a train; once he's passed through the control I know I can put my feet up for another 20 mins;
**He was some 2 hours quicker that the slowest rider!
Hoping for more in the next edition..
**Yes indeed, so who is the un-named rider on the back cover of the Handbook?
I'd love to figure out a way of getting from Ashdown ridge to Fir Toll Road that doesn't involved 1-2 mile on the A26 towards Crowborough. It was the only bit that I was thinking "this can surely be improved".
Had my first proper spin around the AAA MilneEr, didn't you create it? waddya mean - it's a hard ride? I could have told you that. Mind you it is the GdS. If it was easy, everyone would do it ;) ::-) O:-)
Had my first proper spin around the AAA MilneEr, didn't you create it?
Had my first proper spin around the AAA MilneEr, didn't you create it? waddya mean - it's a hard ride? I could have told you that. Mind you it is the GdS. If it was easy, everyone would do it ;) ::-) O:-)
I'd love to figure out a way of getting from Ashdown ridge to Fir Toll Road that doesn't involved 1-2 mile on the A26 towards Crowborough. It was the only bit that I was thinking "this can surely be improved".
that'll be Hubbards Hill up past the Horder Centre
you won't be popular :-*
I'd love to figure out a way of getting from Ashdown ridge to Fir Toll Road that doesn't involved 1-2 mile on the A26 towards Crowborough. It was the only bit that I was thinking "this can surely be improved".
I'd love to figure out a way of getting from Ashdown ridge to Fir Toll Road that doesn't involved 1-2 mile on the A26 towards Crowborough. It was the only bit that I was thinking "this can surely be improved".
I say Sir, do you have permission to use MY ROADS! ;D
Yes, Hills and Mills goes that way and as Zoom says, it's a lot more navigating to avoid the A26, I do know it through there, but it's a lot of effort.
<withnail>
We demand the finest roads known to humanity. And we want them here. And we want them now.
</withnail>
When I rode it yesterday, I was reminded of snippets from the mid-Sussex and the Hills and Mills. A fluke, as it simply represented the most obvious (and pleasant) way to get from Forest Row to Mayfield. It was rather novel not doing Fir Toll Road in the depths of winter (indeed, I was in shorts, albiet regretting the decision when descending off of Ashdown towards Hartfield in the chilly rain).
We need more roads, well lanes. I have used the bridal path from the forest to the Hoard centre, this is amazing and a bit testing, not sure if road bikes would cope though (hey Zoom).
The road I'm thinking of is a very well surfaced one; not a bridleway (bridal path in Ashdown Forest? passable by cycles? I think they have a byelaw allowing you to be hunted with hounds for that ;)) with a very nice stiff climb a bit like Doleham up to the Horder Centre. It's a good road; but not for this route; it would be better if it was incorporated into a ride which then went to High Husrtwood and took in the never to be repeated original MSH route southwards to Chailey or Newick and thence to the S Downs) <lightbulb>
Thanks to the wonders of GPS and also Billy's excellent 2 perms I have got my 2010/11 GdS already.And I'm delighted to say that so have I! :thumbsup:
Here they are; they look superb in real 100mm life (the red is actually very good this photo is a result of the flash being too close)
In the post gratis as soon as you've done your 5 years (10 rides in a year count for 2 years). Only 30 available (ever)
(http://www.fotothing.com/photos/537/537d633701bc2b21f51de050f0d9a884.jpg?ts=1301946015)
as soon as you've done your 5 years (10 rides in a year count for 2 years)Right. I already have my five rides this year. I thought, as it seems I might have the last week of August free, I might do a GdS-valid perm every day for five days. As it seems I might have a week of holiday booked, and nothing planned. Based on my current prrformance, that is.
I plan to do Hengist 's hills as it is very local to me. Is it possible to add a loop to ece it up to 200km or do you have to live away from the start?
a really excellent little event (that deserves to be bigger)Absolutely!
Tim is thinking of running a 200 from the same place next yearMartin - would that be instead of Hengists Hills, or an additional event?
a 200 GdS is a rare and welcome beast
Martin - would that be instead of Hengists Hills, or an additional event?
would there be interest?
Hi everyone, decided not to return to GdS this year but glad to see it's business as usual. I was considering organising a "Crown" as I think I can get the use of a suitable base in Kennington - is there still a hole in the calendar for this and would there be interest? I've never organised before so it would be a new venture. Just a thought.
The Crown is by no means dead and buried; check with PatC if you were thinking of reviving it.
Paul; I'm looking into helping set up one in Essex (yes Essex!) at the end of May / beginning of June. The calendar is looking like
Jan Hills and Mills
Feb Mad Jack
Mar Invicta Grimpeur
Apr Tour of the Sussex Hills
May free so far but the IOW is the first weekend and is a discretionary qualifier (and also DIY)
June free
July Sussex Corker
Aug Tour of the Hills / Billy's two
Sep Hengist's Hills? and maybe a 200
Oct Mid Sussex Hilly / Olympic
The Crown is by no means dead and buried; check with PatC if you were thinking of reviving it.
I heard back from Pat - all good, so looks like I might be on. It was previously on the end May but your Essex (!) foray will scotch that, so I might bag a slot in June - how about the 10th?
The 10th isn't looking good for me as it clashes with something else so Martin I'm now looking at the 17 June if you're still intending on using the end May.
Congratulations to the latest GdS (and only the second grimpeuse) Polepole :thumbsup:And this from someone who says: "I don't do hills." She seemed to manage OK on the ones from Paris to Brest. And back :thumbsup:
Congratulations to the latest GdS (and only the second grimpeuse) Polepole :thumbsup:And this from someone who says: "I don't do hills." She seemed to manage OK on the ones from Paris to Brest. And back :thumbsup:
there's only 25 gold badges left (ever!)Oh gawd. OK. Hills and Mills entered. Mad Jack's about to enter. I agree re Billy's perms, they really are super. I'll have to rode both several times to get the coveted
what are you waiting for? there's only 25 gold badges left (ever!) you have until 31.12.12 to complete (extended season this year!)
Is there a badge for GdS x5 rides?
We have a Royal visitorAlas, I fear I am insufficiently familiar with crowned heads. Is it that Pippa Middleton the chav sitting next to me at work talks about so much?
looks a cracker, entry will be posted tomorrow.
New webpage here thanks to someone with far more IT savvy than me :-[
http://sites.google.com/site/grimpeursdusud/
We have a Royal visitor too :)
check the gallery
will do a bit of tweaking to avoid more of the A22
One more for the highly coveted 'Grimpeurs du Sud' badge.
the bluebells are out on Ide Hill and gorse is in bloom on the Forest; now all we need is for some nice organiser to lay it on as a calendar event like last year....
new gpx for The Reliable here (avoiding the A22)
http://www.aukweb.net/gps/mm01g.zip
sooo tempted to run this as a summer calendar event
I plan to do the Down to Downs next Wednesday - how does one gain entry? Do I request the route from Martin??One more for the highly coveted 'Grimpeurs du Sud' badge.
The Down to Downs route, available as a permanent, is wonderful at this time of year. I rode it yesterday and the views of the North Downs and over Ashdown Forest were magnificent. There is enough greenery to make the scenery feel alive, but not so much foilage on the trees as to obscure the views.
Despite the 1.75AAA it's rather a benign 110km: long, well graded climbs rather than the "short sharp" gradients on some of the other rides you mentioned. Once you get Toys Hill and Vicarage Lane out of the way in the first 15km, the rest of the climbs are mostly harmless.
Other than a few stretches (the main exclusion being the road to Bough Beech after descending from Ide Hill) the Kent and Sussex road departments have been out and about laying down some lovely tarmac or patching up potholes. The Ashdown forest roads and the descent to Groombridge, to name two in particular, are much improved in the past 12 months.
The only thing I think could be improved on the route is the short stretch of A21 on top of the North Downs, although this can be avoided by using the cycle path on the south side of the road (or, I suspect, but have not yet checked, by taking a detour on the back roads of Green St Green).
There's a steady flow of entrants to the ride, such that out of every month there is usually a couple of riders who do it, if you prefer to ride in company.
I plan to do the Down to Downs next Wednesday - how does one gain entry? Do I request the route from Martin??
akin described the GRIMPEURS DU SUD badge as being analogous to the 'faberge egg'; which it certainly is.
According to Met Office / BBC looks like the weather may behave tomorrow.And wasn't it lovely? Here is Martin waiting with goodies at the finish and sheltering from the blistering sun in his gazebo which (he says) he put up all by himself.
...and even thrown my mobile phone away somewhere along the route for some added interest for a lucky finder! (clue: somewhere between Dover and Hawkinge).Did you chuck it away to save weight? Then, between Dover and Hawkinge, I can think of two places it might be...
Missed the crown this morning in order that i could properly test part of my 200km (Around Weald).That really does sound ominous.
I really do have a treat lined up for you grimpeur fans.
Did anyone notice the torso less legs in tights on the extreme left of Andrew's picture?Were they self supporting?
+1 - 1 = 0.
Look forward to it, as I rather like the MSH. .
Who's up for Tour of the Hills?
the Magick Gazebo TM worked in scaring off the rain clouds for a while. We had an impressive 14/19 starters on the day who all finished with few visitations; Brunch Baps seemed to go down very well :P
It's with great sadness that I'm giving up the Corker as it does some great lanes and stiff climbs with fantastic views on a good day; I have the gpx and route sheet if anyone wants to do it for a hard but very satisfying DIY
but it will be replaced next summer, probably with a calendar version of The Reliable
the Magick Gazebo TM worked in scaring off the rain clouds for a while. We had an impressive 14/19 starters on the day who all finished with few visitations; Brunch Baps seemed to go down very well :P
It's with great sadness that I'm giving up the Corker as it does some great lanes and stiff climbs with fantastic views on a good day; I have the gpx and route sheet if anyone wants to do it for a hard but very satisfying DIY
but it will be replaced next summer, probably with a calendar version of The Reliable
I wanted to ride it this year but muddled the calendar, and entries were closed the evening before the ride. I'd love to see the route sheet and GPX, maybe ride it as a perm.
Formal email to go out later this week, but for those interested in things Kidds Toys/Around Weald Expedition-ary, the routesheets and GPS tracklogs have been uploaded to the event pages in the calendar on the Audax UK website.
Who's up for Tour of the Hills? one of the flagship GdS rides (of the 100s) Not ridden it for 7 years; never seem to be in the country until this year, and the route has changed since I last rode (dumbed down?)
Who's up for Tour of the Hills? one of the flagship GdS rides (of the 100s) Not ridden it for 7 years; never seem to be in the country until this year, and the route has changed since I last rode (dumbed down?)
Didn't feel easier than last year and those Surrey hills are still pretty tough. They start gently but hold something back till just before the summit.
Thanks to Don and his helpers, it was a lovely day.
so Hillbilly; you got even more pain for us next weekend?
My first AAA classified event! Was a great ride, and certainly tough. How do you guys think that stacks up to the majority of other 100km rides? Easy/average/hard?
hardest in the South by a long chalk
My first AAA classified event! Was a great ride, and certainly tough. How do you guys think that stacks up to the majority of other 100km rides? Easy/average/hard?
Managed to grab a silver, 12mins off the gold time so definitely not a near miss but something to aim for next time :)
hardest 100 in the South by a long chalk
Challenge accepted!
No holds barred...
hardest 100 in the South by a long chalk
Challenge accepted!
No holds barred...
are you planning a 100 Surrey Hills perm? I'm toying with the idea of a 66km local 1.25AAA one; Ashdown Forest twice but as befits my useless climbing ability nothing too gratuitous
hardest 100 in the South by a long chalk
Challenge accepted!
No holds barred...
are you planning a 100 Surrey Hills perm? I'm toying with the idea of a 66km local 1.25AAA one; Ashdown Forest twice but as befits my useless climbing ability nothing too gratuitous
Probably a combination of North Downs (White Lane/Titsey and Chalkpit spring to mind) and Surrey Hills (with the "bridge" between the two via Clandon / Hooley / Chipstead / Epsom / Ranmore Common). That bridge would include the Whitehill Lane or Hilltop Lane. Barhatch and Whitedown would by in the Surrey Hills bit, perhaps also with Pitch Hill and probably the obligatory Leith. Box Hill on the way back. I've ridden bits of it but never together. If you get a DIY that covers that territory, you'll know what I'm up to.
My other idea was half a dozen crossings of the North Downs (and Ide and Toys). Was going to name it "Up N Downs").
My first AAA classified event! Was a great ride, and certainly tough. How do you guys think that stacks up to the majority of other 100km rides? Easy/average/hard?
hardest in the South by a long chalk due to the severity and length of some of the climbs. You know it's hard when you look back and think of the zig zag as the easiest climb.
Kidds Toys and the Mid Sussex Olympic should give it a run for its money but still easier
Adding Tanhurst Lane - sadly omitted from the new TotH - would make for a special treat.
hardest 100 in the South by a long chalk
Challenge accepted!
No holds barred...
are you planning a 100 Surrey Hills perm? I'm toying with the idea of a 66km local 1.25AAA one; Ashdown Forest twice but as befits my useless climbing ability nothing too gratuitous
Probably a combination of North Downs (White Lane/Titsey and Chalkpit spring to mind) and Surrey Hills (with the "bridge" between the two via Clandon / Hooley / Chipstead / Epsom / Ranmore Common). That bridge would include the Whitehill Lane or Hilltop Lane. Barhatch and Whitedown would by in the Surrey Hills bit, perhaps also with Pitch Hill and probably the obligatory Leith. Box Hill on the way back. I've ridden bits of it but never together. If you get a DIY that covers that territory, you'll know what I'm up to.
My other idea was half a dozen crossings of the North Downs (and Ide and Toys). Was going to name it "Up N Downs").
Adding Tanhurst Lane - sadly omitted from the new TotH - would make for a special treat.
I'll have to look up Tanhurst, is it steep or long or both?
I'll have to look up Tanhurst, is it steep or long or both?
It's a nasty bastard of a climb. Like Barhatch with attitude.
What you are missing is the road surface. Like the road. It is an experience. Memorable for all the wrong reasons.
Didn't Werner claim last year? He did enough D2D and AAA Milne perms to qualify and did it all on fixed.Enough to achieve Grimpeur d'Or last season but it took a bit longer to claim the GdSRTY for fixed.
... a tough gig to complete. Doesn't appeal to me, ...
... plenty of rides ... with a lot less pain...
I am in two minds about whether to permify Kidds Toys, as I would then be offering three 100s, which might be viewed as variations on a theme. One option I'm toying with is changing the AAA Milne into a 50km ride, to give variety
but there was an unknown - to me - rider unwilling to freewheel on KT.)
but there was an unknown - to me - rider unwilling to freewheel on KT.)
It was his first audax. He just got round within time. Ended with a great line asking "are there flat events in the area"
and the more brutal ascent of Pebble Hill earlierAs a matter of interest when did Pebble Combe become Pebble Hill? I noticed the new style name when riding it a few weeks ago for the first time since the 1950s
just think, two more metres and it's worth 2.25AAA – I'm sure I can find those for next time!
Ding dongIndeed. And that village hall is quite luxurious.
And two bites of Winterfold
you really should try Surrey Secrets; the gain without the pain; the Betchworth approach is the best IMHO
I'm looking into the feasibility of going to Herstmonceaux rather than Battle
I'm smiling from ear to ear at the moment as last Sunday accompanied by BlackSheep I took the ladies AAA record set in 1998 with a total of 165AAA's. :)
I'm looking into the feasibility of going to Herstmonceaux rather than Battle
Having been to Battle twice (both at your insistence!) my vote goes for the other place.
A possibility, for those wanting a 200, is Reliable + AAA Milne. Crowborough as an intermediate control. Has an advantage that AAA Milne has no infos.
Although consideration would need to be given as to how it is recorded, given constraints over riding two different events on the same date (even if consecutively), as I understand it.
who's up for Hengist's Hills Sunday?Me. And usually good food, too: fruit salad, homemade vegetarian chili, homemade cakes.
a great event; lots of to-ing and fro-ing from Checkpoint Timmy; not too hard either
1st event of the season for me!
Also need it to get my (totally unofficial) GdS Kent using calendar rides.
Hengists HillsA lovely ride which I've done four times now, but sill I have trouble seeing where I am on the routesheet. Luckily PatC and MikeS were around to guide me through all the grassy triangles.
That was a tough one, but aren't they all, made a bit easier by the perfect weather. Tim had a good turnout with the usual GdSers and also a number of local club riders and while most of the course had recovered from Friday nights deluge some of the minor lanes were a bit dodgy. Spent most of the ride about 25 metres behind Aregister and Mike S catching them up a few times when we hit a steep one and then drifting backwards on the flat.
anyone thought of another obscure way of getting that coveted pin let me know and you will be includedA winter GdS, ie in the Jan, feb, mar, oct, nov, dec months.
anyone thought of another obscure way of getting that coveted pin let me know and you will be includedA winter GdS, ie in the Jan, feb, mar, oct, nov, dec months.
anyone thought of another obscure way of getting that coveted pin let me know and you will be includedA winter GdS, ie in the Jan, feb, mar, oct, nov, dec months.
well those months include 5 calendar events so there could be quite a few qualifiers
Did the AWE perm route yesterday, and all is good.Thanks for organising this.
I had the benefit of seeing early fireworks over London from the descent to Eynsford, and over Surrey from Toys Hill well (the route now descend via Puddledock Lane). I can't promise future riders will have the same view!Did you see the burning effigy of Lance Armstrong coming back to Edenbridge?
Edenbridge was full of people milling around in the streets, the roads being more or less closed to transitory traffic. The reek of gunpowder was unmissible, and a veil of smoke hung in the air. A lone kebab van in the car park was unloading the smell of greasy burgersIsn't Edenbridge always like that?
PS: For those who have not yet sampled the Reliable permanent, I recommend it heartily.Agreed! As I remember the worst hill is the first hill. Then that's out of the way.
PS: For those who have not yet sampled the Reliable permanent, I recommend it heartily.Agreed! As I remember the worst hill is the first hill. Then that's out of the way.
October to December is the new season.
5.10.13 The AAAnfractuousPS: For those who have not yet sampled the Reliable permanent, I recommend it heartily.Agreed! As I remember the worst hill is the first hill. Then that's out of the way.
unless you park at the top of it like I did last week :-\ and have a blown out tyre and do it on 40psi
still thinking about a Reliable 2 when I get the chance;
ps I've been asked by another organiser if anyone has any calendar dates for next year that have not as yet gone up in the calendar. Remember the 2013 season is 1 Jan to 31 Dec
so far we have
19.1.13 Hills and Mills
16.2.13 Mad Jack John Seviour Memorial
9.3.13 Lasham Loop
17.3.13 Invicta Grimpeur
14.4.13 Hell of the Sussex Coastal Hills
21.4.13 Box Hill Hillbilly hillies
25.5.13 The Reliable
7.7.13 Around Weald Expedition (200) and Kidds Toys (120)
28.7.13 Forts and Ferries
18.8.13 Tour of the Hills
(tba) 10.13 Mid Sussex Hilly and Hillier
Now I'm a team member with my own 'red' club top,
I'm up for some of that :).
All being well will have my GdS badge very soon.
Mrs BlackSheep
Other Southern events worthy of GDS include-
Hard Boiled 300km - http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/13-175/
Porkers - 400km- http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/13-400/
Brimstone 600km - http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/13-176/
Wessex SR series celebrating 20 years and 18.75 total AAA
Wessex SR series celebrating 20 years and 18.75 total AAA
none are eligible and never will be unless they move into a Hants start sorry
That's about what Nev would have said at the after dinner speech.
I first met Nev in 1978 in the Surrey Roads CC, and in 1997 rode a few hilly events
--I made the mistake of asking Nev if I could borrow his pen to fill in the details of the brevet at the start of the Gospel Pass 150 (original name and route). He went mad, call yourself a Randonneur, how are you supposed to write down all the info controls then? Err Ok I was told!
As to cycling new roads I was born in Cuckfield, so sort of going back to my routes!!
--Ahh local lass then and good one.. :thumbsup:
See you at the weekend?
--I'll be there in sprit, but have a good one..
Bfn
I test rode a route that I will (subject to the perm secretary accepting it) make available to extend and ultimately supersede the AAA Milne. Very nice rural route that riffs on the current 100km ride, but does not share much road space with the Down to Downs (which was my aim). Oxted - Uckfield - Balcombe - High Hurstwood - Wadhurst - Toys Hill - Oxted. 160km, two infos, lots of climbing (mix of long and choppy, bit like the current AAA Milne).
Yurp. It was ok when I did it. Then again, I had just been frustrated by having to negotiate a closed road at the reservoir. Those who are afeared of descending t'Cob can take a longer route to Sharpthorne or do the reverse route O:-)
Changed the routesheet so it now goes via Highbrook, as it makes little difference to the distance or climb.
hoping to do AAA Milne Saturday which will complete my Generic GdS (5 of each perm in a year)
hoping to do AAA Milne Saturday which will complete my Generic GdS (5 of each perm in a year)
I have something lined up for the weekend that's door-to-door (Surrey Hillier + some roads to get me over towards Box Hill). If I manage it, I'll then only have 2 more GdS rides to do for my 5xGdS (having got 1xGds in 2010 and so far having done 17 GdS eligible rides this year
Och. I'll need to wait ages for the gold badge. A whole extra 3 months :smug:
Yipeeeee - once given the AAA-OK for distance and AAA's. I will then have the last piece to my jigsaw
and have a shinney red Gds badge.
the metric AAA Milne was quite enough today thanks very much, not sure why it feels harder than Down to Downs it's about the same climbing.
I like AAA Milne and it's a shame it is disappearing.
I like AAA Milne and it's a shame it is disappearing.
not on my watch (and you were the first to ride it) it's my name and I'll take it back if need be even if a different route :)
Ah ha, and here's two events all ready to rock and roll my dear Gds'ers-
Hills and Mills 102 km 19th January 2013 - http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/13-77/
Mad Jacks JSM 120 km 16th February 2013- http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/13-85/
Route sheets ready to download, both events limited to 50 riders, entries starting to roll in, so when they are gone there gone my friends.
GPX filesfrom 2012 now obsolete for both events, as new Cafe controls, thanks El for all your mobile controls especially on all thirteen Mad Jacks :thumbsup:
GPS validation?
Ah ha, and here's two events all ready to rock and roll my dear Gds'ers-
Hills and Mills 102 km 19th January 2013 - http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/13-77/
Mad Jacks JSM 120 km 16th February 2013- http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/13-85/
Route sheets ready to download, both events limited to 50 riders, entries starting to roll in, so when they are gone there gone my friends.
GPX filesfrom 2012 now obsolete for both events, as new Cafe controls, thanks El for all your mobile controls especially on all thirteen Mad Jacks :thumbsup:
New GPX files added thanks mmmmartin your hired! And Ian H :thumbsup:
Hills and Mills- http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1963484
Mad Jacks John Seviour Memorial- http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1963485
Plus you can click the GPS link on the calendar pages above
Updated route sheets, - as there is a new Mini roundabout going in that effects both events, they have taken a month to do not a lot with it!
Andy
Sir,
Is there a list of events for the 2013 GDS series on here somewhere :thumbsup:
[ps I've been asked by another organiser if anyone has any calendar dates for next year that have not as yet gone up in the calendar. Remember the 2013 season is 1 Jan to 31 Dec
so far we have
19.1.13 Hills and Mills
16.2.13 Mad Jack John Seviour Memorial
9.3.13 Lasham Loop
17.3.13 Invicta Grimpeur
14.4.13 Hell of the Sussex Coastal Hills
21.4.13 Box Hill Hillbilly hillies
25.5.13 The Reliable
7.7.13 Around Weald Expedition (200) and Kidds Toys (120)
28.7.13 Forts and Ferries
18.8.13 Tour of the Hills
5.10.13 The AAAnfractuous (200)
19.10.13 Mid Sussex Hilly and Hillier
Shudder to think what Ashdown is likeMany thanks, I was wondering this myself, went for a walk there yesterday and it was astonishing how much water was running down even steep banks, you would have thought it would have drained by then.
Thankfully, at some point, this post will become a relic of historical interest only, frozen in time.Cometh the hour, cometh the man. I was thinking of riding AAA Milne tomorrow, but have seen the forecast of six hours of heavy rain. This is a most timely post. More beer for me tonight and no alarm in the morning. :thumbsup:
Alas my aim of riding AAA Milne and The Reliable before midnight on December 31 looks slightly less likely now. ::-)
take some advice: do not leave two days at the end of December to do the two remaining rides of the five you need to get the GdS badge. You might find you can do one ride but not the second. DAMHIKT
a solo 300Look at the Man of Kent 300 by Dave Winslade, starts at Tonbridge and goes eastwards across largely flat Kent, lots of food places available, returns to Tonbridge and goes westwards to Lingfield, lots of civilised pubs, shops, etc for food. Not many main roads and not too hilly. Also has trains across the Medway plain and at Tonbridge if weather goes wrong. Trains from London make it accessible, either by getting the first one down or maybe the last one from London, which would give you the chance to ride all night and get an evening train home after finishing.
On a scale of 1 to 10, exactly how cold were you by the end? (no fibbing)
Rejoice (of sorts). Tanhurst Lane (the toughest climb to Leith Hill, but also a shocking road surface) is going to get completely fixed, with a new surface. I feel a celebratory calendar event in 2014 coming on...
http://www1.surreycc.gov.uk/highways/recordUtility.aspx?worksID=MA400-PH70205&id=398265&town=ABINGER&roadName=TANHURST%20LANE
Maybe they'll get round to looking at Logmore Lane at some point.
Meridian Hills live.
Possible starts in Forest Row, 8) Brighton :thumbsup:, Crowborough, Green St Green, Balcombe/Pease Pottage, Mayfield.
Map, routesheet and gpx will be added to the AUK web page this evening.
Imagine my delight, as Martin gave me a Grimpeur d'Or badge this morning at the Invicta. Yay for badges! Yay for GdS!
AAA Milne is back!When the postman empties the postbox outside my house on Tuesday he will be picking up an envelope containing two entries for this perm.
Surrey Hillier and Surrey Hills entrants should have received an email from me (Billy Weir) in the last week or so confirming registration and providing information about the event.
The nature of the email means that it might be trapped in spam filters - please check these. If you don't have details despite that, send me an email at the address listed on the Audax website.
Did the Surrey Hillier today (well, most of it - missed out White Down for the second time and also didn't bother climbing Box Hill at the end). Turned out to be a fine day out and managed to overheat of the later climbs - a first for this year...
Roads pretty scoggy and some mahoosive potholes out there so be careful descending especially if there's been any rain as they become submerged under puddles...
Both of Sunday's events from Box Hill (Surrey Hills and Surrey Hillier) are now full and no further entries are being accepted. There is no waiting list and no entries on the line. A second email will be sent to entrants this evening.
Both of Sunday's events from Box Hill (Surrey Hills and Surrey Hillier) are now full and no further entries are being accepted. There is no waiting list and no entries on the line. A second email will be sent to entrants this evening.
out of interest did you get much interest from non-AUKs / Usual Suspects?
Had my first independent completers of the Sussexy Beast yesterday. Their comment was "great ride, very challenging".
And i thought the "cloud" on teh badge was an outline of Surrey county :p
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/67/Surrey_UK_locator_map_2010.svg/200px-Surrey_UK_locator_map_2010.svg.png)
I can do nothing other than recommend a trip to East Grinstead for the simple pleasure of (getting out of there as quickly as possible and then) riding a bike in lovely countryside.
I believe a GdS SR is imminent too (not me!)
from 1 October 2013, please PM me. If a new organiser does not come forward, they will disappear from the perm listing from that date.In that case zi ought to ride the Down to Downs and use up that brevet sitting in the drawer....
Why start a new thread when you exhume a perfectly good old one?
Just a reminder that the Crown will take place on the 14th July from Kennington/Ashford. Route sheet will be going out shortly, but there is still time to enter before next weekend.
Paul
Why start a new thread when you exhume a perfectly good old one?
Just a reminder that the Crown will take place on the 14th July from Kennington/Ashford. Route sheet will be going out shortly, but there is still time to enter before next weekend.
Paul
Thanks very much to Paul and family and other helpers for another great edition of The Crown!
Looking forward to PatC's Forts and Ferries in 2 weeks.
Wasn't as hot as I thought it might be possibly due to a nice cooling breeze off the Channel although it did seem to heat up on the return leg once we'd come away from the coast.Even Daniele - a native of Sicily - thought Kingsmill Down was hot on that return leg.
I was planning a farewell ride to the old Hillbilly version some time before Sept 15th if anyone's interested in making a day of it? otherwise it will be a lonely night-time plod probably followed by a trip to a local A/E ::-)
With the new season a few weeks away, it is time to set goals. With this year being a wash out for me, no GdS, Essex SR or LEL, due to reasons beyond my control.I am keen to start off with a GdS. So are any dates set yet??
With the new season a few weeks away, it is time to set goals. With this year being a wash out for me, no GdS, Essex SR or LEL, due to reasons beyond my control.I am keen to start off with a GdS. So are any dates set yet??
not many definite dates but assuming next year's events go ahead as per this year expect
Jan Hills and Mills
Feb Mad Jack John Seviour Memorial
Mar Invicta Grimpeur / Lasham loop
April Supremo's South Coast
May IOW Randonnee
July (5th definite date) Meridian Hills 200 and The Crown
August Tour of the Hills
September Hengist's Hills
October Mid Sussex Hilly / Hillier
With the new season a few weeks away, it is time to set goals. With this year being a wash out for me, no GdS, Essex SR or LEL, due to reasons beyond my control.I am keen to start off with a GdS. So are any dates set yet??
not many definite dates but assuming next year's events go ahead as per this year expect
Jan Hills and Mills
Feb Mad Jack John Seviour Memorial
Mar Invicta Grimpeur / Lasham loop
April Supremo's South Coast
May IOW Randonnee
July (5th definite date) Meridian Hills 200 and The Crown
August Tour of the Hills
September Hengist's Hills
October Mid Sussex Hilly / Hillier
30th November 2013 - Whitchurch Winter Wind-down
</shameless plug>
30th November 2013 - Whitchurch Winter Wind-down
</shameless plug>
With the new season a few weeks away, it is time to set goals. With this year being a wash out for me, no GdS, Essex SR or LEL, due to reasons beyond my control.I am keen to start off with a GdS. So are any dates set yet??
Any of the perms will be a nice day out (the Around Weald Expedition is, however, less refined than the others - more for the hard men and women).
Martin and my perms have different tempos. If I was to summarisr Martin's routes, it is that they hunt out hills like a dog hunting for a buried bone. My perms are more longer climbs with rolling bits between. Whilst they hunt out hills also, I am more direct, like a dog chasing a ball.
Oh, and did it look like the works on Tanhurst Lane had finished? You know, the nasty climb up Leith Hill from the Forest Green/Holmbury road.
Funny that nobody ever writes Bar(illiant)hatch.
Really that sounds very interesting. I will look them up.. Thanks for the info I thought it was the same as the Audax season
I think Hengist's Hills is on 29th Sept - mot the 26th.
July 5 Meridian Hills 200 (new; there is no 100km Wimpeur option as that month is usually well covered)
July 5 Meridian Hills 200 (new; there is no 100km Wimpeur option as that month is usually well covered)
Wimpeur. Like it. I'd always mentally called it Gayrimping (in my casually non-PC way. No offence intended. Some of my best friends etc etc.)
nothing from Mad Jack?
Aint he aving time off?
I might be helping because it's easier than riding.
I might be helping because it's easier than riding.
Even if you have to lift a lot of bikes over a fence? ;D
just about to post my entries for HM / MJJSM;
no idea how I'm getting there...
just about to post my entries for HM / MJJSM;
no idea how I'm getting there...
Thanks & ride over or Iron horse delivers you to & fro Polegate :thumbsup:
just about to post my entries for HM / MJJSM;
no idea how I'm getting there...
Thanks & ride over or Iron horse delivers you to & fro Polegate :thumbsup:
don't think I can get the Bluebell to relay the line to Lewes in time ;)
looks like another 2 ECE's :)
If Beeching hadn't killed the Cuckoo line (1960?) you would have been delivered within 500yrds of the start.
Hills and Mills runs under the Redgate Mill Junction where it connected to the Uckfield lineAnd some years, Mad Jack's crosses a railway line... As in walking over the tracks and lifting your bike up the embankment. Bridges are for wimps IMHO
If Beeching hadn't killed the Cuckoo line (1960?) you would have been delivered within 500yrds of the start.
(non trainspotters switch off now)
only by changing at Hurst Green and Eridge ;)
and all in time for an 0900 start? been looking at old timetables; the bus that now runs (very round the houses) along what is now partly the Bluebell to Haywards Heath only takes about 10 mins longer than the train did;
no use for bikes though...
Hills and Mills runs under the Redgate Mill Junction where it connected to the Uckfield lineAnd some years, Mad Jack's crosses a railway line... As in walking over the tracks and lifting your bike up the embankment. Bridges are for wimps IMHO
Will there be FREE BRANDY for riders AGAIN on any of your rides this year, Sir? (Just askin')
much like the Hard Boiled 2000 years agoBlimey, you have audaxing a long time
much like the Hard Boiled 2000 years agoBlimey, you have audaxing a long time
much like the Hard Boiled 2000 years agoBlimey, you have audaxing a long time
I remember that ride 2000 years ago, we had a hell of a job hauling our ass's out of that river bed, but are you sure it was the Hard Boiled ??
much like the Hard Boiled 2000 years agoBlimey, you have audaxing a long time
I remember that ride 2000 years ago, we had a hell of a job hauling our ass's out of that river bed, but are you sure it was the Hard Boiled ??
Ahh, now come to think of it, it may have been porkers, was it a dried up canal? Whitebelly was there too.. ;D
Just a quick reminder, I think these events are next on the GDS series :)
Thanks for your entries so far, keep em coming ;D
Hills and Mills- http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/14-77/
Mad Jacks JSM http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/14-85/
Some photos from recent events added here;
https://sites.google.com/site/grimpeursdusud/
Is it just me or has the GdS website gone a bit awol?
https://sites.google.com/site/grimpeursdusud/
Rode my 2009 event 'Ide Hill Grimpeur' as a DIY GPS yesterday
I've uploaded the track for this year's Mid Sussex Hillier (the 2012 route, best version of all IMO), will be route checking on Sat subject to being allowed up Ditchling Beacon along with the Tour of Britain
http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/14-228/#more
Hello fellow grimpers
I'm looking for a couple of rides to see me through November and December. Unfortunately I can't make the Whitchurch Wind down as I'm working so it'll have to be perms.
Having done most of the short perms this year, I was considering a DIY by GPS in one of the areas that hasn't really been covered by the events I've done so far, which is south east of Tunbridge Wells and around Bewl water. I have concocted a torturous route with far too many controls which I may try, but I was wondering if any more experienced hands are aware of any routes such as this that have been used before, and perhaps now have been retired?
well there's the very much not retired and excellent Down to Downs you can do as a non-DIY :)
Quite hooked on these now!Agreed. When I was riding them I found them more amenable than the 200s needed for a RRTY. Good routes in good scenery. The AAA Milne was especially good.
You've not tried the new AAA MilneNot yet. And on my return in March from forrin parts I will be on the bike quite a bit and GdS is in my sights.
running as a calendar event on Sat July 4th with hot dogs natch :P
Does that new and improved AAA Milne avoid the motor city hell hole of East Grinstead ?
I believe I can enter this one as it's straight after Yr Elenydd. It'll be my first El Supremo event and I may have a hunger on............
There you go, button pushed and I'm looking forward to a hilly weekend.
Hell of the coastal hills 1.75 AAA points. Routesheet and gps are now ready to print off.
http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/15-184/
@ Mad Jack
I've got three women and a smelly Labrador that require my services across the other side of the North Sea, so I fly out on Monday and H&M 'll have to wait till next time, but the JSM and Primrose Path look likely.
Your going to be busy ;) Yes do come on down for JSM. :thumbsup:
2015 GDS events - https://sites.google.com/site/grimpeursdusud/ :thumbsup:
2015 GDS events - https://sites.google.com/site/grimpeursdusud/ :thumbsup:
In addition this event, http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/15-84/ , would appear to be a qualifier but is not listed on the GdS website.
Are you keeping chicane company on H&MOi, dya mind!! :o! I have my entourage coming on Saturday thank you :) :-*
I'll be the one on the Cannondale Coke Can, sporting a face like a smacked arse.
Oi, dya mind!! :o! I have my entourage coming on Saturday thank you :) :-*
no offence ment meladyHow very dare you! ;)
the SDNP100 is one of the hardest GdS,
Quoteno offence ment meladyHow very dare you! ;)
Tried to get some of the mtbers along - some just don't do those distances due to time/family/pets etc... 99.9 % sure one of them will beat home in the warm with his feet up drinking teadoing something very important so it may be just me and JD! :) :-*
the SDNP100 is one of the hardest GdS,
What's this SDNP100 then ?
the SDNP100 is one of the hardest GdS,
What's this SDNP100 then ?
the SDNP100 is one of the hardest GdS,
What's this SDNP100 then ?
in the South Downs National Park
note to organisers;
if you want your event to be publicised on the GdS web page please advertise it as being eligible on yours :)
How about The Sea Lovers perm....... is that in or out ?
Oi why aren't you out on Ashdown Forest? ;)
Oi why aren't you out on Ashdown Forest? ;)
'Coz I'm freezing my ©ø©k off in The North instead.
(Makes note that the 100km events can be upgraded to 200s by the magic of ECE).
How about The Sea Lovers perm....... is that in or out ?
I think Billy and I are doing something flattish on Sunday next, not sure what though.
How about The Sea Lovers perm....... is that in or out ?
I know Martin has said "s'pose so". And it's his award scheme.
But as a personal opinion.
It shouldn't (ditto LEL).
But then again, I am a purist about such things :-*
(Makes note that the 100km events can be upgraded to 200s by the magic of ECE).
indeed; might have to ECE MJJSM for my RRTY if next weekend gets snowed off....
Have to find that Airfield one Martin as the Garden Centre was awful to be honest.
......then PatC's Blackhouse Hill Revival; always a good event with excellent catering :P :thumbsup:
I was thinking about that at the weekend, but didn't get a chance to head over to Leith Hill (Broomehall Lane is fantastic for Bluebells).
The area around Toys Hill and Ide Hill (cf the Meridian and Around Weald) are also pretty good at the moment. Heady clumps of bluebells with primroses dotted around the verges. It's a generally nice time to ride in the area, wind and wet permitting.
Later in the year, when the poppies come out is a good time to do the Meridian also, as these are resplendent on Ditchling Beacon. They create a shimmering patchwork of crimson that stretches to the horizon.
I think I now qualify for the GDS cloth badge - How do I claim the beast?
However, the climbing wasn't too bad especially as the route doesn't go up one of the really really steep roads from Brasted to Cudham.
it has every time I've ridden it, I call it Barsted for that reason :'(
it has every time I've ridden it, I call it Barsted for that reason :'(
Yeah, but it ain't as bad as White Lane (http://streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=540834&Y=155517&A=Y&Z=120).
I think I might show my ugly mug on that one. ☝︎
Just seen a route on RWG and the return leg literally goes past my starting point too! Ooof! Brasted Hill should be laugh after 180 miles!
Just seen a route on RWG and the return leg literally goes past my starting point too! Ooof! Brasted Hill should be laugh after 180 miles!
Note that's not the official route, someone has just plotted something between the listed controls I believe, but it's pretty close. I made the mistake of trying to route check that section on 79" fixed and enjoyed the walk up, looking back at a gridlocked M25.
Completed my first GDS with the down to downs perm end of August..
Toys Hill was not as bad as expected given all the tales I'd heard
Brasted is surely spelled wrong tho..
So, did you go up Wardrobes Lane / Pink Hill or the dreaded Whiteleaf as an alternative to Kop Hill?
shame to miss Kop Hill as every old banger & motorbike was charging up it this weekend so it was verboten to mere cyclists
So, did you go up Wardrobes Lane / Pink Hill or the dreaded Whiteleaf as an alternative to Kop Hill?
shame to miss Kop Hill as every old banger & motorbike was charging up it this weekend so it was verboten to mere cyclists
.
.
.
.
.
what does it take to keep you out of my life?
Hate to pry martin, but is all okay here?
I feel a Fatwah coming from Redhill re The Shark... expect I'll do it.
Good that there is a 200 grimpeur in the true South. None of the half arsery involving the Chilterns,
I think we will be ok with tea pouringOne dallied with the ridiculous notion of riding to That London then riding The Shark then riding home afterwards. Then looked at the climbing involved :o. And thought about the effort involved :o :o. Am very happy to say my offer to be deputy under-assistant trainee tea-pourer at Chiddingly has been accepted :thumbsup:. Will wear my ACH cap in vain hope that people will think I know what I'm doing ;).
JSabine, I think we will be ok with tea pouring - the left shark can do that I believe.
??? I've never associated ACH with expertise in tea pouring. ???
Am very happy to say my offer to be deputy under-assistant trainee tea-pourer at Chiddingly has been accepted :thumbsup:. Will wear my ACH cap in vain hope that people will think I know what I'm doing ;).
Hi all, timely discussion as today I was also looking at the GdS and the SR as I realise only now that I missed out on this last year by one ride... I'm intrigued by the 400 and 600 options - any DIYs that anyone is aware of?
James (Skillen)
[ ??? I've never associated ACH with expertise in tea pouring. ???
The 600 is not nice and you'd be better advised to do the Sea Lovers 600 permanent for the GdS (it qualifies, somehow).
I have some DIY routes for 400 and 600. The 400 is ok - I've got your email so will dig it out and send.
The 600 is not nice and you'd be better advised to do the Sea Lovers 600 permanent for the GdS (it qualifies, somehow).
Top ride today in beautiful sunshine. Back to back audaxes too lol. 300km will do me!!
Top ride today in beautiful sunshine. Back to back audaxes too lol. 300km will do me!!
think you were in the GS Avanti Massive? well impressive pace you were all up Yorks Hill (bis) while I was on the way back to half time;
next up Plodder's excellent Bois d' thingy (must ask him what it means google doesn't know) then The Shark followed in close pursuit by Lurcio's excellent HOTSCH
https://sites.google.com/site/grimpeursdusud/
Did Le Bois Ocaud yesterday; an excellent ride once I'd cleansed my mind of the sight of Jane "Hummers" Fonda's leotard. Much tougher than the November version burt still the iconic finish over Old Winchester Hill;
Thanks Plodder and your helpers
I am riding the IOW this Sunday, along with a good number of my clubmates (and others). Can I submit as a DIY GPS retrospectively?
is there a list of qualifying calender events and perms? Do DIY rides count?
is there a list of qualifying calender events and perms? Do DIY rides count?
no HM for me as I'll be on the way to Madeira (although sans bike after my off last month) so there goes my 6th consecutive GdSRTY :'(
MJJSM continues the sequence of eligible calendar events which is complete up to May; but then a break until Tour of the Hills in August
28th January - from Hailsham - Hills and Mills - 102km - 1.75 AAA
25th February - from Hailsham - Mad Jack's John Seviour Memorial - 2.5 AAA
no HM for me as I'll be on the way to Madeira (although sans bike after my off last month) so there goes my 6th consecutive GdSRTY :'(
MJJSM continues the sequence of eligible calendar events which is complete up to May; but then a break until Tour of the Hills in August
28th January - from Hailsham - Hills and Mills - 102km - 1.75 AAA
25th February - from Hailsham - Mad Jack's John Seviour Memorial - 2.5 AAA
Enjoy the get away Martin,
Thanks for the above, slightly more km @105 & AAA on Hills and Mills, tis now 2 AAA, as a revised route from 2016 avoiding the busy A26.
:thumbsup:
One small piece of advice: when Martin's routesheet says "ford, footbridge on left recommended" it's generally a good idea to choose the recommended route. Failure to do so could mean pedalling though a ford and we all know that if you stop pedalling in a ford the bike stops and you fall over into the water so it's a better idea to keep going. Sometimes fords can be deep enough to immerse totally your feet on the downstrokes of pedalling. DAHIKT.
And of course, should you acquire soaking wet feet on a chilly winter's day, they won't warm up again. At. All.
Just sayin'.
Me!
This is the 4 or 5th time I'll be doing it and if I get it right, only 2nd time it been validated ;D :facepalm: even though i have completed it every time!
Me!
This is the 4 or 5th time I'll be doing it and if I get it right, only 2nd time it been validated ;D :facepalm: even though i have completed it every time!
saw you on the Invicta not too many km ahead of me on the return leg as I was still doing the outward; some seriously fast GSA out there today!
roads were a lot less skoggy than recent years thank goodness we didn't have any serious rain;
Yorks Hill at the end was cruel and unusual punishment; impossible to get out of the saddle as the wheel was spinning enough without. A harsh reminder of how unfit I've become over winter without my usual GdS diet
Great ride again thanks Patrick and helpers; hope the bloke who wet BOA on Bayleys Hill is OK, it looked worse than it was I think.
Me!
This is the 4 or 5th time I'll be doing it and if I get it right, only 2nd time it been validated ;D :facepalm: even though i have completed it every time!
saw you on the Invicta not too many km ahead of me on the return leg as I was still doing the outward; some seriously fast GSA out there today!
roads were a lot less skoggy than recent years thank goodness we didn't have any serious rain;
Yorks Hill at the end was cruel and unusual punishment; impossible to get out of the saddle as the wheel was spinning enough without. A harsh reminder of how unfit I've become over winter without my usual GdS diet
Great ride again thanks Patrick and helpers; hope the bloke who wet BOA on Bayleys Hill is OK, it looked worse than it was I think.
Does anyone know if AAAnfractuous will be running again this year? I notice it is not in the Calendar. Is the organiser taking a break? I did the route a couple of years ago and really enjoyed it, so I hope it returns!
A tough route with plenty of weather. But what beautiful scenery. When I have recovered sufficiently from the experience, and I find the time, I intend to write up a ride report with some more details. Alan has kindly provided me with some history of the ride which I will include in my report. I can highly recommend the route - well worth the effort.
about 15 of the never to be repeated free cloth badges left (for 5 years of the award, 10 rides in a year counts as 2 years)
don't all rush!
about 15 of the never to be repeated free cloth badges left (for 5 years of the award, 10 rides in a year counts as 2 years)
don't all rush!
So I know I'm about a year away from getting my hands on one of these coveted badges - are there, or is it likely there will be any left this time next year?
to anyone not a previous rider on the AAA Milne perm please be advised of a serious pothole (as in a whole section of road gone) hazard between the Ladies Mile turn (W end not on the route sheet) and Groombridge; I've emailed all my regular riders
thanks Martin
I'm pleased to announce that Hillbilly's two GdS 200 perms Around Weald Expedition and Meridian Hills will continue next year under new management :)
In the meantime there's another rare calendar version of AAA Milne next month, same price as the perm with a hot dog thrown in (and maybe an ice cream :P)
http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/18-211/
I'm pleased to announce that Hillbilly's two GdS 200 perms Around Weald Expedition and Meridian Hills will continue next year under new management :)
In the meantime there's another rare calendar version of AAA Milne next month, same price as the perm with a hot dog thrown in (and maybe an ice cream :P)
http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/18-211/
I'm pleased to announce that Hillbilly's two GdS 200 perms Around Weald Expedition and Meridian Hills will continue next year under new management :)
In the meantime there's another rare calendar version of AAA Milne next month, same price as the perm with a hot dog thrown in (and maybe an ice cream :P)
http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/18-211/
I too am glad.
I'm revisiting the Meridian Hills on Monday. Hoping they are still all there!
Hopefully be this year's Grimpeur d'Or too. Is there a designation for BR only?
I'm pleased to announce that Hillbilly's two GdS 200 perms Around Weald Expedition and Meridian Hills will continue next year under new management
I'm pleased to announce that Hillbilly's two GdS 200 perms Around Weald Expedition and Meridian Hills will continue next year under new management
That's good news, until I realised it meant that I'd need to pay £1,000,000 if I wanted to ride AWE this weekend as I had planned in my schedule! Looks like I'll be missing my favourite GdS ride for a while then.
Think I'll do the Reliable this weekend for GdS, and a separate 200km ride for the points.
I'm pleased to announce that Hillbilly's two GdS 200 perms Around Weald Expedition and Meridian Hills will continue next year under new management
That's good news, until I realised it meant that I'd need to pay £1,000,000 if I wanted to ride AWE this weekend as I had planned in my schedule! Looks like I'll be missing my favourite GdS ride for a while then.
Think I'll do the Reliable this weekend for GdS, and a separate 200km ride for the points.
there's another rare calendar version of AAA Milne next month, same price as the perm with a hot dog thrown in (and maybe an ice cream :P)In. Done this ride as the perm, it's really good, nice quiet lanes, good views etc. Can't believe there's a hot dog included in what must be the cheapest audax I ever entered since El Supremo and his Tea Bag Special at £1.
http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/18-211/
there's another rare calendar version of AAA Milne next month, same price as the perm with a hot dog thrown in (and maybe an ice cream :P)In. Done this ride as the perm, it's really good, nice quiet lanes, good views etc. Can't believe there's a hot dog included in what must be the cheapest audax I ever entered since El Supremo and his Tea Bag Special at £1.
http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/18-211/
More power to your elbow, Martin. (From the other Martin)
New perm details for Meridian Hills
http://www.aukweb.net/perms/detail/MM04/
and Around Weald Expedition
http://www.aukweb.net/perms/detail/JJ02/
New perm details for Meridian Hills
http://www.aukweb.net/perms/detail/MM04/
and Around Weald Expedition
http://www.aukweb.net/perms/detail/JJ02/
I notified Billy a couple of days ago that I'll be riding Monday. Is it yourself I semd receipts too, or Billy still?
Cheers, James
New perm details for Meridian Hills
http://www.aukweb.net/perms/detail/MM04/
and Around Weald Expedition
http://www.aukweb.net/perms/detail/JJ02/
I notified Billy a couple of days ago that I'll be riding Monday. Is it yourself I semd receipts too, or Billy still?
Cheers, James
me thanks. I've modified the Meridian route sheet a bit to avoid the actual Devils Dyke road in favour of Saddlescombe and also go via Withyham and Hurstpierpoint * as well as Star Hill (optional) at the top end , updated gpx to follow
(* and Newtimber if you don't mind 100m of fairly muddy bridleway; not too bad in summer)
Are we still able to ride either direction?
Are we still able to ride either direction?
yes of course; If Hubbards (Crowborough) Toys and Barsted that way round float your boat. Did it once never again!
there's another rare calendar version of AAA Milne next month, same price as the perm with a hot dog thrown in (and maybe an ice cream :P)In. Done this ride as the perm, it's really good, nice quiet lanes, good views etc. Can't believe there's a hot dog included in what must be the cheapest audax I ever entered since El Supremo and his Tea Bag Special at £1.
http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/18-211/
More power to your elbow, Martin. (From the other Martin)
chapeau to the rider who ECE'd to 300 :-O
But can someone give me a summary of what the "Grimpeurs du Sud is about"? Googling seems to lead to various dead-ends.
No need to DIY AAA Milne and please don't it's available as a proper perm all year round. Details in psyclist's link :)I'm a klutz - I meant as a perm not a DIY, sorry.
And a lot more challenging at times, like when the Ouse is in flood and you have to use the walkways or even a tree trunk I kid you not
Work seems to have took agin that site. Smartphone to the rescue. Sounds like a fun challenge as, obviously, as a 100+ kg lard arse ex-rugby player I love climbing.But can someone give me a summary of what the "Grimpeurs du Sud is about"? Googling seems to lead to various dead-ends.
This'll help, all you ever wanted to know: https://sites.google.com/site/grimpeursdusud/ (https://sites.google.com/site/grimpeursdusud/)
Sounds like a fun challenge
Even LEL, now who wants to be first to do it as a DIY? ;)
Assume I can do the same ride more than once if I fancy or do it twice in opposite directions?Hey, Grumps, the GdS series is about as flexible as you could wish. And the distance means you can do it in winter without freezing to death in the cold dark night. So it's ideal for an AAA-RRTY.
Please note; owing to a general downgrade of AAA in the SE I cannot guarantee that the IOW Round the Island ride (held as a non AUK calendar event on the first May Bank Holiday Sunday and available all year round otherwise) is still eligible for AAA as a DIY by GPS; it is however still a discretionary counting ride towards the GdS (only once a year)Isostatic Recovery affecting the steepness of the climbs?
http://www.cycleisland.co.uk/
and an opportunity for a spot of pre-loved n+1. For 200km hilly rides I want something with slacker gearing than compact+10-speed campag the best bike has. All the clever bits SJS have to address that are not in stock, don't really want to do said rides on "The Tank" and have folk point adn laugh at my triple*, when, hey presto, look what bargain pops up on bookface!Assume I can do the same ride more than once if I fancy or do it twice in opposite directions?Hey, Grumps, the GdS series is about as flexible as you could wish. And the distance means you can do it in winter without freezing to death in the cold dark night. So it's ideal for an AAA-RRTY.
(See you on Friday night.)
I'm excited about this. Fits perfectly my ride to every ride next season goal and has massive ECE potential for 3 points AND bonus AAA.
I've got a perm card in my drawer from last season that I never got round to riding before this season ( my stupid 100 BR(M) only AAA mission ), but I've ridden it a couple of times with Green St Green and Edenbridge.
Just gotta be on a sunday......
I'm excited about this. Fits perfectly my ride to every ride next season goal and has massive ECE potential for 3 points AND bonus AAA.
I've got a perm card in my drawer from last season that I never got round to riding before this season ( my stupid 100 BR(M) only AAA mission ), but I've ridden it a couple of times with Green St Green and Edenbridge.
Just gotta be on a sunday......
Sorry it will be a Saturday, Southern usually gives up on a train service on many Sundays and I won't know until a few weeks before.
Mid Sussex Hilly and Hillier entries coming in nicely; the Hilly seems to be picking up more entries from the old guard, there is just the one route now which is the 2004 one; it really is all over after just before the hot dog stop but you will envy those with a commanding view from Ditchling Beacon
I took the chance to pause to watch a mother fallow deer and her little one half way up Cob Lane (well that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!)
Mid Sussex Hilly and Hillier entries coming in nicely; the Hilly seems to be picking up more entries from the old guard, there is just the one route now which is the 2004 one; it really is all over after just before the hot dog stop but you will envy those with a commanding view from Ditchling Beacon
Checking the weather before I enter! Hillier for me! Cob Lane too!
There are trains to Uckfield both days then a 19km ride
There are trains to Uckfield both days then a 19km ride
Amazing, thank you. So hard to know what alternatives there might be without randomly guessing stations.
Victoria to Polegate (3 or 4 miles from Hailsham)?
No sign of rail replacement buses on the 26th?
Victoria to Polegate (3 or 4 miles from Hailsham)?
No sign of rail replacement buses on the 26th?
He's right, change at East Croydon and Haywards Heath. Polegate is a nice ride on the Cuckoo Trail all tarmac, half hour max
You can also just about get there for Mad Jacks but you will have to go via Littlehampton and Brighton
Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 January - no direct trains to London all weekend
No direct trains to London all weekend
Services will operate between Gatwick and London on a diverted route via Horsham and will take considerably longer than normal
All southbound trains will terminate at Redhill. Replacement buses will operate between Redhill and Gatwick
All northbound trains will terminate at Gatwick Airport or Three Bridges
No works are currently showing on the Gatwick Express or Southern websites - although there was when I checked a week or two back. Perhaps the engineering work has been cancelled/rescheduled?
I'm thinking a nice pootle from Polegate and a ECE back into London.No works are currently showing on the Gatwick Express or Southern websites - although there was when I checked a week or two back. Perhaps the engineering work has been cancelled/rescheduled?
Yeah, I think this is what happened. https://brightonmainline.co.uk/mark-the-dates-in-your-diary/ (https://brightonmainline.co.uk/mark-the-dates-in-your-diary/) shows 26 Jan as being clear. Polegate it is!
It's showing no trains for 23 Feb's Mad Jack's - John Seviour Memorial though.
I'm thinking a nice pootle from Polegate and a ECE back into London.
To my neck of the woods it should finish up as an imperial century. :)
Sent from my PLK-L01 using Tapatalk
I'm glad you like my plan :)QuoteI'm thinking a nice pootle from Polegate and a ECE back into London.
To my neck of the woods it should finish up as an imperial century. :)
Sent from my PLK-L01 using Tapatalk
Nice. That is not a bad idea which I would consider as well but doing a 200 this weekend and only just beginning my training so don't want to overdo it. Good luck.
I'm glad you like my plan :)QuoteI'm thinking a nice pootle from Polegate and a ECE back into London.
To my neck of the woods it should finish up as an imperial century. :)
Sent from my PLK-L01 using Tapatalk
Nice. That is not a bad idea which I would consider as well but doing a 200 this weekend and only just beginning my training so don't want to overdo it. Good luck.
... however, I've mislead you. I meant to say I was doing this for the Mad Jack in Feb. Sadly I'm working during the next ride :/
Sent from my PLK-L01 using Tapatalk
I can vouch from experience that Hailsham is a very good place to ECE to / from, easy relatively quiet (at that time of day) A road down and plenty of choice of routes back whether they be extra AAA North or along the coast to where Southern or South Eastern are running a proper train service
Thanks for a great day out Martin!I thought it was 1!
Was amazing how many people can't count up to a very small number for the last info - our little group of 3 eventually nailed it but only after each getting different wrong answers the first time :facepalm:
Sadly we've lost 3 this year due to the changes.
Got in just in time for O&C then. Although it has a few big climbs I wasn't sure where the AAA qualifying section was - would it be the first 100/150 km?
BBc London 600 added :thumbsup: The first calendar 600 to qualify
Anyone want to run a 400? :)
new Steam Rides adding for 2020
https://sites.google.com/site/grimpeursdusud/
as there isn't currently a GdS RRTY (most calendar events are sub 200 and thanks to the new AAA system there is only one eligible 200, yours) hard to comment
as there isn't currently a GdS RRTY (most calendar events are sub 200 and thanks to the new AAA system there is only one eligible 200, yours) hard to comment
Isn't The Shark also an eligible 200... ?
2 new Steam Rides added for 2020
https://sites.google.com/site/grimpeursdusud/
Both rides are qualifiers for the new ACH SR in 2020: www.steamride.co.uk
Steam Ride:University Challenge 600
https://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/20-617/
Chiltern Pub Crawl 200
https://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/20-294/
Unfortunately the Steam Ride:University Challenge 600 2.5AAA, GdS hyper-link is linking to the Island ride 1.5.. ???
2 new Steam Rides added for 2020
https://sites.google.com/site/grimpeursdusud/
Both rides are qualifiers for the new ACH SR in 2020: www.steamride.co.uk
Steam Ride:University Challenge 600
https://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/20-617/
Chiltern Pub Crawl 200
https://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/20-294/
Unfortunately the Steam Ride:University Challenge 600 2.5AAA, GdS hyper-link is linking to the Island ride 1.5.. ???
as well as my other AUK admin I do have a full time job! :-\ I'll get round to it in due course I don't usually update next year's events until nearer January.
Which 300? Oasts and Coasts has also lost its AAA IIRC :(
ACME Grand counts, with 9.25 AAA points. I think I used that last year in obtaining my GdS SR, and it is running again next September.
There was text on the Hills and Mills page to say entries not open until 26th November. That text has gone (or I can’t see it for looking), but I don’t see an entry button yet.
I'm trying to enter Hills and Mills but despite the Paypal button there is no entry option :(
MJ can you check? :)
It is with sadness that I need to announce that the DIYs previously advertised as eligible
Surrey Secrets
Westerly CC DIYs
are now withdrawn as they can no longer be guaranteed any AAA at all by the new AUK AAA system
Thanks :'(
Martin's choice of what is and isn't eligible for GdS is up to him, and if he doesn't want to accept DIY rides that's fine, however I do disagree with his opinion on the current state of AAA assessments, but maybe we can just leave it at that.
AAA points have ‘changed value’ several times since the scheme was created. It isn’t really possible to compare AAA points totals that are widely separated in time.
Thanks for the update Martin. And thanks for the info Ivan.
I will look forward to riding it again ............ although some perusing the OS map has now convinced me that with a few more route tweaks I may be able to squeeze an extra couple of hundred metres out of it..... :)
4 rides done. Hopefully the Invicta Grimpeur this Sunday will complete the set.
4 rides done. Hopefully the Invicta Grimpeur this Sunday will complete the set.
But Grimpeur d'Or is 10 rides ...
4 rides done. Hopefully the Invicta Grimpeur this Sunday will complete the set.
But Grimpeur d'Or is 10 rides ...
4 rides done. Hopefully the Invicta Grimpeur this Sunday will complete the set.
But Grimpeur d'Or is 10 rides ...
Rob's done 4 this year so will become a GdS on Sunday, another 5 this year will make him an Or.
Remember the gold badge is only for completing 5 years (or 3 if you do 10+10+5)
Did I see somewhere that the ACME grand counted ? Doesn’t mention it on the website.
Did I see somewhere that the ACME grand counted ? Doesn’t mention it on the website.
Yes it does, as it starts in Essex. I used that to get my GdS SR a couple of years ago, counting as the 600.
I've got an off-road DIY 65km route around Epping Forest which gets 1.25 AAA points. That counts, and to my knowledge is the only AAA route wholly within Essex!
a 65km ride is not a GdS it needs to be 100km, and at least 1.5AAA
No I didn't give you a badge; are you doing the Reliable calendar? can bring it to that
Around Weald Expedition is another highly recommended GdS perm, I think I found it a bit harder than Meridian Hills although the stats are very similar.
I'm working on resurrecting AWE as a calendar event this summer, just need to finalise the hall bookings and should then be ready to publish it
4 rides done. Hopefully the Invicta Grimpeur this Sunday will complete the set.
Been quite good fun doing something different this year.
I'm working on resurrecting AWE as a calendar event this summer, just need to finalise the hall bookings and should then be ready to publish it
I'm working on resurrecting AWE as a calendar event this summer, just need to finalise the hall bookings and should then be ready to publish it
Here it is: http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/20-177/ - filling the gap in the GdS calendar for July as well.
There will almost certainly be no more calendar eligible events this year as I have had no entries for the Mid Sussex Hilly / Hillier in October even if were to be allowed
There will almost certainly be no more calendar eligible events this year as I have had no entries for the Mid Sussex Hilly / Hillier in October even if were to be allowed
It hadn't personally occurred to me to enter MSH as I assumed all Calendar entries were closed until AUK announced otherwise, if it was to go ahead I would definitely enter. I would also be happy to help out on the day if a shortage of helpers was the only thing stopping it going ahead. But yes, obviously you need to have some certainty in planning at some point.
Would like to recommend the AAA Milne as a superb day out, I rode it on Sunday. Can start from East Grinstead railway station, so fairly easy for them from That London.
Recommended.
Would like to recommend the AAA Milne as a superb day out, I rode it on Sunday. Can start from East Grinstead railway station, so fairly easy for them from That London.
While out riding earlier I was wondering if AAA Milne crossed into Kent or not at Groombridge. Luckily (for me, a Sussex resident) is no, not quite!
I’m thinking that I’ll need to create a AAA route wholly within Hertfordshire ... I am not aware of any that exist already. The Westerley rides all seem to head out of the county.
It’s an interesting challenge to do a AAA in Herts. ...
A gravel bike and some of the firmer bridleways in a few places would certainly allow further improvements to climb ratios.
@psyclist I rode the first 53km of the route today with fairly flattish routes to / from home. Overall climb figure of 14.93m per km.
The Reliable GPX track can't be downloaded. Is this me? I'd quite like to ride it on the day that Auk recognises perms. It's a sort of rite of passage.
Excellent, MSH in the diary for me then.
LLEL falls into the Sea Lovers category of having most of its climbing packed into the further reaches of the ride though, but that's true for the ACME Grand as well.
Yes Uckfield is a convenient ECE from That London with a lot of hills en route (more or less the exact Down to Downs 1.75AAA perm) if you want to add extra AAA
Will check out on the day it may require a diversion via Barcombe a la AAA Milne
I'm a complete newcomer to Audax so please be gentle if this has been asked a million times.
Why are Oxfordshire and Berkshire not included in the list of qualifying counties when they're in the south and neither of them is any further north than Bucks or west of Hampshire?
The Meridian Hills 200 perm is no longer being supported by me :( it may become available under a different org.
It's a cracking route but very hard; you are welcome to use it as a DIY should be a solid 3.25-3.5AAA
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/33989392
London Lands end London also qualifies?
D2DR (Down to Downs the 1st GdS perm, but reversed) will run May 2024
D2DR (Down to Downs the 1st GdS perm, but reversed) will run May 2024
Sounds interesting. I only have the second weekend free in May, and need a GdS ride for my GdSRtY. Fingers crossed thats the chosen date!
Starting to seriously plan (its been an idea for many years) a hilly AUK event from Basingstoke that will venture through the Hindhead area to the South Downs (Bury, Bignor, and Butser) and some lesser-known territory on the way back. Aim for first running October 24 or March 25. I think it will just qualify for AAA points. Although I have been organising perms for more than 15 years I will need a mentor - would anyone be able to help - PM if you can.