Yet Another Cycling Forum
General Category => Audax => Topic started by: hippy on 25 February, 2023, 11:29:25 am
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Sitting here with a broken rib and a cold and I've just slipped and sprayed the entry forms with the paypal moneygun. Looks like we're going to target the Wessex SR series this year. I've ridden Hard Boiled and Porkers (after Cymru) before but my partner in grime has not, so she's in for a treat. I never knew about the 300/200 double in the past, so I've entered that and I've had Brimstone on my todo list forever so that's got my name down.
Who else is doing the series? Anyone likely to be firing GPX files around for it? Any tips and tricks appreciated. (mods, feel free to merge with an existing Wessex SR thread, I only saw two older ones)
*starts crash diet*
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I’ve entered the series and am giving the BC/Porkers another attempt at both in the same long weekend
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Cool mate - see you there (no doubt briefly, as you fly past). Was it one of these events we first bumped into each other? Too many nights of sleep dep have fried my brain :)
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I've entered the 200, 300 and 400.
But the 600 clashes with the excellent back to the smoke, maybe I'll have to do the Hellfire perm, because with my climbing ability I'm normally riding solo on hilly events anyway. (at the back, not the front) so how can it be worse?
I've heard a wessex SR is perfect prep for PBP. No wessex Super Randonneur has ever failed PBP is the word.
I’ve entered the series and am giving the BC/Porkers another attempt at both in the same long weekend
I'm in awe of anyone who even attempts this.
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I've done that double before (sleeping in my car between the two 400s) but have no plans to repeat it. This time will be towing the missus around the Wessex events instead.
I presume the roads have got even worse down there and I will now need a gravel bike with 50mm tyres just to finish them ;)
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I presume the roads have got even worse down there and I will now need a gravel bike with 50mm tyres just to finish them ;)
Sounds like just the excuse I need to buy that lovely Ridley Kanzo fast in my LBS
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I’ve entered the series and am giving the BC/Porkers another attempt at both in the same long weekend
Good luck with it Parky !
Hopefully we'll get good weather this year ...
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I presume the roads have got even worse down there
Actually, on balance, overall they're about the same as they ever were. Sadly some of the very best grass-in-the-middle cliff sections have been resurfaced. But the question 'is a road or a river bed?' still arises fairly frequently :thumbsup:
and I will now need a gravel bike with 50mm tyres just to finish them ;)
That is another matter entirely. ;-)
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Who else is doing the series? Anyone likely to be firing GPX files around for it? Any tips and tricks appreciated.
Yep, I've got WSR #9 in my sights. GPX will be available, for sure. It's such a great challenge.
My top tips are
a) Expect to have your definition of a hill completely re-callibrated (it's great in retrospect :thumbsup:);
b) There are sections that are super tough, and can have you bouncing off the time limits working hard to hold minimum speed for 2 or 3 sections in a row, but it's not all like that, and if you keep moving you'll have an hour in hand at the end.
c) don't think about finishing until you can smell the sea.
The double is likely going to be by far the hardest thing you'll do in the year.,, which is great, because no matter how hard any other ride is, it's not as hard as the double.
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The double is likely going to be by far the hardest thing you'll do in the year.,, which is great, because no matter how hard any other ride is, it's not as hard as the double.
That's worrying because I thought I had until porkers at the end of april to get in best shape, now I have two weeks less.
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Wessex SR series kicks off tomorrow, after a very wet week, the forecast for the weekend looks good. 6C to 14C and dry.
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When I wuz young...
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The hardboiled was a grand Day out, I was informed it was my 17th hardboiled at the finish.
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two fantastic rides over the weekend in great weather, great scenery, good company and a sense of satisfaction at the finish. Also great organisation of the controls. Stamped cards and no receipts to manage. top notch.
Only gripe; dubious info controls such as "signpost: distance to - at [y]", no sign to tell me I was in location Y, location Y doesn't appear on the map other than as an unnamed junction and the required fingerboard has been missing for some time.
Riding a further 150 gruelling km wondering if the ride will not be validated at the end for having the wrong info answer does not "add to the fun" particularly when the ride is required in order to go to France in August.
I notice Porkers has 6 infos, can I expect more of the same and should I plan accordingly?
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two fantastic rides over the weekend in great weather, great scenery, good company and a sense of satisfaction at the finish. Also great organisation of the controls. Stamped cards and no receipts to manage. top notch.
Only gripe; dubious info controls such as "signpost: distance to - at [y]", no sign to tell me I was in location Y, location Y doesn't appear on the map other than as an unnamed junction and the required fingerboard has been missing for some time.
Riding a further 150 gruelling km wondering if the ride will not be validated at the end for having the wrong info answer does not "add to the fun" particularly when the ride is required in order to go to France in August.
I notice Porkers has 6 infos, can I expect more of the same and should I plan accordingly?
We're all in the same boat, and if others have the same issue, which is likely, it usually resolves itself.
To make sure I've got something from the area I'm expecting the info, I take a pic so I have proof I was there and of what it looked like when I was there. If that makes sense.
The crazy infos are an integral part of the WessexSR - it's all part of the challenge !
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Is the info at Tarrant Gunville still required on the Hellfire / Brimstone? I live a few miles away, knew exactly the signpost it was asking about and still couldn't find the answer without Mr Hummerstone pointing it out (after someone had shown him on a previous ride). Happy memories!
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Is the info at Tarrant Gunville still required on the Hellfire / Brimstone? I live a few miles away, knew exactly the signpost it was asking about and still couldn't find the answer without Mr Hummerstone pointing it out (after someone had shown him on a previous ride). Happy memories!
It has been used recently, but Shawn has also used another one in the area that's on the side of the road you'd expect it to be, which is nice !
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We're all in the same boat, and if others have the same issue, which is likely, it usually resolves itself.
If you're using a boat for the Porkers - you are far better than I am. It's tough enough on a bicycle.
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We both got around the 300/200 weekender which was nice and the missus seems to have not entirely dismissed the 400k even though she hates night riding so looks like that's still on the cards.
I'm going to throw on MTB cassettes. 42T and spinning is much better for my back than the (still pretty big) 36T cassettes we had on. Who knew I wouldn't lose 10kg in the last couple of months... who knew indeed? :P
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Have not signed up to any of the 2023 events, but was reminded of map I made a while back:
Wessex Series Map (https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1Qq5Qb91gW19SmY2Tk9_rQsk01W-D60s&usp=sharing)
...CrAcKpOt included because it's good to remember there's always a bigger fish out there to catch!
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Have not signed up to any of the 2023 events, but was reminded of map I made a while back:
Wessex Series Map (https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1Qq5Qb91gW19SmY2Tk9_rQsk01W-D60s&usp=sharing)
...CrAcKpOt included because it's good to remember there's always a bigger fish out there to catch!
Nice one. Brings back memories. You left out the Wu'uze.
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Have not signed up to any of the 2023 events, but was reminded of map I made a while back:
Wessex Series Map (https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1Qq5Qb91gW19SmY2Tk9_rQsk01W-D60s&usp=sharing)
...CrAcKpOt included because it's good to remember there's always a bigger fish out there to catch!
Nice one. Brings back memories. You left out the Wu'uze.
... and the 3d 300 - even more roads to put on the map !
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Have not signed up to any of the 2023 events, but was reminded of map I made a while back:
Wessex Series Map (https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1Qq5Qb91gW19SmY2Tk9_rQsk01W-D60s&usp=sharing)
...CrAcKpOt included because it's good to remember there's always a bigger fish out there to catch!
Nice one. Brings back memories. You left out the Wu'uze.
... and the 3d 300 - even more roads to put on the map !
Ah. That's the one I haven't ridden.
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two fantastic rides over the weekend in great weather, great scenery, good company and a sense of satisfaction at the finish. Also great organisation of the controls. Stamped cards and no receipts to manage. top notch.
Only gripe; dubious info controls such as "signpost: distance to - at [y]", no sign to tell me I was in location Y, location Y doesn't appear on the map other than as an unnamed junction and the required fingerboard has been missing for some time.
Riding a further 150 gruelling km wondering if the ride will not be validated at the end for having the wrong info answer does not "add to the fun" particularly when the ride is required in order to go to France in August.
I notice Porkers has 6 infos, can I expect more of the same and should I plan accordingly?
We're all in the same boat, and if others have the same issue, which is likely, it usually resolves itself.
To make sure I've got something from the area I'm expecting the info, I take a pic so I have proof I was there and of what it looked like when I was there. If that makes sense.
The crazy infos are an integral part of the WessexSR - it's all part of the challenge !
My philosophy is that it doesn't necessarily matter if you get the info answer wrong if enough people get the same wrong answer to have a strong case for the defence. And a few photos might be helpful.
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I think I have photos of 5 different signs for one control from the last one. Any excuse for a rest :D
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two fantastic rides over the weekend in great weather, great scenery, good company and a sense of satisfaction at the finish. Also great organisation of the controls. Stamped cards and no receipts to manage. top notch.
Only gripe; dubious info controls such as "signpost: distance to - at [y]", no sign to tell me I was in location Y, location Y doesn't appear on the map other than as an unnamed junction and the required fingerboard has been missing for some time.
Riding a further 150 gruelling km wondering if the ride will not be validated at the end for having the wrong info answer does not "add to the fun" particularly when the ride is required in order to go to France in August.
I notice Porkers has 6 infos, can I expect more of the same and should I plan accordingly?
We're all in the same boat, and if others have the same issue, which is likely, it usually resolves itself.
To make sure I've got something from the area I'm expecting the info, I take a pic so I have proof I was there and of what it looked like when I was there. If that makes sense.
The crazy infos are an integral part of the WessexSR - it's all part of the challenge !
My philosophy is that it doesn't necessarily matter if you get the info answer wrong if enough people get the same wrong answer to have a strong case for the defence. And a few photos might be helpful.
The phone is a useful external memory-bank.
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Turns out I had a 32T cassette on, not a 36T. No wonder it felt like a gym session!
Also looks like we will be driving down for Porkers. I think there's no parking at the HQ but ALDI has unlimited parking? Anyone used that before?
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I wouldn't leave my car in a supermarket car park for 24 hours, I was assuming some on street parking somewhere in Lytchett Minster.
looks like quite a small place though so maybe in Upton
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Really? I mean there's nothing much in it and I'm not precious about the car itself.
I know the org said no parking at the pub but if I ask them nicely and we have a meal or two maybe they'll let us? There's another pub down the road with a much bigger carpark that might be an option.
Or we can risk the "you need to book you don't need to book" train.
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more for risk of getting a clamp or ticket than a break in. I think the car park will have signs "customers only". after 24 hours they might even get it towed away.
even without these warnings generally I wouldn't want to inconvenience a business like this.
I have no qualms about parking my car on a residential street in a village, after all people in the villages drive into town and park for free on roads like my road. so as long as it isn't an obstruction, I don't see the difference.
for Dorset coast I parked here https://www.google.com/maps/@50.698465,-2.1096933,3a,75y,39.97h,56.52t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sI7C5tBgKS1X_THc3YiIvxw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
no issues.
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Fair points. I'd checked the restrictions on parkopedia and it said free for customers so if we bought stuff, in theory, no problem.
We used the shopping centre and paid long-term for the last events. Probably could've found free parking but I didn't want any hassle.
Will get the missus to check if the bigger pub will have us for lunch and long-term parking. Your spot can be the backup plan :)
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I'm risking the train. It's just a bit too far to drive home for me these days. But will probably go early so I have a choice of trains. Also means I can have a pint or two afterwards
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CET, no trains from Basingstoke, bonus for me I can get a direct train from Havant to Poole and home again.
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I might be on the same train. I'm heading in from Selsey on this one.
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A dry (just) and hard porkers, legs really hurt by the finish, spent the first half battling with a stomach issue but after West buckland things we're much better and made good progress to finish comfortably and enjoy a nice cold ale, before getting the train home.
Big thank you to Peter and all the lovely people running the controls due the night.
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Well done all you people. I gather you might have encountered some riders who hadn't had enough by the end of the Brevet Cymru.
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Well done Pete, the Porkers lived up to its own high standards. The helpers were brilliant and the company as excellent as ever. However, there was two disturbing features - the first was the tailwind that followed us around and the second were the heavy showers that soaked the road but never actually rained on us. People might miss out on the full value of a Wessex experience if this continues :facepalm:
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Yup - a great (if uncanny) edition - rain and wind was indeed always in our favour. The weather was almost perfect in fact. Spooky.
Well done to Pete and all the helpers for making it all happen.
See you next year !
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Well, I expected it to be tough, and it was. After a late start due to traffic congestion in Poole a solo run over to Weymouth where I caught up with a few riders and headed over to Portland, a lovely section, then through the hills to Beaminster with a taster of things to come. Turning right to avoid the Abbotsbury climb I encountered another that was just as tough, and then after some lovely smooth tarmac laid on for us in a valley a second monster climb. Sky was overcast and mist was forming on the coastal hills, spoiling the views. Short stop and on to the village hall controls, these were all excellent. After Buckland and on up onto the blackdown hills, were those stars? Where was the cloud from earlier?
Second village hall and time a short nap, air beds and blankets provided, luxury.
More hills, which were relentless but managable and the sky was lightening, no rosy fingered dawn alas, just a transition from dark to light. Then finally a hill out of Woolland which was too much for me, walk to the top, see the bluebells and race for breakfast at Whitechurch Winterbourne, there were 7 of us together here approaching control close time, with the assurance that we should make up time on the next two sections we pushed on. I got the dozies here I could feel my speed dropping. So rainjacket and gilet off and suffer the cold instead. Until the drizzle started, the walking again up to Alfred's tower.
Crockerton with half an hour in hand, ice cream and bacon butty for second breakfast, same seven riders met together again here just before control closing time before the final flatter push, finally arriving at Lytchett Minster with about 90 minutes left. This last section would have been a lovely ride I think, but by this stage I was sleepy, my legs were aching and I just wanted to get the ride finished, but the kms to go ticked down so slowly
Definitely the hardest BRM I have ever done, and all the comments about the 300/200 in a weekend being tougher were proven false in my mind. The first 300km of Porkers felt as tough as the hard boiled and took longer (for me) and then instead of a 12 hour rest before a 200 I had to continue with another 100km.
Still a few weeks to recover and then the Brimstone, which will probably raise the suffering bar again. At least PBP will feel easy after this.
Time in hand, Portland 01:24, Beaminster 1:57, West Buckland 1:57, Corscombe 2:03 (nap here), Whitechurch Winterbourne 0:38, Crockerton 0:38, Arrivee 1:30 (approximately as I don't have my card in front of me)
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I had a tough ride. I can't believe I did Porkers the day after Cymru 5 years ago - I must've been a lot fitter back then!
After a couple of false starts with my partner's borked front wheel (wheel bearing gone?) we finally got moving with a "quite loose" wheel that worked.
Wasn't as cold as last time which was nice. I like the village halls spaced pretty evenly overnight - they were well-stocked and the volunteers super friendly and helpful.
Had some knee issue early on so slightly dropped the saddle - I wonder if a recent crash has changed the saddle angle on my split seat post?
The grrl and I were in that tail-end group but I was actually less worried about cut-off times for a change because I'd adopted the "this control closes at 4am so we have an hour spare" mentality, plus Peter had said you can be almost and hour out of time at x and still make the finish with an hour to spare.
I had a much lower gear on compared to the double weekender which meant I could spin up a lot of the climbs and my back didn't hate me so much. On the other hand, did Assos change their short design? I was suffering some very severe chaffing on the second day that no amount of chamois cream (nor biscuit packet and rubber bands) could salve - I do not want to replicate this experience!
Finished pretty strong. Totally missed the HUGE BLACK BUILDING, YOU CAN'T MISS IT. The weather helped - the views on the second day were gorgeous.
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biscuit packet and rubber bands
I'm not quite sure what to make of this!
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Finished pretty strong. Totally missed the HUGE BLACK BUILDING, YOU CAN'T MISS IT. The weather helped - the views on the second day were gorgeous.
the big black building was hiding behind the trees
https://www.google.com/maps/@50.8547337,-2.0704536,3a,75y,256.23h,86.37t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sG6081X5nyj6kM6UH7O4Phg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
this is what you were looking for, there were about 4 cars parked there yesterday.
https://www.google.com/maps/@50.8549688,-2.0720276,3a,66.2y,276.92h,84.84t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sfIRQtuDAg8YVWdfVC0s4bw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
Nice to think that out tail end group of 7 passing on the roads and meeting at controls, was actually a third of the field.
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The chamois cream wasn't working, I was in agony, I wrapped "my junk" in an empty cookie bag, secured with rubber band. It briefly fixed the symptoms but rubbed elsewhere so I went back to square one.
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Finished pretty strong. Totally missed the HUGE BLACK BUILDING, YOU CAN'T MISS IT. The weather helped - the views on the second day were gorgeous.
the big black building was hiding behind the trees
https://www.google.com/maps/@50.8547337,-2.0704536,3a,75y,256.23h,86.37t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sG6081X5nyj6kM6UH7O4Phg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
this is what you were looking for, there were about 4 cars parked there yesterday.
https://www.google.com/maps/@50.8549688,-2.0720276,3a,66.2y,276.92h,84.84t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sfIRQtuDAg8YVWdfVC0s4bw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
Nice to think that out tail end group of 7 passing on the roads and meeting at controls, was actually a third of the field.
The missus spotted it and stopped to get the info details. I turned around saw that she'd gone and went back. "Oh, THAT huge black building". :)
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On the other hand, did Assos change their short design? I was suffering some very severe chaffing on the second day that no amount of chamois cream (nor biscuit packet and rubber bands) could salve - I do not want to replicate this experience!
I think that the deteriorating quality of road surfaces is to blame - not the Wessex variety of gravel strewn bits with grass growing in the middle, but the potholed, carelessly patched by utility companies mess that towns and villages have. You now get about 600km of rough surfaces and impacts from ridges and holes in 300km.
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I think that the deteriorating quality of road surfaces is to blame - not the Wessex variety of gravel strewn bits with grass growing in the middle, but the potholed, carelessly patched by utility companies mess that towns and villages have. You now get about 600km of rough surfaces and impacts from ridges and holes in 300km.
Oh that's a whole (hole) other issue. ;)
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On to the brimstone, I see it starts at mcdonalds on holes bay road. But starts just as the place opens. Perfect for those boycotting mcdonalds, but less so for hungry randonneurs who need to leave their hotels before breakfast.
Is this correct? or is this McDs now 24hours, contrary to google maps information?
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https://www.mcdonalds.com/gb/en-gb/location/poole/poole---wessex-gate-retail-park/10-wessex-gate-retail-park/8260968.html
sorry 06:00 opening - very few 24h options available in Poole these days.
Glad you all enjoyed porkers - its all about getting comfy with bumbling along near the time limit.
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I have checked - you can get to the 24h Services through the industrial estate.
https://goo.gl/maps/3ABWxfzs69sEZ8FV7
(https://1drv.ms/i/s!Agz-BjHAbAxjgQTlYnV-7YT7kHbH?e=eUg51c)
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How to get there
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/42837905
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thanks, I was just planning on a hotel room picnic bought the night before. I assume there is no parking at the start. Creekmoor park and ride looks convenient, but google maps lists it as closed.
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Last year I parked at Poole rail station, ironically during a rail strike. From memory it was a 10 minute ride up to the start.
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+1 for the train station - i've used it a few times.... it's close and cheap
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+1 for the train station - i've used it a few times.... it's close and cheap
I'm seeing £8 for saturday and £3.50 for sunday. on parkopedia
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Picking up the brevet card from Maccas is presumably proof enough of the start? So assuming we're stocked with food on arrival we don't need to visit Maccas or the 24hr garage for a receipt?
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yes.
I was just thinking about breakfast. so it will be picnic in the hotel for me. If it was 24 hours I'd be there for some has browns and a bacon roll.
Considering I needed 39 hours 15 minutes for the Bryan Chapman yesterday, I don't think starting late (to have McDs breakfast at 6) on the Brimstone will be a good plan.
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Although I have never ridden the Bryan Chapman and Brimstone in the same year, my average time on the Brimstone is a couple of hours more for the Brimstone (based on riding each 4 times), so that would imply less faffing / sleeping
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My car has decided now is the time to have a fault, so two questions
1) can I leave a bag at the start / finish
2) what are people's experience with southwestern trains and bikes?
I see bikes are allowed on the trains I would be looking at, BUT they also state that bikes are on a first come first served basis and I could be refused to board the train I am booked on. Has anyone used the train to Poole from London with their bike?
I'd like to think that if they won't let me on the train I am booked on due to lack of bike space my ticket would be transferable to a later train, but there's always a chance someone will say "your booking is not for this train and so not valid". So I'm looking for reassurance that travelling with a bike on
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1) can I leave a bag at the start / finish
No, we're starting at McDonalds, just before it opens BUT I'm driving there and parking in the station car park at 05.15ish, so can meet you there and you can leave your bag in my van... we have a cunning plan to enable you to pick up the bag if you finish well before my best case 21:30 eta at the arriveé. I'll message you my number to confirm.
2) what are people's experience with southwestern trains and bikes?
Generally very good, the guards are pretty chill, and the train is usually half empty by the time it gets to Winchester (although it is the Friday before the bank holidays might be busy to Bournemouth), if there's more bikes than the 3 bikes the space is designed for, you can just stand with it in the corridor there: there's actually room for about 5 or 6 in extremis. and there's 2 bike coaches. Bike carriages are in the middle of the train.
what time are you leaving London? outside rush hour you'll be fine - 4-6.30, the above applies. Sometimes train apps on the phone have the platform before the board so you can get a head start on the crowds.
if you were on a later train because you couldn't get your bike on the one you were supposed to be on, I'd be amazed if they made anything of it when you explained.
Just check there's no bus replacement service on the line on your return journey, they are not so chilled and never let bikes on the busses ;-(.
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You should get down to Poole alright on a Friday but they are doing weekend engineering work in the Basingstoke area (which they have been for a few weeks now) so a return journey on Sunday might be via Havant, which takes a good deal longer - worthwhile checking on the National Rail website or app.
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You should get down to Poole alright on a Friday but they are doing weekend engineering work in the Basingstoke area (which they have been for a few weeks now) so a return journey on Sunday might be via Havant, which takes a good deal longer - worthwhile checking on the National Rail website or app.
oh to be quick enough to consider going home on Sunday. It will be monday1) can I leave a bag at the start / finish
No, we're starting at McDonalds, just before it opens BUT I'm driving there and parking in the station car park at 05.15ish, so can meet you there and you can leave your bag in my van... we have a cunning plan to enable you to pick up the bag if you finish well before my best case 21:30 eta at the arriveé. I'll message you my number to confirm.
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thanks for the offer
don't worry, I am not that fast, I was more worried about me making you wait.
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We're trying the train for this one as well. Heading down Fri night and coming back Monday night. Thanks for the tip about engineering works, will have to check that out. There's never just a simple train journey here is there?
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well that was tough, but I am now the very proud owner of a Wessex SR badge, surely the highlight of the enterprise and much more satisfying that the trivial matter of PBP qualification.
Thanks to Peter for organising and all the helpers for the control stops whose support makes the entire series possible, trying to find other provisions in the blackdown hills or other remote spots would be a challenge.
Statements in the beginning of the series that doing the hard boiled and the Dorset coast back to back would be the hardest thig this year were proven false as both the Porkers and Brimstone rides raise the bar further in my opinion. Future entrants should bear in mind that making the penultimate control anywhere near cut off time is sufficient to finish Dorset Coast, Brimstone or Porkers. But the hard boiled is unique in having a tough finish so time in the bank will be needed.
Drivers in Dorset were generally much more patient and courteous than I am used to elsewhere. It was a pleasure to ride there.
Thanks also to Andy for storing my stuff in his van during Brimstone, and Stuart who provided me with a sofa (with a great view) to sleep on last night when all the inns were full.
My total time for Brimstone as about the same (+/- 5 minutes) as for BCM the previous week, but with shorter sleep and lighter equipment. No question in my mind the Brimstone is a far tougher ride.
Congratulations to all other finishers.
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well that was tough
This ^
Big props to Pete and all the volunteers who patiently waited for us two poor souls to crawl around the route. Special thanks to Kate for the Di2 goodies (break your own rules, pay the price, hippy!) that allowed me to finish within time and saved my a visit to a local bike shop. Still need to debug this before Pendle but I made it work. Missus was pretty trashed on day 2 but she hung on to our little group like a trooper. I was full of beans for some reason. Weather was lovely all weekend. If it wasn't, I don't think I'd have kept going. I'd probably have binned the ride at the start and done a Perm to complete the series instead.
Had some pretty wicked chaffing again which I'm putting down to Assos changing their shorts again. Now I need to try and find the older version that didn't rub me raw. FFS. Also tempted to swap my Adamo "prong nose" saddle for a more normal saddle for these hilly events - I'm just not on the aerobars enough to warrant the TT saddle style I think and I could get more support (less focused pain) with a normal saddle.
Agree regarding the driving - I guess it's not tourist season and the locals are used to driving around tractors and stuff so they're more chill about cyclists being on the roads.
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So the Wessex series is approaching again, and while I don't think I am going to do the full series (especially as I have entered the Brevet Cymru). I am looking forward to the Dorset Coast (and even the Hard Boiled to some degree)
However, I note there is a rail replacement service between Bournemouth and Southampton on Sunday 14th of April which will affect others travelling to the event. So anyone planning on using the train will need other arrangements'.
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However, I note there is a rail replacement service between Bournemouth and Southampton on Sunday 14th of April which will affect others travelling to the event. So anyone planning on using the train will need other arrangements'.
Thank you for the heads up on that. I need a rethink on transport options.
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If only you could do this in Dorset
(https://ecf.com/sites/ecf.com/files/field/image/_RHU3417.jpg)
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when I was at Cambridge and there were rail replacement buses, cycles could be carried at drivers discretion. If the bus was a bus they said no, but when it was a coach they were happy to put it underneath with the luggage.
But I wouldn't want to commit to that being the only option.
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when I was at Cambridge and there were rail replacement buses, cycles could be carried at drivers discretion. If the bus was a bus they said no, but when it was a coach they were happy to put it underneath with the luggage.
But I wouldn't want to commit to that being the only option.
That was the case with me when stranded by a mechanical in Oxford last year - put the bike in the coach luggage storage to Reading and then a train back from there.
There is a possible, although roundabout, train route to Yeovil Junction, ride the short distance to Yeovil, to get a train to Dorchester, and from there to Poole, which will probably take you longer than riding from Southampton to Bournemouth.
If riding the gap, I would get off at Eastleigh not Southampton, as you can get a nicer cycle route that way. Last year, after the Porkers they had a rail replacement service from Winchester to Basingstoke - so I rode that section, which turned out to be less painful than I thought.
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when I was at Cambridge and there were rail replacement buses, cycles could be carried at drivers discretion. If the bus was a bus they said no, but when it was a coach they were happy to put it underneath with the luggage.
But I wouldn't want to commit to that being the only option.
That was the case with me when stranded by a mechanical in Oxford last year - put the bike in the coach luggage storage to Reading and then a train back from there.
There is a possible, although roundabout, train route to Yeovil Junction, ride the short distance to Yeovil, to get a train to Dorchester, and from there to Poole, which will probably take you longer than riding from Southampton to Bournemouth.
If riding the gap, I would get off at Eastleigh not Southampton, as you can get a nicer cycle route that way. Last year, after the Porkers they had a rail replacement service from Winchester to Basingstoke - so I rode that section, which turned out to be less painful than I thought.
getting to the event is not a problem, trains will be running as normal on Friday. Getting home again after Dorset coast is the issue. 80km from Wareham to Eastleigh. I don't think I'd make that in time to get a train anywhere. So might as well stay sunday night in Poole/Bournmeouth and get the first train on monday morning, than cycle to eastleigh and still get a monday morning Train
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So might as well stay sunday night in Poole/Bournmeouth and get the first train on monday morning, than cycle to eastleigh and still get a monday morning Train
Be aware that South West Trains don’t permit bicycles on trains that arrive in Waterloo between 7am and something like 10am. I don’t know how strictly they enforce that.
I’ve been fortunate to be offered a lift back on the Sunday, and can travel down on a train before the late afternoon embargo on bicycles on trains from Waterloo.
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Trains have been a nuisance with replacement bus services since I started riding the Wessex events back in the middle 1990s! They still haven't sorted it!?
Hotels seem very expensive in Poole. Even the nearest campsite isn't cheap.
A Wessex SR is tempting this year. It'll probably involve some wild camping or bivvy type sleep for me...
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£77 for the travelodge in between the two rides, Friday night seems extravagant when the saturday ride starts at 2am.
The train situation is frustrating as a southeast network railcard (not just for the young) covers an area as far as Weymouth
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the wait is nearly over - not long now ....
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I've not done any of the Wessex rides before but am signed up for Hard Boiled. Not sure how to deal with the 2am start but I guess just travel down accepting no sleep and wing it from there :-\
Has anyone received a pre-event email yet? The event page says a GPX file will be provided, is this the case? If not I'll set aside some time for constructing one from the route sheet.
Going to be an adventure one way or another! :)
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not received any email, or up to date routesheet / gpx for the Hard Boiled yet ... it'll all be in hand
yup - hanging around a freezing Poole station waiting for the off at 2am is all part of the Hard Boiled's charm :thumbsup:
can't wait !
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I've not done any of the Wessex rides before but am signed up for Hard Boiled. Not sure how to deal with the 2am start but I guess just travel down accepting no sleep and wing it from there :-\
Has anyone received a pre-event email yet? The event page says a GPX file will be provided, is this the case? If not I'll set aside some time for constructing one from the route sheet.
Going to be an adventure one way or another! :)
either nap before travelling down, or travel down early and get a room. I have a room booked for friday and saturday as I am on the dorset coast as well. It's odd to leave the room at 1:45 to go to the start, but if you check in early there is still time for 6 hours sleep before the ride
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Thanks everyone involved yesterday, that was indeed a brilliant adventure! Very benign weather helped enormously, it never really got cold during the night and then very pleasant during the day.
Good luck to all at Dorset Coast today :thumbsup:
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Lots of people DNSd the Dorset Coast after finishing Hardboiled.
Maybe we need to run the Dorset Ghost?
https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=91191.msg2888073#msg2888073
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Well that was fun yet again, perfect weather all weekend, some great views on the way round both rides, really good crowd on the hardboiled, unfortunately the Dorset coast seems to have attracted too many cycling idiots, such is life!!!
Thanks to Pete and the team for a great weekend yet again.
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Well that was fun yet again, perfect weather all weekend, some great views on the way round both rides, really good crowd on the hardboiled, unfortunately the Dorset coast seems to have attracted too many cycling idiots, such is life!!!
Thanks to Pete and the team for a great weekend yet again.
The Dorset Coast has always attracted entrants without a clue (as I remember from controlling at Axminster in the 90s). What's worrying is that the VoR, the previous day, was over-subscribed for the first time ever. Checking through I find that nearly half the entries were from non-members. That explains the lack of knowledge displayed by some. Worrying though - I prefer to deal with experienced, competent riders and leave the newbies to other organisers. Sorry if that sounds selfish.
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No, it sounds a bit vague.... "idiots"... "lack of knowledge"...perhaps carry this on in a separate thread with more detail [no names, no pack drill] and suggestions/"solutions"?
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Saturday was my first go at any of the Wessex Series and I enjoyed it... I think.
All the volunteers were great. Lots of good food :thumbsup:
Really enjoyed riding in a new area. I was less keen on the hills, but it wasn't like I wasn't expecting them ::-)
Sadly I'm one of the ones who was booked for the double but didn't ride Sunday.
Some bike fit issues (of my own making) resulted in me being unable to sit on the saddle by the time I got back to Poole and I couldn't face another 200km on Sunday.
psyclist who I was riding with had been having indexing issues and as I was his lift home also DNS'd Sunday.
I'm a bit disappointed about it, especially as it appears it was my own fault.
If I make it through Porkers and Brimstone then I'll be back to ride The Dorset Coast as a perm, possibly at night as suggested by teethgrinder.
There's always next year to do the double.
Thanks to everyone involved in organising.
Owen
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I'll be back to ride The Dorset Coast as a perm, possibly at night as suggested by teethgrinder.
Not sure about this approach, descending roads with suspect surfaces in the dark is likely to increase number of pothole strikes, I'm happy to ride main roads at night when the lack of cars is a benefit. But most of the roads on the dorset coast are quiet lanes anyway.
Also the highlight of the Dorset coast for me is the exceptional scenery.
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The Dorset perm is completely different route then the current one,