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  • Upper Thames: 06 November, 2010

Author Topic: Upper Thames 5th November 2022  (Read 105834 times)

mattc

  • n.b. have grown beard since photo taken
    • Didcot Audaxes
Re: Upper Thames 6th Nov 2010
« Reply #75 on: 21 October, 2010, 04:41:54 pm »
Just looking at The Bloody Trains from London. How long does it take to get from the station to the start via the sprawling metropolis of Cholsey? There's a train that gets there at 0714.  
Less time than you'll spend working out if it's left or right out of the station.

Next! :)

Actually, as I know there are V.early trains to Didcot, I'd look at riding from there. it's virtually flat. I might be able to meet you at the station.
Has never ridden RAAM
---------
No.11  Because of the great host of those who dislike the least appearance of "swank " when they travel the roads and lanes. - From Kuklos' 39 Articles

Re: Upper Thames 6th Nov 2010
« Reply #76 on: 21 October, 2010, 04:42:15 pm »
5 minutes if you know where you're going (you get instructions when you get your routesheet).  10 mins allows for faffing.

Or it's 8 1/2 km from Didcot.

Re: Upper Thames 6th Nov 2010
« Reply #77 on: 21 October, 2010, 04:44:32 pm »
Actually, as I know there are V.early trains to Didcot...

I'll need to look again then, with the aim of maximising my time in bed.

Manotea

  • Where there is doubt...
Re: Upper Thames 6th Nov 2010
« Reply #78 on: 21 October, 2010, 06:50:06 pm »
I've got:

05:50 Paddington   06:37 Didcot
05:57      07:30
06:27      07:49
06:50      07:38

05:25 Paddington   06:39 Cholsey
05:57       07:14
06:27      07:41
06:30      07:41

06:05 Ealing Bwy   07:14 Cholsey

Only one choice for me. I'll be on the 6:05 from Ealing.

Best plan for a rush of last minute arrivals Phil!

Ray 6701

  • SO @ T
    • Tamworth cycling club
Re: Upper Thames 6th Nov 2010
« Reply #79 on: 21 October, 2010, 07:45:44 pm »
With 5 minutes to get to the start you'll still have time for a quick cuppa  :thumbsup:
SR 2010/11/12/13/14/15
RRTY. PBP. LeJoG 1400. LEL.




Re: Upper Thames 6th Nov 2010
« Reply #80 on: 21 October, 2010, 07:51:29 pm »
Best plan for a rush of last minute arrivals Phil!

Don't worry - I normally stay at the start until at least 0800.  This year I'll be less rushed than normal (longer to get to Waterperry as you all have to ride further to get there).

Re: Upper Thames 6th Nov 2010
« Reply #81 on: 21 October, 2010, 08:08:38 pm »
Only one choice for me. I'll be on the 6:05 from Ealing

Keep forgetting that I now live not far from Ealing. It's only been a year  :-\ Your option seems the least painful.

What's the latest I can leave it to decide on this ride?  ;)

Re: Upper Thames 6th Nov 2010
« Reply #82 on: 21 October, 2010, 10:31:50 pm »
SP, while all organisers prefer entries well in advance of the event (it helps us plan the catering, and the brevet cards), most of us accept entries right up until the start.  As you will be pushed for time on the Saturday morning (unless you are happy to start a little later than everyone else) I suggest that you get your entry to me beforehand.  If you are able to enter on-line (not sure whether you are an AUK member; this facility is not available otherwise) this can be the Friday evening.  Otherwise you'll need to post your entry by Wednesday 3rd to be reasonably sure that I get it.  And an email to let me know it's on its way would be good.


Re: Upper Thames 6th Nov 2010
« Reply #83 on: 22 October, 2010, 06:13:53 am »
Negotiations have been succesful!

I seem to have entered using this new fangled PayPal malarky.

This is my first Audax for ages and ages.  I hope I've done the right thing.

You have   :thumbsup:

Geoff
Only those that dare to go too far, know how far they can go.   T S Elliot

Re: Upper Thames 6th Nov 2010
« Reply #84 on: 22 October, 2010, 03:38:08 pm »
SP, while all organisers prefer entries well in advance of the event (it helps us plan the catering, and the brevet cards), most of us accept entries right up until the start.  As you will be pushed for time on the Saturday morning (unless you are happy to start a little later than everyone else) I suggest that you get your entry to me beforehand.  If you are able to enter on-line (not sure whether you are an AUK member; this facility is not available otherwise) this can be the Friday evening.  Otherwise you'll need to post your entry by Wednesday 3rd to be reasonably sure that I get it.  And an email to let me know it's on its way would be good.



Noted - if I am riding you'll have an entry in good time, don't worry. Need a couple more days dithering. AUK member so can enter on-line.

AndyH

Re: Upper Thames 6th Nov 2010
« Reply #85 on: 25 October, 2010, 12:00:44 pm »
A colleague (who has just joined AUK & lives near Newbury) has asked me this morning if you will be accepting entries on the line for this. Should I tell him no, get your paypal entry in NOW and you have a chance of riding  ???

Re: Upper Thames 6th Nov 2010
« Reply #86 on: 25 October, 2010, 01:27:03 pm »
I do accept entries on the line, but prefer not to.  EOLs need to recognise that there might not be a brevet card available, and that they might have to wait a little while I deal with the 70-plus riders who have entered (so far).

Re: Upper Thames 6th Nov 2010
« Reply #87 on: 25 October, 2010, 10:00:06 pm »
Entered.

<gulp>

Re: Upper Thames 6th Nov 2010
« Reply #88 on: 26 October, 2010, 08:01:29 am »
You'll love it, Simon  :thumbsup:

Maybe back off a little on your blistering pace this time. Bet you still get round in 9 hours though  ;D

LittleWheelsandBig

  • Whimsy Rider
Re: Upper Thames 6th Nov 2010
« Reply #89 on: 26 October, 2010, 08:09:44 am »
Paypal for HK and myself.
Wheel meet again, don't know where, don't know when...

AndyH

Re: Upper Thames 6th Nov 2010
« Reply #90 on: 26 October, 2010, 08:11:33 am »
Paypal for HK and myself.

Note the start time. 7.30  ;D

Re: Upper Thames 6th Nov 2010
« Reply #91 on: 26 October, 2010, 09:13:08 am »
Over 80 entries now.  Great response.

LittleWheelsandBig

  • Whimsy Rider
Re: Upper Thames 6th Nov 2010
« Reply #92 on: 26 October, 2010, 09:55:36 am »
Paypal for HK and myself.

Note the start time. 7.30  ;D

Perhaps we'll be a little later again, if it is too cold...
Wheel meet again, don't know where, don't know when...

Re: Upper Thames 6th Nov 2010
« Reply #93 on: 27 October, 2010, 06:20:04 am »
I've entered.

LittleWheels: no news from Julien I'm afraid. Maybe Ivo can help.

Re: Upper Thames 6th Nov 2010
« Reply #94 on: 27 October, 2010, 08:13:46 pm »
Paypal for HK and myself.

Note the start time. 7.30  ;D

Perhaps we'll be a little later again, if it is too cold...

You will soon catch me up

Geoff
Only those that dare to go too far, know how far they can go.   T S Elliot

Re: Upper Thames 6th Nov 2010
« Reply #95 on: 28 October, 2010, 08:21:25 pm »
Thanks for the routesheet etc Phil D.

The train tickets have arrived. It looks as if I may actually do this to myself.

The org's comments highlighting the change from 4 sections to 3 worry me slightly. I haven't done more than a handful of 200s and none have been remotely comfortable for me in the last 3rd of the ride. Part of the problem, besides sheer lack of general backbone, is that I don't have the eating and drinking right.

Can any of you familiar with the route, bearing in mind the above, give me an idea of when / how often you plan to eat during the ride or when you'll have your main meal of the ride, given the early start time and the reduced number of stages.

Ray 6701

  • SO @ T
    • Tamworth cycling club
Re: Upper Thames 6th Nov 2010
« Reply #96 on: 28 October, 2010, 08:37:14 pm »
I will not offer any advice on eating as i usually only have a nana & a mars bar on a very hilly 100 & not much more on a 200  ;)
SR 2010/11/12/13/14/15
RRTY. PBP. LeJoG 1400. LEL.




Manotea

  • Where there is doubt...
Re: Upper Thames 6th Nov 2010
« Reply #97 on: 28 October, 2010, 08:49:46 pm »
I'll  be looking to bounce controls and eat on the bike as its easy to burn winter daylight in cafe's*. Every minute spent in a cafe translates into a minute riding in the dark, and it will be getting dark by 5pm. So my advice is to pack plenty of grub and not hang around. Having said that, a mug of coffee is always good for morale!

*especially when you doze off sitting at the table after scoffing a plate of beans on toast.

Re: Upper Thames 6th Nov 2010
« Reply #98 on: 28 October, 2010, 09:59:49 pm »
I thought long and hard about this.  And it's why I mark on the routesheet all the places were food can be picked up.

Bear in mind that after Chipping Norton there are only two significant hills (both fairly soon after CN, and before Leafield) and after that it really is about as flat as an audax can be outside of Cambridgeshire.  Just a few low key (either short, or not at all steep) slopes.

Both of the cafes are quite quick, usually, as you will be there outside of their main lunchtime periods.

Manotea

  • Where there is doubt...
Re: Upper Thames 6th Nov 2010
« Reply #99 on: 28 October, 2010, 10:14:21 pm »
Both of the cafes are quite quick, usually, as you will be there outside of their main lunchtime periods.
Good point, especially for Chipping Norton, though by the time I get there the lunchtime rush has passed anyway!