Author Topic: Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch 400  (Read 6556 times)

Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch 400
« on: 11 February, 2019, 03:23:17 pm »
I've just had a tot-up and I seem to have taken 62 entries already for this ride from Poynton (near Stockport) to Holyhead and back.  I will close entries at 90, so a timely response might secure you a place.

The title of the ride is a bit gratuitous because, although we go through that place twice, there isn't a control, and I could just as easily have called it the Rhyl 400.

quixoticgeek

  • Mostly Harmless
Re: Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch 400
« Reply #1 on: 11 February, 2019, 03:27:44 pm »

Is there a typo somewhere? Searching for "Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch" on the audax.uk site doesn't give me any results, either on the front page search bar, or the calendar page...

J
--
Beer, bikes, and backpacking
http://b.42q.eu/

Re: Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch 400
« Reply #2 on: 11 February, 2019, 03:32:38 pm »
It has extra spaces, presumably to not break the page layout:
http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/19-66/

Re: Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch 400
« Reply #3 on: 11 February, 2019, 04:03:45 pm »
Presumably the brevet cards for this event are more expensive to cover the extra ink involved  :D
https://creweandnantwichaudax.wordpress.com/ - See the Audax events I currently organise

www.milehousebarn.co.uk - Cycle Friendly B&B in Nantwich, Chehsire

quixoticgeek

  • Mostly Harmless
Re: Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch 400
« Reply #4 on: 11 February, 2019, 04:06:55 pm »
Presumably the brevet cards for this event are more expensive to cover the extra ink involved  :D

And printed on A3 paper? :p

J
--
Beer, bikes, and backpacking
http://b.42q.eu/

wilkyboy

  • "nick" by any other name
    • 16-inch wheels
Re: Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch 400
« Reply #5 on: 11 February, 2019, 07:28:46 pm »
It's a lovely ride, flatter than you'd think for Wales, although still with the option of a lovely 900-footer straight up from Flint to Halkyn, as well as more scenic ascent from Conwy up the Sychnant Pass.  I've ridden the western end several times as a 200km perm, but I also rode the full Llanfair P.G. calendar event in 2013:  https://www.16inchwheels.uk/2013/05/25/llanfairpg-2013/

A remarkably UNchallenging 400 for Wales, yet still with incredible views of the Clwydians, Snowdonia National Park, the Great Orme, and the hills either side.  In places it's like riding through Skegness, with all the static caravans, at others it's more like the Cambrians.  Oh, and Cheshire, of course  :thumbsup:

It's a lovely ride and I would definitely ride it again.  I would consider for as my PBP 400 qualifier, but that weekend I'm off into mid-Wales on the mountain bike.
Lockdown lethargy. RRTY: wot's that? Can't remember if I'm on #8 or #9 ...

Re: Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch 400
« Reply #6 on: 11 February, 2019, 10:18:43 pm »
I and a fellow rider who are doing a Pyrenees 8 day group event later in the year have just signed up and really looking forwards to it, and glad to read it's such a lovely ride Wilkyboy :)

Just wondering Delph Cyclist, about how many places are left as hopefully might be able to tempt a few others from the Challenge group to take part ? 

Re: Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch 400
« Reply #7 on: 12 February, 2019, 12:01:00 am »
I've ridden this twice - and both times it's been a headwind out along the sea front.

This year might be the time I head to the turn point via the hills ...

Re: Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch 400
« Reply #8 on: 12 February, 2019, 12:15:37 am »
I rode it in 2015 as a qualifier. Looking back, I see the wisdom in not trying to qualify this year.

https://youtu.be/kwTSO8OMaAk

Re: Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch 400
« Reply #9 on: 12 February, 2019, 11:29:07 pm »
I and a fellow rider who are doing a Pyrenees 8 day group event later in the year have just signed up and really looking forwards to it, and glad to read it's such a lovely ride Wilkyboy :)

Just wondering Delph Cyclist, about how many places are left as hopefully might be able to tempt a few others from the Challenge group to take part ?

It was 28 places when I started this topic, but it's only 17 now.

whosatthewheel

Re: Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch 400
« Reply #10 on: 13 February, 2019, 09:15:47 am »
Love the north coast of Wales, but I'll have to pass on this one, as I'm doing Brevet Cymru...

Why a 9 AM start if there are no overnight sleeping facilities?

Re: Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch 400
« Reply #11 on: 13 February, 2019, 10:04:07 am »
Why a 9 AM start if there are no overnight sleeping facilities?

I look for events which start long enough after a train arrives at a nearby station. On a 400 I'm not going to be getting any sleep that night anyway - 9am is a nice start time.

whosatthewheel

Re: Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch 400
« Reply #12 on: 13 February, 2019, 10:15:39 am »
Why a 9 AM start if there are no overnight sleeping facilities?

I look for events which start long enough after a train arrives at a nearby station. On a 400 I'm not going to be getting any sleep that night anyway - 9am is a nice start time.

good point

Paul

  • L'enfer, c'est les autos.
Re: Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch 400
« Reply #13 on: 13 February, 2019, 03:04:35 pm »
It has extra spaces, presumably to not break the page layout:
http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/19-66/
Which the title of this thread hasn’t got, which explains why the ‘while you were away ‘ page keeps going wonky on me!
 ;D
What's so funny about peace, love and understanding?

Re: Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch 400
« Reply #14 on: 14 February, 2019, 08:41:53 pm »
Love the north coast of Wales, but I'll have to pass on this one, as I'm doing Brevet Cymru...

Why a 9 AM start if there are no overnight sleeping facilities?

It's a fair question.  I more logical start would have been midday but that doesn't work for this ride.  Riders will need to reach the café control on Anglesey before it closes, even though they are staying open late for us.  The return from Holyhead along the North Wales coast cries out to be an overnight section as the navigation is easy, the roads quiet, and with street lights for some of it.  Riders need to be through Queensferry before traffic becomes too busy.

Actually, there are sleep facilities for this ride, but they are at the finish.  I have a church hall booked from midnight for early finishers and I dare say there will be some air beds available.  We have to be out by 9am - it's a church hall after all and it's Sunday.

For anyone planning on riding PBP, where riding through the first night without sleep could be a useful tactic, a 400 without sleep could be good experience.

But that's how I've set the ride up, and for those that it doesn't suit, other 400s are available.

Re: Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch 400
« Reply #15 on: 14 February, 2019, 08:43:56 pm »
It has extra spaces, presumably to not break the page layout:
http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/19-66/
Which the title of this thread hasn’t got, which explains why the ‘while you were away ‘ page keeps going wonky on me!
 ;D

The full title (no spaces) has the odd quirk of having four consecutive "L"s

quixoticgeek

  • Mostly Harmless
Re: Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch 400
« Reply #16 on: 14 February, 2019, 09:17:34 pm »
Actually, there are sleep facilities for this ride, but they are at the finish.  I have a church hall booked from midnight for early finishers and I dare say there will be some air beds available.  We have to be out by 9am - it's a church hall after all and it's Sunday.

How does that work for full value riders? A 0900 start on a 400km BRM should mean a 1200 finish the next day?

J
--
Beer, bikes, and backpacking
http://b.42q.eu/

Re: Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch 400
« Reply #17 on: 14 February, 2019, 09:38:46 pm »
Actually, there are sleep facilities for this ride, but they are at the finish.  I have a church hall booked from midnight for early finishers and I dare say there will be some air beds available.  We have to be out by 9am - it's a church hall after all and it's Sunday.

How does that work for full value riders? A 0900 start on a 400km BRM should mean a 1200 finish the next day?

J

By 9am the cafe is open. That's where we ended up last time.

Re: Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch 400
« Reply #18 on: 15 February, 2019, 08:40:18 am »
Actually, there are sleep facilities for this ride, but they are at the finish.  I have a church hall booked from midnight for early finishers and I dare say there will be some air beds available.  We have to be out by 9am - it's a church hall after all and it's Sunday.

How does that work for full value riders? A 0900 start on a 400km BRM should mean a 1200 finish the next day?

J

By 9am the cafe is open. That's where we ended up last time.

Indeed, that is the plan.  We think of everyone.

There are a number of factors to be balanced to produce a successful event, and you just hope that the resulting compromise satisfies enough riders to make it worth while.  I generally end up with a ride that I would like to participate in, although ironically I'm not free to do so on the day of course.  That's why there isn't a huge AAA points total, I leave those events for other Organisers.

quixoticgeek

  • Mostly Harmless
Re: Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch 400
« Reply #19 on: 15 February, 2019, 12:12:54 pm »
Indeed, that is the plan.  We think of everyone.

Gotcha. I'm getting used to the Arrivé on rides, esp 300's moving as the bar/cafe it is supposed to be in closes. On one 300, I was over 19 hours total time, when I got to what I thought was the moved Arrive, had to spend about 10mins cycling round trying to find it before eventually calling. Turned out I was 2 streets out. That was a tough ride, hadn't expected the plague of frogs...

Quote
There are a number of factors to be balanced to produce a successful event, and you just hope that the resulting compromise satisfies enough riders to make it worth while.  I generally end up with a ride that I would like to participate in, although ironically I'm not free to do so on the day of course.  That's why there isn't a huge AAA points total, I leave those events for other Organisers.

Yeah, planning a ride, is hard, I'm in awe of anyone who can pull it off. Am watching with interest the many threads about organising. I'm hoping to assist one of the Dutch organisers with an event in 2020.

J
--
Beer, bikes, and backpacking
http://b.42q.eu/

Phil W

Re: Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch 400
« Reply #20 on: 15 February, 2019, 02:44:27 pm »
Actually, there are sleep facilities for this ride, but they are at the finish.  I have a church hall booked from midnight for early finishers and I dare say there will be some air beds available.  We have to be out by 9am - it's a church hall after all and it's Sunday.

How does that work for full value riders? A 0900 start on a 400km BRM should mean a 1200 finish the next day?

J

There is a Travelodge not far down the road if you are full value and need a post ride sleep.  Early checkin is usually around 12:00. Otherwise it is not too far to a railway station and sleep / doze on the train home.

During the ride a doze on the long bench seats at Abegele services often does the trick.

The Solo Socialist

  • Age Is Just A Number Just Wish By Body Agreed
  • Age but a number,which grows ever larger.
Re: Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch 400
« Reply #21 on: 21 February, 2019, 05:47:00 pm »
I'm in B & B booked, only train to sort now. First 400, longest ride on fixed :D
Boots an Spurs

wilkyboy

  • "nick" by any other name
    • 16-inch wheels
Re: Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch 400
« Reply #22 on: 21 February, 2019, 06:11:57 pm »
It has extra spaces, presumably to not break the page layout:
http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/19-66/
Which the title of this thread hasn’t got, which explains why the ‘while you were away ‘ page keeps going wonky on me!
 ;D

The full title (no spaces) has the odd quirk of having four consecutive "L"s

Which are actually two letters of the Welsh alphabet next to each other — LL is a "letter" in the Welsh "orthography", forming an odd sound by blowing air around the sides of the tongue, while the tip's pressed against the roof of the mouth.  I recalled this from my Welsh lessons when I was very young, but I still had to look it up to make sure I hadn't misremembered.
Lockdown lethargy. RRTY: wot's that? Can't remember if I'm on #8 or #9 ...

wilkyboy

  • "nick" by any other name
    • 16-inch wheels
Re: Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch 400
« Reply #23 on: 21 February, 2019, 06:14:23 pm »
I'm in B & B booked, only train to sort now. First 400, longest ride on fixed :D

You'll be fine.  But you might have to walk up to Halkyn.  It's worth it, though  :thumbsup:
Lockdown lethargy. RRTY: wot's that? Can't remember if I'm on #8 or #9 ...

The Solo Socialist

  • Age Is Just A Number Just Wish By Body Agreed
  • Age but a number,which grows ever larger.
Re: Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch 400
« Reply #24 on: 21 February, 2019, 10:45:10 pm »
Thanks Wilkyboy, sort of looking forward to it. What gearing do you suggest currently running 63" , more on the premis of what I did back in the sixties.
Boots an Spurs