Yet Another Cycling Forum

General Category => Audax => Topic started by: LiamFitz on 18 September, 2016, 05:00:49 pm

Title: London-Wales-London
Post by: LiamFitz on 18 September, 2016, 05:00:49 pm
In case anyone gets confused, Severn Across in 2017 gets a bit of a facelift - slightly better controls at Chepstow and Tambourin (no more kipping in Membury Services).

Hopefully, I'll have a groovy website soon as well.

Thanks for all the offers of nice photos... I have a couple I'm going to use on the website

Liam
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Frank9755 on 18 September, 2016, 05:47:37 pm
Tambourin...?  Looks like quite a change!
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Tambourin,+33490,+France/@44.5702621,-0.7820188,9z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0xd556e74e68348a1:0xb4faf8694adcf077!8m2!3d44.570264!4d-0.221716 (https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Tambourin,+33490,+France/@44.5702621,-0.7820188,9z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0xd556e74e68348a1:0xb4faf8694adcf077!8m2!3d44.570264!4d-0.221716)
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Ian H on 18 September, 2016, 07:12:14 pm
Chalfont-Chepstow-Chalfont?
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: LiamFitz on 18 September, 2016, 08:23:31 pm
Tambourin...?  Looks like quite a change!
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Tambourin,+33490,+France/@44.5702621,-0.7820188,9z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0xd556e74e68348a1:0xb4faf8694adcf077!8m2!3d44.570264!4d-0.221716 (https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Tambourin,+33490,+France/@44.5702621,-0.7820188,9z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0xd556e74e68348a1:0xb4faf8694adcf077!8m2!3d44.570264!4d-0.221716)

Fat fingers!!!  Lambourn
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: LiamFitz on 18 September, 2016, 08:24:59 pm
Chalfont-Chepstow-Chalfont?

Anything ACP can do ...
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Martin on 18 September, 2016, 08:42:42 pm
+1 for London-Wales-London; most peeps don't have a clue where Chalfont or indeed Chepstow are; all the times I've done the ride I've answered those who asked where I rode at the weekend with "to Wales and back"
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: hellymedic on 18 September, 2016, 09:11:48 pm
Chalfont is unfortunate in rhyming slang...  ;) ;D
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Ian H on 18 September, 2016, 09:31:26 pm
Chalfont is unfortunate in rhyming slang...  ;) ;D

St Peter?!?

;)

Perhaps appropriate to long hours in the saddle...

    ...but back to the subject.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Redlight on 23 September, 2016, 07:09:51 pm
£23?  Presumably the upgraded controls are catered?
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Graeme on 23 September, 2016, 10:45:24 pm
I'm in. It turned up in my Twitter feed and prompted me to book the time off work. I've wanted to do the Severn Across for ages, but rebranding as London Wales London in the LEL year is genius.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: mattc on 24 September, 2016, 09:00:43 am
£23?  Presumably the upgraded controls are catered?
There is a strong hint that the Lambourn-Tambourin control is a sleep haven. I'm pretty confident in assuming that there will be food there too.

The finish has always been fully catered with usable sleep facilities, so you get quite a lot for your money (even though it seems expensive compared to a few utter bargains available in the calendar!) There have been less cheap 400s involving wales+England in recent years.

No doubt Fitzy will be along to correct me if wrong ...
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: LiamFitz on 24 September, 2016, 12:52:04 pm
£23?  Presumably the upgraded controls are catered?

A fair question!  I had hoped my funky website would be live by now but my web designer (AKA my daughter) has taken a job overseas....

The revised version is as MattC suggested with feeds at start and finish, outside Chepstow and during the night. Bookings already coming in which, as a member of the last minute club, always amazes me!


Liam
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Redlight on 24 September, 2016, 02:32:58 pm
The revised version is as MattC suggested with feeds at start and finish, outside Chepstow and during the night. Bookings already coming in

Sounds good. Severn Across was always a good route but the catering options in Chepstow were somewhat uninspiring if you didn't have enough time in hand for a sit-down meal.  ISTR trying to get through the next section on a tuna sandwich and chocolate milk shake from the Tesco garage  :sick:

Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: LiamFitz on 24 September, 2016, 06:18:06 pm
TBH my main concern was the control at Membury services.  It's fine on the Dean but doesn't quite cut it for a longer ride where some people need a few zzzz.  Mr Iddu and assorted folk from this parish are possibly going to do something more suitable.... details to be nailed down but the aim is to make it a bit more accessible to the less hardcore amongst us.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Wycombewheeler on 24 September, 2016, 09:09:55 pm
TBH my main concern was the control at Membury services.  It's fine on the Dean but doesn't quite cut it for a longer ride where some people need a few zzzz.  Mr Iddu and assorted folk from this parish are possibly going to do something more suitable.... details to be nailed down but the aim is to make it a bit more accessible to the less hardcore amongst us.

so true, I think I was about average in the field, but I found the food outlets closing down when I was at Membury. On the Dean at an earlier arrival time, no problem.

sleep on a 400 seems like a difficult call though, the fatser riders, can finish without sleep, and the slower riders probably don't get much time for sleep, so you're looking a relatively small group.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: mattc on 25 September, 2016, 12:14:11 pm

sleep on a 400 seems like a difficult call though, the fatser riders, can finish without sleep, and the slower riders probably don't get much time for sleep, so you're looking a relatively small group.
The sleep stop is very popular on the Brevet Cymru, even if less than half the riders actually sleep there.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 25 September, 2016, 12:49:04 pm

sleep on a 400 seems like a difficult call though, the fatser riders, can finish without sleep, and the slower riders probably don't get much time for sleep, so you're looking a relatively small group.
The sleep stop is very popular on the Brevet Cymru, even if less than half the riders actually sleep there.

Even though I am usually a fatser rider (that's getting very true after a week stuck in Sao Paulo) I would very much have appreciated a sleep stop on last year's Severn Across.  I'd had a lets-crash-the-air-traffic-control-systems and get you back to Heathrow at midnight Thursday/Friday week and by the time it got to 10pm I had to pull off the A4 and sit in a hotel lobby with a coffee and closed eyes for a while before I could continue.  If circumstances repeated a kip in Lambourn would be Tony-the-Tiger grrrrrrreat.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: LiamFitz on 26 September, 2016, 08:27:58 am
Thanks to Bigwheelsandsmall and The Sloth for the images...  the London Wales London website is live... www.londonwaleslondon.com

Liam
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: jsabine on 26 September, 2016, 08:45:44 am
A slow pedant queries the front page's claim of a 26 hour time limit - his friend Shirley reckons it's really 27.

Nice work on the site, mind - has me reaching for next year's diary.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Redlight on 26 September, 2016, 08:47:48 am
Thanks to Bigwheelsandsmall and The Sloth for the images...  the London Wales London website is live... www.londonwaleslondon.com

Liam

Very professional (as would be expected, of course)... but can I point out the small typo on the home page:

"The next section takes you to the challenge of Yat Rock before a fast decent into Chepstow and, at 218 km, Wales."

I'll get my anorak.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: LiamFitz on 26 September, 2016, 08:59:21 am

[/quote]

Very professional (as would be expected, of course)... but can I point out the small typo on the home page:

"The next section takes you to the challenge of Yat Rock before a fast decent into Chepstow and, at 218 km, Wales."

I'll get my anorak.
[/quote]

Ah hem.... it comes as a relief that this is the only one!  I blame my daughter who has abandoned me to work overseas, otherwise the site would have been beautifully checked!

Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: LiamFitz on 26 September, 2016, 09:01:15 am
BTW - what do you think of the photography?  I particularly like the images on the "Audax" and "Training" pages!
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 26 September, 2016, 09:08:14 am
Worthwhile website

Pedant's corner
Shirley is correct - 27 hour limit for 400 BRM.
HK has provided some photos.
What to bring mentions 'outer tubes', rather than tyres.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: LiamFitz on 26 September, 2016, 09:12:53 am
Pedant's corner
Shirley is correct - 27 hour limit for 400 BRM
HK has provided some photos.

Thanks - have amended!

(Plus thanks for not mentioning my typo above LittleW)
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: mattc on 26 September, 2016, 09:15:01 am

Quote

Very professional (as would be expected, of course)... but can I point out the small typo on the home page:

"The next section takes you to the challenge of Yat Rock before a fast decent into Chepstow and, at 218 km, Wales."

I'll get my anorak.

Ah hem.... it comes as a relief that this is the only one!  I blame my daughter who has abandoned me to work overseas, otherwise the site would have been beautifully checked!
While we're here ... I'm guessing from the precision of that statement, you've checked that we do indeed stray briefly into Wales. I've always wondered if the Dean/7Across route does; I don't think there's a border sign, and it's very unclear on most maps I've looked at. (I've never paid a toll, or had my passport checked either).
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Greenbank on 26 September, 2016, 09:40:01 am
The River Wye is the border from the Severn Estuary up to Redbrook (a few miles South of Monmouth), so both rides definitely go into Wales.

From memory there's no "Croeso i Gymru" sign coming over the old Bridge, only a sign for Monmouthshire.
Title: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: citoyen on 26 September, 2016, 09:41:56 am
I believe the border follows the River Wye between Chepstow and Hay, so you enter Wales when you cross the bridge into Chepstow. And then leave it via the Severn bridge.

(ETA: cross posted with Greenbank)
Title: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: citoyen on 26 September, 2016, 09:45:40 am
Very tempted to enter this. Last time I found myself suffering on the final leg due to not being dressed for the cold - was almost falling asleep on the bike but didn't want to stop and risk hypothermia.

Having a nicer stop than Membury and the possibility of a short nap might make for a much happier experience (that and remembering that it does get properly cold at night in May and dressing accordingly).
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: BlackSheep on 26 September, 2016, 10:13:48 am
I believe the border follows the River Wye between Chepstow and Hay, so you enter Wales when you cross the bridge into Chepstow. And then leave it via the Severn bridge. .......

Not quite true, if it were the case, a large proportion of Herefordshire would be annexed out of England.

Agreed, crossing the old bridge into Chepstow and later crossing the M48 bridge you traverse from England to Wales and back.

The river does form the border upstream from Chepstow  to just north of Redbrook.. From there  the border runs well to the east of the river  If you follow the Monmouth to Hay road B4233 North out of Monmouth, you will cross the wales/England border a few times.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Ivan on 26 September, 2016, 12:51:47 pm
There's an England sign looking back from the old bridge...
(https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/12495247_977693272319017_6908123032059910456_n.jpg?oh=d06fe699854e38e9891df4fccaabff4b&oe=58602214)
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: citoyen on 26 September, 2016, 12:59:32 pm
Not quite true, if it were the case, a large proportion of Herefordshire would be annexed out of England.

I wouldn't put it past the Welsh!
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: zigzag on 26 September, 2016, 06:40:49 pm
BTW - what do you think of the photography?  I particularly like the images on the "Audax" and "Training" pages!

love the "what is an audax" one, for the scenery and for my own bum shot :) (i took a few photos (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=87222.msg1859540#msg1859540) as well on that ride, could dig out some more)
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Wycombewheeler on 26 September, 2016, 09:18:26 pm

While we're here ... I'm guessing from the precision of that statement, you've checked that we do indeed stray briefly into Wales. I've always wondered if the Dean/7Across route does; I don't think there's a border sign, and it's very unclear on most maps I've looked at. (I've never paid a toll, or had my passport checked either).

there is a sign where the wye valley road meets the M48, but as you are going in the opposite direction you might not notice, but you should definitely have noticed the welcome to England sign.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Tewdric on 26 September, 2016, 09:19:17 pm
Where is the Chepstow control?  If I'm free I'll volunteer to staff it with a few spares and tools available.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Greenbank on 27 September, 2016, 09:45:27 am
Don't think there's a specific control. In previous years it's has just been a receipt from anywhere in Chepstow (I've usually gone to the Tesco).
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: LiamFitz on 27 September, 2016, 09:54:33 am
Don't think there's a specific control. In previous years it's has just been a receipt from anywhere in Chepstow (I've usually gone to the Tesco).

There will be a control - most likely at the Toast cafe in Tutshill which will include some nosh.  I've always felt that the Tesco in Chepstow was a bit of an anticlimax after slogging all the way to Chepstow; its been one of the upgrades I've wanted to make for a while..

Liam

Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: citoyen on 27 September, 2016, 10:25:18 am
There will be a control - most likely at the Toast cafe in Tutshill which will include some nosh.  I've always felt that the Tesco in Chepstow was a bit of an anticlimax after slogging all the way to Chepstow; its been one of the upgrades I've wanted to make for a while..

Pffft. If there's no opportunity to try and get some kip in a bus shelter in the pouring rain at 2am, it's not a proper audax.

 ;)
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Greenbank on 27 September, 2016, 10:28:34 am
Excellent, that's a nice upgrade.

Pffft. If there's no opportunity to try and get some kip in a bus shelter in the pouring rain at 2am, it's not a proper audax.

If you're still in Chepstow at 2am you've got other problems.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: citoyen on 27 September, 2016, 10:58:58 am
If you're still in Chepstow at 2am you've got other problems.

Last time I did the SA I got lost in the pitch black country lanes towards the end, so you never know...
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Frank9755 on 27 September, 2016, 04:29:38 pm
I generally went to the small Tesco in Bulwark which avoided two passes of the lights by the main Tesco, and was smaller so a bit quicker all round. 

As discussed on the other thread, making it a free control in Chepstow, rather than specifying a cafe, would be appreciated!
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: mattc on 27 September, 2016, 04:38:05 pm
I generally went to the small Tesco in Bulwark which avoided two passes of the lights by the main Tesco, and was smaller so a bit quicker all round. 

As discussed on the other thread, making it a free control in Chepstow, rather than specifying a cafe, would be appreciated!
Also saves climbing that 'orrible busy road on a full stomach.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: marcusjb on 27 September, 2016, 05:01:03 pm
I've always used the Severn View services to control at - burger and coffee is enough to fuel an MJB through the early part of the night!

But a proper control instead of Membury would be a massive boost.  I've always had a little kip and warmed up at Membury before finishing the job off in the morning, but that's fine if it's just one of you routechecking, but I am sure the services are not so happy about dozens of audaxers having a kip on the event?!?
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: SoreTween on 27 September, 2016, 05:03:48 pm
Also saves climbing that 'orrible busy road on a full stomach.  :thumbsup:
Don't use the 'orrible hill, ncn42 is perfectly passable on the skinniest of tyres even at concrete pressures.
Also, Sultans cafe in bollock is recommended.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: marcusjb on 27 September, 2016, 05:08:18 pm
Also, Sultans cafe in bollock is recommended.

 ;D ;D ;D ;D best typo in a while!
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: mattc on 27 September, 2016, 06:13:48 pm
Also saves climbing that 'orrible busy road on a full stomach.  :thumbsup:
Don't use the 'orrible hill, ncn42 is perfectly passable on the skinniest of tyres even at concrete pressures.
Also, Sultans cafe in bollock is recommended.
It was probably 5 years ago now, but - having done much tedious research to find the thing - I found the NCN to be a pain in the boll**ks. Of course even NCNs get occasionally resurfaced. Or so I hear.

(And anyway, why are you telling ME this and NOW - the 'orrible 'ill has been the official route on this event and The Dean for about a 1000 years. And you still have to do a climb on a full stomach! )

I shall look out for Sultans if I'm headed for the Bulwark Tesco Express, ta!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Phil W on 27 September, 2016, 07:27:18 pm
  I've always had a little kip and warmed up at Membury before finishing the job off in the morning, but that's fine if it's just one of you routechecking, but I am sure the services are not so happy about dozens of audaxers having a kip on the event?!?

The area out the back of the garage by the toilet doors is heated at night. A few sleep there.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Phil W on 27 September, 2016, 07:30:21 pm
Bulwalk Chinese take away provided me with a fork and seat to eat indoors when I rode the event in 2013.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: NeilP on 02 October, 2016, 08:55:10 am
Rode and finished my first 300 this year and this one is looking seriously tempting. Just re-joined AUK after a few years out and it's on "My Calendar" now. As someone who generally does 10 and 25 mile TTs this distance is quite daunting!!
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Wycombewheeler on 02 October, 2016, 01:12:00 pm
Is the intention to make the start later with the sleep control. Because a 9am finish would mean leaving Lambourn at 4am at the latest.  Continuing riding as it gets dark seems easier than getting up and starting in yhe dark.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: LiamFitz on 02 October, 2016, 03:58:00 pm
On a 400 I believe that most riders don't actually sleep.  The idea is that by having a control which isn't a service centre people can relax a bit more and those who want to catch 30 minutes shut-eye can do so without having a coachload of pensioners from Swansea milling around them!
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: mattc on 02 October, 2016, 04:45:14 pm
4am "re-start" is fine; you know it will be light pretty soon, and get to see the dawn - surely the one USP of a 400km event!

Many of us aim for pre-dawn starts on the 3-5 day events. (not always feasible, but, hey ... )
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: citoyen on 03 October, 2016, 01:19:23 pm
For a 400 with a 6am start, I would aim to ride through without a sleep stop.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Redlight on 03 October, 2016, 02:30:01 pm
For a 400 with a 6am start, I would aim to ride through without a sleep stop.

Agreed. I like to ride through then have a couple of hours' kip before setting off for home. Although I came to regret it the first time I rode Severn Across.  After a few teas at the finish, I climbed into my sleeping bag in the back of the car (an estate with the seats down) and dozed off, only to be awoken by the sound of smashing glass and the sight of people peering through the windows. 

I hadn't noticed, on arrival at the leisure centre the previous morning, that I had parked right by the bottle recycling bins  :-[
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: LiamFitz on 03 October, 2016, 02:38:33 pm

[/quote]

... only to be awoken by the sound of smashing glass and the sight of people peering through the windows. 

[/quote]

That gave me quite a shock when I misread it
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: mattc on 03 October, 2016, 02:46:39 pm
Liam's already covered known rider behaviour:
On a 400 I believe that most riders don't actually sleep.  The idea is that by having a control which isn't a service centre people can relax a bit more and those who want to catch 30 minutes shut-eye can do so without having a coachload of pensioners from Swansea milling around them!

If you're not part of that "most", then please be aware that others are not all the same as you!
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: gustibus on 03 October, 2016, 03:44:33 pm
I've completed the "old" version of this ride a couple of times and enjoyed it a lot. I don't really mind the Tesco in Chepstow as it saved me a couple of years ago when I bought an elastic tube bandage thing for my knee. I wouldn't have finished otherwise.

However, getting rid of Membury is great news  :thumbsup:

Nice website by the way  ;D
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: LiamFitz on 04 December, 2016, 09:12:56 pm
So... the entries are rolling in (which is astonishing at this stage of the year) and have created a Facebook page to see what attention we can garner.

It's a bit empty at the moment but any happy memories from the ride in past years are very welcome.

Liam
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: mattc on 08 December, 2016, 01:21:33 pm
What about really f**king miserable memories?
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: LiamFitz on 08 December, 2016, 01:38:12 pm
Your riding companions are welcome to post as well
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Redlight on 08 December, 2016, 04:33:13 pm
 ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Wycombewheeler on 08 December, 2016, 07:19:06 pm
So... the entries are rolling in (which is astonishing at this stage of the year) and have created a Facebook page to see what attention we can garner.

It's a bit empty at the moment but any happy memories from the ride in past years are very welcome.

Liam
Do you have a link to the facebook page?
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: mattc on 08 December, 2016, 07:26:29 pm
Your riding companions are welcome to post as well
Oh touché.

This was my first 400. It went pretty well (much better than the 600), and I recall a lovely nap at Membury services. I tried to move a rope-barrier thingy to get to the really comfy chairs, but it set off an alarm. Much appreciated by the faster riders already asleep. 

(I still have no idea why the rope was booby-trapped.)
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: L CC on 08 December, 2016, 08:25:18 pm
This was also my first 400 (or do we count an arrow?)

I got heatstroke.1


1:Weather may be wet as well as too hot for the pasty-whites
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: LiamFitz on 08 December, 2016, 08:48:46 pm
So... the entries are rolling in (which is astonishing at this stage of the year) and have created a Facebook page to see what attention we can garner.

It's a bit empty at the moment but any happy memories from the ride in past years are very welcome.

Liam
Do you have a link to the facebook page?

https://www.facebook.com/LondonWalesLondon/
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: BobScarle on 15 December, 2016, 09:53:23 am
Well that's it. I've entered. This will be my first 400. I have ridden a couple of 300's and completed a 200 mile ride in October. Excited, nervous. I hope the weather is kind, not just on the day but before so I can get some training in.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: LiamFitz on 15 December, 2016, 10:05:03 am
It will be good to have you along.  Good weather is included in the entry fee (T&C apply)
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: LiamFitz on 17 December, 2016, 03:38:52 pm
Pip reminded me that he did a brill ride report from 2014 - https://stravaddict.wordpress.com/2014/05/12/478/ (https://stravaddict.wordpress.com/2014/05/12/478/) - he posted it on the Facebook page for the event but I thought I'd add a link here as well as it is a lovely read
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: JamieD on 17 December, 2016, 03:50:48 pm
It's a great write up and I have a question which I think others can answer.

How many of you carry a spare tyre in case of something like a split tyre?
What's your contingency plan if something like that happens?

On a 200 I'm pretty minimalist with two tubes, tyre levers, puncture repair kit, spare link, cable ties, multi tool and credit card. With the feeling that it's only a 200 and if I have a major mechanical and DNF it's probably better than carting around a massive toolbox/spares just in case.

Now as 400s are rarer I'm thinking I need to carry a bit more but don't really want to take the kitchen sink with me. Any suggestions/advice?
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Wycombewheeler on 17 December, 2016, 04:10:09 pm
that sounds pretty well prepared to me. I have seen people with spare tyres. But in all my years I have never needed more than a tube. if the worst happens DNF is not the end of the world. It's only a bike ride after all.

I think I'd be more likely to carry spare cables before a tyre or spare spokes even. As I have had spokes snap on a ride, but I've never had a tyre failure. I saw one, but it was caused by brake blocks rubbing on the side wall, proper bike set up should prevent that.

over and above a 200 I'd just be looking at extra clothing/lighting.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Somnolent on 17 December, 2016, 06:01:19 pm
... but I've never had a tyre failure. I saw one, but it was caused by brake blocks rubbing on the side wall, proper bike set up should prevent that.

That's what I thought... until Mrs S suffered a sudden and completely unexplained blow-out on the way into Abergavenny on a Blacksheep 600.  We have warded off any repeats by carrying a spare ever since.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: LiamFitz on 17 December, 2016, 07:56:08 pm
My experience is that you tend to carry the tools to fix a problem you've had in the past.  As time passes I have found myself more in need of carrying more and more kit.  I find it hard to leave home without spare links (broken chain on Severn Across in 2003), Spoke key (BCM 2010), Spare tyre (Tinsel and Lanes - various), gear cable (Poor Student 2016)...  I imagine Von Broad carries a full welding plant for most trips to the shops...
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Bunker22 on 18 December, 2016, 07:12:20 pm
I've just entered. I did a DIY 200 yesterday, the first in a long while, on my road to another LEL,  so I hope I am not writing (virtual) cheques my body can't cash. Still, something to aim for gives me focus. :thumbsup:

BTW: can anyone let me have an idea of the mainroad route back to arrivee, to avoid the laney nightime route from Membury? TIA.

Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: mattc on 18 December, 2016, 07:15:48 pm
My experience is that you tend to carry the tools to fix a problem you've had in the past.  As time passes I have found myself more in need of carrying more and more kit.  I find it hard to leave home without spare links (broken chain on Severn Across in 2003), Spoke key (BCM 2010), Spare tyre (Tinsel and Lanes - various), gear cable (Poor Student 2016)...  I imagine Von Broad carries a full welding plant for most trips to the shops...
I carry chain tool, spare links, gear cable and a spoke key because they are all things that others have needed, and carrying them has so far warded off such failures happening to me.

Clearly VB angered the gods by failing to carry his welding gear. I hope they never realise that I don't carry it either ...
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: LiamFitz on 18 December, 2016, 07:51:09 pm
I've just entered. I did a DIY 200 yesterday, the first in a long while, on my road to another LEL,  so I hope I am not writing (virtual) cheques my body can't cash. Still, something to aim for gives me focus. :thumbsup:

BTW: can anyone let me have an idea of the mainroad route back to arrivee, to avoid the laney nightime route from Membury? TIA.

Essentially its a case of picking up the A4 after the last control and bashing along . but the laney bit is actually the best bit of the whole ride IMHO
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Wycombewheeler on 18 December, 2016, 08:11:43 pm
I've just entered. I did a DIY 200 yesterday, the first in a long while, on my road to another LEL,  so I hope I am not writing (virtual) cheques my body can't cash. Still, something to aim for gives me focus. :thumbsup:

BTW: can anyone let me have an idea of the mainroad route back to arrivee, to avoid the laney nightime route from Membury? TIA.
from the crossroads between membury and lamboure take the Newbury turning. Then follow a4 to maidenhead (reading is awkward as I recall) the before crossing Thames take cookham turn cookham bourne end Wooburn green, to the a40 follow a40 to Gerrard Cross and drop down to chalfont st Peter from there.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Wycombewheeler on 18 December, 2016, 08:26:22 pm
I've just entered. I did a DIY 200 yesterday, the first in a long while, on my road to another LEL,  so I hope I am not writing (virtual) cheques my body can't cash. Still, something to aim for gives me focus. :thumbsup:

BTW: can anyone let me have an idea of the mainroad route back to arrivee, to avoid the laney nightime route from Membury? TIA.

Essentially its a case of picking up the A4 after the last control and bashing along . but the laney bit is actually the best bit of the whole ride IMHO
probably, but I just disn't fancy steep twisty descents in the cold, wet and dark. Not to mention navigation.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Bagman on 18 December, 2016, 09:45:32 pm

 My provisional roue for 2017:
https://www.strava.com/routes/4711001
In 2016 I stayed on the A4 until Slough.
Easier climb up to Gerrards Cross.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: iddu on 18 December, 2016, 10:05:04 pm
I've just entered. I did a DIY 200 yesterday, the first in a long while, on my road to another LEL,  so I hope I am not writing (virtual) cheques my body can't cash. Still, something to aim for gives me focus. :thumbsup:

BTW: can anyone let me have an idea of the mainroad route back to arrivee, to avoid the laney nightime route from Membury? TIA.
from the crossroads between membury and lamboure take the Newbury turning. Then follow a4 to maidenhead (reading is awkward as I recall) the before crossing Thames take cookham turn cookham bourne end Wooburn green, to the a40 follow a40 to Gerrard Cross and drop down to chalfont st Peter from there.

Be aware that won't work next year - control is not Membury, so you'll need to go down valley road to Newbury, or climb back up..
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Redlight on 18 December, 2016, 10:10:51 pm
if the worst happens DNF is not the end of the world.

Surely that depends on where it happens. A major mechanical fewer than 10 miles from a railway station or town with understanding minicab drivers is not much of a problem.  I wouldn't have fancied getting one up on the north coast of Scotland on last year's National 400.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Wycombewheeler on 18 December, 2016, 11:51:46 pm
if the worst happens DNF is not the end of the world.

Surely that depends on where it happens. A major mechanical fewer than 10 miles from a railway station or town with understanding minicab drivers is not much of a problem.  I wouldn't have fancied getting one up on the north coast of Scotland on last year's National 400.
This is very true. Living in the south I'm a bit complacent about never being more than 10 miles from civilisation. For the transcontinentail I would pack more supplies, this may also apply to north Scotland and Snowdonia.

Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: mattc on 19 December, 2016, 08:03:33 am
It is not "The End of The World" if your bike breaks down in the UK. Anywhere. I've ridden that north coast road twice in the dark, and at no point was I fearsome afraid (and I'm at the risk-averse end of AUK). Sure there is more risk than in Berkshire, but "End of the World"??

Get a grip people. Save the hyperbole for those "epic" sportives amusingly named after mythical creatures.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Somnolent on 19 December, 2016, 12:36:10 pm
Save the hyperbole for those "epic" sportives amusingly named after mythical creatures.

I'm going to keep draggin' that up....
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Bagman on 19 December, 2016, 02:08:27 pm
My revised 2017 route does go into Lambourn (don't know where the control is yet) instead of Membury.
In addition there is a 24hr MacDs at Theale (360km).  A welcome hot drink at 02:00 last year.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: JamieD on 19 December, 2016, 07:05:41 pm
It is not "The End of The World" if your bike breaks down in the UK.

I'm inclined to agree with you apart from recently in sub zero temperatures with the rain pouring down and being at the point where stopping for more than a few minutes had me shivering I thought "if I fall off and am incapacitated I'm in real trouble as no one is going to be driving along these roads".

I've got a phone and would have managed to get myself to safety (and was riding with another person) but it's times like that where the weather/cold could be dangerous that really focus the mind. Very similar to being up on the fells and have the clouds suddenly roll in and visibility vanishes.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: mattc on 20 December, 2016, 03:16:54 pm
It is not "The End of The World" if your bike breaks down in the UK.

I'm inclined to agree with you apart from recently in sub zero temperatures with the rain pouring down and being at the point where stopping for more than a few minutes had me shivering I thought "if I fall off and am incapacitated I'm in real trouble as no one is going to be driving along these roads".

I've got a phone and would have managed to get myself to safety (and was riding with another person) but it's times like that where the weather/cold could be dangerous that really focus the mind. Very similar to being up on the fells and have the clouds suddenly roll in and visibility vanishes.
Jamie is trying to trick me into saying:
"it won't be sub-zero and raining in May."

Nice try!
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: LiamFitz on 23 December, 2016, 03:04:58 pm
So the waiting list is now open.

Normally Audax entry fees are not refundable but if anyone drops out before March (and so enables me to give a place to someone on the waiting list) I'll return their entry fee (minus £3)...

Liam
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Neil C on 23 December, 2016, 04:57:03 pm
Oops! I had drafted out some plans for next year but didn't expect anything to fill up so soon.

Email sent to join waiting list.

Only four months to keep my fingers crossed for some half-decent weather.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Phil W on 23 December, 2016, 05:24:45 pm
So the waiting list is now open.

Normally Audax entry fees are not refundable but if anyone drops out before March (and so enables me to give a place to someone on the waiting list) I'll return their entry fee (minus £3)...

Liam

Good going, your rebranding and promotional efforts have proved their worth.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: LiamFitz on 23 December, 2016, 06:20:53 pm

[/quote]

Good going, your rebranding and promotional efforts have proved their worth.
[/quote]

Thanks - but I can't take the credit... I think it being LEL year has a lot to do with it!
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Phil W on 23 December, 2016, 07:09:03 pm

Quote

Good going, your rebranding and promotional efforts have proved their worth.

Thanks - but I can't take the credit... I think it being LEL year has a lot to do with it!

What you think a few might complain when they find out they weren't riding to Edinburgh and back? :facepalm: ;D
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Wycombewheeler on 23 December, 2016, 08:17:23 pm

Quote

Good going, your rebranding and promotional efforts have proved their worth.

Thanks - but I can't take the credit... I think it being LEL year has a lot to do with it!

What you think a few might complain when they find out they weren't riding to Edinburgh and back? :facepalm: ;D
No they probably just found the ride due to a search engine typo and thought Scotland and Wales in the same year was a good idea.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: LiamFitz on 24 December, 2016, 08:59:40 am

[/quote]

What you think a few might complain when they find out they weren't riding to Edinburgh and back? :facepalm: ;D
[/quote]

Who knows - the quality of my GPS files has attracted comment in the past...
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: LiamFitz on 04 January, 2017, 09:12:09 pm
With 35 people on the waiting list I've stopped taking names.  If I get more than 35 cancellations I'll post on here to let people know.

If people  still want to be involved in the LWL fun I'd welcome any help... and supporters get to do the helpers'  barebones ride the following weekend.

We need helpers:

- at the start from 0400 on the Saturday morning for 3 hours
- checking in riders at the Woodstock control from around 0800 until about 1030
- checking in riders at the Chepstow control from lunchtime to early evening
- helping out at Lambourn control from early evening to the small hours


If you are interested in helping out dm me

Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: alfapete on 05 January, 2017, 08:13:49 pm
We need helpers:

- checking in riders at the Chepstow control from lunchtime to early evening

If you are interested in helping out dm me

Have dm'd you
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: LiamFitz on 06 January, 2017, 07:49:36 am
Out of interest, how many starters are there?

(I'm one of them ... and a bit nervous about the whole thing).

Always hard to say as you never know until after the start how many no shows you are going to have.  The weather seems to be a big factor!  However, I'm planning on ordering 100 Brevet cards.

Liam
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Graeme on 05 March, 2017, 09:33:40 pm
Sadly I'm having to drop out of this. My wife has something to do which has priority for the Sunday and I can't get back from the south to the north in time - certainly not after a 400. After wanting to do the Severn Across for many years, and being really excited about the rebranding I'm rather gutted to have to drop out.

I have a non-refundable Premier Inn at Beaconsfield for £39. I don't know if it is possible to let someone else have this - that is if someone was interested.

If there is a waiting list then I hope my loss is someone else's gain.

(Sorry Liam.)
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: BobScarle on 05 March, 2017, 10:46:24 pm
I too am considering dropping out. I rode a 200 yesterday and struggled badly. I am questioning my ability to complete a 400.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Graeme on 06 March, 2017, 09:01:35 am
I too am considering dropping out. I rode a 200 yesterday and struggled badly. I am questioning my ability to complete a 400.

Past performance is not a guide to future performance. The value feeling of the investment audaxer and the income deriving from it distances covered can go down as well up. :)

I rode a 100 last week (route checking) and was shattered by the end, but I still have plans for LEL. Come the last weekend in April, the weather may be warmer and you may find the ride easier - possibly even easier than an early March 200. I don't know if you knew all this... If you are only suffering from doubts then I'd encourage you to try anyway. You may surprise yourself. :)
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Wycombewheeler on 06 March, 2017, 09:22:03 am
I too am considering dropping out. I rode a 200 yesterday and struggled badly. I am questioning my ability to complete a 400.

Past performance is not a guide to future performance. The value feeling of the investment audaxer and the income deriving from it distances covered can go down as well up. :)

I rode a 100 last week (route checking) and was shattered by the end, but I still have plans for LEL. Come the last weekend in April, the weather may be warmer and you may find the ride easier - possibly even easier than an early March 200. I don't know if you knew all this... If you are only suffering from doubts then I'd encourage you to try anyway. You may surprise yourself. :)
So true, also the fact the 200 was hard means it should provide fitness benefits. Calory intake coukd also be a factor.

Lastly your chances of finishing are 100% lower if you don't start.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: LiamFitz on 06 March, 2017, 09:26:13 am
I too am considering dropping out. I rode a 200 yesterday and struggled badly. I am questioning my ability to complete a 400.

Hang on in there - get a nice 300 under your belt (manotea's 3 Down is a nice option) and you'll be fine!

But don't forget to let me know by email if you drop out (I may not see messages on here).  However, I expect to see you in your finest fettle on the start line!

Liam
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: BobScarle on 06 March, 2017, 09:59:42 am
Thank you for the encouragement. I did struggle but I do have a few more rides planned, including a 200 mile (>300Km) in early April. I hope to be on the start line but I also have to be honest with myself.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: citoyen on 06 March, 2017, 10:23:17 am
I've done 2x 200 so far this year and struggled on both of them. But LWL is still nearly two months away...
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: TigaSefi on 06 March, 2017, 10:49:19 am
Thank you for the encouragement. I did struggle but I do have a few more rides planned, including a 200 mile (>300Km) in early April. I hope to be on the start line but I also have to be honest with myself.

Stick with doing it. You may have had a hard 200 just gone but the weather will/should be better by the time 400 comes round. Do some more 100/200km training rides in the meantime and you’ll be fitter in no time.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Graeme on 06 March, 2017, 10:59:00 am
Thank you for the encouragement. I did struggle but I do have a few more rides planned, including a 200 mile (>300Km) in early April. I hope to be on the start line but I also have to be honest with myself.

You can wiggle... but we'll keep encouraging you.
 ;D
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: citoyen on 06 March, 2017, 12:14:20 pm
the weather will/should be better by the time 400 comes round

Worth remembering that even if it's nice during the day, in late April it will still get very cold after dark, so remember to pack extra layers for the latter stages of the ride.

This is a lesson I learned the hard way last time I did the Severn Across.

However, if you've done a few winter 200s, your body at least should be more than adequately prepared for riding in the cold.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Wycombewheeler on 06 March, 2017, 04:53:06 pm
the weather will/should be better by the time 400 comes round

Worth remembering that even if it's nice during the day, in late April it will still get very cold after dark, so remember to pack extra layers for the latter stages of the ride.

This is a lesson I learned the hard way last time I did the Severn Across.

However, if you've done a few winter 200s, your body at least should be more than adequately prepared for riding in the cold.
+1
I was surprised how much colder it was at 1am than at the 6am start. Main problem was not having a warmer pair of gloves for the finish.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Vince on 06 March, 2017, 05:32:54 pm
We need helpers:

- checking in riders at the Chepstow control from lunchtime to early evening

If you are interested in helping out dm me

Have dm'd you
Want some company?
I need some practice before LEL
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: hippy on 14 March, 2017, 01:53:10 pm
I've ridden the Severn Across before but I'm not able to ride the LWL event.
Is there an official 2017 route that I could ride as a DIY and give orgs feedback on if they need it?
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: LiamFitz on 14 March, 2017, 07:51:56 pm
PM you
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: hippy on 14 March, 2017, 09:23:17 pm
PM you

Emailed you :)
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: BobScarle on 30 March, 2017, 01:09:23 pm
Still nervous about this. Still planning on doing it though. Quick question. Does anybody miss out the climb to Yat Rock? There is a route, couple of Km longer and a steadier climb.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: mattc on 30 March, 2017, 01:40:48 pm
Still nervous about this. Still planning on doing it though. Quick question. Does anybody miss out the climb to Yat Rock? There is a route, couple of Km longer and a steadier climb.
yes, in fact I think it used to be an option on the route-sheet!

(Yat Rock is worth seeing - and it's not bonker's hard.)
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Bagman on 30 March, 2017, 02:34:21 pm
I did the alternative route last year - wider road but still a slog and longer.
Going for Yat route this year. I can then tick off another 100 best climbs
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: citoyen on 30 March, 2017, 02:52:54 pm
Symonds Yat is a lovely climb! Definitely one of the highlights of the route for me. Don't miss it out, even if you have to walk part of it. It's only the last part that's really steep.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Wycombewheeler on 30 March, 2017, 03:24:28 pm
I did yat rock last year. Don't think it was significantly worse than the Somerset monument climb.

hardest thing about the ride I found was not seeing another rider from Malmesbury to the finish. This year I'll try and find someone to ride with around chepstow.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: LiamFitz on 30 March, 2017, 04:31:33 pm
The route on an audax is only advisory and as long as you control at Walford and Tutshill you're free to choose your own route.  Avoiding the rock is easy but you still have to make the same height and it's a bit of a slog.  I'm popping out on monday and will probably walk up the rock (unless, like the last time I did it, I can't unclip before it's too late).

Also, we have a nice stop at Lambourn this year staffed by Iddu and Assassin so there should be loads of opportunity to buddy up for the rest of the night unless you are pathologically dull (but that probably rules most of us out...)

Liam
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: BobScarle on 08 April, 2017, 09:33:09 am
After bonking on a DIY 300 on Thursday I have decided that my fitness is just not up to the job. I need to work out why I have struggled on the past few rides and what caused me to grind to a halt on the 300. I have made the very painful decision to pull out.

Liam, YHM.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: LiamFitz on 08 April, 2017, 11:44:27 am
Sorry to hear that - hopefully things will have improved for next year.

This week I pottered down to see my mum in Devon by way of Chepstow and discovered a few anomalies on the GPX which I'll have to fix before Marcus JB does his normally incredibly thorough route check.

I have to say that doing it as a 2 two hundreds on sunny Spring days with time to enjoy the scenery makes me feel incredibly lucky!  The section after Lambourn is stunning and the countryside around Tewkesbury made me stop and listen to the birds a couple of times

L
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: JamieD on 08 April, 2017, 12:05:57 pm
I'm cycling to and from Kingston to Wooton this easter weekend and would be able to route check parts of the route.

This is the route I'm planning taking but I'd be happy to change it to help out

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/20113620
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: LiamFitz on 08 April, 2017, 02:38:37 pm
Have PM'd you
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: hippy on 09 April, 2017, 12:00:57 pm
Rode the route yesterday as a DIY (thanks Liam) and passed on a couple of issues with the GPS.
Have to say, it was a lovely ride. Weather was good (save for being underdressed at -3degC o'clock) and the roads were generally better than most of the AAA routes I've been doing.
Dappled light can hide some potholes in the Cotswolds but generally pretty good compared to normal.
So yeah, really good ride, even without having the 'controls'.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: LiamFitz on 12 April, 2017, 04:23:57 pm
So I have updated the event website with a full fat gps route -
https://londonwaleslondon.com/route/ (https://londonwaleslondon.com/route/)

I have included the kitchen sink in there so that anyone can download it and adapt it how they like to suit whatever type of device they have.

Entrants will get the written route sheet after Easter...

I hope this weather stays with us for a few more weeks!
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 12 April, 2017, 04:28:00 pm
Liam, is it possible to leave a small bag at the depart to be picked up on return?  I am thinking a small rucksack with some day clothes for the previous night
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: LiamFitz on 12 April, 2017, 04:29:47 pm
Of course - I normally have a few people leaving bags.  Had a full set of motorcycle leathers one year...
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 12 April, 2017, 04:36:22 pm
I couldn't see it on the site but was worried about a £100 fine :)
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: LiamFitz on 16 April, 2017, 07:55:12 pm
Have just emailed entrants so everyone should have the details now.

Thanks to Marcus JB for his usual route check and to Manotea for sorting out the GPX for me.

Liam
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Redlight on 16 April, 2017, 10:31:50 pm
So, who's in, and is anyone else contemplating using the new all night tube service to Stanmore and cycling from there to the start?
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: LiamFitz on 16 April, 2017, 10:43:00 pm
So, who's in, and is anyone else contemplating using the new all night tube service to Stanmore and cycling from there to the start?

There's a train from Paddington that gets to Slough at 0536 - text me if you are getting that and I'll make sure I'm still at Chalfont for any stragglers.

L
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: cgg on 17 April, 2017, 07:52:09 am
I think I'll just ride to the start. Now the question is, is there much traffic on the A40 at 4:30 on a Saturday :D
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: citoyen on 17 April, 2017, 10:11:36 am
So, who's in, and is anyone else contemplating using the new all night tube service to Stanmore and cycling from there to the start?

I wasn't until you mentioned it... hmmm, interesting.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Wycombewheeler on 17 April, 2017, 12:36:02 pm
So, who's in, and is anyone else contemplating using the new all night tube service to Stanmore and cycling from there to the start?

I wasn't until you mentioned it... hmmm, interesting.
hmm stanmore is further from my chalfont st Peter than my house, really thinking I should ride to the start and not drive but the extra miles at the end is not appealing.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: LMT on 17 April, 2017, 02:21:46 pm
So, who's in, and is anyone else contemplating using the new all night tube service to Stanmore and cycling from there to the start?

A good idea for sure, a fairly easy 20k to get the blood flowing before the main course.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Wycombewheeler on 22 April, 2017, 09:58:55 pm
just plugged an average speed into weather bagel
good news, temperature doesn't drop below 8C on the return leg
bad news - rain from stow on the wold to Henley

hope that improves by next Saturday.

http://www.weatherbagel.com/f/43c73749-6e47-4d3b-9d4f-3cc901a2524f
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Redlight on 22 April, 2017, 10:22:20 pm
Hmm.  That's a lot of rain.  Let's hope these (http://these) arrive in time  :)
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Wycombewheeler on 22 April, 2017, 10:43:38 pm
it is indeed. time to make sure the winter bike is in good working order, (been on the summer steed for all of April) and make sure wet weather clothing is all ok.

I have boots which are pretty waterproof, but rain tends to run down the shin when its really wet, what do people do to avoid this?
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: jsabine on 22 April, 2017, 10:54:30 pm
If wearing longs, they go over the cuff of the boot if possible: if not, then cut the cuffs from a pair of Marigolds to fashion a passable seal.

Or just wear sandals - your feet are waterproof, and the sandals will dry quickly.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Wycombewheeler on 22 April, 2017, 11:24:07 pm
If wearing longs, they go over the cuff of the boot if possible: if not, then cut the cuffs from a pair of Marigolds to fashion a passable seal.

Or just wear sandals - your feet are waterproof, and the sandals will dry quickly.
3C at the start, my feet may be waterproof, but they are not frostbite proof
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Bunker22 on 23 April, 2017, 06:16:21 pm
Thats better already....
http://www.weatherbagel.com/f/20d802c8-5af9-423d-8dc5-e7abb1f79848
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: JonBuoy on 23 April, 2017, 06:37:36 pm
Still a tad breezy.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: LiamFitz on 23 April, 2017, 06:53:29 pm
But mostly a cross wind except when it turns into a tailwind around 325Km!

You should all be home before dawn!
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: LiamFitz on 23 April, 2017, 07:09:21 pm
If anyone is interested, I have been looking at what clubs the entrants say they belong to:

Rapha Cycle Club   9
Audax Club Hackney   7
Dulwich Paragon   6
Welwyn Whs   5
Hoddesdon tri club   3
Kingston Whs   3
Penge CC   3
Verulam CC   3
Audax Club Mid-Essex   2
Audax Club Portsmouth   2
Audax UK   2
Las Vegas Institute of Sport   2
Maidenhead & Dist CC   2
Velo Club Tring   2
A5 Rangers CC   1
Addiscombe CC   1
Amersham RCC   1
Audax Club Bristol   1
Aylesbury CC   1
Brixton CC   1
Burnley CC   1
Cambridge CC   1
CC London   1
Charlotteville CC   1
Dave CC   1
Farnborough & Camberley CC   1
Four Corners Audax   1
Kent Velo Girls   1
Leicester Forest CC   1
Lewes Wanderers   1
Redhill CC   1
Sheffrec CC   1
Sherston Velo   1
South Western RC   1
Team MK   1
Thames Velo   1
Thanet RC   1
VC 167   1
VC Godalming   1
Vegetarian C & AC   1
Westerley CC   1
White Hart Vuelta   1
Willesden   1

But nearly a quarter are saying they have no club affiliation...

L
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: mattc on 23 April, 2017, 07:44:31 pm
Thats better already....
http://www.weatherbagel.com/f/20d802c8-5af9-423d-8dc5-e7abb1f79848
Where does that pull its forecast data from?

[I ask because yr.no is showing the Wales-wales-wales 400 as getting a 27 hour  monsoon ... ]
Title: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: citoyen on 23 April, 2017, 09:38:16 pm
Only one Willesden? And NINE Rapha CC! The times they are a'changin indeed.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Bikeabilityman on 23 April, 2017, 10:14:40 pm
I keep selling the delights of audaxing to the 100's of Team MKers, but you can count those who do them on one hand!
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Wycombewheeler on 23 April, 2017, 11:49:46 pm
"nearly a quarter are saying they have no club affiliation..." or at least no affiliation with any club listed on the AUK website.

revised weathe bagel looks a much better, I will take that any day.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Redlight on 24 April, 2017, 06:59:04 am
Is Rapha Cycling Club actually a club?  I had always assumed it was just a marketing name for the riders who are sponsored to wear Rapha kit.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Bunker22 on 24 April, 2017, 09:18:30 am
Is Rapha Cycling Club actually a club?  I had always assumed it was just a marketing name for the riders who are sponsored to wear Rapha kit.
https://www.rapha.cc/gb/en/rcc

£135 for a 12 month membership. Bargain.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: citoyen on 24 April, 2017, 09:52:59 am
The membership fee is actually very good value for what you get - as long as you live the kind of lifestyle that enables you to take full advantage of it. Which I don't.

Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: mattc on 24 April, 2017, 09:57:08 am
The membership fee is actually very good value for what you get - as long as you live the kind of lifestyle that enables you to take full advantage of it. Which I don't.
So it's a bit like the deal that Monaco residents get?
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: citoyen on 24 April, 2017, 11:29:50 am
The membership fee is actually very good value for what you get - as long as you live the kind of lifestyle that enables you to take full advantage of it. Which I don't.
So it's a bit like the deal that Monaco residents get?

If I lived near a Rapha Clubhouse, I would sign up just for the free coffee - if you went in for a coffee twice a week, it would work out cheaper over the course of a year than Starbucks. And it's better coffee too.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Bus Shelter Bertie on 24 April, 2017, 04:58:50 pm
The membership fee is actually very good value for what you get - as long as you live the kind of lifestyle that enables you to take full advantage of it. Which I don't.

Though I'm uncertain whether this is such a good deal or not?

Jersey Downsize Offer
If you have purchased a jersey this year and lost weight through riding, Rapha would like to offer you a 50% discount on your new size jersey. Simply download, print, and complete the form below, then send it along with your old jersey back to Rapha. Rapha will then send you your new jersey with free delivery.

So that's effectively a jersey for 150% normal price, as you have to hand over a nearly new Jersey to qualify..
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Wycombewheeler on 24 April, 2017, 10:19:24 pm
http://www.weatherbagel.com/f/272da74b-1b67-4fa2-b83e-200bb7994763

no rain   ;D

but magic headwinds  :'(, no one ever believes you can get headwinds all day, but here is the proof.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Bagman on 24 April, 2017, 10:54:14 pm
Not all bad - bit of a tailwind into Twekesbury
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: LiamFitz on 24 April, 2017, 11:09:41 pm
The membership fee is actually very good value for what you get - as long as you live the kind of lifestyle that enables you to take full advantage of it. Which I don't.

Though I'm uncertain whether this is such a good deal or not?

Jersey Downsize Offer
If you have purchased a jersey this year and lost weight through riding, Rapha would like to offer you a 50% discount on your new size jersey. Simply download, print, and complete the form below, then send it along with your old jersey back to Rapha. Rapha will then send you your new jersey with free delivery.

So that's effectively a jersey for 150% normal price, as you have to hand over a nearly new Jersey to qualify..

I think that's pretty good TBH - you get a good go on the first jersey and then get a brand new one at half price.  Given that their kit lasts forever I think it's pretty good customer service.

I think the cycle club is quite neat as well - if I could work out how to borrow a Dura-ace loaded Canyon every weekend within my £200 annual subs I'd be in
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Redlight on 25 April, 2017, 07:13:03 am
http://www.weatherbagel.com/f/272da74b-1b67-4fa2-b83e-200bb7994763

no rain   ;D

but magic headwinds  :'(, no one ever believes you can get headwinds all day, but here is the proof.

Perhaps those who'd prefer a tailwind all day could take an X-rated clockwise alternative - although it would be a shame to miss out on all that fab food that's promised.  How about it, Liam?   ;)
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Wycombewheeler on 25 April, 2017, 09:01:54 am
http://www.weatherbagel.com/f/272da74b-1b67-4fa2-b83e-200bb7994763

no rain   ;D

but magic headwinds  :'(, no one ever believes you can get headwinds all day, but here is the proof.

Perhaps those who'd prefer a tailwind all day could take an X-rated clockwise alternative - although it would be a shame to miss out on all that fab food that's promised.  How about it, Liam?   ;)
at least the chepstow control would be open when you got there.

Or maybe the wind will just shift everywhere and to get tailwind would mean starting at Chepstow like the largest ever pursuit track.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: psyclist on 25 April, 2017, 09:22:23 am
I remember the 2013 event very well. Headwind all the way into Wales. Back across the Severn and then got hit with a hailstorm and the wind just died. I still dwell over that big push back to London which never materialised.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: LiamFitz on 25 April, 2017, 10:36:06 am
I remember the 2013 event very well. Headwind all the way into Wales. Back across the Severn and then got hit with a hailstorm and the wind just died. I still dwell over that big push back to London which never materialised.

Bitter experience tells me not to get worked up about the weather until you're in it!  When it's meant to be sunny it's not and when you have wrapped up warmly it invariably turns tropical.  Last Saturday I got a nice tan on a day when it was meant to be cold and very overcast!
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Bagman on 25 April, 2017, 12:08:37 pm
I have noticed that there is a 24hr Costa @ 287km, 3km after the Esso garage, just off the M4/B4005 RAB.
If you go on the A4 route home then there is a 24hr McDs @ Theale 356km.
If you stay on the A4 to Slough then another one @ 390km.
Going through Slough and then left on the B416 avoids the climb out of Wooburn Green, this was my route last year.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Wycombewheeler on 25 April, 2017, 01:10:56 pm
I have noticed that there is a 24hr Costa @ 287km, 3km after the Esso garage, just off the M4/B4005 RAB.
If you go on the A4 route home then there is a 24hr McDs @ Theale 356km.
If you stay on the A4 to Slough then another one @ 390km.
Going through Slough and then left on the B416 avoids the climb out of Wooburn Green, this was my route last year.
climbing out of Wooburn green avoids going though slough ;)
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: dave d on 25 April, 2017, 04:40:25 pm
Turning left just before the railway bridge at Taplow and going through Farnham Royal avoids both the Wooburn Green climb and Slough!!
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: citoyen on 25 April, 2017, 04:48:01 pm
Slough seems a long way off route just for the sake of avoiding a silly little hill!

I think I remember the 24hr Costa from last time, except it wasn't a 24hr Costa then - it was an already-closed-by-1am-when-I-passed-through-and-really-could-have-done-with-some-caffeine Costa.  ETA: I misread that as 387km, so I must be thinking of a different Costa. Good to know of other options for late food stops though - thanks Bagman.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Bagman on 25 April, 2017, 05:52:29 pm
Good idea to go via Farnham Royal and avoid Slough - thank you
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: jiberjaber on 25 April, 2017, 08:00:24 pm
Anyone know if Gerrards Cross station is on Oyster or not?  It's features in my present plan to get home
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: LiamFitz on 26 April, 2017, 09:19:16 am
Anyone know if Gerrards Cross station is on Oyster or not?  It's features in my present plan to get home

I would assume not as most Chiltern Line Stations that don't share with LUL seem not to be.

However Rickmansworth Station on the Met Line is only 8km away https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/Chalfont+St+Peter/Rickmansworth/@51.6299401,-0.545757,13z/am=t/data=!3m1!4b1!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x487668a01215f1d7:0x50eae2da2ec6b40!2m2!1d-0.5561674!2d51.6123242!1m5!1m1!1s0x4876697fffc59a11:0xbbcd8b648b2d6a8d!2m2!1d-0.4734819!2d51.6401709!3e1 (https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/Chalfont+St+Peter/Rickmansworth/@51.6299401,-0.545757,13z/am=t/data=!3m1!4b1!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x487668a01215f1d7:0x50eae2da2ec6b40!2m2!1d-0.5561674!2d51.6123242!1m5!1m1!1s0x4876697fffc59a11:0xbbcd8b648b2d6a8d!2m2!1d-0.4734819!2d51.6401709!3e1) - you can kip down until the first train.  There don't seem to be engineering works on Sunday.

Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: jiberjaber on 26 April, 2017, 10:13:37 am
Cheers - Looks like I've got a number of options, kipping down is one, and also riding to South London is another plus a few in between.   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Greenbank on 26 April, 2017, 10:44:41 am
Anyone know if Gerrards Cross station is on Oyster or not?  It's features in my present plan to get home

West Ruislip is the last station on that line that is Oyster.

http://content.tfl.gov.uk/london-rail-and-tube-services-map.pdf

Why the requirement for just Oyster though? A train ticket to/from Gerrard's Cross is cheap and easy...
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: jiberjaber on 26 April, 2017, 10:47:33 am
Anyone know if Gerrards Cross station is on Oyster or not?  It's features in my present plan to get home

West Ruislip is the last station on that line that is Oyster.

http://content.tfl.gov.uk/london-rail-and-tube-services-map.pdf

Why the requirement for just Oyster though? A train ticket to/from Gerrard's Cross is cheap and easy...

I'm heading over to Carshalton so rather than buy a train ticket that includes a tube I can't use, I was thinking Oyster would be easier and cheaper...  though I'm probably 80% likely to just ride at least as far as Vic and hop on a train..  I quite fancy teh Grand Union Canal as I have never ridden along there...
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Greenbank on 26 April, 2017, 12:19:32 pm
Ah, playing around with it I see that starting from inside the Oyster zone is considerably cheaper.

Avoiding the tube you could always do Willesden Junction to Clapham Junction on London Overground (it's a train) and then to Carshalton from there, may take a bit longer though.

Hmm, no trains from Willesden to Clapham Junction this weekend, you'd have to go Willesden to Richmond and then change to get to CLJ (at least the Richmond to Clapham trains are fast).

Getting to Willesden you could cycle (16 miles) or train from Gerrard's Cross to Wembley Stadium (£15.10!) and then cycle the 3 miles to Willesden Junction.

Using the Oyster single fare finder: https://tfl.gov.uk/fares-and-payments/fares/single-fare-finder?intcmp=1660

Willesden Junction to Carshalton is only £2.60 with Oyster (off peak) if you avoid Zone 1 (which you would going via Clapham Junction).

But if you're going to cycle 16 miles then I wouldn't head to Willesden, I'd probably head South to somewhere like Whitton (still 16 miles) and then Oyster the train to Clapham Junction and then Carshalton.

Alternatively cycling all the way in and then London Victoria to Carshalton on the train is £3.30 with Oyster (off peak) and far less faff.

The two times I've done the SA400 I wasn't interested in riding any further and so I got the train from Gerrard's Cross to Marylebone, cycled down to Paddington and plonked the bike on the tube all the way back to East Putney. I wasn't that worried about the cost of the train ticket at that point.

This is the other map that may be useful: http://content.tfl.gov.uk/bicycles-on-public-transport.pdf although it annoyingly doesn't have all of the trains on it, so you have to try and combine that with the one I linked to above but careful to avoid the deep tube lines where bikes are not allowed.

tl;dr from here

If I didn't want to cycle all the way in to Victoria what I'd probably do is:-

ChStP to Chorleywood Rail station is ~4 miles cycle. Oyster from there to Carshalton "Avoiding Zone 1 via West Hampstead (or Kilburn/Brondesbury), Willesden Junction and Clapham Junction" is £3.10 (off peak).

So that's Metropolitan line (fine with a bike) from Chorleywood to Finchley Road, short cycle (or train/tube if lazy) to West Hampstead or Brondesbury, then train to Richmond (because Willesden to Shepherd's Bush is closed this weekend so you can't get to CLJ directly), quick train to Clapham Junction, then train to Carshalton.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Greenbank on 26 April, 2017, 12:40:26 pm
Finchley Road, short cycle (or train/tube if lazy) to West Hampstead or Brondesbury

According to this: https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/publications-and-reports/out-of-station-interchanges there's no out of station interchange between Finchley Road and either West Hampstead or Brondesbury. Attempting any of that would mean you get charged for two separate journeys. The only way to keep that bit at one journey would be to tube between Finchley Road and West Hampstead, bikes seem to be ok on that bit of the Jubilee line.

Another search is suggesting Chorleywood to Northwick Park on the Metropolitan Line, then exit and walk 12 minutes to Kenton station, then Bakerloo line to Willesden Junction. All still ok on those tubes with a bike. Obviously you can just cycle the walking bit, and (according to the spreadsheet above) you get 20 minutes for the Northwick Park to Kenton OSI so you shouldn't be charged twice. From Willesden you continue to do Richmond, Clapham Junction, Carshalton on the trains.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: jiberjaber on 26 April, 2017, 02:09:34 pm
Thanks for all that Greenbank  :thumbsup:

I've got a bundle of options there, I don't mind the route in to Vic via the Canal (path - not water!) and that is a straight journey up to CB, but at 45 mins, I could just cycle there, however the plus points of not having to interface with South London traffic whilst tired might sway me to letting the train take the strain...

All this depends on how I feel in the latter part of the ride of course!  Though an extra 30-60km at the end of the ride in nice weather doesn't phase me too much at the moment, good for LEL and all that...  if it's raining I'll probably just get my head down for a couple of hours and then catch the train from GX and cycle to Vic for the connection :)
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Bigdaveskinnytyre on 26 April, 2017, 02:37:24 pm
If I lived near a Rapha Clubhouse, I would sign up just for the free coffee - if you went in for a coffee twice a week, it would work out cheaper over the course of a year than Starbucks. And it's better coffee too.

That's pretty much what I do; I currently work less than 10 minutes walk from a clubhouse and I'm in there at least once a week for a hot chocolate (I'm a rare breed of cyclist that detests coffee); I just put £10 a month aside for my yearly subs so I don't really notice it.

As I tend to move every couple of years I like the idea of being in a club that isn't tied to a location.

There seem to be quite a few RCC audaxers.

Would there be a possibility of doing L-W-L as a Perm? I couldn't make the Calendar event and it starts quite close to home.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: jiberjaber on 27 April, 2017, 10:46:13 am
Current WX looking like a crosswind outward and headwind on the return

http://www.weatherbagel.com/f/b21dd9ca-9d47-4dd0-ac22-5bb99c035bc4
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Phil W on 27 April, 2017, 10:56:37 am
I remember the 2013 event very well. Headwind all the way into Wales. Back across the Severn and then got hit with a hailstorm and the wind just died. I still dwell over that big push back to London which never materialised.

Plus the freezing fog after Membury services when I'd left my arm warmers (at home) in my panniers.  I was looking forward to the uphills to keep warm that night.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: LMT on 27 April, 2017, 12:10:06 pm
Current WX looking like a crosswind outward and headwind on the return

http://www.weatherbagel.com/f/b21dd9ca-9d47-4dd0-ac22-5bb99c035bc4

Take heart:

a) It's not raining

b) Those numbers are in kph and not mph.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: jiberjaber on 27 April, 2017, 03:28:52 pm
Current WX looking like a crosswind outward and headwind on the return

http://www.weatherbagel.com/f/b21dd9ca-9d47-4dd0-ac22-5bb99c035bc4

Take heart:

a) It's not raining

b) Those numbers are in kph and not mph.

Plus a slim chance if I am a bit quicker of taking in the sunset as I cross the bridge! :D  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Assasin on 27 April, 2017, 03:37:31 pm
No loitering at Lamourne just cos its a bit windy.
You will all be ejected when the control closes to make sure you finish in time.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Bunker22 on 27 April, 2017, 04:10:58 pm
No loitering at Lamourne just cos its a bit windy.
You will all be ejected when the control closes to make sure you finish in time.

What time does it close?
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Redlight on 27 April, 2017, 04:19:15 pm
No loitering at Lamourne just cos its a bit windy.
You will all be ejected when the control closes to make sure you finish in time.

What time does it close?

02.56 according to the route sheet
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: LiamFitz on 28 April, 2017, 06:22:44 pm
No loitering at Lamourne just cos its a bit windy.
You will all be ejected when the control closes to make sure you finish in time.

Oh - BTW - did the cattle prods arrive?
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Phil W on 28 April, 2017, 06:24:46 pm
Current WX looking like a crosswind outward and headwind on the return

http://www.weatherbagel.com/f/b21dd9ca-9d47-4dd0-ac22-5bb99c035bc4

Take heart:

a) It's not raining

b) Those numbers are in kph and not mph.

Plus a slim chance if I am a bit quicker of taking in the sunset as I cross the bridge! :D  :thumbsup:

I'd expect you across the bridge long before sunset.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Wycombewheeler on 28 April, 2017, 07:14:00 pm
Current WX looking like a crosswind outward and headwind on the return

http://www.weatherbagel.com/f/b21dd9ca-9d47-4dd0-ac22-5bb99c035bc4

Take heart:

a) It's not raining

b) Those numbers are in kph and not mph.

Plus a slim chance if I am a bit quicker of taking in the sunset as I cross the bridge! :D  :thumbsup:

I'd expect you across the bridge long before sunset.
goring/Streatley bridge?
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: citoyen on 28 April, 2017, 07:16:57 pm
02.56 according to the route sheet

I'm surprised it's that early, but I've just done the maths and it leaves 6hrs to do the final 90km, which is spot on for a 15kmh minimum speed.

I didn't fancy driving up in the morning, and there isn't a train that will get me there in time, so I've taken the easy option and I'm setting off shortly for my luxurious temporary abode in Slough. See y'all bright and early tomorrow.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: alfapete on 28 April, 2017, 07:30:05 pm
Looking forward to seeing you all at Tutshill (just before Chepstow). Food provided by the lovely people from Toast, but you'll have to proceed in a leisurely manner if you want the full experience of the coffee shop as we're in the village hall across the road until 5pm (full guidance will be given on arrival).

..and the Alfa will be in attendance, too.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Huff n Puff on 30 April, 2017, 07:47:23 am
LWL - Audax Deluxe!

Superb, top notch event, controls were brilliant, full marks Liam (and team).

The only thing missing was a Loyalty Card Scheme that entitles me to priority booking for 2018 .
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: iddu on 30 April, 2017, 11:38:54 am
The good news is I haz two bikes :thumbsup:
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: citoyen on 30 April, 2017, 12:08:44 pm
The good news is I haz two bikes :thumbsup:

That's excellent news!
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Von Broad on 30 April, 2017, 01:03:38 pm
It's been a couple of years since I've done the ride, but it looks like the A4 option on the last leg during the early hours has been banished with that info control at Henley. Best part of the ride that. :)
{stores up outrage until appropriate time ;)}

Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: LMT on 30 April, 2017, 01:20:29 pm
It's been a couple of years since I've done the ride, but it looks like the A4 option on the last leg during the early hours has been banished with that info control at Henley. Best part of the ride that. :)
{stores up outrage until appropriate time ;)}

I would have taken that option but packed 250km into the ride, still happy though, got some decent numbers to work with leading up to LEL and with hindsight should have finished. Given that trying to get a train from Bristol to Paddington was a mission, various GWR delays meant four hours to get home back to London - audax karma. :facepalm:


Many thanks to the controllers and control staff at Woodstock and Tutshill which were superb and well done to those that got round.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Wycombewheeler on 30 April, 2017, 01:29:41 pm
It's been a couple of years since I've done the ride, but it looks like the A4 option on the last leg during the early hours has been banished with that info control at Henley. Best part of the ride that. :)
{stores up outrage until appropriate time ;)}
What?  moving the 4th control to Lambourn from Membury makes it less usefUl.  But ni Henley info why would there be? A4 is not shorter and  ride is not AAA
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Manotea on 30 April, 2017, 01:32:01 pm
@VB...

Spare the outrage... after finding myself exhausted at membury a few years back, I took the A4 tour with Martin (occasionally of this parish) to Reading, by which time I'd had more than enough of the A4, then struck north through caversham to pick up the route at Henley, which worked out just fine. :)
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: cgg on 30 April, 2017, 01:36:44 pm
It's been a couple of years since I've done the ride, but it looks like the A4 option on the last leg during the early hours has been banished with that info control at Henley. Best part of the ride that. :)
{stores up outrage until appropriate time ;)}

There wasn't any info control at Henley wasn't there? Just an optional re-supply stop at a 24h garage. I remember the notes on the route sheet mentioning the A4 as a possibility as well (but couldn't make any sense of it by looking at a map)

Myself I stuck to the routesheet and had a really good time (only minor niggle being a busted front mech and some pain at the front of the right ankle  ???) so loads of thank you to Liam and all helpers.

Also I should have had some sleep at the arrivée before heading back to London. I got hit by the dozies really hard after 10km and had to crash (figuratively!) in a welcoming bus shelter for 15 minutes to be able to get on. Might as well have done that in a warm and quiet room!
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Von Broad on 30 April, 2017, 01:48:22 pm

There wasn't any info control at Henley wasn't there? Just an optional re-supply stop at a 24h garage. I remember the notes on the route sheet mentioning the A4 as a possibility as well (but couldn't make any sense of it by looking at a map)

Ah, beg ya'pardon...I was just looking at Liam's website and a brief overview of the ride. (https://londonwaleslondon.com/route/) It wasn't obvious from the map [but is of course in the written description underneath] that Lambourn had been introduced. I see what he's done now.

.. after finding myself exhausted at membury a few years back, I took the A4 tour with Martin (occasionally of this parish) to Reading, by which time I'd had more than enough of the A4

Yes, quite, it offers a different kind of challenge and scenery :-)
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: LiamFitz on 30 April, 2017, 02:01:20 pm
The good news is I haz two bikes :thumbsup:

This conjures up for me an image of Don Iddu sending out a message to Lambourn that no one messes around on his manor...


VonB's fears of an Info at Henley have not come to pass but I now you come to mention it, I think the phone box at the top of Colstrope Lane has enough potential questions to keep us going for a few years
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: LiamFitz on 30 April, 2017, 02:11:59 pm
I must thank the cast of thousands who helped make this one work including (but not limited to) AlphaPete, Assassin, Bruv Ed, Crazyenglish, David, IanOli, Iddu, LozFitz and MarcusJB.  In the last six months I've had great advice from a broad range of people including ShuP and JasmijnM.

Thanks to everyone who helped make the event - especially to the finishers who every year provide MarcusJB and me with company through the night.

I like Audax because it's a community as much as an activity; glad to see some new  victims members being drawn in.

Lots of lessons learned for next year
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Wycombewheeler on 30 April, 2017, 04:17:39 pm
The good news is I haz two bikes :thumbsup:

This conjures up for me an image of Don Iddu sending out a message to Lambourn that no one messes around on his manor...


"I don't know who you are. ..I do have are a very particular set of skills. Skills I have acquired over a very long career. Skills that make me a nightmare for people like you. If you let my daughter go return the bikes now that'll be the end of it. I will not look for you, I will not pursue you, but if you don't, I will look for you, I will find you ...."
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: blueskies on 30 April, 2017, 04:42:35 pm
Thanks Liam and all other helpers for putting on this classic ride. The new controls at Woodstock and Lambourn added greatly to what was already a well organised event. I was due to be the controller at Woodstock but a late substitution meant I could take on the ride for a third time.

A chilly start, I recorded 1degC shortly after we left but a decent group of 10 or so formed and gentle tailwind meant good progress to Woodstock arriving 10 mins after the opening. A great cooked breakfast with black pudding greeted us, too good to pass up. A few of us left together but the choppy terrain through the Cotswolds meant the group split up. I was riding with Chris on his first 400, we'd met a few weeks earlier on The Shark. To Tuweksbury and a quick shop stop before heading over to the Forest of Dean and the feature climb of Symonds Yat. It's a tough, irregular climb with oncoming traffic on a narrow road but we got over without too much difficulty. It drags on upwards for the next 10k before the fast descent into Chepstow.


We somehow managed to miss the control in Tutshill and only realised once in Chepstow. I called in to explain and agreed to pick up a receipt in town instead. A quick cafe stop and we were back on the road. Over the Seven Bridge, always a thrill but the wind was picking up and it remained Chilly. The sun finally came out for the climb up Somerset Monument, some welcome warmth. We started to labour so Malmesbury was a welcome sight and we stopped in a cafe for tea, coke and a snack. Saw a couple of riders pass by and left with a couple of Kingston Wheelers, they were going well and it would have been good to have company but we lost them on one of the small bumps out of town. The wind picked up a little, it had been nagging away all day but now energy sapping as we climbed up the Lamboune Downs. The Lambourne Control was perfect, thanks Iddu & Assasin for the Veg Chill & Bananas and Custard which hit the spot.

Felt very cold getting back on the bike, teeth chattering for the first 5k but the rolling terrain got the blood flowing. It was my first time following the official route as oppose to the A4. It's a lovely route but definitely more lumpy. I stopped to listen to fight on the phone which was a bit surreal but good motivation after 360k. Chris was tiring a little so we stopped in Henley for a coffee before the final push. The climb up to Holtspur was nasty after 390k but you've got to get up on the ridge somehow and beyond that there's only Welders lane to deal with. Finally then, the descent of Gold Hill and the comfort of the Arrivee. Stuck around chatting for a while as many of the original group rolled in.

A great day out, challenging and rewarding in equal measure. Thanks to all once again and good to hear the missing bikes have turned up.


Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Bagman on 30 April, 2017, 06:04:04 pm
Thank you Liam and all your helpers.  No wind next year please.

Going to do the Chilterms route section next year I have done the A4 twice now.  Reading is a Gramin blackhole! This year it sent me heading in the wrong directiion towards Newbury.  The A4 may be flat but is tedious.  One of the reasons for doing Audax rides is to see the countryside not town centres.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Bikeabilityman on 30 April, 2017, 06:04:29 pm
Yes, great teamwork from the LWL helpers.

My ride started around 3am, ECE-ing from Milton Keynes. Couldn't remember when I'd set off before, as it's been two years, and I couldn't find the files. The leg to Aylesbury was slightly longer than when I use my hybrid to work, which shocked me. thought I'd arrive for brekky around 5:30, but it was 5:45. I was greeted in the car park from someone who remembered my name, but I'd forgotten his (Richard from Tring). I dashed in to scoff jam on toast and down coffee, as I hadn't yet eaten.

Set off late (not as late as others), and was Billy-no-mates for a while, getting overtaken by fast people on fast bikes (aerobars, carbon and parachute bags). I eventually caught ACME man and his riding partner, and rode with them for a while. We were caught by Richard, who became my great riding partner for the rest of the event. It was great to have manned controls (not recalled on my 7across outings). Confusion over whether Woodstock brekky was free (it wasn't, as per the emailed instructions and sign at the bar, so I paid). This was another example of veggie's being short changed (no alternative to bacon, sausage and black pudding). I did get my hands on the last hash brown though. A Wetherspoons veggie brekky woulda gone down a treat.

I enjoyed the section to Tewkesbury, recollecting places from different Audaxes as we cycled through them. We just had to stop at the Royal Hop Pole (still dark inside). My planned soup and unlimited coffee turned into the veggie burger, chips and pint deal (usually enjoyed post-event). A pint before Yat rock? Caught ACME man again (sorry, I forgot to ask your name), and told him off for letting down the ACME team, not stopping at the pub. The last time I went up Yat was on our MK CTC (Cycling UK now) hostel weekend (just a few miles away). I used my other Audax bike for that one, but carried less, and had fresh legs. I got up ok, out the saddle, without much grief from motorists. There is a café on the right at the top, but I don't recall them giving receipts, if it ever became a control to stop the climb being bypassed.

The stage to Chepstow felt arduous, and dreading the climb from Tesco with close passing traffic didn't help. The village hall control was great though. I enjoyed the (chorizo?) baked beans, not spicy as I'd expected. So much better than controlling at Tesco or other shop as on previous visits, but I still haven't looked where the 'spoons is (my Team MK club mate has been there).

The climb up to the bridge felt easier than expected, but then I started not looking forward to the Thornbury climb (and headwind). I need to be more positive! We could see the monument in the distance, and dreaded the impending climb. I told Richard how it (in my opinion) breaks down into sections. I honked up it, easier than on the Dean when I had a jumping chain. we had a Co-op stop in Malmesbury, where we met an Audaxer on a (non-DIY) personal 360km ride via Marsh Gibbon (obliterated by TG). I must be sad when it comes to points, so much so that I have led a few club 100 milers in the past, then done another 25+miles to get two points, as well as helping my RRtY. we soldiered on to Lambourn, by now every worn and cracked road aching my wrists, arms, legs and behind (I don't think I've got the Brooks cambium saddle on this bike set up like my other one). Maybe new padded gloves and shorts are the answer (or a thudbuster seatpost). I really enjoyed the veg chilli and dessert at the control, taking the opportunity to use the Assos cream, change my shorts, and add base layer. Only the thermal socks I carried weren't used.

Richard took me on a once in a lifetime trip down to, and on, the A4 (I usually stick to the provided route). Still on some rough roads, and the monotony of pedalling on the A4 felt like the Fens. The end couldn't come soon enough, and I was pleased with around 4.5 hours in hand. I really fancied a chesee toastie, but couldn't face chewing. Fruit salad and rice pudding went down easier, as did tea (had enough of coffee). Said farewell to Richard, rested for over an hour, then set off on my (slow to begin with), ride home. Home before 8:30 and, for a change, didn't fall asleep in the bath. Had an hour's kip early afternoon, after a well earned visit to a Costa.

Thanks again Liam and team. Glad some pulled out so I had the chance to re-visit this newly controlled event, even though I missed going up to see the TdY.     
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Assasin on 30 April, 2017, 06:41:11 pm
Quote
The good news is I haz two bikes :thumbsup:

Awesome!
Those two riders had a lot of grief to contend with without a steed to ride home.
Quite a few personnel effect on board including a pair of specs.
And GPS's etc.

I hope both mounts are unscathed after a brief hijacking for a few hours.
Better make indoor parking compulsory next time....... :)
Title: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: citoyen on 30 April, 2017, 07:22:30 pm
Better make indoor parking compulsory next time....... :)

I was dozing when the news started going round that the bikes had gone. I rushed outside to check mine was still there, and my heart sank when it wasn't. Luckily Craig, my riding companion, had already brought it inside.

It's a timely reminder not to be complacent - there are scrotes about even on an apparently sleepy back lane at 11pm on a Saturday night. I shall spur myself into action and replace my broken cafe lock before my next audax.

As for the ride itself, I found it tough but rewarding - exactly what an audax should be. I was much fitter last time I did the SA in 2014. I also realised fairly early on that my legs hadn't yet fully recovered from last weekend's 375km. I was very slow on the climbs all day. And night.

Craig and I had set off a few minutes late so were behind the field from the start, but got picked up by a big group on the run in to Woodstock, until a Garmin glitch diverted me off down a side road while everyone else went straight on. But I got to the control at the same time as the group so just one of those Garmin quirks.

Enjoyed (and paid for) a hearty breakfast before pressing on, still making good progress to Tewkesbury, where we stopped at a nice Italian cafe for a Dino Zoff panini (disappointed there was no Bartali or Pantani option).

After that, I started to suffer as the roads became lumpier and the wind became less favourable. I still enjoyed the climb of Yat Rock - tough but satisfying - but the next section up to St Briavels felt like a real slog and Craig and the rest of the group we were with left me to plod along at my own pace.

After the excellent beans and chorizo and a brief power nap at Tutshill, we pressed on and picked up another pair of riders just after crossing the bridge, plus a chap in a Farnborough & Camberley jersey a bit further on. We worked well together although didn't get round to formal introductions. All I know is the female half of the pair was a fearsomely strong rider on the flat, although she struggled  even more than me on the climbs and we lost her after the monument climb.

Stopped in Malmesbury for some desultory chips - best thing that can be said about them is they were hot.

After that, I started to struggle again. The section from Swindon to Lambourn felt like relentless climbing. Craig was going uphill better than me but not really enjoying it.

We eventually reached Lambourn at 10.30 for some very welcome veg chilli and banana custard. I tried to sleep for a bit but didn't manage more than a doze, and after the bike theft drama decided to push on - joined by the companion of the bikeless Penge rider whom Assassin had talked into carrying on without his mate - definitely the right decision.

We decided to stick to the lanes rather than take the A4 - partly because we were all following gps and didn't know the alt route. Conditions were made harder for me by my IQ-X playing up - for some reason, it wasn't nearly as bright as it should be (our new companion also had a working IQ-X so I know I wasn't imagining it).

We picked up a few others along the way so there were 8 of us by the time we reached the descent of Streatley Hill - one that I find terrifying in daylight, never mind at 3am with barely working lights.

By the time we reached Henley, I was feeling pretty dozy and Craig was really suffering, so we stopped at the services for coffee and microwave noodles - it felt good to get something warm inside us.

Still with plenty of time in hand, we decided to go for full value and have a nap before the final push to the finish. I must say, it was much nicer riding in daylight - and was turning into a lovely sunny morning, though still windy.

The final climb after Wooburn Common is a real sting in the tail, and the lanes leading into Chalfont are a bit rollercoastery, but as we rolled in to the arrivée just after 7am, it was very pleasing to have stuck to the 'proper' route for the full distance - although Craig might have preferred something flatter for his first 400 and was vowing never to do another (yeah, right, heard that one before).

Very much appreciated the cheery warmth and hospitality of Liam and MarcusJB at the finish at the tail end of what must have been a long night shift. Cheese toastie and cuppa hit the spot nicely too.

Stuck around for a nap before driving home - a journey punctuated by several further nap stops, and then vegged out in front of the TdY all afternoon.

Cracking ride. Huge thanks to all the controllers and cafe/social club owners who made it all possible. May well be back next year for a third go.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Wycombewheeler on 30 April, 2017, 10:09:10 pm
Thank you Liam and all your helpers.  No wind next year please.

Going to do the Chilterms route section next year I have done the A4 twice now.  Reading is a Gramin blackhole! This year it sent me heading in the wrong directiion towards Newbury.  The A4 may be flat but is tedious.  One of the reasons for doing Audax rides is to see the countryside not town centres.
In the daylight I couldn't agree more, but I just don't feel any desire to ride those hills in the dark. Maybe I'm wrong. Also with 320km in my legs I would rather make the rest as easy as possible. Also navigation in the dark when tired and the garmin battery may die at any time is simple.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: mattc on 30 April, 2017, 10:53:29 pm
How many runners?
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: jiberjaber on 30 April, 2017, 11:42:51 pm
I think there was about 95 from memory of my sleepy conversation with either Liam or Marcus this morning.

Great event and satisfyingly tough.  Thanks guys...

Oh and good to put a forum name to Team MK ;)  :thumbsup: Though I too was disappointed to miss the 'spoons through lack of local knowledge...  :facepalm:

 also hear Gina Cleere OTP was knocked off her bike by a drunk driver, she's OK but bike took a knock and had to bail.  Driver has been caught by the fuzz apparently so drunk as to not know they had actually it anyone!

I was really disappointed to hear the Penge rider had his bike nicked - if I read right he has got it back?  Where was i found in the end?
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: mattc on 01 May, 2017, 08:48:40 am
Quote
The good news is I haz two bikes :thumbsup:

This conjures up for me an image of Don Iddu sending out a message to Lambourn that no one messes around on his manor...


"I don't know who you are. ..I do have are a very particular set of skills. Skills I have acquired over a very long career. Skills that make me a nightmare for people like you. If you let my daughter go return the bikes now that'll be the end of it. I will not look for you, I will not pursue you, but if you don't, I will look for you, I will find you ...."

By chance I dropped in on Iddu on my way home from the parallel Welsh 400. He briefly explained what had happened, and I had to bu99er off while he sorted things out on the phone.

I can confirm the conversation was exactly as in the posts above.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: dave d on 01 May, 2017, 10:45:21 am
Many thanks to all the organisers and helpers of Saturday's ride.  That was a great route.

We took the A4 route from Lambourn.  Unfortunately it was all the way into a vicious headwind from Newbury to Slough but we preferred the easy navigation and wide lit roads (except where the authorities turn the lights off after midnight) and probably saved ourselves about an hour.

Sorry to hear about the bikes being taken.  I guess in a smallish town late at night not a lot is going on and a load of bikes coming through will attract attention.  When we were there it sounded like much of the town was gathered nearby to watch the boxing.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Bunker22 on 01 May, 2017, 11:00:41 am
I would like to add my thanks to all the organisers and helpers.

I found the ride hard going as my knee started playing up after Tewksbury. I had my doubts about carrying on and was considering baling at Bristol, but a large dose of Nurofen in Chepstow, and the worry about the hassle of getting a bike on a GWT train at short notice, kept the challenge alive.

The breakfast at Woodstock was great (and paid for), Sitting outside a windy Tesco in Tewksbury less so, then more than made up by the welcome and sustenance at Tutshill and Lambourn.

A fast first stage meant that the loss of speed in subsequent stages didn't cause undue concern for finishing in time, but its disheartening to see you're going to have to ride later and later overnight when all you want is a sleep. A best part of 200k headwind grinds you down as well.

My riding partner, Will, and I took the A4 route, deeming the lanes would be too dark to enjoy fully. An attack of the Dozies meant a brief pause in a churchyard in Reading then a slightly longer nap in one of the only Audax worthy bus shelters on the A4 with about 25k to go. Followed a route through Gerard Cross to finish just after daylight. A welcome cheese toasty at the finish and then 90 mins kip in the car before going to the Beaconsfield services for a Wetherspoons breakfast before the journey home.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: JJ on 01 May, 2017, 05:17:39 pm
Rather too many words here, but you can skip most of it:

Well, that didn’t go to plan!  I rode 400km, 425 in fact, but not at all in the way I intended.

I set out about 45 minutes after the field, and didn’t see another rider, not counting the chap on his way to Derbyshire, until Woodstock. There I had a nice chat with the controller, while I got myself on the outside of a prodigious fried breakfast, realising belatedly that I hadn’t eaten since 3am.

To Tewkesbury was lovely again, only spoiled by a new rattle from the back of the bike, which got progressively louder after Ford, as I followed my habit and headed for the gorgeous swoop down to Toddington, rather than the lanes past Sudeley castle.  I stopped at the top of the hill and found the back half of my mudguard was flopping loose.  In times gone by I would have left it, but 18 months ago, I had a nasty off caused by a locked back wheel and that damped my ardour, so I resolved to deal with it when I stopped, and descended without my usual elan.

Hoping to visit my cousins in Tredington, I stopped at a petrol station in Ashchurch, hoping that would count as Tewkesbury, but the receipt clearly said Ashchurch so I carried on into Tewkesbury proper and picked up a cashpoint balance, and suddenly there were riders everywhere, the only time I saw significant numbers.

Knowing I was running late, I almost didn’t go visiting, but I don’t see those guys so often, and I needed somewhere to deal with my mudguard, so off I went, passing a few puzzled riders coming in the opposite direction. In Tredington, while my cousin’s 4 year old decorated with me with dandelions behind my ears and up my nose, I took off the offending guard, and hacked out the piece carrying my (dynamo) back light to wedge onto my saddlebag  After an hour or so visit, I set off lanterne rouge again, for a lonely but lovely ride across the Forest, opting for Haw Bridge, instead of the Mythe.

A pretty girl cyclist gave me the brightest of smiles as we passed, and various passers by stared in frank admiration as I rode by.  It’s a long time since I had that kind of attention, so I basked in it and rolled into Tutshill alongside two riders whom I caught on the descent.

It was on that descent that I felt the dandelions parting company with my ears, the nasal decorations having been sneezed out long since, and understood where the wondering gazes had been directed.

After Tutshill, and the spondulicious bean and chorizo stew, things started to deteriorate.  I’d only ridden a single 200 this year, and it showed.  Hills became steeper and the miles passed more slowly.  Worse, I started to get sleepy.

I kept going until somewhere past Malmesbury, but when I started to have micro-sleeps, I gave in.  Knowing I would be sleepy, and wanting to try it out, I was packing a lightweight hammock, and I slung it in some woods, and slept for 45 cold minutes.

On waking, I rode on towards Malmesbury and Swindon, but after Swindon realised that there was simply no way I was going to make it to Lambourn in time, so I sent Liam a message to pass on to Pat, and turned back in search of transport.
 
Swindon at 2 am on a Saturday morning is un-prepossessing!  The next train out was 5 hours hence but there was a London coach.  I found the bus-station, after a while, and joined the queue, patiently waiting my turn.  When it came, the nice young driver greeted me with “You can’t bring that thing on my bus” or words to that effect, so I meekly turned and slunk away.  There seemed no point arguing.

Suddenly the area round the bus station felt frankly threatening and I simply rode away, while I pondered what to do next.  “Aha!” Says I.  “If I ride on round the route, I can pick up the A4, and get to a train in Hungerford or Reading.”

You can probably guess the rest.  With the pressure of time gone, I pitched camp again in some sheltered woods, and slept until dawn broke and I was woken by a full-scale aerial battle of crows, covering me in broken twigs.  Feeling much better again, I rolled on, and coming to the point where I had to choose left for Lambourn or straight on for the A4, which I could hear in the distance, the quiet road seemed appealing.

So it was that I did the classic of packing and then riding home along the route.  My reward was a delicious breakfast in a community shop in the next village after Lambourn, and a sunny morning’s ride punctuated by multiple sleeps in sun on village greens and verges.  “Are you OK Mate?”

A big thanks to Liam for the ride, and sorry I missed you all, but I had a lovely time!
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Salvatore on 01 May, 2017, 05:35:16 pm
we had a Co-op stop in Malmesbury, where we met an Audaxer on a (non-DIY) personal 360km ride via Marsh Gibbon (obliterated by TG). I must be sad when it comes to points, so much so that I have led a few club 100 milers in the past, then done another 25+miles to get two points, as well as helping my RRtY. 

That was me (only 340km actually). Unlike LWL, my route took me round the north and east of Swindon, but I see my ride coincided again with LWL on the bit of road which includes the tunnel/long bridge under the M4, but I didn't see any riders. I see from strava flyby that no less a rider than Busshelter Bertie himself was just ahead of me.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Redlight on 01 May, 2017, 06:15:23 pm
Apologies for the length, but I had a full value ride so you get a full value write-up.

It's all about food, innit?

It should have been an ideal 400.  It was a route I had ridden a couple of times before, without any problem other than a bit of wimpishness on the way up Yat Rock. After blowing up badly on Three Down a few weeks ago (packed after about 120km) I'd made a point of giving the legs a couple of days off, getting plenty of sleep, etc in the run-up, and even drove to the start rather than schlepping across London to Chalfont.

So how did I end up crawling in, embarrassed, more than 26 hours after setting off?

Having gone back over the ride in my head several times since yesterday morning, I can only put it down to not eating properly.  I'd breakfasted at about 3.45 before driving over to the start but, with hindsight, a bowl of cereal and a croissant probably wasn't enough to keep me going until 9am, which was when I anticipated getting to the control at Woodstock, having told myself to take it easy on the 'flat' stage to save energy for the hills later on. 

As it turned out, I got there earlier but there seemed only to be either more cereals and toast or a fry-up on offer, neither of which appealed much. I should have found a shop in the town and got something else but I carried on, meaning that by the time I got to Tewkesbury, I was already in energy deficit.  I'd planned a cafe stop just as you come into the town but on being told by the riders already sitting outside that they had been waiting a long time for their food to come, I carried on into the town centre. I couldn't see anything that appealed, so I ended up sitting outside Tesco eating uninspiring sandwiches.

By now, I was already conscious that I was riding too slowly. The previous stage had been harder for me than in previous years -I simply didn't have the energy to grind up the hills without taking breaks -  and I didn't feel too enthusiastic about continuing. But I couldn't blow out on another Audax, so decided that I would finish, no matter what.

Yat came and went. I rode up it in two bursts but the long continuing drag afterwards wore me down. By the time I got to the Toast Cafe (actually, the hall over the road) I was thoroughly depleted. I thought that taking an extended break there, and tucking into the food on offer, would give me a boost. I was right, in that I managed to up my pace a little once I was over the bridge. At that point, I was still feeling confident that, despite earlier problems, I would reach the Arrivee by about 4am. I climbed up to the Somerset Monument just as dusk set in and enjoyed the woodland lanes across to Sherston, as the wildlife started to venture out for the night. 

However,  on the run in to Malmesbury I fell to pieces. I simply couldn't find the energy to turn the pedals, even on flat sections.  I'd missed the Waitrose cafe and knew of nowhere else in the town that would offer any real nourishment at that time of night, but I'd seen on the route sheet that there was a petrol station with a shop just up the road, so I headed for that.

"Just up the road" was further than I anticipated, despite the distance being clear on the route sheet.  I crawled the 16km to Wootton Bassett, frequently stopping just to lay my head on the handlebars for a few minutes. My legs were dead and I was starting to feel both nauseous and dizzy. My eyes were beginning to blur the information on the route sheet and I couldn't even read the time on the computer.  After what felt like hours, the petrol station came in to sight.  Lights still on, but the Esso sign not.  Worrying.  Yes, I'd missed closing time by a matter of two or three minutes.

Thankfully, the assistant responded to my plaintive knocking and let me in.  I hadn't realised it when riding but I was shaking, not with cold but, I think, from low blood sugar. She let me sit in the corner while she tidied up for the night and I demolished a bottle of banana milk, fruit loaf, chocolate and half a pack of jelly babies, before taking my leave.  It wasn't long before the sugar kicked in and the next 20km or so were manageable, despite some long climbs. However, I had got myself into the classic sugar high-glucose deficit cycle and just before Lambourn the engine packed up again. Then I missed the control - don't know how but I found myself several km down the road to Newbury before realising. In my befuddled state, I could't work out what I'd done wrong so spent about 20 minutes riding around the village randomly until I saw a street name that matched one on the route sheet.

I was shocked to see that it was almost 2am when I arrived and it was obvious that I was right at the tail end of the ride. The two riders whose bikes had been borrowed were very stoically sitting it out.  I was tempted to offer mine and cadge a lift back to Chalfont with Pat.  I tucked into the very welcome chilli and bread and decided to stay until the control closed and take it easy on the last leg. I was confident that, even on my performance so far, I could just about finish in time but, if I didn't, then it didn't matter. 

I left just before 3 with Richie from St Albans and was pleased to find that my energy levels were starting to normalise. We rode together as far as Hampstead Norreys, where he decided to take a break, and I pressed on. On this last stretch I was occasionally joined by another rider from SE London whose name I forgot to ask, but most of the time I rode alone.  Streatly Hill was a delight - with no traffic in sight I hit 76km/h on the way down and even the subsequent climbs out of Goring and Bourne End were steady, if not loveable.

I eventually limped in sometime after 8am to be greeted with smiles and tea from Liam and Marcus.  And, best of all, rice pudding.  Perhaps if I'd had some of that at the start, I would have had a very different day out.  Still, it's a great route and the new catering arrangements are a big improvement on the Severn Across offer.  And, along the way, I got to see a small deer, several young badgers and an unidentified bird of prey pluck a pigeon out of the air mid-flight. That kind of thing makes all the other stuff worthwhile.

Next up for me is the BCM - another ride that I've done a few times and know I can handle comfortably. But somehow I've got to get my eating habits sorted out. Another bad ride and I think I'll be reconsidering LEL :-(.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Bunker22 on 01 May, 2017, 08:32:02 pm
  I'd planned a cafe stop just as you come into the town but on being told by the riders already sitting outside that they had been waiting a long time for their food to come, I carried on into the town centre. I couldn't see anything that appealed, so I ended up sitting outside Tesco eating uninspiring sandwiches.


Were you in a red Audax UK top?
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Redlight on 01 May, 2017, 08:47:04 pm
Yep, that was me.  I presume you were the kind person who watched my bike for me.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: BobScarle on 01 May, 2017, 08:53:54 pm
I was very interested to read Redlight's write up of the ride. I had entered and as the final part of my preparations I tried to do a DIY 300. I suffered much the same symptoms after less that 200 Km and I had to bail out. I decided at that point that my feeding strategy was not correct and that I would withdraw from the ride. It is a truly horrible experience and one that I do not wish to repeat. I can only say well done Redlight for finishing the ride. It doesn't matter how close to the time limit you were, you still finished.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Bunker22 on 01 May, 2017, 09:55:53 pm
Yep, that was me.  I presume you were the kind person who watched my bike for me.

Yes, that was Wilbur and me. I think we managed to find the coldest place in Tewksbury to sit there.

Nice to put a name to a face.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: LMT on 01 May, 2017, 10:11:33 pm
FWIW for next time you have the Gupshill Manor pub on the way into Tewkesbury from the south, no probs getting a drink and some food.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Bagman on 01 May, 2017, 10:27:02 pm
Redlight I had similar problems.  Nearly sick twice and then so hungry that I found it hard to eat anything.
My own fault - bounced the first control and hot food.  Should have eaten then and more frequently during the ride. Lesson learnt the hard way.
Much better today on the Chiltern Chiltern Bang Bang.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Von Broad on 01 May, 2017, 10:32:13 pm
Next up for me is the BCM - another ride that I've done a few times and know I can handle comfortably. But somehow I've got to get my eating habits sorted out. Another bad ride and I think I'll be reconsidering LEL :-(.

Nice write up. Was with you all the way.
You made it, well done. That's the way it is sometimes.
As regards eating - I'm a slow rider, and always carry something or other to tie me over when things get sparse. It's extra weight - but always worth it IMO.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Von Broad on 01 May, 2017, 11:00:21 pm
So it was that I did the classic of packing and then riding home along the route.  My reward was a delicious breakfast in a community shop in the next village after Lambourn, and a sunny morning’s ride punctuated by multiple sleeps in sun on village greens and verges.  “Are you OK Mate?”
Bad luck, but the end as you describe it here doesn't sound quite so bad really :)
Title: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: citoyen on 02 May, 2017, 08:52:41 am
I'd planned a cafe stop just as you come into the town but on being told by the riders already sitting outside that they had been waiting a long time for their food to come, I carried on into the town centre. I couldn't see anything that appealed, so I ended up sitting outside Tesco eating uninspiring sandwiches.

Not much use to you now, I know, but for next time, I recommend this place:
http://www.caffeevino.eu/

Service was quick, even though they were busy, and the food was very good. We only had panini and coffee but the group at the next table were tucking into some rather splendid looking cakes.

Last time I did the SA, I stopped at [redacted], which was very good but a lot slower service. Funny how some places are so much better than others at that side of things - and it's never only down to how busy they are.

Quote
I eventually limped in sometime after 8am to be greeted with smiles and tea from Liam and Marcus.

I think that must have been you who arrived just as I was getting ready to leave - I knew you looked vaguely familiar but sorry I didn't recognise you!

Quote
Another bad ride and I think I'll be reconsidering LEL :-(.

Still several months away. You'll be fine.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: LiamFitz on 02 May, 2017, 10:18:43 am
A couple of nice reports :

Here http://www.graceqom.com/the-importance-of-people/ (http://www.graceqom.com/the-importance-of-people/) and here https://themanfromicon.net/2017/05/01/london-wales-london-400km-audax/ (https://themanfromicon.net/2017/05/01/london-wales-london-400km-audax/)

Liam
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: cgg on 02 May, 2017, 11:16:10 am
At Tewkesbury Graham and I stopped at Aldi of all places. It's amazing what the grand sum of £3.87 can get you :thumbsup:
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: LiamFitz on 02 May, 2017, 03:19:50 pm
How many runners?

95 went out and 81 came back.

Next year I think I try to get 125 on the road.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: citoyen on 02 May, 2017, 03:55:52 pm
After the excellent beans and chorizo and a brief power nap at Tutshill, we pressed on and picked up another pair of riders just after crossing the bridge, plus a chap in a Farnborough & Camberley jersey a bit further on. We worked well together although didn't get round to formal introductions. All I know is the female half of the pair was a fearsomely strong rider on the flat, although she struggled  even more than me on the climbs and we lost her after the monument climb.

Just been browsing the flybys on Strava and realised that Gina, for that is her name, is the rider who was knocked off by a drunk driver at Sonning Common. Bugger. She's ok but bike written off, apparently.


A couple of nice reports :
Here http://www.graceqom.com/the-importance-of-people/ (http://www.graceqom.com/the-importance-of-people/) and here https://themanfromicon.net/2017/05/01/london-wales-london-400km-audax/ (https://themanfromicon.net/2017/05/01/london-wales-london-400km-audax/)

Also rode with that bunch on and off during the first 250km. They seemed nice. I've been caught napping in the second set of pics - literally, while I was dozing at Tutshill.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Bikeabilityman on 02 May, 2017, 05:07:37 pm
After the excellent beans and chorizo and a brief power nap at Tutshill, we pressed on and picked up another pair of riders just after crossing the bridge, plus a chap in a Farnborough & Camberley jersey a bit further on. We worked well together although didn't get round to formal introductions. All I know is the female half of the pair was a fearsomely strong rider on the flat, although she struggled  even more than me on the climbs and we lost her after the monument climb.

Just been browsing the flybys on Strava and realised that Gina, for that is her name, is the rider who was knocked off by a drunk driver at Sonning Common. Bugger. She's ok but bike written off, apparently.


A couple of nice reports :
Here http://www.graceqom.com/the-importance-of-people/ (http://www.graceqom.com/the-importance-of-people/) and here https://themanfromicon.net/2017/05/01/london-wales-london-400km-audax/ (https://themanfromicon.net/2017/05/01/london-wales-london-400km-audax/)

Also rode with that bunch on and off during the first 250km. They seemed nice. I've been caught napping in the second set of pics - literally, while I was dozing at Tutshill.
Oh! So that's you napping next to the handsome dude in the orange, white and blue jersey?
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: citoyen on 02 May, 2017, 05:20:45 pm
Oh! So that's you napping next to the handsome dude in the orange, white and blue jersey?

Yes. Do you know him?

;)
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Bikeabilityman on 02 May, 2017, 05:24:19 pm
Oh! So that's you napping next to the handsome dude in the orange, white and blue jersey?

Yes. Do you know him?

;)
He looks familiar!
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Divingrob on 03 May, 2017, 01:01:02 pm
I really enjoyed it, got a bit lonely at times but really happy with how it all went, tried my LEL set up for the first time.

Really impressed with that dry stone wall that was being built between Woodstock and Tewksbury.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Redlight on 03 May, 2017, 03:17:15 pm
Really impressed with that dry stone wall that was being built between Woodstock and Tewksbury.

I remember seeing that.  It looked as though it was being built to last - but somehow just looked incongruously new, don't you think?

Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: JJ on 03 May, 2017, 04:37:14 pm
So it was that I did the classic of packing and then riding home along the route.  My reward was a delicious breakfast in a community shop in the next village after Lambourn, and a sunny morning’s ride punctuated by multiple sleeps in sun on village greens and verges.  “Are you OK Mate?”
Bad luck, but the end as you describe it here doesn't sound quite so bad really :)

Bad preparation, albeit not all under my control, but not a bad ending at all!
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: LiamFitz on 03 May, 2017, 06:24:42 pm

Really impressed with that dry stone wall that was being built between Woodstock and Tewksbury.

Has Donald Trump become mayor of Woodstock?
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Divingrob on 03 May, 2017, 09:16:44 pm
Really impressed with that dry stone wall that was being built between Woodstock and Tewksbury.

I remember seeing that.  It looked as though it was being built to last - but somehow just looked incongruously new, don't you think?

Coping stones didn't look right.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: LiamFitz on 07 May, 2017, 07:35:11 pm
Another nice write up on Road.CC http://road.cc/content/blog/222231-go-west-and-then-come-back
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Bikeabilityman on 08 May, 2017, 08:43:20 am
Another nice write up on Road.CC http://road.cc/content/blog/222231-go-west-and-then-come-back
Wow!  We all had our own highs and lows on that ride. You can tell he writes for a living. Great shot of my knees under the table too.
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: LiamFitz on 08 May, 2017, 08:56:38 am
And another write-up/Tribute to Mike Hall in the Guardian from Craig Cunningham! https://www.theguardian.com/environment/bike-blog/2017/may/08/completely-shattered-but-incredibly-high-inside-the-mind-of-an-ultra-distance-cyclist
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: citoyen on 08 May, 2017, 09:32:42 am
And another write-up/Tribute to Mike Hall in the Guardian from Craig Cunningham! https://www.theguardian.com/environment/bike-blog/2017/may/08/completely-shattered-but-incredibly-high-inside-the-mind-of-an-ultra-distance-cyclist

It was me who talked Craig into entering LWL. He'd never done an audax before this year, but I enticed him in with the Poor Student, persuaded him that LWL would be a good idea, and then he also entered the 3Down of his own accord.

He did well for his first 400 - much better than I did on my first 400. At the end of it, he was swearing 'Never again!' but I knew he would feel a bit differently about it all once the pain wore off.  ;D
Title: Re: London Wales London (Severn Across as was...)
Post by: Wycombewheeler on 08 May, 2017, 09:37:28 am
And another write-up/Tribute to Mike Hall in the Guardian from Craig Cunningham! https://www.theguardian.com/environment/bike-blog/2017/may/08/completely-shattered-but-incredibly-high-inside-the-mind-of-an-ultra-distance-cyclist

It was me who talked Craig into entering LWL. He'd never done an audax before this year, but I enticed him in with the Poor Student, persuaded him that LWL would be a good idea, and then he also entered the 3Down of his own accord.

He did well for his first 400 - much better than I did on my first 400. At the end of it, he was swearing 'Never again!' but I knew he would feel a bit differently about it all once the pain wore off.  ;D
that was me at the end of last year's event. 12 months later finished again and felt much better too. Interested to find out if a 600 is worse or not.
Title: London-Wales-London
Post by: AK on 16 April, 2018, 04:16:43 pm
Had a look and couldn’t see a thread for this one. I managed to get an entry for it and looking forward to it. Finally plucked up the courage to tell the wife that I would be disappearing for a bit on that Bank holiday weekend.
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: whosatthewheel on 16 April, 2018, 04:36:39 pm
I am really looking forward to this... should be a stunning ride... with a bit of help from the weather
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: alfapete on 16 April, 2018, 07:59:43 pm
Looking forward to welcoming you all in Tutshill. And test riding just a quarter of it tomorrow...
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: Kangaroocourt on 16 April, 2018, 09:33:38 pm
This is coming just under 5 weeks after I cracked a rib or 2 in a crash. I know the mantra is "6 weeks" for ribs but I can't bear the idea of missing this one!!
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: whosatthewheel on 17 April, 2018, 07:28:04 am
This is coming just under 5 weeks after I cracked a rib or 2 in a crash. I know the mantra is "6 weeks" for ribs but I can't bear the idea of missing this one!!

Just don't laugh too hard
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: grapefruits on 17 April, 2018, 11:15:51 am
This will be my first 400km ride. Simultaneously really excited but also dreading it. No idea how my body's going to cope. Was okay(ish) on a 300, have since had a bike fit and hoping I can manage my eating a bit better so that I can finish.
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: whosatthewheel on 17 April, 2018, 11:15:58 am
Anyone staying in the hall the night before who wants to go for a beer?
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: whosatthewheel on 17 April, 2018, 11:49:44 am
This will be my first 400km ride. Simultaneously really excited but also dreading it. No idea how my body's going to cope. Was okay(ish) on a 300, have since had a bike fit and hoping I can manage my eating a bit better so that I can finish.

Wouldn't worry about that. The temptation on a 200-300 is to go a bit too hard... typically on a 400 you will keep a much more relaxed pace. The only time limit that would make me go quicker is if I am in sight of Chalfont and it's not 11 PM yet... being able to rush to the pub for the last order would be a massive plus for me.  ;D :thumbsup: But that means being back in less than 17 hours, which is a tall order.
My feeling is that at LWL there will be some very fast guys, so I'll have to refrain from sticking to their wheel at 30 km/h... if I lose them early on, I'll just do my own thing and I know how to manage my pace and food intake. I recommend you do the same
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: NeilP on 17 April, 2018, 12:30:42 pm
Will be my first 400 too having done just the one 300 in 2016. I have a 300 this weekend which I'll be doing my best to pace at what I believe will be my 400 pace, in all likelihood it won't be a lot different.
I just need to put my powermeter to good use and stay restrained on the drags and hills.
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: AK on 17 April, 2018, 05:03:07 pm
My first 400 too. Need to get myself a decent front light sorted for this as the cheapy one I bought has already packed up. Might treat myself to a small bar bag too.
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: whosatthewheel on 17 April, 2018, 05:08:14 pm
My first 400 too. Need to get myself a decent front light sorted for this as the cheapy one I bought has already packed up. Might treat myself to a small bar bag too.

You will need a spare battery too or an Anker battery charger. My experience is that if used at full power, typically LEDs around the 400-600 Lumens last 2 to 3 hours.
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: AK on 17 April, 2018, 07:56:36 pm
My first 400 too. Need to get myself a decent front light sorted for this as the cheapy one I bought has already packed up. Might treat myself to a small bar bag too.

You will need a spare battery too or an Anker battery charger. My experience is that if used at full power, typically LEDs around the 400-600 Lumens last 2 to 3 hours.

Thanks whosatthewheel. I've got a pretty good charger already, but was thinking about a AAA or AA battery powered unit. 
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: Zed43 on 17 April, 2018, 09:21:39 pm
You will need a spare battery too or an Anker battery charger. My experience is that if used at full power, typically LEDs around the 400-600 Lumens last 2 to 3 hours.
One thing to be aware of is that many, if not most, USB-rechargeable lights turn off when an external power source is connected. At least the  Lezyne 800XL and CatEye 1600 exhibit this behaviour.

Personally I find the 150/200 lumens "economy" mode of these lamps to be sufficient for riding on (UK) roads.
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: BobScarle on 18 April, 2018, 09:18:19 am
I am really excited by this. I am riding the Heart of England 300 on Saturday and LWL two weeks after. Wimped out last year after suffering a horrible bonk on a ride. I still have work to do on food, and I am getting my head sorted out slowly.
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: AK on 18 April, 2018, 10:33:32 am
Anyone staying in the hall the night before who wants to go for a beer?

Had a look on the website but cannot see any information on booking this. Anyone able to give me a steer? Cheers. 👍
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: jiberjaber on 18 April, 2018, 11:19:40 am
Perhaps drop the org an email.


My top tip - don't rely on CO2 to get you sorted on punctures and carry a pump and more than a couple of tubes. 

Other than that, have a great ride and don't forget to pay for breakfast at the first control!  :thumbsup: (a lot thought it was free last year)
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: whosatthewheel on 18 April, 2018, 12:05:08 pm
Anyone staying in the hall the night before who wants to go for a beer?

Had a look on the website but cannot see any information on booking this. Anyone able to give me a steer? Cheers. 👍

Yes, just let Liam know you will be staying on the floor of the hall. You need to bring your own sleeping bad etc...
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: whosatthewheel on 18 April, 2018, 12:08:45 pm


Other than that, have a great ride and don't forget to pay for breakfast at the first control!

It says food at Woodstock is included... maybe it wasn't last year
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: jiberjaber on 18 April, 2018, 12:15:23 pm


Other than that, have a great ride and don't forget to pay for breakfast at the first control!

It says food at Woodstock is included... maybe it wasn't last year

I'm not on this year but might be a lesson from last year.  It was a great breakfast but quite a few thought it was already included and subsequently eat and then left... (I don't think the signs were that visible iirc)

 
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: Manotea on 18 April, 2018, 04:44:29 pm
Yes, if youre planning to stay over the thing to do is mail Liam so he knows how many mugs of cocoa to make. 

You'll need a bag plus mat, but can leave them with Liam whilst youre out enjoing yourself.

Normal drill is to meet up at the The White Hart in the village and then walk round to the centre at closing time.  See you there. :)

I believe 2nd Brekkie at Woodstock is officially part of the deal this year but Liam will advise.
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: whosatthewheel on 18 April, 2018, 04:55:35 pm
Yes, if youre planning to stay over the thing to do is mail Liam so he knows how many mugs of cocoa to make. 

You'll need a bag plus mat, but can leave them with Liam whilst youre out enjoing yourself.

Normal drill is to meet up at the The White Hart in the village and then walk round to the centre at closing time.  See you there. :)

I believe 2nd Brekkie at Woodstock is officially part of the deal this year but Liam will advise.

See you in the pub then...  ;D
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: NeilP on 19 April, 2018, 05:11:01 pm
I am really excited by this. I am riding the Heart of England 300 on Saturday and LWL two weeks after. Wimped out last year after suffering a horrible bonk on a ride. I still have work to do on food, and I am getting my head sorted out slowly.

Same.
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: LiamFitz on 20 April, 2018, 06:52:16 am
Dear all

Edmund will be dormitory monitor on the Friday night.  To help us can you let us know if you plan to come?

I'm aiming to send out final docs at the weekend - thanks to the many people who have looked at the route. The main feedback won't come as a surprise -the roads are in a terrible state with a few of the descents being a bit sporting.  This might affect your tyre choice.

Details on website are right re feeding.  Last year, despite messages on the website, a note in the rider information, a sign at the control and a notice at the arrivee a few riders managed not to pay for breakfast so I thought i'd make it easier and include the breakfast in the entry fee. It's also a good way to support the community association in Woodstock. Manotea willbe in charge of proceedings in Woodstock.

Thanks to Alfapete and his motley crew for looking after Tutshill and to Iddu for organising the gourmet night stop at Lambourn.  We're dependent on the kindness of strangers...

Liam
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: LiamFitz on 21 April, 2018, 05:36:52 pm
Anyone who is riding should have received an email from me this afternoon.

Liam
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: AK on 01 May, 2018, 12:54:00 pm
Anyone staying in the hall the night before who wants to go for a beer?

I'm staying over on the Friday night. I'm hoping to get to he HQ for around 8pm, so happy to see anyone in the pub for a swift bit of carb loading.
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: whosatthewheel on 01 May, 2018, 01:41:49 pm
Anyone staying in the hall the night before who wants to go for a beer?

I'm staying over on the Friday night. I'm hoping to get to he HQ for around 8pm, so happy to see anyone in the pub for a swift bit of carb loading.

Centre will open before 9PM according to Liam's email, not sure if at 8 will be open already though...
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: Manotea on 01 May, 2018, 02:43:26 pm
The HQ building - Chalfont Community Centre - is generally open but 8pm will likely be a tadge early. I'll be along sometime after 9pm then wander over to the white Hart in the village. For people going direct there are various eateries in the village albeit mainly of the chippie variety. More can be found in Gerrard's cross which is 10 minutes up the road.

You can always join in the bingo whilst you're waiting though. :)
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: AK on 01 May, 2018, 03:05:18 pm
Ok, that's not a problem. A bit later suits me. Just need to get my bike sorted  and a new front light and hopefully I'll be good to go! :)
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: LiamFitz on 01 May, 2018, 03:21:16 pm
Anyone staying in the hall the night before who wants to go for a beer?

I'm staying over on the Friday night. I'm hoping to get to he HQ for around 8pm, so happy to see anyone in the pub for a swift bit of carb loading.

Centre will open before 9PM according to Liam's email, not sure if at 8 will be open already though...

That's right - Edmund is Dorm Fuhrer and will be there at 2100 ish
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: BobScarle on 02 May, 2018, 04:31:07 pm
Sorry Liam but I need to declare myself to be DNS. I can't make the weekend now.
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: LiamFitz on 02 May, 2018, 06:04:54 pm
Sorry Liam but I need to declare myself to be DNS. I can't make the weekend now.

Thanks Bob.  Maybe next year?

Just a note to everyone, I don't check YACF very often; email or phone always a more reliable way to communicate with me if you need to reach me quickly.

Liam
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: halhorner on 04 May, 2018, 11:09:40 am
Very excited and nervous about what will be my first attempt at the distance...have luxury of day off today for bike prep and hopefully a siesta to bank a bit of sleep.
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: AK on 04 May, 2018, 11:15:39 am
Very excited and nervous about what will be my first attempt at the distance...have luxury of day off today for bike prep and hopefully a siesta to bank a bit of sleep.

Managed to get everything sorted last night. Really looking forward to this one; like you, my first 400. Think I’ve overdone it with the spare inner tubes and mini soreen bars!
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: whosatthewheel on 04 May, 2018, 11:28:36 am
Looks like is going to be a great day out!

I take the opportunity to warn everybody about the descent into Winchcombe (km 123). It is very steep and with poor road surface, so don't get carried away with the speed... the surface only becomes worse towards the bottom, where it's less steep, so even there, keep speed under control
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: tornandfrayed on 04 May, 2018, 11:32:00 am
I wouldn't overdo it with the snacks - it's a Saturday and the shops will be open :) I used to load up with food but found all I was doing was taking some sandwiches and cake for a ride. Nowadays on a Saturday ride I just stick an emergency flapjack in my pocket (maybe more on a Sunday).

The really good news is the weather looks pretty well perfect which makes a change after the winter we've had.
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: Manotea on 04 May, 2018, 11:47:33 am
Looks like is going to be a great day out!

I take the opportunity to warn everybody about the descent into Winchcombe (km 123). It is very steep and with poor road surface, so don't get carried away with the speed... the surface only becomes worse towards the bottom, where it's less steep, so even there, keep speed under control

And its not unknown for there to be vehicles coming the other way, so whilst its tempting to make a big swooping R&T as you descend it's probably best not to.

On the other hand once on the flat you will need to start gathering some momentum to make the rise to the High Street. Sigh.
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: AK on 04 May, 2018, 11:57:45 am
I wouldn't overdo it with the snacks - it's a Saturday and the shops will be open :) I used to load up with food but found all I was doing was taking some sandwiches and cake for a ride. Nowadays on a Saturday ride I just stick an emergency flapjack in my pocket (maybe more on a Sunday).

The really good news is the weather looks pretty well perfect which makes a change after the winter we've had.

I’ve put a bar bag on, which I didn’t use for my 300. Trying to decide whether I really need it. Decisions, decisions.
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: grapefruits on 04 May, 2018, 12:49:25 pm
I’ve put a bar bag on, which I didn’t use for my 300. Trying to decide whether I really need it. Decisions, decisions.

I've got an almost full 7 litre saddle bag. Might try and lose it in the Travelodge tonight. Do I *really* need an extra base layer??  ???
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: whosatthewheel on 04 May, 2018, 01:03:06 pm
I’ve put a bar bag on, which I didn’t use for my 300. Trying to decide whether I really need it. Decisions, decisions.

I've got an almost full 7 litre saddle bag. Might try and lose it in the Travelodge tonight. Do I *really* need an extra base layer??  ???

My experience is that the night is always colder than the numbers say... temperatures are typically quoted for towns and cities... I suspect at 2 AM in the countryside it will be something around 6-7 degrees... no wind helps, but still cold. I will bring a Gabba jacket... hopefully it won't be needed, but it's good to have it there
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: AK on 04 May, 2018, 01:56:24 pm
I’ve put a bar bag on, which I didn’t use for my 300. Trying to decide whether I really need it. Decisions, decisions.

I've got an almost full 7 litre saddle bag. Might try and lose it in the Travelodge tonight. Do I *really* need an extra base layer??  ???

I’ve got warm clothing in my saddle bag in case I need it at night. I’m pretty sure that I’ve got too much, but as I’m new to this audax lark, I think at the moment I’d rather have too much; work out what I don’t need over time and then pare it down in the future.
My experience is that the night is always colder than the numbers say... temperatures are typically quoted for towns and cities... I suspect at 2 AM in the countryside it will be something around 6-7 degrees... no wind helps, but still cold. I will bring a Gabba jacket... hopefully it won't be needed, but it's good to have it there
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: prowl on 04 May, 2018, 03:21:06 pm

I’ve got warm clothing in my saddle bag in case I need it at night. I’m pretty sure that I’ve got too much, but as I’m new to this audax lark, I think at the moment I’d rather have too much; work out what I don’t need over time and then pare it down in the future.

My experience is that the night is always colder than the numbers say... temperatures are typically quoted for towns and cities... I suspect at 2 AM in the countryside it will be something around 6-7 degrees... no wind helps, but still cold. I will bring a Gabba jacket... hopefully it won't be needed, but it's good to have it there

The Chilterns in particular are generally a few degrees colder than their surroundings, so an extra layer is probably prudent if you're crossing them long after the sun's gone down, no matter how warm it gets during the day. It generally gets warmer again from around Henley.

Depends how much you feel the cold - for some that will mean a lightweight windproof jacket, for others something more substantial.
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: ian_oli on 04 May, 2018, 04:08:20 pm
The forecast is clear skies and slight winds well into Saturday night. There may well be a temperature inversion which can make the valley bottoms very cold, almost freezing, while it's quite pleasant on the hilltops.
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: citoyen on 04 May, 2018, 05:16:13 pm
Looks like is going to be a great day out!

I take the opportunity to warn everybody about the descent into Winchcombe (km 123). It is very steep and with poor road surface, so don't get carried away with the speed... the surface only becomes worse towards the bottom, where it's less steep, so even there, keep speed under control

And its not unknown for there to be vehicles coming the other way, so whilst its tempting to make a big swooping R&T as you descend it's probably best not to.

Going down there last year I was stuck behind some cars which was a kind of blessing as it removed the temptation to go too fast, though there was a distinct burning smell coming from my brakes by the bottom.

On the subject of warnings, here's another one: don't leave your bikes unlocked outside controls - though I'm sure Liam has covered that one already.
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: gustibus on 04 May, 2018, 05:18:26 pm
Looks like is going to be a great day out!

I take the opportunity to warn everybody about the descent into Winchcombe (km 123). It is very steep and with poor road surface, so don't get carried away with the speed... the surface only becomes worse towards the bottom, where it's less steep, so even there, keep speed under control

And its not unknown for there to be vehicles coming the other way, so whilst its tempting to make a big swooping R&T as you descend it's probably best not to.

On the other hand once on the flat you will need to start gathering some momentum to make the rise to the High Street. Sigh.

Is that the one near Sudeley Castle? The last time I did this event (2015) a flat bed truck thing overtook me halfway down that descent as I went down at full tilt........I can remember it very clearly three years later, which gives an indication of how close he was.

Not sure if the "driver" was familiar with mime, but he would have been very impressed with the show in his rear view mirror - 

Have just changed my brake pads for tomorrow  ;D
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: alfapete on 04 May, 2018, 07:05:36 pm
I take the opportunity to warn everybody about the descent into Winchcombe (km 123). It is very steep and with poor road surface, so don't get carried away with the speed... the surface only becomes worse towards the bottom, where it's less steep, so even there, keep speed under control

Easiest way to look out for the potholes and gravel here is to note that it's where the water runs across the road, but the worst bit is well past the steep bit...
...and yes, it is the bit just before the Castle entrance
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: LiamFitz on 05 May, 2018, 11:26:39 am
So we had 119 on the road at 0600 and have only lost two by Woodstock (as they didn't call I'm assuming they didn't realise that it was a mandatory control and have flown through).



Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: javier on 06 May, 2018, 01:43:30 am
Big kudos to Liam and all the volunteers. Yes, the weather today was lovely but their work is so great that even in bad weather LWL is an event worth riding.
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: whosatthewheel on 06 May, 2018, 08:34:36 am
Thanks to Liam and all the volunteers for taking care of us.

A ride of two halves... fairly easy to Tewkesbury and then hard as a nail after... managed to get back 10 minutes before the pub shut at 11:50 PM, but they had already called the last order... buggers! :-[ :-[
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: AK on 06 May, 2018, 10:50:29 am
Thanks to Liam and all the volunteers for taking care of us.

A ride of two halves... fairly easy to Tewkesbury and then hard as a nail after... managed to get back 10 minutes before the pub shut at 11:50 PM, but they had already called the last order... buggers! :-[ :-[

That’s when I got in too. No way I was going to the pub and not eating the curry Dahl, which I basically inhaled. A fab day. Only had one real bad patch in the hour before the Tutshill control. With the ride in temperature I was drinking plenty, but stopped eating. Managed to get myself together at the control and refuel. Thanks to Liam and his crew. A brilliant event.
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: halhorner on 06 May, 2018, 11:50:23 am
Couldn't have asked for a nicer ride for my first 400. Lovely weather, lovely people, fantastic organisation. That there was such a good vibe all day (&night) is testament to Liam and his team - massive thanks to one & all! :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: LiamFitz on 06 May, 2018, 05:27:07 pm
So all dusted and accounted for.

It was a treat to be involved this year albeit through gritted teeth when I saw the weather - so unlike what IanOli and Manotea endured with me on assorted route checks!!!!

Big thanks to the growing army of volunteers who pitched in - in ways large and small to make it happen.  From people who did small and large route checks and pot hole spotting, to the two lads who helped flag riders into the Woodstock Control, from the folks who gave up their Saturday day and night to work the controls and to the two staff at the Woodstock Social club who fed over 100 riders in 45 minutes despite having had no sleep themselves!

And thanks to the riders who have made some suggestions of improvements for next year!

Participants will get the lost property schedule shortly...

Liam
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: Somnolent on 06 May, 2018, 06:08:44 pm
What a contrast in temperatures:
Cool to Woodstock
Warm to Tewkesbury
Hot though Forest of Dean and all the way to Malmesbury
Cold when sun went down (around RWB for me)
Freezing before Lambourn
By Henley I'd emptied the saddlebag and was wearing every layer I had !
Warmed at the arrivée with cheese toastie, the beans on toast, and the dahl, all of which were great,
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: duracellbunnyonabike on 07 May, 2018, 10:19:31 am
That was my 3rd and best experience of London Wales London. What a stunning day for riding! A great route. While the roads were damaged in places it wasn’t too bad at all and mostly a smooth ride.

Some great scenery and how often is it that can ride near London for nearly 60km before you encounter the first red traffic light ?! Great to see a good number of women at the start today. Hopefully that number continues to grow. London Wales London is a great event for Peta McSharry’s initiative to get 2019 women at the start of Paris Brest Paris in 2019.

Big thanks to Liam and his team of helpers at all the checkpoints, thanks to Darren, Si and Rus for sharing such a great day in the saddle with me and big thanks to all fellow Audaxers who made kind and generous donations to my justgiving page set up to raise funds for Cancer Research UK as I will have another go at the LEJOG record in early July this year.
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: Goldcrank on 07 May, 2018, 12:15:08 pm
Huge hanks to Liam and his team. Had a fantastic ride. 

Just starting to approach normal as I didn’t get my feeding/hydration quite right. 

Thanks. A
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: gustibus on 07 May, 2018, 07:06:38 pm
Brilliant day  :)

Organisation, helpers and weather all combined for a great day out.
The night time section was a bit of a slog as the temperatures dropped but a quick stop at McD's brought back my freezing feet. Was definitely flagging at the end as my lack of distance riding came back to bite me, but made it to the end for the usual friendly welcome.

Thanks to everyone involved  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: orejas on 07 May, 2018, 09:22:22 pm
Like others have said, thanks to all the organisers and helpers, a great route. Liam, please put a control on the Somerset monument, that way the climbing will not feel quite that gratuitous   :P.
I got so cold at Lambourne i thought about packing it in, but just about got to the arrive by using the A4 option.
Again, thanks for organising and getting lucky with the weather
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: Somnolent on 08 May, 2018, 10:25:51 am
please put a control on the Somerset monument, that way the climbing will not feel quite that gratuitous   :P.
The western aspect of the Cotswolds is steep everywhere !
Glad you made it to the end, enjoyed your company for some of the distance before Lambourn. 
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: Divingrob on 08 May, 2018, 11:35:58 am
Fantastic day.

Even the Range Rover brigade weren't too bad coming out of the horse event. I dont think I've ever had to make so may additional stops though. Rode with a bloke who was struggling for the last 100kms, nice to just to help a fellow rider along. 
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: whosatthewheel on 08 May, 2018, 12:20:42 pm
Fantastic day.

Even the Range Rover brigade weren't too bad coming out of the horse event. I dont think I've ever had to make so may additional stops though. Rode with a bloke who was struggling for the last 100kms, nice to just to help a fellow rider along.

I think a lot of people were fooled by the weather and went like trains, with over 20 people finishing ahead of Liam's expected fastest finishers.
4 hours in, I was still averaging over 30 km/h, following some fast wheels. As a result, the return leg turned out to be very hard.
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: halhorner on 08 May, 2018, 01:18:46 pm

Even the Range Rover brigade weren't too bad coming out of the horse event.

If you ask me it's just cruel to make horses play racquet sports...
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: whosatthewheel on 09 May, 2018, 08:33:33 am
Route-wise, wouldn't it make sense to go clockwise rather than anticlockwise?
This way those dark, wooded rutted lanes would be tackled in day light and the  more open Oxfordshire/Bucks section with better visibility would be done at night.
I found those dark descents a bit unnerving, with poor visibility even with good lights

Obviously Tewkesbuty would be closing for business if placed at Km 260, but I am sure there are plenty of 24 h options around town.... or it might become a manned control.

Some minor benefits include the huge roundabout south of Swindon, no more need to go all the way around it mixing with motorway traffic, which also was quite unnerving for those of us getting there at "rush hour".

Thoughts?
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: BlackSheep on 09 May, 2018, 02:01:42 pm
A ride of two halves... fairly easy to Tewkesbury and then hard as a nail after...
Surely it was a fair distance after Tewkesbury? There's a small up near Aston Crews, the rise up to Symonds Yat Rock is a bit of a gratuitous pull (to get the all important info). But then the rest down the Wye Valley is gentle.
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: Somnolent on 09 May, 2018, 03:48:48 pm
Route-wise, wouldn't it make sense to go clockwise rather than anticlockwise?
This way those dark, wooded rutted lanes would be tackled in day light and the  more open Oxfordshire/Bucks section with better visibility would be done at night.
I found those dark descents a bit unnerving, with poor visibility even with good lights

Obviously Tewkesbuty would be closing for business if placed at Km 260, but I am sure there are plenty of 24 h options around town.... or it might become a manned control.

Some minor benefits include the huge roundabout south of Swindon, no more need to go all the way around it mixing with motorway traffic, which also was quite unnerving for those of us getting there at "rush hour".

Thoughts?

Or alternate directions, like the Poor Student ?

But that roundabout - it has a continuous pavement, with suitably placed acccess ramps, on the right of the road, if you prefer to go the "wrong way round" and take the first exit instead of the fourth.  Benefits of reconnaisance / streetview.
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: LiamFitz on 10 May, 2018, 09:32:12 pm
A couple of nice blogs here - https://londonwaleslondon.com/lwl17/
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: Lee Velo on 13 May, 2018, 09:45:45 am
After last years debacle involving Gina being hit by a drunk driver, we took it a little easier this year to avoid being too tired at during the Lambourne-Henley leg.

Some of this was unintentional as Gina decided to put her insoles in the wrong shoes and wonder why she had no power after Tewkesbury.

We were about an hour slower than last year by the time we hit Sonning Common, but luckily there were no drivers to be seen!

A great day and met some great riders...am I coming next year....we will see ;)
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: whosatthewheel on 17 May, 2018, 06:32:49 pm
Finally managed to add my piece

https://whosatthewheel.com/
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: LiamFitz on 22 May, 2018, 06:30:54 pm
Did anyone get any nice pics by the way?
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: telstarbox on 31 May, 2018, 07:52:12 am
Article in the Guardian today!

Rise of the ultra-cyclists: a new breed of riders go the distance

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/bike-blog/2018/may/31/rise-ultra-cyclists-london-wales-london-audax?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Copy_to_clipboard
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: citoyen on 31 May, 2018, 08:45:25 am
Nice piece. Shame about some of the lame BTL comments.
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: fimm on 31 May, 2018, 09:16:28 am
....Great to see a good number of women at the start today. Hopefully that number continues to grow....
Out of curiosity, does anyone know how many women took part?
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: Wycombewheeler on 31 May, 2018, 09:45:30 am
Finishers list shows 8 I think.
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: LiamFitz on 28 July, 2018, 12:26:39 pm
....Great to see a good number of women at the start today. Hopefully that number continues to grow....
Out of curiosity, does anyone know how many women took part?

My sense was that women were over-represented among the DNS - I hope we can get a more diverse field next year (we are aiming to open for entries on 16 September).

Liam
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: Wycombewheeler on 28 July, 2018, 10:32:08 pm
....Great to see a good number of women at the start today. Hopefully that number continues to grow....
Out of curiosity, does anyone know how many women took part?

My sense was that women were over-represented among the DNS - I hope we can get a more diverse field next year (we are aiming to open for entries on 16 September).

Liam
any chance of running an x rated version alongside the paid controls one? this 400 is the most convenient for me, but I prefer being able to choose when, where and what I eat. Demand should be pretty high next year with people looking t get the PBP qualifiers, and the event sold out last year.
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: LiamFitz on 29 July, 2018, 08:22:42 am
any chance of running an x rated version alongside the paid controls one? this 400 is the most convenient for me, but I prefer being able to choose when, where and what I eat. Demand should be pretty high next year with people looking t get the PBP qualifiers, and the event sold out last year.

Hi

No plans to do so.  However, If you are able to help out on the day I'd be delighted to arrange a helpers' ride the week after.  We'll need people to support for a few hours in Lambourn and Chepstow; if you can't ride on the day it's great way to be part of it all.

Liam
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: mattc on 29 July, 2018, 08:33:43 am
The "optional TLC" ride has been discussed before (mainly around LEL): the general view is that it's too much hassle to check which riders have paid for food/bed and which not. Shame, because it has some advantages (for the riders, anyway).
Title: London-Wales-London
Post by: citoyen on 29 July, 2018, 08:57:36 am
The "optional TLC" ride has been discussed before (mainly around LEL): the general view is that it's too much hassle to check which riders have paid for food/bed and which not. Shame, because it has some advantages (for the riders, anyway).

Surely the TLC is optional anyway - the only mandatory bit is getting your card stamped.

There are also quite a few 400s in the calendar that don’t offer the full TLC thing.
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: LiamFitz on 20 September, 2018, 01:07:12 pm
....Great to see a good number of women at the start today. Hopefully that number continues to grow....
Out of curiosity, does anyone know how many women took part?


Based only on a count of first names we have 35 women signed up so far.  We have a lot of Chris' but I excluded them from the count!
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: Nothereforafasttime on 20 September, 2018, 06:09:08 pm
Does anyone have the gpx file for this or any previous editions?  Looking to reccy it next Friday.

TIA
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: LiamFitz on 20 September, 2018, 06:47:47 pm
I'M happy to supply - Are you planning on riding it?
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: Nothereforafasttime on 21 September, 2018, 12:38:12 pm
I'M happy to supply - Are you planning on riding it?

Yes I am just going out for a jolly on it beforehand.
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: whosatthewheel on 21 September, 2018, 02:00:10 pm
I'M happy to supply - Are you planning on riding it?

Yes I am just going out for a jolly on it beforehand.

If I was to do it unsupported, I'd go clockwise. The Chiltern lanes coming back from the south in the dark are quite nerve racking, due to poor road surface, whereas the top part in Oxfordshire has better roads. It's also flatter after Stow on the Wold, ideal when you are tired. You can probably avoid the last nasty kick up Cadsden lane by climbing the ridge further north passing by Chequers.. I think it's called Butlers Cross.

Just a thought
The Severn crossing approach might be a bit more awkward that way, but shouldn't be an issue
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: LiamFitz on 21 September, 2018, 02:12:01 pm
I'M happy to supply - Are you planning on riding it?

Yes I am just going out for a jolly on it beforehand.

Hope you enjoy it.

I do ask people to consider making a charitable donation to Jasmijn's CRUK page - https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/LEJOGRECORD
It's a nice way to acknowledge the work put in over the years by people to refine the route; it doesn't have to be much but it will influence your kamma!
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: LiamFitz on 21 September, 2018, 02:18:18 pm
I'M happy to supply - Are you planning on riding it?

Yes I am just going out for a jolly on it beforehand.

If I was to do it unsupported, I'd go clockwise. The Chiltern lanes coming back from the south in the dark are quite nerve racking, due to poor road surface, whereas the top part in Oxfordshire has better roads. It's also flatter after Stow on the Wold, ideal when you are tired. You can probably avoid the last nasty kick up Cadsden lane by climbing the ridge further north passing by Chequers.. I think it's called Butlers Cross.

Just a thought
The Severn crossing approach might be a bit more awkward that way, but shouldn't be an issue

I think avoiding Cadsden Lane by going down to Butlers Cross does have the disadvantage of a few extra K on a busy narrowish road. Cadsden Lane is not terrible and the descent down to Askett is quite jolly.
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: whosatthewheel on 21 September, 2018, 03:46:04 pm


If I was to do it unsupported, I'd go clockwise. The Chiltern lanes coming back from the south in the dark are quite nerve racking, due to poor road surface, whereas the top part in Oxfordshire has better roads. It's also flatter after Stow on the Wold, ideal when you are tired. You can probably avoid the last nasty kick up Cadsden lane by climbing the ridge further north passing by Chequers.. I think it's called Butlers Cross.

Just a thought
The Severn crossing approach might be a bit more awkward that way, but shouldn't be an issue

I think avoiding Cadsden Lane by going down to Butlers Cross does have the disadvantage of a few extra K on a busy narrowish road. Cadsden Lane is not terrible and the descent down to Askett is quite jolly.

I was referring to a clockwise scenario, where you have to climb Cadsden from Askett after 380 km or so, or add 3-4 km and climb the much shallower Butlers cross.

Have you considered trying one year a "clockwise LWL"? I thought about it a lot over the past 4 months (not very busy...) and I can see very few drawbacks... but quite a few advantages for the riders: on top of those listed above, you would be able to use the B 4077 to Stow, which is too busy during the late morning, possibly even the A 46 out of Tewkesbury.
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: LiamFitz on 21 September, 2018, 04:11:24 pm
It is an interesting idea indeed but not one for me for now. Even with an established route things like finessing directions and upgrading controls are a significant undertaking.  Reworking the whole thing is probably beyond the capacity of the team behind it at the moment.

Perhaps when I retire some time I'll think some more about it but for now I'll let it remain a pipedream

Liam
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: mattc on 21 September, 2018, 04:13:29 pm
You know, I think some wise chap suggested this before. Let me see ... ah yes ...

https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=99473.msg2284456#msg2284456
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: Nothereforafasttime on 25 September, 2018, 12:00:57 pm
I'M happy to supply - Are you planning on riding it?

Yes I am just going out for a jolly on it beforehand.

Hope you enjoy it.

I do ask people to consider making a charitable donation to Jasmijn's CRUK page - https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/LEJOGRECORD
It's a nice way to acknowledge the work put in over the years by people to refine the route; it doesn't have to be much but it will influence your kamma!

When do a search on the RWGPS page for LWL up pops about five different routes.  Can anyone point me in the direction of the 'official' route?

TIA
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: LiamFitz on 25 September, 2018, 12:32:16 pm
Hi there

The 'official' route isn't there - the 2019 route will have a few tweaks in response to the feedback from last years riders.  But broadly it's the same as last year and as described on the website.  You'll be OK with the Ride with GPS files but you may find a few changes to road layout and controls (e.g Chepstow control is no longer at Tutshill).

A small donation to https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/LEJOGRECORD gets you a full briefing.

Liam


Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: Nothereforafasttime on 25 September, 2018, 01:47:04 pm
Okay cheers Liam. 

Undecided as to whether to go down A4 or go through Henley on Friday!  Might just see how it's going on the day :)
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: LiamFitz on 25 September, 2018, 01:48:59 pm
Have fun.

Here's a reminder of the LWL controls

https://londonwaleslondon.com/route/
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: Nothereforafasttime on 01 October, 2018, 08:50:59 am
Well I did it at the weekend.  The website says 'there are a few notable climbs' - that is for sure!  The climb up to the Cotswold monument was off the scale for me and I have no shame in doing the walk of shame (especially seeing as it was 3am, barely above freezing and I was bloody tired!) The 12 per cent gradient of Buckham Hill was also certainly not one for the faint hearted either (there were a few more but those two definitely stuck out).

Cycling through the night from midnight until 6am was cold, and often scary with not a soul in sight and the wooded lanes and barren Cotswold landscape the only things keeping you company but I'm glad I did it.  It was by far the toughest thing I'd ever done.

Lessons learnt:

1. Cut down on the faff
2. Cut down on the stops
3. Speed up!
4. Lose weight off the bike (somehow)
5. Dont sleep

https://www.strava.com/activities/1873598670

Roll on next May!

Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: Phil W on 01 October, 2018, 09:05:17 am
You are not wrong about the cold. I think you were out over similar time to me. I set off on my DIY 400 on Friday night.  In the hollows it dipped down to 3c and I was glad of hills.  Only stopped a couple of times in the night to windmill the arms to get circulation back in the hands. My insulated gloves would have been more appropriate.  The coming sunrise took forever from that first light on the horizon.
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: beapabacor on 07 March, 2019, 11:47:09 am
Hi all, doing this for the first time this year.  Done lots of long distance touring/camping, and 200k rides.  As this is my first proper audax, got a couple of newbie questions.

Would I look like a complete prat with my small 15l commuting rucksack to carry my stuff, rather than a saddle bag?

I use one bike all year round and train all winter, this year has finally finished off my training wheels.  Would I look a even bigger moron turning up with carbon wheels?

Basically, I don't want to stand out and look like a bell-end !  :-[  :)

Thanks
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: bludger on 07 March, 2019, 12:13:12 pm
I definitely wouldn't carry a rucksack from a comfort standpoint but you can use any bike you want. Any huffing and puffing about carbon fiber is a load of hokum. I did my first Audax on a £320 halfrauds aluminum Claris road bike, no one cares.

As an alternative you can get a giant saddlebag off of planet X for a couple of quid which will allow room for spare layers, food etc while keeping the load off your back. They're doing a frame bag right now for £10.
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: kegere on 07 March, 2019, 12:58:23 pm
Hi all, doing this for the first time this year.  Done lots of long distance touring/camping, and 200k rides.  As this is my first proper audax, got a couple of newbie questions.

Would I look like a complete prat with my small 15l commuting rucksack to carry my stuff, rather than a saddle bag?

I use one bike all year round and train all winter, this year has finally finished off my training wheels.  Would I look a even bigger moron turning up with carbon wheels?

Basically, I don't want to stand out and look like a bell-end !  :-[  :)

Thanks

Who cares what you look like? For the rucksack my personal concern would be limited to comfort followed by ease of access, two reasons I'd find a cheap alternative.

As to wheels my only concern, from experience, would be can I continue a ride after a spoke failure? Now if your carbon wheels have a low spoke count that would concern me, although it can be offset with a kevlar spoke.

One thing to consider, make sure whatever bag you use can easily hold everything, last year it was a pain to find at the first control where the weather has warmed from ~4'C to a lovely day that my bag wasn't really big enough for the very warm hours  :facepalm: I wasn't over-packed, finishing the ride in all my layers.
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: LiamFitz on 07 March, 2019, 01:24:22 pm

Would I look like a complete prat with my small 15l commuting rucksack to carry my stuff, rather than a saddle bag?


The thing to think about is the stresses that a weight in your back will put through your lower back over 20 hours or so. I would strongly recommend looking at another option - I use a Carradice seat bag.

And don't forget the whole point of Audax is that no one cares how you look ... you'll see all sorts from the LeCol/Rapha fashionistas to at least one bloke who made his own bike out of bits of old garden decking
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: Bikeabilityman on 07 March, 2019, 01:30:01 pm
I’ve done some long rides where, if my neck wasn’t aching, it was my back (and no, the saddle isn’t too high or bars too low), and emptying my jersey pockets of phone and coin filled wallet would make all the difference.
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: k_green on 07 March, 2019, 02:41:43 pm

Would I look like a complete prat with my small 15l commuting rucksack to carry my stuff, rather than a saddle bag?


The thing to think about is the stresses that a weight in your back will put through your lower back over 20 hours or so. I would strongly recommend looking at another option - I use a Carradice seat bag.

And don't forget the whole point of Audax is that no one cares how you look ... you'll see all sorts from the LeCol/Rapha fashionistas to at least one bloke who made his own bike out of bits of old garden decking

Plus the potential for more things to rub (straps quickly irritate me) and back sweat which can affect your temperature regulation.

No one will care what you look like so do your testing and decide what works best for you.
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: beapabacor on 07 March, 2019, 05:35:45 pm
Thanks all, appreciate the advice  :thumbsup:
Title: London-Wales-London
Post by: ianrobo on 07 March, 2019, 09:46:37 pm
One very strong tip is even if a warm night after sweating all day you may get cold so make sure you do carry extra layers etc for the night section and almost like a winter day ride. So bear that in mind when selecting but as others said forget the backpack ...
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: ianrobo on 07 March, 2019, 09:50:16 pm
Okay cheers Liam. 

Undecided as to whether to go down A4 or go through Henley on Friday!  Might just see how it's going on the day :)

I went through Henley at chucking out time so got a few comments but know someone who did the A4 the year before and imho much safer on quieter slower roads
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: mmmmartin on 07 March, 2019, 10:45:56 pm
About a thousand years ago I did this ride: from the control at the motorway services near Newbury it's downhill to Newbury and the A4 is flat, straight, and - more importantly -lit. There was also a 24 hour garage somewhere on it.
YMMY.
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: LiamFitz on 08 March, 2019, 07:50:26 am
The draft route for 2019 is here https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29312454 (https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29312454)

Although the route is advisory, it's best to check against the current controls.

Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: Von Broad on 08 March, 2019, 04:49:30 pm
About a thousand years ago I did this ride: from the control at the motorway services near Newbury it's downhill to Newbury and the A4 is flat, straight, and - more importantly -lit. There was also a 24 hour garage somewhere on it.
YMMY.

[looks at 2019 route]
Ahhh....a person can only reminisce and wax lyrical of the good old days of early hour A4 nivarna......looks like the info control police have been at it again  :)
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: Wycombewheeler on 08 March, 2019, 06:14:48 pm
Okay cheers Liam. 

Undecided as to whether to go down A4 or go through Henley on Friday!  Might just see how it's going on the day :)

I went through Henley at chucking out time so got a few comments but know someone who did the A4 the year before and imho much safer on quieter slower roads

I rode the a4 on my attempts didn't feel it was dangerous at any stage. Wide straight good surface plenty of room and time for safe overtakes.
Much as I like the roads through the hills in the day. At night in the wet I'm not so sure.
I wonder about the possibility of taking the a4 to sonning before crossing the river to make the henley control. Might be quite a bit further I'd have to check. As I recall the a4 route was very close to the henley route in distance.
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: mattc on 08 March, 2019, 07:01:58 pm
Yup, even if you have to go to Henley, using the A4 as far as you can will probably be quicker (if only cos it's so much flatter)

Bloody dull though - the lanes/B-road route is really nice.

(If I was riding, I'd divert North via Didcot - a pretty route with lots of fast A-road. But I realise not everyone lives in Didcot .... )
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: Bagman on 08 March, 2019, 07:14:08 pm
You can still do some of the A4.
Lambourn to Newbury, A4 to Reading, Play Hatch then Henley.
Slightly longer but much flatter.
Title: London-Wales-London
Post by: ianrobo on 08 March, 2019, 07:15:58 pm
You can still do some of the A4.
Lambourn to Newbury, A4 to Reading, Play Hatch then Henley.
Slightly longer but much flatter.

I really never found it that hilly at all on return leg ... once climbed Symonds Yat the rest is really fine
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: Wycombewheeler on 12 March, 2019, 08:58:44 am
You can still do some of the A4.
Lambourn to Newbury, A4 to Reading, Play Hatch then Henley.
Slightly longer but much flatter.

I really never found it that hilly at all on return leg ... once climbed Symonds Yat the rest is really fine
It wasn't the climbing that put me off but fast descending in the dark on twisty wet roads likely to have potholes.
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: LiamFitz on 12 March, 2019, 09:05:07 am
It wasn't the climbing that put me off but fast descending in the dark on twisty wet roads likely to have potholes.

Plans are in place to prevent rain.

Brakes are also advisable and widely available in shops and on line
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: grapefruits on 12 March, 2019, 11:07:15 am
The draft route for 2019 is here

What does the note about Tewkesbury Greggs mean? Do their receipts not have the date / time / name on them?  :o :o
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: LiamFitz on 12 March, 2019, 11:18:12 am
The draft route for 2019 is here

What does the note about Tewkesbury Greggs mean? Do their receipts not have the date / time / name on them?  :o :o

Greggs' receipts don't always name the town where issued (shocking I know). I'm told Co op ATMs have the same issue sometimes.
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: grapefruits on 12 March, 2019, 11:19:27 am

Greggs' receipts don't always name the town where issued (shocking I know).

This is truly terrible news
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: AK on 12 March, 2019, 11:21:23 am

Greggs' receipts don't always name the town where issued (shocking I know).

This is truly terrible news

They did last year, but even if not, I’m more than happy to get in the queue in the name of research.
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: LiamFitz on 12 March, 2019, 11:25:51 am

Greggs' receipts don't always name the town where issued (shocking I know).

This is truly terrible news

They did last year, but even if not, I’m more than happy to get in the queue in the name of research.

I'm pretty sure they didn't... I spent most of the night looking at identical receipts. It's amazing how similar Audaxers' diets are ...

However, I wonder if a photo taken standing outside Gregs with a Cheese and Onion pasty and a pink donut count as Proof of passage...
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: ianrobo on 12 March, 2019, 06:15:46 pm
You can still do some of the A4.
Lambourn to Newbury, A4 to Reading, Play Hatch then Henley.
Slightly longer but much flatter.

I really never found it that hilly at all on return leg ... once climbed Symonds Yat the rest is really fine
It wasn't the climbing that put me off but fast descending in the dark on twisty wet roads likely to have potholes.

Well last year was the best weather possible and found the road surfaces more than manageable
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: Bagman on 12 March, 2019, 08:43:27 pm
One advantage of the A4 option is more choices of 24hr garages/McDs.
For example;

329km Shell garage is 24hr
350km (Theale) there  is a 24hr McDs.
384km BP just on the way out of Marlow  is 24hr
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: S2L on 13 March, 2019, 09:23:15 am


I'm pretty sure they didn't... I spent most of the night looking at identical receipts. It's amazing how similar Audaxers' diets are ...

However, I wonder if a photo taken standing outside Gregs with a Cheese and Onion pasty and a pink donut count as Proof of passage...

As far BRM ratification goes... the control in Tewkesbury is almost immaterial. From googlemaps:

Woodstock to Chepstow avoiding Tewkesbury is 77 miles

Woodstock to Chepstow via Tewkesbury shortest route is 78 miles

If you add the fact that there is an info control between Tewkesbury and Chepstow, it's almost impossible to save meaningful mileage by avoiding Tewkesbury
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: LiamFitz on 24 April, 2019, 05:22:33 am
Entrants should have had an email from me last night. If you think you should have got one, and after checking spam, you haven't had anything please email me (DM on here or through other routes probably won't get a response).

There are a few things that riders will need to keep an eye on such as new locations for Chepstow and Lambourn controls and a potential niggle at Badminton. The written instructions explain it all but they need to be read to work!

Liam
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: Nothereforafasttime on 24 April, 2019, 11:08:26 am
You can still do some of the A4.
Lambourn to Newbury, A4 to Reading, Play Hatch then Henley.
Slightly longer but much flatter.

I really never found it that hilly at all on return leg ... once climbed Symonds Yat the rest is really fine

So was the 16% climb up to the Cotswold Monument considered flat then?  :o
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: ianrobo on 24 April, 2019, 05:16:44 pm
You can still do some of the A4.
Lambourn to Newbury, A4 to Reading, Play Hatch then Henley.
Slightly longer but much flatter.

I really never found it that hilly at all on return leg ... once climbed Symonds Yat the rest is really fine

So was the 16% climb up to the Cotswold Monument considered flat then?  :o

From memory nope never found it that bad and GL to everyone doing it this weekend a wonderful ride
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: Wycombewheeler on 24 April, 2019, 10:07:52 pm
One advantage of the A4 option is more choices of 24hr garages/McDs.
For example;

329km Shell garage is 24hr
350km (Theale) there  is a 24hr McDs.
384km BP just on the way out of Marlow  is 24hr

Marlow is not on the A4 route. I think it is on the official route. there are several petrol stations between Reading and Maidenhead, not sure how many are 24 hours. but with having to visit Henley extensive use of the A4 is not optimal
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: Bagman on 25 April, 2019, 11:57:45 am
My A4 option drops down from Great Shefford onto the A4 for 25km, by passes Reading through the bottom of Cavendish and then Play Hatch into Henley.
Less scenic than the official route but easier to navigate at night with the attraction of 24hr garages and a 24 hr McDs at Theale. 
I have used both on previous version of LWL.
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: Krad on 26 April, 2019, 09:56:13 pm
Anyone riding out of London to the start? Probably ride via Harrow road.
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: nigeld on 01 May, 2019, 09:03:33 am
I've read both the routesheet and the notes, but I'm still not sure what route we should be following if we discover that the road is closed at km253.5 (for the Badminton Horse Trials). 

The notes say "Return to X-roads at Km 252.4 and take Rt SP Badminton and follow roads through the grounds to rejoin route at Km 254.3".

I'm having trouble working out which way I should go. After returning to the cross-roads at Km 252.4 the signpost to Badminton would be left, not right. LiamFitz is it possible to provide a bit more detail?
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: LiamFitz on 01 May, 2019, 09:14:25 am
I've read both the routesheet and the notes, but I'm still not sure what route we should be following if we discover that the road is closed at km253.5 (for the Badminton Horse Trials). 

The notes say "Return to X-roads at Km 252.4 and take Rt SP Badminton and follow roads through the grounds to rejoin route at Km 254.3".

I'm having trouble working out which way I should go. After returning to the cross-roads at Km 252.4 the signpost to Badminton would be left, not right. LiamFitz is it possible to provide a bit more detail?

It's your shout how you navigate it and there are a variety of options you can follow - best check the map for the one that best suits you if you decide you do not want to ride against the flow of traffic for 600 m on the temporary one way working that may or may not be in force .

I think roads are marked on this map https://www.google.com/maps/place/Badminton/@51.5636777,-2.2983571,12.95z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x487172e42d8c2eaf:0xabd0a975ba4600c6!8m2!3d51.5400563!4d-2.2891998
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: nigeld on 01 May, 2019, 09:38:37 am
I've read both the routesheet and the notes, but I'm still not sure what route we should be following if we discover that the road is closed at km253.5 (for the Badminton Horse Trials). 

The notes say "Return to X-roads at Km 252.4 and take Rt SP Badminton and follow roads through the grounds to rejoin route at Km 254.3".

I'm having trouble working out which way I should go. After returning to the cross-roads at Km 252.4 the signpost to Badminton would be left, not right. LiamFitz is it possible to provide a bit more detail?

It's your shout how you navigate it and there are a variety of options you can follow - best check the map for the one that best suits you if you decide you do not want to ride against the flow of traffic for 600 m on the temporary one way working that may or may not be in force .

I think roads are marked on this map https://www.google.com/maps/place/Badminton/@51.5636777,-2.2983571,12.95z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x487172e42d8c2eaf:0xabd0a975ba4600c6!8m2!3d51.5400563!4d-2.2891998

I've already examined various maps of course (including OS) and there are several possible alternatives, but some of them are likely to be closed for the same reason. I was wondering whether you knew of a particular route that you knew would work. If you don't I'm sure I will manage.

I looked online for more information. All I could find is this, which simply states that after 2pm "most of the approach roads" to the event are one-way outbound.
https://d24vhgczuo2t5j.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Taxi-details-and-Map-2019.pdf

Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: Planet X Paul on 01 May, 2019, 09:49:07 am
I've read both the routesheet and the notes, but I'm still not sure what route we should be following if we discover that the road is closed at km253.5 (for the Badminton Horse Trials). 

The notes say "Return to X-roads at Km 252.4 and take Rt SP Badminton and follow roads through the grounds to rejoin route at Km 254.3".

I'm having trouble working out which way I should go. After returning to the cross-roads at Km 252.4 the signpost to Badminton would be left, not right. LiamFitz is it possible to provide a bit more detail?

It's your shout how you navigate it and there are a variety of options you can follow - best check the map for the one that best suits you if you decide you do not want to ride against the flow of traffic for 600 m on the temporary one way working that may or may not be in force .

I think roads are marked on this map https://www.google.com/maps/place/Badminton/@51.5636777,-2.2983571,12.95z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x487172e42d8c2eaf:0xabd0a975ba4600c6!8m2!3d51.5400563!4d-2.2891998

I've already examined various maps of course (including OS) and there are several possible alternatives, but some of them are likely to be closed for the same reason. I was wondering whether you knew of a particular route that you knew would work. If you don't I'm sure I will manage.

I looked online for more information. All I could find is this, which simply states that after 2pm "most of the approach roads" to the event are one-way outbound.
https://d24vhgczuo2t5j.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Taxi-details-and-Map-2019.pdf

Nigeld, I asked the same question and got an equally vague answer.  I think reading between the lines is to ignore any diversion signs.  Does anyone know between what times the closures are likely to be in force.
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: ianrobo on 01 May, 2019, 10:08:49 am
Last year we just carried on the route provided and no one stopped us !
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: markldn on 01 May, 2019, 11:19:13 am
I've read both the routesheet and the notes, but I'm still not sure what route we should be following if we discover that the road is closed at km253.5 (for the Badminton Horse Trials). 

The notes say "Return to X-roads at Km 252.4 and take Rt SP Badminton and follow roads through the grounds to rejoin route at Km 254.3".

I'm having trouble working out which way I should go. After returning to the cross-roads at Km 252.4 the signpost to Badminton would be left, not right. LiamFitz is it possible to provide a bit more detail?

It's your shout how you navigate it and there are a variety of options you can follow - best check the map for the one that best suits you if you decide you do not want to ride against the flow of traffic for 600 m on the temporary one way working that may or may not be in force .

I think roads are marked on this map https://www.google.com/maps/place/Badminton/@51.5636777,-2.2983571,12.95z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x487172e42d8c2eaf:0xabd0a975ba4600c6!8m2!3d51.5400563!4d-2.2891998

I've already examined various maps of course (including OS) and there are several possible alternatives, but some of them are likely to be closed for the same reason. I was wondering whether you knew of a particular route that you knew would work. If you don't I'm sure I will manage.

I looked online for more information. All I could find is this, which simply states that after 2pm "most of the approach roads" to the event are one-way outbound.
https://d24vhgczuo2t5j.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Taxi-details-and-Map-2019.pdf

Nigeld, I asked the same question and got an equally vague answer.  I think reading between the lines is to ignore any diversion signs.  Does anyone know between what times the closures are likely to be in force.

Agreed.
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: nigeld on 01 May, 2019, 11:49:36 am
Thanks for the replies. Sounds like sticking to the original route is probably the best option, taking appropriate care, of course. I realise the organisers can't advocate ignoring road signs and I wouldn't want them to.

The link I gave earlier (which was official, but aimed at taxi drivers only) stated that the "one-way outbound" measures would be applied after 2pm. Since this is at 250km I will definitely be reaching there after that time!
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: LiamFitz on 01 May, 2019, 03:13:50 pm
I realise the organisers can't advocate ignoring road signs and I wouldn't want them to.

I couldn't possibly comment.

I spoke to the site manager at Badminton a few weeks aback and was told that the traffic order begins at 2 but that few people would be leaving the site much before 5 . The experience of riders from previous years is instructive and might be learnt from.
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: JulesP on 01 May, 2019, 03:22:22 pm
I don't think I knew about the horse trials until after I'd finished last year and I don't recall noticing any road-closure signs (which isn't to say there weren't any). I did wonder why I was cycling against the 'flow' of near-standstill Range Rovers along one particular stretch of road, but it barely impeded my progress.
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: marcusjb on 01 May, 2019, 05:44:15 pm
Looking forward to seeing you all looking at your best.

Volunteered for tea and toastie making overnight at the arrivee.

Hope the weather behaves.
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: mattc on 01 May, 2019, 07:35:40 pm
Looking forward to seeing you all looking at your best.
I'm pretty sure they will look a lot better at our control!
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: kegere on 01 May, 2019, 08:33:57 pm
Looking forward to seeing you all looking at your best.
I'm pretty sure they will look a lot better at our control!

So I guess I'll see the mid-state at Lambourn control!
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: ianrobo on 01 May, 2019, 08:41:05 pm
I don't think I knew about the horse trials until after I'd finished last year and I don't recall noticing any road-closure signs (which isn't to say there weren't any). I did wonder why I was cycling against the 'flow' of near-standstill Range Rovers along one particular stretch of road, but it barely impeded my progress.

Was riding that section with a group and thought ey up posh cars a plenty but then saw horse boxes and became obvious what it was
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: Krad on 02 May, 2019, 11:30:37 am
Anyone riding out of London to the start? Probably ride via Harrow road.

Manage to grab a room Friday night so scratch the riding to the start.
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: grapefruits on 03 May, 2019, 11:22:32 am
quite excited and scared about this. have never done a 400 - have a 600 and some 300s under by belt, but this seems another beast. going straight from work to beaconsfield travelodge later, really hope i've not forgotten anything!

 :o :o :o
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: markldn on 03 May, 2019, 11:34:34 am
Uber stoked.  Eat, drink, ride!

DIY sorted for a 50km ride home afterwards into south London.  Truly LWL now!

Will be at the the White Hart for a pint before heading to community centre around 10:30.
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: S2L on 03 May, 2019, 11:51:38 am
quite excited and scared about this. have never done a 400 - have a 600 and some 300s under by belt, but this seems another beast.

Bit of a myth... most 600 are 350-400 + 200-250... so in essence with a 400 you only do day one of a 600... never really understood why some people find 400 harder
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 03 May, 2019, 11:56:34 am
Doing 350km in a day is noticeably easier than doing 400km into the pre-dawn, for some of us at least. Doing 250km the second day generally isn't a drama.
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: markldn on 03 May, 2019, 12:20:37 pm
It's as easy as riding a bike!
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: MarkoftheShire on 03 May, 2019, 03:42:02 pm
I’ve more clothes and spares than Wiggle stuffed into my seat pack and more snacks than a Tesco extra in my bar bag. The Garmin is loaded with the route, I’ve checked my kit several times and apart from the two hour drive down tonight I believe I’m ready ... and to think this is all self inflicted ... can’t wait 😊 #lwl19 #godloveusall
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: Von Broad on 03 May, 2019, 06:20:43 pm
I’ve more clothes and spares than Wiggle stuffed into my seat pack and more snacks than a Tesco extra in my bar bag.

Bet I have more than you  :)

Make no mistake, if you're a slowish, full value rider [like me]...it will be a cold night on Saturday.
But we have the [these days very reliable] forecast to prepare us, so....no excuses!
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: Phil W on 03 May, 2019, 06:26:30 pm
In 2013 on Severn Across (old name of LWL) I found my leg and arm warmers were not in my saddlebag.  I never looked so forward to up hills as that last leg in the freezing wisps of  fog.
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: Manotea on 04 May, 2019, 06:42:00 am
Looks like a nice day for it :)
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: Bikeabilityman on 05 May, 2019, 04:37:41 am
In 2013 on Severn Across (old name of LWL) I found my leg and arm warmers were not in my saddlebag.  I never looked so forward to up hills as that last leg in the freezing wisps of  fog.
Was 2013 when you met me at the services after the bloke you’d been riding with abandoned you? Seems like only yesterday if it was (or last week at Wilkyboy’s Capitals ride).
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: mattc on 05 May, 2019, 08:15:05 am
Looks like a nice day for it :)
It's lovely this morning!

But it was a bitter cold Northerly in Oxon yesterday morning, and last night was close to zero. I know at least one rider dipped into a hotel to warm-up on the last leg - hopefully they will have enough time (and core heat!) to complete anytime now ...

EDIT: ... and she finished.  :)
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: kegere on 05 May, 2019, 08:26:34 am
Looks like a nice day for it :)
It's lovely this morning!

But it was a bitter cold Northerly in Oxon yesterday morning, and last night was close to zero. I know at least one rider dipped into a hotel to warm-up on the last leg - hopefully they will have enough time (and core heat!) to complete anytime now ...

My car windscreen needed ice scraping when we left Lambourn control this morning. Really enjoyed seeing an Audax from control side for the first time.
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: Phil W on 05 May, 2019, 09:46:10 am
In 2013 on Severn Across (old name of LWL) I found my leg and arm warmers were not in my saddlebag.  I never looked so forward to up hills as that last leg in the freezing wisps of  fog.
Was 2013 when you met me at the services after the bloke you’d been riding with abandoned you? Seems like only yesterday if it was (or last week at Wilkyboy’s Capitals ride).

It was 2013 but I hadn't been abandoned I'd had a puncture at Royal Wootton Baasset and my pump had siezed. I didn't know the pump was seized when my then riding buddies carried on.  You were were the first riders through and you or your riding buddy lent me a pump. You then head off whilst I had a hot chocolate at the garage there. We then met up again at Membury Services and rode most of the way back to the finish together.  We took slightly different routes after Gerrards Cross but got back within minutes of each other.  My first 400.
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: iddu on 05 May, 2019, 09:49:30 am
Mmmmmm...Bannananana for breakfast ;D

My thanks to a lovely team (Jill, Keith & Niall) that came to experience the other side of the fence, leaving me to just dance under the bordello boutique lights - brilliant job from you all.

Hope all you riders have found a warm haven, and are gradually thawing out.

P.
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: orejas on 05 May, 2019, 01:03:17 pm
Thanks to Liam and all his helpers at Woodstock, Chepstow and Lambourne plus of course Chalfont at the start and finish. Wind against to Tewksbury and very cold from around9/10 pm with temperature well in the minus, but no rain, even sunshine for a good part of the day. Spent by the end but worth the effort. Again thanks to everyone involved
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: jsabine on 05 May, 2019, 06:45:06 pm
That was, um, testing. I am glad it's over - glad to have done it may have to wait for a day or two.

Thanks to Liam, Pat, Paul, Marcus, Matt and everyone else whose names I have no idea of ...
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: Bagman on 05 May, 2019, 07:13:15 pm
It was very good to have 3 controls with hot food and warmth.  Even the garage at Henley let you take your bike inside and sit at tables to have your drink/food. Thank you to all the helpers and organisers.
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: Von Broad on 06 May, 2019, 04:05:10 pm
It's been 4 yrs since I rode anything longer than a 300, so there was plenty of nerves and trepidation out there about prior to embarking on the LWL on Saturday morning. Did I really want to do this again? Could I even do it at all? Confidence was low.

Four years on, four years older and many new faces I'd not seen before - and a large female contingent also present - very much encouraged by Liam during the entry process.

So it became a game of two haves really Brian: cold, bright and dry for the first half and bloody cold, dark and dry for the second. Unusually, I had been paying attention to the forecast so knew what was coming. I managed to unearth some very odd black leggings [felt like tights when I put them on - were they even mine?] that I wore under the day time longs for the night stage. Those, coupled with 3 buffs and 5 layers round the core did a pretty good job at keeping the cold out [and the sweat in!].

Can I honestly say I've enjoyed every moment of every Audax ride I've ever riden? I doubt it somehow. And this one was right up there amongst the best of them - especially the 60km after Lambourn. That was tough - at least it was for those of us out there in the darkness of night time. Still, after throwing a few toys out of the pram [not an uncommon occurance] I came round to the understanding that's it's pretty dumb and futile to moan about an environment you have little control over and you've voluntarily entered into. 'It's like this, isn't it?'

Make no mistake, Liam has turned this into a superbly organized event - not that it was ever badly organized before, but as Bagman was saying, to have three controls with food laid on at key points round the route was superb. Nowhere more was I grateful for this than at Pat Hurt's Lambourn where after 320km or so, I was really struggling with overall well-being and felt worryingly jaded. As a result and without hesitation, I stopped there for an hour - it literally flew past. Boy, I needed to. That stop reminded me so much of what can happen during PBP and other long rides sometimes. It's always a finely judged balancing act, but stopping for as long as it takes can be essential in order to carry on - and sometimes it's longer than you would have liked.

For those looking to do PBP for the fist time this year, then this 400 was a good ride to be on. Preparation without challenges is a mugs game.

Little chapeau moment from me for Mel Kirkland. Amusingly, every time I see him, we end up either complaining about the weather, complaining about the route or complaining about the onset of age. He's particularly conscious of how he's slowing down a bit these days, but he still keeps chipping away at these rides week after week, and at 70, I think it's a brilliant effort. Well done to you sir. 

But the top prize goes to the carrot cake at Chepstow - it was carrot cake to die for, just so lovely.

Many thanks to Liam and all those who gave a helping hand at the controls.
Might even come back again.
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: S2L on 06 May, 2019, 04:09:35 pm
It's been 4 yrs since I rode anything longer than a 300, so there was plenty of nerves and trepidation out there about prior to embarking on the LWL on Saturday morning. Did I really want to do this again? Could I even do it at all? Confidence was low.

Four years on, four years older and many new faces I'd not seen before - and a large female contingent also present - very much encouraged by Liam during the entry process.

So it became a game of two haves really Brian: cold, bright and dry for the first half and bloody cold, dark and dry for the second. Unusually, I had been paying attention to the forecast so knew what was coming. I managed to unearth some very odd black leggings [felt like tights when I put them on - were they even mine?] that I wore under the day time longs for the night stage. Those, coupled with 3 buffs and 5 layers round the core did a pretty good job at keeping the cold out [and the sweat in!].

Can I honestly say I've enjoyed every moment of every Audax ride I've ever riden? I doubt it somehow. And this one was right up there amongst the best of them - especially the 60km after Lambourn. That was tough - at least it was for those of us out there in the darkness of night time. Still, after throwing a few toys out of the pram [not an uncommon occurance] I came round to the understanding that's it's pretty dumb and futile to moan about an environment you have little control over and you've voluntarily entered into. 'It's like this, isn't it?'

Make no mistake, Liam has turned this into a superbly organized event - not that it was ever badly organized before, but as Bagman was saying, to have three controls with food laid on at key points round the route was superb. Nowhere more was I grateful for this than at Pat Hurt's Lambourn where after 320km or so, I was really struggling with overall well-being and felt worryingly jaded. As a result and without hesitation, I stopped there for an hour - it literally flew past. Boy, I needed to. That stop reminded me so much of what can happen during PBP and other long rides sometimes. It's always a finely judged balancing act, but stopping for as long as it takes can be essential in order to carry on - and sometimes it's longer than you would have liked.

For those looking to do PBP for the fist time this year, then this 400 was a good ride to be on. Preparation without challenges is a mugs game.

Little chapeau moment from me for Mel Kirkland. Amusingly, every time I see him, we end up either complaining about the weather, complaining about the route or complaining about the onset of age. He's particularly conscious of how he's slowing down a bit these days, but he still keeps chipping away at these rides week after week, and at 70, I think it's a brilliant effort. Well done to you sir. 

But the top prize goes to the carrot cake at Chepstow - it was carrot cake to die for, just so lovely.

Many thanks to Liam and all those who gave a helping hand at the controls.
Might even come back again.

Great read... expand and send to Arrivee?
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: Neil C on 06 May, 2019, 05:27:53 pm
Thanks to Liam and all his team for a great event.

I have now thawed out, slept, read the reports on the internet and analysed the data. I even wrote a long report here but took so long it got lost in the ether when I hit send. I didn't have the enthusiasm to re-write it.

And now thanks to Von Broad for the above post. It conveys, better than I could, so many of my thoughts. I also used the phrase a ride of two halves - a wonderful day ride followed by a freezing night. I have never felt so cold on a bike.

As one of those looking to ride PBP for the first time I spent a lot of Saturday night wondering how I was going to find any speed overnight there if I couldn't find it on a 400. But a look at Strava Flyby showed I lost two hours overnight to people I had been riding with during the day (one of those people with seven layers on!). And the Garmin showed temperatures below zero for most of the night. I'm hoping for warmer weather in France.

The ride will live long in the memories. I will be back.
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: Von Broad on 06 May, 2019, 09:21:20 pm
Great read... expand and send to Arrivee?

Well thanks for that. Personally, I've always found ride reports a bit boring really, while at the same time appreciating the fact that they can be very cathartic to those that submit them.


As one of those looking to ride PBP for the first time I spent a lot of Saturday night wondering how I was going to find any speed overnight there if I couldn't find it on a 400.

Fear not Neil C, the first 200 km of PBP is a blast. By most people's ability and experience of UK audax rides, its a pretty fast first section. It's also a wheel suckers paradise [not that I would ever encourage such a pastime [being a person of a reclined orientation!]]. The weather could be anything, but the terrain represents a bit of a sling-shot to get the whole process underway, and generally a good enticement to press-on and make progress. The ride is by no means flat, but the first 200km is most certainly not a discouragement - nothing like you were dealing with on Saturday, so don't be put off by that.

There's also a massive 'swept along by events' momentum too during the first night section too, which helps get things underway.
Then you're into the meat of it.

Good luck - hope all goes well.
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: Wycombewheeler on 07 May, 2019, 08:50:02 am
Thanks to Liam and all his team for a great event.

I have now thawed out, slept, read the reports on the internet and analysed the data. I even wrote a long report here but took so long it got lost in the ether when I hit send. I didn't have the enthusiasm to re-write it.

And now thanks to Von Broad for the above post. It conveys, better than I could, so many of my thoughts. I also used the phrase a ride of two halves - a wonderful day ride followed by a freezing night. I have never felt so cold on a bike.

As one of those looking to ride PBP for the first time I spent a lot of Saturday night wondering how I was going to find any speed overnight there if I couldn't find it on a 400. But a look at Strava Flyby showed I lost two hours overnight to people I had been riding with during the day (one of those people with seven layers on!). And the Garmin showed temperatures below zero for most of the night. I'm hoping for warmer weather in France.

The ride will live long in the memories. I will be back.

Being cold will slow you down. Cold muscles are not effective muscles and the body will use energy just to keep warm leaving less for the legs.

While weather in Britain is not guaranteed to be sunshine. Subzero is unlikely. Layers for overnight still needed and don't get sunburn it's like a beer coat.
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: thisisgrace on 07 May, 2019, 10:45:01 am
Easily up there with one of the best-organised events I've ever had the pleasure of riding. As others mentioned, a strong female contingent was wonderful to see and they were such powerful women, too!

I had my down jacket on from Chiseldon all the way to the finish. It was baltic and some I rode with found themselves shivering on the overnight section. I took the A4 which I found really beneficial with the street lights and extra services. Makes such a difference when you're able to see and navigate easily at that time of the night. It also shaved about 300m of climbing which I was grateful for since every climb prior had me dropping all my gears immediately.

Got some wonderful comments in Henley from late night revellers. I love riding through bigger places with some life at silly o'clock. The contrast of our worlds never ceases to amaze me. "Why on earth are you cycling at this time?" and "I wish I could be that healthy" - little do they know we binge on sugar to get us through! One girl's top had no more coverage than my sports bra and there I was waiting at a set of lights looking like a Michelin woman. Her friend said she loved my pink oversocks "OMG THEY ARE MY COLOUR!" - amusing times!

Anyway, I'm not quite at the stage where I'm thinking too much about my upcoming 600 but I shall be at Benjamin Allen's Summer Outing if anyone else is up for it.
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: grapefruits on 07 May, 2019, 11:37:23 am
well, I did it, and I wrote a thing about it

https://audaxnerd.co.uk/post/184710565908/the-walford-timber-appreciation-society
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: James_McD on 07 May, 2019, 12:10:40 pm
That was quite a ride.
Firstly a huge thanks to Liam and all the helpers, without you guys I think many more would have scratched.
The weather was interesting, cold start, warm sunshine and a bitter night. Even with careful observation of the weather leading in and picking just the right layers I managed to get it wrong. Thankfully a moment of inspiration saw a Newspaper purchased and shoved up my Jersey which solved my ills and allowed me to continue. Although at Malmesbury in the middle of the night I'm not sure what other option I had.
in the beginning Woodstock, Tewkesbury and Chepstow all came and went in a bit of a blur, stamps stamped, recipts gathered, cake and sandwiches scoffed, chatting to lots of people along the way, putting many faces to names and expanding on various thoughts espoused on various social media platforms.
The midway point saw a change to our group as one of our number packed and headed to Bristol to catch a train, but we picked up a replacement so all was not lost. As we proceeded towards Malmesbury the daylight fading, the temperature dropping and spirits now deflating slightly we elected to have a quick stop. Sadly Waitrose was shut so back into town, up another bloody hill and into the first pub we saw, much to the bemusement of the locals. An interesting conversation with a drunk Aussie, a pint of Coke and back out into the night.
Everyone suitably perked up with some sugar the conversation started to flow again, much silliness ensued and the km's ticked by, up hill and down dale with a nice even pace and soon enough we were in Lambourn, my old nemesis. The temperature had plummeted at this point and even my copy of the "Cricketists times" was struggling. Many folk inside huddled round the one working radiator whilst others drank coffee and ate anything on offer. A much needed half hour rest later and we set off into the cold again, those first few km's shivering until the core heated up again.
It was this point that I began to suffer, I think it mainly in the mind, I'd gone further than I made it last year I had to keep telling myself, these thoughts helped me keep the pedals turning.
Nothing much to see in these hours, only the pool of light afforded by the headlamp, the clicking of gears as hills came and went and the odd call out for another nature break.
It was on this leg that the sun began to rise and the mood began to lift, once we reached Henley the skies were light but the temperature still low, a quick stop for the finest Fare the ESSO could muster and on we went.
The hills were beginning to take their toll, the combination of tiredness and a heavy steel bike doing me no favours but we pressed on. Eventually with 30 km's to go the other pair in the group dropped me and I trudged back to base mostly alone.
Very proud of the fact that the bike performed faultlessly, as I only finished building it at 18.00 on the Friday night!The sack of fat riding it did ok too ;)
LWL completed in 26 hours and a couple of minutes. Could I have gone quicker? Probably. Would I have enjoyed the experience as much? I doubt it.
I wholeheartedly endorse the Full Value Crew way of Audaxing. Also Percy pigs are pretty good pick me ups. (Thanks Grace for the tip).
I thank you for reading my ramblings and hope I have not bored you too greatly.
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: Neil C on 07 May, 2019, 12:20:17 pm
well, I did it, and I wrote a thing about it

https://audaxnerd.co.uk/post/184710565908/the-walford-timber-appreciation-society
A great read Niki.
That is certainly the ride I was on....Woodstock, Walford, Yat Rock and one of the frozen dead at Henley.
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: ianrobo on 07 May, 2019, 02:04:57 pm
Brilliant reading all and sounds so different from last year where night temps were 10c and whilst cold with fatigue and sweat I can not imagine sub zero like that ! Huge chapeau to you all
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: dave d on 07 May, 2019, 03:12:32 pm
Many thanks to Liam and all the helpers for another great event and congratulations on the success of your efforts to attract a large number of female riders.  The controls were all very well supplied.  Given the wonderful large cake portions at Chepstow, I was amused to see the two banners next to each other outside that read: 'Audax UK, The new weight watchers'.  I agree the Henley control was helpful too - I guess it was much more interesting for the garage attendant than his usual night shift!

Having said all that, I think it was one of the toughest rides (if not the toughest ride) I have done.  The head/cross winds made the first section more difficult than usual as it broke up groups of riders.  The wind continued to demand more effort on much of the rest of the section to Chepstow.  As others have said, the cold after dark really sapped any remaining strength too.  Given all that, can't complain too much about a 3:30am finish, just 30 minutes later than 2 years ago.  Yes, I knew it was going to be cold, but I didn't expect to then have to scrape ice off the car windscreen in May!
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: Phil W on 07 May, 2019, 07:24:42 pm
Some good write ups there. The Easter Arrow was also bloody freezing overnight. 
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: Wycombewheeler on 07 May, 2019, 10:46:30 pm
Thanks to Liam and all his team for a great event.

I have now thawed out, slept, read the reports on the internet and analysed the data. I even wrote a long report here but took so long it got lost in the ether when I hit send. I didn't have the enthusiasm to re-write it.

And now thanks to Von Broad for the above post. It conveys, better than I could, so many of my thoughts. I also used the phrase a ride of two halves - a wonderful day ride followed by a freezing night. I have never felt so cold on a bike.

As one of those looking to ride PBP for the first time I spent a lot of Saturday night wondering how I was going to find any speed overnight there if I couldn't find it on a 400. But a look at Strava Flyby showed I lost two hours overnight to people I had been riding with during the day (one of those people with seven layers on!). And the Garmin showed temperatures below zero for most of the night. I'm hoping for warmer weather in France.

The ride will live long in the memories. I will be back.

Being cold will slow you down. Cold muscles are not effective muscles and the body will use energy just to keep warm leaving less for the legs.

While weather in Brittany is not guaranteed to be sunshine. Subzero is unlikely. Layers for overnight still needed and don't get sunburn it's like a beer coat.
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: S2L on 08 May, 2019, 07:25:45 am


While weather in Brittany is not guaranteed to be sunshine. Subzero is unlikely. Layers for overnight still needed and don't get sunburn it's like a beer coat.

Subzero in August in impossible... not even Alaska goes subzero in August...
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: Wycombewheeler on 08 May, 2019, 07:50:26 am


While weather in Brittany is not guaranteed to be sunshine. Subzero is unlikely. Layers for overnight still needed and don't get sunburn it's like a beer coat.

Subzero in August in impossible... not even Alaska goes subzero in August...
I was going to put impossible but then I remembered frost in the gardens on the borders of Belgium in September last year.
Title: Re: London-Wales-London
Post by: S2L on 08 May, 2019, 08:43:00 am


I was going to put impossible but then I remembered frost in the gardens on the borders of Belgium in September last year.

September is a different beast... it's not uncommon to have heavy snowfalls in September in Alaska... I've seen frost in Richmond Park in September