Author Topic: Double Dutch, Ship of the Fens 200 (Read 22574 times)

GdS · « **on:** 24 November, 2021, 02:29:28 pm »

I'll start a new thread as my former self owns the old one which says CANCELLED (it's not)

Just putting together a card logo for 2022 to give a flavour of the new route

Notice daffs not tulips but I'm hoping to take the ride past the Tulip fields assuming they are visible from the road. If not it's still a completely new 2nd half with more waterways Denver Sluice the Isle of Ely and historic St Ives

drossall · « **Reply #1 on:** 24 November, 2021, 06:14:46 pm »

I've reserved a slot in my diary

Duckfoot1606 · « **Reply #2 on:** 24 November, 2021, 06:35:15 pm »

Date blocked in diary 👍

GdS · « **Reply #3 on:** 16 January, 2022, 04:28:02 pm »

Route approved just waiting for it to go live

Ely Cathedral is the final scene in the 1996 Jonathan Meades Double Dutch documentary, he describes it as "The Fen Ark", being 70ft above sea level certainly made it a safe place to be in the days before Cornelius Vermuyden drained and turned the whole region into agricultural land

http://meadesshrine.blogspot.com/1997/01/efa.html#ep5

Lightning Phil · « **Reply #4 on:** 16 January, 2022, 05:45:09 pm »

Looking to ride it this year, having been on the Easter arrow shenanigans for most years.

GdS · « **Reply #5 on:** 20 January, 2022, 11:37:49 pm »

entries now open

https://audax.uk/event-details?eventId=9586

Jethro · « **Reply #6 on:** 21 January, 2022, 11:49:40 am »

Entered.

freeflow · « **Reply #7 on:** 21 January, 2022, 12:48:20 pm »

Me too. Hopefully a better showing than last year when my bum and saddle sued for divorce at Spalding.

alfapete · « **Reply #8 on:** 21 January, 2022, 01:53:05 pm »

I'm entered, too.
Never ridden this part of the world before but retirement allows you to redefine your horizons.

bhoot · « **Reply #9 on:** 21 January, 2022, 03:37:35 pm »

I have entered although I have no idea whether I will be OK to travel up by train by Easter but there must be a good chance. I rode it in 2019 when the weather was fantastic - short sleeves from the off! I hope Martin can arrange that again. The different route looks interesting, and avoids that stretch up near the Wash where I was struggling to make forward progress last time.

Lightning Phil · « **Reply #10 on:** 21 January, 2022, 03:48:33 pm »

I’ve entered, having done Easter Arrows in previous years

Lightning Phil · « **Reply #11 on:** 21 January, 2022, 04:20:44 pm »

Quote from: alfapete on 21 January, 2022, 01:53:05 pm

I'm entered, too.
Never ridden this part of the world before but retirement allows you to redefine your horizons.

It’ll give you a view of what LEL passes through (further south) with St Ives being a control. Plus what the wind is like when there’s nothing to slow it down.

drossall · « **Reply #12 on:** 21 January, 2022, 05:13:13 pm »

Looking forward to seeing the new route. I've seen the information on the AUK page about that.

Lightning Phil · « **Reply #13 on:** 18 March, 2022, 10:19:02 am »

Quote from: bhoot on 21 January, 2022, 03:37:35 pm

I have entered although I have no idea whether I will be OK to travel up by train by Easter

Yesterday I was on the train to Peterborough (which stops at Huntingdon) with a bike. Train was pretty empty, two of us in carriage, though of course this was a mid week lunchtime, not Easter weekend.

Lightning Phil · « **Reply #14 on:** 18 March, 2022, 10:25:59 am »

Just bought my train ticket which was £10 return, only takes 30 mins, and arrives 11 mins before start time. Perfect. Plus means I won’t need to fill up car till May now as can’t see how driving and paying for all day parking would beat train. Win win.

drossall · « **Reply #15 on:** 18 March, 2022, 12:49:02 pm »

I live on that line. I can't see why anyone with easy access to it would drive. Trains out to this event have never been significantly occupied, let alone full, at that time.

GdS · « **Reply #16 on:** 18 March, 2022, 02:18:49 pm »

That's how the ride came about; as a DIY in 2009

1. See bulbfields
2. Cheap train with no need to book bike
3. 200k
4. 1 hour from London

bhoot · « **Reply #17 on:** 18 March, 2022, 02:47:59 pm »

Not really worried about train up as that is so early that it will be pretty deserted. The concern is getting back (and no I am not riding home!)

drossall · « **Reply #18 on:** 18 March, 2022, 05:16:38 pm »

Quote from: bhoot on 18 March, 2022, 02:47:59 pm

Not really worried about train up as that is so early that it will be pretty deserted. The concern is getting back (and no I am not riding home!)

Never had any issues with that either. Mind you, I'm a full-value rider

Paul H · « **Reply #19 on:** 18 March, 2022, 10:07:22 pm »

In the interests of geographical balance - I'll mention that not all trains start in that London

This is an easy ride to get to from anywhere in the Midlands that routes via Peterborough. I have a choice of trains from Derby, so it's probably doable from further afield.

MsG · « **Reply #20 on:** 26 March, 2022, 11:50:12 pm »

@GdS
Would this be available to do as a DIY or perm at a different time, starting /enf from Ely control? Unfortunately the scheduled event clashes with a FnRttC I'm doing.

MsG · « **Reply #21 on:** 27 March, 2022, 04:25:11 pm »

Quote from: GdS on 27 March, 2022, 09:58:15 am

Quote from: MsG on 26 March, 2022, 11:50:12 pm
@GdS
Would this be available to do as a DIY or perm at a different time, starting /enf from Ely control? Unfortunately the scheduled event clashes with a FnRttC I'm doing.

yes DIY only please PM your email

Ok, thanks - it will probably be in a few weeks, so will drop you a message then if that's ok?

GdS · « **Reply #22 on:** 29 March, 2022, 10:46:07 pm »

The tulips are growing just need to find out where they are

it's Norfolk's best kept secret. If I find them I'll update the route so riders can enjoy the spectacle

GdS · « **Reply #23 on:** 09 April, 2022, 08:26:39 pm »

2 fields of Tulips spotted on route today
They require a dismount but well worth it

Lightning Phil · « **Reply #24 on:** 11 April, 2022, 09:27:47 pm »

Ship of the Fens was a question on the Mastermind final tonight.