The Dean

[Von Broad]

Too chilly for me to be outdoors for 16hrs i'm afraid. Good luck to the Audacious randonneurs who give it a go.

Ummmm.....give me 18hrs and I feel the same! Although I might say I haven't made a decision this far out......I think I have.

I don't mind a bit of torrential [done a few of them in the past], but not prolonged cold - those temperatures Friday night give me chills a bit. Having come a cropper a few times on ice I tend to pull the hatches up now pretty damn quickly.
Shame.....The Dean's a terrific ride, and hopefully I'll be back for another encounter before age [or attitude] pulls me away permanently!

[Hot Flatus]

I'm entered for the Bristol 300, but if it's like this I'll opt out. 13-15 hours of chill. Nope.

[Paul D]

I was 90% decided I wasn't riding in icy conditions then luckily tested positive for covid this morning. 

Heart of England 300 in April is the backup, a much better time of year for my nesh self to do longer rides.

[Jethro]

I reckon some will still start.  But will they all finish?

[TomAplomb]

The forecast is still saying -3C for Friday night. Stow-on-the-Wold and Winchcombe are also forecast more snow tomorrow morning.

Therefore, it's an unambiguous decision to withdraw - I have zero tolerance for ice. It's a shame, as the route is great and I was looking forward to the large field!

[Wycombewheeler]

I reckon some will still start.  But will they all finish?

still intending to start, but I will take a view based on conditions driving to the start.

reckon anyone who makes it to Newent will finish as it will get easier after that.

[postie]

I am thinking starting might not be wise given the current conditions and cold temperatures, much rather live to fight another Day.

[Wycombewheeler]

I am thinking starting might not be wise given the current conditions and cold temperatures, much rather live to fight another Day.

wise

[mattc]

I reckon some will still start.  But will they all finish?

reckon anyone who makes it to Newent will finish as it will get easier after that.

Yes. Looks very dodgy at the moment, roads are soaked here (nr Oxford) and unlikely to dry by Sat.

If I absolutely HAD to ride this, I'd take A-roads to Stow, then the main road to Tewkesbury and the safety of the flatlands.

[Diesel]

Agree with Matt about main roads options. I will go to the start and see. If I start then main road to Stow and take a view from there. And yes consider main road to Tewksbury.

There is also the option of collecting the card at 6 and not starting until 8 or getting to Stow and drinking coffee for an hour or two if I think it might improve as the sun comes up. Last time I did this I had a couple of hours in hand at the end so might think when this could help me.

[Hot Flatus]

I was 90% decided I wasn't riding in icy conditions then luckily tested positive for covid this morning. 

Heart of England 300 in April is the backup, a much better time of year for my nesh self to do longer rides.

Hope yow feel better soon

[Wycombewheeler]

Agree with Matt about main roads options. I will go to the start and see. If I start then main road to Stow and take a view from there. And yes consider main road to Tewksbury.

There is also the option of collecting the card at 6 and not starting until 8 or getting to Stow and drinking coffee for an hour or two if I think it might improve as the sun comes up. Last time I did this I had a couple of hours in hand at the end so might think when this could help me.

yes I was considering the late start, Stowe control is 45km, so the control close time will be 9am, don't think setting off at 8 is viable, but Newent control time is 12:40 by my reckoning, so maybe a 2 hour stop in Stow in somewhere warm would be perfect

[thing1]

I reckon some will still start.  But will they all finish?

reckon anyone who makes it to Newent will finish as it will get easier after that.

Yes. Looks very dodgy at the moment, roads are soaked here (nr Oxford) and unlikely to dry by Sat.

If I absolutely HAD to ride this, I'd take A-roads to Stow, then the main road to Tewkesbury and the safety of the flatlands.

What would folks consider the best A road route to be?  A44 to chipping Norton and then A436?

[postie]

Forcast has not improved, still freezing conditions till 9/10 o'clock, currently a yellow weather warning in place this morning for the area

[Hot Flatus]

Well, I've just pulled out of Bristol 300. Don't fancy a -2⁰ start, and 190 miles with the temp maxxing at 4⁰. Plus, I'm fending off a cold.

[mattc]

I reckon some will still start.  But will they all finish?

reckon anyone who makes it to Newent will finish as it will get easier after that.

Yes. Looks very dodgy at the moment, roads are soaked here (nr Oxford) and unlikely to dry by Sat.

If I absolutely HAD to ride this, I'd take A-roads to Stow, then the main road to Tewkesbury and the safety of the flatlands.

What would folks consider the best A road route to be?  A44 to chipping Norton and then A436?

I was thinking A40 to Burford mainly due to familiarity; your way may be hillier, but I haven't honesty looked at it.

[thing1]

I'm on the verge of pulling out, I already have a bad shoulder from a fall in December, don't fancy the matching pair.

If anyone can make use of a Travelodge room in peartree tonight at, let's say half price or less, please do PM me ...
Travelodge changed to be on route to Heart of England 300 instead

[Diesel]

A44 to Chipping Norton - I've done this early on a Sunday morning and it was quiet.

Then either A44 / A436 or take the B4450 to rejoin the route before Stow. But it all depends on conditions on the day - whether I start / turn back / continue whatever.

[Wycombewheeler]

Forcast has not improved, still freezing conditions till 9/10 o'clock, currently a yellow weather warning in place this morning for the area

and those who survive the early icy roads can look forward to 5C and rain from Chepstow onwards
https://www.weatherbagel.com/f/44fa8e4e-0245-41ab-bba1-27a111ad53f7

such a shame because the forecast for Sunday is much better. hmmmm
https://www.weatherbagel.com/f/2a3cae4c-8fc4-4795-adec-a3a87345cd85

A44 to Chipping Norton - I've done this early on a Sunday morning and it was quiet.

Then either A44 / A436 or take the B4450 to rejoin the route before Stow. But it all depends on conditions on the day - whether I start / turn back / continue whatever.

surprisingly this is not further than the actual route

[Owen]

I'm going to give it a go.
But I'll be taking the A44, A436 route to Stow and then assessing the situation from there.

[Phil Hears A Who]

For anyone that doesn't fancy dinging it down A roads all the way to Stow, this is the map of Oxfordshire's gritted roads https://otapdev.exactrak.co.uk/whereismygritter/org/MilestoneOxfordshire/#ex-layers_

FWIW I'll probably take the A44/A4095 as far as Long Hanborough, then Stonesfield, Charlbury, Chippy, and B4450 to rejoin the route at Bledington. Gritted from there to Stow. Can't be arsed to pore over Gloucestershire's map so if it still looks sketchy past Stow I'll sit in a cafe for a couple of hours or just turn around.

[Wycombewheeler]

forecast at the met office now saying 0C overnight and at the start in Oxford a big shift from the -3C predicted this morning.

[thing1]

For anyone that doesn't fancy dinging it down A roads all the way to Stow, this is the map of Oxfordshire's gritted roads https://otapdev.exactrak.co.uk/whereismygritter/org/MilestoneOxfordshire/#ex-layers_

FWIW I'll probably take the A44/A4095 as far as Long Hanborough, then Stonesfield, Charlbury, Chippy, and B4450 to rejoin the route at Bledington. Gritted from there to Stow. Can't be arsed to pore over Gloucestershire's map so if it still looks sketchy past Stow I'll sit in a cafe for a couple of hours or just turn around.

Good tip! I tried alternative but the A44 to Chippy works out shorter so have left it with that for now. I found the Gloucestershire gritted road map here

So far as I can tell now, this is the gritted-road route for the first 2 stages (Oxford - Stow - Newent)
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/42198461

inc a small detour to avoid Cleeve hill, and a few other detours after Bishops Cleeve, meaning it's 5km over distance by the second control (although actually 5km shorter in the first stage)

Full disclosure: I'm unlikely to ride, so just sharing here as a public (dis)service. Do your own research etc etc.

[Phil Hears A Who]

So far as I can tell now, this is the gritted-road route for the first 2 stages (Oxford - Stow - Newent)
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/42198461

inc a small detour to avoid Cleeve hill, and a few other detours after Bishops Cleeve, meaning it's 5km over distance by the second control (although actually 5km shorter in the first stage)

Nice one, I might well make use of that! Cheers

[JasGill]

For anyone that doesn't fancy dinging it down A roads all the way to Stow, this is the map of Oxfordshire's gritted roads https://otapdev.exactrak.co.uk/whereismygritter/org/MilestoneOxfordshire/#ex-layers_

FWIW I'll probably take the A44/A4095 as far as Long Hanborough, then Stonesfield, Charlbury, Chippy, and B4450 to rejoin the route at Bledington. Gritted from there to Stow. Can't be arsed to pore over Gloucestershire's map so if it still looks sketchy past Stow I'll sit in a cafe for a couple of hours or just turn around.

Good tip! I tried alternative but the A44 to Chippy works out shorter so have left it with that for now. I found the Gloucestershire gritted road map here

So far as I can tell now, this is the gritted-road route for the first 2 stages (Oxford - Stow - Newent)
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/42198461

inc a small detour to avoid Cleeve hill, and a few other detours after Bishops Cleeve, meaning it's 5km over distance by the second control (although actually 5km shorter in the first stage)

Full disclosure: I'm unlikely to ride, so just sharing here as a public (dis)service. Do your own research etc etc.

Thankyou for this; Much appreciated.