Yet Another Cycling Forum
General Category => Audax => Topic started by: willpom gwraudax on 04 March, 2019, 10:16:44 am
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This caused a little storm in a teacup last year. So it is back!
A fast easy run through the night passing Devizes' The Crammer where legend has it Wiltshire smugglers claimed to the excisemen they were raking for the moon, then down the Avon valley. Along the Promenade from Bournemouth to Poole for Breakfast at Lilliput Sea Scouts. Then around Poole Harbour and Sunseekers boatyard. Followed by lanes back through the Dorset Hills passing the chocolatebox village of Milton Abbas and the abbey to Glastonbury and The Levels. The Strawberry Line railway path takes you under the Mendips before popping you out at The Strawberry Line Cafe for the last control. This a community asset helping young adults with learning difficulties develop skills for the hospitality industry; after last years event I popped in to say thanks and was told they had their best day ever! Then back into Bristol this time hopefully, works permitting, by a quieter route.
Starting and finishing this time at Felix Road Adventure Playground another valuable community asset promoting free play; thanks to last year several hundred pounds was raised but still a mere drop in the ocean thanks to cuts in local play services.
On the calendar early as almost immediately after last year's event I was getting emails about the next. Entry will close when capacity reached, already at 10% after just a few days.
Entry here: http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/19-866/ (http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/19-866/)
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/vh3gz92ab3rkm29/2018-11-24%2003.24.06.jpg?raw=1)
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/lsttc8sjs4jced2/2018-11-24%2004.19.24.jpg?raw=1)
Last year's thread: https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=110095.0 (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=110095.0)
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No plans for a summer Sunseekers & Moonrakers this year but will create a perm when I've got a few minutes.
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booked in ASAP, now this is a challenge !!
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Update on numbers: I've surpassed last year's entries already so I anticipate reaching the maximum before the advertised closing date of 10th November. Secure your place now.
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Provisionally in, assuming life and trains align.
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Last few places left before the waiting list. Get in quick if you aren't already.
Final route checks will be done one or two weeks before, route information will be emailed after that.
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Sadly the wife's working that Saturday else I'd have signed up.
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This thing borked my knee for about 5months last time, so I'm going to wimp out I think!
(Some of it was really nice while we were doing it :) )
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This thing borked my knee for about 5months last time, so I'm going to wimp out I think!
(Some of it was really nice while we were doing it :) )
Another year....
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CAPACITY IS REACHED
You can still 'enter' but this will put you on the waiting list. If a space becomes available places are allocated in order of entries received as if by the usual means and by its terms and conditions. If no space is available before Thursday 14th a full refund will be made after the event when I'm doing my admin. If a space becomes available on Thursday 14th or Friday 15th you have the right to refuse. This is so I'm not chasing people for payments to secure a place once one becomes available.
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Hi all,
I have entered this ride and have been reviewing forum posts, blogs etc. from last year.
There seems to be a consensus that it was a tough event and I am wondering why this should be the case. The amount of climbing (2300m) for a 300 seems fairly benign so was it the weather, the fact that alot of time is spent riding in the dark or some other factors that made it tough?
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I'm also interested in the answer to Rainbow Dash's question.
Also, when cycling from Temple Meads to the start, is the cycle path route safe late in the evening, or would Feeder Road or Silverthorne Lane be better options?
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I'm also interested in the answer to Rainbow Dash's question.
Also, when cycling from Temple Meads to the start, is the cycle path route safe late in the evening, or would Feeder Road or Silverthorne Lane be better options?
I personally have never had a problem on the B2B path. The direct road route would be ok too.
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Coming across from the London area for this, think i might get the train rather than drive, does anyone know what station is best at the Bristol end ?
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Coming across from the London area for this, think i might get the train rather than drive, does anyone know what station is best at the Bristol end ?
I'm going to Temple Meads. It looks to be about a 10 minute ride to the start.
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Hi all,
I have entered this ride and have been reviewing forum posts, blogs etc. from last year.
There seems to be a consensus that it was a tough event and I am wondering why this should be the case. The amount of climbing (2300m) for a 300 seems fairly benign so was it the weather, the fact that alot of time is spent riding in the dark or some other factors that made it tough?
I can't speak for last year, but I think there's always an extra element of challenge starting a ride at night and riding through the first night. Add in the fact that it will inevitably be cold, even if there are no other meteorological factors, and the first seven or eight hours will be character building. The route doesn't look particularly tough, although the relentless ups and downs on the way across to Salisbury might be wearing. We shall see. I think the best thing is to go prepared for type 2 fun and enjoy the type 1 parts.
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Coming across from the London area for this, think i might get the train rather than drive, does anyone know what station is best at the Bristol end ?
Temple Meads is the closest. Parkway is about a 30min ride but down hill - use the Concorde Way to J3 then along the A4320 cycle path, B4465 is the easiest way https://cycleplanner.betterbybike.info/cycle-routes/regional/bristol/Concorde%20Way (https://cycleplanner.betterbybike.info/cycle-routes/regional/bristol/Concorde%20Way)
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Coming across from the London area for this, think i might get the train rather than drive, does anyone know what station is best at the Bristol end ?
Temple Meads is the closest. Parkway is about a 30min ride but down hill - use the Concorde Way to J3 then along the A4320 cycle path, B4465 is the easiest way https://cycleplanner.betterbybike.info/cycle-routes/regional/bristol/Concorde%20Way (https://cycleplanner.betterbybike.info/cycle-routes/regional/bristol/Concorde%20Way)
Many thanks Will .
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Hi all,
I have entered this ride and have been reviewing forum posts, blogs etc. from last year.
There seems to be a consensus that it was a tough event and I am wondering why this should be the case. The amount of climbing (2300m) for a 300 seems fairly benign so was it the weather, the fact that alot of time is spent riding in the dark or some other factors that made it tough?
Er, it's night and it's November...what more do you need to know? If the weather is uncoperative it will be difficult
Climbing isn't the only factor. The type of road also makes things more difficult. I am kind of hoping it won't be as bad as the Hard Boiled
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Climbing isn't the only factor. The type of road also makes things more difficult. I am kind of hoping it won't be as bad as the Hard Boiled
The night riding certainly isn't. Predominantly quite A & B roads with a short bit along the promenade which can be sandy. The return from Lilliput gets a bit more laney in the daylight with some lumps over the Dorset Hills, plus the Strawberry Line to spice it up; but obviously the route is advisory and if you choose to go over the Mendips rather than under then that is fine with me.
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Climbing isn't the only factor. The type of road also makes things more difficult. I am kind of hoping it won't be as bad as the Hard Boiled
... with some lumps...
I was just pleased/relieved to note that the route is clockwise and that you weren't bringing us back via Brassknocker Hill. I'm not sure I'd fancy that after 270km or so.
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I'm following this thread with interest as I've a daft notion to do a winter 300km DIY before the year is out (subject to there being no ice and it being predominantly dry - I appreciate that might rule it out until well into 2020!). My 1st opportunity would be Fri 22nd Nov.
My planning so far has concluded that 2200 is about the optimum start time which gives me a chance of finishing in daylight (and the morale boost of knowing that once its morning that I probably wont need to ride in the dark again).
Maybe something like Edinburgh - Montrose - Edinburgh with much flatness.
Fingers crossed that you get reasonable weather.
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I'm following this thread with interest as I've a daft notion to do a winter 300km DIY before the year is out (subject to there being no ice and it being predominantly dry - I appreciate that might rule it out until well into 2020!). My 1st opportunity would be Fri 22nd Nov.
My planning so far has concluded that 2200 is about the optimum start time which gives me a chance of finishing in daylight (and the morale boost of knowing that once its morning that I probably wont need to ride in the dark again).
Maybe something like Edinburgh - Montrose - Edinburgh with much flatness.
Fingers crossed that you get reasonable weather.
I've had a similar thought of a silly winter 300k but goes from Glasgow, Newbridge, Perth, Crianlarich, Balloch and Glasgow. Would need to think about the timing coming down from Crianlarich though, not very much climbing either.
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I'm following this thread with interest as I've a daft notion to do a winter 300km DIY before the year is out (subject to there being no ice and it being predominantly dry - I appreciate that might rule it out until well into 2020!). My 1st opportunity would be Fri 22nd Nov.
My planning so far has concluded that 2200 is about the optimum start time which gives me a chance of finishing in daylight (and the morale boost of knowing that once its morning that I probably wont need to ride in the dark again).
Maybe something like Edinburgh - Montrose - Edinburgh with much flatness.
Fingers crossed that you get reasonable weather.
I've had a similar thought of a silly winter 300k but goes from Glasgow, Newbridge, Perth, Crianlarich, Balloch and Glasgow. Would need to think about the timing coming down from Crianlarich though, not very much climbing either.
yhpm.
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Climbing isn't the only factor. The type of road also makes things more difficult. I am kind of hoping it won't be as bad as the Hard Boiled
... with some lumps...
I was just pleased/relieved to note that the route is clockwise and that you weren't bringing us back via Brassknocker Hill. I'm not sure I'd fancy that after 270km or so.
I tried to do that fixed after 380k. On return I asked Will if he managed it on the rec, fixed. I was informed the route was advisory...
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I tried to do that fixed after 380k. On return I asked Will if he managed it on the rec, fixed. I was advised the route was advisory...
O:-)
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Please could someone post the link to the ride with gps track? I haven't got an email about it. I've emailed Will but no response yet
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Looks like the pre-dawn chill is going to be bracing.
https://www.weatherbagel.com/f/07e67a65-36d1-40d0-89bc-3b01bb2bc6d6
Based on an ambitious 20 km/h ave and route from here: https://www.plotaroute.com/route/722343
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Routes change for various reasons. Email sent.
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Please could someone post the link to the ride with gps track? I haven't got an email about it. I've emailed Will but no response yet
got it, thanks Will
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Looks like the pre-dawn chill is going to be bracing.
https://www.weatherbagel.com/f/07e67a65-36d1-40d0-89bc-3b01bb2bc6d6
3 degrees minimum isn't too bad. Trouble is that doesn't take into account local variations
Any weather details 4 days out is going to be fairly fictional of course
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Dry and above freezing the whole way round would be more than good enough, I'll be very happy if the forecast continues to look like that.
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For once I'm hoping the weather doesn't change for the weekend, looking briskly fantastic, lets hope the cloud cover abates as you go past The Crammer on the way to The Moonrakers in Devizes!
I've been kindly informed by those who can't attend. As such everyone on the waiting list has got a place and there are a few cards left over in case anyone has been 'umming and arrhing' now's your chance.
http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/19-866/ (http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/19-866/)
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It looks like the forecast is getting wetter - might also have lost the best of the tailwind across Salisbury plain. Oh well.
I might take a different route between Liliput and Podimore - as long as it's early enough, the A350 should be fairly quiet, cut through Blandford, up the A357. Not to mention that I actually live up that way, so I might be able to make an extra "cafe" stop! It adds 2.5 kms, 6.5 if you instead go to Wimborne and use NCN 25/253 to Sturminster Newton (but, that route is gravelly after Blandford).
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Recumbent duly wedged into a GWR compartment (actually the part I was most worried about after all the horror stories). Now just hoping nothing untoward happens in transit.
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It looked like a formidable ride but great conditions. Hope everyone had enough clothes to stay warm!
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Enjoyed by me! Wasn't as wet as I'd anticipated.
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I thoroughly enjoyed the ride. The rain wasn't an issue, maybe 2 hours max in total, and not the drenching kind.
The sand on the coastal path was a challenge on 23mm tyres, but with care it was a nice interlude before breakfast. Same for the mixed use paths later on. Variety is very welcomed on these long rides.
Thanks to Will and all the helpers at the start, finish and in-between.
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Top event this one.
Here's my blog post: https://challengemenace.blogspot.com/2019/11/moonrakers-sunseekers-300-2019.html
Cheers, Doo ;D
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Great fun on the whole - this was kind of the opposite experience to the London Orbital, in that my mental energy was always there but somehow my time buffer just melted away. The off-road section arrived at the worst possible time and combined with a cramping leg I had actually decided that I wasn't going to make it and should look for the nearest train station... which turned out to be Yatton. Taking gates and gravel at rather unwise speeds I scraped through with quite literally a minute to spare. Thankfully after that it was smooth tarmac and plain sailing.
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The ride started less than well. After arriving in Bristol, I realised that my cycling boots were still wet from my ride the week before, the insoles that I had removed were still at home as was my battery to keep my Garmin going as well as my batteries that I had carefully recharged during the week. Much of the time I had hoped to rest before the ride was spent restocking some of these supplies. Just before starting the ride, I managed to drop and stand on my glasses- good start!
We were off! Following a stream of riders and red lights after some rain I arrived at the first control. Too much of a queue for drinks- but a quick toilet trip as I had been waiting since the start as the line was so long for the one toilet in Bristol.
On to the second control, the lights now occasionally appearing down the road in front of me and bright lights behind me. A drink of coke and portion of chips in McDonalds whilst listening to a Welsh rider recounting his PBP experience before continuing on into the night.
The quiet calm night now enveloped me. Quiet- few cars, the swish of tyres through standing water on the road. Ringwood- I had camped here last summer. I heard a muffled cry in front of me and looked up in time to see a deer silently crossing the road through the beam of our lights. The rain restarted and I stopped so my new riding partner, James, could put on his jacket under the bright garage forecourt lights. We must be near the sea. I was thankful for his conversation to keep me going through the night.
Down by the sea, threading through barriers, a few hardy souls were walking next to the beach and it looked like one group were digging in the sand. Were my eyes playing up? I certainly thought so when the darkness was shattered by a huge blue and white Christmas tree on the seafront. I remembered the warning beware of the sand on the path. I slowed down, anxious not to take an involuntary tumble. I could no longer see the lights in front of me. How much further could the scout hut be? Had I somehow passed it? Reassured by a couple of riders, more courageous than me, who flew past either side. Surely not far now. The promenade finished. What relief I had survived the sand. How much further? Turning down a potholed gravel path I cyclists coming towards me and the the hut in front of me.
The door was opened and I was flooded with light. Bikes were lent up against the interior walls. Tired riders were sitting at tables eating and drinking. Soon I was replenishing the burnt calories with sausages, mushrooms, beans and toast all washed down with a couple of mugs of sugary tea. Bottle refilled, a new layer of chamois crème applied I was ready for the off. At that moment a rider staggered in. He looked bedraggled and he announced that he had come off. He was upset at the holes in his new jacket and tights, although his injuries were not as bad as first thought as the red angry marks were not bruised and broken flesh but tattoos. I enquired if he had come off on the sand on the promenade. He had turned off the main road onto a steep lane, lost control on slippery leaves, and come off. He decided to call it a day and to return with his broken bike and bruised body on the next train to Bristol.
Spooked by his fall, I delayed leaving the control for a while until daylight. After taking a sunrise picture by the shore as evidence of my ride, and a brief conversation with another rider in highly reflective tights I rode on glad to be in the light but wary of slippery leaves.
Beautiful daylight, wonderful views. And now hills. A building on a hill which must be Glastonbury. Beautiful villages. My solitude broken by having a conversation with another rider who told me about his LEJoG last summer, the benefits of steady riding, and the virtues of rainlegs. At this point I realised my speed was continually decreasing, and it slowly dawned on me that my front mudguard was shaking. Further investigation revealed that a mudguard stay bolt was no longer attaching it to the front fork. Fumbling in my bag I fished out a roll of tape and bodged a repair.
Podimore Services- a free control. As I was now feeling a bit sick, what should I do? I decided on a sandwich and a drink would keep me going. I was not convinced I would make it back before the cut off. Why do these rides always involve so much maths? So may kilometres left- convert the distance approximately into miles. I set my self targets, after the next so many kilometres/miles I would take my hat off/gloves off/ put my gloves on. The distance counted down oh so slowly. Passing riders with punctures, riders passing me who I didn’t recognise but whose bikes I remembered from the night before. The shame of being overtaken by a lady on a mountainbike out for a ride with her son!
“I don’t like the Strawberry Line. I’m going to take the road,” another now familiar rider called out. The old trainline was on my Garmin so that was the way I was going, so we parted ways. Besides a trainline must be flat and easy going right? Sloshing though gloopy leaves and mud I attempted to pick the least squelchy line. My wheels were rubbing so a suitable stick was sought to help them turn more easily.
“Your lights really stand out,” commented a passing rider. I wondered if that was really a comment about my lights or more a comment that I had just stopped for a pee and my lights had caught me out. Such sweet relief.
Eventually Yatton Station, the next control appeared. Behind metal fences bikes were propped on the platform. Slowly my numb brain worked at the riddle of how to get around the barriers and park up. I just wanted to get a stamp and continue. Waiting in a long line I could feel my impatience grow as I inched my way forward. She seemed unwilling to stamp cards unless a purchase was made. I handed over my card with another customer and I was free to once more be on my way.
Yatton, just where was Yatton anyway? Another bike path next to a train track, this time overtaken by a kid on a BMX, and with the speed of a slug I realised I was in Long Ashton. Bristol, suddenly so many people, so many cars. The suspension bridge towered above me. After a confusing labyrinth of cycle paths, car parks, dead ends, bridges, graffiti sprayed walls, only a few hundred meters to go. This must be it – the adventure playground. I had made it. I joined others slumped at tables and was offered food.
A few days later back at work I was asked about my weekend. I t was a struggle to articulate my experience in few enough words without losing the interest of the inquirer beyond, it rained, I saw a deer, I went to Bournemouth, it was long.
There wasn’t really the opportunity to talk about the fact my Garmin hadn’t crashed, nor had I crashed, the lack of punctures,the calm solitude of the night, friends made on the ride, the stunning villages, flooded drainage ditches, riding through the mud on a disused railway line, the sudden re emergence into the city of Bristol, the unimaginable fact that some people finished in almost half the time that I took...
“How was yours?” I asked.
Thanks to the organisers and all the friendly faces along the way!
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A fabulous ride all in all.
It started terribly for me - I had a major mechanical in Kelston (my chain dropped and got twisted around the crank). At least I was able to freewheel down the hill into Bath. There, I was sure that my ride was over, but wait! I kindly stranger managed to fix what I had deemed unfixable. My chain would frequently skip, but I was back on the move. It was fairly plain sailing from there to Devizes, even if Bathampton hill was in the way.
(https://dgtzuqphqg23d.cloudfront.net/pTlEQOu77h5nvvbxRWRA53-SqHo4t_ZVuW_pO_acE74-1153x2048.jpg)
The miles were ticking down quite nicely after Devizes. Flashing lights in the distance signalled the presence of other riders - slowly, ever so slowly I closed the gap. And then we were at Solstice Park.
(https://dgtzuqphqg23d.cloudfront.net/CyqKzERZdSYEtjqEQhHSBg6PkYzylakFyuhd8wv31Vo-1536x2048.jpg)
The next leg was where I started to suffer. The pressure of trying to make up some time after the mechanical, and, more pertinently, the pressure on my shoulder. Oh well, it wasn't too far to Bournemouth now.
(https://dgtzuqphqg23d.cloudfront.net/TVTRivpyk1S3-8REhN2AReWri-50ReJi-qGvRQkdPv0-1536x2048.jpg)
(https://dgtzuqphqg23d.cloudfront.net/J5tdVtMDFUtpJANWRF26ZZ_yBGCKrwzPDtWxs0m7hKI-2048x1536.jpg)
Finally, I had made the coast. I braved the Promenade for a time, but decided to cut across Canford "Cliffs". Immediately I was faced with a 10% gradient, but it was a welcome relief from the sand that was gumming up in my chain, and requiring constant attention. And so I made it the the hut before sunrise.
After breakfast, I made my first major deviation from the route. Instead of heading for Upton, I headed for Wimborne, then Blandford. This meant the Castleman trailway, followed by NCN 25. The Castleman section wasn't great, but NCN 25 was a nice quiet road route as far as Blandford. I was starting to really suffer, feeling truly exhausted.
(https://dgtzuqphqg23d.cloudfront.net/ylxPr_-ialJprKhO3Mwlncsbj_0T1mcJE1fJZZX_QO8-2048x1536.jpg)
As I worked my way up the North Dorset Trailway, I passed through a group of runners, just about to set out. At this point, I was doing little more than 15 kph - and started questioning whether I might, in fact, be overtaken by a runner. Fortunately, that fear didn't materialize. And then I was home! beef sandwiches and danish pastries awaited, kindly provided by parents. But the gamechanger was the bed that I occupied for 1/2 hour. I was now ready to dash up the A30, to Sherborne and the route. I had destroyed the time I had in hand, but I'd gained a second wind. Podimore was a few familiar climbs away. Temporary lights cost me precious minutes, but I got my receipt. And so it became the crossing of Somerset. The miles dragged on, and my Wahoo's battery dwindled. But there were the Mendips, and soon enough I was on the Strawberry Line. The lady at Yatton had closed up (at 16:30), but stamped my card. 2 minutes to spare, this is going to be doable. But, as my Wahoo died just before Long Ashton, I was faced with the unfamiliar maze that is Bristol. Google Maps helped, to an extent, but is a very fickle friend. Nethertheless, I met someone similarly lost, and together, we gradually, carefully, worked our way across the tangle of roads, reaching the Arrivee with 6 minutes to spare.
(https://dgtzuqphqg23d.cloudfront.net/Fpo13jEENbvkP8CCCw0osm1cl4y42Mr6CKzRjxFZ8bU-1153x2048.jpg)
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Just found this great vlog from Neil
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUgs5TmD0OE (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUgs5TmD0OE)
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Just found this great vlog from Neil
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUgs5TmD0OE (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUgs5TmD0OE)
Just watched the vid and it reminded me a question I was going to ask. What vegan sausages where at the scout hut? Much better than Linda McCartney ones I sometimes use.
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Slightly off topic, but myself and family like the pastry wrapped vegan sausages in Greggs.
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I had 4 for breakfast at the control.
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I had 4 for breakfast at the control.
You had the sage and marjoram variety from https://www.vbites.com/sub-brand/vegideli/ (https://www.vbites.com/sub-brand/vegideli/)
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I had 4 for breakfast at the control.
You had the sage and marjoram variety from https://www.vbites.com/sub-brand/vegideli/ (https://www.vbites.com/sub-brand/vegideli/)
I had two of the sausages at the control. I had 4 of the Gregg's sausage rolls at the control after Poole. Thanks for the link!
Out of curiosity how many vegans where on the ride?
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6 vegan/veggies