Yet Another Cycling Forum
General Category => Audax => Topic started by: LiamFitz on 31 December, 2014, 05:46:02 pm
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Happy New Year everyone...
...I know this may seem premature but in case you are debating whether to do Severn Across or not this year I should warn you that it's filling up fast. I'm almost upto 50 entrants and am still missing a flurry from people I know planned to do it. It's a barebones event but I plan on closing it at 70 entrants which is fast approaching.
After that I shall only admit people who can recite poems about any of the places through which the route passes (nice poems - not saucy limericks).
So, get a wiggle on if you're coming!
Liam
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Lest you be in doubt: this is a cracking ride.
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Severn Across 400
Lest you be in doubt: this is a cracking ride.
Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious ?
Short of throwing in the names of a few Welsh railway stations I can't get seem to get a 400 letter answer.
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Thanks for the notice, Liam. I usually enter events a few days before, but you've just persuaded me to enter my PBP qualifiers now! Did this one in 2013, partly with 3peaker and PhilW.
See you there!
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Thanks for flagging it, Liam.
It is in my schedule so I've just put my entry in! Last year's went really well, and had great weather.
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Blimey - that got a bunch of people on-line on New Years Eve! I have about a dozen spaces left before I have to start a waiting list.
I guess that's going to be the story this year, especially in the South East...
The upside of having so many early entries is that I have more time to organise the weather. Weather preferences will be noted but sadly no refunds are possible if a rider's first choice of climate is not available on the day.
Liam
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Hello Liam
Just gone to enter this and see that entries have now closed. Can I be put on the waiting list if you are running one please?
Martin
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Thanks for emailing - I have responded directly
Liam
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Oh pants I missed it. :'(
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Liam,
How many entries/starters do you normally get (e.g. 2011) ?
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I didn't do it in 2011 (I think Chris closed it in February that year).
The last couple of years I have had around 40 entrants and about 35 on the road (without checking). I had 70 entrants on Saturday but I expect that I will have a few drop out nearer the time (I think a few update mails in April will flush them out). I'm running a waiting list and would expect the first 15 or so people to email me will get to ride based on the drop out rate.
Liam
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Based on LEL 2013 and certain high-profile rides in 2014, I predict we will see a lot higher DNS rate on 2015 quallys than ever before.
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Hi Liam,
I managed to miss the boat by the looks of it? :'(
Can I go on the waiting list please?
I'd love to do the ride to complete my SR for 2015.
Arthur :thumbsup:
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PM me your contact details?
Liam
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Thanks to several people OTP (Including Secteur and MattC) I have been able to up the numbers a bit - after letting the waiting list bods in I have about 18 places (entry via the usual route). Will close when I get to 100.
This means a tiny tweak to controls but nothing significant WRT route etc.
Thanks everyone for helping...
Liam
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I've put an entry in, thanks for increasing the entries. Is there a GPX file of the route anywhere?
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I'll send one around later to entrants - there are a few tweaks to be made to the route.
L
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Hi - prob a stupid question but presumably the community hall at Chalfont will be open and available right up to the cut off time at 9am Sunday morning? Just thinking that if I finish sometime in the middle of the night I have somewhere to snooze until trains start again from Gerrards Cross.
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Not daft at all - quite a few people get their heads down after the ride rather than drive straight home or whilst waiting for the first trains.
Liam
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Thanks, just saw the thread from last year too.
Hopefully the drama club guy won't discover me under a table.
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Thanks Liam for sorting the extra entries. I made it round the Dean alive so this one becomes the next stage....
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Excellent - hope you have entered Lady C as I'm about to close again!
L
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Looking forward to this. Last did it as a PBP qualifier in 2007. The hardest bit is encountering local roads when there is still 50 - 60k to go and knowing I have to ride away from home.
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Excellent - hope you have entered Lady C as I'm about to close again!
L
managed to enter yesterday - phew! :) thanks for the extra places!
this was my quickest 400, great route (https://www.strava.com/activities/53766212), like dean x 1.3
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Just dug out the card from two years ago. Took a leisurely 23 hours that time. I think I had something to eat, cycled home, then fell asleep in the bath. No plans to finish earlier.
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Thanks for opening this one up again, I'd been a bit delayed with entries this year for a few reasons so great to have the chance to ride. Cheers.
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So a week to go.
Why is noone like me and posting hysterical messages about how far 400k is.
I did a 300k last weekend and survived, so hoping I can get through a 400. I found the Dean pretty lumpy, so don't expect to find this easy! I've only done one 400 before a few years ago, and I made a right ballsup of it, so hope to get through this one a little better. I'm not good when I should be in bed ;)
I keep hearing the route is really nice though :) I might have a proper look at the route sheet this weekend and see about all these night time options I hear tales of.
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it's pretty easy compared to The Dean, a lot less lumpy so you won't take a lot longer to do the 400 than the 300. Take the Marlborough silliness and the hard climbs in the Forest of Dean out and add a flat 100 this side of Oxford.
I had a place but personal circumstances mean no SR for me this year (or indeed ever again) so I'll be plying you all with tea n toast at the start :P
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Thank you for being the calming influence, because I am also feeling slightly hysterical.
My first 300 was only a few weeks ago (Green and Yellow fields), and now I am planning on a 400!
Never mind the sleeping options, I am checking out the rail services for possible bale out options.
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This was my 400 PBP qualifier in 2007 (my first PBP). It looks like the route sheet is relatively unchanged. It was a nice ride; it covers similar territory to the Dean but is not as hilly. There's a few long drags over the Cotswolds, a really steep climb at Symonds Yat and the climb up to the Somerset monument that you do on the Dean. The bit I found testing was navigating the little lanes between Membury and Streatley (and descending Streatley Hill) as nearly everyone does this in the dark. If it is wet these chalky lanes are full of flints. I probably went a bit hard in the first 150km as I struggled a bit on the way back. Looking forward to it this time.
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From membury go downhill all the way to the A4 at newbury and follow the A4, it's lit and easy to follow and has garages open all night.
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It's very like the Dean in that the turn is at Chepstow. But the extra distance means you get there a bit later in the day.
It's less hilly overall than the Dean but I find the step up to 400km makes a significant difference in overall difficulty.
I've done it twice and both times had decent weather during the daytime but been surprised how cold it got after dark.
There are two steep (but not long) climbs: at Symonds Yat and the Somerset Memorial, the second also being on the Dean. Both can be avoided and substituted by something gentler if desired.
When you get to Malmesbury services, you have a choice for the last 100km between taking the dark lanes back or blasting down the A4. I've done the latter both times (and enjoyed suddenly finding myself on sections of TT courses along the way). I expect I'll do the same again this time as, by that stage, I'm keen to get back and I reckon the lanes would take me an extra half an hour.
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Routecheck done.
Second go around for me - it's a lovely ride, particularly the outward bit, lots of pretty stuff (though it is a tour of Tory heartlands with all the banners etc. out currently). Pretty simple routecheck - the only thing was the signpost that was missing last year, is now not missing!
As I was on fixed, I avoided Yat Rock - though I was surprised how long and hard the alternative was! It climbs the same amount, just slightly gentler, but I was breathing out my arse by the end of it. Only other really steep bits are Somerset Monument (had a little walk on the middle section) and the hill right at the end at ?Wooburn? - bit of a chore for tired legs, but I think A4-blasters miss that one?
Very cold, wet and wild day though - this morning from Membury to CSP has some very heavy rain indeed and it was cold cold cold.
Time for a nap now.
Look forward to seeing everyone next week and plying you with tea and post-ride snacks.
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thanks marcusjb, the forecast for next weekend looks better so far - let's hope it stays that way
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I'm still trying to decide whether or not to do the The Yat (https://connect.garmin.com/course/9172658) or the A466 through Tintern (https://connect.garmin.com/course/9172673).
Last time the Yat climb gouged my legs a bit. But the alternative looks to be 5km longer and differs the climbing to the end. It's the same as the end of the BCM no?
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I'm still trying to decide whether or not to do the The Yat (https://connect.garmin.com/course/9172658) or the A466 through Tintern (https://connect.garmin.com/course/9172673).
Last time the Yat climb gouged my legs a bit. But the alternative looks to be 5km longer and differs the climbing to the end. It's the same as the end of the BCM no?
You could try the A456 but it's a very long way round as there is a control at Walford.
TBH I rode the alternative non-Yat route with my bro a couple of months back and we both decided that the rock is probably a better bet. You get the climbing over pretty quickly (and there's no shame in walking it) whereas the extra Kms of grinding climb all takes a lot of the fun out of the run into Chepstow.
Just saying
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Never mind the sleeping options, I am checking out the rail services for possible bale out options.
There is loads of time to get around and the company is normally good. Don't rush or set yourself a target and you'll be fine...there are few easier ways to do a 400 and you get to tell everyone that you cycled to Wales and back in a day!
I have also ordered extra nice weather for the first timers (a supplement is payable for any old lags who want to benefit from the sunshine and tailwinds that I have organised..)
Liam
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There are two steep (but not long) climbs: at Symonds Yat and the Somerset Memorial, the second also being on the Dean. Both can be avoided and substituted by something gentler if desired.
Avoid the climbs? I'm still too heavy to enjoy them, but that's all part of the challenge!
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I have also ordered extra nice weather for the first timers (a supplement is payable for any old lags who want to benefit from the sunshine and tailwinds that I have organised..)
Liam
Unbelievably, it currently looks as though we will have a nice tailwind all the way round, in both directions.... :D
http://www.weatherbagel.com/f/e48829df-ee6b-4ba8-bccc-2adcef70544d (http://www.weatherbagel.com/f/e48829df-ee6b-4ba8-bccc-2adcef70544d)
Lets hope the forecast stays this way!
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I have also ordered extra nice weather for the first timers (a supplement is payable for any old lags who want to benefit from the sunshine and tailwinds that I have organised..)
Liam
Unbelievably, it currently looks as though we will have a nice tailwind all the way round, in both directions.... :D
http://www.weatherbagel.com/f/e48829df-ee6b-4ba8-bccc-2adcef70544d (http://www.weatherbagel.com/f/e48829df-ee6b-4ba8-bccc-2adcef70544d)
Lets hope the forecast stays this way!
I'm not sure if you get that as I don't seem to have you down as paying the supplement...
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I'm looking forward to this ride... well as much as you can look forward to a 400km! I don't relish this distance but know if I can DF (is this a term?) then I will be very chuffed.
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*further hysterical post*
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I have also ordered extra nice weather for the first timers (a supplement is payable for any old lags who want to benefit from the sunshine and tailwinds that I have organised..)
Liam
Unbelievably, it currently looks as though we will have a nice tailwind all the way round, in both directions.... :D
http://www.weatherbagel.com/f/e48829df-ee6b-4ba8-bccc-2adcef70544d (http://www.weatherbagel.com/f/e48829df-ee6b-4ba8-bccc-2adcef70544d)
Lets hope the forecast stays this way!
The last time that I saw a forecast like this and believed it was on the Bryan Chapman in 2007. Yep, you've guessed it, we had north-westerlies on the Sautrday and south-easterlies on the Sunday. So since then I have given up looking at weather forecasts five days out. (Although it was excellent preparation for that year's PBP)
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Is the A4 "dash" after Membury services relatively ok by bike (as far as cycling on A roads goes)? Much as I'd like to do the small lane route back my in the dark navigation using a route sheet is not the best (unless I find someone to follow at a not-being-rude distance...).
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*further hysterical post*
I went to my strava record of my previous (failed) attempt on this route, looking to find some comforting facts, but what did I see: not only did I walk up Symonds Yat - I remember doing that - but my speed dropped to 2.6 kph!
I must not panic; I must not panic; I will not panic .....
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Is the A4 "dash" after Membury services relatively ok by bike (as far as cycling on A roads goes)?
depends on whether you call sharing a road with 120mph car drivers relatively OK;
seriously I've done it once out of 5 times & I'd personally avoid it; sticking to the route is much better
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Is the A4 "dash" after Membury services relatively ok by bike (as far as cycling on A roads goes)?
depends on whether you call sharing a road with 120mph car drivers relatively OK;
seriously I've done it once out of 5 times & I'd personally avoid it; sticking to the route is much better
Whereas my experience is the opposite. The roads are wide and the really fast cars few. The bright lights of the towns help a lot if you're sleepy, and personally the last thing I want to do in the final 100 is grovel around lanes in the dark. Horses for courses!
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It's a pleasant enough ride on wide and mostly lit roads. There is traffic but it's not too heavy
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Is the A4 "dash" after Membury services relatively ok by bike (as far as cycling on A roads goes)?
depends on whether you call sharing a road with 120mph car drivers relatively OK;
seriously I've done it once out of 5 times & I'd personally avoid it; sticking to the route is much better
Whereas my experience is the opposite. The roads are wide and the really fast cars few. The bright lights of the towns help a lot if you're sleepy, and personally the last thing I want to do in the final 100 is grovel around lanes in the dark. Horses for courses!
I think Martin & JJ have _both_ described it well.
Hs for Cs indeed - some people love a fast road, some hate riding with fast cars around. Its quite nice to have the choice between 2 reasonable options on this route :)
I know the A4 very well, but was too naive to consider it on my only 7Across. Fortunately I got a solid kip at Membury, so was pretty awake for the lanes, and the sun came up before I was through them; so quite a good experience. I know this is the minority approach to a 400, so wont suit many.
(Doing it again I'd probably divert Wantage-Wallingford-Henley. Quick roads, still easy nav, but much prettier & quieter than the A4. Admittedly this is influenced just a tiny bit by having my own kettle/toaster/sofa on that section! )
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I like the lanes, I have never done the A4 alternative on this ride (but know the roads reasonably well).
I have only done this ride as a routecheck, so I have been beholden to ride the route as written - but unless I was against the time limit, I would probably always stick with the lanes. They are nice, pretty easy to navigate even in the dark and give you more time on your bike.
I did the yat Rock avoidance manoeuvre this year (on fixed) and I tend to do the last few km on the main road route (avoiding welder's lane and gives me an opportunity to ride past the business I own and snoop on the window display!).
The surfaces on the laney bit were generally pretty good.
I am sure there's nothing wrong with the A4, but unless you are in a rush to get home, it seems a shame to short change yourself of more saddle time.
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Severn Across will be my first 400, but I've done 2 x 300 and 6 or 7 200s so I'm not a complete novice. But novice enough to be surprised to see all the discussion re. cycling off route. Is this not regarded as cheating in some way? Don't want to be slavish to the route in honour of some non-existent rule, but OTOH don't want accidentally to slip into miscreant behaviour.
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going off route is not cheating in any way in the UK; you just have to visit the controls. The organiser chooses the best route it's up to you if you want to divert.
In the case of the A4 it is a nice well lit (mostly) flat road but my experience at silly o' clock is that there are plenty of drivers out for a speed camera free burn up and next Sat / Sun night is probably the only night of the year there are likely to be any cyclists on it at that time so they will hardly be expecting to meet any of you, add tiredeness of the rider and the driver and..... just sayin' like, the lanes are fine and much more relaxing
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And Liam says explicitly for this ride
The route sheet is only a suggestion – you are welcome to use any route between the controls you want.
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But don't do it in Euroland.
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I think the A4 is a fine ride, I'd definitely use it again.
My only problem with it was a lost it in Reading (missed a right turn), and couldn't find it again. Combine with that with the fact it was already 10am so I was a DNF and Reading station was just "over there" with a train taking me home. So if you plan to use the A4, plot the route through Reading carefully.
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Thx for all the replies and advice. I know the A4 well - my regular cycling route between home (London) and my in-laws (Wilts), usually cycled overnight or in the early hours. Like most of the other commenters, I like it - a really fast, well-surfaced, well-lit and wide road, but you do need a tolerance for being wind-lashed by vehicles passing at high speed.
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I like the A4. I will be happy on the A4 with all those petrol stations and a late night kebab in reading/slough. What more could you want?
Weather is looking less friendly than it did earlier in the week! Not happy about all this wind
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The wind will blow you back.
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Latest from weather bagel
http://www.weatherbagel.com/f/dc090015-e507-44ac-a9b2-5a766de0357b
Strong head winds heading out, lessening on the way home :(
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Yes, the forecast now looks even worse than the Dean - but there are still a couple of days for it to change a bit.
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Latest from weather bagel
http://www.weatherbagel.com/f/dc090015-e507-44ac-a9b2-5a766de0357b
Strong head winds heading out, lessening on the way home :(
Oooohh I like that site - thanks jefmcg :thumbsup:
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I'm not happy about all this wind. I was knackered cyling home from work today, let alone a 400km. I hope it all calms down for the weekend.
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The weather forecast has been changing quite a lot over the last few days. Plenty of time for it to change again.
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anyone know if there's a routesheet and GPX for this available somewhere please? nothing yet at http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/15-309/
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anyone know if there's a routesheet and GPX for this available somewhere please? nothing yet at http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/15-309/
Emailed you with all the info.
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I'm out >:(
Done something to my ankle / Achilles during a windy 100mile fenland ride on Monday and have been hobbling about all week praying for it to ease off. I don't think 250 miles (with a likely strong headwind for the first 100 at least) is going to help in any way. I'm now scratting about trying to figure out what I can do for my 400k PBP qualifier....*
I was looking forward to this given it was my first ever 400 back in 2008 and hadn't ridden it since. I was also looking forward to the A4 bash on the way back for some reason. ???
Anyway, have a good ride everyone.
*and worrying that WCW at the end of this month is going to mark my first ride this year over 200k, so no nice step up....
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Have booked into Jordans YHA nearby (surprisingly beds still available) so won't have to get up too early.
Good luck everybody. May you find a good group to work with against that headwind. :)
Sorry to hear about the ankle problem, S.
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4am alarm, breakfast, pootle to the start down the a40 from high wycombe, second breakfast, then off to burn 10,000kcal. should be moderately enjoyable.
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Nervous excitement is building for this. The headwind on the way out will make it all the more enjoyable once we're the other side of the half way point!
Looking forward to it.
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The headwind on the way out will make it all the more enjoyable once we're the other side of the half way point!
My 5th outing on this fine event. Last time in 2011 wind conditions were exact opposite of tomorrow's forecast, with vicious headwind all the way home from Chepstow. Battling across the Severn Bridge was achieved at just above walking speed and the going didn't rise much above that all the way home. Should be a bit easier tomorrow :thumbsup:
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*totally hysterical post*
*horrified wind related post*
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my last visit to weather bagel.
Winds strongest in the morning, and distinctly dropping around lunch time
http://www.weatherbagel.com/f/3d7cdeb0-beff-4884-b232-9c381ce7796d
(16km/h so this is the forecast for full value rider)
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this for 20km/h
http://www.weatherbagel.com/f/33917619-d7a1-4035-b156-40557b4b6d0d
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*totally hysterical post*
*horrified wind related post*
;D
Don't worry - the forecast is nowhere NEAR as bad as this year's Dean turned out. This is basically the same (but with several of the nastier climbs removed), then a tailwind home from Chepstow, including a nice A4 blast to finish!
(I suggest tucking in behind zigzag until Tewkesbury - although bear in mind he is as bad as you on gravelly descents ... )
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.... including a nice A4 blast to finish!
I keep reading about this alternative A4 finish....
does anyone have a link showing this alternative route, so I can make a GPX file out of it or something?
Thanks :)
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.... including a nice A4 blast to finish!
I keep reading about this alternative A4 finish....
does anyone have a link showing this alternative route, so I can make a GPX file out of it or something?
Thanks :)
This is my route
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/7801138
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You don't see this before every ride:
https://twitter.com/YarntonNursery/status/596620600459862016
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This is my route
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/7801138
Excellent, thanks for this ;D
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Long shot if anyone sees this but I seem to have lost multiple locks and have no small lock to bring :'(
If anyone has a spare I could use for the day.....?
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You don't see this before every ride:
https://twitter.com/YarntonNursery/status/596620600459862016
Riders, prepare to be amazed. It is a truly special location.
You will never struggle for birthday or Christmas gifts for your loved ones ever again.
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Long shot if anyone sees this but I seem to have lost multiple locks and have no small lock to bring :'(
If anyone has a spare I could use for the day.....?
I have a pretty basic combination wire/lock thingie [like this (http://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/p/16004/abus-numero-1300150-combination-coil-cable-bike-lock?variantId=72649&gclid=CjwKEAjwvbGqBRCs3eH4o5C74CYSJAB3TODsn6T-E3cv_cU2HJZb9EK9SysaxZ0ZOXhvP_jDeWa6OhoCPSnw_wcB)] that you're more than welcome to borrow.....I wouldn't notice the weight difference, but it might weigh you down :-)
edit: I'll chuck it in me bag just in case you want it
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i am sure that Heather will be most grateful for your generous offer.
:thumbsup: :hand: :thumbsup:
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If I'm feeling generous will act as a mobile windbreak for the first 100km or so. I usually do. The diesel engine has began to start working recently. Though the Excuses r'Us BA flight back from Basel that deposited me back to Heathrow at midnight Thursday might undermine my zeal. I have my bike lock that will probably do two at the start.
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Won't open on my phone but any little not heavy lock will be amazing. I can't ilunderstand where mine are, I only had it on Monday! And I have a spare but that's gone!
And a heavy duty massive one but I can't carry that for 400k.
OMG 400k *hysterical*
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I will be mostly trying to ride a bike that will not need locking up :)
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OMG 400k *hysterical*
The main difference you'll notice with this ride compared to anything else you've done is the very uncomfortable, deadly, pin-drop silence in the hall before the start. It's really awful. People don't talk at all. Instead, they will be wearing this kind of never-seen-before white-bleached freaked-out completion, as if the living dead, utterly paralysed with fear, staring at the walls and ceiling. Don't be alarmed, it's all perfectly normal. That's the fear and terror kicking in. It normally abates after around 375km :-)
Apart from that....you'll be back around 6 hours before me :-)
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So, nearly 80 riders on the road and a pretty good atmosphere as far as I could tell from the warmth of my car.
Thanks to Manotea, Richard J and Pete for running the start and to Martin and Anne for controlling at Yarnton.
More news if there's anything interesting report!
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All back!
Some heroic efforts!
Thanks to helpers Martin, Anne, Marcus, Paul, Pete and Richard (who rode as well!)
Liam
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Amazed none of the faster finishers (i.e. faster than me, which means pretty much all of them) have commented yet.
This year's Severn Across made very tough by cycling the first 220km into a headwind, and a combination of showers (some heavy) and steady rain for 4 of the first 6 hours.
But this is still a fantastic 400k. Great organisation, great route, great company both on the ride and at the controls. Thanks to all, but especially to Liam.
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You don't see this before every ride:
https://twitter.com/YarntonNursery/status/596620600459862016
You don't, but it's appearing more and more often as the years progress.
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Thanks Liam and helpers for a great event.
My ride went very well. From the start, I let the first, very quick group go, and got picked up by the second one, and then did the first 50km with them, which made for a very fast start. I dropped off that group when the pace wound up in the lanes passing Oxford, and rolled into the control after a few minutes of drizzle. The control was well-placed for me as, when I left it had stopped raining.
I was then on my own for a bit, and felt some of the headwind on the exposed sections before the right turn towards Stow. Around here I was caught by Hippy and chatted for half an hour, before he upped his pace back to (his) normal levels and was soon well out of sight.
I had a bit of a tough time in Tewkesbury as there just didn't seem to be any food shops. Eventually I spotted a Tesco towards the end of the high street. I couldn't find my lock, so went for the tactic of making the bike look too messy to steal, by drapping dirty gloves and hat over it, hanging a dirty waterproof over the crossbar and putting various plastic bags beside it.
Yat Rock was less tough than I remembered it from before - most likely because I'd paced myself a bit better. Then the long roll down to Chepstow was, as always, welcome.
Met Shu and CET at Chepstow and chatted about the prospects of 200km of tailwind. Leaving Chepstow at just before 4, I caught CET, who it turned out was suffering from badly from hay fever, hence was riding a bit below normal pace. I bowled along, enjoying the tailwind and keeping up a good speed. The tailwind made the route back seem much flatter and more benign than I remembered it, although there were the couple of slow climbs up to Membury to grind up.
Last year I got to Membury just as the sun was going down and this had been my objective this time. But the tailwind meant I was well ahead. I still put on more layers there, and left just before 8, to take the A4 option. At this point I thought I might even make Chalfont before midnight, which I'd never expected. Things continued to go well, I found a decent route through Reading, and opted for the 3-Down finish (rather than the A404 which I tried last year and found to be very busy).
Getting to Chalfont at 11:20 - over an hour quicker than last year and easily my fastest 400 - I wondered what to do; whether to wait for Liam at midnight or just get an ATM receipt and post in my card. But as I rolled down the main street looking to see what was open, I spotted a bike in Dominos. I went in to see that it was Zigzag - who had been back for an hour and a half - and who kindly gave me a bit of pizza as they had stopped serving.
They did let us wait in the warm, though, which was very welcome, so we chatted for a while, before rolling down the hill for one of Liam's finest ham and cheese toasties!
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Chapeau to all the riders! Some true heroes in there, and a good number of new riders to that distance, so a massive congratulations to them.
As ever, I enjoyed being on the other side of the counter - hard work and I have sore feet, but very rewarding to help riders when they're at their most battered and help breath a little life back into them!
Our pastime can only thrive with volunteers helping out on events, so please do offer help when and where you can - the pay is lousy, but, on the whole, riders are extremely polite and grateful and that in itself is more than enough reward! Even those riders who can barely grunt 'tea' when they arrive soon get pretty chatty and lively once the correct balance of food and drink is applied - it's a fascinating thing to observe when not in a similar state yourself!
Again - well done to everyone!
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Good to revisit this ride after a couple of years. Last time it was tail wind out head wind return. I far preferred yesterday's order.
It was a relief to get to Chepstow and see it was still blowing hard.
Lovely evening conditions to finish in. Good company all the way round!
Thank you very much Liam and all of the other helpers.
A few photos:
https://flic.kr/s/aHskawGt6V
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Well, I've always been a 'full-value' audaxer, but this time it just wasn't going to happen. Then I picked up a small muscle injury, probably from trying too hard, and decided to give up while getting home was still reasonably easy.
I checked for the closest station on Garmin. Amazing! only 1.5km away. Garmin took me to Winchcombe station, on the GWR Steam Railway. Not quite what I had in mind. I checked Garmin again and chose Cheltenham station, as it looked like the closest station with a service back to London. Off I went. The route took me over Cleeve Hill, which I have since discovered (thanks to Wikipedia) is "the highest point both of the Cotswolds hill range and in the county of Gloucestershire".
Never mind. Curiously enough, I seem to have enjoyed myself anyway, even though I am now nursing a calf muscle injury and hoping that it will heal in time for an attempt at 600.
Lots of thanks to Liam and all the helpers. And thanks to the riders I met at the back of the field, particularly the rider with rear gear problems, who was most encouraging. I hope he got round OK.
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Good to revisit this ride after a couple of years. Last time it was tail wind out head wind return. I far preferred yesterday's order.
It was a relief to get to Chepstow and see it was still blowing hard.
Lovely evening conditions to finish in. Good company all the way round!
Thank you very much Liam and all of the other helpers.
A few photos:
https://flic.kr/s/aHskawGt6V
Great pics! And a great treat to see daylight renditions of so much that was already pitch black by the time I got there :)
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Getting to Chalfont at 11:20 - over an hour quicker than last year and easily my fastest 400....... I spotted a bike in Dominos. I went in to see that it was Zigzag - who had been back for an hour and a half............
I couldn't do either of those time with a rocket propelled bike :o
I'm not very quick. Even less quick at the moment so I planned a fairly slow day, lots of time at controls and I bravely stuck to that plan!
Got a bit of a soaking pre-yarnton, but cheered myself with a bacon sandwich + coffee. Also picked up a gas bbq, some wicker chairs and book on sheep breeding as that's the Yarnton way. Staff are nice which always helps.
Rolled up and down the Cotwolds for a bit, either crawling up hills or getting wind (and rain) blasted on the exposed flatter parts but the scenary is so nice, it's hard not to enjoy it. Got to tewkesbury and found a sandwich shop (Tasty Bites) to the left of the street which did good sandwiches - the people in the shop asking lots of questions about what we were doing. They were suitably impressed (and confused / horrified / pitying.........)
Off to chepstow having conquered yat mon at 2 mph. I had remembered yat mon from last year so knew to save some effort for the top (hardest) bit.
I have no idea why but I really enjoyed going over the Severn bridge last year and this year was no different. Great views and engineering :)
Made a mess of the next section to membury by doing stupid things, greatly underestimated how long it would take, left kit at the bottom of a long steep hill and then had to ride back down (and back up :'( ) again kept stopping to faff for no reason and then managed to miss the turn into membury so did an extra 10k getting back. From being fairly comfortable with time I now had 6 minutes to spare.......
Decided on the A4 route as it's a bit quicker. Fairly uneventful from that point in until the finish where Liam and Marcus were doing their normal fine job of welcoming back the lost sheep. Got back about 8:15.
Plan to take things slow cost me a couple of soakings and a very light tailwind on the way back as the wind had died. Having said that I don't think I could have gone any faster :)
Many thanks to Liam and all those involved - it's the 2nd time I've done the Severn Across and I have no doubt I shall be back for more, it's a great event, well organised with a fine course.
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Started off in good spirits despite big sleep deprivation courtesy of British Airways and French engineers (there's a joke somewhere but not when you get home on Thursday night at 1am). Let a few very fast riders go and towed the next group through the Chilterns. Unfortunately lurking in the back of this group were the likes of John Warnock (ex 24 hour TT champion) so once their legs warmed up I went from towing to hanging on. Stopped for a bacon butty at the first control, which allowed them to leave and teamed up with Swiss Hat through to Tewksbury and into the Forest of Dean where we met up with another small group. I was struggling a bit with hay fever (tree pollen gets me not grass pollen which comes later) and so let them go and enjoyed a steady climb up the Yat. Combination of lack of sleep and pollen made me very drowsy so I stopped in a newly opened cafe by the bridge in Chepstow and enjoyed tea and cake before a quick stop at the Tesco garage for the receipt for the brevet. Sailed along to Malmesbury but then got a major attack of the dozies. Shu caught me at the Esso Garage in Wootton Bassett where I hoped more tea would restore my spirits. They did as far as Membury but then the dozies came back big time. I decided to head down the A4 and near Aldermaston was almost tempted to check into a hotel to get some sleep. I asked if they would mind if I had a quick kip in the reception area and they very kindly let me do so. In Reading I got caught by a group of four and that kept me going back to the finish. Very enjoyable despite the fatigue - met lots of old friends and made a couple of new ones - thanks to Ken for keeping me company through Burnham Beeches back to the finish.
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very enjoyable ride, one of those rare days when i was in the flow, everything seemed to go well and smooth. good to chat and catch up with both the old friends and riders who i met first time - thank you for the company!
thanks to Liam and the team for all the support and organisation.
great photos, thesloth! :thumbsup:
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xHS_eLaVFoA/VU_HOYNtJkI/AAAAAAAAEgg/7itzlOJEGFg/s640/2015-05-09%252016.13.47.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fiJt46sp6BU/VU_HSbhJoGI/AAAAAAAAEgo/wF1R7fkWZxM/s640/2015-05-09%252018.18.38.jpg)
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Thank you Liam and team for such a well organised event: good controls, perfectly thought out route, and a well written route sheet.
I was pleased to finish just before 3:00am so by far my quickest 400 yet. I'll never be the quickest Audax rider but if I can cut out a little more of the faffing and be a bit more disciplined then it would be nice to get down to 20 hours.
Oh, and well done to everyone else who finished, especially those doing it for the first time. A 400k is always a big achievement.
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splendid day awheel as usual, thanks Liam & helpers
my 5th crack at this, neither fastest nor slowest, but speed doesn't matter in audax anyway, does it?
I'm having a bash at an ironman later this year so when I got home I thought I'd see if I can run after a long bike ride...the answer was yes albeit pretty slowly...however now I can barely f#cking walk
see you in Windsor :thumbsup:
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very enjoyable ride, one of those rare days when i was in the flow,
What sort of flow was that zigzag? a nuclear one ? :)
It's not a race, so times are not the issue, but I'm always interested to learn how the faster echelons of the day have been performing. From where I sit those kind of times are truly amazing, and I salute you all. It's not a place I will ever occupy but it does provide full value, time-stressed riders like myself a sense of hope and motivation that there is some scope to improve. It would be a boring world if we all did the same times. Damn busy at controls too :)
I don't think I've ever felt so dodgy after a ride. I could barely stand and was almost passing out when I got back. It was not good. That's what you get with no preparation, 21 days continual work, candle burning and little sleep. I need to respect both myself and the rides a bit more I think. Don't regret for a moment being onboard though. The cob webs got a good blast, and they needed it.
I last did this in 2007 so it's been a while. That's plenty of time to forget about all the various lumpy bits that pop up from time to time. "I don't remember this, I don't remember that'. I was almost throwing the toys out of the recumbent pram in the Cotswolds. If I did the ride again, I'd be very tempted to take the Dean route after Stow and miss the Winchcombe Hill descent completely. I really don't like that drop at all. Descending is great on a recumbent, but that particular descent has me feeling like I'm falling through a lift shaft.
It was a day of varied weather, varied terrain, and varied levels of alertness too. Boy, I got the dozies on the way back and had a real problem in Slough holding it together. I was cycling at maximum snails pace and the tank was utterly empty. Nought left at all. I was bought back to life suddenly when, passing a petrol station, this car door flung open, a pair of nicely formed fish-netted legs shoved themselves into the air, their owner collapsed on her back across the two font seats, exuded loud cackling laughter and introduced herself with an opening comment of "Cor, f*****g hell mate!" And then laughed a lot more :-) I rode on.
The last two hours were pedaled at a snails pace that was so very, very slow I was barely moving. Rolled over the line at 6.30am.
As ever, I enjoyed being on the other side of the counter - hard work and I have sore feet
I'm not surprised after last weekend. In case any of you didn't know but Marcus did a complete route check on his own last weekend! And it was cold and it was damp. And there was no toasted sandwich at the end. So respect to you young Marcus. Blimey, that kind of being-on-your-own-out-there almost has a hardcore TG-esque feel to it. :thumbsup:
Many thanks to Liam and everybody else who gave time yesterday.
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I might blog a more detailed report later if I can piece the bits back together. Summary:
4am
Cycled out to start, arrived late again but not as late as last time so I'm getting better!
Cycled, passed Ray and Mike, got wet, ate cake (Yarnton).
Cycled, got wet, talked to Frank, dried out standing outside whilst eating cake (Tewkesbury).
Cycled, said hi to Martin and ate a Turkish Delight (Chepstow, this time not experienced whilst covered in grit after changing tubes), took some photos of the Severn and surrounds.
Cycled, ran out of fluids (stupid small lucozade bottles) so stopped for a pint and got bottles refilled in a pub in Malmesbury.
Cycled, memory failing but definitely went for more oddities at Membury Serivices - steak crisps? wtf? Pocketed an iced coffee for later.
Cycled, darkness descends, dodging deer decidedly dangerous during descents, impressed that Henley put on a fireworks show for my arrival, that was very nice of them.
Cycled the long way based on the GPS and picked up a receipt in Chalfont (need to check credit card - that'll cost me)
Headed to the HQ to see if anyone was there and told the previous people what I'd been up to, the bloke was amazed. Liam arrived just as I had my phone out to ask him what to do with brevet card. Consumed a bakewell and espresso and rolled home, arriving some time before 1am
2am schleepies!
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CEpLezxWAAAkwKY.jpg:large)
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Went to bed at 9:45pm. Not sure how much I slept, as I kept opening my eyes to check the time (despite setting the alarm for 1:15am). Got up to turn off the alarm before it went off, looked outside, and decided I would do the online ECE. Left at 2:20, allowing plenty of time for the 38 mile trip to the start. Arrived at 5am, where it looked like I was the first one for breakfast.
Faffed about with my bike bag at 6, whilst all were setting off. Surprised to see my club mate turn up (he did a Poole 400 with 6AAA points last weekend). Setting off a few minutes after, we caught a good bunch around 7:15, until he rode on the front and missed the turn in Islip (that'll teach him to turn over his routesheet when necessary). I waited for him, so we arrived at Yarnton in the rain, and behind the others. My clubmate is fitter, and kept going ahead on the climbs. I didn't see him again beyond Stow, but exchanged a few texts. I did most of the ride on my own, some short bits chatting with others I met on the way. I stopped at the first café with bikes outside in Tewkesbury (foolishly thought I could make the RHP for a veggie breakfast before 12). Lovely (though very hot) soup, and décor. The arm and leg warmers came off. Although it wasn't far, I decided to stop at the Good News café in Newent for a pot of tea and choccy shortbread in the sun. The waitress hadn't seen another cyclist. Honked up Yat, squeezing past oncoming cars, with an Amersham club bloke who managed it seated. I worked out I was around 90 minutes behind my mate by the time I arrived in Chepstow, and couldn't even stomach eating curry and naan, like he had. I bought a Tesco sandwich meal deal, to eat the other side of the bridge (my calmest crossing yet). Ate the sandwich and crisps in bits (finished it for breakfast after I got home). Honked up the Monument climb, and tried to take pics of it on the mobile. Saw audaxers go by, so caught up with one, and we stopped to chat to the drunk who was lying on the road, trying to hold his breath. He was waiting for a lift, but not the car which turned up first. We left him, and carried on. Arrived at Membury alone, and ordered a coffee (forgetting I threw up the last one there on the Dean). Several tired looking cyclist there, discussing the A4 option. Not done that before, so I decided to. Left on my own, the only other cyclist I saw before the end was one on the A4, heading in the opposite direction (fast finisher?). Didn't enjoy the A4 (at least my wrists and legs didn't). Worn out with unevenly filled trenches in places, hard spotting the A4 signs all the time in Reading, and all the lights in Slough would turn to red just before I arrived. I hopped onto the cycle path in places, but that felt no better. I arrived at the finish by 4:30am, two hours behind my mate, and about 30 mins earlier than two years ago. It was a lovely warm welcome, even though I found the pasta sauce a bit too spicy (I am mild). had a nice chat/listen, and rest (planned on a nap, but didn't feel like it).
Left at 5:45 for the A413 bash to Aylesbury and beyond. Wish I'd left later/gone slower/suffered one of the two punctures I had on another return trip, as I thought I'd hit home around 9am (as last time) so I could stop at the McDonalds where my CTC mates would be meeting for their ride, but I passed there just after 8. Did the usual (uploaded the ECE, checked email, had a bath and fell asleep in it, twice).
Thanks to all the helpers. I will volunteer at an event at some time, if only to look at the suffering/happy/tired cyclists through fresh eyes.
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This is my route
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/7801138
Excellent, thanks for this ;D
This turns out to be a bit crap. Serves me right for doing it too hastily on RideWithGPS. The part getting to the A4 was fine, getting through Reading and the turn towards Gerrard's Cross was ok, but it kept leaving the A4 for no good reason, then turning back onto it.
I hope it didn't cause you too much pain.
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This turns out to be a bit crap. Serves me right for doing it too hastily on RideWithGPS. The part getting to the A4 was fine, getting through Reading and the turn towards Gerrard's Cross was ok, but it kept leaving the A4 for no good reason, then turning back onto it.
I hope it didn't cause you too much pain.
Actually, I didn't use it in the end - I teamed up with another rider & we decided to do the 'standard' (non A4) route back, so no worries ;D
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Just wanted to say thanks to Liam, Marcus, Martin, Manotea, all the other helpers.
This was a really good 400. I did get moody in the wind a couple of times, particularly in the rain before Tewkesbury, but this was all far too drama free. I was quite tired at Membury, but the fast, flat last 90k down the A4 woke me up a bit and was fine. The rolling bit before Membury was all getting a bit hard, but anyone can ride forever on the flat. And I like the A4, all those possibilities of petrol stations, kebabs, coffees, chip vans, train stations ;) What more could an Audaxer want at night? Finished some time around 1.30ish or so feeling relatively fresh compared to my only other disastrous attempt at 400k where the last 100k took 8 hours. This time it took 4 ;)
Some really nice roads, nice views, really liked the route. Having MattCs tour guide services between 70k and 320k made the time go quicker and me not lose the plot, and get on a train, but having finished my other one saying never again and that I hated it, I actually genuinely enjoyed this ride!! I have big concerns over 600 for sure, but this was a great day out.
I ate everything. Another of my 60 worries is how much I seemed to be inhaling. I have actually totted up everything I think I ate on Sat, and it comes to 4,500 calories. This seems a crazy amount of food to be eating, especially as on Sunday, I was too sleepy to be bothered to do any exercise. My legs also still hurt. Is all this normal? *yet another hysterical post despite the event having finished*
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"I ate everything. Another of my 60 worries is how much I seemed to be inhaling. I have actually totted up everything I think I ate on Sat, and it comes to 4,500 calories. This seems a crazy amount of food to be eating, especially as on Sunday, I was too sleepy to be bothered to do any exercise. My legs also still hurt. Is all this normal? *yet another hysterical post despite the event having finished*"
According to my powermeter I used over 10,000 calories during the 400k so ingesting 4,500 would be under-eating in my case :)
My legs were reasonably stiff and a bit tender on Sunday and I was a bit slower riding to work this morning but they should be good for 600k on Sat.
I always make sure I get a good dose of protein and some carbs, if I can face them, post ride. It should help reduce muscle damage.
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I did ride this morning, and it was ok if a little sluggish. I'm supposed to have a running race tomorrow night though, and currently don't fancy this idea!
I did eat some rice pudding at the finish, but it was all a bit middle of the night to be eating much. I have food guilt when I stuff my face all day.
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You can't have food guilt if you've just spent 12+ hours riding a bike. I mean, you can, but you shouldn't.
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You can't have food guilt if you've just spent 12+ hours riding a bike. I mean, you can, but you shouldn't.
Its the only reason I ride
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I made it round, but not without my usual bodges and mini-dramas.
I live about 30km away from the start, and am carless. I decided to get a room at a nearby hotel, so I could get a good nights sleep. hah. Nice room and everything, but I just didn't sleep :( I was still awake at 1am. Alarm set for 5 woke me (a little confused) but somehow I didn't get to the start until about 6:10. Manotoa and Liam pushed me off down the road by 6:15. Had a little laugh, because I saw one cyclist heading back from the wrong direction. I only laughed because I did that in 2013. Maybe there should be an arrow pointing left at the start?
15 minutes is not a lot after 400km, but you need to remember I finished the 3Down with 2 minutes to spare, so this was cutting dangerously into reserve.
Maybe 30km down the road, when it was raining steadily but not too hard, I hit metal grate or cover in the road at the wrong angle and came down. As the last time that happened, I broke my collar bone, so lay in the road for a few seconds while 3 cars drove round me without checking if I was alright. Got up, and nothing hurt too much, so I walked along blubbing for a bit, then resumed my ride. A car from the other direction came by and asked if I was ok, and offered to help. I was very grateful to have my faith in humanity restored, but I really was OK. Two bruised and grazed knees, a grazed elbow, ruined tights and a strangely painful tiny cut on ring finger that makes typing s, x or w excruciating. No sexting for a couple of weeks, I guess.
The rest was my usual long slog around, coming into controls with minutes to spare. At Membury I got a receipt from the petrol station, and then headed to the main building for sitting and proper food. Sadly, Membury isn't the same as it was 2 years ago: a Starbucks downstairs open 24 hours means that upstairs is now locked at 3am. And more sadly, even tired and hungry at 4am, Starbucks is still horrible. I managed to eat a panini and most of a coffee and took a solid break of nearly an hour. That left me with 5 hours for the 90km (A4 route) which I thought was doable. Which it was, and I arrived back with 12 minutes in hand. Liam tried to trick me into thinking I'd missed the cutoff, but I was so tired I didn't react at all, except to ask him what time the cutoff was. I'd come to terms with not finishing at multiple points around the ride, so I was cool.
Scoffed some beans on toast (from MarcusJB?) and a cup of tea. And an apple pie. Packed my bike up, but didn't leave until Liam dragged me out of the centre (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFQ4NQKLWBc&feature=youtu.be&t=276) and sent me on my way. Due to many little rests, the 30km ride south took nearly 3 hours! Then I slept the afternoon away.
Final touch - at about midnight Sunday, I was sitting near my bike, and heard the hiss of all the air escaping the front tyre. Haven't checked the injury yet, but anytime after Chepstow, that would have been a complete - and ride ending - disaster. Phew!
Thanks Liam and team. A good ride. Hopefully I can pull something out for the WCW, otherwise I'm going to be curled up by the road somewhere near Birmingham
Edit: forgot four things
- Strava (http://www.strava.com/activities/302367729)
- Lovely man on the outskirts of Chepstow, while I was walking up a slight incline: "Mechanical or physical? I'm a bike mechanic. I saw you walking up the Yat." Um, thanks but can we pretend that didn't happen? :hand:
- Played with Strava flybys (http://labs.strava.com/flyby/viewer/#302367729,ctoAEg==). Seems "Robert" left Membury 1/2 hour before me - I was out of it, I never saw him - took the official route and got to the arrivee just after me. Glad I chose the cowards way.
- Had a reunion, of sorts, in Membury. When I arrived there 2 years ago, well out of time there were 2 guys asleep with buffs pulled over their eyes, and their mountain bikes in the corner having abandoned. The only rider I spoke to at Membury this time was one of them (we also met last week at a 200). He packed at Membury, resigned to sleeping in Starbucks as there was no alternative. His companion from two years earlier has apparently been struck with chronic fatigue, and given up audaxing :( .
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great ride report jefmcg thanks, and well done, see you in Windsor :thumbsup:
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My first 400 and a ride I've had my sights set on since starting this ridiculous activity... Great route, some nice villages I'd like to visit on a more leisurely tour (and stop for a pub lunch). Judging by all the placards still up (and the result), definitely the Tory heartlands! (Incidentally will HS2 construction have an impact on future rides out of Chalfont?)
Thanks to Liam and co and Marcus for taking care of things at the Arrivee. Finished in around 23 hours and now weighing up what I might do as a 600. Originally was thinking Beast from the East just to complete the Willesden SR selection but I did find this one tough and I've heard about the Beast's reputation. Best decide soon.
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very enjoyable ride, one of those rare days when i was in the flow,
What sort of flow was that zigzag? a nuclear one ?
here's a clue as to why he's so quick:
http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/across-europe-in-a-fortnight-the-transcontinental-2013.145113/
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very enjoyable ride, one of those rare days when i was in the flow,
What sort of flow was that zigzag? a nuclear one ?
here's a clue as to why he's so quick:
http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/across-europe-in-a-fortnight-the-transcontinental-2013.145113/
Yes, was always illuminated, I remember it well.
That was 2013 though. A lot can happen in two years.
We're only as good as our last ride. Is that a negative thing to say?
No, I don't think so.
Turning things upside down, look at it this way - we're also only as bad as our last ride too.
Nothing is ever cemented, we're always moving and evolving :-)
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Which it was, and I arrived back with 12 minutes in hand.
Hey, chapeau for surviving a fall and getting round ok.
And you got beans at the cut-off. That's quality or service.
You can't be guaranteed that on every Audax :-)
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And you got beans at the cut-off. That's quality or service.
You can't be guaranteed that on every Audax :-)
That is the proper Audax spirit, right there.
This is a pet peeve of ours (fboab and me) - we think the last rider on the road deserves every bit as much TLC as the first, and we get quite annoyed when we see controls packing up while the control is still open, and there are riders expected.
Wouldn't expect this kind of behaviour from the Willesden of course; they know how to run an event :thumbsup:.
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I made it round, but not without my usual bodges and mini-dramas.
I think I was leaving membury just as you were coming in (at about 3am) but all I could manage at that time was a vague grunt and a small nod of hello.
Sorry for that (if it was you and not some hallucination)
Now I'm more lucid - I do find your tales of adventure very inspirational :)
Certainly closer to my experience than "I got round in twenty minutes and then did a quick marathon".
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From where I sit those kind of times are truly amazing, and I salute you all. It's not a place I will ever occupy but it does provide full value, time-stressed riders like myself a sense of hope and motivation that there is some scope to improve.
Dave Winslade, who organises the Fairies events, always says it's about having a good time, not doing a good time. I wholeheartedly concur with the sentiment although I would add that the two are not mutually exclusive. However, completing a 400km audax within the time limit is an impressive feat by any 'normal' standards of athleticisim - especially one as challenging as the Severn Across, and especially in the weather conditions this weekend.* So give yourself a huge pat on the back.
*At one point, grovelling into the headwind to Wells on the Asparagus & Strawberries 400 on Saturday, a fellow rider said: "At least we're not doing the Severn Across." ;D
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Though intimidated by the prospect of the ride initially, I ended up really enjoying the ride. Thank you to Liam and team for organising and staffing the event.
I live about 30 km away from the start so left the house at about 04:15 on the Saturday having hastily plotted a route to the start. The route proved interesting with some off-road bridleway bashing through woodlands. A nice way to start.
From the start, I got on to the back of the fast group and did a little turn at the front before realising that I'd dropped my friend and so chose to pull over and wait for him to catch up. He did and we worked together for a little while until we caught up with a lady, Sandra. As Sandra and I spoke we upped the pace a little and I didn't notice that once again my friend had dropped behind. I waited at Yarnton Nurseries for him while others went on. He was some time as he'd punctured. After some breakfast for him we were back on the bikes and we rode together for a while longer - up to about the 100 km mark where we chose to split. I later heard from him that his rear shifter had snapped and that he was operating with only two gears. (He managed to make it round, scraping in at most of the controls from that point on. @jefmcg - the Robert on your Strava flyby will have been my friend.)
I rode pretty much on my own through to just before Symons Yat though I did pass and ride with a couple of people for a short while. I admitted to one that for the previous 10 minutes I had been having a bad patch with lots of "this is ridiculous why am I doing this?" type moments. Even a quick exchange of words, brightened my outlook.
Some time before Symons Yat the tubeless tyre on my front wheel decided to start losing pressure, and this problem would plague me through to Chepstow where I was able to re-seal it. It meant that every 30 km or so I had to inflate the wheel again. Rode with a trio for a little while up Symons Yat and we were all stopped by a police officer who asked for our help in searching for a missing person.
There seemed to be a fair few people taking a little while out at the Tesco in Chepstow and I joined them there for a while eventually leaving at about 19:00. (For future reference, anyone considering the chicken nuggets from the hot counter should consider something else - they were rather like packages of cardboard wrapped up in crispy breadcrumbs.)
I think the section between Chepstow and the Membury Services was my favourite. The route sheet was broken down in to roughly 25km chunks and this made it feel as though I was whizzing through the 100 or so kms. I met JossW in the very pretty Malmesbury and after a little food we rode together for a short while. I got a fresh set of legs and pushed on a little more.
I arrived at the Membury control to see one person (Rob, I think - Audax Club Hackney cap) leaving. I settled down for a coffee and a little rest intending to push on quite quickly. I was feeling pretty good, and with just under a hundred to go, I was in good spirits. While having my coffee Sandra the lady I'd ridden with earlier turned up along with two others, Phil and Martin. Joss turned up too. There was talk of using the A4 home but I was starting to feel tired, and knowing that the route sheet had really helped me through the previous section I wanted to stick to that. In addition I was hoping to ride with a group through the night too, and this was an opportunity to do so.
We formed a good group and made good progress, I really enjoyed the lanes and though the route sheet urged caution I didn't find them too difficult. I thought the surfaces were in a good condition and they were practically car free.
With about 50 km to go the group split with 3 of us leaving Martin and Phil behind, the temperature had really dropped and I for one was getting really cold. We arrived back to arrivee at about 04:45 to a warm welcome from Marcus and Liam and were waited on hand-and-foot. There was a nice group there recovering, and it felt great to have completed my first 400.
A plate of beans and toast, washed down with a couple of cups of tea, perhaps a bakewell tart too and I was off again for the ride home. It was my wife's birthday and I'd promised to be home before the kids woke up so I had a little bit of a race on my hands. Thankfully the legs weren't too tired, and the food and drink recently taken on had given me the required energy. Home by about 06:45 in the end. Sorted the kids out, made the wife a cup of tea and collapsed into bed for a couple of hours before the celebrations began.
A beautiful route and a good day awheel all told. The photos above tell you just how beautiful the scenery was. Thanks once again to Liam and team.
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^^ Hi Dan - wasn't sure if you hung around these parts but thanks for the company for the last section. Makes a big difference when you're cold and tired. Hope the birthday celebrations went well. I slept for a few hours then cycled to Victoria park for a couple of beers at Inn on the Park with a couple of mates. Lovely.
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Its about 4 years since I last rode this one, and have been audaxing in the hills of Wessex and Devon and Cornwall in the interim. That's not to say I didn't notice the climbs on Saturday! I think the headwind on the way out to Chepstow made the climbing much more noticeable.
The night before I caught a train after work from Marylebone to Seer Green, & chatted with Joe, who was also on the event. I stayed at Jordans YHA for the night. Met Anthony from Hackney there, who was also riding the event. In the morning it was a short hop to breakfast at the start. Nice to see Liam, the organiser - I remember riding round a few events at the same speed a few years back, also said hi to LaidbackRich, CET, Manotea, etc, etc. When you've been on these rides for 9 years there's always someone to recognise, (or who recognises you)! Was ready to go at the back of the first group, and on the way to Yarnton several faster riders passed me, but I didn't catch anyone. Nice to see Mike B, who was riding with Javier. I rode a section of PBP '11 with Mike. He only ever rides audaxes in PBP years, and does no specific training...chapeau! Got caught by some heavier rain just before Yarnton control, so glad of waterproofs and rainlegs.
Next through the Cotswolds, which is always a pleasure. Lots of rapeseed growing in the fields, and also bluebells in the woods earlier. Chatted with Tony G, who I first rode with back in 1989 on my Tunisia CTC Tour. No concerns about terrorism in those days, only kids throwing stones at us. we ate lunch together in Tewkesbury. On the way to Yat Rock, I didn't see any riders for some time, until Mike and Javier passed me again, having stopped for a hot meal earlier. My gears were playing up on the climb, and I had to walk the last bit when they slipped. New chain, cassette, and bottom bracket being fitted today ready for the WCW 600! Last few kms into the wind before Chepstow took an eternity, it seemed. More cold snack pasta was consumed at the control.
On the way back the tailwind improved my mood. took the A4 option from Membury with Alistair and Rob. We slowed down a lot, due to sleepiness, but finished in just under 24 hours. I was offered a lift , so didn't hang around to accept all the wonderful hospitality offered by Marcus and Liam.
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And you got beans at the cut-off. That's quality or service.
You can't be guaranteed that on every Audax :-)
That is the proper Audax spirit, right there.
This is a pet peeve of ours (fboab and me) - we think the last rider on the road deserves every bit as much TLC as the first, and we get quite annoyed when we see controls packing up while the control is still open, and there are riders expected.
Wouldn't expect this kind of behaviour from the Willesden of course; they know how to run an event :thumbsup:.
So true.
To be fare, after the 3 down when I go there with (1/2/5 - pick one) minutes to spare, they had packed up. But it was 2am and I got a lift home, which is taking full service to the next level.
(my last two stops on LEL - my last two, they weren't the last two for people that completed - had no food and no hot food respectively. So very grateful for a pile of beans on toast. Not a food I normally eat, but it seemed just the thing for that moment, and it disappeared quickly. I didn't ask, but they seemed to be out of hollandaise sauce, so no eggs benedict were offered.)
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And you got beans at the cut-off. That's quality or service.
You can't be guaranteed that on every Audax :-)
That is the proper Audax spirit, right there.
This is a pet peeve of ours (fboab and me) - we think the last rider on the road deserves every bit as much TLC as the first, and we get quite annoyed when we see controls packing up while the control is still open, and there are riders expected.
Wouldn't expect this kind of behaviour from the Willesden of course; they know how to run an event :thumbsup:.
So true.
To be fare, after the 3 down when I go there with (1/2/5 - pick one) minutes to spare, they had packed up. But it was 2am and I got a lift home, which is taking full service to the next level.
(my last two stops on LEL - my last two, they weren't the last two for people that completed - had no food and no hot food respectively. So very grateful for a pile of beans on toast. Not a food I normally eat, but it seemed just the thing for that moment, and it disappeared quickly. I didn't ask, but they seemed to be out of hollandaise sauce, so no eggs benedict were offered.)
On LEL at Barnard Castle we kept a pot of stew going whilst we gradually wound everything down and we were able to serve the last rider about an hour after the control had closed. He asked us not to bother but the look of happiness in his eyes when he saw a bowl of hot food kept me going for the three following hours of cleaning up in the kitchen.
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http://www.aukweb.net/results/detail/this/listevent/?Ride=15-309
Happy we have been homologated. Just one step away from an SR for me then.
Just one, teensy, eensy, weensy 600km step away .... :sick:
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Which teensy, eensy, weensy 600km is that then jefmcg?
I need to do a 600km ride then another teensy,eensy 600km for mine haha as I missed this great ride ;D
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WCW.
what have you got scheduled?
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WCW as well then probably The Buzzard as that is preferable than a 400km perm on my lonesome as alternate working weekends clashed with all viable 400km rides.
Good luck for WCW and it sounds like a good one for a 600 - see you there somewhere along or back :)
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+1
It's a The Buzzard for me - my first 600 and, if I complete it within the time limit, my first SR
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+1
It's a The Buzzard for me - my first 600 and, if I complete it within the time limit, my first SR
Good luck Whitedown Man
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+1
It's a The Buzzard for me - my first 600 and, if I complete it within the time limit, my first SR
Good luck Whitedown Man
;D V kind!
Bit of a leap into the dark for me. I only have 2-3 hrs slack at the end of a 400 so at best I can hope for 2 hrs kip in a bus shelter somewhere, and I've no idea whether that will be enough to see me through a further 200k. However, faint heart never won fair lady, so I'm thrilled to be giving it a go