Yet Another Cycling Forum

General Category => Audax => Topic started by: Phil W on 23 October, 2019, 12:44:04 pm

Title: Stevenage Start of Summertime 200km - March 29th 2020
Post by: Phil W on 23 October, 2019, 12:44:04 pm
Hi,

Just to let you know that the 200km event will be returning as an Audax UK registered event on Sun March 29th 2020 with me as organiser.  I've been chatting with my local CTC group about taking it over and they are keen to revive it.

I'm also going to look at making it available as a perm but lets get the calendar event back first ;D

Expect it to appear in the Audax UK calendar sometime in Nov.

Cheers

Phil
Title: Re: Stevenage Start of Summertime 200km - March 29th 2020
Post by: HowardK on 23 October, 2019, 10:41:38 pm
Looking forward to it Phil. Although on second thoughts I probably owe you a favour or two, so get in touch if you cannot mobilise the CTC and you need any assistance at controls etc.

Howard
Title: Re: Stevenage Start of Summertime 200km - March 29th 2020
Post by: jsabine on 23 October, 2019, 11:20:43 pm
Fab news - thanks Phil. I was sorry that it left the AUK calendar before I'd had a chance to ridegot round to riding it, though I know it had continued as a CTC event.
Title: Re: Stevenage Start of Summertime 200km - March 29th 2020
Post by: simonp on 23 October, 2019, 11:40:48 pm
Great news, it was a lovely ride.
Title: Re: Stevenage Start of Summertime 200km - March 29th 2020
Post by: Phil W on 24 October, 2019, 10:23:40 am
Fab news - thanks Phil. I was sorry that it left the AUK calendar before I'd had a chance to ridegot round to riding it, though I know it had continued as a CTC event.

Last run as an Audax in 2016, then as CTC event in 2017. Not run since then in either format.
Title: Re: Stevenage Start of Summertime 200km - March 29th 2020
Post by: drossall on 24 October, 2019, 11:25:49 pm
The 200 wasn't, although I for one rode the 160km event earlier this year.

Good to see the 200km back though. And I've always felt that the Stevenage events attracted a wider range of participants than almost any event I've seen, which can't be a bad thing for them.
Title: Re: Stevenage Start of Summertime 200km - March 29th 2020
Post by: Phil W on 15 November, 2019, 10:59:47 am
New route drafted, a mix of the classic route and new lanes.  Out via Saffron Walden, turn at Lavenham as always, returning via Thaxted. Got a few bits to coordinate with local CTC group regards the shorter rides they'll be running same day.  We'll be sharing controls with the shorter rides where possible. Plan is for it to be published in Audax calendar this side of Christmas. I'm hoping to get out and ride the draft route in next few weeks.

Saffron Walden is  the usual turning point for Emmitremus, End of Summertime 100 in October. So you're getting a mix of the reverse of the end of summertime, plus the return leg of the Start of Summertime with a few new lanes thrown in to the mix.

Thaxted as a control for these rides has never been the same after Poppies (the cafe in the lane up to the Windmill) closed

The 66,100,160km rides will be running same day as CTC rides if you fancy something shorter. They will be found on Stevenage CTCs calendar page nearer the time.
Title: Re: Stevenage Start of Summertime 200km - March 29th 2020
Post by: Phil W on 22 November, 2019, 05:54:56 pm
The newly revived Stevenage Start of Summertime 200 is now published in the Audax UK calendar. It will be running on Sunday 29th March 2020.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Ch6tLmJqS6zJfHuYzsYyNheBlgCEtHXfM3oFl3h5tdNA7oeHzqE_98WJUm7jAxDLeu8yVKmo1F3AqmIumVlD8cGqh8Wwb_ofX3-bNZsoPEJoZVVk1OmC-3KZhrBWmgjtGz2wHDhGOw=w2400)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/vdhj_9qZ47hZNw563rWra63jHWn4WmKN2QlYiI_hew0SqOXQmIVsOF73_QoFBwXGkmFtA8GL4kk-abAuBLCPKlbFwEXyUsywkjGzVwfdUsUpOq2YOnuV5Np53JcZPnBhX2_UdHS8Rg=w2400)

http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/20-321/

It retains its classic turn at the lovely market town of Lavenhan, Suffolk. But there is a new outbound route through Saffron Walden with the return coming back via Thaxted. So a nice mix of the old lanes and new.

Supported by my local CTC group with shorter (non audax) distances of 66,100,160km also running. It's a justifiable popular day of cycling.

Easily accessible by train from London and other places via the East Coast mainline.

Looking forward to seeing old and new faces alike. Entries will open on 15th December 2019.

I'll also be looking to make this a perm, once I've got the calendar event out of the way.
Title: Re: Stevenage Start of Summertime 200km - March 29th 2020
Post by: drossall on 22 November, 2019, 07:58:38 pm
Can't see the pictures in that post?
Title: Re: Stevenage Start of Summertime 200km - March 29th 2020
Post by: Phil W on 22 November, 2019, 08:18:10 pm
Sorted hopefully
Title: Re: Stevenage Start of Summertime 200km - March 29th 2020
Post by: robgul on 22 November, 2019, 08:31:59 pm
The newly revived Stevenage Start of Summertime 200 is now published in the Audax UK calendar. It will be running on Sunday 29th March 2020.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/KtXxhdjDXa09lpoa86OgGaje7-LegaBlNfytdsBCWPCmDCeUPGcomcaTNeY_4cjePD4FBS6_jVckNlrHBqKQfuvfG-Y7i9c2LtlHoSQkpftZI8ed-ezMFEIbmKpnHhSScyq9UuVevLctaT-d6QbxH0yX1MOdjdUel6eAKc5lEfwLqz-YVYJiPodH4dTkP0_DI17nMioabUf84ZE8ofDHeVpKf_VkR_Mq_0pMkecmeiZTcKcphkuMMdVqgszuZAzumvI30lVVc4lYtTb7ikTjzR7y9I3RWZFX-LLbpz5acYSPD1R5xzh--9dOrlvrxNTwfgfTWhUn-Q-5Sqf2gDfexGAlBFeKiY-tNV94xTgXiyKr_rJWCaYlNZ6vv7auBdPp5QMuPdy-x9NM0N3zHl4aaYEnNwI1bYewx5Tdtk1yp8ja-KYUZw4t3NZO_Khl0gLs9n9amxC2UnXSyYoHllRPYuy5clIwUXv9m2u0oBRYtOoGdPDEuqrdO8yPB9VemFffQezWA5_qK0lIGjSfmXIelu9Fyxkl4jUROMO-zDOrmZhqh09y7eVuiEkp7viLIuNH9KZr7jjxMVAVQ4VPt4038_UKuMALURmf1BuY-nJ4-kOaGkX2HYTNw_a9AgaigLnwlfGJowwYi3MGJUpQjGrLy3lsNEAI3A7tHk8qleZS2GW0Ngbl0tKbUqE=w816-h460-no)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_2peyLmJkorwbK3rVIxI0oOgS2tno5oMU8Ju9hLThKhBvcf99LQUV4csuH4ANZ0eab06IbuGltvrFVTuuge5W0tmDP0kn67bI1FNcdgbG3i3ie5NuAmP1QqQnpXFc8G1NMH-HdkWiyHAbu4O6cyke4N3s9CWt0VbBtIy1rX1X43c2O-CgIkDSg9Dy7gljg6NALwhyiwyjGUJbEdGrRjdnK5uf_RM5p_PpTnBPrDGj-X75Rxp6YAnOIOlBpVnAUsIj1tPVb2rZ1k0ZOz_vC0ZPvdVA6fZuEZjpf81OmmlgHOwfUa9Dvxil0xzdXTgqOpi0T5Zd-fZmYcp8f1HpFsOKn-_BWm0F2hQA5oAZ2WFHvAoZmXVEpgWxgtnvIb1yRsTMDQUccusmcAV9ArAFcBkkGCqLr_H0yo9c8sXvH-hfNMyAfT7bV3IeT9VxxiWIEhrcTto_8OL2Hwi_MsVeSNRymCzI47APfqyRFdgSx1kCY2JuE_NdS1e9bb4w2yjygERN-fPvviD6o4S8RIkygoi3ghubshSUw9EYH6afSkOwMi7EfWGyVe5prnmykwyipbaoHLWswkXFV9iN1GMUUI_YM2QHhYI673IWBSz3vSHquMcdZYQ-PrXG4AknruwNIImu3-6NYASua4hhg2TjXDexlv4altiQBu-G7BApN90XovjTwsMd3K6nJo=w816-h412-no)

http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/20-321/

It retains its classic turn at the lovely market town of Lavenhan, Suffolk. But there is a new outbound route through Saffron Walden with the return coming back via Thaxted. So a nice mix of the old lanes and new.

Supported by my local CTC group with shorter (non audax) distances of 66,100,160km also running. It's a justifiable popular day of cycling.

Easily accessible by train from London and other places via the East Coast mainline.

Looking forward to seeing old and new faces alike. Entries will open on 15th December 2019.

I'll also be looking to make this a perm, once I've got the calendar event out of the way.

Shame that the old Audax 100km isn't being revived, rather than a CTC event - I think I rode about 5 or 6 times either start or end of summertime when Jim was organising - perhaps between about 2006 and 2012?

Rob

Rob
Title: Re: Stevenage Start of Summertime 200km - March 29th 2020
Post by: hellymedic on 22 November, 2019, 08:45:35 pm
Lovely classic ride. Did Jim's second, I think, in 1995 and Emitremmus...
Title: Re: Stevenage Start of Summertime 200km - March 29th 2020
Post by: drossall on 22 November, 2019, 10:09:45 pm
Sorted hopefully
Sorry, no.
Title: Re: Stevenage Start of Summertime 200km - March 29th 2020
Post by: Phil W on 23 November, 2019, 08:59:51 am
Sorted hopefully
Sorry, no.

Try again. I think the Google photo  links were expiring. Hopefully these latest links are more long lasting.
Title: Re: Stevenage Start of Summertime 200km - March 29th 2020
Post by: drossall on 23 November, 2019, 09:10:17 am
Oh and there I am in the middle of the photo :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Stevenage Start of Summertime 200km - March 29th 2020
Post by: Sebo on 12 December, 2019, 07:47:40 am
This looks like a good’un. I’m up for it
Title: Re: Stevenage Start of Summertime 200km - March 29th 2020
Post by: Phil W on 15 December, 2019, 01:17:44 pm
Entries now open.

Rode first and last sections of new route yesterday.  Retains quiet lanes, lovely villages, and gently rolling terrain.  Somewhat wet and cold yesterday with decent headwind on returning back west.

http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/20-321/

Easy access by train, and a good first or returning 200. First ran in 1994, and supported by local CTC.
Title: Re: Stevenage Start of Summertime 200km - March 29th 2020
Post by: Phil W on 02 February, 2020, 06:48:02 pm
Entries steadily trickling in now.

Hoping to get out and do a full route sheet check next week if favourable weather window appears.  Writing corrections to draft routesheets best not done in rain and windy weather.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/u-VHqPsQvlGS-ec0jCDUIrq94g1-uKM1WG5nPE7BFVm16YNv8ZQ9KcFy1syoOu5UzHStSHblG66t-7uYGzlSn5xmVoeWr4tNZh4fmBG0L63NE7XGzAm5eCayR7XY17nGJKcquqlR7w)

Entries at http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/20-321/

Title: Re: Stevenage Start of Summertime 200km - March 29th 2020
Post by: Phil W on 11 March, 2020, 06:46:30 pm
Got a good number entered now, so will probably set you off in two or three groups.

Final route check a week on Sunday then I’ll be issuing final information , route sheets and GPX for the day.

Instant validation this year.
Title: Re: Stevenage Start of Summertime 200km - March 29th 2020
Post by: Lightning Phil on 21 June, 2020, 09:05:12 pm
During lockdown I have completed route check and route sheet updates of a perm version. It's now registered as a perm and showing on the Audax uk website. The work to enable validation by GPS should be complete this week.  Start anywhere on route and go clockwise or anti clockwise.

First control (after start control) is Buntingford to allow traditional proof of passage but route joins calendar route before Saffron Walden and then they are identical.

Available to enter like other perms from 1st August (all being well)
Title: Re: Stevenage Start of Summertime 200km - Sun Sept 20th 2020
Post by: Lightning Phil on 05 September, 2020, 06:10:39 pm
Now open for new date Sun 20th Sept.

Limited to max 30 entries
Staggered starts from Fairlands Valley car park, Stevenage
As x rated as can be
Postal finish.
Title: Re: Stevenage Start of Summertime 200km - March 29th 2020
Post by: drossall on 05 September, 2020, 06:17:42 pm
Very short summer this year ;D

You're doing the Oxford event the day before as well? Might suit me better on dates, but looks as though it's hillier?
Title: Re: Stevenage Start of Summertime 200km - March 29th 2020
Post by: Lightning Phil on 05 September, 2020, 06:59:25 pm
Yes packing them into a single weekend.  Not manning a pub finish or running my shorter events means it’s not so time consuming for each. Yes the Oxford one has about 50% more climbing and it’s much steeper than anything on the SSOSS.
Title: Re: Stevenage Start of Summertime 200km - March 29th 2020
Post by: drossall on 06 September, 2020, 09:23:51 am
Thanks for the reply. You'll be busy! Not sure I'm up to packing them into one weekend as rides!

I've done some good events around the Chilterns, but shorter ones. Never been a climber, so I've entered the Summertime.
Title: Re: Stevenage Start of Summertime 200km - March 29th 2020
Post by: Lightning Phil on 06 September, 2020, 12:36:10 pm
Seen your entry.

I just thought I’d bring them into the same weekend then I have one busy weekend then my remaining autumn ones are free.

I’m still contemplating whether to attempt an SR before end of Oct. Not quite decided yet. Need to think of possible weekends and routes.
Title: Re: Stevenage Start of Summertime 200km - March 29th 2020
Post by: Lightning Phil on 20 September, 2020, 02:56:49 pm
All riders successfully launched from their time slots towards Suffolk this morning. Grey skies to start but blue skies arrived about an hour after they set off.  Looks like headwind out and tailwind home.

Commiserations for those who couldn’t make it due to various reasons.
Title: Re: Stevenage Start of Summertime 200km - March 29th 2020
Post by: David27 on 21 September, 2020, 10:21:00 am
Great ride yesterday Phil, thank you for organising. Stunning weather and scenery, good company on the road and even the cars were behaving themselves. Shopping for food and getting receipts was a challenge with the time you had to queue but all in all - a perfect day out
Title: Re: Stevenage Start of Summertime 200km - March 29th 2020
Post by: drossall on 21 September, 2020, 01:13:08 pm
I was going to suggest moving it permanently to this time of year if we can have the weather again ;D

The sun broke through just as I topped the hill approaching Great Chishill. After that it was sun all the way.

Much as I like the old route, nice to ride some less familiar roads. I don't know the stretch from Saffron Walden to Hempstead that well, nor the roads around Bures. I got to Lavenham in good time (for a full-value rider) and had high hopes of a fast time, with the wind now being behind. In that vein, I decided to delay lunch, which I had with me, till Bures. That bit was a struggle though. It rather set the tone, in that I just went slower and slower, especially once into Essex and a few more hills.

Finchingfield was crowded as ever. I nearly went on to Thaxted, but spotted a cafe with a couple of tables, and at in the sunshine over tea and a cake. The motorbikers at the next table were discussing their collections of machines, and rebuilding the ones that they had first bought decades ago as youngsters. I looked over at my Dawes frame, thirty years old and fresh from a Mercian respray, on its first outing after I finally finished the build the day before. Not so different then :thumbsup:

I even nearly finished in daylight, using lights only from around Aston.

Really good day out. Thanks again to Phil.
Title: Re: Stevenage Start of Summertime 200km - March 29th 2020
Post by: Lightning Phil on 21 September, 2020, 07:13:45 pm
Thaxted as the middle of a figure of eight loop of the original route was never the same after Poppy’s cafe closed.  Some of the route changes are to meet stricter min distance rules. Other changes like going to Saffron just ties up with the also changed 160km and 100km events that normally run as part of the day. But always nice for event routes to evolve a little from year to year if other nice lanes can be substituted and / or cafes open and close

Glad you had a good day out. It was indeed fine weather from mid morning onwards.