Author Topic: West Highland 1000km. Thu 31 May 2018  (Read 50459 times)

Bairn Again

Re: West Highland 1000km. Thu 31 May 2018
« Reply #200 on: 24 May, 2018, 09:32:09 pm »
I assume the Control @ Inveraray 195km is the ATM
its an info control

Phil W

Re: West Highland 1000km. Thu 31 May 2018
« Reply #201 on: 24 May, 2018, 09:41:50 pm »
Waverley.

Just had a quick look at what options there are in the area. There's a Wetherspoons round the back of Waverley station. And it's Curry Club on Thursday evenings! Might just stick to that - Wetherspoons are usually a safe bet.

There's an indoor centre called the Omni Centre about 5 minutes walk from Waverly, and also about a 5 minute walk from Feanor Outposts, where I will be based.
https://www.omniedinburgh.co.uk/

It has all the usual chain eateries:
https://www.omniedinburgh.co.uk/Shopping?class=food

The Lloyds No1 Bar is a 'spoons:
https://www.omniedinburgh.co.uk/Store?id=1641

Given I will only be bringing what I call the pub lock I prefer eating somewhere I can keep an eye on the bike. Does the indoor place allow you to wheel you bike in to wherever you are eating? The Booking
Office appeals as it has a small outdoor section to sit in and eat near to bikes locked to railings.

citoyen

  • Occasionally rides a bike
Re: West Highland 1000km. Thu 31 May 2018
« Reply #202 on: 24 May, 2018, 10:25:07 pm »
Just noticed that the ride has been awarded 9.25 AAA points. My highest annual AAA total to date is 4 points...  :o
"The future's all yours, you lousy bicycles."

Re: West Highland 1000km. Thu 31 May 2018
« Reply #203 on: 25 May, 2018, 07:41:13 am »
Just noticed that the ride has been awarded 9.25 AAA points. My highest annual AAA total to date is 4 points...  :o

An updated climbing figure of 10900 which sounds closer to the mark. I decided not to take the fixed a while ago...

Phil W

Re: West Highland 1000km. Thu 31 May 2018
« Reply #204 on: 25 May, 2018, 09:22:27 am »
Just noticed that the ride has been awarded 9.25 AAA points. My highest annual AAA total to date is 4 points...  :o

The rate of climbing required for AAA is lower for longer events.  Plus I think we are just seeing more and more events get assessed for AAA; particularly if they are new.  I believe there is now some automated contour counting stuff run by the AAA man in the background.  The rate of climbing is equivalent to what you might get riding round Hertfordshire; though a 1000km round Hertfordshire might make you dizzy. 

Remind me, I said this, when my legs are tired.

Re: West Highland 1000km. Thu 31 May 2018
« Reply #205 on: 25 May, 2018, 10:49:20 am »
The rate of climbing required for AAA is lower for longer events.  . . . there is now some automated contour counting stuff run by the AAA man in the background.
I think the AAA man has been busy. Careful selection, automated or not, of a 'start' and 'finish' point for the 'hilly' section seems key. The 'flattish' ACME Grand has recently been awarded 9 AAA points and even Ian H's Old Roads (tomorrow in Devon and across the Somerset Levels) has mysteriously gained 3 (note: AAA man is riding).
The (west coast) train arriving at 1620 at Waverley stops at Haymarket 5 minutes earlier.
The routesheet has Inveraray down as: 195   CONTROL - INVERARAY
cf the next control: 272   INFO CONTROL @ JUNCTION IN CLAONAIG

Phil W

Re: West Highland 1000km. Thu 31 May 2018
« Reply #206 on: 25 May, 2018, 11:03:01 am »
Selection for AAA is automated as well I believe.

Phil W

Re: West Highland 1000km. Thu 31 May 2018
« Reply #207 on: 25 May, 2018, 11:03:45 am »
The routesheet has Inveraray down as: 195   CONTROL - INVERARAY
cf the next control: 272   INFO CONTROL @ JUNCTION IN CLAONAIG

Yep that works out correct


Re: West Highland 1000km. Thu 31 May 2018
« Reply #208 on: 25 May, 2018, 11:21:38 am »
Phil - I was not suggesting that the distances were in error. "cf" means 'compared with' and I used these entries in the context of description of type of control.

Phil W

Re: West Highland 1000km. Thu 31 May 2018
« Reply #209 on: 25 May, 2018, 11:27:59 am »
Phil - I was not suggesting that the distances were in error. "cf" means 'compared with' and I used these entries in the context of description of type of control.

In which case what was your point regards those controls; one being a receipt and one being an Info?

citoyen

  • Occasionally rides a bike
Re: West Highland 1000km. Thu 31 May 2018
« Reply #210 on: 25 May, 2018, 11:50:25 am »
Phil - I was not suggesting that the distances were in error. "cf" means 'compared with' and I used these entries in the context of description of type of control.

In which case what was your point regards those controls; one being a receipt and one being an Info?

Graeme mentioned upthread in reply to Bagman's query that Inverary is an Info. Might be nice to have confirmation either way in advance, but I'm sure it will all become clear once we get our brevet cards.

ETA: this is what it currently says on the calendar listing:
"Controls at Comrie, Campbeltown, Oban, Kinlochleven, Oban, Perth and Dunblane, plus 8 information controls."

So presumably the first Dunblane control, Inveraray and Acharacle are Infos, which is at odds with the routesheet. The rest seem to be in accord with the routesheet.
"The future's all yours, you lousy bicycles."

Bairn Again

Re: West Highland 1000km. Thu 31 May 2018
« Reply #211 on: 25 May, 2018, 12:46:38 pm »
Hi there.  Alll should become clear when brevet cards are dished out but in the interests of pre event clarity and consistency (which I know Id like if I were a participant) I've updated the routesheet to label all info controls as such

I was hoping some places like Inveraray might not need an info control but given cards had to be ordered a few days ago, I played safe by changing to Infos, and the routesheet hadn't quite caught up til now

Just to recap

The manned controls (other than start / finish) are
 
1.   Comrie White Church Hall
2.   Oban (north)
3.   Oban (south)

The 8  info controls are

1.   Dunblane (out)
2.   Inverarary
3.   Claonaig
4.   Loch Creran
5.   Acharacle
6.   Lochailort
7.   Dunning
8.   Culross

The 4 “commercial” ie get a receipt controls are

1.   Campbeltown
2.   Kinlochleven
3.   Perth
4.   Dunblane (back)

Of course I'll take a receipt as POP even at an info control (possible at all Info Controls with the exception of Loch Creran which struggles even for Info control fodder!) and if all else fails get a photo on your phone. 

Phil W

Re: West Highland 1000km. Thu 31 May 2018
« Reply #212 on: 25 May, 2018, 01:53:05 pm »
Phil - I was not suggesting that the distances were in error. "cf" means 'compared with' and I used these entries in the context of description of type of control.

In which case what was your point regards those controls; one being a receipt and one being an Info?

Graeme mentioned upthread in reply to Bagman's query that Inverary is an Info. Might be nice to have confirmation either way in advance, but I'm sure it will all become clear once we get our brevet cards.

ETA: this is what it currently says on the calendar listing:
"Controls at Comrie, Campbeltown, Oban, Kinlochleven, Oban, Perth and Dunblane, plus 8 information controls."

So presumably the first Dunblane control, Inveraray and Acharacle are Infos, which is at odds with the routesheet. The rest seem to be in accord with the routesheet.

Ah, context is everything, got it.

Phil W

Re: West Highland 1000km. Thu 31 May 2018
« Reply #213 on: 25 May, 2018, 02:00:39 pm »
My waypoint prefixes for each control have been updated to reflect above.

CONTROL
INFO
MANNED
VAN

Plus I have updated my master list which includes the cafe, shop, water locations as well. I do plan to eat at a few of the info locations anyway as according to my calcs I should get there when a shop or cafe is open.

citoyen

  • Occasionally rides a bike
Re: West Highland 1000km. Thu 31 May 2018
« Reply #214 on: 25 May, 2018, 02:19:14 pm »
I do plan to eat at a few of the info locations anyway as according to my calcs I should get there when a shop or cafe is open.

Yeah, same here - the Londis by the arch on the way in to Inverary opens at 7am. I doubt I'll get there any earlier than that.
"The future's all yours, you lousy bicycles."

Re: West Highland 1000km. Thu 31 May 2018
« Reply #215 on: 25 May, 2018, 03:35:21 pm »
Cycle Shops (I've built on Graeme's list and added opening times)
Lochgilphead: Crinan Cycles, in the village: Argyll St (0930-1730) NB: Only one on Kintyre
Oban.  David Graham Cycles 13-15 Combie St, Oban PA34 4HN. 01631 562069 
Oban Cycles 87 George St, Oban PA34 5NN, obancyclescotland.com 01631 566033 Open 10am – 5pm
Ft William: Nevis Cycles (Inverlochy, R at roundabout just before Ft William, after ‘Gleaner’ filling station) (F&C shop round the corner from the shop) 01397 705555. Open till 5:30pm
https://www.neviscycles.com/
Fort William Off beat Bikes 117 High St, Fort William PH33 6DG offbeatbikes.co.uk 01397 704008
Opposite little pier and visible from the A82 ‘through road’ with convenient pedestrian crossing egress from fenced dual carriageway. Open till 5:30pm. Pierhead Takeway adjacent.

Phil W

Re: West Highland 1000km. Thu 31 May 2018
« Reply #216 on: 25 May, 2018, 04:27:28 pm »
Yeah, same here - the Londis by the arch on the way in to Inverary opens at 7am. I doubt I'll get there any earlier than that.

Funny enough, yeah that is one on the list of places to top up water and food after that first overnight section.

Re: West Highland 1000km. Thu 31 May 2018
« Reply #217 on: 25 May, 2018, 09:00:33 pm »
There is also a new co-op as you head out of Inverary which opens at 7am and has a coffee machine in store

Feanor

  • It's mostly downhill from here.
Re: West Highland 1000km. Thu 31 May 2018
« Reply #218 on: 26 May, 2018, 09:57:15 pm »
Mrs F has been in town today, and has come home with a "Compact Mosquito/Midge Head Net", F, For the use of.

I *really* need to start thinking about this ride, as it's only a few days away.
I've not even looked at the GPX tracks yet.
But I do have a fair idea where they go.

Phil W

Re: West Highland 1000km. Thu 31 May 2018
« Reply #219 on: 27 May, 2018, 08:01:15 pm »
New gear cables today. Not because I am being meticulous , just that rear cable on loan bike snapped yesterday.

Re: West Highland 1000km. Thu 31 May 2018
« Reply #220 on: 28 May, 2018, 12:12:39 pm »
. . . will be packing waterproofs to appease the weather gods.
Take your pick. Yr.no suggests rain for parts of Friday but clear and warm (but not too warm) at the weekend.
https://www.yr.no/place/United_Kingdom/Scotland/Oban/long.html
Ventusky, on the other hand, offers the odd light shower here and there and some heavier rain for those who venture near Fort William mid Saturday afternoon.
https://www.ventusky.com/?p=56.17;-4.83;6&l=rain-3h&t=20180602/15
Given the generally light winds throughout, I'm surprised the midge forecast isn't more threatening (from Ballahulish north).

citoyen

  • Occasionally rides a bike
Re: West Highland 1000km. Thu 31 May 2018
« Reply #221 on: 28 May, 2018, 12:39:42 pm »
I'll take a bit of rain in exchange for warmth and light breezes.
"The future's all yours, you lousy bicycles."

Phil W

Re: West Highland 1000km. Thu 31 May 2018
« Reply #222 on: 28 May, 2018, 02:37:25 pm »
Today's excursion and the gears were shifting lovely. The difference fresh cables, bit of grease, and barrel,adjuster tuning can do.

citoyen

  • Occasionally rides a bike
Re: West Highland 1000km. Thu 31 May 2018
« Reply #223 on: 28 May, 2018, 08:36:11 pm »
Went out to the garage to fettle the bike this afternoon and noticed this:


Bollocks. Guess I'll be carrying both spare power banks then.
"The future's all yours, you lousy bicycles."

Re: West Highland 1000km. Thu 31 May 2018
« Reply #224 on: 28 May, 2018, 09:29:36 pm »
Went out to the garage to fettle the bike this afternoon and noticed this:
Better to spot it now than have it fail at Tyndrum. With a bit of good timing and reasonable 'on the road' speed we should be able to spend the Friday and Saturday night dark hours in bed and just need a bit of light on Sunday evening (if full value).