National 400 2017 (or Sleepless in Aberystwyth)

[U.N.Dulates]

Advance heads up for your diaries...

This year’s National 400 is heading westwards, to mid Wales and the Marches on Saturday 24th June (a little earlier than usual as I gather there’s some event from London to Edinburgh at the end of July).

The event will run from the village hall in Upton Magna, just outside Shrewsbury (familiar to Pengwern and Elenydd veterans), with camping facilities available for the weekend.

Many will be aware of my reputation for ‘undulating’ rides, but don’t be too afraid – the route has been chosen to minimise gratuitous climbing (there’s a 100km section in Wales which is just about hilly enough to get a few AAA points but the rest is generally flat to undulating) whilst still showing off some of the best of the area.

The route takes the form of a big triangle roughly based on Shrewsbury, Hereford and Aberystwyth, with highlights including a visit to the historic Ironbridge gorge, Shropshire’s “blue remembered hills” and the Wye valley through Herefordshire before crossing the Cambrian mountains via the Elan reservoirs to the coast at Aberystwyth. The return over Plynlimon back to the Severn valley uses quiet A roads overnight for easy navigation (and being held at the end of June you’ll get maximum daylight).



As usual for the National 400, tlc is guaranteed with village hall controls being run by experienced AUKs, and all food is included in the entry fee. Entries open on 1st March – full details will be appearing on the AUK website soon http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/17-2/.

I’m also looking for volunteers to help at the start, finish or any of the control locations – if you can help out get in touch with me – PM or contact details are in the AUK calendar. There'll be a helpers ride, most probably 2 weeks before on 10th/11th June.

U.N.Dulates

[JayP]

The Van of Delights has been tasked to dispense caik at some point. Probably here https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@52.3311835,-3.6104741,3a,75y,256.24h,92.04t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sjWoG9ksmldSGA4xpJlX4Tw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en

Between 5 and 11 pm on a warm June evening fading into a starry starry night. I'm looking forward to it already. 

[Chris N]

Very tempted.  Looks like a great route.

The Van of Delights has been tasked to dispense caik at some point. Probably here https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@52.3311835,-3.6104741,3a,75y,256.24h,92.04t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sjWoG9ksmldSGA4xpJlX4Tw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en

Between 5 and 11 pm on a warm June evening fading into a starry starry night. I'm looking forward to it already. 

There's a lovely new bridge there now.

[mattc]

it does look a nice route!

tempted, but noting a lack of sleep stop - is the last control the usual hall in Aberhafesp? It's not ideal for loads of folk to sleep, but better than nothing.

[Bairn Again]

Hmm, Ive just entered the Elenith, and this would mean two long trips from Edinburgh but it looks good.   

[Philip Whiteman]

John, put me down as a controller.  Preferably on the east side of the triangle.

[Banjo]

PM sent.

[Bianchi Boy]

Train works from Reading ...... will I be allowed to go on another cycling trip?

[Lee Killestein]

The Van of Delights has been tasked to dispense caik at some point. Probably here https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@52.3311835,-3.6104741,3a,75y,256.24h,92.04t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sjWoG9ksmldSGA4xpJlX4Tw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en

Between 5 and 11 pm on a warm June evening fading into a starry starry night. I'm looking forward to it already. 

OK, I was undecided about this one. That's swung it for me! If the Van of Delights is there that's all the motivation I'll need 

[Clemo]

It's on the list 

[U.N.Dulates]

tempted, but noting a lack of sleep stop - is the last control the usual hall in Aberhafesp? It's not ideal for loads of folk to sleep, but better than nothing.

That is the current plan, though will be investigating alternatives. It's better than the hall used on the 2015 ride up in the highlands.

Thanks to all who've offered help. PMs/mails on their way.

[TigaSefi]

Very interested in this. Will have to decide if the finances allows it.

[basset]

I have been informed by the powers that be that Me and er in doors will be riding this 🙃 Good sleep deprivation practice for lel 👀

[Hammerman]

I really fancy this, especially after getting a DNF on last years Bucks Blinder, cos surely it can't be as hard as that, after all it goes into Wales, and everybody knows that Wales is flat

[htcboy]

Shame I will miss this, particularly the Van of Delights, as same w/e as Glastonbury.

[TigaSefi]

Shame I will miss this, particularly the Van of Delights, as same w/e as Glastonbury.

Will this cause me trouble by getting to the starting point by car being stuck in Glastonbury bound traffic?

[Jethro]

Looks very much like the old Cambrian 600 route after Builth but seriously thinking of adding this one to my diary.  Also looking at ridng the Asparagus & Strawberries 400 at the beginning of the month.

[Bianchi Boy]

Yep I am in if I get an entry on the 1st March. Mrs Boy is going away for the weekend wife some friends and so I am a free agent.

Accommodation required!

BB

[htcboy]

Shame I will miss this, particularly the Van of Delights, as same w/e as Glastonbury.

Will this cause me trouble by getting to the starting point by car being stuck in Glastonbury bound traffic?

I wouldn't have thought so as the events are obviously some distance from each other.

[Delph Cyclist]

Shame I will miss this, particularly the Van of Delights, as same w/e as Glastonbury.

Will this cause me trouble by getting to the starting point by car being stuck in Glastonbury bound traffic?

I wouldn't have thought so as the events are obviously some distance from each other.

It might affect you if you live in Glastonbury. 

[vorsprung]

it does look a nice route!

tempted, but noting a lack of sleep stop - is the last control the usual hall in Aberhafesp? It's not ideal for loads of folk to sleep, but better than nothing.

Sleep?  It's only a 400

[Veloman]

Sleep?  It's only a 400

Harsh!

I normally don't bother with sleep on a 400, but in 2015 the National 400 was up in that Scotland place and it was getting rather chilly by the time I reached a control at around 0100hr and after feeding chatting to the lovely Sonya I took her advice to have a couple of hours sleep on a very comfortable airbed under a very warm blanket.  Great decision it was too!

Last year I was hauled around large parts of the national 400 by HK and we decided to have a couple of hours sleep at a control.  And jolly fine it was too!

I have found that riding without sleep might be fine for some and indeed I have done that, but having a couple of hours sleep and still finishing within the time allowed is also a very nice way to complete a 400 event.

[mattc]

Vorsprung is an audaxing god* - he doesn't need sleep for events upto 1000km.


_{*If you don't believe this, read his blog about it.}

[vorsprung]

Vorsprung is an audaxing god* - he doesn't need sleep for events upto 1000km.


_{*If you don't believe this, read his blog about it.}

For people that don't know Matt: he is a champion piss taker.  My blog doesn't detail anything of the sort

I'm not a super cyclist or anything but 400km rides don't usually have sleep stops do they?

I suppose the national 400 might though as it is supposed to be more "deluxe" and suited to people that don't ride much

Not people like you Matt who have done more than one SR

[LittleWheelsandBig]

Most 400s don't have sleep stops but I usually prefer riding an afternoon start 400 with a nap in the middle. The exceptions are very early starts with fast courses.