Bryan Chapman Memorial 2020

[whosatthewheel]

Out of interest does anyone know the fastest time for the current Bryan Chapman route? Cheers

The fastest time in general is 23:40 or thereabout, I would assume the quickest possible route was used with the controls in place at the time.

You need a moving speed close to 30 km/h and no sleep. Also, you need to check what's available at Llandrindodd Wells in the middle of the night to control... 24 h garages are probably the only option, if there are any

[PneumaticBliss]

Thank you - interesting!

[The Bonk]

Pretty certain that time was done on a singlespeed this year.

[whosatthewheel]

I had a browse and I can't see anywhere where one could control at Llandrindodd before 6 AM. That's the time when the first service station opens...

Any idea?

[grams]

There’s a cash machine outside Tesco. I imagine there may be others.

[whosatthewheel]

There’s a cash machine outside Tesco. I imagine there may be others.

I find it a bit of a risk if it is the only option... it's not uncommon for them to run out of paper or not working (especially after heavy use on saturday night).
Technically, from Aberhafasp to Chepstow the shortest route goes via Llandindrodd, so the need to control there is bollox, really... but if you need proof for validation...

[prowl]

There are at least 4 ATMs right by the route in Llandidrod Wells...  there's a Santander, Lloyds and Barclays on Middleton St. which definitely all have ATMs outside. There's also an HSBC further down the road. Hang a right at Station Crescent, then left - at least one of them should be working!

[PeeJay]

The challenge for a fast time is not so much finding an ATM in Llandrindod, but having enough rations, warm clothing & caffeine to make it through the night from Aberhafesp the 100km + to Abergavenny where (as far as I'm aware) is the next 24hr petrol station.

[whosatthewheel]

The challenge for a fast time is not so much finding an ATM in Llandrindod, but having enough rations, warm clothing & caffeine to make it through the night from Aberhafesp the 100km + to Abergavenny where (as far as I'm aware) is the next 24hr petrol station.

That's where the cheating is likely to occur... 

A well hidden campervan with all sorts of food/spare clothes, coffee machine... maybe even drugs!

[Ian H]

I got out of it by helping last year, but it seems I shall have no excuse this time. 
First time I rode this was in 1993.

[whosatthewheel]

Get your cheque book out

http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/19-195/

Controls are the same, but I am planning a slightly longer way back to avoid the horrible traffic of the last 60-70 km...

Is Hay-Monmouth-Tintern-Chepstow a quieter route (Brevet Cymru reversed)?

[Alex B]

Get your cheque book out

Tempting, but having ridden it in 2016/17 I think I'll leave it to others. And since the last three editions have all been in fairly good weather we're now surely due a Welsh Armageddon weather-wise But I suppose one advantage of sluicing rain is that it may keep the motorcyclists home.

There are 3 infos in 2019 - one more than usual?

For the final leg would something like this - with less A40 - be more pleasant:

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/19837507 ? [fixed link]

As it's true - although this is a lovely ride and a "classic" there is an element of slogging back home on Day 2.

[Graeme]

Get your cheque book out

http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/19-195/

Controls are the same, but I am planning a slightly longer way back to avoid the horrible traffic of the last 60-70 km...

Is Hay-Monmouth-Tintern-Chepstow a quieter route (Brevet Cymru reversed)?

I loved the Tintern-Chepstow finish when I did that version, more than this year's finish, but, it added 20km to the end of a difficult 600. In a PBP qualifier year are you sure adding distance to the BCM is wise? Would it be better to save the scenic route for a non-PBP year? Just thinking out loud.

I'm glad Ian H is riding. He was far too chipper at Kings this year.

[mattc]

Monmouth-Tintern-Chepstow was a lovely way to end the ride.

Over-distance for a qualifier?? There are plenty of easy 600s to ride if that is your sole focus.

[Graeme]

Monmouth-Tintern-Chepstow was a lovely way to end the ride.

Over-distance for a qualifier?? There are plenty of easy 600s to ride if that is your sole focus.

This is a good point, and not everyone riding will be trying to qualify either.

[whosatthewheel]

Not sure what PBP has to do with the choice of route... besides, I am not riding PBP... also, I did it this year in 33 hours (with 6 hours sleep!), I am pretty sure adding a few km won't push me into over time.


I have mapped it at 10 km longer than the advised route, not 20...

https://www.strava.com/routes/14644430

[simonp]

The 20km over was based on a control at Woebley and also a different route northbound. Going via Hay would not take it so far over distance and I’m sure the Strava link would confirm this. 10km over isn’t much over 600km. Personally I’d much prefer to come back via Hay.

[whosatthewheel]

On the other hand, I will no longer do the detour to Bwlch Y Sarnau, unless there is an info t ocollect... it was a waste of time and not particularly pretty either.
It seems silly to climb to the top of the hill and then detour to avoid bikers, either avoid the all climb or do it all.... doing half of it and only the slow portion seems mad

[whosatthewheel]

... and BTW, the infos were three this year too... the route sheet provided is the same since 2017.

[Ian H]

I'm glad Ian H is riding. He was far too chipper at Kings this year.

Pah!

Don't worry, I shall be my usual grumpy self on the bike. 

[simonp]

I might have to enter to provide options to work around the rowing calendar.

Would be my 8th time. Gears all the way for 2019. Just not enough time to ride the fixed miles I’d need to have in my legs. Also rowing has made me heavier.

[Von Broad]

Tempting, but having ridden it in 2016/17 I think I'll leave it to others. And since the last three editions have all been in fairly good weather we're now surely due a Welsh Armageddon weather-wise But I suppose one advantage of sluicing rain is that it may keep the motorcyclists home.

A Welsh Armageddon would also make this ride an ideal [if not perfect] PBP qualifier!

[haven't ridden for years - could be time once more....]

[whosatthewheel]

Move on prophets of doom... it hardly ever rains in Wales

[hippy]

Move on prophets of doom... it hardly ever rains in Wales

It rains ON Wales.

[quixoticgeek]

Move on prophets of doom... it hardly ever rains in Wales

It rains ON Wales.

And it's only rained twice this year, 01/01/2018 -> 21/06/2018, and 22/06/2018 until the present right? :p

J