Post by: WyOwyvern on 10 November, 2016, 10:54:13 am
The day for the start is Sunday 30th April not 7th May.
My fault entirely for the error and not recognised before going to press. :facepalm:
Apologies for any confusion.
Entrants already received have been notified seperately.
WessexSR Series 2017 dates are:
hard boiled 8 April
Dorset Coast 9 April
Porkers 30 April
Brimstone 27 May
Post by: GPS on 10 November, 2016, 11:27:10 am
Can't wait - so much so, I'll have to get a perm in before the end of the year.
Post by: GPS on 10 December, 2016, 08:42:57 pm
I know Brevet Cymru isn't officially on next year, but there's a suspiciously similar ride on at the same time (Richie Tout's 'Bryan Chapman's Wales Warm-Up').
Anyone fancy that combo ?
Post by: Bikeabilityman on 10 December, 2016, 10:15:00 pm
Post by: Jonah on 10 December, 2016, 11:32:41 pm
Is there a Wessex SR badge?
OH YES
Post by: andyp on 15 January, 2017, 07:44:52 pm
there's a new Travelodge just opened right across the road from the station; and
Axminster now has a costa coffee here: http://bit.ly/2iXtgFT (http://bit.ly/2iXtgFT)
Post by: WyOwyvern on 22 March, 2017, 08:12:55 pm
:-\ Last few days to enter hard boiled 300. :-\
:) Travel docs posted out today to those already in. Should arrive early next week if not before. :)
:o Some slight adjustments to the route for 2017. :facepalm:
:thumbsup: Gonna be a wheely great weekend for those looking to do the Dorset Coast as well. :thumbsup:
:) Travel docs posted out today to those already in. Should arrive early next week if not before. :)
:o Some slight adjustments to the route for 2017. :facepalm:
:thumbsup: Gonna be a wheely great weekend for those looking to do the Dorset Coast as well. :thumbsup:
Post by: vorsprung on 22 March, 2017, 08:52:31 pm
Post by: vorsprung on 22 March, 2017, 08:53:42 pm
Two bits of new local info that might be of intrest to prospective Wessex SRs this year:
there's a new Travelodge just opened right across the road from the station; and
Axminster now has a costa coffee here: http://bit.ly/2iXtgFT (http://bit.ly/2iXtgFT)
istr that the crummy cafe used in Axminister wasn't too bad! Is Costa even better?
Post by: Bunker22 on 22 March, 2017, 09:31:55 pm
Post by: GPS on 22 March, 2017, 09:38:39 pm
Post by: JamesBradbury on 22 March, 2017, 09:53:03 pm
Not sure where to park, or when/where to sleep before the event. Not sure I'm going to like a 2am start time, but I'll give it a try. :thumbsup:
Post by: GPS on 23 March, 2017, 07:12:59 am
I've just posted my entry for the hard boiled today. I hope I'm not too late.
Not sure where to park, or when/where to sleep before the event. Not sure I'm going to like a 2am start time, but I'll give it a try. :thumbsup:
ECE it & you needn't worry about car parking or sleep ;)
Post by: Paul D on 23 March, 2017, 12:45:14 pm
My parking recommendation is on the street next to Hamworthy Park (where the WuZe started incidentally) and ride the mile and a half over the bridge to the train station. Parking anywhere closer on the town side of the bridge might be possible but will be a right faff to find without paying.
Seeya all at silly o'clock on the 8th. :thumbsup:
Post by: TigaSefi on 23 March, 2017, 12:55:04 pm
I've just posted my entry for the hard boiled today. I hope I'm not too late.
Not sure where to park, or when/where to sleep before the event. Not sure I'm going to like a 2am start time, but I'll give it a try. :thumbsup:
I did a 2am start on Fairies flattest 300km and it was fine for me as I got to sleep at 8pm and woke up at 12am to get to the start in time by car. I wouldn't want to do it TOO many times! Was nice to finish at 5pm which won't be the the case for everyone with all them hills?
Post by: psyclist on 23 March, 2017, 01:23:46 pm
I got to sleep at 8pm and woke up at 12am
That's my plan for the Friday night. I've got the Travelodge booked for Friday and Saturday nights. Aiming for 4 hours sleep on the Friday night.
The Travelodge has free parking, but its limited. The Hamworthy Park suggestion sounds like a good alternative.
Post by: TigaSefi on 23 March, 2017, 01:25:09 pm
I got to sleep at 8pm and woke up at 12am
That's my plan for the Friday night. I've got the Travelodge booked for Friday and Saturday nights. Aiming for 4 hours sleep on the Friday night.
The Travelodge has free parking, but its limited. The Hamworthy Park suggestion sounds like a good alternative.
I found that when the sun came up (finally!) it was a great lift and boosted me for the rest of the day... something nice about seeing a sunrise on a bike.
Post by: JamesBradbury on 23 March, 2017, 01:57:21 pm
I found that when the sun came up (finally!) it was a great lift and boosted me for the rest of the day... something nice about seeing a sunrise on a bike.
Thanks for the encouragement, Sefi! Having done some winter 200s I know that sunrise feeling and it is great. I'm just not great with sleep at the best of times, so we'll see how it goes.
Post by: chillmoister on 24 March, 2017, 06:52:39 pm
My parking recommendation is on the street next to Hamworthy Park (where the WuZe started incidentally)
Thanks Paul ...that just gave me instant post traumatic flash backs to probably the hardest ride I have ever done ;)
Post by: vorsprung on 24 March, 2017, 08:12:19 pm
I've just posted my entry for the hard boiled today. I hope I'm not too late.
Not sure where to park, or when/where to sleep before the event. Not sure I'm going to like a 2am start time, but I'll give it a try. :thumbsup:
I did a 2am start on Fairies flattest 300km and it was fine for me
fail to see what connection this has with the Hard Boiled.... ;D
Post by: GPS on 25 March, 2017, 08:40:43 am
WessexSR excitement building here. With HB ony two weeks away, the route sheet having arrived and the sun starting to appear more regularly, I'm starting to wish the next two weeks away ...
Post by: chillmoister on 27 March, 2017, 12:23:41 pm
What exactly is/was the Wuze ? Porkers in disguise ... ?
The Wu'ze was a one off 400 run by Shawn back in 2010:
"Considering the time of year and with the most demanding part of the ride being after dark it seems appropriate that the event be named after the scary horn'd beast of the night that was used to instill 'respect' into generations of Dorset folk. "
you can still find the yacf thread if search on wu'ze. I've just re-read my post ride posting:
the Wu'ze ...less of a ride more of a life changing experience .....that'll teach me to punch above my weight and go out and play with the big boys! It's all Hummers' fault ....ever since his Wessex SR epiphany he has been trying to lure the members of the Faccomb4 into this ancient west country cult! Out of the 4 of us only myself and Lee were too weak to resist the temptation. I now face months of therapy and rehabilitation to overcome the post traumatic shock of stage3 & 4 before i can even contemplate a 50k Populaire in the New Forest. It's a ride that lived upto to all my expectations ....it was hilly, it was hard, the route was superb, the views worth the climbing, the descents hair-raising, the support superb. We weren't very fast and the timing was tight for the end but we made it ....and it really did feel like an achievment. Many thanks to Shawn for organising such a superb event and to Hummers fo the motivational PMs!
As for a highlight then it has to be arriving at the haven of Springfield house just as dawn was breaking. It was the perfect end to a night of being chased by the Wu'ze through the lanes and over the hills, only just keeping out of it's grasp. What better way could there be to shake off the night terrors than to sit in the cosey kitchen and have your breakfast cooked for you by Drew and to have Margaret hold your hand and tell you it will all be alright!
It's can't have put me off completely as I went on to do the Wessex SR in 2013 and have signed up for the SR again this year!
Post by: Pete Mas on 27 March, 2017, 01:31:36 pm
After that I was hooked and have completed all of the other Wessex rides I entered.
Post by: GPS on 27 March, 2017, 07:40:22 pm
What exactly is/was the Wuze ? Porkers in disguise ... ?
The Wu'ze was a one off 400 run by Shawn back in 2010:
"Considering the time of year and with the most demanding part of the ride being after dark it seems appropriate that the event be named after the scary horn'd beast of the night that was used to instill 'respect' into generations of Dorset folk. "
Thanks for the info, Chillmoister. Now I'm wondering what the route was ... Sounds like a typically challenging Wessex ride!
Post by: Paul D on 27 March, 2017, 09:30:50 pm
What exactly is/was the Wuze ? Porkers in disguise ... ?
The Wu'ze was a one off 400 run by Shawn back in 2010:
"Considering the time of year and with the most demanding part of the ride being after dark it seems appropriate that the event be named after the scary horn'd beast of the night that was used to instill 'respect' into generations of Dorset folk. "
Thanks for the info, Chillmoister. Now I'm wondering what the route was ... Sounds like a typically challenging Wessex ride!
Just checked, I've still got the GPS files and other stuff. PM me you email address and I'll send it over.
Post by: WyOwyvern on 28 March, 2017, 08:15:55 pm
** Entry is now closed.**
Interest seems to heightening in the 2010 Wessex event The Wu'ze
I've tidied up the old site a bit www.wessexsr.talktalk.net/Wu'ze for those who would like to experience eerie Wessex either alone or in a group DIY through Tony Hull the DIY sec.
Post by: psyclist on 03 April, 2017, 08:48:39 am
Post by: Paul D on 03 April, 2017, 11:15:04 am
... a light to gentle easterly wind...
Yeah, headwind for the return legs both days. The Roman Road is particular
Post by: psyclist on 03 April, 2017, 12:34:57 pm
... a light to gentle easterly wind...
Yeah, headwind for the return legs both days. The Roman Road is particularsoul-destroyinglovely with an easterly. What's not to like? :thumbsup:
I was hoping the undulating nature of the return leg would make the wind less impactful, but maybe my assumption was a bit wide of the mark.
Post by: andyp on 03 April, 2017, 02:33:41 pm
... a light to gentle easterly wind...
Yeah, headwind for the return legs both days. The Roman Road is particularsoul-destroyinglovely with an easterly. What's not to like? :thumbsup:
I was hoping the undulating nature of the return leg would make the wind less impactful, but maybe my assumption was a bit wide of the mark.
Nope, that's correct for the hardboiled: nothing quite like a cliff face for sheltering you from the wind :) ...Paul is talking about the delights awaiting on Sunday on the Dorset Coast pedalling off Eggardon Hill towards Dorchester.
Post by: JulianP on 07 April, 2017, 07:17:31 pm
Post by: andyp on 07 April, 2017, 09:43:32 pm
One Wessex virgin starting his campaign for the Wessex SR later. I'm up for the double this weekend to kick things off. Spot tracker will be live @ 2am: http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=034BCID6aIhhH2RZrcctZO4t3jOoJ8hPd:thumbsup:
...it's looking pretty much perfect weather out there, just off to try and get some sleep before heading over to Poole – see you at the station!
PS- I'll have my tracker on too - with dots being put on the map here: http://bit.ly/27Z5BcZ (http://bit.ly/27Z5BcZ)
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 08 April, 2017, 05:52:16 am
Post by: cgg on 09 April, 2017, 08:33:32 am
If it's this nice it ain't Wessex. :facepalm:
One of my thought yesterday after getting round was what a miserable experience it must be in the rain. Well, yesterday was perfect on all accounts. What a ride! Thanks Shawn :)
Not sure if sad or relieved that I didn't realize riding the 200 was meant to be ridden the day after ::-)
Post by: WyOwyvern on 09 April, 2017, 11:15:42 am
PS- I'll have my tracker on too - with dots being put on the map here: http://bit.ly/27Z5BcZ (http://bit.ly/27Z5BcZ)
Statistics for the 2017 hard boiled 300:
50 entries :thumbsup:
4 DNS :hand:
6 DNF :facepalm:
4 finishers had their times complete on their brevet card. (Using the useful electrickery-wizbang-ooh-nice gadget above 5 cards are now complete) :thumbsup:
35 returnees had a nice day out on the bike. :o No doubt we will get more times when the rider sheets are returned from the controllers :D . . . hopefully ;) . . . if they do :-\ . . . with luck :(. Hmm ???.
Further bulletins in due course
Post by: andyp on 09 April, 2017, 12:31:09 pm
My photos here:
...http://bit.ly/2nQtwIA (http://bit.ly/2nQtwIA)
The mists on Salisbury Plain, and the bluebells, primroses, violets... and of course the sunshine. all very memorable.
Post by: Anthony on 09 April, 2017, 07:13:55 pm
The mists on Salisbury Plain
:thumbsup: Very Nice
Post by: GPS on 09 April, 2017, 08:22:20 pm
Thanks Shawn - if you book the same weather for Porkers this year, I'd be most grateful. ;D
I saw three swallows, a swift and a house martin during the ride. That makes a summer - right ?
Post by: postie on 09 April, 2017, 09:30:36 pm
Well done to the other 8 members of audax club Portsmouth,who completed the double👍some of them doing there first 200km and 300km rides.(we breed them tough).
Post by: chillmoister on 10 April, 2017, 11:13:05 am
Post by: chillmoister on 11 April, 2017, 07:01:12 pm
http://www.wessexsr.talktalk.net/WSR%20UPDATE.html (http://www.wessexsr.talktalk.net/WSR%20UPDATE.html)
:thumbsup:
Post by: WyOwyvern on 12 April, 2017, 09:12:29 am
Axminster responded yesterday and the times back to Poole from there varied between 5h 38m and 7h 42m for the 97km.
26 riders took longer than 6h 30m. These are arrival times and do not truly reflect the average speed as the time at the two stops at Axminster and Cattistock is included.
8 riders took less than 6hrs.
Patiently awaiting time sheets from Amesbury, Ascott and Cattistock :-\; hopefully in the post today :) . . . and then provisional should become actual :thumbsup:
Further bulletins in due course.
Post by: cgg on 12 April, 2017, 10:23:32 am
Post by: Wycombewheeler on 12 April, 2017, 02:33:29 pm
So while perusing the AUK calendar, I came to realize the Porkers 400 starts on the 30th of April at 14:00. While the London-Wales-London, for which I'm signed up, has its cut-off time the same day at 09:00. Meaning... train tickets are bought, and entry will be send today at lunch break :D :facepalm:Sleep is for wimps, right?
Post by: cgg on 12 April, 2017, 04:54:29 pm
Post by: andyp on 18 April, 2017, 09:50:53 am
I'm afraid I've got to head off on my travels for work on Sunday so will miss the calendar Porkers this year :-[ ...I've got a Porkers Perm Card in the drawer, so Shawn has said I can do that instead on Friday/Saturday... so at the moment that's the plan. See everyone for the Brimstone.
Post by: hippy on 20 April, 2017, 09:26:03 pm
Cheers!
Post by: fussballclub on 20 April, 2017, 10:28:46 pm
This might be the wrong place to ask, but can the Hellfire be done as a DIY by GPS? It's the same as the Brimstone 600k, right, which has GPX files provided?
Cheers!
As you probably be training replace with 'for beer' where required.
http://www.wessexsr.talktalk.net/b6route.htm (http://www.wessexsr.talktalk.net/b6route.htm)
Post by: GPS on 20 April, 2017, 10:31:07 pm
This might be the wrong place to ask, but can the Hellfire be done as a DIY by GPS? It's the same as the Brimstone 600k, right, which has GPX files provided?
Cheers!
Nope - it's not the same. There are specific route sheet and gpx files for it.
Why do it as GPS DIY when Shawn can provide a thoroughly well thought-out perm route sheet and gpx files ? And not forgetting the magnificent brevet card itself of course !
Post by: hippy on 20 April, 2017, 10:37:36 pm
This might be the wrong place to ask, but can the Hellfire be done as a DIY by GPS? It's the same as the Brimstone 600k, right, which has GPX files provided?Nope - it's not the same. There are specific route sheet and gpx files for it.
Why do it as GPS DIY when Shawn can provide a thoroughly well thought-out perm route sheet and gpx files ? And not forgetting the magnificent brevet card itself of course !
Ah, well I'd consider either of them if they're different.
I don't use route sheets so I'm not sure what the difference is between a Perm vs. DIY by GPS other than having to stop for receipts, which I'd prefer not to have to do when not necessary.
Post by: GPS on 20 April, 2017, 10:43:20 pm
This might be the wrong place to ask, but can the Hellfire be done as a DIY by GPS? It's the same as the Brimstone 600k, right, which has GPX files provided?Nope - it's not the same. There are specific route sheet and gpx files for it.
Why do it as GPS DIY when Shawn can provide a thoroughly well thought-out perm route sheet and gpx files ? And not forgetting the magnificent brevet card itself of course !
Ah, well I'd consider either of them if they're different.
I don't use route sheets so I'm not sure what the difference is between a Perm vs. DIY by GPS other than having to stop for receipts, which I'd prefer not to have to do when not necessary.
Why not do your own route instead then ?
Post by: hippy on 20 April, 2017, 11:03:14 pm
I mean, is there something wrong with doing it by GPS instead of routesheets? Why have DIY by GPS then?
Post by: GPS on 20 April, 2017, 11:42:39 pm
Because i like riding, not mapping and this route already exists.
I mean, is there something wrong with doing it by GPS instead of routesheets? Why have DIY by GPS then?
DIY means 'do it yourself' - which you wouldn't really be doing, would you ?
This discussion has been played out many times on this forum. The gist of it is: if there's a perm you want to ride, you buy a brevet from the org and follow their route sheet or gpx files, getting whatever proof of passage they request. If you want to make your own ride up using DIY by GPS, you contact the relevant area org and submit relevant files to them.
What you're suggesting is taking an existing perm and passing it off as a DIY by GPS. If you believe that using someone else's work, local knowledge and experience in this way is ok, that's your choice.
What I'm saying is, Shawn's done all the hard work for you - why not just show some gratitude for all that work and get an ATM receipt every so often ? Is it really too much to ask ?
Post by: hippy on 21 April, 2017, 09:06:53 am
I guess I was looking at it from a different angle - if the route is available I could just ride it outside of any AUK rules by myself with no issues, no knowledge of anyone, etc. Job done.
I thought I was doing the right thing by entering as DIYs so that AUK was getting the money for someone's mapping work.
I see your point about if the Perm exists I should ride that and that's what I've done in the past but in recent cases I've been using rides as training for TransAm so trying to minimise stop time and receipt collection makes this tricky. I guess I like the paperless DIYbyGPS thing because it's less hassle so I can do it last minute and it's more about the riding less about the paperwork but I'm was probably not approaching this from the POV of a typical audaxer. I'll have a look at the Perm.
Oh, how come rides like Crackpot aren't listed as Perms?
Post by: andyp on 21 April, 2017, 10:29:48 am
I see your point about if the Perm exists I should ride that and that's what I've done in the past but in recent cases I've been using rides as training for TransAm so trying to minimise stop time and receipt collection makes this tricky. I guess I like the paperless DIYbyGPS thing because it's less hassle so I can do it last minute and it's more about the riding less about the paperwork but I'm was probably not approaching this from the POV of a typical audaxer. I'll have a look at the Perm.
Oh, how come rides like Crackpot aren't listed as Perms?
Hi,
Have a chat with Shawn, if you fill in the times on the card, he might accept time-stamped photos taken on the fly of the controls as the evidence.
Regarding the crackpot, there's an admin overhead for organisers listing a ride as a perm producing brevet cards validating etc., I guess Shawn hasn't done it because until a few years ago virtually no one would have entered, and now he's too busy organising the calendar events ....and it is a monster with a lot of controls. He's been very supportive of helping people doing it the DIY way, because it doesn't exist as a perm.
If you enter the Hellfire perm, I've got GPX tracks for it if you PM your email address I can send them over. It's a great route.
Andrew
Post by: Ivan on 21 April, 2017, 11:37:05 am
One thing I thought of this morning is that DIY money goes... where? whereas the Perm money goes to the actual route 'owner' so there's that fact I didn't consider.
I guess I was looking at it from a different angle - if the route is available I could just ride it outside of any AUK rules by myself with no issues, no knowledge of anyone, etc. Job done.
I thought I was doing the right thing by entering as DIYs so that AUK was getting the money for someone's mapping work.
Of course you could just ride it without any AUK involvement, but this forum is probably not the place to ask about doing this :-) The point I think you are missing is that AUK is a pretty devolved organistion - the money goes to the individual organiser, whether calendar, perm or DIY, and only a small amount (20p AFAIK) to AUK for validation.
I see your point about if the Perm exists I should ride that and that's what I've done in the past but in recent cases I've been using rides as training for TransAm so trying to minimise stop time and receipt collection makes this tricky. I guess I like the paperless DIYbyGPS thing because it's less hassle so I can do it last minute and it's more about the riding less about the paperwork but I'm was probably not approaching this from the POV of a typical audaxer. I'll have a look at the Perm.
I think what would be acceptable, but others may disagree, would be to get the perm from Shawn and then ride it as a DIY, but you are in effect paying twice then.
As a side note, it is slightly frustrating as an organiser when people do your ride but don't submit their card for validation, even if they completed it, as it makes the event look less popular than it really was.
Oh, how come rides like Crackpot aren't listed as Perms?
Probably because there hasn't been the demand until recently, and it's a far bit of work setting up a perm as you have to ensure that you can get PoPs enroute which isn't that easy with a ride of this nature.
Post by: GPS on 21 April, 2017, 11:43:22 am
One thing I thought of this morning is that DIY money goes... where? whereas the Perm money goes to the actual route 'owner' so there's that fact I didn't consider.
I guess I was looking at it from a different angle - if the route is available I could just ride it outside of any AUK rules by myself with no issues, no knowledge of anyone, etc. Job done.
I thought I was doing the right thing by entering as DIYs so that AUK was getting the money for someone's mapping work.
I see your point about if the Perm exists I should ride that and that's what I've done in the past but in recent cases I've been using rides as training for TransAm so trying to minimise stop time and receipt collection makes this tricky. I guess I like the paperless DIYbyGPS thing because it's less hassle so I can do it last minute and it's more about the riding less about the paperwork but I'm was probably not approaching this from the POV of a typical audaxer. I'll have a look at the Perm.
Oh, how come rides like Crackpot aren't listed as Perms?
There is a group Crackpot soon (see separate thread). That would be great TransAm training (maybe). It's a group DIY by GPS based on an old calendar ride. Village halls are booked ... you could get proper sleep or two on the way. Worth a thought ?
There's also the Wu'ze (see upthread). It's an old one-off 400k calendar ride, not offered as a perm. No receipts required, just a route, track and an area org to validate it - if you want AUK points.
There are plenty of rides out there that have fallen by the wayside over time and are no longer offered as perms. Searching ridewithgps will possibly uncover plenty of gems, but it'd be worth checking the route for mistakes and unexpected off-road excursions. That's another aspect of signing up for a perm: the route's all checked out beforehand and any issues will be reported back to the org who can then make any necessary changes.
What are you doing for food & fluids on these rides btw - if you don't want to stop for receipts ? And I assume you're planning a route for the TransAm ? How are you doing that ?
Post by: JonB on 23 April, 2017, 09:52:53 pm
Post by: cgg on 24 April, 2017, 08:49:38 am
Post by: JonB on 24 April, 2017, 09:26:57 am
I got mine from there: http://www.wessexsr.talktalk.net/Porkers2017.html (http://www.wessexsr.talktalk.net/Porkers2017.html). Seems to be working right now!
Yes, working now :thumbsup:, (does seem to be a bit glitchy, I had a failed download and it didn't like being copied and moved around, suspect that the problem is my end) all good now ... thanks
Post by: Planet X Paul on 25 April, 2017, 11:54:10 pm
Any help would be muchly appreciated.
Cheers
Post by: GPS on 26 April, 2017, 08:07:13 am
Co-ordinates : 50.709625, -1.993254
There's a long stay car park there too. Can be pricey if you go over 24 hours ...
Post by: Smeth on 26 April, 2017, 09:21:57 am
Oh, how come rides like Crackpot aren't listed as Perms?
Anyone doing Porkers and Crackpot DIY you'll be passing near the Crackpot final sleep stop (Okeford Village Hall) at about Porkers km 277 sometime early on Monday am. See this - The hall is pinned.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/20610179
By the way - There's plenty of room for more riders on the group - Hippy, you and I have talked about it before. Best shot at the ride is coming up with a chance not having to sleep in a hedge! See seperate topic.
See you Sunday at the Ferry terminal;)
Post by: psyclist on 27 April, 2017, 08:00:47 am
My parking recommendation is on the street next to Hamworthy Park
Re parking, the above was one option given for the Hard Boiled. That area is close to the finish, so pretty convenient and free.
Post by: psyclist on 28 April, 2017, 06:58:50 am
http://weatherbagel.com/f/7e03e390-8b62-45f0-b933-672a97fe3908 (http://weatherbagel.com/f/7e03e390-8b62-45f0-b933-672a97fe3908)
Post by: WyOwyvern on 30 April, 2017, 03:25:55 pm
Good temp for a hillyish event.
Looking forward to their return. :thumbsup:
Post by: Mr Reynholm on 30 April, 2017, 11:20:53 pm
Road conditions out this evening: proper Wessexy. :thumbsup:
Post by: postie on 01 May, 2017, 06:13:32 pm
As it turned out the weather was so nice i could stop for a ice cream on the way back to poole :thumbsup:
Post by: Smeth on 01 May, 2017, 07:09:55 pm
Well that was fun, a bit of sea mist here and there.Postie your memory is clouded by the visit to the pub on the quay. Fun yes...Type 2. The 13 hours of rain helped me identify the holes in my tubes at least😁. This is where those great controls are best appreciated. The TLC , The radiators, the hot grub. Thanks everyone. Bring on the Brimstone.
As it turned out the weather was so nice i could stop for a ice cream on the way back to poole :thumbsup:
Post by: Planet X Paul on 01 May, 2017, 11:37:02 pm
Post by: duracellbunnyonabike on 02 May, 2017, 08:22:04 am
Post by: GPS on 02 May, 2017, 09:03:04 am
The weather was atrocious overnight - even worse than last year. Couldn't stop shaking whenever I stopped or descended - until at least 10 a.m. on Monday. Leaving those village halls was challenging.
It was great riding with JonB, Jonah & Gadget throughout. Great company as ever.
Many thanks to Shawn and all the helpers who make Porkers so special. It's brilliant.
I hope to be back next year - with fresher legs.
Post by: keeks on 02 May, 2017, 09:12:38 am
Post by: Chris F.cc on 02 May, 2017, 09:51:05 am
The ride goes within a couple of miles of home and when my teeth start chattering...
I'll attempt the perm later this summer in glorious sunshine. PM me if you're interested. I'd love some company.
Post by: Rumps on 02 May, 2017, 02:29:47 pm
Postie's description of the weather is only because he had such jolly riding companions to take his mind off it.
Enormous thanks to Smeth for suggesting in the Co-op at Beaminster to put some newspapers down our jerseys. Two copies of the Racing Post made a massive difference until we got to the next control where I could put on a spare base layer.
The badgers from last year were replaced by frogs , slugs and snails out to enjoy the conditions. The badgers had too much sense.
The ride brought back memories of last year's Highlands and Glens ride where we experienced some quite interesting precipitation but we were wetter in Wessex than we were in Scotland ,as the rain lasted longer here.
I rode with Parky and Smeth both of whom have ridden Porkers as Perm on their own and , unless the conditions are perfect, I think that is very impressive, since, as others have already said, those overnight halls , are magnificent at any time but especially when the weather is tough.
I pulled out of my jacket a piece of the sticky ginger flapjack from the first stop some time on Monday morning -quite superb.
So, thanks again to the inscrutable Shawn and all of his helpers for giving up their time and effort to give us all a great ride. The welcome we received from everyone was wonderful . Genuine warmth.
Thanks also to all the people I rode with - the company and chat always for me contribute so much to an event -and particularly when it is a little more challenging , which most of us, Postie excepted, seem to have found it.
Post by: WyOwyvern on 02 May, 2017, 09:14:50 pm
We had another great time manning the control at Winterborne Whitchurch.
It was great to see some familiar faces and lovely to meet some new ones, 'hats off' to you all after that cold rainy night.
Look forward to seeing you all again, its always a pleasure and a privilige
Shelly-Anne and Neil :thumbsup:
Post by: parkysouthlondon on 02 May, 2017, 10:28:33 pm
Well it was as tough an event as you would ever want to do.
You knew before hand it was going to be hilly and the forecast predicted quite a few hours of rain. So you prepare for it. Right! Not always. After all it's only a 400km. How bad can it be.
Well it did rain and we all got wet. But then again there were plenty of hills to climb which kept you warm. One balances the other out. Happy days.
Then it gets dark and misty and it's not so easy to see the roads, gravel and potholes and you have to descend with caution. It's no time to fall off. You slow down and you get a bit colder. It was at times like this that the thought of a control in a lovely warm village hall with lots of hot food and friendly faces keeps you going. It might have only been 60km between the three night control but I really did need them, and I'm sure they were greatly appreciated by all the riders.
At the Beaminster shop we all stood around shivering and were soon on our way. At the night controls I charged my Garmin and put on all the clothes I had with me. I ended up with 2 vests, 2 jerseys and 2 jackets and was just about warm enough, because everything was soaking wet. My hand and feet were like prunes even though I had brought what I though was the best gear for the conditions, it was still tough going. Luckily I had Rumps, Smeth, Postie and Kev for company and we all kept going till the morning sun brought a bright new day. Monday was lovely compared to hardship of the previous night's epic battle.
So thanks to all those involved in helping run this event and well done to all those who made it round.
Alan (South Western Road Club)
Post by: Jonah on 02 May, 2017, 11:04:39 pm
Great controls which kept us all going. One kind controller even helped me off with my wet gloves and un-waterproof jacket! This ride represented the true spirit of audax at all levels and at all times
Thanks to the Mighty John Banks and the Unstoppable GPS For you companionship, support and humour.
JX
Post by: Smeth on 02 May, 2017, 11:46:01 pm
Has anyone seen that post-apocalyptic feature film staring Kevin Costner and Dennis Hopper?
At least Costner had gills :) (and webbed feet).
Post by: WyOwyvern on 05 May, 2017, 03:15:55 pm
Brimstone next. :-\ 27th May :-\
1st Control at Amport: needed: a person of erudite bent to record our knights errant of the way passing through. ???
So, please, if there is a willing helper with a couple of hours to spare in the Andover area who would like to take breakfast at The Hawk and exchange banter with the riders, perhaps he/she would be kind enough to contact me. Cheers. :thumbsup:
Post by: WyOwyvern on 09 May, 2017, 11:11:34 am
One volunteer stepped forward,
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Thank you AP!
;D
Post by: WyOwyvern on 13 May, 2017, 03:48:29 pm
Route sheets printed and on their way.
WessexSR website updated.
Weather? 8) Who knows . . . here's hoping :thumbsup:
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 15 May, 2017, 10:27:37 pm
Post by: Smeth on 15 May, 2017, 10:45:38 pm
Post by: GPS on 16 May, 2017, 12:15:36 pm
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 16 May, 2017, 04:07:12 pm
You'll be fine. It's only 400k into the ride. ;D
It was the same distance last time. However, I'd ridden that 400km in company of Swiss Hat and Veloboy, so that might have been a reason why I had two strings of jelly attached to my hips by the time I got to Draycott.
I did get up it a couple of years ago after 140km and it was very much a matter of grin and bear it.
Post by: veloboy on 16 May, 2017, 09:25:55 pm
Post by: Jonah on 20 May, 2017, 01:28:29 am
Post by: JonB on 22 May, 2017, 08:38:41 am
Post by: psyclist on 22 May, 2017, 11:38:39 am
Post by: andyp on 23 May, 2017, 01:08:20 pm
In the same spirit as JonB's question, are there sleeping mats at Priddy or would it be wise to carry one?
I know I slept last year, but I can't remember if I was on anything, or under anything, I just remember being very tired, lying down... background village hall noise... and then waking up.
I think whatever the arrangements, they'll be spartan, and stretched by what looks like it's going to be a big field: if you'd rather sleep on a mat, I reckon it'd be wise to carry one.
Post by: psyclist on 23 May, 2017, 03:37:01 pm
if you'd rather sleep on a mat, I reckon it'd be wise to carry one.
Thanks for the response Andrew. I've just got my camping mat down from the loft, and it is not as light as I had imagined. I'll ponder some more, and may just hope there'll be somewhere comfortable to sleep late on when I get to Priddy ... or just grab however much sleep I can and then snooze in the sun later on.
Post by: JonB on 23 May, 2017, 03:55:00 pm
I know I slept last year, but I can't remember if I was on anything, or under anything, I just remember being very tired, lying down... background village hall noise... and then waking up.
I think whatever the arrangements, they'll be spartan, and stretched by what looks like it's going to be a big field: if you'd rather sleep on a mat, I reckon it'd be wise to carry one.
Thanks Andy, I shall ponder something to sleep in/on
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 23 May, 2017, 09:50:10 pm
Post by: bikey-mikey on 24 May, 2017, 07:20:38 am
Like most things in life, the route seems to have transmogrified somewhat, and my initial bemused starings at the route sheet have identified that we no longer start at the Queen Mary Inn (where I was lucky enough to have a room!).
Also I see that the most convivial chat chez Drew, at the top of the Draycott climb, is no more, possibly due to the ever increasing number of riders.. I remember the hill quite well, which for me is unusual to say the least, because a group of us ended up riding up someone's drive near the bottom, and after we found the actual road someone in front of me came to a grinding halt, stopping me too. I recall being unable to restart without the help of one of those yellow plastic grit thingies - I managed to prop the bike and myself against it, whilst clipping both feet in and holding on, and then braving all for an initial Hail Mary, and getting going again....
Priddy will be fun and is now a regular haunt, though has sad memories of a departed friend - RIP Charlie...
The 2013 ride was also my first visit to the Summer Cafe in Malmesbury, but I've since been there at least 20 times, on various lesser audaxes !!
Anyway, the point of my post is to ask if anyone has already got a GPX done with the new controls and infos? I am always happy to work my way through a new route using google maps street view, and common sense, so will start to amend my previous anyway, but I'd rather peruse the whole thing in order, than just look at the changes !!
Good luck everyone
Mikey
Post by: JonB on 24 May, 2017, 09:07:15 am
The GPX files are on the Wessex SR site, they're split by stage so start/end at all the main controls. You can then get an estimate of where the infos are using the route sheet but it's hard to be certain until you get the brevet card.
Post by: Rumps on 24 May, 2017, 11:18:18 am
Post by: Smeth on 24 May, 2017, 11:21:16 am
For what it is worth , I took a light blow up mattress last year and was very glad of it. But then I am soft. The additional and not insignificant benefit was that I could gloat about if for several hours on the sunday morning with Sloth and Parky, which completely justified the decision. But then I am snide as well as soft.I bought the same model for Scotland on the basis of that gloat. Not soft, it's panache.
Post by: Rumps on 24 May, 2017, 12:46:13 pm
Post by: bikey-mikey on 24 May, 2017, 11:35:07 pm
Still the kind JB has linked me in to the routes now 👍👍👍
Post by: postie on 26 May, 2017, 08:31:19 am
Post by: Rumps on 26 May, 2017, 09:17:07 am
see you in the morning.
Post by: veloboy on 26 May, 2017, 04:43:03 pm
Will be liquid carbo-loading somewhere that serves real ale :thumbsup:
Do feel free to join if in the area! ;D
Will be trying out the new salubrious Trsvelodge next to the station.
Post by: Rumps on 26 May, 2017, 05:03:22 pm
Parky and I are not arriving in Poole until late. But Paul Alderson and another club mate will be there earlier. We are all staying at the TL.
Post by: andyp on 26 May, 2017, 07:16:23 pm
See you all tomorrow!
I'll have my tracker running here bit.ly/27Z5BcZ (http://bit.ly/27Z5BcZ) popping a dot on the map every couple of minutes. not done much since the Porkers, so I'll be taking it steady, and keeping my fingers crossed.
Looks like the weather will be pretty good :thumbsup:
Post by: tonyh on 26 May, 2017, 09:27:19 pm
Post by: Anthony on 27 May, 2017, 06:10:21 pm
The promised sun had only briefly shown itself before going back behind thick cloud, though most seemed relieved. I enjoyed a tour of some of North Wessex's finest pubs for afters.
Post by: WyOwyvern on 28 May, 2017, 10:16:20 am
Good Morning Shawn
pleased to say that all your cyclist are now through, but on a more annoying note, we were pretty annoyed with the lack of respect and consideration for others from some of you're members!! parking their cycles all over our patio causing massive trip hazards for our staff on what was a very busy day anyway. one guy even decided it was appropriate to carry out repairs on the patio and when I asked him to move somewhere else he just carried on. They left crap and litter all over the place, stuffed into gaps on the tables, all over the floor! Animals!. There were 4 cycles parked around one of our 8 seater tables putting it out of action for other customers to use! there was a cycle parked in the entrance to our private quarters blocking it for our waitresses! all in all a bunch of inconsiderate selfish and disrespectful idiots!
If this is how we are to be treated then we would rather you went elsewhere in future.
D
A profuse apology has been offered.
Post by: hellymedic on 28 May, 2017, 12:03:15 pm
I think there have been similar issues on other rides.
Oh dear!
ETA LEL thread ... https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=99727.msg2085894#msg2085894 (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=99727.msg2085894#msg2085894)
Post by: andyp on 29 May, 2017, 12:31:53 pm
Sorry to read that. Thinking back I don't think anyone did anything different from usual, I suspect it was just that there was a lot more of us – so problems that were run of the mill and tolerable before, became noticeable – and then really annoying – this year. Probably exacerbated by the tail wind for the first leg which kept the field together more than usual. If he'll have us back it should be easy enough to resolve the issues by parking bikes on the grass, and letting everyone know to clear up their stuff, and be a bit more helpful.
It was a really great event, the weather was lovely, new and familiar faces, seeing you at Beaminster and Tony at most of the other controls, including Priddy (which had an awesome kitchen system going – delivering perfect audax food in the blink of an eye.)
5th one for me: the route as beautiful as ever, I find I see so much more each time.
Thanks again for organising,
andrew.
PS we were *SO* lucky with that rain – 20 minutes after control closing it was hammering with rain – I hope there wasn't any shattered out-of-time riders out in it!
Post by: Smeth on 29 May, 2017, 01:44:14 pm
Post by: fussballclub on 29 May, 2017, 02:00:07 pm
Thanks again Shawn and all your crew. How on earth do you plan a route to stay in those amazing lanes for most of 600k?"
Me is the bubbly version of this at the arrive.
Amazing, 600 km and all in lanes! And then Shawn called my 5min kip on a bench old school!
Toni especially helped in assuaging my doubts. Thank you.
And Parky for the factor 50 after Malmesbury.
Post by: parkysouthlondon on 29 May, 2017, 02:37:15 pm
And Parky for the factor 50 after Malmesbury.
No problem Fussballclub. We got to look after ourselves.
Post by: tonyh on 29 May, 2017, 03:52:32 pm
Please tell me another cycling group was using the Lakeside control yesterday and that this is not AUK riders on a WessexSR event:
Good Morning Shawn
pleased to say that all your cyclist are now through, but on a more annoying note, we were pretty annoyed with the lack of respect and consideration for others from some of you're members!! parking their cycles all over our patio causing massive trip hazards for our staff on what was a very busy day anyway. one guy even decided it was appropriate to carry out repairs on the patio and when I asked him to move somewhere else he just carried on. They left crap and litter all over the place, stuffed into gaps on the tables, all over the floor! Animals!. There were 4 cycles parked around one of our 8 seater tables putting it out of action for other customers to use! there was a cycle parked in the entrance to our private quarters blocking it for our waitresses! all in all a bunch of inconsiderate selfish and disrespectful idiots!
If this is how we are to be treated then we would rather you went elsewhere in future.
D
A profuse apology has been offered.
My apologies for (as controller) not having been more on-the-ball about this, especially as I know that Dave (the proprietor, who is excellent) is rightly sensitive to matters of this sort, on behalf of his customers and staff. With a bit more thought I could have stopped problems developing. I left thinking that we/I had done ok. Wrong!
I had the impression that there were always tables still available, though I wasn't concentrating on that situation.
Dave and his (also excellent) staff had been extremely busy for a very long previous day, but they weren't letting it show.
Our collective fault at not clearing further out of the way when asked was a bad one - eg the tyre-repairer did move, but really yards were needed rather than inches!
Bikes probably weren't parked quite as outrageously as the above suggests... but it's something that many of us need to watch.
I didn't notice litter - and as a fully over-sensitized litter-phobic I would have expected to. (I'd already restrained myself from picking up a few bits from around the site.) So I hope the litter was not us. Anyway, I'll take a bag for the purpose next time.
All the riders were wonderful - thankyou!
Agree about the Priddy Kitchen Crew - superb! (I was admiring from a distance, having grabbed an easy chair and the Official Stamp.)
Post by: parkysouthlondon on 29 May, 2017, 11:39:43 pm
My apologies for (as controller) not having been more on-the-ball about this, especially as I know that Dave (the proprietor, who is excellent) is rightly sensitive to matters of this sort, on behalf of his customers and staff. With a bit more thought I could have stopped problems developing. I left thinking that we/I had done ok. Wrong!From what I remember of the situation at Lake Shearwater, things were never that bad. I wish someone had a photo of the place to show better what it was like.
I had the impression that there were always tables still available, though I wasn't concentrating on that situation.
Dave and his (also excellent) staff had been extremely busy for a very long previous day, but they weren't letting it show.
Our collective fault at not clearing further out of the way when asked was a bad one - eg the tyre-repairer did move, but really yards were needed rather than inches!
Bikes probably weren't parked quite as outrageously as the above suggests... but it's something that many of us need to watch.
I have to admit that I was one of the cyclists that leant my bike up around the 8 seater table. So when I went to order some food inside, and then fill up my bottle at the toilet, it looked like we had monopolized that seating but there were still plenty of other places to sit. Then when I came back I did sit there. A sort of towel on sun lounger maneuver.
As more riders turned up there was less and less space to lean your bike, as many riders don't like to lean their own bikes against someone else's, just incase they damage/ scratch someone's pride and joy. I did hear the proprietor ask some cyclist they could lean their bikes against a hedge, which they must have thought was a bad idea, and it probably was. I think it would have been better if Dave, the proprietor, had dealt directly with you Tony, as then you would have been able to direct us to where we should leave our bike, while you checked our brevet cards.
It would be a shame to lose this establishment as I have had good food and service there every time I have visited.
We must all do our bit to be more considerate in future. No bike maintenance please.
Alan
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 30 May, 2017, 07:36:50 am
There was a decent head wind to Exmouth so I decided to battle against it until it got tired, which it duly did when we reached the turn, so it had no energy to blow us back, but before that we all those exceptional hills: long and seventy changes of gradient out of Beaminster, steep in the town so everyone can see how slowly you ride in Charmouth, one hill and four changes of road in Lyme Regis (no chance of getting a run up, Chris), long horrible and headwinds at the top in Colyton, and finally Peak Hill in Sidmouth to put fear into the hearts of those from 'up north' when it gets used for the National Hill Climb championship. At least I'd ordered an omelette and chips in Beaminster.
I usually hang out at the Tesco petrol station in Exmouth, but Sarah suggested going to main store, which proved to be a stroke of genius, not because of the greater range of food but because we could sit in the sunshine rather than the rather chilly wind tunnel by the petrol station. The next section was truly Wessex, threading through lanes that look like they have no right to exist, threading their way inexorably to the summit of the Blackdown Hills, and a magnificent sunset between the trees. We were all still in good form as we worked our way to Taunton Deane services.
I should have gone to McDonalds rather than venturing the tuna and cheese melt from Costa coffee, which was truly horrid. Having not eaten enough the next stage was a struggle. (When asked what the hardest bit of this ride is, I always say the Somerset levels) and we crawled across to Draycott, taking over 3 1/2 hours for the stage. Chris and Sarah had husband and wife rivalry to get themselves up Draycott. Neil and I had no such inspiration and so we got to the extra-stupidly-steep bit half way up and stopped. I was so confused that I though Neil was Chris and referred to him that way all the way to Priddy (and didn't know until he corrected me at the finish).
The volunteers at Priddy did an exceptional job. I had a bowl of peaches and rice before sleeping. Having got cooked on the way up Draycott my clothes were wet with sweat and after an hours sleep, I got cold. I got up and ate some breakfast but my group were all asleep. Someone lent me a sleeping bag and I got a second hour of exceptional sleep and was bright and ready to go at 6.30am.
We wended our way through the Mendips and soon had to take a layer off. Given how humid it was I went down to shorts and a short sleeved top (which was my rig for 7 of the 9 stages). Last time I did this section it was with a vicious tummy bug courtesy of cows##t near Sherborne. So it was great to spin round the lanes without my stomach spinning. Quite a few of them had been resurfaced, presumably against the organiser's wishes. It all helped my mood and the long miles from Acton Turville to Malmesbury passed quickly, for long awaited Eggs Benedict or Farmhouse Breakfasts.
We continued to make good time until the Avon Gorge section and the spectacular lanes between Bathford and Hinton Charterhouse, coming up with several suggestions for the answer to the info control. The highlight for me was remembering that Keep L to T where R on the route sheet means turn straight up a 25% hill on a blind T-junction. That was one time when my wisdom from previous events was well appreciated and avoided much wailing and gnashing of gears.
The almost ubiquitous Tonyh was stamping cards at Mells, having already done duty at Crockerton and Priddy (chapeau Tony, I will get to do all the Whitchurches sometime). Sarah suggested that we just get some food from the store, rather than the crowded and stuff cafe) so lunch in my case was eccles cakes, peanuts, chocolate milk, and water. The weather was closing in and it felt like we would get a storm, but all we got was some light rain around Shaftesbury. One heavier burst prompted the donning of rain jackets, but then it stopped and after that we just ignored the rain and carried on. One last touch of Wessex lanes after Shaftesbury (not wide enough for most cars, littered with mud stones and other rain debris) and one last hill (Fontmell Magna) were despatched. Perhaps to put Draycott out of my head I sprinted up the last bit of the hill out of Fontmell Magna, knowing that there were no further serious obstacles. We had one last short snack stop and rolled into Poole at 6.25pm.
It was a very un-epic epic, great scenery, great roads, great people, no mechanicals, just the sort of thing that brings me back to do events like this time and time again. Thank you Shawn and all the other helpers for putting this on year after year.
Post by: psyclist on 30 May, 2017, 08:31:36 am
The most memorable event for me was rounding a corner in the middle of nowhere at about 2:30am to see a warlock and witch walking towards us but on the other side of the road, each holding a long staff with an orb on top, with the flames dancing around. They were not in sight for long, but with 5 bright bike lights from our group and a passing car lighting up the scene, their image has stayed with me. If I hadn't been with other cyclists, I think this sight would have been put into the non-real category.
I didn't rock up to Priddy until 5:40am, by which time it was light and I wasn't feeling tired. So rather than lay down I opted for as much food as I could manage (which wasn't that much really), and then headed off once more. About half an hour later I was overcome by tiredness, but then a bench in the morning sunshine that I had been hoping for appeared, and I got a 10 minute snooze which was just perfect. Then by chance, just as I had de-layered and was ready to set off, Andrew and Justin (ACH) appeared around the corner and I was back with the group I had been cycling with for much of the ride, with Simon (ACH) and the Scottish/Irish rider (whose name I forgot to ask) just up the road.
The last section was a bit of a drag, and thanks to Andrew for pacing me a lot of the time. Arrived at the Queen Mary with 30 minutes to spare, although spent 10 of those minutes sorting the brevet card out and ordering food before they closed the kitchen.
The whole experience was excellent. A huge thank you to Shawn for organising and running the event, and to all the helpers at the other controls who brought humour and cheery banter to the mix, amongst keeping a gaggle of cyclists validated and fed. I found Lake Shearwater to be very helpful and efficient. I checked the photo I took, and there was only 1 bike that I could see on the decking at that time.
Post by: keeks on 30 May, 2017, 02:11:51 pm
My bike was a bit naughty two puncs , loose spoke , broken light bracket ( thankfully on Sunday) loose bottle mount and nearly lost a cleat fitting ( technically not bike but you know what I mean) . But it was new , so of baptism of fire regarding a bedding in period!!!
Post by: Rumps on 30 May, 2017, 07:46:25 pm
Please give our thanks to all your helpers. They really go above and beyond the call and it is so appreciated by all of us. Tony H spent more time officiating that some riders spent riding. A Herculean effort. And just think of the state of some of your riders if they had to sit in the pub for more than 12 hours like you do...........
A snapped small front chain ring on the French Kissing climb or whatever it is called made the rest of that hill and Fontmell quite interesting. But still less than the fixed riders have to put up with all the way round I suppose.
Thanks also for the supportive and enthusiastic company of all those I rode with -especially Crazy ET for his work on the front , Sam and Smeth . My club mates do not need any more thanks.
I think I have a photo of the tea rooms -I will dig it out. A real shame -they give us a great reception and I have a good chat with them on all events. We were clearly at fault here -whatever the rights and wrongs of the detail.
Post by: longflaps on 30 May, 2017, 11:35:17 pm
PS we were *SO* lucky with that rain – 20 minutes after control closing it was hammering with rain – I hope there wasn't any shattered out-of-time riders out in it!
Thanks for the thoughtful words Andrew - certainly was a tough ride and huge thanks to Shawn and army of helpers who offered words of reassurance and encouragement. Sadly my companion for the ride had to bail at Taunton services with tummy trouble. But I dug-deep and ploughed on into the night with only route sheet to rely on at this stage as my phone (with mapping app) had died due to power-hungry GPS gobbling away the juice during the Taunton Services ordeal. The hot sunny morning made me dozy and after picking myself and bike out of a nettle-bed ditch I gladly collapsed in a nearby field and woke an hour later feeling totally refreshed. But the sleep had cost me dear and after clambering up to Priddy I was 22 minutes behind cut-off. No matter - the friendly team offered me the remains of breakfast, topped up my water bottles and made positive comments about my "proper bike" with down-shifters and toe-clips and were perhaps more assured than I was that I could catch-up some of the last riders to leave and complete within time.
But I had made a psychological shift to enjoy the fine weather, beautiful if lumpy countryside and well-planed route by shifting down a gear and just enjoying the journey without the time-pressures (which had effectively been lifted from my shoulders) and in that frame of mind I reached Malmesbury and enjoyed the finest eggs benedict and a mega-mug of strong team feeling more positive that I could now complete the ride in a nice steady pace.
Bathford was pretty brutal and I walked most of the way up the track through the woods which were delightful. The descent was very welcome even if it was followed by more trekking up some further hills. By the time I reached Mells (after a further afternoon doze in another field) the shop had been closed for over an hour. A brief snack and then on I ventured. Shaftesbury came as a bit of a surprise - why build an entire town up a hill this steep? But rewarded by that delightful and presumably ancient lane than swept me rapidly away from the town and then back up a similarly sharp ascent before making some larger roads.
At 10:30 I stopped to make some phone calls - including Shawn to let him know that I was definitely a NNF! On the bike and then only a few minutes down the road and the heavens opened. I took refuge under a huge fir tree which had a completely dry patch of road beneath its dense foliage. I waited here for half-an-hour but the rain wasn't easing and I was starting to cool down. At Tarrant Gunville that rarest of things - an old-fashioned red phone box gutted of its phone glowed welcoming into the pitch-dark night. By now a proper storm was raging and despite a missing door handle I managed to prise open the door with desperate snatching fingers and crouched down into a dripping heap on the dry crumbling concrete floor and fell into a deep reverie. The storm had abated when I awoke to the sight of a large spider repeatedly attacking a generously sized snail that was sliding down the panel such that its innards were unravelling about 4 inches from my horrified gaze. Storm or no storm, my time in the phone booth was rapidly coming to an end and I unravelled my cramped, damp body, leaned it away from the spiders web and pushed against the door until I dropped out a shivering wreck. After jumping up and down and making some desperate movements with arms and legs I had managed to stop shaking enough to ram some food down my throat, get back on my bike and pedal in the direction of Poole - merely 15km further down the road (and it was mainly down). I completed the ride, back-tracked to my car and collapsed in the drivers seat a damp and aching wreck at 02:23. It had been a long night.
Later the same day and back at home I met my cycling companion again who had come to collect his car and other bits and pieces. He was looking remarkably well and had even cycled to get to my place. Over a cup of welcome tea (I was still re-hydrating having lost 2kg during the ride) I shared my tale of that last half of the journey and it was clear that he was thinking "how the hell am I going to complete LEL in 100 hours riding with this guy?". Well, that's another leg of the audax journey for another day.
Brimstone lived up to the pre-event welcome pack perfectly. Yes it was tough. I knew that it wasn't going to be easy as it was my first 600, I was totally new to Wessex (although have had a penchant for Hardy nurtured from an early age - and yes, parts of this ride can't have changed much since his day) and I'd also read the yacf reviews from previous editions and realised that if anything was going to prepare me mentally and physically for the middle section of LEL it was this ride. I may have been over 4 hours out of time but I was personally pleased that I'd gone deeper and pushed myself further to complete what I had started and vowed that one day I would be back for another chip at this old block.
Huge thanks to the Shawn and his crew. Sorry I didn't get to try out the full amenities at Priddy and a wonderful route - particularly the dry bits! I was given a power charger at Priddy as the crew believed me to be sufficiently able to make it to arrivee before cut-off. Just holler if you think it's yours (I think you can send an IM).
Post by: Smeth on 31 May, 2017, 12:14:18 am
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Post by: GPS on 31 May, 2017, 08:25:56 pm
Sounds like true grit LF and whatever the result this time that's the stuff that gets the big rides done. Shawn updated me that night so I knew you were soldiering on. Bravo. Glad S has recovered.
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Hear hear ! Great write-up and chapeau for soldiering on. I'd've given up (well before Priddy probably) and then missed the rest of the ride -which was quite an adventure by the sound of it. Excellent !!
Post by: tonyh on 07 June, 2017, 10:07:20 am
Sounds like true grit LF
Yes indeed, well done and completed, and thanks for your account. I must have left my post at Mells just before you got there, and I wish I'd waited - would certainly have done if I'd known you were still on the road, but my phone wasn't getting any signal at Mells, and I'd left Priddy (for the short direct ride to Mells) before you'd got there.
Edit: ....and, hooray for Hardy!
Post by: cgg on 07 June, 2017, 11:12:44 pm
Thanks again Shawn and all the people I rode along with for one of my nicest, most memorable ride this year :)
Post by: JonB on 08 June, 2017, 09:45:03 am
Post by: GPS on 13 July, 2017, 10:52:53 am
Post by: JonB on 13 July, 2017, 11:25:33 am
Anyone interested in a group Wu'ze before the end of the season ... ?
Yes, interested but diary is quite restricted but may be possibilities for late September, did you have any dates in mind?
Post by: GPS on 13 July, 2017, 01:01:44 pm
I was thinking of riding down there & back to Bristol which would make it a 600 but I'd be happy to meet at the start in Poole.
Post by: JonB on 13 July, 2017, 03:18:16 pm
Late Sept looks good - how about the 22nd/23rd ?That's possible
I was thinking of riding down there & back to Bristol which would make it a 600 but I'd be happy to meet at the start in Poole.:facepalm:
Post by: Mr Reynholm on 13 July, 2017, 11:31:44 pm
Anyone interested in a group Wu'ze before the end of the season ... ?
Oooo... ok! I had already vaguely planned to diy this route at some point after LEL. Late September sounds good :thumbsup:
Post by: GPS on 14 July, 2017, 08:22:25 am
So that makes 3 - any other takers out there I wonder ... ?
Post by: andyp on 14 July, 2017, 06:34:17 pm
Sounds good to me... and diary is clear at the moment.
So if I can join you I will, although I don't expect you to wait for me though ;-).
does anyone have a gpx file? (I thought I had one, but I can't find it)
andrew.
Post by: Paul D on 14 July, 2017, 09:47:45 pm
Post by: Smeth on 14 July, 2017, 10:04:47 pm
Hi,
Sounds good to me... and diary is clear at the moment.
So if I can join you I will, although I don't expect you to wait for me though ;-).
does anyone have a gpx file? (I thought I had one, but I can't find it)
andrew.
Wot Andy said, especially the don't wait bit. I will probably never have Mille Pennines legs again :facepalm:
Post by: JonB on 14 July, 2017, 10:59:32 pm
Post by: GPS on 15 July, 2017, 10:59:10 am
I was starting to stitch together some gpx files from some I downloaded from somewhere (I think you supplied some at some point, Paul - but it was so long ago I've forgotten when ...).
I was checking them against the supplied route sheet, but was hoping to use them just as a back-up and stick to using the route sheet. I'd like to have a go at riding it like we used to in the old days. I haven't ridden a ride that way in ages.
I won't be going to back to old style lighting, tyres and brakes though ...
The question now is, what time of day should we start? Back in 2010 it started at 1400 at Hamworthy Park. Same time & place for this attempt ??
Post by: JulianP on 16 July, 2017, 09:10:13 pm
Post by: GPS on 17 July, 2017, 09:43:30 am
Hi, I'm interested in this jolly outing. GPS, I live in Bristol and would happy to ride down and back with you.
Top Man !
What does everyone think of the 2pm start time at the park in Hamworthy ? Cafe in the park where we finish Porkers might be a good spot to meet perhaps ?
Post by: Smeth on 17 July, 2017, 09:46:31 am
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Post by: Bernster on 17 July, 2017, 12:27:36 pm
Post by: Smeth on 21 August, 2017, 10:40:46 am
Post by: andyp on 22 August, 2017, 01:00:53 pm
Just a general check with folks - are we on?I'm afraid it's looking very much like I'll be away that week now, so won't be able to make it.
Sorry.
Andrew.
Post by: GPS on 24 August, 2017, 10:08:08 pm
Bike issues ... guess I need to buy another one
Post by: Mr Reynholm on 28 August, 2017, 09:17:25 pm
Post by: Smeth on 28 August, 2017, 10:46:03 pm
Post by: JonB on 29 August, 2017, 12:56:33 pm
Post by: cgg on 29 August, 2017, 02:05:51 pm
Post by: Mr Reynholm on 15 September, 2017, 02:54:35 pm
Post by: fussballclub on 30 December, 2017, 03:14:21 pm
I forgot to ask his name every time I saw him. Is the most lovely gentleman YACF?
Thank you all the other volunteers on the Porkers and Brimstone as well.
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/hpnub36gy01j74a/Photo%2029-05-2017%2C%2014%2048%2001.jpg?raw=1)
Post by: Smeth on 30 December, 2017, 03:36:06 pm
Controller of the year 2017 by more then a mile.The inimitable Tonyh of this forum, also our friendly regional DIY Org. A scholar and a gentleman.
I forgot to ask his name every time I saw him. Is the most lovely gentleman YACF?
Thank you all the other volunteers on the Porkers and Brimstone as well.
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/hpnub36gy01j74a/Photo%2029-05-2017%2C%2014%2048%2001.jpg?raw=1)
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Post by: chillmoister on 03 January, 2018, 04:34:15 pm
Controller of the year 2017 by more then a mile.The inimitable Tonyh of this forum, also our friendly regional DIY Org. A scholar and a gentleman.
I forgot to ask his name every time I saw him. Is the most lovely gentleman YACF?
Thank you all the other volunteers on the Porkers and Brimstone as well.
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/hpnub36gy01j74a/Photo%2029-05-2017%2C%2014%2048%2001.jpg?raw=1)
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I'd second that :thumbsup:
Post by: GPS on 07 March, 2018, 12:29:45 pm
The Hard Boiled is just over 2 weeks away, and who knows, what with the weather improving every day, it's bound to be as warm and sunny as last year's edition - isn't it ?
Post by: Paul D on 07 March, 2018, 04:47:27 pm
The Hard Boiled...bound to be as warm and sunny as last year's edition - isn't it ?
Minus 2°C on Salisbury Plain at dawn is probably a given unless it's tipping it down, right?
Post by: veloboy on 07 March, 2018, 04:49:30 pm
The Hard Boiled...bound to be as warm and sunny as last year's edition - isn't it ?
Minus 2°C on Salisbury Plain at dawn is probably a given unless it's tipping it down, right?
I fondly remember me frozen biddons on arrival at the first control!! :o
Post by: Smeth on 07 March, 2018, 06:10:38 pm
Post by: WyOwyvern on 07 March, 2018, 06:51:15 pm
New control in Amesbury to look forward too but otherwise much the same gentle stroll through the first 180km or so.
Many wonders to behold, much joy to be had, copious measures of glorious el
Come on down!
Entry CLOSES this weekend.
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 09 March, 2018, 04:59:31 pm
Post by: duracellbunnyonabike on 12 March, 2018, 03:59:29 pm
Post by: WyOwyvern on 19 March, 2018, 03:02:35 pm
Being made welcome has it's draw backs: rides can stagnate and riders become blazé, familiar and perhaps contemptuous. ::-) My lazy loyalty costs. :facepalm:
Dave prompts us to be adventurous: to strike out to new lanes and inspect more tractor scrubbed paths: to take in new villages, green, and golden stoned: to go through farms of rusted rustic bruin liberally rapt in the aroma of exhausted cud. Good old Dave! :thumbsup:
New phases have been formulated, crafted and polished. :thumbsup:
Statistically there be 5 added km and more ups and downs. Some massif central will be sadly missed but there is still the fun filled continuity of getting to Corscombe and crossing the valleys there after. :thumbsup:
Riders will notice the gut wrenching climbs of the past few years have been replaced. :thumbsup: A few km of proper road has been a necessary evil, but Porkers remains the adventure, the challenge, the daring-to-do for exploring AUKs. ??? 8) :demon:
Post by: hellymedic on 19 March, 2018, 03:55:36 pm
AUKs need to appreciate the goodwill of controls and controllers.
Please to be mindful of your demeanour, even if exhausted!
Post by: Smeth on 19 March, 2018, 07:31:02 pm
Meanwhile see you at 0200 on Saturday.
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Post by: Ajax Bay on 21 March, 2018, 10:06:31 am
Here is my (edited) take on the diversion route:
154.1km
R @ T $ Bridport (A3066)
Imm L $ Loders/WEST MILTON
5.0 L $ POWERSTOCK
0.4 R (sharp) @ X $ WHETLEY
4.1 SO @ X, $ Compton Valence
4.5 1st R (eff SO @ X) $ Dorchester
Edit: Revised routesheet just (lunchtime Wed) published: via http://www.dorsetaudax.org.uk/routes-dorset-audax/
Post by: GPS on 23 March, 2018, 08:09:04 am
No snow, ice or frost though :thumbsup:
Post by: tonyh on 23 March, 2018, 08:37:02 am
Post by: WyOwyvern on 24 March, 2018, 01:51:05 pm
Reducing steadily and by Ashcott 6 had left the fold, mostly on trains.
Brakes have worn down and bits fallen away but no accidents or other untoward occurances reported, glad to say.
At this time the field should be spread about the heights of Wessex, shaped by a kindly hand (if only the Blackdowns)
We shall go and count them back in . . . pint in hand.
All five of the ladies are still riding. :thumbsup:
Post by: Smeth on 24 March, 2018, 09:13:09 pm
We counted them out: 45. :)Have shared pint with WyOwyvern at arrivee having creamed a set of brakeblocks and replaced with spares at Axminster. Asked him if the pic attached is what he means when he says "riders will encounter gravel and fieldwash".
Reducing steadily and by Ashcott 6 had left the fold, mostly on trains.
Brakes have worn down and bits fallen away but no accidents or other untoward occurances reported, glad to say.
At this time the field should be spread about the heights of Wessex, shaped by a kindly hand (if only the Blackdowns)
We shall go and count them back in . . . pint in hand.
All five of the ladies are still riding.
Stony silence
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180324/779d6e6377a4177779cf01bf3eec3b68.jpg)
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Post by: andyp on 25 March, 2018, 10:53:35 am
Post by: Jonah on 25 March, 2018, 04:45:43 pm
I found this one particularly tough
I'm sorry for thinning-out so sharply at Arrive and I made the train with enough time for a cheeky half as well!
Thank you to old friends and new.
Canadian Dean Smasher - check out ACH fb for The Arrow
Very nice riding with you also Sean and your Rourkey of course.
Thank you to Morris for your company and support and I'm sorry that I didn't say goodbye as I rushed for the train.
Best
J
Post by: Rumps on 25 March, 2018, 06:03:44 pm
I jest. Thanks as always. The new first stop was a definite success for us. Hot food cooked and served within minutes.An already hard event was made even more of a challenge by the wet start and even more by the punctures ( 3 in my case-two of which were in the dark and rain within the first 90 minutes ) . Thanks to the Sloth for waiting to help me .
Listening to Justin eat a giant pack of cheese and onion Ringos lulled me off to sleep on the train home.
Post by: Jonah on 25 March, 2018, 06:42:59 pm
Nice to have lively banter in the train carriage before our well-deserved kipingtons.
V Sorry
In the exitement, I exaggerated the number of hb rides that I had done. I think I must have thought that you were asking me a more personal question 🤗
Best
Jonah
PS they were 'Ringos'
Post by: Jonah on 25 March, 2018, 06:53:14 pm
Post by: j_a_m_e_s_ on 25 March, 2018, 09:18:58 pm
137 riders off on the 200km this morning at 07:45, including a few surprisingly fresh looking 300km survivors, on a grey but dry and almost windless day.
Not one of the 300 (that will be a perm later on this year methinks), but thanks for 200 today. So refreshing to ride a whole 200 in daylight.
Lovely day awheel - perfect conditions - down to short sleeves at the end!
Nice riding with a chap from last week, sorry I left at Weymouth, and I assume you got round safely?
I saw a trike, a tandem, but no other fixed. Odd on such a fixed friendly route? Especially Bridport to Axminster.
Post by: thesloth on 25 March, 2018, 11:11:02 pm
...including some of Rumps mending punctures in the dark, cold, wet...& ummm filth?
Post by: WyOwyvern on 26 March, 2018, 03:29:51 am
Post by: LEE on 26 March, 2018, 10:57:57 am
I don't remember it being that hilly.
Thanks to all the helpers and organisers.
Post by: Smeth on 26 March, 2018, 11:14:24 am
Special mention to the great folks of Salisbury COGS for bacon and egg butties from 0430 at the new Amesbury control on the Hardboiled. Rain feels nicer on tea and butty.
Wave to them via this:
https://m.facebook.com/COGS-1503175213263194/
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Post by: duracellbunnyonabike on 26 March, 2018, 11:25:24 am
PS: was the HB300 run two years ago? The ladies at the Cattistock Tearoom told me I was 16 minutes ahead of the time some Italian Olympian came through there 2 years ago. First of all Audax isn't a race. And second, I doubt any Olympian rides through the night like on the HB, but still wonder whether there was any truth in what they said.
Post by: Anthony on 26 March, 2018, 03:22:52 pm
was the HB300 run two years ago? The ladies at the Cattistock Tearoom told me I was 16 minutes ahead of the time some Italian Olympian came through there 2 years ago.
I don't know about Olympian, but the formidable Gianluigi Z ('G') zoomed around the HB in 2016. I remember the Cattistock controllers kindly letting me know how many hours it was since he left, when I arrived (at least 4, I think).
Post by: Rumps on 26 March, 2018, 03:27:21 pm
Post by: duracellbunnyonabike on 26 March, 2018, 06:08:46 pm
Gianlugi is a friend. I am seeing him next week and we will have a good laugh about him being described as an Olympian. The truth is rather more prosaic. He rode in the group to the first control - which was then the pub. But said he had to push on as he was taking his wife out in London that evening and had promised he would be home by 7.30pm come what may and that was the condition of him doing the ride. So he rode the rest of the route on his own -in something of a rush. Not a bad bike rider tho it must be said......
LOL - it did indeed sound like a far-fetched story. I have never heard of Olympians riding Audax, but then again it takes all sorts and I haven't been doing this Audax stuff for that long yet, so you never know?! Ask him what time he got back to Queen Mary Inn when you see him.
Post by: fussballclub on 26 March, 2018, 07:05:16 pm
Gianlugi is a friend. I am seeing him next week and we will have a good laugh about him being described as an Olympian. The truth is rather more prosaic. He rode in the group to the first control - which was then the pub. But said he had to push on as he was taking his wife out in London that evening and had promised he would be home by 7.30pm come what may and that was the condition of him doing the ride. So he rode the rest of the route on his own -in something of a rush. Not a bad bike rider tho it must be said......
LOL - it did indeed sound like a far-fetched story. I have never heard of Olympians riding Audax, but then again it takes all sorts and I haven't been doing this Audax stuff for that long yet, so you never know?! Ask him what time he got back to Queen Mary Inn when you see him.
That talk of Olympians brings back memories when our team beat the team including future three times Olympian Jürgen Nolte http://www.general-anzeiger-bonn.de/sport/regio-sport/Jürgen-Nolte-erinnert-sich-an-Olympia-article170096.html (http://www.general-anzeiger-bonn.de/sport/regio-sport/Jürgen-Nolte-erinnert-sich-an-Olympia-article170096.html) to become four a side indoor school champs. Sadly I was a DNS for this ride, but on the Brimstone I recommend from my experience you pack sun lotion.
Post by: grams on 26 March, 2018, 07:12:52 pm
Even taking the A35 direct to Dorchester, skipping tea at the control and riding non-stop I just got to the finish with under five minutes to go.
(the guy I was riding with stayed for tea, then couldn't face the cold outside without a jacket and got the train to Wareham)
Post by: JonB on 26 March, 2018, 10:18:05 pm
A few photos (https://flic.kr/s/aHsmcWeS9w) from the HB
...including some of Rumps mending punctures in the dark, cold, wet...& ummm filth?
Great pictures, love the black and white one of Parky :thumbsup:
Post by: GPS on 28 March, 2018, 10:20:09 am
It was an amazing weekend and full of contrasts - Saturday's wet, gloomy and cloudy horizons replaced by sunny blue skies and mainly dry roads on Sunday.
My bike is getting a deep clean and rebuild today. New brake pads, tyres and a rear hub rebuild ... Wessex rides are a complete test !
Post by: Lee Killestein on 29 March, 2018, 12:00:04 pm
Post by: Smeth on 29 March, 2018, 12:12:36 pm
Many thanks to Shawn, Andrew and their teams for a great weekend of cycling. I notice on the current standings page that a number of riders have *times missing* against their entry for the hard boiled. What needs to happen here?Shawn's waiting for the commercial control sheets to come back. Those with smiles also entered the times themselves on brevet cards in case the sheets go adrift. (Edit: Said with the wisdom of having just asked the same question!)
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Post by: Rumps on 29 March, 2018, 12:17:37 pm
Post by: Smeth on 29 March, 2018, 12:20:55 pm
Smeth, are you sure it isn't because some riders might have fallen into the holes around Axminster and have not come out yet?Has anyone checked the river downstream of the ford?Possibly......(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180329/a1cde57f49471fcdd12c84522b468b9f.jpg)
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Post by: Lee Killestein on 29 March, 2018, 12:21:47 pm
Many thanks to Shawn, Andrew and their teams for a great weekend of cycling. I notice on the current standings page that a number of riders have *times missing* against their entry for the hard boiled. What needs to happen here?Shawn's waiting for the commercial control sheets to come back. Those with smiles also entered the times themselves on brevet cards in case the sheets go adrift. (Edit: Said with the wisdom of having just asked the same question!)
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Thanks. I didn't note the times on my brevet card. Will know better next time. Wait, what am I saying?? :o
Post by: LEE on 29 March, 2018, 12:22:23 pm
Smeth, are you sure it isn't because some riders might have fallen into the holes around Axminster and have not come out yet?Has anyone checked the river downstream of the ford?
It's worth carrying ropes and a ladder on bike rides now. When does a pot-hole become a chasm become a rift-valley?
Post by: Smeth on 29 March, 2018, 12:29:01 pm
It's worth carrying ropes and a ladder on bike rides now. When does a pot-hole become a chasm become a rift-valley?
Simples!(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180329/c5e7cd6cd8120faf41b30c60a437610b.jpg)
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Post by: WyOwyvern on 08 April, 2018, 08:08:00 pm
With 13 days left to enter I have been asked a disturbing question ???: are the 'fantastic control stops with volunteers' still going to be there? :o
I would like to take the opportunity to assure all participating cyclists that the controls are all booked and looking forward to taking good care of you all in their usual places. :thumbsup: If you can find them . . . WessexSR route sheets! :facepalm:
The route between Corscombe and Winterborne Whitechurch has been slightly shortened. The route away from Hardway to Arrivee has been completely reworked as we are no longer encouraged to eat drink and make merry at the Shearwater Lake cafe. Exciting! The event still earns 6 AAApts so you will not be disappointed! 8)
Post by: Smeth on 08 April, 2018, 10:15:43 pm
Porkers 400I'm sure you wont deprive us of the pain and splendour between Wylye and Sixpenny Handley
The route away from Hardway to Arrivee has been completely reworked as we are no longer encouraged to eat drink and make merry at the Shearwater Lake cafe. Exciting! The event still earns 6 AAApts so you will not be disappointed! 8)
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Post by: GPS on 09 April, 2018, 07:39:53 am
Post by: postie on 10 April, 2018, 05:53:01 pm
Unfortunately for once mrs postie is not so understanding :facepalm:
Still over a week to win her over :demon:
Post by: Lee Killestein on 13 April, 2018, 10:31:55 am
Post by: j_a_m_e_s_ on 13 April, 2018, 12:58:10 pm
Bit of an odd one this...Does anybody know why the results for this year's Dorset Coast have disappeared from the AUK results page? ???
Its not just me then! 👍🏼
My FWC brevet has been returned signed, so I would speculate they'll reappear soon enough.
Post by: andyp on 15 April, 2018, 09:14:44 am
Bit of an odd one this...Does anybody know why the results for this year's Dorset Coast have disappeared from the AUK results page? ???
Apologies, yes, it's so we can rectify a rookie organiser mistake I made with the results (3 brevet cards got misfiled with the DNSs and DNFs) which requires everything to be unpublished, so they can be re-published correctly. ...they'll be back up as soon as I get the right results entered. Sorry.
Post by: Lee Killestein on 15 April, 2018, 10:13:22 am
Bit of an odd one this...Does anybody know why the results for this year's Dorset Coast have disappeared from the AUK results page? ???
Apologies, yes, it's so we can rectify a rookie organiser mistake I made with the results (3 brevet cards got misfiled with the DNSs and DNFs) which requires everything to be unpublished, so they can be re-published correctly. ...they'll be back up as soon as I get the right results entered. Sorry.
Not a problem, thanks for letting me know. I was just confused about where the results had gone. Thanks again to you and the team. The Dorset Coast was one of the best events I’ve ridden so far.
Post by: WyOwyvern on 20 April, 2018, 10:22:33 am
At the start of May changeable conditions are probable at first, ... The forecast through the rest of this period is currently very uncertain, ... the first half of May ... we could see a mixture of periods of more settled, fine and dry ... spells of showery and more changeable weather. Overall it will be wettest in the northwest, and driest in the southeast. Temperatures are likely to be around average, but with the risk of some cooler northerly winds at times. ::-)
So for the Porkers 400, much as usual, be prepared for anything. ;)
Entries close this weekend :o
Post by: WyOwyvern on 22 April, 2018, 08:02:23 am
Entry now closed. Entries received are acknowledged by email or text and are listed on webpage.
:thumbsup: Porkers 2018 route available for download from website as PDF(A5&A6) and single GPX track.
O:-) Any recommendations for a reliable reasonably priced (or free) webhosting facility will be appreciated (TalkTalk's revised business profile ceases to include free webhosting in their plans as of July and I need to migrate the WessexSR website sometime soon). O:-)
Post by: hippy on 22 April, 2018, 10:59:10 am
Porkers 400
O:-) Any recommendations for a reliable reasonably priced (or free) webhosting facility will be appreciated (TalkTalk's revised business profile ceases to include free webhosting in their plans as of July and I need to migrate the WessexSR website sometime soon). O:-)
Is it a static site, ie just html/static assets and no database serving content?
You could throw it all in an AWS S3 bucket and probably fall in their free-tier level.
No need to worry about web servers and hosts then.
Post by: WyOwyvern on 22 April, 2018, 06:11:01 pm
After that you lost me. AWS S3 bucket? I'll google and see. Thanks for the suggestion :thumbsup:
Amazon Web Service: Got it: OK I'll investigate 8)
Post by: hippy on 22 April, 2018, 06:19:47 pm
It's basically an object store (imagine it as an FTP site) that can also act as a webserver.
Another option that might be easier to set up (I already use AWS so it'd be simple for me) is Google Sites?
https://sites.google.com/
Post by: WyOwyvern on 23 April, 2018, 11:02:37 pm
The 2018 Route sheets were posted out to entrants today. :smug:
See you on the 6th 8)
Post by: Smeth on 29 April, 2018, 03:39:13 pm
So for the Porkers 400, much as usual, be prepared for anything. ;)
Fake news attached? Or can I leave the crampons at home?(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180429/f935ec057d4b026b3a7f7ecc2af4dc08.jpg)
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Post by: GPS on 29 April, 2018, 05:04:02 pm
It goes on to say, "Met Office issues yellow rain and wind warning for London and much of east and south-east".
Obviously Porkers does not take place in that region, and it's over a week away, but I wouldn't out the crampons away just yet Smeth ;-)
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 30 April, 2018, 08:11:25 am
Post by: whosatthewheel on 30 April, 2018, 08:26:18 am
There's a Guardian article today entitled: "Floods, gales and even snow forecast for UK ahead of May Day"
It goes on to say, "Met Office issues yellow rain and wind warning for London and much of east and south-east".
Obviously Porkers does not take place in that region, and it's over a week away, but I wouldn't out the crampons away just yet Smeth ;-)
By May day they mean tomorrow, not the bank holiday on the 7th... so yes, they are talking about today, not next weekend
Post by: GPS on 30 April, 2018, 08:39:40 am
I'm sure Porkers will take place in its usual sub-tropical conditions next weekend ... clear sunny skies, balmy overnight temperatures and a warm southerly breeze helping us all on our way.
But maybe I just dreamt that.
Post by: Gadget on 30 April, 2018, 06:35:58 pm
Is anyone else having problems using the porker 2018 GPX link? I click on it but I get sent to a page showing all the code, rather than getting the option to download the file?
Post by: Smeth on 30 April, 2018, 06:48:38 pm
http://www.wessexsr.talktalk.net/Porkers2018.html
If no good I stuck it directly here...
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/27371013
BTW the bit around the "Crickets" sure ain't flat like the profile, it's a little glitch. I recall Postie driving relentlessly up a never ending drag last year. He probably didn't notice.
Post by: Gadget on 30 April, 2018, 07:27:36 pm
Post by: WyOwyvern on 04 May, 2018, 12:08:03 am
The route changed to take in the ambience of Shearwater Lake environs but was perhaps overshadowed by the main road to Stourhead. :-\
Many riders will not remember the original route tho' Postie may become dewy eyed over his Wednesday evening pint with rising nostalgia. 8)
Old roads for new age riders with fresh scenery and far reaching views. Enjoyably remaining very Wessex. :thumbsup:
Our revised control point will be at Mere, 151km into the ride. Overall, distance is the same: climbing is the same, 7.5AAA pts. ;D
Post by: Smeth on 04 May, 2018, 08:23:15 am
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Post by: chillmoister on 04 May, 2018, 02:06:38 pm
Post by: WyOwyvern on 04 May, 2018, 06:35:42 pm
Meanwhile a plea ::-)
Brimstone :-\ 26th May :-\
1st Control at Amport: needed: a person of erudite bent to record our knights errant of the way passing through. ???
So, please, if there is a willing helper with a couple of hours to spare in the Andover area who would like to take breakfast at The Hawk and exchange banter with the riders, perhaps he/she would be kind enough to contact me. Cheers. :thumbsup:
Post by: WyOwyvern on 04 May, 2018, 06:54:03 pm
Noting Gadgets difficulty with the GPS download. Some browsers open the file directly and you receive a comma separated version that is the spreadsheet detail. Save that file (Ctrl+S keys on PC) and you will have the gpx file saved in your download folder.
In some browsers the pdf files go straight to your download folder without the open/save option too. Looks like nothing has happened and repeated clicking will place multiple files into you download folder.
8)
Post by: WyOwyvern on 04 May, 2018, 10:11:53 pm
Post by: WyOwyvern on 07 May, 2018, 07:53:22 am
8) Now spread across the revised route on their way to Nunney Catch: hope they find it 'interesting'. 8)
For today the rashest of the 'rasher randoneurs' have found their frontier :facepalm: : looking now for the 22 to complete (and no sun baked crackling!) 8)
Now for a day in the Park . . . :)
Post by: WyOwyvern on 07 May, 2018, 07:43:27 pm
:thumbsup: 22 returned :thumbsup:
:thumbsup: 16 presented completed Brevet Cards :thumbsup:
??? 6 are trusting that the controller who marked the card put a time on their record sheet ??? :facepalm: :-[ :'(
8) Whistle a happy tune . . . :demon: I expect they did . . . :demon: and yet . . . :demon:
Post by: GPS on 08 May, 2018, 08:20:30 am
Thanks for organising, Shawn - and thanks to all the volunteers who make Porkers so special.
It's always a highlight of the year, but this year's weather was incredible too. Perfect riding conditions. Amazing - and so 'unWessex' if you know what I mean.
Post by: j_a_m_e_s_ on 08 May, 2018, 09:43:04 am
Having come incredibly close to packing at Beaminster control, I'm so glad the 6 currant buns sorted me out enough and I carried on and finished.
Being my first 400, I have nowt to compare it too, but I found it was hard in places but gave enough to recover. The controls came just at the right time, and the food was delicious and well appreciated every time. Quite openly I am a broken man today, but not as broken as I feared I might be.
I owe a massive thankyou to the handful of people I rode with on and off, in particular Justin, Gadget and Simon (ACHs newest recruit?!). I had quite a feeling of overwhelmedness (possibly a made up word, I'm unsure!) going into this and up to Beaminster control. There were some major players riding, some serious riders, and I, some Johnny-come-lately, come rocking up on my fixie with handmade saddlebag. Its the camaraderie and welcome attitude of all the riders as well as the route that makes the ride I think. Although the ride has taken a lot out of me, I've learnt a fair bit from it, and it's certainly my favourite ride I've done so far
It is such a beautiful part of the world and I'm grateful to have been shown around. I can't wait for next installment.
Post by: Smeth on 08 May, 2018, 10:14:50 am
Rising this morning with whole body aching but looking forward to Brimstone.
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Post by: hippy on 08 May, 2018, 12:52:20 pm
Epic weekend for cycling. Beautiful scenery down there - don't really know why I've not headed south more often. Thanks Shawn/orgs, the volunteers and other riders for making it a cracking day/night on the bike.
My left knee has asked for a triple though...
Post by: Smeth on 08 May, 2018, 12:56:29 pm
My left knee has asked for a triple though...
I had one and was still on the Voltarol. Thanks for your company on stage 2 and chapeau for the double with Brevet Cymru.
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Post by: hippy on 08 May, 2018, 01:08:01 pm
Sorry about the horse :S
Post by: Smeth on 08 May, 2018, 01:33:24 pm
Sorry about the horse :S
The guy was cool. He knew he had a skittish one and held tight
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Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 08 May, 2018, 10:10:47 pm
I've quite clearly passed into an alternate universe, or accidentally consumed a Lolly Gobble Bliss Bomb, the sweet that transports you to the place of your dreams. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDzkA9ntyVI
Until then. Thanks Shawn and helpers.
Post by: hippy on 08 May, 2018, 10:41:57 pm
Turns out the unpaid item at the Post Office wasn't the bench vice I'd ordered to fix my squeaking cranks it was the Porkers routesheet in my envelope that I'd clearly forgotten to stamp!
I guess the other envelope doesn't have a stamp on it either - probably just did the 'outside' one. I'm an idiot. My excuse is working in I.T. I'm just not familiar with this papery stuff...
Post by: Jonah on 08 May, 2018, 11:23:53 pm
The Kingdom of Wessex
The Wessex SR
Old friends
The glorious weather
Time away
Time with
Mega support
The camaraderie
New friends
The BEST ride
Post by: WyOwyvern on 11 May, 2018, 06:52:58 pm
Routes have been posted out to entrants in the stamped(?) addressed envelopes provided.
Should be with you over then next few days or so.
See you all on the 26th at the Queen Mary in Poole :thumbsup:
Post by: Gadget on 12 May, 2018, 03:42:34 pm
Post by: JohnL on 16 May, 2018, 06:47:59 am
John
Post by: JonB on 16 May, 2018, 11:30:39 pm
Is there a recommended campsite not too far from the start? I’m hoping I’ve not left this too late being a bank holiday weekend...I was going to say Beacon Hill touring site which is only a few km out of Poole and it's where I stayed last year but just looked them up for the website address and they're closed. I did stay at https://www.warehamforest.co.uk/ for the Hardboiled last year, the site was okay (more of a static caravan site but fine for sleeping pre and post ride), the biggest issue is that it must be about 20km away which was a bit of a stretch before and after such tough rides. I think there's a couple a bit closer to Wareham that aren't quite as far as Wareham Forest.
Post by: JohnL on 17 May, 2018, 07:43:39 am
Do people park at the ferry place? Or are there cheaper options?
John
Post by: Smeth on 17 May, 2018, 08:07:16 am
Do people park at the ferry place? Or are there cheaper options?
John
Wise move on the bed. Close sites are holiday parks anyway. Not cheap. I usually park in a quiet residential street a few k out.streetview is good. The start is at the Queen Mary pub I think. Breakfast orders with your route sheet?
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Post by: Paul D on 17 May, 2018, 10:02:54 am
My parking recommendation is on the street next to Hamworthy Park (where the WuZe started incidentally) and ride the mile and a half over the bridge to the train station. Parking anywhere closer on the town side of the bridge might be possible but will be a right faff to find without paying.
Parked without issue last Friday whilst out riding the Hardboiled perm.
Post by: WyOwyvern on 17 May, 2018, 01:38:44 pm
https://www.google.com/maps/@50.7341231,-1.9902347,3a,75y,210.2h,88.98t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1seTJFIXOAZqRReBUDdVay1Q!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en-GB
Post by: WyOwyvern on 17 May, 2018, 06:25:01 pm
Post by: longflaps on 22 May, 2018, 09:50:00 pm
I may have been over 4 hours out of time but I was personally pleased that I'd gone deeper and pushed myself further to complete what I had started and vowed that one day I would be back for another chip at this old block.Here goes
Post by: WyOwyvern on 23 May, 2018, 09:12:47 pm
Post by: Jonah on 23 May, 2018, 11:09:29 pm
Gadget AKA Gomorrah and Jonah AKA Sodom
Post by: Smeth on 24 May, 2018, 12:27:34 am
Bring forth the guillotine :demon:Which one below is which? And will the thunder be that bad?
Gadget AKA Gomorrah and Jonah AKA Sodom
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180523/98a0c04b48ea081e7b7ac82908a00211.jpg)
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Post by: JohnL on 24 May, 2018, 08:03:07 am
I’ve had a cold since Monday and I still feel bunged up and fuzzy. Hottest weekend of the year and I catch a cold. :facepalm:
I’ll be gutted if I can’t do it, the route looks fab. It’s also my only 600 prior to the Cascade 1200 next month, so should be the culmination of my prep.
Just hoping it’s cleared by tomorrow, but currently I reckon only a 25% chance of starting. :'(
John
Post by: WyOwyvern on 26 May, 2018, 07:47:01 am
Post by: Smeth on 27 May, 2018, 12:17:23 am
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Post by: WyOwyvern on 28 May, 2018, 12:17:05 am
The number of WSR award recipients has now swelled from 139 to 143.
Congratulations to all! :thumbsup:
Post by: tonyh on 28 May, 2018, 08:21:48 am
Congratulations to all! :thumbsup:
Yes!!!
Congrats also to bold DNFs.
Post by: tonyh on 28 May, 2018, 08:25:58 am
Which one below is which? And will the thunder be that bad?
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180523/98a0c04b48ea081e7b7ac82908a00211.jpg)
It was.
(That picture is very understated.)
Post by: Jonah on 28 May, 2018, 08:58:52 am
J X
Post by: j_a_m_e_s_ on 28 May, 2018, 09:32:58 am
I shall have to concede that rocking up to Poole at 2330 the night before and cycling around for a few hours trying to find somewhere to "urban camp" was probably not the best prep, and was almost certainly the main reason for my overnight problems. Its a shame Bob and his flying gate never made it, because without his company overnight, and his chocolate coated coffee beans over the Somerset levels and then on to Priddy, I would have probably
I didn't though and that enabled me to become an exponent of precision audax controlling. Priddy with 1minute to spare, Malmesbury with 5minutes. I then procededto put in a proper shift to Mells though and had 20 to spare! The marathon plus tyre choice paid dividends, as even 1 visit could have proved very very costly.
I'll process the ride over the next couple of days, I'm sure, but for now I am just sore! I do need to address saddle issues I'm having - I suspect if I can sort that, I'll be a bit less sore all over.
Just gotta ride the Hardboiled Perm now.
All in all, another wonderful weekend from Shawn. Thankyou for this series of rides. They truly are
Post by: WyOwyvern on 28 May, 2018, 06:34:35 pm
Looking forward to reading it. :)
Thank you all for turning out and playing the game to your best ability and being such pleasant people on your return. 8)
The controllers must have wondered if I had got the date wrong or similar with the gap between estimated and real time of arrival grew wider as the ride went on. My thanks for their patience and for their solid work organising themselves to give the best chance to your successful brevet. :)
Wishing all 'Good riding' on the path you have chosen for the rest of the season :thumbsup:
Post by: tonyh on 28 May, 2018, 06:54:32 pm
Bob masterfully managed arrivée at 03:30.
That's great news! Well done Bob, masterly indeed.
Looking forward to reading it. :)
Yes!!
Post by: Jonah on 28 May, 2018, 09:43:04 pm
Post by: j_a_m_e_s_ on 29 May, 2018, 08:03:20 am
Absolute hero.
Well done my friend, well done.
Post by: Shaun the Sheep on 29 May, 2018, 01:02:26 pm
Post by: Smeth on 29 May, 2018, 02:24:52 pm
I reckon the Wessex SR patch is the toughest one to earn..........just need to stitch it on the Barley now!!
And three of you on Unicog. Extra kudos Shaun.
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Post by: longflaps on 30 May, 2018, 10:40:05 pm
Post by: longflaps on 01 June, 2018, 11:37:21 pm
The multifruit smoothie and glass of milk sorted me out at Beaminster (with the heat I really didn’t feel like anything solid) and I was shortly on the tail of a rider on a fixie who turned out to be j_a_m_e_s_. We joined forced (at that point my phone GPS app was still working and he was reading from the route sheet so I took the lead on the navigation). As we approached Sidmouth we had our first taste of a heavy stormy downpour. It lasted just long enough to get us soaked but we were kept warm climbing the hills (both on and off the bikes) and by Exmouth were only damp rather than wet. Here we caught the tail end of a group including andyp as they were just leaving the control. We stayed but briefly and then set out into the night section.
By now I’d switched to lights (my phone had died shortly after the storm) and it was j_a_m_e_s_ who took the lead on the navigation which he managed despite a badly cracked screen. Last year I remember feeling particularly sleepy on this section, but this year I wasn’t feeling quite so drowsy (although we both partook of the legendry chocolate-covered coffee beans). I’m pretty certain that we had accompanying storms lightening our way as we threaded through the never-ending woodland on very quiet lanes. Eventually we descended into Taunton Dene where once again we caught the tail end of a few riders rousing themselves from sleep and setting off on the next leg. j_a_m_e_s_ let me sleep a little longer than planned (my phone, being dead, I had no alarm), but we both felt much refreshed and, once again with the help of the magic beans, a petrol forecourt security system and, in j_a_m_e_s_’s case a 5-minute nap in a bus shelter we reached the foot of Priddy Hill with a tight margin and a long haul to the village hall control. We made cut off by the skin of our teeth and were warmly welcomed with breakfast and a short chance to recuperate before we emerged into a rainy morning. The rain turned torrential and the roads became rivers with mini-lakes spanning them before we reached the foot of the climb that would take us over the lane passed the Dyrham control.
At that control j_a_m_e_s_ got a second wind and surged on ahead up the lane (he was anxious to make cut-off time) and so I waved him on and switched to riding solo and via route sheet. Well actually I know this road well as it is on my well-used route between Oxford and Bristol for my annual pilgrimage to the Bespoked Bike Show – where I first saw a Flying Gate and placed an order with Trevor and Liz. And so I followed the road swiftly on to the Summer Café (a few of our flock passing in the other direction just before I reached Malmesbury) and just in time by minutes (once again – I was living dangerously). The effort had made me ravishing and so I had a soup and a pasty as well as a large pot of tea.
I noticed that the next control was after Bathford and vaguely remembered parts of Bath from the previous edition. I knew a route to Bath without my needing to routesheet it and so sped off back down the lanes and rejoined that ancient Fosse Way which led me nicely to a very large pothole and the bottom of a precarious descent (the road was strewn with gravel and mud as well as water and potholes and I could see why the official route did not go this way). The impact was bone-shattering and the ensuing puncture took the best part of 20 minutes to repair. Still, I was in glorious sunshine and had a nice bridge-wall to work beside while the 4x4’s scrunched their way furiously up the four hills which led away from the crossroads I’d faltered at. Back on the saddle and down towards Bath and a quick left and across a large roundabout and up a hill and I rejoined the route and it all came back to me how far the hill went through the woods that led to the top of the hill. All was well I thought until I went off route somewhere around the Hardington turn off (later I retraced and found the sign hidden in the thick hedge). Just before the drop into Mells I noted a bump on my front tyre. I stopped and inspected (expecting it to be little more than a lump of gravel stuck with tarmac). Back at me looked an angry bulging rubbery wart. It’s eye glistened menacingly back at my alarmed look. Oh dear, I thought, I hope that makes it back to Poole. Needless to say I took my descents a little more cautiously after that unsettling discovery. By the time I reached Mells I was overtime.
I was feeling fine but was clearly confused as I took another wrong turn and ended up asking some locals the way to Nunney. They sent me in the direction of the A361 which I went up one way and then back down the other (seemed to be popular with time-trialists) but eventually stumbled around some lanes passed Chanty and then miraculously found Nunney! At Witham Friary I stopped at the tempting pub for a pint of lemonade and a mars bar, but not the sense to check directions. I was on the right road it turned out (some time later) but had doubted myself and turned back. It was a fine late afternoon now and dusk was descending upon Shaftesbury when I clambered up to the town centre.
It took me a while to decipher the light swirling instructions in the streetlight, but did locate the lane which I remembered with such delight (for it seemed so ancient and almost tunnelled into the landscape). I took at steady and minded the bumps as best I could. When I found it a little too steep I dismounted and walked. But the dangerously close yelping dogs (surely no one could be up to any good so late down this darkened lane) soon had me back in the saddle and heading towards the main road which I saw emerging ahead when suddenly a loud and despondent hiss announced the moment I’d been half-expecting and dreading. I perched the bike at the side of the road and inspected the sidewall hole. It wasn’t too big and with a tyre boot (which I’d carried for years but never had to use) and some black tape I got it firmly into place. Now the inner. I’d used my good first innertube earlier in the day. I had one innertube left and it had already been patched. Was this my lucky night? I pumped furiously but could get nothing but half-a-stressball of softness out of it. O dear. Maybe time for some dried fruit and a think. I swallow a mouthful and adjust my headtorch. A car passes by slowly on the other side of the road and draws to a halt. The suspect has been located, sir. Stay well clear and don’t approach under any circumstances. And that’s an order. Is that clear? I turn back to the deflating tyre and remember the sealant I’d always carried but never used. It was a few years old and French. Would it be up to the job? I shook the cannister (as if it hadn’t been shaken enough) and tighten the connector. A slow but steady white foam nudges into the sorry tube and lifts the rim off the damp road. I squeeze it all in as a large blob of white foam makes its escape. A quick disconnect of the cannister. A hasty valve retighten. Silence. I hear the car disappear down the road. The tyre is firm. I attach the dust-cap and pack up all the bits and stuff back into the bag. Yes, the tyre still holds.
And now on to my next disastrous move. I see no sign for Fontmell Magma. Maybe snapped-off (I saw a few of those today)? Or buried deep in the hedge. I still turn right and go down the road. But I come across the quiet windows of Compton Abbas and my brain goes all peculiar again. What if it is back up the road? What if I came out the old lane at the wrong place and the Compton is back aways? In the dead of night it all made so much sense. I backtracked up the road and passed the lane again. I travelled back even further and down a hill (that’s a tempting bus stop and oh my, was that a phone box?) Maybe I need to stop and sleep until morning? I pedal on. My brain making bad connection with poor data. I’m nearly back at Shaftesbury when I have to concede that there is no Fontmell Magma along this direction. Okay. Stop. Think. Try harder. The roads are nice and quiet now and I could even follow main roads back without worrying about traffic. It won’t be like that in the morning. And besides, I’m not even sleepy. I’m buzzing to get back to Poole. I get back on the Flying Gate and backtrack – was that the white foam still there? And of course Fontmell Magma was where it had always been, and I had the route again.
At this point last year the storm had broken. Tonight the moon was out and it was clear and bright and full above the treetops. That hill emerged and I recalled that it hadn’t been a year-long nightmare after all, but it had been a real hill leading as straight as an arrow through really thick woods like a scene from a Steven King horror. But at least tonight the water didn’t run over my shoes as I walked up the hill. Then the many and weird Tarrants and that phonebox that doubled as a respite from the storm the year before. I was now well on the way I knew, and it wasn’t long before I was at the outskirts of Poole desperately looking for the town centre. I wandered around for sometime before I spotted the big crane near the station that had been looming over the skyline all the time. It was passed 3.00 and as I put the bike in the back of the car a sudden tiredness descended on me. Brimstone had found me wanting for a second year running. But I vowed once again that I would be back.
Post by: tonyh on 02 June, 2018, 01:05:14 pm
Well worthy of featuring in the series which appeared on Porridge Oats boxes in the 1960s:
"Epics of Courage and Endurance".
Post by: j_a_m_e_s_ on 15 July, 2018, 07:16:27 pm
Now I appreciate conditions were a little different from the calendar this year, but I would argue that I got wetter through perspiration than any else did through precipitation. It went from being realy quite cold (cold enough for me to stuff newspaper up my top as I didn't take any warm gear), to so hot the tarmac was melting and I now have road encrusted studded Marathon Plus tyres.
I ran 63" again, and I'm almost certain I'm going to lift it up a bit as I spend too much time in the saddle.
Cheers Shawn, for another great day out.
Post by: GPS on 16 July, 2018, 08:47:12 am
There's not really an easy time of year to do that ride ...
Post by: j_a_m_e_s_ on 16 July, 2018, 10:40:41 am
Well done !
There's not really an easy time of year to do that ride ...
Absolutely.
I lucked out yesterday really though. Defferently prefer the heat to the wet.
Post by: Audax Club Hackney on 16 July, 2018, 09:38:32 pm
OUT
Post by: Jonah on 16 July, 2018, 09:42:57 pm
Word from The Moose is that you got your first Green Badge!
Good effort!
Jx
Post by: j_a_m_e_s_ on 16 July, 2018, 10:19:55 pm
tDefinition of Luddite
: one of a group of late 20th or early 21st century English randonneurs eschewing laborsaving freewheels as a protest; broadly
: one who is opposed to especially technological change The Luddite argues that deraileurs destroys jobs.
: a randonneur who can be seen, whether alone or hanging off of the back of a small peleton, cycling about Wessex at all hours and in all weathers, in persuit of a certain green badge.
Post by: Shaun the Sheep on 17 July, 2018, 11:48:28 am
Post by: Jonah on 17 July, 2018, 10:40:25 pm