Dates for the diary:
Here's as far as we've got with the planning [so we can do some publicity at the R&R tomorrow and on the 'London Orbital' on 11th August]: some events are 'live', others still just in the AUK planner, but dates fixed until further notice. Mine won't get an updated route sheet and information until about Christmas. However, having said that, 2019 is a
special year due to a certain
French Ride, so I might be persuaded to get going sooner...
2018/19 Audax Club Mid-Essex Events Full details [eventually...], entry fees, route sheets etc on
www.aukweb.net and
www.acme.bike Entry available online [paypal]
*PBP = Paris-Brest-Paris 1200km, 2019 qualifying event
8th September: Fenland Friends [Flatlands Reversed] 600km. 06:00 from St Mary’s Centre, Churchend, Dunmow.
Does what it says…flattest possible 600km event in the UK [1,073 metres of climbing], this time reversing the traditional route to twice cross the path of riders on the Yorkshire via Essex 600 starting from Sleaford, Lincolnshire at the same time. Breakfast at the start included and optional pub finish.
6th October: Richard Ellis Memorial 200/100km, 08:00/09/00 from St Mary’s Centre, Churchend, Dunmow.
The 200km route goes to the Orchard Tea Gardens at Grantchester, the Maglia Rosso Bike Café at Hawstead and then to Manningtree.100km is an out-and-back route to the Maglia Rosso. Breakfast at the start and pizzas at the finish included in the fee.
The 3rd ACME Winter Series: 10:00. Pub start and finish.
3rd November: Essex 3Rs 100km. Witham start.
1st December: The Stansted Airport Express 100km. Witham start.
12th January: The Kelvedon Oyster 100km. Kelvedon start.
2nd February: Knights Templars, Compasses and Cross 100km. Witham start.
9th March: The Horsepower 200 & 100km. 07:30/09:00 from Dunmow. *PBP
The 200km goes via Lavenham to Snetterton Circuit in Norfolk, back through the home of horse racing in Newmarket. The 100km takes a direct route there and back to Newmarket.
13th April: The Woodman’s Daughter 50km and The Woodman 100km, 09:00/10:00 from St Mary’s Centre, Churchend, Dunmow.
A trip around the woods of mid-Essex at bluebell time. 50km has alternative on- and off-road routes which can be mixed and matched - ultra-low minimum speed of 8.3kph on the 50km event gives 6 hours to take your time to enjoy a leisurely day out. Refreshments at the start and a cream tea at the finish, included in the entry fee.
4th May: Green and Yellow Fields 300km. 00:01 from Manningtree Station CO11 2LH. *PBP
Midnight start following optional Friday night curry in Manningtree, some lanes, then a fast overnight section to the north Norfolk coast for a café breakfast, back to Manningtree via Wymondham and Needham Market. A classic and one of the longest established Audax events in the UK, since 1979.
18th May: The Flatlands 600km 06:00 from Dunmow. *PBP
Reprise of the original route up to Yorkshire [just!] through the Endless Cabbage Patch of the Fens…Controls at Red Lodge, Whittlesey, Boston, Kirton-in-Lindsey, Goole, Gainsborough, Sleaford and Chatteris. Optional pub finish in Dunmow.
1st June: Asparagus and Strawberries 400km. 09:00 from Manningtree Station. *PBP
The classic tour of East Anglia – via Ixworth, Halesworth, the Reedham Ferry and Acle to the coast at Wells-next-the-Sea, for fish and chips, if you’re quick enough! Back overnight via the 24-hour McDonalds/services on the A11 at Barton Mills and then through Saffron Walden to the finish and breakfast at Manningtree Station Buffet.
22nd June: Fenland Friends 600km. 06:00 from Dunmow. Re-run of the 2018 route – last chance for a *PBP qualifier!
5th July: Hereward the Wake 300km. 21:00 from St Mary’s Centre, Churchend, Dunmow.
Friday evening start, following optional curry at the Jalsa Ghar in Dunmow. Through Cambridge and out into the Fens at Whittlesey, across to ‘The Pag’ [Newport Pagnell M1 services] for an early breakfast, options of café breakfast in Biggleswade and Reed later on, then back over the chalk hills to Essex. Brunch at the finish included in the entry fee.
20th July: Kingdom of the East Saxons 400km. 11:00 from Dunmow.
Two loops around the ancient kingdom – chalk hills, woodlands and cornfields, the Stour valley and Constable Country, coastline at Harwich, Clacton, the Dengie peninsula to Burnham-on-Crouch and back through Maldon. Full tlc, food & basic sleeping accommodation in the night at 260km in Dunmow. Ideal first 400km overnight ride.
3rd August: Essex R & R/ A Little Essex R & R, 200/100km. 08:00/09/00 from Witham.
A ‘leg stretcher’ before heading to France for PBP? More lovely corners of Essex.
