Author Topic: The Horsepower 200 & 100km  (Read 23720 times)

rob

Re: The Horsepower 200 & 100km
« Reply #125 on: 10 March, 2020, 08:58:33 am »
Well, what do you know.....strong SWly forecast for Saturday.

Indeed, the typical March scenario - allow 50% longer for the return 100km and have a major re-fuelling at Snetterton and in Newmarket. We went to McDonalds at the A11 services, then 'spoons apple crumble and icecream last week. I think only a NW wind is worse: cross/headwind to Snetterton, pretty much full on against you on the most exposed sections to Newmarket, then too knackered to enjoy the tailwind home! When we had this scenario in the past it included sleet showers in the mix too - at least things are relatively mild currently ...

Looking at last year it took me 3.5hrs out and 5.5hrs back.   That included punctures both ways.

Family are seeing the outlaws not far from Snetterton at lunchtime.   I could always bail and get a lift back.   Not really me though.

Phil W

Re: The Horsepower 200 & 100km
« Reply #126 on: 10 March, 2020, 06:13:36 pm »
Wind looks quite tame compared to Storm Dennis.  Looking forward to this as this will be first time I’ve ridden the 200. Worst bit will be getting up early to head over to the start.

Alex B

  • Headwind specialist
    • Where is there an end of it?
Re: The Horsepower 200 & 100km
« Reply #127 on: 10 March, 2020, 06:26:45 pm »
Wind looks quite tame compared to Storm Dennis.

The weather looks quite benign compared to last year where, on the 200, I was literally blown off the road.

I shall be ECE'ing the 100 this year. It will be my first brevet since PBP ...

- Alex.

Re: The Horsepower 200 & 100km
« Reply #128 on: 10 March, 2020, 09:27:14 pm »
I've entered a rather loopy ECE, 60% of which will be after the 200 so that I don't have to wake up too early. I'm looking forward to the hot breakfast options.

Eddington: 133 miles    Max square: 43x43

josser

  • ACME Landlord
  • AKA Orange Socks
    • Orange Socks
Re: The Horsepower 200 & 100km
« Reply #129 on: 10 March, 2020, 09:47:00 pm »
I’m doing the 100 as I did the 200 twice last year, including smashing into the pot hole of certain doom on the perm version...

Probably going to go a little off piste to hit a couple of squares. I’ll get there relatively early to help with breakfast, especially the eating part. And The Dutch Wife may also make an appearance!
You can’t just call time out and stroll on into the beach if you don’t like the way things are goin’.

Tomsk

  • Fueled by cake since 1957
    • tomsk.co.uk
Re: The Horsepower 200 & 100km
« Reply #130 on: 11 March, 2020, 09:24:07 pm »
I’m doing the 100 as I did the 200 twice last year, including smashing into the pot hole of certain doom on the perm version...

Probably going to go a little off piste to hit a couple of squares. I’ll get there relatively early to help with breakfast, especially the eating part. And The Dutch Wife may also make an appearance!

 :thumbsup:

Numbers are about normal for the event at this stage: 75 for the 200km and 35 for the 100. Probably some more entries to come, and typically around 25% DNS with the relatively benign forecast [so far = dry, breezy, cool]. Chili and Chives in Lavenham are aware riders are coming, as they are our fave cafe [lots of alternatives, from the very posh Swan Hotel, to a bag of donuts from the Co-op], as is Gary the Chef at Tyrrell's Restaurant. I really hope the custard tanker has arrived at the Newmarket Black Lion in time - we had to make do with icecream on the apple crumble ... it just doesn't have the same headwind-battling power.

Tomsk

  • Fueled by cake since 1957
    • tomsk.co.uk
Re: The Horsepower 200 & 100km
« Reply #131 on: 13 March, 2020, 10:39:30 am »
All set for tomorrow, just another big shopping trip to do this morning.  :thumbsup:

Bring your own hand-sanitiser [you do routinely carry this? - I do!] as the shops here are sold out. Soap and water will be available at the start though, and disposeable paper towels, tissues etc. I will be sending riders out in dribs and drabs, not in a huge peloton.

Snot-rocketeers keep well clear of the group, and launch downwind!

Anyone reluctant to ride can contact me for a permanent 'Horses for Courses' 200km brevet FOC, same route but half-way control at the A11 services - McD's, Greggs, Starbucks. My only 100km perm. is 'Boudicca's Revenge', but you're welcome to one of these instead.

cygnet

  • I'm part of the association
Re: The Horsepower 200 & 100km
« Reply #132 on: 14 March, 2020, 06:17:08 pm »
Thanks Tom!

I must admit if I'd been at home last night instead of in the church hall I probably would have been a DNS, it was quite soggy out to Snetterton.

As a Public Service Announcement for any Londoners getting the train, Stansted Express now takes bikes!  :thumbsup:
I Said, I've Got A Big Stick

Re: The Horsepower 200 & 100km
« Reply #133 on: 14 March, 2020, 07:57:51 pm »
As a Public Service Announcement for any Londoners getting the train, Stansted Express now takes bikes!  :thumbsup:

That’s good news. Where are you getting it from, I can only find the old policy, which was folding bikes only?

Eddington: 133 miles    Max square: 43x43

cygnet

  • I'm part of the association
Re: The Horsepower 200 & 100km
« Reply #134 on: 14 March, 2020, 08:09:18 pm »
Unless they mislabeled it ??? I was sitting on one with my bike in the bike space when I posted that.
Edit
I just checked the Stansted express website timetable and that service is listed.
I Said, I've Got A Big Stick

Re: The Horsepower 200 & 100km
« Reply #135 on: 14 March, 2020, 09:41:39 pm »
Unless they mislabeled it ??? I was sitting on one with my bike in the bike space when I posted that.
Edit
I just checked the Stansted express website timetable and that service is listed.

I hope that you are right, as it’ll make it easier to get a bike on board at Liverpool Street. Other stops were not really an issue.

On the Stansted Express website, their policy is still defined as follows:

Quote
Taking your bike on the train
We only allow fully folded bicycles on Stansted Express services.

https://www.stanstedexpress.com/onboard/cycle-carriage-policy/

Eddington: 133 miles    Max square: 43x43

Phil W

Re: The Horsepower 200 & 100km
« Reply #136 on: 15 March, 2020, 10:25:18 am »
Thanks Tom I enjoyed that. I hadn’t ridden the 200 before so many new lanes further east.. I think my favourite section was Lavenham to Snetterton.  It just seemed to flow and even the rain didn’t put a damper on it. A ride of two halves for me.  I kept up a good pace to Snetterton then took it easy riding back with my HR below 120 bpm. Caught Arabella on the alternate route from Wrest Wrattling.  We rode together to the finish, it was nice to have a chat towards the end, at an easy pace.

Tomsk

  • Fueled by cake since 1957
    • tomsk.co.uk
Re: The Horsepower 200 & 100km
« Reply #137 on: 15 March, 2020, 04:36:37 pm »
Thanks to all the ACME and St Mary's Church helpers yesterday. That was a long day though: up at 04:30, getting the first batch of breakfast bacon on the go shortly after, the morning rush, short break for more shopping, soup-making, then the long and sociable afternoon and evening. A handful of DNFs, mostly mechanical, with just the one 'off', fortunately minor though the rider concerned packed. A couple of 100km riders vanished off the radar - I hope they're ok, but I do wish they wouldn't do that ... Finally all cleared up by 21:30.

I've yet to tot up donations and work out the surplus from the event fees, but it looks to be in the several of £hundreds towards the new chairs, so also thanks to riders for your generousity. I'll be emailing with the details when known. A good turn-out, despite the C-19 situation and slightly iffy morning's weather. 62 starters out of 89 entries on the 200km [including 5 on the Helpers' Ride last weekend] and 40 out of 50 on the 100km.

Re: The Horsepower 200 & 100km
« Reply #138 on: 15 March, 2020, 04:49:38 pm »
It was another superb day out. Thanks Tomsk and the merry band of helpers who make this such an enjoyable event each year.

Eddington: 133 miles    Max square: 43x43

rob

Re: The Horsepower 200 & 100km
« Reply #139 on: 15 March, 2020, 08:48:28 pm »
I was properly soaked on the 10 mile ride over from my hotel.  In a week that had been pretty miserable it didn’t help my mood.  I lingered at the start for a while but then pushed on into the wet on my own, jumping between groups and catching up with lots of people.

I bumped into Cygnet at Lavenham and we rode together all the way to Snetterton where it finally dried up.  I decided to have a slightly longer break there as I wasn’t in much of a rush.  I solo’d into Newmarket for a quick cashpoint receipt and rode straight through to the finish.  I was glad I carried spare gloves and overshoes.  Another week where I have to clean the bike up mid-week.

A slightly different experience on gears and I still keep forgetting I can shift.

Thanks to Tomsk and team.  The new finish area was great and the food welcoming.

arabella

  • عربللا
  • onwendeð wyrda gesceaft weoruld under heofonum
Re: The Horsepower 200 & 100km
« Reply #140 on: 15 March, 2020, 09:34:37 pm »
Lovely day out, I liked most of the 2 loops to and from Snetterton.  Lots of familiar bits joined together in a different way, with some new bits thrown in for good measure.  I ambled round in my usual 3 hours/50km listening to tweeting birds cheering me on, loads of what I think were partridges.  I got a flat somewhere near Gasthorpe, I think it was, with a handy layby and warm sunshine at the time, so not a chore to sort it out (& lots of helpful "are you OK"-s).  Plus I broke out the jellybabies haribo tropifruit (though they are hard to find now, don't know why) to keep me going.  Nice to have Phil's company for the last part, made it go quicker.
Was that you Rob, I got thrown by mention of Bishops Stortford?
& hello Andy, would have been nice to catch up if we'd conincided better.
Not having entered anything else yet I'll be keeping an eye on the news. 
Any fool can admire a mountain.  It takes real discernment to appreciate the fens.

rob

Re: The Horsepower 200 & 100km
« Reply #141 on: 15 March, 2020, 09:45:54 pm »
Yes, that was me.  I do look a little different these days.

I was staying overnight in Bishops Stortford for overly complicated reasons.

arabella

  • عربللا
  • onwendeð wyrda gesceaft weoruld under heofonum
Re: The Horsepower 200 & 100km
« Reply #142 on: 15 March, 2020, 10:04:35 pm »
I just look older, you look leaner and not-meaner but ykwim.
Any fool can admire a mountain.  It takes real discernment to appreciate the fens.

Re: The Horsepower 200 & 100km
« Reply #143 on: 15 March, 2020, 10:16:39 pm »
I had to bail early as I got a call from my wife at 10.30 to say she’d had to call an ambulance for my 90 y/o mum who was having chest pains. Luckily I wasn’t too far from Thurston so I jumped on the train there. Fortunately my mum is fine, and packing the ride wasn’t too painful given the fact that I was soaked and freezing having expected light, scattered showers rather than constant, sometimes heavy rain that we had. Rookie mistake not being more prepared   :-[  I’ll be sticking a perm entry in and giving the ride another go soon though  :thumbsup:

Tomsk

  • Fueled by cake since 1957
    • tomsk.co.uk
Re: The Horsepower 200 & 100km
« Reply #144 on: 01 February, 2021, 05:45:44 pm »
As you will all be aware, The Horsepower 100 & 200 on 13th March 2021 are currently suspended, pending 'developments'. If calendar Audax events are possible by then it will still be an x-rated event as billed, starting from The Dourdan Pavilion car park, probably, though the church car park should also be available. The Pavilion toilets might have been fixed by then (recently vandalised ::-)).

Subject to the state of restrictions, I'll be emailing riders a week or so beforehand with more details. Refunds for those unable to take part will be available on request ...

Re: The Horsepower 200 & 100km
« Reply #145 on: 01 February, 2021, 06:04:53 pm »
My last calendar ride before lockdown 1. Be funny, if possible to make it my first post lockdown 3 calendar ride.  Take it you’ll be keeping entries open right up to a week before or so?

In fact, this was my last calendar ride.

Tomsk

  • Fueled by cake since 1957
    • tomsk.co.uk
Re: The Horsepower 200 & 100km
« Reply #146 on: 02 February, 2021, 05:23:06 pm »
I'll probably keep entries open up to the day before, but not 'on-the-line', depending on when entries are allowed and the general situation. Limit of 50 entries, with only a handful on the start sheet at present from before the current lockdown.

Re: The Horsepower 200 & 100km
« Reply #147 on: 02 February, 2021, 05:40:05 pm »
My last calendar ride before lockdown 1. Be funny, if possible to make it my first post lockdown 3 calendar ride.  Take it you’ll be keeping entries open right up to a week before or so?

In fact, this was my last calendar ride.
+1

Re: The Horsepower 200 & 100km
« Reply #148 on: 04 February, 2021, 12:59:36 pm »
The 200km was my last Audax before lockdown.  Unfortunately I DNF'd due to a broken wheel on the way out of Dunmow!
Tom, could I enter the 100km for this year (should it go ahead) please?

Tomsk

  • Fueled by cake since 1957
    • tomsk.co.uk
Re: The Horsepower 200 & 100km
« Reply #149 on: 04 February, 2021, 03:33:28 pm »
The 200km was my last Audax before lockdown.  Unfortunately I DNF'd due to a broken wheel on the way out of Dunmow!
Tom, could I enter the 100km for this year (should it go ahead) please?

The Powers That Be will open up online entries as and when conditions allow ...