Author Topic: Fenland Friends/Yorkshire via Essex [Flatlands Reversed] 600 8th September 2018  (Read 43973 times)

Question: best way of getting to the start without a car? Bikes not allowed on Stansted Express, so Elsenham?

Occasionally you'll be stopped from boarding a Stansted Express at Liverpool Street with a bike, but generally ok. If you join at any other station, I've not known any issues.

Alternatively, the Cambridge and Kings Lynn trains stop in Bishop's Stortford, and take on average 5 mins longer from London.

Eddington: 133 miles    Max square: 43x43

The Stansted Express looks to be the only service at that time of the morning*. They don't have guards so bike restrictions can't easily be enforced, especially if you don't board at Liverpool Street.

(* well, there's a very early train from Cambridge)

Wycombewheeler

  • PBP-2019 LEL-2022
Canwick is already fully booked, and Lincoln city centre is asking £97, so sod that.
Try the hotel comparison sites various facilities in Lincoln at less than £60 checkbin on the wsybup. Drop stuff off doesn't matter what time you get back then.

Eddington  127miles, 170km

Bairn Again

I got the train from London to Braintree for last Fridays Hereward the Wake.  Though folk with greater local knowledge had suggested that Bishops Stortford was quicker and a tad nearer

The Braintree option does allow a quiet ride along the Flitch Way cycle path - its probably at the outer fringes of what Id cycle on with my road bike ie a bit stoney in parts and I bet it gets muddy quiteeasily but I quite enjoyed it. 

The last time I did the Flatlands I went back to London via Stansted M'fitchet

The flitchway from Bishops Stortford to Dunmow is slightly firmer than the bit from there to Braintree. Road options include the direct route via Takeley, or you can take a slightly longer but more rural route by going to the north of the A120.

Eddington: 133 miles    Max square: 43x43

Tomsk

  • Fueled by cake since 1957
    • tomsk.co.uk
Helpers' Ride/Route Check set for 06:00 start, Saturday 25th August - the bank holiday weekend. I have two takers so far...

I'll be doing a checkpoint at the 'Boar's head' in Dunmow High Street for 'Yorkshire Via Essex' after seeing off the FF riders. Arrivee Sunday from 09:00 at the Angel and Harp.

Phil W

Potentially interested in helpers ride / route check but only if it has cooled down by then.

rob

I know I’m looking at this a little early, but the Chatteris control is in the Green Welly.

Will there be a controller there or are you OK with a receipt from down the road ?

Tomsk

  • Fueled by cake since 1957
    • tomsk.co.uk
Quite possibly a controller at the 'Welly' - I'm expecting this will be where riders on the two 600s meet for the first time.

cyclinggeezer

  • Cyclinggeezer
Quite possibly a controller at the 'Welly' - I'm expecting this will be where riders on the two 600s meet for the first time.


Yes Chatteris is the 90km mark on Yorkshire via Essex


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I have entered the Yorkshire via Essex ride. It will be my first Audax and long ride since LEL last year. My last opportunity to get a 600km pre-qualifier for PBP 2019.

Looking forward to it - now to check the route and start planning!

I’ve been looking at sleep options on Fenland Friends. Lincoln looked about the right distance but the prices were too high in the Premier Inn. So I’ve opted for Scunthorpe which is half the price. Never been to Scunthorpe, but it surely can’t be half as good as Lincoln!

Eddington: 133 miles    Max square: 43x43

jiberjaber

  • ... Fancy Pants \o/ ...
  • ACME S&M^2
I'll be socialising this later today:


Regards,

Joergen

Tomsk

  • Fueled by cake since 1957
    • tomsk.co.uk
 :thumbsup: Cheers jibers - Cabbage-tastic!

Bairn Again

Ive booked accommodation - pre / post event in the Travelodge Gt Dunmow and in Lincoln for Saturday night so a gentlemans 370 / 230 split.     

I'm now well past the stage in my audax career where sleeping in bus stops or not sleeping at all is an option!



rob

Made sure my parents are at home that weekend.   I suppose I have a front door key if they disappear.

I can't do the Helpers ride as I have my sister here so it'll be the September overnight freeze for me again :-) The Travelodge idea is actually a little appealing but since I'll be riding the new sofa I reckon it'll be another year of pushing on.

cyclinggeezer

  • Cyclinggeezer
I see the PBP madness has started

Now up to 35 entries for Yorkshire via Essex and weeks to go before I close. Should be a huge flash mob outside Sleaford station on 8th September.

Do you think we better warn the Green Welly when both event's riders meet for breakfast?

I’m in for the Essex start. Probably ECE it to 800 again to force a bus stop kip somewhere.
Bikes are for riding, not cleaning!

Tomsk

  • Fueled by cake since 1957
    • tomsk.co.uk
I see the PBP madness has started

Now up to 35 entries for Yorkshire via Essex and weeks to go before I close. Should be a huge flash mob outside Sleaford station on 8th September.

Do you think we better warn the Green Welly when both event's riders meet for breakfast?

I'm at just over 120 on the start sheet! We'll have a word at the Welly when we check the route in a couple of weeks. At least we have a controller there now.  :thumbsup:

cyclinggeezer

  • Cyclinggeezer
I see the PBP madness has started

Now up to 35 entries for Yorkshire via Essex and weeks to go before I close. Should be a huge flash mob outside Sleaford station on 8th September.

Do you think we better warn the Green Welly when both event's riders meet for breakfast?

Thought I would add an organiser note too from a Y via E perspective

The catering options are now much improved in Lincolnshire and beyond. Lots of Lincolnshire Coop food stores in smaller places now. They stay open 7 days a week  from 7 -10 pm and you will see national Coop food stores in places such as Wyberton and Billingborough en route.

Look out for the Coops at  Crowland, Gosberton, Bardney. Kirton Lindsey has one.There is a Sainsburys Local in Lincoln on Carholme Rd, a few yards off route if McDs is not your thing. Opens 7-10pm

McDs is easy to spot at the roundabout by the uni in Lincoln.

Sleaford’s McD is approached via the cycle path over the A17 which en route for the Y via E riders. Spoons in town obviously for the Fenland Friends riders.

There is also now a 24/7 garage on John Adams Way in Boston with Costa options and coal/charcoal bags to sit on in the forecourt so if  concerned over Saturday night Boston’s McDs security  divert there. I would add they now employ huge security guards at McDs there and the police have breaks inside to add to the ambiance. I have never had a problem incidentally.

Goole M62 services also has a great Subway and good new toilets. Suspect the Subway will be closed when the Fenland Friends arrive so it will be a garage shop for them

Also found the late opening store at Red Lodge a good place to control at. Have used the pub before when the cafe was closed.

Whittlesey has quite a decent Coop for supplies. So possible to get your card stamped at the Green Welly and go into town if its very busy.

I will also flag up the “road works” on the cycle path called the Water Railway which brings everyone into Lincoln. The path is open and diverts on a decent surface due to the eastern bypass road works.

It is a very flat, fast and easy run from Holland Fen, beside the Witham and then into Lincoln, especially as the wind is likely to be behind you. Lots of things to look at from Bardney with all the SUSTRANS sculptures.

Sleep options - look at the new Spalding Travelodge.

If the weather holds it will be a good ride









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dod

There's a slightly confusing bit in there - the Green Welly is in Chatteris, not Whittlesey :)

If the Green Welly is jammed with breakfasting audaxers, Chatteris can now offer a Costa/Subway combination at the petrol station next to the nearby roundabout, as well as the Aldi (which might have a pallet of grobags to sit on while eating snacks).

On the High St there's also a bakery, two NISA shops, The Old Bakery cafe near the Barclays bank, and a shop on the way out of town towards Somersham if you've missed all of those.

I'm looking forward to stamping the hundreds of cards at the Green Welly, should be a busy morning :)

Carlosfandango

  • Yours fragrantly.
I’ve been looking at sleep options on Fenland Friends. Lincoln looked about the right distance but the prices were too high in the Premier Inn. So I’ve opted for Scunthorpe which is half the price. Never been to Scunthorpe, but it surely can’t be half as good as Lincoln!

I forecast that this ride will be a wonderful voyage of surprise and discovery for you. ;D

I’m in for the Sleaford start 💨💨

Joining in as part of the last minute PBP madness crew.
Will be looking to ride pretty easy and take a good sleep in the middle so I'm not too wrecked for more racing the week after.