Tour de Ricky

[LiamFitz]

I thought I'd dip my toe back in the organising pool with a 200, 100 and a 50 on 21 May.  The 200 is a gentle gallop around whilst the 100 should get riders' heart rates up.

I'm hoping the promise of a microbrewery finish will attract a decent crowd... coincides with Rickmansworth Canal festival - bring your boat and make a weekend of it.

Details here: https://tourdericky.uk/

Liam

[LiamFitz]

Planning is coming on really well - and we're getting a lot of Audax newbies signing up.  Perhaps the promise of a finish at a brewery helps...

I only opened for business a few weeks ago and I've already got nearly 100 riders on both the 200 and 100km events. It seems to have caught the imagination of a few local cycle clubs and several BC Breeze groups...

[JellyLegs]

I like the look of the 200 but unfortunately it clashes with the last day of a course I am on for work.  Maybe 2023.

[LiamFitz]

Give me a shout after the event if you fancy the route for a DIY perm

[LiamFitz]

I'll be calling last orders on the 200 next week - waiting list will open applying usual criteria.

[trundle]

Joined the waiting list for the 200km - fingers crossed.

[trundle]

Not long to go now - got final route through this evening.

[LiamFitz]

TBH I'm quite pleased with the routes but will await the feedback at the brewery... you never know until they have been fully stress-tested by a bunch of riders.

These events have an unusually high proportion of Non Auks on them so I'll be glad of the old sweats who will ensure the atmosphere is proper Audax.

Sending out the paperwork last night hasn't yet generated the usual flurry of DNS... lets see what the weather forecast unfolds over the week...

[drossall]

Has anyone seen GPX files for these events? Or am I being thick and I've missed them?

[LiamFitz]

I wonder if you considered emailing me? It might get you a more useful response?

[drossall]

I did and I didn't want to be a nuisance

But I've now woken up, looked through my folder for the event again, and found/remembered the answer to my own question. Sorry, my excuse is that I've been organising a non-cycling event for the weekend just gone, and I'm now trying to get my head back into bikes again.

[drossall]

Oops. I've been trying to book tickets. Looks as though there are no services on the line to Rickmansworth, owing to the League 1 play-off final. Information is a bit sparse though - this page header was all I could find.

[LiamFitz]

Pretty sure the Met line is running tomorrow?

[drossall]

I'm coming into KX-StP and out again. I'll go via Euston to Watford.

[hellymedic]

Pretty sure the Met line is running tomorrow?

Seems fine on TfL website, so should be OK.

[trundle]

That was a smashing event!

Arrivee was a beer garden with field views supplied by a craft brewery. And I tip my hat to Liam for the route - it was really enjoyable. With the rare as hens teeth enjoyable descents in the Chilterns! I found the section from Silverstone down to Benson hard work - so I found a pub in Oakley that served amazing food, and a nice amber ale. As ever I love the Chilterns in summer evening light - Fingest and Frieth valleys are beautiful. There was lots of local cycle clubs which I foolishly thought would turn into wacky racers - but people were lovely, and more than happy to slow down and have a natter.

But I have to mention Kiln Lane - bloomin heck: The people that live on that road must be used to cyclists with Tourette's.

https://www.strava.com/activities/7180533741

[LiamFitz]

Glad you liked it (mostly).

Grateful for route feedback (maybe Kiln Lane was a bit mean at the end of a 200).

213 riders on the road doing 200/100/50 - mostly new to Audax.

Here's a short film made by our hosts at the farm... https://twitter.com/FarmWoodoaks/status/1528341138385653760 or https://video.twimg.com/ext_tw_video/1528340955224489984/pu/vid/1280x720/atQxwPjp1vOMzrZt.mp4?tag=12&fbclid=IwAR1h2FcD4-uYxJmbkjWv3171Pj2mTXK4OIYisw4iwfLGq9OIQY8Xaa69eCI

[markldn]

Fantastic event Liam - thank you for all your efforts as well as those of the volunteers, bakers and brewers.

[Diesel]

It’s got be a good event when there are brewers to thank at the end!