Yet Another Cycling Forum
General Category => Audax => Topic started by: Tomsk on 20 June, 2021, 03:00:55 pm
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We're open for business! (Subject to future government restrictions etc ...)
50 places, very x-rated, so no tea party on the Black Mountain, (unlike 2018). 11:00 start on Thursday, 14:00 finish Sunday (75 hours @ 13.3kph). Arrange your own accommodation - if you ride through the first night that'll most likely be in South Wales on night #2, at least for the 'average' rider: Port Talbot/Barry/Cardiff budget hotels. Third night, just nap or maybe stop somewhere like Towcester, 160km to go or St Neots, around 100km from the finish.
Guaranteed places for ACME members. There's a permanent version of the route - The 'Ten Tons' available for alternative (points west and Wales) starts. Slightly different route at the Welsh end, based on the original 2018 version.
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Interested in doing this Tom.
Just need to see how I feel after LEJOG and get the Thursday and Friday off work, can I let you know at the beginning of August?
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Interested in doing this Tom.
Just need to see how I feel after LEJOG and get the Thursday and Friday off work, can I let you know at the beginning of August?
I may have to set a limit, but so far only a handful of entries. I'll give a heads-up here if we're getting full.
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Thanks :)
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Witham Labour Hall have ok'd use of their car park for the duration of the event. I suggested a charge of £5 for parking (normally £1 for a day ride), and I think we'll be starting from there on Thursday 2nd September. Finish will still be postal, but if I ride, I'll be aiming to get back to Witham's Battesford Court Wetherspoons on Sunday morning and would be able to collect brevets then. We'll have to see how the lifting of restrictions affect things through the next six weeks and how AUK responds.
I'll get some updated info on the AUK website this week.
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Hi, Im interested in riding this, for people that have ridden in the past do you have any sleep stop suggestions ?
Colin
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Witham Labour Hall have ok'd use of their car park for the duration of the event. I suggested a charge of £5 for parking (normally £1 for a day ride), and I think we'll be starting from there on Thursday 2nd September. Finish will still be postal, but if I ride, I'll be aiming to get back to Witham's Battesford Court Wetherspoons on Sunday morning and would be able to collect brevets then. We'll have to see how the lifting of restrictions affect things through the next six weeks and how AUK responds.
I'll get some updated info on the AUK website this week.
I'll have to ride past my house with 10 miles to go. Might drop my bags off, have a change of kit, and ride light to the finish. Maybe not very audacious, though.
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Hi, Im interested in riding this, for people that have ridden in the past do you have any sleep stop suggestions ?
Colin
Last time I rode straight through the first night and then booked a hotel in Barry for Friday night. It did mean 600k straight through, though. I then did 300k to St Neots and had another hotel, before doing the last 100ish k Sunday morning. There is a write up by one of the Dulwich riders in the most recent Arrivee. I know that he had a hotel on the first night as well but only for a few hours.
The route has changed since the last event but I think the distance to Barry is similar and the route home the same. With that in mind I'd probably take on a similar strategy to last time.
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Hi, Im interested in riding this, for people that have ridden in the past do you have any sleep stop suggestions ?
Colin
I rode through the first night, stopped at the Premier Inn in Port Talbot the second night, and a quick stop at a Travelodge/Premier Inn just south of Northampton on the third night. A lot will depend on your speed. Some pushed on to Barry for the second night, as per felstedrider.
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Seems interesting, does acme still do an Sr series award, and can I use this to replace a missing 300?
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Seems interesting, does acme still do an Sr series award, and can I use this to replace a missing 300?
Yes and yes
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Seems interesting, does acme still do an Sr series award, and can I use this to replace a missing 300?
Yes and yes
Also, its an Essex SR medal, not specifically ACME (but awarded by us), so any Essex-y events/perms are ok. And we have a special ACME Grand medal too!
On my Grand (DIY) 2018, I rode through the first night, stopped at a friend's late on the second night, in Penarth (nr Cardiff) and rode through the final one, with a bus shelter and a cricket pavilion nap. This time, having heard others' accounts of this and other 1000km rides, I'd probably stop earlier, in Port Talbot and then in St Neots, leaving a very easy final morning.
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Id have loved to have done this, but will be away for the weekend to celebrate my other halves sort-of-landmark birthday.
If i can get my SR in the bag in the next few weeks and feel sprightly enough i may try a DIY1000 around the same time.
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In for a penny and all that ,I’ve entered ....
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A question ? I have an old army mate that lives in Bridgend is it allowed that I can stay the second night there or is this classed as outside assistance and paying for a hotel ?
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Don't think anyone would object, as long as they don't give you a lift a hundred miles down the route.
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Don't think anyone would object, as long as they don't give you a lift a hundred miles down the route.
oh no I’ll be riding to his door 👍
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Not sure if the route is the same but certainly i found this to be an absolutely cracking place for a couple of hours sleep. I was on the way out, and don't know if the route back is the same this time.
It's the bus stop next to the telephone box, or was a few years ago
This may not be much use as it's in the wrong place but a catnap for returnees, there is a very excellent bus stop, providing superb FREE overnight accommodation here:https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.9923072,-2.2109745,3a,75y,226.63h,90.37t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sxgIL_KsFoYihbqX75C78Vw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656 (https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.9923072,-2.2109745,3a,75y,226.63h,90.37t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sxgIL_KsFoYihbqX75C78Vw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656)
The address is, according to Mrs Google:
42 Bishops Walk, Forthampton Gloucestershire,
it's also here:
https://goo.gl/maps/jXS4c9s5LvK2
and grid ref is:
51°59'32.0"N 2°12'39.0"W
Might help someone. It certainly helped me.
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A question ? I have an old army mate that lives in Bridgend is it allowed that I can stay the second night there or is this classed as outside assistance and paying for a hotel ?
Is not the transcontinental, stopping in hotels, friends houses or even at home is OK. As long as no one comes out to pick you up.
You going to support is ok, support coming to you is not. So no friend bringing you tools or tubes, or giving you a lift to their place etc.
But stopping at their place for lunch or a sleep is fine.
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Is there a route for this yet as it’s not the same as the last time it was run ,I can’t find it anywhere ?? Or are we following the gavin and Stacy route then making our own way to the west at Lampeter etc ??
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In the end I’m not going to my mates house booked premier inn at port tal
Bort and sorted my route out from the supplied route sheet 👍
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In the end I’m not going to my mates house booked premier inn at port tal
Bort and sorted my route out from the supplied route sheet 👍
Tomsk will confirm but I think the planned route is that on the AUK website. It is due to be ridden in the next month when more info should come out.
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Is there a route for this yet as it’s not the same as the last time it was run ,I can’t find it anywhere ?? Or are we following the gavin and Stacy route then making our own way to the west at Lampeter etc ??
I will set aside some time soon to update all my forthcoming events (as far as is possible given you know what uncertainties).
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Hi Tomsk, can I do the ACME Grand as a perm rather than the Ten Tons as I'm pretty sure I can't make the official date.
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Hi Tomsk, can I do the ACME Grand as a perm rather than the Ten Tons as I'm pretty sure I can't make the official date.
Ok! - Though you can start permanents anywhere, by arrangement with the organiser, including off-route, from home etc, so long as all controls are visited in order, (or reversed, if you so choose).
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I've updated the info on audax.uk.
Having a bit of an issue uploading the file of route sheet, info etc, so I will be emailing out to entrants soon, as it stands and uncorrected since last ridden in 2018 (and the new bits ridden/ driven in 2019). Of course a fully revised version will go out nearer the time, along with links to Wilkyboy's gps tracks on tomsk.co.uk
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Initial email sent out to riders entered so far. Time to think about booking some accomodation - I'm going for Port Talbot Premier Inn on the second night and will probably take pot-luck on Towcester/St Neots on the third one ... or just push on.
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I have premier inn booked for 2 nd night in port talbert ,still in 2 minds whether to have a crack at this but have 3 days before to cancel that booking .I do have a few ex army freinds who live in wales so if I fail to make a control time ,I can get help after packing .However I do know wales quite well especially around sennybridge etc and have climbed sarn Helen black mountain etc before on a mountain bike mind and when I was a lot younger :) my main issue is the length of time it takes me to get through main built up areas ....The third night should I get that far will be bivvi bag etc .
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... along with links to Wilkyboy's gps tracks on tomsk.co.uk
I've updated the GPS wotsits and it's all available here (https://www.tomsk.co.uk/acme-grand/2021/).
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... and I just noticed that there's a village in Wales called "Halfway" just before halfway ;D
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... and I just noticed that there's a village in Wales called "Halfway" just before halfway ;D
Near Llandovery?
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... and I just noticed that there's a village in Wales called "Halfway" just before halfway ;D
Near Llandovery?
Yup.
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... and I just noticed that there's a village in Wales called "Halfway" just before halfway ;D
....and anyone from Sheffield will tell you that Wales and Halfway are about 2 miles apart.
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... and I just noticed that there's a village in Wales called "Halfway" just before halfway ;D
....and anyone from Sheffield will tell you that Wales and Halfway are about 2 miles apart.
I grew up in Wales, hence my nickname of Yanto given to me by my workmates, I suppose it could have been worse and they could have called me Taffy. I could see Halfway across the Rother Valley from my bedroom window.
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Last time round I got to Barry about 8/9pm and was pretty cooked. I'm probably a bit behind then fitness-wise but I did stop a lot so this is probably still a feasible first stop. I'll also try to do St Neots again to give an easy ride back on Sunday.
I haven't done many hills this year but have a lumpy 4 day tour planned for next week. I did have an off last week which may affect that but I do seem to be recovering.
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I've had a few 'issues' with AUKweb this week - riders dropping off the system altogether, and apparently some have already ridden it ... ::-)
If anyone has been left out of the loop, please get in touch!
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I've had a few 'issues' with AUKweb this week - riders dropping off the system altogether, and apparently some have already ridden it ... ::-)
If anyone has been left out of the loop, please get in touch!
It appeared on my results list for a few days but has no gone.
Sorry I have had to DNS. Hope everyone enjoys the ride.
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Good luck to all riders and volunteers on the ACME Grand, may the skies and roads be clear. :thumbsup:
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Best of luck all. Hoping to catch a few of you at Buntingford on Sunday.
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Really enjoyed this ride, although I found it very tough in places.
Thursday, nice easy start into a modest northerly wind, fairly gentle countryside although the hills were enough to stop me sitting in a group after Buntingford, seeing various riders at the controls at St Neots and towcester and finally meeting Ian and Paul (again) at Tewkesbury to ride together down to Chepstow and then on to Magor services to grab a little rest indoors.
Friday
set off after being disturbed enough by people in the services and saw tge acme train asleep/resting on benches in Newport and then pushing through the hills to Tonypandy, it seems the acme group passed me when I used tesco express in Caerphilly as I was told by a local that a group were just ahead of me on the climb before pontypridd. I saw them just as I rejoined the road in Tonypandy and stayed with the group until Lampeter, although they all had better climbing legs than me. Discussion of leaving port Talbot at 4am the next day, and then I crawled slowly back over the hills including black mountain just before sunset. Getting list in Neath and getting to bed at 10pm, setting a 3:40 alarm was painfull.
Saturday
Woke at 5:35, grateful I'd missed the group as I needed the sleep. Rushed to Barry worried about the time limit, reaching the control with 10 minutes in hand, wishing I had left earlier, but also knowing that the hills would have prevented me keeping up with the group anyway. Across Cardiff Bay and then the flat roads to Magor now a group would have been welcome with the wind relentlessly from the east. Met Jack at chepstow, he had started before me but after the group, then the next set of hills in the first of Dean, with additional stops at Coleford and tewsbury before following the Avon to the next control at pershore, and beyond. Nice flat Mike's to build a time buffer. If I don't make Towcester with 3 hours in hand there is no point stopping for a sleep at St Neots.
Quick feed at McDs, but outside as doors locked at 10pm (so much for open 24 hours) then on through the night. Caught sight of metal tubing and leather in the ditch in Salcey forest, was that a crashed motorbike? Looped round for a second look, no just some fly tipped furniture GRRRRR. Caught Tom and companion who had been dropping me on hills all day Friday and pushed on heading for my bed in St Neots.
Sunday
After getting listvin St Neots trying to reach the route without going all the way back to the town centre (should have just used the dual carriageway) I rushed to Buntingford and met Phil W and friend meeting acme grand audaxers and taking photos. Don't worry they said you have loads of time, it's easy from here to Witham, but I think they were npt accounting for the heat (where did that come from) the easterly wind or the complete inability of my legs to go up any hills at a reasonable pace. After stopping again at Felsted for more water and ice cream, I reached arrivee with 25 minutes in hand, ordered lunch and drinks and forgot to collect a receipt. I think I'm ok on this one, I was sitting chatting with the organiser.
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Still got a lot of loose ends to tie up, with postal finish and all that. One crash to report, but not too serious thankfully. One other DNF I've heard about, the rest got round in time ... with varying amounts of sleep deprivation.
The weather was kind though - cool and grey outbound with a light tailwind, mild at night, then the sun came through for the climb up the Black Mountain on Friday evening. Saturday was quite warm and in the end the threatened headwind wasn't too bad. The clear skies meant Saturday night was pretty cold though: the 'early doors' at Towcester McDonalds wasn't appreciated ... By Sunday's late breakfast at Witham Spoons we were getting very warm - summer is back!
A very hearty Chapeau! to all successful riders and thanks for your company on a Grand adventure.
Really enjoyed this ride, although I found it very tough in places ...
... and forgot to collect a receipt. I think I'm ok on this one, I was sitting chatting with the organiser.
For saying nice things about the ride and the cash bribe, I will validate your ride. ;D
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Got some photos from Buntingford which I’ll email across to Tomsk to forward on.
I believe we missed Tomsk’s group at Buntingford by about 30 mins. Most riders were quicker this year than during the heat wave of the first edition. Mind the first edition also saw a high attrition rate.
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Looks like the finishers list is now updated to only those who did indeed finish. :thumbsup:
Looking forward to the exciting medal. I also qualify for one of the desirable Essex SR series medals. How do I go about claiming that?
Thinking back to the highlights of this ride
Rhigos and black mountain (even though I climb poorly I enjoy it and the views are spectacular. Also fantastic descents) The rhonda cycle path. Cardiff Bay, the nice easy section along the Avon perfect for tired riders to recover after 400 hilly kilometres
Lows - the tough urban climb in Newport outbound and the bridge to nowhere. The fierce climb near Kineton and the driver in Witham trying to take me out 1 mile from the finish, close passing me on a left bend when I wanted to turn right
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Brevet card and medal/badge received in the post today.
:thumbsup:
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... I also qualify for one of the desirable Essex SR series medals. How do I go about claiming that? ...
I'll go through my records at the end of the season to see who qualifies and get in touch. We're combining the Mid-Essex Legendary Epiphany Extravaganza with the awards evening. Almost certainly on the second weekend of 2022 (8/9th Jan) at the Compasses. (And semi-outdoors in the tent, rather than all cramming into the snug and steamy Green Room as pre-Covid.) Bring your LockDown jackets, people! Camping and b&b at the pub etc. Any who can't attend will have their medals and trophies posted.
2021 year bars are on order for the ESR medal, due in a month or so: non-attendees would have theirs mailed in time for Christmas ...