Author Topic: Blowingstone 100km - 18th May 2014 (Read 2916 times)

jochta · « **on:** 24 February, 2014, 12:17:10 pm »

A plug for the revived Blowingstone audax from Uffington in Oxfordshire. After being absent from the calendar for many years CTC Wantage (http://www.ctcwantage.org.uk/) have re-instated the ride. It follows some beautiful lanes almost completely within the North Wessex Downs AONB (http://www.northwessexdowns.org.uk/).

The route heads south from Uffington almost immediately hitting the notorious Blowingstone Hill before a long descent into Lambourn. Climbing again to Ramsbury and up Spring Hill before undulating close to the Savernake Forest and up Martinsell Hill to the control at Marlborough.

After refreshments, either at the control café or any other eatery in the town, the route climbs the Marlborough Downs for fantastic views northwards from the top. Descend towards Wroughton and through the Coate Water country park past the miniature railway (which should be running on the day). Returning to Uffington via the springline road with views into the Vale of White Horse.

Refreshments at the Thomas Hughes Memorial Hall in Uffington before and after the ride.

Enter via the Audax UK website (http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/14-588/). Route sheet and GPX file available from there.

Here's the route in Ride With GPS (http://ridewithgps.com/routes/3741761).

Looking forward to a good day and a good turnout for the event (hopefully a better day than when we test rode the route in late December and we got blown off of our bikes at the top of Blowingstone Hill!!).

Hope to see some of you at Uffington in May!!

Regards

John

PaulF · « **Reply #1 on:** 24 February, 2014, 12:40:05 pm »

As it's on my doorstep would be almost rude not to!

I'll have to see if I can get a pass...

tonyh · « **Reply #2 on:** 24 February, 2014, 01:15:59 pm »

Thanks to CTC Wantage! Good event.

Grill · « **Reply #3 on:** 24 February, 2014, 03:16:50 pm »

I used to live in Uffington so I'm gutted that I'll be out of time for this ride. Love to do it as a perm...

3peaker · « **Reply #4 on:** 24 February, 2014, 04:36:41 pm »

Ahhhhh Blowingstone. Discovered the HILL when designing my Cheltenham Flyer 200. So for an early test ride, I use Uffington Thomas Hughes (Control with WI) to Ramsbury and Spring Hill on 15 March. Check it out.

PaulF · « **Reply #5 on:** 26 February, 2014, 09:19:33 am »

Just entered!

Just need to see if I'll be able to ride up Blowingstone, my nemesis by then! Walked it yesterday

andyoxon · « **Reply #6 on:** 22 April, 2014, 01:26:53 pm »

Registered, so I'm in.

Simon_A · « **Reply #7 on:** 22 April, 2014, 08:36:37 pm »

Entered. ECE'ing it from home to attempt my first 200k, which includes re-ascending Blowingstone Hill on the return

Guess I'll find out soon enough how good an idea that was...

jochta · « **Reply #8 on:** 24 April, 2014, 01:20:14 pm »

Quite a few entries coming in but could do with some more so BUMP!!

Cheers

John

andyoxon · « **Reply #9 on:** 26 April, 2014, 02:12:57 pm »

Guess what this is..?

http://tonyshaw3.blogspot.co.uk/2010/07/thomas-hughes-and-kingston-lisle.html

bikenrrd · « **Reply #10 on:** 26 April, 2014, 05:16:16 pm »

A very young daughter (6 weeks yesterday!) precludes me this year. Although she is as good as gold, so there's an off chance I might be able to get out.
So, please run this next year! It would make a very nice 100 miles with the ride from West Oxford.

Blowingstone Hill is on one of my usual routes from Oxford to Lambourn, returning via a more northern route. Blowingstone Hill isn't too bad, really

I did Dragon and White Horse Hill on Wednesday and that was tougher than I remember, but it was the first proper ride since the baby was born! Had to use the lowest gear (34f/26r) but didn't walk!

PaulF · « **Reply #11 on:** 26 April, 2014, 06:03:05 pm »

Quote from: andyoxon on 26 April, 2014, 02:12:57 pm

Guess what this is..?

http://tonyshaw3.blogspot.co.uk/2010/07/thomas-hughes-and-kingston-lisle.html

It's a secret sign for "pain starts here"

andyoxon · « **Reply #12 on:** 26 April, 2014, 11:18:05 pm »

Quote from: bikenrrd on 26 April, 2014, 05:16:16 pm

A very young daughter (6 weeks yesterday!) precludes me this year. Although she is as good as gold, so there's an off chance I might be able to get out.
So, please run this next year! It would make a very nice 100 miles with the ride from West Oxford.

Blowingstone Hill is on one of my usual routes from Oxford to Lambourn, returning via a more northern route. Blowingstone Hill isn't too bad, really
I did Dragon and White Horse Hill on Wednesday and that was tougher than I remember, but it was the first proper ride since the baby was born! Had to use the lowest gear (34f/26r) but didn't walk!

Yes, I'd noticed the 100miler opportunity from Abingdon too.

Bobby · « **Reply #13 on:** 30 April, 2014, 04:48:01 pm »

Or maybe an ECE up to 200k if I take the long route from Abingdon... Negotiations will be happening tonight

Bobby · « **Reply #14 on:** 01 May, 2014, 07:09:09 am »

I'm in, just need to sort ECE route now

andyoxon · « **Reply #15 on:** 02 May, 2014, 08:30:40 am »

Quote from: Can't Climb on 01 May, 2014, 07:09:09 am

I'm in, just need to sort ECE route now

Abingdon-Besselsleigh-Swinford bridge-Yelford-Aston-Cote-Buckland-Shellingford-Uffington, and reverse? ~100km .

Bobby · « **Reply #16 on:** 02 May, 2014, 05:56:50 pm »

looks good, though I may stretch it out to North Leigh/Burford to get something like 75k there & 25k back

andyoxon · « **Reply #17 on:** 17 May, 2014, 09:34:07 am »

Looks like we'll get the sun; and a decent tail wind on parts of the return...

PaulF · « **Reply #18 on:** 17 May, 2014, 09:36:04 am »

Ooops! I'm double booked

Going to be a DNS on this one I'm afraid

jochta · « **Reply #19 on:** 17 May, 2014, 03:43:37 pm »

Just pre-rode the route. Absolutely glorious and we've booked sunshine all the way for tomorrow! You are in for a treat! There will be entry-on-the-line for anyone who wants to ride it but hasn't entered yet

See you at the start tomorrow

John

mattc · « **Reply #20 on:** 17 May, 2014, 05:50:36 pm »

I can't decide!!!

I totally forgot about this ride until it was rather late, but now you've declared entry-on-the-line, and the weather is gorgeous. But I only really have time for the morning club ride .... <brain cogs churn unproductively>

andyoxon · « **Reply #21 on:** 17 May, 2014, 06:52:10 pm »

Quote from: mattc on 17 May, 2014, 05:50:36 pm

I can't decide!!!

I totally forgot about this ride until it was rather late, but now you've declared entry-on-the-line, and the weather is gorgeous. But I only really have time for the morning club ride .... <brain cogs churn unproductively>

It's gonna be goood...

I'll be on the grey/bronze British Eagle as usual...

Bobby · « **Reply #22 on:** 17 May, 2014, 11:06:55 pm »

I'll be on a black/white madone, probably the slowest person up the hills

it'll also be my first ride with tribars which I'm trying for comfort - hopefully I'll try/tweak them on the 75k I'm riding to the start, better go pack sun cream....

Bobby · « **Reply #23 on:** 18 May, 2014, 05:10:25 pm »

Thanks for running a nice event today, we were well looked after

personally I'd detour around the off-road bits next time though....

Was nice to meet and ride with both Andy and Matt too

That's ride 5 of RRTY #2 done

andyoxon · « **Reply #24 on:** 18 May, 2014, 06:30:16 pm »

Thanks Nick, John, and the team. Great ride.

Some challenging hills *, and pretty warm... Had to stop and reapply sunscreen at one point. Good to meet you Bobby, Simon, Darrel and everyone else. Bobby well done for the 200!

* I think Spring Hill out of Ramsbury has the steepest gradient.

Waiting for the off...

Some pics 'on the go'

P1010507 by ao, on Flickr

P1010511 by ao, on Flickr

Near Savanake...

P1010513 by ao, on Flickr

Looking over to Martinsell Hill...

P1010523 by ao, on Flickr

Free's Avenue, out of Malborough

P1010525 by ao, on Flickr

P1010527 by ao, on Flickr

P1010532 by ao, on Flickr

Not too far to go... The Vale.

P1010539 by ao, on Flickr