Horsepower 100 & 200km on 12th March 2016

[Tomsk]

I've added a 100km supporting event to the 200km Horsepower, that I first ran last year as a PBP qualifier. All the information and route sheets are up on AUKweb now - keep those entries coming in!

200km [07:30 start] is the same route as 2015: controls at Lavenham, Snetterton Park and Newmarket. The 100km [09:00] is an out-and-back to Newmarket [Wetherspoons & the National Horse Racing Museum Café come recommended], with one info control to vary the route a bit. A typical early season route, [as is the first 50km of the 200], on gritted B roads, good if sub zero first thing in the morning.

Breakfast at the start and snack food at the finish [soup, sandwiches/rolls, cake, tea, coffee etc] included in the £8 fee.

Helpers still sought please, especially for the start: [you could still ride the event, having been on the desk or in the kitchen beforehand - leave me the washing up and start with the bunch!] Option of a helpers' ride a fortnight before, on 27th February, for either event, or ride a 'Horse for Courses' 200km permanent...

[Please note that if you ride an 'H4C 200 perm' before then, the Snetterton Park Café may still be closed for refurbishment, though you can control at the model shop and get food at East Harling, soon after on the next stage].

[wilkyboy]

This is a really good early season 200 — incessantly rolling, nothing particularly big*, and good roads regardless of the weather, very enjoyable!   

I was reading last year's ride reports earlier today — we rode Horses for Courses in a blizzard last year, before riding possibly the busiest helpers' ride with Steve Abraham a few weeks later — the only day I think I've ever ridden further than Steve! (by a handful of miles)      Steve rode the main event too.

And I took hundreds of photos on the day, such a photogenic crowd   


* I always remember the climb out of Newmarket going on a bit, though, but I'm a flatlander so ...

[Tomsk]

Thanks! Good to see such a lot of the 'usual suspects' in your photos! I'm anticipating a much smaller turn-out this year so, have just booked 'St Mary's Centre' [the hall by the church car park], which is ok for up to about 50 per event. There were 94 validated brevets on the 200 km last year, though that includes a fair few on the helpers' ride.

[Assasin]

Tom,
Should be able to help dish out cards & help before the start.
Starting the build up for this years fun adventure.
just hope it doesn't snow.

Mark b

[Tomsk]

Thanks Assasin. I'll open up from 06:30 - everything will be set up the night before and good to go straight away. [Special people can have a bit of floor space overnight if they like...]

[bhoot]

[Special people can have a bit of floor space overnight if they like...]

Might we fall into that category?  Need to check calendar etc - we still have "sort audax programme" on our "to do" list, it's been slightly pushed back by things like "sort garden" and "get house decorated" but the real order will soon be re-imposed.

[Tomsk]

[Special people can have a bit of floor space overnight if they like...]

Might we fall into that category?

 

[huggy]

I'll be riding the 200, usual handover of entry form when I see you in an Essex Energy Drink dispensary somewhere. 
I could get to Gt Dunmow early to help before the start, let me know if you definitely want to book my helper service (sans mini huggy) or just let me know near the time even at short notice.

[tedshred]

I'll be riding the 200,

Will you be providing towing services from Snetterton to Dunmow again this year 

[huggy]

I'll be riding the 200,

Will you be providing towing services from Snetterton to Dunmow again this year 

That depends, I may be the tow-ee this year 

[Tomsk]

I'll be riding the 200, usual handover of entry form when I see you in an Essex Energy Drink dispensary somewhere. 
I could get to Gt Dunmow early to help before the start, let me know if you definitely want to book my helper service (sans mini huggy) or just let me know near the time even at short notice.

  yhpm

[Morrisette]

Coming to Newmarket only to leave again straight away - the RIGHT decision!

I want this ride to be the other way round (the Powerhorse?!) as then it would start at my house.....

[Tomsk]

Coming to Newmarket only to leave again straight away - the RIGHT decision!

I want this ride to be the other way round (the Powerhorse?!) as then it would start at my house.....

Do a 100km DIY permanent on the Horsepower route, in reverse - on the day you can wave to riders going the other way twice and refuel at the hall in Churchend, Dunmow halfway round?

[Morrisette]

That's not a bad idea actually

[bikey-mikey]

I'm looking forward to the 200 - another new one for me to add to my collection.... 

[Tomsk]

I'm riding the 100km route this Sunday afternoon [7th Feb], leaving Dunmow at 13:30 or thereabouts. Short stop in Newmarket: cafes likely to be closed by then [4pm-ish], so it'll be the Shell garage for a quick turnaround or Wetherspoons [Golden Lion] in the town centre, if there's time in hand. I hope to be back by 19:00 at the latest.

Anyone want to join me on a non-Audax ride...?

[Phil W]

I'm riding the 100km route this Sunday afternoon [7th Feb], leaving Dunmow at 13:30 or thereabouts. Short stop in Newmarket: cafes likely to be closed by then [4pm-ish], so it'll be the Shell garage for a quick turnaround or Wetherspoons [Golden Lion] in the town centre, if there's time in hand. I hope to be back by 19:00 at the latest.

Anyone want to join me on a non-Audax ride...?

Yes I fancy that, Golden Lion appeals more since we wouldn't be audaxing 

[Tomsk]

Ok Excellent, Phil - any other takers?

[tippers_kiwi]

I'm in Tomsk!

Edit  - but not if there are 40+ mph winds

[ChillyPanda]

Tempted but I suspect the pace will be a little bit too fast for me. And not sure how I'd cope at the moment facing into the 42mph south-westerly forecast for Newmarket on Sunday. I struggled last time between Newmarket-->Linton with a tailwind 

[Tomsk]

Headwinds - are our hills/make you stronger, etcetera. We'll see what things are like Sunday lunchtime...

[streboria]

Hello - I live in Colchester and I'm keen to get started in audax so may sign up for the 100km Horsepower if I can fit it in round family commitments. Looks a nice route!

[Tomsk]

Looks a nice route!

...Early-season friendly, ie quite a bit 'B' road-y, in case of sub-zero-ness. There are some nice laney alternatives between Saffron Walden/Thaxted/Dunmow each way, if you don't mind a few 'bonus' kilometres. Newmarket has a huge range of cafes, pubs, etc for a civilised lunch, otherwise, two garages with coffee machines and somewhere to sit if you want the spartan option. [Actually the latter is a squashed marmite sarnie out your back pocket, huddled in an alleyway and an ATM receipt for proof-of-passage  ]

[Phil W]

Wind has come early (i.e. now) and I think it'll be back to normal levels by tomorrow afternoon, yeah.  Looking forward to catching up.

[tippers_kiwi]

Wind has come early (i.e. now) and I think it'll be back to normal levels by tomorrow afternoon, yeah.  Looking forward to catching up.

Yep, had a couple of moments where it felt like it was going to push big ole me off the road earlier today!

See you chaps tomorrow....how will I fill my morning, a ride starting at 1...good lord! At least riding over to Dunmow means I am on the road before midday. Will be leaving Tiptree around 11 to get over there in good time.