The Cambridge Autumnals 100 + 200 — Saturday 21 October 2017

[Alex B]

I did a solo "Helpers' ride" of the 200 today, and it was cracking - it includes some of the choicest cycling Suffolk has to offer -
 and even Cambridgeshire's not too bad, especially with some recent resurfacing & road repair around Newmarket

The only issue I see is that if the current weather holds, these rides will need to be renamed "Cambridge Indian Summer".

[Wycombewheeler]

...
The only issue I see is that if the current weather holds, these rides will need to be renamed "Cambridge Indian Summer".

I could certainly live with that.

[wilkyboy]

CAR PARKING — looking at the weather forecast this week, the field should be okay to use and we have plenty of room (we have never got close to filling it).  We also have the yard of the school next door.  If that changes then we do have contingency plans, but I don't expect to need them this time. 

Just follow the helpers' directions when you arrive at the hall 

Sat nav details are on both webpages.  Also, handily, both the pavilion (hall) and the church next door appear on Google Maps in Girton, so just aim for either and you'll spot us

[bhoot]

Having entered I now see that this event has the Greater Anglia curse so familiar from the ACME winter series.... No tandem friendly trains from Liverpool Street (only running as far as Stansted).  I wouldn't anticipate issues from Kings Cross in the morning at audax o'clock but the return could be a very different story... hmmm, maybe a slow solo ride.

[wilkyboy]

I did a solo "Helpers' ride" of the 200 today, and it was cracking - it includes some of the choicest cycling Suffolk has to offer -
 and even Cambridgeshire's not too bad, especially with some recent resurfacing & road repair around Newmarket

The only issue I see is that if the current weather holds, these rides will need to be renamed "Cambridge Indian Summer".

Nice one, Alex 

[dim]

I've entered the 100 .... this will be my 1st Audax.  Strong winds (46k/hr) forecast for Saturday so it will be tough from Great Bradley to Thaxted (30km stretch with the headwind) ... Thaxted to Balsham will be fast though

https://www.windy.com/52.203/0.125?2017-10-21-12,51.429,0.125,7,m:e6bagbn

[wilkyboy]

It is looking like a breezy day on Saturday — much more autumnal than last year's event 

On the 100 you'll have to tough it out a bit to Thaxted, although it's very laney and hedged-in, so you won't suffer too much, plus the wind isn't forecast to strengthen until later.  And then a tailwind to Balsham.

On the 200 there are some exposed sections on the lanes before/after Framlingham that will feel a bit tough, but once those are out of the way then it's very laney and hedged-in all the way back to Balsham.  And you might get a bit of a headwind on final stage as you climb past the prison, but it's not for long.

Everyone will feel it a bit from the side along the straight drop into Fulbourn, and on tired legs it will feel a bit OTT, but it's only a couple of miles and you're almost done by that point.

I'm keeping an eye on it, but at the moment the wind is not forecast to be that strong, a bit gusty in the afternoon, and there are no weather warnings in place.

[psyclist]

I'm keeping an eye on it, but at the moment the wind is not forecast to be that strong, a bit gusty in the afternoon, and there are no weather warnings in place.

I think you might have spoken a shade too soon, https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/warnings#?date=2017-10-21, for the easterly part of the route,

Between 04:00 Sat 21st and 23:59 Sat 21st

A spell of strong southwesterly winds is expected. Some coastal routes and communities are likely to be affected by large waves, with potential for flooding of properties. Some transport disruption is likely across the warning area, with delays to road, rail, air and ferry transport. Short term loss of power and other services is also possible.

[Wycombewheeler]

I'm keeping an eye on it, but at the moment the wind is not forecast to be that strong, a bit gusty in the afternoon, and there are no weather warnings in place.

I think you might have spoken a shade too soon, https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/warnings#?date=2017-10-21, for the easterly part of the route,

Between 04:00 Sat 21st and 23:59 Sat 21st

A spell of strong southwesterly winds is expected. Some coastal routes and communities are likely to be affected by large waves, with potential for flooding of properties. Some transport disruption is likely across the warning area, with delays to road, rail, air and ferry transport. Short term loss of power and other services is also possible.

If my ride is disrupted by big waves I will probably be lost. 

[Veloman]

I would be worried about the "short term loss of power and other services"!

Enjoy everyone!

[wilkyboy]

I think you might have spoken a shade too soon, https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/warnings#?date=2017-10-21, for the easterly part of the route,

I think I spoke correctly at the time, since I did caveat it with "at the moment".

That said, the forecast hasn't changed from earlier, the numbers are still within safe bounds for most riders, in my opinion — a base wind of 16mph strengthening to 26mph during the afternoon with gusts.  It's just the MetOffice has now tagged a weather warning onto it, most likely aimed at coastal areas.

I still think we had worse on LEL this year and, while very tiring, it wasn't specifically dangerous.  The route is exposed only at the far end, the 15km or so into and out of Framlingham, and then only in places, and it's lanes and quiet roads, so very little traffic and almost certainly no HGVs.  And a bit into Cambridge.

I'm always minded by the jokey forecast — "people in the south are advised to stay indoors and only travel if absolutely necessary; people in the north, you'll need your big coat".

I'm still keeping an eye on it.

[psyclist]

I didn't view it as an issue ... it'll just mean a little bit more effort in those exposed parts of the ride. We should expect a bit of 'weather' in the autumn.

[wilkyboy]

Not aimed at you — I have an inbox full of worries and I'm just getting the message out that when you scratch the surface then it doesn't appear too bad, although there will be a LOT of tired legs by the end.

[Phil W]

It will certainly blow the cobwebs away. Will need to hold onto my hat.

[drossall]

I would be worried about the "short term loss of power and other services"!

That happens to me on every event.

Sorry I'm missing this one: hosting a meeting.

[Phil W]

I have just heard that this weekend's storm has been named Brian.  In honour of Brian I am sure many of us will be travelling slowly round the route.  Gusts up to 40mph.

[wilkyboy]

I have just heard that this weekend's storm has been named Brian.  In honour of Brian I am sure many of us will be travelling slowly round the route.  Gusts up to 40mph.

Wasn't LEL block-headwinds of 40mph?  Mere side-gusts of 40mph seems like everyone's getting off lightly ...

[Alex B]

Wasn't LEL block-headwinds of 40mph?  Mere side-gusts of 40mph seems like everyone's getting off lightly ...

That was what was forecast earlier in the LEL week, but in the event it was rather less than that - more like 25mph (which was bad enough).

[wilkyboy]

Anyway, so much for your renaming to The Cambridge Indian Summer Rides, Alex 

[wilkyboy]

And they're forecasting a bit less wind even than yesterday.  It's going to be a mild but breezy autumn day! 

[Lee Killestein]

Enjoyed this one last year. Dithered too long this year and now I'm going to miss out on all of the character building weather! 

[HK]

We’re entered for this, that is me and my inbuilt Carradice tweeting assistant. A rather rando. Route via the Bike Butler helping a mate sees us at the start line. It will be a short full stop to the cycling lunicy of the past 9 weeks where a 550km week has been regarded as an ‘easy week’. The lunicy will recommence I’m sure, but a spot of socialising plus coffeeneuring 2017 is scheduled as a small Hoob limes patches; who’d of thought.

[Phil W]

Enjoyed that, nice quiet lanes , one stamp, a petrol station(outdoor seating on the BBQ bags)  and cafe stop, and an info. The forecast headwind never really amounted to much, nothing more than a light breeze from the SW.  Must do more 100km events, its easy to neglect them in favour of longer ones, but its a lovely route and no early start or late finish involved with plenty of time for the cafe.

[the straggler]

That was a refreshing 100km ride and really enjoyed it. The dreaded Storm Brian forecasted gusts stayed away and I also managed to dodge the odd shower, all topped off with a slice of Mrs Wilkinson exceeding good lemon drizzle CAKE. Phil W. was pushing his luck requesting custard with his slice.

[dim]

Enjoyed that, nice quiet lanes , one stamp, a petrol station(outdoor seating on the BBQ bags)  and cafe stop, and an info. The forecast headwind never really amounted to much, nothing more than a light breeze from the SW.  Must do more 100km events, its easy to neglect them in favour of longer ones, but its a lovely route and no early start or late finish involved with plenty of time for the cafe.

You must be very fit .... The 100km was my first Audax and I found the wind quite strong at times (I was nearly blown off my bike just before Great Bradley (I think that the wind was 39km/hr?) ...so I would not call it a light breeze ...

I rode solo for approx 90-100km and even when we passed Thaxtead with the tail wind,  my legs were tired even though the rest of the body wanted to go faster. My Garmin Edge 1000 played up, and I used my Garmin 500 as my navigation tool .... two wrong turns, a puncture (I am using tubeless for the 1st time and orange sealant came gushing out and it took a hard press of my fingers to seal the puncture.... most of the sealant escaped but the hole sealed .... tyre had not much air after that but with a bit of pumping, it was fine.

Then, when I arrived at Balsham, I could not find the information control and was riding up and down the road searching ..(I was looking for a manned control, but someone at the end told me that the question was pinned on the bin) ... I also used a rucksack which I found uncomfortable but I must get some Apidura bike bags

I still managed a 4th place so I'm happy but I stressed too much .... very nice route, very well planned and organised and a good day .... next year I will try the 200