Beast from the East 23/05/15

[rabbit]

I think it was touted as 6000m and I got about 6400 (ie 600m short of AAA) but that was with the Alpine section after Chesham. It's not a hilly ride as such just quite rolling. A flat 600 in the UK is hard to find TBH; I devised an "easy" DIY a few years ago, using the outward section of the defunct Epsom - Lincoln- Epsom 600 perm, returning via the fens; it was worth over 4000m on the day

Just wondering if there is a 100 km stretch or so that might qualify?

quite possibly; unfortunately I've deleted my track from 2011 but if you send one after the ride I can have a look and forward to the AAA Man; it's the Salisbury Plain section each way that dilutes the climbing, but there's lots of lumps in Somerset & Dorset; the hill up to Shaftesbury (same place as the Hovis ad was filmed but not the same road) should be worth 1AAA on its own 

Thanks Martin.  I didn't realise events could be assessed post-ride for AAAs 

[Assasin]

Rabbit,
When the ride was created the AAA rules were different based on m/km of climb.
There weren't enough really testing bits in it to count.
Now I think its one point for every 1000m of climb.
If that's the case then its worth 6   

[Martin]

Rabbit,
When the ride was created the AAA rules were different based on m/km of climb.
There weren't enough really testing bits in it to count.
Now I think its one point for every 1000m of climb.
If that's the case then its worth 6   

not quite, it needs 7000m

http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/audaxaltitudeaward/aaaevents.html

[rabbit]

Rabbit,
When the ride was created the AAA rules were different based on m/km of climb.
There weren't enough really testing bits in it to count.
Now I think its one point for every 1000m of climb.
If that's the case then its worth 6   

Ah hopefully it may qualify for a little then, even if it's just one km stretch or something in the Dorset area.

I know the routesheet isn't due until May. Will there be a GPS available at this time or do we have to draw one up ourselves?  I am happy to try and put one together from the routesheet and submit to Steve Snook for assessment prior to the ride if that is any help? 

[iddu]

Rabbit,
When the ride was created the AAA rules were different based on m/km of climb.
There weren't enough really testing bits in it to count.
Now I think its one point for every 1000m of climb.
If that's the case then its worth 6   

not quite, it needs 7000m

http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/audaxaltitudeaward/aaaevents.html

Pretty certain that's fixable - must be some side grumps he can slide in 

[LiamFitz]

It's a bit deceptive really...

The first section around to Goring manages to include a couple of cracks at the Chiltern escarpment plus lots of rolling bits across from St Albans.  There's a long section across Salisbury Plain (not fund with a headwind and motorists in a hurry) and then back along the Southern edge after the turn - and then it's back into the uppy downy stuff post Winnersh.  I did it in 2007 when the heavens opened on the Sunday and TBH the final sections from near Beaconsfield, past Amersham, Chesham etc were just hellish and never ending.  AAA points aside I actually felt it was one of the tougher 600's...

But in 2011 Mark got the weather right - sunshine and a tail wind on the Sunday leading to lots of YACF posts along the lines of "I don't know what the fuss was all about..." PAH!!!

[rabbit]

Well, it's official, the vastly overpriced Premier Inn is finally booked and my cheque has been cashed.

It'll be good to ride somewhere completely different 

[Redlight]

But in 2011 Mark got the weather right - sunshine and a tail wind on the Sunday leading to lots of YACF posts along the lines of "I don't know what the fuss was all about..." PAH!!!

I rode this in 2003 when it had the benign name of The Waltham Wander.  I finished with 2 minutes to spare, having run multiple red lights in the run in to Waltham Cross.

My abiding memory is of the slog from Yeovil to Salisbury - up, down, up, down, up, down along the A30.

Never again.

[rabbit]

I am not sure you lot are really selling this ride to me 

Can we at least pretend it's going to be all rolling swoopy lanes with a permanent tail wind and not a sign of a motorist?

[Ray 6701]

Accommodation sorted: thanks Iddu  & train tickets booked.

Bring on the Beast 

[Krad]

Sorry forgot to check is there a bed en route. checking the Audax website it does say there is? Will be my first 600km event 

[swiss hat]

Sorry forgot to check is there a bed en route. checking the Audax website it does say there is? Will be my first 600km event

Yes the last two editions have used a scout hall in Yeovil @ 355km. Good food and comfy foam matresses were available 

The previous control was Taunton Dean services @ 309km where you could take a power nap if required.

[Assasin]

Sleep stop is still in the scout hut at Yeovil.
Big thick Judo mats and a hot air blower to keep out the chill.
Bedroom service and wake up call available by request.
Together with all night breakfast.
36 entries so far.
Not bad for February   

[Brakeless]

Does anyone have a GPX of the route or a link to the route please?

[Assasin]

Route is being revised in the closing stages as some of the lanes have been declassified.
The good news is that it is 3km shorter and has lost quite a few of the nastier hills around Chesham.
Route in full won't be available.
The black hole fairy that lives in the lanes near Taunton Deane eats gpx tracks for supper.

I don't have one as I don't use them.
Any past tracks would be out of date after Maidenhead 

[Assasin]

Should say - Won't be available until I have rewritten it and ridden it to see if it works.

[citoyen]

I didn't have a GPS in 2011, and in 2007 I didn't make it as far as Maidenhead anyway...

Haven't entered yet but I'm keen to give this one another go, if only to up my batting average. Part of me says I should do the BCM instead but this one starts closer to home. Either would be a good warm-up for WCW the following week.

[Krad]

Ive enter this event. Just waiting on the confirmation.

[rabbit]

I really hoped that there will be a GPX file for this one as it runs in parts of the country I really don't know.  Will the route sheet will be available a few weeks before the event so I'll have time to produce a GPX? *crosses fingers

[Pip]

...the black hole fairy that lives in the lanes near Taunton Deane eats gpx tracks for supper....

Rumour has it that some riders from the 2003 edition are still trying to find their way out of those lanes

[Jes]

Pip...
and other members of the 2007 Desperadoes group..
You joining in the fun again?
Helpers' ride?
Hoping not to get lost around Taunton ...again
Or to be kicked out into pouring rain at Yeovil.
Epic ride...complete with trees coming down at Newgate Street.
Fluffy towells and hot custard at the end was heaven though - once I'd emerged from hyperthermia enough to appreciate it.

Can't be half as much fun n the dry

[rabbit]

I've started slowly working my way through the provisional routesheet and drawing up GPX files.  First two stages are done.  Looks like a lovely route! 

[Ray 6701]

I've started slowly working my way through the provisional routesheet and drawing up GPX files.  First two stages are done.  Looks like a lovely route! 

What are you plotting it out on Rabbit?

[rabbit]

I've started slowly working my way through the provisional routesheet and drawing up GPX files.  First two stages are done.  Looks like a lovely route! 

What are you plotting it out on Rabbit?

Bikehike

Happy to distribute the files to all that want them when done. Riders will be responsible for checking them over though!

[Ray 6701]

Blimey!!!  This is only just over 2 months away 

Better get some proper rides in