Yet Another Cycling Forum
General Category => Audax => Topic started by: Bairn Again on 19 May, 2011, 05:49:03 pm
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Im starting to write up the routesheet for this event and have got as far as , erm, the start.
is the Kingdom Services place still in operation? I know it was in May 2009 when we did our group perm but before I go any further can anybody with local knowledge confirm?
It makes no odds to me (as I'll be heading over to Dunfermline QM by train) but Im assuming that this would be the preferred location for start/finish for those driving ie its preferable to "downtown" Crossgates.
Ive got a copy of Lorraine's perm routesheet but as I have to put in directions to the new Contrôle ravitaillement in Kirriemuir for the 2011 version, I'm going to create a new routesheet.
Some geezer wrote about this event in Arrivee a long long time ago.
http://www.aukweb.net/mag/H31ZA5IS__AlexPattison_Sat_Sep_13_12_45_07_2003.pdf
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We'll be driving down the M90 tomorrow so I'll take a look if I remember.
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As far as I know it's still going, if you mean that place on the south side of the A92 before the M90 junction.
You could always phone them: 01383 840 797
Sam
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there's something for everyone: scenic back lanes, fast, but quiet main roads, long steady climbs, scary fast descents, a great variety of scenery from seascapes to majestic highland peaks.
Amen to that. Looking forward to this ride, which I last did as a permanent in 2007. The 9pm start will be testing and might mean we might see the sunrise over the North Sea on the road to Stonehaven, which will be jolly.
<Edit: entry now posted and family notified that I will be "having a wee cycle ride" that weekend>
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I'm riding this. Up to see friends and I have managed to convince the wife that a little bike ride was allowed. She now realises what I plan to do and has had to have expensive wine to keep her happy.
After the ride I will be riding back to Reading in three days. Last ride of any significance before PBP.
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The final (I hope) routesheet is now available via the Auk calendar page and I plan to post hard copies soon to those wot have entered.
Two points to note –
The perm event has a control in Forfar. We will have a control in Kirriemuir, at no les a venue than chez Eck. Im sure that will provide welcome respite at 3am.
Also, in an act of selflessness that merits our appreciation, Noodley has volunteered to do a car control at the north end of Montrose until the petrol station opens its doors at 7am.
Hats off to both.
For those familiar with the permanent event, this means that the route for the upcoming calendar event differs from the perm version from just after Stanley until the aforementioned car control in Montrose. Yes, it means that we go through Brechin.
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The final (I hope) routesheet is now available via the Auk calendar page and I plan to post hard copies soon to those wot have entered.
Two points to note –
The perm event has a control in Forfar. We will have a control in Kirriemuir, at no les a venue than chez Eck. Im sure that will provide welcome respite at 3am.
Also, in an act of selflessness that merits our appreciation, Noodley has volunteered to do a car control at the north end of Montrose until the petrol station opens its doors at 7am.
Hats off to both.
For those familiar with the permanent event, this means that the route for the upcoming calendar event differs from the perm version from just after Stanley until the aforementioned car control in Montrose. Yes, it means that we go through Brechin.
Those Angus chaps are good folk :D I did notice when I was driving back from Aberdeen a couple of weeks ago that the Stracathro Services is 24 hours. To show how sad I am my initial though was how could I weave that into an audax route.
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Those Angus chaps are good folk :D I did notice when I was driving back from Aberdeen a couple of weeks ago that the Stracathro Services is 24 hours. To show how sad I am my initial though was how could I weave that into an audax route.
"YE MAY GANG FAUR AND FARE WAUR" ::-)
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Apologies for leaving this relatively late, however this event will not now take place.
Theres too much of a clash with other commitments for me to do it justice. Probably was always going to be a push to organise something smack in the middle of the summer holidays, and its taken until now for me to figure this out I'm afraid.
Ive e-mailed people who had entered to let them know. the permanent version of the event is always available. Lorraine Brown (who organises the perm) is aware of the circumstances and has been primed that she might get some entries for the perm.
Graeme
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That's a pity - the Kingdom Come is one of my favourite routes. If others are up for it then a wee group perm with the same start time would be fine with me.
Or even if no-one fancies doing the ride as a perm, who fancies just turning up at Eck's house at 2am and demanding bridies? :demon:
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I'm up for doing this as a perm.
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I am travelling up to Scotland and have the return tour booked. So I am keen to ride the perm if it starts at the same time.
Steve
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That's a pity. I was looking forward to this but I do have a perm card sitting in my drawer.
Mr YLG, you've done an admirable job this season with all your organising and deserve a wee break before you kill yourself on PBP.
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Mr YLG, you've done an admirable job this season with all your organising and deserve a wee break before you kill yourself on PBP.
I concur wholeheartedly :thumbsup:
I planned to enter the ride, but was waiting to make sure that I survived the Mull of Kintyre first. :-[
I'm up for doing the perm, same time or whatever suits the majority.
Z
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Pish. This was my late season 400, the one and only of the year, for my SR 2011. Holiday booked etc.
Anyone up for the permanent? Same weekend. Probably a 6am start from a town close to Dundee (last time I did the event, I started in Monifieth, which worked quite well. Parked up next to Tesco's, early morning bolt up the coast, then evening spent on the fast, simple navigation through Tayside - got to Stanley at sunset).
[PS: secretly relieved, as a 9pm start was filling me with the worry of the logistics of getting from Surrey to I'keithing in a way that left me fresh enough to do the event. Was going to have to be jolly uncivilised to my family, with the Thursday and Friday keeping unsociable hours in order to get my body clock ready).
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In the past I've done this perm with a Perth start, heading towards Crossgates as the first control. It means that the Deeside is the night section and navigation is very easy. We tended to start at 10am so that we were able catch a train back from Perth in the morning. With a 6am start you'd be getting back in the middle of the night.
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I'm still on for the 9pm start. Last ride before PBP so I might as well go with the same approach, riding into darkness and going through the night without a break. Need to get an entry off to Lorraine.
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I'm definitely going to do this with a 9pm start, as that fits with the travel arrangements that I've already made. I've sent off my entry today to Lorraine.
Ian
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I'm definitely still in with a preference for a start at 9pm in Inverkeithing.
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9pm start works for me to.
I will submit a 400 DIY GPS for this so I will need the town we pass through. Coming up from England I am hoping to rely on some local knowledge for the fine details of route planning :thumbsup:
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:hand: A wee warning to those of you thinking of doing this as a perm, especially if you're planning a night-time start.
There's a new and potentially dangerous traffic calming feature as you approach the Kinlcaven bridge over the Tay (http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRMu4_h-OjLObiYunySuQfkzi8lQ4IIp8R9TFD0Q_1BRkQq3fM0KA), shortly before the T junction at the A93 here (http://gb.mapometer.com/en/cycling/route_1354427.html)
The bridge itself is quite narrow and they have built a chicane on the left side of the road as you approach the bridge to slow traffic before it goes on to the bridge. The approach to the bridge is downhill and through a series of bends - it would be easy to hit the kerb in the dark. I nearly hit it today, in broad daylight. :facepalm:
Also, if you follow Lorriane's "proper" permanent route, this short stretch (http://gb.mapometer.com/en/cycling/route_1354455.html) of lane going in to Coupar Angus is really badly rutted and potholed - take care in the dark!
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I have the Saturday free so I'm up for a 9pm start on the Friday, too.
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Ok let's count the people who want to start 9pm at Crossgates -
Bianchi Boy
Pingu
Tinez
IanR
Valkyrie
Starting to look like a good group.
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I got my card and routesheet through yesterday but haven't had a chance to look at the controls.
Anyone know if the controls going to work for a 9pm start old school perm or should I actually be registering this as GPS DIY?
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Controls should be OK for any time of start. From recollection I think there is an info at Stanley, all the others are receipts in towns. During the night we'll need to get cash machine receipts in Auchterarder, Forfar & Montrose.
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Controls should be OK for any time of start. F
Magic. Cheers Neil
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Does anyone gave a GPX file for this. I will be riding but will be doing a GPS style DIY.
I am starting to look forward to this now.
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Controls should be OK for any time of start. From recollection I think there is an info at Stanley, all the others are receipts in towns. During the night we'll need to get cash machine receipts in Auchterarder, Forfar & Montrose.
You might get to Auchterarder in time for the kebab shop still to be open.
In Forfar, the Shell petrol station on Queenswell Road, here (http://gb.mapometer.com/en/cycling/route_1369682.html) is open 24hrs, but you may have to sit on the logs outside in the early hours. It has the usual petrol station selection of fine dining options.
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You might get to Auchterarder in time for the kebab shop still to be open.
Good point Eck. It'll be a team time trial up Glendevon then, to make sure we're in time for a large Doner each :thumbsup: Hope it goes down better than the last time you and me eat in the chippie/kebab shop in Montrose :sick:
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I have found a gpx on bikely.com http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Kingdom-Come (http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Kingdom-Come) is this the route that will be followed?
Posted by Eck.
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I appear to have lost my route sheet (if I was posted one). If someone has a copy they could mail me then I would be grateful.
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:hand: A wee warning to those of you thinking of doing this as a perm, especially if you're planning a night-time start.
There's a new and potentially dangerous traffic calming feature as you approach the Kinlcaven bridge over the Tay (http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRMu4_h-OjLObiYunySuQfkzi8lQ4IIp8R9TFD0Q_1BRkQq3fM0KA), shortly before the T junction at the A93 here (http://gb.mapometer.com/en/cycling/route_1354427.html)
The bridge itself is quite narrow and they have built a chicane on the left side of the road as you approach the bridge to slow traffic before it goes on to the bridge. The approach to the bridge is downhill and through a series of bends - it would be easy to hit the kerb in the dark. I nearly hit it today, in broad daylight. :facepalm:
UPDATE: The Moulin Moors audax went over here yesterday: what was an unmarked kerb now has bollards round it, and traffic lights are being installed.
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I have found a gpx on bikely.com http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Kingdom-Come (http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Kingdom-Come) is this the route that will be followed?
Posted by Eck.
BB, that's a bit rough and ready, and follows the official route over Knockhill: valkyrie has a better way. Also, the bit from the Slug road to Banchory isn't right.
I can do a "cleaner" route if you like?
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Put me down for this one. I might as well use the card I've got sitting in my drawer.
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I have found a gpx on bikely.com http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Kingdom-Come (http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Kingdom-Come) is this the route that will be followed?
Posted by Eck.
BB, that's a bit rough and ready, and follows the official route over Knockhill: valkyrie has a better way. Also, the bit from the Slug road to Banchory isn't right.
I can do a "cleaner" route if you like?
That would be great a better gpx.
Looking forward to this now.
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I have found a gpx on bikely.com http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Kingdom-Come (http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Kingdom-Come) is this the route that will be followed?
Posted by Eck.
BB, that's a bit rough and ready, and follows the official route over Knockhill: valkyrie has a better way. Also, the bit from the Slug road to Banchory isn't right.
I can do a "cleaner" route if you like?
That would be great a better gpx.
Looking forward to this now.
PM me your email address and I'll send you a gpx track of the route.
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I have found a gpx on bikely.com http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Kingdom-Come (http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Kingdom-Come) is this the route that will be followed?
Posted by Eck.
BB, that's a bit rough and ready, and follows the official route over Knockhill: valkyrie has a better way. Also, the bit from the Slug road to Banchory isn't right.
I can do a "cleaner" route if you like?
That would be great a better gpx.
Looking forward to this now.
PM me your email address and I'll send you a gpx track of the route.
can you email it to me too please Kev.
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Chaps,
Got this in an email earlier today from Lorraine, Kingdom Come organiser:
maybe you could pass on this info and clear up a few things.
The 24Hour garage at the services near Crossgates is still operating 24 hours.
Better to park on the road opposite the garage and not at the rear.
I have had 6 entries in the last week and am now down to 8 Brevets cards.
I understand a few riders are aiming for a 9pm start on 29th. The bit with the hardest navigation - in the dark...?? however it's their choice.
With start at Crossgates the Controls are - Auchterarder - Stanley(info) - Montrose - Stonehaven - Ballater or Braemar - then finish at Crossgates.
There is no need for a stamp at Forfar and the route doesn't go to Brechin.
I think you've got most things covered, but maybe it helps clear up any doubts. :thumbsup:
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I understand a few riders are aiming for a 9pm start on 29th. The bit with the hardest navigation - in the dark...?? however it's their choice.
It'll be OK, what could possibly go wrong? :thumbsup:
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I understand a few riders are aiming for a 9pm start on 29th. The bit with the hardest navigation - in the dark...?? however it's their choice.
It'll be OK, what could possibly go wrong? :thumbsup:
In the world of GPS navigation it really isn't much of a concern. The number of night rides where I've been on completely new roads and I just blindly follow the bleeps and arrows.
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I understand a few riders are aiming for a 9pm start on 29th. The bit with the hardest navigation - in the dark...?? however it's their choice.
It'll be OK, what could possibly go wrong? :thumbsup:
In the world of GPS navigation it really isn't much of a concern. The number of night rides where I've been on completely new roads and I just blindly follow the bleeps and arrows.
...and I'll just blindly follow Kev!
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I understand a few riders are aiming for a 9pm start on 29th. The bit with the hardest navigation - in the dark...?? however it's their choice.
It'll be OK, what could possibly go wrong? :thumbsup:
In the world of GPS navigation it really isn't much of a concern. The number of night rides where I've been on completely new roads and I just blindly follow the bleeps and arrows.
...and I'll just blindly follow Kev!
Until I miss a directed turn and take you 1 mile donw the wrong road due to chatting :P
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Until I miss a directed turn and take you 1 mile donw the wrong road due to chatting :P
Looking at the starters list it's gonna be dangerously similar to the EPE gruppeto of misery. So there'll be no chatting until about 6 hours in and that'll only be because a jazz mag has been found in a hedgerow.
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I'll spike your bottles with pro plus and get you all chatting. As an aside, I know a great public loo in Kincardine O'Neil.
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Don't forget the stranger from England 8)
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Don't forget the stranger from England 8)
As long as you don't mind sharing disabled toilets with a gaggle of sweaty audaxers you'll be fine.
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Don't forget the stranger from England 8)
As long as you don't mind sharing disabled toilets with a gaggle of sweaty audaxers you'll be fine.
I am wise in the ways of of the off piste cyclist
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Back from hols today and hope to do this on the 29th assuming I am still up for cycling after the 24 with George. Will send for a card tomorrow.
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That's the navigation sorted then :thumbsup:
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Might join you for this one. I am off that week and plan to do Round Scotland 1300. May do them both if the weather permits , Ha , ha .
I would start in Blair at 6pm then join you for a while , as I would then go for a sleep stop at home at 1 am. That spilts it in to 100 and 150 miles for me , Why make it difficult , saves toliet stops and Grumpy Audaxers in Braemar--no names.
I had a go at this a couple of weeks ago same time on a sat night and you wouldn,t want to be any later entring the "Bad lands" of fife . The garage at Halbeath is open 24/7 as the guy said and there is link cash on the outside any how. I used Kevs flatter route in Fife and up the A9 form Aberuthven to Perth at 11.30 ish was quite quiet. But I know you are not all as crazy as me???.
The attempt failed as it was lassshing down when I woke at Dawn.
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Back from my summer hols....
I thought that I'd put my name down for this, but see that my name's not on the list. Looking at the list, I'm sure that I'll be at the coo's tail, but that's OK.
I may be that "grumpy audaxer in Braemar", I've been grumpy in a great many towns in Scotland during my audax "career".
Z
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I may be that "grumpy audaxer in Braemar", I've been grumpy in a great many towns in Scotland during my audax "career".
Z
It's audaxers, plural, so I think it's me too :D
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Roll call. Who is riding?
Bianchi Boy
Pingu
Tinez
IanR
Valkyrie
Captain Zep
Any others?
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Me
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Sorry missed at least one off
Bianchi Boy
Pingu
Tinez
IanR
Valkyrie
Captain Zep
MercuryKev
By the looks of this I will have more company than any Audax I have done this year! :thumbsup:
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Me too!
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Sorry to let you down but I am going to drop out of this. I've been overdoing things a bit recently and I need to save my knees for PBP.
I hope you all have a really enjoyable ride, and I look forward to reading about it afterwards.
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At the starters gate
Bianchi Boy
Pingu
Tinez
Valkyrie
Captain Zep
MercuryKev
Bodach
Any other takers?
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Any body got an E mail Address for the Organiser they could PM me for this event???
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Sent you a PM xtim
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I presume it goes vaguely near Dundee. If you let me know an approximate time and route I might be tempted to venture out with the camera.
..d
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Nice of you to offer Dave but I think we'll be going through Coupar Angus about 1am and hit Forfar about 2am on Saturday morning. :-\
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Nice of you to offer Dave but I think we'll be going through Coupar Angus about 1am and hit Forfar about 2am on Saturday morning. :-\
As you will be passing about 30 metres from my front door in Coupar Angus I am willing to make a rare opening of the Cafe Chez Maverick between 1am and 2am to provide coffee and snacks if the riders would appreciate it.
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Maverick and I did this 400 on Saturday evening and Sunday form Coupar Angus start. It was hard with a steady north wind which slowed us to Braemar. It was cold in the dark hours so we had a wee stop for a few hours and regrouped for the second loop. It was very plesant on Sunday mid day and I did a bit of visitihg in the afternoon on the way back.
Now done this with 8am and 4pm start for home , think I will try a 3am start next time. Good luck next weekend .
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As you will be passing about 30 metres from my front door in Coupar Angus I am willing to make a rare opening of the Cafe Chez Maverick between 1am and 2am to provide coffee and snacks if the riders would appreciate it.
A very generous offer - I'm sure that at that time of night I'd love to get off the bike for a quick cup of coffee! :thumbsup:
As this is my last night ride before PBP it'd help my training if you could create a PBP style ambience. Nothing over the top, maybe just a few accordian players and a small beer tent would suffice. Then a one hour queue for the coffee ;)
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As you will be passing about 30 metres from my front door in Coupar Angus I am willing to make a rare opening of the Cafe Chez Maverick between 1am and 2am to provide coffee and snacks if the riders would appreciate it.
A very generous offer - I'm sure that at that time of night I'd love to get off the bike for a quick cup of coffee! :thumbsup:
As this is my last night ride before PBP it'd help my training if you could create a PBP style ambience. Nothing over the top, maybe just a few accordian players and a small beer tent would suffice. Then a one hour queue for the coffee ;)
Maverick a most welcome offer, if you can PM your address I can programme my gps accordingly. Thanks
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I know where he lives :demon: ;)
Thanks for the offer Maverick :thumbsup: An audax Écosse is not complete without a secret control.
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A very generous offer - I'm sure that at that time of night I'd love to get off the bike for a quick cup of coffee! :thumbsup:
As this is my last night ride before PBP it'd help my training if you could create a PBP style ambience.
You're welcome, not sure about the beer tent and accordion players but with a little effort I can provide a smelly toilet and and a hosepipe shower in the garden ;D
Pingu knows the way (see above). But route instructions are, from 98.7 - R/bout 2nd exit (SP Forfar)
99.1km Turn Left (Larghan View) after 20metres Turn Right (Denhead Brae) - house at the top of the road with all the lights on.
Sorry MercuryKev but GPS won't help, the road isn't on any maps yet.
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Sorry MercuryKev but GPS won't help, the road isn't on any maps yet.
Open Street Map is your friend. (wait a wee while for the edits to upload)
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I might try for a night shot at Kinclaven Bridge. Probably around 12.30 or thereabouts...
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I'm afraid I am pulling out of this one. Liz is under a lot of stress in the last few weeks of her present post and needs me at home. If the weather is good I will go out with the Clarion on the Saturday run. Good luck all and hope the weather is brilliant.
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Just finishing at work and will be travelling up tomorrow.
Could we please just confirm that start. It is the Kingdom services just off the A92 near junction 3 of the M90?
Don't want to miss the start and have on my own all night.
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That's the one. Don't forget your suncream.
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Remember to take Junction 3 - Dunfermline, not Junction 2A - Kirkcaldy which is a couple of hundred yards in front of it. If you take 2A you get a nice view of the back of the services as you drive past them.
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Right. Been in France on holiday for the last 2 and a half weeks (*), drinking leffe and eating steak frites.
Massively out of shape.
Bike not been touched since the Mull of Kintyre 600.
Will make a definite decision on the perm tomorrow, ;)
(*) This was the main reason for cancelling the calendar event, sorry if earlier posts appeared vague but I'm paranoid about making public in advance the fact that my house is empty.
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Go on, go on, go on, go on, - you know you want to! :thumbsup:
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Go on, go on, go on, go on, - you know you want to! :thumbsup:
Go On YLG. Surely the possibility of a late night kebab in Auchterarder is enough to swing it for you?
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Will @_pingu be tweeting along the route?
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Go on, go on, go on, go on, - you know you want to! :thumbsup:
Go On YLG. Surely the possibility of a late night kebab in Auchterarder is enough to swing it for you?
We can all wear our Audax Ecosse tops and look like an out of shape, bloated with kebabs, cycling team. What's there not to like, plus it actually looks like it's going to be nice weather and there is only 1 hill in the whole ride (Glen Shee, the rest are only lumps).
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Will @_pingu be tweeting along the route?
If I don't lose my phone ::-)
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Go on, go on, go on, go on, - you know you want to! :thumbsup:
Go On YLG. Surely the possibility of a late night kebab in Auchterarder is enough to swing it for you?
We can all wear our Audax Ecosse tops and look like an out of shape, bloated with kebabs, cycling team. What's there not to like, plus it actually looks like it's going to be nice weather and there is only 1 hill in the whole ride (Glen Shee, the rest are only lumps).
<mrs_doyle>
Goan, goan, goan, goan....
</mrs_doyle>
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I might definitely try to catch up with you on the Friday night and Saturday as you pass through the Perth area then.. Now to do some work avoidance by looking at the route and a bit of planning for piccies.
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I might definitely try to catch up with you on the Friday night and Saturday as you pass through the Perth area then.. Now to do some work avoidance by looking at the route and a bit of planning for piccies.
Cool, I look forward to some atmospheric shots of us looming towards you out of the night :)
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[If I don't lose my phone ::-)
Do we all need to stop at Gleneagles and look for your phone in the dark?????
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[If I don't lose my phone ::-)
Do we all need to stop at Gleneagles and look for your phone in the dark?????
No, just you ;)
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Work stuff means that theres no way I can think about getting to the start at 9pm tomorrow.
Bugger. :(
Will aim for a 200 DIY on Saturday instead.
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Bit of an SOS.
Dave Wells from Tomatin sent an entry which arrived while Im holiday. Hes not on t'internet and wasnt aware that the calendar event was cancelled.
I offered him a perm card (Ive a few spare) and said that a few of you are planning on riding the perm tomorrow starting at 9pm.
Is there any chance that one of you could collect his card and routesheet from my house tomorrow? I'll leave it out for collection. I might be able to ride over myself tomorrow night but it would be easier if somebody could take it over who is already heading to Crossgates.
Let me know.
Cheers
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I might definitely try to catch up with you on the Friday night and Saturday as you pass through the Perth area then.. Now to do some work avoidance by looking at the route and a bit of planning for piccies.
Cool, I look forward to some atmospheric shots of us looming towards you out of the night :)
OK, I'll see if I can negotiate a suitabl pas to be able to leapfrog you guys for the first few hours (scenic shots of Kebabs in Auchterarder) and then try to catch up in the morning.
Will PM a phone number to Pingu..
Someone should then pen a few words for Arrivee..
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There are controls at Auchterarder & Stanley. If I tweet from them it should give you an idea of how we're getting on.
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There are controls at Auchterarder & Stanley. If I tweet from them it should give you an idea of how we're getting on.
Do penquins tweet ?
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Just back from a pleasant early evening pootle with Mr Noodley.
The Kirrie - Forfar met office reports a pleasant evening in the Angus area, warm, with about 70% cloud cover, but a stiff easterly breeze which it is hoped (for your sake) will have moderated by nightfall.
Have a good ride, chaps. :thumbsup:
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Well that was a great ride - almost as good as the Mull of Kintyre 600. I've not slept for 36 hours so more details may follow later.
Great group of people to ride with - as well as those listed on here Dave Wells and NeilMcD were late additions so eight of us started together. We stayed together all night and only really split up after breakfast in Ballater.
Great route/start time. I've ridden this route a few times before but the 9pm start changed it completely and in a good way. Auchterarder to Stanley would be tricky without GPS, but that little back-lit route sheet makes it a doddle. But we were all fresh and the roads were empty so we rode two abreast and enjoyed the chat. Specially good to see Ant & Dec re-united on a night ride for the first time in ages. Would have been a long night if it hadn't been for Maverick's extra "control". The cake and coffee there was very welcome and it broke up what would have been a very long time on the bikes from Auchterarder to Montrose. The big benefit of the night time start was that no-one got the dozies, we all got through the whole ride without any real problems at all. And Deeside was very pretty with the sun behind us for a change.
Great weather - not too cold at night and very little wind. Sunny today with a bit of a head-wind from Glenshee home, but nothing too taxing.
Great food - chinese or kebab shop in Auchterarder, Maverick's excellent Coffee & Cake, pies and "rowies" from the back door of the bakers in Stonehaven, full breakfast in Ballater, strawberries and raspberries from a roadside stall in Blairgowrie and a really excellent ice-cream stop in Perth.
Thanks to Y Lee G, Maverick and everyone who rode the event. :thumbsup:
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I've got to thank Maverick for laying on a secret control stocked with quality food and coffee - at 1am! Above and beyond the call of duty and it helped to make the night ride far more bearable.
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(http://i703.photobucket.com/albums/ww37/martinbe/control.jpg)
Secret Control 1:30am
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Great stuff, chaps. Sounds like a most enjoyable outing.
But did you not miss the frisson of swooping through Cowdenbeath, dodging the drunks at chuckin' oot time? ;D
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Well that was a stonking good ride. I really enjoyed the ride the route the company the food and the weather. The route is not too taxing and this enabled the group to stay together for most of the ride. Of all the audaxes I have ever done this had the most group spirit I have seen. I am used to turning up at controls and spending as little time as possible and then getting on with the ride. This group knew there was no time pressure and spent quite a long time at controls enjoying the food and the chat.
After this I think I will try to come up for another Scottish ride.
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Well done chaps.
Alythough I was at the start, twas only to deliver Dave Wells card with both journeys 90% by train.
I managed a DIY 200 yesterday at the end of which I was glad I hadnt signed up for the 400!
The KC is a great ride for sure.
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Well that was a stonking good ride. I really enjoyed the ride the route the company the food and the weather. The route is not too taxing and this enabled the group to stay together for most of the ride. Of all the audaxes I have ever done this had the most group spirit I have seen. I am used to turning up at controls and spending as little time as possible and then getting on with the ride. This group knew there was no time pressure and spent quite a long time at controls enjoying the food and the chat.
After this I think I will try to come up for another Scottish ride.
I'm glad you enjoyed the experience and the reality of spending 20 hours with a Audax Ecosse rabble didn't put you off coming back in the future. Hope you have a good ride back home.
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After this I think I will try to come up for another Scottish ride.
I had the same feeling for the same reasons after I did last year's Potter for Tea from Kerriemuir.It's the reason I made the effort to start the Mull It Over( since I DNF'd it's unfinished business) ride this year.
I too will be back to Scotland some time in the future.
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Final admin tidy up from the calendar event cancellation.....
As a few riders paid for this event and others all together, Ive made payment by paypal to those who I believe are due the entry fee back. For those who paid for this event alone, cheques have been shredded.
If theres anybody who believes that [once we get to around the middle of next week] they are due their entry fee back and havent received it, please contact me.
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Great day out. Big thanks to Maverick for the secret control :D
(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6142/5994660397_687e8de839_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/the_pingus/5994660397/)
Tinez & Valkyrie breakfasting at Ballater
(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6138/5995220784_9a919b9359_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/the_pingus/5995220784/)
L to R: Bianchi Boy, Tinez, MercuryKev, Pingu, NeilMc, CaptainZep
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Dear Bianchi Boy,
On behalf of the rest of YACF Ecosse, please accept our apologies that you had to be in the same photograph as that bunch of hooks, crooks and comic singers.
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(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6138/5995220784_9a919b9359_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/the_pingus/5995220784/)
Bianchi Boy judges the team event at the annual Ballater Knobbly Knees competition.
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Ive been contacted by the organiser of the permanet ride to ask if I can chivvy up those riders who did this event and haven't submitted their cards to her yet.
In the words of Delia Smith "where are you.....lets be having you!!".
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That will include me then. I'll have to get some stamps.
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I included the ride back to where I was staying in Edinburgh and have submitted it as a DIY GPS.