Author Topic: ACME Grand 1000km 28 June 2018 (Read 60631 times)

Ajax Bay · « **Reply #200 on:** 15 May, 2018, 11:29:35 pm »

Now if the ride finished in Great Dunmow (say), those hoping to take a train into the city (and out again multi-miles for some that Sunday evening) could ride across to the Stanstead line. And those who'd parked in Witham could, well, just ride to Witham (as is the current plan). Ride would be closer to 1000km. Nice town, Great Dunmow.

wilkyboy · « **Reply #201 on:** 16 May, 2018, 10:37:35 pm »

Quote from: bhoot on 15 May, 2018, 09:23:35 pm

I think it is because the timetables , particularly around engineering works, are not available yet - see http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/service_disruptions/184755.aspx There is some major issue which is reducing the planning to only 6 weeks instead of 12 and paying havoc with advanced ticket sales amongst other issues (like audax ride planning!)

Half the operators seem to have ripped up their old timetable and implemented a completely new one. On Cambridge trains they're warning that "every single scheduled service will change" and then no detailed info on what the changes will be. I think we'll be better off from Cambridge with more direct-to-London services ... not that that helps with getting to Witham

Tomsk · « **Reply #202 on:** 17 May, 2018, 08:25:50 am »

Quote from: Ajax Bay on 15 May, 2018, 11:29:35 pm

Nice town, Great Dunmow.

But a Dunmow start would be under-distance according to Mrs Google, unfortunately.

rob · « **Reply #203 on:** 17 May, 2018, 08:28:31 am »

Timetable now up. Buses between Ingatestone and Newbury Park. Driving it is then.

Ajax Bay · « **Reply #204 on:** 17 May, 2018, 09:56:28 am »

Witham start but Great Dunmow finish? Long enough?
Plenty of trains to get to Witham on Thursday morning.
Tom - thoroughly appreciate all the organising: riders getting back home after 1056km is small beer - we will need to be self-reliant on the ride and that doesn't come to a crunching stop after 1056km.

Phil W · « **Reply #205 on:** 17 May, 2018, 07:00:48 pm »

Good luck to Tomsk doing the route check at the moment.

jiberjaber · « **Reply #206 on:** 17 May, 2018, 07:01:38 pm »

Quote from: Phil W on 17 May, 2018, 07:00:48 pm

Good luck to Tomsk doing the route check at the moment.

Yep, he's just reached Towcester at the moment

Tomsk · « **Reply #207 on:** 20 May, 2018, 08:46:55 am »

Back safe and sound, great weather, plenty of time in hand...

Now cooking breakfast, probably ought to sleep soon, then gather my thoughts properly

jiberjaber · « **Reply #208 on:** 20 May, 2018, 09:14:55 am »

Good to hear!

Phil W · « **Reply #209 on:** 20 May, 2018, 07:06:24 pm »

Cracking stuff that will give confidence to those who have entered.

alotronic · « **Reply #210 on:** 23 May, 2018, 06:15:56 pm »

Quote from: Tomsk on 20 May, 2018, 08:46:55 am

Back safe and sound, great weather, plenty of time in hand...

Now cooking breakfast, probably ought to sleep soon, then gather my thoughts properly

Well done Tom, mental fortitude award! And when you say plenty of time in hand....

Tomsk · « **Reply #211 on:** 24 May, 2018, 08:00:51 pm »

Quote from: alotronic on 23 May, 2018, 06:15:56 pm

Quote from: Tomsk on 20 May, 2018, 08:46:55 am
Back safe and sound, great weather, plenty of time in hand...

Now cooking breakfast, probably ought to sleep soon, then gather my thoughts properly

Well done Tom, mental fortitude award! And when you say plenty of time in hand....

...hours...

And I deliberately 'toured' the last day - it finally got hot enough to wear my sandals without socks, have ice creams, drink beer in the sun etc. I'm working on a full ride report and massive updating and expanding of rider info. Due out at the weekend or early next week.

I'll post here and email out to all riders.

Tomsk · « **Reply #212 on:** 29 May, 2018, 07:48:49 am »

Tons of stuff collated: route sheet [updated], gpx link[thanks jiberjaber], control information, route notes AND my DIY ride report all emailed out to riders last night. If anyone somehow got missed off, please let me know.

And the full write-up is over in 'Rides and Touring: Ride Reports'...

psyclist · « **Reply #213 on:** 29 May, 2018, 11:09:13 pm »

Quote from: Tomsk on 29 May, 2018, 07:48:49 am

If anyone somehow got missed off, please let me know.

I didn't receive anything, so could you forward to me please?

wilkyboy · « **Reply #214 on:** 09 June, 2018, 04:53:28 pm »

I've updated my RideWithGPS route with all the changes from Tom's final routesheet.

I've sliced'n'diced the route into a number of different lengths in both TCX and GPX, and then reduced to various numbers of points (250, 500 and 10,000) as required for different GPS devices. You can download your preferred version from here, if you need to:

http://www.camaudax.uk/tom/acme-grand-2018/

For such a long ride, if you decide to use one of these sets, please load them onto your device and check them carefully a couple of days before the event — it's quite common for devices to show only the first half of a route if there's something not quite 100% compatible in the GPX/TCX with that device, and on such a long event then that could leave you stranded!

You can browse the general route here — https://ridewithgps.com/events/57035-acme-grand-1000-tom-deakins-audax-event. If there are any more updates to the route itself from the expected route-check in a week or two then I'll update the routes on the above page shortly after.

I'll be navigating by routesheet, naturally

psyclist · « **Reply #215 on:** 09 June, 2018, 05:33:17 pm »

Quote from: wilkyboy on 09 June, 2018, 04:53:28 pm

I've updated my RideWithGPS route with all the changes from Tom's final routesheet.

That is most helpful, thank you very much

wilkyboy · « **Reply #216 on:** 10 June, 2018, 11:52:40 am »

You're welcome

Individual stage-by-stage route are now up as well, in 250-point, 500-point and 10,000-point (that's a maximum, each) in both TCX and GPX.

mmmmartin · « **Reply #217 on:** 10 June, 2018, 02:45:32 pm »

Quote from: tedshred on 18 January, 2018, 01:53:57 pm

Our plan, such as it is, is mostly based around winging it with bivvy bags, overnight food supplies

That is more or less my plan, too. Am about to sit down with maps and think about hotels.

Then I'll move on to the trickiest question of all: which valve caps? Black? (Selected to match socks, obvs) Yellow? Different for back/front wheels?

alotronic · « **Reply #218 on:** 10 June, 2018, 07:16:11 pm »

Quote from: wilkyboy on 10 June, 2018, 11:52:40 am

You're welcome

Individual stage-by-stage route are now up as well, in 250-point, 500-point and 10,000-point (that's a maximum, each) in both TCX and GPX.

Super Nick, thanks. I have taken the one hotel option between Port Tablot and Barry, seems about right. Now, gearing....

jiberjaber · « **Reply #219 on:** 10 June, 2018, 10:26:57 pm »

Quote from: wilkyboy on 09 June, 2018, 04:53:28 pm

I've updated my RideWithGPS route with all the changes from Tom's final routesheet.

I've sliced'n'diced the route into a number of different lengths in both TCX and GPX, and then reduced to various numbers of points (250, 500 and 10,000) as required for different GPS devices. You can download your preferred version from here, if you need to:

http://www.camaudax.uk/tom/acme-grand-2018/

For such a long ride, if you decide to use one of these sets, please load them onto your device and check them carefully a couple of days before the event — it's quite common for devices to show only the first half of a route if there's something not quite 100% compatible in the GPX/TCX with that device, and on such a long event then that could leave you stranded!

You can browse the general route here — https://ridewithgps.com/events/57035-acme-grand-1000-tom-deakins-audax-event. If there are any more updates to the route itself from the expected route-check in a week or two then I'll update the routes on the above page shortly after.

I'll be navigating by routesheet, naturally

Super useful as always Nick!

I'm not sure there is another route check planned before the event now (Tomsk is away leading some chaps around on a bike tour) so I think the route is what it is now.

There is a link on the AUK entry page to my RWGPS route which was built on Nicks, updated to the revised route section through Cardiff and has a few other points of interest marked on it from the route sheet (some caution bits, 24hr garages etc) Not all the items from Tomsk's write up are on there but hopefully it complements the good work Nick has done to make the route files accessible.

Unfortunately I am DNS but I am hoping to see you all at the start and perhaps somewhere on route

alotronic · « **Reply #220 on:** 11 June, 2018, 07:16:03 am »

So you're making us choose between route-artistes.... that's cruel. Sophies' choice.

LittleWheelsandBig · « **Reply #221 on:** 11 June, 2018, 07:53:36 am »

It looks like the Wee MacTaggart and I won't be riding the 1000 unfortunately. Have fun out there.

grams · « **Reply #222 on:** 11 June, 2018, 02:08:27 pm »

I've just noticed the 9:03 control closing time in Barry on Saturday morning. That means an earlier start from Port Talbot than I was hoping for. Boo.

Snotty Gilbert · « **Reply #223 on:** 12 June, 2018, 07:29:40 pm »

Quote from: grahamparks on 11 June, 2018, 02:08:27 pm

I've just noticed the 9:03 control closing time in Barry on Saturday morning. That means an earlier start from Port Talbot than I was hoping for. Boo.

Having done Stacey & Gavin (the reverse of Gavin & Stacey) last year it took me nearly 26 hours with no sleep stops and fresh legs before THOSE climbs, so the 0900 out of Barry is right on the limit for me. I'm also planning to stop in Port Talbot and leave at first light (about 0300) with 3 hours to get to Barry (planned).

psyclist · « **Reply #224 on:** 12 June, 2018, 08:29:23 pm »

Quote from: Grey Sheep on 12 June, 2018, 07:29:40 pm

I'm also planning to stop in Port Talbot and leave at first light (about 0300) with 3 hours to get to Barry (planned).

Another one here stopping there. My estimated time to get to Port Talbot ranges from 8pm to 11:30pm, depending upon my mood and level of optimism. That'll determine my start time on the Saturday, but 3 or 4am sounds about right.