Post by: Tomsk on 14 February, 2018, 08:29:08 pm
A reversed 'Flatlands', with the chance to meet-and-greet Northern riders on 'Yorkshire via Essex' 600km starting from Sleaford:
The 600 is the classic Flatlands route reversed starting from Sleaford. Runs the same time as Tomsk’s 600 so a great chance to meet riders coming north as Lincolnshire riders head south. Then head north to Goole via Red Lodge, Whittlesey, Boston, a new section from Langrick Bridge to control in Lincoln having travelled almost the full length of the Water Railway cycle path. Then rejoin the standard route at Kirton Lindsey. Back from Goole to Sleaford via Gainsborough. Special thanks to Tomsk for allowing this shameless rip-off of his event. Does now give those us “up north” the chance to ride it without having to start from Essex.
Many thanks to cyclinggeezer for helping make this happen :thumbsup: We felt we needed something different to make the interminable passage of the Cabbage Patch bearable...
However, I will bear no responsibility for recurring LEL/h+adw!nd nightmares ;)
Post by: DCLane on 14 February, 2018, 10:45:55 pm
Post by: Tomsk on 15 February, 2018, 06:38:15 pm
Post by: tippers_kiwi on 15 February, 2018, 07:20:53 pm
Post by: rob on 15 February, 2018, 07:23:36 pm
Post by: cyclinggeezer on 06 April, 2018, 06:21:02 pm
Then its around the Titanic Works, a former factory the size of the Titanic, along Great Northern Terrace, Lincoln’s East West link to the University, where you can control at McDs or if open the Sainsburys Local on Carholme Rd.
Then its up Yardborough hill, Burton Rd and then via Scampton village to go along the cliff edge road to Kirton Lindsey to rejoin the old route north to Goole.
On the way south Yorkshire via Essex riders will come back to Sleaford via Burton Rd, the University and then via a cycle path along the Witham to the bottom end of the High St.
Then up Cross O’Cliff Hill, and turn off to Bloxhom Lane to Scopwick, down to Digby, then via backroad route to enter Sleaford via cycle path by McDs. This change is due to the day time B1188 not being the nicest of roads to be on. Very slightly longer but the backroad route is flatter.
Plenty of opportunity to meet and greet riders going the other way.
Sleaford has a Travelodge, a 24/7 McDs and Spoons. For the Lincolnshire folk it only a quick dash to Essex. Once you get back to Crowland you are on home turf!
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Post by: JonJo on 07 April, 2018, 08:58:09 am
Post by: Tomsk on 07 April, 2018, 07:47:22 pm
To be right this should start from Goole. Just saying ;) Nowt to do with my owd lass living there at all.
You could do my permanent 'Flatliner 600km' version, starting anywhere, reversed etc...
Post by: Deano4 on 05 June, 2018, 08:42:38 pm
Post by: citoyen on 10 June, 2018, 12:11:24 pm
This looks like a good candidate for my first 600 on fixed. :thumbsup:
I've already pre-qualified for PBP but this and the Fairies 300 will round off my SR for this year nicely.
Post by: rob on 10 June, 2018, 01:46:47 pm
Post by: alotronic on 11 June, 2018, 07:17:29 am
I'm in (starting from the Essex end). I've not done the Flatlands before so any route discussion about cabbage patches and the like is lost on me. Something to look forward to, I'm sure.
This looks like a good candidate for my first 600 on fixed. :thumbsup:
Correct.
Post by: citoyen on 11 June, 2018, 10:23:08 am
Post by: wilkyboy on 11 June, 2018, 12:21:25 pm
Considering sleep options... A recce on Google Street View suggests plenty of potential bivvy spots on the leg between Kirton and Lincoln. And, as noted on the route sheet, a good number of 5* Audax Hotels! Just a question of whether I can get to any of them before they become fully occupied...
Most people aim for Canwick Permier Inn at the top of the climb out of Lincoln, or the audax hotels a few miles thereafter. Tomsk has conveniently kept that short leg of the reverse route the same as the standard Flatlands route, presumably so we can take advantage of the resources available. With a tail wind, it's possible to get to Goole by about 8.30pm — as we did in 2013 — and it's the shorter leg to the turn this year, so likely some will. Another four hours' riding to sleep-o'clock nicely aligns with a Canwick/Branston sleepover, as per previous years — thank you Tom :thumbsup:
When I say "we" above, I'm still undecided, but I feel I might ride it this year, as my card-stamping duties at Red Lodge are not required (since it's now the last control and riders will be spread out). I've ridden the standard route three times — twice on 16-inch wheels and once on gears, and I think it would be "nice" to ride the reverse, and to ride it fixed :facepalm: :thumbsup:
Post by: citoyen on 11 June, 2018, 12:31:07 pm
Post by: wilkyboy on 11 June, 2018, 12:51:55 pm
Canwick is already fully booked, and Lincoln city centre is asking £97, so sod that.
Ay, that's the usual situation.
I have a favourite gateway that I'd use ... except we don't go back that way this year.
Bivvy bag under a hedge it's likely to be ...
Post by: rob on 11 June, 2018, 12:58:07 pm
There is a Travelodge at the other end of the Lincoln bypass but it's a bit of a detour.
Post by: cyclinggeezer on 11 June, 2018, 01:04:52 pm
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Post by: Redlight on 11 June, 2018, 01:05:50 pm
Post by: tippers_kiwi on 11 June, 2018, 01:15:21 pm
Hopefully the weather will be OK and a quick kip in a field in the sun will be possible on the Sunday. I am looking forward to doing the reversed route and hoping the new steed is ready by then, otherwise it will be fixed....or plastic, too early to decide that detail :thumbsup:
Post by: wilkyboy on 11 June, 2018, 04:58:07 pm
Not that there's any hurry, but you can now download the routes from the page listed on AUKWEB here —
http://www.camaudax.uk/tom/fenland-friends-2018/ (http://www.camaudax.uk/tom/fenland-friends-2018/)
If there are any changes to the route nearer the time — and we're still three months away! — then I'll update the downloadable routes on that page.
I'm still not "in", but if I decide to pit my sanity against the Fenland Cabbage Patch again then I'll be navigating by routesheet, naturally* ::-)
* although these days I know most of the route by heart anyway.
Post by: LMT on 11 June, 2018, 10:04:36 pm
Post by: mmmmartin on 15 June, 2018, 05:21:45 pm
Post by: RobD62 on 07 July, 2018, 09:42:30 pm
Post by: grapefruits on 19 July, 2018, 11:46:39 am
Question: best way of getting to the start without a car? Bikes not allowed on Stansted Express, so Elsenham?
Post by: psyclist on 19 July, 2018, 12:11:14 pm
Question: best way of getting to the start without a car? Bikes not allowed on Stansted Express, so Elsenham?
Occasionally you'll be stopped from boarding a Stansted Express at Liverpool Street with a bike, but generally ok. If you join at any other station, I've not known any issues.
Alternatively, the Cambridge and Kings Lynn trains stop in Bishop's Stortford, and take on average 5 mins longer from London.
Post by: grams on 19 July, 2018, 01:23:56 pm
(* well, there's a very early train from Cambridge)
Post by: Wycombewheeler on 19 July, 2018, 01:27:29 pm
Canwick is already fully booked, and Lincoln city centre is asking £97, so sod that.Try the hotel comparison sites various facilities in Lincoln at less than £60 checkbin on the wsybup. Drop stuff off doesn't matter what time you get back then.
Post by: Bairn Again on 19 July, 2018, 04:23:53 pm
The Braintree option does allow a quiet ride along the Flitch Way cycle path - its probably at the outer fringes of what Id cycle on with my road bike ie a bit stoney in parts and I bet it gets muddy quiteeasily but I quite enjoyed it.
The last time I did the Flatlands I went back to London via Stansted M'fitchet
Post by: psyclist on 19 July, 2018, 04:38:44 pm
Post by: Tomsk on 20 July, 2018, 06:55:13 am
I'll be doing a checkpoint at the 'Boar's head' in Dunmow High Street for 'Yorkshire Via Essex' after seeing off the FF riders. Arrivee Sunday from 09:00 at the Angel and Harp.
Post by: Phil W on 20 July, 2018, 08:39:31 pm
Post by: rob on 21 July, 2018, 06:58:17 pm
Will there be a controller there or are you OK with a receipt from down the road ?
Post by: Tomsk on 21 July, 2018, 09:12:16 pm
Post by: cyclinggeezer on 21 July, 2018, 09:16:01 pm
Quite possibly a controller at the 'Welly' - I'm expecting this will be where riders on the two 600s meet for the first time.
Yes Chatteris is the 90km mark on Yorkshire via Essex
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Post by: nammynake on 30 July, 2018, 10:06:48 pm
Looking forward to it - now to check the route and start planning!
Post by: psyclist on 31 July, 2018, 05:20:51 am
Post by: jiberjaber on 31 July, 2018, 07:02:54 am
(https://images2.imgbox.com/c8/07/Pe8KJYWW_o.jpg) (http://imgbox.com/Pe8KJYWW)
Post by: Tomsk on 31 July, 2018, 07:35:19 am
Post by: Bairn Again on 31 July, 2018, 11:43:52 am
I'm now well past the stage in my audax career where sleeping in bus stops or not sleeping at all is an option!
Post by: rob on 31 July, 2018, 03:25:35 pm
Post by: tippers_kiwi on 31 July, 2018, 03:54:19 pm
Post by: cyclinggeezer on 11 August, 2018, 08:58:10 am
Now up to 35 entries for Yorkshire via Essex and weeks to go before I close. Should be a huge flash mob outside Sleaford station on 8th September.
Do you think we better warn the Green Welly when both event's riders meet for breakfast?
Post by: Bikeabilityman on 11 August, 2018, 09:59:15 pm
Post by: Tomsk on 12 August, 2018, 06:17:06 am
I see the PBP madness has started
Now up to 35 entries for Yorkshire via Essex and weeks to go before I close. Should be a huge flash mob outside Sleaford station on 8th September.
Do you think we better warn the Green Welly when both event's riders meet for breakfast?
I'm at just over 120 on the start sheet! We'll have a word at the Welly when we check the route in a couple of weeks. At least we have a controller there now. :thumbsup:
Post by: cyclinggeezer on 12 August, 2018, 09:18:06 am
I see the PBP madness has started
Now up to 35 entries for Yorkshire via Essex and weeks to go before I close. Should be a huge flash mob outside Sleaford station on 8th September.
Do you think we better warn the Green Welly when both event's riders meet for breakfast?
Thought I would add an organiser note too from a Y via E perspective
The catering options are now much improved in Lincolnshire and beyond. Lots of Lincolnshire Coop food stores in smaller places now. They stay open 7 days a week from 7 -10 pm and you will see national Coop food stores in places such as Wyberton and Billingborough en route.
Look out for the Coops at Crowland, Gosberton, Bardney. Kirton Lindsey has one.There is a Sainsburys Local in Lincoln on Carholme Rd, a few yards off route if McDs is not your thing. Opens 7-10pm
McDs is easy to spot at the roundabout by the uni in Lincoln.
Sleaford’s McD is approached via the cycle path over the A17 which en route for the Y via E riders. Spoons in town obviously for the Fenland Friends riders.
There is also now a 24/7 garage on John Adams Way in Boston with Costa options and coal/charcoal bags to sit on in the forecourt so if concerned over Saturday night Boston’s McDs security divert there. I would add they now employ huge security guards at McDs there and the police have breaks inside to add to the ambiance. I have never had a problem incidentally.
Goole M62 services also has a great Subway and good new toilets. Suspect the Subway will be closed when the Fenland Friends arrive so it will be a garage shop for them
Also found the late opening store at Red Lodge a good place to control at. Have used the pub before when the cafe was closed.
Whittlesey has quite a decent Coop for supplies. So possible to get your card stamped at the Green Welly and go into town if its very busy.
I will also flag up the “road works” on the cycle path called the Water Railway which brings everyone into Lincoln. The path is open and diverts on a decent surface due to the eastern bypass road works.
It is a very flat, fast and easy run from Holland Fen, beside the Witham and then into Lincoln, especially as the wind is likely to be behind you. Lots of things to look at from Bardney with all the SUSTRANS sculptures.
Sleep options - look at the new Spalding Travelodge.
If the weather holds it will be a good ride
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Post by: dod on 12 August, 2018, 10:41:55 am
If the Green Welly is jammed with breakfasting audaxers, Chatteris can now offer a Costa/Subway combination at the petrol station next to the nearby roundabout, as well as the Aldi (which might have a pallet of grobags to sit on while eating snacks).
On the High St there's also a bakery, two NISA shops, The Old Bakery cafe near the Barclays bank, and a shop on the way out of town towards Somersham if you've missed all of those.
I'm looking forward to stamping the hundreds of cards at the Green Welly, should be a busy morning :)
Post by: Carlosfandango on 12 August, 2018, 03:08:03 pm
I’ve been looking at sleep options on Fenland Friends. Lincoln looked about the right distance but the prices were too high in the Premier Inn. So I’ve opted for Scunthorpe which is half the price. Never been to Scunthorpe, but it surely can’t be half as good as Lincoln!
I forecast that this ride will be a wonderful voyage of surprise and discovery for you. ;D
Post by: basset on 14 August, 2018, 09:29:16 am
Post by: hippy on 16 August, 2018, 05:35:26 pm
Will be looking to ride pretty easy and take a good sleep in the middle so I'm not too wrecked for more racing the week after.
Post by: yanto on 16 August, 2018, 06:16:02 pm
Ian
Post by: nammynake on 20 August, 2018, 10:11:43 pm
Post by: cyclinggeezer on 21 August, 2018, 03:46:00 pm
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Post by: teethgrinder on 21 August, 2018, 04:30:02 pm
Post by: Tomsk on 21 August, 2018, 08:35:41 pm
Where do those of you doing Yorkshire via Essex plan to sleep (if at all)? I aim to do around 400 on Saturday before grabbing a few hours sleep in a cheap hotel. Don't have bivvy kit and don't fancy sleeping in a hedge/bus stop. Lincoln is around the 400km mark - any suggestions?
The villages along the Ridge, north of Lincoln, have a collection of the finest 5 Star Bus Shelters on the planet. There should be blue plaques on them for the number of randonneurs who have ticked the Bus Shelter experience off their Must-Do List...just bring an extra layer and a woolly hat and you'll be comfy. A wooden bench is like eiderdown after 400km :thumbsup:.
Post by: nammynake on 21 August, 2018, 10:40:48 pm
Post by: hippy on 22 August, 2018, 09:56:50 am
Post by: RobD62 on 22 August, 2018, 04:20:05 pm
Where do those of you doing Yorkshire via Essex plan to sleep (if at all)? I aim to do around 400 on Saturday before grabbing a few hours sleep in a cheap hotel. Don't have bivvy kit and don't fancy sleeping in a hedge/bus stop. Lincoln is around the 400km mark - any suggestions?
The villages along the Ridge, north of Lincoln, have a collection of the finest 5 Star Bus Shelters on the planet. There should be blue plaques on them for the number of randonneurs who have ticked the Bus Shelter experience off their Must-Do List...just bring an extra layer and a woolly hat and you'll be comfy. A wooden bench is like eiderdown after 400km :thumbsup:.
Thanks Tomsk.
I am just heading into my 4th 400 since May but 600 is unknown for me so although I have booked the Travelodge fro Friday and Sunday nights I was unsure and wanted to be flexible for Saturday.....this suggestion might just fit the bill.
Post by: wilkyboy on 22 August, 2018, 04:55:35 pm
I'm tempted to ride the route check — in order to check the GPX/TCX files (https://www.camaudax.uk/tom/fenland-friends-2018/). The long weekend provides a day to recover without clients noticing.
However, the 100+ expected starters from Essex, plus not stamping cards at Red Lodge this year (thank you Dod for taking on Chatteris ;) ), and crossing over with the Sleaford starters, mean I'm also tempted to ride with the crowd and enjoy some company.
Either way, it'll be a hedge-stop in a bivvy bag.
Post by: cyclinggeezer on 23 August, 2018, 09:41:11 pm
When entering either Yorkshire via Essex or Tom's Fenland Friends make sure you understand where the starts are. Hint- they are in different places
Post by: markcjagar on 23 August, 2018, 10:43:18 pm
Post by: Phil W on 24 August, 2018, 04:38:18 pm
Post by: Tomsk on 24 August, 2018, 07:33:26 pm
Post by: Tomsk on 27 August, 2018, 12:37:27 pm
Lots of corrections and additions needed for the route sheet and information, so expect a mailing later this week.
Food Score: 2 Wetherspoons, 2 McD's, 2 cafes, 2 garages and a Costa. 200km of NW headwind, still, clear, but cold overnight, 200km of strengthening SW headwind, rain increasing through Cambridgeshire southwards. Tough ride, but quick-ish, mainly due to Kate's relentless pace-setting, I think. I'll do a ride report to send out too, if I've time.
Post by: yanto on 27 August, 2018, 05:01:17 pm
I'm looking forward to this ride :thumbsup:
Post by: Bikeabilityman on 27 August, 2018, 06:48:06 pm
So, a good Helper's Ride and route check with Kate-the-Plumber. Met cycling geezer en-route checking Y via E. No mechanicals or other incidents, other than the odd ignorant motorist.No sleep stop?
Lots of corrections and additions needed for the route sheet and information, so expect a mailing later this week.
Food Score: 2 Wetherspoons, 2 McD's, 2 cafes, 2 garages and a Costa. 200km of NW headwind, still, clear, but cold overnight, 200km of strengthening SW headwind, rain increasing through Cambridgeshire southwards. Tough ride, but quick-ish, mainly due to Kate's relentless pace-setting, I think. I'll do a ride report to send out too, if I've time.
Post by: Stretch on 28 August, 2018, 08:26:11 am
Post by: SteveB on 28 August, 2018, 02:12:41 pm
O:-) However, it does mean that somebody(ies) else can have my room at the Stansted Great Dunmow Travelodge on the night of Friday 7th. I paid £35 for it in April, in a fit of over-optimism, but not fussed about being paid anything for it. First come first served - send me a message.
Steve
The room has now gone - someone replied within seconds.
Post by: Redlight on 28 August, 2018, 06:07:52 pm
Post by: Tomsk on 28 August, 2018, 09:06:18 pm
No sleep stop?
The favourite bus shelter on the ridge as usual for a nap :thumbsup: I had my down jacket with me, but Kate was travelling commendably light, so we couldn't stop for long. One day there will be a blue plaque on it, but I can't reveal which/where, as it's been booked by ACME for the duration... ;D
Post by: Nik's Nick on 29 August, 2018, 08:40:10 am
Being unprepared heightens nerves - James Galway.
Post by: mmmmartin on 29 August, 2018, 09:11:46 am
Post by: teethgrinder on 29 August, 2018, 01:48:26 pm
Yet another Helpers' Ride where it'll be a case of: "we get wet, so you don't have to!" I've arranged some cracking weather for my events using this formula!
Those bus shelters have passed their glory days of the mid 1990's when they had hanging baskets but are still good for a sleep.
Post by: citoyen on 29 August, 2018, 03:40:16 pm
I can't reveal which/where, as it's been booked by ACME for the duration... ;D
If it's the one I think it is (discussed/pictured in previous Flatlands threads), I have it marked as a waypoint on my Garmin, but it's going to be full by the time I get there, isn't it?
Post by: hippy on 29 August, 2018, 03:42:26 pm
Post by: citoyen on 29 August, 2018, 03:44:46 pm
Full = warmer :)
I like the ACME lot, but not that much.
Post by: Tomsk on 29 August, 2018, 06:34:44 pm
Post by: citoyen on 30 August, 2018, 02:58:54 pm
Will then get the train home on Sunday. What's the best/nearest station to Dunmow for trains back to London? Looks like Stansted Airport, but that's about twice the price of going from Stansted Mountfitchet, which is a bit further away - about the same distance as Bishop's Stortford. Which would be the nicer ride - Dunmow to Mountfitchet or Dunmow to BS? Any other options worth considering?
ETA: Stansted Airport website says folding bikes only on the Stansted Express. Arses. And Cross Country trains are booking only, apparently. Looked at trains from Braintree, but it seems there are planned engineering works on the Sunday so it's a replacement bus service as far as Chelmsford. Seems the best option might be to ride back from Dunmow to Chelmsford and get the train from there. Or maybe, depending on how I feel, ride all the way back to that London...
Post by: Bernster on 30 August, 2018, 03:55:02 pm
Post by: citoyen on 30 August, 2018, 04:02:25 pm
Bishops Stortford is easy in that you pretty much just follow the B1256 via Takeley - maybe not the most exciting/scenic road, but after 600k, I'd just be looking to get home. It's never been super busy when I've used it, as the through traffic takes the A120. Others might be on shortly with a preference for a more laney route with less traffic to Mountfitchet.
Ta. I don't care about scenic, I just don't want to have to slog along a busy main road (especially not at the end of a 600), so the B1256 sounds ideal.
Post by: hippy on 30 August, 2018, 04:17:09 pm
Looks like ~15k from Gt Dunmow to Bisho Storto and train from there to Liverpool St then west for me.
£16.20 for a ticket and they seem to run every 15min.
Post by: Redlight on 30 August, 2018, 04:58:16 pm
You can take trains on the Express out of peak hours if they aren't looking/not being bolshy. I've certainly done that on the way to some of Tomsk's rides. It may be harder coming back though.
I'm currently planning to ride up on Friday night but my planning hasn't got any further than that and may well turn into a train to the airport.
Post by: tippers_kiwi on 01 September, 2018, 09:30:23 am
Reminders from previous editions.....
- It gets VERY cold over night when you are coming out of summer temps
- Sleaford McD's like to crank up the Aircon and Music to try and stop you snoozing (apparently it is a family restaurant even at 3-5am)
- Lots of the fen roads look the same, don't lose your marbles in the mists morning haze
Looking forward to seeing a big field out on this one.
Post by: bhoot on 01 September, 2018, 09:51:04 am
It's an easy ride to Bishops Stortford and I think more trains stop there than Mountfitchet on a Sunday. The road is pretty quiet as all of the through traffic now uses the A120. There's a hideous roundabout crossing the M11 but traffic lights help.Definitely more trains to/from Bishops Stortford - it's a pretty good service as long as there are no engineering works.
You can take trains on the Express out of peak hours if they aren't looking/not being bolshy. I've certainly done that on the way to some of Tomsk's rides. It may be harder coming back though.
Regarding the Stansted express trains - yes in theory no bikes ay any time (other than folded).... but in practice, we have never had a problem southbound getting on at BS after events. Northbound we have encountered more problems, but have still managed it early in the morning, however expect to be refused at busier times.
Cycling to/from BS station there is a neat little cut through that someone showed us and saves a bit of time/distance https://goo.gl/maps/j7x6291DfYA2 - you can squeeze your bike through the barriers at the eastern end of Warwick Road.
Post by: wilkyboy on 01 September, 2018, 06:35:05 pm
You can download the GPS routes and stuff from here — clickety (https://www.tomsk.co.uk/fenland-friends-2018/).
Post by: cyclinggeezer on 01 September, 2018, 06:55:10 pm
Worth noting for next year the new city centre Lincoln Travelodge will be open on the east west link, very close to the High Street. This is en route for Y via E riders before they control at McDs. Book early
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Post by: Bairn Again on 01 September, 2018, 08:33:36 pm
Following on from Tom's email about the diversion after Whittlesey, I've update the GPS files to follow the diversion (as of 18:30 on 1 September). It adds on about 1800m and looks like a nice alternative :thumbsup:thanks Nick
You can download the GPS routes and stuff from here — clickety (https://www.tomsk.co.uk/fenland-friends-2018/).
Post by: Lee Killestein on 01 September, 2018, 08:56:24 pm
That will be the same diversion route for Yorkshire via Essex riders. assuming of course the road closure is not one you can get through.
Worth noting for next year the new city centre Lincoln Travelodge will be open on the east west link, very close to the High Street. This is en route for Y via E riders before they control at McDs. Book early
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I rode through it this morning on a DIY. It was about 2am though. I don’t think I’d have got away with it in daylight hours though!
Post by: Tomsk on 02 September, 2018, 08:57:06 am
Following on from Tom's email about the diversion after Whittlesey, I've update the GPS files to follow the diversion (as of 18:30 on 1 September). It adds on about 1800m and looks like a nice alternative :thumbsup:
You can download the GPS routes and stuff from here — clickety (https://www.tomsk.co.uk/fenland-friends-2018/).
Thanks wilkyboy, the diversion will be a pleasant change from the long, straight, endlessly long-wavelength-rippling Ramsey Road. I wonder if they're going to sort out the subsidence and not just the surfacing? I can tell you that driving along it at any speed is a weird experience!
Post by: yanto on 02 September, 2018, 04:46:21 pm
Following on from Tom's email about the diversion after Whittlesey, I've update the GPS files to follow the diversion (as of 18:30 on 1 September). It adds on about 1800m and looks like a nice alternative :thumbsup:
You can download the GPS routes and stuff from here — clickety (https://www.tomsk.co.uk/fenland-friends-2018/).
Thanks wilkyboy, the diversion will be a pleasant change from the long, straight, endlessly long-wavelength-rippling Ramsey Road. I wonder if they're going to sort out the subsidence and not just the surfacing? I can tell you that driving along it at any speed is a weird experience!
A bit like cycling along the river route into Lincoln, I felt queasy after riding that!
Post by: yanto on 02 September, 2018, 04:50:39 pm
Post by: Tomsk on 02 September, 2018, 06:50:38 pm
One of the velomobile riders starting from Essex mentioned that somewhere (he couldn't remember where) was having a street festival and we'll have to walk through it, does anybody know where and what time of day that is?
You mean other than the Whittlesey one I mentioned in the email? Any ideas?
Also I've been notified by a keen eyed rider of a couple of minor glitches on the route sheet:
Section 6c] Line 10, the sign obscured [Ferry Lane] is actually the LANGRICK turn two lines before. The Boston $ L is ok [Punchbowl Lane].
Section 7a] Line 3, R @ RBT $ SPALDING is the A16 not A15.
Post by: yanto on 02 September, 2018, 07:02:38 pm
Ian
Post by: cyclinggeezer on 02 September, 2018, 07:17:09 pm
On the return leg in the evening to control at Whittlesey the chances are it will be very very quiet.
However Fenland Council web site says the festival takes place on Sunday 9th starting at 10am when hopefully you will be well on the way to Boston, Lincoln, Goole, Gainsborough or Sleaford
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Post by: yanto on 02 September, 2018, 08:15:45 pm
Post by: Bernster on 03 September, 2018, 10:31:47 am
That will be the same diversion route for Yorkshire via Essex riders. assuming of course the road closure is not one you can get through.
Worth noting for next year the new city centre Lincoln Travelodge will be open on the east west link, very close to the High Street. This is en route for Y via E riders before they control at McDs. Book early
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I rode through it this morning on a DIY. It was about 2am though. I don’t think I’d have got away with it in daylight hours though!
I rode through the Ramsey Road blockage at about 5.30am on Saturday on a DIY, although the surface wasn't great and it was quite well blocked off by barriers. Had I known about the closure, I'd definitely have planned a diversion.
In other news, they've finally done something with the road surface through Swinefleet - not before time as it was one of the roughest bits of road I've ever ridden!
Post by: Tomsk on 03 September, 2018, 06:41:41 pm
In other news, they've finally done something with the road surface through Swinefleet - not before time as it was one of the roughest bits of road I've ever ridden!
That's a quality stretch of tarmac now. :thumbsup:
Post by: jakemcree on 03 September, 2018, 08:21:17 pm
Post by: psyclist on 03 September, 2018, 09:28:00 pm
From what I could looks like a headwind going out and tailwind on the return in?
Still early. It'll change, but currently looking like mostly a WSW.
Post by: Tomsk on 04 September, 2018, 07:23:46 am
From what I could looks like a headwind going out and tailwind on the return in?
Still early. It'll change, but currently looking like mostly a WSW.
There will be wind. In the Fens it has teeth. Sorry, but you have to be prepared.
Post by: Bikeabilityman on 04 September, 2018, 08:26:31 am
What doesn’t kill ya makes ya stronger!From what I could looks like a headwind going out and tailwind on the return in?
Still early. It'll change, but currently looking like mostly a WSW.
There will be wind. In the Fens it has teeth. Sorry, but you have to be prepared.
Post by: hippy on 04 September, 2018, 10:04:45 am
Post by: huggy on 04 September, 2018, 11:57:30 am
Men's slim fit short sleeve jersey, £45: S, M, L, XL, XXL, XXXL
Ladies' club fit short sleeve jersey, £42: S, M, L
Gilet, £50: M, L, XL, XXL, XXXL
Due to stock transfer capability between myself and Tomsk being limited to panniers only one or two of each size will be available to take away on the day(s) unless a specific request is submitted before Wednesday evening. Payment preference is by PayPal. Postage can also be arranged.
Post by: citoyen on 04 September, 2018, 01:57:24 pm
It's an easy ride to Bishops Stortford and I think more trains stop there than Mountfitchet on a Sunday. The road is pretty quiet as all of the through traffic now uses the A120. There's a hideous roundabout crossing the M11 but traffic lights help.Definitely more trains to/from Bishops Stortford - it's a pretty good service as long as there are no engineering works.
You can take trains on the Express out of peak hours if they aren't looking/not being bolshy. I've certainly done that on the way to some of Tomsk's rides. It may be harder coming back though.
Regarding the Stansted express trains - yes in theory no bikes ay any time (other than folded).... but in practice, we have never had a problem southbound getting on at BS after events. Northbound we have encountered more problems, but have still managed it early in the morning, however expect to be refused at busier times.
Cycling to/from BS station there is a neat little cut through that someone showed us and saves a bit of time/distance https://goo.gl/maps/j7x6291DfYA2 - you can squeeze your bike through the barriers at the eastern end of Warwick Road.
Thanks, both, useful info. I did note the horrible looking roundabout at the M11 junction but there doesn't seem to be any easy way round it.
Dunmow-Bishops Stortford
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28517919
Anyway, I think I've settled on getting the train back from Chelmsford - not least because I can switch to the Kent-bound train at Stratford rather than having to go all the way into London. They also seem to have fewer restrictions* on which services you can take your bike on. It's a little further to ride but what's another 6km at the end of a 600?
Getting to Chelmsford from Dunmow seems to be B1008 all the way, unless anyone has any better suggestions - could put in a dogleg onto probably-quieter roads through Great Waltham but there doesn't seem much point...
Dunmow-Chelmsford
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28517940
*ETA: have checked with Greater Anglia, the official story is there are NO restrictions on bikes from Chelmsford to London on Sunday. :thumbsup:
Post by: Phil W on 04 September, 2018, 02:18:54 pm
Post by: citoyen on 04 September, 2018, 04:40:32 pm
From what I could looks like a headwind going out and tailwind on the return in?
Still early. It'll change, but currently looking like mostly a WSW.
There will be wind. In the Fens it has teeth. Sorry, but you have to be prepared.
Forecast is also saying light rain from Saturday late afternoon through to early Sunday morning. Can't remember the last time I rode in rain. That'll be a novelty!
Temperatures are promising to stay in double figures throughout though. Which is nice.
Post by: wilkyboy on 04 September, 2018, 04:43:42 pm
Can't remember the last time I rode in rain. That'll be a novelty!
I can: BH Sunday (26th Aug) — 40mph headwind, heavy rain, Garmin died ... not very novel, hoping for dry :facepalm:
Post by: Tomsk on 04 September, 2018, 06:02:00 pm
Can't remember the last time I rode in rain. That'll be a novelty!
I can: BH Sunday (26th Aug) — 40mph headwind, heavy rain, Garmin died ... not very novel, hoping for dry :facepalm:
Character building it was ::-)...glad it was at the end of the 600 and not earlier, though.
Post by: citoyen on 04 September, 2018, 06:25:01 pm
Yet another Helpers' Ride where it'll be a case of: "we get wet, so you don't have to!" I've arranged some cracking weather for my events using this formula!
Thanks for taking the hit for us, chaps! ;D
Post by: wilkyboy on 04 September, 2018, 07:07:59 pm
I'm hoping this holds true:Yet another Helpers' Ride where it'll be a case of: "we get wet, so you don't have to!" I've arranged some cracking weather for my events using this formula!
Thanks for taking the hit for us, chaps! ;D
Second that :thumbsup:
Post by: psyclist on 04 September, 2018, 07:41:25 pm
Anyway, I think I've settled on getting the train back from Chelmsford - not least because I can switch to the Kent-bound train at Stratford rather than having to go all the way into London.
You can get trains to Stratford from Bishop's Stortford as well. They don't all end up in Liverpool Street.
Post by: citoyen on 04 September, 2018, 08:09:04 pm
You can get trains to Stratford from Bishop's Stortford as well. They don't all end up in Liverpool Street.
Can't find any direct ones on Sunday evening - they all seem to involve multiple changes. Although it is very possible that the National Rail site isn't showing me all the options...
Post by: psyclist on 04 September, 2018, 09:10:19 pm
You can get trains to Stratford from Bishop's Stortford as well. They don't all end up in Liverpool Street.
Can't find any direct ones on Sunday evening - they all seem to involve multiple changes. Although it is very possible that the National Rail site isn't showing me all the options...
No, you’re right. Possibly some engineering work between Tottenham Hale and Stratford. I’ve never travelled that route on a Sunday, but have used it a number of times on weekday evenings.
Post by: rob on 04 September, 2018, 10:02:15 pm
You can get trains to Stratford from Bishop's Stortford as well. They don't all end up in Liverpool Street.
Can't find any direct ones on Sunday evening - they all seem to involve multiple changes. Although it is very possible that the National Rail site isn't showing me all the options...
Depends when you finish but if you’re there when I am I can drop you at Bromley South.
Post by: citoyen on 04 September, 2018, 10:08:27 pm
Depends when you finish but if you’re there when I am I can drop you at Bromley South.
Very kind of you - though I imagine you'll be several hours ahead of me. Could be an incentive to ride that bit faster though!
Post by: Nelson Longflap on 04 September, 2018, 10:22:33 pm
Dunmow-Bishops Stortford
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28517919
Anyway, I think I've settled on getting the train back from Chelmsford - not least because I can switch to the Kent-bound train at Stratford rather than having to go all the way into London. They also seem to have fewer restrictions* on which services you can take your bike on. It's a little further to ride but what's another 6km at the end of a 600?
Getting to Chelmsford from Dunmow seems to be B1008 all the way, unless anyone has any better suggestions - could put in a dogleg onto probably-quieter roads through Great Waltham but there doesn't seem much point...
Dunmow-Chelmsford
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28517940
*ETA: have checked with Greater Anglia, the official story is there are NO restrictions on bikes from Chelmsford to London on Sunday. :thumbsup:
Thanks for researching those routes Citoyen. :thumbsup: I agree there's no significant difference in the mileage to either station.
I had a look at train times given on the Greater Anglia website:
Bishops Stortford to Liverpool Street, Sunday evenings: 21h00, 21h09, 21h39, 22h00, 22h09, 22h39, 23h00, 23h09, 23h39, 00h08, 00h39, all reasonably fast trains.
Chelmsford to Liverpool Street, Sunday evenings: 20h30, 20h58, 21h15, 21h30, 21h58, 22h30, 22h58, 23h25
Riders expecting maximum value from the audax may prefer the BS route as there are later trains to London from there.
Post by: rob on 05 September, 2018, 07:06:28 am
Depends when you finish but if you’re there when I am I can drop you at Bromley South.
Very kind of you - though I imagine you'll be several hours ahead of me. Could be an incentive to ride that bit faster though!
I intend to ride briskly during the day but have a long break planned. Will see if I bump into you on Sunday.
Post by: D on 05 September, 2018, 06:07:32 pm
Post by: Tomsk on 05 September, 2018, 07:03:44 pm
Good Luck to all those I know riding this event. ;D praying for good weather for you all x
:thumbsup:
But never mind the riders, think of the poor organiser forced to sit all afternoon outside the Boar's Head in Dunmow High Street, checking 'Yorkshire via Essex' riders through, and then all day Sunday in the beer garden of the Angel and Harp. It's a tough life.
Post by: Bikeabilityman on 05 September, 2018, 10:09:24 pm
It’s a dirty job......Good Luck to all those I know riding this event. ;D praying for good weather for you all x
:thumbsup:
But never mind the riders, think of the poor organiser forced to sit all afternoon outside the Boar's Head in Dunmow High Street, checking 'Yorkshire via Essex' riders through, and then all day Sunday in the beer garden of the Angel and Harp. It's a tough life.
Post by: cyclinggeezer on 05 September, 2018, 10:22:50 pm
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Post by: saplex on 05 September, 2018, 11:31:12 pm
Post by: Tomsk on 06 September, 2018, 08:02:04 am
Just curious if there are many/any riders likely to try and ride through the night without a sleep stop?
I'm guessing some will because they can [fast] and some because they have to [slow] and every shade in between. There will also be bivvy-ers, bus shelter-ers, and those opting for a few hours in a Premier Inn/Travelodge.
The RAAM group at the front of the field [a few years ago] worked well on the road, hoped to ride through but all got the dozies at different times - waited patiently, getting cold, as they had really gelled as a group. On a 600km+ [or an evening start], I'm the kind of rider who is ok with a nap on the first night, but needs to stop early on the second ...
Post by: Bairn Again on 06 September, 2018, 09:28:05 am
Just curious if there are many/any riders likely to try and ride through the night without a sleep stop?I've entered and plan to have a proper stop in Lincoln on the way back and have a room booked and paid for.
My experience is that even if I do try and ride through that my speed reduces so that I end up in much the same position compared with having a 4-5 hour break. Also I tend to feel so much better setting off on day 2 washed, rested and perhaps with a change of shorts.
Post by: Redlight on 06 September, 2018, 09:30:55 am
Just curious if there are many/any riders likely to try and ride through the night without a sleep stop?
I will. Partially because I love night riding and partially (OK, mainly) because I'm too slow to have a choice.
Post by: rob on 06 September, 2018, 09:47:01 am
Post by: yanto on 06 September, 2018, 10:09:51 am
Just curious if there are many/any riders likely to try and ride through the night without a sleep stop?
I aim to, I will be trying for under 24hrs, time will tell as to what will actually happen though.
Post by: wilkyboy on 06 September, 2018, 10:44:47 am
Post by: citoyen on 06 September, 2018, 11:00:27 am
Post by: hippy on 06 September, 2018, 11:06:43 am
Post by: alotronic on 06 September, 2018, 11:12:34 am
Fenland's food notes
I have put Tom's notes on food and Googles further insights onto a one-pager with kms and notes for my own benefit but others may want to borrow this - particularity thinking of those who haven't experienced the dearth of food options in the Lincolnshire nights before! Biased towards a 32-36 hour ride but should be useful for others.
All care, no responsibility etc
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1EswJ8ZypTCkEr6aHk_kcajLnI3rK3fchkS-3hXrkwQk/edit?usp=sharing
Post by: hippy on 06 September, 2018, 11:19:26 am
Post by: alotronic on 06 September, 2018, 11:50:28 am
I love watching edits happen :)
I'm done now, but feel free to feed further intel in via here ;-)
Post by: citoyen on 06 September, 2018, 11:53:10 am
Fenland's food notes
...Biased towards a 32-36 hour ride but should be useful for others.
Thanks! Should be perfect for me.
Post by: Paul D on 06 September, 2018, 11:56:38 am
Very much looking forward to the McDs in Boston 'with security on the door', at which I should arrive just in time for kicking-off time by my reckoning. :thumbsup:
Post by: Wobbly on 06 September, 2018, 11:59:39 am
https://www.metcheck.com/SEASONAL/red_arrows.asp?Stage=2 (https://www.metcheck.com/SEASONAL/red_arrows.asp?Stage=2)
Seeing the Red Arrows practising or taking off/landing at Scampton was always a treat when riding in Lincs. Now they're slated to leave Scampton for good it'll be a thing of the past :(
Post by: cyclinggeezer on 06 September, 2018, 12:09:14 pm
Hi all
Fenland's food notes
I have put Tom's notes on food and Googles further insights onto a one-pager with kms and notes for my own benefit but others may want to borrow this - particularity thinking of those who haven't experienced the dearth of food options in the Lincolnshire nights before! Biased towards a 32-36 hour ride but should be useful for others.
All care, no responsibility etc
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1EswJ8ZypTCkEr6aHk_kcajLnI3rK3fchkS-3hXrkwQk/edit?usp=sharing
Number of omissions in Lincs gives the wrong impression
Firstly most medium and even some small places you pass through have Lincs Coop food stores open 7 days a week 7am to 10pm. So watch out for them, Crowland is a good example.
Spalding has a new large 24/7 garage with Greggs, Costa, Subway etc until about 9pm on the south side, plus Little London garage shop open 24/7 plus a McDs open 5am for breakfast until midnight.
Boston has a 24/7 garage with shop on John Adams Way as an alternative to McDs.
Lincoln has a 24/7 McDs by the University
Kirton Lindsey (as you pass) has one of those open till 10pm Coops plus a Spar shop.
Gainsborough has a 5am till midnight McDs in addition to the famous Bridge St garage.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Post by: psyclist on 06 September, 2018, 12:16:01 pm
Fenland's food notes
Superb, thank you for sharing that.
I'm looking forward to when you start organising rides. You're showing much potential :thumbsup:
Post by: cyclinggeezer on 06 September, 2018, 12:23:44 pm
Fenland's food notes
Superb, thank you for sharing that.
I'm looking forward to when you start organising rides. You're showing much potential :thumbsup:
gee thanks, Lincs is absolutely fine for getting food and drink. Slight over reliance on Coops and Mcds. Billingborough has a nice one mid route to Spalding btw. Just about to put the ACL event in the calendar for 2019 called “Don’t Forget Your Dividend Card” so no idea where the riders will control at of course
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Post by: alotronic on 06 September, 2018, 12:24:34 pm
Hi all
Fenland's food notes
I have put Tom's notes on food and Googles further insights onto a one-pager with kms and notes for my own benefit but others may want to borrow this - particularity thinking of those who haven't experienced the dearth of food options in the Lincolnshire nights before! Biased towards a 32-36 hour ride but should be useful for others.
All care, no responsibility etc
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1EswJ8ZypTCkEr6aHk_kcajLnI3rK3fchkS-3hXrkwQk/edit?usp=sharing
Number of omissions in Lincs gives the wrong impression
Firstly most medium and even some small places you pass through have Lincs Coop food stores open 7 days a week 7am to 10pm. So watch out for them, Crowland is a good example.
Spalding has a new large 24/7 garage with Greggs, Costa, Subway etc until about 9pm on the south side, plus Little London garage shop open 24/7 plus a McDs open 5am for breakfast until midnight.
Boston has a 24/7 garage with shop on John Adams Way as an alternative to McDs.
Lincoln has a 24/7 McDs by the University
Kirton Lindsey (as you pass) has one of those open till 10pm Coops plus a Spar shop.
Gainsborough has a 5am till midnight McDs in addition to the famous Bridge St garage.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
All noted and updated in doc with credit - some useful knowledge there, thanks.
A
Post by: HK on 06 September, 2018, 01:29:37 pm
Post by: Touring Sec on 06 September, 2018, 01:31:44 pm
Post by: Redlight on 06 September, 2018, 02:35:42 pm
Having for the last 6 months been trying to find out why I have drop foot, acquired two neurologists which culminated in a nerve biopsy 3 weeks ago and an unwanted diagnosis of vasculitis I took my eye off the ball that when I came to enter this event entered where closed. Next edition of this rather wonderful event postponed to 2019 🙁😭 Such is life.
Sorry to hear that. I hope your recovery is going well but I was rather counting on you cornering me in the pub at the finish and persuading me that I really do want to enter that French ride again :-\
Post by: Wobbly on 06 September, 2018, 02:38:39 pm
Having for the last 6 months been trying to find out why I have drop foot, acquired two neurologists which culminated in a nerve biopsy 3 weeks ago and an unwanted diagnosis of vasculitis I took my eye off the ball that when I came to enter this event entered where closed. Next edition of this rather wonderful event postponed to 2019 🙁😭 Such is life.
As the event's X-rated I'd be surprised if a spare brevet card can't be rustled up from somewhere. Have you dropped the very nice organiser chappy an email?
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 06 September, 2018, 02:45:37 pm
Post by: oggy on 06 September, 2018, 02:51:15 pm
Post by: Tomsk on 06 September, 2018, 03:48:43 pm
Having for the last 6 months been trying to find out why I have drop foot, acquired two neurologists which culminated in a nerve biopsy 3 weeks ago and an unwanted diagnosis of vasculitis I took my eye off the ball that when I came to enter this event entered where closed. Next edition of this rather wonderful event postponed to 2019 🙁😭 Such is life.
Special late entry ... :thumbsup:
Post by: djrikki on 06 September, 2018, 03:55:05 pm
Post by: Bikeabilityman on 06 September, 2018, 03:58:27 pm
Post by: Alex B on 06 September, 2018, 05:22:30 pm
Fingers crossed that light rain doesn't become much more.
I've been in The Fens today (for "fun") and we've got what BBC weather categorizes as "light rain".
It's lashing down.
Post by: basset on 06 September, 2018, 05:47:07 pm
Fingers crossed that light rain doesn't become much more.
I've been in The Fens today (for "fun") and we've got what BBC weather categorizes as "light rain".
It's lashing down.
(for “fun”) The Fens 😳 did you get lost or just blown there by mistake
Post by: Alex B on 06 September, 2018, 06:14:13 pm
(for “fun”) The Fens ! did you get lost or just blown there by mistake
I thought I'd celebrate our 26th wedding anniversary by showing The Wife a good time - a visit to Crowland being the centrepiece. Nothing to do with scoping out cafés for the weekend ride. Oh no.
At that point it was sunny:
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1881/43793493334_420b877267_n.jpg)
Post by: Realslow on 06 September, 2018, 07:04:08 pm
Has anyone got a link to an unzipped routesheet. I can get the gps onto my garmin but can't print the routesheet as my iPad won't open the zipped file.
Looking forward to the weekend.
Post by: Tomsk on 06 September, 2018, 07:09:30 pm
Hi Guys. First post so apologies in advance.
Has anyone got a link to an unzipped routesheet. I can get the gps onto my garmin but can't print the routesheet as my iPad won't open the zipped file.
Looking forward to the weekend.
PM me your name and email - I'll send you an unzipped route sheet.
Post by: Redlight on 07 September, 2018, 08:25:08 am
I have been looking at the section over the M62, not happy with experience last time i rode there. But as this is to new for google maps not able to plan an alternative if one exists. Does any one have any alternatives.
You can't avoid the crossing M62 at some point but if you wanted to approach the Goole control a different way you could divert from the recommended route at Epworth and go via Sandtoft, Thorne, Moorends and Rawcliffe Bridge, approaching the services on the A614 from the west rather than the east. That way you pass under the motorway rather than crossing it at an intersection. It's roughly the same distance as the official route but on small lanes so requires more concentration navigating at night.
To return you just repeat it in the opposite direction but you'd need to pick up the A18 just south of Thorne to take you to the bridge over the River Trent, where you'd rejoin the official route. I imagine traffic might be an issue on that, depending on the time of night you were using it.
Post by: JonJo on 07 September, 2018, 08:30:31 am
I have been looking at the section over the M62, not happy with experience last time i rode there. But as this is to new for google maps not able to plan an alternative if one exists. Does any one have any alternatives.
Is it the complexity and busy-ness of the junction that you're concerned about?
If so, when you reach the traffic lights at Rawcliffe Road turn right and follow Airmyn road until it crosses the M62. Immediately after the crest of the bridge there's a bridle path on the left, known locally as Airmyn Crossing. Follow that until you reach Airmyn High Street where you should turn left. Follow the road until you reach the roundabout opposite Glew's Garage. You have now reached your destination having avoided the hideous junction although you will have travelled ~1 mile further than the official route.
Post by: djrikki on 07 September, 2018, 08:53:30 am
From Sandtoft head west on Belton Road ->Low Level Banks, Crow Tree Bank (quiet road over the M180), you'll be on the A18, with a cautious Left and Right turn and you'll be on Green Bank and can find your way to Moorends from there - bypassing Thorne altogether.
Careful on Green Bank though if travelling during the night, its a short section of road, but has plenty of pot holes and has a sharp camber.
All quiet roads.
Post by: FiveFives on 07 September, 2018, 09:18:42 am
Nervously excited now, mainly about the 'hotel' in sunny scunny, next to the football ground with a home game on Saturday......
Not an ACME member, but would they be willing to reveal if there is the usual weatherspoons morning regroup plan (As we are going to other way around)?
;D ;D ;D
Post by: Stretch on 07 September, 2018, 09:20:25 am
There are good cyclepaths from the traffic lights in Goole docks alongside the road and over the motorway to Glews services, these would be my preferred option if the roads are busy. Care needed at the roundabout exit/ entries and there was some broken glass around the motorway bridge cycletrack when i recced the route a couple of weeks ago which was easily avoidable.
Post by: Stretch on 07 September, 2018, 09:25:00 am
Nervously excited now, mainly about the 'hotel' in sunny scunny, next to the football ground with a home game on Saturday......
Not an ACME member, but would they be willing to reveal if there is the usual weatherspoons morning regroup plan (As we are going to other way around)?
;D ;D ;D
Suggest you use the footbridge carrying the cycleway over the M180 exit as you head back towards Keadby on the A18 rather than negotiate the roundabout. Weatherspoons is in the town centre (opposite direction to Keadby) and i wouldn't worry about Scunny Utd - the crowds are not that large ;)
Post by: djrikki on 07 September, 2018, 09:43:04 am
That rectangular green shape is Glanford park, there is a cycle path around the back of it, the bottom red line shows the bridge crossing over the M181, it comes out later onto the A18 at Gunness avoiding the main road entirely, you will see Keadby bridge immediately on your Left when you get to the other end.
https://imgur.com/a/1njX6SZ (https://imgur.com/a/1njX6SZ)
Post by: citoyen on 07 September, 2018, 09:56:26 am
Hi Guys. First post so apologies in advance.
Has anyone got a link to an unzipped routesheet. I can get the gps onto my garmin but can't print the routesheet as my iPad won't open the zipped file.
Looking forward to the weekend.
Are you on a Mac? I know Tom has sorted you on this occasion but for future reference, I find the Stuffit Expander app can open many zip files that the native Mac expander can't. Unarchiver is also worth trying.
Post by: wilkyboy on 07 September, 2018, 01:29:09 pm
Oggy, further to redlight's comment about the alternative route, stay off the A18 as well if you can, it's an incredibly straight single carriageway of road with impatient drivers on it, I would go this way:
From Sandtoft head west on Belton Road ->Low Level Banks, Crow Tree Bank (quiet road over the M180), you'll be on the A18, with a cautious Left and Right turn and you'll be on Green Bank and can find your way to Moorends from there - bypassing Thorne altogether.
Careful on Green Bank though if travelling during the night, its a short section of road, but has plenty of pot holes and has a sharp camber.
All quiet roads.
Here — https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28546511 (https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28546511) — this is the above suggested route into and out of Glew's Garage, both directions via Thorne, starting Gainsborough control and ending Kirton control. I looked at this a few years ago for an alternative exit from Glew's on the Flatliner, but never got to ride it (as in, CBA at the time).
The run north to Glew's Garage via Thorne adds on 1km. The route back to Keadby Bridge via Thorne adds on about 7km.
Post by: cyclinggeezer on 07 September, 2018, 02:56:08 pm
Any one else a DNS?
BTW it’s nice and windy south of Lincoln today. (Hope that does not add to the hysteria of you non Lincs riders
)Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: Wobbly on 07 September, 2018, 03:05:28 pm
Any one else a DNS?
At my current rate of progress viz getting the Pashley ready I'll probably be ready to start on Sunday...
Post by: mattc on 07 September, 2018, 03:07:08 pm
fboab has a bike for me in her charabang. Now en-route to Dunmow. Eventually it needs to get to me - in Didcot, Oxon!
(This was not the original plan ... but that's a longer story ... )
Is anyone doing this ride able to transport the thing west-ward e.g. to London, or Thames Valley-ish?? I'm sure a fabulous reward awaits ... (as soon as I've rifled through my unwanted crap drawer ... ) I can certainly cover your petrol etc
Thanks for any help received,
Matty :-*
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 07 September, 2018, 03:08:46 pm
Post by: cyclinggeezer on 07 September, 2018, 03:09:05 pm
Any one else a DNS?
At my current rate of progress viz getting the Pashley ready I'll probably be ready to start on Sunday...
Have you chosen the right start and does it match the event you entered?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: Diesel on 07 September, 2018, 03:30:23 pm
So, here's a longshot ... I need a favour from a lovely audaxer doing this event. The story so far ...
fboab has a bike for me in her charabang. Now en-route to Dunmow. Eventually it needs to get to me - in Didcot, Oxon!
(This was not the original plan ... but that's a longer story ... )
Is anyone doing this ride able to transport the thing west-ward e.g. to London, or Thames Valley-ish?? I'm sure a fabulous reward awaits ... (as soon as I've rifled through my unwanted crap drawer ... ) I can certainly cover your petrol etc
Thanks for any help received,
Matty :-*
Hi Matt
We met at Waterside Cafe a few weeks back
I can get it to Tring if any help.
Richard
Post by: Wobbly on 07 September, 2018, 04:36:57 pm
Have you chosen the right start and does it match the event you entered?
I think I entered both events to make planning easier.
Post by: mattc on 07 September, 2018, 04:44:35 pm
I can get it to NW London after the event but don't have room to store it for long.Brilliant, thanks!
I've now spoken to someone on my doorstep who can help out, but as this is all very last-minute and chaotic, can I keep you as backup-plan?? x
(has the advantage that you actually know fboab!)
I may well be travelling thru London in a fortnight as a foot-passenger, so that might work out.
Post by: mattc on 07 September, 2018, 04:47:29 pm
Hi MattOh gosh, yes I remember that - it's the centre of the world you know!
We met at Waterside Cafe a few weeks back
I can get it to Tring if any help.
Richard
Funnily enough I shall probably be at Tring for work in the near future ... but that will probably get very messy, so that better be my PlanZ.
Thanks all the same :thumbsup:
Hoepfully I can now get the heck off this thread and let the actual riders get back to using it ...
Post by: Genosse Brymbo on 07 September, 2018, 05:30:59 pm
(http://browning.myzen.co.uk/YACF/FFDNS2.JPG)
and having prepared things to hang off the bike, seen here ready to fit:
(http://browning.myzen.co.uk/YACF/FFDNS1.JPG)
At 00:20 I woke up, feeling nauseous, went to the bathroom and the world dropped out of my bottom. Still felt sick, so collected a bucket and went to sleep in the spare room. After a couple of minutes I threw up, spewing several chugs into the bucket. Since then I've been in bed, sipping water.
SR trashed. Attempt on club Audax points champoinship trashed. This year's fenlands bivvy sleep missed. Massive bummer. Good luck to all starters, and have a good time.
Post by: Tomsk on 07 September, 2018, 05:32:05 pm
Nervously excited now, mainly about the 'hotel' in sunny scunny, next to the football ground with a home game on Saturday......
Not an ACME member, but would they be willing to reveal if there is the usual weatherspoons morning regroup plan (As we are going to other way around)?
;D ;D ;D
Choice is: Boston's 'Moon Under Water' if you're running late, Spalding's 'Ivy Wall' or about 2 hours onwards, 'The George' at Whittlesey. You'll see from my report we were just too early for Spalding and went to Whittlesey for second breakfast. Since the Whittlesey Festival will make things interesting I reckon the Ivy Wall is the best bet.
Post by: Tomsk on 07 September, 2018, 05:34:07 pm
Massive tragedy has struck. I'm a DNS due to a strange bout of sickness and diarrhoea.
Commiserations.
If it's any comfort, they're dropping like flies - maybe seen the forecast ...
Any more DNS?
Post by: Nik's Nick on 07 September, 2018, 05:47:28 pm
Post by: Genosse Brymbo on 07 September, 2018, 05:57:04 pm
If it's any comfort, they're dropping like flies - maybe seen the forecast ...Actually it's not. It's a superb event, which is why I've returned to it over the last few years. It deserves to be well-attended and IMO every AUK should experience the fenland brassica fields at least once.
The forecast on BBC News 24 just before 22:00 last night looked good. The rain looked like striking on Saturday afternoon, giving you a chance to dry out before bivvying down, like last year (or was it the year before?)
And thanks for your suggestions regarding Dunmow gastronomy, in a private email some months ago. I was looking forward to trying out the Indian tonight. Not now though; the very thought...
Post by: citoyen on 07 September, 2018, 07:09:03 pm
Didn’t much like the road from LR to Dunmow - lots of fast, close passes. Oh well, I’m here safely. Staying in a pub down the road rather than at the start to spare fellow riders from my snoring.
See you all bright and early tomorrow.
Post by: Bikeabilityman on 07 September, 2018, 07:12:07 pm
Post by: rob on 07 September, 2018, 09:07:51 pm
Post by: jakemcree on 07 September, 2018, 09:09:37 pm
Post by: mmmmartin on 07 September, 2018, 10:32:52 pm
Boston's 'Moon Under Water' if you're running late, Spalding's 'Ivy Wall' or about 2 hours onwards, 'The George' at Whittlesey.Further evidence, as if any were needed, that Tomsk has detailed knowledge of every pub you ever need to know.
(He knows I'm a DNS.)
Post by: Tomsk on 08 September, 2018, 07:29:34 am
Have a good ride. :thumbsup:
Post by: Phil W on 08 September, 2018, 08:40:18 am
Post by: Tomsk on 08 September, 2018, 08:52:30 am
Post by: dod on 08 September, 2018, 01:19:38 pm
The weather is definitely looking a bit character-building though, so good luck to everyone out there.
Post by: marlan on 08 September, 2018, 01:20:23 pm
Riders briefing at the Sleaford start
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: Tomsk on 08 September, 2018, 06:15:23 pm
Indirect reports suggest my Fenland Friends riders are catching a bit more rain. Virtually non in Dunmow and not much for YvE either on their passage here by the sound of it.
Forecast is improving though - I'm hoping it will be a distant memory and to be forgiven, by the arrivee tomorrow.
Post by: jiberjaber on 08 September, 2018, 08:41:40 pm
Good Luck to all those I know riding this event. ;D praying for good weather for you all x
:thumbsup:
But never mind the riders, think of the poor organiser forced to sit all afternoon outside the Boar's Head in Dunmow High Street, checking 'Yorkshire via Essex' riders through, and then all day Sunday in the beer garden of the Angel and Harp. It's a tough life.
What time will you be getting to the A&H ?
Post by: Diesel on 08 September, 2018, 08:46:14 pm
Post by: Chris S on 08 September, 2018, 08:49:46 pm
She's been mugging folks and hijacking their phones to send me updates.
Interpolating timings, I'd say they crossed that line squall prior to reaching Gainsborough; they needed to dry out there. She's stoker on our tandem with LWB who hates rain. I'm sure it's all shits and giggles ;D.
At least 30 of us in Mcdonalds in Goole Glews at the moment waiting for the rain to stop. Not in a hurry to venture out....
If one of you is a lady in a VC167 outfit, maybe sat at a table with an Australian sounding guy who's probably saying things like "Mate, I fucking hate rain", feel free to introduce yourself and say "Mr Smith says "Hi"" :D
Post by: rob on 08 September, 2018, 10:11:22 pm
Tucked up at my overnight stop and have just delayed my departure by an hour as it’s scheduled to rain again around dawn. Kit might be dry before I leave. Nighty night.
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 09 September, 2018, 12:28:59 am
Post by: Touring Sec on 09 September, 2018, 03:44:40 am
Post by: Chris S on 09 September, 2018, 04:45:52 am
Post by: Nik's Nick on 09 September, 2018, 05:27:24 am
Post by: Tomsk on 09 September, 2018, 07:32:37 am
What time will you be getting to the A&H ?
- From opening time 09:00. There will be a trickle of riders up to lunchtime, then a steady stream, then a flood late afternoon through to cut-off at 22:00. All day at the pub, but in the line of duty...
Post by: citoyen on 09 September, 2018, 08:02:52 am
Looks like it's going to be something of a slog heading South.
I pressed on through Lincoln last night and bivvied after coming down from the higher ground at about 3.30am with 390km on the clock. Glad I had a change of socks - I was in danger of developing trench foot. Got going again this morning at about 6am and the leg to Boston was indeed a mighty slog. Expecting more of the same when I can bring myself to leave the charms of McD’s.
Got a very welcome tow from fboab & LWaB yesterday from Chatteris until shortly before Sleaford, when I hit the wall and fell off the train. Had to stop for an emergency can of Coke.
Got in with another group from Sleaford to Gainsborough. Mostly solo to Goole, then rode with the same group back as far as Lincoln, where I lost them.
Saw the tandem on the way into Goole as we were leaving, which surprised me slightly as I’d assumed they were well ahead of me by that point. (That was me waving at you across the dual carriageway.)
Post by: the straggler on 09 September, 2018, 08:05:46 am
To the hardy souls out there, keep those pedals spinning - Good luck all, consume a good brekky and the 2nd day will be a breeze...
Post by: Touring Sec on 09 September, 2018, 09:01:08 am
Post by: grams on 09 September, 2018, 09:32:42 am
I see TG packed yesterday. That’s not a good sign.
Post by: Von Broad on 09 September, 2018, 09:47:08 am
Those that finish will have bagged something quite useful - good experience for what PBP is going to be like next year. This gives you the edge :-)
Post by: dod on 09 September, 2018, 09:50:32 am
I see TG packed yesterday. That’s not a good sign.
I spoke to TG when he was stopped at the Green Welly, he was explaining that hauling the Morpheus causes his HR to run higher than normal for a 600 (100bpm instead of 90 apparently), so he already seemed fairly sure that he wouldn't make it round.
Post by: whosatthewheel on 09 September, 2018, 09:55:11 am
I spoke to TG when he was stopped at the Green Welly, he was explaining that hauling the Morpheus causes his HR to run higher than normal for a 600 (100bpm instead of 90 apparently), so he already seemed fairly sure that he wouldn't make it round.
But it's still mighty low in the grand scheme of things... I don't think I've ever had HR lower than 100 whilst riding my bike... ???
Post by: yanto on 09 September, 2018, 10:02:03 am
It was good seeing so many Essex start riders on their return from Glews , who had obviously waited to dry their kit and for the rain to stop the size of the puddles indicated the deluge Lincoln had received, I did try to say "hi" to all of you, but there were a lot!
At the time of writing this I doff my cap to those still out on the road and wish you all well!
Ian
Post by: whosatthewheel on 09 September, 2018, 10:22:28 am
I completed the ride (starting Sleaford) with a 21hrs 21min time, I hit rain from Cambridge to Saffron Waldon, then spitting all the from there, between Red Lodge and Boston the heavens opened for about an hr with flooded roads, until nightfall I watching squall showers all around thankfully just getting tail ends of most of them. The weather gods hadn't quite finished with me as the heavens opened briefly just before Sleaford.
It was good seeing so many Essex start riders on their return from Glews , who had obviously waited to dry their kit and for the rain to stop the size of the puddles indicated the deluge Lincoln had received, I did try to say "hi" to all of you, but there were a lot!
At the time of writing this I doff my cap to those still out on the road and wish you all well!
Ian
Did you use one of those Velomobile things? :thumbsup:
Post by: Nelson Longflap on 09 September, 2018, 10:36:51 am
Post by: Oaky on 09 September, 2018, 10:55:32 am
I spoke to TG when he was stopped at the Green Welly, he was explaining that hauling the Morpheus causes his HR to run higher than normal for a 600 (100bpm instead of 90 apparently), so he already seemed fairly sure that he wouldn't make it round.
But it's still mighty low in the grand scheme of things... I don't think I've ever had HR lower than 100 whilst riding my bike... ???
Mine goes higher than that putting my shoes on
Post by: Chris S on 09 September, 2018, 11:04:47 am
Sounds like a proper adventure.
Post by: dod on 09 September, 2018, 11:23:47 am
I spoke to TG when he was stopped at the Green Welly, he was explaining that hauling the Morpheus causes his HR to run higher than normal for a 600 (100bpm instead of 90 apparently), so he already seemed fairly sure that he wouldn't make it round.
But it's still mighty low in the grand scheme of things... I don't think I've ever had HR lower than 100 whilst riding my bike... ???
Mine goes higher than that putting my shoes on
He also mentioned that 100bpm is his target heartrate for a 24Hr TT, which is why he knew he wouldn't keep it up for the full distance. I reckon some riders went above that while fishing around for their brevet card at the Green Welly :)
Post by: yanto on 09 September, 2018, 01:28:23 pm
I completed the ride (starting Sleaford) with a 21hrs 21min time, I hit rain from Cambridge to Saffron Waldon, then spitting all the from there, between Red Lodge and Boston the heavens opened for about an hr with flooded roads, until nightfall I watching squall showers all around thankfully just getting tail ends of most of them. The weather gods hadn't quite finished with me as the heavens opened briefly just before Sleaford.
It was good seeing so many Essex start riders on their return from Glews , who had obviously waited to dry their kit and for the rain to stop the size of the puddles indicated the deluge Lincoln had received, I did try to say "hi" to all of you, but there were a lot!
At the time of writing this I doff my cap to those still out on the road and wish you all well!
Ian
Did you use one of those Velomobile things? :thumbsup:
Yup as in my avatar, they are good on the right kind of ride which this one is, it has it's strengths and weaknesses!
Post by: dod on 09 September, 2018, 01:34:17 pm
(https://public.db.files.1drv.com/y4pZx4GIz7W4lUeup2Cy-_DvqMJ1Pm6f4NZFcbAU3jAO6z1q-u-jS5miyu4YA1t_YKOPYEzLLwZrWb2Ch3bKhoF6bOIw7WMzcH7TQD6wb3nHD0NC0vv16EPiKb9TpmczMsJP6HUzhzTuNjjRLmGuVMKpAPixRt6bIpEKYB_d8dSiiY2_7g-5VHHUSvZneJmbWQJ/IMG_20180908_085713.jpg?psid=1)
Post by: grams on 09 September, 2018, 01:43:59 pm
I’ve made it to Whittlesey just in time, but now everything hurts and I have frigging sun to contend with. I’d rather have torrential rain.
Post by: grams on 09 September, 2018, 05:36:53 pm
Good luck to everyone still out there!
Post by: Bairn Again on 09 September, 2018, 06:32:54 pm
SR was already in the bag but realistic chance of winning my clubs randonneur prize have gone.
Post by: Touring Sec on 09 September, 2018, 08:30:48 pm
Post by: citoyen on 09 September, 2018, 09:00:47 pm
I see TG packed yesterday. That’s not a good sign.
I spoke to TG when he was stopped at the Green Welly, he was explaining that hauling the Morpheus causes his HR to run higher than normal for a 600 (100bpm instead of 90 apparently), so he already seemed fairly sure that he wouldn't make it round.
I saw the Morpheus coming through Cambridge but didn’t realise it was TG on it. Who was the other rider, and which was which?
Post by: Chris S on 09 September, 2018, 09:21:35 pm
Post by: citoyen on 09 September, 2018, 09:24:10 pm
It's getting tense! I've not heard from the tandem team since midday when they were struggling with punctures and wheel problems near Boston. Hope they're OK!
Good luck to them. Hope they make it back inside the next 36 minutes...
Post by: Chris S on 09 September, 2018, 10:22:38 pm
Post by: citoyen on 09 September, 2018, 10:28:16 pm
Post by: Ian H on 09 September, 2018, 10:31:19 pm
:thumbsup:
If we're talking TG Morpheus, I'm not sure they rode 600k.
Post by: Chris S on 09 September, 2018, 10:33:23 pm
:thumbsup:
If we're talking TG Morpheus, I'm not sure they rode 600k.
Nope, fboab & LW&B. It was all about the tale of the disintegrating back wheel, apparently.
Post by: Deano on 09 September, 2018, 10:37:37 pm
They finished with minutes to spare!
Phew!
Post by: Ian H on 09 September, 2018, 10:57:49 pm
Ah! Perhaps they should have gone for two.:thumbsup:
If we're talking TG Morpheus, I'm not sure they rode 600k.
Nope, fboab & LW&B. It was all about the tale of the disintegrating back wheel, apparently.
Post by: Chris S on 09 September, 2018, 11:03:01 pm
Nah, two disintegrating back wheels would have been twice as bad!Ah! Perhaps they should have gone for two.
If we're talking TG Morpheus, I'm not sure they rode 600k.
Nope, fboab & LW&B. It was all about the tale of the disintegrating back wheel, apparently.
Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk
Post by: Tomsk on 10 September, 2018, 06:42:19 am
Tough ride, in the challenging conditions. When the dust has settled I'll reckon-up a total number of finishers. Maybe a few 'postals', though the lure of the Angel and Harp was strong. Maybe next time I've got to endure worse weather on the helpers' ride, to ensure something less biblical on the event? Hey ho, late spring/early summer Flatlands and Fenland Friends next year for PBP.
One piece of luggage left - someone still out among the cabbages?
Post by: Tomsk on 10 September, 2018, 06:45:47 am
Tough ride, in the challenging conditions. When the dust has settled I'll reckon-up a total number of finishers. Maybe a few 'postals', though the lure of the Angel and Harp was strong. Maybe next time I've got to endure worse weather on the helpers' ride, to ensure something less biblical on the event? Hey ho, late spring/early summer Flatlands and Fenland Friends next year for PBP.
One piece of luggage left - someone still out among the cabbages?
Post by: Touring Sec on 10 September, 2018, 09:04:54 am
5Star Audax Hotel used for puncture repair.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180910/2476f1edc856f0535813d74d3246a2d3.jpg)
Although some people were allowed to sleep in Lincolns Muccy D’s. As soon as I put my head on the table the manager was straight out moving us on.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180910/32d68d17bdc141fc4a0e4e715d3fe6cd.jpg)
Well you have to buy something with your last receipt for proof of passage.
Special thanks as ever go to the Audax gods for ensuring there was a howling gale out on the fens. The love to not disappoint.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: Oaky on 10 September, 2018, 09:33:05 am
Judging from the ride reports thus far, yesterday's weather conditions appear to be worst ever for the Flatlands event, since first debut in 2013.
To the hardy souls out there, keep those pedals spinning - Good luck all, consume a good brekky and the 2nd day will be a breeze...
It sounds like it was a properly epic ride this year. Well done to all riders whether you finished or not.
Post by: alotronic on 10 September, 2018, 10:04:22 am
Judging from the ride reports thus far, yesterday's weather conditions appear to be worst ever for the Flatlands event, since first debut in 2013.
Well.... the wind was the worst (though I skipped last year which was 'worse than LEL')), though 2015's 8hrs of solid rain on day one was very much worse!
Thankfully once Whittlsey was reached there was a fantastic down-wind leg across to Red Lodge that *just about* made up for the slog, then the hilly bit from Red Lodge was a delight in the dusk - a sweet dessert after nine meals of beets and swedes. Day one was generally a bit yuk and rain and audax hotelling overnight wasn't brilliant (but when is it good?)
My swearing at Tomsk per 100kms KPI (it's an official thing) was moderate, maybe just the 2/100km so not too bad all in all ;-)
A lot of people riding and a lot of people who were faster, but it was nice to see some new faces down the slower end of the event, where the real
Post by: wilkyboy on 10 September, 2018, 10:26:13 am
Started fast with Veloman, got to the turn in 12 hours dead, and in Boston by 2am. Wibbled about into the headwind back to Spalding — not anywhere near LEL-levels of headwind, nor helpers' ride 2015, nor Ted Shred and Oaky's epic brutalisation in 2014?, but still hurt — and then on to Ramsey where some bright spark had planted hedges — thank you! The rolling climbs back to Clare took an age, but managed every one. Back in Dunmow at 3.30pm, my quickest 600 to date by some margin.
Having trouble with my knees and Achilles' today, and my quads have gone on strike!
At one point flipped my wheel from the 16T (72-inches) to the 18T on the other side (64-inches) to winch into the wind ... only to realise some time later that it was actually 15T on the flip (76-inches) and had to flip it back, d'oh! :facepalm:
Thank you to Tom for organising, and to Richard for arranging for other riders to be on the road at 2am waving encouragement :thumbsup:
Also mega-thanks to Veloman for his company and support all the way round :thumbsup:
I've managed not to mention a single brassica varietal* in my fuller ride report over on Strava (https://www.strava.com/activities/1831770982), with pictures.
* Haha, actually I just noticed I mentioned one, just one, right near the top :facepalm:
Post by: grapefruits on 10 September, 2018, 10:37:44 am
Got our timings right and finished an hour before the cut. My word though, that wind. Horrific stuff. At one point I just thought "this is my life now, riding through wind".
Conversely didn't think the rain was too bad at all.
Post by: hippy on 10 September, 2018, 10:40:50 am
(http://browning.myzen.co.uk/YACF/FFDNS1.JPG)
Wow, I've found the only other person in the world to own a Dinotte. :)
Post by: stefan on 10 September, 2018, 10:47:16 am
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180910/bb0ed09a6dc1b15855ed8b3dbae0d7ae.jpg)
5Star Audax Hotel used for puncture repair.
I do believe that's exactly the one I occupied at some point in the night. Very luxurious!
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 10 September, 2018, 10:53:00 am
Almost as gratifying to us as our own efforts was picking up a couple of 'new to long brevets' riders a little before Red Lodge who'd resigned themselves to finishing an hour out of time. Some purposeful pedalling finally had the four of us finishing with 10 minutes to spare.
Post by: hippy on 10 September, 2018, 10:54:17 am
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DmuVyEXXcAEt9D9.jpg:large)
#playboyaudaxer
Post by: rob on 10 September, 2018, 11:00:22 am
I got to my parents place, just East of Lincoln at 9pm for dinner and kit drying and then a decent sleep. I was going to leave early but the forecast had rain from 5-7am so I set the alarm for a bit later. In the end I was awake at 4:30 and it was dry so I left at 5:30 following the cycle paths out to Woodhall Spa. I saw quite a few of the Sleaford starters along this stretch including cyclinggeezer and need lights for the first hour or so.
I had a chat to jem and Chris Regan around Spalding but then, back on my own, the wind really started to tell and by Whittlesey I was in full tetchy strop mode. This was helped by getting my blood sugar back up. From Ramsey we turned out of the wind to Red Lodge and I flew along feeling much happier and it was warm and sunny.
As wilkyboy mentions the lumps on the way back to Dunmow were quite telling with that many miles in your legs, but I finished at 4:20. I was 20 mins slower than last year but I had a longer mid-ride break so pretty happy all in. I rode to work this morning and can really feel it.
Thanks to Tomsk for organising. That must have been a tough weekend with those numbers on the road.
Post by: wilkyboy on 10 September, 2018, 11:04:05 am
Conversely didn't think the rain was too bad at all.
Did you start Dunmow or Sleaford? Apparently the Sleaford starters saw about twenty minutes' of mizzle, whereas the Dunmow lot caught a bucket load for about 15 hours on and off.
Either way, the wind was the real enemy :demon:
Post by: Chris S on 10 September, 2018, 11:16:06 am
"That was a fucking heroic ride"
Post by: billyam998 on 10 September, 2018, 11:33:37 am
Well I started from sleaford and, whilst I don't think we had as much we as the southern starters, I do believe it was more than 20 minutes. I had a nitemare with punctures - touring secs pic of the rather robust shelter was my second repair of five on the night. The wind was tough but, not the worst I have been in, really pleased to have finished as, the pack in and go home monster was ever present on my shoulder. The look on the barmaids face in Sleaford to my response when she asked if I'd been far made it all worthwhile, great company and, really good meeting some of you guys. Interestingly comparing data from last years ride, which was wet and, bitterly cold for most of the night section, My moving time was 1 hour faster last year and, my elapsed time was just over 3 hours longer this year, so all in all the additional stops didn't have a massive impact. Hopefully better weather next year.Conversely didn't think the rain was too bad at all.
Did you start Dunmow or Sleaford? Apparently the Sleaford starters saw about twenty minutes' of mizzle, whereas the Dunmow lot caught a bucket load for about 15 hours on and off.
Either way, the wind was the real enemy :demon:
Post by: L CC on 10 September, 2018, 11:48:48 am
What a difference a Dave made
39 [&3/4] little hours
Bought the food and the power
Even though there was rain
My yesterday was blue, dear
Today I'm grateful to you, dear
My desperation is through, dear
Since you said you would help
Lord, what a difference a Dave made
There's a PBP before me
Skies above can be stormy
But we'll never miss
That horrific hiss [of the, what, 4th? rapid deflation]
It's heaven when you
Do what you need to do
What a difference a Dave made
And the difference is Dave.
Post by: grapefruits on 10 September, 2018, 11:48:58 am
Did you start Dunmow or Sleaford? Apparently the Sleaford starters saw about twenty minutes' of mizzle, whereas the Dunmow lot caught a bucket load for about 15 hours on and off.
Either way, the wind was the real enemy :demon:
Dunmow! I dunno, yeah it rained for ages but mudguards and a decent jacket meant I just felt it wasn't too bad? I've definitely ridden in worse rain.
Post by: hippy on 10 September, 2018, 12:19:34 pm
Post by: telstarbox on 10 September, 2018, 12:22:30 pm
Post by: grams on 10 September, 2018, 12:50:45 pm
I only had bad rain after Lincoln, and then only for 20 minutes. It was threatening drizzle until well after dawn, but I think there were only a couple of actual showers.
The wind was far worse, especially around lunchtime Sunday. I had to stop for a breather even though I was within sight of Whittlesey and minutes from the deadline.
(Oh, and thanks for the tow on Saturday fboab and LWaB!)
Post by: grapefruits on 10 September, 2018, 12:55:14 pm
@plasticniki Sorry to divert the thread but are they mudguards which came with the bike or aftermarket ones? (Looking for some for the winter season...)
I use Raceblades, the XL version. Surprisingly effective (bike has no mudguard mounts). Have a mudflap to install but haven't got round to it yet.
Post by: Paul D on 10 September, 2018, 12:59:15 pm
Cruised along at eighteens for the first 100 miles in a bunch with Wilkyboy and his mate then, after the bunch broke up at Sleaford, with Rob to Gainsborough. A comprehensive soaking about 4pm meant I lingered at Glew McDs a bit longer than planned but kept the moving pace up to Lincoln. Around here I lost interest a little and consciously started making more mini-stops which dented the overall average a bit, but made it to Boston
After half an hour watching the local wildlife and failing to coax conversation out of the security I left Boston in high spirits into a warm night with little headwind, result! Unfortunately, my sleep debt doesn’t get any better with age and young children so I managed 15 miles and 2 hours sleep between 1am and 4am. That would have been fine except once back on the road I felt more tired than before I’d slept, only now my legs didn’t work either. I grovelled along for what seemed like hours - hang on, it was hours - on a repeat animation of fields-village-fields-village until some effort/interest returned for a bit before Red Lodge. Chanced a full breakfast might help at the café, which was lovely to eat but did nothing at all for my legs and I spent the next 3 ½ hours cursing Tom for back-loading the route with all the mountains. ;)
Nevertheless, a finish at 1.45pm was worth the effort as the serious headwind was only just becoming a problem. It also meant I can now call myself Ultra Randonneur, which makes me quite happy in a nobody-in-real-life-will-understand kind of way. :thumbsup:
Paul in the Wessex RC kit
Post by: Wobbly on 10 September, 2018, 01:03:00 pm
One of the very few downsides to owning a magnificent beast like the Pashley Guv'nor is that it has Schrader valves and all my pumps are set up for Presta valves. I finally got fed up of fannying around with my little hand-pump-that-fits-Schrader-valves and bought a new head for my track pump that fits both valve types. Never buy cheap things on Ebay ("Oh, that's a bargain") as, when you really need them, they'll let you down. Thus it was that just before the Sleaford start I found myself scrounging a track pump and then disengaging my brain completely.
As people often do they'd marked the pressure they pump their tyres to on the gauge and I pumped up the Guv's tyres to that mark. The Guv'nor's tyres are not "racing" tyres; they have a maximum pressure of 65PSI. Goodness knows how much more pressure I shoved into them. What a berk.
Amazingly the tyres stayed put and I have to say they rolled very nicely too!
I was riding with the ever-entertaining Ricky Goode and Lincoln-local Sarah something-or-other and keeping pace with them fairly easily given my -cough- lack of miles so far this year. I'm pretty sure I'd ridden two miles since Jan 1st (yes, two miles) It's a new training technique which only needs some clever branding and I'm sure I'll make a fortune.
Isn't it odd how what appear to be tiny inconsequential things turn into very un-inconsequential later.
As we were rolling along I *thought* I heard something fall off my bike. It was a very faint slightly metallic sound. I didn't stop. I just glanced over my shoulder. Why I did this I've no idea. Perhaps I was expecting to see a huge glowing arrow pointing to the road with the words "It's here" hovering above it. I didn't see the floating arrow but instantly convinced myself it must have been the sound of some piece of gravel being picked up and metallic sound was it hitting the underside of a mudguard. That would have been plausible had the mudguards on the Guv'nor been made of metal. They are not. They are made of wood.
I then heard the sound of something rubbing. Not loud, hmm... maybe tyre against mudguard stay. Try pushing the mudguards left and right. No difference. I'll check it later.
Very soon that gentle rubbing became a rather alarming metallic screech, screech, screech. "Doesn't sound good", said the ever-perceptive Mr Goode. We stopped, I checked the front wheel - nothing wrong. I looked at the rear wheel and to my horror the tyre was in the process of heaving itself off the rim!
Aarghh!!
I've seen this happen before when I'd failed to seat a tyre properly on the rim. It resulted in a terrific explosion and a cloud of inner-tube fragments. Quick! Quick! The valve! I frantically unscrewed the valve cap and jammed my finger nail in to deflate the tyre before we had a Proper Disaster. Amazingly the inner tube stayed intact. I realised the front tyre could do the same thing at any moment, so I partly deflated it too.
I then noticed a hole in which there should have been a bolt. There was no bolt, only a hole. Guess what I heard dropping off the bike only a few minutes before - a bolt. That bolt. That bolt whose only job in life is to hold the brake reaction arm to the frame. The Guv'nor has drum brakes, you see.
"That doesn't look good", said the ever-helpful Mr Goode. I suggested he scarpered as I was likely to be here some time. He promptly scarpered.
I carry lots of tools and spares (two sets of Allen Keys, a multi-tool and actual spanners just in case) but I don't carry a reaction arm nut'n'bolt. I do, however, carry tie-wraps and everyone knows tie-wraps are every bit as good as bolts. So I threaded a tie wrap repeatedly through the bolt hole and pulled it TIGHT. There - good as new!
With the inner tube being intact and still mostly in-place all I had to do then was get the tyre back on an inflated. Just don't puncture it and... that's exactly what I did. It's almost as if I enjoy making things harder for myself.
Richard Parker - the organiser - rode past. "You ok?". Yes, thanks.
I set about repairing the puncture with the wheel still in place. Carefully replacing the tyre, inflated it and carried on.
Presently I caught up, what I assumed was the last rider and we chatted for a while until the rear tyre went flat.
-sigh-
I stopped again and, with a heavy heart, realised I'd need to replace the inner tube. This is not a trivial task when your bike's got hub gears and drum brakes. Lots of cables to undo, chain and the brake reaction arm bolt before taking the wheel out.
The brake reaction arm bolt
There's no bolt. It's now a bloody great tie-wrap. How the f*** am I going to cut through that? I tried, I really did. But I could not sever the damn thing with any combination of screwdrivers, Allen keys, oaths or curses. I was stumped.
Then Richard Parker rode past again. Eh? I don't recall overtaking him. Mental note: ask Richard how *does* he do that?
It dawned on me that I'd stopped in the driveway of a house. Maybe they'd have scissors or a knife! I knocked on the door and a very elderly lady came to the door. "I'm sorry to disturb you but do you have a knife?" Her alarmed expression suggested she thought I a dangerous maniac. I quickly added "...or a pair of scissors. I need to fix my bike."
And, bless her, she said that yes she did and reappeared a minute or two later with both. The scissors looked perfect and a few seconds later I'd cut the rear wheel free!
Naturally the wheel hadn't given up the fight just yet - removing it from the dropouts is impeded by the wooden mudguards. It took some wrestling. But eventually I had the wheel free and I was able to replace the inner tube, reseat the tyre (no self-inflicted punctures this time) all I have to do is pop the wheel back in place. This proved impossible. Well, nearly impossible. I think I'm going to start carrying my Park Tools PCS10 bike stand with me. If I'd had that it would have been a breeze. Without it an absolute sod of a job.
When I eventually got the wheel back in I should have been delighted - despite the fact I'd been at this for about an hour - but the delight was tempered by the discovery I'd mangled the gear selector chain meaning I was now stuck in 3rd gear.
"Do you take milk and sugar?" She'd made me a cup of tea - I couldn't refuse. "My husband's an engineer, he's not very well but he'll be down soon". As I was drinking my tea he appeared and was very interested in the ride and the bike. We went outside to look at the Guv'nor and I mentioned the missing bolt. That's no problem; I have loads of bolts. Turns out he used to be an aircraft engineer and worked on the RAF's VC10 refuelling planes.
After some searching through an assortment of boxes in his garage he produced a fuel pump which no longer worked. The bolts that held it together should
be the right size he said. They were! And, the Guv'nor is now partly held together with genuine Vicker's aircraft parts.
I'd now lost so much time that continuing was out of the question and, stuck in top gear, I'd be pushing the bike up anything resembling a hill. However, I decided to carry on to Chatteris before turning back to Sleaford. I'd paid for 600km, might as well get to use at least some them.
I tuned the radio in to Test Match Special so I could listen to the England Vs India. Then I had a very fine pub lunch. Presently I stopped to watch a village cricket match. All very pleasant indeed.
Oh, and the weather? That was fine too. I could see rain in the distance but it all managed to miss me :-)
Post by: citoyen on 10 September, 2018, 01:06:33 pm
Judging from the ride reports thus far, yesterday's weather conditions appear to be worst ever for the Flatlands event, since first debut in 2013.
I don't know if I was just lucky with timing and missed the worst downpours, but I never felt the rain was that bad, I've certainly ridden through worse - but it was persistent though. The wind was by far the worst aspect of the ride for me - again, I've suffered stronger winds on rides, but there's something about slogging across flat, open terrain into a block headwind that makes it feel so much harder. I've ridden across Romney Marsh enough times to know this, but the Fens are an order of magnitude harder.
Quote
To the hardy souls out there, keep those pedals spinning - Good luck all, consume a good brekky and the 2nd day will be a breeze...
'Breeze' is one word for it...
Here's my full(ish) report to add to the pile:
Left my local accommodation not long after 5am and got to the start to find it already busy. Spent the next 40 minutes itching to get going, and so made sure I was among the first group to set off. The bike was feeling very sluggish though - or was it my legs? I'd repaired a cut in the sidewall of my rear tubeless tyre on Friday, but the patch probably wasn't up to the job and was bulging out of the cut so I didn't dare pump it up to full pressure. But it was making for heavy going and I was being passed by all the later starters, so a bit after Saffron Walden, I stopped and put more air in. And a few minutes later had to stop again after the air had all escaped. :facepalm: Stuck a tube in, wiped off the sealant that had got everywhere in the process, reassured the security guard who turned up that I wasn't up to no good, and everything was fine with the bike after that. My legs were still struggling to get going though. Not having had a proper breakfast didn't help and by the time I reached the Green Welly, I was really in need of food, so joined the back of the long queue...
Spent a good 45 minutes at the Green Welly, which was a lot longer than ideal, but my bacon, egg and black pudding sandwich was worth the wait (even if the bread wasn't up to the job of containing all that breakfasty goodness, so it was a bit messy). Also good to spend some time in the company of LWaB and fboab, who invited me to sit on their wheel for the next leg. Which I was very glad to do. Slogging across the fens wasn't a lot of fun, but with a tandem to follow it was much less gruelling than it might have been. It started raining not long before Whittlesey, where we spent the best part of 10 minutes waiting at the level crossing - by the time we got going again there were dry patches where the cars had been, although the rain wasn't heavy yet - not enough to need waterproofs.
We picked up more riders after Spalding and the group was going well, but I was starting to struggle, and about 15km before Sleaford I slipped off the back of the train. Stopped at a shop for an emergency can of Coke, which did the trick and was just enough to keep me going to Sleaford. Didn't see the tandem outside any cafes in town, but Strava stalking tells me they stopped in Threekingham, not long after I stopped, so I'd actually ridden past them. I opted for the Wetherspoons for lunch - a not-very-good lasagne, but at least it was hot, washed down with a pint of bitter shandy. Left Sleaford at the same time as another group of three riders so stuck with them for a while. The rain was getting a bit heavier so they stopped not long before Gainsborough to put their jackets on. I had decided I was going to press on to Gainsborough before putting mine on but soon changed my mind... Didn't want to linger though, so stopped briefly at Aldi on the way into Gainsborough for some provisions then pressed on solo, passing the big crowd of riders on the garage forecourt.
Rode mostly solo for the leg to Goole, aiming to get there before 8pm and only missing that goal by a few minutes. It was raining steadily but at least the wind wasn't too bad on that section, and the fresh tarmac on the A161 was beautifully smooth. Stopped at McD's but didn't really fancy anything. Forced some 'chicken selects' inside myself though - needed something hot and proteiny so it seemed the best option. Spent nearly an hour there, mentally preparing myself for the return leg. Fortuitously set off at the same time as the three riders I'd been with earlier so joined up with them again. The rain had more or less stopped by now and we made good progress. Found a big crowd outside the Queens Head in Kirton - we got there just before last orders, so stopped to join them for some refreshment.
I was quite tired by this point. My plan had been to get back as far as Lincoln before stopping but that still seemed a long way off. However, riding with the group was helping to motivate me so I pressed on - and then got a bit of a second wind and even quite enjoyed the section along the ridge back to Lincoln. Nice rolling roads, good surface, very little traffic. There was talk of stopping at McD's in Lincoln for coffee, so I took the turning at the roundabout as per the routesheet, but none of the group followed me, despite me yelling "It's this way..." and I was already picking up speed on the descent so just carried on. Stopped for a few minutes at McD's for an espresso but the rest of them didn't appear, so maybe they went to a different branch in town. Still feeling good, I rode on alone and although the Canwick climb was a bit of a slog, I was still making good progress - even contemplating riding all the way to Boston before stopping. But after dropping off the high ground, it was gone 3am and I felt like a rest would do me good, so I found a nice grassy verge just off the main road to bivvy down for a couple of hours. Hung my jacket over my handlebars to dry a bit... and of course it started raining again. Which also made me realise that the spot I'd chosen for bivvying wasn't exactly very well sheltered... :facepalm: Fortunately, it was only light rain and not really a problem.
Got going again just before 6am, but the next 30km to Boston was a real grind. Another rider came by me and I tried to tag along with him but couldn't hold his wheel. Did see a lot of the Yorkshire via Essex riders coming back the other way though, enjoying a tailwind, the bastards - I was almost tempted to turn round and ride with them... Stopped at McD's in Boston and forced myself to eat something despite not really wanting to. There were a number of other riders there but none of them leaving at the same time as me, so I pressed on alone. Big mistake. The next 25km went on forever and ever and ever... The Hackney tandem came past me not long before Spalding, so I cheekily hopped onto their back wheel for a few miles. In Spalding, I needed my bottles topping up so stopped at the only place that was open - a Turkish? supermarket that didn't look much from the outside but was very well stocked. The Hackney tandemists were also looking for food but didn't fancy the look of it so pressed on - they missed a treat! I got some water for my bidons and a can of coconut water that really hit the spot and gave me a bit of vim for the next leg. Even so, it was horrible. Just mind-numbing and demotivating. I was starting to think of packing - main concern being that I needed to finish in time to make my train, and if I carried on at this pace, that wasn't going to happen. Passed the tandem at the roadside near Cowbit, fixing a puncture, and was hoping they would soon catch me so I could sit on their wheel again, but in fact I didn't see them again until just before Whittlesey, where I rolled into town to find the car show in full swing. While the tandem pair stopped at Nisa for their PoP, I walked through the crowds to the Wetherspoons but only stopped long enough to fill my bottles and down a double espresso then hit the road again. Joined up with a group while waiting at the level crossing (which didn't look any more attractive from the other side, although the sun was out this time, which was nice) and rode with them for a bit. Although they were doing some strange take on through-and-off that I found quite trying - instead of the lead rider dropping off, the following riders would come round then cut back in which meant the following riders were left with nose in the wind until there was enough space to slot back in. Seemed bizarrely inefficient and missing the point of through-and-off. At one point, when I was second in line, the lead rider waved me through but didn't slow down at all, so I had to accelerate to get past him and dropped the group, and then I got told off for riding too fast!
Unsurprisingly, that group disintegrated before too long so I was riding solo again, but from Ramsey onwards the conditions got a lot more favourable - still very windy but more from behind now, and the sun was out - it was even feeling quite warm. The more varied terrain helped too, so I was starting to get my rhythm back so quite enjoyed the rest of the section to Red Lodge, stopping briefly at the pub in Haddenham for more water and a Big Tom (spiced tomato juice) - didn't know that was what I wanted until I got to the bar and saw it in the fridge, but it was perfect, really went down very well indeed.
Got to the cafe just before they closed up but was in time to get a cup of tea. Stopping was a bad idea though, I should have pressed on - I wasn't there long, but just about long enough for my weary body to decide to start the shutting down process. So when I set off again, I found it really hard to get moving for about the first hour. Which is a shame, because I was really enjoying the rolling terrain - that whole final section is definitely my favourite part of the ride, although it would have been easier to enjoy at the end of a 200 rather than a 600. I didn't even mind the Lidgate climb - it felt hard but I put that more down to the state of my legs than the difficulty of the climb itself. Did eventually get my rhythm back, and tagged along for a few miles with a chap on a Cervelo that really needed a fresh drop of oil. He was going very well despite that and although I managed to keep up with him for a few miles, he was just a little bit too fast, so I eventually rolled into the finish a bit behind him at just after 7pm.
Really could have done with a rest but I had a train to catch so after a quick shandy and bag of crisps, I set off for Chelmsford... And within a few minutes was back at the pub because I remembered that I had a bag to pick up. The ride to Chelmsford was "interesting". The map showed I could just follow the B1008 all the way from Dunmow to Chelmsford, which I imagined would be a quiet country lane, but it was built like a major A-road and the traffic was treating it as such. Another factor I hadn't accounted for was the terrain - not flat! Then I took the wrong turning at a roundabout and ended up riding the last few miles into Chelmsford on the actual A131, which was mental. But at least it was fast. Just before the station, the scent of Chinese takeaway gave me a craving for chow mein, but alas I didn't have time. The journey home worked out very well though - changed at Stratford, DLR over to Stratford International for the HS1 back to Canterbury. Worth remembering that for future Essex excursions as it's much better than going via that London.
Got home just before midnight, treated myself to a much-needed shower and a well-deserved beer then... next thing I knew, somehow it was this morning.
Epic ride, can't honestly say I enjoyed all of it, but big thanks to Tomsk for organising and for an excellent routesheet that was very easy to follow (such that I hardly ever had the Garmin set to the map page). Probably wouldn't have done this ride if I didn't need it to complete my SR for this year but I'm glad I did - what doesn't kill you, and all that...
Post by: citoyen on 10 September, 2018, 01:11:43 pm
It's not over till the fat lady sings :
POTD!
He's a good man to have for company. Very generous and helpful rider, despite a reputation for grumpiness, and must be even better to be on a tandem with!
Post by: Jem on 10 September, 2018, 01:13:41 pm
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180910/2476f1edc856f0535813d74d3246a2d3.jpg)
Although some people were allowed to sleep in Lincolns Muccy D’s. As soon as I put my head on the table the manager was straight out moving us on.
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When I told the manager we weren't sleeping, "just dozing", he seemed okay with that. ;D
Post by: teethgrinder on 10 September, 2018, 01:18:59 pm
The original plan was to ride the Morpheus with Andy's other half, but after a 200km test ride, her knee was shot and so was I! Though I did end up doing all of the pedaling for the last 15 miles or so and I was already pretty wrecked by then.
We talked about whether the 600 was do-able and said that it maybe if we get in a lot of practice between now and the 600, but that never happened with her bad knee.
So I thought, that was that. I'll enter anyway because I fancy riding an Audax and I can just have an easy ride as I can on my test bike with the faster wheels.
But a few days before the start, andy asks if I want to have a go on the Morpheus with him and whether I thought we could do it.
I really liked the idea, but had to be honest, I didn't know that we could finish the 600. I haven't ridden it much and thought I needed more practice to get round a 600. Andy and I had ridden it once before, for about 50 miles and could go at a reasonable pace, but I was fitter then and better practiced. Even then, it wasn't easy riding at the same speed I would find very easy on my usual Audax bikes. He wasn't keen on my negativity, but I had to be honest. Perhaps if we get a good tailwind to the turn and it drops, we might have a chance.
So we just about got the Morpheus in the back of Andy's car, drove to the start, slept overnight and set off.
I was hoping to average 12.5mph on the road and keep my heart rate down to about 90bpm. I usually average between 100 and 110 in a 24 hr TT and am wrecked after that. I'd need more than 24 hours riding time to get the Morpheus around a 600km ride.
Our speed was OK. Trouble was, I couldn't get my heart rate lower than 110bpm most of the time, so I knew we were going too hard. We were faster than we needed to be and I have kept that HR up for a good few hours before. Plus we would be having a few short stops to rest. It was just hard work to be moving fast enough.
We bounced the first control and I took a detour to avoid traffic in Spalding because the Morpheus doesn't maneuver very well, nor does it start very easily. While on our detour, we stopped for a rest and to change the position of the front seat to be more upright. My detour turned out to cut a few kms off the route, but not long after, we took a wrong turn and ended up doing a loop to add on extra kms.
I never stopped in Sleaford to get a receipt for the cards but carried on to Ruskington, so by default, so did Andy.
Another stop to change the position on the front seat to more reclined. That was better.
On through Lincoln and towards Gainsborough. I was getting sleepy from my effort and Andy was getting very uncomfortable. Our speed was dropping and we were just about on schedule, but it was killing us to stay with it. I didn't fancy my chances of staying awake the whole night, as we'd almost certainly need to at the pace we were riding at.
Our pace was almost certainly going to slow down as well. add to that there was probably nowhere to sleep, except for bus shelters, we decided to call it a day and think of a plan of action. We were in the bus shelter for some time as riders went by, then went to a pub to have a coffee and make better plans. I managed to fall asleep in the pub.
Travelodge in Lincoln booked and a 10 mile ride to get there.
We just got the tandem into the room and I pretty much went straight to bed and fell asleep.
We set off at 7am-ish for breakfast in Sleaford. Then another stop in Whittlesey. A few other short stops at the roadside too. It still took us until 9:30pm to get back to Great Dunmow.
It was a daft idea to do a 600 on a slow beast like the Morpheus without practice and when not very fit. But it was a good ride and I often thought it was type 1 and type 2 fun at the same time. Getting a Travelodge was the right decision. I can't see how we could have finished in time and if we tried, I expect it would have been a very grim night. Night riding is great when you're not tired, but if you're tired and get cold etc, it's really bad news. We didn't get our 600, but we still did about 450km and enjoyed it. Some times more than others. I'm glad i did that instead of having an easy as possible ride on my usual Audax bike.
Post by: Chris S on 10 September, 2018, 01:22:09 pm
Post by: Pip on 10 September, 2018, 01:24:42 pm
Low Point: having to walk all of Holland Fen even with a 34/29
Post by: teethgrinder on 10 September, 2018, 01:31:22 pm
Maybe it's a tandem thing - my HR is always 20bpm or so higher on ours, compared to riding solo; for the same perceived effort.My perceived effort was a lot higher than normal for a 600. It's really not easy to ride. Often down to 4mph up hills. We were also in single figures going into the wind and I wasn't taking it easy.
Post by: citoyen on 10 September, 2018, 01:36:19 pm
It was a daft idea to do a 600 on a slow beast like the Morpheus without practice and when not very fit.
It's a very strange looking machine. Seems to offer none of the usual advantages of a tandem or a recumbent, only the disadvantages of both. Probably quite fun to ride though!
Post by: Touring Sec on 10 September, 2018, 01:37:15 pm
fboab sent me her ride report:Fantastic and concise description of the ride.
"That was a fucking heroic ride"
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Post by: Touring Sec on 10 September, 2018, 01:41:20 pm
@plasticniki Sorry to divert the thread but are they mudguards which came with the bike or aftermarket ones? (Looking for some for the winter season...)They need a mudflap fitting I know that.
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Post by: Diesel on 10 September, 2018, 02:09:09 pm
My first Flatlands/ Fens Friends ride and I certainly underestimated it! A good social ride throughout and I seemed to enjoy chatting with more folk than usual - but apologies, very few names remembered!
The first part of the ride went well and fast (for me) getting to the Green Welly for second breakfast. Some new roads and some remembered from previous arrows. Lunch in Spalding Wetherspoons was good, but quiet for as Saturday lunchtime.
I had more luck than most with the rain and whilst it was a coat on/ coat off kind of day, I missed most of the heavy stuff. Got the munchies before Gainsborough so stopped just before at the shop in Sturton for supplies - only to discover that there was a handy looking cafe just round the corner. Coffee at the Gainsborough Jet Garage was jet fuel as I flew round the section to Glews. Did others take take the cyclepath after the bridge in Gainsborough (A631)? I didn't spot this and although very quiet, was not treated favourably by the cars on the dual Carriageway.
I met up with 4 guys from my club at the McDonald's who I spent most of the rest of the ride with. It was their first Audax and they were making good time although had experienced more weather than me. We waited quite a while at McDs in good company while the rain subsided then I joined them as we set off south into the night. Uneventful night to start but I was soon sleepy which didn't bode well. I had planned to Bivvy if I needed to but the other guys didn't have gear to do this so we pressed on to nap when we stopped.
In Lincoln we went to the city centre McDs on the pedestrianised bit. Seemed to be the place where all the 'revellers' ended up so lots going on but alert security staff. But they let us stay there for maybe a couple of hours. We headed out into the night again, a bit more rain and all 5 of us sleepy. We stopped for a bit and tried to sleep at Metheringham station but that didn't really work. So we continued and arrived at a peaceful McD at Boston around dawn.
Then obviously it was headwind time and glad of the tows from the other guys. After Spading we took the outbound route on the embankment to Crowland. I'm not sure that was a good choice as the wind was making it fun by then.
Whittlesey slowed us down as we went through the town and stopped at the Italian for a meal! When you are with new Audaxer's they have yet to learn the attraction of grab and go food! and why is the rail station spelt Whittlesea???
More wind after lunch obviously and mid afternoon the guys decided that they'd had enough so they peeled off and missed the nice section to Red Lodge and the tailwind!
I don't know if it's better to be prepared and know what's coming or not know so not worry - but I hadn't looked at the last section. I had seen there were some hills but there were more than I expected, maybe it wasn't as bad as it felt, but it was certainly a shock to the system.
Last few miles were better and just as I was savouring the last few miles I got a slow puncture at Finchingfield. In no mood so stop, I carried on and gingerly nursed it to the end.
Lovely ride and enjoyed meeting lots of people. Big thanks to Tom for organising a super ride.
Post by: cyclinggeezer on 10 September, 2018, 02:20:38 pm
We had 61 on the start list but a total of 34 DNS/DNF in the end, 10 of whom were DNF. Sleaford station worked well as a start with the free car park at the station, Travelodge, McDs and Spoons.
After I waved every one off and did my organisers biz I then followed up behind a few mins behind the tail end Charlie. I got to the Welly after most had been. Asked how long the wait for food was and met with a shug of shoulders so popped over the road to Aldi.
What was interesting was the fast riders meeting us on the way north and something to focus on with the dullness of the Cambridge Fens. Saw a few familiar faces en route such as Rob B.
Cambridge was fun as we went past the colleges. The bit before on the guided busway was a joy. The highlight for me is always leaving Cambridge and on into Essex and some nice rolling countryside going to Great D. Tom had done an excellent job with the control at the Boards Head and the service and food was excellent. Sorry Tom had to wait for one of my lot who decided to go out for a meal en route with relatives. I shall issue stern warnings in future
My favourite section is from Great D to Red Lodge. North Essex to me always seems like some weird ye olde merry England theme park with windmills, thatched cottages, quaint villages and alike. Once got held on on a previous ride through on the route by two lots of Morris dancers but not this weekend sadly.
The night ride from Red Lodge to Whittlesey offered long dark roads as we headed north. Not alot to see and you needed to be well lit and reflective. I decided to try and find out why the road was closed from Pondersbridge and discovered that huge sections had been removed but still managed to get though. (not recommended for the nervous)
O how we feasted at the 24/7 garage on the Peterborough road sat on charcoal bags living the life at silly o'clock.
More of the same dark roads to Boston where we were welcomed by the bright lights of McDs. It was good to catch Nick W and the rest of the FF advance party at McDs. Suspect it was quiet in McDs that night as we flash mobbed the place and made it very secure. I think that cross over point worked well and a chance to to see how the other half were doing.
From Boston we all jumped aboard the Water Railway and at least could experience some very remote countryside along side the river.
I kipped briefly in the nice audax hotel in Southrey village as you come off the cycle path to Bardney.
The problem I and many other had was the rain washed out some very nasty little flints on to the path. I think this happened as you crossed the path where the work for the Lincoln Eastern bypass is taking place as many of us by Stamp End in Lincoln were getting that sinking feeling then. Never ever punctured on that path before. I could not find the flint at first and used up one tube having thought it had been and gone. So wasted one tube. After some deep surgery on the tyre I whilst breakfasting at McDs managed to save the day. Wasted loads of time with that one as I was several hours up at one point.
Saw some more slower FF riders wearing ACME who were south of Kirton Lindsey.
The highlight of the ride, if I may call it that is the Isle of Axeholme. Benign in the dark for FF but a horror show of wind during the day. Hence its one large wind farm. O how we loved the twisting and turning in and out of Goole managing to give us head winds in all directions. I like the M62 services. A Subway and a few fizzy drinks got me well fortified for the trip on the Gainsborough. At one point I decided to lounge like a lizard in the warm mid day sun (ho ho) on the bank of the Trent. Was awaken by a women asking me if I was ok and where had I been and gone to. She was therefore not surprised at my lounging but clearly I looked like a distress cyclist!
Once clear of the Isle it was still head down all the way to McDs at Gainsbourgh to forgo the pleasures of Bridge St garage.
The final leg to Sleaford through Lincoln I found myself sprinting for the end. Caught up with several others and chatted briefly and then went hell for leather and home. Got in about 8pm to McDs at Sleaford by which stage it was dark and turning cool. Nice to chat with others and collect a few cards.
Did it work for a first running? Yes I think it did and the feedback has been positive so far. Intend running again to co incide with FF next year. The criss crossing of riders makes for a far more interesting ride. Many thanks to the ACME controllers. Tom in particular for being on duty all weekend
Post by: citoyen on 10 September, 2018, 02:37:47 pm
Did it work for a first running? Yes I think it did and the feedback has been positive so far. Intend running again to co incide with FF next year. The criss crossing of riders makes for a far more interesting ride. Many thanks to the ACME controllers. Tom in particular for being on duty all weekend
Well done. You're right about the criss-crossing of riders making it more interesting. Though it is slightly disconcerting at silly o'clock on a Sunday morning in a remote spot seeing loads of riders on a different event - not the usual audax experience! There should be more of this kind of thing.
Post by: wilkyboy on 10 September, 2018, 02:47:23 pm
One of the very few downsides to owning a magnificent beast like the Pashley Guv'nor is that it has Schrader valves and all my pumps are set up for Presta valves.
Magnificent beast, indeed! Temperamental, though ... Paris, London, Sleaford ::-) ;)
For a Schraeder pump, I have used the Topeak Race Rocket series (https://www.topeak.com/global/en/products/mini-pumps/379-racerocket-mt) for years, as the hose and the Schraeder fitting worked well with the Brompton. The valve-fitting can be switched to Presta simply by unscrewing slightly, it's completely different to the usual "disassemble and reassemble upside down" affair, so I use them on my Presta bikes, too.
They do a bigger-barrelled "MT" version for filling larger tyres such as those on mountain bikes and I would've thought that would suit you, Sir :thumbsup:
ps. The MT version weighs only about 120g, not that you're a weight weenie :P
Post by: Redlight on 10 September, 2018, 03:12:22 pm
Well done. You're right about the criss-crossing of riders making it more interesting. Though it is slightly disconcerting at silly o'clock on a Sunday morning in a remote spot seeing loads of riders on a different event - not the usual audax experience! There should be more of this kind of thing.
Agree - but it can have its hazards. In 2003 the Waltham Wander (as "The Beast", more or less, was then called) shared a control at Taunton Deane services with another 600 - I forget the name. Leaving in the middle of the night, one had to be very careful to concentrate on the route sheet and not follow the lights in front as they went off in different directions about half a mile from the control.
Post by: whosatthewheel on 10 September, 2018, 03:13:03 pm
Maybe it's a tandem thing - my HR is always 20bpm or so higher on ours, compared to riding solo; for the same perceived effort.My perceived effort was a lot higher than normal for a 600. It's really not easy to ride. Often down to 4mph up hills. We were also in single figures going into the wind and I wasn't taking it easy.
I would have thought tandems and recumbents are best suited in an event like this, where they can really make the difference. Failing that, what are they good for?
Do you think it's lack of practice on the machine or it's just not as good as a normal bike/tandem?
Post by: citoyen on 10 September, 2018, 03:15:57 pm
Agree - but it can have its hazards. In 2003 the Waltham Wander (as "The Beast", more or less, was then called) shared a control at Taunton Deane services with another 600 - I forget the name. Leaving in the middle of the night, one had to be very careful to concentrate on the route sheet and not follow the lights in front as they went off in different directions about half a mile from the control.
Yes, good point. There was a similar issue on the Beast in 2011 (iirc) with another ride using Taunton Deane services, although the timings meant the crossover only affected the fastest riders on the Beast and the slower riders on the other event.
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 10 September, 2018, 03:34:25 pm
I think the Morpheus team had a few disadvantages to overcome e.g. Steve couldn't have sat more upright if he tried, big panniers adding extra wind drag, a lack of laidback pedalling practice (recumbent legs), slow-rolling tyres.
Post by: teethgrinder on 10 September, 2018, 04:09:45 pm
Maybe it's a tandem thing - my HR is always 20bpm or so higher on ours, compared to riding solo; for the same perceived effort.My perceived effort was a lot higher than normal for a 600. It's really not easy to ride. Often down to 4mph up hills. We were also in single figures going into the wind and I wasn't taking it easy.
I would have thought tandems and recumbents are best suited in an event like this, where they can really make the difference. Failing that, what are they good for?
Do you think it's lack of practice on the machine or it's just not as good as a normal bike/tandem?
Tandems and recumbents have a very good power to cda (aerodynamic resistance) ratio. As LWAB says, the Morpheus is about as aero as a sail. It's also a heavy beast, what with the armchair on the front. It doesn't corner very well and is cumbersome. Faster tyres are available, we were using Schwalbe Marathons. I have taken the back wheel off before. I was astonished how heavy it was, though the hub gear probably made a big difference. A normal bike or tandem would have been much easier. We did clock 39mph on the descent into Lincoln (I think we were off route as we didn't come in on the A15) This made Andy a bit nervous, what with it being wet and there being drain covers around. The brakes are good though. A reasonably aero road bike would be at least as fast descending, if not faster. It's not built for long distance rides. It doubles up as a cargo bike, as you can remove the front seat and drivechain and replace it with a large carrying rack. Andy got uncomfortable on the seat (and so did I on the saddle) I do think it's possible to ride an easy 600 on the Morpheus. I had a cough fr about 2 months, so didn't ride and lost a lot of fitness and am only starting to get some of it back. I have ridden a lot stronger on the Morpheus before. So on top of the heavy weight, high drag from wind resistance etc, the power would have been lower than a normal tandem or recumbent as well, as Andy doesn't ride a recumbent so doesn't have recumbent legs. My position on the back is also very different to my usual riding position.
But it's just a lot of fun to ride!
Post by: teethgrinder on 10 September, 2018, 04:16:53 pm
It was a daft idea to do a 600 on a slow beast like the Morpheus without practice and when not very fit.
It's a very strange looking machine. Seems to offer none of the usual advantages of a tandem or a recumbent, only the disadvantages of both. Probably quite fun to ride though!
That's about the size of it. ;D
Post by: teethgrinder on 10 September, 2018, 04:19:07 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgkMOy-2iZ4
Post by: jiberjaber on 10 September, 2018, 04:20:50 pm
..............
Really could have done with a rest but I had a train to catch so after a quick shandy and bag of crisps, I set off for Chelmsford... And within a few minutes was back at the pub because I remembered that I had a bag to pick up. The ride to Chelmsford was "interesting". The map showed I could just follow the B1008 all the way from Dunmow to Chelmsford, which I imagined would be a quiet country lane, but it was built like a major A-road and the traffic was treating it as such. Another factor I hadn't accounted for was the terrain - not flat! Then I took the wrong turning at a roundabout and ended up riding the last few miles into Chelmsford on the actual A131, which was mental. But at least it was fast. Just before the station, the scent of Chinese takeaway gave me a craving for chow mein, but alas I didn't have time. The journey home worked out very well though - changed at Stratford, DLR over to Stratford International for the HS1 back to Canterbury. Worth remembering that for future Essex excursions as it's much better than going via that London.
Got home just before midnight, treated myself to a much-needed shower and a well-deserved beer then... next thing I knew, somehow it was this morning.
Epic ride, can't honestly say I enjoyed all of it, but big thanks to Tomsk for organising and for an excellent routesheet that was very easy to follow (such that I hardly ever had the Garmin set to the map page). Probably wouldn't have done this ride if I didn't need it to complete my SR for this year but I'm glad I did - what doesn't kill you, and all that...
Great report David... for future ref - you can probably walk across between Stratford and Stratford International quicker than a DLR (subject to time of night) but if you are '600km tired' I can see the attraction of the easier DLR :thumbsup:
There is a 24km route from Dunmow to Chelmsford station that I can advise on which is a lot safer if anyone needs it in the future.
ETA: https://www.komoot.com/tour/45853378?ref=wtd
Post by: citoyen on 10 September, 2018, 04:37:44 pm
Great report David... for future ref - you can probably walk across between Stratford and Stratford International quicker than a DLR (subject to time of night) but if you are '600km tired' I can see the attraction of the easier DLR :thumbsup:
Yeah, I would normally make my own way between the two, and would have done so if I was cutting it fine for the train, but I had half an hour to kill one way or another, so took the lazy option.
Quote
There is a 24km route from Dunmow to Chelmsford station that I can advise on which is a lot safer if anyone needs it in the future.
ETA: https://www.komoot.com/tour/45853378?ref=wtd
Thanks for that - I know I should have asked for advice from the locals beforehand but thought the route I'd chosen looked fine on paper. How on earth the B1008 is designated a B-road is beyond all logic... Your route looks much nicer.
Post by: citoyen on 10 September, 2018, 04:43:03 pm
https://youtu.be/yY2aHxWV1xE
I'd never been to Chatteris before but even that fleeting visit was enough to confirm the accuracy of the song.
Post by: Wobbly on 10 September, 2018, 04:45:48 pm
One of the very few downsides to owning a magnificent beast like the Pashley Guv'nor is that it has Schrader valves and all my pumps are set up for Presta valves.
Magnificent beast, indeed! Temperamental, though ... Paris, London, Sleaford ::-) ;)
Let's be fair - I did PBP on a Pashley Roadster not the Guv'nor.
The common factor here is me - I can be relied upon finding ways to bugger things up. On LEL, for example, I simply decided to crash after 20km; the Guv'nor never missed a beat. My knee was never going to last another 1,380km after that but I did manage to get to Edinburgh and back to Spalding before finally packing. Riding past what had been the Spalding control brought back terrible memories!
As for Presta / Schrader (you say Schraeder, I say Schrader, Schraeder, Schrader, Schraeder, Schrader, let's call the whole thing off) I will do the same as I did with the Roadster and get both inner tubes replaced with Presta versions.
Post by: nammynake on 10 September, 2018, 07:09:14 pm
Day 2 was a series of McDonald's, starting with breakfast in Lincoln. I was pleased to be riding with two others as we shared the work in the strengthening head/cross winds.
Pre-qual for PBP hopefully done now (assuming I ticked off the right controls...my only other Audax was LEL and I'm still a little uncertain as whether controls have to be in specific places or just anywhere in the specified the town).
Post by: Redlight on 10 September, 2018, 07:12:40 pm
my only other Audax was LEL and I'm still a little uncertain as whether controls have to be in specific places or just anywhere in the specified the town).
Anywhere in the town unless a specific location is listed on the route sheet.
Post by: Tomsk on 10 September, 2018, 08:11:00 pm
Did others take take the cyclepath after the bridge in Gainsborough (A631)? I didn't spot this and although very quiet, was not treated favourably by the cars on the dual Carriageway.
They should have seen it as it is the 'advisory route' on my carefully hand-crafted and checked route sheet! ;D
Post by: wilkyboy on 10 September, 2018, 08:19:16 pm
Did others take take the cyclepath after the bridge in Gainsborough (A631)? I didn't spot this and although very quiet, was not treated favourably by the cars on the dual Carriageway.
They should have seen it as it is the 'advisory route' on my carefully hand-crafted and checked route sheet! ;D
I've ridden that path before and it's a bit rough. We stuck to the road, which was fine at about 4pm, and drivers were very considerate of our right-turn at the roundabout. I might've felt a bit exposed on my own, though. And I was using Tom's carefully hand-crafted and checked route sheet, too :thumbsup:
Post by: grams on 10 September, 2018, 08:37:01 pm
Speaking of alternative routes, who:
a) Read about Lincoln's cobbles in the route sheet and made a conscious decision to avoid them
b) Read about Lincoln's cobbles in the route sheet and made a conscious decision to give them a go.
c) Blindly followed the GPX file onto them and spent a scary few minutes experimenting to figure out whether riding them or trying to walk them in cleats was least likely to lead to serious injury?
Post by: citoyen on 10 September, 2018, 08:43:37 pm
Did others take take the cyclepath after the bridge in Gainsborough (A631)? I didn't spot this and although very quiet, was not treated favourably by the cars on the dual Carriageway.
They should have seen it as it is the 'advisory route' on my carefully hand-crafted and checked route sheet! ;D
I got a bit confused in Gainsborough because I didn't go to the garage for the control. The instructions made perfect sense if you stopped at the garage but I had already stopped at Aldi so in my confusion turned right at the crossroads instead of left. Entirely my fault. Anyway, the upshot is that when I turned back and crossed the bridge, I found myself on the road but soon hopped across to the cycle path after a couple of cars came past me too close at silly speed. I thought the cycle path was fine.
The carefully hand-crafted and checked route sheet was spot on, including diversions and alternatives, and my few moments of confusion were caused by me being slightly dim. There was, however, one minor discrepancy between the route sheet and the GPX, just after Clare, where the route sheet tells you to turn left up a hill, which I did but got an off-course warning from the Garmin so doubled back. I know I should have trusted the route sheet but I didn't - my reward for which was having to go up a much steeper hill instead a few hundred metres later... :facepalm:
Here - the red line is where the routesheet tells you to go (Doctor's Lane), the blue line is the GPX track (Ashen Hill):
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1882/44551245542_64b4af926e_z.jpg)
Post by: bhoot on 10 September, 2018, 09:03:52 pm
I spotted a local on the path and decided to give it a go.
Speaking of alternative routes, who:
a) Read about Lincoln's cobbles in the route sheet and made a conscious decision to avoid them
b) Read about Lincoln's cobbles in the route sheet and made a conscious decision to give them a go.
c) Blindly followed the GPX file onto them and spent a scary few minutes experimenting to figure out whether riding them or trying to walk them in cleats was least likely to lead to serious injury?
a) this and two previous times.....On the inaugural ride in 2013 we did try the cobbles and then nearly got lost. I'm not sure there was an alternative in 2013 as having visited Steep Hill the previous year in pedestrian tourist mode (bike left in hotel) we surely would have known better... but no doubt Tomsk has an archive of route sheets and will tell us that we had an option.
Are there still ambulances stationed near the top of the hill waiting for the revellers who have over-revelled?
Post by: Tomsk on 10 September, 2018, 09:44:57 pm
Speaking of alternative routes, who:
a) Read about Lincoln's cobbles in the route sheet and made a conscious decision to avoid them
b) Read about Lincoln's cobbles in the route sheet and made a conscious decision to give them a go.
c) Blindly followed the GPX file onto them and spent a scary few minutes experimenting to figure out whether riding them or trying to walk them in cleats was least likely to lead to serious injury?
a) this and two previous times.....On the inaugural ride in 2013 we did try the cobbles and then nearly got lost. I'm not sure there was an alternative in 2013 as having visited Steep Hill the previous year in pedestrian tourist mode (bike left in hotel) we surely would have known better... but no doubt Tomsk has an archive of route sheets and will tell us that we had an option.
In 2013, having checked the route through Lincoln out on foot [Mrs Tomsk & I stayed at a B & B in Lincoln two nights early that year, on the recce], I thought the main road route straight down and past the station would be a safer alternative to the cobbles if wet and had that as an option on the route sheet. On Arrows I'd always taken the West Parade/Yarborough Road up, though I did once go [walking] up the cobbles on a solo York Dart [with camping gear ...] just for a change.
Post by: wilkyboy on 10 September, 2018, 09:57:05 pm
I spotted a local on the path and decided to give it a go.
Speaking of alternative routes, who:
a) Read about Lincoln's cobbles in the route sheet and made a conscious decision to avoid them
b) Read about Lincoln's cobbles in the route sheet and made a conscious decision to give them a go.
c) Blindly followed the GPX file onto them and spent a scary few minutes experimenting to figure out whether riding them or trying to walk them in cleats was least likely to lead to serious injury?
I've ridden the cobbles several times, twice on a Brommie. I decided that on fixed in the pouring rain, and Veloman on road cleats, they would be near-suicidal, so we went back down the way we came up.
Post by: cyclinggeezer on 10 September, 2018, 09:59:50 pm
Heading north riders enter Lincoln via the Water Railway cycle path to the east, go via the new east west link to the uni and McDs. Then up the hill via Yardborough road to the roundabout and on north via Burton Rd
Way south is again via Burton Rd, Yardborough Rd to the McDs roundabout. Then turn at Pizza Hut, Burger King and head out down a cycle path by the river heading south to come out at South Park roundabout and up Cross O Cliff Hill to Bracebridge Heath and Bloxholm Lane.
This avoids the daytime conditions on B1188
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Post by: wilkyboy on 10 September, 2018, 10:06:15 pm
The carefully hand-crafted and checked route sheet was spot on, including diversions and alternatives, and my few moments of confusion were caused by me being slightly dim. There was, however, one minor discrepancy between the route sheet and the GPX, just after Clare, where the route sheet tells you to turn left up a hill, which I did but got an off-course warning from the Garmin so doubled back. I know I should have trusted the route sheet but I didn't - my reward for which was having to go up a much steeper hill instead a few hundred metres later... :facepalm:
Here - the red line is where the routesheet tells you to go (Doctor's Lane), the blue line is the GPX track (Ashen Hill):
Yep, that one was my mistake, sorry! :-[ I was navigating us by routesheet yesterday and we took the first left, got the off-course warning from the GPS, and I immediately realised my error in the GPS tracks.
What was more surprising was that a rider (I can't remember who) whom we'd just left in Co-op in Clare then appeared in front of us at Ridgewell — he had followed the GPS track and flown up that "steeper" hill, whereas we, well mainly me, had grovelled up the "proper" hill. In terms of distance there's not much in it, maybe 50m, and I'm not sure there's much difference steepness-wise either and both start and end at the same place ... actually your hill does look a bit steeper ...
FWIW, the GPS track was tested beforehand and the feedback was that it was correct to the routesheet, so obviously not a big enough off-course to warrant reporting. I've already fixed it in the "master" version, so it won't get repeated next year (unless Tom decides to change to that steeper hill, now that you've mentioned it :demon: :P ).
Post by: citoyen on 10 September, 2018, 10:27:38 pm
Yep, that one was my mistake, sorry! :-[ I was navigating us by routesheet yesterday and we took the first left, got the off-course, and I immediately realised my error in the GPS files.
It's OK, I'm not complaining. I was mostly amused that I had shirked one hill only to be given a steeper alternative. I would have been slow up either way.
Quote
In terms of distance there's not much in it, maybe 50m, and I'm not sure there's much difference steepness-wise either and both start and end at the same place.
Indeed, and at only a few hundred metres long, it's barely a hill at all, just a bump. You do feel the bumps in your legs after 590km though.
Post by: rob on 10 September, 2018, 11:19:46 pm
As an aside my Great Grandad who was a track sprinter in the 1920s allegedly held some sort of record for riding up Steep Hill in Lincoln on the cobbles. This story may have come from my late Grandmother who was occasionally prone to exaggeration.
Post by: cyclinggeezer on 11 September, 2018, 12:45:33 am
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Post by: Bikeabilityman on 11 September, 2018, 08:46:41 am
Lows: No sleep before my ride to the start, realising after setting off I hadn’t sorted out the stiff left brake lever and hard to shift down right sti (bike not used since Easter), the rain, the wind, realising I coulda stopped at Whittlesey ‘spoons for brekky on the way out, the Lincoln cobbles and climbs (didn’t use routesheet much when it rained), not knowing how Miho got on when I stopped at an Audax hotel, and getting totally bored pedalling on the flat 😴
Post by: earthloop on 11 September, 2018, 10:46:29 am
I was a couple of minutes behind the 30.00 km/h peleton on the run into the Green Welly, quick in and out and on to Sleaford where I led somebody up a wrong turn (sorry) and then discovered that the Yorkshire Trading Co shop is large but doesn't really have food. Iceland had Lucozade and cheese though, so that was ok. At this point I realised that I had rushed my prep a bit and hadn't taken anything from my wallet. No cash at all, no cashpoint card, no id, just my emergency credit card stuffed in the bum bag. Oops.
On to Gainsborough where I just grabbed 1.5L of coke and bummed a doughnut off a fellow rider and headed off quickly, planning more of a sit-down stop at Goole McD. Unfortunately the heavens opened on that leg, so at Goole I was too wet to stop and just grabbed something for the road in the garage. Credit card still working for now. My garmin edge 1000 touchscreen doesn't work well in the wet, it tends to go "touchscreen locked" and refuse to play, even after I've wiped it with my driest thing. That meant I couldn't load the next course at Goole, but I eventually managed to get it onto the map screen so I could just follow the line onward.
By Boston at around 11pm I'd started to see some YvE riders on the road, and met one in Boston McD as well. As soon as I was out of the Boston suburbs and away from streetlights I started looking for somewhere to bivy, and soon found a pretty good spot: the grass verge of a field, separated from the road by bushes and not too near any buildings. Bike into tent mode, wet socks off, wrung out and hung over the top tube. Sleep.
Rolling again at about 4am, socks were still slightly wet but soon dried out. Whittlesea around 0630, will something be open or will I have to try to persuade a cash machine to give me a slip while armed with only a credit card ? I really don't want to withdraw even a token amount of cash on a CC as I've heard that can do serious long term damage to one's credit rating. Central section closed, dismount and on the pavement. It looked like I could get away with riding on the empty closed roads, but my legs were enjoying the change of pace so I stuck with walking. An early opening newsagent, yay! The slip didn't say Whittlesea, boo. Barclays ATM, credit card in, there's a balance/limit on a slip option, hooray. It wasn't actually able to get my CC balance or limit, but it helpfully printed the slip anyway with those bits blank but with location, time and date present and correct.
On towards Red Lodge, and soon there were some small hills, I expect this means I'm done with the fens and the wind will drop very soon. Nope. Maybe I just need a couple more hills between me and the flat bits. Still nope. But then the turn and it gets a bit tailwindy, much better. Red Lodge Cafe for coffee and breakfast. Tap the card on the contactless machine, "declined". "oh don't worry, it does that sometimes, it's the wifi, we'll try again". "connection failed". "never mind, just start eating your breakfast now, I'm sure it will go through later". As I'm eating and worrying, the customer in the corner points out that the cafe's wifi has stopped working for him as well, so no amount of retrying is going to do it. He's clearly an IT support professional, as he advises the cafe lady to turn the router off and on again. She doesn't seem to want to. After a few more tries it comes back by itself, and my breakfast is paid for. Phew.
The final section was the hardest for me, the wind was getting stronger and there were hills to get up as well. Riding up some of those long steady hills with windblown leaves coming the other way was a bit like being back in the fenland flats, except on a slant. So for me that tied the whole theme of the ride together.
Post by: billyam998 on 11 September, 2018, 12:41:08 pm
Worth adding the Y via E route through Lincoln on the way north and the way south differ
Heading north riders enter Lincoln via the Water Railway cycle path to the east, go via the new east west link to the uni and McDs. Then up the hill via Yardborough road to the roundabout and on north via Burton Rd
Way south is again via Burton Rd, Yardborough Rd to the McDs roundabout. Then turn at Pizza Hut, Burger King and head out down a cycle path by the river heading south to come out at South Park roundabout and up Cross O Cliff Hill to Bracebridge Heath and Bloxholm Lane.
This avoids the daytime conditions on B1188
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I got separated from my ride partner shortly after gainsborough where I had clearly told him that the only section I hadn't loaded on to my garmin was gainsborough - sleaford. Got to the top of a longish climb and, he was nowhere to be seen, did he go left- wrong direction, did he go right - maybe? not sure, straight on looked the best bet, come to the top of the climb and, see it's the A15 which I didn't fancy, so returned back down hill and, turned on to the B1188 which despite its horrendous reputation actually wasn't that bad - traffic wise allbeit a bit rolling, all the way into lincoln and, onwards to a little bit of the 153 to sleaford. I managed to miss out most of central lincoln only really getting caught up at the level crossing but this meant I did have to climb back out through Canwick,. I was too tired to try and, use local roads, my local knowledge of the area is very limited. I agree the B1188 is probably not the best of roads for an event of this size, it's the biggest fastest B road I've ever come across.
Post by: cyclinggeezer on 11 September, 2018, 12:53:20 pm
Whilst a km or two longer than the B1188 this way avoids all the stress of day time conditions.
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Post by: Tomsk on 11 September, 2018, 01:40:09 pm
At this point I realised that I had rushed my prep a bit and hadn't taken anything from my wallet. No cash at all, no cashpoint card, no id, just my emergency credit card stuffed in the bum bag. Oops.
My mum used to lend me an emergency pound note [and a few coins for the phone], when I was a teenager. This was a long time ago as you can probably tell. The £1 lived in my handlebar end, rolled up in a poly bag.
Post by: Deano4 on 11 September, 2018, 07:21:01 pm
This time though I teamed up with Jane, Carl, Andy, Chris and Ian and we stormed the first 90km through Cambridge to Chatteris, or at least that’s what it felt like. The wind must have been with us as it felt like we were flying and making good time.
Some toast, egg and beans at the Green Welly and we were on our way again. Or at least they were, I was still turning over the page on my route sheet, I finally got it sorted, turned around and everyone was gone, nevermind though I could see them in the distance and tried to catch up. However they has escaped a bit further than I realised and chasing them felt like I wasting too much energy, so I settled back down into my normal pace.
At Whittlesey I was stopped by the level crossing where Jan and 3 riders with him (didn’t catch their names) caught up with me and once the barriers lifted I jumped on the back of their train (no pun intended!) Their pace was a lot faster and sometimes it took a bit of extra effort to keep with them but I hoped it would let me catch up with Jane and co. However not even being at or near the second control I thought it best not to wear myself out too much so early and I let them go. Then as luck would have it not far from Sleaford I found Andy and Chris waiting by the side of the road. It turns out that they had taken a wrong turn and were waiting for the others to catch up, so all back together again we rode to the Wetherspoons in Sleaford for their Ultimate burger.
There had been light rain on and off throughout the afternoon but during the next stage as we were approaching Gainsborough it came out in full force and showed no signs of stopping. Out came the waterproof jacket and onwards to glamorous petrol station forecourt for a quick snack and hot chocolate. As it would soon be dark I decided it would probably be best to keep my jacket on and I am glad I did because on the way to Goole once darkness had fallen the rain just came down and down.
We caught up with Jan at the Goole McDonalds and then pressed on to Kirton. Reaching it at midnight (I think!) We sat on the benches outside the pub and had some more snacks before beginning the journey to Boston.
During this stage Carl stopped off for a sleep at the first available bus stop. Later on Jane, Chris and Andy stopped, I wasn’t sure if they were planning to sleep or not but I carries on and didn’t see them again for the rest of the ride and so spent the rest of the ride on my own. I didn’t realise that this stage was a long one at 90km, so it was quite a nice surprise to know that the rest of stages would be short (comparatively.)
I reached Boston at 05:00 (more or less.) Fought my way past the drunks loitering at the entrance and those inside, one of them bought all of the cyclists an expresso. Back on the road to Whittlesey happy that there was only another 187km to go. I laughed to myself as I thought only 116 miles to go… only!
The wind had picked up now and was blowing in my face which made for some hard work but looking at the positives at least the sun had risen too and with it my body clock had reset and stopped pestering me to sleep. A good breakfast at the Wetherspoons and then on to Red Lodge.
After a good pie, chips, beans, a coke and a cup of tea I left the Red Lodge café at about 15:00 and then battled the wind, sun and hills back to Dunmow. This last stage was a real struggle seamed to go on forever and the wind felt much stronger than it did on the fens, perhaps it had increased or my legs were just getting weaker. Everything was aching and sore and my hand even started to go a bit numb but eventually though I rolled into the Angel and Harp at about 17:30 and ordered a pizza. I had no idea It would be so big, managed to eat all of it though.
A quick chat with Tom as he checked my brevet and I was off. I would have liked to stayed longer but I was in desperate need of a bed and the batteries in my lights had died and I hadn’t charged them, so was eager to get home before it was dark.
Many thanks to Tom and the ACME as usual for organising a great event and I did enjoy most of it (now that it has finished!) My legs are slowly recovering and I have almost caught up on my sleep. Maybe I’ll buy an ACME jersey at the next event. Also thanks to my riding buddies and those that let me hitch a ride on their back wheel.
Best wishes
Dean.
Post by: the straggler on 11 September, 2018, 08:45:25 pm
Everything was aching and sore and my hand even started to go a bit numb but eventually though I rolled into the Angel and Harp at about 17:30 and ordered a pizza. I had no idea It would be so big, managed to eat all of it though.
A quick chat with Tom as he checked my brevet and I was off. I would have liked to stayed longer but I was in desperate need of a bed and the batteries in my lights had died and I hadn’t charged them, so was eager to get home before it was dark.
Many thanks to Tom and the ACME as usual for organising a great event and I did enjoy most of it (now that it has finished!) My legs are slowly recovering and I have almost caught up on my sleep. Maybe I’ll buy an ACME jersey at the next event. Also thanks to my riding buddies and those that let me hitch a ride on their back wheel.
Best wishes
Dean.
That is a sterling effort Dean, and a good ride report. I'm sure Tomsk and ACME would welcome you aboard to join one of their 'ACME Easter Arrows teams' for 2019, that is if you are interested and available to ride the event which usually takes place on the Easter weekend.
Post by: psyclist on 11 September, 2018, 09:15:43 pm
At Whittlesey I was stopped by the level crossing where Jan and 3 riders with him (didn’t catch their names)
That would have been myself and alotronic. Always welcome to have you join us. I ended up seeing you at a few of the controls later on, after I’d missed out on my hotel stop and had ploughed through the night.
Nice ride report, but I’m still bemused that you would choose to ride again after completing the flatliner earlier in the year.
Post by: RobD62 on 11 September, 2018, 09:44:12 pm
After leaving the train station at BS on Friday I took the London Road going south for a mile. First left up a little slope. Left and over the M11 1st right through Woodside Green and Bush End and right on to B1256 at Takeley Street. The only incident between there and Great Dunmow Travel Lodge was the Lion and Lamb jumped out in front on me at Little Canfield and I was forced to take on mid afternoon beer and fish and chips.
The return on Monday was even better: Right out of Travel Lodge under the A120 - 1st right at Barnston - Right at Bishops Green - Over B184 through Great Canfeild - L&R over B184 -Bush End - Woodside Green Back over M11 R&L over A1060 back into BS. (no pubs jumped out on the return) No scary motorway junctions either just lovely lanes. Had to wait a whole 3 minutes when I got onto the platform at BS.
The ride between Paddington and Liverpool Street was interesting both ways but all copeable.
It's an easy ride to Bishops Stortford and I think more trains stop there than Mountfitchet on a Sunday. The road is pretty quiet as all of the through traffic now uses the A120. There's a hideous roundabout crossing the M11 but traffic lights help.Definitely more trains to/from Bishops Stortford - it's a pretty good service as long as there are no engineering works.
You can take trains on the Express out of peak hours if they aren't looking/not being bolshy. I've certainly done that on the way to some of Tomsk's rides. It may be harder coming back though.
Regarding the Stansted express trains - yes in theory no bikes ay any time (other than folded).... but in practice, we have never had a problem southbound getting on at BS after events. Northbound we have encountered more problems, but have still managed it early in the morning, however expect to be refused at busier times.
Cycling to/from BS station there is a neat little cut through that someone showed us and saves a bit of time/distance https://goo.gl/maps/j7x6291DfYA2 - you can squeeze your bike through the barriers at the eastern end of Warwick Road.
Thanks, both, useful info. I did note the horrible looking roundabout at the M11 junction but there doesn't seem to be any easy way round it.
Dunmow-Bishops Stortford
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28517919
Anyway, I think I've settled on getting the train back from Chelmsford - not least because I can switch to the Kent-bound train at Stratford rather than having to go all the way into London. They also seem to have fewer restrictions* on which services you can take your bike on. It's a little further to ride but what's another 6km at the end of a 600?
Getting to Chelmsford from Dunmow seems to be B1008 all the way, unless anyone has any better suggestions - could put in a dogleg onto probably-quieter roads through Great Waltham but there doesn't seem much point...
Dunmow-Chelmsford
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28517940
*ETA: have checked with Greater Anglia, the official story is there are NO restrictions on bikes from Chelmsford to London on Sunday. :thumbsup:
Post by: RobD62 on 11 September, 2018, 09:49:11 pm
Just curious if there are many/any riders likely to try and ride through the night without a sleep stop?
20 minute nap at Boston McDs and a 10 minute cloud count on a grass verge after Ramsey.
Post by: Deano4 on 12 September, 2018, 05:37:52 am
Everything was aching and sore and my hand even started to go a bit numb but eventually though I rolled into the Angel and Harp at about 17:30 and ordered a pizza. I had no idea It would be so big, managed to eat all of it though.
A quick chat with Tom as he checked my brevet and I was off. I would have liked to stayed longer but I was in desperate need of a bed and the batteries in my lights had died and I hadn’t charged them, so was eager to get home before it was dark.
Many thanks to Tom and the ACME as usual for organising a great event and I did enjoy most of it (now that it has finished!) My legs are slowly recovering and I have almost caught up on my sleep. Maybe I’ll buy an ACME jersey at the next event. Also thanks to my riding buddies and those that let me hitch a ride on their back wheel.
Best wishes
Dean.
That is a sterling effort Dean, and a good ride report. I'm sure Tomsk and ACME would welcome you aboard to join one of their 'ACME Easter Arrows teams' for 2019, that is if you are interested and available to ride the event which usually takes place on the Easter weekend.
Thank you, I am glad you enjoyed it.
Yes, very much interested in joining an Easter Arrow next year. :O)
Post by: Deano4 on 12 September, 2018, 05:40:27 am
At Whittlesey I was stopped by the level crossing where Jan and 3 riders with him (didn’t catch their names)
That would have been myself and alotronic. Always welcome to have you join us. I ended up seeing you at a few of the controls later on, after I’d missed out on my hotel stop and had ploughed through the night.
Nice ride report, but I’m still bemused that you would choose to ride again after completing the flatliner earlier in the year.
When I was riding the Flatliner I said to myself I would never do it again, but as usual once the body stops aching you forget the suffering and just remember the satisfaction of completing it. Type II fun, I guess!
Post by: Stretch on 12 September, 2018, 08:04:25 pm
Really good to see the other riders coming towards us especially at night on the Fens; passed some on the straight Holland Fen - the lights were visible for an age before we finally passed into darkness again. Went north of Lincoln onto home turf before a couple of hours sleep in a convenient summer house and set off again for Goole feeling surprisingly fresh as my 400 in June had almost destroyed me. The A161 was as windy as usual and was draining on the southbound stretch so I decided to go back east of the Trent and through Laughton Forest to Gainsborough for some shelter.
Back through Lincoln and the climb up Cross O Cliff had me in bottom gear, the never-ending rollercoaster lane brought us into Sleaford almost by surprise and was a good alternative to the other busier routes. Visit to Burger King for a receipt and refuel and my first 600 and SR was complete.
A few pics from the weekend, apologies for the quality of some of them; the phone camera struggles with low light.
Sleaford start, Richard giving us the send off:
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1866/29702891477_e092dc9259.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/MfK5Nz)Sleaford (https://flic.kr/p/MfK5Nz) by Al (https://www.flickr.com/photos/highy/), on Flickr
East towards Spalding:
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1891/29702891467_2c51d94b8b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/MfK5Np)Saturday sunrise (https://flic.kr/p/MfK5Np) by Al (https://www.flickr.com/photos/highy/), on Flickr
Green Welly:
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1864/29702838527_0c4a9b65bc.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/MfJP4D)Green Welly (https://flic.kr/p/MfJP4D) by Al (https://www.flickr.com/photos/highy/), on Flickr
Waiting for drivers to finish breakfast:
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1878/29702891487_8d239dda6f.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/MfK5NK)Velos (https://flic.kr/p/MfK5NK) by Al (https://www.flickr.com/photos/highy/), on Flickr
Getting wet on the busway:
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1890/29702838457_a7f1318394.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/MfJP3r)Busway (https://flic.kr/p/MfJP3r) by Al (https://www.flickr.com/photos/highy/), on Flickr
Cam Bridge:
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1890/29702838477_706c3db1fc.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/MfJP3M)Cam Bridge (https://flic.kr/p/MfJP3M) by Al (https://www.flickr.com/photos/highy/), on Flickr
The 2 Controllers confer:
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1894/29702838447_131f84f1d3.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/MfJP3g)Boars Head Control (https://flic.kr/p/MfJP3g) by Al (https://www.flickr.com/photos/highy/), on Flickr
Ramsey by night:
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1877/29702891447_80257fdb0b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/MfK5N4)Ramsey (https://flic.kr/p/MfK5N4) by Al (https://www.flickr.com/photos/highy/), on Flickr
Whittlesey:
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1875/29702891497_02b0191a6d.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/MfK5NV)Whittlesey shop (https://flic.kr/p/MfK5NV) by Al (https://www.flickr.com/photos/highy/), on Flickr
Towards Lincoln again:
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1885/29702838547_a378e17667.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/MfJP4Z)R squared (https://flic.kr/p/MfJP4Z) by Al (https://www.flickr.com/photos/highy/), on Flickr
Post by: Redlight on 12 September, 2018, 10:19:40 pm
A few pics from the weekend, apologies for the quality of some of them; the phone camera struggles with low light.
East towards Spalding:
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1891/29702891467_2c51d94b8b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/MfK5Np)Saturday sunrise (https://flic.kr/p/MfK5Np) by Al (https://www.flickr.com/photos/highy/), on Flickr
I wouldn't apologise. That sunset shot would make a great Arrivee cover if suitably high definition.
Post by: CJ on 13 September, 2018, 08:35:35 am
[/quote]
That was me and my friend! Thank you for sweeping us up. You came along like guardian angels on two wheels. It made for a fun but very painful three hours chop through the last 40-50km or so but it was totally worth it.
We found the wind on the Fens really hard to cope with and battled on as best we could. Learned some valuable lessons for next time. We've signed up for WCW so going to scour this forum for planning and strategy tips so that we nail the next 600.
Post by: L CC on 13 September, 2018, 08:56:27 am
That was me and my friend! Thank you for sweeping us up. You came along like guardian angels on two wheels. It made for a fun but very painful three hours chop through the last 40-50km or so but it was totally worth it.
We found the wind on the Fens really hard to cope with and battled on as best we could. Learned some valuable lessons for next time. We've signed up for WCW so going to scour this forum for planning and strategy tips so that we nail the next 600.
:thumbsup:
Glad to meet you, and as LW&B says, a good feeling to be of service.
Post by: Tomsk on 13 September, 2018, 09:18:40 am
We found the wind on the Fens really hard to cope with and battled on as best we could. Learned some valuable lessons for next time. We've signed up for WCW so going to scour this forum for planning and strategy tips so that we nail the next 600.
:thumbsup:
Glad to meet you, and as LW&B says, a good feeling to be of service.
Fenland Friends :thumbsup: It's a special bond, forged in the Zephyrs of the Cabbage Patch.
Post by: Nik's Nick on 13 September, 2018, 10:54:10 am
:-X
Post by: Tomsk on 13 September, 2018, 07:04:17 pm
Zephyr - a soft gentle breeze.
:-X
:D
One cycling experience I don't want is riding through a 'Fen Blow' [dust storm] - the most recent one I can find references to was April 2013.
Post by: oggy on 13 September, 2018, 08:30:52 pm
Zephyr - a soft gentle breeze.
:-X
:D
One cycling experience I don't want is riding through a 'Fen Blow' [dust storm] - the most recent one I can find references to was April 2013.
I think i saw one starting this year during fenalnd friends was certainly dusty and windy
Post by: Nothereforafasttime on 15 September, 2018, 05:40:33 pm
I started cycling back in 2012 so you could say I was swept along with the wave of the Olympics that year plus the first Briton to win the Tour de France – and in a little over six years I had completed at least 45 sportives, 35 of those being century rides. However, this was my first Audax and one that I was really looking forward to. I had moved to Audaxes as I felt I had become tired of these types of events, more because of their competitive nature than anything else – and the more-friendly-natured feel of Audaxes made them more appealing to me.
As this was the biggest challenge on two wheels that I had faced so far I decided to err on the side of caution with some of my belongings – and although I had booked a Premier Inn at Lincoln at Mile 229 I thought it best to bring along some ‘alfresco’ style sleeping equipment, just in case the City of Lincoln proved to be too far for me.
We set off at 5.53am and out of Great Dunmow, heading North along the B1008 towards Cambridge. The clouds weren’t threatening any rain, so we were able to enjoy the quiet Essex country lanes. The profile was a little bit lumpy but nothing to really test you in the first few miles - and with very little traffic to contend with at this early stage as most ‘normal’ people were still tucked up in bed it proved to be a comfortable start to this epic ride.
I arrived in Cambridge at Mile 27 just before the Saturday market was being set up, so the roads were still generally quiet at this early stage. Happy that my hydration levels must have been well topped up (my wee was a good colour!) and my food intake was going as planned (I had packed chocolate spread sandwiches and jam sandwiches for the first leg) I pushed on through the villages of Thaxted and Saffron Walden.
For those that aren’t aware of what Audax rides are all about – essentially you are given what is called a brevet card at the start and the idea is to complete the route in the allocated time, stopping at the nominated ‘control’ points to collect either a proof of passage (maybe in the form of a receipt with time and date on it) or a stamp in the space on the card by one of the supporters at the control point.
Arriving at Chatteris at Mile 50 and The Green Welly Café was there to greet the riders. By now there was quite a queue for some well-deserved food and many a full English breakfast was the order of the day here. This was the first of the many ‘control’ points where one of the organisers was there to very kindly stamp my brevet card with an image of a carrot (I guess as we were near Lincolnshire that was very apt). A bacon sandwich and a coffee later and I was back on the road heading towards the fens of Lincolnshire.
Out now and the beginning of what was to be the longest and flattest section of the entire ride. I had never cycled in this part of the country before, so I was in unknown territory. I had heard a lot of stories about the Fens and how they can bite back at any rider that dares to cross them. All the while I was cycling across these parts I couldn’t help but think to myself ‘these aren’t that bad – I don’t know what the fuss is about’. I was to eat my words several miles further on when the course changed direction and it was as if someone had turned on one of those leaf blowers! The barren landscape and the long, dead straight roads that disappear on the horizon present any rider with the illusion of a never-ending cycle (excuse the pun). Coming from a busy community life, I wondered how people in this part of the world manage to shop for basic means – given the fact that shops in these parts were very sparingly indeed.
Throughout much of the flat terrain I was left to ponder on what speed I needed to maintain in order to complete this ride within the 40 hour time limit and reach Great Dunmow at 10pm the following night – and with my average speed of 15mph at this stage I was well on course, although I realised I had not even hit the 100 mile mark yet so there was still a long way to go. On my many sportives I am used to an undulating profile so stretches such as the ten-mile section between miles 74 and 84 which runs parallel with the River Welland was easy but quite a strain on the mind with no challenge ahead of me! The busy town of Sleaford welcomed me at Mile 107 and a much-needed latte and cake at the Costa coffee shop nearby - along with the all-important receipt as proof of passage. A few of the other riders were here also but the ‘pack’ was very much split up by now. At this stage I felt good, but I often wondered what was going on in front of me and behind as Audaxes welcome riders of all different ages and abilities. Just as I left Sleaford I checked my route sheet which I had clipped to the top of my handlebar bag and I read somewhere about stopping at a Wetherspoons pub in the town. Not wanting to continue without questioning what this was all about I took a trip inside. It turned out that visiting this pub chain was something of a medal of honour which explained why it had been featured on the route sheets.
Mile 127 and the City of Lincoln provided a welcome stop as the evening had started to draw in. A quick burst up the cobbles through the centre, dodging the many crowds of people enjoying their late Saturday shopping spree and I was out the other side, ascending the short hill towards our next stop at Gainsborough. Just as I had popped out of Lincoln, the rain had begun to put a damper on the proceedings. Surprisingly, for me I didn’t mind too much as I had prepared for anything on this ride. The traffic on the route had also begun to grow, not surprisingly as the road I was travelling on seemed to be one of the only ways North out of the city.
Gainsborough was the next ‘control’ stop at Mile 145 where I bumped into several of the riders at the petrol station in the town who also seemed to have experienced the soaking just after Lincoln. A bottle of water, not forgetting my all-important proof of passage but nearly almost forgetting to collect the water (I mentioned to the counter staff that it had been a long day – and it had been!) and we were off along the busy A631 – and with the light now beginning to fail it was time to switch on the rear lights again (I was still able to see a lot in front of me so the fronts were staying off for now).
By this time the tiredness was beginning to show and despite the cool temperatures my body temperature was relatively high. I unzipped my rain jacket and jersey which helped cool me down, but I do get hot quickly on long rides - and as a result I struggle with my food intake which in turn affects performance on the road. Nevertheless, I plugged on, my mind overthinking too much with numbers (how many miles until the halfway stage, how many until Goole, how many if I went at the current speed, etc).
The miles ticked by as the sun set slowly over the Lincolnshire countryside as the villages of Epworth and Crow came and went. On one of my many comfort breaks I had inadvertently stepped in some mud so some of my bottle of water doubled as a temporary wash station for my cleats. As darkness arrived I begun to see other participants who had already made the turn at Goole and were on their way back to Great Dunmow approaching me on the other side of the road. I knew at this point that I was too far away from the turn myself – and the lights of the heavy industrial buildings in the distance slowly getting closer giving me that impetus to reach the next ‘control’ point. By now a few gears in my rear cassette were not working so I couldn’t get into the lowest gear – not much of a problem on this type of road but something that was to prove to be annoying later.
A few turns in the now very quiet A161 and Goole appeared from the darkness at Mile 178. More riders were coming and going at this point and it felt very comforting that I was not alone in this! Across the darkness I noticed the famous golden arches resembling the Mcdonalds and I knew I was nearly there. After missing a turn and very nearly ending up along the M62 I rolled into the motorway services at just after 10pm to join up with several riders who were tucking into their ‘Maccy D’s’. My appetite had gone but the nevertheless I ordered a McChicken sandwich, only to end up just gazing at it, my mind telling me not to eat it but knew that my body needed it (it’s not a very nice place to be at all!) I took one bite and it felt so unappetising, so I gulped down a milkshake and hoped that would be enough – how wrong I was!
After a quick change into my tights and long sleeve jersey I felt ready to go again. One of the riders I was with seemed to take a wrong turn just up the road out of Goole, but I was too tired to think twice about anything, so I pushed on through the town and back out onto the A161. The flow of cyclists approaching me on the other side of the road made me think I wasn’t the only one left out there!
By the time I had reached Eastoft it was midnight. I had never cycled at this time of the day before, but I always loved the adventure of the unknown so perhaps it was this that kept me going. Despite the flat terrain my pace had begun to drop to not much more than 11mph and I had begun to see the red rear lights of several cyclists heading off to their chosen ‘bed’ for the night. I say that loosely because on Audaxes of 600km or over the consensus is to spend a few hours shut eye in whatever form of shelter one can find along the route – and the several bus shelters provided a somewhat 5-Star ‘hotel’ for these tired individuals. For me, personally as this was my first 600km ride I decided to err on the side of caution and had pre-booked a Premier Inn in Lincoln which at this stage was approximately thirty miles away. Of course, me and my overthinking mind had decided to tell me that I was completely exhausted and kept telling me to stop and find some other way of getting home. Thankfully my stubbornness and sheer determination overtook these thoughts, but the battle had certainly begun with my inner chimp!
Another control point to tick off – this time at the quiet village of Kirton in Lindsey. Well, quiet because it was stupid o’clock and everyone was asleep and not on a stupid 600km cycle ride! This one was a bit of a quiz as we had to answer the question ‘what is the name of the public house in the village?’ This was easy (The Queens Head) but what wasn’t so easy was actually writing it down in the space on my brevet card as the lead in my pencil had decided to abandon me (probably because it thought it best to go home and get some sleep like any normal person) so my phone became my note book as I knew I wouldn’t remember its name 16 hours later!
One of my goals before I started the ride was to surpass my previous effort of 215 miles in a single ride – a ride which had stood ever since my ride across Southern England back in 2014. Just before I approached Hemswell at approximately 1.40am a signpost emerged from the darkness along the B1398 and was to prove to be a lasting symbol of my new personal best.
All along this stretch I was wondering if I could still make it to the end. The calculations in my head were going into overdrive and I knew that my stop at Lincoln couldn’t be a long one. As I was thinking, a fellow cyclist come up alongside me and we chatted for a bit, wondering how people live in these parts with very little ‘life’ (shall we say) around them. One good thing is that it was peaceful with seemingly us cyclists owning the road for miles to come. Not long after, we said our parting words and I saw him disappear into a side road, presumably to look for one of those 5-Star audax hotels I mentioned.
Roads in these parts just carried on for miles and miles which did not help my overthinking mind wonder if I would ever reach Lincoln, let alone the finish! But just when I thought the road couldn’t go on for much longer, the outskirts of Lincoln arrived, and I was very pleased to find the local petrol station which I had passed on the way through Lincoln several hours earlier. I’m not sure what it is but the minute I stop after a long session on the bike my mind and body switches to defensive mode - and no sooner had I unclipped and waited in the queue for some water I had an un-nerving feel in my stomach, so I rushed around the corner of the petrol station where I was violently sick. A lot of things were going through my head at this time but at least I knew that I was only a stones throw away from somewhere to sleep, so with a quick grab of some water I headed off into the city and my bed for a few hours at the Premier Inn.
The time was now just after 3am and all I could think about was putting my head on a pillow – not before a quick shower to wash some of the last 229 miles off me. I set my alarm for 8.30am as I thought that would be a good time to get back out on the road and must have gone straight to sleep as it seemed almost as I drifted off the alarm woke me up and was time to get ready to go again. From my vomiting moment some hours earlier, my stomach was completely empty, so a full English breakfast was on the cards along with several glass of fresh orange juice. I felt much better, but I knew of the task still ahead of me, so I didn’t delay in getting back out on the road – only to be greeted with one of the biggest climbs on the entire route – the Canwick Road out of the city. My legs were clearly not in the mood for this, so I unclipped and walked the rest of the climb.
I still couldn’t manage to get into the lowest gears as my rear derailleur was messing things up. I’m not sure what it was, and I could only think it was dirt that had got into the mechanism somehow. Despite my tiredness and my experiences just before my sleep, it was my strength and determination that was keeping me going as the average speed was beginning to drop down into the high 12’s (12.9mph to be precise I think). The profile here was only a few percentages and every turn of the pedal was hurting mentally but after a few more miles I began to enter the flat profile of the Fens. The trouble was the wind had made its return and the battling conditions meant it was no easy task to push much harder than 10mph in places. One memorable section was at Mile 250 where I was met with a 5-mile dead straight section through Holland Fen. The wind was almost unbearable, and the uninteresting profile meant that my mind had begun to think of throwing in the towel – but I knew that if I reached Boston then I could gather my thoughts, knowing that it was a straight ten hours left until the deadline of 10pm.
Frustratingly, not many signposts ever gave away just how many miles it would be to the next control point but after an agonising stretch (I saw a man selling children’s bikes on the side of the side to which I replied ‘sorry, I’ve got one already!’) Boston arrived at Mile 261 and with it another Mcdonalds. It was here where I bumped into one of the tandem cyclists, so I was quite pleased to realise there were some others left out there! Even up until this point I still felt there was still a chance to get back to Great Dunmow, but it meant an increase in my average speed up until that point – something which I couldn’t physically do so with a heavy heart I decided to call it a day. It was just after midday and my heavy legs had had enough. It was only then that I realised I had missed the time cut to the Boston control anyway as I saw the tandem riders slowly disappearing off on their way through the town I tucked into my chicken nuggets and milkshake – where I was subsequently sick outside again!
A quick Google of the train policies with regards to bicycles from Boston and I was off back towards Stanstead Airport on the East Midland line and a short, seven-mile cycle ride down the A120 back towards Great Dunmow (I’m not entirely sure you’re meant to cycle along here but at this stage of the day I couldn’t care less!)
Since returning home I have booked up more Audaxes for next year. The Audax adventures for me have only just begun!
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 15 September, 2018, 06:29:25 pm
Word to the wise, boab and I only gained enough time on Saturday to get about three hours of sleep in Scunny (stopped there for about four). You were stopped in Lincoln for a whole lot longer than that. Also, riding in a group through the windy fens is a sensible way to avoid grinding yourself into dust, for your legs and head.
Post by: Nothereforafasttime on 15 September, 2018, 07:02:20 pm
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 15 September, 2018, 07:16:20 pm
Post by: Nothereforafasttime on 15 September, 2018, 07:32:47 pm
Post by: Exit Stage Left on 15 September, 2018, 07:36:57 pm
You've got a couple of typos.
Quote
Throughout much of the flat terrain I was left to ponder on what speed I needed to maintain in order to complete this ride within the 4 hour time limit and reach Great Dunmow at 10pm the following night
Quote
The miles ticked by as the sun set slowly over the Lincolnshire countryside as the villages of Epworth and Crow came and went. On one of my many comfort brakes I had inadvertently stepped in some mud so some of my bottle of water doubled as a temporary wash station for my cleats.
There's the odd double space here and there, but a good job.
Post by: Nothereforafasttime on 15 September, 2018, 07:55:56 pm
Post by: Wobbly on 15 September, 2018, 08:26:30 pm
Post by: Tomsk on 15 September, 2018, 09:08:54 pm
Nice ride report, NotThere :thumbsup:
Ditto, well done for getting as far as you did - you learnt a lot last weekend!
The results are uploaded, brevets will be in the post to the Validation Secretaries on Monday.
Bare stats:
141 starters [I originally said 136, but some didn't tick the start sheet ...]
112 finishers, plus one about 30 minutes outside the time limit, and possibly others rolling into Dunmow after the pub shut and we'd all gone home.
That makes 29 DNFs, about a typical attrition rate for the Flatlands of old. Commiserations, but I'm sure you'll come back stronger and smarter. Thanks to those who let me know they'd packed, I do worry about you lot you know!
Post by: Chris S on 15 September, 2018, 09:36:41 pm
Post by: Alex B on 16 September, 2018, 02:32:17 pm
https://ctccambridge.org.uk/blog/2018/09/8-sep-fenland-friends-600km-audax
Since starting audaxing, I've tried hard to avoid this local event, preferring to head over to Wales for the BCM600 as an easier alternative. But this year, circumstances meant my number was up.
Thanks to Tom for organizing yet another good one :thumbsup: I'm almost tempted to enter next year's too ;)
Post by: Tomsk on 16 September, 2018, 02:49:14 pm
Not an easy ride. Few believe me when I talk up the trials and tribulations of the Cabbage Patch. Thanks for telling it like it is.
Post by: stefan on 16 September, 2018, 04:17:39 pm
Was good to chat on the ride in to Red Lodge. Must remember to follow you next time, you clearly had a very good alternative route for the last bit :)
And thanks Tomsk for putting it all together - an excellent, and challenging ride. My entry is already in for next year :o
Post by: citoyen on 17 September, 2018, 01:05:37 pm
The results are uploaded...
And thus the magic letters "SR" have appeared next to my name on my results page. Yay! Only my third SR, and the first time I've got an SR in consecutive seasons. Double Yay!
Thanks again for organising, Tomsk. I'm even contemplating coming back for another go next year...
Post by: stefan on 17 September, 2018, 03:16:14 pm
The results are uploaded...
And thus the magic letters "SR" have appeared next to my name on my results page. Yay! Only my third SR, and the first time I've got an SR in consecutive seasons. Double Yay!
Thanks again for organising, Tomsk. I'm even contemplating coming back for another go next year...
Congrats! Hope to see you at the next one then :)
Maiden SR for me. I celebrated by installing a bigger cassette...
Post by: citoyen on 17 September, 2018, 05:18:54 pm
Maiden SR for me.
Welcome to the club! You know you have to get the special tattoo now, right?
Post by: cyclinggeezer on 17 September, 2018, 08:56:12 pm
Total of 61 entries
33 finishers
17 DNS
11 DNF
The results have all now been uploaded on to the AUK website for final validation and the cards go off tomorrow,
Entries are now open for all of Audax Club Lincolnshire's SR series next year. Y via E will again run on the same day as Fenland Friends in 2019 for more action packed adventure across the vast emptiness of Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire
Post by: alotronic on 20 September, 2018, 05:09:49 pm
There is no easy six hundred
Tomsk will say frequently and often
You blithely ignore the wisdom of those words
And sign up, a naive cycling boffin.
This naivety can last all day
As you tick of the funny spots
The Mountain Rescue Team, Peak Hill
And other witty bon mots.
You’ll scythe the endless fields of brassicas
Grinning with the joys
Of a tailwind on the way out
That creates men from boys.
Even a pile of swedes
The highest thing around
Becomes a pleasant artistic piece
A turner-winning mound.
For the roads may never ascend, and the roads they never go down
But the Flatlands roads double the distance betwixt every town
But then comes the fall of night
And that savage spectral ghoul
The golden M that haunts
The historic port-town of Goole.
At least the staff are smiling
But what choice do they have
When the wet lycra posse
Outnumber the normal chavs?
‘Tough half the ride is done
And you still feel quite super
Further challenges lie in wait
Beyond choking down a burger.
You venture to the toilet
In order to dry out
To find the dyson already dominated
By some ancien lout.
For the roads may never ascend, and the corners they are scarce
But the Flatlands can be endless and the route sheet deadly terse
And then the challenge to find
That elusive friend called sleep
In sodden breezy bus shelters
Festooned with souvenirs of sheep.
You ride along the Lincoln ridge
All hotels are taken by others
Whom now we detest and loathe
These daylight sisters and brothers.
Finally you find a four foot bench
And settle down to rest
A fantasy of two hours sleep reduced
To a toss and turn at best.
And then the morning crawl comes
The body lethargic and slack
And the mood among survivors
A grim and deathly black.
Finally! Spoons! At eight sharp
We fall upon the door
We are so effing hungry
We’d eat it off the floor.
For the roads may never ascend, and the downhills never there
But the Flatlands can be endless and motivation can be threadbare
But with the morning comes the wind
The troll with the slapped red face
Who hits back at you double hard
And halves the onward pace
And then a helping more of that
And then another helping again
The wind becomes a constant needle
That inflicts an endless pain
The landscape that you once flew over
Is now reversed and sour
And it seems to take a day
To complete a ten mile hour
The swede’s revenge is cruelly sweet
They all seem to have grown a face
They jeer and laugh and cackle
And spray you with their mace.
Hour after hour this all carries on
Each stop gets further and longer
Time elongates then snaps
And the end is less hither more yonder.
For the roads may never ascend, and the downhills never come
But the Flatlands can be endless and bite you in the bum
Even then the last thirty miles
Have a nasty little trick
Of throwing in some steep short hills
Your arse laid bare to kick.
And the sudden appearance of scenery
Reminds you of the prior lack
This miracle of things to look at
After thirty hours of cak.
Suddenly it’s over
And none too soon for me
I loathe the Flatlands once again
Swearing forever to flee.
It takes just one day dear reader
To discard my resolute resolve
And sign up to the next one -
Another years revolve
For next year is the ride in france
That wee coast and return
So I cannot forgo this ride
Despite this poem to spurn.
For the roads may never ascend, and the downhills have been banned
The Flatlands can be endless but it’s easier than Bryan Chapman.
Post by: Nik's Nick on 21 September, 2018, 08:35:13 am
Post by: Bernster on 25 September, 2018, 12:38:52 pm
Post by: RobD62 on 25 September, 2018, 06:36:31 pm
I admit to haveing a mini melt down (fortunately on my own) on the return to GD after Spalding I found a fellow Flatlander and into the wind we started doing bit and bit nothing said just a natural reaction to the headwind. It worked well until I took my eye off the ball at a round-a-bout just before Cowbit. A dutch wagon bearing down on me from the left exit and I went straight on istead of right. I did about 150 metres before resolving the problem by which time the bit and bit companion had gone.... After a while I stopped in a gateway (no modesty providing hedges) and devoured a chewy bar and some juice and shouted at the wind...no one heard!
I saw my companion again at Whittlesey and shrugged at my misfortune (stupiity)
The Flatlands 600, a wonderful event, a wonderful experience. Many excellent companions on the road. Some stunning countryside and the ting that struck me most...the change in local accent each time i stopped.
Thanks Tomsk and team.
Post by: Nothereforafasttime on 20 November, 2018, 09:21:25 am
Hello Nothere, we were the tandem crew in Boston well out of time. We figured that if you could bounce the control and sit on our wheel to the finish, you would make it to the finish but a long stop when already a couple of hours behind the cut would probably be ride-ending. Sorry to hear that was true. Hopefully you'll find food that suits you better.
Word to the wise, boab and I only gained enough time on Saturday to get about three hours of sleep in Scunny (stopped there for about four). You were stopped in Lincoln for a whole lot longer than that. Also, riding in a group through the windy fens is a sensible way to avoid grinding yourself into dust, for your legs and head.
What is Boab an abbreviation for?
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 20 November, 2018, 10:39:12 am
Post by: longflaps on 09 May, 2019, 04:49:17 pm
Post by: Oscar's dad on 11 October, 2019, 02:03:58 pm
I'm working on a route for THIS LITTLE ADVENTURE (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=113747.0) and my cunning plan was to pinch the relevant sections of the Flatlands 600 / Fenland Friends. But I notice the section from Gainsborough to Goole is largely on A roads. I remember when I rode the Flatlands some years ago this section was done at night so A roads aren't so much of a problem. What are these roads like in daylight?
If the A roads are not safe in daylight does anyone have an alternative for getting from Gainsborough to Goole?
Thanks in advance.
Post by: cyclinggeezer on 11 October, 2019, 02:07:50 pm
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: JonJo on 11 October, 2019, 04:41:22 pm
The farmers will have spent most of September and October moving the fields onto the roads though. It will be muddy whichever way you go. There is an interesting short cut from Crowle to Swinefleet which takes you past the old Fison's peatworks. It only shortens the route by around four miles but there won't be any traffic on it. About 3/4 mile is off road but I regularly ride it on fixed with 23mm tyres.
Post by: Oscar's dad on 11 October, 2019, 04:47:17 pm
Post by: Phil W on 21 October, 2019, 11:10:01 am