Yet Another Cycling Forum

General Category => Audax => Topic started by: Greenbank on 15 January, 2016, 08:10:22 am

Title: [HAMR] 15th January - TG day 161
Post by: Greenbank on 15 January, 2016, 08:10:22 am
He either slept in the forecourt of an Esso garage in Lowestoft last night, found a B&B, or got a lift back home....or maybe non of them. Soon find out, though.

Lift to Tadcaster by the looks of it. He's off at just after 8am from a Travelodge East of there.
Title: Re: 15th January - TG day 161
Post by: Arry-R on 15 January, 2016, 08:56:25 am
Have a good day Steve.  On this day last year you clocked 190 miles
Title: Re: 15th January - TG day 161
Post by: Wowbagger on 15 January, 2016, 09:16:58 am
Good luck Steve! I don't know about Tadcaster but it's a tad nippy down here.
Title: Re: 15th January - TG day 161
Post by: SoreTween on 15 January, 2016, 09:27:52 am
Looking like there's been a change of plan perhaps?  Steve appears to be at York railway station, or rather was 41 minutes ago.
Title: Re: 15th January - TG day 161
Post by: MikeFromLFE on 15 January, 2016, 09:39:36 am
Yep, is now heading SW down the A64 towards Tadcaster. A real change of scenery.
Title: Re: 15th January - TG day 161
Post by: Ningishzidda on 15 January, 2016, 09:59:19 am
Yep, is now heading SW down the A64 towards Tadcaster. A real change of scenery.

That's a fast stretch of DC between York and Leeds. Bargepole  ;)

Title: Re: 15th January - TG day 161
Post by: SoreTween on 15 January, 2016, 10:13:20 am
Phew!  I feared conditions were worse than expected out there and Steve was getting the train home.  That would have been a shame having got himself transferred up there last night to take advantage of todays northerly.
Title: Re: 15th January - TG day 161
Post by: Ivo on 15 January, 2016, 10:20:11 am
Railway stations are always a good source for fast supplies even if you don't need a train.
Title: Re: 15th January - TG day 161
Post by: Chris S on 15 January, 2016, 10:25:28 am
Conditions were unbelievably shite when I collected him in Lowestoft last night. Heavy wind-driven wet, sleety snow. The roads were slushy, except where they were flooded. Apparently, he'd had to negotiate fallen trees in the forest, earlier - as well as snowy roads.

Anyway, he made himself a little nest on the second row of seats in the van, reserved the last room in the Premier Inn at Tad, and slept all the way from Norwich to the hotel.

The nightwatchman at the hotel was a complete knobber and wouldn't let Steve in with his bike, so we had to squander valuable sleeping time transferring to the Travelodge t'other side of the A64. The lovely lady there was much more helpful - we managed to bypass the usual "No, we're full I'm afraid" which is TL policy for anyone who just turns up. Judging by the start-time on the tracker, Steve probably had another 3-4 hours sleep.

For someone who's riding 200 miles a day through a British winter, he looks and seems in remarkably good spirits.

The plan is for him to ride the tailwind today - but plans may change, as always - so keep watching that tracker!
Title: Re: 15th January - TG day 161
Post by: Ian H on 15 January, 2016, 10:28:01 am
Huge thanks, Chris.  Brilliant work.
Title: Re: 15th January - TG day 161
Post by: TheRedEyeJedi on 15 January, 2016, 10:33:55 am
Conditions were unbelievably shite when I collected him in Lowestoft last night. Heavy wind-driven wet, sleety snow. The roads were slushy, except where they were flooded. Apparently, he'd had to negotiate fallen trees in the forest, earlier - as well as snowy roads.

Anyway, he made himself a little nest on the second row of seats in the van, reserved the last room in the Premier Inn at Tad, and slept all the way from Norwich to the hotel.

The nightwatchman at the hotel was a complete knobber and wouldn't let Steve in with his bike, so we had to squander valuable sleeping time transferring to the Travelodge t'other side of the A64. The lovely lady there was much more helpful - we managed to bypass the usual "No, we're full I'm afraid" which is TL policy for anyone who just turns up. Judging by the start-time on the tracker, Steve probably had another 3-4 hours sleep.

For someone who's riding 200 miles a day through a British winter, he looks and seems in remarkably good spirits.

The plan is for him to ride the tailwind today - but plans may change, as always - so keep watching that tracker!

nicely done
Title: Re: 15th January - TG day 161
Post by: simonp on 15 January, 2016, 10:59:12 am
Nice work, Chris - that's a long trip.
Title: Re: 15th January - TG day 161
Post by: L CC on 15 January, 2016, 11:08:32 am
Chris doesn't work Fridays (lucky thing) so is mostly spending today in bed.

No such luxury for our man on two wheels...

It's good to hear he's in good spirits  :thumbsup:

If this is going to be an ongoing thing I should maybe stock the freezer with stews he can eat en route?
Title: Re: 15th January - TG day 161
Post by: Greenbank on 15 January, 2016, 11:14:31 am
Yep, is now heading SW down the A64 towards Tadcaster. A real change of scenery.

He only went NE away from Tadcaster on the A64. Don't believe Google's attempt at connecting the dots from the tracker. The points on the dark blue line are where he definitely went, the light blue line is Google's guesswork at connecting the dots.

He hasn't been to York railway station either. Looks like he went to The Munch Station cafe nearby.
Title: Re: 15th January - TG day 161
Post by: SoreTween on 15 January, 2016, 11:34:03 am
Nice work, Chris - that's a long trip.
+1  :thumbsup:  Must have been a damn long night.
Title: Re: 15th January - TG day 161
Post by: Polar Bear on 15 January, 2016, 12:21:26 pm
Top work from both Chris and Steve.      :thumbsup:
Title: Re: 15th January - TG day 161
Post by: TimC on 15 January, 2016, 12:35:47 pm
Nice work, Chris - that's a long trip.
+1  :thumbsup:  Must have been a damn long night.

Great stuff, Chris. I hope Steve has a chance of minimising his losses today, and it would be good to see him moving into positive mileage territory.
Title: Re: 15th January - TG day 161
Post by: toontra on 15 January, 2016, 12:45:45 pm

For someone who's riding 200 miles a day through a British winter, he looks and seems in remarkably good spirits.

Well done Chris!  I'm especially glad to hear that last bit about his condition.  The challenge is one thing, but Steve's well-being is far more important, and it's great news that he appears to be bearing up.  What an effort!
Title: Re: 15th January - TG day 161
Post by: Ben T on 15 January, 2016, 01:03:30 pm
The nightwatchman at the hotel was a complete knobber and wouldn't let Steve in with his bike
report him/complain - it's apparently their policy to allow bikes in now as "since the tour de france we are now a cycle friendly chain"
Title: Re: 15th January - TG day 161
Post by: Wobbly on 15 January, 2016, 01:07:40 pm
Top man, Chris!
Title: Re: 15th January - TG day 161
Post by: PAC on 15 January, 2016, 02:27:52 pm
Excellent - Well done Chris :thumbsup:
Title: Re: 15th January - TG day 161
Post by: MikeFromLFE on 15 January, 2016, 03:28:30 pm
Well done sir!
As Ben T says Premier Inn have a policy (its on their website somewhere) about allowing bikes inside  - so, although it may seem a small thing, I agree that you should complain.
Title: Re: 15th January - TG day 161
Post by: Sergeant Pluck on 15 January, 2016, 03:29:35 pm
Good to read that update, Chris S.
Title: Re: 15th January - TG day 161
Post by: Wowbagger on 15 January, 2016, 03:38:17 pm
Chris S, help for heroes, is himself heroic.
Title: Re: 15th January - TG day 161
Post by: Oakhambike on 15 January, 2016, 03:54:20 pm
Well done Chris

So far today per the Tracker TG has done 83 miles in 8hrs 11mins and Kasja has done 83 miles in 8 hrs 5 mins. Apart from fact that Kasja soon be back home and in the warm while TG has another 8 hours or so... need for more speed TG

Hope he's in good shape - unbelievable ability to keep going.
Title: Re: 15th January - TG day 161
Post by: Chris S on 15 January, 2016, 04:27:51 pm
Vehicle transfer is not the unmitigated godsend one might imagine. It's a huge compromise between degraded sleep and ability to whore it up on a tailwind.

If Steve is struggling today, it's because he had 4 hours of van sleep and only 3 hours in a bed. The wind advantage is receding now, as well.
Title: Re: 15th January - TG day 161
Post by: Arry-R on 15 January, 2016, 04:38:57 pm
Well done Chris - great job done.
Title: Re: 15th January - TG day 161
Post by: Wobbly on 15 January, 2016, 05:04:05 pm
...ability to whore it up on a tailwind.

An new phrase added to the lexicon :D
Title: Re: 15th January - TG day 161
Post by: Chris S on 15 January, 2016, 05:06:29 pm
...ability to whore it up on a tailwind.

An new phrase added to the lexicon :D
I learned it from someone...
Title: Re: 15th January - TG day 161
Post by: SoreTween on 15 January, 2016, 05:29:49 pm
As Ben T says Premier Inn have a policy (its on their website somewhere) about allowing bikes inside  - so, although it may seem a small thing, I agree that you should complain.

Linky (http://www.premierinn.com/gb/en/news/2014/we-heart-cyclists.html)

Quote
Either you’ll be able to keep your beloved two-wheeler in your room or else we’ll store it in a safe place for you.
Title: Re: 15th January - TG day 161
Post by: TimC on 15 January, 2016, 05:32:57 pm
Vehicle transfer is not the unmitigated godsend one might imagine. It's a huge compromise between degraded sleep and ability to whore it up on a tailwind.

If Steve is struggling today, it's because he had 4 hours of van sleep and only 3 hours in a bed. The wind advantage is receding now, as well.

I think the potential compromise inherent in vehicle transfer has been mentioned before, but I can see that on this occasion the likelihood of a very poor day's mileage starting from where he wound up yesterday probably made it worth it. I can't imagine it's often going to be worthwhile given that Steve really needs quality rest, as he learned back at the end of last summer.
Title: Re: 15th January - TG day 161
Post by: Wowbagger on 15 January, 2016, 06:14:33 pm
...ability to whore it up on a tailwind.

An new phrase added to the lexicon :D
I learned it from someone...

Let me guess...

Mother Teresa?
Title: Re: 15th January - TG day 161
Post by: Ian H on 15 January, 2016, 06:21:39 pm
...ability to whore it up on a tailwind.

An new phrase added to the lexicon :D
I learned it from someone...

Let me guess...

Mother Teresa?

Is that her new nickname?
Title: Re: 15th January - TG day 161
Post by: L CC on 15 January, 2016, 06:25:28 pm
 :facepalm:
Title: Re: 15th January - TG day 161
Post by: Wobbly on 15 January, 2016, 07:56:07 pm
Oh, ho ho ho...
Title: Re: 15th January - TG day 161
Post by: Hummers on 15 January, 2016, 08:06:55 pm
Conditions were unbelievably shite when I collected him in Lowestoft last night. Heavy wind-driven wet, sleety snow. The roads were slushy, except where they were flooded. Apparently, he'd had to negotiate fallen trees in the forest, earlier - as well as snowy roads.

Anyway, he made himself a little nest on the second row of seats in the van, reserved the last room in the Premier Inn at Tad, and slept all the way from Norwich to the hotel.

The nightwatchman at the hotel was a complete knobber and wouldn't let Steve in with his bike, so we had to squander valuable sleeping time transferring to the Travelodge t'other side of the A64. The lovely lady there was much more helpful - we managed to bypass the usual "No, we're full I'm afraid" which is TL policy for anyone who just turns up. Judging by the start-time on the tracker, Steve probably had another 3-4 hours sleep.

For someone who's riding 200 miles a day through a British winter, he looks and seems in remarkably good spirits.

The plan is for him to ride the tailwind today - but plans may change, as always - so keep watching that tracker!

Well done that man!

H
Title: Re: 15th January - TG day 161
Post by: Aidan on 15 January, 2016, 09:35:21 pm
Shame the premier inn experience went completely against what they state on their website and wasted Steves time.

http://www.premierinn.com/gb/en/why/bike-friendly.html
Title: Re: 15th January - TG day 161
Post by: Bunker22 on 15 January, 2016, 09:50:06 pm
Shame the premier inn experience went completely against what they state on their website and wasted Steves time.

http://www.premierinn.com/gb/en/why/bike-friendly.html

Yeah but: 'We welcome clean bikes with dirt-free tyres.'  I doubt that was the case with the roads Steve had ridden on Thursday!

They do kindly offer to lend you a bucket and brush to clean it though.  ;)
Title: Re: 15th January - TG day 161
Post by: Jurek on 15 January, 2016, 09:50:43 pm
Shame the premier inn experience went completely against what they state on their website and wasted Steves time.

http://www.premierinn.com/gb/en/why/bike-friendly.html
Their policy sounds totally reasonable.
Shame it wasn't implemented last night.....
Title: Re: 15th January - TG day 161
Post by: TimC on 15 January, 2016, 09:53:57 pm
Shame the premier inn experience went completely against what they state on their website and wasted Steves time.

http://www.premierinn.com/gb/en/why/bike-friendly.html
Their policy sounds totally reasonable.
Shame it wasn't implemented last night.....

I think a carefully-worded grink to the boss of Premier Inns may well result in a bit of free support and a little more publicity. Worth a try, at least...
Title: Re: 15th January - TG day 161
Post by: Greenbank on 15 January, 2016, 11:18:23 pm
Heading back to KL for the night?
Title: Re: 15th January - TG day 161
Post by: Wobbly on 16 January, 2016, 07:09:50 am
Shame the premier inn experience went completely against what they state on their website and wasted Steves time.

http://www.premierinn.com/gb/en/why/bike-friendly.html
Their policy sounds totally reasonable.
Shame it wasn't implemented last night.....

I think a carefully-worded grink to the boss of Premier Inns may well result in a bit of free support and a little more publicity. Worth a try, at least...

That.
Title: Re: 15th January - TG day 161
Post by: Polar Bear on 16 January, 2016, 08:46:54 am
Perhaps a few of us should write independently.
Title: Re: 15th January - TG day 161
Post by: rabbit on 16 January, 2016, 09:32:34 am
I had hassle at a premier Inn last year regarding bringing in the bike. I complained officially. 

I didn't even get a response.

I never use them now for business or pleasure and, when you travel all over the UK for work thats a lot of business. 
Title: Re: 15th January - TG day 161
Post by: aoxomoxoa on 16 January, 2016, 10:01:20 am
I understand that the modern way to get corporate attention is to use their Twitter account to voice ones' displeasure.
Title: Re: 15th January - TG day 161
Post by: Wobbly on 16 January, 2016, 11:35:10 am
Perhaps a few of us should write independently.

Did that.
(http://s2.postimg.org/xfllbi6bt/independently.gif)
Now what?

 :P
Title: Re: 15th January - TG day 161
Post by: Polar Bear on 16 January, 2016, 11:57:00 am
Perhaps a few of us should write independently.

Did that.
(http://s2.postimg.org/xfllbi6bt/independently.gif)
Now what?

 :P

lol.   8)

I had hassle at a premier Inn last year regarding bringing in the bike. I complained officially. 

I didn't even get a response.

I never use them now for business or pleasure and, when you travel all over the UK for work thats a lot of business. 

The power of a crowd makes a significant difference.  If they received a hundred complaints and some negative social media comment they would feel the need to address the issue.
Title: Re: 15th January - TG day 161
Post by: Wobbly on 16 January, 2016, 01:02:26 pm
I think Tweets would have a more public impact on Premier Inns than sending emails.

Tweet @premierinn

Title: Re: 15th January - TG day 161
Post by: TimC on 16 January, 2016, 01:43:46 pm
I think Tweets would have a more public impact on Premier Inns than sending emails.

Tweet @premierinn



Done.
Title: 15th January - TG day 161
Post by: MikeFromLFE on 16 January, 2016, 02:40:34 pm
Also twittered

Edit : 11 minutes later - tweet back to say they are 'looking into it', despite asking TimC for Steve's reservation number......
Title: Re: 15th January - TG day 161
Post by: TimC on 16 January, 2016, 05:03:52 pm
If anyone from Steve's team can get hold of them, I think there's potential for some compensation and perhaps an offer of help. They've agreed that they seem to have been in the wrong.
Title: Re: 15th January - TG day 161
Post by: andyoxon on 17 January, 2016, 05:16:39 pm
What happened to the Strava log ride for this Tadcaster start day  ???
Title: Re: 15th January - TG day 161
Post by: Greenbank on 17 January, 2016, 09:11:02 pm
What happened to the Strava log ride for this Tadcaster start day  ???

https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=95268.msg1975226#msg1975226