Hereward the Wake/Baron's Rides 14/15/16th July 2017

[Tomsk]

This is going to be a big weekend...

Hereward the Wake was already planned and BRM'd, then I was approached to tack some Audaxes onto the Essex Bike Bicentenary Festival at Good Easter - the core of which will be a Veteran CC event [Penny Farthing racing, bike displays] and also BMX...I have devised new routes for 200miles [a well over-distance 300km], 200, 100 and 50kms, which will go onto AUKweb soon. We're using the sports pavilion as a base - bar, bbq etc during both days of the Bike Fest. and village fete. The 200miles has a 9pm Saturday start, lots of 24 hour facilities through the night and then a loop of 120km up to Lavenham, Two loops of around 100km for the 200, the second loop is also the 100km route, down to the coast and the 50km is a lovely little run up to the Blue Egg. The latter three also take in the Compasses at Littley Green on their way back.

If anyone wants to do Hereward as a helpers' ride the week [Fri 7th] before then that's ok [Saxons is a fortnight before] - though it's planned as Bivvy Night by Oscar's Dad...and there's the DunRun the following night. I might just take Tuesday 4rd off and ride it then, though.

[Tomsk]

The Baron’s Rides Information Sheet

Part of the Essex Bike Bicentenary Festival at Good Easter Sports Field, 15/16th July 2017, celebrating Baron Karl Von Drais’ Laufmaschine of 1817. All sorts of cycling related events, including BMX, Penny-Farthing racing and vintage bike displays. Also all the usual village fete stalls, BBQ, bar etc.

Car parking available in the village – look out for the signs and marshalls.

Food at the Sports Field: barbecue, bar, ice-creams and other refreshments available during normal village fete hours; basic refreshments included in the entry fee. All controls elsewhere on the route are ‘free’ ie any receipt with the correct time, date and place are acceptable. In the event of no ‘proof-of-passage’ being available, a selfie in front of an identifiable building or sign will do.

A special Bike Bicentenary medal will be available for £5, along with Audax Club Mid-Essex jerseys and caps.

200 Miles [324km] Brevet de Randonneur starts 21:00 Saturday 15th July. Two loops comprising 203km through the night to Barton Mills Services – 24 hour garage shop and McDonalds, and then 121km to Lavenham and back via a few info controls. Finish by 18:36 Sunday.

200km Brevet de Randonneur starts 08:00 Sunday 16th July. Two loops: up just into Suffolk at Clare, back to Good Easter at 107km then down to the coast at Maldon and Woodrolfe Quay, returning via Witham and Audax Club Mid-Essex’s spiritual home, the lovely Compasses, Littley Green. Finish by 21:20.

100km Brevet Populaire starts 09:00 Sunday 16th July. To the Essex coast at Maldon then to Woodrolfe Quay and back via Witham and the Compasses Littley Green. Finish by 17:14.

50km Brevet Populaire starts 10:00 Sunday 16th July. To the legendary cyclists’ café, the ‘Blue Egg’ at Great Bardfield, returning via a control at the Compasses, Littley Green. Finish at 14:14.

The first three route sheets are now on AUKweb, 50km to follow soon. No GPS, not my thing you know, so if anyone feels like it...

[jiberjaber]

The Baron’s Rides Information Sheet

Part of the Essex Bike Bicentenary Festival at Good Easter Sports Field, 15/16th July 2017, celebrating Baron Karl Von Drais’ Laufmaschine of 1817. All sorts of cycling related events, including BMX, Penny-Farthing racing and vintage bike displays. Also all the usual village fete stalls, BBQ, bar etc.

Car parking available in the village – look out for the signs and marshalls.

Food at the Sports Field: barbecue, bar, ice-creams and other refreshments available during normal village fete hours; basic refreshments included in the entry fee. All controls elsewhere on the route are ‘free’ ie any receipt with the correct time, date and place are acceptable. In the event of no ‘proof-of-passage’ being available, a selfie in front of an identifiable building or sign will do.

A special Bike Bicentenary medal will be available for £5, along with Audax Club Mid-Essex jerseys and caps.

200 Miles [324km] Brevet de Randonneur starts 21:00 Saturday 15th July. Two loops comprising 203km through the night to Barton Mills Services – 24 hour garage shop and McDonalds, and then 121km to Lavenham and back via a few info controls. Finish by 18:36 Sunday.

200km Brevet de Randonneur starts 08:00 Sunday 16th July. Two loops: up just into Suffolk at Clare, back to Good Easter at 107km then down to the coast at Maldon and Woodrolfe Quay, returning via Witham and Audax Club Mid-Essex’s spiritual home, the lovely Compasses, Littley Green. Finish by 21:20.

100km Brevet Populaire starts 09:00 Sunday 16th July. To the Essex coast at Maldon then to Woodrolfe Quay and back via Witham and the Compasses Littley Green. Finish by 17:14.

50km Brevet Populaire starts 10:00 Sunday 16th July. To the legendary cyclists’ café, the ‘Blue Egg’ at Great Bardfield, returning via a control at the Compasses, Littley Green. Finish at 14:14.

The first three route sheets are now on AUKweb, 50km to follow soon. No GPS, not my thing you know, so if anyone feels like it...

I've knocked up the 100 & 200 in ridewithgps for you to take a look at as I am not sure I managed to fully interpret the route sheets I'll send over the link by email....

[Wycombewheeler]

i'm thinking about Hereward the wake.

How tough is riding right through the night? Do people generally rest the previous day to get some sleep in and start fresh? or just rock up after a full day awake and ride through taking short naps as required?

or just cover the first 200km fast enough to get some sleep in, and then finish in the morning?

[Carlosfandango]

i'm thinking about Hereward the wake.

How tough is riding right through the night? Do people generally rest the previous day to get some sleep in and start fresh? or just rock up after a full day awake and ride through taking short naps as required?

or just cover the first 200km fast enough to get some sleep in, and then finish in the morning?

Generally speaking, for an overnight 300, most people just ride and sleep when they get back home.

The Hereward has a straightforward and depending on the wind direction a fast route. Riders tend to form up into groups overnight, several pelotons according to rider speed. There`s a certain pleasure in gliding along in the silence whilst the world is asleep. The best bit of the ride is the dawn and early morning. There`s a glow in the sky from 2am onwards.

Try it and see.

[Tomsk]

How tough is riding right through the night?

...Also it depends what sort of a Friday you've had at work. If you can get a nap in before you set off it's so much better - the beer & curry beforehand, which I'll be taking bookings for at the beginning of July, suits some too, but not all...

The Baron's 50km route sheet is on AUKweb now btw - a neat little run up to the Blue Egg, going back via the Compasses at Littley Green. Ideal for a recovery ride after Hereward and your 'Grand Slam of Essex Shiny' 

[Wycombewheeler]

How tough is riding right through the night?

...Also it depends what sort of a Friday you've had at work. If you can get a nap in before you set off it's so much better - the beer & curry beforehand, which I'll be taking bookings for at the beginning of July, suits some too, but not all...

The Baron's 50km route sheet is on AUKweb now btw - a neat little run up to the Blue Egg, going back via the Compasses at Littley Green. Ideal for a recovery ride after Hereward and your 'Grand Slam of Essex Shiny' 

Not much chance of a nap. Work, home, dads taxi service, dinner leave for start.
Signed up anyway, see how it goes.
According to the event page mudguards mandatory, presumably there is only the case if wet/rain forecast?

[Tomsk]

Mudguards means Mudguards!

[jiberjaber]

Careful else we'll get moved to politics sub board!

[BobScarle]

I am intrigued by the Hereward the Wake ride. I have done 300's before, finishing in the dark. But I have never started late evening with a view to riding through the night and finishing by the next afternoon. I have no idea how I am going to cope. Trying to make the necessary arrangements to ride this.

[tippers_kiwi]

Hereward and The Baron's 50km Entered...looking forward to that weekend after all the madness of moving house.

[BobScarle]

Well it looks very much like I have gone and entered the Hereward the Wake 300 Km ride that starts at 9 o'clock in the evening. That seems really strange.

I'll be back to ask about parking and eating before the start.

[Tomsk]

... starts at 9 o'clock in the evening. That seems really strange.

Audax is strange - whenever you start 

[jiberjaber]

Hereward and The Baron's 50km Entered...looking forward to that weekend after all the madness of moving house.

 

[bhoot]

Did a route check of the 100km today (en route to helping on the Saxons). Nice ride, mostly good quiet lanes, and a visit to the waterfront at Tollesbury included - most enjoyable. Gave in to temptation at the Compasses at Littley Green and stopped for a pint!

[Wycombewheeler]

Well it looks very much like I have gone and entered the Hereward the Wake 300 Km ride that starts at 9 o'clock in the evening. That seems really strange.

I'll be back to ask about parking and eating before the start.

I'm thinking of as practice/trial for longer events which may need riding through the night to stay ahead of control times.

[Phil W]

Booked on for the Hereward the Wake.  I'll be ECEing it to 400km as it seems the perfect distance from home for doing that.

[Bikeabilityman]

I'd love to do the Wake, but the family have birthday plans (I hope), and it'd be the fourth audax weekend on the trot. People'd mistake me for the Straggler 😉

[Christophe]

Just booked on to Hereward. First calendar event this year. Looking forward to a pre ride curry as well

[Tomsk]

Just booked on to Hereward. First calendar event this year. Looking forward to a pre ride curry as well

Life n'stuff is pretty hectic at present, so I'll make a provisional curry booking and chase Hereward-ers next week for a definite answer.

[Shugg McGraw]

Any news on the gps file for the 200?

[redfalo]

I'm really looking forward to the Baron 200 miler! Will be arriving on Saturday morning on the sleeper train after  a 14 days Scotland trip (mostly bikeless) i, and the Baron shall be my last big ride before LEL.
Will there be a GP. track? I started to plot one based on the route sheet but not really sure if every detail is coordinator...

[Phil W]

Any planned test ride and / or updates to the Hereward route sheet?

[Manotea]

Signed in for Hereward. Looking to ECE to 400 from West London or Stratford East London depending on whether ICBA to ride across London during Friday night rush hour traffic.

Anybody got a gpx track or must I RMO?

[markram]

I also signed up for this, and I found these GPS files/routes from last year:
https://ridewithgps.com/events/22408-hereward-the-wake-300-audax-2016#routes/14967229/preview

Can they be used for 2017 as well? Any changes made to the route?