Sunrise and Snowdrop Express 2016

[Philip Whiteman]

BOOK NOW FOR THE SUNRISE EXPRESS & SNOWDROP EXPRESS  -  50% OF PLACES ALREADY SOLD

20TH FEBRUARY 2016

Location: Whitlenge nr Hartlebury, Worcestershire
Route: Whitlenge - Upton - Evesham - Whitlenge (Sunrise is Clockwise; Snowdrop is Anti-Clockwise).
Distance: 121km
Cost:  £6.75 CTC or AUK members; £8.75 Day-members; + £1 if paying via Paypal. No entries accepted on the day.  Optional £45 if you want to pay sportive prices!
Website: http://www.beaconrcc.org.uk/audax/express/events.html

Facebook Group

https://www.facebook.com/groups/expressaudax/

The Blurb....

The Sunrise and Snowdrop Expresses are an institution on the winter cycling and audax calendar. For some riders our event provides a wonderful opportunity to enjoy rural Worcestershire on a crisp winter day. For others it provides the perfect motivation to get out with friends when they might otherwise be tempted to stay indoors. In recent years we have also been delighted to welcome several local racing men and women who used it for steady winter training.

The two 123km events follow a revised route over The Lenches but in opposite directions.  The routes follow quiet country roads with only a few short bits on main roads.  February can of course be quite cold, so we have the option of gritted alternative if road conditions are poor, assuming that the dear old County Council has sent out its gritters the night before. 

We hope you find everything you need to know about the Beacons February Audaxes in these pages. If you have any further questions please contact the organiser below. For details of what an Audax ride entails see our website at:

http://www.beaconrcc.org.uk/audax/express/events.html

Audaxes are self guided rides. Riders will be able to download route cards and GPS downloads from the Beacon website. You will need to be able to ride between 15 and 30kph average to qualify.

Parking: There is only limited parking at the HQ. Please follow the instructions of the marshals. You may need to park at Hartlebury Station and ride to the HQ.

Refreshments

Before the Event: The Whitlenge Garden Centre HQ will be open from 7.15am and you are welcome to purchase hot drinks and food.

On completion of the ride you will be given a FREE food voucher that will entitle you to:

A mug of tea or coffee, Beans on toast / cake or any other food on the menu to the same value.

Controls

Evesham and Upton Upon Severn will feature as the event controls can get a stamp for your Brevet Card stamped and take the opportunity to purchase some fine bread pudding, etc.   

TO ENTER: http://www.beaconrcc.org.uk/audax/express/entry.html

You may also wish to think about entering The Kidderminster Killer on 23rd July

[Philip Whiteman]

UPDATE ON THE SUNRISE & SNOWDROP EXPRESS.

8 places remain on the Snowdrop Express
14 places remain on the Sunrise Express

http://www.beaconrcc.org.uk/audax/express/index.html

[Philip Whiteman]

UPDATE - 

+Both events have been sold out since the end of November. 
+Sorry but no entries on the day due.
+E mails have been circulated to paid up entrants


HERE IS THE E MAIL SENT ENTRANTS OVER THE WEEKEND.

If you are entered but have not received an e-mail, please check your spam box. 


SUNRISE EXPRESS – 8.30AM DEPARTURE; SNOWDROP EXPRESS - 9am

It is not too long until the Sunrise and Snowdrop Express on the 20th February.  At the moment we have no flooding and there are no scheduled road closures – yippee!  All systems are ‘go’ for the 260 entrants across both the rides.  The event is completely full and we have reached maximum capacity.   

Attachments

-          Important Joining Details and Route Card
-          Car Parking information

The Controls

Whitlenge Garden Centre will be providing their usual feast of cyclist’s food.  Breakfasts will be available to purchase from 7.45am. Upon completing your ride, you will be provided with a food voucher in recompense for ‘Pig Hill’ – that short but nasty little climb before Cutnall Green.  Midway  controls are located at Raphaels Café in Evesham and The Stables in Upton. At the controls you will need to get your Brevet Card stamped. Food will also be available to purchase.

Route Finding Material

For traditionalists such as myself, I have attached a copy of the route sheet.  Technically savvy GPS users can download GPX of TCX files using the ‘Export’ function from Ridewithgps:

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/11550608

Not being a GPS user, I am unable to provide technical advice on downloading files or how your unit works but should experience difficulties then please consult fellow riders on our Facebook Page useful for seeking advice from fellow riders.

If it is icy….

There is an alternative route using roads identified by Worcestershire County Council as treated with salt.  Details can be obtained from the Beacon webpage at www.beaconrcc.org.uk/audax/express/routes.html

Car parking

Participants are encouraged to cycle to the start as car parking is limited.
Please leave plenty of time between arriving and the start time, as you may be redirected towards Hartlebury if the car park is full.  Please do not park opposite or adjacent to entrances and side roads in the centre of Hartlebury.

DNF

If you are unable to finish the ride, please contact the organiser on 07969 079242 to avoid undue concern.  Audaxes operate on limited resources and we are unable to provide a rescue service.  We can give advice on the nearest station if you are desperate.

DNS

If you are unable to start, please respond to this email address or text 07969 079242 and provide your name.

FOR LATEST UPDATES

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/expressaudax/

Beacon RCC webpage: http://www.beaconrcc.org.uk/audax/express/index.html

If there are any route changes, I will send out a further e-mail nearer the date.
 
FANCY SOMETHING A LITTLE BIT MORE CHALLENGING?

The legendary KIDDERMINSTER KILLER and FROM CLEE TO HEAVEN AUDAXES take place on 23rd July, starting from Belbroughton.

The Kidderminster Killer is a classic event in the world of audaxes and a ‘must’ for most audaxers in their lifetime – it follows a 215km romp from Worcestershire over the Stretton Hills to Mid-Wales and back.

From Clee to Heaven is a shorter but tough little cookie, taking a 120km circuit around the Clee Hills.

For details: http://www.beaconrcc.org.uk/audax/killerclee/index.html

And a rider’s blog: http://love-velo.cc/2015/08/19/annie-riding-the-kidderminster-killer-audax/

[Philip Whiteman]

SPARE PLACES NOW AVAILABLE ON THE SUNRISE AND SNOWDROP EXPRESS.

Thanks to those that declared DNS.

Enter here: http://www.aukweb.net/

[Clemo]

Thanks for a great day out Phil, the weather was a little hit and miss but at least it wasn't as bad as it could have been. 

[Ningishzidda]

SPARE PLACES NOW AVAILABLE ON THE SUNRISE AND SNOWDROP EXPRESS.

Thanks to those that declared DNS.

Enter here: http://www.aukweb.net/

Sorry Philip. I had a previous appointment on the day.
But called into Raphaels at Evesham to say hello to the riders.

Hmmm... wish I'd been free 

[Marmitegeoff]

Many Many thanks to Phil and team.  It was a grand day out, and not to wet.

[Philip Whiteman]

Sunrise and Snowdrop Express Report 2016

Thank you for making a great day and congratulations to those of you that finished the ride. Aside from some midday dampness, the weather was reasonably good for February. It was the fellow riders that made it a great day for many as witnessed through the sense of camaraderie. For a number of riders it was the furthest that they had ever ridden which provided an even greater sense of achievement. Hopefully we will see all of you at further audax events and riding even longer distances. You may even wish to join as a member of the Beacon RCC.

Forthcoming Events

23rd July Belbroughton Audaxes.

From Clee to Heaven is the same distance as the Sunrise and Snowdrop but more challenging due to the climbing. It follows a figure of eight route heading towards the Clee Hills using many quiet narrow lanes up and down dale.

The Kidderminster Killer at 215km is a great for those seeking a big challenge during the summer. It heads off to Montgomery with all the hills between here and there. Its reputation is well known in the audax world but attracts riders back year on year. . http://www.beaconrcc.org.uk/audax/killerclee/index.html

Beacon RCC’s Pete Marshall is also organising The Cotswold Audaxes starting from South Birmingham on 25th June. Distances include 200, 160 and 212km rides.
http://www.beaconrcc.org.uk/audax/cotswold/index.html

Mark Rigby’s ‘Black Sheep CC’ Tewkesbury audaxes take place approximately once a month, of varying distances between 100 and 600km. These are rightly popular events and all follow interesting routes. Check the AUK calendar at http://www.aukweb.net/events/

This year’s Sunrise and Snowdrop

Overall we had 201 starters, the largest field ever! 195 finished. Only one person missed the cut-off time.

Phil Richards came a cropper near to Great Comberton. He was shipped off to the minor injuries unit in Evesham by a local farmer and is recovering from road rash and laceration to the face.. Chris Ashford was collaterally involved but managed to complete the route, as did roadside first aider, Jess Rhodes, Jones. Steve Facey also came to the rescue, collecting both Phil and the bikes. Locals suggested that an oil leak from a lorry was the probable cause. Other riders also experienced traction problems in the vicinity too

Whitlenge GC brilliant by engaging nine staff to service riders. This meant shorter queues compared with previous years. They were worked liked Trojans following a 6.30am start, not leaving for home until 12 hours later. Some of the event income was donated as a tip to the weary staff.

With thanks to:

Chris Hudson and Duncan Carson at GHQ;
Mark Rigby, Upton Controller;
Clare Abiss and Andy Terry, Evesham Controllers.
Matt Clegg, Martin McGowan, Oscar Hopkins and Charlie Skinner on car park duty;
Whitlenge Garden Centre, Stables Tea Room and Hampton Ferry for supporting the events.

Validated Ride Results

http://aukweb.net/results/detail/this/events/

Please note that completion times are not published in accordance with AudaxUK regulations.

Lost Property

1 pair of glasses (found at Evesham)
Glove, map bag and bottle (found at Upton)

Over and out for now. See you in July.

Regards

Philip Whiteman