I seem to always get the bad weather for sure on this one.
It is always amplified when route checking as you need to check signposts and all that stuff, progress is slower than hammering along listening to the beepy garmin telling you to turn etc. and, of course, 460km (by the time I have got out to CSP and back) is quite a long way without companions to share the misery.
Any idea when the route will be available or does anybody a have link to last year's route
I am sure manotea will have that sorted soon now the route check is done, but let me dig out a Strava link.
https://www.strava.com/activities/297068464That is last year - it does feature me avoiding Symond's Yat Rock as I was on fixed (same amount of climbing, but taking the long way around).
It is a lovely route through some fine countryside. The climbing is generally nothing to worry about, only two tougher ones (Symond's Yat and Somerset Monument) and everything else is generally longer and shallower stuff but, overall, it's a rolling route.
The night section is easy enough, though the long climb to membury can be a bit disheartening as you can see the lights on the radio mast for miles and it never seems to get closer.... Services there are pretty good with Starbucks being 24 hour etc. Remember it is not a race, so if you need a little nap there, then do it, the chairs are comfortable enough!
The run back to CSP from there can be made faster by the A4 route - I have never done it, having been route checking all the time, but plenty of riders do use it. I like the lanes anyway and it all means more time on my bike, which is better, even in sub zero conditions.
Enjoy it!
