Author Topic: ACME Winter Brevet Populaire Series  (Read 71872 times)

Re: ACME Winter Brevet Populaire Series
« Reply #300 on: 05 February, 2017, 08:49:41 am »
Left home at 3:50am (planned for 3:30). Felt good the first two hours, then found the hills a struggle, which I put down to giving blood on Thursday as a ride to the shops on Friday was hard work, but the rubbing brakes and mudguard (after a service while replacing the rear sti shifter) played their part. Decided I wouldn't have time for my usual coffee stop at the Buntingford garage. Found the police had closed the road I use out of Braughing, so had to ride down to Standon and spend more time on the A120 (and add on a few miles). Knew I wouldn't make the start for my planned 9am for the 'spoons full value veggie brekky, so new eta's came and went. 9:45 I arrived, after 80 miles.

I heard Big Saxon had left at 9:30 (if I'd left home on time I'd have seen him). 15 minute wait for breakfast. Do I eat and leave later (I eat slow and like the food to settle). I opted for just a coffee and a quick chat. All I'd done so far since Oct were lonely DIY's, and had looked forward to riding with my teammate. The Straggler left while I was still drinking, and I hoped to catch him or BS on the ride. I left at 10:10, and found even the smallest inclines a struggle (had to use the 30t chainring for that unannounced steep climb in that town). Felt spent at 20k, and wondered if I'd make it round. Downed an old gel (didn't feel it kick in). saw on or two to say hello around the info controls, but rode on my own to the Compasses. Finally ate (tasty roasted veg sarnie). All I'd had so far were Belvita brekky biscuits before leaving home (my usual), 3/4 of a flapjack, and energy drink. I knew I was paying the price. The Compasses was packed, but no BS. I thought about a quick stop at the Cressing tea room as I went by, and would have had I known BS and the Straggler were there). Rode a bit with a bloke with a winter hat on, which broke the loneliness. Extremely glad to see the finish. Had a very welcome veg burger, chips and a pint, charging my garmin, while pondering whether to endure a slower, lonely 80 mile ride home, or beg BS for a lift and company.

Chapeau to BS for finishing too. His first Audax since the op (he's sure to tell you more). I enjoyed the lift home, with accompanying chat. That's three times you've brought me home now, so about time we did an audax together so you don't have to get your wallet out!
Bikes are for riding, not cleaning!

Oscar's dad

  • aka Septimus Fitzwilliam Beauregard Partridge
Re: ACME Winter Brevet Populaire Series
« Reply #301 on: 05 February, 2017, 09:03:24 am »
That was lovely, thanks for organising :) I ended up doing a Laindon to Ingatestone train replacement bicycle service to get around the engineering works which just about worked.

Good to meet you at The Compasses!

Yesterday was a top day out which I really enjoyed. A smashing route which was carefully chosen to cope with icy conditions that we thankfully didn't have to endure. It's always a pleasure to ride with my mates but I love the opportunity to meet new folks, many of which were full of praise for our ACME rides so chapeau to Grant, ted, Tomsk and their team of helpers.

Re: ACME Winter Brevet Populaire Series
« Reply #302 on: 05 February, 2017, 09:25:31 am »
I forgot to say the scenery and route (though hard for me in places) were lovely. Followed the routesheet throughout. Grant's become a top class organiser. Heading over to ACME events is becoming more and more appealing.
Bikes are for riding, not cleaning!

redfalo

  • known as Olaf in the real world
    • Cycling Intelligence
Re: ACME Winter Brevet Populaire Series
« Reply #303 on: 05 February, 2017, 09:33:56 am »
This was, again, ace by ACME. Thanks a lot to Tom, Huggy and everyone else involved in setting up the Winter Series.
If you can't convince, confuse.

https://cycling-intelligence.com/ - my blog on cycling, long distances and short ones

Re: ACME Winter Brevet Populaire Series
« Reply #304 on: 05 February, 2017, 10:52:52 am »
The Big Saxon is back, when I had the heart attack one week before the first ACME Winter Series ride Grant kindly switched my entry to this one, so my target was always to make it in some capacity, just to meet old friends and start getting back to normal.

Raymond said to me he thought I was finished cycling when he heard about my illness, i reminded him that I am the Big Saxon and it takes more than a silly heart attack to take me down! Thanks to Raymond for being my domestique and bringing the Brevet card I left on the table, I thought he would catch me at the Littley Green control and so it proved, almost to the minute. From there it was business as usual for the two of us, stopping at Cressing Barns for lunch, a nice chat with Jane, Chris and A N Other. I provided lunch for Raymond to celebrate his 112 points last season, we always look at each other to see what can be achieved by lowly Lanterne Rouge riders. Only the last 10k of lumpy stuff caused my thighs to ask for oxygen, but otherwise pretty standard for us two. i finished in 7:10, grateful for the lower speed allowance for my first one, but not far off the 15kph anyway.   

The journey home with Bikeabilityman was enjoyable, I thought i might be tired but now I have two arteries working I have a lot more energy, so hyped p I hardly slept last night. It may only be a little badge for the ACME ride but it means a whole lot more than that. I can now move on, hopefully complete the Essex Grandslam at the fourth time of asking, LEL was too much to aspire to in such a short time. Looking forward my bodyweight should be down about 23kg from my heaviest, but still keeping the muscle mass, so anything is possible.

Final thanks to all my Audax friends who have sent their best wishes and spoke to me yesterday, to Grant for putting on such great events and letting me switch rides. Got my ACME and ACH caps this week, in tribute to Richard and Lars, I was the lucky one.

See you on the Horsepower in four weeks.     

 

Re: ACME Winter Brevet Populaire Series
« Reply #305 on: 05 February, 2017, 11:49:27 am »
Chapeau to Huggy, Ted and Tomsk for running such a great series of rides through the winter. How you managed to pick perfect weather each time was additionally appreciated.

The route from Margaretting through to the finish was great. Small quiet lanes in the most part, the best of Essex scenery, and some pleasant places to stop off and refuel. Quiet lanes are so much better for passing the miles in deep conversation, which was gratefully provided by Alan and Tippers (when he wasn't taking a crafty break on the pretext of having a flattening tyre).


Eddington: 133 miles    Max square: 43x43

Re: ACME Winter Brevet Populaire Series
« Reply #306 on: 05 February, 2017, 02:13:11 pm »
Good to meet you at The Compasses!
I know that wasn't addressed to me, but good to meet you too ;D

I was actually introduced first to huffers (the edible kind) and then, when he came over and said hello, to Oscar's dad, so the Compasses was a doubly good stop.

I really feel as though I'm getting to know that part of Essex now. I may have said up-thread that Coggeshall and region were previously the boundary of my knowledge, so this series of rides has extended my parish a bit. The route and the weather improved steadily throughout the day, and this was another good ride to finish the set. Thanks to all involved.

Phil W

Re: ACME Winter Brevet Populaire Series
« Reply #307 on: 05 February, 2017, 06:09:41 pm »
Seems ACME stands for awesome cycling mid Essex. Looks like you've got a great series there and sure I'll manage a few over the coming years. Now how about a summer series to fill in the missing Essex gaps?

Tomsk

  • Fueled by cake since 1957
    • tomsk.co.uk
Re: ACME Winter Brevet Populaire Series
« Reply #308 on: 05 February, 2017, 06:51:23 pm »
...Now how about a summer series to fill in the missing Essex gaps?

Looks like there will be a new organiser [I'm proud to announce he has asked me to be mentor], putting on a summer event from South Essex...

Phil W

Re: ACME Winter Brevet Populaire Series
« Reply #309 on: 05 February, 2017, 07:29:19 pm »
 
...Now how about a summer series to fill in the missing Essex gaps?

Looks like there will be a new organiser [I'm proud to announce he has asked me to be mentor], putting on a summer event from South Essex...

 :thumbsup:

huggy

  • ACME GCFO
    • ACME
Re: ACME Winter Brevet Populaire Series
« Reply #310 on: 09 February, 2017, 07:25:38 pm »
The numbers are in - across the four ACME Winter BP Series rides we have had 333 validated brevets  :thumbsup:  :thumbsup:

So much for us hoping for 20 to 30 riders on each event to make it worthwhile putting on!  We have clearly filled a hole and satisfied a need with this series so it looks like we will just have to make it a fixture in the calendar.  I'm sure Martin has appreciated the extra work of all the ECEs we've encouraged  ;D

Now I just need to work out who is entitled to an ACME Winter BP Series Grand Slam badge and get on with designing & ordering it.
Never knowingly underfed on an Audax

Oscar's dad

  • aka Septimus Fitzwilliam Beauregard Partridge
Re: ACME Winter Brevet Populaire Series
« Reply #311 on: 10 February, 2017, 03:47:35 pm »
333 is a fantastic number. How many entries did you have across the 4 rides?

bhoot

  • MemSec (ex-Mrs RRtY)
Re: ACME Winter Brevet Populaire Series
« Reply #312 on: 10 February, 2017, 04:47:47 pm »
Now I just need to work out who is entitled to an ACME Winter BP Series Grand Slam badge and get on with designing & ordering it.
Me me me....  :)

Congratulations all round on a great series, about the only thing that could be improved next time is alignment (or lack of) with engineering works on the railway, but we can't hold you responsible for that.  Probably the most fun we've had riding in the winter.

Tomsk

  • Fueled by cake since 1957
    • tomsk.co.uk
Re: ACME Winter Brevet Populaire Series
« Reply #313 on: 03 June, 2017, 05:52:42 am »
The next deadline for events before 01-12-2017 is 1st July

At least two of the next Winter Series ought to get in the planner soon, if not all 4. Are we going to repeat the routes and running order, or try new routes, mix the order up? Perhaps a fourth organiser to join Huggy, ted and myself? Something to talk about next Wednesday???

Re: ACME Winter Brevet Populaire Series
« Reply #314 on: 23 June, 2017, 09:34:17 am »
The Kelvedon Oyster - the only AUK event with its own currency - is in the diary for 13th January 2018  :thumbsup: 

This is a week earlier than last year as the tide is unsuitable the next week.

The route has been tweaked slightly to avoid the lane near the end that hadn't caught the sun but is basically the same mix of soaring peaks, estuary views and a bit of NCN1 canal path.

In keeping with the other events on the ACME Winter Brevet Populaire Series, the ride starts and finishes in a pub.  The opportunity to socialise with other riders at the Arrivee was one of the best features of last year's series and led to many ECE entrants trying to get their kms in before the start so that they could take advantage - it also led to a couple of them (yes, Tippers and Jiber I am looking at you) having to ride their last few kms a bit quicker than expected  ;D
The pleasure of pain endured
To purify our misfit ways

huggy

  • ACME GCFO
    • ACME
Re: ACME Winter Brevet Populaire Series
« Reply #315 on: 23 June, 2017, 10:00:52 am »
The Essex 3Rs has been duplicated for 4th November (also for 3rd November 2018 due to a double click, super advanced planning by accident but may as well leave it there now!).
Nothing to change for this route, it will be the same event that kicked off last year's series  :thumbsup:
Never knowingly underfed on an Audax

Oscar's dad

  • aka Septimus Fitzwilliam Beauregard Partridge
Re: ACME Winter Brevet Populaire Series
« Reply #316 on: 23 June, 2017, 10:16:23 am »
The Kelvedon Oyster - the only AUK event with its own currency - is in the diary for 13th January 2018  :thumbsup: 

This is a week earlier than last year as the tide is unsuitable the next week.

The route has been tweaked slightly to avoid the lane near the end that hadn't caught the sun but is basically the same mix of soaring peaks, estuary views and a bit of NCN1 canal path.

In keeping with the other events on the ACME Winter Brevet Populaire Series, the ride starts and finishes in a pub.  The opportunity to socialise with other riders at the Arrivee was one of the best features of last year's series and led to many ECE entrants trying to get their kms in before the start so that they could take advantage - it also led to a couple of them (yes, Tippers and Jiber I am looking at you) having to ride their last few kms a bit quicker than expected  ;D

Entered!

And I'm attempting to enter huggy's on 4th November but it doesn't appear to be on AUK's website yet.  Said huggy said just messaged me to say to be patience.

Re: ACME Winter Brevet Populaire Series
« Reply #317 on: 23 June, 2017, 10:24:02 am »
Congratulations caller, you are entry number 1.

Claim your prize at the start.
The pleasure of pain endured
To purify our misfit ways

Oscar's dad

  • aka Septimus Fitzwilliam Beauregard Partridge
Re: ACME Winter Brevet Populaire Series
« Reply #318 on: 23 June, 2017, 10:28:50 am »
Congratulations caller, you are entry number 1.

Claim your prize at the start.

I take we will still get an oyster?  If so, can you only allow folks who don't like oysters to enter then I can eat theirs ...



I might even try to the whole series on fixed  :smug:

redfalo

  • known as Olaf in the real world
    • Cycling Intelligence
Re: ACME Winter Brevet Populaire Series
« Reply #319 on: 23 June, 2017, 03:44:22 pm »
Summer has just started and you're touting the Winter Brevet Series. This is so depressing.
If you can't convince, confuse.

https://cycling-intelligence.com/ - my blog on cycling, long distances and short ones

Oscar's dad

  • aka Septimus Fitzwilliam Beauregard Partridge
Re: ACME Winter Brevet Populaire Series
« Reply #320 on: 23 June, 2017, 03:47:28 pm »
Summer has just started and you're touting the Winter Brevet Series. This is so depressing.

FORWARD PLANNING innit?  ;D

Re: ACME Winter Brevet Populaire Series
« Reply #321 on: 23 June, 2017, 03:56:46 pm »
Actually, we waited until the nights started drawing in again.  Winter's coming.

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

The pleasure of pain endured
To purify our misfit ways

huggy

  • ACME GCFO
    • ACME
Re: ACME Winter Brevet Populaire Series
« Reply #322 on: 23 June, 2017, 04:04:03 pm »
don't blame us, it's AUK!!  Something to do with old communication technology on printed paper and deadlines for publication  ::-)
Never knowingly underfed on an Audax

Re: ACME Winter Brevet Populaire Series
« Reply #323 on: 23 June, 2017, 11:01:28 pm »
I might even try to the whole series on fixed  :smug:
I believe I did that last winter  :smug: :smug: :smug:

Oscar's dad

  • aka Septimus Fitzwilliam Beauregard Partridge
Re: ACME Winter Brevet Populaire Series
« Reply #324 on: 24 June, 2017, 08:20:59 am »
I might even try to the whole series on fixed  :smug:
I believe I did that last winter  :smug: :smug: :smug:

Ah but did you win Hypocrite of the Year as a consequence?  I surely will for being so rude about fixed machines and their riders so many years   ;D