Yet Another Cycling Forum
General Category => Audax => Topic started by: cyclinggeezer on 18 November, 2017, 10:38:15 am
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Having a secured a place on the BC 600 for 2018 now starting to think about preparation and being ready for the challenge.
could I pick the brains of those who have done it before and find out in particular what are the climbs like? Long and steady like Yad Moss or short and sharp?
How cold might it get as you get towards Snowdonia?
Are there good places to stock up with food and drink en route between controls?
Any particular tips on training for the climbs?
Would it be a good idea to change the cassette to even lower gears on my compact? Presently running 11-32 but could go 11-36.
Hints and tips appreciated
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Traffic.
I've only done this ride once, and that's my abiding memory.
Saturday: close passes from tour buses
Sunday: motorbikes
O, and unless you're a fast girl, don't expect a bed at the YHA. Book somewhere else if you want to be sure of a bed.
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As a full value rider my return southwards through Snowdonia was well after midnight, with my Garmin showing a fairly consistent -2 degrees.
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Having a secured a place on the BC 600 for 2018 now starting to think about preparation and being ready for the challenge.
could I pick the brains of those who have done it before and find out in particular what are the climbs like? Long and steady like Yad Moss or short and sharp?
How cold might it get as you get towards Snowdonia?
Are there good places to stock up with food and drink en route between controls?
Any particular tips on training for the climbs?
Would it be a good idea to change the cassette to even lower gears on my compact? Presently running 11-32 but could go 11-36.
Hints and tips appreciated
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Long and steady except for the lane to the Kings YHA just outside Dollegethu. And the occasional bonus bump here and there
Rarely cold but sometimes a bit rainy and windy. The coldest bit is coming back from Menai to Kings. I just put all my clothes on and it's fine. The conditions are quite unpredictable, you need to be able to cope with all eventualities
There are loads of places during the kind of hours that shops are open as the route goes through various small towns. Outside of these hours, there is not very much. On the A road sections, there are occasional garages that are open early Sunday morning. The controls are very good and provided you have a flapjack or two in the pocket should be ok
Training? I never did. If you haven't done a 600 before then do a 400 first and a 300 before that and a 200 before that
Cassette just depends on your legs. I will be using either a 30-40-50 x 12-30 or a 50-34 x 11-32 but this information is no good to you :)
I have done the event 9 times. Although the current Richie route is different to previous ones I have ridden, it's similar
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I rode it (my first 600s) in 2016 and this year (2016 ride report is here (https://ctccambridge.org.uk/blog/2016/05/14-may-bryan-chapman-memorial-600km)). It's great!
The climbs are nearly all well-graded, except perhaps for the rollercoaster road heading towards Staylittle which has some stretches touching 15% - but there's not much of this. Oh, and the infamous climb up to Kings (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKhfTXtGiZA) :demon:
In 2016 it was well below freezing overnight. If the skies are going to be clear prepare for this. Also during the night sections there are not convenient places to stop and stock up - and choices are sparse into the next day (remember this is North Wales on a Sunday morning). But the controls are superb and well-spaced, and have things to take with you.
Training for climbs - there's nothing like doing actual climbs but failing that riding into the wind or using a trainer can help. I'm based in Cambridgeshire and the climbs were fairly tough, but the scenery makes it worth it ...
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SHEEP! ;D
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The only tip you need is to get in your granny ring BEFORE turning left to the youth hostel!
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All the climbs are worth it for the views at the top and the descents
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The climbs are nearly all well-graded, except perhaps for the rollercoaster road heading towards Staylittle which has some stretches touching 15% - but there's not much of this.
- and it can be avoided by following the NCN route through Hafren Forest. A few extra km but a delightfully quiet road and fabulous views across the lake near the top. Osprey nest viewpoint too, if you are into such things.
And a few km further on, do take it easy at the start of the descent towards Machynlleth. A couple of folks were caught out last year by bends/sidewinds/speedwobbles, resulting in AIUI at least one broken collarbone.
If you are full-valuer like me, the bed situation at Kings usually starts to ease off a bit by around 4 am - and your bunk will have been pre-warmed for you ;D
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Pretty easy all the way to Llanidloes, then long climbs to Staylittle. Descent to Mach, then one long steady climb up and over to Dolgellau. Then Kings. Then quite benign until Penrhyndeudraeth where you've got more steady climbs including Pen y Pass.
Pretty gentle from Llanberis to Menai and indeed all the way back to Kings although you have a long long drag over Trawsfynned.
The next day, with tired legs, the first climb up and over and down to Dinas Mawddy goes on forever. From there it is benign until Newtown. Then a long climb to Dolfor. Pretty easy from then on with the odd bump or two.
Apart from the official controls the one place that always saves my life is the Spar in Carno on the way to Newtown.
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What are the climbs like? Long and steady like Yad Moss or short and sharp?
How cold might it get as you get towards Snowdonia?
Are there good places to stock up with food and drink en route between controls?
Any particular tips on training for the climbs?
Would it be a good idea to change the cassette to even lower gears on my compact? Presently running 11-32 but could go 11-36.
Hints and tips appreciated
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/17001454
Climbs: Mostly long and steady (like Yad Moss coming back). There are 5 single chevron short climbs coming out of Llanidloes towards Staylittle and the abrupt double chevron climb up the road to King's YH (west of Dolgellau, at 202km and 373km) but only 200m.
Food and drink: Route goes through lots of towns besides those which are nominated as controls (see my RwGPS link). Only leg where you would not find much is Menai back to Kings (82km) which I suspect you'd be doing 9pm - 2am. But the team at Menai provide excellent fare (and some to take onwards) and you can look forward to eating at King's too.
Gearing: With your setup I wouldn't change my cassette. I used the same for both BCM 17 and LEL. Now Mille Pennines on the other hand . . . (cassette and chainwheel substitution).
Sleep: If you are a rider who needs decent sleep then consider booking somewhere between Penrhyndeudraeth and Beddgelert (A4085). Check in there on the way up (~250km, 15 minutes and a cup of tea) and collapse there after visiting Menai (efficiently, with the door code/key; 330km, midnight+). Leaves you 40 odd km to do at dawn (5am) over to Kings, have breakfast and get away by 8 at the latest (225km from Kings to do in 14 hours). I did this last year (stopping from 10pm till 5am) and there were a fair few with a similar plan (though I suspect rather less sleep). There are beds at King's but demand outstrips supply and the hours are rationed. You could alternately book somewhere in Dolgellau. I considered https://www.facebook.com/hybbunkhousedolgellau/ earlier this year.
Ephemera: Sunset 2103 Sat, Moonrise (nearly full but very annoyingly) 0500, Sunrise 0521 (all Beddgelert), Sunset 2054 (Usk).
If you decide to get back to Kings at whatever time, I recommend you take trouble to do so in company for the dark hours.
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NCN route through Hafren Forest - would recommend used it last year
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+1 on Hafren. It's sublime
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Yes, lovely bit of road that. Even when it's pish.
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Coming back to the theme of training. Just ride as consistently as you can manage between now and the BCM. There is no special preparation required for the hills, just make sure you ride quite a lot frequently. But most of all enjoy what you are doing. It is a bike ride and there to be enjoyed not endured.
BB
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Is this the diversion through the Hefren forest you guys are talking about?
https://www.strava.com/routes/11216212
Seems to add roughly 7-8 km over sticking to the B road
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Yes, but you can take the road that hugs the lake a little closer. It's shorter
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Yes, but you can take the road that hugs the lake a little closer. It's shorter
I have noticed that, but it seems to add 100 mt of climbing, as well as 3-4 km.
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I usually take the longer route. It also adds climbing but it doesn't actually feel like it because it's rolling.
Its the route I always take on the return leg of the Cambrian 200.
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Coming back to the theme of training. Just ride as consistently as you can manage between now and the BCM. There is no special preparation required for the hills, just make sure you ride quite a lot frequently. But most of all enjoy what you are doing. It is a bike ride and there to be enjoyed not endured.
BB
Thanks for the tip on training. Living in the middle of Lincs its an issue to find hills which means either going down to Leicestershire and Rutland for the short sharp ones there, or the Lincolnshire Wolds which can be similar in nature. None have the long drags I think typically you find on the BC. Since LEL I have kept up the effort and now 3000km above my previous PB yearly distance so should have over 15,000km by end of December. Yad Moss was no problem on LEL and sprinting home up the Essex hills too. The concern is Wales is different and how to be prepared.
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The main difference with cycling in Wales, other than it being prettier, is that the risk of traditional Welsh weather is somewhat higher than the rest of the UK.
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What are the climbs like? Long and steady like Yad Moss or short and sharp?
How cold might it get as you get towards Snowdonia?
Are there good places to stock up with food and drink en route between controls?
Any particular tips on training for the climbs?
Would it be a good idea to change the cassette to even lower gears on my compact? Presently running 11-32 but could go 11-36.
Hints and tips appreciated
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/17001454
Climbs: Mostly long and steady (like Yad Moss coming back). There are 5 single chevron short climbs coming out of Llanidloes towards Staylittle and the abrupt double chevron climb up the road to King's YH (west of Dolgellau, at 202km and 373km) but only 200m.
Food and drink: Route goes through lots of towns besides those which are nominated as controls (see my RwGPS link). Only leg where you would not find much is Menai back to Kings (82km) which I suspect you'd be doing 9pm - 2am. But the team at Menai provide excellent fare (and some to take onwards) and you can look forward to eating at King's too.
Gearing: With your setup I wouldn't change my cassette. I used the same for both BCM 17 and LEL. Now Mille Pennines on the other hand . . . (cassette and chainwheel substitution).
Sleep: If you are a rider who needs decent sleep then consider booking somewhere between Penrhyndeudraeth and Beddgelert (A4085). Check in there on the way up (~250km, 15 minutes and a cup of tea) and collapse there after visiting Menai (efficiently, with the door code/key; 330km, midnight+). Leaves you 40 odd km to do at dawn (5am) over to Kings, have breakfast and get away by 8 at the latest (225km from Kings to do in 14 hours). I did this last year (stopping from 10pm till 5am) and there were a fair few with a similar plan (though I suspect rather less sleep). There are beds at King's but demand outstrips supply and the hours are rationed. You could alternately book somewhere in Dolgellau. I considered https://www.facebook.com/hybbunkhousedolgellau/ earlier this year.
Ephemera: Sunset 2103 Sat, Moonrise (nearly full but very annoyingly) 0500, Sunrise 0521 (all Beddgelert), Sunset 2054 (Usk).
If you decide to get back to Kings at whatever time, I recommend you take trouble to do so in company for the dark hours.
Thanks thats really helpful.With the bag drops are they at the half way point?
I did think a 36 on the back was over kill when I have coped well for years witha 32
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The main difference with cycling in Wales, other than it being prettier, is that the risk of traditional Welsh weather is somewhat higher than the rest of the UK.
Yes I was thinking that today. Used to drier conditions on the east coast and was thinking neoprene over shoes and good coat necessary. Nothing worse than cold wet feet. Oh well more to haul across Wales!
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Last year bag drops were not promised but materialised late on (for a small fee; thank you RT). If there are bag drops in 2018 (I would plan for none and consider it a bonus) they go to Kings, so two bites of the cherry (202 and 373km - ideal). This May, the weather was benign. I did use the bag drop, but mostly for 'in case' stuff like overboots, warmer gloves, spare top and socks; and a sheet sleeping bag. In the event (with faith in the forecast which was a few evening hours of wet but not cold cold) I merely accessed the bag for some 'on the bike' food replenishment.
Make sure any drop bag is easily recognised - not too bad in the afternoon (so once accessed, put it in a specific spot in the room, and remember(!)) because in the early hours, unless you're in the faster half of the field, several riders will already be trying to crash out in that room so the less disturbance the better.
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The cold on the night section. I think I had 5 layers on and still managed to achieve the 3rd coldest I've ever been.
The hills are just hills. Not a problem - unless of course you really don't like hills...
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It was my first ever 600 back in 1993. I still think of it as a good beginners' ride.
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Besides Alex B's short video embedded in his report/blog (https://ctccambridge.org.uk/blog/2016/05/14-may-bryan-chapman-memorial-600km (https://ctccambridge.org.uk/blog/2016/05/14-may-bryan-chapman-memorial-600km) see his post above) which shows one of the sharp climbs NW of Llanidloes, Adam Watkins made one that year too which will give you a very good 'feel' for the ride, albeit he is up the front end (think <100 hour LEL completion types) - link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyotlUgS8FM (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyotlUgS8FM) Inter alia gives you an insight to the fantastic hills over to Machynlleth, the turning and intial steep bit up to Kings, the set up in the YH, Barmouth bridge, "Ticket! ticket!", [Edit - thank you, @Jasmine] Telford's suspension bridge across the Menai Strait, and much more (including overnight cold). I notice he stopped outside video features) @Flatus 's Spar at Carno (closed at 3am!), before Aberhafesp.
The video of the Rapha riders' Bryan Chapman 'tribute' ride (NB in March) is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8GoL8UzIj0 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8GoL8UzIj0) for more situational awareness.
Alex B refers to wilkyboy's 2013 ride report http://www.16inchwheels.uk/2013/05/18/bcm-2013/ (http://www.16inchwheels.uk/2013/05/18/bcm-2013/) which is (he says) a rewrite of his post on yacf http://www.16inchwheels.uk/2013/05/18/bcm-2013/ (http://www.16inchwheels.uk/2013/05/18/bcm-2013/) in a thread which stretched to 38 pages: required reading (NB '600' route has changed).
It was my first ever 600 back in 1993. I still think of it as a good beginners' ride.
And you rode it again 24 years later. A good middle-agers ride too then.
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Also required reading on matters Bryan Chapman is Von Broad's epic tale:
https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=43334.msg943411#msg943411
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Also required reading on matters Bryan Chapman is Von Broad's epic tale:
https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=43334.msg943411#msg943411
Is that forge on the new route?
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And you rode it again 24 years later. A good middle-agers ride too then.
I was middle-aged the first time round.
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Brunel's suspension bridge
Where's that? :)
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IIRC there is quite a nice one on the way to the start (if you come through West Bristol-ish).
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Arguable even that one can fairly be attributed to Brunel. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clifton_Suspension_Bridge)
[/pedant]
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Hat and gloves, and put your clothes on for the descent down to Llanberis.
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Hat and gloves, and put your clothes on for the descent down to Llanberis.
good descent that
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Hat and gloves, and put your clothes on for the descent down to Llanberis.
good descent that
The first few times I rode, it went the other way, up from Llanberis.
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Hat and gloves, and put your clothes on for the descent down to Llanberis.
good descent that
The first few times I rode, it went the other way, up from Llanberis.
Good climb that! ;D
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Also required reading on matters Bryan Chapman is Von Broad's epic tale:
https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=43334.msg943411#msg943411
Epic read.
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Also required reading on matters Bryan Chapman is Von Broad's epic tale:
https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=43334.msg943411#msg943411
Epic read.
I enjoyed that too... a modern version of the famous tale of Eugene Christophe
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Is that forge on the new route?
He didn't make it to the 'forge' (blacksmith's), the welding was done at a garage.
But, yes, Rhayader is on the route, at 117km. Good bike shop (and the one @Von Broad went to first) just to the west of the main crossroads. This year, with a parted front derailleur cable (at 65km at the top of the hill down to Talgarth), Clive Powell Bikes http://www.clivepowell-mtb.co.uk/ (http://www.clivepowell-mtb.co.uk/) sold me a new cable and a coffee, provided a cable cutter, and 15 minutes later, I was back on my way with all 3 rings operational again.
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+1 for Clive Powell sorting me out with a gear cable (in loaded touring mode, rather than audax). On a Sunday afternoon, no less.
Indeed, I suspect I stopped at Von Braud's garage to ask if there was a bike shop nearby.
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The only tip you need is to get in your granny ring BEFORE turning left to the youth hostel!
This. Absolutely this :thumbsup:
And the cold — something like 2°C trying to get 30 minutes' shut-eye at the bus stop before the Trawsfynydd climb on the return to Kings, both times I rode it.
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... - and it can be avoided by following the NCN route through Hafren Forest. A few extra km but a delightfully quiet road and fabulous views across the lake near the top. Osprey nest viewpoint too, if you are into such things.
I rode through there on the Bearbones 200 in October and it appears they've removed the Osprey-watching hide, which was there on WRT 200 in May.
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O, and unless you're a fast girl, don't expect a bed at the YHA. Book somewhere else if you want to be sure of a bed.
Is there anywhere else?! And I thought the girls got a better deal than the boys, since there are almost as many beds, but fewer people to fill them.
My first time (2013) I slept on the floor in the common room due to lack of boy-beds — the icy draft between the floor boards kept me awake until someone vacated the sofa and I could get 30 minutes without freezing my n?ts off.
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Here's my take on BCM from last year; full value, 45 mins sleep... I think this will be the route for this year.
https://audaxery.wordpress.com/2017/06/13/bryan-chapman-was-a-nice-man-who-must-have-liked-hills-a-lot/
Certainly a great ride worth doing... Best thing I did was a few early season hilly 200s and 300s to prepare. I took a 28 x 32 bottom gear and used it maybe twice, if only to make sure I was not busting a gut. 34 x 32 would probably just be ok for a normalish Audaxer.
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Here's my take on BCM from last year; full value, 45 mins sleep... I think this will be the route for this year.
https://audaxery.wordpress.com/2017/06/13/bryan-chapman-was-a-nice-man-who-must-have-liked-hills-a-lot/
Certainly a great ride worth doing... Best thing I did was a few early season hilly 200s and 300s to prepare. I took a 28 x 32 bottom gear and used it maybe twice, if only to make sure I was not busting a gut. 34 x 32 would probably just be ok for a normalish Audaxer.
Very nice write up, thanks for that
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The account of my 2017 BCM was published in the last Arrivee, but happy to post a copy here if anyone wants it.
Arriving at 02:30 at Kings, I was allowed 90 mins sleep wheras my female companion was given no limit. We had looked at alternatives beforehand, but couldn't seem to find anything reasonably cheap and convenient.