Nice work jwo!Fens they are not CHris, but they are not real hills. ;) Coxwold is far enough out of the hills to allow for some recovery anyway
It illustrates nicely how those who say "the first bit is flat" are a wee bit deceiving. Those who've ridden the Stevenage rides and others around there know - Cheshunt to Gamblingay isn't Fenland.
Also shows how we need to be ready for some fairly tired riders Southbound at Coxwold :o.
Fens they are not CHris, but they are not real hills. ;) Coxwold is far enough out of the hills to allow for some recovery anyway
Its the 200 miles of flat that'll do me in. I have a 7-10 hour sleep stopped near Middleton T so Coxwold south I reckon I'll be in fine fettle. I am climbing well this year too.Fens they are not CHris, but they are not real hills. ;) Coxwold is far enough out of the hills to allow for some recovery anyway
:D
Real Hills are what you are used to.
We'll see how you all fair on the way south. You northerners will be fine ;).
The steepest is probably Crayke.
I like these maps too - they are pieces of art! I want the northern section, without the legend and place names, framed up.
f) Coming up through Alston Southbound will be a tough one (south)
I like these maps too - they are pieces of art! I want the northern section, without the legend and place names, framed up.and with those nasty thick lines narrowed a bit please.
I am climbing well this year too.
Ok, so I had to ask - what's the total climb...?
Ok, so I had to ask - what's the total climb...?
Many riders will suffer on the 10.5 km stretch south of Sandtoft (http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=474356&Y=408203&A=Y&Z=120). 10.5 km, dead straight, no hedges, no features, little habitation. No fun, even with a tailwind. And when you get to the end, there's nothing but a right-angled bend and 4.5 km more of the same. The altitude varies between 2m and 3m ASL. It's the only bit I'm not looking forward to.
Your diversion looks quite appealing to me! (I've ridden this bit both ways, getting to/from York. It had some interesting raptors, no other redeeming features. I predict mid-west USAians being well suited.)Many riders will suffer on the 10.5 km stretch south of Sandtoft (http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=474356&Y=408203&A=Y&Z=120). 10.5 km, dead straight, no hedges, no features, little habitation. No fun, even with a tailwind. And when you get to the end, there's nothing but a right-angled bend and 4.5 km more of the same. The altitude varies between 2m and 3m ASL. It's the only bit I'm not looking forward to.
Doing that bit in the dark helps alleviate the boredom. As does missing a turn (a GPS is good as long as you remember to look at it) and taking a detour along the Trent beforehand: (Zoom in on that bit here: Bicycle Path - London Edinburgh Actual at Bikely.com (http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/266092) to see).
I rode it both ways in the dark in 2001, and both ways in daylight in 2005. 2009 riders have it easy, only riding it southbound.
Many riders will suffer on the 10.5 km stretch south of Sandtoft (http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=474356&Y=408203&A=Y&Z=120). 10.5 km, dead straight, no hedges, no features, little habitation. No fun, even with a tailwind. And when you get to the end, there's nothing but a right-angled bend and 4.5 km more of the same. The altitude varies between 2m and 3m ASL. It's the only bit I'm not looking forward to.