Author Topic: Severn Across 400 - 2015 (Read 13686 times)

Whitedown Man · « **Reply #50 on:** 05 May, 2015, 10:00:26 am »

Severn Across will be my first 400, but I've done 2 x 300 and 6 or 7 200s so I'm not a complete novice. But novice enough to be surprised to see all the discussion re. cycling off route. Is this not regarded as cheating in some way? Don't want to be slavish to the route in honour of some non-existent rule, but OTOH don't want accidentally to slip into miscreant behaviour.

Martin · « **Reply #51 on:** 05 May, 2015, 10:21:12 am »

going off route is not cheating in any way in the UK; you just have to visit the controls. The organiser chooses the best route it's up to you if you want to divert.

In the case of the A4 it is a nice well lit (mostly) flat road but my experience at silly o' clock is that there are plenty of drivers out for a speed camera free burn up and next Sat / Sun night is probably the only night of the year there are likely to be any cyclists on it at that time so they will hardly be expecting to meet any of you, add tiredeness of the rider and the driver and..... just sayin' like, the lanes are fine and much more relaxing

jefmcg · « **Reply #52 on:** 05 May, 2015, 10:25:48 am »

And Liam says explicitly for this ride

Quote

The route sheet is only a suggestion – you are welcome to use any route between the controls you want.

Aunt Maud · « **Reply #53 on:** 05 May, 2015, 10:27:15 am »

But don't do it in Euroland.

jefmcg · « **Reply #54 on:** 05 May, 2015, 10:29:19 am »

I think the A4 is a fine ride, I'd definitely use it again.

My only problem with it was a lost it in Reading (missed a right turn), and couldn't find it again. Combine with that with the fact it was already 10am so I was a DNF and Reading station was just "over there" with a train taking me home. So if you plan to use the A4, plot the route through Reading carefully.

Whitedown Man · « **Reply #55 on:** 05 May, 2015, 10:39:02 am »

Thx for all the replies and advice. I know the A4 well - my regular cycling route between home (London) and my in-laws (Wilts), usually cycled overnight or in the early hours. Like most of the other commenters, I like it - a really fast, well-surfaced, well-lit and wide road, but you do need a tolerance for being wind-lashed by vehicles passing at high speed.

Lady Cavendish · « **Reply #56 on:** 06 May, 2015, 08:31:08 pm »

I like the A4. I will be happy on the A4 with all those petrol stations and a late night kebab in reading/slough. What more could you want?

Weather is looking less friendly than it did earlier in the week! Not happy about all this wind

Phil W · « **Reply #57 on:** 06 May, 2015, 09:31:19 pm »

The wind will blow you back.

jefmcg · « **Reply #58 on:** 06 May, 2015, 09:48:14 pm »

Latest from weather bagel
http://www.weatherbagel.com/f/dc090015-e507-44ac-a9b2-5a766de0357b

Strong head winds heading out, lessening on the way home

Frank9755 · « **Reply #59 on:** 06 May, 2015, 10:37:36 pm »

Yes, the forecast now looks even worse than the Dean - but there are still a couple of days for it to change a bit.

Bobby · « **Reply #60 on:** 06 May, 2015, 10:47:36 pm »

Quote from: jefmcg on 06 May, 2015, 09:48:14 pm

Latest from weather bagel
http://www.weatherbagel.com/f/dc090015-e507-44ac-a9b2-5a766de0357b

Strong head winds heading out, lessening on the way home

Oooohh I like that site - thanks jefmcg

Mr Green · « **Reply #61 on:** 06 May, 2015, 10:51:47 pm »

I'm not happy about all this wind. I was knackered cyling home from work today, let alone a 400km. I hope it all calms down for the weekend.

phydaux · « **Reply #62 on:** 07 May, 2015, 12:01:31 am »

The weather forecast has been changing quite a lot over the last few days. Plenty of time for it to change again.

Laid Back Rich · « **Reply #63 on:** 07 May, 2015, 12:29:57 pm »

anyone know if there's a routesheet and GPX for this available somewhere please? nothing yet at http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/15-309/

swiss hat · « **Reply #64 on:** 07 May, 2015, 12:39:47 pm »

Quote from: Laid Back Rich on 07 May, 2015, 12:29:57 pm

anyone know if there's a routesheet and GPX for this available somewhere please? nothing yet at http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/15-309/

Emailed you with all the info.

scottlington · « **Reply #65 on:** 08 May, 2015, 02:29:43 pm »

I'm out

Done something to my ankle / Achilles during a windy 100mile fenland ride on Monday and have been hobbling about all week praying for it to ease off. I don't think 250 miles (with a likely strong headwind for the first 100 at least) is going to help in any way. I'm now scratting about trying to figure out what I can do for my 400k PBP qualifier....*

I was looking forward to this given it was my first ever 400 back in 2008 and hadn't ridden it since. I was also looking forward to the A4 bash on the way back for some reason.

Anyway, have a good ride everyone.

*and worrying that WCW at the end of this month is going to mark my first ride this year over 200k, so no nice step up....

Pete Mas · « **Reply #66 on:** 08 May, 2015, 02:34:04 pm »

Have booked into Jordans YHA nearby (surprisingly beds still available) so won't have to get up too early.

Good luck everybody. May you find a good group to work with against that headwind.

Sorry to hear about the ankle problem, S.

zigzag · « **Reply #67 on:** 08 May, 2015, 02:46:21 pm »

4am alarm, breakfast, pootle to the start down the a40 from high wycombe, second breakfast, then off to burn 10,000kcal. should be moderately enjoyable.

danrough · « **Reply #68 on:** 08 May, 2015, 03:05:44 pm »

Nervous excitement is building for this. The headwind on the way out will make it all the more enjoyable once we're the other side of the half way point!

Looking forward to it.

Laid Back Rich · « **Reply #69 on:** 08 May, 2015, 03:39:57 pm »

Quote from: danrough on 08 May, 2015, 03:05:44 pm

The headwind on the way out will make it all the more enjoyable once we're the other side of the half way point!

My 5th outing on this fine event. Last time in 2011 wind conditions were exact opposite of tomorrow's forecast, with vicious headwind all the way home from Chepstow. Battling across the Severn Bridge was achieved at just above walking speed and the going didn't rise much above that all the way home. Should be a bit easier tomorrow

Lady Cavendish · « **Reply #70 on:** 08 May, 2015, 03:59:30 pm »

*totally hysterical post*

*horrified wind related post*

jefmcg · « **Reply #71 on:** 08 May, 2015, 04:04:41 pm »

my last visit to weather bagel.

Winds strongest in the morning, and distinctly dropping around lunch time

http://www.weatherbagel.com/f/3d7cdeb0-beff-4884-b232-9c381ce7796d

(16km/h so this is the forecast for full value rider)

Laid Back Rich · « **Reply #72 on:** 08 May, 2015, 04:13:46 pm »

this for 20km/h
http://www.weatherbagel.com/f/33917619-d7a1-4035-b156-40557b4b6d0d

mattc · « **Reply #73 on:** 08 May, 2015, 04:31:20 pm »

Quote from: Lady Cavendish on 08 May, 2015, 03:59:30 pm

*totally hysterical post*

*horrified wind related post*

Don't worry - the forecast is nowhere NEAR as bad as this year's Dean turned out. This is basically the same (but with several of the nastier climbs removed), then a tailwind home from Chepstow, including a nice A4 blast to finish!

(I suggest tucking in behind zigzag until Tewkesbury - although bear in mind he is as bad as you on gravelly descents ... )

JohnOnABike · « **Reply #74 on:** 08 May, 2015, 05:56:01 pm »

Quote from: mattc on 08 May, 2015, 04:31:20 pm

.... including a nice A4 blast to finish!

I keep reading about this alternative A4 finish....
does anyone have a link showing this alternative route, so I can make a GPX file out of it or something?
Thanks

Author Topic: Severn Across 400 - 2015 (Read 13686 times)

Martin

Phil W