Yet Another Cycling Forum
General Category => Audax => Topic started by: markldn on 08 February, 2023, 09:13:03 pm
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Date and Location
4th Anniversary Edition
Date: Fri, 03 Mar 2022
Distance: 161.7 km
Climb: 1,086m (flat)
Start Time: 22:00 (late)
Starting from: Victoria Station car park (https://goo.gl/maps/HTVdiygayTDTh8Tr5), London (meet opposite bike racks at car park entrance to Victoria Place mall - see Google Street view (https://www.google.com/maps/@51.4943836,-0.1452069,3a,75y,279.55h,84.48t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sIatozASroN-A0fOJ7u0DWQ!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3DIatozASroN-A0fOJ7u0DWQ%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D189.26674%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i13312!8i6656))
Apologies for the early date this year - I have a wedding (turned 1000km ride planned) in Taiwan that conflicts with the normal 2nd/3rd week of March.
Route
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/42117919 (https://ridewithgps.com/routes/42117919)
TLDR
Group Social DIY night ride around London. Starts at 10pm from Victoria Station (for pre-ride food, the 2nd floor McDonalds closes at 23:00). Post-ride brekky at Victoria Station Wetherspoons where I can confirm the taps turn on at 8am (opens at 6:00). A great ride to see London as you've never seen it, be able to say you're not a fairweather cyclist, test lights/gear, all safe in the warm confines of this great city. There are plenty of places to stop, eat and mingle with the locals along the way (see the map).
Also, see Morris Major Organiser Pete Davis's short but infectious write-up of last year's event in Arriveé Magazine here (https://issuu.com/audax-uk/docs/arrivee_156_2022_issuu/36). Phone-friendly version here (https://issuu.com/audax-uk/docs/arrivee_156_2022_issuu/s/17484656).
Genesis
In late March 2020 we went lockies. Four weeks later the PM would announce “we are past the peak” of the pandemic. This ride seeks to replicate what it was like for the exercise-inclined during these unprecedented times. A bit weird, quiet streets, circuitous. Staying local was the (legal) order of the day. Non-essential travel was shamed. Hair grew long. We all know this so why am I saying it? Because it's sentimental!!
Accepting the guilt that if I rode outside the M25 I could be “hit by a car and take an ambulance from someone who needed it”, I set about creating and sourcing local London routes. If I were hit by a car locally, at least I could walk myself to a nearby hospital, the thinking went, or maybe the driver would take me if I were nice. The London Fixed Beers missions (https://www.fixedbeers.com/missions) were a particular highlight for me—giving riders a curated tour of London’s boroughs while taking advantage of the empty streets (but for the ominous queues starting to form outside supermarkets).
I rode the first version of this “strava art” in April 2020, and one year later extended the route with the needle in commemoration of the vaccine. Ironically, as I rode down the Mall while tracing “the needle”, I went right through an anti-vaccine march.
Touring London’s boroughs on empty streets turned out to be actually quite nice. But daylight scenes reminiscent of Danny Boyle’s 28 Days Later again are unlikely—though not impossible—to return anytime soon, and I don’t want to lose half a lung riding 160 km through London traffic during the day, so the tradition continues at night.
Fee
There is no fee but I ask that you make a minimum £6 donation to the Lewisham Bank of Things (https://www.lewishamlocal.com/lewisham-bank-of-things/?fbclid=IwAR2SK-ZVIkmz3nLSO6a9zosCTa6zOidekBSToUJFYc7QEqJDCezWNfmN4Qk).
“The Bank of Things is a Young Mayors Project working in partnership with Lewisham Local aimed at Young People aged 11 to 25 living in Lewisham. Former Young Mayors have used their budgets to develop the Bank of Things to address the issue of poverty and lack of resources for young people in the borough. We now supply everyday necessities to any young person facing hardship living in Lewisham.” - Lewisham Bank of Things
Upon donation, please message me at “ kowalskimark [at] gmail [dot] com ” to inform me of your intention to ride.
If you can't make this date, feel free to use the route. I just ask that you make a donation, shamelessly credit my instagram (https://www.instagram.com/kowalifornication/) on your social media post so I can feed my goldfish, or else just let me know that you enjoyed it and try and join next year.
Finish
This ride is not validated. I won’t be publishing a list of finishers anywhere but I will record you as having completed it for my own records. Please email me confirmation of riding if you don't finish with the group.
Riding in London
Be safe, bring a decent lock or bring your own food. Last year there were 5 of us and we all rode together, dropping Tom off to a heavily pregnant wife around 4am as we passed his house. I see no reason why we would not repeat this tradition again as it really did make the ride extra special. We only stopped once for food at Bow McD's (see route).
Group DIY Registration
This ride is a DIYSE Group Perm. Details on how to register your DIY with Audax UK without uploading a track will be shared prior to the ride.
Haven't I seen this post before?
Yes! Here's the thread from last year's ride (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=122436.0)
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Bump.
Please don't make me be the anchor around Mark's ankle this year. Anyone else up for this, or else it might be a lonely night.
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G'wan then.
Better get fit(ter)...see you there.
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Haha thanks Pete. I'll be riding it rain or (moon)shine. Slow or fast. I don't mind. It would be great to get a breakfast in this year though. On that note, the Regency Cafe (https://goo.gl/maps/pUVPj6Jr65tNR2fq5) nearby is an institution, has bike racks nearby and would alleviate concerns with locking bikes up outside and out of sight at Victoria station.
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Better get fit(ter)...see you there.
Don't get too fit :)
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I'm in
<gulp>
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Two Fridays from now bump O:-)
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Looking forward to it!
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Currently in process of registering it as a Group Perm. Will post instructions on how to register, which I am told will also qualify you for insurance under Audax UK for the ride (though I say this in no official capacity to whether that is true or not, only what others have told me should be the case).
Mark
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Hmm, May be interested. What's the group average kmph likely to be?
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Hmm, May be interested. What's the group average kmph likely to be?
Are you anxious it'll be too slow or too fast?
Last time I was responsible for slowing everyone down and I would normally do 200km in a little under 12 hours, and I'll be there again. It's difficult to be specific about a speed, though. Sticking together significantly increases average speed cos Mark knows the way and there are no hesitations at any junctions, otherwise navigation might add significantly to the time required.
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I certainly won't be too fast! I'd complete a 200 in circa 9-10 hours. If the group sticks together then I'll probably join the ride.
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Could be a definite maybe.
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I’m guessing if we do about 23 km/h, and have half an hour at the McD, and another half hour general faffage, we should finish when places start to open for brekkie, i.e. 6 or 7?
What time did you finish up last time alfapete?
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What time did you finish up last time alfapete?
I seem to remember it was around 7.40am, but not too sure.
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Here is a link to Bryn’s ride last year.
https://www.strava.com/activities/6883405927
8hr 47min elapsed time
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And about an hour of non-moving time - sounds about right. I suspect it will be quite cold so hopefully we can keep rolling along, traffic lights permitting!
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Here is a link to Bryn’s ride last year.
https://www.strava.com/activities/6883405927
8hr 47min elapsed time
Average moving of 18.5 km/h, very sociable
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Still waiting on the DIY registration to come through.
Who else is joining?!
See you this Friday
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Group DIY Registration successful. Instructions in welcome email.
5 riders on roster. Let's double that.
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Also, see Morris Major Organiser Pete Davis's short but infectious write-up of last year's event in Arriveé Magazine here (https://issuu.com/audax-uk/docs/arrivee_156_2022_issuu/36). Phone-friendly version here (https://issuu.com/audax-uk/docs/arrivee_156_2022_issuu/s/17484656).
After reading Pete's article and another excellent write up on page 16 of the same magazine, I've decided to ride the LL160 too this Friday.
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After reading Pete's article and another excellent write up on page 16 of the same magazine, I've decided to ride the LL160 too this Friday.
Woohoo! See you on the start line!
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We are in for a treat Friday night; the route goes past my new place in Lewisham and my girlfriend Myrna has offered to be waiting for us with coffee as we ride by between 12-1am! There is a warm lobby at the bottom of my building that we can sneak into for a quick 10 minute break from the cold. There is enough room for bikes. Unfortunately this will only be available to those of us in the group as she will come down when she sees my dot approaching.
I have updated the route to take us past at 61.8km. It shouldn't cause an issue with the DIY, as it only shortens by 200m.
We are up to 8 registered, with 2 strong commitments (email me to confirm donation! It's only £6!).
Weather has improved. Low of 2, feels like 5.
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Weather has improved. Low of 2, feels like 5.
Do you mean low of 5 feels like 2? I've never known the feels like to be warmer than the actual.
I'm in. despite the coffee, hopefully drinking hot beverages will not be mandatory.
Confident a light will last all night, as only the low output will be needed under the streetlights.
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the route goes past my new place in Lewisham and my girlfriend Myrna has offered to be waiting for us with coffee as we ride by between 12-1am!
Shall I bring cake? ;D
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Weather has improved. Low of 2, feels like 5.
Do you mean low of 5 feels like 2? I've never known the feels like to be warmer than the actual.
The warmth of our peloton will make it feel like 5!
the route goes past my new place in Lewisham and my girlfriend Myrna has offered to be waiting for us with coffee as we ride by between 12-1am!
Shall I bring cake? ;D
This is why your Audax events get posted on the Audax UK FB group and mine are "not in the spirit"! We'll find some cake too!
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All sounding good Mark! Advance thanks to Myrna.
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Not too late to join us tonight.
We have 12 registered!
Myrna better get aeropressing.
As the group is a bit larger now, a note to try and keep noise levels within reason when we pitstop at my building’s lobby for coffee and a cake/cookie at km 62. We’ll only be there 10 minutes. Bow McD’s is not long after that - the only other group stop for the night - at km 85.
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Have a good one!
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Finch's energy bars (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=123624.msg2744368#msg2744368) have been prepared :)
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Many thanks to Mark for organising this, and to Myrna for the coffee and brownies! My first night ride since my last FNRTC, years ago now.
What an excellent exploration of London, much of it new to me despite having been here nearly 25 years now. I liked seeing the remaining industrialised parts of the river near Woolwich, the Isle of Dogs section, and the run from there up towards Hampstead. Part of this section was along the almost completely deserted Limehouse Cut and Bow Creek. And the lifts at Greenwich were working which was a bonus. Rode through the tunnel :thumbsup:
Almost every traffic light along the way was against us, with only one or two serial runs through greens. The tranquil period for traffic in London is quite short, with people starting to get out and about from 4am or so.
I admit to struggling around the 3-4 am mark but was OK and didn’t run out of steam at any stage. Should have eaten and drunk more during the ride but when the opportunity was there (Bow McD’s) I just didn’t feel like much at that point.
Great to meet everyone, good luck to all those doing PBP, TCR, etc. and I hope Bryn made it home after finding himself with a fixed wheel axle nut that wouldn’t tighten at Victoria.
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Had another brilliant ride - can't understand how I remain alert all night when I'm normally tucked up under the sheets by 10pm. It was a cold night but thankfully I had sufficient layers. Thanks to Myrna for the coffee and cake and to everyone else who kept stopping to let me catch up.
Pleased to say that the ride was validated - there was debate about what minimum speed was allowable but Paul Stewart tells me it's 10kph so that's :thumbsup:.
And many thanks to Mark for organising again. I very much look forward to watching his dot in July.
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Saw the video, looks like a good turnout. Well done all, and min overall average sounds nice and sociable.
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Great ride, good weather. food OK.
Looked at joining Mark on this when I realised my car was not in a condition to travel to another audax. 161km, no points for that, so maybe add on the journey to/from home. checked the distance by my enjoyable ride into London (maidenhead, windsor, staines, Richmond, Putney) as opposed to the misery of uxbridge ealing shepherds bush. 75km to Victoria. A bit much for a 200, so why not make it a 300? ::-)
Left home at 18:15 and pushed reasonably hard to arrive at Victoria at 21:30, time for a mcdonalds before departing. Luckily the christian missionaries were trying hard to convert the couple at the next table and left me alone.
Twelve departed and made slow progress through the lights and traffic, over to Fulham, and then back to cross the river and enter lands unknown to me. Very quickly the twists and turns of the route had me totally disorientated, not only did I not know where I was, but I no longer had any idea which direction I was going in, with no sun to act as a reference.
struggled up a few hills and after an incredibly long time reach Mark's building for the coffee and cake stop. My faith in the statement "Navigation is easier when you ride with Mark as he knows the route" took a major blow when he took a wrong turn within 100m of his front door, and we had to retrace rather than swim across a small river.
Quickly after that Greenwich came up and a return to the right side of the river, the cable car was not running alas, I can imagine the views of London by night would be worth the price, but at least the foot tunnel lifts were in service. "No cycling at any time" read the sign, but surely 3am with no one else around deserved an exception, so we crossed the river in record time.
Onto the Limehouse cut, and a step before a raised walkway section caused me to stumble and nearly become a reluctant duathlete. Luckily I managed to get my balance and didn't end up with a bracing dip.
Surprising busy mcdonalds at Bow, and then the nostalgia started, the Olympic park, arsenal stadium, then Finsbury park scene of many afternoons bunking off school to go bowling at Rowans, then back down to Regents Park, sadly the giraffes were not awake yet, and along Avenue road up to swiss cottage I must have ridden that road hundreds of times commuting into London as a teenager, it seems so much shorter now, not because I used to be tired by the top, but just because a long time in the saddle has been significantly recalibrated. Up to Hampstead, luckily not right to the top as I was feeling very tired by now, then west Hampstead (where the bike shop my first bikes came from used to be) and Kilburn finally back to Fulham and then back to Victoria.
My duplication of the route had omitted the strand section, so I rode down and up the Mall and waited to photo the group outside the palace. At this stage I was running on empty and couldn't keep pace with the group anyway. Then off to find a cafe for breakfast, which was nice and leisurely, but eventually I had to leave to finish my 300 DIY. When I remembered DIY BRs have a minimum speed of 14.3, rather than 15kmh the pressure to get home was off, but the long ride west into a headwind felt harder than ever before. The London loop might have been flat and only 100 miles, but with all the stops and starts for traffic lights it felt like much more.
Overall time 20 hours and 20 minutes, 5 hours stopped time (30mins at Victoria, 30 mins at Mark's, 50m ins at McD's and 1hr 10 at breakfast, 20 minutes at two petrol stations travelling in and out, leaving 1hr 40 which I can only account for as either traffic lights, or waiting for the group to come together again)
(edited missing word)
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A bit much for a 200, so why not make it a 300? ::-)
Good to meet you and well done on the 300!
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In news via markldn, kudos are due to Zahoor and Syed who got round about noon. :thumbsup:
It was unfortunate to leave them, but I for one would have got too cold if the group had gone at their pace. It was nippy enough as it was.
I think it is a challenge to keep a group together on a ride like this and it was clear most in the group were capable of going much faster so a lot of patience was in evidence, not least that of markldn :thumbsup: Junctions with lights. Junctions with no lights. Various crossings and pinch points. This ride was almost all ‘burbs or city and I can’t recall any lights being jumped.
It’s not like a FNRttC, where everything stays marshalled and tight-ish through the traffic light strewn ‘burbs until open country is reached, more freedom is possible, and a bit of waiting is done at the tops of hills.
Org did well to keep disparate group very largely intact.
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A night time ride around town with many well known places on the way around.
There are many things to see on this ride around London but as it was night-time for most of it, not always easy to photo. I've lived here my whole life but still found a new road near where I now live along Harbut Road and near where I was born in Streatham up Downsview Road, the first of 6 steep climbs. We had a fast descent down Knight's Hill into West Norwood. We had to keep on the pavement as the workers were tarmacing the one way road in Tulse Hill. The next two climbs came in quick succession as we skirted around Horniman museum and Crystal Palace park. We were in the heart of SE London passing Penge, Brockley and Catford. We had a lovely reception in Lewisham where Mark had organised a coffee and choc brownie stop at the lobby where near where he lives. Thank you Myrna. From here it was onto Greenwich and the foot tunnel where thankfully both lifts were working. There bright lights and tall buildings of Canary Wharf were a highlight for me as was the Traffic light tree where we all stopped to gather. Then it was onto the Limehouse cut canal path out to one of my old jobs in Bromley by Bow and our half way feed stop at McD in Bow. Here I was ready for a meal deal, supersized and a hot apple pie. What's not to like. We all sat down with security guard looking after our bikes.
The second half started with the Mile End park, a bit of the Hertford Union canal and the Stratford Olympic park. We didn't have time to do a lap of the velodrome there in the Olympic park, soon passing Hackney marshes, Homerton and London Fields. Through Hackney, and skirting Abney and Clissold Parks. Passing the Arsenal ground and heading northwards again we climbed towards Highgate, crossing the Archway road at suicide bridge. By this time it was 6:30am and getting brighter although the streets in Camden were still quiet, around ZSL zoo and on up to Hampstead for our last steep climb. Down through Kilburn, Maida Vale, and Bayswater. Down Holland Park avenue to Shepherd's bush roundabout, and I was getting towards my local roads and my years of commuting these roads. Along to Hammersmith instead of riding towards home we turned once more towards the city, through Kensington, before turning back again to do a final triangular loop around Fulham. It was just time to complete the outline of the syringe by heading up to Buckingham Palace, The Mall, Trafalgar Square, The Strand and Aldwych before finishing back at Victoria Station. After congratulating each other some of us headed off for a cooked breakfast at a café in Horseferry road, the last time I'd been there was thirty years ago.