Yet Another Cycling Forum
General Category => Audax => Topic started by: Panoramix on 30 January, 2009, 11:39:31 pm
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Nobody seem to have stqrted a topic on this one...
Role call: Me for a start.
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I'll be there
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i'm going
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Me too
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We'll be there. Still not sure what bike though.
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Mr & Mrs Blacksheep will be there.
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Me - 200km #3 - 9 more to go after that :'(
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Me
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I hope to be there, after my off on the Winter warmer my injury has become worse, so much so that I can barely walk. Gotta take it easy till Saturday!
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Anybody would have a GPX of the ride?
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Just seen the week's weather forecast on BBC's Countryfile.
Could be an ...... Er.. interesting ride next week.
Anyone got a pair of spare skis ?????
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After a few winters like this one, may be audax bikes will evolve slowly towards these:
(http://www.skibikeracing.co.uk/images/Tim%20Nesselwang1.jpg)
Some thoughts may be needed to improve their uphill performances!
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I'm on nights :-(
Shame, I really like this ride, and it's a nice benevolent route for this time of year.
Mind you, a 200 after no sleep is probably good audax training..
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I'll be in Zurich.
I may see some decent snow there :)
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Does anyone know if the roads are as utterly crap as last weeks Dr Foster's? Great ride, but some of those lanes after Monmouth.... ::-)
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They did the Mash
They did the Malmesbury Mash
repeat to fade
H
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Does anyone know if the roads are as utterly crap as last weeks Dr Foster's? Great ride, but some of those lanes after Monmouth.... ::-)
Not as bad as the roads around Pen-y-Clawdd, no. They are especially skoggy at the moment
I did the Chepstow-Malmesbury leg of this yesterday and it was mostly fine. The bit from Wickwar to the bottom of the Somerset monument climb wasn't though. It was wet and muddy to the extreme.
But if it snows this week they'll all be foul.
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If the event is aborted due to the weather or you feel that it's impossible to reach, has anyone made any attempt at trying to sort out a DIY or permie for Feb? I've looked at the calendar and the only one I can make is the 200km from Cheadle (22/02/09) - bit of a drive though but I'm keen to keep the RRTY going.
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I'm now on crutches so MM is out for me :-[ would consider a perm later on in the month as the calendar events are a fair way away : Swansea to Reading / Rochdale...
any suggestions as the RRTY addiction needs to be fed...I
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Bad luck Cyclone GWS.
Can anybody a bit nearer take a stab at how rideable the MM is likely to be this weekend. My plans were to drive down to Englandshire tomorrow and spend a day with my family on Friday before the ride, so I need to get the bike fettling done tonight if we're riding...
Ta,
AC
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Can anybody a bit nearer take a stab at how rideable the MM is likely to be this weekend
Lanes that are normally the bread and butter of cycling don't look good north of Swansea at the moment which is 45 minutes west of Cardiff. Main roads ok though... but forecast (http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/uk/wl/swansea_forecast_weather.html) is for snow Wed night through to Fri morning. Take a look at these chilly figures for Saturday, both actual and wind chill:
Cardiff (http://www.metcheck.com/V40/UK/FREE/dayforecast.asp?zipcode=cardiff&day=3)
Newport (http://www.metcheck.com/V40/UK/FREE/dayforecast.asp?zipcode=newport&day=3)
Chepstow (http://www.metcheck.com/V40/UK/FREE/dayforecast.asp?zipcode=chepstow&day=3)
Malmesbury (http://www.metcheck.com/V40/UK/FREE/dayforecast.asp?zipcode=Malmesbury&day=3)
Of course, by the time I've mastered embedding all these URL's into this post, the forecast would have changed to Indian Summer style figures!
Considering the death of the four cyclists in Abergele (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/north_west/4592412.stm) the other year due to ice, I'll be seeking an alternative Feb event to play safe.
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Right now they are rideable. I was over there (in the car) today; further East (Berkshire) is a lot snowier
But we don't know what'll happen in the next 2 days. If it were me I'd start (the bit from Cardiff to the English side of the Bridge will be rideable) and then see how it pans out. If the lanes are grotty, go through Sodding Chipbury and stick to the B-roads. If the B-roads are blocked, go back via Chepstow garden centre, have a cuppa and enjoy getting 100 in for day
We rode the Cotswold Corker a couple of years ago in a similar situation; the lanes had been impassible the day before and only 65 out of 265 started. It was a great day and we got round fine.
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Mmm.
Forecast is for a big dump of snow in the Bristol area tomorrow. This may mean the MM is tricky, or it may have melted away by Saturday.
It may also mean that I may be able to be there, since I am supposed to be flying from Bristol airport tomorrow...
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I'm dithering on this. There's virtually no snow here, and I've done the fettling I needed. Unless things change markedly, I'll probably drive down this evening via the coast road and M4. If it does dump this afternoon, I'll probably leave it until tomorrow afternoon to allow time for clearing.
AC
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Oh god i dont know . I have a good reason to not do this ride already without the thought of struggling around 200km of slush and snow. BOTOH i really want to get the season started. I might leave it until 4.30am on saturday to make a final decision. I'd be interested to know what other people are doing
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I'd be interested to know what other people are doing
Defo not doing it - will either do Cheadle (22/02/09) or a permie. Weekend time is limited so will take a day off during the week to do one if need be! Too early in my 200km career to go for a gold medal in bravery!
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Looks like we're in a similar state of indecision (apart from Gog yn y De). I'm doubtful too. There's the enjoyment factor to be considered as well as the safety factor.
On the other hand, who knows what its going to be like on Saturday? And I've never DNSd on an Audax and, sad I know, don't want to break that record.
I used to be decisive, but now...
Maybe it will get cancelled.
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i'm of the same mind as nuncio. I have to leave here by five am to get there on time and I have my kids this weekend. I don't mind if i am likely to enjoy the ride but not if it's just going to be a freezing slog. On the other hand like someone said about the cotswold corker you can end up having a great day and the pleasure can be even greater for the fact that you got up and did it. Sometimes I think that that is the spirit of audax really. Just going on when things are against you and you feel like giving up. So basically still undecided. Also I have not had a route sheet
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I cycled this morning (Bristol to Bath) and I wondered half way what the hell i was doing on a bike!!!!
Out of my door it was well gritted but when I went through Hanham (East Bristol) I found compacted snow, very dodgy!!! The cycle path between Bitton and Bath was covered with 2 inches of "wet" snow, very slippery indeed. 20km was enough, I wouldn't do 200km like this.
Nevertheless the snow was quite watery so I wouldn't be surprised if it were too melt very quickly. The cycle path is ungritted and always last to melt so If I cycle tomorrow, I will let you know how it is.
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I have entered and got the route sheet - I am in a similar state of dilemma as the last few posters.
My current thinking is to start and see how it goes. As an "A" Road merchant, the prospect of a nice breakfast at Chepstow followed by an "A" Road blast back to base in time to watch an Italian giant killing in the afternoon seems a reasonable way to spend a day. No points, but 100k ridden and two 6 nations matches watched.
As I recall, the lanes in legs 2 and 3 were muddy and full of the hunt brigade as it coincides with some hunt event near Malmesbury. They were trecherous in normal conditions (IIRC Nuncio described a comedy fall in those parts either last year or the year before), so the current weather offering will only add to the mix.
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I have good news to report, I cycled back from work tonight and most of the Bath to Bristol cyclepath was clear from snow (That is everywhere except on bridges). Considering that they don't grit it, I think that this is good. Roads weren't more slippery thqn on a wet day. Anybody know if there is a big difference between the Bristol-Bath area and the Malmesbury area? Unless new snow/black ice, Saturday should be OK around here.
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It has just restarted snowing... :-[
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I have been checking forcasts all morning and it doesn't look too good. Snow in the afternoon in malmesbury, cold and a brisk north westerly.
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That's me out then.
Probably.
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That's me out then.
Probably.
Just spoken to the organiser. He will be expecting you tomorrow.
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I just got an email from the org. He says that the logistics of cancelling the ride prevent him from doing so but says that the conditions are bad and that he would not attempt it himself. It's a shame because its really nice here (cardigan) mild, no wind and the roads are clear.
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Wiltshire (which I think is the county that Malmesbury is in) is (a) one of the counties most affected by the current snow fall and (b) according to the BBC News website is one of the counties that is only gritting major roads due to shortage of salt.
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The advice basically is that you can ride if you want to, but consider your safety and that of others, and don't take unnecessary risks*.
*God! I must be getting old.
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BBC Quote: (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/7873359.stm)
"Both Severn bridges have been closed after five car windscreens were smashed by sheets of falling ice on the M4."
Make sure you wear a sturdy helmet :o
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Both bridges remain closed - there's another update at 13.30 apparently.
Conditions in Monmouthshire at present are slushy, with varying amounts of snow remaining. Main roads are OK at the moment but the lanes are still very slushy and snowy in places. Theres are a coupleof inches of snow left in the Wye Valley, but furher south in St Arvan's I'm told (by the postie) it's more like 6-8".
The forecast is for a freeze overnight - metcheck says -3 - so it is very likely that minor roads, cyclepaths and footpaths will have frozen slush, ice and crud in the morning.
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There was enough snow this morning in Bristol to convince me that 40 minutes walk + £7.50 return train to Bath was better value than another ride on snow!!! I don't think I will be coming unless it magically all melts by tonight. I will keep you updated on snow around here anyway.
Anybody to ride it anyway in 1 or 2 weeks time? May be as a permanent, how would this work from the admin side?
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BBC Quote: (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/7873359.stm)
"Both Severn bridges have been closed after five car windscreens were smashed by sheets of falling ice on the M4."
What's the score if the old severn bridge is still closed tomorrow? The route is an impossibilty.
The report heard cited "general conditions, on both bridges" as the reason for closure, this include facilities for non-motorway traffic.
Tonights weather menu for the area is, sleet later today, then a night of freezing temperatures.
Mrs blacksheep has already decided not to venture out, about 100mm of snow fell in the severn vale this morning.
I think we will be riding DrFosters as a permanent sometime after the Cotswold Corker. "she-who-must-be-obeyed" is getting a bit twitchy as year four of her RTTY draws ever closer to it's sumit.
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Looks like Andy & I are out now too...
I suppose tandem + snow/ice isn't a great combo.
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They didn't do the Mash
They didn't do the Malmesbury Mash
repeat to fade
S
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Unlike yesterday, there is still shitloads of snow and slush on the roads. Potentially -8 or so tonight. Be careful, those that ride!
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The advice basically is that you can ride if you want to, but consider your safety and that of others, and don't take unnecessary risks*.
I'm not a great fan of any form of "nanny state", however I'm a little at a loss with some AUK's antics. I have no issue with the organiser - I've ridden numerous rides with him, ridden other rides he's put on for us to enjoy. He's a top guy
But why do organisers have to do risk assesments for all of their rides? I was informed it was for the benefit of our insurers - to prove we (the organisers) have taken every variable into consideration when assesing the risks to individuals whilst on the event.
So why when the police have announced on national media, that no one should travel unless their journey is absolutely neccesary, do AUK allow event to run?
Surely if anything happens to those on an event that could attributed to the conditions doesn't bode well for anyone within AUK.
I go a little more grey every May when I see intrepid little groups of cyclists enter the Elan Valley, knowing that they could be facing impossible conditions - even though everywhere else in the area is safe.
And yet wit hlarge ammounts of wet snow on the ground, a hard frost forecast for tonight, why don't the powers to be in AUK give organisers in these conditions the advice to postpone the event?
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I'm not a great fan of any form of "nanny state",
I think you've answered your own question.
For anyone who turns up there will be explicit advice to think carefully before deciding. On the other hand, if I'd entered I would certainly have a go. I've ridden in worse.
Postponement isn't an option, it would have to be cancelled.
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Looks like Andy & I are out now too...
I suppose tandem + snow/ice isn't a great combo.
I found it easier than solo. More stable, and perhaps the extra weight helps traction.
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Looks like Andy & I are out now too...
I suppose tandem + snow/ice isn't a great combo.
I found it easier than solo. More stable, and perhaps the extra weight helps traction.
Did you just call me fat? :P
The last time we rode tandem was the Easter Arrow last year and that was pretty grim.
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Did you just call me fat? :P
I was referring to the combined weight of you and your swain, Mr Cox*.
*Geddit?
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hi all,
i am entered into this. today at work ,where theres no snow i had convinced myself to ride.
but now reading everybody elses post ,i`m having second thoughts again. hate being indecisive and it would be much easier ,if the organiser or auk just said ,its off. on a second note ,quite often hear on the travel reports ,that the severn bridge is closed ,normally through wind speed, but do they close the cycle path as well? just out of interest really.
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hi all,
i am entered into this. today at work ,where theres no snow i had convinced myself to ride.
but now reading everybody elses post ,i`m having second thoughts again. hate being indecisive and it would be much easier ,if the organiser or auk just said ,its off. on a second note ,quite often hear on the travel reports ,that the severn bridge is closed ,normally through wind speed, but do they close the cycle path as well? just out of interest really.
AUK still believes in individual responsibility.
Regarding the bridge, I expect you'd be safer crossing on the windward side, and even safer going round the long way.
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Snow has melted in Bath, so I will probably prepare the bike anyway in case it is not too bad tomorrow morning.
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Ok, an update.
The route passes within 8 miles of here. The A roads are fairly clear, anything else most definitely isn't. The roads that aren't totally clear are now a mixture of thick compacted snow, and snow.... however it is now hard and crunchy. I think the roads will be pretty lethal tomorrow whether on foot, bike or car. I predict serious ice. Remember that your safety is in the hands of other road users as well.
Good luck to those of you that do ride, but there is no way I am going to.
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Tidy.
Those of you who do venture out, please remember to take plenty of pictures so that those of us who are nice and warm indoors (or spinning away on a turbo!) can see what we missed!
All the best and good luck :thumbsup:
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Came back from work and snow hasn't melted in Bristol, I have just changed my mind. Life is already short enough!
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Update on the road conditions:
I am at work in South Gloucestershire at the moment and we have carried out a recce of the section around Hawkesbury where I remember the route going. The lanes are ice-covered at present (20 minutes ago) and like a rough skating rink. We had to resort to a grit bin to get the 4x4 out, we would still be there otherwise. Riding conditions in this area are undoubtedly dangerous.
There is an alternative route, and going Aust - Alveston - Rudgeway - Iron Acton - Chipping Sodbury - Luckington - Sherston - Malmesbury is passable, but not great, with some slush, particulalry along the edge of the roads. They are well-used roads too, and wouldn't be much fun at all.
South Glos Council have stated they are only gritting selected main roads tonight.
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Very, very, very crunchy out there in Gloucestershire just now.
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and it reached -4C in our town, so a few degrees colder in rural areas.
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Well it was tough in the driving snow and hail and ice but I only fell off three times and bravely fought on to finish in eight and a half hours which was pretty poor but you know in these conditions what can you say.
Not really. I had a lie in and then walked in to town for a sauna and then a big roast dinner and watched Dr Strangelove under a duvet.
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...and what was 'Dr Strangelove' doing to you, under that duvet?
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Quality Friendly Hotel boarded up.
Why's that? Has it shut down?
Good write up and pictures - looked like a good ride :thumbsup:
As for me, I wouldn't have been able to make it out of my estate Saturday morning due to the fresh snow :o
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Why's that? Has it shut down?
Looks like they've gone into administration :(
Hotels shut as chain suffers (http://www.nebusiness.co.uk/business-news/latest-business-news/2009/01/22/hotels-shut-as-chain-suffers-51140-22751977)
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Quality Friendly Hotel boarded up.
Why's that? Has it shut down?
Good write up and pictures - looked like a good ride :thumbsup:
As for me, I wouldn't have been able to make it out of my estate Saturday morning due to the fresh snow :o
Nice one Toby :thumbsup:, at 05:00 yesterday (drive start time from Tewkesbury) the car wouldn't get off the driveway :o.
If the Q F Hotel has gone under, that makes it interesting for rides starting from there during 2009.
I don't know John said he had rung them about a week or so ago to confirm and nothing was said so maybe even the staff didn't know it was coming. ???
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Well done Toby and Ian - your intrepidness is humbling.
My wife was unwell, and so my Chepstow and back plan was replaced by childcare (much to my relief!!)
Regarding the start point - there is a slightly snazzier hotel (The Village Hotel) on the same Motorway junction - not sure how it links into the cycle lane network which services the junction, but that should keep all the routes at the correct distances.
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Well done Toby and Ian - your intrepidness is humbling.
My wife was unwell, and so my Chepstow and back plan was replaced by childcare (much to my relief!!)
Regarding the start point - there is a slightly snazzier hotel (The Village Hotel) on the same Motorway junction - not sure how it links into the cycle lane network which services the junction, but that should keep all the routes at the correct distances.
Thanks Daf,
But the ride was fine and was easier that the Dr Fosters (my 1st Audax). It was warmer: there was no hidden ice; dark rocky muddy lanes and no punctures.
Luckily we could cycle to the start and work out a suitable route as we went along. Thanks Toby for the GPS instructions.
I agree that The Village Hotel might be a good alternative. It has a public bar with food. It links very easily with the cycle network that crosses the junction.