Kennett Valley Run 200km 27th Feb '10

[iddu]

... (again, what's a Tutti Pole?)...

clicky - 10th Para

[Simonb]

... (again, what's a Tutti Pole?)...

clicky - 10th Para

Thanks. And was it you manning the control. Errm, manfully?

Well done if it was.

The cafe staff must've been tired out what with three waves of us smelly bastards piling through.

[L CC]

Well that was OK, if a little damp.

I have had no hot water in my house since last Monday, so spent Friday evening languishing in the travelodge bath. When I set out for Grazely it was kicking it down and I wondered if perhaps I should just return to my room for more hot running water, but no, I bashed on.
Having the heaviest tyres in the world (M+) and pushing the dyno hub (needlessly, as it turned out, we were back before dark) on the higher-geared bike, I really felt I was having to work for it. 4 of my last 5 rides have been in Norfolk and I had kind of forgotten about h**ls. I walked up a couple as they were at the end and I'd just had enough. I had a headache most of the day and could feel cramp coming on, and a mild feeling of nausea (these drugs I'm on have a range of horrid side effects for me) and spent the latter half riding with Chris mildly worried I was about to start on a massive whinge-a-thon but it mustn't have been too bad as he very kindly waited for me both bits I was too unfit to ride up.
Still, no mechanicals, no flats, a little mud and dampness but nothing unbearable.
The bike started out still covered in Norfolk and is now covered in some other counties.
Thanks to Mr Org, I bet it's a lovely ride when the sun shines.

Not so for fboab: goodbye Fat Bird, you are officially a Fast Bird now.

Hah. I wish. I felt like a slug for the last 50km

[iddu]

Thanks. And was it you manning the control. Errm, manfully? Well done if it was.

The cafe staff must've been tired out what with three waves of smelly us bastards piling through.

Aye; best place to be, warm & dry - applications for junior stampers next year now open

Seen it much worse - never seemed to be a large group that collided with the grockles at any time...

P.

[urban_biker]

I did this as an ECE300. Started at 4am from west London and took longer than i planned to get to the start. Consequently I was in a bit of a flap trying to get signed in/fill bidons/eat egg sandwiches/drink coffee before the off and didn't have time for a chat with Leee and Urban Biker when they introduced themselves (sorry, hope I wasn't rude). I set off only a few seconds after everyone but felt like I was trying to catch up for the whole of the first leg. Fell further behind when I stopped to help someone with a split sidewall. Gave him my boot and waited till he got going.
 
I didn't stop for long at any of the controls as I was going to get home late enough anyway (10.30 as it turned out)
and only got into any semblance of a rhythm after the turn - which could be explained by the tail wind and better weather I suppose. Saw a crop circle to the north between Hungerford and Bratton (near the white horse), saw Hummers on his way out of Hungerford as I was on my way back (now I know why), and a bird poo landed on my route sheet (what are the chances of that at 15mph). I don't think these events are connected.

One puncture - first since the Anfractuous (4seasons on the back, gatorskin front: guess I've just been lucky)

On the ride back to London down the A4 cycle path I felt like I was flying along only to check the speedo and see I was going 21.7 kph. Downhill. Seems I was just pedalling fast.  I must admit to some doubts about my endeavour at this stage and the nearer I got to home the slower I became but today after a lie-in (I never normally sleep for 12 hours) there is a definite glow of satisfaction - longest ride I've ever done, 339km. In old money, my first double century.

Many thanks to all the helpers, especially the cheese and beans on toast makers at the end- I don't think I would've made it without them.

Hi kcass - not  rude at all  . I think everyone gets used to the fact that during an audax, people have varying degrees of ability to socialise. I start off slow as I wake up and usually finish the ride dazed. So normally I'm not with it for the start and the finish 

Excellent on making it back to London. I was very pleased to be getting into my car at the end of that ride.

Nice to see lots of familiar faces and to put names to some not so familiar ones. I can also support comments up-thread about fboab being fast (in a bike riding way of course - Hummers behave yourself) She was with us for part of the outward leg and that was the fastest part of the Faccombe 3's ride.

Thanks to all the organisers - and good news that Rich will be getting a new frame.

BTW - I think I've had my quota of punctures for the year. Around 6 in 2 weeks ( commuting and audax ) This has got to be about the worst year for punctures I can remember. Probably the lightweight tyres

[mattc]

... (again, what's a Tutti Pole?)...

clicky - 10th Para

So it's named after a Nosegay, and they sell Pump out cards.

That should eliminate future banter then ...

[Bledlow]

I had a rest day scheduled for today (what happened to the forecast cyclone?)

It went to France & killed a few dozen people.

[Hummers]

Hah. I wish. I felt like a slug for the last 50km

I too have often been tempted, particularly the fat black long ones.

Still, you were going fast enough to avoid me probing you on the finer details of animal husbandry.

H

[L CC]

Hah. I wish. I felt like a slug for the last 50km

I too have often been tempted, particularly the fat black long ones.

Still, you were going fast enough to avoid me probing you on the finer details of animal husbandry.

H

Partly slug-lust and partly fear of probing that kept me going then...? No wonder I felt so ill.

[Hummers]

Well, my questions will have to wait until the next opportunity I have to pump you for information.

In the mean time, Charlotte was able to satisfy me with her detailed explanation of how to sex a Quail.

Which was nice.

H

[BarryS]

Dear Mr Oranj,

"It's a pretty much ideal course for tandems. I caught a couple absolutely crawling up the hill towards Wickham on a blue and yellow Thorn. I think they must've been on the 100."

Next time you pass me shepherding my wife and very cold 15 year old daughter around an early season 100km, just after they have stood in the freezing rain while I fixed two of my friend's punctures, you could pause a moment in your haste and let them know they are crawling, as I am sure that will give the necessary encouragement.

Thank you,
Barry

[Tigerrr]

Dear Mr Oranj,

"It's a pretty much ideal course for tandems. I caught a couple absolutely crawling up the hill towards Wickham on a blue and yellow Thorn. I think they must've been on the 100."

Next time you pass me shepherding my wife and very cold 15 year old daughter around an early season 100km, just after they have stood in the freezing rain while I fixed two of my friend's punctures, you could pause a moment in your haste and let them know they are crawling, as I am sure that will give the necessary encouragement.

Thank you,
Barry

Think about it... if you don't go past many bikes it is probably a red letter day to pass a tandem. Worth posting/boasting about anyway! I would have done the same of course except in my version the tandem would have been flying with me just going even faster. 
Orange's brags will improve as he becomes more skillful.
Sounds like you all had a lovely day on the K&A - regret my spreading girth prevented me from showing you all how it should be done. 

[Tomsk]

 

Not so for fboab: goodbye Fat Bird, you are officially a Fast Bird now.

Hah. I wish. I felt like a slug for the last 50km
[/quote]
Isn't that called *training* like wot the professionals do ?

[LEE]

No matter how fast I cycle, or how many controls I "quick-stop" at,  there are 2 Audax "givens":

1) The Things's Tandem will always be parked outside the next control when I arrive

2) Postie will be putting a last bit of food ito his mouth, just about to set off.

Maybe this is a separate thread...

[PeterM]

I had a fine time, but broke a spoke.

Steady is the new fast...

[Paul D]

...Paul D and the Things are FAST...

I suprised myself at how fast.

I had a cough the day before so was expecting a gentle cruise round, but my commuting must've paid off as I found the first 150k very benign, and only had to grunt a bit up the climbs after Boxford.

Said hello to many at the start (Els, Lee, Urban Biker parked next to me, nod to SimonB, Chris Beynon, intro to Lycra Man). Cruised along in the bunch for a while and met the Things and their drool-worthy tandem, then found myself on my own for much of the time to Bratton, yoyoing with two guys (one in a Dunwich yersey and hat) and a woman. The breeze was never a chore and I decided I'd prefer to hang off the back rather than get a face full of skog from their wheels. Most of the morning it was heavy showers on and off, but never really cold.

Bounced the Tutti on the way out and had bacon & egg at Bratton chatting with Postie, Scampi and Chris Beynon. Then the sun came out and I had a very pleasant run back to Hungerford until a puncture 1 mile before the control. Still, for the state of the roads, one was a success I thought - still can't fault Michelin Krylions (25s on my Cotic - worn in on LEL).

Back at the Tutti I remorgaged for a choc brownie and coke, enjoying the Things company again. The sun stayed out but the hills started and I couldn't stay with the the tandem on the skoggy downhill sections and my knee started complaining after the pulls out of Boxford so I eased up on the final kms. I still managed sub 10 hours - an excellent result which has cheered me up no end about an Arrow in 5 weeks.

Asked at the end by the org I said I if he could provide the same conditions next year I'd be back - for february it was fin, especially in the afternoon, and I really enjoyed the route.

I think it'll be a DIY 200 in a week or so, then the Dean before the Easter Arrow.

[Simonb]

Just discovered a big ding in my rear rim. Bugger. Must've been that last pothole. Practically a brand new wheel too!

[RichForrest]

A new frame and fork will be sent to me F.O.C. as soon as they come in next week 
Bacchetta HO do not have any in stock at the minute.

[Von Broad]

A new frame and fork will be sent to me F.O.C. as soon as they come in next week 
Bacchetta HO do not have any in stock at the minute.

That's good news Rich.

What happens to the old one 

[RichForrest]

Not sure if they want it back to look at or I can do what I want with it 

[Von Broad]

Not sure if they want it back to look at or I can do what I want with it 

[ummmmm.....thinks about next move]

You'll be too busy building up the new frame anyway to have time messing about with an old, dangerous, rusty, weak, ruined, stressed-out frame like that, surely Rich? 

[Bledlow]

Just seen the numbers, in the Reading CTC eMag.

200k - 91 entries, 74 starters, 66 finishers
100k - 93, 79 & 74.

From Reading CTC 14 finished the 100, & 4 the 200.