Bryan Chapman Memorial 600 (16-MAY-2009)

[LEE]

hi all,
the BCM is an ambition of mine, but I dont know if I'm capable.. I've done a hilly 200 (the shorter midland grimpeur) but never been further than 250k.  What's the minimum I should aim for in April to be reasonably confident of finishing this monster?

I did my first 600 (Midhurst 2008) after a 300 so it can be done but it would have been more sensible to get a 400 under my belt first I suppose.

Bryan Chapman is much harder, a bit harder, no harder or easier that the Midhurst depending on who you speak to but I'm inclined to think it's tougher and it may come as a shock if you've never done a 400 beforehand.

I have a 400 prep ride before BCM.

Remember, 600 is another 10 hours, or more, cycling after doing a 400 so you need to be at one with your bike and have some idea how your body reacts to the eating demands of such a long period of effort (I know that eating enough is a problem for some people)

[Hot Flatus]

hi all,
the BCM is an ambition of mine, but I dont know if I'm capable.. I've done a hilly 200 (the shorter midland grimpeur) but never been further than 250k.  What's the minimum I should aim for in April to be reasonably confident of finishing this monster?

Ach! Just do it!  Do a couple of 200s and a 300 and you'll be fine.

[Chris N]

hi all,
the BCM is an ambition of mine, but I dont know if I'm capable.. I've done a hilly 200 (the shorter midland grimpeur) but never been further than 250k.  What's the minimum I should aim for in April to be reasonably confident of finishing this monster?

I'd planned to ride a 400 before the BCM last year, but caught the 'flu so couldn't.  Up until then, the furthest I'd ridden was 300km.  I did get maximum value for money out of it, mind.

Get some miles in, try to ride a 400 first but even if you can't fit one in, you'll be fine.

[simonp]

hi all,
the BCM is an ambition of mine, but I dont know if I'm capable.. I've done a hilly 200 (the shorter midland grimpeur) but never been further than 250k.  What's the minimum I should aim for in April to be reasonably confident of finishing this monster?

The Midland Grimpeur was much harder than the BCM 2004 route IMO.  Steady gradients for the most part on the BCM, with a few exceptions.

[mike]

(I know that eating enough is a problem for some people)

 we've never met, have we?   I'm normally fine with the eating part...



thanks all, I'll p'raps have a think about the severn across but will enter the BCM anyway!

[geraldc]

I only did one audax last year, and that was the BCM 600. The last audax before that was the anfractuous, a 200 the previous autumn.

Needless to say it was very VFM.

The only training I'd done was my commute, 14km each way.

As long as you don't have any injuries, and are comfortable on your bike, you can just slog your way round.

[mike]

good man Gerald, that's what I like to hear!!

[Greenbank]

Personally I like Gerald's answer. What you lack in physical fitness you'll have to make up for with grim mental determination.

The more riding you can do beforehand the easier it will be.

If you can I'd suggest doing The Elenith 300 (but that could be thought of as harder as the climbing is concentrated in the middle 100km rather than spread out over the whole 300km) plus a 400 (such as the Severn Across) to give you an idea what the sleep dep will be like. Quite tough given they're on consecutive weekends but if you did both of those you'd be fine for the BCM.

Bringing the Pomp mike?

[mike]

Bringing the Pomp mike?

I might bring it, but I certainly wont be riding the bloody thing!! 

[GruB]

hi all,
the BCM is an ambition of mine, but I dont know if I'm capable.. I've done a hilly 200 (the shorter midland grimpeur) but never been further than 250k.  What's the minimum I should aim for in April to be reasonably confident of finishing this monster?

I'd done a couple of 100s, a few 200s and one 300 - Heart of England that I really hated due to messing up my feeding.  I then jumped straight to the 600.  Positive mind set that is the key.  You don't go fast enough to worry your legs.

[vistaed]

Hi, new on these forums. Does anyone know if there are still places left on the BCM? No point sticking stuff in the post if there's not. I want.... umm no.... need to do this ride in prep for LEL, the thought of doing is still intimidating me! 

cheers

[geraldc]

As it's your first 600, you can try ride it as an anti-social audax. Keep faffing and chatting to a minimum, bounce controls, eat on the move etc.

Cutting down faffing time really does increase your time cushion, however it's not as much fun, especially for YACFers, as there's so many people to chat to at controls.

Alternatively get someone to take you under their wing. My first 600, Martin/Zoom showed me the ropes, and without his help, I doubt I'd have got round in time. I'm sure there are plenty of people here who can shepherd you round the BCM.

[vistaed]

Ye, its a long way so any help would be welcomed. But would any one like to baby sit me, if I get a place? I'm a good kid, don't throw my food and will sleep through the night without a noise! 

[simonp]

Hi, new on these forums. Does anyone know if there are still places left on the BCM? No point sticking stuff in the post if there's not. I want.... umm no.... need to do this ride in prep for LEL, the thought of doing is still intimidating me! 

cheers

There is no limit on entry numbers according to the calendar page.

You do have to enter by 4th May according to the website. It says: (4/5)

[Manotea]

As long as you start the event well rested and take a spare bike, you'll have no problem...

[vistaed]

Well, I have the spare bike, I often carry it when I go out.

[GruB]

As for being looked after, that all depends upon your pace.  If you manage to keep with someone then you are in luck.  That is what I do.  A couple of us usually team up and we are all of a similar speed.  For me this is actually really useful on such a long ride as when your mind starts to wander or your front dearaileur gets well and truly fcked - your partner / mates can sort you out.

[Pip]

As long as you start the event well rested and take a spare bike, you'll have no problem...

  you'll get round this year, just organise a bike drop for Menai and Dolgellau

[Von Broad]

As long as you start the event well rested and take a spare bike, you'll have no problem...

what you need is a trailer carrying a battery operated mig welder 

[border-rider]

As long as you start the event well rested and take a spare bike, you'll have no problem...

what you need is a trailer carrying a battery operated mig welder 

A Schmidt-powered welder, a set of rollers and a willing volunteer would be better

[BlackSheep]

There must be a practical limit.  In 2008 it was 74 and in PBP year 115. I think that's the number of finishers rather than starters.

Ok - not that many then. I was expecting 150-200+ for some reason. Glad I got my entry in early!

The numbers (in above quote) are for finishers. 600s are never going to attract massive numbers (such as 200s).

In 2008 there were 13 calendar 600s. so BCMs accounted for 2 (roughly 15%).
Total numbers of finishers for these events was 231, BCMs accounted for 74 (roughly 32%).

[urban_biker]

Its just always been such an important event (in my head at least) that for some reason I thought it must be hugely popular. Then again - maybe people aren't as desperate to view Wales in a weekend as I though

[Fixedwheelnut]

As long as you start the event well rested and take a spare bike, you'll have no problem...

 And extra shorts 

 a spare two hours is sometimes helpful as well 





 I will be organising/running the Invicta 400  that weekend so no show for me

[damerell]

thanks all, I'll p'raps have a think about the severn across but will enter the BCM anyway!

Well, I've never done a 400, and just put in for both. I figure if I make it round the Severn Across alive I'll go for the BCM, and if I pack from the Severn Across the organiser can spend my BCM money on malt loaf for someone else.

See you in Wales?

[Andydauddwr]

Given current fitness, this will probably be a plod for me this year.  It's my 3rd BCM though (I've yet to ride a different 600).  So can probably offer a wheel to follow, probably of tandem flavour, but maybe solo or fixed.

So that may be an option for any BCM virgins...

AC