The Midhurst 600 22nd May 2010

[TyreTracks]

Hi Folks,

I just sent off my entry for the ride and note that we are missing a thread for this one.

For 2008 ride see Midhurst 600

For 2009 ride see Midhurst 600 (thanks Arabella)

I discovered the 2009 route on bikely.  I assume this may have errors and will wait on this years route sheet.

Bicycle Path - Midhurst 600 2009 at Bikely.com

I have not ridden this one before.

I found a deal (£29 per night, room only) for a hotel room at the DeVere, Haslemere for Friday and Sunday night.  A good job we are on the road on Saturday the room rate was £89.
De Vere : Branksome Place.

Any other takers for this ride?

Regards Ron




Update Thursday 20th May 2010

I have created the .gpx route in the 9 stages.
These are high definition routes. Plotted from the 2010 route sheet, using 2009 route as a guide.
I have posted them on bikely at

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Midhurst-600km-stage-1-of-9-audax-2010

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Midhurst-600km-stage-2-of-9-audax-2010

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Midhurst-600km-stage-3-of-9-audax-2010

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Midhurst-600km-stage-4-of-9-audax-2010

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Midhurst-600km-stage-5-of-9-audax-2010

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Midhurst-600km-stage-6-of-9-audax-2010

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Midhurst-600km-stage-7-of-9-audax-2010

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Midhurst-600km-stage-8-of-9-audax-2010

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Midhurst-600km-stage-9-of-9-audax-2010


Unfortunately bikely seems to be really slow and often fails for me recently.  So if there is another site I can post to feel free to direct me.

[Riggers]

Christ no. You lot must be bonkers!

[mattc]

Did the 2009 ride - bloody ace. If it wasn't such a hassle to get to the start from here, I'd be a repeat customer. Easily my favourite "SE-ish" 600 so far - very few crap/busy roads.

Note the 09 route is much improved on 08 (basically you get to the Magor  services (with affordable rooms) at a sensible time for some Zs).

(Is there really no thread for the 09 ride?)

It's quite a nice ride to Midhurst from Haslemere; i'd be tempted to stay in Haslemere if I did it again.

[arabella]

(Is there really no thread for the 09 ride?)

Here

[border-rider]

I have to say that if I were going from Hay to Abergavenny, I'd go over the Gospel Pass.

Presumably there's a control to prevent that ?

[mattc]

ElS control was in a layby a few miles SE of Hay - so yes, sort of.

[DaveJ]

Last year there was a checkpoint at Vowchurch on the retrace.  Its not there this year though.

Dave

[LEE]

ElS control was in a layby a few miles SE of Hay - so yes, sort of.

And a wonderful surprise it was too, a proper oasis of hot buttered muffins.

I was too slow to get any kip in 2008. I arrived at Magor services at daybreak to find the restaurant floor covered in fast Audaxers.  They'd been held up due the the Severn Bridge being closed in high winds.

The bridge was opened again around 6am but it made me wonder just how high the winds need to be before it gets closed.  It was a heck of a crossing, part walking and part cycling with vicious wind and rain.

I'd only done a 300 before this and I found the final 40km rather tough as it seemed to incorporate as many little South Downs lumps as possible.  I'm sure it's not all that bad really but with 560km in my legs and no sleep, it was a real grind at the time.

[Hummers]

Am doing this one this year after a DNF on the 2008 version due to lack of miles in the legs and very little enthusiasm for rides.  Besides, the opportunity to be at a party was too much of a temptation and by 8pm, I was showered and supping wine in a balmy corner of Portsmouth.

Not really unfinished business, more of a desire to complete what I am sure is a fine 600.

H

[TyreTracks]

Does El Supremo make any arrangement for a short sleep on this ride? e.g. like a village hall at 400km.
Or will the riders just have to make their own arrangements and find somewhere out of the wind and rain to catch a few zzzzs.

What is considered usual (deliberating avoiding the word 'normal') for sleeping on this ride?

I am hoping on getting about 2 hours somewhere near the 400km mark.

Ron

[teethgrinder]

Does El Supremo make any arrangement for a short sleep on this ride? e.g. like a village hall at 400km.
Or will the riders just have to make their own arrangements and find somewhere out of the wind and rain to catch a few zzzzs.

What is considered usual (deliberating avoiding the word 'normal') for sleeping on this ride?

I am hoping on getting about 2 hours somewhere near the 400km mark.

Ron

Several of us chipped together for a room in the Travelodge at Magor last year and cycled back to the finish together. That's the way to ride a 600.
But others slept on the floor at Magor. I thought Magor services were a bit chilly and was glad for a nice, cosy bed.

[mattc]

But others slept on the floor at Magor. I thought Magor services were a bit chilly and was glad for a nice, cosy bed.

air-con. In wales. in May. :rollseyes:

[Hummers]

Hmmm.

Based on the last two long rides I've done I'm not going to bother with stopping for sleep and will see how this works out.

H

[teethgrinder]

Hmmm.

Based on the last two long rides I've done I'm not going to bother with stopping for sleep and will see how this works out.

H

You should be OK.
I usually cycle overnight to the start after a day at work, so I often need my sleep on the event. I can only stay awake for so long. When you get to the finish, you'd have probably done less than I'd do to get to the 400k point of the ride.

Besides, if you do get sleepy, you can always shack up if you've got time in hand.

[Martin]

Does El Supremo make any arrangement for a short sleep on this ride? e.g. like a village hall at 400km.
Or will the riders just have to make their own arrangements and find somewhere out of the wind and rain to catch a few zzzzs.

What is considered usual (deliberating avoiding the word 'normal') for sleeping on this ride?

I am hoping on getting about 2 hours somewhere near the 400km mark.

Ron

never done his 600 but I understand the 600 control is the same as his 400; a tented village with food tea gazebos candles the lot;  I can't sleep whilst sitting up though.

[arabella]

Does El Supremo make any arrangement for a short sleep on this ride? e.g. like a village hall at 400km.
Or will the riders just have to make their own arrangements and find somewhere out of the wind and rain to catch a few zzzzs.

What is considered usual (deliberating avoiding the word 'normal') for sleeping on this ride?

I am hoping on getting about 2 hours somewhere near the 400km mark.

Ron

El Supremo's 600 rides (OK, so I've only done 2, the Midhurst last year and the RainHailsham in '07are very much sort out your sleep yourself.  He usually includes a visit to a service station during dark o'clock, in this case Magor.  Last year the heating was on full blast as was the aircon.  As noted in the thread I didn't get any quality zzz there so had a kip at the roadside.  I'd probably have been better off pushing on sooner and spending longer snoozing in the sun after it got warmer.  It's all experience.

[Weirdy Biker]

Reaching the tented gazebo, welcomed by a mug of hot tea and with views of a sunset over the valley towards Hay-on-Wye.  A really memorable audax moment from 2008.

That year, I kipped in a bus shelter.  Why, when I were a lad, I used t'dream o t'luxury of a bus bench, etc etc

[rob]

Sleeping at Magor works OK, although it's a little earlier than I'd normally sleep on a 600.   Beware the next leg after Magor, it is very lumpy.   It rolls a lot from Chepstow to Gloucester and there's a couple of severe climbs in the Cotswolds.   We left Magor at 4am and were worried that we might miss the cut at one point, arriving at Cirencester with about 30-40 mins in hand.

[LEE]

Reaching the tented gazebo, welcomed by a mug of hot tea and with views of a sunset over the valley towards Hay-on-Wye.  A really memorable audax moment from 2008.

That year, I kipped in a bus shelter.  Why, when I were a lad, I used t'dream o t'luxury of a bus bench, etc etc

The sun had set when I got there and all the bus shelters were full after that. 

I think it sort of sums up the ride when:

a) You see a bus shelter in the distance and regard it as you would a B&B

b) You get a sinking feeling as you approach it and find it stuffed with bikes and cyclists already.

[Weirdy Biker]

The sun had set when I got there and all the bus shelters were full after that.  

You should have chapped on the lintel.  I have always wanted to say "There's no room at the inn.  F**k off."  In my brusk Scottish brogue, it would be most tramp like  

This year, I'm tempted to be a little more organised and book something.  After all, I have to be at my desk on Monday morning, and don't want to look like:

[rob]

The sun had set when I got there and all the bus shelters were full after that.  

You should have chapped on the lintel.  I have always wanted to say "There's no room at the inn.  F**k off."  In my brusk Scottish brogue, it would be most tramp like  

This year, I'm tempted to be a little more organised and book something.  After all, I have to be at my desk on Monday morning, and don't want to look like:

You've just reminded me.   I'm rather conveniently working in an office in Guildford on Monday.   Just got a Travelodge room for 19 quid. 

[Weirdy Biker]

I can't decide whether to guess where I'll fancy a sleep (i.e. whether I'll be having a good or a bad day and so how far along the road I'll be) or just turn up on the day and put cash through the register.  The latter worked quite well for me when I did a nuts and bolts 1000km ride, despite not being a bargain.

[rob]

I'm a bit more up for this now, having had a few can't be arsed moments recently.

Routesheet says that the gratuitous bits from last years have been chopped out, so there should be less tetchiness from me this time.


Rob

[marcus]

Started a new thread on this, then noticed there already was one. 

I'll be there - to break my El Supremo virginity.

[Stephen Kirkby]

I'll be there - to break my El Supremo virginity.

Me too.