Author Topic: Winter Solstice - 18/12/11 200k (Read 6382 times)

The Seldom Killer · « **on:** 05 December, 2011, 05:58:42 pm »

The Winter Solstice Ride is less than two weeks away and I was smugly labouring under the impression that I might get a clean shot at it. Then this morning happened.

Anyone else looking forward to doing this?

Wobbly · « **Reply #1 on:** 05 December, 2011, 07:02:45 pm »

I thought it was a winter poultice. You know, to keep out the cold.

Euan Uzami · « **Reply #2 on:** 05 December, 2011, 07:19:31 pm »

I've entered it, planning on doing it if the weather's acceptable. What did "happen" this morning, shitting it down is it? Bit of a flurry here but not persistent enough and too wet to settle. Am guessing it's worse in the NW?

Peter · « **Reply #3 on:** 05 December, 2011, 07:43:25 pm »

Quote from: Ben T on 05 December, 2011, 07:19:31 pm

I've entered it, planning on doing it if the weather's acceptable. What did "happen" this morning, shitting it down is it? Bit of a flurry here but not persistent enough and too wet to settle. Am guessing it's worse in the NW?

Not particularly bad here (Rochdale), Ben, though it's cold and unpleasant with frequent squalls. But the cold is enough to make ice on the car windscreen and I guess ice is the big factor.

I'm down for it, too.

trio25 · « **Reply #4 on:** 06 December, 2011, 06:01:50 am »

I'm going to be there. Lots of rain here at the moment which would be a very soggy 200.

The Seldom Killer · « **Reply #5 on:** 06 December, 2011, 06:35:25 am »

It's been snowing and sleeting on and off since yesterday morning in Sheffield. Doesn't look to have frozen overnight though. Mainly referring to the dryish weather with daytime temps tickling double figures changing over to wetish weather with a risk of icying up.

Was hoping to make this my first fixed wheel audax but not sure that this would be such a good idea now. Time to get into the basement and fettle the gearie.

mikewigley · « **Reply #6 on:** 06 December, 2011, 08:55:51 am »

Well, the weather is a bit unpleasant for cycling at the moment but there's plenty of time to go yet - there's still every chance we'll have a good day for it.

I called at the cafe at Gatesheath on Sunday and they are geared up for us - I have a record number of entries keen to give this another try, despite the event having been all but snowed off for the last two years

I will take another 3 entries then the event will be "full"

Mike

GraemeMcC · « **Reply #7 on:** 06 December, 2011, 12:55:58 pm »

Ooh Er!
Posted my forms by snail-mail, yesterday a.m. So hope postie hasn't got stuck in a drift on the way up to your house.

Also hope that this run is less eventful than the Winter Solace version - my Campag outboard BB "fixed" cup loosened and I had a wobbly chainset all the way back from darkest Staffordshire.

(BB cups now resin'd into the BB shell, as per Campag's own "alternative" fixing method - finger's crossed)

JayP · « **Reply #8 on:** 06 December, 2011, 08:52:13 pm »

Its early days yet. It'll be fine

. I'm Looking forward to christening the new Spa Audax

if they get the steel fork to me in time $:-\$ but if there is ice

I'm not going. I already have enough bones sticking out my arse.

Jord · « **Reply #9 on:** 06 December, 2011, 11:14:40 pm »

I'm all set to do it - as I was last year and the year before but it is all in the hands of the weather Gods.

Peter · « **Reply #10 on:** 06 December, 2011, 11:47:25 pm »

Quote from: JayP on 06 December, 2011, 08:52:13 pm

Its early days yet. It'll be fine . I'm Looking forward to christening the new Spa Audax if they get the steel fork to me in time $:-\$ but if there is ice I'm not going. I already have enough bones sticking out my arse.

Hell, John, I'm going to get my eyes tested again; I thought they were tyre-levers!

DanialW · « **Reply #11 on:** 07 December, 2011, 07:27:49 am »

Looking forward to this, along with a few folk from Todmorden Harriers.

PeeJay · « **Reply #12 on:** 07 December, 2011, 08:01:50 am »

I'm in too. Fingers crossed for rideable conditions - i.e. no ice!

GraemeMcC · « **Reply #13 on:** 07 December, 2011, 12:35:18 pm »

And let's hope this wind drops off a touch too.

Had to winch my way into work in Warrington this morning. It was that bad, I nearly had to drop down off the big ring

Looking forward to the 21km tale gale home 2nite though...

Peter · « **Reply #14 on:** 07 December, 2011, 08:15:56 pm »

Quote from: GraemeMcC on 07 December, 2011, 12:35:18 pm

Had to winch my way into work in Warrington this morning. It was that bad, I nearly had to drop down off the big ring

Which ring were you on at the front?

DanialW · « **Reply #15 on:** 07 December, 2011, 08:31:28 pm »

Nice one, Peter!

JayP · « **Reply #16 on:** 07 December, 2011, 09:00:29 pm »

Quote from: Peter on 06 December, 2011, 11:47:25 pm

Quote from: JayP on 06 December, 2011, 08:52:13 pm
Its early days yet. It'll be fine . I'm Looking forward to christening the new Spa Audax if they get the steel fork to me in time $:-\$ but if there is ice I'm not going. I already have enough bones sticking out my arse.

Hell, John, I'm going to get my eyes tested again; I thought they were tyre-levers!

I'll be keeping out of your way then next time I have p*n*t*r*

GraemeMcC · « **Reply #17 on:** 08 December, 2011, 12:34:44 pm »

Quote from: Peter on 07 December, 2011, 08:15:56 pm

Which ring were you on at the front?

The weather still got the last laugh - on my compact c/set, 50 x 13 wasn't big enough for riding home...

The Seldom Killer · « **Reply #18 on:** 15 December, 2011, 07:16:17 am »

Current forecast is rain on Saturday with an overnight freeze so normal condtions are expected to start. Good news is sun during the day and wind hopefully not too bad.

GraemeMcC · « **Reply #19 on:** 16 December, 2011, 12:46:18 pm »

Currently snowing in Cheshire.

Wet stuff which isn't hanging around much but means that ground is now saturated and a lot of run-off, puddles, etc.
So if the predicted freeze comes, then there will most probably be icy patches in the lanes.

Fingers crossed...

Jord · « **Reply #20 on:** 16 December, 2011, 04:10:45 pm »

I live near the first control and it is very slushy in the lanes. If it doesn't clear tomorrow it will be out my comfort zone for riding. Way too much chance of ice.

I did a perm 200 on Wednesday and had to push a few sections on back lanes because of ice.

JayP · « **Reply #21 on:** 16 December, 2011, 08:47:17 pm »

I have a filtered down (to < 500 track points) version of the gpx for this ride if anyone wants.
Not wishing to teach granny to suck eggs but if you upload the unfiltered ( 2000 trackpoint) version from the website to a Garmin Etrex Legend the trail will vanish round about Oulton Park! Also if, like me, you use bikehike to filter oversize tracks you will have a problem because bikehike has gone back into hiding.
Alternatively you can filter the track yourself using the Mapsource software that came with the unit. ( Open the unfiltered gpx in Mapsource. Select the track using Tools- selection. Then filter using Edit –track properties-filter and set maximum to 500)

Quote from: Jord on 16 December, 2011, 04:10:45 pm

I live near the first control and it is very slushy in the lanes. If it doesn't clear tomorrow it will be out my comfort zone for riding. Way too much chance of ice.

I did a perm 200 on Wednesday and had to push a few sections on back lanes because of ice.

Thanks for that Jord. I'm going to look for a route up to Old Ma's which stays on treated roads. The worst will be A.M. Cross fingers for afternoon

Peter · « **Reply #22 on:** 16 December, 2011, 10:00:20 pm »

JayP, my thoughts exactly on the first section in the morning. When I did this as a perm a couple of years ago there was a lot of ice early on, so I went up through Knutsford and then used the Northwich bypass down to Davenham, I think, which was cold but fine and fast.

JayP · « **Reply #23 on:** 16 December, 2011, 10:13:39 pm »

Quote from: Peter on 16 December, 2011, 10:00:20 pm

JayP, my thoughts exactly on the first section in the morning. When I did this as a perm a couple of years ago there was a lot of ice early on, so I went up through Knutsford and then used the Northwich bypass down to Davenham, I think, which was cold but fine and fast.

Sounds like a plan Peter

The Seldom Killer · « **Reply #24 on:** 16 December, 2011, 11:29:57 pm »

I like the idea of that. I was also wondering about not doing that stretch through Vale Royal if there's ice and snow. Might perhaps drop down as far as Middlewich and come in from that side. Depends on weather and traffic I suppose. Will mark up some main road options tomorrow evening.

Author Topic: Winter Solstice - 18/12/11 200k (Read 6382 times)

Euan Uzami

mikewigley

DanialW

DanialW