Author Topic: A quite windy and even hillier 400k DIY. Mid-Essex start/ finish. Wanna come? (Read 8009 times)

Oscar's dad · « **on:** 27 April, 2012, 04:52:13 pm »

I'm having a crack at my SR. The 400 is the next hurdle. I have decided that I don't want to travel to and from starts so it looks like the 400 and 600 will have to be DIYs that start and finish at my garage door. I live in Witham, mid-Essex (CM8 1LB).

I have cooked up the following cunning plan which will have more detail added as time goes by ...

Set off from Witham late on the afternoon of Friday 22nd June, ride into London, have dinner, follow the FNRttC route to Brighton, have breakfast in Brighton then head north back over The Downs and circumnavigate London clockwise following some of the classic M25 ride then home. We've got 28 hours to do 400k according to that nice man Martin.

Who wants to come?

huggy · « **Reply #1 on:** 27 April, 2012, 05:01:33 pm »

Early interest registered

Tomsk · « **Reply #2 on:** 27 April, 2012, 05:48:36 pm »

I might go up to the York Rally that weekend. This might be self-propelled or by car, with kids, sorry, young adult + nearly teenager.

Dun-Run the following weekend, I see.

huggy · « **Reply #3 on:** 27 April, 2012, 06:15:57 pm »

I already had a pass stamped for at least one day on this weekend for the Windmill ride, but I'm having my arm twisted by stealth in to accompanying OD on his SR quest, despite quite clearly saying at the beginning of the season 'you're on your own with that'.
What's going wrong with my OD resistance?!?

Oscar's dad · « **Reply #4 on:** 27 April, 2012, 07:17:56 pm »

Don't worry Huggy, you're not alone. Women can't resist me either.

Oscar's dad · « **Reply #5 on:** 21 May, 2012, 04:49:25 pm »

I'm slowly getting the route nailed down. I really must get it sorted ASAP as the start is a month away.

The good news (or perhaps bad news

) is that I have realised I can build Box Hill and it's Zig Zag Road into the route. So, the hill count is ...

The Mighty North Hill, Turners Hill, Ditchling Beacon and Box Hill. There will be lots of other lumpiness as we climb over The Downs in both directions.

When my arse is fully in gear I will put the route on bikeroutetoaster.

Christophe · « **Reply #6 on:** 21 May, 2012, 05:49:54 pm »

Last I heard, Box Hill was being resurfaced for the Olymics so better make sure it's open at the end of June.

Oscar's dad · « **Reply #7 on:** 21 May, 2012, 05:51:24 pm »

Quote from: Christophe on 21 May, 2012, 05:49:54 pm

Last I heard, Box Hill was being resurfaced for the Olymics so better make sure it's open at the end of June.

It has, and some wag drew a dick on the new surface which has since been removed. Check out the CDC thread

bloomers100 · « **Reply #8 on:** 21 May, 2012, 05:58:29 pm »

Dats mad dat is for a first 400. Chapeau if you do it, if you don't can I have first dibs in your garage.

Oscar's dad · « **Reply #9 on:** 21 May, 2012, 06:01:07 pm »

Quote from: bloomers100 on 21 May, 2012, 05:58:29 pm

Dats mad dat is for a first 400. Chapeau if you do it, if you don't can I have first dibs in your garage.

I thought you were coming too!

bloomers100 · « **Reply #10 on:** 21 May, 2012, 06:09:56 pm »

600 for me old chap on 28th September.

Oscar's dad · « **Reply #11 on:** 21 May, 2012, 06:11:03 pm »

Quote from: bloomers100 on 21 May, 2012, 06:09:56 pm

600 for me old chap on 28th September.

Oh yeah - I forgot.

huggy · « **Reply #12 on:** 07 June, 2012, 09:03:21 pm »

How about this for a bikeroutetoaster route?
417km and 2876m of climbing

It doesn't touch more than Box Hill of the Olympic Road Race route but does go past Buckingham Palace and with a little rerouting could follow more of the Olympic route if desired.

huggy · « **Reply #13 on:** 08 June, 2012, 09:42:46 am »

OD, not wishing to scare (or challenge) anyone, but you realise that the profile of the proposed ride looks like this:

The little 106m peak at the start cowering in the shadow of later climbs is The Mighty North Hill

Oscar's dad · « **Reply #14 on:** 08 June, 2012, 09:49:44 am »

Oscar's dad · « **Reply #15 on:** 15 June, 2012, 10:05:42 am »

Quote from: bloomers100 on 21 May, 2012, 05:58:29 pm

Dats mad dat is for a first 400. Chapeau if you do it, if you don't can I have first dibs in your garage.

You could be right. But hey, what's the worst that can happen?

Huggy is is doing some sterling work on the route and it should be on Bikeroutetoaster in the next day or three. We have decided that the official finish will be at Littley Green's Compasses Inn. The pair of us (plus any loons who join us lastminute.com) should be there at about 9pm (Saturday 23rd June) for victory drinkies. If you're in the area do join us. We'll be there pair of knackered cyclists selling our bikes cos we've had enough of them

huggy · « **Reply #16 on:** 15 June, 2012, 10:20:12 am »

While the bikeroutetoaster plot is pending, this is the Google Maps route for your viewing pleasure

EDIT: I'm sure the route to The Compasses can be as short as 15km so how did this one turn in to 403km

huggy · « **Reply #17 on:** 15 June, 2012, 10:35:20 pm »

Should anyone else be interested here is the bikeroutetoaster route in 4 sections where GPX & TCX routes can be downloaded from. (4 sections due to my Garmin 705 not liking very large routes to navigate.)
Witham to Central London -> 85.64km
Central London to Brighton to Box Hill -> 142.14km
Box Hill to Kings Langley -> 93.41km
Kings Langley to The Compasses -> 84.2km
Total distance = 405.38km
(plus 15km to get home from The Compasses

)

Oscar's dad · « **Reply #18 on:** 19 June, 2012, 07:12:25 am »

We've both submitted our entries now and the route is finally fettled thanks to some great work by Huggy.

Some training has taken place, my final ride before the off will be this evenng. We were out early doors on Saturday morning accompanied by Oaky. By 1030hrs, and after 35 or so miles, we were in Wetherspoons together with WAGs and kids eating massive fry ups and sinking a single pint each which only cost £1.50 a piece as Huggy had some 50p off vouchers:

huggy · « **Reply #19 on:** 19 June, 2012, 08:02:13 am »

TCMH is on flap jack baking duty on Thursday

Oscar's dad · « **Reply #20 on:** 19 June, 2012, 08:19:31 am »

Quote from: Huggy on 19 June, 2012, 08:02:13 am

TCMH is on flap jack baking duty on Thursday

Excellent!

bloomers100 · « **Reply #21 on:** 19 June, 2012, 08:55:12 am »

When (day and time) do you estimate being at The Compasses?

Oscar's dad · « **Reply #22 on:** 19 June, 2012, 09:09:14 am »

Quote from: bloomers100 on 19 June, 2012, 08:55:12 am

When (day and time) do you estimate being at The Compasses?

We are hoping to be there between 2100 and 2200 hrs on Saturday. If you PM me your mobile number we can let you know how we are getting on. Are you on Facebook? If so, there will be FB updates. We just need to become friends

huggy · « **Reply #23 on:** 19 June, 2012, 02:35:56 pm »

Current forecast is for gusty headwind all the way to Brighton then we can put the sails up and coast home

Oscar's dad · « **Reply #24 on:** 19 June, 2012, 02:40:21 pm »

Quote from: Huggy on 19 June, 2012, 02:35:56 pm

Current forecast is for gusty headwind all the way to Brighton then we can put the sails up and coast home

I believe the longest day is tomorrow or Thursday so on Friday night we should have pretty much the minimum amount of darkness

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Author Topic: A quite windy and even hillier 400k DIY. Mid-Essex start/ finish. Wanna come? (Read 8009 times)