Coming soon - the all new Windsor-Chester-Windsor

[Andrew]

Yes, it does seem that we'll need a selection of evening wear. Still, on the plus side, temperatures are going to be cooler. I found yesterday here in west London to be just a wee bit sticky.

I've had a crap night's sleep, somewhat literally, and I hope it's just the usual pre-match nerves. Might ride over to HQ this evening just so as I know where I'm going tomorrow am.

[Philip Whiteman]

Now I am not one to avoid any opportunity.

Did you know that the Belbroughton Control also happens to be the GHQ for that splendid event, The Kidderminster Killer?

If you fancy a revisit to Belbroughton in just over a weeks time as a warm-down from the WCW, I have three places out of seventy places still available.

[JohnOnABike]

I'm doing this too.
My first ever 600 

[RPhilips]

I'm doing this one and I've convinced another to come along.  This'll be my first 600 too so wish me luck!  Also, whoever said don't look at the forecast, that was good advice.  I wish I'd listened

[Pip]

From the Beeb:

"Given the unseasonable nature of the weather this could be sufficient to disrupt transport and make outdoor activities dangerous"

Been looking forward to this ride, forecast sounds reminiscent of LEL 2009

[blueskies]

Me too, looking forward to it. It might require a 600km TT to keep ahead of the advancing storm...

[citoyen]

I heard a rumour that the Pru RideLondon is going to be called off because of the weather. I think that's a little premature.

Looking at the forecast in more detail, I think we on the WCW might miss the worst of it.

(This post may contain traces of blind optimism.)

[MikeH]

Just try to get round quick.  Looks like the worst of the weather won't be on us 'til 08:00 Sunday.

BTW does anyone know where to get a receipt in Chalgrove before 07:30 on Sunday?  There is an ATM, but I think it's inside a store.  Not that I am planning to be there quite that early, but just in case there is someone planning to do a quick one.

[Somnolent]

Looking at the forcast I think were I to be riding (and I'm a full-valuer) I'd just carry on through the night aiming to be at Honeybourne when the cafe opens at 9 am then sit it out there until lunchtime. 
I shan't have the luxury of choice though.  I shall be at Windsor with the kettle on, waiting to welcome a lot of 'soggy bottoms'.
Look forward to seeing you all at the Arrivée.

[Philip Whiteman]

Looks as though, the further southeast you progress then the wetter it will become.  The later you ride further south, the more you will benefit from a westerly as opposed to a southerly cross wind.  Either way, it will be damp.

[mattc]

Just try to get round quick.  Looks like the worst of the weather won't be on us 'til 08:00 Sunday.

BTW does anyone know where to get a receipt in Chalgrove before 07:30 on Sunday?  There is an ATM, but I think it's inside a store.  Not that I am planning to be there quite that early, but just in case there is someone planning to do a quick one.

You may well be out of luck. It's a funny little town, barely a village really. But you must go through somewhere bigger (after Chipping Campden) that would satisfy min distance, PROVIDED Herr Organiser is amenable.
[goes to look at routesheet ... ]
...

Ah, Controls on aukweb are out of date! So you control at Honeybourne, then Info at Bletchingdon, then Chalgrove. (Then home.)

Next two towns are Watlington - which has at least a Co-op, a "paper shop", a petrol station ... and almost certainly ATMs! - then, failing that, I suspect Henley enforces the distance perfectly well. So I'd ask Keef if Watlington is OK, should Chalgrove be shut.

[MikeH]

You may well be out of luck. It's a funny little town, barely a village really. But you must go through somewhere bigger (after Chipping Campden) that would satisfy min distance, PROVIDED Herr Organiser is amenable. [goes to look at routesheet ... ]

I think the route sheet says the Chalgrove control is open from just before 02:00 on Sunday 
I'm thinking there should be an ATM in Watlington, certainly in Wallingford, neither too much of a diversion (over mileage for sure).  As you say confirmation required from organiser on this one.

[mattc]

The routesheet I'm looking at takes you through Watlington, but not Wallingford!

(At least on the return - on the First Leg it's t'other way around

[RideHard]

So a roll call?

Bikey-Mikey n Bairdy

Yeah I'm in, event sounds well organised, the unexpected weather gonna guarantee it's memorable 

[MikeH]

The routesheet I'm looking at takes you through Watlington, but not Wallingford!

Cool.  I'll ask the organiser first thing tomorrow, but I suspect someone will beat me to it.

On a totally different topic, should we start a sweepstake on how the weather forecast will affect the number of no-shows tomorrow?

My guess - there will be only 60 people taking the start.

[MikeH]

The routesheet I'm looking at takes you through Watlington, but not Wallingford!

But looking on Google street view, looks like the ATM may be inside the Co-op in Watlington 
Anyone know this area for ATMs?

[francisbarton]

Unfortunately I'm a no-show but not on account of the weather ... bit of a financial fuck-up between me and my wife means we're pretty much skint and me spending £40-50 on train fare + food and drink on the ride is unfortunately too much at this particular moment in time. I'm pretty gutted, though whether I would have been up to riding the distance is another question, it would have been my first attempt at a 600.

Apologies for the late withdrawal. I have emailed and DMd Keeff & Sue.

[Andrew]

Looking at the forecast in more detail, I think we on the WCW might miss the worst of it.

I share your optimism. We're going to get wet at some point, I reckon that's a given, but.... nah, I like my hat too much to have to eat it. No fate tempting here.

I'm just back from Windsor HQ - a note on its location because the Scout Hall is not immediately obvious nor signed (at the moment anyway!). It IS opposite the BP garage but BEHIND the West Berkshire Ambulance & NHS Dialysis unit. You'll see St John's Ambulance at the end of the car park... the Scout Hall is down there too, next to it.

[citoyen]

Well, I'm safely ensconced in my hotel room, drying out and warming up after a very wet ride over, so I'll definitely be at the start tomorrow.

The nice young lady on reception asked if I'd travelled far. She was pretty impressed that I'd cycled all the way from distant Teddington - a mammoth 21km away! I thought it best I don't tell her what I'm planning to do tomorrow. 

[mattc]

Hopefully all the riders are asleep now (or at least tossing n turning) ....

But it's really gorgeous outside right now. Clear starry sky, warm, big moon. I shall pray that some riders gets these conditions in 24hrs time!

[marcusjb]

About 65 on the road this morning.  Beautiful morning down in Windsor, sunny with a bit of a breeze on their backs.  Lot of rain last night.

Good to see everyone and I wish them well on what may well be a ride of two halves depending on what the weather does tomorrow.

[Basil]

First rider at Belbroughton at 14:05

[Somnolent]

Keep that up and I reckon he (she?) will be back at Windsor around 10:00 am ?

[Philip Whiteman]

Bit grey down here in Belbroughton. Forecast is 8mph average southery wind gusting to 16mph, backing westerly around midday. Wet from 6 until midday.

17 beds in Belbroughton for any tired riders.

First rider has already reached Chester 

[Basil]

Fungus and I are taking a well earned break from Belbroughton control in the pub.  So if you want to use any of those beds, you'll have to get us out of them first.