So, having completed both a 300 and a 400 this year, my mind started to drift towards a goal for 2013. Now the obvious next step is a 600 and possibly a Super Randoneur award (complete a 200, 300, 400 and 600 in the same season) and this was the idea floating around inside my head for most of the summer. Do the Brian Chapman Memorial in Wales as my 600 plus all the rides I did in 2012, job done. That was until I read that it's London Edinburgh London this year. Now, this changes everything, a seed was planted and over the next few months a plan was hatched, books procured and read and last week a decision was taken. I am going to attempt London Edinburgh London. This will be the biggest thing I have ever attempted (never mind cycling, this will be The biggest thing in any area of my life) but my saving graces are (a) I'm pretty resilient/bloody minded (b) cycling is the only thing I'm actually any good at so if I can't do this... (c) other, lesser mortals, have managed. After all, how hard can 1400k actually be?
Anyway, I'm going to do it, I have a plan and you can follow my progress by clicking on the LEL tab above which will take you to a page dedicated to this pursuit. I've even got an online training log and tracker you can look and follow my progress.
Wish me luck and watch this space...
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
A blog for random thoughts from a middle aged, ICT obsessed cyclist. See my other blog, ieduc8.blospot.com, for my thoughts etc on iOS devices, especially iPads in education. The accompanying website is: sites.google.com/site/blokeonabikesite/
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
TheTasty Cheddar Audax - the first and the last
When I fist began Audaxing, back in 2005, this was the first event I entered. Back then, it was one of the last local events in the calendar. Now, with the changes to the Audax season, it is one of the first so the Tasty Cheddar, the first and the last if you catch my drift.
I have done this ride every year since 2005, it is local and is a great event. This year,I rode with my friend Alexis as he is getting back into Audaxing after a long layoff. I rode the trusty Thorn and was prepared for everything, he rode his Carbon Fibre Focus. I was expecting rain, he was somewhat more optimistic. As it turned out, the weather was the nicest we've had for a while, a bit cold but very sunny so ideal really.
The ride leaves Bristol by the Pill path but this is narrow and very muddy (see N+1), especially with 250 cyclists heading down it so we elected to take the road via Long Ashton to Clevedon and the first control
From here we headed to Cheddar for the second control and a brilliant climb up the gorge to the top of the Mendips.
From here it was lanes and a brutal 15% climb to Hinton Blewitt for a stop at the Ring O' Bells before more lanes to Dundry.
It was this section where the choice of bike seems to be justified. Lots of water running off the fields and downhill meant torrents of water and flooded roads hiding all sorts of danger. Lots of gravel and debris had been washed down in the torrential rain of the last few weeks.
A nice descent from the Ring O' Bells and we where at the foot of Dundry, the final climb before Bristol. It was here I felt the unmistakable feel of a rapidly deflating tyre, a quick inspection showing a large Thorn in the tread of the tyre. A quick tube change and we where off. The climb up Dundry seemed fairly easy and I was left wondering why it used to fill me with dread.
A quick descent and we where heading back into Bristol on the A38 and soon, we where in the Nova Scotia sampling their wares.
All in all, a great day out and a fantastic ride.
I would say it's a poor photo but unfortunately, that's what I look like, sorry
A big thanks to Joe Prosser for organising. My first ride of the season and maybe the start of something big? Stay tuned..
Finally, the Garmin file!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
I have done this ride every year since 2005, it is local and is a great event. This year,I rode with my friend Alexis as he is getting back into Audaxing after a long layoff. I rode the trusty Thorn and was prepared for everything, he rode his Carbon Fibre Focus. I was expecting rain, he was somewhat more optimistic. As it turned out, the weather was the nicest we've had for a while, a bit cold but very sunny so ideal really.
The ride leaves Bristol by the Pill path but this is narrow and very muddy (see N+1), especially with 250 cyclists heading down it so we elected to take the road via Long Ashton to Clevedon and the first control
A nice view from outside Scarlett's cafe out towards Wales
From here we headed to Cheddar for the second control and a brilliant climb up the gorge to the top of the Mendips.
Getting ready to climb the gorge
From here it was lanes and a brutal 15% climb to Hinton Blewitt for a stop at the Ring O' Bells before more lanes to Dundry.
Leaving the Ring O'Bells at Hinton Blewitt
It was this section where the choice of bike seems to be justified. Lots of water running off the fields and downhill meant torrents of water and flooded roads hiding all sorts of danger. Lots of gravel and debris had been washed down in the torrential rain of the last few weeks.
A nice descent from the Ring O' Bells and we where at the foot of Dundry, the final climb before Bristol. It was here I felt the unmistakable feel of a rapidly deflating tyre, a quick inspection showing a large Thorn in the tread of the tyre. A quick tube change and we where off. The climb up Dundry seemed fairly easy and I was left wondering why it used to fill me with dread.
A quick descent and we where heading back into Bristol on the A38 and soon, we where in the Nova Scotia sampling their wares.
One of Bristol's many historic buildings. Well worth a visit
All in all, a great day out and a fantastic ride.
Ride buddy Alexis looking suitable impressed
A big thanks to Joe Prosser for organising. My first ride of the season and maybe the start of something big? Stay tuned..
Finally, the Garmin file!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
A nice ride from Pill to Wooton and back
I don't often ride out north to South Gloucester but I've done a couple of Audaxes over that way recently and find it a nice change from North Somerset and the lanes south of Bristol. Also, I was riding with one of my friends from work and as he lives in North-East Bristol, it gave me an excuse to plan a ride over that way.
I rode over to pick Andy up and we headed out on the cycle tracks around the ring-road towards Frampton Cotterell, then on to Aust, up to Alveston, Thornbury and then west to Wooton-under-edge. We had lunch at The Edge cafe on Wooton high street before heading back via Hawksbury common. A nice 45 miles for Andy and a 70 mile ride for me,, just the thing to open up the legs before Saturdays Exmouth Exodus.
Got home to find Bradley Wiggins had won gold and Chris Froome silver in the Olympic time trial, sweet.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
I rode over to pick Andy up and we headed out on the cycle tracks around the ring-road towards Frampton Cotterell, then on to Aust, up to Alveston, Thornbury and then west to Wooton-under-edge. We had lunch at The Edge cafe on Wooton high street before heading back via Hawksbury common. A nice 45 miles for Andy and a 70 mile ride for me,, just the thing to open up the legs before Saturdays Exmouth Exodus.
Got home to find Bradley Wiggins had won gold and Chris Froome silver in the Olympic time trial, sweet.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Better by Bike-easy route planning in Bristol
This week I have to go to a conference on the other side of the city, not a major deal but I'm pretty hopeless at navigating by map these days (lack of practice I suppose) and as I have a sat-nav on the bike, I mint as well use it. Anyway, whilst registering for Bristol's Biggest Bike ride a couple of weeks ago, I came across this site which allows you to plan your route across Bristol using the start and finish post codes. Even better, it allows you to download a GPX file. Sweet, so here is a "how to" for planning your journey across Bristol:
Step one
Enter the start and finish postcode and hit go.
The page will disappear for a few seconds before coming back with a dialogue box saying its planning your route. A few seconds later and voila! Your route appears, you can view a map or a printer friendly version.
Step two
If you look on the right hand side under the route profile, you will see the option to download a GPX file. The associated file has too many waypoints for my Garmin 705 so I loaded it into Garmin BaseCamp and then used this software to generate a new route. I uploaded this to Garmin Connect (a simple one click operation from BaseCamp) and then used the export function to generate a GPX file.
Step three
Having cleaned up the GPX file, I loaded it onto the Garmin (plug in Garmin, wait for it to mount, navigate to the GPX folder and drop in the file) and checked that it would work by setting the Garmin to navigate the file. Success! The file appears as a line on the map
and as a series of instructions in the list view
All I have to do now is switch on the Garmin, set it to navigate and follow the instructions as the unit beeps at me before a turn. I like it.
You don't have to use the Garmin BaseCamp/Garmin Connect route, you could use GPSies, GPSbabel, MapMyRide etc to do the same thing, I haven't had to lean up a GPX file before so did it using the Garmin software as it’s (possibly) more likely to work as intended.
The site is Bristol only but I hope other cities do a similar site, it makes getting round a lot easier and sure beats looking at an A-Z every two minutes.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Step one
Enter the start and finish postcode and hit go.
The page will disappear for a few seconds before coming back with a dialogue box saying its planning your route. A few seconds later and voila! Your route appears, you can view a map or a printer friendly version.
Step two
If you look on the right hand side under the route profile, you will see the option to download a GPX file. The associated file has too many waypoints for my Garmin 705 so I loaded it into Garmin BaseCamp and then used this software to generate a new route. I uploaded this to Garmin Connect (a simple one click operation from BaseCamp) and then used the export function to generate a GPX file.
Step three
Having cleaned up the GPX file, I loaded it onto the Garmin (plug in Garmin, wait for it to mount, navigate to the GPX folder and drop in the file) and checked that it would work by setting the Garmin to navigate the file. Success! The file appears as a line on the map
and as a series of instructions in the list view
All I have to do now is switch on the Garmin, set it to navigate and follow the instructions as the unit beeps at me before a turn. I like it.
You don't have to use the Garmin BaseCamp/Garmin Connect route, you could use GPSies, GPSbabel, MapMyRide etc to do the same thing, I haven't had to lean up a GPX file before so did it using the Garmin software as it’s (possibly) more likely to work as intended.
The site is Bristol only but I hope other cities do a similar site, it makes getting round a lot easier and sure beats looking at an A-Z every two minutes.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
With the toss of a Welly, we're off - Avalon Sunrise 400k
It's 10.30 at night and I'm sitting on my bike alongside 30 or so other intrepid souls waiting for the start of the Avalon Sunrise 400k. To say I'm nervous would be a bit of an understatement! I've pitched the tent, eaten, loaded the Carradice with enough food and sundry items to last at least a week and now I'm about to set off on the longest ride I've ever done...
Riders gather for the start, only 250 miles to go..
There can't be many sporting events that start with the tossing of a Wellington boot but at exactly 10.30 pm, one was thrown into a field somewhere in the Blackdown Hills and we where off. A steady stream of riders head downhill in a blaze of bright white light and flashing red LED's as we head towards the first control at Tiverton. Bad luck immediately strikes the tandem crew who puncture in the first couple of miles, I'm OK and find myself outside the Tesco in Tiverton an hour later getting my Brevet stamped. It's then a long, steady ride up the Exe valley and down the other side to Minehead. I've done this section of the ride, albeit in reverse, a few times as part of Pam Almonds Ken's Autumn Colours 100k and it is very pretty in the light. It was eery in the dark. A long, steady climb of around 10 miles to Wheddon Cross and I think I saw 2 cars. In the background, I could see a light and after about half an hour, the light caught me and I met Pete and Dave with whom I would ride the majority of the ride.
The control at Minehead was in the organisers Mum's house so it seemed strange to ride into a suburban housing estate in the dead of night and be invited into a house to be served tea and flapjacks by two elderly (but charming and welcoming) ladies, top job though, great tea and superb cake.
About 1.30 am we set off along the main road to Bridgewater. This was an interesting section, rolling, quit and with stunning views of the oil refinery and docks across the Severn, all lit up and glowing in the dark. Through Bridgewater and off towards Street, the sun slowly climbing as we head vaguely eastwards. Around 4.00am the darkness gave way to light and a light rain started, a quick stop in Glastonbury to don the waterproof and eat some food and it was off again, across the levels before the first big climb. Westmae hill climbs up to the top of the Mendips and is steep but worthwhile, you gain height quickly and I love riding on top of the Mendips hills. A rolling road took us to Frome, a cobbled road through the town and a final climb to the morning control at a 24 hour garage just outside the town. Handily, this garage had a good selection of sandwiches and a Costa coffee machine, bliss after 100k without a proper stop. We sat on a bench outside and ate/drank and contemplated the next section to Chepstow.
A welcome sight at 6.00am, the control at Frome
Down and into Midford, then up again to Oddown, down to Bath and pick up the cycle track to Bristol. A quick diversion to Frampton Cotterell for breakfast and then over the Severn Bridge to Chepstow to the control at a Co-op. back across the bridge and a reasonably flat run to the cafe control at Wooton-under-edge. A coffee and toasted tea cake and it's back to the 24 hour garage but we are well over half way now.
The next section is the worst for me, I feel like I have no power and struggle on the rolling hills. The rain starts, then stops again. East of Bath and we climb Midford hill, this seems steep and goes on for ever! Then it's rolling to Bradford on Avon before a final climb up to the control. I eat more sandwiches and have another Costa coffee and start to perk up, there is only about 50 miles to go now and I'm confident I will finish so spirits lift somewhat. Jamie (the organiser) arrives and suggests we form a group for the last leg as a bit of a headwind is building so we do.
A long climb after Frome takes us up to the top of the Mendips again (preceded by some long rollers) then its a long decent to Shepton Mallet, then it's flat to Taunton. All good except it is now raining pretty heavily so the going is a bit grim (it's on this section that a fellow rider, Jim stopped and called the paramedics who take him to hospital as he is suffering from hypothermia). I lose the group as I'm riding a bit faster so plod on reaching Taunton as darkness descends, I stop to get out my spare battery for my light and Jamie goes past. I set off again, negotiate Taunton and begin the climb back to the top of the Blackdown hills and the finish at the half moon pub. I catch Jamie and we ride the climb together. The rain is now torrential and the wind has picked up. In the dark, it resembles one of those documentaries about North Sea fishing! The climb is stiff and goes on for some time but I feel strong. We reach the top, ride along on the flat for a while and then I see the lights of Clayhiddon village and finally, the pub hones into view, a very welcome sight. the time is 10.30pm so exactly 24 hours. Even more welcome is the pint of beer (sorry, can't remember what it was) and the plate of Thai Green curry that is brought out (free of charge)! I'm sorry to have missed the Wurzels tribute band but glad of another pint before retiring to my tent for a well deserved sleep that is disturbed slightly by the raging storm outside.
And, by the power of Garmin, we have:
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Riders gather for the start, only 250 miles to go..
There can't be many sporting events that start with the tossing of a Wellington boot but at exactly 10.30 pm, one was thrown into a field somewhere in the Blackdown Hills and we where off. A steady stream of riders head downhill in a blaze of bright white light and flashing red LED's as we head towards the first control at Tiverton. Bad luck immediately strikes the tandem crew who puncture in the first couple of miles, I'm OK and find myself outside the Tesco in Tiverton an hour later getting my Brevet stamped. It's then a long, steady ride up the Exe valley and down the other side to Minehead. I've done this section of the ride, albeit in reverse, a few times as part of Pam Almonds Ken's Autumn Colours 100k and it is very pretty in the light. It was eery in the dark. A long, steady climb of around 10 miles to Wheddon Cross and I think I saw 2 cars. In the background, I could see a light and after about half an hour, the light caught me and I met Pete and Dave with whom I would ride the majority of the ride.
The control at Minehead was in the organisers Mum's house so it seemed strange to ride into a suburban housing estate in the dead of night and be invited into a house to be served tea and flapjacks by two elderly (but charming and welcoming) ladies, top job though, great tea and superb cake.
About 1.30 am we set off along the main road to Bridgewater. This was an interesting section, rolling, quit and with stunning views of the oil refinery and docks across the Severn, all lit up and glowing in the dark. Through Bridgewater and off towards Street, the sun slowly climbing as we head vaguely eastwards. Around 4.00am the darkness gave way to light and a light rain started, a quick stop in Glastonbury to don the waterproof and eat some food and it was off again, across the levels before the first big climb. Westmae hill climbs up to the top of the Mendips and is steep but worthwhile, you gain height quickly and I love riding on top of the Mendips hills. A rolling road took us to Frome, a cobbled road through the town and a final climb to the morning control at a 24 hour garage just outside the town. Handily, this garage had a good selection of sandwiches and a Costa coffee machine, bliss after 100k without a proper stop. We sat on a bench outside and ate/drank and contemplated the next section to Chepstow.
A welcome sight at 6.00am, the control at Frome
Down and into Midford, then up again to Oddown, down to Bath and pick up the cycle track to Bristol. A quick diversion to Frampton Cotterell for breakfast and then over the Severn Bridge to Chepstow to the control at a Co-op. back across the bridge and a reasonably flat run to the cafe control at Wooton-under-edge. A coffee and toasted tea cake and it's back to the 24 hour garage but we are well over half way now.
The next section is the worst for me, I feel like I have no power and struggle on the rolling hills. The rain starts, then stops again. East of Bath and we climb Midford hill, this seems steep and goes on for ever! Then it's rolling to Bradford on Avon before a final climb up to the control. I eat more sandwiches and have another Costa coffee and start to perk up, there is only about 50 miles to go now and I'm confident I will finish so spirits lift somewhat. Jamie (the organiser) arrives and suggests we form a group for the last leg as a bit of a headwind is building so we do.
A long climb after Frome takes us up to the top of the Mendips again (preceded by some long rollers) then its a long decent to Shepton Mallet, then it's flat to Taunton. All good except it is now raining pretty heavily so the going is a bit grim (it's on this section that a fellow rider, Jim stopped and called the paramedics who take him to hospital as he is suffering from hypothermia). I lose the group as I'm riding a bit faster so plod on reaching Taunton as darkness descends, I stop to get out my spare battery for my light and Jamie goes past. I set off again, negotiate Taunton and begin the climb back to the top of the Blackdown hills and the finish at the half moon pub. I catch Jamie and we ride the climb together. The rain is now torrential and the wind has picked up. In the dark, it resembles one of those documentaries about North Sea fishing! The climb is stiff and goes on for some time but I feel strong. We reach the top, ride along on the flat for a while and then I see the lights of Clayhiddon village and finally, the pub hones into view, a very welcome sight. the time is 10.30pm so exactly 24 hours. Even more welcome is the pint of beer (sorry, can't remember what it was) and the plate of Thai Green curry that is brought out (free of charge)! I'm sorry to have missed the Wurzels tribute band but glad of another pint before retiring to my tent for a well deserved sleep that is disturbed slightly by the raging storm outside.
And, by the power of Garmin, we have:
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Alveston 100k
With my new found awesomeness upon completing a 300k you would think I would laugh at a mere 100k however I have done this ride a couple of times and it is (a) a nice, scenic ride, (b) local to me and (c) suitable for riding fixed or single speed*. I decided to ride to the start, it's about 17 miles away, and to make it a bit more challenging I would ride it on my Day One.
Saturday dawned sunny, if chilly and slightly windy and at 7.30am, I set off for Alveston for the start. A good turn out of about 100 riders left at 9.30 sharp for a blast around the wild of Gloucestershire.
Not a cloud in the sky as we wait for the off
A somewhat undulating 20 miles, including a pig of a climb somewhere around the Somerset monument saw us at Tetbury for the first control. More dodging of badly driven, huge 4-wheel drive Audi's saw the second control at the Daneway inn at Sapperton along with a dawning realisation that this ride wasn't quite as flat as I remembered!
The Daneway inn, Sapperton-
A stiff climb (10%) back the way we came and we cross a huge oilseed rape plantation heading into a stiff headwind before a steady climb (it's that word again) along the valley that time forgot.
A nice view across the valley that time forgot
I was decidedly hungry now and the Hunters Hall pub was a welcome site (although a wedding in the nearby village meant the last 1/2 mile was slow progress ass we weaves through double parked BMW's and women in ridiculous high heels clip clopping down the road).
Suitably fuelled up (I brought sandwiches), a climb up to Wooton under edge, a treacherous decent on freshly laid stone clippings with BMW"s and AUDI's blasting past at 40+ mph (a temporary 20 mph limit being in force) and showering us with pebbles and another steep and long climb before a fast decent and a nice run into the finish at the Cross Hand Pub in Alveston. It was a beautiful afternoon and it was a shame not to enjoy the surroundings so electrolyte replacement drinks where enjoyed in the beer garden (in the sun!) before setting off back home.
A pint of Maiden Voyage electrolyte replacement drink, the Day
One is in the background.
A swift run back along national cycle route 41 saw me back home in time for the Voice (groan) and a nice 100 miles covered. The Day One ran faultlessly and the new Carradice Maxi saddlebag performed as expected.
* no it isn't, it's bloody hilly!
Anyway, here's the Garmin details. -Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Saturday dawned sunny, if chilly and slightly windy and at 7.30am, I set off for Alveston for the start. A good turn out of about 100 riders left at 9.30 sharp for a blast around the wild of Gloucestershire.
Not a cloud in the sky as we wait for the off
A somewhat undulating 20 miles, including a pig of a climb somewhere around the Somerset monument saw us at Tetbury for the first control. More dodging of badly driven, huge 4-wheel drive Audi's saw the second control at the Daneway inn at Sapperton along with a dawning realisation that this ride wasn't quite as flat as I remembered!
The Daneway inn, Sapperton-
A stiff climb (10%) back the way we came and we cross a huge oilseed rape plantation heading into a stiff headwind before a steady climb (it's that word again) along the valley that time forgot.
A nice view across the valley that time forgot
I was decidedly hungry now and the Hunters Hall pub was a welcome site (although a wedding in the nearby village meant the last 1/2 mile was slow progress ass we weaves through double parked BMW's and women in ridiculous high heels clip clopping down the road).
Suitably fuelled up (I brought sandwiches), a climb up to Wooton under edge, a treacherous decent on freshly laid stone clippings with BMW"s and AUDI's blasting past at 40+ mph (a temporary 20 mph limit being in force) and showering us with pebbles and another steep and long climb before a fast decent and a nice run into the finish at the Cross Hand Pub in Alveston. It was a beautiful afternoon and it was a shame not to enjoy the surroundings so electrolyte replacement drinks where enjoyed in the beer garden (in the sun!) before setting off back home.
A pint of Maiden Voyage electrolyte replacement drink, the Day
One is in the background.
A swift run back along national cycle route 41 saw me back home in time for the Voice (groan) and a nice 100 miles covered. The Day One ran faultlessly and the new Carradice Maxi saddlebag performed as expected.
* no it isn't, it's bloody hilly!
Anyway, here's the Garmin details. -Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Heart of England 300k
I'll be honest, I was a little apprehensive about this one, at 300k it would be the longest ride I had ever done. I had read a few reviews and knew it wasn't too hilly but even so, 300k is, to me anyway, a long way to ride. Also, the weather hadn't been too clever in the weeks leading up to the ride and my mileage wasn't as high as I would have likes. I did the Gospel Pass 150k and Long Ashton 200k as preparation but wasn't overly happy about my performance during either really (struggled over the last 40 miles or so on the Long Ashton 200, possibly due to dehydration and certainly lack of food).
Anyway, I was up at 4.00am and out of the door and on my way to Cirencester by 4.30 am arriving just in time to grab the last parking space in the village hall car park! Signed on, about a 100 brave/foolish souls set off at 6.00am for a days adventure. Within a few miles we where climbing gently and before long, less gently. This climbing was quite welcome as it wasn't exactly a warm day and it was still quite early so climbing meant heat! About 10 miles in, the 2 big climbs came as we set about climbing over the Cotswolds. A long swooping decent brought us down onto some flat/rolling plains and it was a quick(ish) blast to the first control at Alcester. A cup of coffee, beans on toast and we where off heading towards Atherstone. I was surprised just how far north we came, spotting a sign for Solihull and seeing narrow boats I assumed we where somewhere on the bottom of the midlands, it was only when I stopped to speak to someone and they sounded like me that I realised where we where (a later look on the map confirmed, north of Birmingham).
A full English breakfast at Atherstone (I had vowed to eat lots as I think part of my problem on the Long Ashton 200 was lack of food) and I was off heading towards Daventry, riding with a couple of chaps I had heard of from yacf.co.uk.
An undulating but fast route (the wind was now behind us) brought us quickly to Daventry for cottage pie, chips and peas.
The next section I rode on my own, this was the dreaded "low point" of a ride, the bit where you can't quite get going and you begin to doubt yourself. I kept going ticking off the miles. This section was quite hilly and although the hills where neither long nor steep, they where still wearing. I eventually arrived at the pub (Sturdy's Castle) around 7.00pm and celebrated with apple crumble and a pint of Morlands bitter (which eventually suggested to me that we where now in Oxfordshire) before setting up the lights and setting off on the last section, back to Cirencester.
I had been "warned" about the last section but wasn't really prepared for it. Pressing start on the Garmin, I blasted off towards Witney with a full on tailwind. I shot past two riders pausing only long enough to give a smug grin, I was in the zone and the wind would be behind me all the way back to Cirencester, way to go. About 5 mins later, I rather sheepishly hooked up with the two riders (Richard and Denise) I passed earlier! It was of course that time in ride when the Garmin /GPX file combo decided to malfunction and not give correct turn by turn directions. Of course, I could ordinarily view the map and follow the line only it was (a) dark, (b) my head torch was buried somewhere in the bottom of the Carradice and (c) my brain was too fuddled to work any of this out, or indeed how to turn on the backlight the Garmin undoubtably has (I know it has one, I used it last year on the Exodus). Anyway, Denise was a seasoned campaigner and guided us back to the finish. It was a great final stage, flat, fast roads and a tailwind. We rolled into Cirencester around 10.30 for a well earned cuppa.
If you feel like doing a longer ride, I can fully recommend the Heart of England 300. It's not too hilly, very scenic, split into good distances between controls (about 35-40 miles each with a short last section) and Peter Holden (the organiser) is possibly the nicest bloke I've ever met. I thoroughly enjoyed the ride and will definitely be back next year. Hopefully this will set me up nicely for the 400 I rather stupidly entered earlier in the year!
Here are the details of the ride, courtesy of the Edge 705 - Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Anyway, I was up at 4.00am and out of the door and on my way to Cirencester by 4.30 am arriving just in time to grab the last parking space in the village hall car park! Signed on, about a 100 brave/foolish souls set off at 6.00am for a days adventure. Within a few miles we where climbing gently and before long, less gently. This climbing was quite welcome as it wasn't exactly a warm day and it was still quite early so climbing meant heat! About 10 miles in, the 2 big climbs came as we set about climbing over the Cotswolds. A long swooping decent brought us down onto some flat/rolling plains and it was a quick(ish) blast to the first control at Alcester. A cup of coffee, beans on toast and we where off heading towards Atherstone. I was surprised just how far north we came, spotting a sign for Solihull and seeing narrow boats I assumed we where somewhere on the bottom of the midlands, it was only when I stopped to speak to someone and they sounded like me that I realised where we where (a later look on the map confirmed, north of Birmingham).
A full English breakfast at Atherstone (I had vowed to eat lots as I think part of my problem on the Long Ashton 200 was lack of food) and I was off heading towards Daventry, riding with a couple of chaps I had heard of from yacf.co.uk.
An undulating but fast route (the wind was now behind us) brought us quickly to Daventry for cottage pie, chips and peas.
The next section I rode on my own, this was the dreaded "low point" of a ride, the bit where you can't quite get going and you begin to doubt yourself. I kept going ticking off the miles. This section was quite hilly and although the hills where neither long nor steep, they where still wearing. I eventually arrived at the pub (Sturdy's Castle) around 7.00pm and celebrated with apple crumble and a pint of Morlands bitter (which eventually suggested to me that we where now in Oxfordshire) before setting up the lights and setting off on the last section, back to Cirencester.
I had been "warned" about the last section but wasn't really prepared for it. Pressing start on the Garmin, I blasted off towards Witney with a full on tailwind. I shot past two riders pausing only long enough to give a smug grin, I was in the zone and the wind would be behind me all the way back to Cirencester, way to go. About 5 mins later, I rather sheepishly hooked up with the two riders (Richard and Denise) I passed earlier! It was of course that time in ride when the Garmin /GPX file combo decided to malfunction and not give correct turn by turn directions. Of course, I could ordinarily view the map and follow the line only it was (a) dark, (b) my head torch was buried somewhere in the bottom of the Carradice and (c) my brain was too fuddled to work any of this out, or indeed how to turn on the backlight the Garmin undoubtably has (I know it has one, I used it last year on the Exodus). Anyway, Denise was a seasoned campaigner and guided us back to the finish. It was a great final stage, flat, fast roads and a tailwind. We rolled into Cirencester around 10.30 for a well earned cuppa.
If you feel like doing a longer ride, I can fully recommend the Heart of England 300. It's not too hilly, very scenic, split into good distances between controls (about 35-40 miles each with a short last section) and Peter Holden (the organiser) is possibly the nicest bloke I've ever met. I thoroughly enjoyed the ride and will definitely be back next year. Hopefully this will set me up nicely for the 400 I rather stupidly entered earlier in the year!
Here are the details of the ride, courtesy of the Edge 705 - Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
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