As a result of completing the 300k Merse and Moors Audax on Saturday, along with the following events, I have been awarded the Randonneur 1000 award;
Guy Fawkes Buddhist Retreat 200k
DIY Permanent 100k
Dave Harris Memorial 200k
The Nippy Sweetie 200k
Also because there was 4 or more AAA points awarded for riding the Merse and Moors, I was also awarded a gold medal
Monday 30 April 2012
Sunday 22 April 2012
Merse and Moors 300k Audax
This was my first attempt at a 300k. I have found the last couple of 200k events i've done have been fairly straight forward to do, and with a 400 planned for August, it was about time i uped the distance.
a 6am start from Musselburgh train station meant i had to leave Selkirk at 4.30am! I was feeling a bit nervous, and didn't sleep very well the night before.
At just under 18hrs, it took almost 3 hrs longer than i expected it would take. It's a lovely route with some cracking roads but it is a hard route.
There was quite a big lead group for the run out to the Granites, where as you'd expect it splintered into several groups. The rain that had been forecast had arrived soon after we left Musselburgh. I was glad I had put on my heavier waterproof jacket, as it didn't look to improve for the rest of the day.
While climbing the Granites, I was spat out the back, and decided 300k was longer than i'd ever done before, and didn't want to blow up on the first 100!
I soon settled into a steady pace and was joined by Stephen and John and we stayed together for the rest of the day.
After a quick control in Innerleithen, it was onto the more familiar roads down to near Selkirk, then some not so familiar roads towards the border at Carter Bar, where we stopped for bacon rolls and pint mugs of tea.
From there a gentle tailwind meant it was a fast blast down to Elsdon and the excellent cafe control where we caught the faster groups. As lunch progressed a few more riders came in and after some excellent beans on toast and tea, our trio set off together into what was now sunshine
Elsdon to Alnwick packs in more hills than I would have thought possible for a stage of less than 40km. Most of the hills had pretty tough gradients and I was reduced to the granny ring on absolutely all of them. I found this really tough
We became a bit strung out, but regrouped for a coffee in Alnwick to recharge the batteries.
The flatter terrain up to Wooler allowed for some rest bite, but as we crossed the Tweed bridge into Coldstream, the heavens opened again. Luckly we were only a few minutes away from stopping for a pizza, but in that short period of time, we were totally drenched.
We headed back out into the rain, to face more climbing over to Dunbar and more familiar roads. This section started easily enough but from Duns onwards we were back in steep, hilly terrain, and my pizza was sitting heavy in my stomach.
From the top of one hill we finally got a great view of the sea and Torness power station just as darkness was falling. I assumed it would be just a couple of miles to Dunbar. One hour later, we arrived at Asda in Dunbar with minutes before it closed to collect another receipt. The rain had turned to hail, and I had to stop several times on route as i couldn't see a thing.
We sheltered under the door heater in Asda until they switched it off, and asked us to leave.
From there on it, it was plain sailing with a slight tail wind all the way back to Musselburgh, and the finish for a warming bowl of soup.
Route can be found here
a 6am start from Musselburgh train station meant i had to leave Selkirk at 4.30am! I was feeling a bit nervous, and didn't sleep very well the night before.
At just under 18hrs, it took almost 3 hrs longer than i expected it would take. It's a lovely route with some cracking roads but it is a hard route.
There was quite a big lead group for the run out to the Granites, where as you'd expect it splintered into several groups. The rain that had been forecast had arrived soon after we left Musselburgh. I was glad I had put on my heavier waterproof jacket, as it didn't look to improve for the rest of the day.
While climbing the Granites, I was spat out the back, and decided 300k was longer than i'd ever done before, and didn't want to blow up on the first 100!
I soon settled into a steady pace and was joined by Stephen and John and we stayed together for the rest of the day.
After a quick control in Innerleithen, it was onto the more familiar roads down to near Selkirk, then some not so familiar roads towards the border at Carter Bar, where we stopped for bacon rolls and pint mugs of tea.
From there a gentle tailwind meant it was a fast blast down to Elsdon and the excellent cafe control where we caught the faster groups. As lunch progressed a few more riders came in and after some excellent beans on toast and tea, our trio set off together into what was now sunshine
Elsdon to Alnwick packs in more hills than I would have thought possible for a stage of less than 40km. Most of the hills had pretty tough gradients and I was reduced to the granny ring on absolutely all of them. I found this really tough
We became a bit strung out, but regrouped for a coffee in Alnwick to recharge the batteries.
The flatter terrain up to Wooler allowed for some rest bite, but as we crossed the Tweed bridge into Coldstream, the heavens opened again. Luckly we were only a few minutes away from stopping for a pizza, but in that short period of time, we were totally drenched.
We headed back out into the rain, to face more climbing over to Dunbar and more familiar roads. This section started easily enough but from Duns onwards we were back in steep, hilly terrain, and my pizza was sitting heavy in my stomach.
From the top of one hill we finally got a great view of the sea and Torness power station just as darkness was falling. I assumed it would be just a couple of miles to Dunbar. One hour later, we arrived at Asda in Dunbar with minutes before it closed to collect another receipt. The rain had turned to hail, and I had to stop several times on route as i couldn't see a thing.
We sheltered under the door heater in Asda until they switched it off, and asked us to leave.
From there on it, it was plain sailing with a slight tail wind all the way back to Musselburgh, and the finish for a warming bowl of soup.
Route can be found here
Sunday 15 April 2012
SMBO - Glentress
Round 2 of the SMBO series was at the 7 stanes Glentress trail centre.
There was snow on the ground when I started, but it soon turned into a bright sunny (if a wee bit cold) day.
Normally I prefer the more natural located rounds of this series, as I feel the one-way system that trail centres use restricts navigation, but with all the forest roads, and even some walking trails in use, It was looking like a good venue.
I am noticing a big difference in the level of competition between the pairs series i took part in last year, and the solos this year.
I planned my route based on 3 areas to cover, and allowed myself a set period of time for each area.
Things were going really well until the last 15 minutes, when i went over the bars on a fast downhill section, not only hurting my neck, but also breaking my map-board.
I decided to collect a few of the easier points on the way back to the finish, rather than pushing myself for the extra points, so i was back with a couple of minutes to spare.
I finished 15th, with a score of 310 points (which is my highest score ever at an SMBO event). I probably should have made it into the top 10 if I hadn't have crashed, but that's the way it goes sometimes.
For reference, a score of 310 points in the pairs would have got me 2nd place, 20 points behind the winners.
My route can be found here
The next round is on the 6th May at Achray and Callander. More info here
There was snow on the ground when I started, but it soon turned into a bright sunny (if a wee bit cold) day.
Normally I prefer the more natural located rounds of this series, as I feel the one-way system that trail centres use restricts navigation, but with all the forest roads, and even some walking trails in use, It was looking like a good venue.
I am noticing a big difference in the level of competition between the pairs series i took part in last year, and the solos this year.
I planned my route based on 3 areas to cover, and allowed myself a set period of time for each area.
Things were going really well until the last 15 minutes, when i went over the bars on a fast downhill section, not only hurting my neck, but also breaking my map-board.
I decided to collect a few of the easier points on the way back to the finish, rather than pushing myself for the extra points, so i was back with a couple of minutes to spare.
I finished 15th, with a score of 310 points (which is my highest score ever at an SMBO event). I probably should have made it into the top 10 if I hadn't have crashed, but that's the way it goes sometimes.
For reference, a score of 310 points in the pairs would have got me 2nd place, 20 points behind the winners.
My route can be found here
The next round is on the 6th May at Achray and Callander. More info here
Thursday 5 April 2012
Randonneur 500
As previously posted, for 2012, I plan on completing a few of the Audax Randonneur Series', the first of which is the Randonneur 500.
By riding Populaire events of 50, 100 and 150km then going on to a 200km at Randonneur speed (ie, 200km or 125 miles in a maximum time of around 13½ hours), all in one season, I will become a Randonneur 500.
By riding Populaire events of 50, 100 and 150km then going on to a 200km at Randonneur speed (ie, 200km or 125 miles in a maximum time of around 13½ hours), all in one season, I will become a Randonneur 500.
I have already completed the 200k Guy Fawkes Buddhist Retreat in November, so in February, i decided to make a start on the other 3 distances, completing a 50k and 100k.
This left the 150k which I completed today.
Sunday 1 April 2012
The Nippy Sweetie 200k Audax
It was an early rise for an 8am start out of Corstorphine for the Nippy Sweetie.
I'd been looking forward to this one for a while now, as not only did it take in the Scottish cities of Edinburgh, Perth and Striling, I got to cycle over the Forth Road Bridge not once, but twice!
Leaving the capital, it seemed like we got held up at every set of traffic lights along the way, but soon we were crossing the Forth Road Bridge.
We had come through a couple of light showers on the way, but it was begining to brighten up
The pace was fast all the way from Inverkeithing, through Kelty and Kinross to the first control at Dron.
From there, it was another quick blast to Tescos in Perth for a full Scottish breakfast. Unfortunately, the service in Tescos cafe wasn't as speedy as the ride had been, so we lost quite a lot of time here.
The pace became more leasurely as we headed to the info control at St Davids and onto Crieff.
Leaving Crieff, the pace quickened again, and i rode the last 5k to the control at Comrie on my own where a Pastie with beans was waiting for me
The climb out of Comrie was a toughie, and as the sun was now shining, I stopped to take off a few layers, and catch my breath.
A not so fast puncture change at the top of the hill for one of the group enabled us to enjoy more of the sun.
After another info control in Braco, we headed for Corieries Cafe for a late lunch and a stamp in our brevets.
As we approached the Forth, the wind picked up and I struggled a lot, so sat behind the others all the way to the FRB again
The cycle path to the finish wasn't the best way to end the day, but was probably the safest way to the finish at that time of day, where a warming bowl of soup and some chat was waiting
Thanks to Y L G and his crew for organising a good day out
Route Can be found here
I'd been looking forward to this one for a while now, as not only did it take in the Scottish cities of Edinburgh, Perth and Striling, I got to cycle over the Forth Road Bridge not once, but twice!
Leaving the capital, it seemed like we got held up at every set of traffic lights along the way, but soon we were crossing the Forth Road Bridge.
We had come through a couple of light showers on the way, but it was begining to brighten up
The pace was fast all the way from Inverkeithing, through Kelty and Kinross to the first control at Dron.
From there, it was another quick blast to Tescos in Perth for a full Scottish breakfast. Unfortunately, the service in Tescos cafe wasn't as speedy as the ride had been, so we lost quite a lot of time here.
The pace became more leasurely as we headed to the info control at St Davids and onto Crieff.
Leaving Crieff, the pace quickened again, and i rode the last 5k to the control at Comrie on my own where a Pastie with beans was waiting for me
The climb out of Comrie was a toughie, and as the sun was now shining, I stopped to take off a few layers, and catch my breath.
A not so fast puncture change at the top of the hill for one of the group enabled us to enjoy more of the sun.
After another info control in Braco, we headed for Corieries Cafe for a late lunch and a stamp in our brevets.
As we approached the Forth, the wind picked up and I struggled a lot, so sat behind the others all the way to the FRB again
Thanks to Y L G and his crew for organising a good day out
Route Can be found here
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