Arrivee 115 Winter 2012

Arrivée

Number 115 Winter 2012 the Long Distance Cyclists’ Association

www.audax.uk.net

February 2012 The UK could seem to be in limbo for 2012, with London-Edinburgh-London 1400 km next year and Paris-Brest-Paris 1200 km two years later, both the world’s longest and most popular calendared randonneur events. But it’s wise to regard this as a training year, the time for those who aspire to long distance cycling, but have not yet tried the longer events, to check out the stepping stones: 300, 400, 600 and 1,000 km.

For old hands willing to travel, there are globetrotting 1200 km events, with small fields offering an opportunity to enjoy the hospitality of fellow Randonneur Mondiaux countries, in: Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand,, Russia, South Korea, USA (California & Colorado) and Uzbekistan.

Dates and Organiser details at : http://www.audax-club-parisien.com/download/ Calendrier_BRM_%28Monde_2012%29.pdf

To this end, AUK offers the usual crop of BR and BRM validated events plus a new BRM Mille Alba 1000 km organised by Graeme Willie of Audax Ecosse on 22nd June, see Calendar pages 57-67.

Meanwhile, if some shorter scenic rides or a UK award is your plan for the year, keep an eye on our calendar in each Arrivee and on our webste, see address below.

Have a good cycling year

Front Cover: The Marmotte on Galibier - can also be ridden as an AUK 164km Permanent- Photo: Francis Cooke.

Contents OrgNews 4 Important Insurance Update

Official News

4

6

Minutes of the 35th Audax UK AGM

6

Just a Minute

7

Accidental Information

8

Official’s Reports 2010/11

8

C2C Cycle Route

11

Garmin Etrex 30

12

2010 Mileater Diaries

14

Filming PBP

15

New Randonneurs

16

Back Cover: Chenonceaux Chateaux, Day 5 of the Manche-Med 1,000 km BP Photo: Sheila Simpson

Sheila Opposite: Mont Ventoux, on the summit Chris Hoyle, 2 CTC riders and Ken Taberner. Available as a 50km Permanent. Photos: Sheila Simpson.

Arrivée is the free magazine of Audax United Kingdom, the long distance cyclists’ association which represents the Randonneurs Mondiaux in the UK. AUK membership is open to any person, regardless of club or other affiliation, who is imbued with the spirit of long-distance cycling. Details in the Handbook.

HOW TO CONTACT US: Membership Enquiries: Mike Wigley (AUK Membership Secretary), Higher Grange Farm, Millcroft Lane, Delph OL3 5UX mike.wigley@Audax.uk.net Membership Application Form: www.aukweb.net/memform.php or Ian Hobbs (New Members), 26 Naseby Road, Belper DE56 0ER. ian.hobbs@Audax.uk.net Membership fees: Renewal: £14 or £56 for 5 years (price of 4) New/lapsed members: £19 (inc £5 enrolment fee) or £61 for 5 years (price of 4) Household member: £5 or £20 for 5 years no enrolment fee for new household members.

Life member’s Arrivée: £9.

February Arrivée Editor: Sheila Simpson, 33 Hawk Green Rd, Marple SK6 7HR Tel: 0161 449 9309

sheila@aukadia.net

May & August Arrivée Editor: Tim Wainwright, 4A Brambledown Rd, Sanderstead, South Croydon CR2 0BL. Tel: 020 8657 8179 Fax: 020 8651 4515 twain@blueyonder.co.uk

New Super Randonneurs

17

Peloton Parasite

18

Damon’s PBP 2011 Video

19

Mulling it over

20

Doing it Proper

22

Border Raid

24

A Novice RRTY Attempt

26

AAA 12 points and over in 2011

31

Tasty Cheddar 100 km

32

Produced by AUK: editing, typesetting, layout, design and scanning by Sheila Simpson.

A Holiday Audax

33

How not to Qualify for PBP

36

Printed & distributed by: Headley Brothers Ltd, Invicta Press, Queens Rd, Ashford, Kent TN24 8HH

A Laid Back First PBP

40

PBP 2001

44

Facing the Marmotte

46

Giro di Toscana

48

Our web site: www.audax.uk.net

Cent cols

52

Permanent Events

56

Calendar Events

59

To subscribe to the AUK email discussion list, send an email to: audax-subscribe@yahoogroups.com Note this group is not monitored by the AUK Board, who should be contacted directly with matters of concern.

Arrivée February 2012

November Arrivée Editor: Maggie Lewis, 31 Headland Drive, Crosspool, Sheffield, S10 5FX. Tel: 0114 266 6730 margaret@lewismpd.plus.com ARRIVEE Extra current Arrivée copies, if available, £3(UK), £4(EEC), £5(non-EEC) from Mike Wigley (address above) Contributions - articles, info, cartoons, photos, all welcome. Please read the advice in the Handbook.

Members’ Private Sales, Wants, Event Adverts: free.

Views expressed in Arrivée are not necessarily those of the Club.

Distribution data from: Mike Wigley and the AUK Membership Team MAY EDITION CONTRIBUTIONS: To Tim by 15th March Audax UK Clothing can now be purshased directly on-line at: http://impsport.com/direct1/index.php?_a=viewCat&catId=86

Audax UK Long Distance Cyclists’ Association (Company Limited by Guarantee) Reg Office: Timberly, South Street, Axminster, Devon EX13 5AD, England.

© Arrivée 2012 3

Events

OrgNews Important Insurance Update for Riders & Organisers Following the announcement of our new insurance policy (see Arrivee 112 p2) the Board has been reviewing the arrangements for rider entry and insurance cover on our events. You need to take note of the following: Overseas Riders: Our policy only provides cover for riders ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom. As 3rd party insurance cover is required for all AUK events all overseas riders (whether members of Audax UK or not) will have to arrange their own cover; and it will be the riders responsibility to ensure they have such cover.



ORGANISERS: If you have any overseas riders already entered for any of your events you will need to make them aware of this requirement.  Temporary Membership: Due to the differing levels of cover afforded by British Cycling membership; British Cycling members will now have to pay the £2 temporary membership fee to ensure they are adequately insured through the Audax UK policy.

There is no change for CTC members, who are fully covered through CTC’s insurance policy.

The table below summarises the requirements for entrants:  AUK Member, Resident in UK: Covered through Audax UK policy. Does not require temporary membership  CTC Member: Covered through CTC policy. Does not require temporary membership  Any other UK Resident: Covered through Audax UK policy on payment of £2 temporary membership fee  AUK Member, not resident in UK: Must arrange own insurance cover, declared on entry form.  Non-member, not resident in UK: Must arrange own insurance cover, declared on entry form. £2 payment for temporary membership required.

The Entry Form has been updated to reflect these changes, and is available on the website, and in the Audax UK Handbook.

ORGANISERS: If you have any copies of the existing form these must be destroyed and replaced with the new forms. If you use your own entry form you must ensure that the wording is updated to be textually identical to the Audax UK form. This also applies if you use your own online entry system to handle entries.

Arrivée Deadlines 2012 The Arrivée publication schedule for 2012 is now available – dates are below: Event Before

Deadline

Arrivée

If your event is before

It must be ready by

To be published in

1st June ‘12

4th Jan ‘12

Feb ‘12

1st Sept ‘12

1st April ‘12

May ‘12

1st Dec ‘12

1st July ‘12

Aug ‘12

1st Mar ‘13

1st Oct ‘12

Nov ‘12

+ all 2013 BRM events

It is your responsibility to ensure that your event details are completed in time for publication in Arrivee.

Provisional Event Results New for 2012, if you submit your results via the Online Finish List, they will be available on the website immediately. Results will be marked as ‘provisional’ until the results have been through the validation and recording process.

And Finally...

4

Whilst the topic of insurance is on our minds (sorry, I know it’s not very exciting), a couple of reminders for you...

1. If you’ve not already done so, remember to renew your membership for 2012. The provision of Organisers Public Liability insurance, and your status as an organiser of Audax UK events is dependent on your continuing membership of Audax UK. 2. For those of you organising early season events, make sure you check the membership status of your entrants carefully.

The Audax UK membership year runs out on 31st December.

Members who have not renewed by 31st December do not benefit from Audax UK’s insurance until their membership is renewed.

Expired members must be charged the £2 temporary membership fee (unless they are also CTC members).

Next Arrivée Deadline, for Events only, Sunday 1st April 2012 All events before 1st September – this is your last chance

Hir oes i’r Elenydd Dave Pountney may have retired but The Elenith lives on. From 2012 Yr Elenydd will be an undulates(TM) event, to be held on Sat 14th April.

There’s a new start, from Upton Magna just outside Shrewsbury (familiar to Pengwern veterans and I can happily report that the village pub has now re-opened ). Basic accommodation (camping or use of the AUK strategic campbed reserve) will be available before and after the ride.

A new first leg takes you on a flattish route through Shropshire’s “blue remembered hills” following the Roman Roads through Church Stretton to Leintwardine, Mortimers X and the first control at Shobdon (mmm, the smell of aviation fuel in the morning), with a couple of small bumps along the way to wake you up.

From Shobdon the classic Elenith route is retained into the green deserts of mid-Wales. Across to Builth Wells, the infamous Tregaron Mountain Road (where the Devil lies in wait for the unwary) and the Ystwyth & Elan mountain road to Rhayader. All the same controls will be present, including the secret(sshh) feed stop at the Devil’s Staircase.

The return route now leaves the A44 at Penybont to follow the A488 over Penybont Common, through Dolau and Bleddfa to return to England at Knighton. A short section of B roads takes you to the new final control at Little Brampton who’ll be staying open for us and doing a special cyclists menu for the occasion.

The hills don’t finish here though - the final leg will take you to the west of the Long Mynd up the Onny Valley and the final climb of the day (or night) over the Mynd at Thresholds. Then it’s a flat out 20k descent (bring good lights!) through Picklescott and all the way to the finish.

True to my reputation, I’ve managed to find a few more ups so the climbing figure is now 4,950m for 5 Audax Altitude points.

Full details are on the Audax UK calendar.

Long live The Elenith...

U.N.Dulates

Arrivée February 2012

Events

WANTED Audax UK National 400 2013

Experienced organiser (or team of organisers) wanted to organise the 2013 Audax UK National 400.

For more details please contact the Events Secretary, John Hamilton at undulates@hotmail.co.uk

Malicious letter or Cheating Organiser?

The Validation team has received an anonymous letter accusing an organiser of claiming brevets under ‘organiser’s privilege’ without actually having completed the routes. It is unfortunate that the writer feels unable to reveal his or her name, as it is impossible to determine whether this is a genuine complaint or a malicious one. We ask that this person writes again identifying him or herself so that we can investigate properly. Confidentially will be preserved.

Meanwhile we would suggest that cheating is always likely to come to light eventually, and can only have a negative effect on the reputation of the person concerned.

Can you join us for the Golden Gate 1000K this June?

See: http://sfrandonneurs.org/golden-gate-1000.htm

AUK Awards 2011 Back Row, left to right: Andy Heyting, Steve Snook, Judith Swallow, Liam Fitzpatrick, Bob Johnson, Mark Rigby, Mark Brooking, Sonia Crawford, Colin Crawford Adam Haigh.

Front row: Peter Turnbull, Marcus Yeo, Arabella Maude, Louise Rigby, Ann Marshall, Don Black, Roger Cortis.

Photo: Stephen Poulton

Arrivée February 2012

5

Official

Official News Minutes of the 35th Audax UK AGM Held at the Racecourse Centre, York, on 26th November 2011

Minutes of the 35th Audax UK AGM Held at the Racecourse Centre, York on 26th November 2011.

The meeting started at 14:04 when Ian Hennessey welcomed everyone to the weekend. He read out a list of members who had passed on during the year, paying particular tribute to Pat Kenny, the longstanding Mileater champion before a one minute’s silence was observed. He proposed John Ward should act as chairman during discussion of those motions in which he was involved. Keith Benton proposed it would be preferable for him to remain as Chairman to preserve impartiality, and for the seconder to speak for the motion.

Seconded by Gerry Boswell and carried nem con.

1) Those present were asked to add their names to a list of attenders being circulated.

2) Apologies for absence had been received from S Carroll, L Creese, M Lewis, P Marshall, M Phillpotts and J Richardson.

3) Those present were asked to approve the minutes of the previous AGM. Sonya Crawford requested the letters “DIY” be added to her query in section 9. Following that small amendment, they were approved nem con.

4) There were no matters arising.

5) Officers’ Reports were either published alongside the Agenda in Arrivée 114, or were available at the meeting in printed or verbal forms and will be published elsewhere in Arrivée.

Pam Pilbeam said that she had produced 20,000 cards for the season and had run out of 600km cards as the demand had been higher than expected. Both she and John Ward were using new equipment which was performing well.

Andy Clarkson noted a planned change to Perm measurements and the inclusion of Simon Ward to the DIY team had not yet taken place and asked for an update. John Ward explained both changes were in train. Roger Cortis wondered if there were any plans to spend the accumulated cash balances. Linda Johnston replied that they were there as a result of fiscal prudence by the whole Board and there were some large bills pending. M McGeever queried why LEL was again being subsidised. Danial Webb replied that it was not supposed to, and that it should make a profit. Roger Cortis, as LEL Finance Director, added that he had made detailed regular costings which had been shown to the Board. The intention was for the event to make a profit, but the outcome depended on rider numbers, so could not be guaranteed at this stage. Any final surplus would be used for the next running of the event in 2017. Ian Hennessey added that the figure in the accounts was essentially a loan for working capital which was expected to be repaid, though AUK would support the event as far as was necessary. Acceptance of the reports was proposed by Gerry Boswell, seconded by Roger Philo and approved nem con.

6) John Hamilton spoke for the proposal pointing out that events over 600km were not currently recognised in the current awards structure and hoped that this new award would lead to a greater number of 1000km rides being organised. It was noted that longer rides were recognised under the Brevet series and Dave Minter suggested such a series. JH confirmed to Roger Philo this award would be retrospective and to Rod Dalitz that all PBP anciens would be entitled to it. Sonya Crawford did not like the title, so JH asked for alternative suggestions, but nothing suitable emerged. Aidan Hedley felt the additional award was unnecessary, a view supported by Andy Clarkson who also did not care for the title. Gerry Boswell proposed the challenge should have a different name, decided and approved by the committee. This was seconded by Roger Philo and approved nem con.

Mel Kirkland complained there were very few 1000km events but Heather Swift noted out it could be an international event, and Mark Rigby pointed out that any 1200km ride would qualify. John Ward added that in the past season eight Perms of 1000km had been completed.

6

The amended proposal was approved by a large majority with 7 votes against.

7) Richard Phipps spoke for the proposal mentioning that although there was an excess of £250 on the club’s new insurance policy, there was no legal route to allow the Board to reclaim this sun from the rider involved, though it was stressed, this would only be considered in cases of gross negligence. Mark Beauchamp asked if the full amount would be claimed, then Roger Cortis summarised the position. Peter Bond queried if it had happened previously and Pat Hurt queried non – residency. Roger Cortis mentioned negotiations were subject to some tight time pressures and that the insurance company was imposing standard conditions. Keith Benton proposed adding the sentence: “The Board reserves the right to recover this excess from the rider.” Sheila Simpson seconded this and the amendment was approved by a margin of 27 / 21. Mark Rigby asked about foreign members then Ian Hennessey mentioned Roger Cortis would get the situation clarified by the broker. Mark also queried the proof required for negligence and was advised that it would be a committee decision. Aidan Hedley considered the topic was getting bogged down. Sheila Simpson explained the situation would be that AUK would receive the claim amount less the excess which would be reclaimed from the rider.

The amended proposal was approved by a large majority with 6 votes against.

8) Pam Pilbeam described the problems in receiving punctual results and the consequent short notice to invite prize winners to the weekend. These would be much reduced with a longer period between the end of the season and the awards ceremony. Peter Ralph enquired if this was to enable an earlier AGM and the reply was that this will indeed, be possible in the future. Roger Philo asked if October 2012 would be part of two seasons and was advised it would not be. After Peter Bond commented that the wording was unclear, Louise Rigby asked for confirmation that the current season had started on 1st November. Duly confirmed. Pauline Porter suggested it mainly benefitted organisers and Steve Poulton wanted the changeover season to last for twelve months. Andy Clarkson suggested computerisation would relieve the problem and preferred 30th Sept as the change-over date. Sonya Crawford suggested the AGM should revert to January, though this was not popular with the membership.

Dave Minter queried why the problem had emerged now, to which Sheila Simpson suggested that previous results were probably not so accurate or up to date as we now have a system that can cope with the end of season volume. Even so, organisers should submit results punctually. Aidan Hedley feared the longer period may lead to less urgent submissions of results. Keith Harrison, as one of the Validators mentioned that the final result was the largest and on 5th Nov there were 5 events outstanding in which some 1000 riders had been riding.

Richard Phipps summarised the arguments and a vote approved the proposal by a margin of 27 – 21.

9) This proposal was seconded by Jackie Popland, to enable Ian Hennessey to remain as chairman (see above). The proposer, John Hamilton described the current situation in respect of time limits, taking the Bryan Chapman 600 as an example and proposed only one limit should apply in future. Keith Benton thought there was a discrepancy in the sentence to be deleted, which JH clarified. Peter Faulds as a previous beneficiary of this leniency wondered if it would be possible to run two events under different limits simultaneously.

That is acceptable, provided that the rider specifies in advance which one should apply. Heather Swift’s suggestion to enter both was immediately refused. Mark Rigby was concerned for those who had already entered the BCM 2012 and JH was quite happy for them to change their entry before the day. Shaun Gregory commented the time limit was known in advance.

The proposal was approved by a large majority with 6 votes against.

10) Mike Wigley amplified the rationale explaining that for many people 200km seemed too long and this proposal was an initial enabler. Sonya Crawford, who already organises a 160km event felt that reverting to miles was a retrograde step. Peter Cook felt the rule book was already too complicated and suggested such events could be run under existing regulations. Denise Noha queried the awards structure for such events, while Steve Abraham admitted to organising group Perms as he was unwilling to cope with the administration of Calendar rides. Rod Dalitz echoes Sonya’s views while Keith Benton was not happy with the way the proposal was drawn and feared the lack of

Arrivée February 2012

Official a top speed would make it a race. Mark Rigby was keen on expanding the “brand” but also was concerned that such events would become races with possible repercussions on an organiser’s liability. Julian Dyson opined that too many regs allow non-Audacious rides while Dave Minter advised that Sportives were not considered races by the police. Steve Abraham proposed an amendment, explaining the reason as all such rides might be any distance above 100 miles, which was seconded by John Ward. Roger Cortis objected this amendment was inadmissible, but it was justified as not being substantive. Danial Webb also felt it was a significant change, but a vote accepted it by a clear majority. Keith Benton proposed an amendment that the committee be asked to consider the addition of this type of ride to the existing body of rides. This was seconded by Sonya Crawford, but the ensuing vote rejected it by 25 votes to 15. Back to the amended proposal, Andy Clarkson wondered why a new team was mentioned if no extra work was apparently needed.

The proposal was rejected by a large margin with just two votes in favour.

11) Jim Hopper proposed, seconded by Gerry Boswell, that all Directors offering themselves for re-election to the same posts be approved en bloc. Approved nem con.

Allan Taylor, who was standing as candidate for the position of Recorder to succeed Nev Holgate was introduced to the meeting and gave brief address about his life and activities.

He was then voted into the position nem con.

All continuing Directors were then elected to continue in their positions nem con.

Just a Minute

B

ack to York to the AGM and to shelter from any inclement weather, though there was a suggestion that this pre-AGM meeting be held in the future on the Friday evening to enable committee members to enjoy a ride with everyone else.

Before the 2012 AGM, of course, we can visit the National Cycling Museum a few doors along from the weekend’s base in Llandrindod Wells, which is highly recommended.

Meanwhile, preparation of new unnumbered validation stickers is progressing well. Only a handful of organisers are now not using the on-line AUK events system – usually because they have developed and invested in their own custom system and they will be offered every assistance to achieve compatibility. Sue and Keith have gratefully noted the larger number of automated results producing slicker processing. An article on Audax has been published in Cycle Active with a couple planned in Cycling Plus.

The website has been transferred to a new server. This move had been planned but was brought forward after problems with the previous one, as many users will be aware. Software problems involving overseas event recording, Perm results uploads and life membership qualification have now all been cured. Mike Wigley has had a few problems with some renewals (some people not reading the form properly) and also a few with Hedleys, the Arrivée printers, who gave him palpitations with late delivery of the last issue. It wouldn’t have been a problem, but for the AGM Agenda being included. The solution is likely to be having both the Agenda and the event booking form on the website, as some members have discarded the cover sheet, without checking for any details on its reverse.

John Hamilton is in the midst of his busy period: 416 events are planned and 267 already published. The Mille Alba is already full and there have been some improvements to the registration process and the New Organisers questionnaire.

A new logo has been adopted and will be introduced gradually as existing stocks are exhausted. Progress on developing the LEL website is frustratingly slow and an outside specialist may need to be involved. The idea of a guest speaker at the Annual Dinner was well received, so if anyone has suggestions for suitable prospects, please pass the names to any of the committee.

Arrivée February 2012

12) Bob Bialek suggested winners retaining the trophies for their year.

He also suggested the Directors read up on Company law which, he was advised, was in hand. Mike McGeever suggested organising some publicity rides and offered a public apology to Bob Bialek for previous ill treatment. Keith Benton suggested those members who had endured Sporting Tours PBP trip write to complain about the standard of the organisation which would likely produce a refund. Jim Hopper thanked the committee and organisers for all the efforts over the past year. He also, in a very amusing speech congratulated Keith on being voted in as Vice-President of Randonneurs Mondiaux.

13) As the Racecourse Centre will be unavailable next year due to refurbishment, Pam has provisionally booked the Metropole Hotel, Llandrindod Wells for 16th – 18th Nov 2012. Price currently looks like £51.00 per night.

14) The meeting closed at 16:22.

Following the change of insurers, the event entry form has been updated to reflect the changes, so previous versions should no longer be used. Separate insurance cover will be required for LEL and exploratory negotiations are progressing on that front.

The whole event recording and validation process will be reviewed to make it even slicker and to facilitate payments. Details of any improvements will be publicised once they have been agreed.

Once again, best wishes for your cycling to be safe and enjoyable (I don’t need extra work for the stats elsewhere in this issue!)

As ever, full Minutes will be available from me on receipt of a sae or on the website in due course.

Richard

E&OE In the “Fixed Focus” article in the last issue, the list of fixers completing PBP should also have included Ed D’Oyle.

My apologies to him for the omission, and congratulations on his achievement. We look forward to seeing many similar feats from him and all the other fixed wheel riders this season.

Wheels for Audax • Sportives • Touring • Tandems • Racing • Paris-Brest-Paris Pete Matthews, world’s No.1 designer and custom wheel builder, relaunches his business by popular demand with brand-new exciting range of wheels Do not compromise your tour, ride, or club-run with factorybuilt wheels that do not possess the qualities you require for complete confidence and trouble-free riding.

Frames and bikes custom-built with ‘Ultimate Position Concept’

Strongest – Lightest – Fastest Ring Pete now to discuss and order your new ultimate quality wheels Phone: 0151 924 9311/0796 818 0313 2 Ward Road, Blundellsands, Liverpool L23 8TB email : Pianni@Talktalk.net • www.petematthews.com 7

Official

Accidental Information To repeat the introduction to previous years’ surveys: most riders will not be aware, but organisers have been completing Accident Report forms for several seasons now, and these have been collated for the last few, to try and improve safety on the rides. They are to be completed to give details of any accident occurring during a ride, so riders should report any such incidents when convenient, and certainly by the end of the ride. In earlier years, nil returns were very definitely required – and positively welcomed, but the system has now changed, to send only those where there is something to report.

All reports should be sent to the validation team with the Returns form. If not already personalised, these should carry details of the event, distance, date and organiser to enable us to ensure we have a complete picture, and to avoid our bothering organisers again, in case of non-identification.

And so to the interesting, or gory, bit – last season’s tabulation. Once again to protect the innocent, the organisers’ names and start place are not shown. Please also note that the summary of what happened is my own précis from reading others’ versions of events, so, being, at best, second-hand information, may not be used as evidence in any legal context.

What does it show? First impressions were that numbers of incidents were down, but that was probably a result not having to wade through hundreds of blank reports and they are actually slightly up, but well within statistical norms. This is probably also due to it having been a PBP year with its usual increase in riding, and the total kilometres ridden during the season at 2,417,515 is the highest seen.

Official’s Reports 2010/11 (continued from November Arrivée)

(see opposite) from Richard Phipps Surprisingly and gratifyingly, the number of spills on frozen roads is down; surely Auks aren’t becoming more sensible by not riding in such dangerous conditions! Well, possibly, but the usual suspects of skidding then crashing on merely damp roads and lapses of concentration resulting in touched wheels in a peloton or hitting the kerb when riding solo are as common as ever. Sadly, there was the first instance of a fatal accident this year. As the results of the police investigation are not yet known, comment is inappropriate, other than to extend sympathies to the victim’s family and friends.

A couple of other points to mention: attacks by local yobs have reduced, but due care should be exercised particularly when the pubs have been open. Otherwise, being in the wrong place at the wrong time is not something we can do very much about. There was also a report of an attempt to steal a cycle while the owner was at a control.

We tend to over-rely on the “safety in numbers” approach but even the most basic padlock and chain will deter the casual opportunistic thief. On the occasion mentioned, the theft was foiled with the assistance of a passer-by, but it was unwanted excitement.

Many members will be aware that AUK insures riders, who are normally UK residents, for 3rd party liabilities during events, subject to an excess, and has recently reviewed the arrangements - but for your peace of mind it may be advisable to take out insurance to cover personal injury or damage to your cycle. This is something to be negotiated on an individual basis and your usual tame insurance broker will be the best contact if you want to arrange it.

Best wishes to all for an enjoyable and above all a safe 2012 season.

was completed, as were two End to End rides completed as 7x200km events. Other successful long events included one 1,300km “Round Scotland”, two “Mille Cymru” and one 1,400km “DIY”.

Permanent Secretary: The year on year growth in Permanent Events continues, although at a much slower rate. The proportion of DIY events has remained fairly constant increasing from 44% to 47%. Perms to extend Calendar Events have continued to be ridden in small numbers

Only 15 ProFs were completed, including one multi-stage event, but for the second year running no long continuous overseas Perm events have been finished this year. PBP was an obvious overseas attraction this year and the pound to euro exchange rate has not been favourable to those of us with UK cash, but is there anyone eager to cycle to Trafalgar, Brindisi or Nice next year?

Events completed compared with previous years:

John Ward

All Perms DIY Perms ECE Perms

2010/11 2430 1160 (47%) 70

2009/10 2300 1010 (44%) 75

2008/9 2007/8 2160 1790 880 (41%) 692 (39%) - -

75% of Permanents ridden were BR (or ECE) events and 25% were BP events.

Proportionally the number of shorter (mostly 50km) BP events ridden has again risen compared with BR events even.

The spread of BR event distances (previous year in brackets) was: 200km

300km

85% (87%) 7.1% (6.6%)

400km

600km

3.8% (2.5%)

600 to 1000km 1000+km

2.4% (2.8%) 0.1% (0.2%) 0.5% (1.4%)

The spread of BP event distances (previous year in brackets) was:

50km 25% (17%)

100km 68% (76%)

150km 7% (7%)

Organisers awards for having most (non-DIY) entrants this year has been contested by the same three organisers who were top of the leader board last year. Having occupied the top spot for three years running Mike Wigley now has a self-imposed handicap for 20011/12 because he has handed over the Marple Grimpeurs to a new organiser (Chris Keeling-Roberts): 1st (124) Mike Wigley 3rd (72) Dave (el Supremo) Hudson

2nd (96) Steve Poulton 3rd (72) Martin Malins (ECE series)

Rider podium places for most Perm brevet cards validated this year has been driven partly by the Steve Snook on a quest for AAA points as much as number of events ridden or distance covered.

1st (75) Steve Snook

2nd (61) Peter Turnbull

3rd (49) Marcus Yeo

Permanents AAA prize of the year for the most AAA points scored in a single Permanent Event might well have been shared by Mark Tapping and Marcus Yeo who both completed the Mille Cymru, - in a normal year. However, Marcus then went on to complete his own (unlikely to be repeated?) “Marcus Yeo Extravaganza”, which on its own scores 43.25 AAA, making him once again the runaway winner for this prize. Overall, 18 Permanent Events scoring more than 5 AAA points were completed, with Shawn Shaw’s Wessex Series and Colin Bezant’s Cambrian Series predominating.

The longest event of 2009/10 was Marcus Yeo’s Extravaganza epic ride, which covered over 3,400km. Marcus also completed the 1,500km “Eightsome Reel”, and El Supremo’s 1000km event. One 1,400km randonneur version of the End to End

8

20th November 2011

ACP/RM Correspondent: Predictably, this season was dominated by PBP. Less predictably, ACP’s new internet-only system for handling PBP entries worked very smoothly—so much so that it more or less deprived me of my job, and also the usual crop of PBP-year anecdotes.

The new prequalification process for PBP created much angst among AUKs, and I fielded quite a few emails and calls from aspiring PBP riders who were fretting because they had completed “only” a BRM 300 in 2010 or had no prequalifying rides at all. I reassured them that all would be well. Fortunately for my reputation, if any, as an oracle, all was well. Fears that AUK’s entry quota and PBP itself, would be oversubscribed did not materialise. So my top tip for the PBP 2015 entry process is: Don’t panic…

Peter Marshall Validation Secretaries: The usual end-of-season struggle to get the last few results was pretty much a non event this year. The last results, from Stevenage are still provisional, but should be fairly accurate. After the expected slump in rider numbers once PBP qualifying had finished, the autumn has been surprisingly buoyant. The great weather in the final couple of weeks of the season resulted in large numbers of finishers in the Dartmoor and Stevenage events, bringing the final totals to within a whisker of 2007’s record levels.

Validations - 2011

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 %Comparison 2010/2011 November 280 262 357 357 432 + 21.01 December 279 235 303 335 163 - 51.34 January 1078 779 870 377 862 + 128.65 February 1554 1499 1112 1397 1474 + 5.51 March 2110 1848 2326 2221 2744 + 23.55 April 3575 1721 2629 2326 3043 + 30.83 May 2012 2078 2242 2073 1858 - 10.37 June 1968 1972 1774 1792 1801 + 0.50 July 1493 1592 1376 1580 1776 + 12.41 August 1092 1318 1412 1229 973 - 20.83 September 1537 1331 1628 1511 1405 - 7.02 October 1841 1480 1648 1745 2231 + 27.85 LEL 413 Totals for year 18819 16115 18087 16943 18762 + 10.74 Sue & Keith

19 November 2011

Arrivée February 2012

Official

ArrivĂŠe February 2012

9

Correspondence New To Audax

Stelvio and Umbrail circuit I enjoyed Ann Marshall’s account of her ride of the ‘Stelvio and Umbrail circuit’. It brought back happy memories for me - yes they are happy ones! - of one of the toughest rides I’ve tackled.

It was on a tour of the Italian Alps and Lakes during my years as a CTC tour leader. I had rather different weather to contend with than Ann. If I remember rightly, it didn’t rain much on the day, although it might have drizzled a bit but it had certainly rained the day before and the roads were soaking wet.

Also, it was a day for longs and newspaper under your top on the descent. About three days after getting back from the tour, Bormio was featured on the national TV news because it had suffered flooding.

If I understand her correctly, Ann has my admiration if she has done the ‘Finsetre’ from the north. When I did it, and discovered it suddenly becomes rough stuff, I descended back to Susa and spent the afternoon pursuing that other activity that many of us AUK members enjoy, drinking beer. I recommend it!

John Thompson

I (we if I include my beautiful red Hewitt) are new to Audaxing (is that a proper word?). We have only done six East Anglian 100/125Km rides but that’s just SO FAR.

Festive Greetings from Russian Randonneurs

So why have I started this addictive hobby after all these years of just ‘popping out for a quick cycle ride’? Well I come from a cycling back ground, my transport as a baby was in a side car attached to my parent’s tandem, my Dad raced and my Grandfather was a founder member of London’s Glendene Cycle Club, however I never joined a club. I put a baby seat on my bikes when my children were born, then bought a tandem to transport my youngest around when he didn’t want to learn to ride a bike (he’s a very keen rider now!)

About 13 years ago my ‘popping out for a ride’ turned into escaping on weeklong rides on my Dawes Hybrid, usually in hilly places, based on Sustrans routes doing 40-70 miles per day. Friends have never wanted to come with me, they always said I cycled too far ... well they haven’t met you lot!

In 2010 I decided I needed a new bike, so started looking at different types. Whilst cycling on The Isle of Arran I spotted a lady on a small framed black Hewitt and that evening it was in the YHA cycle shed (picture me in the shed looking at the bike admiringly, furtively looking over both shoulders, then doing the unheard of, picking it up very gently to feel its weight).

So in October 2010 I became the proud owner of my first decent bike, a Hewitt Cheviot Sports Tourer.

Whilst researching which type of bike to buy I had seen some described as ‘Audax Bikes’, I had also seen a Audaxes publicised in my local cycle shop, so more research to find out what an Audax was. I liked the sound of what I read.

So in May I intrepidly booked my first, a 100km from Long Melford, I knew I could do that distance in a day but completing in time was my concern, it would mean no stopping to buy garden produce or plants, not stopping at every cake shop and definitely not day dreaming on river banks!

Let all your desires will be granted in 2012! HEALTH and HAPPINESS Embrace you warmly Valery and Natalie (Komochkov) from far Russia (AUK sends Health and Happiness Greetings to Russian cyclists - Ed) Pre-PBP Audax England, Cymru & Ecosse group Photos & Article: from Paul Stewart coming soon

Well it was a hilly route (for Suffolk) (I really do admire you Audaxers who do the really hilly routes), but I thoroughly enjoyed it, immediately booked another (and another - and four more).

I decided it is a great sport, ideal for me if I keep to local, summer, 100km rides - so did Norfolk Nips 1 last weekend (November), have booked for December and January’s rides, aiming to do at least a 150km ride in the spring and may be one in Derbyshire.

So thank you to a great and friendly organization and for an enjoyable (may be too), inspiring magazine (could do with a glossary of abbreviations for first time readers!)

If you are reading this and have never done an Audax, YOU CAN DO IT! Jane Napthan 10

Free to a good home

Copies of Arrivee from issue 12 to the present day, new owner collects from Brian Eaton, Winchcombe, Glostershire, 01242 603451, bandceaton@aol.com Arrivée February 2012

Review

C2C Cycle Route Coast to Coast Across Northern England

By Jeremy Evans Published by Cicerone. Paperback 160pp 115mm x 172mm. £12.95 The C2C is the UK’s most popular ‘challenge’ cycle route, passing through the northern Lake District, over the Pennines and descending to County Durham. The route has been devised by Sustrans, and includes a lot of off-road riding, though the author has included tarmac alternatives if you prefer.

The route is approximately 220k and there are two different start and finish points, Workington or Whitehaven on the west coast, and Tynemouth and Sunderland on the east coast.

The author has carefully plotted the route on OS maps and each section is printed in the book, along with distances, ascent and descent and approximate times for each stage, taking in Whinlatter, Keswick, Penrith, Hartside, Stanhope Common and Consett along the way.

When to go, getting there and back, west to east or east to west, ride it in a day, are all covered by the author, along with plenty of text and photos illustrating this excellent little guide. Easy to pack and read en route, this Cicerone Guide is well recommended.

Tim Wainwright

~ Blast from the Past ~

PBP Start 1975 or 1979 Photo: Alan Sturk

2011 Dreux PBP control canteen at night see page 44. Photo & Article: Rod Dalitz

Charlie and his Grandfather, leaving Pengelly Farm, riding Golowjy Ha Bal 50km 2011 See page 33.

Photo & Article: Alan Davies Arrivée February 2012

11

Reviews

Garmin Etrex 30 Francis Cooke

The New Series The Etrex 20 and 30 are the long-awaited Etrex replacements, the last Garmin to get their new OS and look’n’feel. I knew before hacking open the blister pack that this was going to be much more ‘Dakota’ than ‘old Etrex’ - would it have enough to offer, to overcome my doubts? Here I’ve reviewed the Etrex 30, which is the top-range model equivalent to the old Vista - the model 20 is similar, missing a few non-essential features, like the old Legend, and arguably better value. The Etrex 10 is very different and is basically a modern take on the old Gekos. They are all very neat on the bike, smaller and a bit more svelte than the older models, though still clunky and dim by contrast with a smartphone.

The bottom line is that just like the Dakota two years ago, here we have a mix of good and bad. However this time there is enough on balance, to make this new GPS a safe recommendation.

Full of eastern promise Garmin continue to refresh their wide range of GPS receivers, with several types that are broadly suitable for cycling use - that is, they are compact and lightweight, weatherproof, replace all the essential cyclecomputer functions, can be mounted on handlebars and/or stem, will record a tracklog, and support multi-point Routes.

As I write, current types consist of the Edge, Oregon, Dakota, GPSMap 62, and Etrex (old and new) ranges, several models in each. There are also one or two other models such as the Montana and Forerunner, that could be used by a cyclist who is determined to be different.

Add in several very capable discontinued models and the choice can seem bewildering.

It’s important to know that Garmin performance, usability and capability is really much the same across the board, so the fundamental decisions are simply “touchscreen or not?” and “bigger screen or smaller box?”.

Most units are now map types, designed for use with Garmin’s own maps or with OS maps (remixed by Garmin).

The maps are always an extra expense (apart from bundled deals) so it’s worth remembering that these types still function perfectly adequately without any maps installed, or there is the option of using free maps from OpenStreetMap which are pretty good in the UK. The Edge is Garmin’s range of cycle-specific GPSs. They are the smallest and neatest-looking units, rather obviously taking their DNA from cyclecomputers, and I think this above everything else is enough to sway many buyers. Their principal disadvantage (shared with smartphones and the wristwatch-style Forerunners) relates to limited battery runtime, enough for a day-ride only. This leads many Edge owners down the path of an external battery pack and curly cable, to get them through the longer events. A bit like front lights, for some people this is a non-issue, for others it would be a dealbreaker.

The Oregon, Dakota, 62, and Etrex are principally aimed at walkers - however they all have optional handlebar mounts and some have optional Cadence and HRM sensors if so desired. Crucially, they have longer runtime and use easily-replaceable AA batteries. The Oregon and Dakota are the touch-screen models (large and small), while the 62 and Etrex are their button-driven equivalents.

Taking everything into account, the (old) Etrex C models, such as the top-of-the-range Etrex Vista HCx, have long ruled the roost as the most recommendable GPS for randonneurs. They’ve been looking old-fashioned for a while now, and 2 years ago in Arrivee 107 I reviewed the then-new Dakota which I assumed would replace the Etrex. I found it a frustrating mixture of good and bad, and on balance not enough to knock the older model off its perch. That review is available here: www.aukadia.net/gps/dakota20.pdf 12

Opening the box and powering it up for the first time, I was expecting something a bit special - and it found a fix within two minutes indoors! (Normally a brand-new GPS takes 10 minutes or more to ‘find itself’.) This new Etrex is the first leisure GPS able to use signals from the Russian GLONASS system, alongside the US-provided GPS. There is a menu option to use GPS only, or GPS plus GLONASS (but not, sadly, GLONASS only). At the top of this page is a screenshot showing 22 satellites being monitored at once (a normal GPS typically shows 6-10 bars). Using more satellites should result in much better performance in difficult reception areas such as forests and canyons (natural and urban). It will be a genuine plus for off-roaders who ride in woodland, and for city cyclists especially in central London. This picture from my basement windowsill shows the Vista HCx really struggling, and the new E30 alongside it seeing far more satellites in a postage-stamp of sky.

As I write these new Etrexes are truly cutting edge, but this will soon change because all future models are likely to include the same capability as standard, and it’s possible that Galileo (the long-delayed European GPS system) could be added in future as well. I must emphasise though that for normal road cycling out of town this doesn’t make any practical difference, as the present system already works more than well enough.

Here’s a run-down of other differences, good first, then bad, between the E30 (and E20) and the older models.

What’s Good * Sleeker styling, fractionally smaller and lighter - see photo. The replacement for the infamous ‘rubber band’ is much more rigid and inspires confidence, though it does make the side-mounted buttons feel rather stiff. * Shares Garmin’s newer, rather ugly, bike mount system (extra) which is very secure and has the option for stem-mounting. * Like all the newer Garmins, screen has much greater colour depth which means it can display photos, ie aerial views, and can also handle OS or IGN maps (available through Garmin at a price). Though Arrivée February 2012

Reviews I would suggest OS on a screen this tiny is never really going to work the Oregon is probably the better GPS for this purpose.

The colour depth has encouraged Garmin to apply font smoothing, which just makes text blurry to my eyes. However the font itself is nicer than the awful Dakota font - compare these three Trip Computer pages for readability (Dakota, new Etrex, old Etrex).

on this GPS there is no option to do that. Most of the vehicle type options have gone as well, it’s just car, bicycle or walking. I think, when using it in autorouting mode, it would probably be wise to include a few more intermediate points - which in some people’s eyes rather defeats the whole object! * Turn preview popup has been lost. * The font size for text in the data fields is far too small. For my eyes anyway. Numeric fields are fine though. * The ‘Page’ key is - or seems to be - lost, replaced by a rather less functional ‘Back’ key. So you don’t have the useful toggling between favourite screens, you are forever revisiting your page of 6 favourites and going from there. It is possible, but not at all obvious from the manual, to restore the old-style ‘Page’ key way of doing things. I’ve written a web tutorial on how to do this at: www.aukadia.net/gps/lw3_4.htm * Unlike all the previous GPSs I’ve tried, the E30 doesn’t play well with Mapsource - most transfer options simply don’t work. If you use Mapsource, you have to save your work as GPX then copy that file across using a file manager.

* Shares Garmin’s new-style OS and UI - which means: ** Can handle multiple map files, which can then be switched on and off individually in the menus. These can be stored either/or in memory or on the micro-SD card. ** File import/export is GPX-led, just copy files to/from the GPS as external disk drive. Especially welcome for Mac and Linux users. ** Storage capacity is much increased - for example 2000 waypoints, 200 Tracks of up to 10000 points each. (Route capacity is unchanged though, at 50 x 250/50 points - but that is ample.) ** Easy and logical menu navigation, including the ‘Where To’ button which is the 1-stop shop for the start of your ride, be it Track or Route or Find-and-go. You can re-arrange the menu icons to taste, which is very necessary to get your personal 6 favourites onto the front page.

Although this UI works much better on the touchscreen models, even here it is an improvement on the old Etrex style. ** Track navigation is much improved and very usable, compared with the older models. You can add named waypoints along a Track and these will be picked up and shown with a ‘Distance to Next’. ** Up to 10 data fields at a time, on the Trip Computer page. Or if you prefer the Compass page, this is beautifully styled and rendered, with room for 4 data fields. The on-board electronic compass (E30 only) is very functional and really doesn’t need calibration for randonneuring purposes. If you prefer the Map page, the rendering is very clear and the background is now almost white which improves the contrast and general readability. ** User profile switching. My tip - give each profile a different colourway, so you can easily see which mode you’re in. ** Much better backlight implementation - you don’t have to reenergize it every time you switch on. ** On the E30 only, useful options to add HRM and cadence monitoring, and wireless transfer of files between like-minded GPSs. * Battery runtime seems good to me - but the extra satellites, the compass, the backlight, are all things that will be a battery hit - and all can be turned off if you need the maximum runtime.

What’s bad * A few deep settings have been lost, though not as many as with the Dakota.

In particular the Routing Setup is very dumbed down, with some important options missing altogether. In particular there is no control over off-route recalculate, which is something I usually recommend to have switched off Arrivée February 2012

* There’s a particular bug which I also found on the Dakota, 2 years ago. With such a long history, I suppose I’d better regard it as a ‘feature’! The ‘Next Waypoint’ data field doesn’t display the waypoint name - instead it shows the waypoint comment field, which usually defaults to a road name. So waypoint naming to include directional hints - L, R and so on - doesn’t work on this unit. It’s possible to turn this to your advantage once you know about it, I’ve written a web tutorial at www.aukadia.net/gps/lwg21.htm * My unit has 2 or 3 other bugs, nothing terribly serious - the worst is that the User Profiles switching sometimes doesn’t work - but then, the older models didn’t have this facility at all, so it’s not the end of the world. Garmin have a quite a reputation for releasing stuff to market before it’s quite ready, and the E30 I have was one of the very first ones in the country. It’s always safer to wait a few months before leaping in, with any new Garmin model. Firmware upgrades may fix the bugs eventually. * Too easy to ‘Reset All’ and end up with an out-of-the-box GPS. I found several ways to do this. Also, too easy to damage the memory when connected to a PC - because the GPS is not write-protected. I would strongly recommend backing up the internal memory of the GPS to hard disk (just open it like an external disk drive, and copy everything to HD) - do this as new, and again (to a different backup) when you have it set up the way you like it. * A disappointment is that the screen is no bigger than before - the single screenshots on this page are actual size. Smoothed screen fonts - you probably either like them or loathe them, they look a bit blurry to my eyes.

Street names on the map view are particularly bad, and just add clutter on such a small screen. * There’s absolutely no software provided in the box, and even the manual is obscurely hidden, in .pdf form, in the memory of the GPS itself.

None of this is helpful to the new adopter. * Also not provided - a lanyard. To use a GPS without a lanyard, whether walking or on the bike, is just a recipe for disaster.

Despite these niggles, on balance I think the new Etrex 30 or 20 can be recommended for anyone looking for a small but full-featured GPS. I also think it has more to offer than the Dakota (which is exactly the same size and weight) - though of course the Dakota/Etrex choice is fundamentally one of touchscreen or not.

For new adopters either of the above is now preferable to the older Legend and Vista models - however if you already have an older Etrex and are happy with the way it works for you - and especially if you use the many Routing setup options - then take note that all this now going the way of the dodo - you may want to pick up an end-of-line bargain while you can.

13

Mileater 2010 Mileater Diaries, Thousand Mile Badges and Mick Latimer Trophy The 2010 Mileater was very different to previous years; perhaps it marked a lasting change. Pat Kenny, who had dominated the competition for many years did not enter that year and now, sadly, will never enter again.

to dig out my trekking poles as the pavements are very icy.” January DS

Margaret Phillpotts was the 2010 entrant with the highest recorded mileage of 9630 and so wins the Mick Latimer trophy, closely followed by John Radford on 9229 miles (the opposite sex winner). Out of the top six totals, four were women in 2010. The average miles recorded was 4808, I imagine it might be higher in 2011 as it is a PBP year?

“Got up, found we were snowed in by 5” of snow - not happy!”

February MJW

The diarists’ comments in 2010 were grouped into two main themes:

“Then the cold and snow set in and stays ‘till it’s time to set off to Canada for a real winter, better luck next year.” November MC.

On bikes: “Bought new bike (Specialized Tricross Sport) and then took off reflectors, bell, ‘suicide levers’ and flipped stem.” MH “A knackering but enjoyable ride, third different Specialized this week, the Mercians won’t be speaking to me soon.” March MH “Wednesday evening cycle along the seafront to the pier, on the way home catch up with a cyclist on a most unusual bike (a Dutch Bakfiets Cargobike?). It has a really long wheel base, on the front is a large compartment with a child sitting in it. Engage the rider in conversation as we cycle along together ... he reckons you can get four children in the front. I reckon it would come in handy for me taking the rubbish down the tip.” March DS “First 300 on a heavy folding bike NEVER AGAIN, 200 is the limit for the folder, back to the Ribble for next week. Mind you I enjoyed the ride apart from the pain in the legs.” April RC “This is it (a new Hetchins), been a whole year on order ... told you my hubby was a great guy.” April MJW (The way to a woman’s heart?)

“My last 200k to finish my 5yrs of RRTY ... my bike which I’ve done all these rides on over the last 12 years - its rear tyre went ‘bang’ as I finished; as if the bike was ready for a rest as well.” July LR “Back to work - rode the fixed to give me something to worry about other than work! - it worked.” August SC On the snow: “ 211k permanent, rode 260k because of flooded lanes, two were impassable, car left in flood submerged up to bottom of door window. Cycled for ¼ mile in two foot of water; at least it’s not snowing and there’s no ice!” January JW “Dangerous to risk cycling to work and back. Walk in every day. Have

“Drove out to Cullampton for main road ride after two weeks snowed in at home!” December PW

THE CYCLE SPECIALISTS

MADGETTS ✶ SALES – SERVICING – REPAIRS ✶ Superb choice of Clothing and Accessories Large range of cycles on display Excellent Wheel Building Service and Workshop

8 Shelfhanger Road, Diss, Norfolk

01379 650419 www.madgettscycles.com

14

“Who’d have thought so soon after all that snow, a perfect cycling day.” January PW

“Just a single commuting ride returning along the railway path in hail stones. You get more nods from other commuters in these conditions - a sort of self congratulations society.” April MG (or like-minded masochists on bikes?)

“Cotswold Corker Permanent, snow storms, icy roads and freezing fog but managed to get round and stay upright. So that’s my AARRTY for December.” December LR Although there were other random remarks: “Recovery from the cold caught on the Prague Tour.” June MC “March in Mallorca. Quoting Lucy McTaggart: walking is only necessary when you run out of inner tubes!” March LR “Lovely day, good ride - piglets, goatlets, calflets and then sheeplets and horselets. Not bad for one day!” March MP “Today was a special ride, we celebrated 10 years of the Cafe Hoppers - We rode to one of our favourite cafes - The Ice Cream farm for lunch.”

May GJ “Lots of bikes out today - fast men and tourists, maybe some end-toenders. Sad how few return the greetings these days, seems to me that a lot of people around now are ‘new’ cyclists attracted by the high tech and fancy prices ... I find their aloofness a bit ignorant.” July MH (This grumpy old man agrees) “On Hamburg-Berlin-Cologne-Hamburg: Stage 4, ... this is the ‘Queen’ stage with over 30 ridges to cross, very hard, very wet, nearly gave up around 7pm when it was ‘tipping down’.” August RT “Managed to ride up Stoke Wake - only achieved once before three years ago!” September MP Finally, well done to JW who was knocked off his bike resulting in a serious head injury but managed to complete the year with over 6800 miles and GJ who began with two months off the bike due to illness but recovered to complete nearly 4000 miles.

Many thanks to all of the diary writers who have written such entertaining diaries, without whom this article would be impossible!

Apologies for any misquotations or embarrassments, I have tried to maintain accurate copies of quotations but errors may have crept in, all of which are entirely my responsibility! Thanks especially to those I have quoted: DS - David Simmons, GJ - Glynn Jones, JW - Julian Williams, LR Louise Rigby, MC - Michael Calam, MG - Mark Garrat, MJW - Mary Jane Watson, MH - Mike Hunting, MP - Margaret Phillpotts, PW Pippa Wheeler, RC - Robbie Calder, RT - Richard Thomas and SC - Steve Cockram.

The annual Mileater awards (Men’s and Ladies’) are made after the year’s Mileater diaries are submitted to the organiser. The individual with the highest total mileage for the year (male or female) is awarded the Mick Latimer trophy. All 2010 entrants should now have their medals, please contact me if you have not received yours.

The Mileater competition and diary run from January 1st to December 31st each year, diaries must be returned by April 30th of the following year to count in the competition (although a medal will be produced whenever the diary is returned). If you would like to enter then send a cheque for £8 to the organiser: Rob Hidderley, Woodfield House, 417a Stourbridge Road, Catshill, Bromsgrove, B61 9LG. In return you will receive a diary to complete and a Mileater medal engraved with your name and miles ridden in the year. Additionally I also coordinate the ‘Thousand Miles’ badges and the easiest way to accumulate miles for the 30, 60 or 100 badges is to complete a diary each year.

Rob Hidderley Arrivée February 2012

Randonnées

Filming PBP with Damon Peacock Audax riding makes for a good project.

Riding long distances requires both an aspiration to reach a significant goal and an idea of how to achieve that goal. The principal difference between the Audax and Sportive lies in the way that the goals shift as you mount the lower slopes. Sportive tends to depend on doing the same thing faster, or with more hills, whereas Audax adds distance.

So the learning curve for Sportive rides is more incremental, magazines and the net are scoured for health and fitness tips which might move the rider up a standard, and equipment is pared down in weight terms as the rider/bike combination is optimised.

The same approach is useful in Audax, but the biggest challenge comes from the quantum leaps between the distances. 50% from 200 to 300, a third from 300 to 400, 50% from 400 to 600 and 100% from the previously unimaginable 600 to a 1200 such as Paris Brest Paris.

someone of my generation, either you accept new challenges, or you are dead in the water.

I showed the films at cycling events, such as Audax weekends and the AUK AGM. Word spread to randonneur newsgroups and I produced DVDs when I got a DVD burner. By 2005 I had produced a London-EdinburghLondon trailer, which was experimentally linked to on the AUK website, around the same time that Youtube was getting off the ground.

Between 1999 and 2011 I’ve been locked into a two year cycle of participating in and filming Paris-Brest-Paris, and LondonEdinburgh-London. In 2005, Dave Robinson filmed from key points on LEL, in 2007 we used a High Definition camera at PBP, In 2009 we used widescreen HD cameras at LEL, but didn’t make a full HD film. In 2011 Dave Robinson came to PBP with us and filmed with a Canon 7D camera, in addition to Heather Swift filming around the course and at controls, and myself filming on the road.

I find it interesting why people keep coming back to PBP. It’s entirely sensible to identify it as a goal, achieve it, and move on to something else. It might be the four year cycle that drags An interesting aspect of this progression for me is I stumbled into a way of recording people back, initially to do better, later to the extent to which it is cycling events that was at the prove they can still do ‘pushed’ or ‘pulled’. I bleeding edge of the current it. My own return has started taking cycling technology, which was absorbing two aspects, I want to more seriously for fitness at the age of 35. I was and frustrating at the same time. make a better film already doing gym work, It’s a common enough story for than last time and such as static rowing, so I someone of my generation, , either Heather wants an excuse to be part of started doing 10 mile time you accept new challenges, or you the event without trials, which had the same are dead in the water. going through the aerobic purity as gym pain of riding it. In the work, but in the open air. process of recording There’s a natural progression to longer PBP every four years I have fallen in love with distances in time-trialling , which mirrors the the event. Riders progress through PBP in a progression of Audax so they’re very bubble, surrounded by much the same compatible, success at each level pushes you people, in a series of abnormal states, sleepup to the next one, to find out if you can do deprived, exhausted, elated and caffeine it. I wasn’t aware of Paris Brest Paris in the euphoric, so their view is partial. I get to see a early days of my Audax riding, I could barely wider, but more compressed view, which I understand the idea of a 600, never mind a have to edit into a reflection of my 1200. So I was not subject to its ‘pull’, partly impressions of the event, it’s still partial, but because there wasn’t much about it around, based on views from several standpoints. just articles in arrive, and some of the specialist magazines.

I duly rode PBP in 1999, as the pinnacle of the Audax scene. My partner Heather abandoned the ride, so we were back in 2003 to rectify that. In the meantime I’d found another steep learning curve to ascend; digital video production. I stumbled into a way of recording cycling events that was at the bleeding edge of the current technology, which was absorbing and frustrating at the same time. It’s a common enough story for Arrivée February 2012

I’m at the stage now where I know enough about PBP to make riding it a reasonably comfortable process, there is no learning curve. The filming is still challenging, which maintains my interest, but it’s the whole event that entrances me. If I was 35 again, the prospect of riding PBP would be enough to pull me through the training and qualifying. I would however take a lot of advice on setting the bike up to avoid damaging myself.

15

RandonnĂŠes

New Randonneurs We welcome 290 members to the ranks of AUK Randonneurs.

They have ridden 200 km or over for the first time in the 20010/11 season.

(NB this list is generated automatically from our records so may be incorrect if you have changed your name, or if you have returned to riding after a break of 6 years or more)

Christopher Adams Sue Adams Trevor Adams Daniel Albornoz Nick Allen Clive Ansell Javier Arias Gonzalez Daniel Auger Rob Baird John Ball Simon Barfoot Roger Bartlett Chris Batch Mike Batchelor David Bate Tobias Bauer Darren Beecham John Beer Adam Bent Ian Bloomfield Jonathon Body Jeremy Bonn Bradley Boulton John Bourne Rod Bowditch Nicholas Bowles James Bowthorpe James Boyd Christopher Breed Steve Brown Donald Bruce Lucy Buchanan-Parker Ashley Buck Will Buckingham-Burr Joseph Bulloch Daryl Burgess Andy Burgman Andrew Cameron Chris Campbell Fred Campbell Russell Carson Daniele Cassisa Richard Chambers Brian Childs Charlie Chute Thomas Clark John Clinton Paul Cole James Colley Sabrina Collins Steven Collins Roger Colwill Alberto Contreras Sanz Michael Conway Steven Cook Elliot Cooper Charles Copeland Kevin Costelloe 16

Marcus Coupe Ultan Coyle Julian Crawley Philip Cripps Paul Daly Tessa Darley Peter Davidson Brent Davis Dave Daw Lara Day Paul Day Antony De Heveningham Arvid De Jong Michael Deacon Jeremy Deakin Philip Deeker Amee Devani Niall Diamond Shaar Dixon Steven Dixon Michael Donovan Emily Down Freddie Dudbridge John Durham John Eastley Guy Eatherington John Eburne Chris Eldred Jonathan Ellis Neil Emerson Guto Evans Ray Evans Simon Fagan James Fairbank Peter Fancourt Marc Farrelly Andrew Faulkner John Fettis David Fisher Mark Flitcroft Chris Francis David Frank Jerry Fraser Andrew French Martin Furman Julie Gardham Magnus Gardham Philippa Gardner Greg Garland Martin Gibson Robert Gillard Ian Gillians Denis Glasscock Tony Gore Eric Gorton Richard Goucher Mike Gradwell Colin Gray

Norman Griffin Anthony Grimes Annabel Hagon Adam Haigh Peter Halford Lee Hall Debbie Hamp Robert Hanwell David Harrison Travis Hayes David Heath Martin Hickman Mark Higgins Paul Higgitt Simon Hill Graham Hodges Dennis Hornby Tim Hough Paul Howard Simon Howard Grant Huggins Adrian Hughes Alistair Hunter Bill Hurst Robert Hydon Anthony Iafrate Deborah Ironside-Smith Mark Jacklin John Jackson Jan-Olov Janssson Mark Jarvis Dylan Jenkins Jason Jones Lawrie Jones Michael Jones Michael-Luke Jones Sam Jones Karen Keeling Roger Keeling Chris Keeling-Roberts Peter Kelsey Ben Kennedy Stuart Kinsey John Kirkham James Kneller Mike Lane Dale Langham Mchael Leung Barry Lewis Michael Lewis Richard Littlejohns Barbara Lofts Benjamin Lowings Peter Luff Duncan Macaulay Heather Mackay Kevan Mahoney Chris Martin

Nick Martin Rachel Martin Kirsty Mcgaul Stewart Mckenzie James Mearns Kevin Merrison David Middleton Phil Miles Dave Millard Neil Milton James Mitchell Keith Mitcheson Robert Monteath-Wilson Stuart Moore Samuel Morgan Marcus Mumford Gareth Murphy Anthony Mycock Neil Nash Justin Neales Caroline Neall Fiona Neall Philip Nettleton Marc Nicol Peter Nix Chris Nuttall Tony Oakley Trevor Oliver Dan Ornadel David Overton Ian Padley Sharon Padley Andrea Parish Simon Parker Simon Pateman George Pennel Daryl Perkins Dave Perry Matthew Plummer Andrea Pogson Andrew Preston Stuart Price David Rahman John Ramsden Lukas Ranicar Neil Ready Gareth Rees Paul Revell Alastair Reynolds Edgar Reynolds Simon Reynolds Mat Richardson Ewen Riddell Bruce Ritchie Gary Robertson John Rosbottom Steven Rowley Joanna Scholes

Ivan Scott Jeremy Sharp Adam Sharpe Fay Sharpe Peter Sharpe Rob Simmonds Richard Sims Amanda Skull Scott Slater Tom Slocombe Graeme Smith Leila Smith Tim Sollesse Barry Spencer Nicholas Spratley Mark Spruce Michael Steen Gernot Stenz Martin Stocks John Straughan Matthew Streeter Paul Strickland John Talbot Leon Thompson Sam Thomson Warren Threlfall Jack Thurston Keith Tilley Andrew Tolley Phil Tomlinson Josh Tongue John Tranter Chris Turner Charles Underwood Thomas Usherwood Bill Vance Dave Vine Richard Walker Kim Wall Ian Watson Mary-Jane Watson Celia Way Judy Webb Andrew Weighill Ken Westgate Stephen Wheeler Bruce White Vanessa Whitfield John Willcox Jon Wilson Jonathan Wilson Martin Wimpenny Rob Wood Matthew Wright Nigel Wright Peter Wright Gavin Yates David Youlton ArrivĂŠe February 2012

Randonnées

New Super Randonneurs We welcome 120 riders to the ranks of AUK Super Randonneurs. They have ridden 200, 300, 400 and 600 km.

Anderson Keith Arias Gonzalez Javier Baker Peter Barfoot Simon Barnes Stephen Barron Stewart Bauer Tobias Berry Steve Blackie Anton Bladon Charlie Boulton Bradley Bowyer Clive Brind Alison Buck Ashley Butcher Paul Cameron Andrew Cassisa Daniele Chapman Justin Childs Brian Colley James Cooper Elliot Corfe Peter Coupe David Cox Nigel Coyle Ultan Croft Brian Crossley Samuel Day Lara Deacon Michael Deakin Jeremy Delf Chris Diamond Niall Dossett William Down Thomas Ellis Jonathan Fairbank James Fenwick Mike Firth Nicholas Gardner Jonathan Gibson Martin Gordon Graham Gordon Mike Gorman Richard Gray Colin Gray Jonathan Grigenas Rimas Halford Peter Hines Kevin Holley Pete Howard Paul Huws David Hydon Robert Jackson John Jackson-Baker Marcus Jago Brian Jones Justin Jones Michael-Luke Kellar Ian Kelsey Peter Kenning David Arrivée February 2012

Ketley Nic Lancaster Louise Lewis Barry Maciver Kenneth Main Stephen Mccraw Dave Mccrossin Paul Mears Wendy Moore Stuart Morris Graham Neall Caroline Nettleton Philip Ninnes Robert O’malley Kieran Oakden Mark Orringe Adrian Painter Richard Palmer Simon Paulich Hans Peggie Martyn Periam Jon Plaskowski Bron Priddy Richard Proffitt Geoffrey Proud Frank Quintrell Rod Ranicar Lukas Reynolds Alastair Reynolds Simon Riddell Ewen Rogers Clive Russ Jeremy Ryall Ian Samuels David Saville Jonathan Scholes Matthew Schroeder Howell Sharpe Peter Slater Scott Smart Brian Smith Mark Sollesse Tim Sprott Chris Spruce Mark Straughan Ian Straughan John Sudell Philip Taylor Tim Terry Andy Tibbetts Simon Usherwood Thomas Walker Richard Walsh Mark Wardman Graham Watson Ian Watt Andy Widdup Graeme Willard Guy Wilson Jon Wood Rob 17

Randonnées

Peloton Parasite Picks a Peck of Paddock Power Naps The story of a late October 600km Perm ride, and how it went downhill for this cyclist. Do take with pinch of salt, as this is actually an Audax that is on mainly flattish roads. But it doesn’t help if one takes a somewhat overloaded bike, no bicycle computer, no maps, and start at just before 9.30am.

Forecast: light Autumn Sun. Wind direction Southerly.

Start Poynton: make 2 main errors in first 27km. At T junction lights 18.4km, turned left instead of right (tired, 5 second memory).

Detour taking in the inspiring Albion United Reform church, before a roundabout this way. Then at crossroads at Royal George turned right instead of left (Climbed Huddersfield Road to boundary sign of Stalybridge before realising -duh!)

Eventually in Uppermill, found village busy with traffic (due to late start). I was desperate for a control point here, as precariously close to cut off time. I looked to rear and then drifted to right as Co-op control appeared, but a car behind decided I was too slow and I guess thought me looking back meant it was ok to try and overtake. Realizing late, said car missed a gear, went into neutral & revved engine to bejeebers. Cue a few honks. Big queue at Co-op, so went ATM instead. On other side of road. No need to have drifted to the right. Felt a bit guilty then.

28.7km fork left road was closed, so went down open path. Lady after next T junction pleasantly confirmed I was on target and on Chew valley road. Grunted my way up Saddleworth Moor to plateau, where some club riders had stopped. Stepped it up as I knew they would come flying past me.

So ended up racing top flat & downhill into Holmfirth (was passed quite easily) and burning myself out. Just out of Holmfirth 20p W.C was good value... as had critically needed since Uppermill. Next bumps from Holmfirth wrecked me. By the arrival of flatlands, the puff had been knocked right out of me. A chastening experience ensued, as I journeyed forth to make it - with little time in hand -, to Askern (with notable Boating Lake) control.

Onward and to & thru Brough. On outskirts, at Welton traffic lights, managed to go wrong - left & nearly on to A63, despite organiser warning not to! Then on to the grand crossing of Humber Bridge (thought I was heading North at this stage. I was actually correctly heading South) After stopping to text in the in the middle of bridge, my mind wandered and I missed a turn in Barton at 165km by Swan pub. Being at a loss with night time upon me, a local fellow out dog walking, lent me his knowledge and directions. Sorted, I was then able to scoot back and find missed turn at cobbled road next to the Swan. With renewed spirit I sped on flatlands.

18

At about 195km both front lights on minoura stem fell off and hit the deck. Did a mangled bodge with gaffer tape to get one back on handle bars. Bit skewhiff but passable. At Gainsborough went down carriageway to town centre to Tescos for control. Scoffed 3/4 a tin of baked beans. Probably not a good idea. On good roads it was onward in the dead of night to Wragby. Where a woman by a pub suddenly yelled “Biker!”, or that’s what I hope she yelled, but no time to slowdown) so cycled onto Woodhall Spa. Possibly after Wragby(?) saw orangey smoke in the distance and blue flashing lights. Got nearer and saw half a paddock was inferno of fire. I guess it was heaps of hay next to farm buildings. 2 or 3 Fire Engines. Bad for farmer.

Another late arriving Engine passed me by down lane shortly after. Cycled on to confuse a points man at crossroads further up, he must have been thinking what kind of fluorescent late night loony, rides a bike at this time of night. Woodhall Spa control made a nice and quiet stop/interlude, in comparison.

At 278.3km nearly missed left turn (bit myopic). Once on track was a bit wary of large canal-type drain on left, as I had bad visions of going down the drain (in fact this was the tidal River Witham) My poor lighting and a bit of a headwind buffeting, not helping. When I say headwind, that wasn’t really a headwind. “Holland Fen” which followed, now that’s a headwind!

Got to Boston town centre around 4am.

Messed about, talked to one guy, raided my supplies, and was off.

Took a while to warm up, till slowly I wound up the pace. Even so, ended up flying by a turn, and travelled to roundabout with B1356 before returning. It was pitch black between Gosberton and Dowsby, when out of no where, to the side, there was a body sprawled in a field. Was thinking he might have been hit by a car, but also slightly paranoid, he’d probably turnout to be a convict, at this hour. Turned back, but the body had gone. Kept looking with head torch and spied a bicycle near ditch, road and paddock. Further spotting found a man cowering in corner of paddock amongst some straggly shrubbery! A doddery elderly fellow who looked like he’d seen a ghost (or perhaps a dalek with a head torch on a bike).

He stammered that he was definitely alright, and it was his bike. I yelled, “Morning is only an hour and a bit away,” and rode on. Only about 4km from next control, I surprisingly wisely, succumbed to power nap, so ending up sleeping in a paddock too A happy horizon was Colsterworth control.

Sustenance of an omelette meal at Little Chef, satisfying my want. Wrenching myself away, all to soon it was a lot of huffing and puffing after Melton Mowbray. And to my chagrin, a most unwanted guest of dire weak-knees. Donington Services control was gaspingly sought.

Next at 424.7km just plain dumb me, got confused with Melbourne sign, as there is Melbourne m/hotel sign and Melbourne town boundary sign. So doubled back to ponder, that going into Donington Park Raceway entrance was not a good idea, so retraced ok. Some time later, on an escarpment in the distance, I saw an unknown Castle. A welcome wonder. A charging mount I did not have, and snail-like progress enveloped me on to Uttoxeter.

Staying on a quiet cycle path far too long here, I arrived in town centre from opposite direction.

Found B5027 and lumpy rollercoaster to Stone. Had to kick in here, and chewed down on handle bars in dire panic. In so doing, actually enjoying a choice segment of riding, in the end. However, at Stone dehydration fever at traffic lights, saw me losing my way. The good people of Stone put me back on track tho.

At 487km turned left into staff car park to enter M6 Stafford services. Grabbed some fries at Moto services. In car park, despite me looking like I spent spend night at the Dump (or maybe because!) a motorway driver spotted me as a Audax rider. Said he hoped I made it, so did I! Continuing on, despite break, time seemed to toll, yet thankfully I made Prees Heath Control in good light.

Beginning again, a Lady seeing me riding in circles on forecourt, took pity and was good as gold and made me aware (dual carriageway barrier gap I was looking for) gap was only slightly further up and next direction to Ash perpendicular over A41 right in front of me. Made Ash and A525, then spooky night fell heavy. The end game was on. A525 seemed busy at this time, with many cars waiting behind and then passing. In the cooling night, going fast downhill to Nantwich I really feared I would miss another turn. At low ebb, so fought to keep a lid on it and just followed my nose. But I was not well, saddle sores (Arrgh) forced me to stop at 561km and then again at 577km, near to Jodrell Bank, for a break. I was on the edge...

On the edge of my seat for starters and then right onto A535 to Alderley Edge! With a sore neck and droopy head adding to the woe, I grovelled to Poynton and sanctuary.

Arrivée - Holl and Back - I had got my Audax 600 fix (tho I hasten to add, not so masochistic as to actually be on fixed). I was content. Trashed but content, back with just under 5 hours to spare (at lower 14.3kph limit). Despite my multiple operator errors, it was a good and easy route and just what I needed. Straight up next day in the morning I immediately got a flat and considered it a blessing. Overall much gratitude to locals, who obligingly helped me on my way. Don’t think I could have done it without them.

Spot on forecast was bonus.

And best remembered part of trip was Saddleworth Moor, in the sunshine, what a highlight. pelotonparasite Arrivée February 2012

Review

Damon’s PBP 2011 Video Francis Cooke

Once again Damon Peacock has produced an epic DVD of an epic randonnee, and I was lucky enough to receive a preview copy for review in Arrivee.

Damon’s productions are by now a tried and tested multi-camera formula. Damon himself provides a rider’s-eye view of the event, which consists of on-the-bike footage and interviews grabbed at controls, and he is supported by Heather Swift (herself a PBP ancienne) who has a very nice interviewing style, and Dave Robinson who deploys serious gear for roadside shots at choice locations. He has also mixed in some helterskelter on-bike action of the fast-moving vedette group (right) from Lee Millon of the Davis Bike Club in California. All this is wrapped in the usual scene-setting around la concentration before the start, and even a few clips from some UK qualifying rides, but then time-sliced and rearranged Catch-22 style.

Modern lightweight video equipment has reached the stage where even the on-bike action can be regarded as ‘broadcast’ quality, certainly from the visual point of view, while the all-too-brief roadside setups ooze quality.

I particularly like some of the night scenes (below), where a combination of more sensitive cameras and brighter bike lights

converge to produce images that just weren’t possible in similar productions of 10 years ago. Damon tells me the DVD is also available in a Blu-Ray version.

Sound-wise there aren’t any serious problems - the many interviews are clearly recorded, and really only limited by the tired cyclists’ ability to string two words together

whilst at the same time wondering what to do about the plate of food they’ve just bought. There are a couple of Damon’s trademark on-the-bike interviews, which often tend to the surreal, especially as interviewer and interviewee grope for some sort of common pidgin language. Heather’s interviews by comparison tend to bring a stabilising influence to proceedings.

Damon’s style is to let the riders tell the story as far as possible, but in between the interviews he overlays the action with nonstop voiceover scattered with interesting statistics and snippets of local history. To judge from Damon’s commentary, he would make a fine chairman for a pub edition of QI. Overall, with my Claudia Winkleman hat on, I would have preferred a slightly less packed presentation, a bit more air given to those

fine roadside shots, maybe even (dare I say it) a music sequence or two. But I can’t really argue with Damon’s approach - with stacks of unused material cluttering his hard drive, he’s tried to include at least something of everyone he met, making this a great souvenir for anyone who was there for PBP in 2011. It’s also - perhaps even more so - an excellent introduction to PBP for anyone who may be planning their first assault on this classic ride next time around.

Finally you have to admire Damon’s personal achievement in once again successfully riding the event while giving half of himself to recording the exploits of those around him. Especially at the controls, he appears to have energy to spare and the enthusiasm of a schoolboy, and I don’t know how many other people could even attempt a project like this, let alone pull it off in such style.

The film is available from Damon Peacock, 7 Fowler Avenue, Farington Moss, Leyland, PR26 6RL. £15 inc p&p for the DVD or £18 inc p&p for the Blu-Ray, cheques payable to D. Peacock.

Online payment details at damonpeacock.com

Arrivée February 2012

19

Randonnées

Mulling it over

Dean Clementson Glen More, Mull

“Where have you come from?”

“Oban.”

“Oh, really? Are you staying over in Fort William?”

“No, we’re going back to Oban.”

“Tonight?!”

I’m not sure the landlady of the Lochailort Inn believed me. Mind you, there are times when I’m not sure I believe it myself, and trying to explain what we’re doing to an uncomprehending public drives home what an extreme activity it appears to be. The truth is much simpler - it’s a challenge, and an achievable one, and more people would do it if they only knew. There’s a sense of achievement when you complete a challenge such as riding 300 km - but when it is a sun-sparkled affair hopping around the west coast of Scotland with added ferries, then it is something special indeed.

60 cyclists disembarking 20

The ride was a 300 km audax, a loop around the Scottish west coast which, while being a delightful ride in its own right, was also, for Martin and I, a qualifying ride for ParisBrest-Paris later in 2011. One of the unique facets of audaxes is that, for many of us, the rides are stages on the road to a larger goal, or stepping stones to a greater distance.

would chase off after the first ferry from Fishnish to Lochaline.

I took advantage of the break to chat to a few people, and to scoff a second breakfast. One of the remarkable things about becoming a long distance cyclist is that, as distances increases, so does appetite, and extra breakfasts, additional snacks, or a Big Boy Full English followed by the same again is not only manageable, but necessary. This is called conditioning.

Martin from my club and I had agreed to ride the distance with Alan, for whom this would be his first 300 km event. As Martin and I have more experience, we wanted to keep Alan company and help him along (and Alan had also driven us up from England, so naffing off at the start would have been a bit churlish), and at 8 o’clock that morning we, along with 57 other cyclists, boarded the ferry from Oban across to the lovely island of Mull - being on the ferry at the start of the day made it quite social, as we could chat amongst one another before hitting the road, when the faster riders

As we disembarked onto Mull, we slightly confused the locals who were waiting to catch the ferry onto the mainland, and probably weren’t expecting a horde of cyclists. As we were at sea level, naturally this meant that we had to climb a hill coming away from the ferry, and since Alan was in plodding-along mode, trying to set a pace he could keep up for the length of the ride, we were soon at the back of the field. However, since we were on Mull, in the sun, and the roads and hills were glorious, we weren’t especially bothered.

A car overtook us on the lovely, long and steady climb up Glen

More, which surprised me a bit, as the roads had been so quiet, I thought the organiser had arranged for the roads to be closed. We spoke about what an isolated place it would be to live, and daydreamed about moving up, opening a bike shop, or organising bike tours... And we chuckled at the road sign which took as on the “Scenic” route around the island - how much more scenic could it get?

Well, a lot. We’d ridden around the south of the island, and the route took us back north towards the other ferry at Fishnish, alongside the shimmering blue waters of Loch Na Keal, where we negotiated the narrow strip of road with a sheer cliff to our right and to our left the Atlantic Ocean and no landfall until America. It was the centrepiece of the ride.

But it was over too soon, and our thoughts turned to the leaving of Mull and covering the rest of the distance: after our slow start, we had to ride 220 kms in 15 hours, and the ferries off Mull are quite infrequent, so we couldn’t afford to linger any more,

Alan Smith on Mull Arrivée February 2012

Randonnées especially since the two of us needed to complete the ride as a qualifier for Paris-Brest-Paris.

Martin got onto the front to pick up the pace down towards the ferry at Fishnish, but we could see a line of cars coming in the other direction, obviously having coming off the ferry, so I was sure we’d have to wait an hour for the next one. But we were lucky: the ferry was still on the dock as we rolled down the hill onto the deck, and as soon as the last of our wheels hit the deck, up went the barriers and the ferry left Mull. We were greeted with a chorus of “You lucky gits” from our fellow riders, who’d been waiting half an hour or more. Timing, you see.

Back on the mainland, we refuelled with burgers at the dockside cafe, and I was delighted when somebody pointed out the enormous sea eagle which soared over our heads, circling around a seagull which it dwarfed. I was enormously pleased to have seen an eagle in the wild. There was another long climb away from the ferry, and the day was getting hotter: Martin and I reached the top of the climb long ahead of Alan, who’d slowed in the heat and the hills and after the fine dinner, and as we’d ridden the first 100 km in 7 hours (you get 20 hours to ride the 300 km), it was clear that Alan was not going to make it round, but we plodded on a while longer, up some climbs which have that long and steady quality you get so often in Scotland, and which I found a pleasure to climb, but they took their toll. After a wonderful, sweeping descent down to the Strontian, we reached a fork in the road - to the left was the coastal road to Lochailort and Fort William, to the right was the road to Corran Ferry and the shortcut back to Oban. Alan took the right hand turn, but he could feel proud of the distance he’d done, and in quite a hilly

area. That left Martin and I at the back of the field, having given the other 55 riders a headstart.

As they say, let the dog see the rabbit: with people to chase, we charged around the second 100 km of the ride in four and a half hours. At the back of the field on audaxes there’s usually a heartwarming camaraderie and lack of ego - nobody was bothered about being near the back or getting overtaken, and we paused to chat with them as we passed. Everyone was full of cheer - who wouldn’t be, when you’re on the Scottish west coast in early April and cycling in warm sunshine, instead of the horizontal rain and howling gales which we’d all prepared for.

I commented a couple of times that I had an entire set of clothes for wet weather which stayed at the bottom of my saddlebag for the whole ride.

At Lochailort, it was obvious that we’d made up enough time not to have to worry about time any more, but we’d had to ride hard to do it, so we stopped for celebratory chips at the Lochailort Inn, which marked the halfway point of the ride. Here, we had that odd conversation which you so often get on these rides, where you’re too worn out to explain yourself to a bewildered public, but we did try, and fuelled by chips, we breezed the ten miles alongside the West Highland Railway to Glenfinnan, where we were rewarded with a huge welcome from the ride organiser’s family at the Prince’s House Hotel: as we were thundering into the village down the steep descent, they waved us off the road and into the hotel bar like we were proper cyclists. They even offered us beer! It was too early yet for beer, but the leek and potato soup was like rocket fuel to my legs, so it was away past the ‘45 Monument at the head of Loch Shiel and down down along the flat road to Fort William, counting off the mile markers

which were laid out for the next day’s marathon. Even after a couple of years of riding audaxes which are measured in kilometres, I still feel more comfortable with miles, so I mentally convert the kms into imperial as I go along (keeps the mind active), and I enjoyed ticking off the miles, which seemed to roll by very swiftly. “3 minutes for that one,” I’d call back to Martin.

It was approaching dusk as we swooped into Fort William, so leading up to one of the best bits about audaxing, night riding. On went the lights, and we were off into the dark, leaving behind the lights and gaudiness of Fort William. Night riding is special for a few reasons - firstly, the emptiness of the roads. We encountered one other car between Ballachulish and Oban.

Secondly, there’s a sense that you’re doing something slightly naughty, which means there’s always an atmosphere of adventure and silliness - random conversations about German spies and paratroopers and dead drops, wandering into pubs just before kicking-out time and mixing it with the locals, screaming down descents into the little pool of brightness created by our lights and trying to make out the deeper shadows of the Glencoe mountains against the moody sky above us.

The final run-in to Oban was much flatter and easier than the early part of the ride. We rode around Loch Lochy and under rather than over Ballachulish Bridge, which amused me, as I could tell my dad that I hadn’t worn out the bridge that he’d built (by himself, if you listened to him). I had time to ponder the ride and the changing landscape, as you cover a lot of distance in 300 kms. The buzz of Fort William on a Saturday night and the rumble of traffic along the A82 contrasted with the earlier part of the ride, the

remoteness of Mull and the hardiness of its landscape, the wildness of the coast, the sensation of traversing emptiness between warm pockets of civilisation such as the Lochailort Inn and Glenfinnan.

We would have been even more grateful for those welcomes if the weather had been less clement. I also thought that it was a pity we’d left Alan behind, but it was the only way we were going to complete the ride.

We tired a little on the long runin to Oban, which I’m sure is a joy in daylight, but palled a little at night, mile after mile of pushing through the darkness with no views to inspire and distract us, and when we eventually came to a roundabout which seemed to be the only point of interest for about 30 miles, I went around it the wrong way, just to break the tedium. We had stopped for a roadside picnic, but neither of us had much energy for conversation.

It soon became evident that we were approaching Oban: there were cars on the road again, boy racers out thrashing their Corsas at midnight, and a stiff hill which I remembered from the drive in the day before. At the time, I’d commented that this would sting after 290 kms, and I hadn’t been wrong, but I still had the energy and exuberance to rip away at the top of the hill to beat Martin to the finish, and dodge a gaggle of drunken teenagers who lurched at me as I rode along the sea front at Oban.

The organiser welcomed us back with rejuvenating soup, bread and beer. We all thanked him for such a fine event, and asked him how he’d managed to organise the perfect weather. I wanted to stay up and chat a bit and see the other riders come in, but like the organiser’s young son who was determined to see the last rider in, my eyes were getting heavy, and I went to find my bed.

Alan was already there, asleep.

Climbing over to Lock Sunart Arrivée February 2012

21

Randonnées

Doing it Proper from lardy commutor ... to Randonneur (Super) with Graham Gordon

Kick-starting the hobby My route into riding starts in much the same way as many others in the recent ‘boom’ in leisure cycling; starting off with commuting and then getting out at weekends for extra fun and fitness.

My first audax ride was in early 2008 after having my interest piqued by reading the exploits described in Cycling Plus magazine (and on the old C+ forums) of 2007’s edition of Paris-Brest-Paris. I was attracted by the laid back and self-sufficient approach to riding and immediately entered the Cotswold Corker 100k ride - before the calendar was updated to show the total amount of climbing (1800m odd!).

In preparation, I’d done approximately bugger all riding over the winter period and limped in at roughly the same time as the oldest rider in the field that day, who I was told was a sprightly 78, some 50 years my senior at the time. If there’s one word that could describe audaxing for those of us at the ‘lower end of the demographic’, it’s ‘humbling’.

2009 started in similar fashion with no proper winter riding and finished with me grovelling around my first ever 200km in November (Across the Cotswolds, the roller coaster hills simply destroyed me), despite being off the bike most of the summer after fracturing my ankle. Probably not the most sensible of things to do.

The kick-start required to break with the winter hibernation routine came in 2010 In May, my wife (then girlfriend!) and I took three months off work in order to tour Europe by bike.

Starting in Northern Spain was a baptism of fire for both of us, but after taking the ‘scenic’ routes through Spain, France, Italy, Switzerland and Germany with full camping kit in tow, we’d lost over four stone between us. I resolved to keep the weight off and to 22

feed the touring bug at the same time by doing some ‘proper’ audaxing. By this time I’d met a fellow Bristol audaxer, Gary Whiteland, and his enthusiasm for some of our ‘local’ rides (Brevet Cymru and Bryan Chapman in particular) was enough to persuade me that I should have a crack at this audaxing lark in a more complete sense.

2011 so I thought it’d be rude not to enter if I was successful in qualifying: cue aim number three for 2011.

Some season goals and a ‘proper’ winter

Then after just a week or two back on the bike, riding painfully slowly, I had another two weeks off to get married and go on honeymoon (I mean this in a positive sense, honest!).

The 2011 audax season started with two core aims: a 200k+ per month for the RRTY award, to fend off any couch potato tendencies; and an SR comprising the some of the great Welsh rides on the calendar, finished off with the Bryan Chapman Memorial 600. I followed a structured ‘training’ regime over winter getting a solid base whilst completing a 200 each month starting in November.

If there’s one word that could describe audaxing for those of us at the ‘lower end of the demographic’, it’s ‘humbling’.

I started off with ‘The Transporter’ 200 from Cardiff in November, a trip to Tewkesbury for ‘Kings, Castles, Priests and Churches’ in December, my first perm in January (Cambrian series 2a, with company - Phil Chadwick kindly showing me around) and another Black Sheep 200, ‘Mr Pickwick Takes Flight’ in some hideous high winds in February.

During this period, someone had pointed out that Paris-Brest-Paris would be running in

February’s breezy ride must have knocked me about a bit as I came down with Gastroenteritis immediately afterwards. That meant over two weeks off the bike and generally feeling pretty wasted.

The bikes came with us for the last 4 days away though and the knock-back in my fitness meant that Suzi and I were evenly paced for short scenic rides around Pembrokeshire to take advantage of some unseasonal good weather.

Ready for an SR So, back from honeymoon, back at work, and on the first weekend I’m riding the Cambrian 200. This was my first BRM ride for PBP qualification purposes.

It’s hard to express without expletives just how hard I found that ride – 4050m of climbing was a whole new level of brutality for me. Managed it in a bit less time than anticipated though, just over 11 ½ hours, however the impact was felt fully in the legs the next day.

I was reminded when overhearing a café conversation en-route that the Elenith 300k was only two weeks away … ah, had forgotten about that.

As soon as I’m home and next on the computer I remind myself of the amount of climbing involved, 4700m. Ah. Still, at least I’m keeping busy, my first time trial was in the weekend between these two rides - there was much double checking of diary afterwards to make sure enough recovery time was allowed in future!

Arrivée February 2012

Randonnées The Elenith was by all accounts utterly fantastic: scenery; weather; organisation; cafes; and, of course, relentless hills. I even managed to ride to the start and back from my Dad’s in Birmingham (admittedly only 20km each way but all progress towards car free audaxing – yet another aim added). My time off the bike and regressing back into bad eating habits had seen me put on over half a stone which meant I was struggling a bit later in the ride.

However at roughly the 200k mark, I joined up with Alan from Coventry and all of a sudden a depressing slog into a headwind turned into what must have been close to a 30kph average romp through the last 100km taking turns (he saw the front more than me, admittedly!) to shelter from the wind and enjoying the slightly less arduous terrain back over the border in England.

So rather than achieving maximum VFM as anticipated, I was back with over four hours to spare. My stomach hadn’t forgiven me for all that hard riding though and I took about half an hour to eat my beans on toast at the arrive whilst getting touring hints and tips from Alan.

Next stop: Chepstow. Another warm welcome on another fantastic Black Sheep ride, this time the Brevet Cymru 400km, and I was able to ride to the start of this from home (a 25km warm up).

Judging by the number of riders, I’m sure there have been shed loads of reports on this ride over the years so I’ll stick to the short and sweet points from an audax novice experiencing suffering through ignorance: 1. You are nowhere near as quick as the front group, even spending just 15 minutes trying to catch up in hope of a wheel to follow is wasted energy, you may have ridden comfortably to the start with Gary but understand that once he hits the front he’ll be home in bed before you’ve even grovelled in to the 300km control (this was no exaggeration – a fact later confirmed when I picked up a text message at Bwlch).

2. You are nowhere near as quick as the second group, hanging on for nearly an hour at a similar level of exertion to that 25 mile TT you did is frankly, bloody stupid.

3. Going far too quick for the first couple of hours will play havoc with your digestion. No amount of easing up whilst stuffing an energy bar down your gullet will make up for this.

4. Not stopping for rest until the 150km mark is not a great idea when you’ve gone off so hard. That is why you needed over an hour and a half in New Quay (~230 km) sitting in a daze waiting for your food to feel like it has actually gone down.

Memorial 600. I’d heard a lot about this ride and was looking forward to the scenery at the very least.

This time I took it steady from the start but the winds were against us for pretty much the whole length of Wales. The idiotic mistake on this ride was to adjust my position on the bike – queue hasty saddle & seatpost adjustments being made in a layby on the A370 after my knees started screaming with pain! I was finding this one very, very hard. After the welcome first visit to Kings YHA, I headed out alone for the middle leg and managed to arrive at the Llanberis pass in time for both full darkness and torrential rain. Superb.

By the (roughly) half-way point at Menai, it was beginning to feel like I’d taken that next step into ‘proper’ long-distance riding as there was suffering to be seen on the faces of fellow riders and it occurred that I actually wasn’t feeling that bad.

On the way back to Kings in Dolgellau, I felt my audax baptism was indeed complete after passing a rider asleep, crouched in a phone box. It wouldn’t be long before seeing an occupied bus shelter.

Another mistake I would come to regret was actually bothering to shower before sleeping, despite not arriving back at the hostel until 4am. So only 1 ¼ hours of sleep after over an hour of faffing for the sake of a shower.

The next day was a quick start for some bizarre reason (amphetamines in the porridge?), with the Cross Foxes climb done without even resorting to the granny ring.

That lasted for all of about 50km though and the remainder of the ride was a pure battle of attrition, with my body feeling both physically and mentally tired.

After crawling along the roller-coaster road from Hereford to Monmouth, I was glad to be on the finishing straight, and even more glad on arriving at Chepstow that I’d phoned my wife for a lift home (I just couldn’t face an extra 25km.). I was totally knackered, but ultimately elated.

Paris-Brest-Paris A quick footnote on this one.... after the qualifying SR I notched up another 400 (Avalon Sunrise – great practise for riding through the night!) and a DIY 600 for a little extra piece of mind.

After feeling utterly destroyed after the Bryan Chapman, I needed the extra mental reassurance. PBP was indeed a big event, but that alone doesn’t make a ride for me, and after both the Welsh scenery and the sense of achievement of my first SR, the French ride did seem to pale in comparison.

After limping in to the arrivee at 4am, it was starting to dawn on me that at least it was better to have made all the mistakes on this ride rather than anything longer!

But I suspect the overarching impression that most of will get from the (presumably) numerous ride reports that will find their way onto these pages, is that it’s something that’s worth doing at least once.

Finally, two weeks later, the Bryan Chapman

With that I can concur.

Arrivée February 2012

I’ll stick to the short and sweet points from an audax novice experiencing suffering through ignorance: 1. You are nowhere near as quick as the front group, even spending just 15 minutes trying to catch up in hope of a wheel to follow is wasted energy, you may have ridden comfortably to the start with Gary but understand that once he hits the front he’ll be home in bed before you’ve even grovelled in to the 300km control (this was no exaggeration – a fact later confirmed when I picked up a text message at Bwlch).

2. You are nowhere near as quick as the second group, hanging on for nearly an hour at a similar level of exertion to that 25 mile TT you did is frankly, bloody stupid.

3. Going far too quick for the first couple of hours will play havoc with your digestion. No amount of easing up whilst stuffing an energy bar down your gullet will make up for this.

4. Not stopping for rest until the 150km mark is not a great idea when you’ve gone off so hard. That is why you needed over an hour and a half in New Quay (~230 km) sitting in a daze waiting for your food to feel like it has actually gone down.

23

Randonnées A lot of things can happen in 600 km. Partnerships form and break apart, your mood goes darker than the night, higher than the hills, and can change as dramatically as the landscape, though possibly not as much as the weather.

Dean Clementson

Border Raid Above Teebay

It was an easy start. Ian Hellawell and I led the group out of Aldbrough, probably the most complicated bit of routefinding on the ride, but along roads so familiar that my routesheet was mainly decorative. It was a chance to chat a bit with Ian, but I peeled off near Cotherstone and never saw him or Mike Thompson again. It was a dry, fairly still, overcast but not unpleasant day, and I was at Newcastleton by noon, having brushed the edge of a hail shower, the most percussive precipitation I’ve ever experienced. It chimed off my steel frame. Just as I rolloed into Newcastleton, there were a few drops of rain - the north end of the long, straight high street was glowing wet - I sprinted for the cafe and made it under the canopy before the rain started. Smug and happy, I sat down with Jo Wood and Alex Thompson and ordered food. I was to pay for that smugness later on ...

Aidan Hedley flicked us the V’s from the back of the tandem as they passed in the rain. Jo nipped off when that shower eased, and it had just about stopped by the time Alex and I left. It didn’t stay dry for long, we were soon putting rain jackets on and struggling into the wind on the climb over Wauchop Forest.

In a ride which had hills and flat but wasn’t especially hilly or flat, the NewcastletonJedburgh stretch was the only bit I found quite tough. The rain can’t have helped. I tried to maintain a sunny disposition and the relentless optimism probably got on Alex’s nerves but even that mask slipped when the cafe we found in Kelso was probably colder than being outside. At one point I commented on how much brighter it had gotten, but then realised that I’d just taken off my shades.

It was quite chilly, too - more like March than June, but I resisted putting on my longfingered gloves or leg-warmers, in order to save something for the night. However, I was wearing everything else. We stopped at Tesco in Galashiels, for some warm air from the heaters but, this being Scotland, it was obviously far too warm for that, so they were pumping cold air into the shop. We did what we could with the heater in the loo. My suggestion of feigning interest in the automatic dryers at the Comet over the road and getting our stuff dried as a pre-purchase test was, sadly, vetoed.

Alex on Yad Moss

If you’re wondering where all the damp, grey, rainy photos are, you’ll have to use your imagination. The rain wasn’t that bad, except for being unusually cold. And persistent. I can’t have been the only one who considered getting an extra layer in the shops. Thankfully it eased and had stopped not long after we left Gala and continued our ride along the Tweed. We were with the Tweed for a long time, all the way to the source, which, since it forms so much of the 24

border, makes perfect sense. We didn’t do much looting or pillaging on this border raid, and the only thing I managed to fetch back was a Scottish tenner. We rode past Smailholm Tower, the ruined victim of previous border raids.

You might think a stretch of 40 km on the same road with no navigation would be easy, but since the run over the Devil’s Beeftub and through Moffat on the A701 coincided with my most miserable moments on the ride, it was mainly an opportunity for the demons of doubt to emerge from their corners and tell me to quit. I was honestly sick of feeling dreadful on these rides, since I felt that I’d been fighting illness on every audax I’d ridden since the middle of April, and I’d had enough and just wanted to stop. I did get as far as fantasising that the owner of a particular cottage would let me in to sleep for the night, feed me, and drive me to the nearest station the next day, where I’d get a train home, but it wasn’t the unlikeliness of the scenario which kept me going - it was the fact that I’d still be miles away from my cosy bed, and I still wouldn’t get back until Sunday night. A magic door home was what I wanted, and since there wasn’t one available, I carried on.

I stopped a mile or two from the top of the climb over the Devil’s Beeftub (yes, it really is that long) for some cake and some cheesy flapjack. I’d been feeling nauseous since at least Kelso, and hadn’t eaten for about 100 km, so as well as feeling nauseous and hating the cold and damp and drizzle, I felt knackered, so I was wet and cold and nauseous and knackered. I’m used to listening to my body during these rides, and have never suffered appetite issues before, and the mixed message meant I didn’t eat. A bit of food cheered me up and strengthened the legs and got me to Annandale Water, where sleep was the priority.

Arrivée February 2012

Randonnées Actually, riding over the Beeftub in (just) daylight was wonderful, too.

That was my main target - Beeftub in daylight. OK, it was a bit dusk-y and twilight-y, but I could see the scarred hills and the Beeftub itself, which was more than I’d seen two years ago, in the dark.

I was surprised that Alex met me at Annandale, as he’d ridden away ages before. Turns out, he’d thought we needed proof of passage in Moffat, so he’d stopped and met the my-dad’s-a-better-audaxer-thanyour-dad bloke (“How far have you come?” “From Scotch Corner.”

“How far is that?” “”150 miles” “My dad could be there for seven in the morning”, etc). Surreal moment down the interminable B-thingummy from Moffat to Annandale, where I saw cyclists coming the other way, just as I had on the Lanchester 400. Not phantoms of my imagination, but riders on the Only for Softies 600. I asked if they’d been through the same rain we had, and was viciously pleased to hear they’d had a good soaking too. Misery really does love company.

The night was quite warm - much warmer than the day had been, in the cold rain. Alex had ridden on and I’d grabbed half an hour’s kip with my head on my arms at the services and felt fine to carry on.

Something had woken me up, as I snapped upright from sleep like a meerkat, prompting the kind coffee-bringing lady at the services to ask if I was OK. I was alert enough to ask her to fill my water bottle not daft, you see.

For the next 150 miles or so, we were following the motorways. From Annandale to Gretna the route paralleled the M74, which was incredible. Juggernauts with lines of lights along their sides and roaring, grunting engines growled past, and neon signs lined the route like markers on the road to hell. It was flat, too, so I made good time once I’d stopped by the arc lights outside the sawmill to slap myself into something like wakefulness and dig out my head torch.

As usual, Aidan was full of good ideas - I followed his excellent suggestion of breakfast at Tebay services, as it was still too early for sleepy ol’ Sedbergh to have come to life on a Sunday morning. I should have had the beans, but my brain wasn’t functioning well, and the extra fried bread, black pudding etc didn’t do me any harm. The nausea had vanished along the way, as you may have gathered.

Did I mention, Sunday morning was stunning? The sun was burning off the mist, but it still lingered in the bottoms of the valleys while the sun kissed the tops of the hills. After Tebay, the Lune Gorge was gorgeous. It was that perfect hour of the morning when the sun was still low enough to cast deep shadows into the sides of the fells, and even the brutal infrastructure of the motorway didn’t seem too obtrusive. It had stopped raining, all the niggles and snottiness and nausea which had affected me and made me curse my ill luck seemed to have vanished, I’d rediscovered my mojo and I was enjoying this long distance cycling lark again. Even the perpetual easterly headwind which always hits over Garsdale didn’t affect my mood much. The miles were ticking by quite pleasantly.

It’s probably not coincidence that my cheerful mood coincided with the return of a few hills, as well as sunshine. You couldn’t fail to be inspired by the Howgills in sunshine, or Wensleydale and Garsdale on a quiet Sunday morning. I had to walk a few bits, mainly out of fear of over-stressing my knee, but that bothered me not at all.

My opinion changed a bit after Leyburn - the A6108 gets the job done. but it’s an unrewarding road. Hills with no views and impatient drivers. And that headwind, though I was right in assuming that it’d be a tailwind on the way back.

I was flagging again. My mood comes in waves, depending on caffeine/sugar/food consumption, external inspiration by view or company, or by some other weird alchemy of happenings, and on this occasion I fought off a bit of drowsiness with double Pro Plus in Masham, then at the garage in Ripon I realised that I could stick it to The Man by putting an extra espresso shot into my coffee, but only declaring a single black coffee. Take that, Man.

Mist over Penrith

I think the potent combination of sleep deprivation and excess caffeine sends me a bit loopy, but in a good way. Also, there was a 10 km stretch of road where the route doubled back on itself, and seeing other riders on there before I got to Ripon cheered me up immensely, Grinning like a loon for most of the 55 km back to Ripon in rain which became heavier and heavier was probably the best coping tactic.

The sky started to lighten as early as 1.30, and it was accompanied by a slowly rising mist, which made for stunning landscapes as the day dawned. Above Penrith, the Lakeland fells rose like islands from a sea of mist. It was unbelievably cold though, and I was starting to need sleep again, so I lost my bus shelter cherry in Low Hesket, but after ten minutes or so shivered myself awake again and had to carry on.

As the bridges over the A1 on the usual route were closed, Nigel had come up with an alternative route back to Aldbrough which was far better than the usual schlep through Kirklington and Leeming Bar. The lanes past Thorp Perrow Arboretum and through Crakehall and Hackforth were lovely. Shame that we had to go through Catterick, but not even Nigel could organise an extra crossing of the Swale.

I dossed in the 24 hour garage at Penrith, which still wasn’t warm, but the coffee and as much chat as I could manage perked me up briefly.

Just to warm up a bit, I rode along the wrong but sun-lit side of the road along the A6 south of Penrith, but I was flagging again, and took a kip on a stile, which was amusing but impractical. I found the driest spot of grass against the wall and got my head down for maybe half an hour. That did the trick, even though I was still slow through Shap village until Aidan and Señor Harrison caught up with me on the tandem, which spurred my legs into life. Must be the competitive instinct.

Mike Thompson was just getting out of bed when I got back, having finished about five and-a-half hours earlier. We sat and chatted in Nigel’s conservatory while listening to the rain, and I opined that his 90-mile drive home was likely to be worse than my 8-mile ride home.

Since it had still been dry and sunny when he’d finished, I only had slight sympathy. I didn’t hang about to see the others finish; they were at least an hour behind me and I wanted to get home, dry, and drunk. I’d qualified for PBP, and actually enjoyed one of these damn things for the first time in what felt like an age. Randonneuring - it might yet catch on.

The Lune Gorge

Hugh Harrison & Aiden Headley

Arrivée February 2012

25

Randonnées

A Novice RRTY Attempt

Jonathan Duckworth Twice now I have started a ‘100km a month’ series, for motivation and fitness. Both times I failed: the 12th month in 2007 and the 10th in 2009. I realised that one of the main problems was that a 100km is relatively easy to do; no planning required, lots of local routes I can take. Motivation is a key for me and the effort involved in planning rides of 200km, either by entering calendar events, or plotting routes seemed to me to be the perfect way of making sure I completed a series.

I’d got my first Audax points in 2009 - scoring a grand total of 8, and failed to get any in the 2010 season. Reaching October with no points and being terminally unfit was not the best way to enjoy long distance cycling! I had heard many times that the winter months were the worst and most RRTYs fail in these months, often at the end of the series. So I hatched a mad plot to complete an AUK Calendar RRTY, starting in November. Might as well get the worst over first!

26

I did complete 200km before I started the series, on the October YACF ‘Friday Night Ride to The Smoke’. I started at home in Nailsworth, then rode to Oxford and met the other riders, leaving Oxford at just after midnight. It was exceptionally hard work - I was definitely Lantern Rouge, but it was a good reminder of what a 200 involves.

1st Month The Upper Thames 200km 6th November I purposefully chose a ride at the beginning of the month to give me leeway for a failure.

The Upper Thames fitted this perfectly, plus it started 400m from where I used to live and covered a lot of territory that I know. It was a glorious ride, lots of great scenery at the start, the leaves in the woods before Stoke Row were dramatic.

I struggled into the wind from Bicester to Chipping Norton, all uphill from what I remember. Then it was a long drag back, remembering that seeing Didcot Power

station does not mean you are anywhere near it. What better to guide me home (the last rider out, naturally!) than all the bonfire night fireworks. A fantastic welcome back from Phil Dyson and his wife, and good also to see Matt Chambers who had rolled out from the pub to cheer me back in.

Notable points: the fireworks, discovering that you can used arm warmers as gloves when you have left the latter in the car.

Sandals: socks and overshoes later.

2nd Month To Oxford and back 200km DIY by GPS 15th December The weather! I’d always planned to do a local DIY, to give me flexibility in case of frost. I didn’t imagine that the flexibility would be so helpful. I planned a route that could be ridden on side roads or gritted main roads and that covered some parts I knew already.

It didn’t seem too bad to start with; I passed through Avening and Tetbury without worry - although it was cold, hovering below freezing. As it wasn’t too bad I opted to take the side roads after Malmesbury - well, that was a mistake! I only realised when I stopped for some flapjack and nearly fell over. There was a microclimate that was a good few degrees colder than north of Malmesbury; black ice meant very, very careful progress, including about a mile of walking on the verge. The cold didn’t relent until nearly Fairford, I think the lakes of Cotswold Water Arrivée February 2012

Randonnées 6th month

Park acted as a great big heat sink, sucking all the energy out. Anyway, as the sun came up I made better progress and made Oxford.

The Heart of England

Turning back the sun was setting gloriously, but the cold returned. I’d got my feeding wrong and began to suffer, retching in Fairford. The last 20km in the bitter cold was very hard, a gentle uphill from Malmesbury through Tetbury seeming like a mountain. I got home and threw up blood.

300km Calendar 23rd April.

Why did I do this? Because it starts near me and apparently is a benign ride! Well it was a lovely ride, but it certainly wasn’t benign. The sun had been baking for a week or so beforehand and on the day temperatures reached 27degrees. The loop around Coventry was boiling hot and I arrived at Daventry drained and dehydrated thinking “Oh no! Another 100km to go!” I’d been dragged along that section by Pete Hutchinson, whose encouragement was invaluable. I ate and drank in the cafe then set off again. Pete soon dropped me on the climb out of Daventry and I carried on alone.

Notable points: the cold, the ice, the cold and the throwing up.

Sandals: thermal socks and overshoes.

Cold toes.

3rd Month Jack and Grace Cotton 100km ECE 200km 15th January 2011 This 100km from north Bristol had been my first ever Audax, and I thought the effect of having controls and other riders would enthuse me in January! I planned to ride from home, and built in a control at Quedgely, south Gloucester, before setting off down the A38 to Bristol. The wind was astonishing - I arrived at my 1st control having nearly approached maximum speed for a leg! Payback was grinding the 45km or so into the wind down to the start. I registered, had a banana and prepared to set off back the way I’d just come, wind assisted.

The 100km ride sets out alongside the Severn, along picturesque lanes and through little villages and hamlets. And mud. After the turn it was back into the wind and off through Stonehouse. I first knew something was wrong when I met a bunch of riders coming towards me. The road had been closed by Coaley because of a crash. I took some riders on a detour to get them back on route. At the Layhill Prison control it became clear that it was one of our riders that had been involved in the crash.

After realising that I hadn’t fully read the ECE instructions I left the final 100km control with a note from Jane Chapman, to be whisked back along the A38 by the wind.

Notable points: The death of Pat, a fellow Audaxer doing something we all enjoy.

Very sad.

Was it hard?

Winter was.

The iron taste of December’s after ride treat will stay with me for a long while.

Riding most of the rides on my own was hard.

Arrivée February 2012

4th Month To Oxford and back 200km DIY by GPS 17th February I only had a few days to choose from for Feb, so settled on my banker DIY. The main difference between this one and December’s was my fitness, (shaving around 50 minutes off the time) and the lack of ice. Having said that, I still managed to lose the feeling in my toes, having set out optimistically with no overshoes. This time I managed to stop twice at the cafe in Bampton, getting back on the return before it closed, unlike during my freezing drag in Dec. With that cafe stop I got my feeding right and enjoyed the last quarter of the ride.

Notable points: Fairford was closed negotiating with the road workers solved that one.

Sandals: thermal socks no overshoes.

After about an hour I started flying as the food kicked in and had a most enjoyable run to the Sturdy’s Castle Pub. I was still flying after the chocolate sponge and nearly caught Pete up when my world went dark. Or rather the GPS did after the back-up battery had failed to charge it. Unable to read the routesheet because of my middle-aged eyes, there was only one thing for it - to go back to Cirencester on the roads I knew, the A40 and on through Bibury. 19 hours after starting and countless litres of water, I was back, my first 300 complete.

Notable points: You can make an Audaxer drink water, but it probably won’t be enough if it is 27 degrees. Have a third back-up for when the first and second ones fail (or get ready for the A40). Oh, and if your lights are weaker than normal, take your sunglasses off.

Sandals: socks on, then off, then back on with chocolate sponge.

7th Month The Gospel Pass

5th month

200km AAA Calendar

The Cheltenham Flyer

22nd May

200km Calendar

With an ECE, Calendar and DIY by GPS rides under my belt my RRTY plan had now morphed into a ‘try to do as many types of Audax as possible’, so getting some AAA points seemed eminently sensible! Except the lure of the RRTY makes you think differently and I was worried about being out of time on this ride and then being demoralised and exhausted too close to the end of the month - so I did my DIY Oxford two weeks earlier as a banker to pull out of the hat in case of failure.

12th March.

I’d ridden this as my first 200 ever, two years ago and felt it was appropriate to do it again this year. It is a lovely ride and was made better by something rare for me - a couple of legs assisted by chats with a riding companion. Towards the end of the ride the weather became cooler and I slowed, arriving back with an hour to spare and the last ever rider on Ron Carlton’s Flyer!

Notable points: sharing tales with Drew Buck on the leg to Badminton. It’s OK Drew, my lips are sealed!

Failure was certainly an option as I drove to the start, I had a runny nose, blocked sinus and the beginnings of a chesty cough. I looked at the trees being blown inside out and realised that I could pack before I had even started. The slim mix of Randonneurs at 27

Randonnées

the start also spooked me but I resolved to be bold and harden up! Into a headwind we set out, and I joined a group - a rarity for me.

I tucked in at the back and covered the first hour at 25kph (those who know my riding will be astonished at this!). I knew it wouldn’t last and sure enough, as the hills and the rain arrived I was soundly dropped. Soon after I was conscious of another rider pulling alongside. “Are you on the 200?” “Oh good, I was hoping you were, I’ve got a route sheet but nowhere to attach it!” Ged Lennox and I chatted and then rode the rest of the route together, which helped greatly. Plus he lives about half a mile from me!

It was windy. Up to 45mph, apparently. This would be OK on the flat, but the GP200 is a hilly ride and I discovered the triple delights of all but losing the bike on a descent, being physically stopped in my tracks going uphill

Was it easy?

The last few months flew past, merely ticking boxes, knowing that barring disaster I would achieve.

and then having to adopt an aero position simply to push the bike!

The views were stunning, the company great, the effort an effort and the last Control at How Caple an oasis of calm at the end of 25km of gruelling lumpy bits. A great ride!

Notable points: 3AAA points, naturally!

Sandals: socks all day, I’m afraid.

8th Month Reservoir Auks 200km Calendar 25th June.

This ride had been bugging me for a year, it starts a few miles from where I grew up and went through many places from my childhood. the ride bugged me so much that I actually entered it twice, the ride therefore became my first DNS ever, so to speak. There were a few familiar faces from YACF, but otherwise it was a small field. There had been a lot of rain in the days beforehand and overnight, so it was very humid and the sweat dripping off the peak of my cap should have warned me to hydrate properly. As the sun came out and the lumpy parts of Leicestershire loomed, I suffered again in the 24 degrees. Lots of fluid at Rutland Water sorted me for the last leg, and I was Lanterne Rouge again, albeit in a field of only 10 riders.

The ride turned out to be only just short of the climbing in the Gospel Pass 200km, so all in all a challenging ride!

Notable points: The heat, humidity and short, stabby climbs; visiting places from my childhood, the calm of the Reservoir Controls.

Sandals - sweaty to start with, then hot.

28

9th month A Tongue Twister DIY by GPS 200km 27th July We usually holiday in the NW of Scotland and I always intended to do at least one route up there. I found that several routes out of Ullapool are just over 200km, so it is very fertile Audax country, if a tad lonely. I left the cottage at 5:00, just before sunrise, with a chill in the air. The sun lit the clouds around Cul Mor and I felt lifted on the long drag up to Knockan Crag. I turned right at Ledmore Jnct, and set off on the quiet and beautiful road to Lairg.

By Oykel Bridge I was warming up, and so were the midges. A stop for a pee meant a nibble for them and a desperate rush to get moving again. At Lairg I turned back westwards to make my way up Loch Shin. I’d booked some breakfast at The Overscaig House Hotel and had a welcome stop there.

The sun was well up and the midges had been replaced by cleggs. Mad, persistent, desperate, hungry cleggs. The scenery on that road was astounding, making the ride near perfect and making me completely miss that I’d ridden up a chevron hill marked on the map.

The remainder of the ride was climbs and descents, and a stunning setting. Knowing I had Loch Eriboll to troll round was a dampener, as was the clegg powered climb up round Ben Hope. If you don’t know that part of the country then you are missing one of the UK’s treasures.

Notable points: the views, the views, the views. The family car breaking down and Arrivée February 2012

Randonnées hadn’t missed any controls so far so I carried on (having e-mailed Ian Hennessey from my phone in panic).

me beating them to Tongue by 2 hours. The blood sucking cleggs, biting through Lycra.

Enough!

Sandals: socks, then no socks.

10th month Amersham in the rain DIY by GPS 200km 26th August I had planned to go on another 200 in Scotland, but on the day there were high, blustery winds and I didn’t think it wise to cycle on my own on isolated roads. So it was back to England and extending a ride to a camping weekend. I took the Heart of England route up until Alcester, then along through Bicester and on to Wendover.

It was unremarkable apart from the rain. I noticed a mist ahead about 10 miles north of Cirencester, only to find it wasn’t a mist, it was more and more rain. Rain so relentless that I took to watching drips fall from my bars to relieve the tedium, and cursed the rivers of rainwater that were making any climb or descent a pebble dashed lottery.

Notable points: the rain.

Sandals: full of water, like garden water features.

11th month Burghley Horse Trials DIY by GPS 200km 1st September A week after the wet ride I set out again, this time travel to travel to near Stamford in Lincolnshire. The 1st part of the route took me to Broadway for breakfast, where I managed to get into countless tourists’ photographs in my YACF top. I’d ridden this

route 2 years before, but had chosen some poor roads, so I rerouted through Daventry and then on to Desborough skirting round the north of Kettering. For some history I stopped at the memorial for the Battle of Naseby, and it was good to see the Triangular Lodge again. A lovely day if a little windy.

Notable points: none Sandals: partially socked.

12 month Overnight to London DIY by GPS 200km 1st October And so my RRTY came full circle as I finally completed the ride that I had intended to be my 1st one. I started the ride in September and finished in October. I set off from home and turned round after a couple of miles as my seatpost was squeaking and I didn’t want that as my only company for the next 6 hours. Off I set again in silence. Some 15 miles further on I noted with the panic that GPS tracker had been switched off, too late to go back. I realised that I had recorded my return to sort out my seatpost, and that I

It was a hot evening and I stopped at several pubs to fill my water bottles, no opportunity for beer or food though. I was meeting a YACF group at Oxford station at midnight and I updated them occasionally by text to say how I was doing. Timing was nearperfect, as I arrived at the station at 2 min past, just as they were itching to go. The 2nd part of this ride was one of taillights and headlights playing leapfrog in the dark, a lovely quiet night with almost no traffic and plenty of company. We stopped near Ruislip for a puncture as the International Space Station swooped over, and then on to the final 20 miles of my RRTY and a much needed breakfast.

Notable points: the most surreal overnight control, a darkened cafe in Tesco, high Wycombe. Short-sleeved shirt until 3:30 AM. Completing my RRTY. Sandals: I can’t remember!

So, what was my first RRTY really like? Well, I certainly made the right choice in getting the hard months out the way first. I did speed up a bit as the year wore on, but what I gained most was recognition of the relentlessness of process, the nagging mental pressure to arrange and ride for the month, the nervous realisation that there were few days left in some months.

Was it worth it? It was a great target. I’m glad I’ve done it and I shall aim to carry on.

It won’t be the same target though.

Arrivée February 2012

29

Populaires

An Enchanted Place the AAA Milne 100km permanent

The ride changes character again here with a swooping B road descent to Groombridge before the highlight of the ride for me; the climb up through Friars Gate and up Black Hill to the top of the forest again. Just after half way you pop out into a fantastic view across towards Crowborough Beacon before steadily climbing through the trees to arrive near at Kings Standing (the Six Pines in the Pooh stories) and the famous ice cream van.

Tim, Martin and Ann at the Milne and Shepherd memorial

In 2007 Pat Cherry and I launched the Grimpeurs du Sud award which has been very popular with riders of local hilly events. To offer riders a chance to catch up on the 5 rides required for the award, Billy Weir’s 2 perms (the other being Down to Downs) offer a very enjoyable and scenic day out on well surfaced roads suitable for year round riding. I had ridden the route of An Enchanted Place before it became available as a perm and was very impressed but did not get to ride it properly until November 2011.

The name came about in honour of the author of the Winnie the Pooh stories which were of course based in Ashdown Forest. AA Milne himself had a house in Hartfield (coincidentally the same house where the Rolling Stones’ Brian Jones later drowned in the swimming pool) and the area draws visitors from all over the world.

We made good progress through beautiful sunny lanes after Jarvis Brook for our planned stop at Mayfield church, where we arrived just in time to observe two minutes’ silence on Remembrance Sunday. From there we climbed back up to Argos Hill where the windmill is undergoing restoration.

Rotherfield was a lovely sleepy village followed by a tremendous gentle descent down to Redgate Mill. Passing close to the famous High Rocks we soon arrived at the well earned lunch stop at Langton Green.

I met up with Ann Marshall and Tim Sollesse (fresh from PBP) in East Grinstead and we rolled down the hill into Forest Row (the ride can also start from Edenbridge or Uckfield).

This was only Tim’s 2nd AAA ride but he seemed to have no problems.

The Forest Row start meant we got the biggest hill out of the way early on, this being the legendary Wall or Kidds Hill. This is a testing climb as at just after half way the road suddenly kicks up and you have a straight view all the way up to the top of the forest which never seems to get any nearer!

But eventually we reached Gills Lap where the Milne & Shephard memorial and also Roo’s Sandypit are located. To your left shortly is a view over to the “North Pole” and soon, after the summit of the ride, is Four Counties car park (not sure which ones you can see but it’s a very impressive view). For November it was a glorious sunny day with the gorse bushes in bloom, they seemed to have forgotten that winter is just round the corner and gone straight into spring!

It’s a short gentle descent and another scenic ridge across to the edge of the forest on the A26 from here, the 40mph speed limit makes the passing traffic much more bearable than some roads in the region.

It’s a short repeat of the outward route before Fairwarp where there’s a turn onto very quiet lanes which take you to just outside the town of Uckfield (which itself has now been bypassed by the A22 so is a pleasant location control). Ann took us to her favoured control location in the petrol station just before the town (she has been there 8 times this year).

A retrace back through the beautiful Underhill and we were soon climbing up to the summit for the 3rd time but from yet another direction. At Gills Lap we stopped to pay our respects to the Milne & Shephard memorial; quite hard to find even though I’ve been there before; the inscription reads: “and by and by they came to an enchanted place on the very top of the forest called Galleons Lap” HERE AT GILLS LAP ARE COMMEMORATED A.A. MILNE 1882 -1956 E.H. SHEPARD 1879 - 1976 WHO COLLABORATED IN THE CREATION OF WINNIE THE POOH AND SO CAPTURED THE MAGIC OF ASHDOWN FOREST AND GAVE IT TO THE WORLD We rejoined the route at Piglet’s car park for the lovely blast back down Chuck Hatch into Hartfield and past the Pooh Corner shop. It’s a bit of a slog back to Edenbridge from here but nothing too steep. Ann was disappointed at not being able to jump on a train here (her normal start is here) as we still had the last 17km back to Forest Row to do and we were all feeling the climbs in our legs.

An advantage of starting and finishing at this location is that just before you drop back down the last hill in Ashurstwood you have a commanding view across to the forest; with no need to climb back up! After 107km in just over 6hours; we were all soon going back up the hill to East Grinstead and a well deserved couple of beers in ‘spoons.

Nick Davison and Martin Malins climb Black Hill on the Easter 2011 Down to Downs 30

Billy has done a tremendous job in creating these rides; minimal controls, mostly gentle climbs, superb scenery and perfect all season roads; what are you waiting for?

Arrivée February 2012

Populaires AAA 12 points and over in 2011 Name AAA points metres Steve Snook 137.5 137471 Robert Bialek 132.5 132242 Chris Crookes 105.75 105709 Chris Keeling-Roberts 80.75 80866 Marcus Yeo 80 36750 Scott Slater 62.25 61997 John Clemens 62 62025 Stephen Rogers 62 62148 Mike Kelly 61.75 61377 Ann Marshall 61.25 60311 Stephen Poulton 60 60182 Wyn Evans 56 56030 Ben Taylor 55.75 55531 Peter Bond 55.25 55636 Martin Lucas 53.75 53787 John Ellis 50.5 46967 Mary-Jane Watson 50.5 50450 Ray Robinson 50.25 50018 Jonathan Saville 49.5 49527 John Barkman 48.25 48264 Paul Robinson 45.25 45327 Andrew Marshall 42.75 42773 Andy Heyting 42.5 42305 Jonathan Warner 41.25 32160 David Parkes 41 40994 Louise Rigby 40.25 41346 Kevin Firth 39.75 39953 Paul Taylor 39.5 39555 Toby Hopper 39 39000 Don Black 38 37892 Roy Bishop 37.25 37062 Derek Morgan 36.75 36667 Geoff Bell 34.25 34405 Paul Stewart 33.75 33914 Anthony Wheatley 33.75 33826 Chris Crossland 32.25 32014 Reid Anderson 31.25 31480 Adrian Hughes 31.25 31455 Mike Lane 31.25 30495 Dave Lawrenson 30.75 30622 Julian Williams 30.75 30748 Dave Baxandall 30.5 30608 Ian Sharpe 29.75 29575 Matt Tapping 29.5 29600 Mary Doyle 28.5 28708 Anthony Mycock 28.25 28555 Rhisiart Ap Gwilym 28 27688 Tony Davis 27.25 27341 Mark Rigby 27.25 27750 Robin Harper 27 27197 Tim Taylor 27 27150 Geoff Mason 26.75 26316 Mike Pain 26.75 26626 Jason Clark 26 25855 David Matthews 25.75 26041 Chris Marten 25.25 25013 Martyn Mullin 25.25 25427 Andrew Cornwell 25 25352 Jeremy Jones 25 24776 Michael Wood 25 24679 Paul Revell 24.75 24664 Bruce Taylor 24.75 24686

ArrivĂŠe February 2012

Nigel Jones 24.25 Graham Merrington 24.25 Mike Thompson 24.25 Edwin Hargraves 24 Derek Heine 24 Nic Ketley 24 Phil Miles 24 Danial Webb 23.75 John Diffley 23.5 Mark Higgins 23.5 Paul Dytham 23.25 Mike Tattersall 23 Pippa Wheeler 23 Alan Jones 22.75 Paul Rainbow 22.75 Jamie Andrews 22.5 Graham Gordon 22.5 Richard Kitson 22.5 Ka-Wai Li 22.5 Werner Wiethege 22.5 Stephen Main 22.25 Gareth Phillips 22.25 Peter Walden 22.25 Simon Whitehead 22.25 Andy Cox 22 Gordon Jones 22 Peter Loakes 21.75 Simon Palmer 21.5 Simon Spooner 21.5 Peter Coates 21.25 Chris Watts 21.25 Dave Bartlett 21 Brian Callow 21 James Colley 21 Steve Heaney 21 David Redmill 21 Alex Rendu 21 Robert Bird 20.75 Ian Hennessey 20.75 Robin Tomes 20.75 Philip Daniels 20.5 Alan Parkinson 20.5 Chris Smith 20.5 Julian Brown 20 Steven Bryce 20 Nigel Hood 19.75 Tim Mcevoy 19.75 Geoff Crowther 19.5 Alan Goldsmith 19.5 Edward T Mccormick 19.5 Dennis Hornby 19.25 Camilla Mathison 19.25 Colin Mathison 19.25 Graeme Mcculloch 19.25 Jeremy Nason 19.25 Eddie Sumner 19.25 Chris Boulton 19 Wyn Evans 19 Richard Phipps 19 Arnaud Riess 19 Jeremy Sharp 18.75 Garry Broad 18.5 Jon Croome 18.25

24277 24400 23836 24014 24140 23940 23907 23600 23721 23547 23464 22826 23000 22737 22927 22618 22677 22531 22499 22460 22227 22250 22082 22027 22067 22048 21705 21463 21470 21290 21222 21060 20765 21036 21068 21127 21127 20730 20750 20749 20527 20437 20580 19734 19831 19358 19561 19477 19507 19398 19600 19250 19250 19200 19410 19377 18755 18900 19290 18977 18859 18618 18232

Mark Gray 18.25 John Hamilton 18.25 Greg Hynes 18.25 Clive Rogers 18.25 Jackie Sayer 18.25 Roy Clarke 18 Martin Hickman 18 David Darricott 17.75 Simon Fortune 17.75 Matthew Haigh 17.75 Richard Berry 17.5 Richard Priddy 17.5 Phil Chadwick 17.25 Justin Chapman 17.25 Richard Harding 17.25 Daniel Howard 17.25 Jim Crew 17 Peter Faulks 17 Mike Horrocks 17 David Johnston 17 David Kahn 17 David Lewis 17 Ian Llewelyn 17 Chris Regan 17 John Spooner 17 Ian Sutcliffe 17 Simon Daws 16.75 Neil Mcdade 16.75 Peter Sharpe 16.75 Lee Hargreaves 16.5 David Rowell 16.5 Pete Stott 16.5 Howard Waller 16.5 Mark Walsh 16.5 David Atkinson 16.25 Anton Brown 16.25 Mike Wigley 16.25 Richard Brain 16 Paul Butcher 16 Peter Doidge 16 John Hill 16 Peter Johnson 16 Rob Shaw 16 Mike Stoaling 16 Ritchie Tout 16 Peter Turnbull 16 Brian Childs 15.75 Brian Croft 15.75 Peter Simon 15.75 Julian Cole 15.5 Michael Collins 15.5 Toby Lintern 15.5 Fred Abbatt 15.25 Alan Davies 15.25 Julian Dyson 15.25 Frederick Foster 15.25 Georgina Harper 15.25 David Huws 15.25 Adrian Lagan 15.25 Martin Malins 15.25 Adrian Orringe 15.25 Simon Proven 15.25 Will Stanton 15.25

18230 17884 18506 18327 18234 18190 18205 17850 17681 17891 17377 17600 17227 17150 16987 17214 17027 17027 16780 17027 17027 16676 17100 17027 16987 16689 16689 16700 16830 16700 16720 16700 16460 16440 15900 16271 16071 15855 15795 15825 15855 16010 16020 16140 16150 16020 15730 15770 15820 15477 15167 15350 15250 15308 15131 15245 15327 15327 15000 15340 15327 15327 15327

250 riders Steve Topping 15.25 Neil Veitch 15.25 Simon Gent 15 George Hanna 15 Brian Jago 15 Paul Kelly 15 Garry King 15 Daniel Barratt-Brown 14.75 Simon Bennett 14.75 Mike Farrington 14.75 Adam Kinsey 14.75 Andrew Preston 14.75 Andrew Southworth 14.75 Paul Whitehead 14.75 Jon Worters 14.75 Steven Ferry 14.5 Gareth Griffiths 14.5 Rimas Grigenas 14.5 Marcus Jackson-Baker 14.5 Denise Hurst 14.25 Daniel Bernie 13.75 Phil Dyson 13.75 Martin Foley 13.75 Andrew Lees 13.75 John Perrin 13.75 Andrew Seager 13.75 Chris Wilby 13.75 Martin Berry 13.5 Allan Lawson 13.5 Ian Hobbs 13.25 Justin Jones 13.25 Simon Tibbetts 13.25 Trevor Wale 13.25 Peter Corfe 13 David Jones 13 Mark Jarvis 12.75 Colin Weaver 12.75 Martin Brice 12.5 Mark Hummerstone 12.5 Kieran O’malley 12.5 Mark Spruce 12.5 Warren Threlfall 12.5 Martyn Aldis 12.25 Nicholas Bowles 12.25 Lindsay Clayton 12.25 Michael Deacon 12.25 Jim Gresty 12.25 Phil Groves 12.25 Robert Hanwell 12.25 Michael-Luke Jones 12.25 John Juckes 12.25 Raymond Kelly 12.25 Chris March 12.25 Simon Matthews 12.25 Frank Proud 12.25 Andrew Rodgers 12.25 Mark Turton 12.25 Els Vermeulen 12.25 Jo Wood 12.25 Royston Wood 12.25 Ross Jeal 12 Graham Taylor 12

15327 15327 15130 15130 15000 14875 15114 14800 14750 14818 14850 14621 14655 14765 14669 14500 14400 14600 14477 14198 13800 13788 13700 13867 13648 13690 13555 14832 13650 13280 13150 13277 13095 12940 12850 12920 12850 12690 12465 12700 12480 12325 12230 12315 12280 12200 12082 12300 12136 12394 12300 12300 12200 12300 12300 12300 12200 12300 12300 12100 12091 12150

31

Populaires

Tasty Cheddar 100 km with Geoff Sharpe, photos by Graham Brodie weeks beforehand, but part of this climb gets as steep as 1 in 5. It’s about a mile all the way up before you turn for West and East Harptree and desend all the way down and then are faced with the steep climb up to Hinton Blewett.

Had been passing on the ups that fore mentioned tandem, while they would come by on the down hills. See how they do on this climb, Well I think it was a draw, we both came over the top into the village together, but there’s more hills to come.

Ascending the Gorge 1st October 2011 photos from the author

I suppose I’ve been doing this event since the late nineties when it used to be run at the beginning of December and had the start and finish in Clevedon. Now the date has been brought forward by a couple of months and the start has been moved into the docks area down in Bristol.

This year, the ‘French Onion Seller’, Drew Buck had cast aside his Onion Sellers outfit in preference for normal cycling wear and exchanged the 1903 Peterson for a tandem, while several others chose to ride fixed.

Should prove interesting to see how they get on going up Cheddar Gorge and the steep climb up to Hinton Blewett in the Mendips.

Leaving the start the route follows the river Avon on the cycle path under Clifton Suspension Bridge and all the way down to Portbury. Surface not too bad this time, in the past I’ve found it difficult to get along, due to mud, and quite a number choose the main road to the bridge and join up at Portbury.

En route to Clevedon 32

Following a lane through Clapton, which we have to share with several groups of horses, you arrive in Clevedon and the control on the sea front for a welcome cuppa although a number of riders pushed on for another 25K to the Cheddar control.

The next bit to Cheddar involves a lot of twists and turns but is generally considered the ‘easy’ bit with few hills before you have to start the climbs up into the Mendips. Picking up the turn for Yatton brought me to Winscombe and the old railway tunnel. Had a back light but no front one so had to wait for the next rider with lights and follow him through.

Street Market going on in Axbridge as I came through, but really didn’t have time to look round and carried on to Cheddar for the halfway control where Joe Prosser, the organiser of the event was signing cards.

Jane Chapman , organiser of the South Gloucester 100 audax was checking us in at the Ring ‘O’ Bells PH where I thought that, as I hadn’t stopped at the previous control, I would take a few minutes here and then get after that tandem.

The last 30K involves some climbing around East Dundry, it’s those short steep ones that seem to appear around every corner and find you in the wrong gear to climb them but you are rewarded with magnificent views over Bristol and a long downhill to the old A38.

Half a mile on the main road then turn towards Long Ashton and an easy run along the A370 passing Ashton Gate, Bristol Rovers must be at home this Saturday judging by the number of cars parked along the road.

Dropping down into the dock area and over shooting the junction, allowing the tandem to get ahead, then passing the start car park to the finish at the Nova Scotia PH.

Quite a queue at the café so decided to push on up the Gorge. Pace not quite that of the Tour of Britain riders who came up a few

Thanks Joe and your helpers for a perfect route with glorious scenery and weather, up to 28 degrees in the afternoon, the last really fine weekend of the summer.

Camilla Mathison Arrivée February 2012

Populaires

A Holiday Audax

by Alan Davies

I

calculated the start location to be a pleasant 30-odd miles away from our caracan, and, given that I’d be riding there and the weather forecast looked dodgy, it was an easy decision to opt for the 50km as opposed to the 100km version.

So off I set at 6.45am from our caravan site to ride to Connor Downs, with an expanse of cloud hugging the coast, contrasting to clear skies out to sea. The route to the start was quite straightforward and the first half of it followed the coast road to Newquay. Excursions in the first week of our holiday had left me in no doubt as to the rolling nature of this road, so the 1:6 big dippers via Porthcothan, Morgan Porth, and Watergate Bay came as no surprise.

Somewhat unhelpfully, I was riding directly into the remnants of Hurricane Katia, the worst of which would hit the north of England and Scotland, but there was plenty enough hitting the north coast of Cornwall to make it an exhilarating ride. My route turned inland via Goonhavern, along a route that, while quiet, took rather longer than I hoped, before turning into the pleasant country A-road I was expecting. The clear skies had won their battle with the brooding cloud and everything looked marvelous as I gradually climbed inland. Avoiding the A30, I worked my way around Redruth, as the landscape changed from coastal vistas to engine houses, all dominated by the almighty Carn Brae, a huge hill topped with a monument that stood out brilliantly on the skyline. As Peter was later to comment, I was now entering ‘proper Cornwall’.

The clouds were rushing by and, after dodging a few showers, I reached Connor Downs in good time, passing a few of the 100km riders during the first few miles of their ride. After meeting Peter and his assistant Eddie Angells, the rest of the riders gathered. Around ten of us departed on the 50km, hot on the tails of the 30-odd 100km riders, who would complete our 50km as the first half of their 100km figure-of-eight loop.

The ride was very sociable, and most of the ten riders kept more or less together most of the way around the course. The youngest and possibly oldest riders were from the same family, 13 year old Charlie accompanied by his grandfather.

A steep climb from Kehelland was the first short sharp shock of many on the ride. Once over this, we soon found ourselves riding along the beautiful coast road at Gwithian. The sea looked stunning set against a bright blue sky, the clouds seemingly having been blown away for good. We rode straight through Hayle, where

Arrivée February 2012

some colourful flowers set against the river views provided the first of many photo opportunities on the ride, then we turned inland onto a long climb on a quiet lane to Cripplesease.

Looking forward to our two-week holiday in Cornwall, I was flicking through the back pages of Arrivee when I noticed a Cornish Audax, bang in the middle of our two weeks. The ride was Golowjy Ha Bal, although the start location at Connor Downs near Camborne was not quite ideally placed with regard to our caravan at St. Merryn near Padstow, after enquiring with organiser Peter Hansen, I received a helpful reply enclosing a route sheet and confirming that an entry on the line was acceptable if I brought the right change.

The choice of steed for the ride was somewhat limited by the rides planned for the rest of the holiday, and thus it would be the first audax ride I had attempted on a ladies, more like a girls actually, purple mountain bike, being the only bike in the stable which was a) suitable for mounting a child seat, b) had gears low enough to get us round a family cycling holiday in Cornwall. Luckily I had equipped it with 26” mudguards so it was ready for action as an audax machine.

The scenery had changed again. I was climbing inland now and the downland views here were fantastic. I gradually caught up with a rider on a Moulton, not on the ride officially but out to snap the passing riders. We swapped photos as Charlie and the others caught up, and ‘the bunch’ was back together for a swoop through Nancledra and more quiet lanes through Crowlas to Marazion, the mountain bike being an excellent choice for a few of the smaller lanes as it turned out.

I had made a few brief attempts to trace the route on the map before setting out but had not managed to get much further than Hayle. As the rest of the ride was therefore a mystery tour to me, I was delighted when we emerged on our second coast of the day at Marazion. The views of Penzance and St. Michael’s Mount were really quite staggering and I spent some time here taking photos.

‘The bunch’ must have passed me during this time as I caught up with them on the second long inland climb, from Goldsithney to Godolphin Cross, which seemed to climb for a long time but the views were well worth it.

With the majority of the ride complete, we now had our control stop at Little Pengelly Farm, which provided some very welcome tea and muffins. The day had now clouded over, but from here it was just a handful of kilometers cross country back to Connor Downs.

Back at the hall, I thanked Peter for a very enjoyable ride, said farewell to my riding companions, and set off on my journey home, with Hurricane Katia now providing a welcome helping hand. I had a second ride through Gwithian, and hugged the coast road via Portreath and Porthtowan to St. Agnes. I couldn’t resist a detour down a hill signed 33% to Blue Hills, and this turned out to be a short cut and a superb lane down to the coast, with dramatic views of the sea and the surrounding engine houses.

I made my way back via Perranporth to Newquay once more. Just the rollers of the coast road left to tackle. The long climbs from Watergate Bay and Morgan Porth strained my tired legs, but with the climbs behind me I was soon rolling along the lane to our caravan at 5.15pm after a ride which will live long in the memory and which at 165km was my first century ride on a girl’s mountain bike.

33

Populaires

19th Dartmoor Devil Geoff Sharpe Dartmoor this year failed to live up to its reputation, with spring-like weather in the morning. Then, in the afternoon, the moor showed how quickly conditions can alter, with a mist so thick that you could hardly see across the road. What a change from the 2010 event when, with high winds and torrential rain, ‘Hell on Dartmoor‘ would have been a more fitting title for the event.

A full entry of just over 200 lined up in Bovey Tracy for the two starts at 8.00 and 9.00. I plumped for a 9.00 start along with my friends from CTC Torbay, Bob Gregg, who was trying for his second Devil finish, while John Cooper and Paul Harman were out for the first time on the event.

Just out from the start you climb the 1 in 5 Hind Street hill so get a taste of what you are going to experience for the rest of the day. Out along for a mile or two of flat lanes then that sharp, steep climb up Old Town hill for the first info control in Ilsington. Continuing along minor lanes going up and down to reach Buckfast and the long climb up to Cross Furzes and 28K covered .

Organiser Kevin Presland and Clive Long leading a group up from New Bridge All photos: Graham Brodie

Foxtor Cafe control ar Princetown

Drinks and cakes being handed out here, don’t know what was in that cake but I seemed to have really got going after that, maybe I shouldn’t ask...

Down a steep one then up a hill just as steep before a series of down hills to cross the river Dart and take to a little used lane that most of us had never ridden before, when we reached the top we knew why we don’t go that way. Continuing climbing past Poundsgate before turning off the main road for a couple of miles of flat roads before starting the climb up the Challacombe valley and over Grimspound.

Bathed in sunshine going up here and with large numbers of walkers in the road going up to the Iron Age settlement , We even got some claps from the public as we cycled passed.

Joining the B3212 it’s a fast few miles down the main road to the turn for Chagford and the half way control.

34

Arrivée February 2012

Populaires A very welcome soup and roll supplied by the organisers here before you tackle the next set of hills on leaving the town. It was only a quick stop for me while my three companions tucked into their food I got going to climb the three hard hills to get up to the high moor.

The first one out of Chagford wasn’t too bad but the next one, Jurston, always gives me a problem. You’re doing your best going up 1 in 5 then you have to cross a cattle grid, it shakes me off the bike.

Another hill and then I’m dropping down towards the Warren House Inn, the highest pub in the west country and reputedly has a peat fire that’s been burning for over a hundred years. Further down hills going through Postbridge and on towards the next control in Princetown Princetown. No wonder they built a prison here, about two hundred years ago, to house American and French prisoners of war. The mist was that thick you could hardly see across the road and with cyclists appearing out of the mist to start the home leg it’s quite eerie up there.

Camilla Matheison nuzzled by a friendly sheep

Riders at Grimspound

Ian Hennessy, on his 19th Devil, at Two Bridges

With just 25K to go and two hills to climb, admit long steep ones, you get on down the road and head for the finish.

Camilla Matheison nuzzled by a friendly sheep

Dartmeet hill is always a case of, ‘I think I’ll ride it this year,’ but end up walking most of it, the same can be said for Widecombe hill which broke Dan Pearse’s old grey mare in that song ‘Widecombe Fair’ but not me.

Coming over the top it’s just a few miles past Hound Tor and Kitty Jay’s grave to get to the finish in Manaton.

Paul came in about half an hour later to record his first Dartmoor Devil ride, Bob’s back wheel collapsed on him while coming out from Chagford and had to pack along with John who decided that there were just too many hills to climb that day.

Did one of my quickest times for the event this year, This being the 10th Dartmoor Devil I’ve ridden and, while there was more climbing involved, the fine weather helped to make things a bit easier. I was considering before the start that this would be the last time I’d ride it, but now, considering all things and how I felt at the finish, I ought to try just another two and get that 12 times award in 2013.

Ribble Blue

Arrivée February 2012

35

Randonneurs Mondiaux

How not to Qualify for PBP

by Nigel Cox

Well, despite everything, the weather, road conditions, temperamental bikes and the digestive effects of sports drinks, I actually completed my qualification rides for PBP. Although I say it myself, it was a brilliantly planned campaign, with plenty of contingency cover. And it all started so well Before most people had even got over the Christmas rest period, I had clocked up the first 200km of the year. Climbing is not my strong point and, when wind is added, I am likely to be among the tail end of end ride but. despite a serious navigation problem on the way to Chipping Camben, I got round The Poor Student with minutes to spare.

If only that had been the last navigation challenge I experienced! Deciding that I needed to build in more miles (and fancying a go at a double SR series and a Randonneur Round the Year award) I followed up with the Willy Warmer, the Kennet Valley Run and the Chiltern Hills Brevet.

Moving on to 300km, I tackled The Dean, The Denmead SR Series 300 and the Heart of England 300.

Clearly on a roll, I was looking forward to my first 400km. This would new territory. My previous longest ride had been a 350km day trip from Cirencester to Northampton and back, so I felt 400km would be easily within grasp. Oh, such arrogance. It was now that fortune and weather turned against me.

The Hailsham 400 did not start well. Two punctures in the first 40km and I was well and truly behind the pack, although not out of time at the first control. Using a break in the weather (it started damp) I repaired the two tubes, and got back into my stride Hitting a bit of a brick wall at around 175km, I felt fully resuscitated by rice pudding and fruit at the half way point. One up from being lantern rouge I quickly picked up another of the slower and navigationally challenged riders and together we made good headway until night set in and rain started in earnest.

A complete directional disaster then put us onto some nasty roads and an approach into Petersfield that would have been daunting in daylight. At this point I picked up puncture three and quickly found that instant patches do not respond well to being immersed in water. Struggling on with a not-so-slow puncture we were pleased to arrive on the right side of the time limit at the 24 hour café control, only to find it, along with the rest of Petersfield, to be closed.

For the first time I recorded a DNF. In the process I had also realised that my bike needed some significant care and attention, so also pulled out of the BCM. Within a short period, two key rides for PBP qualification had been missed.

36

PBP Photos: Ivo Mieson

No matter, I knew my plan had included back up 400km and 600km rides. So, with a bike that had been given a lot of careful attention, I set off on the Faffers 400 from Didcot, confident that I would complete and get, not only the 400km qualifying ride, but also the necessary May ride for the target “Round the Year” award. It was no to be.

Despite a new wheel, within 50km of the start a single spoke snapped and the wheel went seriously out of true. Losing a lot of time trying to get the wheel fixed I eventually set off, having discarded the rear mudguard, breaks adjusted to their widest spread, and a sadly off-true rear wheel. Behind schedule at Newent, I never caught up. The wind sapped what the climbs didn’t. At Tewkesbury I felt unable to go on. A second DNF in a row, and seriously demotivated.

Now the diary was a problem, with other commitments reducing the range of opportunities of finding another qualification ride to a single event, the mid week To Holl and Back. The problem was, this was another 600km and only two days after the Seething 600. Well, nothing ventured, nothing gained!

For 400km the Seething ride seemed to flow.

Good times, favourable weather and excellent support. Then the impact of nonstop energy drink consumption hit, and continued to hit. Food went in, and was out again in no time. The down side of bib shorts was never more evident. And the wind and the rain swept in. East Anglian draught was followed by the deluge. Two hours in the bank, even after a couple of hours sleep at the 400km point, started to get whittled away. But our hero pressed on. In the end, I was comfortably inside the time limit, but what an effort it had been. A bedraggled and gaunt rider finished, 2.5 kilos less in weight, 45 minutes before the control closed.

Clearly there was no way I could ride out again two days later. Well 24 hours of starvation, followed by conveyor belt food consumption and I was off on my next epic adventure. The usual catalogue of navigation errors, dying GPS systems and out of date routes sheets were unable to stop me.

Tackling some tough climbing, a fresh incursion into the Lincolnshire head winds, a total lack of sleep, and an extended period of support to a struggling companion, I swept into Stockport with two hours to spare, only to discover the route sheet did not actually direct me the final control. Deciding that some kind of receipt would have to do, I braved an open pub in full cycling kit only to find the ride organiser sitting with pint in hand at the bar.

Qualified, yes, but a real candidate to complete PBP? Arrivée February 2012

Randonneurs Mondiaux

And How not to Ride PBP My road to Brest and back continued to break all the advice on how to approach long rides Somewhere on the road to PBP I had decided that I deserved a new bike.

Now, everyone will tell you that one complete no-no on a major ride is to use a new bike, so I had to get it ordered early and have it bedded in before the main event.

I took a few soundings and came up with the Sabbath September as the one to go for. A lot more than I had ever paid for a bike, but business had been good. After a few chats with my local independent cycle shop (Performance Cycles, Poulton), we agreed, although I was not a particularly unusual shape, the Sabbath specs were such that I would need a custom build. We put in the order and asked for a quote and detailed specs. While we waited I continued my qualification rides on what was proving to be a not so trusty Dawes Audax. As time went by I got more concerned about the reducing time there would be to bed in the new bike. Once the order was confirmed it was going to take 8 weeks and the stop watch still had not started.

Eventually, I started talking to Performance Cycles about what we would need to do to my Dawes to make it fit for PBP (starting with a complete new drive set). Then, with only 6 weeks to go, an alternative was found. We wrote off Sabbath and found a brand new Kinesis. They were just about to start shipping their new GrandFondo Ti into the UK. This model had not yet reached the UK on a retail basis, but they promised could get it shipped across in time. Their size range was broader, so no custom frame required. I would have the privilege of the first in UK and, undoubtedly, the first (and only) on PBP. Now it was just a matter of getting it shipped, built and run in. Time was tight and to make it more challenging I was actually scheduled to be out of the country for two weeks immediately before PBP. Kinesis and Performance Cycles pulled the rabbit out of the hat and I had a new bike at the start of August. I did transfer my trusty Brooks saddle to the new bike.

Performance Cycles gave me a high tech fitting, with 3 D something or other to make sure elbows and knees moved the right way.

As a result I suddenly found I had a saddle 15cm higher than I had had on the Dawes.

Initially odd, and clearly stretching muscles, I quickly found it a much better riding position. Performance Cycles limited the changes to my riding position to avoid over stress but suggested that after the PBP we could go even further on the adjustments.

The ride quality on the PBP seems to have validated their judgement.

So, with less than 100km on the saddle, I set off to join my riding companion for the drive to Paris. Well, that ride was a test in its own Arrivée February 2012

right. Heavy rain for four hours of cycling.

Just to make things more interesting my right eye was in so much pain I was cycling much of the time with it closed and thinking I needed a patch. Despite the tribulations I made it to Great Missenden for my lift. The following day we drove to Versailles. My companion, Phil, has this idea that France has an economy based on 11 months of the year.

I think he may be right – I’m sure there is no city in the world where parking becomes free at the height of the summer holidays.

However, “Le Grand Depart” gave us PBPers a much easier time finding accommodation and places in restaurants, as well as parking space, than would otherwise have been the case. So, hooray for the French way of life.

Being an experienced PBPer Phil suggested, after we had signed in, we did some quiet sight-seeing, but mostly relaxed and rested before the big day. This and subsequent trips to St Quentin involved juggling bikes, cars, and various bits of luggage. By the time we returned to UK we had it down to a fine art, but on that occasion it involved lots of faffing and discussion about whether wheels or mud guards were necessary for the ride or would fit in the car. (OK – I exaggerate – but it’s amazing how small the margins are for fitting two bikes when you want to minimise the amount you dismantle).

Phil had recommended an early sign on slot, so queues were at a minimum when we arrived. I’m crap at recognising people, so even if anyone I had ridden with in the UK was around I didn’t spot them (and during the course of the actual ride I depended entirely on people coming up to speak to me – so apologies for anyone who saw me but got no acknowledgement). On that morning I don’t think even Phil spotted anyone and he is much better at the recognition thing. So, all things done, and now sporting the Tsunami support bandana, I was able to get into the rest and recreation phase. Well the recreation bit went well. Having broken rule one (don’t use a new bike PBP), I now broke rule two. I had no sleep the night before the start. It may have been the last shot of coffee but it was probably just nervous tension. I lay the whole night without sleep.

Morning came eventually, and I had a hearty breakfast. We deposited the car in the long term car park and I set about breaking rule 3.

Don’t change your ride plans at the last moment. The thing was, the sun had come out and I thought we had forecasts for warm, not to say hot, weather for the next four days.

This meant that all-weather riding stuff was going to be superfluous. So, I went through my bags and chucked out a whole range of items and in the process chucked out things I did still want. Even after all the sorting out there was a massive weight on the back of 37

Randonneurs Mondiaux my bike, including substantial quantities of dried fruit and peanuts. As I struggled to keep the bike upright I pondered on the wisdom of spending a fortune on a light weight frame.

Repacked, off we went to the start, again following Phil’s experience, to get a place at the head of the 18:00 start group. We had around four hours to kill. I lay on the grass in the shade letting the carnival atmosphere pass over me. I might have been more active if I had slept but, in any case, I wanted to keep cool. Eventually the start time approached and we became part of the scrum to get in the first off group. Much as I hate queuing, if I were ever to do PBP again I would not bother, and would wait for that initial surge to die down, leaving with later bunches. However, we did have the satisfaction of winning the struggle and being with the first of the 90 hour groups.

Two years ago I did a stage ride from London to Paris with out-riders and closed roads so had had some prior experience of French street support, but the cycle out of Paris was fun with large waving crowds for long sections. Whether it was the roads, the crowds, or the excitement but the pace of that first 50km was pretty high. It was also quickly apparent that water consumption was going to be high. I was already through my first water bottle as I hurtled down hill towards some traffic lights. I had been told previously that refreshment and water might be hard to come by before the first control so, as the group disappeared to the left I made my first refill when I spotted a cache of water bottles with a ride supervisor at that junction. Over the next 100km to the first control I must have made four or five water stops. I don’t think I have ever drunk so much water in such a short space.

Approaching Montagne light started to fade, so I was now going to test the lighting system. This must go down as another broken rule. Although the individual lights had been used before, this was the first time I had used this specific combination. On French roads I was going to use less light than the UK (both front and back). This turned out to be entirely adequate – so much so that I might run the same rig in UK in the future. I was surprised by how long some of the other riders went on without lights or their reflective jackets. It got to the point where I decided that, as there was a serious risk I’d be delayed by an accident, I told another rider to light up.

The first food stop at Montagne was a shock to the system. I was happily taking on the calorie loading when suddenly I realised my body not only was struggling to take in the food, but was finding it hard to hold on to what it had taken. 10 minutes of concentrated relaxation and I had things under control again. If this was going to continue I was not going to enjoy this ride!

Phil had a ride plan which involved taking proper rests at the controls, so we put our feet up for 15 minutes before setting off again. I’m not sure if it was this one, or the 38

next, but Phil and I quickly found we had lost our ability to communicate clearly so kept missing each other in the journey from the food hall to the restart line. Bizarre.

From this point on I will struggle to be specific about location or date of events. The drama at Loudeac was to be such as to knock all other memories out of sync. I do know that at around 250km the ride started to come together for me. I was enjoying the experience. I was looking around and making steady progress. Food intake was fine, the bike was running smoothly and all was well with the world. I’m told that many people find this countryside dull. It’s certainly not dramatic, but I have always felt it’s comfortable, it fits like an old slipper.

Anyway, arrival at Loudeac was marginally behind schedule, but we had planned a longer stop with some sleep. Phil crashed out. I went to eat first. We had agreed to get up at 10.00pm and leave at 11.00. Well, that plan worked for Phil. Me, I got a wake up shake at 03.00am. At the time I did not realise how late I was, wandered over to the canteen and tucked into a fresh meal. When Phil didn’t arrive I decided to check for messages. That was when I realised (a) it was very late (b) with my non-appearance Phil had gone on. Contrary to all my instincts, rather than rush off immediately I took the time to finish my food.

It was 03.30 by the time I left Loudeac. I tried to keep my cycling in check, and rode steadily to St Nicholas, where I grabbed some food and then got out the control sheets to see where I was in terms of time.

This was the point I realised I had left Loudeac long after it was due to have closed for my time slot and that to get to Carhaix inside the time limit would be a struggle. It was only a short ride to Carhaix, so this time I didn’t finish my food and kicked off immediately, pushing myself steadily and, although I missed the cut off, I was not too late. I might have been be pulled off the ride but was told that provided I was inside the Brest cut off I would be OK. I took time to eat properly at Carhaix and then set out again. This was a cold and misty morning. Now I found that the warmer clothing discarded at the last minute repacking would have been good thing and that I had even managed to off load the arm warmers. As the mist condensed on my arms on those long ascents and descents towards Brest I considered putting my leg warmers on my arms. It may have been the continuing adrenalin but it did seem to me that the road to Brest was mainly downhill, so I was not looking forward to the return trip.

It would have been nice to be part of a train for some of this ride, but I never found a group that cycled at my pace. I didn’t feel I could slow down until I hit the Brest control but in any case I seemed to passing people all the time, seldom being passed. The more this happened the more comfortable I was that I’d be OK by the turning point and, in fact, I arrived with an hour in hand. Given the arrears when I left Loudeac, iy felt a great Arrivée February 2012

Randonneurs Mondiaux achievement. Now I just had to get back to Paris. As had I cycled across the bridge I remembered two things, one was that I had been told there was a major climb into Brest, and two was that it was a long drag through Brest to the control. Well the two came together with the lunch time traffic through, then up out of, the dock area.

I seem to remember Brest control as being very scattered, food adequate and sanitary arrangements problematic. Come to think of it, that could describe many of the controls.

The one advantage from my long sleep was that I had missed the big storm. St Nicholas was still showing the after affects when I had arrived on the way out and I had seen some very bedraggled riders at Loudeac.

So, 600ish km down, now the return. I had been dreading the climbs out or Brest but, when it came to it, they seemed benign.

Perhaps my mind was completely shot by now, but I just found the right gear and pushed on. I was finding three types of rider now. There were more stronger riders just going passed me, there were those for whom the climbs were slow plods (normally where I would be) and those for whom the shock of being caught by me was sufficient to send them into a frenzy of effort to get out of the saddle and accelerate away, only to slump back and get caught again (at which point the frenzy would start again). Very odd – how did they know it was me each time?

I think it was on this part of the ride that I felt we were most at risk on the road. Cyclists were clearly getting tired, but more significantly trucks going in both directions seemed to be taking no account of our presence. I was some distance away from the action but some of those manoeuvers looked very dangerous and I was pleased when we got off the main roads again.

Pre-ride planning had allowed for a proper sleep stop at St Nicholas but, rather than suffer the limited facilties there, Phil and I had booked a hotel. I had, after Loudeac, expected to have no time to sleep but, by the time I reached St Nicholas, I had time in hand again. This time I put three separate wake-up strategies in place. The hotel was confused by people paying for a room and only staying a few hours but it was a great rest stop. We also had better food.

So, now I was with Phil again. Well sort of. We mainly met at the controls. As you might expect we had settled in to very different cycling patterns so didn’t actually spend much time together on the road but that suited us both. In addition, at some point after Brest, I started to suffer the consequences of an untested bike. The chain came off the front ring about once every 150km but the situation was getting worse, so at one of the controls I had a mechanic try to adjust it for me. For about 100km I had fully functional shifts front and back, then the front started to go again. By the time I reached the second secret control I was running on the lower front ring all the time.

Of all the things that might have gone wrong this seemed quite trivial and although it may Arrivée February 2012

have slowed me a little, I suspect it also meant I conserved energy.

Either side of Montagne I had some great riding – long stretches in a train and, very oddly for me, two long stretches where I had trains behind me. Someone even commented on how steady my pace was, making it a good ride to follow. That’s not my normal ride pattern.

The climb into Montagne seemed to go on for ever, a long period of granny ring. Before that we had made our one and only stop at a proper café. Good food, quick pace and a chat with a range of other riders who followed our example. Sadly one rider ate his food then left without paying.

I suspect the ride to Dreux is very dull in day light but, for someone like me, that long traverse of the plain at night was an easy relaxing run. The final run into Paris was notable because the weather improved again and, all of a sudden, there were very few spectators. All the way round, until that point, seemingly through the night as well as day, you’d find people at the road side waving you on, offering drinks, slices of tomato or flowers. I had plenty of opportunity to practice my royal wave or top slap hands with kids as we road past. On that final run in, even passers-by showed no interest. Mind you. If they had been cheering for the previous four days perhaps they were as tired as the last cyclists.

Of all the periods on the road, that run into St Quentin, was the one where time and distance dragged. Leaving Dreux I felt on top to world, ready to ride forever. By the time I got to the final check in, I’d had enough. I’d actually taken it pretty easy, roughly aiming to finish at 88 hours, but coming in about 15 minutes later. Given the loss of four hours on the first half of the ride, this was a not bad time for me. Road speed had probably been between 21 and 22 kph on average. I’d not bothered with the GPS and, apart from the front shifter problem, the only other thing that had gone wrong was that my odometer failed. This means I had only the official timing to work from for cycling history.

So, through the controls, card handed in, souvenir chip in hand and even more importantly, a voucher for a free beer, I wandered out into the sun. Beer tent orientation was poor, clearly showing the impact the ride had had, but I found it eventually. All of a sudden there were riders I recognised (well four) from UK. Where had they come from?

What I never told Phil, and was probably the most risky rule to break, was that I had somehow omitted to pack either sudacream or Assos cream. So I rode 1200km without protection or relief. The combination of professional fitting by Performance Cycles (Poulton), the Brooks saddle and the Kinesis GranFondo Ti looked after me exceptionally well. I was back on the bike a few days after the ride and had no soreness and the ride still felt comfortable.

39

Randonneurs Mondiaux

A Laid Back First PBP with Alf Chamings

Alf, Manuel (LEL jersey) and German friends at Brest

Soon after I started audaxing, at the tail end of 2009, attempting PBP entered my head as a, ‘Realistic goal or just madness,’ question. I had doubts about whether I was up to cycling for 1200Km but, apart from one or two PBP sceptics, the general view seemed to be that this was the ride that had to be experienced at least once.

I did an SR series in 09/10 which led me to think I would be fast enough not to worry too much about the time limits but the question remained whether I could keep going for so long. The wisdom from the local PBP anciens was that, even though the last thing you would think of, having completed a 600, was turning round and repeating it, the frankly awesome prospect of riding 1200Km was allegedly not something to be too worried about, so long as you had a reasonably practical approach to sleeping and eating.

40

I arrived at the start in what should have been plenty of time for the 5.30 start but, even 90 minutes before they would be allowed into the arena, the 6pm starters were completely blocking the entrance - hundreds deep. I eventually climbed over a barrier and managed to get into the underpass, round to the gathering point in the sports arena. Then there was a most interesting 40 minutes or so during which nothing much happened other than recumbent riders going round nosying at each other’s bikes and chatting.

A centre of attention were the 4 velomobiles (recumbent trikes with full fairings - ie, totally enclosed, with a flip-up cowl to allow the rider to get inside and to pop out for air on slow uphills.) There seemed to be a few home-made bikes too, including a back-toback tandem, and quite a few very expensive ‘Carbents’ (the website quotes prices in excess of US$7000). These seemed mostly to belong to Americans .

I had thought my own Challenge Seiran SL was quite a special bike but it seemed quite ordinary in this crowd. Nevertheless, I called ‘snap’ to at least 3 other Seiran riders - their French and Dutch riders probably didn’t quite see the point of this. A Challenge Furai

The lights I had bought two or three lights over the previous 18 months from a Hong Kong based retailer of a range of gadgets including torches with the latest LEDs. A new LED came along some months before PBP so I bought a new light (for the princely sum of US $21) and put it to the test on a number of night rides. I added a cowl made of plastic milk bottle lined with foil to concentrate the beam and reduce the upwards spill. This light takes removable Li-ion batteries, each lasting about 2.5 hours, so I bought 8 and supplemented it with another which took AA batteries. I modified the latter to take an external battery pack which I fitted with 8 AAs. This would provide about 16 hours of full beam and, if necessary, I could buy more AAs en route. Unfortunately my home made battery pack failed on the first night of PBP - a badly soldered joint!.

Arrivée February 2012

Randonneurs Mondiaux also caught my eye and I got some interesting gen from its enthusiastic owner a future new touring bike purchase, perhaps.

My Seiran SL takes no more than a seatmounted bag for luggage: great for PBP but not for touring.

After another 3/4 hour or so on the starting grid, listening (or not) to speeches, the roll out was tremendous fun: crowds lining the route; the massed recumbents were great to ride with and must have been quite a sight.

For the first time on an audax start, a slight downhill didn’t mean putting on the brakes everyone glided up to 55kph, (except the velomobiles who rumbled past at 65 or 70 on a gentle down slope). We seemed to stay together for quite a while too - I was riding exclusively with recumbents and tandems all the way to Mortagne (140Km), apart from the odd upright who must have fallen out the back of the 80 hour starters. The weather was decidedly hot for someone whose 5000Km of audax that year had included not a single ride in short sleeves, or without leg warmers.

I doubled my normal drinking rate and was

The spacing of the controls seemed to suit me very well in this and I never felt I was building up a food debt that couldn’t be made good at the next control. In my drinking bladder, I used only ‘Zero’ tablets in water: I had found that energy drinks weren’t palatable on a long ride so had to make sure I got enough calories from food.

Being an early starter meant there were no queues and, after about an hour at Villaines, I set off back into the night. What a change all of a sudden I was on my own for long stretches. I don’t think many people had stopped for a sleep; it was just that it was now over 9 hours since the start and people had spread out quite a bit. When I did find other riders I tried staying with them for a while for the company. Not that we said very much but it usually felt better riding as 2 or 3 and there was a (perhaps illusory) additional safeguard against missing a turning. I never did actually miss one, so good were the signs, but did manage to prevent a companion missing an obscure one on the return out of Brest.

Feet-first and two-up roll out

glad I had taken the freebie bidon as well as my 2L water bladder, which normally lasted me for at least a 200.

I had a drink and a quick bite to eat from the food I was carrying at Mortagne but didn’t stop for more than 15 minutes until the first proper control at Villaines la Juhel (220Km, 01.50am). My average speed was well over 26kph, including stops, which was as fast as I had ever done a 200 before - I had better watch I didn’t blow up in the excitement of riding with so many others. Villaines was my first PBP control and it took a while to find exactly what I had to do: 1) get card stamped at the control using the correct entrance (to make sure my magnetic tag registered on the computer), 2) find the toilets (which often seemed to be the place to refill water bottles too) and 3) eat.

The food was fine - it seemed to suit me well all through the ride, although the poundeuro exchange rate made it quite pricey if you went for a full meal. As it turned out, I ate either a full meal or a substantial snack at almost all of the controls but very little else.

Arrivée February 2012

By Fougeres, the sky was beginning to brighten up a bit - my first full night ride! My pace had slowed as the terrain got hillier but it was the fastest 300 I had done (12 hrs 45). I was feeling OK, not short of sleep so pressed on after a meal. Monday was cloudier and felt much cooler. We even had a short period of rain later in the day, although I missed the cloud-burst whichv had affected many others. It was only a short leg - 53Km - to Tinteniac but I still felt like eating when I got there so played safe and stopped for food.

I continued to make good time on the 85Km to Loudeac arriving there at 12.45 - time for lunch and a bit of a rest. Resting was psychologically difficult, though: there was a constant stream of riders coming and going and I wanted to be on my way. I slowed considerably on the 76Km to Carhaix, in part because the hills were longer and more of them than in the early stages. Also because I was getting tired. About 10Km before the control, I met a large peloton coming the other way - the fast bunch on their way home, 200Km ahead of me The fastest got back in 45 hours - a different world! With the motor cycles in attendance, they looked just

The bike At least my bike wasn’t giving me any concerns. I had switched to a recumbent in 2005 when I gave up trying to get over a chronic back ache on long rides. With a carbon seat, a ventisit seat pad and a couple of bits of extra foam at the points where my spine was sensitive to long-term pressure, I have never had back problems on the recumbent. Mind you, not many riders of upright bikes would reckon to spend over £200 on a saddle!

Cycling shorts are designed to be used with a saddle between the legs; take the saddle away and the pad serves only to chafe the delicate regions on a long ride. I solved this problem by snipping ouft the pads from standard cheap cycling shorts.

Gearing also needed some attention with my personal preferences and audaxing requirements in mind.

Recumbent riders tend to need both lower and higher gears: slower uphill but faster downhill.

I had been quite happy with a 53/39 chainset and 13-25 sprockets on an upright, but seemed to need a triple chainset on the recumbent for anything steeper than about 12%. The 10-speed 12-27 cassette proved just about perfect for long rides - a good range of gears in the middle and outer rings, no big gaps, and low gears for really steep hills when tired.

After a few longish rides, I had settled on Continental GP4000 tyres. You can only get 23mm in the rather odd 571 size but the GP4000s were quite comfortable and actually measure nearly 25mm anyway.

After reading a few tales of woe on the YACF forum involving terminal tyre damage I decided to carry a spare tyre on long rides: unlikely though it might be to damage a tyre so badly, the likelihood of being able to buy a replacement en route was even more remote than for a 700c tyre.

41

Randonneurs Mondiaux After stopping for photos on the bridge over to Brest, the rain started just after 9pm. It was getting quite heavy by the time we had completed what felt like a full circuit of Brest and climbed the hill to the Control. Manuel turned straight around after a bite to eat but after 28 hours (a record fast 600 for me) I needed a sleep. After eating, I sat around in a daze for rather too long before deciding to sleep on the stone terraces in the sports hall.

I put all my clothes on, set my alarm for 2am, phoned Kirsty, my wife, in Paris, and went straight into a sound sleep with no problem at all. When my alarm sounded I woke up immediately but it took several minutes before I remembered exactly where I was and what I was doing; I even spent a couple of minutes looking around for Kirsty who I was quite convinced was also there. When reality re-asserted itself, I went for a sandwich and got back on the move just before 3am.

Just as I was leaving, I had a quick chat with Martyn Peggie, who was just arriving - the only other Audax Ecosse rider I had seen since the road to Mortagne nearly 30 hours previously.

Impromptu road-side cafe

like the Tour, only the team cars were missing - ACP made them hide away at the controls.

It was just 4.45pm when I got to Carhaix, so despite feeling the worse for wear, the only sensible thing was to eat and carry on to make the most of the daylight. The hills were now getting distinctly interminable and there seemed to be fewer riders on the road.

Then came a hill that really did go on for ever.

It gradually dawned on me that this must be the Roc. It made me feel better when I realised it was at least the biggest hill on the ride that was reducing me to a prolonged crawl. There were quite a few returning riders now: I waved routinely at them - some of them waved back.

Then I started hearing enthusiastic shouts of Bravo, allez, allez, allez, etc. They were repeated shortly after each group of returners passed me so couldn’t be from onlookers at the side of the road. The shouts got nearer and I realised that it was someone coming up behind me that was making the commotion. This was Manuel, a most friendly German with whom I rode the rest of the way to Brest. He had got a lift to Paris with a fast rider whose work commitments meant he couldn’t hang around at the finish. Manuel therefore had an incentive to get back quickly too, to avoid being stranded. He eventually completed the whole ride on about a half hour’s sleep.

The re-ascent of the Roc began and down came the mist. I should have swapped my glasses for my contact lenses but from laziness and not wanting to stop, I carried on, seeing progressively less as everything got wetter and wetter. The lights coming the other way didn’t help but it was not too bad while going slowly up the climb. Strangely, the lights came in groups of up to a hundred or so, strung out along the road, and then there would be quite gap before another long string of riders appeared. Going down the other side of the Roc was a bit hairy in the mist but the bends were all fairly gentle and gradually the mist cleared. Daylight began to return just before Carhaix.

Although I had seen large numbers of riders heading to Brest, there seemed to be even more of them in various states of disintegration at Carhaix. Some had had a bad time in the thunder storms and torrential rain, which I had luckily missed (or perhaps slept through). After a good second breakfast, I began to feel better en route to Loudeac.

Occasionally I would try riding with a group.

The mismatch in speeds means this doesn’t often work well between recumbents and uprights especially on hilly sections, but I rode for a while and chatted with Paul, another friendly German. One of our stranger subjects of conversation began when he asked me if I normally cycled like that.

Baffled by the question, I quizzed him further and it turned out that I had developed a pronounced lean to the left. Despite efforts to straighten up, my list to port persisted to the finish.

Sleep anywhere

42

I began to feel rather ragged after a while and fell back to ride at a slower pace. I was sorry I didn’t remember Paul’s frame number to check he had finished but I guess he got back sometime on Wednesday morning along with a large number of the 80 hour riders.

Arrivée February 2012

Randonneurs Mondiaux A meal at Tintineac, sometime in the middle of the afternoon, plus a reduction in the hilliness, put me back to rights and my speed picked up along with my spirits. This second wind continued until well after Fougeres and on into the evening. By the time I reached Villaines it was half past eleven, had been dark for a couple of hours, and I decided I could do with a second sleep. I wasn’t feeling too bad and since 3 hours seemed to do the trick at Brest I tried the same again.

Once again I went out like a light, this time on a wooden bench in the nearly deserted hall where the meals were served. No disorientation this time when I awoke to my alarm at about 3am but it was still nearly 4 by the time I’d had another bite to eat and was back on the road again. It was encouraging realising that it would begin to get light in a couple of hours and, all of a sudden, it seemed like the home straight - only 200Km left! Mortagne still took quite a while and there were also some hills to contend with.

Nevertheless, as the daylight appeared so did a freshening tail wind and, not long after Mortagne the land began to get distinctly flatter. The result was above all a soaring morale, and long periods above 30kph (interspersed with a number of hills which were enough to remind me that I was not quite so invincible as the long gentle downhills made me feel.

After a third breakfast (just a snack) at Dreux there was one of the steepest uphills to contend with but this was just about the last serious ascent before Paris - just a stone’s throw away. There seemed to be more riders on the road now and quite a few going the other way (just out for a ride) who obviously knew what was going on and hurled encouragement in passing. I joined a loose group that broke up and re-formed a few times over the last 50 or 60 Km. Some of them were clearly intent on keeping up a good speed; others seemed to be strong riders but were chatting and treating it all in a light hearted sort of way while effortlessly keeping up at least 28kph.

Around this time, it occurred to me that if I didn’t waste time I might just manage to finish in under 70 hours. I don’t know why this suddenly became a target; I hadn’t started off with one, but now it began to assume an importance in my mind and I tried my best to hang on to the group when I was in danger of being left behind on hills. As the speed stayed high, repeated calculations indicated that I should have no trouble in achieving my new objective but then, as we hit the built up areas, the traffic lights appeared in increasing numbers and there were queues of cars and lorries at many of them. Of the at least 5000 traffic lights we met in the run in to the Arrivee, I am sure there was only 1 that was not at red. This led to much senseless fuming and squeezing to the front of queues of cars and then mad sprints when the green lights appeared, only to be followed by much swearing and hard braking a few yards later when the next lights turned red.

Arrivée February 2012

The average speed was dropping and my chances of getting inside 70 hours seemed to be slipping away. To add to my frustration, the riders who had spent the last 60Km chatting (incomprehensibly in Dutch) and appearing not to care less when they finished, caught me up at every junction despite my frantic sprinting off the front.

Then, all of a sudden, St Quentin appeared and I knew it was just a quick right at the rond point, through the lights, and then into the Arrivee at the final rond point. Marshals appeared giving us the right of way as I sprinted to wherever they had hidden the magic magnetic strip that would give me my finishing time. It was only when I had raced into the hall that I found I had already crossed the line and that was it - finished - 69 hours 48 minutes. Time to find Kirsty, get a drink, something to eat and try to return to sanity. We posed for a few photos at the main entrance; I still had my unconscious lean to the left and it was a day or two before I began to sit straight on the bike without conscious effort.

After a meal and a good chat with other euphoric finishers, we rode back to the campsite and I increasingly felt that a long sleep would be a good idea. When we got back we met Manuel: he had got finished in 65 hours and had met his lift back to Germany at the Arrivee. Too late, though, he was just leaving; Manuel now had the job of finding another car heading east with space for him, his bike and camping gear. We were relieved to hear that a neighbouring van on the campsite, bound for Poland, would take his gear, while some other Germans found space for him in a car.

We went back to the Arrivee the next day and soaked up the atmosphere (and yet more food). The post-ride scene was in full swing with the later finishers coming in all the time. Finding friends and exchanging stories went on for quite a while; this was clearly quite a challenge for one or two of the recent finishers who still had difficulty stringing sentences together.

Arrivee

Would I do it again?

I’ll have to see how the land lies in 3 years time. There was no doubt there were long periods of hard work, never ending fatigue, and lack of sleep, wondering how the next control could take so long to appear; but the unique atmosphere, the amazing support from folk along the whole route, and the sense of achievement are really what stays in the mind.

I might be back.

He needs a clean shirt!

43

Randonneurs Mondiaux

PBP 2001 with Rod Dalitz

Paris-Brest-Paris 2011 was a close thing for me.

Not because of the cycling, but everything which led up to it.

The 200, 300, and 400 qualifiers went well, plus an extra 300 in the Snow Roads, but then I attended a family wedding in Wales on June 4. After the service and reception, and before the party, I went for a refreshing swim in the sea, and my knee locked, so I could not walk or even stand. It freed after two hours, so I could join in the party (with care and no dancing!), but two days later it froze for five hours and I went to my GP. He agreed that cycling was non-twisting and low impact, and would be OK, but I should avoid walking over rough ground. I took that as approval to ride the 600km qualifier, Edinburgh to Longtown, Dalbeattie, Balloch.

A few days later my knee froze for several days and I went to A&E, who gave me crutches and an appointment with Orthopaedics. The surgeon decided to carry out arthroscopic investigation and surgery together, to save having two appointments for MRI scan followed by surgery. That was fine by me, the timescale gave me a chance of going to Paris and completing PBP - surgery was 29 June.

44

Originally I had thought 2011 might be a chance to do a supported ride, especially after 2007 left me with trench foot after four days of soaking socks and shoes with nowhere to dry out and no spare kit.

However Janet chose to visit relatives and then fly out, so I drove to Paris, planning to meet her at Charles de Gaulle, and then carry on to explore the Massif Central. By that time, it was a bit late to book the PBP campsite or a local hotel, but I was able to book the F1 at Maurepas, not too far down the road.

I found that “less is more” - because I had the luxury of a car with too much space, instead of two panniers on British Airways, it was all too confusing, too many choices. I had traveling clothes, cycling gear, camping gear for after PBP - always in different phases of a holiday, everything needs to be switched around and repacked, but this was double.

Arriving by GPS was the usual delight, and the F1 Wi-Fi allowed me to catch up. A visit to the local Auchan gave me plenty of food and Heineken to acclimatise.

Registration on Saturday was relaxed, many familiar faces, especially the LEL tent (below).

On Sunday I left the F1 as late as possible, leaving many things in the car, as the weather forecast was good. A gentle ride to St Quentin and buy a few things to picnic with other riders, relaxed in the sun.

I realised (possibly a bit late) that choosing the 6pm start gave a certain commitment, with the latest finish at 12 noon. Either I went for two sleeps, and would finish in the early night, with a total let-down and not even a hotel bed booked, or I had to cycle exactly to Dreux and then a short run in to the finish. Hmmm.

Using my experience, I managed a place halfway through the first group of the 6pm start. I arrived at Mortagne just after midnight, for a supper of soup, beer, and Bolognese. Villaines at 5am saw breakfast, Pain au raisin, Orangina, hot chocolate. I stopped at a Super for yoghurt and peaches, then a coffee. Fougeres at 10am was busy, I gave up on the restaurant queue and ate some simple fare, a beer, some yoghurt, pain au raisin. You may notice that my account focuses on food, well, that is the reality of long-distance riding: food is a big deal, the

right food (and not too much) can see you flying; lack of food, the wrong choice, or even too much can give you a hard time.

The thing I got most wrong was hydration and electrolytes (after all my rants!). The long afternoon hanging about for the start left me not drinking nearly enough, and not much salt either, the result of being out in the open away from shops and taps. Previous PBP I had the nearby campsite, much easier to keep in balance.

I generally prefer to ride alone. Although a group gives a good speed, I tend to be slower up hills and faster down - well, everyone is, but me more so. However, I joined an excellent group for the last 20km to Tinteniac. A blue shirt with strong slow cadence went past while I was hanging back from a poor group, so I followed close behind him - the poor group followed, but dropped off after a while; another group joined, and I had a challenge to keep close behind blue shirt and avoid any splits. I wanted to thank him, but he disappeared into the crowd.

Entering Tinteniac, they had the “Sandwich” and “Buvette” first, the card stamp at the end, and inadequate toilets. Most unhelpful.

What you really want on arrival is to stamp your card (the single most important thing to make sure of doing!) and then eat and drink, with any further time off the bike allowing some digestion.

Quedillac secret control was also unhelpful, they had only hot food, not quite what I wanted. However, I enjoyed a soup and large coffee, and topped up my water. For PBP I have three bottles, a small one Go!electrolyte powder, and two for plain water, which is absolutely important. After a while too much energy drink begins to pall, and if you want to wash your hands or wash something out of your eye, there is nothing like plain water.

I had a short stop at Loudeac, but my plan forced me to go on to Carhaix, at 11:23. Here I “slept” - I had a blanket which was too small and a piece of cardboard. By now I had covered 525km (my longest day on the bike) and 3959m ascent (far more height than my biggest day in the Alps). Definitely worth a sleep. However, I mucked up my watch sorting the alarm in the dark, so I lost track of the exact times.

Arrivée February 2012

Randonneurs Mondiaux I must have left around 3:20 am. It was a dry night but with mist over Roc Trevezel, followed by a cold descent, but dry, until a little rain at Brest after I arrived.

Boy, was Brest inadequate! Many years ago, there was a huge marquee and everything on the quay, then they moved to the high school and the flawed concept of ordering your meal unseen and traipsing off to a remote building to receive it. Now they had only one toilet near the restaurant, two further away with enormous queues. I found a better one around a few corners. Luckily I was not desperate.

... the height gain to Brest was 4532m, I am sure the return is slightly more, and PBP is definitely well over 9000m.

Returning to Carhaix, I found my Garmin altimeter was stuck. I believe it stopped recording when the track overloaded, but since the total ascent should only require a few bytes to accumulate, I cannot understand it. What that means is that after barely one days riding it was overloaded!

However, since the height gain to Brest was 4532, I am sure the return is slightly more, and PBP is definitely well over 9000m. I am sorry I cannot say by how much.

At Loudeac I intended to have a beer and sleep on a bench. After a short while I woke, cold and dirty, and went for a hot shower and a bed for 5 euro. Excellent value! Many years ago I queued for ages to win a bed space which would not be empty for at least an hour, a real waste of time, but now the service is so much better. I left with two hours in hand.

Fougeres at 9 for two croissants and coffee!

Yum. I arrived at Villaines la Juhel at 16:30, quite late, but I had to push on through Mortagne to Dreux. During the late afternoon, I spoke a few times to a certain Andrea on a recumbent trike. The last time I saw her was relaxing on a nice grassy roadside enjoying the view in the evening glow. “It isn’t a race!” But I knew I had a schedule to meet, whatever her start time might have been.

uneventful (although being a bit swollen I would have liked to lower my saddle) and I finished well in time.

The food at the finish tasted fabulous, and I convinced someone to give me a bit more, and bought a couple of extra cans of beer. Just what the body needs!

I spent some time taking photos, all the magnificent jerseys from every corner of the globe, and then I saw Andrea.

She confessed she finished 30 minutes out of time, a truly sad outcome. The one thing PBP is a test of, is singleminded determination to complete. “Not a race.” Hmm. After a long while, I cycled very gently back to Maurepas, and went to the Pizza Hut and then to Auchan for some apricots, Pain au Raisin, and Heineken.

Back at the Formule 1, I slept until 10:20 and was barely in time for the last breakfast, which should have ended at 9:30. I packed up and drove round the hectic Peripherique to Charles de Gaulle.

After picking up Janet, I enjoyed winding down, from Melun to Auxerre, Le Puy en Velay, Langeac, St Flour, and Mauriac.

Camping was relaxed and French, some lovely places. Reaching the touristy bits at Isle de Re was a major disappointment, but visiting Chartres made up for it.

Vive la France!

PBP London-Edinburgh-London tent - Don Black (far left) & Keith Harrison (right) Photo: the author

Mortagne to Dreux was a weird experience. I was tired, and the first half of that leg had a lot of up and down, and very few of the excellent PBP reflective arrows. Somehow, I got into hash running mode, convinced that I had to find the next bit of the route and call on the others.

In fact, although the route on the map looks straightforward, at the time it was diabolical, especially the lanes leading into Dreux which felt surreal. I was more than happy to buy a bed and shower, eat and drink and fall asleep, with a definite wake-up call. I remember a weird dream and a strange experience, in the dark with a grinning ghoul hovering over me … not quite a natural wakening.

I took some coffee and pastries and soon felt normal. The remaining ride to the finish was Arrivée February 2012

45

On Tour

Francis Cooke

Facing the Marmotte We weren’t intending to go anywhere near La Marmotte last year, but, by sheer bad planning, here we were tackling the Col du Galibier (south to north) at just the same time that over 6000 cyclosportifs were crossing it (north to south).

Realising that this was on the cards, we set off from Monetier-les-Bains bright and early, on a fabulous clear mountain morning.

(Monetier is a town where, as Sheila says, the Earth’s crust is rather thin. A fountain in the middle of the road dispenses piping hot water, as well as the usual cold stuff.)

Climbing gently on the main road, we passed the 2000m contour just before the Col du Lautaret, which is a beautiful place and also the foot of the winding road up to Galibier.

Normally on a leisurely tour we would stop here for a snack or maybe a stroll round the Alpine Botanical Garden, where the hardiest plants from all over the world are grown in ordered beds, laid out like a living catalogue.

In this garden is a surprising memorial to Scott of the Antarctic, who came to this place to test his equipment before embarking on the ill-fated adventure.

This time, we set straight off up the climb, to try to get to the top before the floodgates opened. The climb is about 9km long, and all bar about 2 of those, the drop is on the righthand side of the road, without any fence, wall or verge. One long section is especially unnerving, as you look past your front wheel to the tarmac edge and then a view clear down to distant Briancon, about 1500m lower. No wonder we were concerned about the prospect of meeting a tide of adrenalinestoked cyclos descending the twisting narrow road. We soon met a few individuals with frame numbers, but they seemed a bit out of character, including one or two greybeards and all descending carefully enough. I was expecting helicopters, and motorcycle outriders, and altogether more hullabaloo. I’ve ridden this event twice, and Sheila’s the proud owner of a Gold Marmotte - when we rode, the helicopters were a big part of the fun.

But there was no aerial entertainment this time. Shortly after 11 o’clock we had climbed past the most hair-raising section but still had that drop on our right when the ‘tete de la course’ car came careening down at us, lights and horns blazing and a marshall in the sunroof waving at us to hurl ourselves into the abyss. After that, the cyclists themselves were remarkably well-behaved despite being 46

the leaders on the road. Of course, there were only a few together, and those following were well strung out - we weren’t going to meet the 4-abreast crush until the other side. Just before the tunnel, we found a rider looking forlorn, standing by his support van and surrounded by onlookers and marshalls. It turned out his chain was broken, and not only did he not have a repair tool (Marmotte front runners travel very light) but neither did his support van! Somewhere alongside the kitchen sink in my touring kit I had quicklinks for 8-, 9-, and 10-speed chains, so after a bit of pidgin in various languages I was able to give him a 10sp quicklink and lend him a chain tool. He was soon on his way and apparently very grateful, though exactly what he said I’ll never know.

Try the Galibier for Yourself The AUK Permanent Event, Circuit of Galibier 123 km 4.25AAA Cols: Croix de Fer, Telegraphe, Galibier, Lautaret - start anywhere on the circuit with a control - ridden clockwise, this is the Marmotte minus Alpe d’Huez, which can be ridden as an AUK 50 km Permanent. Details: Sheila Simpson: http://www.aukweb.net/perms/

The Marmotte Cyclosportif 7 July 2012 On line registration from December 2011: www.sportcommunication.com We now had a decision to make - though the summit tunnel (forbidden to cyclists) or over the top, against an ever-swelling stream of descending cyclists. I love tunnels, and this rather good excuse to ride through a forbidden one that I’d never been through before, seemed too good to pass up - and Sheila, eyeing the cyclists cutting across the hairpins above, didn’t need any persuading.

The Galibier tunnel is a fairly new refurbishment of an old bore which had long stood derelict - it’s now little more than a concrete pipe through the mountain, 400m long and only 1 vehicle wide, and completely unlit. We lit up and waited for the oncoming traffic to clear and the lights to go green, then waved a few cars through and leapt onto their tail, riding hell for leather. My eyes totally failed to adjust from the bright mountaintop to the blackness halfway through, and it was only by concentrating on the receding red lights (including Sheila’s wagging from side to side) that I was able to keep my balance - just!

On the other side we had lunch, and enjoyed the spectacle of weary cyclists hitting the last steep bends, almost keeling over, then digging in for the pull to the top. At 2647 metres, it’s one of the highest road passes in the Alps, and you can taste the heady thin air.

I ordered an omelette, that being a French word I’m fairly sure about, and we secured a ringside seat on the balcony. At 1 o’clock we set off down, taking it very easy and always giving way to the riders on their way up.

Despite the huge numbers on the road (a traffic sign had told us 7000, possibly a slight exaggeration), everyone was generally very well-disciplined, riding mostly in 2’s and passing in 3’s and occasionally 4’s. By this stage of the event - the 3rd big climb - most people had found their natural place and there wasn’t a lot of passing going on. There seemed to be hundreds of motorcycles - I suppose there was a mixture of marshalls, medics and club support bikes - and from our point of view these were much more dangerous as they would swing out and accelerate without warning and, understandably, weren’t expecting to meet us coming the other way! The biggest crush was towards the bottom of the pass proper, where the road crosses the river and climbs steeply up the valley side - this is where I took the cover pic, by that time it was 1:30pm.

Actually every time I looked through the viewfinder I seemed to see a potential Arrivee cover pic, so I concentrated on shooting portrait-wise and hoped that something would turn out good enough.

Sheila, meanwhile, was trying for a wittier scene featuring a bulky photographer in the foreground (censored). (Oh no it’s not - Ed) You might spot one or two walkers in the photos. The thing is, on a giant climb like this, that it’s a very bad idea to rush it. But everyone who rides the Marmotte is racing to some degree - or at least, operating on the outer limits of their comfort zone. So, however fit and quick you are, if you don’t pace it right, you can crack.

We continued down to Valloire and saw the lanternes rouges - and what a lot of them there were - still hanging round the feed station at ten past two, with the whole climb ahead of them, not to mention l’Alpe d’Huez after that. By this time I estimated the leaders would have finished an hour ago.

Valloire by contrast was empty, and a bit shell-shocked. It had all been a lot of fun, so the next day we rode back across the other way, and this time we gave the tunnel a miss!

Arrivée February 2012

On Tour

ArrivĂŠe February 2012

47

On Tour It was a huge relief that we had Adrian with us as his Garmin took us straight to the Hotel Esperia in the heart of Piombino, the most important shipment port to the Isle of Elba.

This 3 star establishment was sited over 3 floors and basically covered this part of the cliff face. There was even a homemade rock jetty jutting out in a semi circle to protect swimmers and for small craft to moor.

Giro di Toscana 10-17 September 2011 Nigel Winchester Basil & Mike

After the Pyrenean Raid in 2006 and the Corsica Tour in 2009, Neil Tubbs decided to organise a third trip: a Tour of Italy’s beautiful Tuscany. The ride was a maximum of 929km with max altitude gain of 14,124m. There were several long/short splits for those who wanted more of a relaxed option and, for the first time, a half day to give the group had chance look around the ancient city of Florence and rest our tired bodies.

The group of 39, including 8 ladies, was in the majority composed of Sid Valley Cycling Club members, 10 or so medics from the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, 2 Axe Valley Peddlers, 2 CS Dynamo members and a few other keen sportsmen who also cycle. All 39 bikes, dismantled and boxed up, were collected by Neil in a hired transit van 5 days previously. Neil and wife Sue had kindly offered to drive the van from Beer to Pisa - a distance of 980km! A most generous and timeconsuming gesture without which the tour would never have occurred.

Day 1 Pisa to Piombino 147km; Altitude Gain 1303m The 0745 flight landed at a very warm (28 °C) Pisa at 11am and, having passed through the usual controls, we were greeted by Neil Tubbs and Euro Active’s Basil and Thomas.

Once the bikes had been assembled and checked over in the car park, we got the lycra on board without the use of changing rooms! This caused one or two chuckles from the car park and neighbouring highway.

After a small brief we were on our way with everyone opting for the longer 148km route, despite the late hour in starting.

Former renal specialist Anthony Nicholls and I decided to accompany Neil Tubbs back to 48

the hotel where the hired transit (plus bike boxes) would remain for the following week.

This resulted in a 45 minute delay in starting, so much to make up!

The three of us worked together in the intense heat eager to catch up the rest.

Anthony had worked out the maths and calculated we would be with them in 2.5 hours and how right he was! We enjoyed a peach stop just outside Fauglia in the shade.

This was most welcome as we were all overheating and feeling tired. This situation worsened on the relatively steep climb through San Cipriano and Montebradoni on the way to Volterra.

As we approached Volterra, my orange light came on and I was on the verge of passing out. I was out of water and had barely eaten since 3.45am! The 500m climb was all the more difficult due to being south-facing, providing no shade, at the hottest part of the day (38 °C) and on black tarmac! At last on the outskirts of Volterra, we caught up with Adrian Snelgrove, Clive Heard and Bob Thomas replenishing their supplies from a nearby supermarket. Adrian did comment on how rough I looked. We soon found a suitable cafe and 15 minutes later we were gobbling down cappuccino, assorted Panini with an ice cream chaser.

After the much-needed late lunch we enjoyed the 10km descent to Saline di Volterra whilst taking in the views, turning left at Ponteginori we proceeded in a large group to the coast just past Bibbona where we stopped and enjoyed a kilo of dessert plums bought by Anthony Nicholls!

For the last 40km, I joined Richard Brain, Clive Heard and Adrian Snelgrove in a chain for a blitz against the reducing light. Despite all our efforts the last hour of cycling was in the dark. However, on the plus side the moon was out, we shared 5 assorted lights and made the most of the cycle lane on this boring straight coastal highway.

One casualty of the hot weather was Bath triathlete, Jon Webber. He had joined Rob Price and the Mathiesons but failed to keep himself sufficiently hydrated as he only had one bottle of water on board! At the hotel in the evening he was sick and could neither eat nor drink. However, emergency doctor Anthony Nicholls gave him some excellent advice to get through the night: set his alarm clock to ring every 2 hours and to drink as much electrolyte as possible. This seemed to do the trick though I’m not sure his bedroom buddy, David Welsh, had much sleep.

Team Master of Ceremonies John Keast gave his summary of the first day which culminated in the presentation of Tuscany Ted to Neil Tubbs for all his hard work in getting such a big party together. This bear would be handed out each evening to someone who provided a good (or bad) turn to the group during that day. Master baker, Neil, who once baked pasties for his resident badgers, then had to tie the little bear to his bike frame for the following day’s ride.

Day 2 Circumnavigation of Elba 108km; Altitude Gain 1930m After an 0600 rise the usual bedroom smell of ablutions, sudacrem and colgate was provided by my bedroom buddy, Anthony Nicholls and I. Soon after we were enjoying endless patisserie, cornflakes, yoghurt, fruit and cappuccino- ideal for rabid cyclists!

A prompt 0700 start to the day’s cycling ensued and 3km later all 39 of us were in the queue for the ferry at the port of Piombino.

We soon embarked for the hour long trip to the majestic island of Elba, a mountainous island about the same size as the Isle of Wight. It is characterised by never-ending hills and mountains, the highest of which is Monte Capanne (1019m), and is full of springs which nourish a very vigorous Mediterranean flora.

We soon got under way eager to take on the first climb of the day. We bypassed the scenic Biodola and an hour or so later were 360m above sea level at the picturesque Marciana where many Kodak moments were sampled.

For my group we enjoyed coke, ice cream crepes and toasted sandwiches. A magnificent sweeping decent followed providing stunning views of wooded forest and a backdrop of the deep blue Mediterranean which was turquoise-blue near the shore.

After passing through Cavoli, our group decided to have lunch at the main restaurant on the beach in the beach resort of Marina di Campo. Richard Hignett, Chris Eccles, Jon Webber, Anthony and I enjoyed paella, risotto, clam linguine and lasagne with Arrivée February 2012

On Tour plenty of fresh crusty bread. After such a long lunch break we were at the back of the pack.

Richard, a former GB duathlete, decided to make this right and launched an early attack on the nearby 2.5km climb heading east towards San Mamiliano. I just about hung on in the 35 degree heat and (I think) we enjoyed the views from the small summit!

In Rio nell Elba (right) we turned left towards Portoferraio for the main climb of the day.

Just before this we bumped into the Dad’s Army battalion of Richard Brain, John Hill and Clive Heard enjoying more cappuccino. Once again our posse adopted a brisk pace up part 1 of the 2 climbs: Mt Grosso. Richard Hignett and I soon moved ahead and relaxed. This schoolboy error meant that Anthony, Chris and Jon caught up. However, little did they know that Richard and I still had overdrive!

Having enjoyed our little triumph, I was soon silenced by Rich’s effort up part 2: Mt Sirega where the Strategic Procurement Manager pulled away without even getting out the saddle! From Sirega’s summit the views towards the port where we had disembarked 7 hours earlier were quite spectacular.

The steep decent through the pines followed on the immaculate tarmac and 10 minutes later we found ourselves in the perfect port of Portoferraio. This is famous because Napoleon was exiled there in 1814. We should not have relaxed for there was still a nasty half mile bumpy climb up the drive to the Hotel Relais delle Picchiaie which, in some places, was almost a 20% gradient.

Minutes later I was submersed in the hotel’s swimming pool.

with Adrian, let loose down the 15% hill with little braking due to the absence of chevrons on the bends. Montieri was bypassed and we regrouped at Ciciano. We decided to take lunch at the Bistro Dai Galli, mainly because it seemed to be the only eaterie open. Ear, nose and throat specialist, Malcolm Hilton and wife, Catherine joined us for their small snack. The food was excellent despite the most unfriendly waitress; pork served in an orange sauce with roast potatoes.

We arrived in the magnificent city of Siena just before 5pm at the 4 star Excelsior Hotel, right in its centre. We stowed our bikes near reception, showered and regrouped with cameras on board. Our group proceeded to the Piazza del Campo:

Day 3 Portoferraio to Siena 115km or 144km; Altitude gain 1408m or 1741m Alarms once again rang out again at 0600.

Breakfast was a glutton’s delight: a large buffet with all the usual plus bacon, egg, sausage and local charcuterie. Most of us made up a filled roll for elevenses. However, Camilla Mathieson was caught by the food police (a most stern-faced Maitre D’) for nicking a banana. She opted for eating it rather than return it to the fruit basket!

The cyclimg started at 0715 and we immediately descended to the nearby port of Portoferraio to embark on the 0815 ferry bound for Piombino. An hour later we disembarked, clipped-in and headed southeast along mainly ‘A’ roads towards Follinica.

This was level cycling in predominantly single file order due to the traffic. Sharp-eyed observers noticed how fertile these low-lying plains were with abundant crops of corn, artichokes, courgettes and sunflowers.

Further inland olive groves were more plentiful as were small vineyards.

After climbing 450m to nearby Niccioleta there was a long/short split. Jon Webber, whose sore under-carriage and hot head had been a problem, convinced me to do the shorter option. I agreed with this wrong decision. We soon churned out 250m of the climb with Adrian Clutton and I sprinting to the top. Downhill specialist, Dru then took over on the decent with Adrian Clutton close behind. The retired 6’ 5” Londoner, together Arrivée February 2012

This square is unique because of its shape. It has a gradient because it was built at the confluence of the 3 hills on which the town rises; it is the shape of a shell and its beautiful brick floor is divided into 9 segments. In the lower part the Mangia Tower dominates and next to it is the impressive Municipal Museum, built between the 13th and 14thC. This museum contains some of the most precious artistic collections of Tuscany.

It would be unheard of to talk about Siena without mentioning the Palio which takes place twice a year. This is a race featuring 10 horses ridden bareback by representatives of 10 of the 17 Contrade in which the town is divided. The race takes place around the perimeter of the square and thousands of spectators come to watch the show. The Palio dates back to the first half of the 15thC and is the expression of rivalry dividing the inhabitants of the various Contrade. It is preceded and followed by long celebrations.

Just to show his respect for this race (and without a horse) Dave Ramperasad sought permission from a local bobby and cycled one lap around the perimeter of the square!

After a brief ice-cream break, the Domo (Cathedral) was next on the tourist hit list some 100m away. The building of this beautiful Church lasted longer than 2 centuries, from 1150 to 1376, due to various wars. This resulted in its construction reflecting various styles from Romanesque to Gothic. The tall Bell-Tower is particular for its black and white stripes and the 6 windows on each side, starting at the bottom with windows containing one light and increasing to windows with 6 lights.

Day 4 Siena to Florence 73km; Altitude gain 1041m Day 4 was designed to be a relatively short ride so that we could enjoy the delights of Florence. A rare lie-in was enjoyed and most of us surfaced around 7.30am. With only 73km to ride, the luxury of a 9am start seemed most welcome: more like a holiday!

For starters we headed north through Vignano, Le Tolfe and Pianella in this classic wine-making region of Chianti. Many photo opportunities were enjoyed within the numerous vineyards. Several ripe bunches of grapes may well have been plundered too.

Towards the first main climb of the day Richard Hignett and I took a few close-ups of the grape vines near Lecchi. This left us some way behind our group so we decided to step on the gas. We managed to reel in everyone before the 530m summit, bar former GB triathlete, Chris Eccles.

We then proceeded to Radda in Chianti for the mid-morning stop. After the break, we enjoyed the voluptuous vineyard views of the descent towards Greve in Chianti. Here I caught up with Bob Thomas, Adrian Snelgove and Graham Beech who were sampling these views with their cameras.

After setting off, Bob realised he had forgotten his prized apron, a gift for the Mrs. I told him to collect it and catch us up. Bob never did catch up, although I waited, my own safety became my priority (especially with no GPS or map) so I turned left towards Impruenta, upped the pace and went into 49

On Tour time-trial mode to catch up the bunch. Once in this most picturesque village, we found the hotel, stowed the bikes, showered and caught the bus for the 20 minute journey to Florence, one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

Located in the valley of the Arno river, which flows under its magnificent bridges, in Florence and its surroundings there are many traces of Roman civilisations, but the main historical features were set during the Early Middle Ages. Walking down the streets and the squares felt like going back in time. There is much evidence of the arts in the museums, streets, churches, squares, its Baptistery and, of course its famous cathedral. This reached its peak during the 15thC with Leonardo and Michelangelo working here. Not only do these arts take the form of painting but also sculpture and architecture. Thus today this makes Florence a centre of culture and the destination of an elite tourism.

For our brief visit, we first had a look at the Ponte Vecchio, which bears its name from being the most ancient bridge in the city. The bridge was first built in wood; then in the 12thCentury it was rebuilt in stone, but was demolished by the terrible floods of 1333. In 1345 it was rebuilt as we see it today with its typical shops which were at first used only for food, but since the 16th century have been used as laboratories for goldsmiths and silversmiths. The shops are surmounted by the famous Vasari Corridor.

We then proceeded to the Cathedral and the nearby Baptistery. The Cathedral’s construction began in 1296 and, after various interruptions, was completed in 1436.

However, the 3 bronze doors, most of the mosaic decorations and some of its statues were made at the end of the 20thC. The Babtistery has an impressive octagonal plan and was built on the ruins of an existing Palaeochristian temple dating back to the 4thC. It is dedicated to Saint John the Baptist, Patron saint of the town, and was used as a cathedral until 1128. The first rebuilding occurred during the 11thC and was completed, as we see it today, at the end of the 14thC. Both buildings are unique in that they are covered in white marble.

Our last port of call on this cultural jolly was the Piazza Della Signoria. This splendid square was created between the 13th and the 14t Centuries and contains many imposing sculptures, notably the (totally naked) Fontana del Nettuno with several bronze statues placed nearby. Opposite the fountain is a marble circle to remind us where Girolamo Savonarola was burnt on the stake in 1498.

We caught the 18.30 bus back to Impruenta where we met up with the rest of the bunch.

After a couple beers at a nearby bar, we regrouped at the impressive rooftop restaurant which was part of our hotel.

Unfortunately, the full-paying guests had first priority when it came to the evening meal.

This allowed our table of 37 to enjoy the magnificent night sky above the rooftops whilst sampling far too much red wine.

50

Day 5 Florence to Bologne 150/170km; Altitude Gain 2367/2755m Nick and I surfaced around 6.30am ready for a 7 o’clock breakfast. I arrived in the breakfast area and witnessed a comical scene: a queue of 10 or so cyclists had formed as the food had run out, as had milk, cups and cutlery!

The poor waiter had never experienced 37 hungry guests arriving at the same time!

Nick Read and I got under way at 7.45 in hot pursuit of Anthony Nicholls (he owned a prized Garmin) who had left the hotel 5 minutes earlier. After putting the boot in for half an hour (which cured our hangovers!) we bypassed Florence and there was still no sign of the eccentric medic. We figured he must have been photographing the most amazing view of Florence in the early morning sun somewhere off the main route.

Nick and I pressed on through Fiesole and a few kilometres from Olmo we took a small break to check the map. I asked a local mature resident to pinpoint our postion on the map. I soon realised my error - the poor chap was blind. However, a rather attractive, full-figured woman obliged by pointing towards Olmo.

We decided to carry on the high pace, to catch up some other riders, as we were running out of map to the north and, without a Garmin, we would be in a spot of bother.

Having studied the route profile with the huge climb towards Firenzuola pending, we took a quick refuel stop outside a supermarket in Scarperia. After gobbling back various treats we got on the road and immediately spotted the Dad’s Army gang plus a few extra troops 200m in front of us.

Naturally we rushed to greet the army!

We marched on with the soldiers, enjoying the relaxed pace. The climb, at times at a 15% gradient, lasted for almost 10km, but our efforts were rewarded with Basil et al at the summit waiting for us with endless thirstquenching treats and energy bars, fruit and savoury delights. The next 35km was basically a downhiller’s delight with sweeping switchbacks that were even banked to encourage the brave. The surface was perfect which further enhanced our enjoyment. The 650m drop in altitude culminated with the most amazing traverse of a deep river gorge: to the left were various rock strata formations on the vertical cliff face and the right side offered a winding river which provided plunge pools for the locals to enjoy.

By now Nick and I were in company with our group’s top dogs: brother-in-laws, Richard Hignett and Chris Eccles (on their brother and sister black + white Look frames), Jon Webber, Anthony Nicholls and Chris Bower.

The next big climb was adjacent to Mt La Fine; a 10km ascent with much of the gradient up to 15%. I tested the team for the first 5km with speeds up to 24kmh. This was too much for Jon, Ant and Nick - so then there were three. Chris Bower dropped off to save himself for a last-ditch sprint to the summit. We regrouped, downed half a bottle of water each, swore about the heat and then

descended the hill enjoying the coolness on our hot torsos.

After crossing the bridge at Bisano we decided to have a break for ice cream, cappuccino, sprite and of course, banter.

Everything was spot on here including the most glamorous waitress. We found out that she was married and this definitely spoiled the illusion! After this bad news we were on the road again. The continued descent was taken at high speed and one or two of us did get caught out on a sharp right-hander, though thankfully traffic was almost nonexistent. After 122km we stopped at the small hamlet of Zula where we replenished our supplies from the backup vehicle. Soon after we enjoyed another decent for around 3km before turning left towards Monzuno and then right for Bolgne.

On the next climb out of Sassomarconi, Chris Bower and Richard were the climbing champions and Chris Eccles saved his best for the climb out of Pieve del Pino. After this last climb our group enjoyed 3km along a plateau with massive panoramic views: we could probably see for almost 50 miles to the east and west at the same time.

At 6pm we reached Bologne in the 32 degree heat with the hot sun in our faces. The volume of traffic was uncomfortably high so it was important to stay with Garmin man, Richard Hignett! This last 15km seemed to go on forever through endless traffic lights and roundabouts. It was a relief to arrive at the 4 star Admiral Park Hotel on the outskirts of the city in Ponte Rivabella. For the geograpers amongst you, we were now in the region of Emilia Romagna, to the north of Tuscany and would be for the whole of the next day.

Day 6 Bologne to Castelnuovo 102/123km; Altitude gain 1921/2620m Following the 07.30 alarm bells and 0800 breakfast raid, I set off with Chris Eccles, Richard Hignett, Charlotte Tubbs, Anthony Nicholls, Mike Baker and Jon Webber.

We were soon on the first climb out of Zappolino eager to get it out the way. This was similar to a Devon climb with horse chestnut trees prevalent in the narrow lanes and some bumpy surfaces. Once we had reached the main straight uphill drag, Richard Hignett commented on how similar it was to the Dartmoor Devil with various posses strewn out on the hill. Former crosscountry runner, Mike Lee particularly seemed to be going well: no doubt enjoying the fact that he had already lost half a stone!

On the next climb we caught up with Nick Read and Neil Tubbs who were nursing John and Cathy Keast up the hill. One or two of us stopped to sample the black grapes and revelled in the instant sugar hit. After the next sweeping decent in a cloudless sky we met the backup bus and stocked up on salt (via pretzels and peanuts) and sugar (fizzy drinks and fruit) and water.

At this point in Marano sul Panaro we were a little over 100m above sea level. The next climb took us up to almost 1000m in about Arrivée February 2012

On Tour 25km. Thankfully just over halfway we stopped in Colombaccio for a mid-morning break. From a personal point of view, this was a great move as I was low on everything from fuel to water to sense of humour. However, plunging my head under the showpiece fountain, chugging a coke with a fanta chaser, gobbling down some salty crisps and some chilled local pears soon got me back on track. The chocolate box views towards Mt. Cimone some 30 miles away to the south were most rewarding and a great selling point for the restaurant, especially in winter.

After the break we continued the rest of the climb with renewed enthusiasm. Spectacular views were taken in at the summit and we proceeded down the 15km descent eager to cool down and enjoy a rest. We bypassed the backup van in Ponte Secchia (we had just refuelled) and carried on up the second big climb of the day: a 15km beauty gaining over 570m - a real killer in the early afternoon. The reward for this hot climb was lunch in the cool shade in Toana, 90km into the ride at the highly-acclaimed Ristorante La Collina.

The next 20km was mainly downhill except for one small climb which, for a change, yours truly came out on top though I’m not sure the others were interested in contesting.

The following descent was more akin to a red run on a snow slope with the route winding through avenues of trees.

At the end of the ride was a most unwelcome 20km climb to Hotel Miramonti in Castelnuovo ne Monti. We headed for the bar eager to enjoy a cold beer. However, the busy receptionist was also the hotel porter and barman so we had to suffer a rather long wait! Further disappointment followed with the evening meal which was very miserly but at least the local red wine was palatable.

Day 7 Castelnuovo ne Monti to Pisa 140/160km; Altitude Gain 2219/2600m Breakfast was taken early at 7am to try and leave some spare time to look round Pisa at the end of the day. The day started with a 10km climb up Mt. Cavalliaano with John Webber eager to take on the lead. The next test on our endurance was 90minutes of climbing in the Dell Appennino National Park and eventually Mt. Pietra Bisnantoven (Italy’s Table Mountain) could be seen in close proximity to last evening’s hotel stop some 25 miles away:

For me this was the hardest climb of the trip as my back had been troubling me since the previous afternoon. Two hours later it was a huge relief to reach the summit where we met up with the backup crew. Well-earned refreshments were consumed and I tried some back stretching exercises.

After the break we freewheeled the next 15km decent with the welcome decrease in temperature. The route followed a river valley and gorge towards Piazza di Serchio in a south easterly direction. Five km later we decided to have a cappuccino and pastry stop in Castelnuovo di Garsagnana. Ironically 200m after we clipped-in we bumped into the backup crew so we merely passed greetings and began the 200m short climb which averaged 25% gradient - as steep as any Devon rise! We descended, following the river Fiume Serchio in its valley all the way to the ancient city of Lucca. On the way we worked together on the main A12 taking in turns doing 2 minute stints at the front. In error we came off this main drag one junction early. However, the sight of many huge trout basking in the river’s late morning sunshine more than made up for this.

We stopped for a well-deserved lunch in Lucca’s centre and enjoyed tortellini and pasta with salad and crusty bread. Here there was a long/short split - the long being a climb of around 10km and an altitude gain of 820m plus a further 30km to Pisa. The short option was a 20km level spin along the fairly busy SS12. For me with back problems, Chris Eccles with knee problems, Nick Read with leg problems and Jon Webber with money problems, there was only one option - the short one. We would look at Richard Hignett’s photos of the long, ‘real man’s’ option later that evening.

We arrived at the Hotel Santa Croce Fossabanda (a former monastery) at 4pm and immediately packed our bikes back into their boxes with little finesse. I got changed and managed to squeeze the last available space in a taxi for a cultural visit to the centre of Pisa with Nick, Jon and Adrian Snelgrove.

Pisa is about 10km from the sea and 4 metres above its level, in a vast alluvial plain protected by Mt. Pisano and divided in two by the River Arno. We headed for the Piazza dei Miracoli which gathers all the monuments that make Pisa so famous. The Cathedral, Baptistery and Tower were all constructed in the mid 12th century together with the fortified walls around the rich and powerful Pisan public. The ancient walls of Pisa still form a circuit of around 7km.

The most famous monument in the Piazza (square) is the Leaning Tower of Pisa. The main particularity is obviously its gradient, due to a collapse of the ground during its construction in Romanesque style which started in 1174. During the course of the centuries the Tower has continued to increase its gradient by about 1mm a year, so much so that in recent times reinforced concrete has been injected under the base of the leaning side whereas big steel tie-beems have been applied to the opposite side.

After a brief taxi ride, we were ready to enjoy the last supper together. Here I heard how a wasp flew down Robin Carter’s top and stung both her breasts! Luckily Simon Morley was on hand to whip the Feniton gardener’s top off and examine the offending lumps!

This was a most enjoyable, cultural and demanding trip which should have been easier than the previous two excursions.

However, with the stifling heat, especially inland, the cycling became just as hard as Corsica As far as I’m aware, all stops, including coffee breaks and lunch were enjoyed under maximum shade with factor 50 sunscreen commonplace.

This was Euro Active’s first Tour of Tuscany and I believe Antonie and his deputies did a fine job. Maybe we would have been better off with an A4 type map or Audaxstyle instructions but there were just about enough road maps and Garmins in the group to get by. Rumour has it the group might be off to tour Sardinia in two years time.

Volterra

After a quick photo stop, we descended, crossed over a river, turned right and were immediately faced with a steep climb.

Arrivée February 2012

51

On tour

Cent cols AUK’s Chris Pugh describes a trip in the Pyrenees, organised

by Phil Deeker in conjunction with Classic Tours ...

So here we are, 9 months of training covering 7,000km including 4 big big weekends in Wales and Yorkshire, 9 months of finishing almost all my Audax rides in the top few riders and it’s apparent within 5 minutes of arriving that I’m way out of my league. There’s one guy who recently came home 7th in the Etape (amateur stage of the tour de france) out of 5,000 riders. And he’s not the strongest…

Day one: poor Colin All the talk is of brake compounds, heart-rate-zone-cum-power-levelcum-anaerobic training etc etc. Phil the organiser must have climbed well over 1,000 cols in the last few years, more no doubt than anyone else in the world, and he’s being routinely dropped on the climbs by half a dozen of the guys here there really are some strong strong guys in this group of 19 riders.

We roll out of Rivesaltes behind Phil, the organiser, he was going to lead us gently to the first feed station at 50km to give everyone a chance to chat together and get to know each other a bit. We are in the season of grape picking and the grape juice sloshes out of the back of the tractor trailers and onto the road, leaving a greasy slimy trail and smash, 7km in and one poor guy, Colin, goes down on a roundabout, smashing his face and wrist, giving himself mild concussion and cracking his handlebars. Poor poor soul, a year of training and he lasts 7km, going down on an innocuous roundabout because of some grape slime. We all feel really horrible for him knowing it could have happened to any of us.

52

First feed stop over, Phil let’s us go at our own pace and that’s pretty much the last I see of anyone all day – as the day hots up and up and up into the mid 30’s I fade away and away and away. I just can’t ride hard in the heat, it saps me hugely. If it’s going to be like this all week then I’m going to really suffer.

Port, having covered the same 47km in some 45 minutes less than the 2 and a bit hours it took us.

How humbling.

Chipping away at my own pace over the cols, the highest of which is Col de Port de Pailheres, a 13km climb at 8% rising up to 2,001m altitude I suffer in the heat all afternoon long, finally finishing at 7.15pm after 12 hours in the saddle covering 14 cols and a big big 4,500m of climb. Each of these days on this challenge is simply huge, bigger than any tour de france day, as big as largest ever ride in my life – and we’ve got 10 of them back to back. This is going to be “interesting”.

Through to lunch and by now it’s hotting up on what should be an easyish 13km at 5% up Col de Portet. Easy except by now it is around 35 degrees, hitting a max of 40 degrees on one section. Yeah, 40 degrees and there I am suffering like crazy up the side of a mountain praying that every hairpin I go around the next little stretch of road has a little tree on it where I can stop for a few seconds in the relatative shade and cool down.

Except you go around the hairpin and nope, no shade ahead - it really was the hardest climb I’ve ever done, truly brutal heat.

Brief stats: distance:204km, height gained 4,500m, cols claimed:14, max speed 64km / hr, max temp: 36 degrees.

Day 2 : hot hot hot An early start to what was billed to be a hot day, rolling out of the hotel at 6.45am in the pitch dark, lights a blazing, a gentle 25km roll down the valley along the same road as I went down on the Raid Pyrenee in 2009, riding alongside Dave who like me was one of the self appointed laggards of this trip.

Along comes the first climb of the day, a 17km climb at 6% up Col De Port, one which I had done before and knew not to be too bad. It’s difficult to describe to non cyclists what mountain climbing is like - a good comparison would be to walk over a railway bridge or motorway bridge - the gradient up them is usually around 6 to 8% - except they go on for 100m - the mountain does the same for 17,000m - just relentless endless climbing. By the end your eyes hurts, your brain hurts and your lungs are screaming for you to stop. And you do that several times in a day.

The self appointed fast group showed us little mercy, all cruising on past us before the top of Col de

Next up the Col de Peguerre, a really nasty 3km climb at 13%. In cycling terms anything above 10% is “into the red zone” (self obvious).

This climb just killed me, smashed me to pieces.

‘... it’s apparent within 5 minutes of arriving that I’m way out of my league.’

I knew at the start of the day that if it was a hot as had been predicted then I’d be suffering badly by the end. It’s OK to suffer badly on a one day ride but on a ten day tour it will take you the next day or two to recover, you just end up blowing yourself up a day or two down the road because of what you did previously. I had decided before the final food stop that I was going to take the easy option home - it missed out the final col of the day, a pretty nasty one, and I led a little mini train of Jenny and Scott home the flat way. Not brilliant to miss out on one of the 106 cols on the trip but you gotta know your limits.

Day 3: another col missed

Brief stats: managed to turn my garmin off without noticing.

I think they are: Distance 200km, climb 3,200m, cols 9 (out of 10).

Dinner last night, everyone looking really smashed by the heat, people falling asleep in their soup. I’m feeling shattered and now we’ve got one of the hardest days of the tour ahead of us, 200km, 9 cols with a total of 5,200m of climb that’s *immense*, more than I’ve ever done before.

The weather ,however, is much more to my liking, nice and cool.

The laggards group is now 6 strong - myself, Dave, Jenny, Scot, Kelvin & Bob, out of the door at 7.15am, 30 minutes ahead of the fast group and straight onto at 14km climb up Peyersourde, quickly into the cloud base. I made it my personal mission to get up that damn hill before any of the fast group came through and managed it with relative ease, although I was still, at that stage, the last of the laggards. I take longer to warm up, the laggards Arrivée February 2012

On tour always drift away ahead of me at the beginning and end up behind me towards the end.

Down the other side and up the Aspin, a stunningly pretty 12km climb at 6% which I did on the Raid, this time enhanced by a bit of cloud for effect:

After the Aspin it got “a bit rural”, a 3km climb up a mountain logging track, hitting 13% in many places, much of the road unmade. This was, to put it politely “a bit of a bitch” and a tough tough few KM’s.

Jenny is still suffering badly, struggling to eat properly which leads to a lack of stamina and “bonking”, a real nasty viscous circle. Today she only made it to lunchtime before jumping into the sag wagon. By comparison though I was finally feeling pretty good for the first time in 2.5 days, feeling happy to be on a bike. At one stage I saw Kelvin slowly catching me up a hill and felt a surge of energy, stepping on the peddles and blatting it up the rest of the hill. I didn’t mean to do it to drop him, it all just seemed to happen at the same time. He told me later, “I saw you there one minute, then you just vanished!”.

The final climb of the day was Hautacam which I went up on the Etape. Unlike yesterday, when I knew I didn’t have it in me to do the final climb, today I knew I did have it in me, indeed I felt great however time was somewhat against me and I knew if I started it then I wouldn’t be getting into the hotel until gone dark and gone dinner. Kelvin had managed to miss the final feedstop and was 15 minutes ahead of me, he went up Hautacam and arrived home to a heroes welcome, great job, I chose not to, much to my hindsighted regret.

Brief stats: distance 160km, climb 3,800m, max speed cols bagged 8 (out of 9).

day 4: there were tears Out of the door and immediately we start climbing, a 1000m vertical ascent up the Col de Spandelles. A few of the faster group joined us for the first few km, including Phil the Arrivée February 2012

organiser, and rode the beginning with us, it was lovely to have a good pace being tapped out and people to chat to, up the climb. The faster group eventually drifted off the front leaving the laggards to do the rest on our own, we stayed together most of the rest of the way up just chatting about rubbish.

day 5: col du buggery The last day before our rest day and a few people are starting to struggle. Colin (day one crash) got back on his bike yesterday which thrilled everyone but alas he only lasted the morning before jumping in the sag wagon with a migraine and still very sore wrist. He’s now gone home, he’ll be back next year

Onto the Col de Marie Blanque, 11km climb at 8% average - over the top and one of my favourite ever descents, I love descending and even blatted past some of the fast group on the way down hitting a new personal best high speed of 90km / hr (55mph).

55mph may not seem very fast in a car but on a piece of metal that weighs 7kg and tyres a couple of cm wide it’s an amazing experience, I spent a good couple of minutes with goosebumps on my arms and tears in my eyes on the way down. Interesting the stupid garmin computer updated the max speed to 200km / hr...

Onto the Col du Soudet after lunch, a long long long climb, 23km in total with the middle 9km at a leg busting average of 9%. This was a real struggle for me - having been climbing already for 9km at a pretty tough grade it then kicks up to “eye bulging” grade for a further 9km, then back to “this hurts” grade for the last 5km. Many people have commented that this is one of the toughest climbs out there and I wholly agree with them. One saving grace was that whilst it was *hot* at the start the clouds came in a little on the way up and cooled things down a little.

The views and scenery from the top were really astonishing. I hadn’t seen a car for several hours, you are the best part of a mile in the sky, all you can hear are cowbells and you could see for a million miles, just breathtaking. This is why it’s all worth it, it’s just the mutts nuts:

Finished the day off with a 30km descent into a very rural Auberge, staying 4 to a room in bunk beds in the middle of nowhere - an “interesting” experiance. 15 cols bagged today, woo hoo.

Brief stats: distance 178km, climb 4,400m, max speed 90km (or 200, apparently).

Today Jenny made it till lunchtime before conceding defeat for the day, Kelvin had had a worstening knee all day before being told to stop by Phil at 4pm - Kelvin has been one of the superstars of the trip but he could have really injured himself badly (overcompensating etc) if he had kept going. We were all rooting for him and it broke my heart when he came past me in the Doctors car. Scott was also struggling with general fatigue and was stopped at 6pm.

‘... you are the best part of a mile in the sky, all you can hear are cowbells and you could see for a million miles ...’

On the subject of support it really has been fantastic. Phil rides the whole course and generally keeps an eye on the tail of the group or with anyone he has particular concerns about - he’s very good at differentiating between someone like me who isn’t all that fast but will (given enough hours in the day) get to the end without need for support and some other people who may be ahead of me but are struggling (either mentally or physically) and need support.

Having a doctor on the course at all times may sound excessive but we are in such such remote areas that it could make the difference Colins crash happened in the middle of a populated area but sometimes we go for hours without seeing a house or person - the Doctor also acts as the “sweeper” ensuring that everyone is accounted for - a sensible measure.

Anyway, back to the cycling. Big big day ahead, 18 cols with 4,700m of climb - everyone very apprehensive leaving today because the 30km descent I just talked about at the end of day 4 - yup, we were going back up it by a slightly different route - a mammoth 1,400m (almost a mile) vertical climb up to Col de Pierre St Martin. After missing a col on day two (knackered by the heat) and another on day three (too damn slow to finish before dinner time) I was determined to finish today but I knew with the amount of climbing it would be a little touch and go. The doctor told me at lunchtime to stop “breathing my bread” which I think meant to slow down and eat it rather than trying to snort it...

53

On tour Into Spain for a few hours and back out again onto the Col du Bagaurgui - or, as it has been christened by many riders - the Col du Buggery. It was, frankly, a nasty bitch of a climb, it just got steeper and steeper and steeper. And steeper. And a bit more. And one last little bit. Trust me, after 900km and 2 vertical everests in your legs the very very last thing you want to see is this - next km at 13%. 13% sounds like a small number - trust me, it’s not, it’s really horrible.

So then at 160km the work was done, just a 40km cruise home, or so we thought. Except that it was now getting dark and Dave didn’t have a front light and my back light stopped working earlier in the day we were told in no uncertain terms that we were not going to be allowed to continue if it got dark (which I agree with) and if the sag wagon caught us we would be in it.

I have never been in the sag wagon in my life and I sure as hell wasn’t

Brief stats: 200km, a mammoth 5,000m of ascent over 18 cols

Day six: Some cold giants After a fab and well earned rest day everyone is looking and feeling much happier, batteries and engines having been given an brief opportunity to recharge.

Only a mere 6 cols today but that includes two of the giants of the Pyrenees, the Aubisque and the Tourmalet, both very famous mountains. Out of the door and alas into rain. It starts off biblically wet then thankfully eases off to merely torrential before easing off once again to heavy rain. Up the valley we gradually climb for 40km and then onto the Aubisque for a 15km climb averaging 8%, a long hard slog up the mountain and pretty soon into the cloud base.

When we left Oloron our altitude was 200m and the weather was “wet and miserable”. Once we got up above 1500m, however, it gets pretty severe and at the top of the Aubisque at 1700m it is immediately obvious that we have some potentially serious issues with the temperature down to just above freezing and the rain still falling. Being cold when you are cycling is fine (so long as your core is warm). Being wet is also fine (again, so long as your core is dry).

Being both cold and wet and

‘I have never been in the sag wagon in my life and I sure as hell wasn’t going in it today.’

It does however show you what the elements can throw at you – a few days ago it was 40 degrees, now it’s just above freezing. Phil immediately goes into safety mode, depositing Scott, Jenny and Kelvin into the sag wagon in order to bunch the riders up a bit and abandoning plans to go up the Tourmalet. Tourmalet is a further 400m higher in altitude and there was a significant risk of snow – the decision to scrap it was easy.

Lunch on a nicer day

One last col of the day, Col du Burinolazte, a very rural climb up into the mist. Another real tough climb, not helped by being in thick thick cloud - at least if you can see the road ahead you can mentally prepare yourself for a real tough bit but when you can only see 20 metres it’s pretty annoying to suddenly find yourself going from a 5% cruise to a nasty 15% ramp without warning (oddly enough everything below about 5% now feels flat - and anything flat feels downhill, it’s a really strange sensation). Descending down the same is also pretty “interesting” full brakes all the way down (which you have to be careful about otherwise you overheat the wheels and can explode the tyres which is not want you want happening at 50km / hr aproaching a hairpin in a mountain...), picking your way down very slowly.

having to do a 40km descent with the added windchill factor and your body not doing any work to keep warm and you very quickly are talking hypothermia, not really what you want when picking your way down the side of the mountain on a bike.

going in it today either. Both Dave and I “rode like we’ve never ridden before” - it was an odd sensation to be looking over my shoulder not at another rider wondering if I can hold them off but to see if there was a set of headlights on a van bearing down on me - we both made it back (just...) and won the daily “courageous rider” award for our efforts. Rest day tomorrow, well earned...

Lunch was a real life saver. We have a mobile lunch wagon provided by Claude the Butler http://www. claudthebutler.co.uk/about-us/ – it’s awesome – the best tasting freshest food you could imagine – today they served up a lovely spicy soup with lentils whilst the doctor did her best to warm up the riders who were suffering the most.

Everyone was shivering, some almost uncontrollably.

After lunch thankfully not only does the rain stops but the sun comes out again (but we could still see up above us at altitude it was still pretty nasty) and a couple of hours later we’re all happy once again, tabbing on a large detour around the mountain picking up a small bonus col (and getting a bit lost) en route. Most people also missed the last climb of the day, Pla d’Adet as it was very late in the day but a few real heroes went up it.

Brief stats: distance: 167km, climb: 4,930m (my biggest ever day in the saddle), cols claimed: 7, max speed: 66km / h

Day 7: short but tough

Lovely picture taken by the doctor of Dave and I at the top of Port Larrau 54

Another cold start to the day, out of the door and straight up the Col D’Azet. Today is straightforward on paper – climb mountain, go down other side, turn corner, repeat 6 times. A mere 167km in total but packing in 4,500m of climb. Up the second climb, the Peyresourde and it’s raining again, everyone cold and wet once more. Today I am Arrivée February 2012

On tour no-one could figure out where the 1km marker was. Scott took the initiative and kicked on only to blow up. Kelvin and Jenny were neck and neck all the way to the line, Kelvin winning by a wheel.

riding in full winter kit, including my lovely toasty thermal winter jersey and hat – a lot of people are once again struggling at the foot of the Peyresourde descent and are packed off to a café to warm up but I’m just peachy and plod along.

Great to see the whole team on their bikes today - everyone finished the day which was fab.

Kelvin “Carrots” is my personal hero of the trip – he’s raised £35k in sponsorship from friends and businesses all over the Isle of Wight, he’s suffered in more ways than I thought was possible and he’s an inspiration to us all – great job mate and I know you will be back to finish off your unfinished business.

Fifth climb of the day was Portet d’Aspet which I’ve climbed before (and which we climbed the other side of last week). From this side however it’s “a bit of a bitch”. The statistics are deceiving – 5km at 9% but hidden in that are multiple ramps up to 17% - trust me after 1,400km in your legs and having climbed 3 everests you don’t want to be seeing this sign.

Also on this climb the beautiful memorial to Fabio Casatelli who was tragically killed whilst descending this hill on the Tour in 1995. Olympic gold medallist and awesome cyclist:

A stunningly pretty day, bouncing along the side of a valley, mountains with their first dusting of snow in the background.

Had an epic battle of the tailenders with Jenny – she’s a good climber and a great athlete (having done Ultraman which is a double ironman, a 10km ocean swim, 420km bike then a double marathon, awesome stuff ). I saw her closing in on me a few km from the top of the big climb of the day, Port de Pailheres, a 19km climb with the top 10km averaging 9%.

There was no way on God’s earth I was going to be beaten to the top and I had a lot of fun busting my guts ensuring it was the case. All good fun.

Brief stats: distance 185km, height gained 4,800, cols claimed 10, max speed 67km / hr

day 9: the only way is down

Brief stats: distance167km, climb 4,930m, cols claimed 7, max speed 66km / hr

Day 8: what no rain?

Spirits very high today, the end is in sight and common consensus is that the real hard work is behind us.

Weather forecast was good and so it turns out to be, blue skies once more. I have finally also found my climbing legs, after 7 days of struggling up mountains I can now get up them without too much mental or physical torture, now getting to the top of most of them without stopping on the way (I never stopped for long previously, just for 30 seconds or so to release the lactic and have a sip of drink once every 30 minutes or so).

Arrivée February 2012

Just about everyone is showing some sign of fatigue now, a good assortment of coughs, colds, aches and pains. My ailment was an eye infection which in turn seemed to cause a migraine, I had my first (and last) dark dark patch for around an hour – stopping every few minutes to take caffeine gel or paracetemol, anything to try and get out of my fug. Phil cruised by with the happy bus (Scott, Kelvin & Jenny) and when I couldn’t even muster the energy to jump onto their little train I knew I was struggling. Phil knew as well, sending the doctor back to check on me. It sorted itself out after an hour or so and I rode well for the rest of the day.

A very different day today, a day of long gradual climbs and long descents. Climbing initially along a high plateau with mist filling the valley for around 30km at around 3%, over into Spain. On paper climbing continually for 30km seems like somewhat of a drag but after the 10 to 12% climbs of last week spinning the legs freely at 3% was a godsend.

The first col of the day, Colada des Toses came at 40km into the ride which was then followed by a 40km descent at 3%, zipping along at 40km/hr barely turning the pedals for an hour.

The process was repeated once more with another 40km climb at circa 3% and a further 50km descent at 3%. A long day distance wise at 234km but a “mere” 2,800m of climb. Highlight of the day was sitting at lunch at the top of the second climb when flashing past my eyes goes Kelvin and Jenny going like bats out of hell. They had said that, a km out from the end, they would race to the line, except

Brief stats: distance 234km, height gained 3,000m, cols claimed 9.

‘There was no way on God’s earth I was going to be beaten to the top ...’

Day 10: fun on a train So this is it, the final day, 7 cols to go. I’m on 95 so far so I need 5.

Today I miss the departure of the laggards group and spend the morning on my own (which I quite enjoy, other than the odd fug moment like yesterday when there is no one around to cheer you up).

We had decided en-masse to shorten the day from 7 cols to 6, we rode in our own little groups up to lunch. I caught and cruised past Scott and Kelvin on the second climb of the day. A rare occurrence followed - the only one of the trip for me - I felt so strong that I kicked on and went on to catch and pass one of the faster groups. It was a funny moment which brought a smile to everyones face.

At lunch we regrouped and set off en-masse for the last 50km, led out

by Phil. 19 experienced riders all in one paceline smashing it for 50km at speeds of 45 to 50km/hr with the big guys on the front pulling us along and us weaker guys at the back flying along barely working – the most fun I’ve had on my bike in a long time.

The whole group kindly stopped at my 100th col and then we all stopped at the last one for an icecream, arriving into the finish line at 4.30pm for some obligatory beers, not forgetting the obligatory sprint to the finish line won by Jenny and Kelvin.

Brief stats, distance 165km, height gained 3,000m, cols claimed 6, max speed 60km / hr.

55

Permanent Events online at: http://www.aukweb.net/cal/perms/index.htm

Dist AAA Title 495 listed - red indicates NEW Reid Anderson, 1 Fern Bank, Savile Rd, Halifax HX1 2BA reidandjulia@btinternet.com 200 1.5 Fleet Moss Randonnee Joe Applegarth, 7 Market Cres, New Herrington, Houghton le Spring DH4 7AP joeapplegarth@talktalk.net DIY SERIES (north east) 50 - 1,000 km - no AAA David Atkinson, 23 Hailstone Drive, Northallerton, North Yorkshire DL6 1SP david.atkinson577@virgin.net 160 2.5 Daves Dales Tour 100 2 Daves Mini Dales Tour 100 0 Lucias Vale of York Meander Mark Beauchamp, 38 Mortimer Gardens, Tadley, Basingstoke RG26 3UP mjebeauchamp@yahoo.co.uk 200 0 A taste of the test 200 0 An anoraks delight Ross Bentley-Davies, Harlyn, Pangbourne Rd, Upper Basildon RG8 8JG ross.bentleydavies@btinternet.com 200 0 Badby 200 (Cotswolds) 200 0 Badby 200 (Daventry) 400 0 Badby 400 (Knighton) 500 0 Badby 500 (Beverley) 400 0 Faffers 400 Middle Road Series, 100, 200, 300, 400, 600, 1000, 1400 George Berwick, Mid Craigs, Balmerino, Wormit, Fife DD6 8RN 2260 0 Round the Coast 1500 0 The Eightsome Reel 2600 0 The Scottish Star 600 0 The Twilight 600 David Bew, 7 Farm Close, Chalgrove, Watlington, Oxfordshire OX44 7RL davebewauk@googlemail.com 300 0 Deans 300 200 0 Poor Student 200 Colin Bezant, 3 Up Fallow, Basingstoke, Hamps RG24 8YW cbezant@dircon.co.uk 100 2.25 Cambrian Series 1A 100 1.5 Cambrian Series 1B 100 2.75 Cambrian Series 1C 100 1.5 Cambrian Series 1D 100 1.75 Cambrian Series 1E 200 3.25 Cambrian Series 2A 200 1.5 Cambrian Series 2B 200 3.25 Cambrian Series 2C 200 3.5 Cambrian Series 2D 200 3.75 Cambrian Series 2E 230 3 Cambrian Series 2F 200 2.75 Cambrian Series 2G 200 3.25 Cambrian Series 2H 200 3.75 Cambrian Series 2J 300 4.25 Cambrian Series 3A 300 4.75 Cambrian Series 3B 300 4.5 Cambrian Series 3C 300 0 Cambrian Series 3D 300 4.5 Cambrian Series 3E 400 5.5 Cambrian Series 4A 400 5.5 Cambrian Series 4B 400 7 Cambrian Series 4C 400 5.75 Cambrian Series 4D 400 6 Cambrian Series 4E 400 6.75 Cambrian Series 4F 400 6.75 Cambrian Series 4G 600 9.5 Cambrian Series 6A

56

600 800 100 400 210 600 315

0 Cambrian Series 6B 13.5 Cambrian Series 8A 2 Col de Bavella 6.75 Col de Sevi 3 Col de Verde 9.5 Col de Vergio 5.75 Col de Vizzavone

Don Black, 102 Downshaw Rd, Ashton-underLyne OL7 9QP black898@btinternet.com 208 4.5 Bowland 200 100 2.25 Bretton 100 115 3 Edale 100 200 3.5 Manchester Loop 203 3.5 Round the West Riding 170 3.5 Slaidburn 170 133 2.75 Up and Down the West Riding 110 2.5 Widdop 110 Lorraine Brown, 91 Garvock Hill, Dunfermline, Fife KY12 7UT 400 0 Kingdom Come Brian Callow, 698 Wimborne Rd, Bournemouth BH9 2ED brian@castlecameras.co.uk 214 0 Bournemouth Square Patrick Cherry, 28 Barton Rd, Canterbury, Kent CT1 1YQ tracyandpat@tiscali.co.uk 129 2.5 The Ibex - Route 1 165 3.5 The Ibex - Route 2 103 3.25 The Ibex - Route 3 110 3 The Ibex - Route 4 Geoffrey Cleaver, 43 Goodere Drive, Polesworth, Tamworth B78 1BY jeffcleaver@tiscali.co.uk 212 0 Two Battles Permanent Andy Corless, 31 Castlerigg Drive, Ightenhill, Burnley BB12 8AT burnleycyclingclub@yahoo.com 600 8.75 Airborne 600 600 0 Bordeaux - Barcelona 600 9.25 Devil Grimpeur 400 6 Hardknott Grimpeur 600 0 Manchester - London - Manchester 1 600 0 Manchester - London - Manchester 2 600 0 Manchester - Winchester - Manchester 1000 17 Maniac Grimpeur 400 7.25 Northern Pennines Grimpeur 200 3 NPS2A Penrith - Ambleside - Rosthwaite Gosforth 200 3 NPS2B Penrith - Stanhope - Barnard Castle. Hawes 200 3.5 NPS2C Burnley - Malham - Kettlewell - Keld - Ingleton 200 3 NPS2D Burnley - Settle -Tan Hill - Aysgarth 200 3 NPS2E Burnley - Slaidburn - Ingleton - Keld Aysgarth 200 3 NPS2F Burnley - Kettlewell - Leyburn - Dent 200 3 NPS2F Penrith - Kendal - Gosforth Rosthwaite 300 4.5 NPS3A Penrith - Hexham - Barnard Castle Grassington 300 5.5 NPS3B Skipton - Pateley Bridge - Leyburn Alston 300 4.5 NPS3C Burnley - Slaidburn - Keld Middleton 300 0 NPS3D Burnley - Lancaster - Tebay Richmond 300 5 NPS3E Burnley - Reeth - Stanhope - Hawes Settle 300 0 NPS3F Kendal - Seascale - Seatoller - Alston 300 4.5 NPS3G Burnley - Lancaster - Dent - Barnard Castle

400 5.75 NPS4A Burnley 400 7 NPS4B Burnley 400 0 NPS4C Preston 400 0 NPS4D Burnley 400 0 NPS4E Burnley 400 0 NPS4F Kendal 400 0 NPS4G Preston 1000 0 Prague - Venice 1000 0 Preston - Aberdeen - Preston 600 0 Preston - Ayr - Preston 600 0 Preston - Edinburgh - Preston 600 0 Preston - Glasgow - Preston 400 0 Preston - Whitby - Preston 300 4.75 Southern Dales Grimpeur Christopher Crossland, 14 Stanley Street West, Sowerby Bridge HX6 1EF chris.crossland@ halifaxctc.org.uk 606 1.75 Another 3 Coasts 600 310 0 Buttys Brid Trip 53 1.25 Leap into the Aire 09 50 1.25 Mellow Fruitfulness 60 1.25 Perm into the Aire 110 2.25 Perm into the Dales 100 2.5 Season of Mists 100 2.25 Spring into the Dales 09 607 1.75 The 3 Coasts 600 200 1.75 The Good Companions 109 2.5 The Hebden Bridge Mini-V 405 6.5 The Old 240 202 3 The Red Rose Ride 403 0 The Spurn Head 400 Thomas Deakins, 31 The Causeway, Great Dunmow Essex CM6 2AA tom.deakins@btinternet.com 100 0 Boudiccas Revenge 100 200 0 Boudiccas Revenge 200 0 Dick Turpins Day Out John Diffley, 12 Claremont Range, Gorton, Manchester M18 7LT diffo.diffo@yahoo.com 200 0 Manchester Velodrome - Liverpool Manchester Velodrome Julian Dyson, 5 Duke Street, Gleaston, Ulverston LA12 0UA julian.dyson2@baesystems.com DIY SERIES (north west) 50 - 1,000 km - no AAA Chris Ellison, 29 Ashton Rd Clay Cross, Derbyshire S45 9FA chris@halchemy.com 100 2 Mont Ventoux (100km) Martin Foley, 78 Denholm Rd, Musselburgh, East Lothian EH21 6TU martinfoley@btinternet.com 206 3 Saltire 200km Richard Forrest, 44b Stamford Ave, Springfield, Milton Keynes MK6 3JY diyaudax@tesco.net DIY SERIES (Mids & Wales) 50 - 1,000 km - no AAA Tom Fox, 180 Nottingham Rd, Alfreton, Derbyshire DE55 7FP tomandsuefox@yahoo.co.uk 600 0 Four + Two 200 0 Horncastle 200 404 0 Moors and Wolds 400 200 0 Notts, Lincs & Derbys 150 0 Oakham 150 300 0 Skeggy 100 0 To the Races John Fyfe, Sparrowmuir Cottage, By Forfar, Angus DD8 1QZ Jfyfe8@aol.com 200 4.75 Wildcat Grimpeur

ArrivĂŠe February 2012

Permanent Events Pete Gifford, 3 Cheriton Close, Bardney, Lincolnshire LN3 5XY pete.gifford@noblefoods.co.uk 400 0 Fishlake 400 1000 0 Great Eastern Colin Gorton, Mayfield House, Stathe Road, Burrowbridge, Somerset TA7 0RY cdgorton@tiscali.co.uk 120 2.75 Steve Coates Memorial Blackdown Grimp John Hamilton, 22 Oaks Crescent, Wellington, Telford TF1 2HF audax-salop@tiscali.co.uk 1400 DIY-way to LEL 200 3.25 Clwydian Horseshoe 200 3.25 Four Lakes 200 3 Severn to Wye 400 5.5 The Irish Mail 300 4.5 Wrekin to Sea Tom Hanley, Albany House, 26 Nunholm Road, Dumfries DG1 1JW enquiries@dandgcycling.org.uk 400 0 Buccleuch 400 300 0 Cumberland Gap 500 0 Guid Nychburris 200 0 Oot Tae Carrick Ian Hennessey, 8 Nap View, Honiton EX14 3PL ian@awliscombe.co.uk 300 0 Blackdowns & Levels 100 1.75 Coast Roads & Coach Roads 100 2.25 Devon & Somerset DIY SERIES (south west) 50 - 1,000 km - no AAA 200 3.25 Exmoor and Coast 600 8.25 Kernow & South West 600 150 0 Sea & levels 150 200 0 Sea & levels 200 200 4 Valley of the Rocks Graham Hines, Three Horseshoes, London Rd, West Kingsdown, Kent TN15 6EX graham57@mac.com Midland and Northern Climes Meshes: 700, 600, 400, 300, 200, 100 210 4 Tour of North Yorkshire Moors Neville Holgate, 22 Cheltenham Way, Kew, Southport PR8 5NP nev.holgate@talktalk.net 400 0 Lakeland 400 300 1.75 Southport - Lakeland - Southport 600 1.5 Southport - Scarborough - Southport 200 1.5 Southport - Settle - Southport 200 0 Southport-York Jim Hopper, Rosedene, Hadley End, Yoxall, Burton-on-Trent DE13 8PF mail@jhopper.fsnet.co.uk 200 3 Peak District Permanent Tracy Horsman, 3 Normandy Mansions, Normandy Ave, Barnet, Herts EN5 2HY 6800 0 TransAmerica Trail David Hudson, 151 Middle Road, Shoreham by Sea, West Sussex BN43 6LG 200 0 Buckbarn ~ Sutton Scotney 200 0 Daves Dover Dash 200 1000 0 ELs 1000 410 0 Els 400 212 0 Hailsham - Liss 200 200 0 Medway Meander 205 0 Pulborough - Reading 200 200 0 Seaford Yalding 200 0 Sedlescombe ~ Herne Bay 300 0 The Hailsham 300

Arrivée February 2012

611 0 The Hailsham 600 Linda Johnston, 10 Campion Rise, Tavistock Devon PL19 9PU linda_johnston@btinternet.com 200 0 Brittany Mesh 200 0 Brittany Seaboard 201 0 Carhaix and the Coast 220 0 Hidden Brittany 203 0 Menez - Hom et Roc Trevezel 200 0 Roscoff - Quimper Simon Jones, The Cottage, Pulla Cross, Truro, Cornwall TR4 8SA brindisijones@tiscali.co.uk 2600 0 Calais - Brindisi 1200 0 Igoumenitsa – Istanbul 1405 0 Roscoff - Nice 4014 0 The Orient Express 450 0 Tour of Kernow 3100 0 Trafalgar - Trafalgar Chris Kula-Przezwanski, 51 Providence Lane, Long Ashton, N Somerset BS41 9DL chriskula@ hotmail.co.uk 100 0 North Somerset 100 160 0 North Somerset 160 60 1 Over the Mendips David Lewis, ‘Roc Trevezel’, 1 Penygraig Rd, Alltwen, Pontardawe, Swansea SA8 3BS David.Lewis4@jobcentreplus.gsi.gov.uk 200 3.75 British 200 Cambrian Connections: 100, 200, 300, 400, 600 200 0 Dingle Peninsula 200 0 Doctor Fosters Summer Saunter 200 0 Doctor Fosters Winter Warmer 800 0 Mizen Head - Malin Head 200 0 Mizen Head - Sheep’s Head 200 3 Penmachno - Penrhyn - Llyn 200 0 Ring of Beara 200 0 Ring of Kerry 100 2.25 Trefil Travail (West) David Little, 16 Hazelwood Rd, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 2QA davidlittleis@hotmail.com 1500 0 The Three Capitals Les Lowe, 106 Jordan Ave, Stretton Burton-onTrent DE13 0JD 500 0 Edge to Edge Martin Lucas, 59 Ranelagh Rd, Ealing, London W5 5RP martin@bluezoo.fsnet.co.uk 1400 0 The Eiger Sanction 7 x 200km Martin Malins, 64 Blount Ave, East Grinstead, West Sussex, RH19 1JW malinseastg@tiscali.co.uk DIY SERIES (south east) 50 - 1,000 km - no AAA Extended Calendar Events: + 100km, + 200km, + 300km, + 400km, + 500km, + 600km Ian Marsh, Walnut Croft, 56b Oliver Crescent, Farningham, Kent DA4 0BE imarsh@gmail.com 200 0 Dieppe - Foret de Lyons 200 0 Dieppe to the Seine Peter Marshall, 12 Ridge Hall Close, Caversham, Reading RG4 7EP peterm@audax.demon.co.uk 1250 0 Cherbourg to Perpignan 6 x 200km 200 0 Ouistreham Circuit David Matthews, Hill View Cottage, Cross Lanes, Oscroft, Tarvin, Cheshire CH3 8NG dmanu@fsmail.net 100 2 Brenig Bach 138 2.25 The Clwyd Gate

200 3.5 The Clwydian 206 3 Tour of the Berwyns Keith Matthews, 10 Hill View Rd, Ferndown, Dorset BH22 9QY keithjanet@btinternet.com 200 2 Dorset Coast Derek Monkhouse, 42 Hillside, Banstead, Surrey SM7 1HF derek.monkhouse@lineone.net 600 0 Epsom Lincoln Epsom Martin Newstead, 10 Pembroke Close, Morley, Leeds LS27 9SG l-c-l@mseries.plus.com 400 0 Leeds - Carlisle - Leeds Robert Ninnes, 76 Oldfield Crescent, Chester CH4 7PF 200 2 Chester - Bala 200 0 Chester - Dolgellau 200 2.25 Chester to Bala (Backwards) 200 0 Chester to Dolgellau (Backwards) Alex Pattison, 1 Angle Park Crescent, Kirriemuir, Angus DD8 4TJ alexandalli@kirrie.eclipse.co.uk DIY SERIES (Scotland) 50 - 1,000 km - no AAA 300 4.75 The Snow Roads Jackie Popland, 48 Haylands Way, Bedford MK41 9BU jackie.popland@ntlworld.com Youth Hostel Darts & Arrows: 200, 300, 400 Stephen Poulton, Leckhampton Lodge, 23 Moorend Park Road, Leckhampton, Cheltenham GL53 0LA stephen.poulton@btinternet.com 200 0 Banbury Cross 200 300 0 Central Scotland 300 1000 0 Centre Tour 200 0 Cheltenham Flyer 200 100 0 Cheltenham Flyer Taster 400 0 Cheltenham Irish Sea 200 0 Cheltenham Old Clee Hill Flyer 100 0 Cheltenham The Vale 100 300 0 Cheltenham Wye & Brecon 500 0 Cheltenham Wye & Cardigan Bay 200 0 Cotswold and Thames 300 0 Cotswold and Thames 300 100 1.75 Cotswold Corker 150 3 Cotswold Super Corker 1000 0 Eastern Tour 1200 0 England Grand Tour 200 0 Glos & Somerset 200 200 2.75 Gospel Pass 200 200 0 Malvern Elgar Dean 200 0 Midlands Vale 200 500 0 Midlands, SW and Wales Tour 600 0 North East Tour 500 0 Northern Tour 200 0 Pennine Tour 200 0 Severn Bridge High Loop 500 0 Severn Bridge, Gloucester and Cardigan Bay 200 0 Severn Estuary 200km 200 0 South East Oxford Loop 700 0 Southern Tour 600 0 Spa Tour Combination 500 0 Spa Tour Combination 400 0 Spa Tour Combination 50 1 Stroud 5 Valleys 400 0 SW and Wales Tour 205 0 Thames and Avon 200 100 0 Trossachs 1400 0 UK Grand Tour 300 0 Welsh & Borders Tour 150 2.25 YatMon 150

57

Permanent Events John Radford, 11 Westfield Ave, Meltham, Holmfirth, West Yorkshire HD9 5PY radfordjt@gmail.com 300 0 Bernies Little Flat One 600 0 Bernies Long Flat One 200 0 Bernies Tiny Flat One 200 0 Doncaster Doddle 400 0 Yorkshire Dales 300 0 Yorkshire Moors 200 0 Yorkshire Wolds Herman Ramsey, ‘Sextons’, Rectory Rd, Wrabness, Manningtree, Essex CO11 2TS 400 0 Asparagus and Strawberries 300 0 Green and Yellow Fields 106 0 Manningtree 100 150 0 Manningtree 150 200 0 Manningtree 200 100 0 The Ixworth File Alan Rayner, 19 Dallington Close, Stubbington, Fareham, Hants PO14 2RH alanrayner@fsmail.net 100 0 Denmead - Stockbridge 100 100 0 Denmead - Whitchurch 100 Denmead: 200, 300, 400, 600 200 0 Denmead Coastal 200 200 0 Solent - Hungerford 300 0 Solent - Malmesbury John Richardson, 39 Bridgwater Rd, South Ruislip HA4 0ED rocco29@lineone.net 3315 0 The Great Triangle James Roberson, Maryon 2, Pheasants Hill, Hambleden, Henley-on-Thames RH9 6SJ robo3speed@yahoo.co.uk 215 0 Cheshire Cycleway Mark Shannon, 2/3 Rocheid Park, Eastfettes Ave, Edinburgh EH4 1RP 400 0 2 Firth 400 Forth & Solway 200 0 2 Firths 200 Solway & Clyde 300 0 2 Firths 300 Forth & Solway 300 0 2 Firths 300 Solway & Clyde 600 0 2 Firths 600: Forth and Solway 600 0 3 Firths 600 Solway, Clyde & Forth 108 0 La Roche 105 0 Les Sables 108 0 Noir M Shawn Shaw, 22 Shaftesbury Rd, Longfleet Poole, Dorset BH15 2LT shawn-shaw@talktalk.net 300 0 Aberystwyth - Poole Diagonal 200 0 Cherbourg - Ouistreham 200 0 Dorset Delight 300 4.5 Hardboiled 600 8.25 Hellfire 200 0 La Transmanche 300 0 Poole - Aberystwyth Diagonal 400 6 Porkers 200 0 St Malo - Cherbourg 200 0 St Malo - Ouistreham 200 0 St Malo Route 2 (East) 200 0 St Malo Route 3 (West) 200 0 St. Malo Route 1 (South) Sheila Simpson, 33 Hawk Green Rd, Hawk Green, Marple, Cheshire SK6 7HR sheila@aukadia.net 50 2 Alpe d Huez Circuit 600 0 Atlantic to Med 200 0 Atlantic to Med : 3 x 200km 50 1.5 Cime de la Bonette 163 4.25 Circuit of Galibier

58

50 1 Col de Cayolle 100 2 Corniches des Cevennes 105 2 Grande Serre and Col dOrnon Circuit 115 3.5 Mini - Mercantour 50 1 Mont Aigoual 50 1 Mont Ventoux 100 0 Normandy Landings 200 0 Sea to Sea (Manche to Med)5 x 200 1000 0 Sea to Sea (Manche to Med) BP 1000 0 Sea to Sea (Manche to Med) BR 114 0 Suisse Normande Steve Snook, 6 Briggland Court, Wilsden, Bradford BD15 0HL steve.snook@tiscali.co.uk 50 1.25 Widdop 50 Peter South, 51 Peveril Rd, Tibshelf, Alfreton, Derbyshire DE55 5LR peterrsouth@btinternet.com 100 1.5 BENIDORM PROF 100 110 1.75 VILLAJOYOSA PROF 100 Bob Thomas, 4a Queen Street, Budleigh, Salterton, Devon EX9 6LD 300 0 The Saintly 300 400 0 The Saintly 400 (Cherbourg - St Malo - C 600 0 The Saintly 600 to Omaha 200 0 The Saints go to C 200 (1) 200 0 The Saints go to C 200 (2) 500 0 The Saints go to C the Normandy Beaches John Thompson, 136 Dell Rd Oulton Broad Lowestoft Suffolk NR33 9NT john@tommo136.fsworld.co.uk 1000 0 Lowestoft - Arndnamurchan 1000 Stephen Underwood, 15 Station Rd, Parkgate, Southampton SO31 7GJ Fort531@yahoo.co.uk 300 0 Wiltshire Cycleway Andrew Uttley, 19 Kings Chase, Ashford, Kent TN24 0LQ andy.uttley@networkrail.co.uk 200 0 A Ride Around Ben Klibreck John Ward, 34 Avenue Rd, Lymington SO41 9GJ johnontrike@yahoo.co.uk 100 0 Isle of Wight End to End 100 0 New Forest 100 200 0 New Forest 200 300 0 New Forest 300 Simon Ward, 53 Barons Crescent, Copmanthorpe, York YO23 3TZ interzen@sky.com 300 4.25 Dales & Wolds 300 Eastern Peak & Plain: 100, 200, 300, 400, 600, 1000 1000 0 Eastern Peak and Plain 1200 0 Highland Fling 1200 1400 0 Highland Fling 1400 200 0 Ostend 200 300 0 Ostend 300 200 0 Tour of the Wolds 600 2.5 White Rose 600 600 0 York - Cambridge - York 400 0 York - Stamford - York 1000 0 York- Oban - York 200 0 Zeebrugge 200 300 0 Zeebrugge 300 Mary-Jane Watson, The Cabin, Baldrine Rd, Isle Of Man IM4 6EF manxmoggies@hotmail.com 100 1.75 Celts Trams and Castles (Isle of Man) 110 2.25 Three Peaks of Mann (Isle of Man) Danial Webb, 17 Woodhouse Mill, Woodhouse Rd, Todmorden OL14 5LF audax@danialwebb.com 95 3.25 Alpine Star - 1 Furka, Nufunen, St Gotthard

119 156 210 300

3.5 Alpine Star - 2 Susten, Grimsel, Furka 3.5 Alpine Star - 3 Oberal, Lukmanier, St Gotth 4 Cambrian 200 5.5 Midlander Super Grimpeur

William Weir, Flat 8, Burlington Court, 158 Station Rd, Redhill, Surrey RH1 1JE waweirauk@btinternet.com 100 1.75 AAA Milne 100 1.75 Down to Downs 200 0 End to End - 7 x 200km Randonneur 1300 0 End to End - Brevet Populaire 1400 0 End to End - Brevet Randonneur 100 1.75 Glen tae Ben 50 1 Surrey Hills Pippa Wheeler, Rull Barn, Payhembury, Honiton, Devon EX14 3JQ robinwheeler571@btinternet.com 100 0 Mad Hatter 100 Philip Whiteman, 2 Drayton Terrace, Drayton, Belbroughton, Stourbridge DY9 0BW montgomery@beaconrcc.org.uk 200 3.5 Montgomery Madness Mike Wigley, Higher Grange Farm, Millcroft Lane, Delph Oldham OL3 5UX mike@PeakAudax.co.uk 207 0 A Mere Two Hundred 150 0 Audlem 116 2.75 Cheshire Peak 172 3.25 Dark & White Peak 106 2.25 Dark Peak 200 0 Eccleshall 100 3 Goyt Peak 200 0 Holt 400 0 Llanfair.....................................................gogogoch 205 4.5 Long Dark & White Peak 108 2.5 Mid Peak 100 2.5 Monyash Peak 200 0 Newport 100 0 Radway 110 2.75 Staffs Peak 200 0 Stockport Eureka 300 0 The Full Monty 600 0 To Holland and Back 103 2.5 West Peak 103 2.25 White Peak Nik Windle, 15 Inott Furze, Headington, Oxford OX3 7ES nik.windle@btinternet.com 300 1.75 Cheddar Gorge 300 200 0 Marlborough Connection David Winslade, 3 Albany Close, Tonbridge, Kent TN9 2EY manofkentaudax@gmail.com 200 0 The Man of Kent 200 300 0 The Man of Kent 300 400 0 The Man of Kent 400 200 0 Weald of Kent Oliver Wright, Townhead Farm, 345 Baslow Rd, Sheffield S17 4AD owright@mac.com 110 2 Grindleford Grimpeur 100 2.5 Hathersage - Elton - Roaches Graeme Fraser Wyllie, 16 Corstorphine House Ave, Edinburgh EH12 7AD graemewyllie@aol. com 200 0 Fort Navigation 300 0 Half Light 200 0 Port Navigation ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Arrivée February 2012

Calendar Events 100 07 Jan 09:00 Sat

200 07 Jan 08:00 Sat

200 07 Jan 07:00 Sat

ROA 10000 100 08 Jan 09:30 Sun

ROA 5000 100 08 Jan 09:00 Sun

200 21 Jan 08:00 Sat

100 21 Jan 09:00 Sat Updated

100 21 Jan 09:00 Sat

ROA 5000 200 22 Jan 08:00 Sun 150 22 Jan 08:30 Sun

200 28 Jan 07:00 Sat

100 29 Jan 09:00 Sun

100 29 Jan 09:00 Sun

ROA 25000 100 05 Feb 09:00 Sun

100 05 Feb 09:00 Sun

ROA 25000 100 11 Feb 09:00 Sat Updated

200 12 Feb 08:00 Sun

100 12 Feb 08:30 Sun

ROA 1000 120 18 Feb 09:00 Sat

120 18 Feb 09:00 Sat

Bradwell, nr Hope, Peak District Hopey New Year BP 104km 1750m AAA1.75 £5.00 YH C P R T 100 (01/01) 10-30kph Peak Audax 01433 621 531 ddarricott@aol.com David Darricott, 9 Gore Lane Bradwell Hope Valley Derbyshire S33 9HT Oxford The Poor Student BR 206km 2000m £4.00 YH P X 15-30kph Pat Hurt 07887 87 61 62 Pat Hurt, 10 Newbury Road Lambourn RG17 7LL Tewkesbury Mr. Pickwick’s January Sale BR 201km 1900m £1.0 c fp r t nm 100 (31/12) 15-25kph BlackSheep CC ybgirkram@talktalk.net Mark Rigby, 16 Battle Road Tewkesbury Park Tewkesbury GL20 5TZ Kings Worthy, Winchester Watership Down BP 108km 1235m £5.00 L F P R T M 140 14-28kph South Hampshire CTC suecoles1@aol.com Sue Coles, 7 Ruffield Close Winchester SO22 5JL Thorne Good bye Xmas Yorkshire Pud BP 103km £3 PRT 15-30kph Huddersfield CTC John Radford, 11 Westfield Avenue Meltham Holmfirth W Yorkshire HD9 5PY Chalfont St Peter The Willy Warmer BR 213km £6 L P R T M 75 15-30kph Willesden CC paudax@gmail.com Paul Stewart, 25 Devonshire Gardens Chiswick London W4 3TN Hailsham Hills and Mills BP 102km 1850m AAA1.75 £10.00 R F P 200 16 /01/12 14-25kph Andy Seviour Andy Seviour, 13 Blacksmiths Copse Hailsham East Sussex BN27 3XB Hellesdon, nr Norwich The Norfolk Nips - 3 BP £5 LPRT 15-30kph NorfolknGood Audax sandk.tandem@btinternet.com Keith Harrison, 11 Heather Avenue Hellesdon Norwich NR6 6LU Cheadle, Stockport A Mere Two Hundred BR 201km 800m £5 P R T 80 (13/1) 15-30kph Cheadle, Stockport A Mere Century BP 155km 600m £5.00 P R T 60 (13/1) 15-25kph Peak Audax David Colley, 5 Huncoat Avenue Stockport SK4 5HN Cardiff Dr. Foster’s Winter Warmer BR 201km £5.00 YH L P R T 15-30kph Cardiff Byways CC tonypember@gmail.com Tony Pember, 9 Donald Street Nelson Treharris CF46 6EB Ashton Keynes, Cirencester Windrush Winter Warm-up BP 108km 650m £5.00 LFPRT (23/1) 14-25kph Corinium CC peter_stevens0@talk21.com Peter Stevens, Stable Flat, West Crudwell Malmesbury Wilts SN16 9EF Newlands Cor (Guildford), Surrey El Supremo’s Tea & Biscuits 100k BP 103km [2040m] £ONLY £1.00 F P T (18/01) 500 15-30kph David Hudson David Hudson, 151 Middle Road Shoreham by Sea West Sussex BN43 6LG Chippenham Flapjack BP 104km £6.00 F P R T M 15-24kph Chip. & Dist. Whs. 01225 708449 Eric Fletcher, 174 Littleworth Lane Whitley Melksham Wiltshire SN12 8RE Pease Pottage, W Sussex Cheese Toastie 100 BP £7.50 P T F (25/1) 500 15-30kph David Hudson Dave Hudson, 151 Middle Road Shoreham-by-Sea BN43 6LG Dial Post, West Sussex Worthing Winter Warmer BP £5.00 F P R T 200 (29/01) 15-30kph Worthing Excelsior CC 01903 240 280 Mick Irons, 36 Phrosso Road Worthing West Sussex BN11 5SL Bedford Burford Bumble BR 210km £5.00 L P R T 15-30kph CTC Bedfordshire jackie.popland@ntlworld.com Jackie Popland, 48 Haylands Way Bedford MK41 9BU Leicester Rutland and Beyond BP 102km 1290m £4.00 F L P R S T 100 12-30kph Leic. Forest CC kimbo44@hotmail.com Kim Suffolk, 73 Colby Road Thurmaston Leicester LE4 8LG Hailsham Mad Jack’s- John Seviour Memorial BP 2450m AAA2.5 £10 R F P 200 (13/2/12) 14-25kph Andy Seviour Andy Seviour, 13 Blacksmiths Copse Hailsham East Sussex BN27 3XB Hartlebury, S of Kidderminster Snowdrop Express BP 123km £5.00 P R T 100 15-30kph

Arrivée February 2012

120 18 Feb 08:30 Sat

200 18 Feb 08:00 Sat 120 18 Feb 09:00 Sat

ROA 5000 200 25 Feb 07:30 Sat 100 25 Feb 09:00 Sat

100 25 Feb 09:00 Sat 50 25 Feb 09:00 Sat

200 26 Feb 08:00 Sun 150 26 Feb 08:30 Sun

150 03 Mar 08:00 Sat

ROA 5000 150 03 Mar 08:30 Sat

ROA 10000 200 03 Mar 08:00 Sat 150 03 Mar 09:00 Sat 100 03 Mar 10:00 Sat 53 03 Mar 11:00 Sat

ROA 5000 200 03 Mar 07:00 Sat

ROA 10000 100 04 Mar 09:00 Sun

200 04 Mar 08:00 Sun 100 04 Mar 09:00 Sun

200 04 Mar 08:00 Sun 100 04 Mar 09:00 Sun

ROA 25000 200 04 Mar 08:00 Sun

100 10 Mar 09:00 Sat

ROA 5000

Hartlebury, S of Kidderminster Sunrise Express BP 123km £5.00 P R T 100 15-30kph Beacon RCC 01562 731606 montgomery@beaconrcc.org.uk Philip Whiteman, 2 Drayton Terr Drayton Belbroughton Stourbridge DY9 0BW Rochdale North-West Passage BR £6.00 R T P 15-30kph Rochdale mini-North-West Passage BP £5,00 R T P 10-20kph W. Pennine RC 01706 372 447 Noel Healey, 95 Shore Mount Littleborough Lancs OL15 8EW Grazeley, S of Reading The Kennet Valley Run BR 207km 1763m £6.50 L P R T 15-30kph Grazeley, S of Reading The Kennet Valley 100 BP 895m £6.00 L P R T 12-30kph AUK mes84uk@gmail.com Mick Simmons, 84 Kidmore Road Caversham Reading RG4 7NA Henham, S of Saffron Walden Victoria C. C. - Brazier’s Run BP 106km £5.00 A(1) L P R S T (21/2) 15-30kph Henham, S of Saffron Walden Victoria C. C. - Brazier’s Run BP £4.50 A(1) L P R S T (21/2) 10-25kph Victoria CC Christine Yareham, 3 Haileswood Close, Elsenham Bishops Stortford CM22 6EN Cheadle, Stockport Newport BR 201km 750m £6.00 P R T80(10/02) 15-30kph Cheadle, Stockport Radway BP 153km 450m £5.00 P R T 50 (11/2) 15-25kph Peak Audax 0161 792 9074 n.gajda@talk21.com Norbert Gajda, 46 Moor Lane Salford M7 3PZ Chepstow Gospel Pass BP 2280m AAA2.25 £2.00 X P R (150) 15-30kph Bristol DA Nik Peregrine, Castle Terrace 46 Bridge Street Chepstow NP16 5EY Droitwich Over the Malverns BP 159km 1500m £3.00 C P R T M 60 12.5-25kph Gavin Greenhow 01905 775 803 Gavin Greenhow, 44 Newland Road Droitwich WR9 7AG Henham, Saffron Walden The Shaftesbury Spring 200 BR 203km 1856m [1700m] £5.00 L P R S T 15-30kph Henham, Saffron Walden The Shaftesbury Spring 150 BP 157km 1393m [1380m] £5.00 L P R S T 15-30kph Henham, Saffron Walden The Shaftesbury Spring 100 BP 109km 958m [940m] £5.00 L P R S T 15-30kph Henham, Saffron Walden The Shaftesbury Spring 50 BP 500m £5.00 L P R S T 15-30kph Shaftesbury CC 01245 421 088 r.parrotte@btinternet.com Richard Parrotte, 23 Mayfield Road Writtle Chelmsford CM1 3EJ Tewkesbury Mr. Pickwick’s March Madness BR 209km 2600m AAA1.75 [1700m] £4.00 c f p r nm t 100 (27/2) 15-25kph BlackSheep CC 01684 292 390 ybgirkram@talktalk.net Mark Rigby, 16 Battle Road Tewkesbury Park Tewkesbury GL20 5TZ Bynea, Llanelli Carmarthenshire Stopper BP 102km 1720m AAA1.75 £5.00 A(1) L F P R T 50 10-25kph Swansea DA Ian Sharpe, Penhafod, Stafford Common Gorseinon Swansea SA4 4HD Exeter Mad March Coasts and Quantocks BR 201km 2725m AAA1.5 [1500m] £7.00 YH F P R T X 15-30kph Exeter Mad March Exeter Excursion BP 106km £7.00 YH F P R T 10-25kph Exeter Whs 01404 841553 robinwheeler571@btinternet.com Pippa Wheeler, Rull Barn Payhembury Honiton Devon EX14 3JQ Newlands Cor (Guildford), Surrey Uppertea 200 BR 208km [1985m] £7.50 F P T (500) 15-30kph Newlands Cor (Nr Guildfor, ,Surrey Uppertea100 BP 106km [1100m] £7.50 F P T 500 13-30kph David Hudson David Hudson, 151 Middle Road Shoreham by Sea West Sussex BN43 6LG Rosewell, S of Edinburgh Dave Harris Memorial BR 201km 2900m AAA3 £10.00 F L P R T 50 (17/2) 15-30kph Audax Ecosse 0131 339 3709 Sonya Crawford, 24 Craigmount Terrace Edinburgh EH12 8BW Alfreton, NW of Nottingham Three Fields BP 104km 1270m £4.50 L P R T 100 12-30kph AlfretonCTC tomandsuefox@yahoo.co.uk Tom Fox, 180 Nottingham Road Alfreton Derbyshire DE55 7FP

59

Calendar Events 200 10 Mar Andoversford, nr. Cheltenham Cheltenham New Flyer 08:00 Sat BR £6 15-30kph

Cheltenham CTC stephen.poulton@btinternet.com ROA 2000 Stephen Poulton, Leckhampton Lodge 23 Moorend Park Road Leckhampton Cheltenham GL53 0LA 150 10 Mar Andoversford, Nr Cheltenham Cider with Rosie 150 08:30 Sat BP 152km £6.00 PRT 12.5-30kph

Cheltenham CTC stephen.poulton@btinternet.com ROA 2000 Stephen Poulton, Leckhampton Lodge 23 Moorend Park Road Leckhampton Cheltenham GL53 0LA 100 10 Mar Catherington, near Portsmouth Lasham Loop 09:00 Sat BP 104km £5.00 F L P R T 14.3-30kph

Hantspol CC jondse@ntlworld.com

Jonathan Ellis, 42 Wessex Road Waterlooville Hampshire PO8 0HS 200 10 Mar Ugley, S of Saffron Walden Up the Uts 08:30 Sat BR 202km £5 A(2) L P R S T 75 15-30kph 100 10 Mar Ugley, S of Saffron Walden Up the Uts 09:30 Sat BP 102km £5.00 A(2) L P R S T 75 15-30kph Updated Squadra UVE 01245 467683 ROA 5000 Terry Anderson, 1 Claypits Road Boreham Chelmsford Essex CM3 3BZ 200 11 Mar Great Kingshill, High Wycombe The Chiltern Hills Brevet 08:00 Sun BR 206km 1570m [1660m] £5.00 F L P R T 150 15-30kph 100 11 Mar Great Kingshill, High Wycombe The Chilterns Spring Populaire 09:00 Sun BP 104km 980m £4.00 F L T 100 12-24kph

S. Bucks DA 01494865372

Terry Lister, 4 Abbey Walk Great Missenden Bucks HP16 0AY 100 11 Mar North Petherton, S of Bridgwater Dunkery Dash 09:00 Sun BP 102km 1600m AAA1.5 £6.00 F L P R T 15-30kph

Bridgwater CC 01275 847567 ktudball@aol.com

Keith Tudball, 9 Winford Close Portishead N Somerset BS20 6YG 100 11 Mar Otford, Sevenoaks Kent Invicta Grimpeur 100 09:30 Sun BP 1890m AAA2 £5.00 YH F L P R T 12-25kph 50 11 Mar Otford, Sevenoaks Kent Invicta Hilly 50 10:00 Sun BP 945m AAA1 £4.00 YH F L P R T 12-25kph

West Kent DA pmcmaster@blueyonder.co.uk

Patrick McMaster, 207 Colyer Road Northfleet Kent DA11 8AT 100 17 Mar Almondsbury, N Bristol Jack and Grace Cotton Memorial Ride 09:00 Sat BP 104km £5.00 P R T M 150 15-30kph

Clevedon & Dis. RC ken.project1@gmail.com

Ken Acland, 232 Ormonds Close Bradley Stoke Bristol BS32 0DZ 200 17 Mar Cardiff Gate, NW Cardiff Making Hay 07:00 Sat BR 203km £5.50 YH L P R T 15-30kph

Cardiff Byways CC 02920 341768 evansrichardd@googlemail.com ROA 2000 Richard Evans, 73 Conway Road Cardiff CF11 9NW 200 17 Mar Denmead, N of Portsmouth Denmead SR Series 200k 08:00 Sat BRM 202km £3.50 PTX 15-30kph

Communicare ROA 10000 Pam Pilbeam, The Nest Hambledon Road Denmead Hants PO7 6QF 110 17 Mar Hathersage, Derbyshire Spring in the Peak: Roaches Revenge 09:00 Sat BP 117km 2600m AAA2.5 £5 YH C P R T (60) 13-25kph 100 17 Mar Hathersage, Derbyshire Spring in the Peak: Monyash Monster 09:00 Sat BP 103km 2180m AAA2.25 [2600m] £5 YH C P R T (60) 13-25kph

Peak Audax 07805 100988 owright@mac.com ROA 1000 Oliver Wright, Townhead Farm 345 Baslow Road Sheffield S17 4AD 200 17 Mar Hellesdon, nr Norwich The Old Squit 08:00 Sat BR £6 LPRT 15-30kph 100 17 Mar Hellesdon, nr Norwich The Norfolk Mardle 09:00 Sat BP £5 LPRTS 15-30kph

NorfolknGood Audax sandk.tandem@btinternet.com ROA 5000 Keith Harrison, 11 Heather Avenue Hellesdon Norwich NR6 6LU 100 18 Mar Corscombe, near Beaminster The Primrose Path 09:00 Sun BP 102km 1955m AAA2 £6.00 P L R T 55 12/3 12.5-25kph

Arthur Vince 01935 863 429 arthur.vince@btinternet.com

Arthur Vince, 3 Back Lane East Coker Yeovil BA22 9JN 200 18 Mar Pendleton, Lancashire Dales Delight 200 07:30 Sun BR 203km 4100m AAA4 £5 L P R T 15-30kph

Burnley Sportiv burnleysportiv@yahoo.com

Andy Corless, 31 Castlerigg Drive Ightenhill Burnley Lancashire BB12 8AT 100 20 Mar Lochside Leisure Centre, Forfar Cream Scone 09:00 Tue BP £5.00 P R S T 12.5-25kph

CTC Tayside 01575 574 082 harrow@macace.net ROA 3000 Ron Harrow, Edgar Cottage 21 Glamis Road Kirriemuir DD8 5BN 200 24 Mar Alfreton, NW of Nottingham Roses to Wrags 07:30 Sat BR 212km 1391m £6.00 F P R T 150 15-30kph

Alfreton CTC

Mark Wilson, 12 Gray Fallow Alfreton Derbyshire DE55 3BQ 60

300 24 Mar 06:00 Sat

200 25 Mar 08:00 Sun

100 25 Mar 09:00 Sun

200 25 Mar 08:00 Sun

110 25 Mar 09:30 Sun

200 25 Mar 08:00 Sun

ROA 25000 200 25 Mar 08:15 Sun 110 25 Mar 10:30 Sun 62 25 Mar 11:00 Sun

100 25 Mar 10:00 Sun

100 27 Mar 09:00 Tue

ROA 3000 200 31 Mar 08:00 Sat

200 31 Mar 07:30 Sat 100 31 Mar 09:00 Sat 45 31 Mar 11:00 Sat

200 01 Apr 08:00 Sun

100 01 Apr 09:00 Sun 100 01 Apr 09:00 Sun

ROA 25000 100 01 Apr 09:30 Sun

ROA 4000 100 01 Apr 09:00 Sun

200 01 Apr 07:45 Sun 100 01 Apr 09:00 Sun

ROA 5000

Oxford The Dean BR 307km 4000m AAA4 £3.50 YH B P X 15-30kph Norton Wheelers a_rodgers8@hotmail.com Andrew Rodgers, 57 Tennyson Road Sheffield South Yorkshire S6 2WD Golden Green,Tonbridge Man of Kent 200 BRM 207km 1425m £6 F,L,P,R,T, (100), (19/03) 15-30kph San Fairy Ann CC manofkentaudax@gmail.com David Winslade, 3 Albany Close Tonbridge Kent TN9 2EY Lanchester, near Durham Killhope Grimpeur BP 103km 1800m AAA1.75 £6.00 L P R T 60 (16/3) 13-26kph Houghton Cycling Club 0191 584 3040 joeapplegarth@talktalk.net Joe Applegarth, 7 Market Cr New Herrington Houghton-le-Spring DH4 7AP Long Ashton, Bristol Barry’s Bristol Ball Buster BR 212km 2000m [1500m] £6 F, L, P, R, T, NM 15-30kph Las Vegas Inst of Sport audax@lvis.org.uk Marcus Mumford, 12 Gleneagles Drive Henbury Bristol BS10 7PS Long Ashton, Bristol Barry’s Bristol Bash BP 114km 1100m £6 F, L, P, R, T, NM 12.5-30kph Las Vegas Inst of Sport audax@lvis.org.uk Marcus Mumford, 12 Gleneagles Drive Henbury Bristol BS10 7PS Poynton, S of Stockport Chirk BRM £6.00 F P 15-30kph Peak Audax sheila@aukadia.net Sheila Simpson, 33 Hawk Green Road Hawk Green Marple Cheshire SK6 7HR Stevenage Stevenage Start of Summertime Specials BRM 210km £5.00 P R T 150 15-30kph Stevenage Stevenage Start of Summertime Specials BP 115km £4.00 P R T 150 12.5-25kph Stevenage Stevenage Start of Summertime Specials BP £3.00 P R T 150 12.5-25kph Herts DA 01438 356 584 paul_gylyan.boielle@ntlworld.com Paul Boielle, 71 Lonsdale Road Stevenage SG1 5DD Wigginton, N of York Fountains Monk’y-business BP 102km £2.00 L P R T 12-25kph North Yorks DA 01904 795 695 gerry.boswell@hotmail.co.uk Gerry Boswell, 5 Invicta Court Acomb York YO24 3NL Kingoldrum Village Hall, Near Kirriemuir Hilly Scone BP £5.00 F P R T 12.5-25kph CTC Tayside 01575 574 082 harrow@macace.net Ron Harrow, Edgar Cottage 21 Glamis Road Kirriemuir DD8 5BN Edinburgh, Corstorphine The Nippy Sweetie BR 205km £6.00 F L P R T 21/3 15-30kph Audax Ecosse graemewyllie@aol.com Graeme Wyllie, 16 Corstorphine House Avenue Edinburgh EH12 7AD Lydham, N of Bishops Castle The Marcher Lord BR 205km 3000m AAA3 £6 YH,F,L,P,R,T 15-30kph Lydham, N of Bishops Castle Long Mynd 100k BP 1906m AAA2 [1880m] £5.00 YH A(1) C F L P R S T 60 12-25kph Lydham, N of Bishops Castle Long Mynd 50k BP 974m AAA1.25 [1190m] £4.00 YH A(1) C F L P R T 60 12-25kph CTC Shropshire seabourneandrew@hotmail.com Andrew Seabourne, 29 Union Street Bishops Castle SY9 5DF Bynea, Llanelli Carmarthenshire Snapper BR 202km 800m £6.00 A(1) L F P R T 50 15-30kph Swansea DA Ian Sharpe, Penhafod, Stafford Common Gorseinon Swansea SA4 4HD Polegate (Nr Hailsham), E Sussex For those who dont do hills 100 BP £8.00 F P T (500) 15-25kph Polegate Nr Hailsham, E Sussex Tour of the Sussex Hills 100 BP 103km 1800m AAA1.75 £8.00 F P T (500) 14-25kph David Hudson David Hudson, 151 Middle Road Shoreham by Sea West Sussex BN43 6LG Porlock Exmoor Spring BP £3.50 L P R T 100 10-20kph Minehead CC 01643 704 258 Pam Almond, 40 King George Road Minehead TA24 5JD Trowell, Nottingham Charnwood in the Spring BP 103km 950m £4.00 L P R T 100 12.5-30kph Notts DA 0115 932 9978 Mark Chambers, 62 Queens Ave Hallam Fields Ilkeston Derbyshire DE7 4DJ Wareham Dorset Coast BRM 207km 2500m AAA2.25 [2250m] £10.00 C L F R P T M 1/4 15-30kph Wareham Coastlet BP 102km 1300m £5.00 C L F R P T M 1/4 12-25kph Wessex DA 01305 263 272 pete_loakes@yahoo.com Peter Loakes, 1 Church Cottage West Stafford Dorchester DT2 8AB Arrivée February 2012

Calendar Events 100 03 Apr 09:00 Tue

ROA 3000 400 06 Apr ::::: Fri

80 06 Apr 10:00 Fri

300 07 Apr 06:00 Sat

200 07 Apr 08:00 Sat

300 07 Apr 06:00 Sat

ROA 3000 200 07 Apr 08:00 Sat

ROA 10000 200 08 Apr 08:00 Sun 100 08 Apr 09:00 Sun

200 08 Apr 08:00 Sun

ROA 3000 100 11 Apr 10:00 Wed 100 11 Apr 10:00 Wed

300 21 Apr 06:00 Sat

ROA 5000 200 14 Apr 08:00 Sat

ROA 10000 300 14 Apr 06:30 Sat

ROA 25000 200 14 Apr 08:00 Sat

100 14 Apr 09:00 Sat

ROA 25000 100 14 Apr 09:30 Sat

200 14 Apr 08:00 Sat 150 14 Apr 09:00 Sat 110 14 Apr 09:30 Sat 50 14 Apr 10:00 Sat

Kingoldrum Village Hall, near Kirriemuir King to Kirk in Glen Isla BP £5.00 F P R T 12.5-25kph CTC Tayside 01575 574 082 harrow@macace.net Ron Harrow, Edgar Cottage 21 Glamis Road Kirriemuir DD8 5BN Anywhere Easter Flêches to York BR £10.00 Fee per Team. 360km+ 22nd also 15-30kph W. Yorks DA John Radford, 11 Westfield Ave Meltham Holmfirth West Yorkshire HD9 5PY Canterbury Forts & Ferries 80km Grimpeur BP 1280m AAA1.25 £3.00 FPT 14-25kph Patrick Cherry tracyandpat@tiscali.co.uk Patrick Cherry, 28 Barton Road Canterbury Kent CT1 1YQ Chalfont St Peter 3Down BRM £7.50 L P R T 15-30kph Willesden CC ianoli2010-audax@yahoo.co.uk Ian Oliver, 68 St Dunstans Avenue London W3 6QJ Huntingdon Double Dutch BR £3 X 15-30kph East Grinstead CC 01342 314 437 malinseastg@tiscali dot co dot uk Martin Malins, 64 Blount Avenue East Grinstead West Sussex RH19 IJW Penzance Many Rivers to Cross BR 307km 4940m AAA5 £3.00 BXYHC 15-30kph Audax Kernow Don Hutchison, 14 Pendarves Road Penzance Cornwall TR18 2AJ Tewkesbury Sam Weller’s April Foolery BR 204km 2500m AAA1.75 £4.00 c f p r nm t 100 (19/2) 15-25kph BlackSheep CC 01684 292 390 ybgirkram@talktalk.net Mark Rigby, 16 Battle Road Tewkesbury Park Tewkesbury GL20 5TZ Malin Bridge, Sheffield The Sheffrec Full Monty BR 202km 3500m £5.00 L P R T 15-30kph Malin Bridge, Sheffield The Sheffrec Mini Monty BP 109km 1800m £5.00 L P R T 12-25kph Sheffrec CC 07787 502298 events@sheffrec-cc.org.uk Henry Foxhall, 111 Whitehouse Lane Sheffield S6 2UY Penzance Four Hundreds 200 BR 207km 3760m AAA3.75 £3.00 BYHXC 15-30kph Audax Kernow Don Hutchison, 14 Pendarves Road Penzance Cornwall TR18 2AJ Marple, near Stockport Monyash Peak BP 105km 2400m AAA2.5 £5.00 P R T 30 (08-04) 12.5-30kph Marple, near Stockport An Icecream Wensdae BP 105km 800m £5.00 P R T 30 (08-04) 15-30kph Peak Audax chris.keelingroberts@ntlworld.com Chris Keeling-Roberts, 17 Lower Strines Road Marple Cheshire SK6 7DL Cirencester Heart of England 300 BR 307km 2800m £6.00 A(2) L P R T 100 15-30kph Corinium CC 01285 659 515 petergholden@btopenworld.com Peter Holden, 39 Querns Lane Cirencester Glos GL7 1RL Alltwen, Pontardawe Carmarthen Bay 200 - Estuary Welsh BR 201km 2400m AAA2 [1900m] £6.00 F L P R T 15-25kph Cardiff Byways CC 01792 830992 David Lewis, ‘Roc Trevezel’ 1 Penygraig Rd Alltwen Pontardawe Swansea SA8 3BS Billingshurst, W Sussex Billingshurst-Stockbridge Tea Bag 300 BR 306km 3760m £4.00 F P X 500 14.4-30kph David Hudson David Hudson, 151 Middle Road Shoreham by Sea West Sussex BN43 6LG Pease Pottage, W Sussex Cheese Toastie 200 BR £7.50 P F T 500 15-30kph David Hudson Pease Pottage, W. Sussex Cheese Toastie 100 BP 108km 1150m £8.00 P F T 500 13-30kph David Hudson Dave Hudson, 151 Middle Road Shoreham-by-Sea BN43 6LG Reepham and Cherry Willin, nr Lincoln Lincoln Imp BP 109km 200m £5.00 P R F L T 10-30kph Lincs. DA Andrew Townhill, 80 Rudgard Avenue Cherrry Willingham Lincoln LN3 4JG Tamworth, Pretty Pigs PH Two Battles BR 209km 2300m £5.00 P R T 50 15-30kph Tamworth, Pretty Pigs PH Towering Trees BP 157km 1630m £5.00 P R T 50 14-30kph Tamworth, Pretty Pigs PH The Essex Bridge BP £5 P T 50 15-30kph Tamworth, Pretty Pigs PH Just a chuffing 50 BP £3.50 P R T 50 10-20kph Tamworth CC audaxclive@btinternet.com Clive Handy, 20 Brancaster Close Amington Tamworth Staffs B77 3QD

Arrivée February 2012

300 14 Apr 06:00 Sat

ROA 10000 200 15 Apr 08:00 Sun 130 15 Apr 08:30 Sun

100 15 Apr 09:00 Sun 50 15 Apr 10:00 Sun

110 15 Apr 09:00 Sun 53 15 Apr 10:00 Sun

ROA 10000 110 15 Apr 09:00 Sun 62 15 Apr 10:00 Sun

100 18 Apr 10:00 Wed

400 21 Apr 05:00 Sat

300 21 Apr 07:00 Sat

ROA 10000 200 21 Apr 08:00 Sat 140 21 Apr 08:30 Sat

300 21 Apr 00:01 Sat

300 21 Apr 06:00 Sat

300 21 Apr 23:00 Sat Change of Date

160 22 Apr 08:30 Sun 110 22 Apr 09:00 Sun 110 22 Apr 08:15 Sun 64 22 Apr 09:30 Sun

100 22 Apr 09:00 Sun

200 22 Apr 08:00 Sun 160 22 Apr 08:30 Sun

Upton Magna, E of Shrewsbury Yr Elenydd BRM 305km 4950m AAA5 £10.00 A(2) C F L P R T (100) 15-25kph CTC Shropshire undulates@hotmail.co.uk John Hamilton, 22 Oaks Crescent Wellington Telford TF1 2HF Congleton, Cheshire Ironbridge 207 BR 207km 2130m £5.00 P R T 15-30kph Congleton, Cheshire Hawkstone 133 BP 133km £4.00 P R T 15-30kph Congleton CC Rob Waghorn, The Querns Congleton Edge Cheshire CW12 3NB Falmouth A Cornish 100 BP 103km £3.50 F L P R S T 12-25kph Falmouth A Bunny Hop BP £3.50 F L P R S T 8-20kph Falmouth Whs. Adrian Hitchman , 4 Poplar Terrace Flushing Falmouth Cornwall TR11 5TL Hebden Bridge Spring into the Dales BP 2350m AAA2.25 £4.00 L R T YH 12-24kph Hebden Bridge Leap into the Aire BP 1325m AAA1.25 £3.50 L R T YH 8-20kph W. Yorks DA 01422 832 853 chris.crossland@halifaxctc.org.uk Chris Crossland, 14 Stanley St. West Sowerby Bridge W. Yorks HX6 1EF Maidenhead 10 Thames Bridges BP 111km £3.00 P R T 15-30kph Maidenhead Kaf to Kaf BP £3 PRT 12-25kph Willesden CC 07763 765 802 mick.hill56@hotmail.co.uk.

Mick Hill, 5 Castle Farm White Horse Road Windsor Berks SL4 4PT Ruislip West London 1/4 BP 105km £3.50 P R T 15-30kph Willesden CC John Richardson, 39 Bridgwater Road South Ruislip Middlesex HA4 0ED Coryton, NW Cardiff Buckingham Blinder BR £10.00 X 15-30kph Cardiff Byways CC andy@andsl.org Andy Cox, 4 Rhydybont Penparcau Aberystwyth Ceredigion SY23 1SR Denmead Denmead SR Series BRM £3.50 X T P 15-30kph Communicare 02392 267095 Pam Pilbeam, The Nest Hambledon Road Denmead Hants PO7 6QF Eardisland, nr Leominster The Cambrian BR 208km 4050m AAA4 £7.00 L P R T 15-30kph Eardisland, nr Leominster Cambrian Minor BP £6.00 L P R T 10-30kph Hereford Wheelers nigel@spot13.freeserve.co.uk Nigel Jones, Croft Barns, Passa Lane Ryelands Leominster HR6 8QB Manningtree, Colchester Green & Yellow Fields BR 305km 1500m £4.00 PT X 05/04 15-25kph Flitchbikes CC tom.deakins@btinternet.com Thomas Deakins, 31 The Causeway Great Dunmow Essex CM6 2AA Musselburgh Merse and Moors BR 4200m AAA4.25 £5.00 X P R 15-30kph Audax Ecosse martinfoley@btinternet.com Martin Foley, 78 Denholm Road Musselburgh East Lothian EH21 6TU Poynton, S of Stockport Plains BR 310km £5.00 P X 15-30kph Peak Audax Peter Hammond, 3 Dorac Avenue Heald Green Cheadle Stockport SK8 3NZ Bishops Lydeard, Nr TAUNTON Sherborne Amble BP 166km £4.50 LRPT 15-30kph Bishops Lydeard, NW of Taunton Dustman Dave’s Doddle BP 114km £4.50 L P R T 10-30kph Bishops Lydeard, NW of Taunton Dustman Dave’s Demon Hilly BP 113km 3150m AAA3.25 £5.00 L P R T 10-30kph Bishops Lydeard, NW of Taunton Dustman Dave’s Diddy Doddle BP £3.00 L P R T 10-30kph Wellington Whs CC 01823 354 477 Dave Sanders, 34 Blackdown Road Taunton Somerset TA2 8EZ Merthyr Tydfil Rhondda Traverse BP 109km 2100m AAA2 £4.50 P R T 12-30kph Merthyr Cycling Club @ David Jones, 2 Brunswick Street Merthyr Tydfil CF47 8SB Shenstone, Staffs Castleton Classic Revised BR 213km 2963m AAA3 £7.50 F L P R T 15-30kph Shenstone, Staffs Derbyshire Dales BP 1680m £7.00 F L P R T 15-30kph 61

Calendar Events 100 22 Apr 09:00 Sun

110 25 Apr 10:00 Wed

200 28 Apr 08:15 Sat

ROA 10000 160 28 Apr 08:30 Sat 100 28 Apr 09:00 Sat

400 28 Apr 07:00 Sat

300 28 Apr 05:00 Sat

ROA 5000 200 29 Apr 08:00 Sun

100 29 Apr 9::00 Sun

200 29 Apr 08:00 Sun

200 29 Apr 08:00 Sun 100 29 Apr 09:30 Sun

200 29 Apr 08:00 Sun 160 29 Apr 08:00 Sun 100 29 Apr 10:00 Sun

ROA 5000 200 29 Apr 08:00 Sun 160 29 Apr 08:30 Sun 100 29 Apr 09:00 Sun

ROA 4000 110 29 Apr 09:30 Sun

200 29 Apr 08:00 Sun 160 29 Apr 08:30 Sun 100 29 Apr 09:00 Sun

100 02 May 10:00 Wed

62

Shenstone, Staffs Staffordshire Lanes BP 102km 680m £5.00 L P R T 12.5-25kph CTC North Birmingham Anthony Tibbins, 15 The Downs Aldridge Walsall WS9 0YT Maidenhead Riverside to Riverside BP 118km £3.00 P R T 15-30kph Willesden CC 07763 765 802 mick.hill56@hotmail.co.uk.

Mick Hill, 5 Castle Farm, White Horse Road, Windsor, Berks. SL4 4TP Droitwich Droitwich - Towcester BR 218km 1500m £3.00 C P R T M 14.3-25kph Gavin Greenhow 01905 775 803 Gavin Greenhow, 44 Newland Road Droitwich WR9 7AG Messingham, Lincs A North Lincolnshire Century BP 1097m £5.00 C P R T 15-30kph Messingham, nr Scunthorpe Mansgate 100 BP 711m £5 CPRT 15-30kph Ancholme Leisure Centre 01724 345402 stuart1@ntlworld.com Stuart Greenaway, 74 Chiltern Crescent Scunthorpe N Lincolnshire DN17 1TJ Preston Heartbeat 400 BRM 404km £3 P X 15-30kph Burnley Sportiv burnleysportiv@yahoo.com Andy Corless, 31 Castlerigg Drive Ightenhill Burnley Lancashire BB12 8AT West Stafford, Dorchester 3D 300 BRM 312km 5150m AAA5.25 £6.00 A(2) C F L P R T 30 15-25kph Wessex DA 01305 263 272 pete_loakes@yahoo.com Peter Loakes, 1 Church Cottage West Stafford Dorchester DT2 8AB Gourock Rivers Lochs and Glens 200km BR £8.50 F L P R T 15-30kph Inverclyde Velo Robert Mccready, 4 Mccallum Crescent Gourock Scotland PA19 1PY Grange School Pavilion, Hartford Ron Sant Memorial Ride BP 106km £5 P R T S 15-30kph Weaver Valley Derek Heine, 10 Whitehall Drive Northwich Cheshire CW8 1SJ Halifax The Red Rose Ride BR 2900m AAA3 £5.00 L P R T 15-30kph W. Yorks DA dmdodwell@gmail.com Dave Dodwell, 32 Parkside Avenue Queensbury Bradford BD13 2HQ High Ham, SW of Street The Nutty Nuns BR 201km £6.50 F L P R T 15-30kph High Ham, SW of Street The Merry Monk BP 105km £6.00 F L P R T 12.5-25kph Bristol DA 01823 690 038 mail@marklilly.orangehome.co.uk Mark Lilly, Applehayes Main Road Middlezoy Bridgwater TA7 0PB Lymington New Forest Excursion BR 204km £6.00 C L P R T 100 (7/5) 15-30kph Lymington New Forest Century BP £6 C L P R T 100 (7/5) 15-30kph Lymington New Forest Day Out BP 104km [2m] £6.00 C L P R T 100 (3/5) 10-20kph W J Ward 01590 671 205 cyclingnewforest@gmail.com John Ward, 34 Avenue Road Lymington Hants SO41 9GJ Meopham, nr Gravesend Hop Garden 200km BR 1756m [2400m] £6.00 P R T 15-30kph Meopham, nr Gravesend Hop Garden Century Ride BP 1756m [2200m] £6.00 P R T 15-30kph Meopham, nr Gravesend Hop Garden 100km BP £6.00 P R T 10-30kph Gravesend CTC 01474 815 213 tom56jackson@gmail.com Tom Jackson, 19 Denesway Meopham Kent DA13 0EA Northmoor, W of Oxford The Harlequin Hack BP 600m £5.00 YH C F L P R S T 100 15-30kph Harlequins CC jordancottage@sky.com Ken Knight, Jordan Cottage Picklescott Church Stretton Shropshire SY6 6NR Woodham Mortimer, Chelmsford Witham Westerley BR 202km £6.00 L P R T 100 15-30kph Woodham Mortimer, Chelmsford Witham 150 BP £5.00 F L P R T 15-30kph Woodham Mortimer, Chelmsford Witham Wander BP 106km £4.00 F L P R T 15-30kph Cycle Club Sudbury 07752 305 476 withamaudax@aol.com Ed Nevard, 83 London Road Kelvedon Essex CO5 9AU Hurst, E of Reading Dinton 100 BP 105km £3.00 L P R T 60 15-30kph Reading DA 01344 420 031 Pat Lomas, 25 Keldholme Wildridings Bracknell RG12 7RP

300 05 May Alfreton, NW of Nottingham Everybody Rides to Skeggy!

06:00 Sat BR 302km 1141m £7.00 L R P T X 100 15-30kph

Alfreton CTC 01 773 828 737 auk@ishorne.gotadsl.co.uk ROA 2000 Ian Horne, 32 Ashop Road Belper Derbys. DE56 0DP 400 05 May Chepstow Brevet Cymru 06:00 Sat BRM 401km 4900m AAA2.25 [2300m] £9:00 c f l p r t nm z 100 15-30kph

BlackSheep CC 01684 292 390 ybgirkram@talktalk.net ROA 10000 Mark Rigby, 16 Battle Road Tewkesbury Park Tewkesbury GL20 5TZ 110 05 May Parkend, Forest of Dean The Lumpy Scrumpy 100 10:00 Sat BP 1850m AAA1.75 £5.00 YH C P T 75 12-25kph 54 05 May Parkend, Forest of Dean Dean Bluebell Doddle 10:30 Sat BP 1200m AAA1.25 £4.00 YH C P T 75 12-25kph

Royal Dean Forest C.C. p.steve21@yahoo.co.uk

Steve Price, 7 Allsopp Close Newnham On Severn Glos GL14 1DP 400 05 May Pease Pottage, W Sussex Pease Pottage-Marlborough Tea Bag 400 07:00 Sat BR 412km £4.00 FPTX (500) 14.4-30kph 200 05 May Pease Pottage, W Sussex Cheese Toastie 200 08:00 Sat BR £7.50 P T F (500) 15-30kph 100 05 May Pease Pottage, W Sussex Cheese Toastie 100 09:00 Sat BP £7.50 F P T (500) 15-30kph

David Hudson ROA 25000 Dave Hudson, 151 Middle Road Shoreham-by-Sea BN43 6LG 200 06 May Forfar Deeside Loop 08:00 Sun BR 3105m AAA3 £6.00 C F P R S T 15-30kph 100 06 May Forfar Cream Scone 09:00 Sun BP £5.00 F P R S T 12.5-25kph

CTC Tayside 01575 574 082 harrow@macace.net ROA 3000 Ron Harrow, Edgar Cottage 21 Glamis Road Kirriemuir DD8 5BN 200 06 May N1 Golf Centre, Near Morpeth Chevy Chase 08:00 Sun BR 201km 2500m [2000m] £6.00 F L P R T 60 27/4 15-30kph 100 06 May N1 Golf Centre, Near Morpeth Burma Road 09:00 Sun BP 1230m £5.00 FPRT 12-25kph

Tyneside Vagabonds hedleya167@gmail.com

Aidan Hedley, 16 The Close Lanchester Durham DH7 0PX 200 06 May Radwinter, Saffron Walden ECCA Festival 200 08:00 Sun BR 205km 2072m £6.00 L P R T 175 (30/4) 15-30kph 110 06 May Radwinter, Saffron Walden ECCA Festival 100 10:00 Sun BP 113km 1084m £6.00 L P R T 175 (30/4) 15-30kph

E. Counties CA 077 36 36 46 87 everelm@aol.com

Leslie Everest, 19 Clarendon Road South Woodford London E18 2AW 100 12 May Alveston, N Bristol South Glos 100 09:30 Sat BP 106km £5.00 P R T 150 12.5-25kph

Bristol DA nick.horne1@googlemail.com

Nick Horne, 96 Ryecroft Road Frampton Cotterell Bristol BS36 2HH 400 12 May Chalfont St Peter Severn Across 06:00 Sat BRM 407km 3500m £5.00 YH L P R T 70 15-30kph

Willesden CC 01753 663 242 chris_beynon@hotmail.com ROA 5000 Chris Beynon, Little Mead Fulmer Common Road Iver Bucks SL0 0NP 400 12 May Denmead Denmead SR Series 7.:00 Sat BRM £3.50 P T X 15-30kph

Communicare 02392 267095 ROA 10000 Pam Pilbeam, The Nest Hambledon Road Denmead Hants PO7 6QF 300 12 May Honiton Old Roads 300 06:00 Sat BRM 3400m £8.00 LPRT 15-30kph

Exeter Whs 01404 46993 ian@ukcyclist.co.uk ROA 10000 Ian Hennessey, 8 Nap View Awliscombe Honiton EX14 3PL 400 12 May Sevenoaks Weald, Kent West Kent SR series Invicta 400k 12:00 Sat BR 417km 3904m £8.50 F L P R T 15-30kph

West Kent DA fixedwheelnut@yahoo.co.uk ROA 5000 Steve Airey, 21 Birchington Close Bexleyheath Kent DA7 5ED 200 12 May Whaley Thorns, near Mansfield Lincolnshire Cross 08:00 Sat BR 215km £5.00 L P R T 15-30kph

Bolsover & District CC 01246 825 351 matt.connley@talktalk.net ROA 2000 Matt Connley, 7 Eskdale Close Bolsover Chesterfield S44 6RL 300 12 May Wigginton Wigginton 300 05:00 Sat BR 302km £5.00 L P R T 15-30kph 100 12 May Wigginton, York Wiggy 100 10:00 Sat BP £2.50 A(1) YH L P R T 12-24kph

CTC North Yorks 01904 769 378 dkb@audax.uk.net

Keith Benton, 127 Greenshaw Drive Wigginton York YO32 2DB 200 13 May Apperley, nr. Cheltenham Gospel Pass 200 08:00 Sun BR AAA3 £6 14.4-30kph

CTC West stephen.poulton@btinternet.com ROA 3000 Stephen Poulton, Leckhampton Lodge 23 Moorend Park Road Leckhampton Cheltenham GL53 0LA

Arrivée February 2012

Calendar Events 150 13 May 09:00 Sun 100 13 May 09:30 Sun

ROA 3000 200 13 May 08:00 Sun

200 13 May 08:00 Sun 150 13 May 08:30 Sun 110 13 May 09:00 Sun

200 13 May 08:00 Sun 100 13 May 09:00 Sun 50 13 May 10:00 Sun

ROA 10000 300 13 May 06:00 Sun

100 13 May 9:00 Sun Updated

600 19 May 06:00 Sat

ROA 10000 400 19 May 11:00 Sat

ROA 25000 160 19 May 08:00 Sat 100 19 May 09:00 Sat

400 19 May 09:00 Sat

600 19 May 06:30 Sat

ROA 25000 200 19 May 08:30 Sat 100 19 May 09:00 Sat

ROA 25000 200 19 May 08:00 Sat 130 19 May 08:30 Sat

160 19 May 08:00 Sat 100 19 May 09:00 Sat

200 20 May 07:30 Sun

Apperley, Nr Cheltenham YatMon 150 BP 2230m AAA2.25 £6 T P C 12.5-30kph Apperley, Nr Cheltenham Hoarwithy 100 (2Severn2Wye) BP £5 T P C 12.5-30kph CTC West stephen.poulton@btinternet.com Stephen Poulton, 23 Moorend Park Rd Leckhampton Cheltenham GL53 0LA Broken Cross, nr Macclesfield World’s End BR 210km 2450m AAA2 [1930m] £7.00 F L P R T 14.3-25kph Peak Audax perrin_john@sky.com John Perrin, 20 Princes Way Macclesfield Cheshire SK11 8UB Elstead, Godalming The 31st. Stonehenge 200 BR 201km 2210m £4.50 F L P R T 15-30kph Elstead, Godalming The 15th Danebury 150 BP 152km £4.00 F L P R T 12.5-30kph Elstead, Godalming The Sixth Elstead 100 BP 115km £3.50 F L P R T 12.5-30kph West Surrey DA nickandmarion.davison@hotmail.co.uk Nicholas Davison, The Bield Mill Copse Road Fernhurst West Sussex GU27 3DN Galashiels Moffat Toffee Reinvented BR 202km 2900m AAA3 [2300m] £10.00 L P R S T 15-30kph Galashiels Broughton and Back BP £5.00 LPRTS 12-30kph Galashiels The Salmon Leap 50k BP £5.00 LPRTS 12-30kph Audax Ecosse 01896 758 181 megajoulesexpenditure@btinternet.com Lucy McTaggart, 30 Victoria St. Galashiels Scottish Borders TD1 1HL Meltham HD9 4NP, SW of Huddersfield Butty’s Brid Trip BR 310km 2000m £4.00 X P NM 15-30kph Huddersfield CTC John Radford, 11 Westfield Ave Meltham Holmfirth W Yorkshire HD9 5PY Sheffield Peaks and Troughs BP 106km 1584m £7.00 F P R T 13-30kph Sheffield District CTC 07792 899501 bigT.ridinghigh@gmail.com Tony Gore, 8 Ladysmith Avenue Sheffield S7 1SF Chepstow Bryan Chapman Memorial (Classic) BRM 619km 8300m AAA8.25 £17.5 BD C F L P R S T Z (4/5) 15-30kph BlackSheep CC 01684 292 390 ybgirkram@talktalk.net Mark Rigby, 16 Battle Road Tewkesbury Park Tewkesbury GL20 5TZ Great Bedwyn (Nr Marlboro, Wilts Great Bedwyn -Hay Tea bag 400 BR 3255m £4.00 FX (15/5) 500 14.4-30kph David Hudson Dave Hudson, 151 Middle Road Shoreham-by-Sea BN43 6LG Kentisbeare Coast to Coast BP 2200m [1500m] £6 P R T X 12-25kph Kentisbeare Coast and Back BP 1300m [1500m] £6 P R T X 12-25kph CTC Devon Roy Russell, 52 Whitchurch Avenue Exeter EX2 5NT Manningtree, Colchester Asparagus & Strawberries BR 416km 2600m £4.00 PT X 01/05 15-25kph Flitchbikes CC tom.deakins@btinternet.com Thomas Deakins, 31 The Causeway Great Dunmow Essex CM6 2AA Midhurst, W Sussex Midhurst - Hay Tea bag 600 BR 606km 6322m [6372m] £4.00 FPTX 500 14.4-30kph David Hudson David Hudson, 151 Middle Road Shoreham by Sea West Sussex BN43 6LG Whitchurch, Hants Whitchurch Cheese Toastie 200 BR £7.50 P F 500 15-30kph Whitchurch, Hants Whitchurch Cheese Toastie 100 BP £7.50 P F 500 15-30kph David Hudson Dave Hudson, 151 Middle Road Shoreham-by-Sea BN43 6LG Willington Hall, E of Chester Seamons CC ‘Tour of the Berwyns’ BR 208km 3100m AAA3 £5.00 L F P R T 100 (12/5) 15-30kph Willington Hall, E of Chester Seamons Llangollen Panorama BP 135km 1750m AAA1.5 [1500m] £5.00 L F P R T 100 12-25kph Seamons CC cyclistdavid@hotmail.com David Barker, 221 Dane Road Sale Manchester M33 2LZ Meriden, Warwickshire Cotswold Challenge BP 1035m [2000m] £6.00 C L P R T NM 100 15-30kph Meriden, Warwickshire Warwickshire Wanderer BP 105km 602m [1000m] £6.00 C L P R T NM 100 12-25kph CTC-heartofengland audax2012@ctc-heartofengland.org.uk Jon Porteous, Tumnus Corner Springhill Gardens Webheath Redditch B97 5SY Claughton, N of Preston Fleet Moss 212 BR 212km 3290m AAA3.25 £5.50 P R T 15-30kph

Arrivée February 2012

150 20 May 08:30 Sun 110 20 May 09:00 Sun

150 20 May 08:30 Sun 100 20 May 10:00 Sun

200 20 May 08:00 Sun 160 20 May 08:30 Sun 100 20 May 09:00 Sun Updated

300 26 May 05:00 Sat

ROA 10000 600 26 May 06:00 Sat

ROA 10000 200 26 May 08:00 Sat 100 26 May 09:00 Sat

300 26 May 06:00 Sat

400 26 May 09:00 Sat

ROA 10000 200 26 May 07:30 Sat 170 26 May 08:30 Sat 130 26 May 09:00 Sat

200 27 May 08:00 Sun

200 02 Jun 08:00 Sat 100 02 Jun 09:00 Sat

600 02 Jun 6.:00 Sat

ROA 25000 200 02 Jun 08:30 Sat 100 02 Jun 09:30 Sat

300 02 Jun 06:00 Sat

Claughton, N of Preston Lunesdale Populaire BP 158km 2280m AAA2.25 £5.50 P R T 100 13-30kph Claughton, N of Preston Pilgrim’s Way BP 112km 1540m £5.50 P R T 10-25kph Ribble Valley C & RC 07908 247426 David Kershaw, 75 Gleneagles Drive, Fulwood, Preston Lancashire PR2 7EU Dorchester Dorset Downs 150 BP 2552m [2177m] £9.00 F P R T 150 15-25kph Dorchester Dorset Downs 100 BP 102km 1995m AAA1.75 [1630m] £6.00 F P R T 150 12-24kph Justin Oakley 07968 213833 justinoakley@hotmail.co.uk Justin Oakley, The Old Rectory West Stafford Dorchester Dorset DT2 8AB Hessle, Hull East Riding 200 BR 210km £6.00 YH F P R T 15-30kph Hessle, Hull East Riding 150 BP 161km £5.00 YH F P R T 15-30kph Hessle, Hull East Riding 100 BP £5.00 YH F P R T 12-30kph Hull & East Riding CTC stuart1@ntlworld.com Stuart Greenaway, 74 Chiltern Crescent Scunthorpe N Lincolnshire DN17 1TJ Alltwen, Pontardawe Teifi Traveller (Land of my Fathers) BR 3700m AAA3.5 [3450m] £7.00 L P R T 15-25kph Cardiff Byways CC 01792 830992 David Lewis, ‘Roc Trevezel’ 1 Penygraig Rd Alltwen Pontardawe Swansea SA8 3BS Exeter Kernow and Southwest 600 BRM 8200m AAA8.25 £12.00 YH L F R Z 30 15-25kph Exeter Whs 01404 46993 ian@ukcyclist.co.uk Ian Hennessey, 8 Nap View Awliscombe Honiton EX14 3PL Long Melford, nr Sudbury Edmund\’s Folk go Paddling BR 211km 1450m £5.50 L P R T 15-30kph Long Melford, nr Sudbury Edmund\’s Kingdom BP 105km 705m £5.50 F L P R T 15-30kph CC Sudbury Peter Whiteley, 133 Melford Road Sudbury CO10 1JT N1 Golf Centre, Near Morpeth The Mosstrooper BR 3000m AAA3 [2000m] £10 C F L P T 15-30kph Tyneside Vagabonds hedleya167@gmail.com Aidan Hedley, 16 The Close Lanchester Durham DH7 0PX Poynton, S of Stockport

Llanfairpwllgwyngyll gogerychwyrndrobwll llantysiliogogogoch 400

BR £6.00 XP 15-30kph Peak Audax 01457 870 421 mike@PeakAudax.co.uk Mike Wigley, Higher Grange Fm Millcroft Lane Delph Saddleworth OL3 5UX Wem, Shropshire Four Rivers Ride BR 215km 3150m AAA3.25 £6.00 L P R S T 40 15-30kph Wem, Shropshire Three Rivers Ride BP 2200m AAA1.75 [1800m] £6.00 L F P R S T 80 15-30kph Wem, Shropshire Two Rivers Ride BP £6.00 L F P R S T 40 12-24kph Shropshire DA sandehargraves@googlemail.com Edwin Hargraves, 22 Trentham Road Wem North Shropshire SY4 5HN Padiham, Lancashire Tan Hill 200 BRM 206km 4500m AAA4.5 £5 F L P R S T 15-30kph Burnley Sportiv burnleysportiv@yahoo.com Andy Corless, 31 Castlerigg Drive Ightenhill Burnley Lancashire BB12 8AT Bitteswell, Leicestershire Heart of the Shires BR 206km £6.00 L F P T 15-30kph Bitteswell, Leicestershire Heart of the Shires BP £5.50 L F P T 12-30kph Leics. & Rutland DA Tony Davis, 2 The Courtyard Claybrooke Magna Leicestershire LE17 5FH Denmead Denmead SR Series BRM £7.00 P T C R 15-30kph Communicare 02392 267095 Pam Pilbeam, The Nest Hambledon Road Denmead Hants PO7 6QF Great Dunmow, Essex Flitchbikes 200 BR 218km £6.00 N L P R T M (19/5) 15-30kph Great Dunmow, Essex Flitchbikes 100 BP 107km £6.00 N L P R T M (19/5) 12.5-25kph Flitchbikes CC tom.deakins@btinternet.com Thomas Deakins, 31 The Causeway Great Dunmow Essex CM6 2AA Kirriemuir The Snow Roads BR 4800m AAA4.75 £10.00 A(2) C F L P R T S 15-25kph Angus Bike Chain alexandalli@kirrie.eclipse.co.uk Alex Pattison, 1 Angle Park Crescent Kirriemuir Angus DD8 4TJ

63

Calendar Events 100 02 Jun 09:00 Sat

200 02 Jun 08:00 Sat

600 02 Jun 06:00 Sat

100 02 Jun 09:30 Sat

ROA 10000 200 03 Jun 08:00 Sun 160 03 Jun 08:30 Sun 100 03 Jun 09:00 Sun

120 06 Jun 09:00 Wed

400 09 Jun 14:30 Sat 50 09 Jun 10:30 Sat

ROA 5000 200 09 Jun 08:00 Sat

200 09 Jun 08:00 Sat

ROA 10000 110 09 Jun 09:30 Sat

100 10 Jun 09:00 Sun

ROA 5000 200 10 Jun 08:00 Sun 100 10 Jun 09:00 Sun 53 10 Jun 9::30 Sun

200 10 Jun 08:00 Sun 150 10 Jun 09:00 Sun 100 10 Jun 10:30 Sun 50 10 Jun 12:00 Sun

150 10 Jun 8::30 Sun

ROA 10000 200 10 Jun 07:00 Sun

64

Kirriemuir A Potter for Tea BP £5.00 A(1) C L P R T S 12-25kph Angus Bike Chain alexandalli@kirrie.eclipse.co.uk Alex Pattison, 1 Angle Park Crescent Kirriemuir Angus DD8 4TJ Pateley Bridge Dales Grimpeur 200 BR 215km 4596m AAA4.5 £5.00 L P R S T 15-22.5kph Hambleton Road Club paul.roberts901@tiscali.co.uk Paul Roberts, 37 The Close Romanby Northallerton DL7 8BL Pendleton, Lancashire Pendle 600 BRM 609km 9000m AAA9 [7800m] £5 A(2) F L P R T Z 15-30kph Burnley Sportiv burnleysportiv@yahoo.com Andy Corless, 31 Castlerigg Drive Ightenhill Burnley Lancashire BB12 8AT Tewkesbury The Silk Run BP 800m £3.50 P, T, 23/5 12.5-25kph BlackSheep CC ybgirkram@talktalk.net Mark Rigby, 16 Battle Road Tewkesbury Park Tewkesbury GL20 5TZ Launceston, Cornwall Tour of the Moors BR 206km 3800m AAA3.75 £4.50 L P R T (50) (1/6) 15-30kph Launceston, Cornwall Dartmoor Dash BP 162km 3021m AAA3 £4.00 L P R T (50) (1/6) 15-30kph Launceston, Cornwall Bodmin Bash BP 105km 1993m AAA2 £3.50 L P R T (50) (1/6) 15-30kph CTC Cornwall 01822 860261 jim@wilkinet.demon.co.uk Jim Wilkinson, Wellspring Chillaton Lifton Devon PL16 0HS Chapel-en-le-Frith The Old Lead Miners Trail BP 2350m AAA2.25 £5.00 P R T S 60 12.5-25kph Peak Audax davecatlow@PeakAudax.co.uk David Catlow, 9 Friars Close Rainow Macclesfield SK10 5UQ Alfreton, NW of Nottingham Moors and Wolds 400 BRM 404km 2425m £8.00 P R T X 15-30kph Alfreton Victorian Post Boxes 50 BP 669m £3 FLPT 10-25kph AlfretonCTC 01773 833 593 tomandsuefox@yahoo.co.uk Tom Fox, 180 Nottingham Road Alfreton Derbyshire DE55 7FP Broken Cross, nr Macclesfield Knockerdown BR 201km 3150m AAA3.25 £7.00 F L P R T 14.3-25kph Peak Audax perrin_john@sky.com John Perrin, 20 Princes Way Macclesfield Cheshire SK11 8UB Honiton Valley of the Rocks 200 BRM 205km 3900m AAA4 £6.00 L P R T 40 15-30kph Exeter Whs ian@ukcyclist.co.uk Ian Hennessey, 8 Nap View Honiton EX14 3PL Hulme End, nr Hartington Lutudarum BP 114km 1800m AAA1.75 £5.00 C F P T 12.5-25kph Peak Audax perrin_john@sky.com John Perrin, 20 Princes Way Macclesfield Cheshire SK11 8UB Caton, NE of Lancaster Bowland Forest Populaire BP 1700m AAA1.75 £3.00 P R T 75 12.5-20kph CTC Lancaster 01524 36061 mikehutchinson@fastmail.fm Mike Hutchinson, Heatherdene 9 Whinfell Drive Lancaster LA1 4NY Hereford, Leisure Centre Hereford Towns BR 210km £5.00 LPRTS 15-30kph Hereford, Leisure Centre Hereford Villages BP 108km £5.00 LPRT 14.3-24kph Hereford, Leisure Centre Hereford Hamlets BP £5.00 LPRT 14.3-24kph Hereford Wheelers Maurice Tudor, Apartment 1 Barton West 73 Barton Road Hereford HR4 0AU Hertford (Bengeo) Herts High Five BR 207km 1634m [1509m] £4.00 L P R S T 15-30kph Hertford (Bengeo) Four Counties 150 BP 157km £4.00 L P R S T 15-30kph Hertford (Bengeo) Two Counties 100 BP 104km £4.00 L P R S T 12-25kph Hertford (Bengeo) One County 50 BP £3.00 L P R S T 10-20kph Hertfordshire Wheelers 07985 019214 graham.knight5@gmail.com Graham Knight, 25 Lordship Road Cheshunt Waltham Cross Herts EN7 5DR Honiton Glastonbury 100 Miler BP 157km 1440m £6.00 f p r t 14.3-30kph Exeter Wheelers 01404 46993 ian@ukcyclist.co.uk Ian Hennessey, 8 Nap View Awliscombe Honiton EX14 3PL Wimbledon Common The Ditchling Devil BR 203km 2300m [2700m] £10 200 10/7 15-30kph Willesden Cycling Club paudax@gmail.com Paul Stewart, 25 Devonshire Gardens Chiswick London W4 3TN

400 16 Jun 09:00 Sat Updated ROA 5000 120 20 Jun 10:00 Wed

400 22 Jun 22:30 Fri

1000 22 Jun 07:00 Fri

150 23 Jun 08:00 Sat

300 23 Jun 06:00 Sat

ROA 25000 200 23 Jun 08:00 Sat

ROA 10000 200 24 Jun 08:30 Sun 110 24 Jun 10:00 Sun

200 24 Jun 08:00 Sun 100 24 Jun 09:00 Sun

ROA 5000 100 27 Jun 09:30 Wed

100 30 Jun 09:30 Sat 200 30 Jun 08:30 Sat

100 01 Jul 10:00 Sun 51 01 Jul 10:30 Sun

200 01 Jul 08:00 Sun 110 01 Jul 09:00 Sun

200 01 Jul 08:00 Sun

ROA 5000 300 06 Jul 21:00 Fri

200 07 Jul 08:00 Sat

200 07 Jul 08:00 Sat

Hempnall, Norfolk The Audax UK National 400 BR £20 A(1) C F L P R T (200) 15-30kph NorfolknGood audax sandk.tandem@btinternet.com Keith Harrison, 11 Heather Avenue Hellesdon Norwich NR6 6LU Denham West London Extra BP 122km £3.50 P R T 15-30kph Willesden CC John Richardson, 39 Bridgwater Road South Ruislip Middlesex HA4 0ED Clayhidon, near Taunton Avalon Sunrise 400 BRM 407km 3300m £10 flprtc 15-30kph Exeter Whs Jamie Andrews, Cemetry Lodge Uffculme Devon EX15 3DP Fordell Firs, nr Inverkeithing Mille Alba BRM £0.01 A[4] C F L P R T [75] 13.3-25kph Audax Ecosse graemewyllie@aol.com Graeme Wyllie, 16 Corstorphine House Avenue Edinburgh EH12 7AD Alfreton, Derbyshire North Notts Sleepy Villages BP 154km 1000m £5.00 L R P T 100 12.5-25kph Alfreton CTC nigel.randell8664@gmail.com Nigel Randell, 15 Hammer Leys South Normanton Derbyshire DE55 3AX Hazel Grove, Stockport Summer Solstice BR £5 P 15-30kph Peak Audax sheila@aukadia.net Sheila Simpson, 33 Hawk Green Road Hawk Green Marple Cheshire SK6 7HR Tewkesbury Mr. Pickwick’s High Summer Meander BR 215km 2500m £4..5 c f l p r t nm 100 (12/6) 15-25kph BlackSheep CC 01684 292 390 ybgirkram@talktalk.net Mark Rigby, 16 Battle Road Tewkesbury Park Tewkesbury GL20 5TZ Chelmsford Windmill Ride BR 210km £5.00 F L P R T 15-30kph Chelmsford Windmill Ride BP £5.00 F L P R T 12-25kph Essex DA 01277 657 867 Brian Taylor, 45 Fairfield Rise Billericay CM12 9NP Kings Worthy, Winchester Winton 200 BR £5.00 L P R T 15-30kph Kings Worthy, Winchester Winton 100 BP £5.00 L P R T 14-28kph South Hampshire CTC suecoles1@aol.com Sue Coles, 7 Ruffield Close Winchester SO22 5JL Hampton Hill, W London London Midweek Sightseer BP £4.50 C L P T 10-20kph Hounslow & Dist. Whs 020 82873244 billcarnaby@blueyonder.co.uk Bill Carnaby, 225 High Street Hampton Hill Middlesex TW12 1NP Bildeston, Suffolk Bildeston Lanes BP 104km £5.00 L P R T S 15-30kph Bildeston, Suffolk Suffolk Lanes Extravaganza - Castles and the Coast BR 209km £5.00 L P R T 15-30kph Cycle Club Sudbury 01449 741048 robinandpam@tiscali.co.uk Robin Weaver, 14 Chapel Street Bildeston Ipswich Suffolk IP7 7EP Easingwold, N of York Mother Shipton 100k BP 103km £2.00 L P R T 12-25kph Easingwold, N of York Linton Locks 50k BP £2.00 L P R T 12-25kph North Yorks DA 01904 795 695 gerry.boswell@hotmail.co.uk Gerry Boswell, 5 Invicta Court Acomb York YO24 3NL Milton, Abingdon Barbury Bash BR 210km £5 R T P L 1/7 15-30kph Milton, Abingdon Barbury Bash BP £5 R T P L 1/7 15-30kph Didcot Phoenix CC Ian Middleton, 4 Isis Close Abingdon OX14 3TA Newton Abbot, Devon Torplex Two Hundred BR 210km 2900m AAA3 £6.00 F L P R S T 15-30kph CTC Devon graham@gjbrodie.freeserve.co.uk Graham Brodie, 81 Twickenham Road Newton Abbot TQ12 4JG Great Dunmow, Essex Hereward the Wake BR 301km £6 X R L P T M (18/06) 15-30kph Flitchbikes CC tom.deakins@btinternet.com Thomas Deakins, 31 The Causeway Great Dunmow Essex CM6 2AA Heighington The Hartside BR 210km 3000m AAA3 £6.00 L P R T 15-30kph VC 167 Gordon Panicca, 28 West Fields School Aycliffe County Durham DL5 6PX Oundle, Northants Reservoir Triple BR BR 204km £5.00 L P R T 15-30kph Arrivée February 2012

Calendar Events 150 07 Jul Oundle, Northants Reservoir Double BP 08:30 Sat BP 154km £5.00 L P R T 15-30kph 100 07 Jul Oundle, Northants Reservoir Single BP 09:00 Sat BP 101km £4.50 L P R T 12.5-30kph

CTC Northants & M K

Richard Daniells, 6 Matson Close Rothwell Northants NN14 6AY 250 07 Jul Scunthorpe Anderby 255 6.:00 Sat BR 255km £6 PPRT 15-30kph

Ancholme Leisure Centre 01724 345402 stuart1@ntlworld.com

Stuart Greenaway, 74 Chiltern Crescent Scunthorpe N Lincolnshire DN17 1TJ 69 08 Jul Carharrack, Cornwall Mines and Mineral Railways On-road 10:00 Sun BP 820m £5.00 C L P R T 8-30kph 67 08 Jul Carharrack, Cornwall Mines and Mineral Railway Off-road 10:00 Sun BP 773m £5.00 C L P R T 8-30kph

Audax Kernow brindisijones@tiscali.co.uk

Simon Jones, The Cottage Pulla Cross Truro Cornwall TR4 8SA 200 08 Jul Denshaw, NE of Oldham Manchester Loop 08:00 Sun BR 3400m AAA3.5 [4400m] £5.00 P R S T 40 14.3-30kph 170 08 Jul Denshaw, NE of Oldham Slaidburn 08:30 Sun BP 3550m AAA3.5 [2900m] £5.00 P R S T 40 12.5-25kph 120 08 Jul Denshaw, NE of Oldham Edale Hilly 09:00 Sun BP 2500m AAA2.75 £5.00 F P R S T 10-20kph

Peak Audax 0161 330 0671 black898@btinternet.com

Don Black, 102 Downshaw Road Ashton-under-Lyne Lancs. OL7 9QP 100 08 Jul Midhurst, West Sussex Sussex Corker 09:00 Sun BP 107km 2080m AAA2 £5.00 F P T (60) (06/06) 12.5-30kph

San Fairy Ann CC 0 1342 314 437 malinseastg(remove this)@tiscali dot co dot uk

Martin Malins, 64 Blount Avenue East Grinstead West Sussex RH19 IJW 200 08 Jul Smallworth, Garboldisham, nr Diss Garboldisham Groveller 08:00 Sun BR 205km £5.00 C L P R T 100 15-30kph 100 08 Jul Smallworth, Garboldisham, nr Diss Garboldisham Grafter 09:00 Sun BP 104km £5.00 C L P R T 100 12-30kph 54 08 Jul Smallworth, Garboldisham, nr Diss Garboldisham Grinder 10:00 Sun BP £5.00 C L P R T 100 8-25kph

Norfolk DA Diss Section tomandeileenelkins@hotmail.co.uk

Tom Elkins, 6 Marston Lane Norwich NR4 6LZ 110 11 Jul Alfreton In Memory of Tommy 09:00 Wed BP 115km 1050m £4.00 L P R T 12-30kph

Alfreton CTC 01773 833 593 tomandsuefox@yahoo.co.uk ROA 5000 Tom Fox, 180 Nottingham Road Alfreton Derbyshire DE55 7FP 200 14 Jul Coryton, NW Cardiff Ride ‘Round Rhondda 08:00 Sat BR 202km 4250m AAA4.25 £7 YH L P R T 14.3-25kph 100 14 Jul Coryton, NW Cardiff Across Rhondda 09:00 Sat BP 102km 1980m AAA2 £7 YH L P R T 10-25kph

Cardiff Byways CC 029 2084 3496 audax2012@ianblake.me.uk

Ian Blake, 7 Walnut Tree Close Radyr Cardiff CF15 8SX 600 14 Jul Derby South then North 06:00 Sat BR 605km £10.00 L P R T X 50 15-30kph Updated Derby DA 07958-118-451 alan.keeton@btinternet.com ROA 5000 Alan Keeton, 40 Brackens Lane Alvaston Derby DE24 0AP 600 14 Jul Hazel Grove, SE of Stockport Cambrian 600 06:00 Sat BR 3000m AAA2.25 [2200m] £6.00 XP 15-30kph

Peak Audax mike@PeakAudax.co.uk ROA 10000 Mike Wigley, Higher Grange Farm Millcroft Ln Delph Oldham Saddleworth OL3 5UX 300 14 Jul Portinscale, Keswick Jubilee Challenge 08:30 Sat BR 3600m [3m] £5.00 A(2) C F P R T S NM 15-30kph 160 14 Jul Portinscale, Keswick Jubilee Challenge 09:00 Sat BP 1800m £5.00 A(2) C F P R T S NM 10-25kph

Sunderland City Council david-sharpe@lineone.net

Dave Sharpe, 3 Elizabeth Street Seaham County Durham SR7 7TP 200 14 Jul Stamford Bridge, York Bridges and Beaches 08:30 Sat BR 222km £3.00 L,P,T,R 15-30kph 160 14 Jul Stamford Bridge, York Three Bridges 09:00 Sat BP 161km £3.00 L,P,T,R 15-30kph

Clifton CC 07799023760 greg.melia@cliftoncc.org

Greg Melia, 10 Curzon Terrace York YO23 1HA 200 14 Jul Trowell, Nottingham The Cheshire Cat 08:00 Sat BR 206km 3630m AAA3.75 £5.00 L P R T 80 15-30kph

Notts DA 0115 932 9978

Mark Chambers, 62 Queens Ave Hallam Fields Ilkeston Derbyshire DE7 4DJ 200 15 Jul Congleton, Cheshire The Hills & Plains of Cheshire 08:00 Sun BR 210km 2285m AAA1.5 [1500m] £5.00 P R T 15-30kph 110 15 Jul Congleton, Cheshire Just the Plains of Cheshire 09:30 Sun BP 117km 724m £4.00 P R T 15-30kph

Arrivée February 2012

110 15 Jul 09:00 Sun

200 15 Jul 08:00 Sun

200 15 Jul 08:00 Sun 100 15 Jul 09:00 Sun

100 18 Jul 10:00 Wed 60 18 Jul 10:30 Wed

110 18 Jul 10:00 Wed

200 21 Jul 08:00 Sat

ROA 10000 200 22 Jul 08:00 Sun 100 22 Jul 09:00 Sun

600 28 Jul 06:00 Sat 600 28 Jul 06:00 Sat

ROA 10000 160 29 Jul 08:30 Sun 100 29 Jul 09:00 Sun 51 29 Jul 09:30 Sun

200 29 Jul 08:30 Sun

ROA 10000 200 29 Jul 08:00 Sun 130 29 Jul 09:00 Sun 60 29 Jul 10:00 Sun

100 29 Jul 09:00 Sun 50 29 Jul 10:00 Sun

100 01 Aug 10:00 Wed

300 04 Aug 06:00 Sat

ROA 10000

Congleton, Cheshire Just the Hills of Cheshire BP 1700m AAA1.75 £4.00 P R T 12.5-25kph Congleton C.C. 01260 271258 Rob Waghorn, The Querns Congleton Edge Cheshire CW12 3NB Denmead, nr Portsmouth A Summer saunter to wantage.

BR 206km £5.00 P R T (21/07) 15-30kph Hampshire R C paul.whitehead@mypostoffice.co.uk Paul Whitehead, 73 spencer road Emsworth Hampshire PO10 7XR Otley Yorkshire Mixture BR 203km £5.00 L R T S 15-30kph Otley The Two M’s Ride BP 107km £4.00 L R T S 12-25kph CTC West Yorkshire chris.boulton@lineone.net Chris Boulton, 15 Adel Towers Close Leeds LS16 8ES Hailey, N of Witney Midweek Tour of the Cotswold BP 106km £5.00 L P R S T 70 12-25kph Hailey,N of Witney, Oxon Midweek Tour of the Cotswold BP £4.50 L P R S T 50 15-30kph CTC Oxfordshire john.bridgman558@btinternet.com John Bridgman, 44 Church View Freeland Witney Oxon OX29 8HT Ruislip West London 2/4 BP 113km 840m £3.50 P R T 15-30kph Willesden CC John Richardson, 39 Bridgwater Road South Ruislip Middlesex HA4 0ED Tewkesbury Mr. Pickwick Takes Flight BR 206km 1800m [2700m] £4.00 c f p r nm t 100 (30/1) 15-25kph BlackSheep CC 01684 292 390 ybgirkram@talktalk.net Mark Rigby, 16 Battle Road Tewkesbury Park Tewkesbury GL20 5TZ Fairburn, SE of Leeds Brimham Rocks 200 BR 203km 2160m AAA1.5 [1500m] £5.00 L P R T 15-30kph Fairburn, SE of Leeds Wetherby 100 BP 518m £4.50 L P R T 50 10-20kph Huddersfield CTC 01484 851 480 John Radford, 11 Westfield Avenue Meltham Huddersfield HD9 5PY Mytholmroyd, W. of Halifax The 3 Coasts 600 BRM 607km 5611m AAA1.75 [1631m] £10.00 A(3) L P R T Z YH 15-30kph Mytholmroyd The East & West Coasts 600 BRM 605km 4380m [5380m] £10.00 A(3) L P R T Z YH 15-30kph W. Yorks DA 01422 832 853 chris.crossland@halifaxctc.org.uk Chris Crossland, 14 Stanley St. West Sowerby Bridge W. Yorks HX6 1EF Carnon Downs, S of Truro The Granite and Serpentine Way BP 163km 1670m [1671m] £6.00 C F L P R T 15-30kph Carnon Downs, S of Truro A Lizard Loop BP 104km 1100m [1637m] £5.00 C F L P R T 12.5-28kph Carnon Downs, S of Truro Carns and Killas BP £5.00 C F L P R T 10-28kph CTC Cornwall martyn.aldis@syntagma.co.uk Martyn Aldis, Sundown 25a Kersey Road Flushing Falmouth TR11 5TR Mytholmroyd, W. of Halifax The Good Companions BR 2697m AAA1.75 [1631m] £5.00 A(2) L P R T YH 15-30kph W. Yorks DA 01422 832 853 chris.crossland@halifaxctc.org.uk Chris Crossland, 14 Stanley St. West Sowerby Bridge W. Yorks HX6 1EF Ruthin, N. Wales The Clwydian 2012 BR 209km 3715m AAA3.75 £4.50 A(3) RS75 C PT 15-30kph Ruthin, N. Wales The Clwyd Gate 2012 BP 136km 2650m AAA2.75 £4.50 A(3) RS75 C PT 12.5-25kph Ruthin The Clwyd Vale BP 650m £4.50 A(3) RS75 C PT 10-20kph Chester & N Wales CTC vickypayne8@hotmail.com Vicky Payne, Bryn Celyn Penyffordd Holywell Flintshire CH8 9HH Seaton, Devon (A Small Bit of) The Great Tour BP 1950m AAA2 £5.00 C F L P R T S (200) 10-25kph Seaton, Devon (An Even Smaller Bit of) The Great Tour BP £5.00 C F L P R T S (200) 10-25kph CTC Exeter & AVP 07783672516 kirby.james@gmail.com Philip Kirby James, Flat 5 Trews Weir Mill Old Mill Close Exeter EX2 4DD Marple Dark Peak Grimpeur BP 106km 2290m AAA2.25 £5.00 P R T 60 (257) 12.5-25kph Peak Audax Derek Heine, 10 Whitehall Drive Northwich Cheshire CW8 1SJ Dean Row, near Wilmslow & Stockport Montgomery 300 BR 308km 1500m £6.00 XP 14.3-30kph Peak Audax 01457 870 421 mike@PeakAudax.co.uk Mike Wigley, Higher Grange Fm Millcroft Lane Delph Saddleworth OL3 5UX

65

Calendar Events 200 05 Aug Aldbrough St. John, SW of Darlington The J38 08:00 Sun BR 205km £5.00 X L P R T 15-30kph

VC 167

Nigel Hall, Finkle Croft Aldbrough St John Richmond Northyorkshire DL11 7TD 120 05 Aug North Petherton, S of Bridgwater Three Towers and Middle Earth 08:30 Sun BP 125km £7.00 F L P R T 15-30kph

Bridgwater CC 01275 847567 ktudball@aol.com

Keith Tudball, 9 Winford Close Portishead N Somerset BS20 6YG 200 05 Aug Wickhamford, SE of Evesham Neville Chanin Memorial - Over The Severn 08:00 Sun BR 213km 3134m AAA3.25 £6.00 F P R T 15-30kph 200 05 Aug Wickhamford, SE of Evesham Three Counties - Four Leaf Clover 08:00 Sun BR £6.00 F P R T 15-30kph 100 05 Aug Wickhamford, SE of Evesham Three Counties - Two Leaf Clover 09:00 Sun BP 107km £4.00 F P R T 15-30kph 50 05 Aug Wickhamford, SE of Evesham Three Counties - Clover Leaf 09:30 Sun BP £1.00 F P R T 10-25kph

Evesham & Dist. Whs petehutch1959@btinternet.com

Pete Hutchinson, Hazelwood Shinehill Ln South Littleton Evesham WR11 8TP 100 05 Aug Wilton, Salisbury The Blackmoor Tour 09:00 Sun BP £5.00 YH F L P R T 12.5-30kph 200 05 Aug Wilton,, Salisbury West Bay and Back 08:00 Sun BR £5.00 YH F L P R T 70 14.3-30kph

yacf

Andy Heyting, 5 St Leonards Terrace Blandford Forum Dorset DT11 7PF 150 08 Aug Ruislip West London 3/4 10:00 Wed BP 153km 1100m £4.00 P R T 15-30kph

Willesden CC

John Richardson, 39 Bridgwater Road South Ruislip Middlesex HA4 0ED 400 10 Aug Linlithgow Schiehallion Sunrise 21:00 Fri BR £5 X P 15-30kph

West Lothian Clarion neil.fraser@blueyonder.co.uk

Neil Fraser, 14 Maryfield Drive Bo’Ness West Lothian EH51 9DG 200 11 Aug Bedford Rutland Ramble 07:30 Sat BR 210km £6 L P R T 15-30kph

CTC Bedfordshire jackie.popland@ntlworld.com

Jackie Popland, 48 Haylands Way Bedford MK41 9BU 300 11 Aug Tewkesbury A Rough Diamond 06:00 Sat BRM 301km 2500m [3450m] £6:50 c f l p r t nm 100 (31/7) 15-25kph

BlackSheep CC 01684 292 390 ybgirkram@talktalk.net ROA 10000 Mark Rigby, 16 Battle Road Tewkesbury Park Tewkesbury GL20 5TZ 200 12 Aug Pendleton, Lancashire Delightful Dales 08:00 Sun BR 205km 3600m AAA3.5 £5-00 L P R T 15-30kph

Burnley Sportiv burnleysportiv@yahoo.com

Andy Corless, 31 Castlerigg Drive Ightenhill Burnley Lancashire BB12 8AT 100 12 Aug Long Rock, E of Penzance The Celtic Coastal 09:30 Sun BP 1305m £3.00 C L P R T 12.5-30kph 54 12 Aug Long Rock, E of Penzance Celtic Canter 10:00 Sun BP 786m AAA0.75 £3.00 C L P R T 10-30kph

Audax Kernow ROA 3000 Don Hutchison, 14 Pendarves Road Penzance Cornwall TR18 2AJ 110 15 Aug Maidenhead Boulters Bash 10:00 Wed BP £3.00 P R T 15-30kph

Willesden CC 07763 765 802 mick.hill56@hotmail.co.uk.

Mick Hill, 5 Castle Farm, Leigh Square Windsor Berks SL4 4PT 100 15 Aug Marple Memorial Park White Peak Grimpeur 10:00 Wed BP 103km 2310m AAA2.25 £5.00 P R T 60 (8/8) 12.5-25kph

Peak Audax 01457 870421 mike@PeakAudax.co.uk ROA 10000 Mike Wigley, Higher Grange Farm Millcroft Ln Delph Oldham Saddleworth OL3 5UX 200 18 Aug Belbroughton, N Worcestershire Kidderminster Killer 08:00 Sat BR 213km 3750m AAA3.75 £7.00 F L P R S T M (50) (8/8) 14.3-30kph W 110 18 Aug Belbroughton, North Worcestershire From Clee to Heaven 09:00 Sat BP 119km 1950m AAA2 £7.00 P R T NM (80) 14.3-25kph

Beacon Roads Cycling Clu 01562 731606 montgomery@beaconrcc.org.uk

Philip Whiteman, 2 Drayton Terr Drayton Belbroughton Stourbridge DY9 0BW 110 19 Aug Shere, Guildford Tour of the Hills 09:50 Sun BP 115km 2300m AAA2.25 £6.50 F L P R T 225 15-30kph

West Surrey CTC 01483 810028 dggray7@hotmail.com

Don Gray, Greenleas Beech Lane Normandy Surrey GU3 2JH 100 22 Aug Marple West Peak Grimpeur 10:00 Wed BP 103km 2400m AAA2.5 £5.00 P R T 60 (16/8) 12.5-25kph

Peak Audax davecatlow@PeakAudax.co.uk

David Catlow, 9 Friars Close Rainow Macclesfield SK10 5UQ 300 25 Aug Mildenhall Cycle Rally Mildenhall Rally Roving 300 04:00 Sat BR £5.00 CPTS (16/08) 15-30kph

66

57 25 Aug 10:00 Sat

200 25 Aug 08:30 Sat 100 25 Aug 09:00 Sat

200 25 Aug 08:00 Sat 100 25 Aug 10:00 Sat

ROA 5000 200 26 Aug 08:30 Sun 120 26 Aug 09:30 Sun

Redhill CC

200 02 Sep 08:00 Sun 110 02 Sep 09:00 Sun

ROA 5000 200 02 Sep 07:45 Sun 150 02 Sep 07:45 Sun 100 02 Sep 10:00 Sun

ROA 5000 150 08 Sep 08:30 Sat 100 08 Sep 10:00 Sat 100 08 Sep 09:30 Sat 200 08 Sep 08:00 Sat

200 08 Sep 08:00 Sat

ROA 10000 100 09 Sep 09:00 Sun

200 09 Sep 08:00 Sun 110 09 Sep 09:00 Sun

110 09 Sep 09:00 Sun 52 09 Sep 10:00 Sun

ROA 4000 200 09 Sep 08:00 Sun

110 09 Sep 09:30 Sun

Mildenhall Cycle Rally Mildenhall Rally Brief Brevet BP £5.00 CPTS 16/8 15-30kph CTC Suffolk the.kells@talk21.com Dennis Kell, 9 Pheasant Rise Copdock Ipswich Suffolk IP8 3LF Mildenhall Cycling Rally Mildenhall Rally Randonnee BR 203km £5.00 CPTS (16/8) 15-30kph Mildenhall Cycling Rally Mildenhall Rally Brevet BP 103km £5.00 CPTS (16/8) 15-30kph Suffolk CTC the.kells@talk21.com Dennis Kell, 9 Pheasant Rise Copdock Ipswich Suffolk IP8 3LF Newtonmore Forres Foray BR 202km £3.00 C YH L P R T 15-30kph Newtonmore Grantown Gallop BP 104km £2.00 C YH L P R T 15-30kph CTC Highland biker_carroll@hotmail.com Steve Carroll, Creag Charrach Rockfield Tain Ross-shire IV20 1RF Edenbridge, Kent Around Weald Expedition BR 215km 3250m AAA3.25 £5 R T P (80) 12/8 15-30kph Edenbridge, Kent Kidds Toys BP 2000m AAA2 £5 R T P (50) 12/8 12-30kph waweirauk@btinternet.com William Weir, Flat 8 Burlington Court 158 Station Road Redhill Surrey RH1 1JE Arnside YH Northern Dales BR 202km 3000m AAA3 £3.00 YH R S T 15-30kph Arnside YH Northern Dales Populaire BP 1675m AAA1.75 £3.00 YH R S T 100 12.5-20kph CTC Lancaster 01524 36061 mikehutchinson@fastmail.fm Mike Hutchinson, Heatherdene 9 Whinfell Drive Lancaster LA1 4NY Lymington New Forest On and Off Shore BR 202km £17.00 L P R T 100 (3/9) Ferry 15-30kph Lymington New Forest and Isle of Wight Century BP £17.00 L P R T 100 (30/8) Ferry 15-30kph Lymington New Forest and Coast BP 102km £6.00 C L P R T 100 (3/9) 10-20kph John Ward 01590 671 205 cyclingnewforest@gmail.com John Ward, 34 Avenue Road Lymington Hants SO41 9GJ New Road, Richmond, N Yorks Dave’s Dales Tour 160KM BP 2500m AAA2.5 £4.50 C F L P R T 12-30kph New Road, Richmond, N Yorks Lucia’s Vale of York Meander 100KM BP £4.50 C F L P R T 10-20kph New Road, Richmond,, N Yorks Dave’s Mini Dales Tour 100KM BP 1900m AAA2 £4.50 C F L P R T 10-20kph Richmond, North Yorkshire Dales Dales Tour Plus BR 2900m AAA3 £5.00 C F L P R T 14.4-30kph Swaledale Outdoor Club 07887628513 Dave Atkinson , 23 Hailstone Drive Northallerton North Yorkshire DL6 1SP Tewkesbury Mr. Pickwick goes to Hay in a day BR 205km 1900m £4:50 c f l p r t nm 100 (27/8) 15-25kph BlackSheep CC 01684 292 390 ybgirkram@talktalk.net Mark Rigby, 16 Battle Road Tewkesbury Park Tewkesbury GL20 5TZ Brigg The Summer Knows BP 767m £5 L P R T S NM 15-30kph Ancholme Leisure Centre stuart1@ntlworld.com Stuart Greenaway, 74 Chiltern Crescent Scunthorpe N Lincolnshire DN17 1TJ Broken Cross, nr Macclesfield The Three Loops BR 212km £7 F L P R T 14.3-30kph Broken Cross, nr Macclesfield The 1...

BP 114km £7.00 F L P T 14.3-25kph Macclesfield Wheelers 01625 614830 perrin_john@sky.com John Perrin, 20 Princes Way Macclesfield Cheshire SK11 8UB Connor Downs, NE of Hayle Golowjy ha Bal 116 BP 116km 1825m AAA1.75 £4.00 C L P R T 75 12-30kph Connor Downs, NE of Hayle Golowjy ha Bal 52k BP 863m AAA0.75 £4.00 C L P R T 50 8-20kph Audax Kernow peteregon.hansen@btinternet.com Peter Hansen, Corner Cottage 7 Prosper Hill Gwithian Cornwall TR27 5BW Musselburgh The Erit Lass BR 3000m AAA3 £7.00 F L P R T 15-30kph Audax Ecosse martinfoley@btinternet.com Martin Foley, 78 Denholm Road Musselburgh East Lothian EH21 6TU Oundle, Northants Rockingham and Rutland BP 114km £4.50 L P R T 12.5-30kph CTC Northants & MK Richard Daniells, 6 Matson Close Rothwell Northants NN14 6AY

Arrivée February 2012

Calendar Events 100 12 Sep 10:00 Wed

200 15 Sep 07:00 Sat

ROA 2000 160 15 Sep 08:00 Sat 110 15 Sep 08:30 Sat 53 15 Sep 09:00 Sat

100 16 Sep 09:15 Sun

200 16 Sep 08:00 Sun 130 16 Sep 09:00 Sun 50 16 Sep 10:00 Sun

ROA 2000 200 23 Sep 08:00 Sun

ROA 10000 200 29 Sep 08:00 Sat 120 29 Sep 09:00 Sat 80 29 Sep 09:30 Sat

ROA 10000 160 30 Sep 09:30 Sun

110 30 Sep 09:00 Sun Updated

100 03 Oct 10:00 Wed

100 06 Oct 09:00 Sat

ROA 3000 200 06 Oct 08:00 Sat

150 06 Oct 08:30 Sat 100 06 Oct 09:15 Sat

100 07 Oct 09:00 Sun 50 07 Oct 10:00 Sun

ROA 10000 100 07 Oct 10:00 Sun

Denham West London 4/4 BP £3.50 P R T 15-30kph Willesden CC John Richardson, 39 Bridgwater Road South Ruislip Middlesex HA4 0ED Coryton, NW Cardiff Ferryside Fish Foray BR 225km £8.00 YH L R P T 50 15-30kph Cardiff Byways CC evansrichardd@googlemail.com Richard Evans, 73 Conway Road Cardiff CF11 9NW Husbands Bosworth Welland Wonder 160 BP 1675m £5.00 LPRT 15-30kph Husbands Bosworth Welland Wonder 100 BP 116km 1350m £5.00 LPRT 12-24kph Husbands Bosworth Welland Wonder 50 BP 525m £5.00 LPRT 12-24kph Welland Valley CC 01858545376 Mike Vybiral, Logan Cottage East Langton Market Harborough Leics LE16 7TF Hampton Hill, SW London London Sightseer BP £4.50 C L P T NM 10-20kph Hounslow & Dist. Whs 020 8287 3244 billcarnaby@blueyonder.co.uk Bill Carnaby, 225 High Street Hampton Hill Middlesex TW12 1NP Old Ma’s Tattenhall, Cheshire Pistyll Packing Momma BR 209km 3050m AAA3 £4.5 P R 50 T L (09/09) 15-30kph Old Ma’s Tattenhall, Cheshire Momma’s Mountain Views BP 137km 2000m AAA2 £4.50 P R 50 T L (11/09) 12.5-25kph Old Ma’s Tattenhall, Cheshire Momma’s Leafy Lanes BP £4.50 P R 50 T L (09/09) 10-20kph Chester & N Wales CTC dmanu@fsmail.net David Matthews, Hill View Cott Cross Lanes Oscroft Tarvin Cheshire CH3 8NG Galashiels Etal-u-Can BR 204km 2379m £5.00 BPX 15-30kph Audax Ecosse 01896 758 181 megajoulesexpenditure@btinternet.com Lucy McTaggart, 30 Victoria St. Galashiels Scottish Borders TD1 1HL Upton Magna, E of Shrewsbury Beyond Shropshire (Quietest Under The Sun) BR 202km 2970m AAA3 £6.00 C F L P R T 50 15-30kph Upton Magna, E of Shrewsbury

Discovering Shropshire (Land of Lost Content)

BP 1650m AAA1.5 [1545m] £6.00 C F L P R T 75 12.5-25kph Upton Magna, E of Shrewsbury A Shropshire Lad BP 1030m £5.00 C F L P R T 10-20kph Audax Salop undulates@hotmail.co.uk John Hamilton, 22 Oaks Crescent Wellington Telford TF1 2HF Linlithgow Three Glens Explorer BP 164km 1350m [1850m] £7.00 F L P R T 15-30kph West Lothian Clarion neil.fraser@blueyonder.co.uk Neil Fraser, 14 Maryfield Drive Bo’Ness West Lothian EH51 9DG Ludford, NE of Lincoln Lincolnshire Wolds BP £5.00 F P R T 15-30kph CTC Lincolnshire woldsauk100@gmail.com Geoff Findon, 11a Trusthorpe Road Sutton On Sea LN12 2LX Ruislip West London 5/4 BP 770m £3.50 P R T 15-30kph Willesden CC John Richardson, 39 Bridgwater Road South Ruislip Middlesex HA4 0ED Bristol Tasty Cheddar BP 101km £4.00 P YH 12.5-30kph Bristol DA 0117 925 5217 joe.prosser@blueyonder.co.uk Joe Prosser, 8 Portland Court Cumberland Close Bristol BS1 6XB Broken Cross, nr Macclesfield Venetian Nights BR 210km 2750m AAA2.25 [2333m] £7 F L P R T 14.3-25kph Peak Audax perrin_john@sky.com John Perrin, 20 Princes Way Macclesfield Cheshire SK11 8UB Darley Abbey, Derby Over the Trent to Dance and Pray BP 152km 1041m £5.00 L P R T 30 15-30kph Darley Abbey, Derby Over and Over the Trent BP 109km 637m £5.00 L P R T 60 12.5-30kph Derby DA Keith Scholey, 1 Killis Lane Kilburn Belper DE56 0LS Hebden Bridge Season of Mists BP 2555m AAA2.5 £4.00 L R T YH 12-24kph Hebden Bridge Mellow Fruitfulness BP 1200m AAA1.25 £3.50 L R T YH 8-20kph W. Yorks DA 01422 832 853 chris.crossland@halifaxctc.org.uk Chris Crossland, 14 Stanley St. West Sowerby Bridge W. Yorks HX6 1EF Wigginton, N of York Gerry’s Autumn Brevet BP 101km £2.00 L P R T 12-25kph North Yorks DA 01904 795 695 gerry.boswell@hotmail.co.uk Gerry Boswell, 5 Invicta Court Acomb York YO24 3NL

Arrivée February 2012

200 14 Oct 08:00 Sun 150 14 Oct 09:00 Sun

100 14 Oct 10:00 Sun 54 14 Oct 10:00 Sun

200 20 Oct 08:00 Sat 100 20 Oct 08:30 Sat 60 20 Oct 09:00 Sat

ROA 3000 150 20 Oct 08:15 Sat

200 21 Oct 07:30 Sun

200 03 Nov 07:30 Sat

100 10 Nov 09:00 Sat

100 10 Nov 09:00 Sat

200 10 Nov 07:00 Sat Change of Date ROA 10000 200 16 Nov ::::: Fri

ROA 25000 200 17 Nov ::::: Sat

ROA 25000

Blundeston nr Lowestoft, Suffolk The Silly Suffolk BR £5.00 FRTP 15-30kph Blundeston nr Lowestoft, Suffolk The Silly Suffolk BP £5.00 FRTP 15-30kph Velo Club Baracchi johntommo6@btinternet.com John Thompson, 136 Dell Road Oulton Broad Lowestoft Suffolk NR33 9NT Hebden Bridge The Hebden Bridge Star BP 106km 2295m AAA2.25 £4 YH F L P T MN 15-30kph Hebden Bridge The Hebden Bridge Starlet BP 1250m AAA1.25 £4 YH F L P T MN 15-30kph Peak Audax Winston Plowes, P O Box 759 Hebden Bridge West Yorkshire HX7 8WJ Corwen The Barmouth Boulevard BR 204km 3450m AAA3.5 £4.50 PRT50 (16/10) 15-30kph Corwen The Brenig Bach BP 107km 1920m AAA2 £4.50 PRT50 (16/10) 12.5-25kph Corwen ‘The Bala mini- Bash’ BP 1000m £4.50 P R T 50 (16/10) 12.5-25kph Chester & N. Wales CTC dmanu@fsmail.net David Matthews, Hill View Cott Cross Lanes Oscroft Tarvin Cheshire CH3 8NG Trowell, West of Nottingham An Autumn day out.

BP 153km 1135m £5.00p L P R T(80) 15-30kph Nottinghamshire CTC 0115 932 9978 Mark Chambers, 62 Queens Ave Hallam Fields Ilkeston Derbys DE7 4DJ Denmead, Nr Portsmouth WYLYE AND EBBLE VALLEY BR £5-00 L P R T M (12/10) 15-30kph HAMPSHIRE R C paul.whitehead@mypostoffice.co.uk Paul Whitehead, 73 spencer road Emsworth Hampshire PO10 7XR Cholsey, E of Didcot Upper Thames BR 212km 1943m £5.00 L P R T M 15-30kph Reading DA 01491 651 284 philipmdyson@btinternet.com Phil Dyson, 25 Papist Way Cholsey Wallingford Oxon OX10 9LL Alfreton To the Races BP 108km £4.50 L P R T M 100 14-28kph Alfreton CTC iwh.audax@gmail.com Ian Hobbs, 26 Naseby Road Openwoodgate Belper DE56 0ER Catherington, near Portsmouth Whitchurch Winter Wind-down BP 106km £4.00 F L P R T 15-30kph Hantspol CC jondse@ntlworld.com Jonathan Ellis, 42 Wessex Road Waterlooville Hampshire PO8 0HS Tewkesbury Mr. Pickwick’s Cyrch Cymru BR 209km 2200m £4.00 c p r t nm 100 15-25kph BlackSheep CC 01684 292 390 ybgirkram@talktalk.net Mark Rigby, 16 Battle Road Tewkesbury Park Tewkesbury GL20 5TZ Anywhere Dinner Dart BR £4.00 Hotel at finish 14.3-30kph AUK 0161 449 9309 sheila@aukadia.net Sheila Simpson, 33 Hawk Green Road Hawk Green Marple SK6 7HR Llandrindod Wells After Dinner Dart BR £4.00 Hotel at start 14.3-30kph AUK 0161 449 9309 sheila@aukadia.net Sheila Simpson, 33 Hawk Green Road Hawk Green Marple SK6 7HR

The AUK Annual General Meeting and Dinner will be held at Llandrindod Wells on Saturday 17th November ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

67