Exmouth Exodus IX 9-10 August

[Baggy]

@Baggy - I've tried to send an email (I think it's supposed to go on to @Chuffy) via the link on the EE web site to get my email address on the records changed but it bounced. Please can someone look at it and I'll try again, or I'll stop getting the updates in a few weeks time!

We kept an eye out for you but figured you weren't riding...
It's big Dave who updates that side of things (though Chuffy also gets messages), it does seem to be working as we've had lots of messages today, but we'll let Dave know. If it's not working for you in a couple of days, PM me and I'll pass your details on

 

[RhythMick]

Bertha won!

Indeed she did.

I was dreadfully under trained for this my first Exodus, for lots of boring reasons. I'd done a 50 mile the weekend before but other than that only 20s. Facing down Bertha on the last 25 miles was awesomely exhausting.

I was fortunate to pair up with Martin Cockersole who has done the EE many times. At 70 years young he put me to shame but at least he was happy to go at a relatively easy pace. He also knew a lot of route options. We avoided Wellow by taking the trail. We avoided the diversion to the Fivehead stop. Finally we avoided Yettington at the end and took the old rail track from Budleigh. Even so the end couldn't come soon enough for me.

Sunday was all about sleeping, with a few episodes of eating everything I could see!

 

[RhythMick]

Indeed she did.

I was dreadfully under trained for this my first Exodus, for lots of boring reasons. I'd done a 50 mile the weekend before but other than that only 20s. Facing down Bertha on the last 25 miles was awesomely exhausting.

I was fortunate to pair up with Martin Cockersole who has done the EE many times. At 70 years young he put me to shame but at least he was happy to go at a relatively easy pace. He also knew a lot of route options. We avoided Wellow by taking the trail. We avoided the diversion to the Fivehead stop. Finally we avoided Yettington at the end and took the old rail track from Budleigh. Even so the end couldn't come soon enough for me.

Sunday was all about sleeping, with a few episodes of eating everything I could see!

Pleased to complete in around 11 hours including stops

 

[Baggy]

Chuffy and I have just about recovered after sleeping for 13 hours! Am just about to tackle the rubbish heap, we compost or recycle as much as we can. Should have done it yesterday, but instead it's been sat in the back yard, ripening in the (intermittent) sun - wish me luck!

I was fortunate to pair up with Martin Cockersole who has done the EE many times. At 70 years young he put me to shame but at least he was happy to go at a relatively easy pace. He also knew a lot of route options. We avoided Wellow by taking the trail. We avoided the diversion to the Fivehead stop. Finally we avoided Yettington at the end and took the old rail track from Budleigh. Even so the end couldn't come soon enough for me.

Well done on getting round in the pretty grim conditions! Have met Martin several times now on the Exodus, he's a lovely chap - someone else I kept an eye out for, but I didn't see him (and therefore, you!) at Fivehead or at the cafe.

 

[RhythMick]

Well done on the recycling. We heartily approve.

Well done for an excellent event all round and sincere thanks to the food /drink stop helpers.

 

[uphillstruggler]

Thanks for coming along! We were impressed and surprised that so many people turned out (and finished!) given the forecast. Glad that people still enjoyed it and stayed in such good spirits, it makes it an enjoyable experience for all the helpers. We have a had a lot of nice messages via email, twitter and Facebook and various fora which are much appreciated - and it's really good to know that people enjoyed the new two tunnels section.

We were really pleased the tea station at Luppitt worked out in the end (and yes, it's the Blackdown hills it's near), with the weather as it was it was important that riders could have a much needed hot drink before the final leg. Thanks go to our friend Gill for that, she could have had a cosy night helping at Fivehead, but after a couple of volunteers popped up at the last minute she offered to take on the great outdoors, along with Chris. Have to say I'm glad I wasn't on duty there this year

Hope to see you next year (I'm from Newport Pagnell btw!).

Hello Baggy

I will definitely be there next year. is there an official EE jersey in the pipeline - it may help to raise funds for next years ride? although after this years weather, I reckon caps would be more beneficial to keep the rain out of the eyes.

just a thought about the various groups that organised the stops, I wonder if you posted a link on the website that riders could pledge a few quid, it could be distributed amongst them?

cheers again and see you next year.

from New Bradwell.

 

[RhythMick]

Hello Baggy

I will definitely be there next year. is there an official EE jersey in the pipeline - it may help to raise funds for next years ride? although after this years weather, I reckon caps would be more beneficial to keep the rain out of the eyes.

just a thought about the various groups that organised the stops, I wonder if you posted a link on the website that riders could pledge a few quid, it could be distributed amongst them?

cheers again and see you next year.

from New Bradwell.

That's a good idea. Most people wouldn't want to carry change. Neither did I but u was happy to stick a tenner in at both of the stops I frequented. After all I'd have paid that at a cafe had it been open.

 

[uphillstruggler]

That's a good idea. Most people wouldn't want to carry change. Neither did I but u was happy to stick a tenner in at both of the stops I frequented. After all I'd have paid that at a cafe had it been open.

that's my point exactly. I would imagine that most people had very wet notes to deposit!

its people turning out like this that never gets reported, amazing turn out for a Saturday night.

 

[RhythMick]

that's my point exactly. I would imagine that most people had very wet notes to deposit!

its people turning out like this that never gets reported, amazing turn out for a Saturday night.

I was amazed to be guided into Cheddar by scouts at that time of night. In the rain.

 

[Baggy]

I will definitely be there next year. is there an official EE jersey in the pipeline - it may help to raise funds for next years ride? although after this years weather, I reckon caps would be more beneficial to keep the rain out of the eyes.

just a thought about the various groups that organised the stops, I wonder if you posted a link on the website that riders could pledge a few quid, it could be distributed amongst them?

Big Dave is thinking about a jersey for Exmouth Exodus X...
We don't raise funds in advance as such, each year we aim to break even and any left over goes towards coach deposits etc (or in the case of Cheddar Scouts, any extra goes towards activities for the Scouts). In the early years we did have a PayPal link (until year 3 there were no indoor stops, just the odd camper van or car boot with a stove in!), but people were so generous with donations during the ride as well that the link was taken off. That said, there may be some changes in the future as the ride is constantly evolving, so I'll pass ideas on to Dave.

That's a good idea. Most people wouldn't want to carry change. Neither did I but u was happy to stick a tenner in at both of the stops I frequented. After all I'd have paid that at a cafe had it been open.

Thank you!

that's my point exactly. I would imagine that most people had very wet notes to deposit!

We do get loads and loads of change, so are always happy if people want to put a note in and take some change back (or a smaller note!). We don't want people to feel obliged to donate at every stop, and need to make sure they have enough cash for their fry up!

 

[uphillstruggler]

Big Dave is thinking about a jersey for Exmouth Exodus X...
We don't raise funds in advance as such, each year we aim to break even and any left over goes towards coach deposits etc (or in the case of Cheddar Scouts, any extra goes towards activities for the Scouts). In the early years we did have a PayPal link (until year 3 there were no indoor stops, just the odd camper van or car boot with a stove in!), but people were so generous with donations during the ride as well that the link was taken off. That said, there may be some changes in the future as the ride is constantly evolving, so I'll pass ideas on to Dave.

Thank you!

We do get loads and loads of change, so are always happy if people want to put a note in and take some change back (or a smaller note!). We don't want people to feel obliged to donate at every stop, and need to make sure they have enough cash for their fry up!

maybe the jersey idea may be limited due to the numbers and lots of various sizes needed.

how about a buff along the lines of the Cycle Chat one that was done a while ago? a bit cheaper and one size fits all. just a thought.

 

[RhythMick]

maybe the jersey idea may be limited due to the numbers and lots of various sizes needed.

how about a buff along the lines of the Cycle Chat one that was done a while ago? a bit cheaper and one size fits all. just a thought.

It's a fair thought. I'd have said a REALLY waterproof jacket would be appropriate but again the size thing. A buff is a good idea.

 

[uphillstruggler]

It's a fair thought. I'd have said a REALLY waterproof jacket would be appropriate but again the size thing. A buff is a good idea.

a really really really waterproof jacket would have struggled

 

[Davidc]

We kept an eye out for you but figured you weren't riding...
It's big Dave who updates that side of things (though Chuffy also gets messages), it does seem to be working as we've had lots of messages today, but we'll let Dave know. If it's not working for you in a couple of days, PM me and I'll pass your details on

Thanks Baggy. I've sent another email and will pm you if it bounces again.

 

[Black Country Ste]

We passed the tandem and they made it to Luppitt, where we plied them with hot drinks and sat them up in the car to warm up for a few minutes - they had decided shortly before to call it a day as the poor lad could hardly sit down! The weather was pretty vile on the Dunkeswell stretch to the tea stop, but after warming up they trundled down the hill to Honiton, where they were picked up. A great effort given the set up of the tandem and the weather conditions, hopefully it won't put the son off cycling for life!

It went badly wrong for them somewhere. They left Cheddar some 15-20 minutes before me. I next saw them climbing the hill towards Fivehead after I'd left. They found out about the ride on the day, there was little planning so that was a good effort. Hope they have another crack next year.