London-Edinburgh-London 2013: The thread

[PpPete]

You are assuming your mind will still be working after that many consecutive long days on the road ?
May not be everyone's cup of tea, but once the route is finalized and the GPX tracks published I will be building a time-sheet on Excel which takes account of allocated start time, kilometres, mtrs of ascent, time @ controls, an allowance for mechanicals, and a gradual slowing down from "almost respectable pace" on day 1, through "bloody slow", right down to "arthritic snail" by the end.
That plan will be then be reduced to a scheduled arrival time and departure time at each control, which in a sleep deprived state we can still just about relate to, and figure how much of our "contingency" has been burned up.

Would be good if you published it on here Pete.

Early prototype version here.
With the timings that I've put in, the riders spends a little too long at Moffat - but still leaves well before the closing time.
Something goes pear-shaped and he leaves Brampton right on the "closing time", but now the red numbers tell us he's fighting all the way home, arriving back at the finish with just over 20 minutes to spare.
If you want to play with the numbers on your own machine or save a copy, click "Edit Workbook" (top left), then "Edit in Excel".
Comments welcomed.

 

[JohnTCC]

Someone is doing Gpx routes... Great what a time saver

Cannot say how good that is for those of us that are not
too good with this interweb thing.

 

[compo]

@JohnTCC.

I recognise your avatar. When were you a Legion para?

 

[JohnTCC]

I joined November 78.... You??

 

[JohnTCC]

Back to the subject.... Anyone know what time on 5th Jan
Does entry open?

 

[compo]

I joined November 78.... You??

I joined in August 1967, 3e REI. Spent time in Madagascar, and towards the end of my time on preparation for the 3rd's transfer to South America. I came out in 1972. It was a time of great change. Much relocation and reorganisation following the loss of Algeria and the transfer of headquarters and training to mainland France except for you umbrella types who I believe stayed in Corsica!
Saw lots of places, had lots of experiences and loved every minute.

 

[JohnTCC]

ah... you were in the REAL Legion

 

[jefmcg]

Back to the subject.... Anyone know what time on 5th Jan
Does entry open?

They have an official user on yacf

http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=64097.msg1350062#msg1350062

What time on 5 January will it open?
Accessible from an Android phone?
Was planning to be busy on iddu's Poor Student from 8 am on that day !

Not sure yet. Probably early morning. Whether or not it's accessible from your phone depends on your ability to use Paypal with it.

If you're on our mailing list, we'll confirm exact details early December.

 

[JohnTCC]

Thanks for the info

 

[compo]

Received this this morning in response to my volunteer application:

Dear William,

Thank you for letting me have your registration form as a volunteer
on London-Edinburgh -London 2013. What happens now?
1. I have entered your form on our data base for any of the controls in
which you have expressed an interest.
2. In the time leading up to the ride I will review the list and, in
discussion with controllers allocate volunteers to controls.
3. I will then contact you and ask you to confirm that you are
available and that you are happy with the allocation I have made.
4. When you have confirmed that with me, I will inform the controller
of the make-up of his/her team. The controller may then contact you with any
further information about the control.
5. If at any time your circumstances change and you are no longer
available please let me know.
6. If, at any time, you need any further information please don't
hesitate to contact me - e-mail is probably easiest.

We hope to arrange training for volunteers which will be helpful but not
compulsory. We will keep you informed through an e-mail newsletter of
progress with planning for the ride.

We really appreciate your interest in volunteering to help. Without
volunteers this ride could not take place. If you have volunteered for rides
in previous years, welcome back. You will know that the time you spend with
the ride will be hard work but enjoyable and worthwhile. If this is your
first time, welcome - I'm sure that you will enjoy yourself.
Regards,
Tony Webster
Volunteer Co-ordinator

I reckon I will end up washing up/cleaning!

 

[Tynan]

Early prototype version here.
With the timings that I've put in, the riders spends a little too long at Moffat - but still leaves well before the closing time.
Something goes pear-shaped and he leaves Brampton right on the "closing time", but now the red numbers tell us he's fighting all the way home, arriving back at the finish with just over 20 minutes to spare.
If you want to play with the numbers on your own machine or save a copy, click "Edit Workbook" (top left), then "Edit in Excel".
Comments welcomed.

That's outstanding, a 24kmh average for the first day v... but that's a moving average init

thanks very much, tht reqlly does help to quantify everything, any chance of knowing what goes wrong before Brampton?

 

[PpPete]

That's outstanding, a 24kmh average for the first day v... but that's a moving average init

thanks very much, tht reqlly does help to quantify everything, any chance of knowing what goes wrong before Brampton?

Too much time spent North of the Border ?
I put that extra two hours in the stop at Brampton by way of representing a "mechanical". Take that number out, and see what it does to the numbers.

Once you've figured out your own speeds for flat & ascending you just have to play with the numbers in the Add & Subtract columns.

Im my example the moving average on the road is actually between 21 and 22 kph moving average for the first day (the 24 kph is before adding any allowance for climbing). - maybe I'll add a column for moving average on the front sheet in a later version.

FWIW I did Loughton-St Ives last year, on a heavier bike than I now use for Audax, and recorded 23 kph moving average, as it's not that hilly. My moving average on 200 km is normally a good bit slower than that.

 

[arallsopp]

Someone is doing Gpx routes... Great what a time saver
Cannot say how good that is for those of us that are not too good with this interweb thing.

Painful as it is, I think its a good idea to plot the routes out yourself. It took me two nights of effort in 2009, and gave me the advantage that every town name rung in my ears as familiar when I came to ride it. Also, somewhere in my back brain, I almost knew where I was some of the time.

I'm not sure I could have blindly followed the GPS all the way. Inch by inch on the little screen is a tough way to measure your progress against 1400km. Of course, if you already have a rough idea of the layout (Edinburgh is north, right?) it might be overkill. Personally, overkill on a warm sofa is preferred to under prepared on a dark and stormy night.*


(Those of you familiar with the book / thread will know these aren't exclusive choices).

 

[JohnTCC]

Very good point well made. I tend to us route sheets with GPS as a back up/ conformation.

Your book arrived yesterday and I am looking forward to reading it

 

[devo]

I'm considering doing the LEL too but unsure if its a bit too much for my knees.. Might sign up in jan and see how the training goes.
New to the forum.
Anyone in the Brighton area?