London-Edinburgh-London 2013: The thread

[Norry1]

Norry there's a descripton of the route and event here.

Basically the route is 1400km (850 miles) and you have to complete it in 5 days. The clock starts as you set off on day one and doesn't stop until you arrive back in London 5 days later, including sleep, food whatever else.

Arallsopp (and a few others) completed the ride in 2009 and it took him just over 107hrs all in. I really suggest you read his thread about it. The write up is great - though it will take a while

So are you in?

Posted my question when I was on page 8 of this thread - and since seen a bit more description (long thread isn't it )

I do like a challenge - so this kind of appeals. Give me a while to carry on reading and you may have a convert. I'm in Warwick though and notice nobody is anywhere near me on the Google Map

Martin

 

[PpPete]

Posted my question when I was on page 8 of this thread - and since seen a bit more description (long thread isn't it )

I do like a challenge - so this kind of appeals. Give me a while to carry on reading and you may have a convert. I'm in Warwick though and notice nobody is anywhere near me on the Google Map

Martin

Nobody close to me either mate. Still planning to do it though. Assuming my JoGLE (starts Monday) hasn't put me off.
Think I'm about to sign up another customer for my business in 3rd quarter which should make the Van Nic Yukon affordable.....
The Chris Walker Challenge made me think my '87 Galaxy is a touch heavy by modern standards.....

 

[Norry1]

What sort of costs are involved? The website doesn't say, unless I missed it.

Martin

 

[Chuffy]

Bugger. I so want to do this. Nearly entered the last one on a whim after reading about it in Arrivee. I just need to convince Baggy that it would be a good idea...

 

[ianrauk]

Ripe for LEL tandem ride I reckon?

Bugger. I so want to do this. Nearly entered the last one on a whim after reading about it in Arrivee. I just need to convince Baggy that it would be a good idea...

 

[Arch]

Posted my question when I was on page 8 of this thread - and since seen a bit more description (long thread isn't it )

I do like a challenge - so this kind of appeals. Give me a while to carry on reading and you may have a convert. I'm in Warwick though and notice nobody is anywhere near me on the Google Map

Martin

I sort of thought that at first - so many people in London and the surroundings... Just me and Uncle Phil up here at first.

But then, thinking about it, and the distances we're committing to... We're not so very far apart! I realised early on that riding to my sister, in WINCHESTER, would eventually be a good training ride.

As for costs, I don't know - Arallsopp or any of the others who did the last one will. Basically, it's whatever the entrance fee is. Accommodation is wherever you happen to fall when you can't go on...

Once you decide, or even if you just want to be a definite maybe, give me the nod to add you to the map.

Come on Chuffers, you know you want to. Maybe Baggy does too?

 

[Chuffy]

Come on Chuffers, you know you want to. Maybe Baggy does too?

Well, she does want a tandem. Maybe I should apply husbandly blackmail...

 

[Nuncio]

What sort of costs are involved? The website doesn't say, unless I missed it.

Martin

Last year I think it was around £150. It sounds a lot but it covered good food and 'accommodation' for four-and-a-bit-days. I only dipped into my pocket once on the whole ride - for a lolly at Scorten.

And you pay extra for jersey and pre/post-event YHA accommodation.

 

[arallsopp]

Last year I think it was around £150. It sounds a lot but it covered good food and 'accommodation' for four-and-a-bit-days. I only dipped into my pocket once on the whole ride - for a lolly at Scorten.

And you pay extra for jersey and pre/post-event YHA accommodation.

Yep. I can confirm that. £150 all in, which covered an awful lot of food, and a veritable dearth of beds. Its the best money I ever spent. I still wear the jersey, and keep promising myself I'll take the number off my bike. Soon. No really. Well maybe.

I've just finished reading that other thread and all I can say is WOW! [...] Amazing story (book now ordered)

Hey! Thanks mcshroom. I'm really glad you're enjoying it. This means a lot to me.

Andy.

 

[DrMekon]

Well, a week away on hols hasn't hurt my BMI target, but I've fallen behind on the distance goals. Fortunately, my missus has seen fit to give me a pass for a YACF FNRTTS and the Mildenhall 300. Anyone else putting in for Mildenhall? I must admit, I am nervous, despite feeling brilliant after my first 200.

 

[MancSimon]

Dr, I've just put an entry in for Mildenhall. It'll be my first 300 - I got all enthusiastic after the Dunwich Dynamo.

Say hello, I should have my Team Cambridge top on.

Cheers
Si

 

[DrMekon]

Dr, I've just put an entry in for Mildenhall. It'll be my first 300 - I got all enthusiastic after the Dunwich Dynamo.

Say hello, I should have my Team Cambridge top on.

Cheers
Si

Will do. I will be the man with the orange bar tape and matching YACF top looking nervous. Doing a 200 this weekend in an effort to get prepared. Pass for FNRTTC has been rescinded, so am going to try to do some late night/very early morning rides next week too.

 

[DrMekon]

The 200km was 233km in total once I'd ridden to and from the start/finish. Managed a moving average of 23.5km, and did it in 14 hours dead, which was comfortably within the limit for 200km. Felt great at the end, and am feeling good for the 300km at the end of the month. I hope it's not overconfidence, as so far, it's all fun. SimonP had plenty of horrendous tales of physical and mental breakdown in poor conditions and at long distances, but I hope I'm going to avoid all that. That said, I couldn't make sense of the coins in my pocket before we ate at 150km...

 

[hulver]

The 200km was 233km in total once I'd ridden to and from the start/finish. Managed a moving average of 23.5km, and did it in 14 hours dead, which was comfortably within the limit for 200km. Felt great at the end, and am feeling good for the 300km at the end of the month. I hope it's not overconfidence, as so far, it's all fun. SimonP had plenty of horrendous tales of physical and mental breakdown in poor conditions and at long distances, but I hope I'm going to avoid all that. That said, I couldn't make sense of the coins in my pocket before we ate at 150km...

I thought the Min speed for a 200km was 14.3km/hr. Which works out as just under 14 hours.

Of course, if the speed was for the distance of 233km, then you'll have over 16 hours, but I thought they did the min speed on the points distance.

Just checking, because I'm doing a DIY 200km on Friday. The DIY 200km page has got a 14.3 min speed on it.

 

[DrMekon]

I thought the Min speed for a 200km was 14.3km/hr. Which works out as just under 14 hours.

Of course, if the speed was for the distance of 233km, then you'll have over 16 hours, but I thought they did the min speed on the points distance.

Just checking, because I'm doing a DIY 200km on Friday. The DIY 200km page has got a 14.3 min speed on it.

The 233km included the ride to and from the start, and the time involved lots of chatting at the end. Simon said something about us being well under the time, and that included 3 long stops where large quantities of food were consumed. I didn't bother doing a new track for just the audax route, which I think comes out at close to 210km (ask simonp on yacf), but looking at the timings, it looks like we started just after 8am, and were back before 9pm.. I think 210km is close to the allowed limit for a route before it wouldn't be allowed for being over distance, and you don't get any time allowance for the extra 10km afaik, but someone well-versed in the ways of auk would be a better person to ask.

The route for simon's 200km was good, with very little traffic. It's on September 26th in Hauxton. I'd do it again, but I have parental duties to attend to. My guess is it'd be an ideal first event, and the use of good coffee shops/cafe's makes it very easy to treat yourself to some nice food. I finished in a really good mood, albeit helped in no small part by Simon's company.

Page for the event is here - http://www.aukweb.net/cal/calsolo.php?Ride=10-600

What with the commutes and a ride with a local cc secretary last night, I'll be at 500km ish for the last 4 days. My wife is away, and the cupboards are starting to look a bit bare.