England : Bristol The Exmouth Exodus VII - Sat 4th August

[Baggy]

Time to get the ball rolling for the Exmouth Exodus - the West Country's own version of the Dunwich Dynamo:

• a free to enter ride through the night to the seaside, about 100 miles
• On a Saturday near a full moon that doesn't clash with the Dun Run. The date for 2012 is Sat 4 August 2012
• Starting in Bristol, and finishing at Exmouth
• On mostly minor roads, with three major climbs and plenty of other lumps and bumps, as well as some flat bits...

There's lots more you might want to know, and if you cast your eyes over the FAQs you'll probably find the info you need. if not, just post a message on the forum.

This year there's a coach back coach back to Bristol from the finish. It'll leave Exmouth at about 11.30am on Sunday. Bikes will be carried separately in a Robinson's Relocation removal lorry. Drop-off in Bristol will be near the start point in Clifton, so if you're leaving your car there you'll be close by. And it's downhill to the train station.

 

[Kiwiavenger]

i was seriously looking into this however just before booking train tickets home i realised my mother and brother are visiting me that week (1st-7th) which is a real shame as it would only cost me £11 to get me and the bike back down to my house!!!

bugger. although i could possibly persuade her to meet me in dawlish afterwards for the day! lol.

 

[Glover Fan]

After I did it last year I said never again. However I think I might do it. Weather dependant.

 

[Baggy]

The coach is now full...
The lovely User76 and his Scouts have volunteered to make tea this year, so it means I'll be riding instead of brewing up
The recce ride is taking place this weekend, so we'll be updating the route with any changes to tea stops etc. As far as we know Clifton Bridge is open so we're back on to the usual start this year.

 

[Baggy]

The route recce took place in glorious weather on Saturday, so the revised route sheet and gpx stuff will be available on the website in a day or so.

We've made quite a few updates to so please don't use an old route sheet or old gpx track.

The Cheddar tea stop will definitely be at the Cheddar Scouts' hut instead of the Gorge - just follow the route instructions. There will be tea, cake water and - luxury of luxuries - toilets.

 

[Davidc]

I've been banned by the Mrs.

Off to the Olympics on the Monday!

What's the date for 2013?

 

[Baggy]

The Olympics is almost a fair swap, I suppose No fixed date as yet for 2013, but looking likely to be in August again.

 

[Davidc]

The Olympics is almost a fair swap, I suppose No fixed date as yet for 2013, but looking likely to be in August again.

I still can't understand why she doesn't think I can do both. EE overnight, up to mum's in south London Sunday daytime with me sleeping off the EE in the back of the car, and then off to Stratford on Monday morning.

OK, I might be a bit slow walking, and might need waking up every so often!

 

[Monsieur Remings]

Hey, I saw you guys cycling through the flooded North Somerset area fairly late. I was busy doing my Saturday shift on the cabs.

Well done one and all.

 

[Glover Fan]

Unfortunately as I have a new job which requires full attention on a Monday, I was not able to take part this year. But I did park up on the gorge in a Ford Kuga with my better half to watch twinkling LEDs wind their way down the gorge. Would have been perfect if not for the loud Chavs around the corner.

Will definitely do it next year as I really enjoyed last year.

 

[Ian H]

I had great fun riding up to N Curry to help, and then riding round for half an hour trying to remember where the hall was (N Curry seems over-endowed with halls, for a small place). Dave and co were brewing a vast vat of curry stew when I finally got there.

Around 1.25am the first, damp-looking, riders arrived, and before long it was teetering on the verge of bedlam as the queue lengthened and certain shortages became apparent. But everyone was smiling and good-tempered, even when the milk ran out towards the end. A few tail-enders were hanging around as we tidied up at dawn.

I made my excuses and left, then somehow decided on Exmouth rather than home. At the Luppit stop the sky was black ahead and it was already spitting rain, so I donned the rain-jacket and continued. Made good time to the Harbour Cafe, and chatted to folk while waiting what seemed like an age for breakfast (no criticism, they were very busy).

Finally dragged myself out to the bike just as the rain started again. Within half a mile it was like riding under a waterfall. I exchanged a drowning man's wave with Baggy coming the other way. Fortunately it stopped somewhere over Woodbury Common.

This morning I was feeling more exhausted than if I'd ridden the whole thing.
Well-done to all the riders.

 

[Chutzpah]

Hey all,

I did it this year, breaking both my Exodus virginity and my first hundred miler.

A ride report that will take you as long to read as it took us to ride it is here!

http://chutzpah84.posterous.com/exmouth-exodus-the-story-of-our-ride

 

[Chuffy]

Hey all,

I did it this year, breaking both my Exodus virginity and my first hundred miler.

A ride report that will take you as long to read as it took us to ride it is here!

http://chutzpah84.posterous.com/exmouth-exodus-the-story-of-our-ride

One day I may be able to read your comment about being 85kg without weeping onto my handlbars.
Chuffy
Portly and not proud.

 

[Chuffy]

Oh and a very big thank you to User76 and his scout troop for running a brilliant tea stop in Cheddar (more cake next year chaps!) and also to Mssrs Jefferson Meriwether and Ian H of this forum, who rode to North Curry to help feed everyone. The Exodus runs on goodwill and donations, and we were very lucky with both.

Speaking of which - if anyone fancies signing up to help next year, please give us a shout. Date TBA but likely to be in August again.

Thanks to everyone who helped and rode - the Exodus has a great atmosphere and we get a real buzz out of organising it. Cheers all!

 

[summerdays]

Fantastic write-up Chutzpah!!! I fall closer to the Camp 2 in that I've never cycled that distance or close (45 is my maximum) and I hate hills! I must try doing some of them in the daylight first!

And the rain was torrential! I went and stood outside with an umbrella as there was so much coming down.