08/02/15
The first audax of the year, and I think the first time I’ve ridden this bike since the last one, which is quite shocking.
Sun, more hills than I was expecting, puncture, shattered.
102 km, 7 hours 38 minutes
sloeadventures
A Shropshire Lad 80 km
25/10/14
As I had been out of the saddle for a while I thought a short audax was a good idea; 80 km is the shortest one I have done so far. This was a brilliant route on a clear day – as this one was – starting by going past The Wrekin, then south west parallel to Wenlock Edge which was covered in colourful trees. The first control, Jessamine Cottage, was a cafe run from a very large shed. Presumably they have a long-standing relationship with the local organiser, as coffee and cake here was included in the £6 entrance fee (as was food at the start and end, it was excellent value!).
The second control was at Acton Scott farm, which appears to be a working museum, though obviously there wasn’t time for a look around. I got lucky and joined the queue just before hoards of hungry cyclists – at least one of the longer rides was stopping here at around the same time.
The final leg was the longest (not by much) and included the highest point but was also wind-assisted, past Hope Bowlder Hill. Due to the relatively short distance and good turnout I think I was in view of others nearly all the time. I rode with one chap on and off on the middle section, I think he knew vaguely where he was going so had a route map and very well used OS map in his pocket, and was supplementing these by following people when they were available (and I think I provided a bit of a wind shield for a while, he was obviously an old hand at group riding and quite happy right up behind others peoples wheels, whereas it scares me and I keep my distance). For the final stretch I was just behind a couple of others; I don’t think I’ve actually finished with people before, so it was quite nice.
It’s been too long…but I was pleased that I didn’t have to walk up any hills and wasn’t destroyed by the end, I felt strong and I could have gone further, so a few months off haven’t done any damage. Also I think the spinning classes, whilst being from the devil, are excellent training. Part of me thinks it’s daft to drive 60 miles each way to cycle 50, but audax riding gives me such a buzz that, ironically, it’s not about numbers.
51 miles, 5 hours 18 mins
Dartmoor 2014
22-26/06/14 – First camping outing in the van.
An overnight trip with bivvy on North Dartmoor to High Willhays.
I found a great car park in Belstone, plenty of space and no signs prohibiting overnight parking. Left the van about 6 pm and squashed bivvy bag, sleeping bag and mat into my rucksack, along with a bit of food, water, a can of Hobgoblin and a hip flask, and headed out of the village on a bit of the Tarka Trail. Followed tracks (farm, or MOD, or both) around East Okement Farm (which took me across ‘Irishman’s Wall’, could still see the remains of it) through New Bridge and up to Yes Tor. Amaing views, the sun was lowish and sending rays through the clouds. I could see as far as the north Devon coast.
Went on to High Willhays, not as nice bivvy spots as at the Tor but I dislike back-tracking. Later I spied some other people on the tor (how very dare they!) and I was quite happy alone. The sun poked through the clouds a bit before it went down as a red disc. I found a great sleeping spot which was sheltered under an over-hanging rock, but not needed this evening. Settled down in a little less sheltered position in order to see the sun coming up. It was almost cold; dry and still. I had my thermarest inside the bivvy bag and it was a bit of a squeeze. I woke a few times in the night, it was never particularly dark, I could see lots of stars in a blue/grey sky. Woke a bit before 4 am to find a crescent moon and summoned the energy to take few pictures. I finally got up with the sun respectably high in the sky, which felt like about 9 am but turned out to be about half six.
High Willhays; 621 m, Marilyn, Hewitt, County Top
Yes Tor; 619 m, Nuttall
Next morning I walked off-path to pick up a track near Dinger Tor, then followed it to Okement Hill and on to Hangingstone Hill; no gibbet, but a military hut at the top. To the west is the source of the East Dart, the West Okement and Taw. There is a letterbox marked on the map and I didn’t know what these were at the time, so I tried to find it to find out. The area is marked as marsh, but it was very dry. Even so, it became impossibly tussocky, with lots of soft mud. Very glad of the walking poles. In places there were 5 ft drops where the water had worn through the peat, definitely a place to watch your step.
I retreated back to the track and headed north. Crossed the Taw next to the dead sheep your mother warned you about – I’d taken some water further up so was lucky on this occasion. I followed the path to Oke Tor; a great spot, flat sheep-cropped grass at the top and some shelter from the stones. I started to meet a few other people now. Followed the Taw back to Belstone and the waiting van.
Hangingstone Hill; 603 m, Dewey
Princetown
Camped at the Plume of Feathers pub for a couple of nights. There is a new visitors centre in an old hotel where Arthur Conan Doyle stayed when researching and writing The Hound of the Baskervilles. They had a small exhibition including some letters that he had written at the time. In this hot and sunny weather it was hard to imagine the mists that he talked of, but I know this isn’t typical. Bought a copy with accompanying notes to read over the next few days, and as it turned out, to inspire some walking.
I visited the prison museum, a mind-boggling array of pieces and text in no particular order. The personality of ‘the curator’ was closely felt. They had an old bike that was claimed to have belonged to one Mr MacKie.
I set off for a walk at 4pm but it was still hot. I saw one other person, a guy on a mountain bike going the other way. There’s a bridleway straight out of the campsite to South Hessary Tor, which then takes a straight line to Nun’s Cross, and a nice if deserted-looking farmhouse.
Then over the Devonport Leat and across a bit of the Abbot’s Way before heading to Fox Tor, past another cross. This is a great viewpoint and overlooks Foxton Mires, which became the Grimpen Mire for Holmes. Downhill to Childe’s tomb (familiar from a Seth Lakeman song) and then a bit of compass use to aim for some Cists which were marked on the map but I had no idea what they were – I found some circular patches which must have been them.
To get back I had to cross the Swincomb River, which flows into the West Dart. I spotted an animal crossing and waded through in my boots – it was actually quite pleasant. Again the poles were useful. A bit of a slow tramp up a tussocky and featureless field to eventually come out onto a road back to Princetown, in time to watch the sun setting behind North Hessary Tor. Returned to the campsite after 10 pm: they never close.
South Hessary Tor; 454 m, Tump
Grimspound
Left Princetown and drove north east via Postbridge to Bennetts’s Cross.
Took a path south towards Soussons Down Wood, then around the edge of Challacombe Down. An old village is marked on the map, visible was a wall including some massive stones, and ridges in the ground. Later on I saw that these extended around the hill, and there is a field system marked, which looked like terraces. Followed a road south for a mile to Blackaton Cross, then a bridleway uphill to meet the Two Moors Way. This was a nice viewpoint, of other tors, craggy hilltops and crazily steep roads.
Then I took the Two Moors Way north, over Hamel Down. It connects a number of cairns and barrows, which are marked with a stone each with what looked like ‘DC 1853′. From Hameldown Tor (529 m) it is downhill fairly steeply, during which the settlement of Grimspound comes into view, the inspiration for Holmes’ hideout on the moor.
Up once more to Hookney Tor, then back to the van to head towards Buckfastleigh.
Buckfastleigh
After being slightly lost I followed a campsite sign and ended up at Beara Farm, which was delightful. The other campers seemed fairly resident, either in vans in varying states of repair or teepee-shaped canvas tents full of children. The very friendly farmer called John pointed out the way to the River Dart if I fancied a swim, which I thought was mad but did in fact take a quick dip in lieu of a shower. It looked calm but the current was respectable and it was of course freezing.
The following day the rain came, and I had a cycle around the place mainly because I had brought my bike and thought I ought to use it! Got to Buckfast Abbey which was busy with coach trippers. The Abbey Church was odd, being clean and new yet traditional ‘church’ in style…the money required to rebuild it must have been considerable. The only place open in the town was The Seed cafe, which turned out to be staffed by a guy from the campsite who had cycled there in bare feet. A very nice cafe/shop although the anti-vax stuff was a little scary.
The rain stopped by the evening, my last before heading home. The Buckfastleigh to Totnes train line is on the other side of the river…a steam train is just puffing past. Holmes and Watson could be on it, on their way to Baskerville Hall.
Derbyshire Dales 160k
11/04/15
I expect Noah was told to expect ‘sunshine and showers’ too. To be fair there was some sunshine, but the showers were what kept my phone inside several waterproof coverings at all times apart from here at the second control (Wyaston Village Hall). I was impressed by the cheap emergency waterproof I got from Decathlon, I don’t think I was any sweatier than I would be in anything else and it did keep me pretty dry and (more importantly) warm.
A nice ride, the wind was mostly kind apart from the final stretch, which was at least flat although I still found it hard going. Quite a clever route, spot on 100 miles and the two killer hills were just before controls. Most of the rest of the climbing was rather pleasant (possibly wind-assisted) and I reached new maximum speed of 36.8 mph on a descent. Also my Eddington number has gone up by one after today (33). This is the first audax I have done with no commercial controls – there were three village halls with armies of tea, coffee and cakes producers. Much appreciated, and I think I’d quite like to volunteer at some point. Any women reading, I can highly recommend such rides, as it is one of the few times that there will be a big queue for the gents but the ladies will be available.
100 miles, 8 hrs 14
Snowdon
26/04/14
We started the walk through some woods among Llyn Gwynant, then up the Watkin path. The weather was better than expected, the night before started clear and cold (this is the earliest I had camped and it was quite nippy sitting around outside in the evening), then there was some rain but it had cleared by morning. We had a few showers but they were short, and in-between was sunny and very clear. The mountains are craggy, spiky and covered in scree, grey slate with bands of white quartz. A few small patches of snow were clinging on above Glaslyn. The Watkin path follows Afon Cwm Llan up a gentle slope then turns more steeply to reach the path which goes over the ridge.
We turned left and had a view of the return route. The summit was mostly visible but became briefly hidden by cloud at this point. After lunch we headed on up the steep scramble until the route joins the Rhyd-Ddu path. The summit cafe was only visible when we were nearly at the top. Busy, sunny and windy. Stopped for coffee and flapjack. A train arrived as we left, our route following the rack initially then heading east for the Miner’s track.
Some steep descending to the edge of the tarns Glaslyn and Llyn Llydaw. There are the remains of some quite substantial buildings here, it must have been hard work bringing materials up. Followed the path to meet the road and the Pen-y-pass youth hostel. The final stretch involved a bit more descending and then levelled out, my knees were quite sore by this point and it seemed to drag.
Snowdon/Yr Wyddfa: Furth, Hewitt, Marilyn; 1085 m
12.3 miles
Start/finish Llyn Gwynant campsite
Towering Trees 150k
12/04/14
After the destruction that was my first imperial century I came back for more. I’ve never liked the idea of gels and sports drinks, the concept of constant sugar consumption seems the antithesis of everything one is supposed to do, especially for the more comfortably upholstered cyclist. And the cynic in me views them as a way to make a huge mark-up on sugar. However I have recently been reading about endurance sports nutrition (not something I ever thought I’d say) and decided to give them a go. I have to say it made a massive difference to this ride. Normally I really struggle in the later stages, but I felt so much better and the prospect of doing a 200 km seems a possibility. Of course I was still overjoyed to see the final control, but it was nice not to be totally destroyed. Although my knees were sore on this occasion, which is a new one. Another great ride thanks to organiser Geoff Cleaver, from the Pretty Pigs pub in Tamworth which is very train accessible (and they let us use the bogs at the start even though the pub isn’t open then).
101 miles, 9 hrs 17
End of Snooze 100k
23/03/14
After the last one I thought something flat might be nice; an ‘easy’ 100 km around Cambridgeshire, which strayed into Essex and Suffolk too. I don’t know this part of the country at all, so I thought it would be worth a visit. One of the controls was a cafe at which another ride had arrived, and a few bikers…but they did a grand job (hence all the bikes in the photo below).
The wind was favourable for the first half, which I think assisted my average speed of around 13 mph, which is good for me. The forecast was for showers in the afternoon, but we were pretty lucky, just a bit of hail on the last leg. I had gone dressed for the rain though and was a bit too hot in my ancient waterproof. Another opportunity to spend money approaches I think.
It was well organised and friendly, nice quiet roads, but I think confirmed my love of more mountainous landscapes. Which is unfortunate as that means more struggling up hills! It was good to do a ride so soon (for me) after the last one and both me and the bike felt good.
The nice thing about the flat landscape was the big sky, and what a day for it. Sun, dramatic clouds and distant rain. Driving back (first ride with the van) I was mainly heading towards the setting sun amongst the rain, which made for a challenging drive but fantastic views. Approaching Coventry on the M6 it was very clear, and I could see the spires and tower blocks – rather beautiful.
68 miles, 6 hrs 35
Long Mynd
15/03/14
Marvellous weather, clear and sunny, quite a breeze on the hills A few others on top of Caer Caradoc, some runners going up Hope Bowdler and then a chap on the top who asked if there was anywhere better to be – I agreed not.
Down to the road and then up Hazler Hill and along to Ragleth. Steep descent into Little Stretton, where I had an orange juice in the pub (I wanted to use the lav) and popped into a little shop – the village seemed a bit ‘local’.
Up via Cross Dyke to the road across the Long Mynd; exchanged a few words with a woman who seemed to be a kindred spirit. Beautiful valleys with wild camping potential. On to the summit of Pole Bank where there seemed to be some wheelchair accessible paths – great opportunity for everyone to experience the hills. From the toposcope I could identify the distant hills I had been able to see all day – the Malverns, Clee Hills, bits of the Brecon Beacons and, on the edge of visibility, where the clouds and the peaks become indistinguishable, Snowdonia.
I think I took a different path than that intended but found my way down Carding Mill Valley. It suddenly got much busier and I eventually reached a National Trust car park and cafe. Back into Church Stretton for an outside beer (first of the year) and lots of tense rugby fans.
14 miles
Caer Caradoc Hill; Marilyn, 459 m
Hope Bowdler Hill; HuMP, 426 m
Ragleth Hill; HuMP, 398 m
Long Mynd; Dewey, Marilyn, 516 m
Over the Malverns 150k
08/03/14
This one just about finished me off. I entered it in a moment of excitement, finding one that was close-ish and train-able, and failed to notice that it was 150 km rather than 100 km.
A small turnout, and a damp misty start from Droitwich. I had company briefly (one guy who had the route sheet somewhere in his pocket and so was planning on following other people), and another chap who took a wrong turning and emerged just as we were passing a junction. I stopped to check the first info control and they kept going; I had nearly caught them up when they missed a turning and failed to hear my shouts, so I headed off and left them to it. They passed me a bit later when I had stopped to take a photo and I assumed from then onwards I was bringing up the rear. I could never have kept up with their pace anyway.
As seems traditional my route sheet and holder fell off, and required emergency cable tie repairs. Despite being rather difficult to connect, my rear light cables seem very easily disconnected by, presumably, road vibrations, even when covered in duck tape. Lights required at start (mainly due to the weather) and final 10 miles – it was a really nice clear afternoon and got dark quite suddenly. There were some gorgeous views of the Malverns from the final stage, heading north between them and Breedon Hill/Cleeve Hill area, with the sun setting, but my phone battery had died by then.
As well as the usual physical complaints of a long ride, I had a slight chesty cough which resulted in some discomfort in the breathing department, and the ride was quite an effort. The final stage – 40 miles – was flat and with a tailwind, but even so I had to bribe myself with stops every 10 miles to feast on fruit and nut chocolate and haribo.
Finished the 100 miles at 7 pm, by which time there was no sign of anyone else. The start/finish was a pub, by then full of Droitwich’s Saturday night crowd. I didn’t want to hang around too long so after acquiring a receipt I headed to the station, to spend half an hour lying on a narrow metal bench in a shelter on the platform. Surprisingly comfortable, just what my back needed.
A great, well thought out route, excellent route sheets (I didn’t take any wrong-turnings), lucky with the weather and wind direction, and easy to get to by train. I found out (much) later that the organiser, who was – unusually – doing the ride too, hadn’t felt too good and cut his ride short.
100 miles, 10 hrs 30