Ashwell - Wells - Ashwell

wilburtrump

So in conjunction with the 123 miler, I thought I'd start up a little thread to see who would be interested in the there and back version, which I believe will be 200 miles. I know Robbie mentioned something on the other thread, but it'd be good to have a few numbers and see who's up for it.

Thoughts please...

Martin L

Weather forecast for next Friday looks very good at the moment - so looks like the Classic is go. I'll drop a note later with a few more details.

In the meantime... here are the final tweaked routes;

http://www.bikemap.net/en/route/1011050-ashwell-wells-next-the-sea/

http://www.bikemap.net/en/route/1187762-wells-next-the-sea-kings-lynn/

If you went there and back on the same route, it'd be about 186 miles.

If those riding back all the way followed us King's Lynn bound riders for the first 17 miles there and then connected back on to the route at Great Massingham, you'd be looking at nearly 190 miles in total.

At the mo, forecast says headwind out, tailwind riding back...

wilburtrump

Thanks Martin! That's good news. I was thinking of leaving a little earlier for the longer ride, I'd like to spend as much time riding in daylight as possible.

wilburtrump

So who would be up for this? I'm not entirely sure I want to do it on my own...

JMac

Still interested. Certainly could do with more. What sort of speed would that be Will?

wilburtrump

Warp 7

Robbie L

Deffo think minimum of 3 riders...

wilburtrump

I should imagine it'll be around 17-18s. It's pan-flat and dependent on the headwind. Few stops for food and topping up water but don't want to be hanging around really otherwise it'll take a looooong time. What do people think about a 6am/7am start? I should imagine we could do it in 12 hours including stops...

Robbie L

Early start good for me... 7am sounds ok!
Deffo two bottles and plenty of bars. As the other ride informs... lights a must.
Will do you have the garmin route or do we simply double back on the original?

Martin L

Just a thought chaps...

Come with us at 8am and be sure of the way [there]. We should be leaving Wells around 3.30pm, allowing for a few punctures and lunch stop at Narborough. If it does turn into puncture hell - shoot off ahead.

Gives you approx 4hrs of light with 93 miles to do for the return. You might not have too many night miles to do, and you might pick up a few others feeling good at Wells who are up for the return. Particularly if the forecasted tailwind remains.

Something to ponder.

wilburtrump

I'm ever so slightly limited on time so would rather leave a little earlier...

Robbie L

Would be good to set off together but understand the time issues Will. If you can wangle it even better...
If not we'll set off early and see the groups on the way back and in the three tons!

JMac

I'm happy to start at 7 but how about everyone starts prompt at 7.30 and we could push on at Narborough if necessary?

Martin L

Let's leave our start at 8am. Some will be starting early enough to get to the three tuns.

The push from Narborough sounds like a good idea.

wilburtrump

So the general gist of this ride will be something like this:

7am leaving the tuns, I'll have a look at the route and see where there are suitable places for quick food stops, dashing into shops and picking up things to eat on the way, we'll of course stop at wells for a wee while to soak up chips and ponder the return leg. Bring plenty of energy bars and a few gels for the way back (something I struggle with on long rides is staying awake towards the end, especially after you've eaten something, a caffeine gel does the trick rather well). Bring a debit/credit card and some cash, I should imagine we'll be stopping more frequently than on the normal club run. Some big bottles and a few spare inners and a boot, spare link etc. Although we'll be at laughing pace, it's best not to stop for long too often otherwise we'll never get home. Couple of good lights won't go amiss too, just in case it gets dark. I'll have a Garmin with the route on and a spare in my back pocket too, just in case the batteries dwindle, but this shouldn't be a problem. If anybody else has a Garmin with GPS on it would be good if they have the route too.

So far it looks like just Robbie, James and myself. A few more would be most welcome and seeing as there are no hills, I think you might be surprised at how far you can actually ride in a day. Any more takers?

Oh, and comfy shorts are a VERY good idea. Chamois cream aplenty...

Robbie L

I'll test the tcx file on the Garmin from Martin's link. All else looks great.
Nice one.

JMac

Not sure about places to pick up food so likely I will be bringing a small rucksack with emergency provisions.

Martinh

I am in for the long haul so see you at the tuns. Any recommendations for lights as I want to save some weight by not fitting my twin halogens and the bottle battery?

tk3freebs

Martin, Knog Blinders are great. Quite expensive but v bright. Silicon strap to fit and USB rechargeable. Great lights to 'be seen', I swear by them. To see, a decent lightweight option is the Exposure Joystick. Again not cheap but I've been using mine for winter commutes (40k each way) for five years. You get about 3hrs charge on max setting, more obviously if lower.

Robbie L

Yes... exposure joystick is what I'll be using.

wilburtrump

exposure joystick for me and my usual ayup fog light on the back... glad you're joining us martin!

Shaun

I've got one Fenix PD32 torch with hbar mount if you want to borrow it. (Jane's got the other one).

I use two of these lights for my overnight stuff. Also used them on the Dun Run with Will last year. Pretty good.

wilburtrump

"Pretty good"

Understatement of the year.

They're so bright that you can see the skeleton of the rider in front.

Jane

Exposure joystick ... what kind of brand name is that?

wilburtrump

Old school, like what you had on your 286.

JMac

I will be bringing a power pack to charge my phone - a usb lead for yer gamin might be useful.

Jane

.

Shaun

Could also lend a battery extender and short cable for Garmin 705/800 if you think you'll need a single Garmin powered for more than 12 hours...

Martin L

The Exposure Sirius is almost identical to the Joystick - but much cheaper.

Good sale price on for it here

The 'Mk 2' version has the best spec. You can do that thing with them where you use it as a battery too: for yer garmins etc. They're nice and tiny.

Martinh

Hi Shaun,

If I could borrow your light that would be great. I looked at various shops whilst in London today but none had any stock. If you email me your address I could come and pick it up tomorrow evening. mhillier@savills.com.

Thanks

Martin

wilburtrump

So I think the first stop will be in Cottenham, then Ely. There's a little patch after this with not a lot going on, so munch on what you have in your pockets... Great Massingham, Wells, then anywhere we need to on the way back. See how we're all feeling, but frequent stops to eat small portions of proper food are better for this sort of ride. Fish and Chips at Wells OBVS (as the youth of yesterday once said). I tend to use 1 bottle of carb drink and 1 bottle of nuun tablet drink, it keeps things a little less cloying, after the first hundred I tend to crave water without any sugary stuff. Top up where we can and nobody get any punctures. No coca cola allowed till 30 miles from home.

Maybe a beer when we get back? Dunno, just throwing it out there...

Martin L, if you've got any advice on other places to stop or particularly long patches with no shops could you let us know? ta