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Ashwell - Wells-Next-The-Sea Classic, Fri 6 Sept 2019
The Ashwell — Wells-Next-The-Sea Classic 2019
Friday, 6th September 2019, 8.15am start from Rhubarb & Mustard
123 miles to the beach and then back on the train from King's Lynn.
Route:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28509468
In a nutshell…
The only point-to-point Classic in the CCA calendar. Destination: The North Sea for fish and chips. Or, if you only fancy just some of the ride, we are always fairly near train stations, so there are plenty of options to bail out.
Self-sufficiency is essential. Bring everything you need; especially a map or some way to self-navigate if you end up solo for whatever reason. And some lunch for our stop-off at the singularly depressing shamlet of Narborough.
If the weather forecast is rubbish: we'll cancel in advance. Though, frankly, that didn't stop us in the Great Downpour 2017 Edition… Shudder.
It seems like a long way, but Norfolk miles are different. Add in a bit of group drafting and all the lols along the way and you’d be forgiven for thinking it was just a ride to the shops for a pint of milk.
Some good things to know…
If turnout is high, we will likely set off as two groups a few minutes apart, and we will regroup as one at Ely Cathedral, our first stop-off, where thereafter we hit the quiet lanes and traffic melts away. Let's look to be super disciplined in our group riding.
We will hit Arrington Hill early on (A1198) with the tail end of rush hour. Single-out and avoid spreading out and causing inconvenience to traffic.
We ride a short section of the A10 shortly after the onion-odoured canalside lane of Ten Mile Bank. Single out on this A-road, perhaps set off in small groups, stay extra vigilant.
Ensure you're able to navigate to one of the stations along the way should you need to bail out at some point. Ely, Downham Market and King's Lynn are in easy reach of the route to shorten the ride if need be.
Please only confident riders at the back please. And only take the front if you're confident of where you're headed. Shout out if you're suffering and keep an eye out for anyone getting lost behind - or shooting off the front down a blind alley and into one of the many pig farms we pass along the way. Bootiful.
Buy train tickets at King's Lynn in groups to get a slight discount. The Fenman pub is good for a pint while awaiting a train. I will arrange a spread of carb-heavy dense beige food in the friendly pub to restore spirits. We should be able to store our bikes in the back garden. Let’s lock them all together.
We may have to split and go on a few trains throughout the evening, if there are many of us. Let's be accommodating to the staff and passengers and prioritise those who need to get back pronto.
Bring good lights. It will be dark towards the end of the ride and pitch black the other side of the train journey.
Every finisher gets a commemorative badge.
Some may want to ride there and back. Use this forum thread to get a posse together for that if you like.
This ride is always a good laugh, gives a great sense of achievement, and is a nice way to bookend the summer and let you chat with fellow riders. Non-CCA members are very welcome. Next year will be the 10th anniversary of this Classic. We should do something a bit special, like order sausage and chips, instead of fish.
I hope you can make it.
Cheers!
Friday, 6th September 2019, 8.15am start from Rhubarb & Mustard
123 miles to the beach and then back on the train from King's Lynn.
Route:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28509468
In a nutshell…
The only point-to-point Classic in the CCA calendar. Destination: The North Sea for fish and chips. Or, if you only fancy just some of the ride, we are always fairly near train stations, so there are plenty of options to bail out.
Self-sufficiency is essential. Bring everything you need; especially a map or some way to self-navigate if you end up solo for whatever reason. And some lunch for our stop-off at the singularly depressing shamlet of Narborough.
If the weather forecast is rubbish: we'll cancel in advance. Though, frankly, that didn't stop us in the Great Downpour 2017 Edition… Shudder.
It seems like a long way, but Norfolk miles are different. Add in a bit of group drafting and all the lols along the way and you’d be forgiven for thinking it was just a ride to the shops for a pint of milk.
Some good things to know…
If turnout is high, we will likely set off as two groups a few minutes apart, and we will regroup as one at Ely Cathedral, our first stop-off, where thereafter we hit the quiet lanes and traffic melts away. Let's look to be super disciplined in our group riding.
We will hit Arrington Hill early on (A1198) with the tail end of rush hour. Single-out and avoid spreading out and causing inconvenience to traffic.
We ride a short section of the A10 shortly after the onion-odoured canalside lane of Ten Mile Bank. Single out on this A-road, perhaps set off in small groups, stay extra vigilant.
Ensure you're able to navigate to one of the stations along the way should you need to bail out at some point. Ely, Downham Market and King's Lynn are in easy reach of the route to shorten the ride if need be.
Please only confident riders at the back please. And only take the front if you're confident of where you're headed. Shout out if you're suffering and keep an eye out for anyone getting lost behind - or shooting off the front down a blind alley and into one of the many pig farms we pass along the way. Bootiful.
Buy train tickets at King's Lynn in groups to get a slight discount. The Fenman pub is good for a pint while awaiting a train. I will arrange a spread of carb-heavy dense beige food in the friendly pub to restore spirits. We should be able to store our bikes in the back garden. Let’s lock them all together.
We may have to split and go on a few trains throughout the evening, if there are many of us. Let's be accommodating to the staff and passengers and prioritise those who need to get back pronto.
Bring good lights. It will be dark towards the end of the ride and pitch black the other side of the train journey.
Every finisher gets a commemorative badge.
Some may want to ride there and back. Use this forum thread to get a posse together for that if you like.
This ride is always a good laugh, gives a great sense of achievement, and is a nice way to bookend the summer and let you chat with fellow riders. Non-CCA members are very welcome. Next year will be the 10th anniversary of this Classic. We should do something a bit special, like order sausage and chips, instead of fish.
I hope you can make it.
Cheers!
Comments
See u there
I've never gone that far before.
I never ride anywhere near this distance (123m) at any other time of the year, so dont worry about that. You'll be surprised how easy you get to Wells. The difficult bit is the ride over to KL. This does normally break up a bit due to fatigue / punctures etc, so smaller groups normally make their way through the KL traffic to station.
Looking back at last 3 years, my av has been 17-18, but typically a tail wind to wells.
200 miles door to door for me, about 188 round trip from the tuns leaving at 6am from there. Think the pace was around 17mph with 6 of us riding last year,
The family will meet me with the caravan for the weekend.
+ Paul B
Nice designs Archie.
Martin L
Graham A
Matt S
Stephen O
Stef
Paul B
MC
Wells and back:
Will
Toma
Keith
Martin L
Graham A
Matt S
Stephen O
Stef
Paul B
MC
JeremyP
Still contemplating the there and back option......
Martin L
Graham A
Matt S
Stephen O
Stef
Paul B
MC
Ryan
John H
Jeremy P
Vince
Wells and back:
Will
Toma
Keith
Leaving the tuns at 6am prompt. Not hanging around at the coffee stops much either otherwise it turns into a very long day. Lots of rolling through, working together and getting everybody there and back in hopefully one group. Fish and chips and plenty of coffee! You’ll need lights for the beginning/end of the day, best to use winter tyres and make sure you’re self sufficient, loads of food in your pockets and big bottles.
Anybody smashing it up the (very vague) hills or pushing on too hard will get told so, the other aim is to keep a nice tidy bunch so nice tight riding all round. We’ll have some guests from Stevenage Cycle Club popping along for the day also.
See you at 6!
W
Edit: absolutely no fun allowed at all. Anybody caught smiling will be shouted at
If we can do one stop up and back that would be good. It's 200 miles so yes. Steady riding 👍
Sorry your not able to lead us Wil
Ta
Let's try and leave around 8.15am
Classic:
Martin L
Graham A
Matt S
Stephen O
Stef
Paul B
MC
Ryan
John H
Jeremy P
Vince
SimonD
Taff
Wells and back (Three Tuns, 6am):
Will
Toma
Keith
Rob B