BMC 79 Mile Challenge Ride, Sat Nov 17

[Adrian Fitch]

I see that a few of us have already entered this Strava challenge.

 

http://app.strava.com/challenges/bmc-79-mile-challenge

 

How would you feel about doing it as a group on Saturday, Nov 17?

 

I was thinking we could venture into the Surrey Hills or maybe somewhere else fairly nearby that we don't visit too often.

 

What do you think?

 

Adrian

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Blog http://adrianfitch.wordpress.com
Photos http://www.flickr.com/photos/adrianfitch/

[Dockhill]

Seems a bit easy... but why not?

[Steve Thomas]

Will try and join this. Having not done anything over about 70k for a while, I doubt I'll find it easy, but I'm sure George will be happy to sit in the wind all day...

Sent from my iPhone

Steve Thomas

step...@mac.com

www.sftnet.co.uk

On 26 Oct 2012, at 18:00, Dockhill <geor...@gmail.com> wrote:

Seems a bit easy... but why not?

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[Steve Whatman]

I'm in, see you there.

Sent from my iPad

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[Simon Bardsley]

I should be good for this. If we're talking Surrey hills, what about something that incorporates Barhatch Lane (maybe White Downs too)? Did a loop the other week that was c. 120km including Barhatch, Combe Lane and Box Hill...

[Joss Armitage]

Yeah, I'd be up for this.

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Subject: Re: BMC 79 Mile Challenge Ride, Sat Nov 17
From: stevew...@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 26 Oct 2012 20:54:04 +0100
To: dp...@googlegroups.com

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[Adrian Fitch]

Here's the route I'm proposing for this ride.

http://www.routeyou.com/route/view/568640/cycle-route-surrey-hills-135km.en

The first and last 15km are fairly built up as we go out and back via Mitcham but the main part is taken from a classic Surrey Hills route Cycling Plus published in 2007 which we've done a few times. It is fairly lumpy, very picturesque and there will be an opportunity to stop at Peaslake (65km) and Box Hill (100km).

It's 132km cafe-to-cafe (82 miles) and has around 1,750m elevation gain. Total riding time will be around 5:30 so I don't see us being back to Crystal Palace much before 3pm.

See you at the cafe?

Adrian

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[Simon Bardsley]

I should be good for this Adrian, assuming I can get clearance for an all-dayer.

One quick word on the route - Greyhound Lane (past Streatham Common station) is closed at the moment and the whole area is a bit chaotic as a result. You may want to consider diverting another way through/round Croydon.

[Adrian Fitch]

Greyhound Lane. Of course!

 

I think it would be best to turn down Norbury Hill to Green Lane, turn left onto the A23 and then take Northborough Road a little after Norbury station. As you can see, I'm trying to avoid Croydon and all the additional fun of its A roads...

On 13 November 2012 08:32, Simon Bardsley <gingerm...@gmail.com> wrote:

I should be good for this Adrian, assuming I can get clearance for an all-dayer.

One quick word on the route - Greyhound Lane (past Streatham Common station) is closed at the moment and the whole area is a bit chaotic as a result.  You may want to consider diverting another way through/round Croydon.

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[Dockhill]

Hmmm, the route goes within 1km of mum's house in Cranleigh. Better not tell here, or I'll have to break the ride, and do some decorating.

[Joe]

I am deeply frustrated. All clear for this weekend but now 2 weeks into a mild but annoying cold that is just not shifting - not sure I can handle much more than commuting. I live in hope.

Joe

[JamesBT]

Speed?

[Gary Lynch]

Speed? Don't you know doping is so last year! Or was it the year before?

On 13 November 2012 20:06, JamesBT <jbrook...@btinternet.com> wrote:

Speed?

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[Adrian Fitch]

Aiming for an average around 25kph.

Sent from my iPhone

[Simon Bardsley]

Right, clearance acquired so I'm definitely up for this....as long as the weather forecast improves.  Currently looking dire.

[Dockhill]

Looking at the weather report for the weekend, I'm tempted to do the ride on Sunday instead of Saturday.  The BMC thing covers Fri/Sat/Sun anyway.

[Simon Bardsley]

Adrian, I've got another route update for you.  The B2032 (Outwood Lane) is closed between Chipstead and Kingswood for 4 weeks.  This affects both the route out and back in.  It's properly fenced off too - I drove down there today after ignoring the warning signs ("I'll be able to get through somehow...") and there's no way through, even on foot. 

I thought I'd let you know - weather forecast is improving!

[Aaron Saturley]

Guys,

 

Very sorry, but now have family commitments this weekend - Hope you have a great ride and see you soon.

 

Aaron

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[Paul Thompson]

Sorry guys I also have a family commitment now - checking on the young lad in Durham. Have a good one.

[Adrian Fitch]

All this roadwork makes my think there's a conspiracy against us hitting the Surrey Hills. Let's save them for another day.

Here's an alternative: http://www.routeyou.com/route/view/569772/cycle-route-weald-130km.en

It's a variation of the 150km Weald route. We go out to Groombridge via Downe, Spinning Wheel, Brasted and Ide before looping back via Frant, Yalding, Ivy Hatch and Star Hill. Total distance is 131km (81 miles) with around 1,500m elevation gain. Riding time will be about 5:15 so we should be back to Crystal Palace between 2.30 and 3pm. There will be an opportunity to stop to refill bottles in Yalding (80km).

[Charles]

Sounds great. I'll be there.

[Zach]

I'll be heading off from CSG at 7am if anyone else needs to get in a time-crunched 79 mile ride this weekend.

 

I am going to try Adrian's route clockwise so hope to wave at you at all at some point. 

[ric]

Sounds a bit like the Sydenham Wheelers reliability ride circuit, which would make a great winter training ride for a group. Knockholt, Ide Hill, Penshurst, Groombridge, Lamberhurst, Yalding, Wrotham, Pilgrims Way and Star Hill back to Knockholt. To adapt it to include CSG would put it over 100 miles though.

[Adrian Fitch]

Our 150km Weald route is based on the Sydenham Wheelers' Reliability Ride: http://www.routeyou.com/route/view/504591/cycle-route-weald-150km.en.

 

It's a great winter ride as the roads are all fairly good and were all either gritted or ice free during last winter's snow. Only Chelsfield Lane was unrideable but Star Hill would've been a very feasible alternative.

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[Adrian Fitch]

Just four of us made it out this morning and were treated to fairly reasonable weather, despite the forecast.

My stats were 132km with 1,650m elevation gain at an average speed of 26.8kph.

Strava challenge completed.

Thank you all for an excellent ride and I'll see you next Saturday for more of the same fun.

Have a great week...

Adrian

[Simon Bardsley]

Really good ride today, gents - but I'm paying for it in spades now.  Hopefully the pizza currently cooking in the oven (my second meal this evening...) will sort me out.

Similar stats to Adrian, once my dawdle to and from CSG is taken out the equation. Speaking of equations, good to see "Fitch's 10% Law" being applied to the quoted elevation stats - textbook stuff!