CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: South West 300 Cycle Challenge

CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: South West 300 Cycle Challenge - 16th June 2018 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: South West 300 Cycle Challenge - 16th June 2018 en Mon, 20 Apr 2026 23:58:28 +0000 HankChief on "South West 300 Cycle Challenge - 16th June 2018" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18463&page=2#post-306875 Thu, 16 May 2019 23:20:59 +0000 HankChief 306875@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Now with snazzy videos and split into 4 days <a href="https://youtu.be/GlCIzmhcn-Q" rel="nofollow">https://youtu.be/GlCIzmhcn-Q</a> <a href="https://youtu.be/NBSArVbV3nw" rel="nofollow">https://youtu.be/NBSArVbV3nw</a> <a href="https://youtu.be/gyCd9SdXozI" rel="nofollow">https://youtu.be/gyCd9SdXozI</a> <a href="https://youtu.be/lepEYFcj50g" rel="nofollow">https://youtu.be/lepEYFcj50g</a> HankChief on "South West 300 Cycle Challenge - 16th June 2018" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18463&page=2#post-298540 Tue, 01 Jan 2019 21:19:00 +0000 HankChief 298540@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Latest FB update: "HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM SW300 We again wish to sincerely show our gratitude to all those who supported, took part in or were otherwise involved in this event last summer and remind you that you helped raise over £15,000 for worthy charities whilst, for many of you, achieving far more on a bike than you had previously considered possible. Thank you. Despite it, right from the start, only ever intended as a one off event I have been asked by a number of riders about a 2019 repeat. It seems a great pity for what was built up to be dropped and forgotten, however I am unfortunately personally unable to dedicate the next 6 months of my life full time making it happen again. AND SO SW300 IS DEAD! LONG LIVE SW300!!! If any club (or individual) wishes to take over the baton and organise a SW300 2019 event then you do so with my full support and offer of help on the proviso it is not for profit and for the benefit of charity. Out of courtesy I ask you let me know it is your intention to run a SW300 event. I have been invited to join a small private group to ride SW300 over 4 days in 2019 to publicise and promote the the route for tourism. When organising the 2108 24hr event I got a large interest from riders wanting to do the route as a multi-day event and so I hope in 2019, in some small way, to help address this interest. If you are interested in riding the route over 2, 3, 4 or more days or wish advice on route, accommodation etc. please email me on the address below. DISAPPOINTED NOT TO BE DOING A BIG CHALLENGE THIS YEAR? Don’t be! When organising SW300 I sought advice from the organisers of Chase The Sun, an annual free-to-enter event held for the past 10 years in the South of England, and also more recently in Italy. The good news is that this year they will also be holding the event Up North and so they got back in contact with me. I met with them before Xmas when they came up to recce a route and I enlightened them on the suitability of the Borders and Dumfries & Galloway as a location. As a consequence they have settled on Newcastle to Prestwick, 200 miles from sunrise to sunset, on Saturday 22nd June (all 3 locations will be ridden simultaneously) This will be an annual ride and what’s more it is hoped will expand in future years to more locations, all ridden at the same time. The ethos is similar to SW300 in that it is free to enter and has an official charity partner. I hope to help the organisers make this a great event. Details to sign up are here;- <a href="https://www.chasethesun.org" rel="nofollow">https://www.chasethesun.org</a> INSPIRED BY SW300? As mentioned above many who participated in 2018 rode further than they previously thought possible. If doing so has inspired them to take on even yet bigger challenges then I have been asked to mention on here that my friends Esther & Warren will be giving a talk on one of their rides - not so much around Dumfries & Galloway in 24 hours as around the world in 4 years! Tickets, which include 2 course buffet dinner, are available here;- <a href="https://www.selkirkarmshotel.co.uk/news/2018/12/9/selkirk-speakers-supper-club?fbclid=IwAR1xxjYGY2RFegnErbZ62TF5t9Q-w8GfO19rNncpy-_6ojhEw10FpNepfss" rel="nofollow">https://www.selkirkarmshotel.co.uk/news/2018/12/9/selkirk-speakers-supper-club?fbclid=IwAR1xxjYGY2RFegnErbZ62TF5t9Q-w8GfO19rNncpy-_6ojhEw10FpNepfss</a> Keep pedalling and I hope to catch up with many of you in the New Year. Nipper HankChief on "South West 300 Cycle Challenge - 16th June 2018" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18463&page=2#post-285022 Sun, 17 Jun 2018 17:32:19 +0000 HankChief 285022@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Therein lies the problem. The idea was that the ride wouldn't wait for anyone and if you had a problem, you would be passistebd by the mechanic/first aider and then either need ride to the next stop solo or be picked up by the van and transported ahead of riders. It all got off to a bad start when the northern Irish contingent' s ferry was delayed and then they got stuck in the local road closures for the Marches. They started 25mins after everyone else. For the 2nd stage a Glasgow Green rider had a mechanical when a stick flew up and broke a spoke. They were operating under a all for 1 & 1 for all approach. This led to delays in departures but the requirement to all cross the worksite together meant we had no choice but to wait for everyone to arrive. Tricky... gembo on "South West 300 Cycle Challenge - 16th June 2018" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18463&page=2#post-285021 Sun, 17 Jun 2018 16:29:51 +0000 gembo 285021@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ @hankchief, what is the no waiting rule, your reports suggest you did have to wait on the others several times. I read this event was a group ride so I am guessing you were going at pace of slowest person? HankChief on "South West 300 Cycle Challenge - 16th June 2018" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18463&page=2#post-285020 Sun, 17 Jun 2018 16:25:53 +0000 HankChief 285020@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Am now on my Edinbugh bound train. Relieved as I am struggling to stay awake. Got drenched during the 1st couple of hours (flooded roads etc), but it dried off after that only to give us some showers overnight and this morning. I changed into my dry kit at the Mull of Galloway but was waiting outside for a while so put on extra layers but due to the 'no waiting' rule I didn't dare stop to take them off so they got drenched from the inside with sweat (TMI?) The hour we spent at Girvan seafront at 4am was not a warm experience as a result Frenchy on "South West 300 Cycle Challenge - 16th June 2018" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18463&page=2#post-285019 Sun, 17 Jun 2018 16:05:45 +0000 Frenchy 285019@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Well done! Hope you didn't get too wet, either. amir on "South West 300 Cycle Challenge - 16th June 2018" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18463&page=2#post-285013 Sun, 17 Jun 2018 13:49:02 +0000 amir 285013@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Great work! Hope you caught the train HankChief on "South West 300 Cycle Challenge - 16th June 2018" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18463&page=2#post-285011 Sun, 17 Jun 2018 13:19:34 +0000 HankChief 285011@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Finished it. 24 3/4 hours, including a tumble when I tried to take a shortcut on a cycle path and found it full of mud resulting in scratches to the bike & me. Bike speed was fine, too many delays leaving feed stops. gembo on "South West 300 Cycle Challenge - 16th June 2018" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18463&page=2#post-285006 Sun, 17 Jun 2018 07:22:07 +0000 gembo 285006@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Aye would be bad to have to cycle back from Dumfries after already doing 300 miles and no sleep. HankChief on "South West 300 Cycle Challenge - 16th June 2018" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18463&page=2#post-285005 Sun, 17 Jun 2018 04:55:04 +0000 HankChief 285005@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Daybreak in a chilly Girvan and well over an hour down on schedule. Too much time spent at stops and waiting for others so we could go through a railway bridge worksite together without needing to make a large diversion. Just hope I make my train home... HankChief on "South West 300 Cycle Challenge - 16th June 2018" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18463&page=2#post-284962 Sat, 16 Jun 2018 10:11:19 +0000 HankChief 284962@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Bus has arrived. Should be okay. . And is okay Panic over chdot on "South West 300 Cycle Challenge - 16th June 2018" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18463#post-284961 Sat, 16 Jun 2018 10:04:21 +0000 chdot 284961@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Almost certainly unless there are lots of people with lots of luggage (or using buses rather than coaches), but see if you can find someone to phone... HankChief on "South West 300 Cycle Challenge - 16th June 2018" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18463#post-284959 Sat, 16 Jun 2018 09:54:39 +0000 HankChief 284959@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Bus replacement from Carlisle to Dumfries. Will my bike get on? gembo on "South West 300 Cycle Challenge - 16th June 2018" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18463#post-284956 Sat, 16 Jun 2018 09:37:45 +0000 gembo 284956@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ @hankchief I would pray to St Ninian for fair weather if I was you. Mudguards probably good idea. HankChief on "South West 300 Cycle Challenge - 16th June 2018" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18463#post-284951 Sat, 16 Jun 2018 08:34:17 +0000 HankChief 284951@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Today! <gulp> Made my train with only seconds to spare, and was busy fitting mudguards at 11oclock last night. Hopefully I can relax once the ride starts. Updates on Twitter if you are interested on seeing random shots of D&G during this afternoon, tonight & tomorrow morning... Cyclingmollie on "South West 300 Cycle Challenge - 16th June 2018" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18463#post-275408 Sun, 18 Feb 2018 17:05:40 +0000 Cyclingmollie 275408@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ I can only put the “grim” reference down to snobbery towards our ex mining communities I was born in Forth and spent much of my childhood there. I think I can call ex-mining communities grim if I want to. Nipper on "South West 300 Cycle Challenge - 16th June 2018" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18463#post-275394 Sun, 18 Feb 2018 00:19:59 +0000 Nipper 275394@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Delighted to hear it HankChief. You and many others. It was fully booked out from nothing within a couple of weeks or so and has created quite a buzz. The support I have managed to get from the local community has also been absolutely tremendous. Not only do we have a silver band, a fog horn and African drummers voluntarily performing for us at various points along the way but we even have our very own special brewed commemorative SW300 Challenge Ale getting handed out to all finishers. I confess I am a wee bit looking forward to it myself lol. I am originally an outsider to this area and moved here simply because I fell in love with it and I would go so far as to stick my neck out and say that on a sunny day it is imo the best cycling area in the U.K. LWD 2017 was one of the inspirations for this ride and they are similar in a number of ways including the ethos of riding as a team for mutual benefit. I suspect it was a one off event, unless someone else takes on the organisation, as I understand it left the organiser somewhat out of pocket. It was a great event though and I both enjoyed it and am proud of my achievement. It managed to raise £5,000 for C.H.A.S. and as much again for other charities (I personally raised over £1,000 for C.R.U.K. doing it). It had 55 riders signed up, 22 turn up and, after the Cairngorms, only 12 before 2 rejoined at the next rest stop and 14 finish. I have planned shorter stages, put in more rest stops and avoided the Cairngorms, beautiful as they are, to hopefully improve upon this attrition rate. The regimented timetable is required to keep things on track to achieve the target of completion within 24 hours. Yes, some form of training wouldn’t go amiss - it’s too late for me to pull out now.... HankChief on "South West 300 Cycle Challenge - 16th June 2018" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18463#post-275392 Sat, 17 Feb 2018 22:33:05 +0000 HankChief 275392@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Nipper, I'm really looking forward to it. It's not a part of the world I'm that familiar with and whilst the Long Way Down does appeal the logistics are off putting. I like the idea of a fairly regimented timetable and everyone striving for the same goal. Just need to get some form of training going again... Nipper on "South West 300 Cycle Challenge - 16th June 2018" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18463#post-275391 Sat, 17 Feb 2018 21:54:49 +0000 Nipper 275391@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ The view from the top on the descent into Gatehouse from Lauriston is breathtaking if that's the way you went (you possibly took this road in the other direction?). The SW300 route does go through Gatehouse. Yes the short section of the A75 is indeed grim, but at least it is short. For those taking a leisurely pootle the NCR7 offers a cycle path alternative along the disused railway line (lovely views across the Solway towards Wigtown) and single track road beside Kirroughtree 7Stanes. gembo on "South West 300 Cycle Challenge - 16th June 2018" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18463#post-275385 Sat, 17 Feb 2018 20:14:40 +0000 gembo 275385@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Hi nipper, ta for detail. We did a 100 miler around St. John's town of Dalry, taking castle Douglas and Newton Stewart, my favouiite was gatehouse of fleet. Was quite grim for about two miles after Newton Stewart on main carriageway but then swung in through the forest back to Dalry and it was great though tough. All the best Nipper on "South West 300 Cycle Challenge - 16th June 2018" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18463#post-275384 Sat, 17 Feb 2018 19:50:03 +0000 Nipper 275384@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Hi, I’m the guy organising this wee Jolly Thank’s for the independent feedback, however please allow me to respond and correct some misinformation;- The route is a more cycle friendly version of the South West Coastal 300 Driving Route and uses a variety of roads, where possible minor. Indeed, once past Newton Stewart during the event it is possible we may not be passed by more than about 12 cars in the following 12 hours to New Cumnock. This route has much lighter traffic than the NC500, now so popular with cyclists, that the South West Coastal Driving Route attempts to be D&Gs answer to. I agree D&G has a huge network of rural roads. I am lucky enough to ride them daily and where appropriate I have incorporated them. The route passes the aforementioned Garlieston however the Queen’s Way and Glentrool are not in the right location to be included. The latter two are indeed very lovely areas (I used to own a holiday home in Glentrool and currently live at the end of the Queen’s Way so know them extremely well) but would not go so far as to describe them as “the best bits” - indeed most of this route I would consider as their equivalent albeit there is great variety in the stunning scenery throughout. I can only put the “grim” reference down to snobbery towards our ex mining communities as the Ayrshire countryside itself is beautiful and the B741 Girvan to New Cumnock reasonably remote (and yes I also know this extremely well as I lived in that county for 17 years). Beautiful countryside, of course, is in the eye of the beholder. This ride is indeed in groups. The maximum number of riders in a group will be around 30, as agreed with the police, for logistical and safety reasons, with faster and slower groups. There are rest stops every couple of hours to allow stragglers to catch back up and ensure regular fuelling and hydration. I have just over 100 signed up but it is unrealistic to expect all to turn up on the day. I rode Lang Way Doon last year and I agree it was logistically harder, starting and finishing as it does at opposite ends of the country. I cycled to the start on the North coast and back from the finish on the England border, thereby doing a circuit of Scotland over a week. With the SW300 starting and finishing at the same place at midday it instead takes up only a weekend, allowing the car to be left at the start for return. That is not to say I wouldn’t recommend LWD - quite the opposite. I consider myself very privileged to have done it. I can also recommend the KM Rally as well as D&GCTC weekly group rides (I used to be D&GCTC Group Secretary, which included promoting these - as well as Cycling Dumfries rides...) which make the most of this beautiful area. They are however all “short” gentle 3 or 4 hour rides as opposed to 24 hour “long distance endurance challenges” and therefore offer a completely different experience to this event. I suspect those commenting above less enthusiastically about SW300 would find these events more suitable. This event is not trying to be all things to all people and is not for the faint hearted - it’s horses for courses. I agree some D&G road surfaces leave a lot to be desired. 25mm tyres are good advice. That said I rode 16,000 miles last year, mostly in D&G and mostly on 23s I agree Girvan at 3am sounds “interesting” and I hope it is - all part of life’s experience and part of the fun and memories of the ride. This is a unique and challenging event and I very much look forward to meeting HankChief and edinburgh87 and everyone else for a free to enter great ride, some great craic and live entertainment along the way, all whilst raising money for C.R.U.K. and C.H.A.S. amongst other charities. <a href="https://sw3004.wixsite.com/southwest300" rel="nofollow">https://sw3004.wixsite.com/southwest300</a> amir on "South West 300 Cycle Challenge - 16th June 2018" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18463#post-270138 Tue, 19 Dec 2017 09:46:29 +0000 amir 270138@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ must admit the thought of a 3am transit of Girvan per the ride overview sounds 'interesting!' That's the intermediate sprint rider73 on "South West 300 Cycle Challenge - 16th June 2018" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18463#post-270137 Tue, 19 Dec 2017 09:31:30 +0000 rider73 270137@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ D&G is pretty good for cycling - however 2 things 1- it can rain 2- some road surfaces leave a lot to be desired as do some cattle grids - so use your 25's (at least) there is plenty of cake stops, and lest we not forget the awesome Cream O Galloway ice cream center. *THAT* will restore your glycogen levels ;) edinburgh87 on "South West 300 Cycle Challenge - 16th June 2018" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18463#post-270106 Mon, 18 Dec 2017 21:44:16 +0000 edinburgh87 270106@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ @cyclingmollie / hankchief - must admit the thought of a 3am transit of Girvan per the ride overview sounds 'interesting!' sallyhinch on "South West 300 Cycle Challenge - 16th June 2018" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18463#post-270083 Mon, 18 Dec 2017 16:55:16 +0000 sallyhinch 270083@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ If people want to experience D&G cycling in a completely different fashion, I can highly recommend the KM rally which the local CTC group run every other year, usually at the end of May. 4 days of mostly quite pootling cycling (depending on which rides you choose), plentiful stops for cake, almost all on back roads. Cyclops on "South West 300 Cycle Challenge - 16th June 2018" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18463#post-270077 Mon, 18 Dec 2017 16:04:42 +0000 Cyclops 270077@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ 300 miles in one big group of 100 riders? You'll be lucky if the group numbers 10 by the finish as people climb and descend differently, have highs and lows at different points, etc. etc. There's a reason UAF audax events are limited to about 20 riders and stick to flat routes. steveo on "South West 300 Cycle Challenge - 16th June 2018" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18463#post-270065 Mon, 18 Dec 2017 15:03:24 +0000 steveo 270065@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Thanks all. Helpful as ever. Sarcasm? :D HankChief on "South West 300 Cycle Challenge - 16th June 2018" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18463#post-270060 Mon, 18 Dec 2017 14:40:18 +0000 HankChief 270060@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Thanks all. Helpful as ever. @Edinburgh87 - I may see you on the start line... They've said they're limiting to 100 riders which still seems quite a lot if we are expected to ride in a group and keep to 20mins stops... I did fancy the Long Way Doon which would have more varied scenery but is logistically harder and I can't see any word of a massed attempt at it this year. Cyclingmollie on "South West 300 Cycle Challenge - 16th June 2018" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18463#post-270051 Mon, 18 Dec 2017 13:43:16 +0000 Cyclingmollie 270051@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ our huge network of tiny little empty rural roads Yes, Sallyhinch, we stayed for a week in Garlieston and the cycling was excellent. Loads of recommended routes - all signposted. For me the problem with that route is that it circumvents the best bits - Glentrool Forest Park and the Queen's Way and then includes a pretty grim linking section through Dalmelington New Cumnock etc. steveo on "South West 300 Cycle Challenge - 16th June 2018" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18463#post-270012 Mon, 18 Dec 2017 10:31:11 +0000 steveo 270012@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Done the climb into Wanlockhead a million million years ago on a rigid mtb having spent a few hours messing around in the hills near there.