Thanks amir. The Snow Roads will be quite an adventure. Looking forward to it.
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Events, rides etc.
Audax & sportive 2018
(181 posts)-
Posted 6 years ago #
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Enjoy the Snow Roads, everyone!
Posted 6 years ago # -
Congratulations & Welcome to 'The Club', Cyclingmollie, a solo DIY 400 is some feat! How did you get on? I'm just going to look through Strava for it...
OK, good route choice, a nice mix of hills and plains. How did you find the ride? How was your mental state on the ride? It takes a little getting used to your own company.
I'll be helping on the Snow Roads at Braemar, look me out when you arrive, it would be nice to say hello. Don't worry about the Snow Roads (if you are) if you can tackle a Solo DIY 400 you'll be fine. The only biggy if the Cairn o Mount and that is at the start.
Dave C
Posted 6 years ago # -
Setting the Scene. (sorry this is a little long!)
A couple of years ago I wanted to ride the 'Ride To The Sun' (RttS) and also a Solo 400 around the same time. I'd ridden the old Berwick & Beattock Audax before, so knew I could modify the route slightly to follow the crowd back from Carlisle. Last year I rode a DIY400 to Stonehaven and back with a friend, so this season my DIY 400 had to be different. With the RttS coming up, I figured I'd resurrect my 2016 400.
Here is my route: https://www.strava.com/activities/1659147062
I got up at 4:30am, 30 mins after I set my alarm. I had no reason to rush and set off at 5am. The forcaste had said 8 degrees C overnight but the temperature felt lower and I didn't remove my long sleeve jersey until Berwick. Through Edinburgh and continuing on some familiar roads I crawled up Redstane Rig and over the Lammermuirs to Berwick upon Tweed. The wind was all over the place. It was officially blowing from SSW and I got some SW tailish winds but a lot of head and side winds also. I guess the nooks and crannies of the borders do that for you.
A friend from the borders had tipped me off to a nice place outside Berwick at the Garden Centre in East Ord, thanks Russell! After breakfast, I rode over the Union Bridge. I have seen it in pictures but it looks even more lovely close up. Then up and onto the B6461 road, north of the Tweed to Kelso. This road runs roughly parallel to the A698 but is very much quieter and the surface is nice.
I only stopped in Kelso town centre for water from the bicycle shop before continuing on. From Kelso, I rode north of the Teviot to Hawick for late lunch. This takes you through Roxburgh, a nice village where there is an old viaduct you can cross for great views. After crossing the A68 at Ancrum, I took a really quiet road with good tree cover from the head winds, again north of the river, Teviot, passing Denholm.
In Hawick I found Subway (my usual haunt) closed and a distinct lack of inviting looking cafes. But I found the Cinema open and searving food, so had a Jacket Spud and coffee. From Hawick I rode up the second climb of the day (B6399) to Newcastleton. I always wonder why there isn't a national push to pave disused railway lines as the route from Hawick to Newcastleton could be so much prettier if the old line was opened to cyclists like the Tissington Trail in Derbyshire. They could open small cafes along the way and invite tourists. But I digress.
From Newcastleton I took the Bewcastle road which although not as level as the B6367, has some newly laid tarmac, over the hill at Easton and onto the A7 at Blackford to Carlisle. I have ridden a few different ways in the past, from Newcastleton to Carlisle, and tried a number of ways, not finding the nirvana yet. The A7 is flat but poorly surfaced and busy.
Into Carlisle for ~17:30, I went for the obvious easy diner at Asda but suffered having to stand outside eating my Rice Pudding out of a can with no Spork (mental not to put Spork back in bag), must find a place to sit down next time.
On to Bits Park for the meet up. Then after joining some cyclists I rode up to Longtown, Gretna, Moffat for a fish supper. This is along the A7076 which is a little monotonous but generally quiet. Chips in Moffat were cheap as .... well.. chips!
Leaving Moffat I joined a couple of slower cyclists for a slow grind up the Devil's Beeftub to a surreal Rave at the Crook Inn. My muscles in my rear end were complaining and I didn't want to fly up the road like 2016 and die a death from spinning too much.
From Crook Inn, down to Broughton on a terrible surface! This section is unknown, well reasonable unknown to me so felt like for ever... Eventually into Peniculk where both tyres pinch flattened on the terrible road surface, as you arrive at the foot of a long drop into the town.Finally with the light rising, we headed to Edinburgh, collecting stragglers along the way. I am surprised at the number of cyclists who rode the event with no navigational aids, and then went round in circles in Edinburgh looking for Cramond, like it was 100m north of Lothian Road!
Instead of following the organised route, I took the small but merry group of cyclists down Yeaman Place, and onto the cycle path at Russell Road. We left the path at Silverknowes and dropped onto the Prom for a nice seaside bimble to the Flagpole and Cramond. Cramond and the finish, 420km done.
The only thing left to do was ride the last 20km home for a shower and sleep.
Posted 6 years ago # -
Thanks for that Dave. Your own ride was impressive and I have stolen it to refer to in future route planning. I will look out for you at the Snow Roads.
One long description deserves another - you did ask!
Riding a 400 solo had some advantages: I could stop when I liked and go at my own pace. But then I had no-one to talk to or sit behind into the wind (and it was very windy).
I'd arranged to do this with amir +1 who came up with the route two weeks ago but I'd been ill. So a big thank you to him for that. I'd recommend this route with perhaps a couple of changes if ridden midweek. It has three long, gradual climbs.
I started in Musselburgh at 5am, went over the FRB and through Culross to Stirling. This bit was pretty good. Only occasional busy roads and lots of cycle paths. Culross was beautiful. I stopped at a service station near Alloa. Rush hour through Bridge of Allan wasn't as bad as I'd expected.
Beyond Braco it was windy. I reached Comrie at 11am. Picnic by the river. The route went through Crieff and up the Sma' Glen which was like a wind tunnel. At this point I began to feel that I wasn't as recovered from my illness as I had thought and I had to stop a couple of times. A low point.
Strathbraan was better and I felt much happier by Dunkeld. I took a detour to see Rumbling Bridge: a narrow bridge over a chasm and waterfall. Lunch at the Birnam Arts Institute was lovely.
After Blairgowrie the main roads were too busy to enjoy. My inner stoic was summoned for this bit, especially after Forfar (Tesco) when the noisy, busy, dilapidated main road went uphill, into the wind.
Roadside picnic near Newtyle and all was well again. View of the Angus glens, Beinn a'Ghlo, Shiehallion etc. After Perth (Tesco) and the Glenfarg climb, the tailwind and sense of getting closer to home raised my spirits enormously and I had a huge grin on my face as I re-crossed the FRB. Last stop before Musselburgh was at the Co-op in Kinross. Reaching this co-op before it closed at 10pm was about the only deadline I had set myself. I needed lots of bottled water all day.
Night fell as I passed through Dameny. From there to Musselburgh was lit by street lights. Easy stuff. I got home about 11.30pm, had beans on toast and a mug of tea, two hours sleep and went back out. The tailwind was still blowing and I saw the sunrise over the Bass Rock about an hour later. I rode slowly back home along the old A1.
This is the route on Ride with GPS. I rode it as a Mandatory DIY by GPS using two tracking methods. And here's the Strava activity with photos.
Posted 6 years ago # -
Great rides both @cyclingmollie and @DaveC, great to read the write-ups as well. And well done to all those who did RTTS as well
Posted 6 years ago # -
These 400km plus audaxes are audacious.
Posted 6 years ago # -
Yes, great write-ups.
@cyclingmollie: I enjoyed reading about the downs as well as the ups.
@DaveC: I can recommend the Damascus Drum cafe in Hawick although it might be a bit too inviting if books are your thing.
I did RttS with a friend and was pleasantly surprised that it felt easier than anticipated given I'd not covered that distance in a long time. I was also surprised at the number of cyclists riding the event with no lights/overtaking on the inside/hurtling past very close on the outside. I've just remembered that what I assume was the BBC journalist asked me where my helmet was when she cycled past!
Posted 6 years ago # -
Nice writeups folks
Posted 6 years ago # -
Audaxes need more space (to write) than sportives.
Write ups are exhausting to read (in a good way).
Need a 'Long Audax' thread, though for most if it's not long it's not worth doing?RttS sounded much more 'have a go'. Surprised to hear about lack of lights etc.
Posted 6 years ago # -
“Surprised to hear about lack of lights”
Me too, though perhaps lights but not LIGHTS?
Apart from legality and personal safety, surely people wouldn’t be relying on keeping pace with others with lights or cloudless skies delivering enough light through the night??
Posted 6 years ago # -
I found RttS had a mix of lighting, everything from 'Is that a forestry truck behind me' to 'Obviously you eat a lot of carrots'. Loved the folk with fairy lights on their bikes and a couple of riders with what looked like halos! Being paranoid about running out of power, I kept my light on medium and managed to avoid the worst of the potholes. Next time I'll go on the cross bike though.
Posted 6 years ago # -
Lucy the Adventure Show's new presenter (maybe) was jolly, and it was fun watching her chat to the camera and re do it, and re do it again.... She has ridden a few Ironmans I was told by the guy I know who kind of ran the shooting. She carried very little, but I suppose she had 2 back up vehicles.
There was a mix of lights as Mondo suggested. I spotted a few riders following their mate as their mate had a front light. :o( I spoke to a small number as we entered Edinburgh who had not clue about where Cramond was, and had obviously followed the crowd that far. But as it was getting light as we entered the city boundary, it was late on, and riders were as expected spread out.
But in the end we are all adults. This is a suggested ride of individuals, which is why there is no charge, and no insurance or back up guaranteed or implied. I tend not to tut at riders now, as they get themselves into trouble and then have to get themselves out of it.
We did stop briefly in Ecclefechan as one chap had a problem with his hub, but we could not repair it and the rider I was with did say after we had left, he did think some riders had not done much maintenance of their bikes before this ride, which would get them into trouble.
Posted 6 years ago # -
Reminds me of my first time out on Pedal for Scotland - I got chatting to a large gent on a £49.99 Tesco Special MTB who looked to be struggling badly. He seemed shocked the ride wasn't along the towpath but had trained hard anyway. A 9 mile ride the week before and a 5 mile ride to work...
Posted 6 years ago # -
"I was also surprised at the number of cyclists riding the event with no lights/overtaking on the inside/hurtling past very close on the outside. "
Yeah I experienced a bit of that when I did RttS. Also a fair few team peletons, some with support vehicles where they stopped for coffee, tyre top-ups, etc. OTOH it was an enjoyable ride and I'd do it again.
Posted 6 years ago # -
Not this year. Very few pelotons. Lots of lights. Only cars were those linked to the organisers
Posted 6 years ago # -
Snow Roads: cyclingmollie and I survived. DaveC fantastic at Braemar control
Posted 6 years ago # -
Snow Roads rock! Well done.
Posted 6 years ago # -
Yes Hearty congratulations to those hardy souls who rode the Snow Roads. The temperature topped low 30s at points. There was a fair southerly wind by all accounts, and we had a few riders DNF (Did not finish) at the Braemar control. Fortunately we had enough drivers and vehicles to transport everyone back to Kirrie who required a lift.
I do hope Alex continues this event as it is a spectacular ride.
Posted 6 years ago # -
Thanks Dave, you were a sight for sore eyes at Braemar. I heard about this event from watching Dougie Vipond tackle it on the Adventure Show. It's not held every year so this year was my chance to try it. It really is spectacular as you say Dave. Thanks again to @amir for the lift, couldn't have managed without it as the Kirriemuir start isn't easy to reach by public transport. I like to think that I didn't so much hold you up as moderate your pace to something more sustainable in the circumstances. It was one of the hardest things I've ever done - new respect for the drummer. I wish that episode was still available online.
Posted 6 years ago # -
What is the 'drummer'? The Pass of Drumochter?
Posted 6 years ago # -
IWRATS "What is the 'drummer'?...."
:D
Dougie Vipond - Drummer of Deacon Blue...
Posted 6 years ago # -
Ah yes. I saw his Strathpuffer efforts and concluded that he was at least partly nails.
Posted 6 years ago # -
Yeah massive thanks to DaveC for the lift back from Tomintoul where I had to pack due to the effects of the heat. Disappointed as I really wanted to complete this iconic ride and live to tell tales of BH1, BH2 and the rest. I hope the event is run again so I get a chance to complete unfinished business.
I was feeling fine and going well earlier, but started overheating between Dufftown and Tomintoul, and I should probably have eaten more earlier too. Well done to all who struggled on and made it round - great effort.
Posted 6 years ago # -
Sounds like it was even hotter than the year I did the Snow Roads - and that year I got comedy sunburn on one side of my face. It is indeed a spectacular ride, and one of the most memorable (and hardest) things I've done.
Posted 6 years ago # -
The section from Dufftown to Tomintoul was the hardest @panyagua
Posted 6 years ago # -
Notes to self. Always take the big light on a 300 just case. And take a spare jumper (it was a very chilly last 30 miles)
Posted 6 years ago # -
I was at the community centre in Kirrie doing a mini snow roads almost ten years back now. THe same organisers, we left with the snow roaders, or a little later but they had Cairn O'Mount twice I think we had it once and up the easy way. Maybe the route has changed or maybe I got the twice bit wrong. Anyway we were back early, had our lovely showers and food and then left well befor first snow roaders returned. That year you could kip on the community centre floor and do another shorter 100 miler to Dunning on the sunday. It was called The Dunning Done In.
The organisers are friendly, helpful and very good bakers.
The year we did it the parents of a young adult who I think had additional support needs laid on the food at Stonehaven in memory of how the Cycling Club had taken the guy under their wing. Which was several forms of kindness. Fond Memories
Posted 6 years ago # -
At Panyaqua. Mate, I plan to ride it as a Perm on a free weekend. Fancy another shot?
Posted 6 years ago # -
@DaveC - I'd be up for that, yes. Definitely unfinished business there. Rest of July is out due to hols and other commitments but would 18th August be any good?
Posted 6 years ago #
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