2010 Plan

The plan for 2010 is to attempt a Randonneur Round the Year (200 for 12 consecutive months) and to do another Super Randonneur series (200, 300, 400, 600).

The RRtY was my original and only plan for 2010. The SR came only because, for some bizarre reason, I want to do the Bryan Chapman 600 again. For that you need to build up by cycling a 300 and a 400. I'm on the same trajectory as the Fabulous Faccombe Four, so it can't be helped :). Then the second half of the year is when the FNRttC comes into play. One of the rides I am most looking forward to, is the FNRttC to Dieppe. The plan is stop over in Le Treport and the next day, cycle to my parent's place in Rumbeke (Belgium).

09 Jan: The Poor Student 200 - NOT DONE due to ice/snow

23 Jan: The Willy Warmer 200 - DONE

27 Feb: The Kennet Valley Run 200 - with the Faccombe Four - DONE

27 Mar: The Dean 300 - DONE

16 Apr: FNRttS - DONE

24 Apr: The Severn Across 400 - DONE

15 May: The Bryan Chapman 600 - with the Faccombe Four - DONE

28 May: FNRttC Whitstable - NOT DONE

19 June: Brussels - Paris - Brussels 600 - DONE

25 Jun: FNRttC Bognor Regis - DONE

15 Jul: FNRttC Dieppe - onto Rumbeke!! 200 DIY - DONE

12 Aug: The Severn to Wye 200 PERM - DONE

14 Aug: The Radnor Roundabout 100 - DONE

27 Aug: FNRttC Whitstable - DONE

19 Sep: The William the Conkerer - DONE

02 Oct: The Upper Tea 200 - NOT DONE - The Anfractuous 200 instead

22 Oct: FNRttC Whitstable - DONE

06 Nov: The Upper Thames - not planned but DONE

19 Nov: FNRttC Brighton - NOT DONE due to holidays

The South Bucks Winter Warmer 200

I had a pair of devils sitting on each shoulder during early parts of this ride! Each shoulder pair would argue amongst themselves, working out what would get to me the most: "She doesn't need to do this - its not going towards an SR or anything!". From the other side: "She could be sitting at home, warm, dog on lap, writing Christmas cards." Then the cross-departmental arguments would start: "Above all, what is the point cycling in lovely country side when its dark at 4PM and you can't see anything".

My motivation had been a bit lacking, and I had promised myself beforehand that I needn't cycle in the rain yet again. To set off with those thoughts is never good. Fortunately, it didn't last long. As soon as I told the devils that I was going to get to the first control at least, they had gone.

I'm pleased I did it - as always, I never regret doing a ride. The support the riders were giving each other was extraordinary. I loved the peleton forming in Twyford. It was reminiscent of FNRttC as we were going over the weir. Before that I had a good run with Terry and his mate (Brian?). I heard Terry's mate say at some point: "There is nothing I would rather be doing". I had to agree with him - despite the devils' acrobatics earlier on.

I haven't quite got the hang of the GPS yet, but it was a great help nevertheless. Terry and his mate were expert routesheet readers. And if there was a hint of hesitation, at least I could contribute something and shout out: "Yes, its right here!". When I was on my own, I gradually relied more and more on the GPS. But I must do a short Richmond Park ride to explore the best way to use the GPS.

Another bit I liked was the approach to Bisley - home of the National Shooting Centre. You could hear the shooting from a long way away. When we cycled around the ground, I was amazed by the enormous distance the targets are set at.

Haslemere had the High Street closed off for the Christmas Market. There was quite an atmosphere there. I tried not to look or smell the lovely smells of baking, toffee, mulled wine ...

Pete

Terry

Audax receipt? No problem.

FNRttC - Brighton

Why are rides completed in horrendous weather always more epic?

It wasn't too bad really. We started and finished in dry weather. Just the hours in between were a bit wet. It had also stopped raining as we left the halfway spot at the cabin, so that lifted the spirits. But I must quote something posted by mistral on CycleChat: "I had to drive a relative home last night, the rain was heavy the roads awash and visibility difficult, it was only then that I realised just how insane we had been on Friday". That is exactly how I felt when Sarah and I drove back to London on Saturday evening. When we came across a horrible accident on the M25, it wasn't funny anymore.

What an impressive group of riders, though. Simon gave a bail out option at some point (it was a night of many firsts!), explaining that Gatwick was only a couple of miles away for a train back to London ... nobody answered. How brilliant! And the group was quite diverse, from experienced long distance riders to people who've never cycled more than 40 miles (the forum quotes 7 miles - is that really true?).

Hats of to "The Cabin Cafe" establishment in Faygate. It has a reputation as a good truckers' stop and voted by The Times as "the purveyors of one of the best bacon butties in England". Its quite true. How often do you need a steak knife to cut a bacon buttie. That is not because its tough, but because its so big. At first I didn't understand why chef kept shouting and pointing to one of the tables: "Knifes are in the middle". And what a mess we made! The floor resembled that of the showers after a rugby game.

The other thing that was a first was Simon getting a puncture! What an impressive puncture with the sound of a fire cracker being set off, I could see a cartoon animation going on in front of my eyes. I failed to find an image to illustrate what I mean, but found this little gem: Clicky (then click on the i to view in large screen).

The route was new too. And I enjoyed it very much. The highlight was Tunnel Road in Reigate.

We were able to shelter from the rain for a bit, and it was a good spot for keeks to repair his puncture. There is a whole load of history behind these vaults, wouldn't mind visiting one day: Clicky.

And all of the Faccombe Five were there! And Hummers. That made for excellent closure to the cycling season. Shame for them, that it was one of the worst FNRttC, weather wise. Still, think of BCM 2009 and everything is relative.

I'm getting a bit of hassle from Sarah right now ("We have nothing of a Friday evening because you're messing with your bike, you're out cycling all night, sleep all Saturday (oh not true!) and blog all Sunday (oh, not true either!) ... it's stopped raining now, you should be out doing things"). Cycling maybe? Ouch! So better tell her I've finished, and then I'll sneak some more words in later on. Cheerio for now.

... I'm back.

On Saturday, I was very tired and felt like I had done a 300km audax. Maybe that's the bike. I used my racer again, first time since March. It is a lovely bike to ride, but I always feel like I've played a game of rugby with aching muscles and my shoulders and neck very stiff.

I did not envy urban_biker, LEE and Chillmoister cycling home against the wind. I only had to cycle to Seven Dials (seeing Hummers on the way) and was glad to be able to enter a warm house, had a shower, a coffee and a snooze. As I woke up, a lovely lunch was laid on. I was thinking of the guys cycling home, hoping they would see sense (which they did), and was also thinking how otherwise I would be sitting on the train with soaking wet feet.

Thanks to Simon, who is the generator of the FNRttC magic. Thanks to the TECs and all the riders for contributing to the magic.

Some other thoughts:

• the Christmas lights on Sloane Square, very impressive, almost an art installation
• me not getting a puncture on a FNRttC!!!
• the mince pies, hip flask, cakes, hot chocolate etc being shared
• looking forward to seeing photos taken by the others:

by Arthur: Clicky

by LEE: Clicky

by Mista Preston: Clicky

My pictures on the slide show till the next ride or here: Clicky

Hanwell to Hanwell DIY 200

Yesterday was quite tough and I was pleased to finish. It was a grey-ish day, but without too much rain or wind.

Cycling from Hanwell (London) to Hanwell (Banbury) and back was something I had to do, but not to be repeated I would think, at least not on a weekday. Most of the ride had a rushed feel about it. I put it down to the traffic. There was the commuting traffic: everybody in a rush and driving wishing they were already further. And there was the school run traffic: mums in a rush and hunting for a car park. Why can't 11th November be a public holiday as in Belgium? And in between, it was also rushed, because I knew that the ride was 'over distance' (more about DIYs later), and I didn't have much time buffer.

A highlight was the use of the GPS for the first time. I wouldn't have made it without it, not in time anyway. Apart from the navigation, a GPS is like a loyal friend. After a long stretch, you look down, and there is its, still with you, showing you were you are.

This is the elevation profile, one way.

The advantage of this DIY is that I can get out of the door and start cycling. And of course, after finishing also, just get a receipt somewhere and then 2 minutes and I'm home. Normally, I would have an hours drive home.

Hanwell, Banbury, is a lovely old village with stone buildings. I didn't do it any justice. It would be worth going back to visit the 12th century church. There is "Hanwell Castle" also. I mentioned Hanwell to a few local friends and we might visit Hanwell together sometime next year. It was also recounted how deliveries to the old pub (name?) on St Margarets Rd used to end up in Oxfordshire.

Amazing to think that only 65km further you'd be in Birmingham!

Some more pictures on the slideshow till the next ride or here: Clicky

FNRttS October 2009 - Oxford

Once rogerzilla posted that he could no longer lead the group due to illness, it was always going to be more than the adventure you anticipated. Arriving by train in Oxford at 23:30, two cyclists were already waiting. They were Grub and Chocolatebike. Then Adam, Kevin and teethgrinder arrived. Kevin was on the last train from London, so we didn't expect many more to turn up. Rather, we wondered how many people would have talked themselves out of doing this. Its Friday evening, you might have had a hard week, you've finished your evening meal of cyclist's pasta, couldn't resist the glass of wine ... put the telly on for half an hour, getting cozy, check YACF ... oh ... rogerzilla will not be there, darn, won't be the same without him. Half an hour later, ... I don't have to do this ... who wants to cycle in the dark on a Friday night anyway. But I was like Grub, I can't imagine the weekend without having done this. It would be my first FNRttS and it would be the last FNRttS of the year.

We set off soon after midnight, and one of the big differences compared with FNRttC is that you are out of town soooo quickly. All of a sudden it was dark and quiet and we were living it, the FNRttS. I also soon realised that this was going to be a good workout for me. Fortunately, I was able to keep up on the flat, helped with a bit of drafting. The steep hills were quite short, so the wait was never too long (I hope!).

We had a wonderful moment when we stopped, looking at the clear sky full of stars. Heard a dog barking, but that was drowned out by tawny/little owls? Maybe both? We often hear this on rides, but this was so clear and close by.

Another moment I loved was the way we would bend around the roundabouts, in formation, well lit up, fast. At least it was a great experience from the back of the line!

Roadrunner was the Tourist Tony equivalent. Quite amazing really, how there are people who are willing to cater for cyclists in the middle of the night, make tea/crumpets/tea. Teethgrinder had a quick kip while we were sitting around the table. And then there was a knock on the door. MattC wasn't phased by not finding us at the planned meeting point, and somehow managed to find roadrunner's house. (I'm getting closer to buying a GPS now!).

Because of the small group, we didn't have the re-grouping time we have on the FNRttC when I usually take some pictures. Here, I would just about have the camera ready and ... lets go. Got one very blurred one of Grub though, you can tell its Grub, no?

I peeled off at Greenford. Its so close to home. But next time I'll continue with the group. Having breakfast with the group is part of it. And cycling back from Paddington/Acton is no hardship. Compare that with Grub's return cycling journey to somewhere further west from Oxford (was it Pewsey - Wiltshire?). Respect!

So thanks again to everybody for making it a great night. Thanks for the navigation, the company, and the 'midnight' snacks.

The Anfractuous 200

And this was another excellent ride. Have a look at the pictures on the slideshow, on till the next ride, or here.

It wasn't an easy ride. There was quite a headwind for a while and I was already tired after 90km. Its the first time I used my lights again, the days getting shorter. I want to carry on doing 200s during the winter. But I think hard 100s would be more enjoyable in a way. I love ridding in the dark when its a dedicated night ride, but I don't like riding in the dark so much at the end of a 200.

LEL 2009 - La Grande Vadrouille

'Yes', I would answer to the question 'Is this your first LEL?'. By Tuesday, I would answer: 'No, this is my ONLY LEL!'.

How can they tell anyway, why don't they ask 'How many LELs have you done?'. Is it my new bright white road cycling shoes? Don't think so, because they were covered with old black tatty water-non-proof overshoes most of the time.

Getting closer to Edinburgh also, there was a farmer repairing a section of a dry wall. He peeped over and said: 'Is this some sort of endurance event?'. Why? Is it because I am cycling sooo slowly and my head is sunken between my shoulders? Or is it the 'I'm OK for now, but I'm braced for what lies around the corner' look in my eyes.

Jeeezzzz! This was tough. The thought of giving up must just not enter your head. On the way back to Alston, in that horrible weather, it would even have been dangerous to stop for a while, mentally and physically. When my riding companion, Mansfeld (? spelling), stopped to change GPS batteries, I indicated that I would ride on slowly. I was worried I would cool down too quickly and so make it even more miserable for myself. I never thought of giving up, but on that night I wanted it to finish so badly.

The highlight was on the same day though! The section going east from Eskdalemuir to Edinburgh, with a tailwind and the sun out, was wonderful!! Beautiful scenery, excellent cycling.

It was here where I rode with John Spooner for a while and chatted with the Italians. On top of their voices they would explain who John is to them (and to a lot of us!): el numero uno! el capitan! el padre! el legend! In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti, Amen! Poor John, he only wants to ride his bike! Anyway, we were on top of the world!! Life couldn't be better.

And I had developed my CDs, my Cancellara Descents (If you don't know about Fabian Cancellara watch this with the sound on Clicky). I was loving it. Descending in Cancellara style, cutting corners, ducking under overhangs, sweeping across the country side [ehem, yes, take it with a pinch of salt!]. It entertained me over Yad Moss on the way back. The rain, nor the climbs were bothering me - I would be looking forward to a CD instead! High speed descents, the back wheel would morph into a ski-like contraption so as to push into the corners more, shwish left, shwish right, duck, occasionally don't take the corner, but jump right ahead onto a platform positioned perfectly to bounce off and then re-join the road. Extra points for splatting sheep on the way. My hands got cold at some point and I decided that I was so gifted (get that tonne of salt out again!) that I could do a CD while putting my gloves on. On reflection, I thought even Cancellara wouldn't be so stupid and what with hallucinations and all that, if I don't snap out of this, I would end up like a splatted sheep myself. Forgive me Elise (my parents pet sheep).

But Cancellara! Watch out! PaulD is about! He led in a trail of riders through the Hertford-Cheshunt urban areas at dizzling speed, in the dark, in built up areas, cars on both sides ... I had forgotten about my CDs for a while, then this brought it all back to me in magnified form. If Cancellara was the Yad Moss level, we now have the new PaulD elite urban obstical level. Thanks Paul for leading us in, that was great fun!

On the last day, we knew it was going to be flat, bar the last Hertfordshire bit. Those long flat sections without CDs allow your mind to wonder, especially as the weather was getting better. I was starting to reflect, gather my thoughts about LEL, what I liked, what I didn't like, how I need to learn to take pictures while riding... Then I found myself as if in the Truman Show where the man above decided to wipe the smile off my face and poured a load of freshly made hail all over us. This was in Sleaford. And we would be treated to the odd shower till about 3 hours from the finish.
One thing I had been wondering about was a sentence in the Rider Information Sheet: "On completion of LEL, a final basic sandwich and hot drink will be issued with the removal of your brevet card at the end of the event. After this, food is not available from LEL. " I had been wondering what a 'basic sandwich' is. A sandwich is already pretty basic, unless you go for the open seafood/charcutery platter type sandwich in a bistro. And how is a sandwich 'issued'? 'The removal of your brevet card' was also something that left me wondering whether I had already done something wrong. I'm not a Scroobius Pip with words, but I would rephrase that paragraph with something like this:

"Congratulations on finishing LEL! When you are ready (sure you want to do a few high fives and knuckle handshakes with your cycling buddies first!), please hand in your brevet card for validation. Help yourself to sandwiches and drinks and if you would like to start celebrating your achievement, then the bar upstairs will be open.

Never ate the basic sandwich, but the bottle of beer was a delightful surprise in the lunch bag!
But Audaxers don't expect frilly language like that. On the routesheet for example, we don't expect to read:

"On approaching the T-junction, you will see a view of the dominating mountain Mount LEL, conquered by few. Turn left to continue your journey, or, alternatively, have a break to admire the water well, built ca 213bc, tucked around the corner on the right hand side. This will interest the historians amongst you."

Instead, Audaxers want and get this:

L:T

On the last day, I linked up again with the German guy, Mansfeld, who kept me going on the depression section of Tuesday evening/night. I was puzzled by him. He went steady, telling stories of Russian LEL type rides, where they took a train to the start, but couldn't find space for their bikes ... while I was trying to hold back expressions of discomfort, but still sighing, occassionally saying 'when is this going to finish'? No reaction from Mansfeld ... better keep quiet and suffer inside. But on the last day, Mansfeld and I linked up again, and he said something like: 'Els, if it hadn't been for you I would have given up!' I was so surprised by this, I thought I was the suffering one, drawing energy from him!.

LEL and Audax is about self-sufficiency (thats the word I was looking for on BCM, when I talked about audaxing being unsupported). You sign up to cycle from London to Edinburgh and back. You know when and where to start from. Then all you have to do is cycle the route and collect the stamps at controls. Mind you, I heard a few say that making it to the start is 3/4 of LEL done. Anyway, don't expect anything from the organisation and anything you do get is a bonus. But we did get lots of bonuses - more than that!!! The slick bottle refilling facilities everywhere, the variety of food, the variety of sleeping arrangements (!), the welcoming volunteers, the mechanics, the resourcefulness and commaradery of everybody ... amazing. Thank you to the organisers and volunteers.

And, if you turn up at 2AM in the morning, dripping wet, cold, miserable, tired, a little short tempered maybe, and you are welcomed by 'There are no beds or blankets, and there is no floor space', you shouldn't be surprised, angry, upset, disappointed or anything like that. Look around and you'll find plenty of space in a corridor and heap full of linen that can be used as blankets. I think Audaxers become tramps and find space and resources everywhere! Next time, I'd be a bit more resourceful in booking B&Bs ahead of time! If I don't get to use them so be it! Oh, no, I forgot, there will not be a next time.

See, plenty of space. But where did those duvet covers come from when I was told there was nothing left?

The one testing challenge for me was the drying room at Alston, doubling up as men's changing room. Two men would come out, one would go in, one would come out, two would go in ... guys, I'd just ... another goes in, I'd just like to ... I need to, look can you all get out so that I can hang up my wet gear. I called on a volunteer to help me out but got a look of 'what do you expect me to do about it'. I don't expect anything, but the reality is that we are faced with some male/female logistics. Apologies for getting ratty at that stage and thank you to the guy who handed over a hanger and clothes pegs.

My favourite controls were (although I fear I might be getting controls muddled up - all had their unique qualities):

Traquair: for the LEL cakes, whiskey and beer touch, massages, IslandBakery biscuits, the floor space, the friendliness, the location

Middleton Tyas: for the tents with camp beds and Mike being there watching out for me on the way back.

A lot of people seem to have enjoyed the Twitter feed. I was pleased also that I had the capacity to send some updates. That is until my iPhone got wet. It was pouring down, as we had got used to, and I had lost my way. I was using the iPhone mapping to get my bearings again. I had also lost some confidence though and kept checking if I was going the right way now. Gradually but surely my phone got more and more wet, then it stopped working. At least I was on my way again, and later on Scottlington kindly posted a message explaining the lack of tweets from swarm_catcher. Thanks Scottlington!

All in all, I am very pleased with how LEL went. I didn't have the collapse experienced during BCM. My spirits stayed up, I managed to eat well and sleep more than planned. At some stage I wondered if everybody had been lying to me and that you need to do LEL in preparation for BCM, not the other way around. Then the day marked as 'potential BCM day' happened ...

And I need to thank again, all my supporters. All the people who sent messages via email/txt/twitter/cards. All the volunteers and cyclists. All the people who donated towards Bees for Development. Its been quite an effort by all!

I had wonderful conversations with the belgian riders, especially Erwin from Leuven, since we were riding at similar speeds. He stated: "As every muslim needs to visit Mecca once in their lifetime, so does a long distance cyclist need to do Paris-Brest-Paris... "

Erwin

And just a few more thoughts:

• Returning to Gaminlingay (last control) where Manotea and Mercury were - it was like coming back to civilisation. Rode with Manotea for a while. He was on fixed.
• Peter the Austrian whom I cycled with on the first and the last day. A spoke broke in Peter's rear wheel, so he ended up walking through the night, in the rain to Thorne. A spare rear wheel was found so Peter could continue and finish LEL. It seems spokes breaking was not uncommon on LEL.
• Need to learn how to replace spokes and true a wheel.
• Still have Peter's kneewarmers.
• Getting a massive 5 hours sleep on the last night which left me waking up with a face like a red balloon with knots for eyes.
• On the return from Edinburgh, managing to clock a massive 5kph going downhill, using the granniest of granny gears. This is why: Scotland Headwinds
• A different view on LEL by George Swain: George's LEL Ride Report
• Quote from Mike D: "The best weather day included sun, thunderstorms, rain, wind and quarter-sized hail. The bad weather days? They were a little wet and windy as well.". Another excellent ride report: Mike's LEL Ride Report (various posts and some videos).