Herts / Beds Epic - 16th August - and aftermath

[REKIBorter]

Looking at a re-run of the infamous Herts / Beds Epic. Route has been plotted at 36 miles with 1,400ft of climbing (please don't let that put you off, I am no climber). Have yet to ride it all but the start will be the same as last year with a cheeky diversion half way through to take us over towards the Weston Escarpment.

Will have a pub stop half way round to refresh everybody, you could look at it as if it was two 18 mile rides with a couple of pints and some pub grub at half time. I will send out directions to the start location nearer the time to all those attending.

Ride will start from Stotfold - near junction 10 A1M. arrive 9:30 - 10 for tea and bacon rolls hoping to get started for 10:30am. This will be an all-day ride with an expected finish time of approx 4:30pm.

The dates is Saturday 16th August.

Please register your interest here.

 

[legrandefromage]

Re: Herts / Beds Epic - planning thread

Oui.

 

[letmetalktomark]

Re: Herts / Beds Epic - 16th August - planning thread

I'm in as it looks like I can't make the Gates ride :-(

 

[neil__j]

Re:

Aye.

 

[REKIBorter]

Re:

Yesterday I did a recce (Reki does a recce!) of the route east of the A1. I haven't ridden off-road over this way for a very long time so I thought it would be best to familiarise myself with the route. Besides that, they have built a great big bypass and tunnel around Baldock which diverts some of the old bridleways. I will make a small change to the end of the route to avoid a nasty rough grassy track. There is some other parts of the route I have yet to check out but will wait until it cools down a little.

 

[phill77]

Re: Herts / Beds Epic - 16th August - planning thread

A tentative yes for the ride again this year, got to make it sometime.

 

[Oakleyman]

Re: Herts / Beds Epic - 16th August - planning thread

A tentative yes from me - nice and local

Mark

 

[REKIBorter]

Re:

Will send out directions and contact details nearer the time.

 

[REKIBorter]

Re:

Looking at doing the whole route tomorrow without a mid-way stop. Scorchio plinky plinky Chris Waddle. Should be a good warm up for The Gates Ride on Sunday > viewtopic.php?f=5&t=300110

 

[REKIBorter]

Re:

I bonked at 34 miles. Bonked enough to break out the emergency out-of-date energy gel, 4 years over is still ok? Needed to lie down in the shade for half an hour to let it kick in so I could finish the ride. Ran out of water as well, was rescued by a good looking 50'ish young lady doing some gardening.

To sum up the route - it's tough, especially in this heat, with nearly 2000ft of climbing. I did make a couple of navigational errors on the parts I had not ridden before. Will make a few route changes to cut out the crap bits.

Going to check out the pub tomorrow lunchtime, a perk of the job.