2009-06-27 Sat - The Maths Geek ride √-4 - London to Oxford

1) Object.
2) Hillbilly
3) Scott Not Scot
4) tricitybendix
5) mattty
6) Oliver Schick
d/dx (sin x)Broker
8) photoben
3x3) cliveo
OI! Eyebrows
+/- 2i) DirtyD (do i win the quiz prize?)
Mg) miss_socks

I'm probably going to do this one fixed but will decide closer to the time. That said as this is the stretch the legs before the dunwich it might be sensible to do it on the same bike. Too many choices...

The last Oxford ride I did geared. It was too close to L2P to be fucking about on different bikes. It's nothing to do with HTFU if you've shelled out a wad of cash and spent the last 6 months training to fuck it up blowing out a knee or giving yourself an overuse injury a week before a big ride.

Anyway, I've done Dunwich fixed twice now, I'd like to do it geared and I'm still tempted to make it all the way back on the bike too. We shall see..

The last Oxford ride I did geared. It was too close to L2P to be fucking about on different bikes. It's nothing to do with HTFU if you've shelled out a wad of cash and spent the last 6 months training to fuck it up blowing out a knee or giving yourself an overuse injury a week before a big ride.

Anyway, I've done Dunwich fixed twice now, I'd like to do it geared and I'm still tempted to make it all the way back on the bike too. We shall see..
Sage advice. And if it helps Jim and I are talking about seeing how far back we can make it. 400k scares the shit out of me but I'm looking forward to trying.

I did 300k last year when Sam and I rode back to Ipswich. It's hillier than you think coming back.
Navigation will be an issue (since I can't navigate) and you'll be in London traffic when you're most fucked - something to bear in mind if you're not suicidal.

I'm doing DD there and back for 400km but it's still not hilly. :)

Can't do this ride (and I'm a maths geek too, 3rd year of an OU Maths degree). I'm doing something hilly instead: http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Midlander-Super-Grimpeur-300km-Audax

Will have gears for that one though.

you'll be in London traffic when you're most fucked - something to bear in mind if you're not suicidal.
Think about who you're talking too.

Navigation should be okay, I'm handy with a map.

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Home-circuit195322

Is one of my favourite little jaunts when I'm visiting the homestead.

I've got a massive extension to that ride too which end up playing in the dales proper. It really requires a day of sitting around feeling stupid after it though, as the climbs around hawes are epic and when you're climbing you know that you're the furthest point from home.

Liking the look of your route by the way.

I did 260k geared on the Paris Roubaix last year. 300k flat and without cobbels is easily doable for young thin fit experienced cyclists.

Dunwich and back is 400 though, should I be afraid of the additional 100k?

I did this last year: http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/118517

(Oxford to Putney via Aylesbury) after a 300km Audax (Oxford, Stow-On-The-Wold, Forest of Dean, Chepstow, Malmesbury, Marlborough Downs, Oxford) the day before.

Aston Clinton is a git of a climb on tired legs but it's nicely downhill to Uxbridge from there. Into London is a bit of a dull slog along the main roads but it was a nice sunny day. I passed on the opportunity of a few RP laps in favour of going straight home and putting the bike away.

I'd like to do that backwards. Nice.

Dunwich and back is 400 though, should I be afraid of the additional 100k?

At your age and level of fitness - hardly.

I did the 260k aged 50 and weighing 15 or so stone only 12 months after taking up cycling. I think that you could easily double the distance particularly if there are no cobbbles.

I would, however, recommend some very long training rides and great care over nutrition and hydration.

At your age and level of fitness - hardly.

I did the 260k aged 50 and weighing 15 or so stone only 12 months after taking up cycling. I think that you could easily double the distance particularly if there are no cobbbles.

I would, however, recommend some very long training rides and great care over nutrition and hydration.
Sounds all good then, I'll be doing at least a couple of 200k rides before hand and not drinking has improved my bodies condition already. By July it'll be even better.

Think about who you're talking too.
Navigation should be okay, I'm handy with a map.

I know, I was referring to me. :)

I also know it's not hilly, it's hillier than flat though, especially with 200 sleep-deprived kays in your legs.

I did 260k geared on the Paris Roubaix last year. 300k flat and without cobbels is easily doable for young thin fit experienced cyclists.

Not when they've done the first 200k at 30kph..

Longer distances: it's all about eating, drinking and not riding too fast.

Longer distances: it's all about eating, drinking and not riding too fast.

You should be good at that then.

I'm doing DD there and back for 400km but it's still not hilly. :)

Can't do this ride (and I'm a maths geek too, 3rd year of an OU Maths degree). I'm doing something hilly instead: http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Midlander-Super-Grimpeur-300km-Audax

Will have gears for that one though.

That's a bit of a punisher. Still, should be good training for the LEL. First attempt at an SR this year so will be keeping it flatish.

That's a bit of a punisher. Still, should be good training for the LEL. First attempt at an SR this year so will be keeping it flatish.

Good work. What 300, 400 and 600 are you looking at then?

The Dean 300 for me this weekend. Not exactly flat and the weather is looking grim. HTFU spray to be applied.

Cirencester Heart of England 300 in April, Poynton Plains 400 in May (run yours and my favourite group Peak Audax). Undecided on the 600 but will go for either Denmead or Derby. Gives me a shot at Droitwich if I have to pack.

Pity about the weather, doesn't look as if it the wind will much abate anytime soon. Still at least it should carry you out of Newent and through to Hungerford. After that, it's one climb over the Ridgeway and a clear shot at Oxford. You'll be coming through my home town at the 216k mark. Any idea what time you'll be rolling through? I may have to come out and cheer you on.

You should be good at that then.

You'd think.

Cirencester Heart of England 300 in April, Poynton Plains 400 in May (run yours and my favourite group Peak Audax). Undecided on the 600 but will go for either Denmead or Derby. Gives me a shot at Droitwich if I have to pack.

Good choices. HoE has been on my list of rides to do, but not this year. Dean 300, Elenith 300, Bryan Chapman 600, DIY 400 to Cornwall, Midland Super Grimpeur 300, Dun Run and back DIY 400 then LEL. I had my flat year last year (although I did sneak in the Elenith). :)

Pity about the weather, doesn't look as if it the wind will much abate anytime soon. Still at least it should carry you out of Newent and through to Hungerford. After that, it's one climb over the Ridgeway and a clear shot at Oxford. You'll be coming through my home town at the 216k mark. Any idea what time you'll be rolling through? I may have to come out and cheer you on.

Weather no worse than last year. It'll make a change being blow up the hill out of the Forest of Dean through Bream. Later on it was a blizzard approaching Broad Hinton.

216km. 6pm-ish hopefully but could be anything up to 9pm if the outbound headwind takes its toll, it's not a race after all. You'll probably see the fast lot coming through at 3pm. Gits.

Hmm, good point, I should toss in the Dun Run as a DIY in case I want to keep the RRtY running for a second year (first just completed).

On that note, I may have to start the Tedious Audax thread as we may have gone a tad off topic.

Ah. another ride I'm down for. This should also be a good one.

ATTENTION: The slow maths ride is going to have to be moved as I will be in Munich.
Unless someone else wants to take over ther organising of it?

I currently Sunday 21st June (The day after Maths 0001) in mind as a replacement date if no one else wants to take on the organising.

Can you let me know what you think please.

x

I vote to move it, but not to 21 June, as I'm on the BHF L2B ride that day.