2014-03-09 - Steam Ride (London-Oxford-London) LOL Audax 200k, 100k, 50km

Any ideas if how much climbing there is?

The website says you will be going a total of 2182m upwards at various points. There is one very stiff climb on the 200k I think

Looking forward to this - did a big 100 miler this weekend in advance, will do a 60 mile this weekend then prepare for the pain the following week. Hope the weather is alright, and the flooding has cleared up by then..

I rode some of the start of it on Saturday and it's quiet nice. No idea what the rest of the route has in store but so long as the Garmin holds out it should be a fun first audax for me.

Obviously I will be failing and blindly riding past all the checkpoints, forgetting it's an audax and not a training ride.

Will the checkpoints will magically programmable into a garmin edge 810?

what time is everyone planning on starting - I'm keen to ride in a group, for those aero benefits of course! ;)

I'll start at the back, having got lost on the way to the start, after waking with a spitting headache from last night's shenanigans. I will then proceed to chase everyone down, stopping only for tactical spews and "oh, I'm lost again" U-turns. Hopefully will make it to the finish before the need to send out search parties.

Just paid the fee, no backing out now. Best work out the logistics of getting to the start, and getting back.

Ruislip tube station is on the Piccadilly line, so I am just going to hop on a tube with the bike out, and the same back. Should be easy.

You can also get a train from Marylebone station. I'll probably do that.

I'm about 15k from the start so will just meander over.

Looks like there's only one train from Marylebone on Sunday that gets there around 8am - the 7:50am train. And this train heads to Bicester North for Bicester Village - so it's going to be packed full of tourists..... AARGH.

I think I'm going to have to cycle the 20 odd miles there.

I've entered the 200km LOL version. The ride goes past my front door after 100km which will be handy for lunch!

I could do the Didcot-London-Didcot version but I prefer doing the "proper" Audax version as more likely to meet and ride with other riders than if I did a 200km perm on my own.

Looks like there's only one train from Marylebone on Sunday that gets there around 8am - the 7:50am train. And this train heads to Bicester North for Bicester Village - so it's going to be packed full of tourists..... AARGH.

I think I'm going to have to cycle the 20 odd miles there.

Get the met line from baker street

Get the met line from baker street

But how do I get my bike on there? You're not allowed them on the underground, right?

But how do I get my bike on there? You're not allowed them on the underground, right?

You are on the Met / Circle / District

You are on the Met / Circle / District

Cannot believe I didn't know this....

Here's a useful map where you can and can't take bikes...

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/bicycle-tube-map.pdf

Given how out of shape I am, I may live to regret this... but hey ho, got to start somewhere.

1. fasih
   
2. keanulooser
   
3. Vanneau
   
4. ShutUpLegs
   
5. hippy
   
6. fussballclub
   
7. TTM
   
8. West Green - with a couple of mates from work but look forward to meeting LFGSS members
   
9. Jim1985
   
10. Doctor Cake
    
11. Monster1985
    
12. h2o
    

Signed up for the 100K.

1. fasih
   
2. keanulooser
   
3. Vanneau
   
4. ShutUpLegs
   
5. hippy
   
6. fussballclub
   
7. TTM
   
8. West Green - with a couple of mates from work but look forward to meeting LFGSS members
   
9. Jim1985
   
10. Doctor Cake
    
11. Monster1985
    
12. h2o
    
13. Lifebuoy
    

There is an optional Ealing Broadway (London) start to this ride, im local to that area and wondering if anyone else is? Ealing to Ruislip is 9/10 miles, 40/50 mins, anyone else fancy starting here at 7.40?

Hey Steamriders,

I'm in the process of updating the Route sheets and gps tracks this evening/Monday, result of Floodings & Weak bridge closures...

URGENT REMINDER:
Ruislip Lido Cafe http://ruisliplidocafe.co.uk/ is opening early @ 7:00am to support us.
Can you please return the favour, by emailing Mino with your breakfast orders, so he can organise his team to get your 100+ breakfasts out, with minimum of delays to your start time!
ruisliplido@sanremocatering.co.uk

You can download latest update from:
https://sites.google.com/site/steamride/home/lol200
(Due size restrictions on the AUDAX website)

Please Note:
Return via Burnham or via A40:

The route returns via National Nature reserve Burnham Beeches at night, which is exceptionally dark, the Beeches Cycle Way (gps track) is on left, immediately after left bend/chevrons, with barrier across marked "Keep Clear" set back from the road, difficult to spot at night...

I've added a gpx to show route after High Wycombe via A40, for those that don't do additional hills (Summary on route sheet notes).

Floodings:
The uber scenic road after Chinnor control has some flooding. The bypass is left at the triangle, sign posted Bledlow Ridge, and climb some more, at the top of the 'initial' climb from Chinnor Control... (personally if you've not been that way, I'd risk it, but hey that's the tourist me)

Ealing to Ruislip:
The LOL PERM has an extra control @ Ealing Broadway (no Info controls)...
The Ealing to Ruislip route uses cycle paths, middle section via country park.
I will add fast direct road route gpx/summary: EalingRuislip.gpx

I'll leave the final route decisions, decisions with you ;)

Have an Epic ride
Tim

Anyone know if I can convert the gpx to a tcx to get turn by turn on my 500? Is it as simple as a bike route toaster type conversion?

I've just had a look at the site - what's the difference between the Perm and the Special? Given that the Ealing bit is optional on the Special, I presume that it's this one I'm to use?

How much do you reckon I can get away with the GPS versus having to decipher the route sheet stuff?

Anyone know if I can convert the gpx to a tcx to get turn by turn on my 500? Is it as simple as a bike route toaster type conversion?

See the two GPS / Garmin threads.

Will do