Rolling to the Stones 2009

That would be by bike. It's not too bad a roll though. A couple of lumps between Stonehenge and Avebury and then nice and easy after that. Take in the Kennet Longbarrow, Avebury stone circle (older than Stonehenge) and a couple of White Horses.

Hm, my main restriction is that I want to be at a garden party in Oxford by 2:30 and would like to get a little sleep in before that to be even vaguely sociable. I'd obviously love to do this ride (really like the countryside around those parts), but while I want to do at least one 300 this year, I think it would probably be too tight a squeeze this time around. But let's perhaps think about doing something like this later?

Fair enough. Perhaps we can have the fixed tour of ancient monuments sometime. Low gears essential.

Fair enough. Perhaps we can have the fixed tour of ancient monuments sometime. Low gears essential.

Much to my regret, owing to my knee problems I still don't feel confident enough to do a long ride like that fixed, even on low gearing. I hope to get to that level where I can really reap the training benefits of fixed riding over long distances, but the 50-mile fixed rides I've done recently haven't felt that great on the knees, even with very few hills in them. I need a better fixed bike, anyway, with a better frame than my Fuji OTP. Who knows, I might get there within the next year or so.

Hi Guys/Gals

I think this ride sounds wicked and would love to come along. Unfortunately I don't have a geared bike and I also have a GF who wants to travel along to the solstice so we will be driving. I have a Merc Vito panel van and will be at the Stones for the sunrise. If any of you guys need anything taken along (water, spares, shit you don't want to carry on the ride) you can stick it in the motor Saturday day or Friday eve and meet up with me after / before sunrise.
Let me know if i can be of assistance.
Sweats

Oliver/Skully who do we have heading down from Bletchley?

That'd be me.

OK, my plans have become a little clearer. The good news is that I won't be heading back to Oxford, although it's a bit of a shame that's fallen through, but it's going to make me more flexible. So, I might even consider riding back to Swindon with TSK. I think that would then make it the longest ride, albeit with breaks, that I've ever done. Haha, need to ponder that one a bit longer. I might want to see how I'm feeling at Stonehenge. So, I'm definitely on for London-Bletchley-Stonehenge, and possibly Stonehenge-Swindon. I really like the countryside out there--I've been through Swindon before, on an utterly fantastic route from Oxford, one of my all-time favourites, actually.

But it would be great to ride with you, TSK. What are your riding plans? Are you going Swindon-Stonehenge-Swindon?

I'm jumping on the train down to London and doing the main ride. I'm then going to guide any wayward souls north through the nicer bits of the Salisbury Plains in the direction of Swindon. The route I take will depend on demand and interest although intend to take in Avebury along the way, which leads nicely to a couple of white horses. I can also accomodate Pewsey for those wishing to take a train via Reading to Paddington.

Depending on the times, there will be stopping at pubs for food and refreshement or I may lay something on at home if people fancy a munch and a nap on the lawn. Weather and numbers dependant though. I have a small and cluttered house that won't accomodate large numbers. Route maps from Wootton Bassett to Swindon train station available on request although I may be pursuaded to lead people in (see caveats above).

Oliver/Skully who do we have heading down from Bletchley?

Looks like its just three, plus you if you want Greasy. i reckon small is beautiful for a ride like this.

Hope Oliver and Em are ready for a slow ride ;)

wow sounds like a lot of cycling being done that weekend !

Looks like its just three, plus you if you want Greasy. i reckon small is beautiful for a ride like this.

Hope Oliver and Em are ready for a slow ride ;)

Shit what a Motley crew us 4 will be! i can't wait.

I am bringing a hip flask of good rum to celebrate hitting the stones. I will either roll on to my parents in Somerset or get the train back. it depends on the will power

A stupid idea becoming reality, I like it.
4 is going to be a damned nice number too.

So Bletchley to the Stones Init.. How about this route? avoids the worst roads but its not one i have done.

You are looking at around 7 hours - if we aim to leave Betchley after the rush hour traffic - so between 7 & 8pm. We also have to have a decent GPS as mistakes could cost us hours in the dark.

I'll decide route back once we land. after breakfast at Pinks Mums

OK, having just done the Exmouth Exodus and clocked up a total of about 150 very hilly miles (jncluding riding to the station, etc.), I have a fairly good idea how I'll be feeling after London-Bletchley (fast?) and then Bletchley-Stonehenge (slow?).

I'm not sure if I'll manage Stonehenge to Swindon, but I'm willing to give it a try, although I suspect that I'll be quite slow by the end, TSK! What's the approximate distance/hilliness of the route to Swindon you're thinking of? It's hills that really do for me. I can ride on the flat forever, but I still need to do major work on climbing. In particular, after a long ride, I literally can't get over a road hump any more, so if there were a lot of hills towards the end of this ride, I'd definitely be extremely slow or might have to walk up some of them. But from the point of view of timing, this would be perfect practise for the Dunwich Dynamo there and back, so I'm quite up for it!

So Bletchley to the Stones Init.. How about this route? avoids the worst roads but its not one i have done.

You are looking at around 7 hours - if we aim to leave Betchley after the rush hour traffic - so between 7 & 8pm. We also have to have a decent GPS as mistakes could cost us hours in the dark.

I can only advise on the areas I know but you must avoid the A34 as it is a motorway in everything but name (it's the major truck route from the ports on the south coast to the midlands). I'd recommend continuing south from Cholsey to Streatley then pick up the B4009 all the way to Newbury. Then head to Hungerford either on the A4 (flat but quite busy) or go via Kintbury on quieter lanes. After Hungerford you can either stick with the route you have or follow the Kennet and Avon Canal, via Bedwyn, pretty much as far as Pewsey.

t-minus 13 and counting

+1 A34 is a really a motorway in all but name.

Great advice Andy... i take back all that i said about you ;)

i'll re work the route, it will add a fwe miles but easier miles when you are not fearing for you life in the shadow of every head light

Oliver - We should be fine keeping a steady pace, the hills aren't too bad and we'll put in a few well times stop offs to top up on Rum and flapjack

This is the propsed route. Lumpy up to Avebury and then a long but gentle climb towards Wootton Bassett, a swift drop and then one last short climb (col de ignominy) before it's a free run into Swindon. By the time you've had a nice sit down and a cup of tea by Salisbury, you should be able to tackle it at a pleasantly meandering pace.

Slag,

Not the best route there. You'll be taking in the A329 (shit), the A34 (fast and nasty) and the A4 (dismal).

Try this one for Bletchley to the Stones. About 10mi shorter than Slag's route and far less dicking about on the A34.

did i not say i was going to drive it?

Try this one for Bletchley to the Stones. About 10mi shorter than Slag's route and far less dicking about on the A34.

i see what you did there.. yeah its a lot more direct, i usually hit the 303 when i drive south so haven't gone accross that route. that works for me.. Oliver? Skully? Em?

is it easy to publish that in to the bikely type website and get the gps map + an idea of the profile?

I'll be honest, I have never used bikely.

I should probably subscribe to it at some point.

google gmapsTogpx