2011-08-13 - Exmouth Exodus

I realise I'm early for it by several months but I've just seen the date.

I enjoyed it so much last year and the support is well thought out. 2x tea stops and a pasta stop at halfway.

http://www.exmouthexodus.co.uk/index.php

Decent lights an warm, but light clothes are a must.

Hmm tempting. Think I'll have to do this one!

Same here had a look at the website...looks good
Now to check Shifts and Holiday Entitlement.

The pub/hotel at the start is nice.

Last year I know there were 2 groups of riders on fixed. Us lot from Cardiff and a group of locals from Bristol. It's a fairly flat route apart from the 3 major hills

For once this doesn't clash with Glastonbury. I'm in.

wonder if anyone will be going from London (by train)?

I'll be going from Oxford (by train).

Bump

Considering attempting this, if I can get some night miles done in the next few weeks

I'd never ridden through the night before doing it last year. A group of us did a couple of 60-70mi rides in the weeks running up to it to make sure we weren't a mile out of our depth. All of us around 70" and we didn't get off and walk for any hills. Surprised ourselves by the end of it as we managed a nice average of 16mph passing loads of roadies on the way

I beat you though.

(I was geared)

You beat me? I don't know you to confirm or deny it.

I'm still proud (a year later!) of being the last-out, first-in group.

I'm currently quite slow though. So it'll not be the case this year.

You didn't get the second tea van though did you? We were lucky to catch it, we evem had to wait for the water to boil for a cuppa

No. We had short stops tbh. We had to wait ages for the cafe to open.

Much better than 2009. Did you ride that one? It pissed down for 7 hours, got very cold, then the sun popped up and baked our soggy asses for the last 10 miles. Rough.

Ha, I heard from other riders about the rain in '09. Last year was my first time and we had lovely weather, hopefully it'll be the same this year. Some of us were thinking of getting the road bikes out and riding back afterwards.

I loved 2009. That was an epic ride. First on the road from Cheddar to the feed together with a rider with local knowledge = no navigation duties. Then a much drier ride to Exmouth. As usual, the last hill, despite its low gradient, was extremely hard. Then a lovely ride back to Exeter for the train. A 150-mile week-end all in. The EE is a superb ride, great route. Highly recommended even in the rain.

Your the 1st person I've heard who enjoyed 2009! We got terribly lost (rode through Glastonbury!) so I think we sat under the storm for the duration.

Well done riding on from Exmouth. I didn't fancy that, as whilst my legs were ok I was just so ridiculously tired. I just didn't trust myself in the Exmouth – Exeter traffic. I thought I was gonna blackout.

There is a regular train from Exmouth to Exeter. I think they're every 30mins. Lets hope for a clear night like 2010 again.

Well done riding on from Exmouth. I didn't fancy that, as whilst my legs were ok I was just so ridiculously tired. I just didn't trust myself in the Exmouth – Exeter traffic. I thought I was gonna blackout.

There is a regular train from Exmouth to Exeter. I think they're every 30mins. Lets hope for a clear night like 2010 again.

There is a train, but for info (in case it's not running or too busy or you just fancy a ride) there's also a mostly motor-traffic free cycle route from Exmouth to Exeter. It's really nice - follows the train line along the estuary through Lympstone and Exton and then goes through Topsham on a shared use path. There's an unhelpful map here but if you head for Carter Avenue it's signposted all the way.

My parents live about 5 miles from Exmouth and I did just ride from London to there and thoroughly enjoyed it... but I'm not sure I fancy doing some of those descents in the dark, even with good lights. I am pretty sure I'd ride into a tree or something.

Your the 1st person I've heard who enjoyed 2009! We got terribly lost (rode through Glastonbury!) so I think we sat under the storm for the duration.

Getting lost is no fun. As I said, I didn't have to navigate, just ride hard (near 20mph average from Cheddar to the feed, tailwind-assisted) to keep warm, with a former chair of Somerset CTC, who rather knew the area. :) I'd jumped ahead out of a slower group when I saw his light up ahead and it took me about five miles to catch up with him. It was a blast and very memorable.

Well done riding on from Exmouth. I didn't fancy that, as whilst my legs were ok I was just so ridiculously tired. I just didn't trust myself in the Exmouth – Exeter traffic. I thought I was gonna blackout.

We rode to Exeter very early, and there was hardly any motor traffic around. It's not the best of roads, but having done it a couple of times now I've slightly taken to its ups and downs. I haven't tried the alternative route yet that tricitybendix mentions.

After being on a long ride and having eaten a big breakfast, I really like riding a couple of miles more. It's only about 15 miles from Exmouth to Exeter, which is a lot less than the distance from Dunwich to Ipswich.

Only 5 weeks to go now!

We rode to Exeter very early, and there was hardly any motor traffic around. It's not the best of roads, but having done it a couple of times now I've slightly taken to its ups and downs. I haven't tried the alternative route yet that tricitybendix mentions.

The alternative route is nice - flat and pretty easy to follow now it's all been signposted. You emerge on to the road at Topsham, about 3 miles from central Exeter.

I'll be on tea-van duties again this year with Chuffy, George the Lobster and Victor the teapot. We were a bit late to the second stop last year due to dropping in at North Curry to help with washing up and cooking. There's always a couple of fast groups who miss out on their second cuppa!

I think i could be interested in this...

I've just bought my train ticket... getting the 4pm from Paddington to Bristol Temple Meads. Cost me £6.60 with a ypr.

whts a ypr?

Young person's railcard. You are too old for one (so am I, now) but it's a third off so I assume full price is £10.

Tempted to do this... and ride the nice flat route i've got to Bristol on the saturday.

240miles anyone?