2011-08-13 - Exmouth Exodus

^smoooooth

leg two: bit of a wake-up in the middle.

hrumph =/

Has anyone succesfully uploaded the .gpx route file from the EE site? Or could anyone explain how to?

ooh cripes haven't even looked at that one yet. another route worry, meh.

This ride is actually going to break me.

having just plotted all my intended routes for the weekend I'm now rather terrified. haven't even gone on a ration-buying binge yet. or considered charging lights. so unprepared.

yeah, I was going to go to the bike shop to stock up on pina colada Mule Bars tonight but I'm not going to make it. Ah well, if I go on the way to the station tomorrow at least I don't risk getting drunk and eating them all again.

I found Clevedon the worst hill. A bit of a wake up call. The second hill (Blagdon) long but not actually that hard. The last hill was strange as we kept on wondering if we were on it yet.

How hilly is the rest of it if you're someone who considers a mild incline a hill?

A few of us from the wirral have done it but on gears,

I would say its not overtly hilly but i do recall the very last one near the finish screwed my knee up. It must of been near 20% and at the end of a quite cold night it broke me.

Do take long gloves. Its gets pretty cold at 4 am, and switch your rear flashy rear lights to constant if you dont want to give your mates a headache.

Clear up after yourself at the stops and dont panic when you get lost on the sumerset levels.

Its a fantastic night of camaraderie .

I hope you all get a break in the weather.

Ta

Pace

I felt better then for about 20 seconds until I streetviewed some of it. this is going to take me at least 25 hours.

should we call it brunch rather than breakfast ;)

It does look gorgeous though. (cheddar gorgeous.) I am just a bit concerned I have never ever done a hilly ride before.

You will be fine. One of the tdo guys did it on 84gi with risers and wearing jeans... not advisable but he managed it

Hnng. OK. thanks.

For anyone doing the breakfast thing who now thinks I am a complete idiot, I've only just looked at the route. For breakfast: keep going on the same road the cafe is, left at the end up Castle Lane, right at the end onto the B1378 and directions as before is obviously way more direct. Though it is up a big hill. But then I suspect the entire route is so I suppose it doesn't make much difference.

I found Clevedon the worst hill. A bit of a wake up call. The second hill (Blagdon) long but not actually that hard. The last hill was strange as we kept on wondering if we were on it yet.

Yes, the hills get gradually less hard as the ride progresses. This doesn't mean that the last one is necessarily the easiest, even though it is not steep at all, as by that point you will have ridden 90 miles.

I felt better then for about 20 seconds until I streetviewed some of it. this is going to take me at least 25 hours.

It does look gorgeous though. (cheddar gorgeous.) I am just a bit concerned I have never ever done a hilly ride before.

You will be fine. One of the tdo guys did it on 84gi with risers and wearing jeans... not advisable but he managed it

Yes, you'll be fine, Rosie--just remember, like the DD, to ride it slowly to enjoy it properly. The route really is wonderful.

I wish I could make this, but two friends are getting married tomorrow. Have fun, all!

This was us last year.

We don't exactly look prepared for 100miles.

heh.

I spent two hours at work after work doing route directions. and the printer refused to work. and I don't have one at home. hng.

I'm doing one for me now.I just hope I remember to print it off in the morning

Just looked at the directions supplied by the 'organisers'. (click to download) It's actually a very good list. All fitting on the one page. Also quite handy to have as the route has changed from last year due to Clifton bridge being closed.

I'm going to go with that one instead and put an OS map in the pannier in case I get lost. I don't have a smartphone or a GPS but I can use a map quite well

That does look quite good. I like my streetviewed bits though.

will try and source a printer tomorrow.

urgh. should sleep.

good luck!

thanks!

my terror has been replaced by resignation (I may be shit at hills but there's not a lot I can do about it right now except stop whinging) and now EXCITEMENT*

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=yettington&hl=en&ll=50.657405,-3.371429&spn=0.025955,0.050812&z=14&layer=c&cbll=50.656228,-3.368659&panoid=G0nvWYSyf_TT0KE7-tEcsQ&cbp=12,70.4,,0,11.63

*[URL="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=yettington&hl=en&ll=50.657841,-3.338299&spn=0.025955,0.050812&z=14&layer=c&cbll=50.657663,-3.335558&panoid=v7XM2cUvtJ2X6Wn_C3e4lg&cbp=12,289.83,,0,-6.16"][/URL]