Arrivée 131 - Winter 2016

Arrivée

the Long Distance Cyclists’ Association

www.aukweb.net

Number 131 Winter 2016

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2 www.aukweb.netArrivée February 2016 No. 131

February 2016

ContentsThe Goyt Peak Super Grimpeur 3

Our First Audax 4

Interesting Times 6

Superbloodmoon 200 - Memorable 8

Ordre des Col Durs 9

Dear Strava 9

One Million Metres 10

The Erit Lass 2015 12

Randonneuring USA 14

A Long Bike Ride 16

Obituaries 21Graham Wanlass & Mareve Hansen

Dartmoor Devil 22

AAA Rolls of Honour 24

Breakfast in Bampton 26

Grand National Park2Park 200km 27

Fixed Focus 29

From Audax newbie to RRTY 30

Randonneur Round the Year 32

OCD col-bagging - Munich to Zurich 34

Hebridean Island Hop Part 1 38

New Randonneurs 44

New Super Randonneurs 46

Old Roads & Drove Roads 47

Informal discussion 48

AUK Cycling Clothing Special Offers 49

Audax UK Trophies 2015 50Minutes of the AGM 2015 52

Permanent Rides 56

Calendar of Events 58

Audax UK Board & Delegates 67

Arrivée is the free magazine of Audax United Kingdom, the long distance cyclists’ association which represents the Randonneurs Mondiaux in the UK. AUK membership is open to any person, regardless of club or other affiliation, who is imbued with the spirit of long-distance cycling. Details in the Handbook.

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© Arrivée 2016

2016 is AUK’s 40th anniversary year!How are we doing?

A look back at the wish list of Steve Nicholas, our founding treasurer, is reassuring (Competitive touring, page 48). Given the French blueprint, we have events from 50 to 1400km, the Altitude award, York Arrow, and have developed further with permanent rides and a multitude of awards to chase, many of which have their rolls of honour in the following pages.

Paris-Brest-Paris (pages 6 & 16) is now a fading memory, at least until 2019, so it is time to start looking forward to our own version, London-Edinburgh-London 2017. This is longer than PBP but has a lower minimum speed and, as such, was ridden successfully by many newcomers to long distance cycling in 2013, with a drop-out rate no worse than PBP - and, dare I add, with scenery more varied and attractive. Despite the success of riders who had previously completed more than 100 miles in a day, you will certainly add to your enjoyment of LEL by riding some longer events this year before entering and riding some more in the months before August 2017.

Have a good cycling year Sheila

February 2016

Front cover picture: Ian Hennessey on Redhayes Bridge - Mad March 200k - this year’s event takes place on 20th March - see Calendar pages. Photo: Graham Brodie

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www.aukweb.net 3Arrivée February 2016 No. 131

Coming Soon Coming Soon

The route crosses the River Goyt twice close to Marple, before and after Hague Bar, and then heads up through Disley and over to Kettleshulme. After the climb up to Pym Chair under Windgather Rocks, a quick descent leads into the Goyt Valley. The next section follows the Goyt up the valley, nearly to its source at Goyt Moss. This is one of my favourite stretches of road. The riding is relaxed as the road is virtually traffic free. After a beautiful wooded section, you climb up towards the open moorland. The infant River Goyt is down on your left, and opposite what was a small quarry, you can see an ancient packhorse bridge crossing it. This was moved from its original location further downstream when the river was dammed to create the Goyt Reservoir.

Only fairly gentle climbs so far, but after the café stop at Longnor the hard climbing begins. Once through Allgreave, a section on the Cheshire Cycleway is much tougher than you might expect, and the stiffest climb out of Macclesfield Forest follows. The next ascent from Jenkin Chapel brings you to Pym Chair again. There are four chevrons on this short climb, two single and one double. There is a second stop in Hayfield, and as a change from the Permanent route, I have introduced the climb over the shoulder of Lantern Pike on Swallow House Lane, before the short, sharp ascent of Briargrove.

If the weather is bad, and your legs have gone, there is an escape route back to Marple now, but don’t let that tempt you. The route continues up Gorsey Brow and The Mudd, another really stiff climb, to the church at Mottram. I have decided to remove the Apple Street section from the Permanent route, as I have never been able to climb this on the bike, and have to get off and walk, cleated shoes and socks in hand. Instead there is a slightly more suburban climb up to the top of Werneth Low, past the Visitor Centre. You renew your acquaintance with the Goyt as you cross it in Marple Bridge, before the final climb of the day up Brabyn’s Brow.

The total climb has now been re-estimated at 2,850 metres, giving 2.75 AAA points. It may not be the toughest 100km ride on the calendar, but there cannot be many that are harder. It has been remarked that there is no “easy” climbing on this ride, something that is perhaps confirmed by the 16 chevrons on the OS map of the route. Five of these are double, indicating a gradient of 20% or more.

The end of March may be a little early in the year, but the clocks will have gone

forward, so lights should not be necessary. If snow and ice make it un-

rideable, people will be given the chance to ride it as a Permanent.

So, put the date in your diary now, Wednesday 30th March 2016.

The Goyt Peak Super Grimpeur

Originally devised as a Permanent ride by Rob Kilby,

the Goyt Peak Super Grimpeur used to start from the middle

of Stockport. When Mike Wigley took the ride over from Rob, he changed the start and finish location to Marple, to fit

in with the other Marple Grimpeurs.

It has a bit of a fearsome reputation, at least with me, and until recently has been

credited with over 3000 metres of climb in 109 kilometres. As far as Mike and I are aware, it

has never been put on as a Calendar Event.

I feel it is about time it was. Consequently, on the

Wednesday after Easter, instead of the Monyash Peak

which I have organised for the last few years running

alongside the “flat” Icecream Wensdae, I am now offering

the Goyt Peak Super Grimpeur. Chris Keeling-Roberts

the toughest 100km ride on the calendar?

Above: near the top of the Goyt Valley, virtually traffic free riding. Below: the climb

from Jenkin Chapel up to Pym Chair; just the four chevrons on this.

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Randonnées

Tim Parfitt and I were invited down by a close friend, Richie Robson, from

Purbeck Peloton CC alongside two Surrey riders Ade Bell and Les Burke. We

had all agreed to do the ride as Richie had often extolled how great the riding

was around the Purbecks – rather stupidly we had not really studied the

form until it was too late!Now, we all considered ourselves to be

seasoned riders with most of our weekend rides tackling the Chiltern or

Surrey Hills. The fact is, riding 130 miles and 3000m + of ascent is a challenging ride in anybody’s book, however it did perhaps seem one revolution too far

given we were still winter training and had not really upped the mileage

required for such an event. The days preceding the ride seemed ominous –

heavy winds with gusts exceeding 50mph on the south coast –

what were we doing? A number of my peloton (Harpenden Raiders) had previously extolled the

virtues of Audax riding… its purity; old school riding; hard-core and memorable characters; great value compared to the MAMIL infused Sportive’s etc… we were

not disappointed!

The day was definitely memorable – the Ferry Dash, a lightening pace out to Poole Harbour where the bulk of cyclists had a brief respite and chance to fuel up before the onslaught that lay ahead.

The ride was to be made ever so slightly easier by the fact our peloton grew with local riders Andy Philps, Paul Cowshall and Matt Harrison sharing the load out front. That said the next 60 miles was to be an eye-popping, sinew-bursting battle into a westerly gale characterised by white knuckle riding at weird angles, seagulls flying backwards and the strange sight of fixed wheel bikes zig-zagging up 20% ascents.

If that was strange enough, imagine our surprise to be overtaken by two young tandem riders on one of the descents only to overtake them on the next ascent and witness a fantastic display of synchronised riding to conquer the next killer hill!

The fact most riders shunned carbon and titanium, the materials of choice for the sportive rider, opting instead for classic heavy steel frames laden down by leather Brook saddles and huge holdalls, demonstrated this was no ordinary ride. Weight definitely appeared to be the friend of the Audax rider!

With rain in our faces we made out, through the rain and mist, some of the beautiful landmarks including Corfe Castle, Kimmeridge and Lulworth Castle and the classic sites of Old Harry cliffs, Studland Bay and the massive Chesil Beach. Ironically, climbing the sharp-edged hills delivered some protection from the elements. However the expectant “free miles” one gets free-wheeling the descents were sadly lacking - giant effort was required to get ourselves down ensuing equally steep hills, a strangely leg-sapping experience.

Having regrouped at the Criterion Café in Weymouth we were impressed by what we then saw… riders cycling in open flip-flop styles with no socks (are you guys officially mad!); a relaxed atmosphere and lots of laughter; full English breakfasts and bacon baps eagerly gulped down demonstrating the value of real food rather than the disgusting energy infused gel bars, the food of choice for most sportif riders.

Our First AudaxTim Worboys

Above: on the climb out of Lulworth going up Daggers Gate. The author is second

from the right

I am embarrassedto say that in my7 years of riding,

the Dorset Coast wasmy first Audax.

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Randonnées

On leaving Weymouth we had been warned about the infamous Abbotsbury Hill and were mentally prepared for that one – what we had not expected was the fact the ascents then came thick and fast and seemingly more severe as we approached Axminster.

A motor-cross event made one of the steeper climbs quite exciting as tarmac was replaced by 2’’ of mud and stone, with rubber screaming to make traction as we edged upwards.

The lunchtime stop at Axminster Primary School was a godsend – some hot soup, sandwiches and huge slabs of carrot cake washed down with sweet tea revitalised the parts of our bodies that had long given up the ghost.

As we started out again, the initial hill out of town made digestion of our lunch a little challenging. That was soon forgotten as we ate into the 50 mile homeward section whooping and hollering as we saw our average speeds more than double down the empty country lanes.

The riding conditions could not have been more different – with the wind on our back, we could now hear the sound of wheels on tarmac, one of life’s little pleasures. The miles whizzed by as the hand of the storm pushed us all the way back to Wareham. Not even the brutal climb up Eggardon Hill at Uploaders could dampen our spirit – it was a weird sensation being blown up the hill at a pace that belied what was in our legs.

As the landmarks and countryside passed us by in a blur we did manage to take in and admire the architectural vision of Prince Charles at Poundbury before we stopped at Top O’Town Café for another (much needed) cup of tea. It was then guns out for home where we arrived at 7pm. Some 9 hours in the saddle and 11 hours since leaving, this was indeed a memorable ride.

Congratulations to all at CTC Wessex Cycling for allowing us to experience a ride that was as challenging as any sportive we have ever ridden. The support and welcoming spirit of everyone involved was a credit to the sport.

Thanks and see you next year! The next Coast will be 2nd April 2016

Dorset Coast BlogGreat turnout on Sunday for the 207 km Dorset Coastal Audax. Only the hardcore cyclists went out. The speedy boys of Paxo, Rob, Steve G, Ade M, John D and Stan set off at great pace. Paul C, Andy P, Matt H and I along with 3 of my mates were the second group out on the road and Baz found some guys to cycle with.

The only way to describe the ride was “brutal” due to the 50 mph head winds for 70 miles which meant there was no let up – wind behind coming back. It is also an extremely hilly route with 3,000 metres of climbing.

Ade had to turn back around Abbotsbury due to a mechanical however the rest of us got all the way round however around 9 hours in the saddle and 6,000 calories

consumed takes a huge toll out of your body. We are all however very proud of our achievements and glad we did it. My mates will definitely do it again.

When you are with a bunch of guys for that long you end up doing a lot of chatting. The main topic of conversation in our group was the “Audax Rider” as opposed to how we would be described as “Sportive Riders!” Audax riders wouldn’t be seen dead on a carbon bike – they like heavy metal frames on which they can hang their saddle bags or panniers. An Audax rider can be spotted a mile off usually by the size of their saddle bag. Whilst we have a small pouch behind our seats with a spare inner tube, gas canister, tyre levers etc an Audax rider will have the biggest saddle bag you have ever seen and probably rode 200 km to get to the start!

The question is what do they put in their saddle bags? We believe it’s a closely guarded secret and even Jason C who rides with us and is a hardened Audax rider won’t give out that secret. Ideas would be greatly received:-

Snow shovel, tent, life raft, spare tyres, weekly Sainsbury’s shop? We saw 2 Audax riders wearing sandals with cleats on the bottom and also riding a fixie. Why? The only way they can get up a steep hill is do big “S’s” up the hill whilst knocking Andy P and I off our bikes! If anyone would like a pair of sandals with cleats they are available from most bike stores and you can get them in beige!

Anyway we have huge respect for them all they are all totally hardened cyclists and run great events. We will be lining up again next year.

Richie Robson (below)

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PBP 2015Ri

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Paris-Brest-Paris 2011 was a close thing for me, due to my dodgy knee. However, PBP 2015 caught me out.

In March 2015, I rode two 200 qualifiers, but my times were a little disappointing compared to my usual hilly 200 in March, which was not offered this time. The first was slow, but with some justification, as it was seriously windy on the final leg from St Andrews to Falkland and up over the Lomond Hills, ending up only 5 minutes inside time. The second was more encouraging, 30 minutes inside time in spite of more serious wind and a lot of rain. My first 300 in April was not nice. I was unfamiliar with some of the area, and had expected the route to be fairly level, but quite a few short sharp climbs caught me out. I enjoyed a lot of the route, but with a “Tesco car park” start and finish, and all controls validated by ATM, through some unfamiliar countryside, I spent too much time faffing about. I oscillated between a Chinese and Indian in Coldstream, both too busy on a Saturday night and ended up with a carry-out, eaten on a wall in a freezing wind. Not entirely relaxing, though my ride ended up with a rather nice cruise from Dunbar to Edinburgh in a clear evening, 30 minutes outside time. The organiser was not pleased when I rapped on his door. In 29 years this was the first Audax I had finished out of time. Wigginton 300 was quickly arranged and did the job, an hour in hand. A nice change, down south, in an area with plentiful cafes and some nice scenery. Although it was not too hilly, the route went over the North Yorks Moors, where I had crossed on the Lyke Wake Way years before. The Southern Uplands 400 was largely on familiar ground, no problem finding food and drink, over 2:40 in hand. More reassuring! I felt I had not completely lost my fitness.So to my Yorkshire 600. Three weeks before, I had some seriously dark urine, about the colour of yesterdays tea in the

pot. I was not too concerned at the time, but on the ride, I went really badly and ended up finding it impossible to continue at 425km. Low on energy, feeling stuffed and tight, rapid shallow breathing, I reluctantly abandoned, and was grateful for the excellent Yorkshire rail network and incredibly helpful rail staff for getting me back to the start. I consulted my doctor, who took blood samples. Two hours later I was ordered to hospital next morning, where I spent a whole day. Apparently key indicators were off the scale, they seemed a bit surprised I wasn’t dead yet, and the conclusion was that I had contracted a virus liver infection, that is Hepatitis, which was knocking me back. I think for the first time in my adult life I was ill, not injured.All was not lost. I had entered a spare 600, since ACP allow you to replace any missed ride with a longer, later one. The extra 600 also gave me more training. The East & West Coasts 600 went fine, excellent cafes, excellent scenery, some enjoyable descents, a few discussions with locals, a really nice two days out in country I knew to some extent, but not really cycled much. Only 2:40 inside time, but hey, this was only two weeks after abandoning.

Now to Paris. In my first five PBP rides, I had always chosen the 10pm start, and managed to work my way to the first pen. Once, in 2007, I managed to work myself right up into the front line with two mates, we rode three abreast behind the police pace car for 15km or so, a wonderful feeling, even if it lacked the classic view of the road full of rear lights all the way to the horizon. In 2011, it was all different, and 10pm was not offered. I chose the earliest start at 6pm, but along the way I realised that if I continued as I could have, I would arrive in the small hours, with nothing to eat or drink, no showers, and nowhere to sleep except a wooden bench which is OK en route but … My hotel was booked for the following night. So, in 2011 I took a shower and comfortable bed in Dreux, and still cruised in well in time.

For 2015, I thought I would take the late option, 8pm. Bad choice! What that meant, was that as I started well and had a decent speed, I moved up in time and caught the bulge, which meant long waits in queues and too much wasted time. Some of the controls, like Carhaix, did not help - the restaurant food area did not serve hot drinks, so riders had to queue twice. Villaines-la-Juhel has the control stamp on one side of the road, the restaurant some way off on the other, and a long ramp to carry your tray downstairs to eat. I have some sympathy with Villaines, it is not a large town, and they must be struggling to fit in the increased number of riders.

In the past, I felt it was unnecessary to eat outside the controls, but this time, I wonder. There are a few excellent places to eat, but unpredictable and randomly spaced. One of my favourite supermarkets, in Gorron I think, at which I had often gathered a few good things like Yaourt Sucre, had closed, victim to a nearby bigger town with a bigger hypermarket.

I arrived at Mortagne with 2:40 in hand, Villaines with 3:20 in hand. I did feel tired, my eyes were not doing so well. I slept earlier than planned, at Loudeac, and in spite of the early fog, which slowed many riders down, I enjoyed the ride to Brest - especially the early morning chocolat-chaud at Huelgoat -

Rod Dalitz

Interesting Times

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PBP 2015

Typical PBP queue - note sleeper

The road back to Paris

but then problems started to get me down. More and more painful, I was losing time increasingly at every control. The secret control at Mael Carhaix was perfect! simple, quick, efficient, with good basics: coffee, soup, sandwiches.

Loudeac on the way back was a pain, crowded with huge numbers of bikes and queues. I managed to buy some grilled sausages, then moved on. I had a good sleep at Quedillac, they woke me at 8am as requested, woke me again at 8:30, the third time at 9am I realised I was way late and would have to move fast to make up time. I pushed on and was lucky to catch the wheel of a strong Dane, who helped me make up a lot of time. He eventually stopped for a toilet break but I was reasonably in time for Tinteniac control.

Lucky to make Tinteniac, but that effort drained me, and I lost more and more time on the way to Fougeres, even though the road was fairly flat. On the leg to Mortagne I was plagued by the hallucinatory surreal imagery classic to long-distance cycling, in this case seeing the passing vegetation as ruined buildings. The weirdest hallucination was when an ironing-board sized chunk of the road appeared to freeze at waist height just in front of me, and made me swerve violently to avoid it.

I was reminded of the story of one early RAAM rider whose support team stopped him because he was wandering all over the road: “All these tombstones keep popping up in front of me!” Somewhere, there was a party along the roadside, some kind of celebration which embraced PBP riders, I enjoyed a cup of their coffee and narrowly avoided falling asleep. A bit later, along a road that we had cycled out along but which I didn’t recognise at all, I found myself taking longer and longer breaks to sit down (blessed relief ) and likely fell asleep for a short break.

Arriving back at Mortagne, I was 60 minutes in time, yet I knew from the earlier controls that I would use all that up taking on food and drink, and sitting down. Silly; I know with determination I can push through pain and tiredness, use the control efficiently, and not waste too much time, my best PBP time 76:59 shows that. But at Mortagne, I knew I would leave barely in time. Badly tired. I was going to fail. If I slept at Mortagne, I would need to make up an impossible amount of time to check in to Dreux. If I tried to go on without sleep, I was so slow I would fail anyway. A tough decision but one which had no good options. I chose a shower, a comfortable bed, and the uncertain future of how I would get back to Paris.

The outcome was better than I could have hoped. I shared a mini-bus taxi

for €30 to the finish, my bike followed a few hours later.

Everything went so well.

The really annoying thing was finding that, unlike the Gymnase de Droits de l’Homme, the new Velodrome finish offered food, showers, and places to nap. This is excellent, but something I was not aware of when I completed my entry. This time I had a hotel room booked throughout PBP, so a finish at ANY hour would have worked fine.

What really caused me problems were leftover health issues. Morton’s Neuroma gave me pain in the feet; I had sciatic nerve pain from an old injury which I knew how to manage, but a more recent development which felt like a tear in one buttock was clearly a referred pain from a nerve somewhere else. A cracked rib earlier in the year, which I thought was fairly recovered, gave me too much lower back pain, and I came home with extensive bruising around there.

Moving house a year ago left me failing to do my rotator cuff shoulder exercises, and on the ride my left shoulder collapsed, making it hard to change gear. Last, but far from least, the week before PBP my daughters’ family and an old friend from California visited Edinburgh for the Fringe, and (no blame to them, it was great) far too much socialising in the week left me short of sleep and energy. Crucially, I had not realised I was still suffering from hepatitis, and I felt some of the same feelings which scuppered my first 600. Later, my doctor sent me for MRI scan on October 30 because some indicators were still out of line. There were too many issues. Add to that the usual PBP bum pain and finger numbness, and I was a wreck. I knew how to handle most of these separately, but not all at once.

At the end, I did not complete PBP, having reached Mortagne-au-Perche with 1039km done and 60 minutes in hand. Completing six PBP does not guarantee success on the seventh. Was that a failure? Or a triumph of good sense? Lessons to be learned.

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This & That

with Stephen Poulton

I do not normally night ride unnecessarily, nor seek colder conditions than I need. There

was a risk I would be out of time, through sleep-deprivation, even

before I started. So why? A Red Moon, Super Moon at 4 in

the morning.I had already landed 2 x 200s for September, so a 3rd would be useful to start a new RRTY (24) series (having completed

No 22 early in the mth) to have 2 live for the next month.

I hated the sleep deprivation effects of PBP and the need for

catnaps, so I reckoned a caffeine-loaded ride could help

me to remain alert.

We met at 7 in Hucclecote, a drive for Pat and a 6 mile ride for me. The weather was perfect with a big High over the country. The Bristol Double Avon 200 Perm is a favourite, since I designed it and it uses the Bath-Bristol Sustrans route to Temple Meads, which includes a Docks traverse.

But before that, it was back roads to Stonehouse, then lower Cotswold roads to Dursley and Wotton-under-Edge, just enough climbing to provide the push.

From Wotton it is easier to Chipping Sodbury, the official S/F, where we bought coffee and cakes, whilst the Spar shop was still open. The gps provided prompts, which, in the dark, were very useful, especially joining the Cyclepath after Pucklechurch.

From here it is generally a gentle 1% descent; not surprisingly, the trail lacked the hoards of families who use this route as recreation; there were just a few cyclists climbing the track.

We crossed the Docks and were ‘blown away’ by the reflected images in the water and from the lit-up buildings. Even the SS Great Britain provided a photo op. The most spectacular image, however, was the Clifton Suspension Bridge (left), with the River Avon at low tide and the full moon in centre span.

We continued to Shirehampton and Avonmouth, where we enjoyed a 2nd coffee. Rather than use the lanes after Pilning, we kept to the A403 to Severn View Services and on to Thornbury by main road.

Even after Thornbury we kept off the scenic route, as night riding was easier on the A38. By now it was 3am and we kept watching for some moon activity. We were going north and the Moon was behind us.

We stopped, looked round and suddenly realised we were missing history. I fitted the extender lens and small tripod to my Bridge camera, brought specifically for this, and proceeded to take images.

As I lay squirming on the tarmac, folk stopped to enquire to my health; even the Police were kept happy by Pat’s calming words.

In the renewed ‘dark’, the stars were brilliant with no intruding street lights. The Moon settled to a reddish globe, so we moved on to Gloucester. We were also searching a 24hr garage and found one at Westgate, so it was more caffeine drink, a coffee for me and coke for Pat.

The moon began to lose it’s shadow, so we moved to a spot I know along the way. From there we went on to Maisemore Bridge as the Moon’s release to normality was almost complete. After Hartpury the road to Upton became the priority.

Then the pre-dawn colours and light commenced, bringing pinks and light across the sky – oh, the joys of the dawn. Remarkably, the coffees kept me alert. Approaching Upton, I stopped for dawn pics.

Upton was a short stop for a nibble, before the Southbound return through Tewkesbury. With the developing dawn and morning mist, I was able to secure more pics, at which Pat went ahead, not to be seen again.

He later emailed to say he had to re-join the REAL(!) world of work. I took more dawn shots in Tewkesbury, so was well adrift of Pat for the final 30km to Hucclecote. We had spent overtime watching the super moon and I had then stolen time with the camera.

When starting the previous evening, I reckoned on 12-ish hours. But our moon- gazing added more and after Upton, we experienced the full onslaught of, firstly, commuter traffic and later the school run traffic.

This was a great opportunity to experience something special; I was over-dressed to start, but was able to adjust layers as night cooled; that was better than being chilled and the perfect night light and passage through Bristol provided a few memories to be treasured.

After following the end of the rush-hour home, I was still awake enough to have breakfast and write up most of this report. Retiring to bed I had a full night’s (day’s?) sleep – just like when I worked shifts in the Royal Air Force.

My decision was also re-enforced by the pleasure I had completing a 200 under a full moon; the night was so light

and the prospect now was a 14% brighter moon.

It did not disappoint. Pat Hurt accepted a forum invitation to join me, which rather suggested I could not back out.

Superbloodmoon 200 - Memorable

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This & That

I have unearthed a “Bertram Dudley” jacket of mine which has a history. All Bertram Dudley jackets have a history

actually (just Google it to see!) but mine has a particular one which may be of interest to OCD members.

Some of the jacket’s newness was already beginning to wear off when I first met Janet in 1985. She looked at the badge on it (see photo) and the first words she ever uttered to me were: “What does OCD mean?” This seemed quite a promising chat-up line to me. “Ordre des Col Durs”, I proudly announced.

But my French wasn’t so hot at the time and what I pronounced rather than announced was “Ordre des Col Dieu”. Janet immediately suspected that I was a religious fanatic and this nearly put paid to any possible future romantic relationship. We soon clarified between us what the club actually was and laughed about it.

Much to my embarrassment, Janet also clarified something else; she was a French teacher! Anyway, we’re still together 30 years on and the jacket also survives. I would wear it as a fashion statement, but (my excuse is) the sleeves are too short.

Paul Harrison

Ordre des Col Durs

Calling All

OrganisersAudax UK National 400 2017

Experienced organiser (or team of organisers) wanted to organise the 2017 Audax UK National 400. This is one of

Audax UK’s largest events but a very satisfying and rewarding experience for anyone organising it. Ideally, appointing an organiser within the next few months to

give plenty time to make the National 400 a great success.

For more details or to discuss further, please contact the Events Secretary, Martin Foley, at: [email protected]

Dear Strava

You tell me that today that I cycled 53.4km in 3hrs 24mins and 21secs and climbed 1091m. With one click you show the red

spiderings traced by my wheels as I burnt a total of 1,598 calories.

What you don’t say however is that this morning I put my tights on backwards twice or that I forgot my water bottle.

You don’t say that the weather forecast was wrong last night and that the rain hammered the roof so loud that I drank rough

whisky just to silence it.

That the Calder’s rush was lapping the bridge arches or that the only glimpse of sun bounced off the chestnut back of a kestrel near Fly Flats or that I bounced over Heptonstall’s sets to the

rhythm of a poem by Plath.

You don’t say that my chapped lips regretted the vinegar on my chips or that the wind was sly enough to cut like paper. That

there were puddles within puddles and the Keighley road had turned into a river.

You don’t mention that still turbine blades seemed to be in mourning and were serenaded by choirs trapped in the folds of

the wind or that my chest was stabbed on every push by a cracked rib and my breathing had a rattle after last week’s

bronchitis.

The surprise sweet smell of hay for the horses of Waistalls and the jag’ that revved its guts out on Bridge Lanes don’t get a

mention, nor does the fact that I stopped eight times going up Stocks Lane for fear of my heart exploding.

Omitted are the cramps in my hands on the last stretch home and the holes in my lucky socks that need darning. And

forgotten are the streetlights in Luddenden that seemed to twinkle red like the imaginations of children on Christmas Eve,

celebrating my arrival home.

Papillon de Montagne

16arrivee.indd 9 15/01/2016 13:22:39


1969 Geniva to Nice tour - Dave on the right 2001 French Alps tour - Mary on Mont Ventoux

!972 Dave on the col del Canto

OCD

Hand punching the air with joy as I breasted the misty summit of the Cat & Fiddle climb in the Peak District I had a

euphoric feeling of satisfaction that I had at last reached one million metres of col climbing. Two cols only on this day 28th

Dec. 2002; a sedate potter up from Wildboarclough with wife Mary; (who has

shared with me a good many of those million!) and good friends Roy & Joan to

meet with Sam & Pauline in the ‘Cat’ for a celebration drink & meal and reflect on 42

years of pedalling going back to my earliest claims of 1960.

Then I was a 16 year old youngster already a keen cyclist and hill-walker discovering

the delights of the Peak District on the doorstep of my Stoke-on-Trent home - it still is home where usually two to three

times a week I still find pleasure cycling & walking in this lovely part of our land. With

best schoolmate Roy, I joined the Stoke YHA group in the early sixties where

weekends would see us youth - hostelling in Wales, Shropshire, Peak and Lake

District. Cynwyd was a favourite hostel of ours and my love of hill-tracks was firmly

planted when we crossed the famous ‘Wayfarer Pass’ in the Berwyns, soon

followed up by the Bwlch Maen Gwynedd. Ventures further afield took us to Scotland where the Glen Affric and the 2700ft. high

Lairig Ghru crossings were tackled - the latter still stands out as one the hardest

days ever in or out of the saddle - and that includes riding 12 hour time- trials and

running Marathons!

The Alps called in 1967 when the Dolomites plus the Stelvio pass cast a magic spell on me that has lasted - I think the Dolomites are my favourite mountains of all.

Then in 1969, following in the footsteps of our hero Eddy Merckx, we toured from Geneva to Nice climbing many of the famous Tour de France cols in the French Alps.

Then I met Mary and she being a cyclist too we climbed the Bealach na Ba in Applecross (highest British road pass) in the year that we married. A year later in 1972 we undertook a memorable 1100 mile 4 week tour of the Pyrenees from Bilbao to Perpignan. There were many highlights on that tour but one that stands out most is our roughstuff crossing of the remote 5000ft. Col del Canto (now surfaced) between Soll and Seo de Urgell. On entering the tiny hill village of Vilamur (above), it was like stepping back to medieval times as two men in the main square slit the throat of a goat while nearby mules were being tackled up for farmwork.

Our two girls Ruth and Carol came along in ’74 and ’75 which saw us restrict our cycling to somewhat flatter lands. Tours of East Anglia and Holland followed - the latter saw us riding two of the early junior back tandems built by George Longstaff; the man

himself and his family were with us on that tour- nice to have your own cycle engineer along with you !

Time- trialling with the Lyme R.C. took hold in the 70’s so my claims were sparse, although some of my favourite events were the Birkenhead Mountaint Time Trial over the Horseshoe Pass; also the Adorior ‘Circuit of Kinder’ and the Buxton C.C. Mt. T.T. The 80’s were sparse col collecting years too as I then got into marathon running, although the biking was always ticking over as well.

Then I retired from full time teaching in 1997 and celebrated the occasion by buying my first mountain bike. All those earlier roughstuff rides , including the Lairig Ghru were on lightweight tourers, so I was now in a new ‘comfort zone’ with fat tyres, fat saddle and much better brakes - I loved it!

The mountain bike gave me a new impetus; great for touring and two years after having mine Mary changed over too and loved the v- brakes stopping power and the front suspension.

So with my ‘Giant’ and her ‘Marin’ we’ve explored the Appennines - with the help of a cheap flight to Bologna (lovely city); cycled the Dolomites (article in issue 92 of the OCD mag. Winter/Spring 2001); claimed Mt.

One Million Metres

with David Joynson

16arrivee.indd 10 15/01/2016 13:22:39


2014 Roy Deakin on the Santel Pass to Andalo

2010 Dave on the Tizi n’ Fedhrat pass

OCDVentoux and others in the French Alps (article in issue 95 OCD mag. Spring 2002) and in 2002 we toured the beautiful fiords of Norway. Closer to home one of my favourite areas still is the Shropshire/Welsh border country with its quiet lanes and small cols (article in issue 96 OCD mag Summer 2002).

At the CTC York Rally in ’98 I picked up an OCD mag and a year later joined the club. That first winter saw me tracking down old photos, slides, YHA cards, CTC runs cards, diaries & logs to claim climbs going back to 1960. The million was reachable soon and with the help of the OCD ‘Greensheets’ (which detail all the cols in Britain), the last few years have seen lots of quality riding in the hills. I’ve also found pleasure in evenings poring over a map and a ‘Greensheet’ working out a cycle route with the maximum col claim in a given area. I’ve discovered lots of new cols and had memorable days claiming as many as ten to a dozen cols totalling as much as 4000m. The beauty of riding the hills as against the flat is not just in the benefit of the scenery but the indisputable fact that for every ascent there is usually a descent.

A typical half-day ride in the Peak District would start at Danebridge ; go over Cleulow Cross 340m. to Wildboarclough then over the Cat & Fiddle 515m.to descend the Goyt Valley and up to Pym’s Chair 465m; down to Jenkin’s Chapel, up to the A537 Macclesfield Buxton X roads 417m. Descend to Wildboarclough; up to Macclesfield Forest Chapel 405m; descend to Sutton Langley; up to Oakenclough 380m; down to Wildboarclough; up to Hill Top Farm 320m. and so down through Wincle to Danebridge. This route climbs 7 cols totalling 2824m, in around 25 miles and, despite being in wild country, encounters at least 7 pubs en-route - you need stamina and an iron will to get round without succumbing to temptation!

I’ve discovered many scenic circuits like this in the Peak and Shropshire hills; another good area is the North Pennines where Durham, Northumberland & Cumbria meet. Here the cols are high and in winter it is truly bleak; if you need local expert information on this area then Derek Purdy is your man.

So if you too are after the million, then go for it! Apparently I am now a ‘Venerable’ member of the OCD! Since the million I have climbed & claimed around 250,000m of cols; again most in my beloved Peak District but also overseas in winter trips to the Canary Islands, two trips to the Dolomites where I watched the Giro d’Italia pass by in 2012. I now ride a Dawes Tanami explorer bike mainly in the winter; although it has also been used for summer tours as it is a great load carrier. For swift summer touring and occasional time trialling I prefer my lighter Giant Defy; with occasional forays on my Dawes Galaxy.

In 2010 Mary and I joined an ‘Explore’ led group in the High Atlas of Morocco where the literal highspot was the fabulous crossing of the 2580m Tizi n’ Fedhrat pass (above). Morocco is a lovely country to explore especially by mountain bike.

July 2013 saw Mary and I in the French Alps watching Chris Froome on his way to winning the Tour. We based ourselves in Annecy for a few days and what a great base it is for ‘col - bagging’! We climbed ten in all with the highlight on a fine day being the 1467m Col de la Croix-Fry.

Earlier that summer, in June, our social group of friends called the ‘Scone Wheelers’ (we love our cake!) headed up to the Lake District for the ‘Fred Whitton Challenge’. This is

regarded as Britain’s toughest sportive; the official ride is held annually in early May and is a charity ride in memory of the local Lakes Road Club racing secretary who sadly died of cancer aged 50.

It is inconceivable to me that the ‘winners’ of this 112 mile ride over six major Lakeland passes (plus four more minor ones) complete it in around six hours! We took the easier touring option (we are after all around 3 score and 10!) taking two days over it, allowing us to savour the Lakeland scenery and have plenty of café and cake stops!

We started and finished in Coniston, staying at the YH. We had checking in cards issued by the Cumbria tourist board which we put in machines at start and finish and points in between. Our first day was up and over to Ambleside; then over the first check point on the Kirkstone Pass. This was followed by the climb from Ullswater over Matterdale Common to Keswick and on up Borrowdale and over Honister pass to stay at Buttermere, a day of 52 miles with 8 hours on the road.

The next day the kind weather gods were again with us as we straight away hit the Newlands Pass (which had most of us walking the steeper sections) descending to Braithwaite followed by the almost continental type climb over Whinlatter. A

delightful easier section was enjoyed then through the Vale of Lorton passing Loweswater before our next climb over Fangs Brow (sounds tough doesn’t it !).

Wonderful views opened up as we dropped towards Ennerdale; then it was a long moorland climb over Cold Fell before descending to Eskdale. We were dreading the real sting in the tail of the ‘Fred Whitton’; the steep 25% to 33% climbs of Hardknott and Wrynose passes. ‘Knocking grub’ was taken on board at Eskdale Green as we prepared for this last challenge. Hardknott was as hard as expected and we all walked the steeper lower and upper sections with some riding the slightly easier middle section.

Descending to Cockley Beck was hair-raising on a very uneven surface and the final big climb over the Wrynose Pass seemed easier; now the worst was over and we just had a short climb up and over to our finish in Coniston. We had covered 62 miles on this second day and although we had split the ‘Fred Whitton’ into two days this final day had been a tough ten and a half hours. Our oldest rider Ellis, well into his seventies, could now proudly wear his T shirt emblazoned with the words ‘Old Guys Rule’!

So the mountain passes still call us; this year we cycled in Majorca enjoying the spring sunshine as we climbed ‘the must do’ Calobra gorge on an epic day out. Later in the year we had two pass storming days in the Yorkshire Dales based at Hawes from where we did Park Rash and Fleet Moss and next day the high Coal Road over to Dent and back - a glorious part of the country that we will return to this year for sure.

For cyclists who love mountain scenery ‘col-bagging’ has a similar appeal to that of the hill walkers

‘Munro- bagging’ but nothing quite beats the exhilaration of cycling

down an alpine type descent!

16arrivee.indd 11 15/01/2016 13:22:40


Randonnées

I had set the alarm for 05:30 but the butterflies had me restless well before that. It was still dark but I was up and ready to go by 06:20 and made it to Musselburgh in plenty time to collect my first Brevet Card and leg it to Tesco for a final loo stop. It was overcast but that suited me fine.

Once the riders started gathering outside the Brunton Theatre (above) the nerves were starting to jangle, though I knew these would dissipate once riding. I idly chatted to a couple of guys prior to the start, but they all looked pretty handy so I reckoned I was in for a lonely day.

I wasn’t surprised then when the pace off the front was more than I could handle, so dropping back decided that leg preservation was better than point scoring – this was going to be a long day and I had both time and a body to manage.

Out through Aberlady and Gullane the group quickly disappeared, except for a couple of guys off in the distance – I knew the road out to North Berwick anyway and reached the first checkpoint in just under an hour.

Martyn the organiser was sure I wasn’t last on the road so I was quickly off again towards Haddington. Outside North Berwick a chap drew alongside me and we chatted for a bit, which made the drag out to and past Athelstaneford pass mercifully quickly.

By Haddington I was on my own again and almost got caught out following an older gent with

Brooks, Carradice and Handlebar Bag (MUST be an Audaxer!) until my Garmin started bleeping “Off Course” – I scolded myself for blindly following someone. Back on course again the 2 guys I’d seen earlier were back in front of me, and a bit further up the road they stopped and we had a wee chat about the next bit of the route. One even asked what a Fingerpost was – I mean, who doesn’t know that?

We were onto narrow roads now and down to a ford which we had been warned was slippery, I opted to take the bridge but this meant a 50-yard walk up the steep hill on the other side – I reckoned there may be more walking to come… At 60k Martyn was waiting with a food stop which was really welcome, Irn Bru and Snowballs were dutifully demolished.

The route then took us down to and along the busy A7 for a few k’s and over the new Borders railway line – a number of people had gathered as a steam train was heading up as we were heading down. Bizarrely an old work colleague was at the side of

the road as I flew past and the look on his face when I shouted “Alright Tony!” was priceless.

Turning off the A7 the road climbed up again and took us along a valley then down towards Innerleithen. A stiff headwind being funnelled by the glen was not making this road any easier, though I again caught up with my 2 chums (I suspect they were deliberately waiting on me) and we traversed the route down past the Innerleithen golf course and into the town for a welcome café stop and our 2nd Control, just under the 100k point. I was pleased to see a collection of Audax bikes outside the stop, as it meant I wasn’t too far behind some of the other riders.

In the café introductions were made to my now 2 friends Brian and Ian, rolls were ordered and we were joined by another rider called Martin who reckoned he was the last man out on the course, which fired me into action and I was raring to go

Forget the fact that this was an AAA Audax.

The story goes thus: I decided 6 weeks ago it was about time I did an Audax. The notion had

been floating around for a while but I was either not ready or there was not one suitably near

enough for my first attempt. Well no more excuses, The Erit Lass

200k Audax from Musselburgh was coming

up so in went my entry.

Forget the fact I hadn’t even done 100 miles in a single attempt this year.

Forget the fact I would be doing it on a 4-week old

bike.

Forget the fact I have a shonky knee and have

suffered from cramp on several occasions already

this year. Ready or not, here it was.

Mark Allardice

The Erit Lass 2015

16arrivee.indd 12 15/01/2016 13:22:40


Randonnées

again. Off we headed down the A72 before turning north at Thorneylee towards Stow, which gave us some more climbing to do. I was mostly alone again at this stage but just pacing myself as I knew what was coming at Stow, a steep climb out the village.

Sure enough when I got there another Audaxer was steeling himself at the bottom for the 15% climb, and we had the temptation of the new Stow railway station sitting at the bottom of the hill as a bailout – I decided just to grind it out as this would test my legs to the max.

My fellow Audaxer was making lots of grunting and swearing noises behind me which made me smile on the climb, and I was pleased to make it to the top without stopping or any adverse affects on my legs.

Over the moor and a long decent took us into Lauder, where I was flagged down on the High Street by Brian and Ian for another café stop – cake this time. Brian was talking about an 8:30pm finish which was a lot later than I had assumed, but he knew how much climbing we still had to do.

It is weird what you will do to amuse yourself when you are on your own on a bike, like “Mooing” at cows, “Baaing” at sheep, and shouting “ESCAPEEEEEEEEEEE!” when an appropriate Motorhome goes past (it’s a family holiday-trip game).

Off again the road was “lumpy” and seemingly never-ending but we eventually made it to Duns and our final Control at the 152k point at around 5pm. The guys all opted for chips but I really didn’t want a full stomach so went for some chocolate instead. The kids in Duns Square eyed us with amusement for a moment, before carrying on with booting their rugby ball towards the parked cars – must be a Borders thing…

The 4 of us left Duns with a silent agreement that we would finish together – I was feeling good and with only 50k to go I reckoned no matter how bad it was we were on the last leg. A long climb out of Duns took us towards Longformacus, though it seemed to take an age to get there and by this time the group had fractured – occasionally glancing round I could see figures behind me so knew it wouldn’t be long until I was surpassed.

Through Longformacus the only sign post was for Gifford 13 miles away, so this had to be where the bulk of the climbing would be, and I wasn’t to be disappointed. The route took us up over the Lammermuirs, which were just a series of climbs, false summits, short descents followed by more climbs – it went on and on with nothing but desolate, empty moors.

I could occasionally hear voices behind me and after about the 5th climb to another false

summit I started to feel a bit light-headed so decided to stop, eat and let the guys catch up. At this point I was in danger of hitting the wall, though my legs felt ok and really what were my options? No point turning back, just more climbing so onwards it was – all I had to do was keep pedalling.

After about 5 minutes of eating and drinking I felt better and with no sign of my chums I headed off again. Seeing power lines marching across the top of the moor gave me hope that I was nearer to civilisation and at the next summit the Forth Estuary and Fife hove into view in the distance – I’d done it! I wasn’t finished by any matter but I could see the finish and was convinced it would be downhill from here.

My joy was short-lived as, joining onto the B6355, a 17% sign appeared – “WTF – where did this come from?” It was only by the next turn I realised it was a DOWNHILL, and the joy returned. Some light rain made a quick appearance but this was a celebratory champagne spray rather than a soaking.

Finally passing through Gifford at 7pm the road sign advised 10 miles to Tranent, so I estimated around an additional 5 miles to the finish – could I sneak in before 8pm AND finish in under 10 hours? I set myself the target. Hitting 200k was another milestone met with a loud “WOO-HOOOOO!” and all the

Fine Scottish fayre at 60k The lads enjoy their chips!

aches and pains were melting away, though getting caught in the lights through Tranent made me convinced I wouldn’t reach my target.

I was giving it full beans and as it was now dark I thankfully couldn’t see the clock ticking towards 8pm – reaching Musselburgh High Street the lights all started to turn green, just for me! I raced over the bridge looking for the finish and pulled up hitting the stop button on the Garmin – 7:59pm!!

Joy, Joy, Joy.

Martyn was waiting for me in the hall and instantly I was presented with soup, coffee and a Macaroni Pie – they were all piping hot and I was burning my tongue not knowing which one to eat first, chattering away to Martyn about the ride even though he’d probably heard it all a million times before.

Soon after the 3 other guys arrived having finished together - I did feel a pang of guilt about riding off on my own but had been convinced they would catch me at some point before the end. Thankfully there didn’t seem to be any hard-feelings, and we all congratulated each other on completing a tough, tough ride.

All in all it was a well organised event, with some great company and a route to rival anything else I’ve done. Will I do another? Who knows…?

16arrivee.indd 13 15/01/2016 13:22:41


Permanents

Randonneuring USA

with Colin Bezant

How a business trip to Raleigh-Durham turned out to extend my Audax horizons

Somewhere west of Loudeac on Paris Brest Paris I was riding with a Californian and we got chatting about my forthcoming business trip to the US. As I’d be away for two weeks the Airnimal would be packed and I’d have a couple of days for long rides. He suggested I look up the RUSA (Randonneurs USA website) as the North Carolina group was fairly active and they might have a ride on. They didn’t have a calendar event at the right place and time but there were plenty of permanents.

I did a bit of Googling on routes and blogs and reckoned that there were a couple of suitable rides starting not far from where I was staying, organised by Martin Shipp. A few emails later and I had the details, had arranged to sign waivers and pick up cards, and there was a promise that a few local riders might be interested in riding with a Brit who’d aim to do a 200 in 8 to 9 hours.

A few local riders turned out to be 5, making a group of 6 for a permanent. I’ve done calendar rides with less company. The five were Mike, Lynn, Scott, Gernot, and Kevin. They were fairly elite company, Mike is president of Randonneurs USA, Lynn has a ladies 500 mile event record to her name, and Gernot has been part of a RAAM relay team (twice). Mike presented me with an Adrian Hands Society cap, which I promise to wear after my 7th PBP when I’ll finish in 88hr 55 min or slower.

Forms filled in, we set off in loose formation. There was some suggestion that we should form two groups of three but the slower riders rode quicker and the quicker riders rode slower so that we remained together along the rolling roads to the first control after 70km at a general store cum petrol station cum vehicle inspection site cum place where you can get licences for pretty much anything. They also sold freshly made cakes (pecan pie and fried apple cake) so I was happy. We sat around a table continuing our conversations about bikes and Paris-Brest-Paris and how good it is to be on the road in company of like-minded people.

The remaining 35km to Yanceyville had more hills, but nothing more than about 4% gradient. The Airnimal took everything in its

stride. The only disappointment was that the cloud and mist thickened so we didn’t get much of a feel for the land and its subtle views. We did see brightleaf tobacco growing, which was a new thing for me. We stopped at a bike shop which is the main Pashley and Moulton dealer in the US, but we were ten minutes late for the owner to stamp our cards so we went in search of the Subway for coffee, coke, sandwiches, and proof of passage. We sheltered from some light rain. Scott headed off, wanting to go more quickly, but I was happy to stay with the others. I didn’t want to kill my legs with another 200km ride planned for the next day.

Soon after we set off along the tight turns of the Badgett Sisters Parkway, which gives the ride its name, a tailwind picked up and then the sun came out, which felt like a blessing until the temperature rose sharply. We split into a couple of groups; Gernot was riding fixed and with him breathing down my neck we got a little ahead of the others. We needed to stop for liquid at the first control, even though there was a different control on the way back. Even the local riders were feeling the humidity; I was glad of the electrolyte tablets that were stowed in my bumbag.

At least the hills eased and we rode as a group of five towards the next control. I

resumed group towing duties, with Lynn on my wheel, and was so engrossed with keeping the right pace that we missed a turn. Kevin told us where we’d gone wrong and we made a quick back track with only half a mile of detour. On the next road there was a car on its roof in a ditch, with the driver shaken and embarrassed, probably having caught a wheel in the soft shoulder and flipped. The next control was another general store cum petrol station, somewhat rougher than the last. A pint of fruit squash and a four-bar Twix brought me to my senses and we set off.

The heat kicked off a couple of welcome showers. I found a nice rhythm that got us back just before 4:30pm, not a fast ride but a decently steady one. We sat and chatted for a while at the finish, having all had a great day out (assuming that Scott hadn’t gone astray; he should have finished close to an hour ahead of us if he’d put his head down); then we went our separate ways with the good memories that we’ll recall when we meet again, perhaps at LEL in 2017 when they’ll get to eat my food, or on a roadside in France, or in Scott’s case in a car park next to a general store for tomorrow’s ride, the Eagle Mountain 200.

My second day got off to a ropy beginning. The start control was 12.7 miles from my hotel, but along a series of roads that curved, change their names and then needed a turn at a T-junction. After some carefully planning and writing myself out a route sheet I thought I was doing well, until I got to a totally unexpected turn, just as Scott, who I was supposed to be riding with, phoned me up wondering where I was.

Some frantic searching on the smartphone showed me that I was nowhere near where I should be but at least there was a fairly simple route to the start. I said that I would be 20 minutes and then managed to head off in the wrong direction (I had got properly lost) before realising my error. Scott phoned again but at least I was by then on 8100 Creedmore and had to get to 10920

It was a huge bonus to my business trip to the US, to have a couple of really

enjoyable brevets in a different landscape, with friendly people.

I would really recommend anyone else who ends up with a weekend in the USA

to consider the same. RUSA have over 4000 permanents in addition to their

calendar rides (there were none in North Carolina this weekend) so there is very

likely to be one in the area you are visiting (although North Carolina is

particularly well-served as I discovered over the last two days).

Scott & Colin at the control in the store that had everything,

Badgett Sisters Parkway

16arrivee.indd 14 15/01/2016 13:22:41


Audax UK Mileater DelegateAudax UK is looking for a member to take over the administration of the Mileater Award Scheme when the existing delegate retires shortly.

Scheme entrants are encouraged to record their daily mileages in a diary over the year, or in some cases online, and to make comments. These are submitted at year end to the delegate who uses the distances noted to determine the winners of the Jan & Mick Latimer awards, and the experiences of the participants to inform a report of the competition published annually in ARRIVEE.

The Mileater delegate is responsible for taking entries, ordering and distributing diaries and medals, keeping appropriate records, liaising with entrants, and any other associated tasks.

Knowledge and/or experience of the Mileater scheme as a current participant would be useful for anybody considering taking on this post, but committed members without those qualifications should soon be able to learn.

Any member interested in this opportunity should contact:Chris Crossland, Audax UK Chair Email: [email protected] Phone: 01322 832 853 Address: 14 Stanley Street West, Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire HX61EF

PermanentsCreedmore. There was another nervous moment when I couldn’t find Scott at the start control before we realised that we were in opposite car parks.

After all that excitement we set off on a cloudy cool morning (about 20C) to start the ride proper. I already had over 20 miles under my belt so it was going to be a big day. After a few turns we had over 20 miles on the same road, although it changed its name from Six Forks Road to New Light Road to Bruce Garner Road to Pocomoke Road as it crossed county or city lines. It was a nice well-surfaced road with a couple of good views of Falls Lake. The main signs of habitation were the regular churches that stood at mile or so intervals along the highway. We arrived in Franklinton, which could have been a ghost town, save for the absence of tumbleweed rolling down the streets (it was the Sunday of the Labor Day long weekend). Here we turned into a less-forested more open landscape of soy and tobacco fields. This gave a more-varied scenery that the previous day’s ride.

Anyone looking for cheap property in Epsom, Surrey, should look at Epson, North Carolina, not Surrey. Scott referred to the Edwards Store as Jurassic Park, mostly because of the two denizens sitting in the store sipping coffee, both of whom were somewhat wider round than they were tall. Three pastries and a coke restored my spirits as I’d begun to struggle to keep up with Scott’s strong legs. Mrs Miserable served us, although she was happy to sign our cards.

Then we set off into the gathering heat for a detour via an info control to Warrenton. Not remembering the info control I had to stop and Scott carried on; heat was beginning to fuddle my brain and by the time I got going Scott had vanished. At least it was only 10 miles to the next proper control, in Warrenton.

I settled down to my own pace, the legs responding well to my solo rhythm. There was one puzzle on the route sheet, which mentioned highway 401 but I solved it and arrived in Hardee’s a fast food chain restaurant. I ordered a cheeseburger and chips. There was no sign of Scott and, after his comments about the impact of fast food on American society I assumed he had found somewhere else. However, five minutes later he turned up having been fooled by the Highway 401 sign and a battle with a free range pit bull that chased him just as a car was coming in the opposite direction to frustrate the usual swerve evasive action.

After a good chicken sandwich he was in a much better frame of my mind and we set off, heading back to Epsom. The slight headwind into which we had laboured now

pushed us along and we were in a much better frame of mind for our return visit to Jurassic Park.

There were a couple of other locals sitting on the bench outside, slim compared with the average Epsom resident (they could probably have fitted into XXXXL jeans) and Mrs Miserable seemed happier now the petrol tanker had turned up. (Of course it is possible that we were the first ‘foreign’ visitors to Epsom to ever have returned) A litre of fruit punch helped me rehydrate (I was already onto my third litre of electrolyte drink) then we were off.

The next section was possibly the most scenic of the ride, varying levels of forestation and farmland, all gently rolling hills except for the long drag up to Egypt Mountain (which gets its name by being 100 feet higher than the surroundings (not that you get a view because of the trees).

We did have one encounter with a couple of free range black labradors however after a failed attempt to scare off a pit bull I managed to produce a sufficiently deep “woof” that they were fooled for long enough for us to ride away safely - its a trick I’ve tried a couple of times before with stray dogs - to bark like a bad tempered Alsatian.

There were a couple of info controls to ensure we followed the route (and made the distance). Then we headed back, our speed increasing as the miles ticked down. A brief stop to top up liquids helped us to maintain

our riding momentum and we were back 9 hours and 6 minutes after we had set off.

Scott and I were a good foil for each other, able to ride at a similar pace and, although our climbing styles were different (we were faster on different parts of the climbs) we generally got to the top at about the same time. I preferred today’s route to the Badgett Sisters, but it’s always nice to have company.

Martin Shipp, the organiser was there to greet us at the finish and sign our cards. He’d already logged them on the RUSA website so I guess if I was bothered I could get some AUK credit for them.

This was the first time I had used the Airnimal for a randonnee, mine was bought for relatively short trips when on holiday or business. It survived the weekend well, the rear tyre lost some pressure on the second day, but I had a Lezyne mini track pump which is great for getting tyres quickly up to the higher pressure that is best for a 24” wheel and fits in my ancient Serratus bum bag that was sufficient to carry the pump, spare tyres, bonk rations, and bear.

The Americans are big on their equivalent of Randonneur Round The Year and given the size of the country, permanents serve them well towards this goal, so you may well be able to

arrange company as I did.

Finish of Egypt Mountain (photo by Martin Shipp)

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Paris-Brest-Paris

My allotted “wave” start time was 7:45pm Sunday. There was much excitement at the start as we rode out through some beautiful parkland areas, wooded and quiet. I was mainly surrounded by French riders judging by their frame number plaques. I tried to chat in pigeon French to the group I was riding with. There were about 10 of them from a French Cycling Club in Bretagne, Treve I think. It was also the first time for some of them. We seemed to be going quite fast, maybe too fast?

We moved out into rolling agricultural plains of cut wheat as the light was starting to fade. Already people had switched on their rear led lights and a long snake of red dots could be seen for miles, twisting away on the road ahead. I was riding at quite a swift pace and got a buzz from every rider or small group that was passed. After about 2 hours or so I heard the first British accent, T330, he’d started in the wave after me and was riding with a fast Ukrainian team. So I joined up with them and got on a cracking pace.

We flew into what I think was Chateauneuf en Thymerais, a lively town with bars and food stalls at the ready; most riders stopped here for food and drink. My new fast friend and the mainly French group we were in wanted to push on. It would be 80k into the ride and about midnight, it would have been a good stop. Still wound up with excitement and euphoria, I rode on with them.

Then disaster struck, we must have exited the town on the

wrong road. It soon dawned on me that there was no longer a long line of red dots stretched out ahead. I asked the French guys, who insisted it was the right way. My English friend had a GPS that gave a different answer but there was an issue with the GPS files which had apparently changed at the last minute. My new friend wanted to turn left and try and pick up the route. Our group grew to number about 20, still we pressed on. I questioned another Frenchman who said that he lived at the velodrome in Paris, and this was surely the correct route! Eventually some locals flagged us down and we stopped and retraced our steps. I thought I’d heard Senonches mentioned, so shouted them to turn when I saw a sign. It was chaos, but I dared not leave the Brit with the only GPS, who had by now gone off up the road; so I had to chase him down at a serious pace.

All the while I was riding outside my comfort zone, the night was getting colder and damper and I was still in a short sleeve jersey. I dare not stop to add layers as I would surely lose my navigation. Eventually we rejoined the route at what I think was Senonches but by then I felt exhausted. T330 and I stopped and picked up some water at a roadside stop manned by local fans.

We started out again together and kept up a good pace, but I felt it was pushing me too hard, everything hurt. I made my excuses, let him go, dropped behind a much slower Japanese group and then plodded on,

cold, tired and disheartened that my ride had already gone so wrong. After riding slower for a while I decided that the Japs were too slow and I picked up my pace again.

Due to the cold air, my shoulders were already hurting but I did not know how far the food stop was, I thought it must be close so kept on without stopping to add clothing layers. I put on the regulation Hi-Viz gilet at some point, but it was useless as a wind-stopper and I stayed cold.

I must have got to Mortagne au Perche at around 2:30 am, very cold, and hungry. This was my first feed station and I did not know what to expect. In the car park, I put on a thermal under my jersey and my long leggings. First thing was to buy hot chocolate and pain au chocolate at the bar before queuing up for the “self”. I got soup, and bolognese with rice, very comforting and filling and I felt myself start to recover a bit.

I spotted Damon Peacock the Audax film maker, and he recognised my East Bradford CC top and came to interview me. People were sleeping heads down on tables and some people were also laid out flat in corners, I did not feel sleepy, but felt that I’d overdone things and under fuelled.

On the way out of the control, I went for another pain au chocolate but they’d all gone! At this point I somehow knocked my glasses off my head and they went flying across the dining room, the lens had popped out and somebody narrowly avoided treading on them. My heart sank,

this looked like the end of the ride. I scrabbled around to retrieve the glasses and lens and looked down at the frames, by some miracle the minute screw was still there hanging by one thread! I pieced them back together, gripping the frames together as if life depended on it. Someone directed me to the bike technicians, I held out no hope. I asked in my best French for help and one of the ladies went away, rummaged and came back with a set of jewellers screwdrivers! My luck was definitely in!

With glasses mended, I headed off into the cold night. Riding at night now was very surreal and weird, I found myself trying to push on and kept passing people. It seemed that everyone was just too slow, so I felt that I had to pass them.

People were already sleeping at the road side, propping themselves up against various buildings, but I felt ok and also felt that there was an urgency to press on. Dawn was starting to appear but, as expected, it got colder. It also seemed to get much damper, very misty too. I had put on my cagoule after Mortagne control, but the tightness of the gilet and the cold wet sweaty cagoule over my shoulders just made them ache more.

I was dying for the sun to come up, looking forward to the strong rays to dry and warm my aching back and neck. I arrived at the next control at Villanes just before 7am. The place seemed miserable and damp. I knew I must eat plenty, so had the soup,

A Long Bike RidePBP with Chris Radcliffe

In March 2014 I’d been knocked off my bike, breaking a wrist and 2 fingers, putting me off the bike for a couple of months. Hurriedly, in

June 2014 I took the plunge and decided to enter my first ever Audax, a 600km ride from York to Langholm in Scotland (and back)

as a pre-qualifying Audax ride for PBP. I decided to start with the hardest ride first, since if I could not do the required 600km, it

would be pointless being able to do anything less! So, after another series of qualifiers in 2015, I had my PBP entry

and was on the way to Paris. On the Saturday afternoon we had to sign-on at the French National Velodrome in Paris where I

managed to meet an old friend, Bryce Bénat (on the left with Chris), who had built the bike frame I would be riding to Brest and back!

16arrivee.indd 16 15/01/2016 13:22:42


Paris-Brest-Parisspaghetti and hot chocolates. By the time I left I felt a lot better, but the air was still damp and misty and very heavy. I suffered the early morning, as we rolled through lanes, not really being able to see where I was going.

Eventually the sun burned through and my spirits were raised. I started to think about progress and where I may end up sleeping on Monday night. All the time I was making recalculations against my timing chart, it was still looking good.

I got to Fougeres at about 12:30 after a good morning of riding in the sunshine, then had a decent meal. I set off for the next stage with seemingly plenty of time, targeting a sleep at St Nicholas (about 500 km) for Monday night and spent the afternoon trying to ride myself back in and recover from the night before. It was a great atmosphere and lovely countryside. The support was amazing all along the route

in every small village and hamlet. People shouted encouragement, offering coffee, cakes, biscuits, even alcohol!

I don’t remember Tinteniac, or Quedillac controls and then got to Loudeac as it was starting to get dark around 9pm. The food queue was too long, the whole control was hectic, I queued for the sausage in galette, the queue was shorter and I didn’t want to hang around. Just as I was coming out of the loo, I spotted Bryce! He’d just arrived. We swapped stories; that gave me a boost. I decided to dress better for this evening and set off into the dark. I wanted a cafe or shop in the town, but the whole of the region was on holiday at the sea-side, so everywhere was closed!

At least it meant that the roads were quiet.

A few kilometers out of Loudeac I did find a bar that was open and had coffee and a pain au chocolate. This evening should be better than the first one and I decided that I would sleep a while at St Nicholas and then reach Brest by Tuesday morning. I don’t remember so much about the nights, apart from the long lines of red LEDs which were mesmerising, and made it all the more difficult to stay alert.

In the hilly and narrow lanes after Loudeac, riding in a group of about 20 near St Martin-des-Prés, we came across a crash with paramedics at the scene, there was a rider in the road, he did not look good.

At 23:45, I stopped at the next wayside stop after the crash. A family were manning a table outside their farmhouse in the middle of nowhere. I had coffee and biscuits and refilled my

water, happy to let the big group go. I found it easier to ride alone and not follow other people’s lights. Small quaint villages rolled by, it was difficult to judge speed, distance and gradients at night. I knew we were in hilly rolling country and we were high up because of the lines of fixed red lights that were on top of every wind turbine, signifying high ground and marking the ridges in the landscape.

I arrived at St Nicholas by about midnight, which would have been an ideal sleep stop, but the place was in chaos. I ate first, soup and plenty of bread. The queue for the 4 euro beds was long and didn’t seem to be moving. All available horizontal surfaces in the restaurant and

bar areas were full of bodies. I noticed some familiar Audax UK faces. I had to sleep, I couldn’t go on any further, I’d been riding for about 30hours.

I found a sheltered overhand under the ground floor of the building. It was dusty dry earth, a bit stony, but it was warm and the damp dew would not get me. I took Rudston (a small bear found lying in the road in the Yorkshire Wolds) and my survival blanket and went to settle down. It turns out the blanket was well out of date and the aluminised plastic shredded itself like a fruit pastille tube. I laid down as best as I could and went to sleep, woke up cold a couple of times and after about an hour of broken sleep I’d had enough. I then spotted the cat skeleton, which I’d been laying next to, and emerged from below the building, cold and disorientated.

The bed queue was much shorter now, so I went and joined it. After about 20 mins I was at the front. By about 2am I was ushered to a bed in a huge sports hall of maybe 200 camp beds, organised by letters and numbers in a grid. It was bliss to lay down, I asked to be woken at 5 am. No dreams, I was seemingly awoken as soon as I’d gone to bed by a shake on the shoulder and something whispered in a French girl’s accent, all very surreal. I was cold. I went back across to the canteen for more food, a breakfast of pasta at 5 am.

Just after leaving the control there was a clatter and a crash in the darkness behind me, the rider following had run into the kerb while he tried to put isotonic tablets in his water bottle. I checked he was ok and that he hadn’t hit his head. He

was Irish, a bit bruised, but ok, he was grateful that I’d stopped but didn’t want to hold me up.

Riding into Tuesday morning I soon warmed up, and got to Carhaix control at 7 am. Breakfast, more food! I don’t remember the control. Soon after leaving the control the sun came up and with it the inevitable damp and mist. It seemed worse than Monday but then we were getting nearer the sea all the time. The road weaved around in the Foret de St Ambroise, the trees held in the early morning mist, I longed for it to clear so that I could get my damp cagoule off.

Eventually the sun won and the mist went. We joined a busier main road (D764) near Huelgoat, climbing steadily. Fast groups of riders started to pass in the opposite direction, returning from Brest. The road was continuing to rise all of the time, I guessed we were going up over the “rocks”, which someone had already mentioned, we were getting up onto moorland, over another brow and I could see some distant sea!

A very large radio mast loomed on the horizon, to me this meant that we were nearly there. I seemed to be making good time. We came through a rocky escarpment and the land flowed out below us, I couldn’t see the sea, but it couldn’t be far. It was 8:30am, at a roundabout I asked a French-man how far to Brest? I was sure he said 16km. I tucked in and started the descent.

Coming the other way, I saw Bryce climbing the hill, I shouted, he definitely saw me, but at around 50mph approaching speed there’s no time to say much. At a left turn there’s a roadside stall. I stop for a coffee

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Paris-Brest-Parishad the last number, Z202, so he had made sure that he left the velodrome last! A nice guy, he heads off away from me. Once I’m up and over the rocks, the riding is very easy as we are slightly descending and there is a light tail wind.

The view from high on the D764 ridge is beautiful, I can still see the sea coast down to the south west of the Bretagne peninsula.

Into the ville of La Feuilleé I stop for some photos of the picturesque church and get a selfie! There is a real carnival atmosphere at the roadside, in every small village and town there are people lining the roads, more people than there were on the way out.

There were many small groups of excited children, I “high-fived” as many as I could, much to their delight, shouting a cheery bonjour as I went. People of all ages shouted “Bon route” or more often “Bon courage”. I supposed that over the years they had seen the passage of many riders and their pain and suffering. Somehow, “Bon courage” just said it all. I got a little boost from each of the roadside supporters, and the more I gave back to them in high fives and bonjours, the bigger boost I received in return.

People sat in their gardens, sometimes at the roadside, setup with the quintessential French pique-nique, a veritable feast of cheese, pain, vin and a sense that there was no urgency to do anything. In fact, people seemed to be setup for spectating on a grand scale. When 6000 “couriers” cycle through your village, twice, it becomes something of a festival.

In the late Tuesday afternoon sun I really felt great and started to recalculate a finish in Paris for Wednesday evening. Would I get there in the late evening and cycle to the Eiffel Tower for a finishing photo? My shoulders

had stopped hurting and I knew I would be ok in the night with my new Decathlon gilet.

I got to the Carhaix control at 5:15 pm and refuelled (again!). Next stop would be St Nicholas, where I had slept with the cat skeleton, I did not need to stop, but thought I ought to call in and take a photo! In the daylight and the sunshine, the control did not look so grim. I had some more soup and plenty of the bread laid out on the tables.

I set out into the evening, feeling good as it was getting dark. In some of the lanes, I came across my Irish friend with the broken thumb, he was in a lot of pain, but was still riding strongly. We rode together for a couple of hours as darkness fell and discussed strategies as we neared the next control at Loudeac. I’d noticed a pizza place on the way out, but Martin was worried about cut-off times because he’d started before me. In fact, he had plenty of time, I was glad that I’d made myself a ready-reckoner of speed, distance and time. I said Bon-route to Martin and peeled off at the pizza place.

Inside I could see Richard Leonard from the Pennine club, I’d last left him in a 6 inch snow drift at the Moorcock on a 200k qualifier in March! Somehow my tyres gripped and his wouldn’t, but it was different conditions now. I ordered a pizza Reine and a coke. Refilling my bidon from the table caraffe I managed to pour about 2 litres of water over the table and the floor of the restaurant. The waitress wizzed over to sort it out, she was not at all upset, everyone just seems to understand what it’s all about.

I checked into Loudeac at about 10:30pm and then set off swiftly again into the night.

The riders on the road were much sparser now, and sometimes I couldn’t see any LEDs ahead, it was actually easier this way. I pulled into Quedillac food/sleep station in the small hours. There was a bar serving drinks and snacks in a sort of tent porch at the front, I had hot chocolate and pain au chocolate and finished yet another ham and cheese baguette, which I’d been carrying since Brest. Inside the control there were a lot of people crashed out everywhere, I felt pleased and confident that I felt fine and decided to continue without sleeping.

The next stage was quite flat, I remembered it from the way out, Tinteniac control was not too far and the riding was easier. Into the small hours I found it difficult to stay awake and stopped a couple of times to sleep at the roadside. My strategy was to wait for a suitable farm building, they held the heat of the day in their thick walls, I would sit with back against the wall, set the alarm on my watch for about 10 minutes and fall off to sleep immediately. 10 mins was not quite enough, I woke up feeling groggy. The next sleep I would try 20 mins.

A couple of hours later I felt drowsy again, but mile after mile, nothing but verges and fields. Some people were literally “crashed” at the side of the road, they looked as if they had just dropped where their bikes stopped, lights still on, sometimes their wheels still stuck out in the road! I searched on for my warm building walls, nothing. Then I saw an electricity pylon “poste” in a field, I went for it. It was still warm, I settled down for a nap to the buzz of the transformer.

Tinteniac control came at 03:40am, I don’t remember it. Keeping awake was difficult now but I didn’t want to stop as I knew that the dawn would be cold. Riding in my new gilet I was warm and decided to continue through and sleep at Fougeres in the early morning. To keep awake, I made a conscious decision to pedal hard and push on. On reflection this probably over did things for my knees and I suffered later into the ride.

I took food, café and water at many of the roadside stops, all manned by tired but enthusiastic volunteers who’d stayed up well into the small hours. Rudston made a good talking point and gave me an excuse to try out my French. “Il a été perdu, je l’ai trouvé sur la route”.

I arrived at Fougeres at 6:45 am, checked in and had a shower, I felt amazingly refreshed, I noticed some spare gym mats in a corridor and went to get one. The shower was very refreshing, because of my “rounders leg” strain I’d had to wear shorts, and three-quarters as well as tights to try and put some compression onto my thigh to ease the pain, it had been working, but imagine how hot I was cycling with all those clothes on. In the heat of the afternoons I’d looked at other

and get offered a freshly made crepe with local jam, delicious. Then I notice that my crashed Irish friend is there, N039, Martin O Brien. He thanks me again, he hurt his shoulder and looks to have broken his thumb! He won’t get it checked by paramedics, as they would confiscate his brevet card and his ride would be over! We chat, he calls his wife, so I ride on to Brest. I ask the distance to

Brest again, it seems I’d misinterpreted 60k for 16k the last time I’d asked.

The road carries on dropping towards Brest, it’s a bit rolling, I know I will have to climb all of this on the way back, I hope that the wind picks up more, at present it’s a gentle head wind, a westerly. BREST in about 40 hours! I can hardly believe it, across an impressive bridge, into the town. I stop for the obligatory picture on the bridge, but there really isn’t enough time to be a tourist. I spot a supermarket, maybe I can eat here quicker than at the control. It’s11:30. The menu du jour starts at 12, I can’t wait. I get a sandwich, salads, pastries and eat well.

Through the town and we are climbing already till we reach the Brest control on the outskirts. I’m very quick and efficient here, pleased with progress. Out of Brest town, we are already climbing. On the outskirts I come across a Decathlon Shop. Brilliant! I can get a warmer jacket to replace the non-windproof gilet. I take my bike right into the shop, smiling at the assistants, they know what I’m up against, “Bravo! Bon-chance!” they say. I buy the trusty gilet, now tonight will be ok!

We start the climb back up the rocks, I can climb ok, so pass a few people. I find myself playing cat and mouse with a big German who beats me on the flats and I pass him on the hills. We chat a bit. Marius (I think), he was the LAST man to start, he

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Paris-Brest-Pariscyclist in just shorts with envy. At one point the previous afternoon I had given in and stripped off to my shorts, after a few miles the pain returned into my thigh top tendon and I had to put all my clothes back on.

After the shower I put on clean shorts, and a clean Raleigh top, after applying my secret weapon chamois cream, germolene. I crashed on the mat in a busy main corridor. Less than an hour later I was woken up by a French man who wanted to clear up the mats, it was daytime and no one should be sleeping! I went for a huge breakfast. A few familiar faces in the restaurant, a few VC167 club shirts and others who I’d spotted on the ride. The VC167 jerseys gave me confidence, these guys were old pros at the PBP; if I was somewhere near them I was clearly not far off the correct pace.

I set out from Fougeres at about 9am to start another glorious day, in my mind I felt good, but my legs were definitely tiring. It was 100k to the next control at Villanes and I did not get there until 2:20pm, so my pace was slowing a bit. By this stage there were fans everywhere, on every corner, every village, they were looking out of upstairs windows for a better vantage point. I thanked everyone, it was my duty, part of the deal, they had spent many hours at the roadside to urge riders on.

At about 10:30 am I stopped at one roadside stall in Lévaré for coffee and home made cakes, which the girls had baked, delicious, I promised to send them a postcard from home in return. They offered a mattress in the shade for a few minutes if I needed it but I thanked them and moved on. Judging by the

roadside decorations, this is where the TdF had passed by a few weeks before.

I came into Ambrieres les Valleés just after 12 noon and pulled into a cafe bar for food and drink. A large mug of hearty soup and some tart and coffee. I ate outside in the blazing sunshine, then laid down longways on the trestle bench. The locals were laughing at my precarious bed, I could have slept on a 3 inch wide plank at this stage. My knees were starting to ache, I’d had some nice texts from a cycling friend Dave Shuttlewood, he was watching my progress from work on the internet. He texted some wise words of encouragement.

As Villanes (above) approached, there was a definite excitement in the air, people were everywhere, the run-in to the control itself was incredible, it was just like the finish of a Tour

de France stage. The main street of the town was partitioned off with crowd barriers, people lined the route several deep. There were bands playing and two Tour de France stage finish “kites” inflated across the road. I rode into the control to cheers and applause, a French man on a PA said something. I racked my bike up in a stand and went to clock in. A French lady approach me with a microphone in hand, she asked me a few questions for the local newspaper, I jibbered something about it all being amazing and the fans being brilliant. At the exit of the stage control, a band was playing squeeze box accordions and a lady was singing in French, sounding very Edith Piaf. I crossed the road to the restaurant for the ritual of refuelling, soup, pasta, bread, as much as possible. School

children were on hand to shepherd us from the servery to the dining hall, carrying our food trays and showing us the way. I sat in the same place as I had done a day or so earlier. At the buffet bar, I spotted the same girl serving drinks, she still looked fresh and cheery, but I guess that she’d been up for about as long as I had - all of the supporters and volunteers had been amazing.

Back on the bike, and off again, the road climbed out of Villanes into the warm afternoon, more small villages passed by. 4:40pm, I arrived in Fresnay sur Sarthe, a busy and joly town, again people lined the streets, another carnival atmosphere. At a particularly sharp and hidden left turn, a bench full of local Frenchmen shouted out “gauche” to every passing rider. They must have been there for days! I stopped to take their picture and have coffee and watch them from the cafe. There was no food, they simply directed me to the boulangerie to get my own pain au chocolate.

Suitably refreshed I was back on the road, climbing the hills out of the town. I was so hot at the top of a hill I stopped to try taking my tights off - but it was no good, my legs just hurt. A few miles later I stopped to put them back on. Mike Metcalfe had passed me as I leant on a road sign to change, I didn’t see him, but he had recognised me and waited about 1/2 mile later. We rode together for several hours, it was nice to chat to someone I knew. I’d ridden my very first audax with Mike last year, a hard 600k to Scotland, so it was fitting to ride some of the PBP with him.

Mike had been talking to a 71 year old Frenchman earlier. He’d told Mike off for riding too fast on the flat, no more than 30(k) he’d said and you’ll have more power on the hills. Mike said he was right, he’d tried it and Mike could see from his power meter cranks that he was climbing with another 20 watts! I wish I’d had this good advice and also something to judge my speed. During the previous night I’d been purposely pushing hard on the flat sections in order to stay awake and I think that’s what had started to make my knees hurt.

I rode the next section to Mortagne au Perche control with Mike, we chatted and joked, the kilometres passed unnoticed. Around 7pm we came across a very lively roadside stall at St Jouin de Blavou. They gave us food and cakes, coffee, brandy if we wanted it! They were cyclists too and we exchanged banter. We reached Mortagne at around 7:30pm, I opted to stop and eat, Mike would press on. I saw more familiar faces milling around the control, so felt fine with my progress. This was the control where I’d broken my glasses 2 days earlier, reaching Brest had seemed impossible but getting back to Paris now seemed realistic. I refuelled well, can’t remember what it was.

As I ate, I saw Steve Abraham (below with Damon Peacock and camera) coming into the foyer! Excitement to be amongst the greats, he has restarted his attempt at the all time yearly mileage record. I notice his number, he is a “T”, so started just 15 minutes after me, my progress is good. Steve was

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Paris-Brest-Parispounced upon by the media for interviews, I grabbed a quick snap. I left the control just as Steve came out, and I followed him down the road.

The road climbed out of the town, I could see Steve ahead. He climbed at a very steady pace, not pushing too hard, is that the secret? The old Frenchman had been right too, slow and steady so as to not wear yourself out. They say Steve’s heartbeat is rock steady all the time, never goes over 80 bpm, he just chugs away ALL day EVERYDAY.

Andy Corliss passes me again as I stop to put on another layer; it gets colder as night falls. I shout to Andy to catch Steve! Andy organised many of the Pendleton rides out of Lancashire which have been my introduction to Audax riding. Steve Abraham had stopped too, for lights and gilet, I catch him, we ride together and for a couple of brief minutes, I am with greatness. He doesn’t say much, a brief complaint about there being too many people about!

The next control would be Dreux. Night fell and my mood dropped, there was not much to see at the roadside but at least small villages and towns came often. Even late into the evening people were lining the roadside, always ready to shout out directions.

My knees were really starting to ache now and also the left ankle. It had been twinging earlier, elastic timing band “chip” around my ankle had inflammed my achilles tendon. I stopped and clipped it to my shoe instead, but too late the damage was done. A few miles later it started to rain.

I wasn’t mentally ready for rain, it’d been such good weather, apart from the morning dews. The combination of the rain, dark, cold, aching knees and ankles was almost too much to bear.

Eventually I stopped and stood at the side of the road, nearly crushed. I stretched but it didn’t really ease anything, then I put my saddle up to ease the bending on my knees. It helped some, but that just made the achilles hurt even more.

Several small groups passed as I limped on, it was getting late, 10pm, 11pm? What time would I

get to Dreux? I knew that if I rested there, I could limp back to Paris. I stopped again, this time to put the saddle down, my ankle could take no more.

My knees had felt like this before in the Pyrenees, strapping my kneecaps back had helped. I remembered the electricians tape in my bike spares and decided to tape my knees. A few turns, how tight? The tape hurt behind my knees but seemed to help. I tried it for a few miles, it was gradually easing the pain, so I stopped to adjust it, applying the tape with slightly bent knees, 3 turns, each overlapping and pulling my kneecaps back into the joint, I flexed my legs fully to stretch the tape a bit, it worked a treat!

Now I felt that I could make Dreux. It was still raining but I plodded on across high agricultural plains, boring, painful progress. Some fast groups passed, I let them go. Eventually another roadside stall

appeared, it was quite busy, there was music, food, beer, coffee, all free! A Frenchman played the accordion. I stopped for about 15 minutes before continuing into the night.

A fast tandem passed, I decided to jump on the back and soon arrived at Dreux. The control was huge, a sports complex and a massive dining hall. I had shepherd’s pie and plenty of other food, it was about midnight. Paris was only just over 60k away for Thursday morning, I’d done it, so treated myself to a beer!

I saw Andy Corliss again, he was going to ride on in the dark and finish, I wanted to ride into Paris in the daylight, talking to others.

I went to the sleep area, no camp

beds left, but the lady directed me to an upstairs gym with a wall to wall soft mat. People were crashed everywhere, I took my place, setting my alarm for 5am, I would get 3 hours sleep. I was awoken by my alarm watch at 5am, I could hear the rain on the tin roof of the gym, my heart sank, I was expecting the Champs d’Elyseé run-in to Paris, not a grind in the rain.

In the event the rain was only drizzle. I went down to the dining hall. The place was absolutely packed now, much more so than1 am the night before, people were still coming in. I realised that I was probably ahead of the “bulge”, that gave me a lift. I ate breakfast, spoke to Nigel from Beverley, I’d done a few qualifiers with him.Somehow I missed him leaving and so set off alone.

The morning was damp but I rode on for Paris despite the now considerable pain in my knees and ankle.

There were no villages, as we rolled across more agricultural plains. I was glad that I had not carried on last night, there would

have been no food stops in the last stage. I cycled on, coming across “Cheval Mort”, I love French place names, a perfect description as to how my legs felt!

Eventually we reached a small village at around 8:30, I had another coffee and pastry which perked me up. The last 30 or so km passed easily, everyone seemed to be lifted and the mood was “trés joli”. Riders seemed to be meeting up with friends again, groups were forming and teams were waiting at the roadside for their stragglers.

I recognised the roads from the way out - that seemed a world away now, or more precisely about 1250km! Before I knew it we were riding into Gyancourt and heading towards the velodrome - I’d done it.

The rain had started again with almost torrential force, but I was not stopping to put on layers, there was no point.

Despite the rain there were huge crowds everywhere

cheering us in.

Through the final control and then we were all shepherded into the

velodrome, riders in all sorts of states of fatigue, I

actually felt ok and had finished in arespectable

time.

Of around 6000 riders who had started, 4,602 finished

within the time limit. 364 British riders had completed

the challenge.

Would I do it again? I’ve got 4 years to decide!

16arrivee.indd 20 15/01/2016 13:22:44


Obituaries

Mareve HansenIt is with great sorrow that I have to report the death of my wife and tandem partner, Mareve Hansen.Mareve came late to cycling and was bitten by the AUK bug in 1980 after riding the Dieppe Raid. Fired by this experience, she completed the first of 5 Super Randonneur series adding a 1000km ride in 1986 and completing the 1987 Paris Brest Paris Randonnee at the age of 57.

Over the next few years, Audax events and cycle touring were her passion often combined with back packing travels in Australia, America, New Zealand, Thailand, Fiji as well as Europe. Her most hard won cycling achievements were completing the P.B.P. the Fleche Velocio and the Hard Boiled 300.

Unfortunately, her health deteriorated after 2000 due to infected faulty hip replacements as well as a stroke and injuries due to falls. Even so, she was for a while an Event Organiser and one of the founder members of Audax Kernow.

Mareve bore the frustration of being wheel chair bound for the last four years with great fortitude and determination until her sudden death on 22nd April 2015. She was an inspiration and a true Super Randonneur.

Peter Hansen

Right, Mareve with Shawn Shaw at the 1987 PBP

Graham Wanless 1942-2015With great sadness we report the unexpected death of Graham Wanless on 30 December, following complications as a result of recent surgery after a cycling accident.

Graham has been a member of AUK for 35 years and was one of the founding members of VC167 in 1993. He has been a good friend and inspiration to many cyclists and our thoughts are with his wife Ann and their family at this sad time.

In terms of his cycling achievements Graham has many. His cycling career started as a boy by going out on rides with his dad. He was a teenager when he started to outstrip his dad – who told him to go and join a cycling club which he duly did and never looked back! From the 1960’s he was a familiar face on the racing and club scene in the Teesside area.

He joined AUK in the early 1980’s and soon had PBP in his sights, which he duly completed in 1983, 2003 (67 hours) and 2007. As an Ultra Randonneur he completed 20 SR’s. Most of you who knew Graham will realise that he didn’t ride for the points and awards – it was all about getting out on his bike with his club mates and enjoying the craic and banter, irrespective of the distance or speed. In fact it wasn’t unusual for him to request those on the front to “Knock one or 2 off!”. At the end of 2013 he fulfilled his ambition to reach the 500,000 miles milestone, having been a long term member of the 300,000 miles club.

We all have fond memories of riding with Graham. Some recall his 2003 PBP when he kept going with a boil in a tender place. I recall him on the 2008 Border Raid in Sedburgh, unusually very cross at the gale force conditions we faced, threatening to “give it all up”. On the 2002 North then South 600 he led a group of VC167 Members round the course at the speed to suit everyone, it was the first 600 for some members.

Graham was fortunate to enjoy a decent retirement period after taking early retirement from GSK where he worked as a Chemist.

In 2011 Graham began feeling unwell and after a speedy diagnosis underwent an aortic valve replacement but by late Spring 2012 his sheer drive and determination saw him back on his bike, soon touring Ireland. I noted his return to form when he was the first one back from my Richmond event in 2012, and did the same on the 2013 Hartside 200, the event that Graham himself established.

A while ago Graham wrote a case study about his heart operation for the British Heart Foundation, which he finished by saying he often joked about his ambition to ride 100 miles on his 100th birthday. Sadly, this one will be out of reach even for Graham.

I last spoke to him on 19th December at the club gathering – he was in excellent spirits and looking forward to getting back on the bike.

Dave Atkinson

Graham near Masham 2007 Photo: Nigel Hall

16arrivee.indd 21 15/01/2016 13:22:44


This & That

Dartmoor Devilwith Richard Clements

16arrivee.indd 22 15/01/2016 13:22:45


This & That

Arrivee ContributersYou can send files to the editors quickly

1. Go to AUK website

2. Log in as a member

3. Go to Arrivee Magazine

4. Go to Upload Photos

5. Drag & drop photo &/or article files from your file manager

6. Type your name and any useful info (event, time, place, names) in the Description box

7. Use the link to check your files have uploaded.

8. Email the relevant editor to notify that there is something new in MediaFile.

Paris-Brest Paris 2015Drew Buck and Taiwanese emulator

Blowingstone - White Horse Audax

Sunday 8 May 2016Uffington, near Wantage, Oxon

107kmWantage CTC

Surplus money donated to Thames Valley & Chilterns Air Ambulance

Mark your calendar!

Hebden Bridge Vintage Car Rallyorganized by The Rotary Club of Hebden Bridge, West Yorks

Calder Holmes Park, Hebden Bridge Saturday 6th and Sunday, 7th August 2016

This popular family event, one of the largest in the north of England, and a top one the whole country, attracts a wide variety

of vehicles. There are veteran and vintage cars up to 1939, post war cars from 1940 to 1974, classic cars from 1972 to 1995, as well as motor cycles , commercial and American vehicles up to 1974, military vehicles plus kit cars and replica cars of any age, novelty

vehicles , and vintage tractors pre 1994.

The novelty vehicles include vintage cycles, though if the response is good in future they might be in their own category.

All proceeds go to a variety of charities. For further information see www.hebdenbridge-vintageweekend.org.uk or for entry form

contact Dave Bell on 01422 842597 or

[email protected]

OCD ClaimsIf you have not already done so, please send in your Ordre du Cols Dur claims for 2015 (or any outstanding back claims) now to:Rod Dalitz,

136 Muir Wood Road Currie Edinburgh EH14 5HF Email: [email protected]

Photo: Rod Dalitz

16arrivee.indd 23 15/01/2016 13:22:46

Audax Altitude Award 2015 Rolls of Honour

The original AAA Triple AAA and

3x3 AAA For obtaining 20 AAA

points over any period of time. A 3 or higher

indicates a Triple AAA. A 9 or higher indicates a 3x3

AAA

AAARTY For completing an AAA

event in any 12 consecutive months

AAASR For completing an SR

series of AAA events in one season

AAA Century For obtaining 25, 50, 100 or 200 AAA points in a single season

AAA Allrounder An unofficial award for obtaining AAA points in BRM’s in a

single season. The top five riders were:

More details can be found on the AAA website at: www.AudaxAltitudeAward.org.uk Best wishes for the 2016 season. The AAA Man.

Many congratulations also to the members listed opposite who have claimed an award since the start of the 2015 season. The figures show the awards obtained since each one started.

Many congratulations to the 2015 AAA Champion Oliver Iles and the Opposite Sex Champion Cathy Brown. In his first Audax season, Oliver found time not only to achieve the most AAA

points, but also fitted in a couple of AAASR’s and PBP, a job, a family and if that was not enough took on AUK brevet card production.

Cathy Brown’s total was the first in recent years to be ridden on a tandem, and the first to be amassed entirely in BR events. In fact her whole season consisted of BR events, unusual for a prolific AUK event rider.


Name AAAKen Acland 1Stephen Agnew 3Nephi Alty 2Brian Atkins 3James Blair 3Ashley Brown 3Cathy Brown 3Steve Butterworth 2Pat Cherry 18Jim Churton 5John Clemens 18Ritchie Dixon 1Mike Eades 1Richard Ellis 6Lars Ericsson 3Martin Foley 8Ian Gilbert 1Barbara Hackworthy 4Georgina Harper 5David Haydon 2Mark Higgins 7David Jackson 4Justin Jones 14James Joy 1Chris Keeling-Roberts 20Martin Malins 31Ann Marshall 31David Matthews 14Tim Mitchell 3Dave Morrison 2Henry Orna 5Joanne Page 4Mark Pinto 1Steve Poulton 14Andrew Preston 9Dave Randerson 25Louise Rigby 27Stephen Rogers 9Ian Ryall 9Jonathan Saville 9Hilary Searle 3Neil Shand 1Kevin Talbot 1Tim Taylor 4Sean Townley 9Pete Tredget 6Mark Turner 1Jonathan Warner 12Richard Warner 6MaryJane Watson 13Colin Weaver 13Billy Weir 27Werner Wiethege 3Julian Williams 14Joss Wallace 1

Name AAASean Barker 2James Blair 2Pat Cherry 3Brian Childs 1Roy Clarke 1Barbara Hackworthy 2Mark Higgins 3Oliver Iles 1Chris Keeling-Roberts 9Theresa Jennings 1Ann Marshall 9Dave Morrison 1Ian Ryall 2Jonathan Saville 3Hilary Searle 2Richard Venes 1

Name AAABrian Atkins 4Jon Banks 1James Blair 2Ashley Brown 2Cathy Brown 2David Crampton 1Richard Ellis 3Martin Foley 4Mike Henley 2Oliver Iles 2Justin Jones 11Mike Lane 2Dave Morrison 1Chris Murkin 1Tim Pickersgill 1Andrew Preston 5Steve Ralphs 3Mark Rutter 1Ian Ryall 6Pete Tredget 5

Name Quarter Half Century Double

Nephi Alty 3

Brian Atkins 1 2

Jon Banks 2

James Blair 1 2

Ashley Brown 1 2 1

Cathy Brown 1 2 1

Brian Childs 1 1 1

Roy Clarke 1

John Clemens 1 2 2

Barbara Hackworthy 3 1

Mark Higgins 1 1 1

Oliver Iles 1 1 1 1

Mike Lane 1 2 1

Theresa Jennings 1

Justin Jones 2 3 1

Chris Keeling-Roberts 1 3 2

Martin Malins 1 4 2

Ann Marshall 6 5 4 1

Dave Morrison 2 1

Chris Murkin 1

Tim Pickersgill 1

Mark Pinto 1 1

Andrew Preston 1 2

Steve Ralphs 1

Dave Randerson 1

Ian Ryall 2 2

Adam Sharpe 3 1

Daniel Staley 1

Thomas Towers 1

Pete Tredget 3 2

Richard Venes 1

Colin Weaver 2 1 1

AAA

Name Distance points AAA AAA BRM pointsAshley Brown 136 140.75 140.75Cathy Brown 136 140.75 140.75Oliver Iles 116 206 113.75Robert Bialek 105 139.25 105.5Mark Higgins 62 104.5 104.5

16arrivee.indd 24 15/01/2016 13:22:46

12 Points Roll of Honour - 12+ points in the 2015 season


Name PointsOliver Iles 206Chris Keeling-Roberts 141.5Ashley Brown 140.75Cathy Brown 140.75Robert Bialek 139.25Ian Ryall 131.25Brian Childs 122Martin Malins 110.75Colin Weaver 109.25John Clemens 108.25Mark Higgins 104.5Ann Marshall 103.25Justin Jones 98.25Cecil Ilsley 96.25Patrick Cherry 92.25Joanne Page 82.5James Blair 76Mike Lane 73Dave Morrison 72Adam Wilson 68.25Martin Lucas 62.5Will Pomeroy 62Sean Barker 60.5Mark Pinto 60Brian Atkins 57.25Andrew Preston 55.75Nikolaus Gardiner 54.75John Barkman 54Paul Manasseh 54Paul Smedley 52.5Jeff Berry 50.75Sean Townley 47Daryl Stickings 44.75Jon Banks 43.5Paul Johnson 41.25Stephen Poulton 41.25Gareth Baines 40.25Martin Croxford 40.25Kevin Firth 38.25Ivan Cornell 37.75Luke Joy-Smith 37.25Richard Ellis 37Richard Clements 36.25Stephen Rogers 35.75Desmond Winterbone 35.5Jim Haffey 35.25David Randerson 35Paul Revell 33.75Leiv Boyum 33Nigel Glaze 33Sean Quigly 33Paul Rainbow 32.75Stephen Riglar 32John Wilton 32Mark Rutter 31.5Neph Alty 31George Hanna 30.75Jonathan Saville 30.75Mike Tattersall 30.75David Atkinson 30.5Mike Stoaling 30.5Mark Walsh 30.5Kevin Dennett 30Andy Curran 29.5Kevin Talbot 29.5James Bradbury 29.25Anthony Powis 29John Perrin 28.75Chris Watts 28.75Aidan Hedley 28.5John Morse 28.5Tim Pickersgill 28.5Mike Thompson 28.5John Wilkie 28.5Steven Butterworth 28Ian Williams 28

Name PointsChris Crookes 27.75Adam Sharpe 27.75James Skillen 27.75Trevor Stephens 27.75Telbert James 27.5Duncan Macgregor 27.25Daniel Morgan 27.25Jason Clark 27Christopher Murkin 27Daniel Staley 27Luke Williams 27Paul Renshaw 26.75Paul Whitehead 26.75Neil Battison 26.5Roy Bishop 26.5Richard Venes 26.5Liam Morris 26.25Bruce Taylor 26.25Pete Tredget 26.25Barbara Hackworthy 26Andrew Palmer 26Graham Steward 26Graham Merrington 25.75Ben Holder 25.5Richard Warner 25.5Louise Sheran Rigby 25.25Jon Tetley 25.25Thomas Towers 25.25Jonathan Walters 25.25Richard Parrotte 25Gareth Griffiths 24.5Richard Salisbury 23.75Martyn Aldis 23.5David Smethurst 23.5Stuart Moore 23.25Phil Scott 23.25Robyn Thomas 23.25David Hann 23Tim Rusbridge 23Peter Simon 23Neil Veitch 23Paul Cre 22.75Guto Evans 22.75Graeme Mcculloch 22.75David Sawyer 22.75Adrian Snelgrove 22.75Mike Henley 22.5Justin Neales 22.5Neil Shand 22.5John Weller 22.5Simon Till 22.25Alex Bend 22Dean Clementson 21.75Simon Proven 21.75Adam Watkins 21.75Martin Radford 21.5James Clarke 21.25John Hamilton 21.25Dominic Trevett 21.25Julian Cole 21Steve Rosewarne 21Mike Sheldrake 21Peter Corfe 20.75Ivor Davies 20.75John Sherlock 20.75Denise Booth 20.5Anne Learmonth 20.5Merv Middleton 20.5Chris Radcliffe 20.5Paul Roman 20.5Jane Watson 20.5Chris Forrest 20.25Julian Brown 20Ludwig Brunagel 20Geoff Crowther 20Jack Tyler 20

Name PointsMartin Foley 19.75Roger Longman 19.75Patrick Wooddisse 19.75Tym Burman 19.5Jessica Conner 19.5Neil Henn 19.5Gareth Yanulevitch 19.5David Harris 19.25Maggie Lewis 19Peter Lewis 19Christopher Selby Smith 19Mike Wigley 19Kevin Merrison 18.5Thomas Brabbin 18.25Toby Hopper 18.25Mark Hudson 18.25Reid Anderson 18Ashley Buck 18Graham Dore 18Adam Kinsey 18Andrew Seager 18Christopher Breed 17.75Mike Roberts 17.75Michael Browne 17.5Jon Croome 17.5Philip Kelman 17.5Paul Taylor 17.5Thomas Webb 17.5Gianluig Zoccheddu 17.5David Cooper 17.25Dereck Cutler 17.25Michael Daly 17.25Nigel Laws 17.25Mark Smith 17.25Jamie Andrews 17Ian Carter 17Richard Cowan 17Steven Smith 17Mark Turner 17Iain Wood 17Peter Goodings 16.75Peter Horne 16.75Chris Asher 16.5Elaine Burgess 16.5Tony Davis 16.5James Gillies 16.5Tom Jackson 16.5Mike Pain 16.5Ray Robinson 16.5Ray Stigter 16.5Lars Ericsson 16.25Holly Norris 16.25Doug Bridgens 16Richard Goucher 16Robert Gray 16Julian Plummer 16Nigel Savery 16Simon Westlake 16David Crampton 15.75Tony Pember 15.75Robin Snelson 15.75Duncan Carson 15.5Andrew Deaner 15.5Gary Hibbard 15.5David Mason 15.5Richard Porada 15.5Lawrence Daley 15.25Thomas Farrugia 15.25Peter Forster 15.25Derek Heine 15.25Dave Hollin 15.25Mark Houliston 15.25Sheni Jiwa 15.25Robert Lyons 15.25Richard Hurley 15Sean Turner 15Steve Windass 15Peter Yarranton 15Tim Castle 14.75

Neil Fraser 14.75Liam Mitchell 14.75Steve Ralphs 14.75Moritz Schick 14.75Guy Buckland 14.5Matthew Burrows 14.5Steve Carden 14.5Glenn Comiskey 14.5Adrian Lagan 14.5James Reynolds 14.5Peter Summers 14.5Dave Vine 14.5Andy Watt 14.5David West 14.5Miles Haslam 14.25Andy Herbert 14.25Peter Loakes 14.25Peter Ruffhead 14.25David Sewell 14.25Peter Beeston-Taylor 14Paul Buckley 14Dan Howard 14Nick Jackson 14Ian Llewelyn 14Gavin Peacock 14Robin Price 14Richard Smith 14Matt Swaine 14Robin Tomes 14Sefi Dakar 13.75Mike Kelly 13.75Richard Law 13.75Stephen Martin 13.75Dan Rough 13.75Gem Atkinson 13.5Dene Clarke 13.5Malcolm Dancy 13.5Peter Gawthorne 13.5Ricki Goode 13.5Heather Martin-Dye 13.5David Shields 13.5Alison Smedley 13.5Mark Spruce 13.5Pete Stott 13.5Thomas Usherwood 13.5Clive Vickery 13.5Paul Beebee 13.25Tony Blaiklock 13.25Stuart Fahey 13.25Steve Gee 13.25Pat Hurt 13.25Richard Phipps 13.25Ron Pinfield 13.25Simon Roberts 13.25Graham Ellis 13David Gallagher 13David Hirons 13John Lee 13Simon Neatham 13Colin Bezant 12.75Richard Brain 12.75William Hancock 12.75Andy Stovell 12.75Ken Westgate 12.75Ian Rivers 12.5Stephen Robinson 12.5Gordon Sephton 12.5Richard Folds 12.25Matthew Gauld 12.25Robert Gill 12.25Jeremy Hinks 12.25Ivor Peachey 12.25Iain Robert 12.25Chris Wilby 12.25Will Adams 12Garry Broad 12Graham Brodie 12Justin Chapman 12Robert Norris 12Stuart Proctor 12

AAA

16arrivee.indd 25 15/01/2016 13:22:47


Brevets Populaires

It’s always refreshing to see a new event in the calendar especially at the end of the year when there are very few events on. It’s even more so when I find the event is only about 20 miles up the road at Cranbrook, just outside Exeter. It saves getting up at six in the morning to start a 100 mile drive for an event the other side of Bristol.Cranbrook is a new town still being built beside the old A30 east of Exeter with major changes in all the roads around there and a new roundabout appearing every 6 months or so.About 70 keen souls turned up outside the organizer’s house to start the event, rather chilly and the Met Office in Exeter didn’t exactly make too many promises for a sunny day.

Down the old A30 to turn for Broadclyst where Graham Brodie, who appears to take all the photos on the local events was capturing us all in his lens as we made the turn. Quiet rural lanes took us around the north of Exeter to join up with the A396, the main road to Tiverton and out towards Bampton for Breakfast.

Over the river Exe at Bickleigh where it is rumoured that on the bridge there Paul Simon, one half of the 70’s duet, Simon and Garfunkle got the inspiration to write the song, ‘Bridge over Troubled Waters’. Into the town of Tiverton where I stopped to pick up some water from the local supermarket as in my hurry that morning I had forgotten the water bottle.

Continuing on out of the town encountering a lot of traffic coming down from the north to join the north Devon link road, not my favourite road to cycle along on a weekday. Leaving the A396 at Exeter Cross to ride the few short miles into Bampton and the control in the main street.

Somewhat crowded in the café, so choose just to purchase a tasty roll and coffee to eat outside before getting back on the bike to head for the next control at Wiveliscombe. This involved joining the B3227, a delightful road with a smooth surface and only a couple of fairly easy climbs. With a tail wind I was making good progress, unfortunately the not unexpected rain had come in, spoiling my enjoyment on this road, but it was only a light shower, hardly worth stopping to don the waterproofs.

The White Hart pub was the location of the control in Wiveliscombe, it’s used by several events during the year so no trouble in finding the place. A few ‘lumps’ on the next section taking you to Wellington, not named after the boot, but the Duke and there’s a monument up on the hill celebrating his famous victory 200 years ago.

Interesting thing at one point where I’m searching for a junction showing Wellington 2½ miles. I locate the junction, but notice that it’s pointing the way I’ve come from. This can’t be right, someone’s been up to some mischief by turning the signpost round, the way to go is on the left and it’s downhill, that’s a bonus.

Stopped and had some lunch in the Wellington control where I was joined by Graham and Kate from CTC Torbay, Kate mentioned that I always seemed to be just leaving the controls just as they turned up, so they caught me this time.

The last section of 26 miles involved riding over Sampford Moor to drop into the Culm valley and on through Cullompton to Whimple. Unfortunately I’ve now turned towards the west and encountering a strong

head wind with the odd rain shower thrown in. A section you just get your head down, grit your teeth and make the best of it.

Turning at Broadclyst for the last few miles to the finish I’m out of the wind, rains stopped and with dry roads making for the finish before the rain starts again.

Finish was in the Thirsty Farmer pub in Whimple, interesting pub this. The organisers gave me a voucher to get a drink and when I handed it over the bar after getting my drink the barmaid gave me money back! Must visit this pub again.

The 3 or 4 mile ride back to Cranbrook where I had left my car was maybe the worst part of the whole event. It’s down the Rockbeare straight into a strong head wind with that cold, stinging rain in my face and to cap it all I turned at the wrong roundabout and had to do a tour of the new town to find the car.

Thanks must go to Sarah and her team for a very enjoyable Audax, shame about the weather at times but what can you expect at the end of November. Hope you run the event again in 2016 and I can promise you at least one entry. Ribble Blue

Breakfast in

Bampton

100k AudaxSaturday 28th November

Anne Wendik-Byfield on the front. Photo: Graham Brodie

Organiser Sara Britton and husband Dave. Photo: Graham Brodie

16arrivee.indd 26 15/01/2016 13:22:47


Coming Soon

Ode to PBP 2015Brittany Ferries,with style and finesse

The Ship and the Castle, chips and Guiness We take over the bar,we`re on the way

But soon the floor beckons And sleep on the deck

Waved off the ferry and Into the storm-not very summery

Not very warm Hummers knows a bar,of course he must

Cafe` and croissants,soon hit the spot

Rain into sun as the peloton speeds on Chasing the signs and

An overnight stop Evereux`s warm and bright

London`s calling, cougars out at night

Paris,is this Paris? More like a tomApparthotel bookings, bikes to the room

Food at La Place, beers and Brouilly Hatchet faced girl, could get unruly

St.Quentin and bike checks Velodrome like home Last night of comfort

Quiet before the storm

Sunday was nervy,quiet in parts G233 frame badge and 1730 starts

Big crowds waving, Bon Courage cheers Moto-escorts rev off the leaders

Mortagne, Villaines, Fougeres Tinteniac A long long night

Red lights blazing until out of sight Quedillac, Loudeac, St.Nicholas

And Carhaix,526 kilometres Before sleep comes our way

Cardboard floors,space blanket, tic toc Early morning mists as we climb Le Roc

Long way up,long way down Brest is best left

At the control

More heat and snooze on the top Carhaix returns,the tarmac wont stop

Secret controls, what was that for Hard to cheat when the minds on the floor

St.Nicholas, Loudeac and Quedillac once more This times there`s a bed, better than a floor Tinteniac, Fougeres,Villaine and Mortagne

Look different going back Yet oddly the same

Dreux, dear Dreux, we`ve never met A long time coming, welcoming yet

It feels like an end, good food on offer A few hours sleep,if you can rough it

Seven am. and its pouring down Just seventy to Paris but the rain Can`t stop us - mind that drain!

Finishing was everything, now it means little The journey was the reason

And now its a dream

Anon

On 22 May 2016, Southampton CTC are organising a brand new event, the Grand National Park2Park 200km. The course has been designed to enable riders to see something of Britain’s two newest National Parks as well as visiting some of the exceptional scenery in the lovely country between the two Parks. The ride starts at the well-appointed Woodley Village Hall on the outskirts of Romsey where parking, free tea, coffee and biscuits will all be available and luggage can be left for the day. Sweeping round to the north of Winchester on quiet lanes, our route crosses the famous Watercress Railway Line at Ropley (look out for steam trains!) and shortly enters the South Downs National Park, designated in 2010.

Coffee will be taken at the Beeches Cafe, a firm cyclists’ favourite, situated high up at the South Downs Sustainability Centre near East Meon.

From here, we head back north west to join the Itchen valley at Cheriton and then cross the chalk hills to the Test valley at Whitchurch, with its beautiful Georgian silk mill still operating using water-powered 19th century machinery.

The ride is now in the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, where we take lunch at the Tea Cosy in picturesque Hurstbourne Tarrant, another cyclists’ favourite and one that lives up to its name. Immediately after lunch, we encounter the first chevron of the day on the climb out of the village before taking in a host of beautiful local villages on our way south west towards the New Forest National Park, designated in 2005. Just before tea at Downton, we will meet the challenge of Dean Hill, a popular venue for hill climbs among local cycling clubs. Slower riders will probably be too late for tea at the Borough Cafe in Downton (yet another cyclists’ favourite!) but we will lay on light refreshments to compensate.

From tea, we follow New Forest lanes to Godshill, where the old cock-fighting pit can still be seen outside the popular Fighting Cocks pub. It is then a fine fast spin across the Forest to rejoin the Test valley at Romsey, where you should look out for the wonderful abbey (the largest parish church in Hampshire) dating from the 10th century before finishing at Woodley Village Hall, where some well-earned post-ride refreshment will be available. For those seeking something stronger, The Hunters Inn is virtually next door to the hall.

The route is not flat but neither is it especially hilly. In fact, there are just enough hills to make things interesting, the main climbs being up onto the South Downs near East Meon for coffee, after lunch out of Hurstbourne Tarrant and Dean Hill just before tea.

For those seeking a gentler day out, we are running an accompanying 100km event using the same start, finish and lunch stop. The weather in the south of England is often at its best in late May and the roads are still quiet, so why not plan to join us on one of these two attractive events. We will be pleased to see you. Bob Damper

Rider and New Forest pony

Lunch at Hurstbourne Tarrant

Grand National Park2Park 200km

and Between the Parks

100km

Romsey Abbey

16arrivee.indd 27 15/01/2016 13:22:48


On Tour

Agriate with Cap Corse behind

with Paul Harrison

The village of Lama in Haute-Corse (Northern Corsica) sits on the rocky lower slopes of Monte Astu , which at 1535m is some 200m higher than Ben Nevis. Starting from Lama (about 450m) is an advantage for walkers; Janet and I can be at the top in half a day, and our bionic walking friend Peter can do it in 2 hours. As we often notice when returning to the village, Lama’s elevation can be a bit of a challenge at the end of a hard ride. I decided that trying to get my bike to the summit of Astu for an OCD claim was not a good idea, so instead we did the shortest possible circuit of the mountain using tarmac roads.

So off Janet and I go with our sandwiches and drinking bottles out of the freezer. The water gradually melts over the next few hours, providing a cool drink until we get to a fountain beyond the Désert des Agriates. To avoid some of the traffic on the “Balanina” to l’ Ile Rousse, we follow the old way past Urtaca. Now when I say “using tarmac roads” above I should clarify that some of the smaller roads in Corsica are in disrepair and a few short sections practically roughstuff, the old Urtaca road being a case in point. It’s not long before I notice an alarming clunking noise coming from the bike. Is it a loose headset; my elderly carbon forks about to break, or what? I quickly stop to check, but worryingly cannot discover anything. With relief, I eventually find it’s the frozen bidon clunking in its cage.

The route re-joins the busy, smooth and fast Balanina for about 5 km before heading north-east on the D81. There is a well graded 6 km climb to the first col, Bocca di Vezzu at 311m. The road then meanders towards St. Florent at high level with ever changing views of the Golfe de St Florent and the mountains of Cap Corse. I should explain about this road from an OCD point of view. It’s a whole series of mini-cols between some small peaks in the Désert des Agriates to the north and others below Astu to the south; the highest point is the Bocca di Petraiolu at 357m. Though the D81 can sometimes be busy with tourist traffic, there is the compensation of multiple cafes to choose from in its latter stages. We call at one of these and enjoy canestrelli biscuits baked with cédrat, an aromatic citrus fruit, along with our coffees. And talking of fruit, should you encounter prickly pears and are tempted by the prospect of a free snack, do exercise restraint. You need serious gloves and know-how to harvest them.

Prickly Pears

After a gradual descent, our next right turn is onto the D62. This is an obscure little road, narrow and lovely for cycling with all its twists and turns. There are only very occasional motor-borne tourists, looking rueful at having unwisely allowed their sat-navs to bring them on such a route. The terrain is still semi-desert with a spaghetti- western feel to it. Eventually we climb to the route’s closest point to the summit of Astu. Being towards the north-facing slopes, there is water here and consequently drinking fountains and charmingly named villages such as Santo Pietro di Tenda and San-Gavino-di-Tenda. Eventually, steadily climbing and remembering to keep right all the time, we reach the junction at the striking St. Michèle church at San- Michèle -de Murato.

We continue through the village of Murato and onto the Bigorno road. Again this is a quiet small road and it climbs steadily with open views of Astu and its hinterland to the right. After the Col de Bigorno (885m) there is a steep, rough descent with dramatic hairpins and just above Bigorno there is a fountain with built in shady seats – beautiful on a hot day.

St. Michèle church at San- Michèle -de Murato

Lama with Mont Astu behind

The Circuit of Astu

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On tour

We follow the D5 and then the D105, always keeping right to avoid what could be a disastrous descent into the busy Golo valley. Looking down onto its traffic far below gives us a feeling of superiority as we zoom along in the clear air and sunshine with wonderful mountain views. But it’s not all zoom; though the overall journey back to the Balanina is downhill, there are plenty of climbs on the way too. A quick 4 km on the main road leads to our one and only left turn of the day; after all it is a clockwise circuit! A couple more right turns into Pietralba and up to Lama and we’re home and dry (well, rather sweaty actually). A brilliant day out, 114 km (71 miles) with two very nice cols to add to the OCD claim.

An old man is relating some ancient history to us that has been handed down by word of mouth from the beginning of time, and is not part of any recorded history. It is important to him that we understand him, so he correctly judges that it’s better to speak in French rather than his native Corsican. “Quand Le Bon Dieu a creé le monde….. “ he says .…”When God created the world, he saw that it was good, but it needed something to make it perfect. So he plucked a star from the heavens and cast it into the sea and thus created Corsica.” Today, I didn’t feel in the mood to dispute his assertion.

Lama village

PBP on FixedRob BullymentIvan CornellTom DeakinsJonathan Stainton-EllisDan HaymanIan HennesseyMarcus Jackson-BakerJustin JonesAdam KinseyMartin LucasSimon ProvenAdam SharpeJames SkillenRichard SmithAdam Young

Now is the appropriate time to look back over the season just ended and to celebrate its successes. On the Fixed Wheel Challenge front, previous demand has been maintained with 30 Brevet cards issued and 17 cards completed and validated. On the Super Fixed Wheeler scheme, which is arguably a more arduous task, being essentially a Super Randonneur series on fixed, 17 cards were issued and 4 new ones validated, with a total of 13 claims.

The competition for the Derek Shuttleworth Memorial Trophy was again strongly contested resulting in Justin Jones achieving his fourth championship win with a total of 187.25 points heading the list above Martin Lucas on 116.75 – the only other rider to score over 100 points. The equivalent female trophy has historically not seen such intense competition and this year the only claim received was from Lindsay Clayton whose total of four points, while winning the trophy, was well down on previous years, so it may be assumed that her energies were being channelled in different directions. Both points tables are given below and will shortly be available on the relevant page of the AUK website.

The list of successful Super Fixed Wheelers is also detailed below in alphabetical order and although no additional recognition is normally given for exceeding the requirements, the unofficial designation of Hyper Randonneur reflects a quartet of completed rides of at least 600km length.

As you cannot fail to be aware, 2015 was a PBP year and fifteen AUK members completed that event without stopping pedalling. This is, in fact, the same number as finished the event in 2011 with three members featuring on both occasions. To save you searching out your old Arrivées, they were Rob Bullyment, Justin Jones and Simon Proven – special congratulations to them. Most riders used gear sizes of between 70” – 79” with Justin being an outlier on 87.4”. Possibly his knees have by now forgiven him!

While we should celebrate and laud all those mentioned in this piece and applaud their “audacity” it used to be the norm for professional cyclists to ride fixed during the winter to improve their strength, style and “souplesse” enabling them to spin faster, which is a real competitive advantage. A fringe benefit was that cycle maintenance on dirty winter roads was much reduced. It is a pity this winter training technique has fallen into disuse and it

would be good to see its return, even if the competition element does not apply to our rides. Surprisingly, there is little correlation between the lowest gear needed when there is just the one readily available and the lowest gear actually used when there is a range at the rider’s disposal. Many riders having tried the discipline find it a very enjoyable and full details of both fixed wheel challenges are available on the AUK website and, as mentioned earlier, the various Rolls of Honour will shortly be there, too.

Best wishes to all fixers for a safe and successful 2016 season.

Richard PhippsFixed Wheel Challenges Organiser

Super Fixed WheelersRob BullymentIvan Cornell (Hyper)Tom Deakins (Hyper)Ed D'OyleIan HennesseyMarcus Jackson-BakerJustin Jones (Hyper)Martin Lucas (Hyper)Simon ProvenAdam SharpeJames SkillenPete TredgetAdam Young

Fixed Focus

Name PointsJustin Jones 187.25Martin Lucas 116.75Tom Deakins 83.00Ivan Cornell 72.25Simon Proven 67.75Pete Tredget 67.25James Skillen 65.75Adam Sharpe 48.00Ian Hennessey 44.50Marcus Jackson-Baker 41.50Paul Mannaseh 40.25Rob Bullyment 33.00Adam Young 31.00Mick Bates 29.00Peter Hammond 28.00Graham Ellis 26.50Jonathan Warner 25.00Dean Clementson 23.00Ed D'Oyle 19.00Andrew Preater 14.50Lindsay Clayton 4.00

Fixed Wheel Challenge

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Randonnées

On December 6th 2014, I started my first Audax, little did I know what it would lead to…

As one of my targets for 2014, I had aimed to try out an Audax, Joc Chappel in particular had tempted me to give it a go so, with a good weather forecast, I took on Terry Lister’s Winter Warmer. What a great day out! A really welcoming bunch of cyclists, no racing or pressure and regular coffee and cake stops – just my kind of cycling. By then end of the day I was a convert and although I wasn’t aware of it yet, I had started my Randonneur Round the Year.

In the New Year, despite the forecast snow I found myself setting off again, this time on the Willy Warmer. Again a lovely sociable ride where the company really helped make a cold ride enjoyable. I started to get to know some faces even getting too close to Richard Jennings - cycling into the back of him and taking an early tumble! But with only my pride and one spoke damaged I was soon on my way. The enjoyment of the day though led to too long spent at the controls so that we were nearly out of time by the end. One of many lessons learnt through the year.

Living about as far from the sea as you can get, I get a strange pleasure in cycling to the coast and back. So in February tackled my first DIY with a ride from Tring to Maldon and back. Quite a ride with a dusting of snow at

the start and a snow storm at the end, flooded roads in the middle and a couple of tracks thrown in as well. But that was Audax number three done and around then I found out about Randonneur Round the Year. A 200 km+ ride each month for 12 months might be possible and it seemed that I had got the worst weather over with.

So in March, here we go again. Well I nearly didn’t because after being ill all week I was in at least two minds whether to start the

Kennett Valley run. Thankfully I gave it a go and despite using throat sweets as my energy source it worked out OK. I started slower than usual to see how I felt and actually this turned out to be a good strategy as I had more energy for the windy middle stage to Bratton and to last all day.

By April I was ready to up my targets and start to try out some of the interesting and intriguing events. So Green and Yellow fields, my first 300, starting at midnight on a wonderful route, virtually coast to coast in East Anglia and a ride I would learn so much on.

The first 100 km was amazing – long lines of lights stretching into the distance, high spirits and a fast pace. I felt on top of the world. Then I came down to earth with the inevitable bump. I didn’t eat much at the first control and, having gone out too fast, soon became exhausted. Huge thanks to Joc for dragging me round after that but this became a seriously tough ride. I never felt like eating much so didn’t and inevitably my

energy levels did not recover. I made it round, just, but this became probably the toughest ride of the year. Lots of lessons learnt including safety on the way home. I only had about 80 miles to drive yet had to pull over for a sleep three times I was so wasted.

I had entered a 600 for May so was beginning to question the wisdom of this but did another 300 first to put right my mistakes. I planned a DIY from Tring to Dawlish while my wife drove the family down in the car. This time it turned out to be a glorious ride with good pacing and a carefully planned eating schedule I had a wonderful day on the bike. The last 10 miles in particular along the traffic free but tarmac Exe Estuary Trail I would recommend to anyone.

So two weeks later I was ready on the start line of the Beast from the East. 600 km sounded like an awful long way and it was. Thankfully I met Richard Jennings at the start and his company and that of others I got to know over the next two days were invaluable.

From Audax newbie to RRTY

Richard Bragg

February

March

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Randonnées

The first 300 to Taunton were steady and fun but not unlike what I’d done before. Then it became a leap into the unknown. The night started well with a good pace and a rather bizarre few miles bombing down the A303. We approached Yeovil about 1am greeted by a badger running down the road. Richard persuaded me that we had got time for a quick sleep but it did take us a while to find the control! We had a couple of hours of shut eye at the scout hut but not a lot of sleep.

We set off before dawn and it soon became clear that I was struggling. By Shaftesbury I was on my own going at my own pace and by the Fovant Badges (what a bizarre sight!) I reached my limit. But after 20 minutes kip on the verge and some food and caffeine I was ready to go again. I have to say that was probably the nicest sleep all year in glorious early morning sunshine! I set off at my own pace, kept eating and made it to the next control to see Joc who was helping to staff it. After that with less than 200km to go I treated it like a normal all day 200 and that seemed to work. A bit slower than usual and cursing the hills over the last 20km but absolutely euphoric to see Waltham Abbey at the finish and know that I had done it. I have to say a huge thank you to all the volunteers involved in supporting this Audax, it was a superb event.

Believe it or not I still hadn’t committed to RRTY by this point but decided that as I was half way there then I should try and complete it. But the summer time was actually quite hard to keep the RRTY going with lots of other things going on. After doing a cycle tour of the West Coast of Scotland I managed

to fit in the 200 at the end of June as a group DIY with Joc, Richard and Peter Turnbull from Aylesbury to the popular Hop Pole Café in Hungerford and back.

In July I decided that I should try a 400 as I hadn’t done this distance yet and it would complete an SR series. So another trip to the coast was planned, this time Tring to Skegness and back. Setting off at 6pm, I planned to ride out through the night and then back in the day.

The ride went well until Peterborough and then I found that the A16 was closed for resurfacing. What followed turned out to be probably the most bizarre chapter of the year. Having tried a little detour I returned to the A16 further up to find out not only was it still closed but the workman informed me it was closed for another 10 miles as far as Spalding! I should have rerouted but not sure where to go the workman allowed me to cycle on the closed road. So I had 10 miles of traffic free road, in pitch black with an unfinished road surface and deep gravel. Really un-nerving and I was massively relieved to reach the end of it.

I then hoped to make up some time on the easy riding fens. Flat and simple right? No! I never realised how tiring it can be to ride on the flat without any break or respite. This middle 200km of the route was almost all flat and with a head wind for the second half of that it became a real challenge.

I didn’t stop long at Skegness (not a lot to see at three in the morning ) but by the time I had finished my flatlands section at Market Deeping I was desperate to eat. The Deeping Stage Hotel is a class above where I would normally eat on the bike but was the only place open for breakfast and they happily tolerated this strange cyclist wandering in and ordering a big chunk of the menu.

The rest of the ride was less eventful although I got badly lost cycling across Milton Keynes which is quite ironic as it is a) close to home and b) full of cycle paths.

By August I was struggling to find time and losing motivation to complete the year’s challenge. So I chose a route that I knew I would enjoy and a last coastal ride down to the sea. This time I started in Windsor and enjoyed the traffic free roads of the Great Park and Virginia Water before heading down through West Sussex to the seaside at Littlehampton. Then a leisurely ride by the sea to Shoreham before a late lunch at the Steyning Tea Rooms. A flat afternoon

followed and back to the start via Guildford.After this I realised I’d not done any calendar rides for a little while and missed the company and buzz of these so decided to do the last three as calendar events.

September I entered the Steam Ride, a fairly local ride that sounded curious. I discovered it was a great fun ride with a a following and organised by the enthusiastic Tim. Putting into practice what I had learnt through the year I was able to pace myself and really enjoy the day. The company was great and I particularly enjoyed cycling with Mark Bryan.

October quandary – the AAAfractuous or the less Anfractuous…. I chickened out and went for the lesser. The day started well with an enjoyable ride out to Wantage for lunch with the last few miles in the morning some of the best of the year. For some reason after lunch we had a burst of speed on the section to Pangbourne which I would pay the price for later. Maybe getting too used to this, the Audax was going to bite. I neglected to eat much over the last third and just a few miles from the end I ran out of steam. With my energy falling off a cliff I had to grind out the last few miles and by the time I had finished I barely had the energy to walk. If anyone recalls seeing someone staggering into the community centre in a daze and desperate for a doughnut…. that was probably me.

And so to November, the final leg. I was almost hoping for some poor weather to get a great sense of satisfaction at the end – be careful what you wish for. The forecast for the Upper Thames 200 had been poor all week and on the day it delivered. I got to the start in good time which was handy as I was able to help push a few cars into the field we were parking in – such was the state of the ground!

So, a wet and windy ride started but incredibly mild. A lot of this ride was on familiar roads so it was good to be able to relax a bit and enjoy as best I could. The rain stopped after lunch giving way to a glorious afternoon ride through the Cotswolds.

I didn’t quite manage to time it for a firework celebration as I got back to Cholsey, but the sense of satisfaction as I coasted down the final hill was amazing. I never imagined achieving anything like this when I started 12 months previously and I never knew what a wonderful Audaxing community there was.

So what an experience! I never expected all that when I dipped my toe in Audax waters 12 months ago. But I have met some great people, enjoyed some wonderful rides and I’m looking forward to more in the future.

I am really grateful for the friends I have made (most of whom I forget the names of!) and especially the many folk who make Audaxing possible, some of the organisers such as Phil, Paul, Tim and Terry I have got to meet, I know there are many others who help at events and do countless other tasks in the background to make this such a successful association. A huge thanks to all and as I look forward to more rides to come, I will be looking to see how I can help as well.May

May

16arrivee.indd 31 15/01/2016 13:22:50


Steve ABRAHAM (6)

John ABREY

Will ADAMS new

Stephen AGNEW (4)

Geoff AIRD

Paul ALDERSON

Martyn ALDIS

Aidan ALLCOCK

Jeff ALLEN

Dave ALLISON

Nephi ALTY new

Reid ANDERSON

Rhisiart AP GWILYM

Nigel ARMSTRONG new

Simon ASHBY new

Chris ASHER

Brian ATKINS (5) new

Dave ATKINSON

Chris BAILEY

Rob BAIRD (5)

Jon BANKS

Jon BANKS new

Sean BARKER (8)

Dave BARTLETT (10)

Dave BAXANDALL (7)

Mark BEAUCHAMP (3)

Paul BEEBEE new

Geoff BELL (3)

Ross BENTLEY-DAVIES

Jeff BERRY new

Martin BERRY

Richard BERRY (2)

Mark BERTONI

Mel BETTS

Chris BEYNON (7)

Mark BIGAM

David BISSET

Don BLACK (11)

Gareth BLAKE

Mike BLOOM

Peter BOND (5)

Denise BOOTH new

Denise BOOTH new

James BRADBURY

David BRADSHAW

Richard BRAGG new

Tony BRAMAH

Andrew BRENNAN

Martin BREWSTER (2)

Martin BRICE

David BRIGGS new

Tony BRIGGS (2)

Richard BRITTON

Garry BROAD

Mark BROOKING (2)

Anton BROWN (4)

Ashley BROWN new

Cathy BROWN new

Julian BROWN (2)

Steven BRYCE

Guy BUCKLAND new

Rob BULLYMENT

Stephen BULMER (2)

Christopher BURTON

Steve BUTTERWORTH

Chris BYRNE

Robbie CALDER

Brian CALLOW (8)

John CAPELL

Russell CARSON (3)

Kevin CASSINGHAM

Gary CATLOW

Matt CHAMBERS

Alfred CHAMINGS

Kevin CHAPMAN (2)

Mark CHARLTON (2)

Patrick CHERRY

Raymond CHEUNG (3)

Lisa CHICHESTER (2)

John CIRCUIT

Matt CLARK

John CLARKE

Roy CLARKE (3)

Andy CLARKSON

Linday CLAYTON

Geoff CLEAVER (6)

John CLEMENS (4)

Sharon CLIFFORD (2)

David COLLEY (3)

James COLLEY

Ian COLLINS

Michael COLLINS

John CONNAGHAN (5)

Michael CONWAY

Paul CONYERS

Rachel COOKE

Elliot COOPER

Peter CORFE

Andrew CORNWELL

Roger CORTIS (10)

David COUPE

Andy COX (2)

Mark COX (2)

Nigel COX new

Pete CRANE new

Colin CRAWFORD

Sonia CRAWFORD

Chris CROOKES (6)

Chris CROSSLAND (2)

Sam CROSSLEY

Andy CURRAN (5) new

Robert DALLISON

Philip DANIELS

David DARRICOTT (10)

Stephen DART

Martin DAVEY (2)

Ivor DAVIES (2)

Peter DAVIS new

Tony DAVIS (10)

Simon DAWS

Tom DEAKINS (4)

Tim DECKER

Rudolph DEL-PRADO

Gordon DEWAR (3)

Emma DIXON

Jonathan DIXON

Neil DIXON

Ritchie DIXON

Mary DOYLE (6)

Jonathan DUCKWORTH

Phil DYSON (10)

Paul DYTHAM

Mike EADES (3)

Dave ELLIS new

Dominic ELLIS

John ELLIS (4)

Richard ELLIS (9)

Geoff ERICSON

Lars ERICSSON (4)

Daniel ERSSER

Guto EVANS new

Malc EVEREST new

Tricia FARNHAM (5)

Peter FAULKS (7)

David FAWCETT

David FENN (3)

Caroline FENTON

Ian FINCH

Robert FINN

Kevin FIRTH

Nick FIRTH (3)

Eric FLETCHER

Richard FORREST

Simon FORTUNE

Mark FOSSARD (3)

Jason FRASER

Grant GAHAGAN

Norbert GAJDA (2)

David GALLE

Jon GAMMAGE

Peter GAWTHORNE (4)

Ian GERRARD (2)

Roger GIBSON

Steve GINTY (4)

Steve GLOSTER

Michael GOATLEY

Julian GOUGH (3)

Tony GREEN (3)

Jonathan GREENWAY (6) new

Tony GREENWOOD (2)

Shaun GREGORY JNR

Shaun GREGORY SNR (2)

Jim GRESTY (2)

Simon GROVE

Barbara HACKWORTH

Jim HAFFEY (2)

Mark HAGGER

Matthew HAIGH

Nigel HALL (2)

John HAMILTON (3)

Linda HAMILTON new

Bernie HAMMOND

Peter HAMMOND (10)

Clive HANDY

Graham HANLEY (2)

Adrian HANSON-ABBOTT

Richard HARDING (5)

Lee HARGRAVES

Georgina HARPER (5)

Ben HARRIS

John HARWOOD (6)

David HAYDON

John HAYES (2)

Michael HAYWARD new

John HEATH new

Malcolm HEATHCOTE

Aidan HEDLEY

Derek HEINE (8)

Gerald HENDERSON (2)

Mike HENDERSON (4)

Ian HENNESSEY (2)

Andy HEYTING

Gary HIBBARD

Rob HIDDERLEY

Mark HIGGINS (3)

Martin HILBERS

Graham HODGES

Innes HOGG (3)

Peter HOLDEN

Ben HOLDER new

Neville HOLGATE (2)

Ed HOLT new

Kevin HOPE

Chris HOPKINSON

Toby HOPPER (10)

Ian HORNE

Brian HOWE

Joe HOWIE

Graeme HOYLE new

Dave HUDSON

Ade HUGHES

Francois HUGO (10)

Tony HULL (7)

Mike HUNTING

Richard HURLEY

Don HUTCHISON

Trevor HYDE

Peter IBBOTSON (4)

Oliver ILES (2) new

Michael IRONS

John IRWIN new

Mark JACKLIN

Dave JACKSON (2)

Ian JACKSON

Tom JACKSON (5) new

Marcus JACKSON-BAKER (3)

Ralph JAMES (3)

Mark JARVIS

Miles JEFFERSON

Bob JOHNSON

Chris JOHNSON

Pete JOHNSON

David JOHNSTON (3)

Linda JOHNSTON

Ray JOINER

Justin JONES

Joe JORD (4)

Barry JORDAN

David KAHN (3)

Chris KEELING-ROBERTS new

Mike KELLY (10)

Paul KELLY (3)

Ray KERRIDGE

Nic KETLEY (4)

Garry KING

Are you capable of riding a 200km (or longer) Audax event in every month throughout the year? If so, you could qualify for inclusion in the RRTY Roll of Honour. Qualification: a validated BR or BRM in each of any 12 consecutive months, as listed on the AUK results website.

Claims: to Mike Wigley at (email) [email protected] or (post) Higher Grange Farm, Millcroft Lane, Delph, OL3 5UX.

Badge: available at £2.50 to PayPal account ‘[email protected]’ or by cheque payable to ‘Mike Wigley’.

Updates: the RRtY roll of honour can be found at www.PeakAudax.co.uk > RRTY

501 Randonneurs Round the Year listed

Randonneur Round the Year Roll of Honour

Randonnées

16arrivee.indd 32 15/01/2016 13:22:51


Mel KIRKLAND (2)

Simon KIRWAN new

Richard KITSON (2)

Tom KNOWLES (2)

Graham LACEY (3)

Neil LANCASTLE

Mike LANE

Dave LARRINGTON (3)

Carl LAVER

Ron LAWRENCE (2)

Dave LAWRENSON

Anne LEARMONTH

John LEE new

Dave LEWIS (10)

Maggie LEWIS (2)

Pete LEWIS (2)

Ka-Wai LI

Dave LIDDY

Mark LISON

Terry LISTER (5)

Ian LLEWELYN

Stephen LONGMAN new

Heather MACKAY

Alan MACLEAN

Graeme MAIR

Martin MALINS (10) new

Paul MANASSEH (3)

Brian MANN (5) new

Ann MARSHALL (3)

Archie MARSHALL (5) new

Chris MARTEN

John MARTIN

Paul MARTIN

Peter MARTIN

Stephen MARTIN

Damon MASON new

Peter MASTENKO

Dave MATTHEWS

Arabella MAUDE

Jim MCCORMICK

Graeme MCCULLOCH

Bob MCDOWALL

Dick MCTAGGART

Lucy MCTAGGART (2)

Jim MCCORMICK

James MEARNS

Wendy MEARS

Jo MILES

David MILLER

Stuart MILLER

Ian MILNE

Dave MINTER (7)

Chris MISON

Mike MOODY

Stuart MOORE

Kevin MORELAND

Dave MORRISON new

Duncan MURRAY

Joe NAYLOR

Jack NEAL

Phil NELSON

Phil NETTLETON

Martin NEWSTEAD (3)

Darryl NOLAN

Phil O’LEARY new

John OAKSHOTT (2)

Tiho OBRENOVITCH (3)

Ian OLIVER

Henry ORNA (2)

John OWEN

Roger PADDEY (2)

Joanne PAGE

Paul PALMER

Gordon PANICCA (2)

Richard PARKER (3)

David PARKES

Duncan PARKES

Alan PARKINSON

Alex PATTISON (2)

Richard PEART

Tony PEMBER (5)

John PERRIN

Brian PERRY

Margaret PHILLPOTTS (3)

Richard PHIPPS (10)

Tim PICKERSGILL new

Winston PLOWES (10) new

Mike PLUMSTEAD (10) new

Jackie POPLAND (5)

Stephen POTTS

Steve POULTON (20)

Wayne POULTON new

Andy PRESTON (3)

Paul PRICE

Richard PRIDDY

Stuart PROCTOR (2)

John RADFORD (10)

Brian RAINBOW (2)

Paul RAINBOW (5) new

Steve RALPHS (3)

David RANDERSON (2)

Alan RAYNER (3)

Tim REDFEARN

Amanda REEVE new

Andrew REGISTER (3)

Paul REVELL

Louise RIGBY (6)

Mark RIGBY (6)

Stephen RILEY

David RINGER

Iain ROBERT new

Mike ROBERTS (2)

Paul ROBERTS

Phil ROBSON

Andrew RODGERS (3)

Stephen ROGERS (4)

David ROWELL

Paul RULE

Tim RUSBRIDGE new

Mark RUSBY

Jeremy RUSS

Chris RUTTER (4)

Ian RYALL (6) new

Jonathan SAVILLE (2)

Peter SCOULAR (2)

Terry SEANOR

Mark SHANNON (8)

Jasmine SHARP

Geoff SHARPE (2)

Rob SHAW

Shawn SHAW (3)

Keith SHEEHAN new

Bill SHELDON

Tracy SHORT new

Gavin SIMMONS new

Sheila SIMPSON

Andrew SINCLAIR (2)

James SINGLEHURST

Chris (Burnley) SMITH

Chris (Diss) SMITH (6)

Cliff SMITH new

Dave SMITH (3)

Gerald SMITH (2)

Jane SMITH (2)

Mark SMITH

Paul SMITH new

Peter SMITH

Richard SMITH new

Ron SMITH (3)

Tim SOLLESSE

Marjorie SOUTH

Peter SOUTH

Andrew SOUTHWORTH (10)

Mike SPENCER (2)

Simon SPOONER

David STACEY

Jon STAINTON-ELLIS (5)

Daniel STALEY (2)

Robin STEVENS

Paul STEWART (5)

Daryl STICKING

John STONE (3)

Olaf STORBECK new

Peter STOTT

Randonnées

Ian STRAUGHAN (2)

John STRAUGHAN (2)

Judith SWALLOW (4)

Justin SYKES

John TALBOT

Kevin TALBOT

Neil TALBOT (2)

Mike TATTERSALL (2)

Allan TAYLOR (9)

Bruce TAYLOR

Tim TAYLOR (3)

Andy TAYLOR-VEBEL (7)

Andy TERRY (2)

Richard THOMAS

Mike THOMPSON (3)

Ken THOMSON

Martin TILLIN (2)

Mike TILLOTSON

Robin TOMES (5) new

John TOMLINSON

Thomas TOWERS new

Sean TOWNLEY (2)

Christophe TRACEY

Pete TREDGET (2)

Sharon TRIVETT

Brian TROKE (2)

Chris TURNER

Mary TURNER

Phil TURNER

Will TURNER new

Jack TYLER new

Stephen UNDERWOOD

Jutta URENJAK (3)

Andy UTTLEY (2)

Michael VENNARD (3)

Els VERMEULEN

Ben WADDINGTON

Ivan WADDINGTON (2)

Patrick WADSWORTH

Trevor WALE (10)

Mark WALSH

Graham WANLESS (2)

John WARD

Richard WARNER (7)

Mark WATSON

Robert WATSON

Robin WEAVER

Danial WEBB (3)

Jason WEBB

Robert WEBB (3)

Tony WEBSTER

William WEIR (5)

Leo WELLS

Peter WESTON

Steve WHALLEY

Pippa WHEELER (5)

Richard WHITE

Paul WHITEHEAD

Mark WHITEHOUSE

Phil WHITEHURST new

Werner WIETHEGE

Mike WIGLEY (10)

Chris WILBY

Nick WILKINSON (3)

Julian WILLIAMS (6)

Luke WILLIAMS

Ken WILSON (2)

John WILTON (3)

Nik WINDLE (9)

David WINSLADE (6)

Alan WITHERS (2)

Honor WOOD

Michael WOOD

Peter WOOD

Rob WOOD

Stephen WOOD

Rob WORMALD

Graham WYLLIE

Peter YARRANTON

Adam YOUNG (2)

Armorel YOUNG (2)

Matt ZORN

Mr Pickwick’s Cymraeg Cyrch Photo: Richard Clements

16arrivee.indd 33 15/01/2016 13:22:51


On Tour

Back in the late 1980s during a rather wet and, at times,

windy July cycle trip in Ireland, my cycling pals and I

decided that mainland Europe might be a better

touring destination. As well as the variety of terrain

offered the weather would probably be kinder.

The difficulty, was getting to Europe from Edinburgh. We

tend to forget how expensive and restrictive flying was

before the low cost carriers came along. Despite that, an

annual cycle trip to Europe was established albeit

initially having to fly via Luton and then on to a European destination.

Nowadays the house rule is that we must be able to fly to

the destination and back from the end point with only one flight in each direction. At a planning meeting in an

Edinburgh hotel in mid-January the destination is

decided. The group now comprises two of the 1980s

originals, Ben and Doug, and two newer but long standing

members, Mariano and Angus.

Around about 2000 we came across the Ordre des Col Durs (OCD) and then a bit later the

Marios (Alpine cols over 2,000m) and Doug decided,

having climbed all of Scotland’s Munros, it was

time to tick off the Marios. Flights to Nice from

Edinburgh and a return from Geneva have been used, as

well as circular trips via Munich, Venice, Toulouse and

Geneva; pretty soon Doug had achieved his aim and the

Marios had all been ascended. What next? – The answer, of course - more of the same i.e. col bagging.

Planning 2015’s TripAt the meeting in January 2015 three different trips were proposed and, after

discussion, a vote was taken with agreement for a flight to

Munich and returning from Zurich...

An OCD inspired col-bagging trip from Munich to ZurichDay 1 to Munich and

Herrsching, GermanyWe flew into Munich on 18th August 2015 and, once we had reassembled the bikes, caught the train from below the airport direct to Herrsching where we had booked hotel accommodation. The views from the train were of rain, wetness and warmly clad people; not really the sort of weather we had hoped for.

Day 2 to Reutte in Austria It was raining again in the morning when we set off south from Herrsching, which occupies a potentially picturesque spot on the Ammersee Lake. By the time we reached Oberammergau there was the occasional dry patch of road but it was not much warmer than it would have been in Edinburgh and I was thankful for my Helly Hanson base layer.

Before crossing into Austria over Aammer-Sattel Pass at 1,118m we were presented with the option of various cycle paths rather than roads. It is always hard to decide which to use and, being a Sunday, the roads were not busy with traffic but in a couple of places the signs said no bikes (mainly it seemed because of tunnels) and the cycle routes were of varying quality, could have steep gradients and not always well signposted. Not unlike the UK in fact!

One of the reasons for holidaying in the second half of August is that most Europeans have gone back to work and finding a hotel with vacancies is usually quite easy. This proved to be the case in Reutte where we found a large, warm and hospitable hotel, were able to dry out, and store the bikes safely in their front sun lounge.

110km, 1,036m, 5h14

Day 3 to Klosterle, AustriaDuring the first day Angus discovered that his cleats were stiff so a visit to the bike shop was called for, conveniently it was located on the road to the Lech Valley towards Flexenpass. It was still raining, still not warm but the road was quiet so we were not getting much spray as we cycled up the valley on a gentle 2% gradient. We had lunch together Holzgow, the first of only two occasions as

normally, when on the move, we cycle well strung out especially on the hills. Mariano, the youngest and fittest is first up any hill, followed by Doug and me, followed by Angus who is a little slower and more highly geared than the rest. Angus comes into his own on the flat and gentle downhills. After lunch the road kicked up and we resumed our normal relative riding positions.

We had originally contemplated an out and back to bag the Hochtannberpass 1,679m but as it was damp and cool when we reached the turn off we independently decided against it and headed for Lech, Zurs and the Flexenpass 1,773m by the direct route. As the photo shows it was misty and unpleasant up there with a need for full cover on the descent to the valley and the main road.

The author, Ben Bate on the Flexenpass

Once in the valley we had originally thought it would be possible to bag Arlbergpass 1,793m but, due to the amount of traffic and narrowness of the road, it looked very uninviting. The authorities prohibit cycling on that road east toward Saint Anton anyhow and cyclists have to wait for a shuttlebus to take them to the pass. Not suitable then for an OCD claim!

Before we leave Edinburgh we agree on an itinerary and we each keep a copy. According to this the next stop was Stuben but, as Mariano was in the lead, he decided that the downhill was too much fun and instead

kept going as far as Kosterle a few kilometres further down the valley.

Once accommodation has been found, the drill is that the finder texts the rest of the group to let them know where they will be spending the night. This system of cycling separately and meeting up again at the night’s hotel works well for us, other groups might prefer to stay close to each other at all times.

89km, 1,187m, 5h10

Day 4 to See (or Galtur), Austria

By dinner time in Klosterle the rain had ceased and it was dry when we set off westward towards Bludenz, turning south east before the town up the Ill valley to Schruns and the Bielerhohe pass. This is another quiet road that vehicles have to pay to use, however, there were construction works at the dam at the head of the pass so as we ascended there were some large lorries to contend with and, yes, it started to rain again.

I met up with Doug at the top of Biererhohe 2,036m and we had a coffee in the large, deserted café overlooking the reservoir. Doug reminded me that he had cycled up the pass a couple of times before on hired bikes whilst on walking holidays in Ischgl, which is further down the valley and apparently very popular with prosperous Russians with much building going on as a consequence.

We discussed where we would stay that night as Mariano was ahead as usual and Angus behind. Up to then Mariano had not texted so we assumed that the plan of staying in See, 35km down the valley towards Landeck, would be adhered to. However, as Mariano was ahead of us, the rain shower which caught us on the way up caught him as he was about to descend, and he decided to get out of the rain and stay overnight at Galtur only 9K beyond the col.

He texted when he eventually found a hotel but by then the rain had stopped and Doug and I were below Galtur. We decided to press on downhill to See on a road busy with construction workers going home after a day building for the Russians in Ischgl.

16arrivee.indd 34 15/01/2016 13:22:51

Ben Bate with Doug, Mariano and Angus


On Tour

The route was a zig zag through

southern Germany,

western Austria, north east Italy

then a bit of Switzerland,

Leichtenstein and finally Zurich and home again. The trip was nine

nights away, eight days in the

saddle, with a planned 770 kilometres;

12,391 metres of ascent and an OCD claim of

nearly 33,000 m

Doug and I found a lovely little hotel in See whilst Angus joined Mariano up the valley in Galtur; this was the only time that communications broke down!

105km, 1,606m, 5h45

Day 5 to Prato allo Stelvio, Italy

Next day, yes, wet again, and Doug and I decided neither to wait for Angus, who starts slowly in the mornings, nor Mariano, setting off for Landeck where we turned south into the valley of the Inn.

Cycling together, we had intended to cross the Finstermunzpass 1188m but had been diverted off the main road onto a cycle path. Just beyond Pfunds we realised we would not be able to join the road to the Finstermunzpass, which was high above us on the other side of the narrow valley, and we could see that its numerous tunnels and galleries were busy with traffic. We continued on the lower road into Martina, in Switzerland, passing on our right the road to Samnuan which still maintains its ‘duty free’ status first granted when there was no road link to the rest of Switzerland.

Martina is small and not busy but we were able to buy lunch at the petrol station-come café- come gift shop. The menu was restricted but it was warm and dry inside and whilst at lunch I received a text from my daughter saying she had just passed her driving test – I felt quite emotional, as she hadn’t told me she was sitting. it

As the Finstermunzpass was not on, to get to Italy and the foot of the Stelvio we had to climb the Martina Pass 1,464m, which is beautifully graded from Martina, and down to the main road where we turned right for Resia 1,508m, past Lake Resia and down to Prato allo Stelvio. This is a tourist region and, when not raining, it is probably busy with cyclists and walkers on the numerous paths with signage to encourage their use but, just as in southern Germany, not always helpful for those wishing to move quickly. After a while we used the busy road swooping down the sweeping bends to the turn off at Mals for Prato and onto a, thankfully, rather less busy but still wet road.

In Prato we met up with Mariano who had failed to find a hotel with vacancies (when it rains the campers decide to stay in hotels and they can fill up quickly), however, we spotted the Tourist Office and were pointed in the direction of a hotel with four spare beds in the centre of town.

Angus was having a slow day and there was no sign of him until halfway through our pre-dinner beer he arrived cheerful and dry. It transpired that whilst Angus had followed the signs for the cycle path (and went the same way as me and Doug), Mariano had decided to stay on the road, with all the traffic, coming up the Inn valley and had, therefore, cycled over Finstermunzpass 1,188m through the tunnels and galleries. Despite the signs saying ‘No Bicycles’ Mariano’s progress was not interfered with in any way.

110km, 1,169m, 5h35

Day 6 to Valdidentro, ItalyThe following day we had to climb up and over the Stelvio at 2,757m one of the highest in Europe. I had been up it before, (20K from Bormio alt. 1225m), but coming from Prato it is longer at 24K and steeper, more or less 9% all the way. The Prato ascent also has the iconic bends on it which makes for great photographs if you get the correct angles.

Prato is just over 800m above sea level which leaves nearly 1,900m to be climbed. I set off first on a cool but dry day with a hint of sun. The pass was quite busy with motor traffic, perhaps because many who were in the area to drive up it had not yet done so because of the rain. There weren’t many other

cyclists about that day but the vehicles were careful how they overtook me and I never felt in danger. Climbing such a long way you get into a rhythm, almost a transcendental state, watching out for pot holes and conscious of the vehicles on the road. From time to time a cyclist would pass with a nod and a ‘Ciao’, usually someone considerably younger than me and with much less luggage!

As it wasn’t hot I needed only the occasional sip of water and little food as the breakfast had been a good one. There are a couple of villages on the way up which are ‘destinations’ and present opportunities for refreshment but I find it easier to keep going, keep the rhythm, stay focused, and grind up the hill mostly in my bottom gear - 20 at the front and 23 at the back.

Mariano passed me between Gomagoi and Trafoi reporting that Doug was further back and that Angus too was on the move. I stopped a couple of times to admire the view, have a little snack, take a photo or two and look at the weather. It was definitely cooler up there because the sun had gone but I didn’t feel the need to put on more clothes and there were no threatening rain clouds.

The bends are numbered, your computer tells you how far you have gone, your altimeter how high you are so there’s lots to think about and calculate, if you have a mind to. The top is in view for some time before you reach it but the numbered corners leave you in no doubt as to how much further there is to go!

And then you are there, after just over 3 hours of being alone the atmosphere changes, the top of

Looking down the Stelvio towards Prato.

16arrivee.indd 35 15/01/2016 13:22:52


On Tourthe Stelvio 2,760m is a mass of people, cars, motor cycles and bicycles; cafes, shops and hotels all crowded together vying for business. No sign of Mariano anywhere so I selected a café where I could park my bike in view from the inside seating and ordered tea and a plate of Spaghetti Bolognese - not the best I have had but just what I needed.

Ben just arrived at the top of the Stelvio, in front of a cycle

clothing stall, finding breathing hard – let alone smiling

After I had eaten I put on extra clothes for the descent and then spotted Doug selecting a café for a well-deserved bite. He suggested I shouldn’t wait so I set off downhill towards Bormio, taking a small detour to visit the Pass Umbrail 2502m but this one isn’t claimable under OCD rules as the ascent was only a few metres from the road junction.

The road down whilst, not as steep as the side I ascended, is narrower and there are a number of tunnels with some rather dodgy road surfaces. I stopped a few times on the way down to admire the view. Passes always seem more precarious on the way down and the drops over the edge seem steeper, closer and more dangerous. Our route did not go into Bormio but towards Valdidentro as the following day we were heading for Switzerland.

I stopped when the road levelled out to take off my warm clothing and have my first Italian cappuccino of the holiday, much cheaper than in either Austria or Germany.

Mariano had booked accommodation in an alpine style guest house bedecked with geraniums called ‘Edelweiss’ – it looked idyllic as I arrived in weak sunshine. It was run by three older ladies (OK, about our age!) who promised that they

understood cyclists’ needs and would feed us well. We were allocated a little annexe flat next door which was comfortable and there was a garage below for the bikes, it looked excellent. We decided to eat dinner at the main house but sadly it was unremarkable, not quite the way mama should make it and not worth crossing the Stelvio for!

The next morning breakfast was sparse, a request for eggs adding €5 to each bill! Then we discovered they only took cash and delayed our start by faffing about – we would have been better off in a hotel. It was the only accommodation that I would change

if we were to repeat the trip, as most hotels offered a generous buffet breakfast and dinner (although expensive in Switzerland and Lichtenstein) that was invariably excellent.

55km, 1,920m, 4h25

Day 7 from Italy to Zernez, Switzerland

The delay meant that, by the time we were on the road, there were many motorists going to Livigno on the north side of the Passo di Fascagno 2,291m and the Passo d’Eira 2,208m.

The area is remote from the rest of Italy and in order to encourage visitors it is tax free; for example petrol is 50 cents a litre which is half what it costs elsewhere and wine is also much cheaper. The result is that the road up both passes is busy with traffic; lorries bringing cases of wine to be sold in Livigno and cars going to buy said wine and no doubt fill up with fuel. There must be an easier way!

Our route avoided the town of Livigno as we headed south west for Switzerland and Doug, Mariano and I managed to meet up for lunch in the valley, but there was no sign of Angus.

After lunch we were caught out again by the cycle paths, clearly meant for more leisurely pursuits than cycle touring!

However we were soon back on the relatively quiet road to Forcola di Livigno 2,315m down the other side into Switzerland, a right turn and up a few hundred metres climb to Passo de Bernina 2,328m.

We regrouped at the cafe below the pass and teamed up for the descent into Ober-Engardin and Zernez our intended overnight stop. The weather had been dry

Cool with signs of recent rain on the Bernina

all day but it was still cool and there was a wind blowing up the valley against us. Mariano and Doug are fast descenders, so I let them go first as usual, but once the road flattened out I had to work hard to get into their slip.

By Pontresina we were working well together, using the gradual downhill and the slipstream to make good progress down the 30 K to Zernez. I thought of Angus having to work against the headwind on his own!

Zernez is a small town with a number of hotels, the first of which was able to accommodate us. Prices were higher here and the quality a notch up from Italy and Austria, so we opted for a family room with four beds to save a few francs. Very comfortable it was too with a superb shower room and good drooth to facilitate the drying of cycle clothing.

Ah, but where was Angus? He had texted earlier in the day to say he might not make it over the Forcola and the Bernina and the previous day we had talked about the tunnel to the north east of Livigno being a short cut to Switzerland and Zernez.

At about 5pm he texted again; he was at the Italian end of the tunnel but the last shuttlebus had gone, however the border guard had told him that there was a service bus due soon which would take him through the tunnel. It finally arrived at 6.30 so he decided to take it all the way down to Zernez and was showered and changed by 7.30 just in time to join us for the hotel’s complimentary pre dinner Weiss beer at the bar.

At dinner we each opted for the self-service salad buffet followed by pizza and another beer, just the sort of food needed after a day on a bike.

99km, 1,926m, 6h10

Day 8 to LiechtensteinThe morning was dry, sunny and cool, part of the downhill route through to Susch is out of the sun and it was almost cold enough to put on more clothes, however, the climb up the Val Susasca to the Fluelapass 2,383m got the blood flowing.

Three of us met up on the top of the pass and stayed together down to Davos and over the Klosters Pass 1,625m to Klosters. On the road down from the top there were un-Swiss like road works which had been abandoned for the weekend with some quite dangerous ridges where the top layer of tarmac had been removed. Care required!

Blue sky and sunshine on the Fluelapass with Mariano

We found a lovely restaurant in Klosters near the railway station, the ‘Al Capone’ and were getting ready to leave when Angus arrived. He had clearly speeded up and his shorter day to Zernez must have helped.

A glance at the map indicated what a zig zag route we had taken through the Alps as Klosters is only 20km, as the crow flies, from the Bielerhohe pass we had crossed on day 4!

The itinerary said we were to spend the night in Lichtenstein as none of us had ever been there. The route seemed easy enough but again we were directed onto cycle paths through the narrow and busy valley of the Landquart River; and just before the tunnels beyond Grusch we were diverted south.

Despite the fact we had switched from the Michelin 1:400,000 of Austria, which had served us well

16arrivee.indd 36 15/01/2016 13:22:52

The trip, although

dogged by rain was successful.

We stayed in the towns we had chosen, were always able to get a hotel, we

were only mildly lost once, always in contact with each other (at

least by mobile!), had no

mechanicals or punctures and

had enough clothes to ward off the weather,

and 27,000 metres were added to our OCD claim.

The drivers in the main were

courteous with the Swiss being the most polite

and considerate.


On Tourthis far, to Michelin 1:200,000 of Switzerland, with no signs to guide us we resorted to compass bearings to find the valley of the Rhein which you might think should be pretty obvious. Once in Lanquart town, however, we quickly picked up the minor road over the Luziensteig Pass 713m and the steep run down towards the Liechtenstein border, close to which we passed through the remains of defensive positions dating back, we assumed, to WWII.

In Balzers, just inside Liechtenstein we spotted a hotel and as rain was in the air we decided to go no further. The hotelier was very welcoming, showed us to comfortable rooms and suggested we eat in the adjoining restaurant which, he explained, was operated by a separate company.

When we arrived for dinner, dressed rather casually, the waiter was somewhat condescending and only after a nod from the hotel proprietor were we shown to a table. This was not a menu for those on a budget; wine at £30 a bottle upwards and the food similarly priced. Having eaten well over the last few days, we each chose a beautifully presented lasagne and a glass of beer, saving our appetites for the buffet breakfast the next day. Needless to say, the waiting staff were much more interested in the other tables where quantities of wine, plates of steak tartare and other expensive delicacies were being consumed.

I picked up a leaflet in the hotel about Liechtenstein which described the vineyards, wine making, the Prince of Liechtenstein and his famous stamp collection but not a word about the financial services on offer such as it being a tax haven or money laundering! We went for a walk after dinner – not a soul to be seen. A strange little country, with a Prince as head of state, one of the smallest but richest in the world, using another’s currency (Swiss Franc) and thanks to its easy Rules of Incorporation housing more holding companies (73,000) than residents (36,000).

94km, 1,365m, 4h51

Day 9 return to Switzerland towards Zurich Airport

With the high passes behind us, a pleasant Sunday cycle was planned to get close enough to

Zurich airport for the flight home at lunch time on Monday. We cycled north with the Rhein on our left through Vadus and Schaan and crossed the river into Switzerland at Bendern, followed by 4km of flat before Gams and a climb up to Wildhaus Pass 1,090m.

On the way down towards Wattwil all four of us had lunch together for the second time in the holiday! Despite it being Sunday there was a good deal of traffic about and, just beyond Trempel, cyclists were diverted off the main road we had been on since entering Switzerland and sent through the villages of Ebnat and Kappel; more confusion over cycle paths again, to join the road north at Wattwil.

We made our first navigational error on this busy road looking for the left turn to Mosnang going too far and having to retrace our route in the gathering gloom of a rainy late afternoon. I put the error down to road works, queues of traffic and too many roads to choose from but really it was about not paying attention!

We began to look for a hotel but the only one in Mosnang was full - we were informed there was another hotel further on at the top of the Hulfteggpass 970m. First, however, we had to go up and then down the Mosnang Pass 717m and then climb the Hulfteggpass so we did not finish until quite late on. Having put the bikes in the hotel’s garage, we were soon showered and ready for dinner in the large, empty dining room which seemed to major on Sunday brunch for motorcyclists with great views of the sunset in the direction we would go the next day.

85km, 1,323m, 4h35

Day 10 final day to Zurich Airport and Home to

EdinburghIt was less than 45K to the airport but in order to avoid the busy roads and the traffic, careful navigation was required. No repeat of the mistake from yesterday could be permitted!

We went Steg, Bauma, Pfaffikon (where we picked up another cycle path) and then diverted left to avoid a busy road and motorway junction, under the motorway and into Lindau. From there it was straightforward into Bassersdorf for a final coffee

before the cycle path through Kloten all the way to the terminal building. We were flying on an airline new to us, Edelweiss, and part of their deal was complimentary cardboard boxes. As Edelweiss is part of Air Swiss which sells boxes in Geneva through which we often fly, we were expecting a good solid box and we weren’t disappointed.

The ground staff could not have been more helpful, and allowed us to use their scissors and tape to seal the boxes. All very stress free, with plenty of time for a leisurely snack before the flight home to Edinburgh.

43km, 152m, 2 hours

SummaryThe trip, although dogged by rain was a successful one. We stayed in the towns we had chosen, were always able to get a hotel, we were only mildly lost once, always in contact with each other (at least by mobile!), had no mechanicals or punctures and had enough clothes to ward off the weather, and 27,000 metres were added to our OCD claim.

The drivers in the main were courteous with the Swiss being the most polite and considerate.

An interesting feature was the various cycle-paths we encountered and were encouraged, by signage, to use. Their quality was usually good and at times avoided steep narrow, traffic filled roads such as beside the Landquart River and at other times were at the side of fairly quiet roads such as in southern Germany and Switzerland.

They could be confusing to use however, especially when the signs went missing! On the plus side, almost always, when a minor road crossed the cycle path to join the road the path was alongside, the cycle route had right of way. It was the vehicle joining the main road, not the cyclist who was told to give way!

Whilst the weather was reminiscent of home the cycle paths were a notch above those we have in the UK!

Herrsching to Zurich Airport 685km, 11,700m, 44 hours

OCD claim 27,300m

Angus, bike and luggage

16arrivee.indd 37 15/01/2016 13:22:52


On TourI had been wanting to see more of Scotland ever since doing my ‘end to end’ in 1990 and east – west (Lowestoft Ness Point to Point of Ardnamurchan) in 1991 and seeing how beautiful it is. I had been wanting to visit the Hebridean islands for even longer but I never got round to either, having got hooked on going abroad, which included being a CTC tour leader for 14 years.The combination of retirement and seeing Ian Gilbert’s “Hebridean Island Hop” 200 in the calendar for July 2014 persuaded me to ‘bite the bullet.’ I decided to combine it with a tour of some of the other islands and parts of the mainland. While working I would not have been able to take four consecutive weeks leave in July. The 200 took in most of the islands of Lewis and Harris and the small islands of Great Bernera and Scalpay. I saw more of Lewis and Harris – including ‘The Golden Road’ - before and after the event and then visited Berneray, north and south Uist, Benbecula and Eriksay. I then explored Skye far more thoroughly than I had been able to on a quick visit after finishing my ‘east – west.’ Back to the mainland, over the bridge to Kyle of Lochalsh, via Lochcarron to Loch Maree, then back to Ullapool to see a bit of the lumpy – as I am sure riders in the 2015 national 400 will confirm- coast road to the north turning inland to Lairg and then to the north coast at Tongue.Before hardly having started planning the 2014 tour I was making plans for 2015. I had bought the Cicerone guide Cycling In The Hebrides, written by Richard Barrett and was interested to learn that the Velo Club d’Ardberg, based on the island of Islay, hold an annual 100-mile invitation ride called Ride Of The Falling Rain (the name did not put me off! It has an ironically humorous aspect, which I will come to). I decided that would be my objective for 2015 and again combine it with seeing some of the other islands and parts of the mainland. I travelled to Oban by rail on my 62nd birthday. Of all the times to get up on one’s birthday, I rose at 4.30 am to catch an early train. What was somewhat irritating was that I had originally wanted to take a later service that got me to Oban at the same time but was told that the service on the east coast main line was already fully booked. The slightly good thing was that the early train only involved four changes, at Norwich, Peterborough, Edinburgh Waverley and Glasgow Queen Street, whereas the later service would also have involved changing at York. The downside was a wait of over two hours at Glasgow Queen Street. However, the journey went smoothly and the Oban line is a scenic ride, which got things off to a nice start. Also, as a rail campaigner and a bit of an ‘anorak’ I enjoy travelling rail routes for the first time.

I had heard that Oban was an attractive town and I wasn’t disappointed. Oban station is alongside the ferry terminal and quay with the picturesque view of the bay and the Sound of Kerrera. I found my accommodation, the Royal Hotel, quite easily and as it was only half an hour before food finished serving I gave that, and a few pints, priority over showering!

Now follows my day to day account. I think many of the distances will cause you amusement!

Oban to Bridgend plus detour to Easdale – approx 49 miles

I was pleased with my hotel choice. Yes, there was porridge and both the Scottish and continental breakfasts were self-service, i.e. you could have as much as you like.

The day had started quite sunny but I had barely left the hotel before it was drizzling. No doubt those who rib me about how I bring rain are nodding their heads and laughing. My direct ride today was only 37 miles to Lochgilphead, or so I thought. It doesn’t mean I made a blunder and it was much longer, it was slightly shorter. Admitting to a day’s riding distance of 37 miles in Arrivee might seem shameful but my original intention was to ride to Kennycraig (56 miles) for the ferry to Isla but I could not find any accommodation advertised for the locality. The direct ride was simply along the A816 Although a main road it is part of the designated Argyll and Bute coastal route and is scenic enough, particularly alongside the lochs, Feochan and Melfort, and passes through some attractive villages. However, it is also a lumpy road and it is only just out of Oban that a quite long climb starts – actually a ‘feature’ of Oban! Some say that when you live in a flattish area you notice it when you come to hilly areas. Maybe, but I am sure I didn’t notice it when I was younger. I tried

blaming the loaded panniers but then again I don’t remember noticing it in my younger days.

In one respect it was fortunate that my direct ride was short as it gave me time to pursue an interesting detour. I decided to turn off the A816 just before Kilninver along the B844 to the area of the Slate islands, actually to Easdale in the area called Seil. My interpretation is that Seil was once an island separated from the mainland by a narrow strip of water before a short – but with a stingy gradient! - bridge was built at the village of Clachan. The scenery, partly wooded and partly overlooking the Firth of Lorn, proved it to be a good decision, despite a 15 per cent climb sending me into the ‘34’ ring – I forget which sprocket I went down to. At the junction with the B8003 I was presented with an option. I could either take that road to Cuan for the ferry to the small island of Luing or stay on the B844 to Easdale. Thinking that using a ferry might be time-consuming I noted it for some other time and opted for Easdale. It is a picturesque fishing village (little did I know that I would be making an unexpected second visit to Easdale later in the tour).

After photo’s I retraced to the A816 and on toward Lochgilphead, into a headwind but not particularly difficult. At Kimelford I spotted that the village store also had a cafe attached to it. As I saw a laden touring bike outside I stopped. I pondered whether to use the cafe but after such a big breakfast I hadn’t really done enough to feel hungry. I settled for a small bottle of orange juice from the store. While I was drinking it the other cyclist emerged and confirmed I had guessed correctly that he was camping. He was heading for Oban with the intention of taking a ferry to Lochmaddy on north Uist. We were to meet again a few days later.

Hebridean Island Hop 200km

John Thompson

Part 1 - to the Ride in the Falling Rain 100 mile

Isle of Islay: on the A847 between Bridgend and Bruichladdich

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On TourIt is just south of Kimelford that there is the toughest hill – 10 % if I remember correctly – on the A816. So far it had been very much a waterproof on/off ride but around one o’clock the rain started coming down hard and was continuous. Ironically therefore, about 4 miles north of Lochgilphead I was surprised to suddenly see a sign indicating that I needed to take the next left for the b and b – The Horseshoe Inn – I was booked into. The address on the booking slip indicated it is in Lochgilphead but it is actually in the village of Bridgend.

Some might think 2.15 pm is a ridiculously early time to arrive at digs and on this occasion I can agree it was a silly misjudgement. I probably could have gone to Easdale and took the ferry to and from Luing as well and there were other detours. They have all been noted for another time but the early arrival was all the more silly because it put me in a predicament. On trying to enter the pub to get checked in I discovered it was locked. I rang the bell more than once but no reply. I looked at the booking slip and realised it indicated it opened at 5.00. I hadn’t noticed that before! I was contemplating what to do until 5.00. It was pouring and apart from the locked pub and residences there was nothing in Bridgend, not even a village store, never mind a cafe! I was contemplating going to Lochgilphead but noticed that the side of the pub building was residential. Assuming it was the proprietors residence I knocked on the door. It turned out it was a self-catering apartment that the proprietors let out. After some comical confusion between us I realised that the couple who answered the door were not the proprietors but visitors using the apartment. Of course they weren’t cyclists, they had driven from Worcester and were staying there for the week visiting their daughter and family. However, they were hospitable inviting me in for a cup of tea. The result was that I also had some food with them – only fish fingers and chips but it did the job nicely! Over another cup of tea I whiled away the afternoon with them.

The proprietors arrived around 4.30 and when I checked in I was well pleased to see a number of real ale pumps and a poster indicating that the pub was in the CAMRA guide. While I forget what I had I remember that dinner was good so a good end to what had been a good day’s ride even though the weather hadn’t been great. The tour had started good accommodation-wise.

Bridgend to Kennacraig/Port Askaig to Bruichladdich - approx 37 miles

My good opinion of The Horseshoe Inn was further confirmed by the breakfast, which was great even though porridge wasn’t offered.

The rain had stopped and the sky had cleared to produce a pleasant sunny morning. However the wind had got up and the A816 from that point is wide and exposed which made for a slow ride initially. The A816 shortly finishes at the junction with the A83, which I followed through

Lochgilphead and Tarbert to Kennacraig. The A83 was not excessively busy and again it is a pleasant enough ride alongside Loch Fyne. Lochgilphead, as the name probably suggests, is alongside the Loch and I found it pleasant despite being a bit busy. Tarbert is also nice.

I arrived at Kennacraig ferry terminal around 11.00, rather early for the 1.00 sailing but quite a lot of cyclists started arriving – most going over for the the same reason as me – so there were plenty of people to talk cycling with while drinking tea and taking photo’s It also rained so I missed it while riding.

The ferry crossing went smoothly and there were plenty more cyclists to talk to. Nicely on arrival at Port Askaig it was sunny again. After dealing with the steep hill out of Port Askaig, which included being left for dead by those who weren’t carrying panniers full of four weeks kit, I then had to deal with a Hebridean headwind. I had experienced them in 2014 but this one was a real brute. I gathered from Velo Club d’Ardberg members and the hotel proprietors that Islay is particularly renowned for being windy. Also, although Scotland generally has a reputation for rain, I was given to understand that Islay particularly has, which I inferred is the reason for the ride name. I had a 14-mile ride to my hotel at Bruichladdich, which took me along the A848 to Bridgend (yes, another one! It can get confusing all those places around Scotland with the same name) where I turned right along the A847. This road follows the sea – called Loch Indaal – and a long stretch of beach, which made the wind even stronger! However, it is a lovely road, so, particularly in the sun, I was enjoying my first experience of Islay.

My hotel was called An Taigh Osda. I googled the translation, which apparently is simply “An Taigh, the hotel.” Interestingly it indicated it is Irish rather than Scottish.

I had chosen that hotel because Bruichladdich is where the ride starts and finishes at the mini-supermarket cum cafe that the Velo Club d’Ardberg uses as its HQ. There is cycling paraphernalia on the walls and their Sunday rides start from there. Bruichladdich is a small village so my hotel was a ‘stone’s throw’ from the start, with a lovely view overlooking the beach, sea and small harbour. Islay is renowned for whisky distilleries and there was one next door to the hotel. Unfortunately there are no possible jokes as I don’t drink whisky!

Again, dinner at the hotel was good and Paul and Joan, the proprietors, were friendly and helpful. Also, as there is no pub in the village, as far as I could gather, I was in the only place where beer is available!

The Ride of the Falling Rain (circuit of Islay – 100 miles)

Another great breakfast and including porridge. When Paul brought me the ‘full Scottish’ he said, “I hope that doesn’t weigh you down on the ride.” I assured him it wouldn’t be a problem. As I said in a previous article, the advice not to be over-full tends to be ignored by audax riders!

The day started good being still sunny but the forecast was for the wind to get up in the afternoon and for rain (no doubt some are thinking that considering the ride name and that I was riding it was sure to!). Being so close I was the first at the cafe. As most Scottish islanders are – to be fair, in my view the Scottish generally – they were friendly people and I got a coffee on the house.

Although not an audax, as riders arrived the atmosphere certainly gave it the feel of one – everyone chatting and joking, eating and drinking tea and coffee. I did email the organiser explaining about audax suggesting he might like to consider it as a way to increase interest. Obviously there is in effect

Before the start. Surely it’s an Audax!

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On Touralready a 160 and the geography of the island and roads are such it would not be difficult to put in an extra loop to get a 200. I didn’t get the opportunity to discuss it with him on the day but I infer he wasn’t sold on the idea. The ride is a laid-back affair. Apart from anything else, the 10.00 start for a 100-mile ride says it all. There are no rules, no marshals and no support vehicles and riders can cut short the ride at any point. I explained that is very much like Audax and although there are some rules they don’t amount to much. I did however also explain that it would require an earlier start than 10.00. Maybe that put him off!

As 10.00 approached many wandered outside for photographs including for the local paper. Not everyone did however, which leads to another point about how laid back the ride is. Just before 10.00 the organiser gave a pep talk and said, “I doubt we will be leaving at 10.00 as some are still drinking coffee.” I think those still inside were riding the 100 km event – another factor that makes it like audax! - which the organiser was. He advised he was calling it a ‘conversational’ ride meaning it would be at the pace of the slowest rider waiting for anyone who drops off the back. From what I observed later in the day when a lot of the 100 riders passed me in the opposite direction I am not sure that is how it panned out as there was more than one group of them. It could be it was later agreed to split into groups according to ability.

Both distances follow the same route for the first two miles to Port Charlotte, where I believe the 100 goes direct to Portnahaven. The 160 turns right to go through the area called Rinns of Islay to Kilcharran and then to Portnahaven. It is a lumpy ride of nice testing hills along lovely narrow lanes. The scenery of the hills on one side and sea on the other and wooded in parts, along narrow lanes in parts with grass in the middle, is superb. From Portnahaven it is along the A847 back to Port Charlotte. You wouldn’t think it was

an A road however! It looks like a lane and although I suppose in relative terms you could say in a comical way it is busy, it feels like a lane. It follows the coast so more lovely views of the sea so far all in lovely sunshine. From Port Charlotte it is a retrace through Bruichladdich past the HQ – in my case also past my accommodation – to Bridgend. It was here that I did my ‘classic’ thing of going off-route.

It does lead me to my only criticism of the ride, which is that a proper route sheet is not provided. A GPX track is available but at the time I had not progressed that far and not everyone favours it. What is provided is a sketch map of the outline of the route. I had it in my map holder and had considered taking my proper map with me but decided against it – yes that was silly! However, whether it would have helped me figure it out at that particular point is debatable. The sketch indicated you did a ‘zig zag’ to make up the distance. I thought I had worked it out. There is a ‘high’ road – B8016 - and a ‘low’ road – A846 – option between Bridgend and Port Ellen. As you might guess, the ‘high’ road involves more climbing but is signposted as two miles shorter.

I figured taking the ‘high’ road explained the ‘zig zag.’, It was along this road that I passed some of the 100 riders going the opposite way. At the point where the ‘high’ road junctions with the ‘low,’ road two miles before Port Ellen some other riders were coming along the ‘low’ road so clearly I had gone wrong. Anyway, I got onto the wheels of those riders for a fair pace through Port Ellen to the cafe stop at the more or less halfway point at Ardberg. It was while I was coming along the ‘high’ road that the weather started deteriorating. The wind got up and it was against me. It looked like rain was coming and there were a few spits. A change of direction at Port Ellen did give a tail wind for the three miles to Ardberg.

The lunch stop is in the Old Kiln cafe, which is in Ardberg whisky distillery. It amused me

that this would make it fun as an audax control! Although I realised I had gone wrong I was nevertheless puzzled that I was one of the first riders to arrive at Ardberg despite slipping off the back early on. However, talking to others over lunch it became clear. The ‘zig zag’ was explained to me and that the route goes back to the ‘low’ road and the ‘high’ road is taken coming back. I decided in order not to cheat I would do the ‘opposite’ returning to Bridgend along the ‘low’ road and then do the ‘zig zag’ in reverse.

A lot of riders arrived in the cafe giving it that great ‘cycling’ ambience and again feeling much like an audax. It made me reluctant to leave to ride alone but I wanted to get on with it, particularly as there was going to be a lot of headwind. Ironically, it was the last I was to see of any of the other riders! After retracing to Port Ellen it was a tail wind along the ‘low’ road following the coast past the island airport and through Bowmore back to Bridgend. It was all change from there when I turned along the lane signposted “Cluanach” and had to face a brute of a headwind, if anything even stronger than on the Saturday, and it was like that more or less for the whole of the rest of the ride.

From Cluanach it is another lovely lane through to the A846 at Ballygrant from where it is back to Bridgend. It was at this point that I had some amusing thoughts. Although the weather forecast had been correct about the wind, the predicted rain had not come and now it looked unlikely it would. That said, as there had been a few spits I suppose ‘technically’ it did rain but nothing like what I get accused of causing so there are those who need to take back what they say about me! Indeed, the wind made it more like Andy Terry’s conditions and it struck me that after the headwind I had today Andy’s events will be ‘walks in the park!’ From Bridgend it’s a retrace along the A847 toward Bruichladdich to turn right onto the B8017 into the “Rinns of Islay”again and to circuit Loch Gorm. This is where it would have been sensible to have had my proper map with me. At a T-junction there was a signpost but it did not indicate where turning left goes. However it indicated Kilchoman straight ahead and Machr Bay right. I turned right on the presumption that going to a Bay would take me to the sea. It turned out to be a dead end at a car park, from where presumably it is a walk to the bay. I returned to the junction and decided to find out what going toward Kilchoman would bring. Firstly, it brought a brute of a hill followed by a steep descent and then another dead end this time by a large house. I decided the best thing would be to ring the doorbell of the house to see if anyone was in to give directions.

I was in luck. The guy laughed when I said “I’ve got a bit lost,” but he put me right. He explained I needed to return to the junction, turn right and carry straight on until I come to the sea, i.e. I should have turned left at the T-junction! Of course it also meant retracing over that hill! However, all was now well and after a day of testing up-hills and a severe headwind it was nice that a slight change of

Isle of Islay: the lane from Cluanach to Ballygrant

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On Tourdirection near the end on the B8018 enabled savouring a roaring tailwind and a fast descent to sea level at the junction with the A847 for the final mile to Bruichladdich. I arrived at 7.15 pm, which , taking all the factors into account plus several stops for photos I think was okay (to be fully accurate it is 162 km) However the HQ was closed and there was no sign of any other riders and I had not been passed by any en-route. Even though I took a slightly different route after Ardberg, as so many were still there some would surely have passed me if they finished before me. Some had said at Ardberg that they were not going to do the full route because of the wind and I suspect a lot didn’t. I believe many of them had done it before so probably were not concerned about missing anything.

In conclusion, to deal firstly with the slightly negative points, while I understand why the organisers like the easy going approach, I feel it could be better organised in a few ways. As I said, there should be a proper route sheet and it does seem spartan that if you finish later the HQ is closed so there is no food and drink and a chance to talk to others. Considering it is a 10.00 start, slower riders will finish late. That said, apparently in previous years there has been a pasta meal for those who wanted it at an establishment in Port Charlotte, which you had to book, but my understanding is that they didn’t do it this year. I can only infer that they had problems due to poor support. However, enough of that, it is a lovely ride so although not an audax I recommend doing it sometime, particularly if you have yet to visit Islay. The ‘160’ is a good way of seeing the island thoroughly. If you are not into GPX, learn from my mistake and carry a proper map in addition to the outline one provided. I find the Nicholson 1:250000 series good, which I ordered online from The Map Shop at Upton-upon-Severn. For Islay you need “Road 2, West Scotland and The Western Isles.” It includes all the western isles. With regard the mainland it doesn’t go quite south enough to Kennacraig where the ferry terminal is. For that you need “Road 3, Southern Scotland and Northumberland.” However,”Road 2” does extend to just south of Lochgilphead. Kennacraig is simply straight along the A83 to and from Lochgilphead so if apart from that, your mainland riding is north of Lochgilphead you can manage with “Road 2.”

The ride’s website is: www.rideofthefallingrain.net

Visit to Jura – approx 48 milesOn Monday morning the wind had completely dropped. However it was forecast to get up again late afternoon and while it would be exaggerating to call it “the lull before the storm” there will be something of a ‘dramatic twist’ at the end of my account of what started as a benign day. After another good breakfast I set off to Port Askaig for the ferry to Jura. The weather wasn’t great for the ride but while waiting at the ferry terminal the sun started breaking

through and after the short ride on the small ferry to Feolin on Jura there was a lovely blue sky. That was good news as Jura is a beautiful island and the views over the sea on a bright sunny morning were special. However, that did make one thing a bit more unfortunate. I admit I had not studied Jura on the map very closely. I was therefore surprised to discover from the signpost at the ferry terminal that Ardhusa is 25 miles from Feolin. After Sunday’s ride my legs were telling me that a ride totalling 78 miles – that is including Islay – was not on today. Actually it would potentially have been longer as, Ardhusa is not the furthest point north you can reach. So I didn’t get to see and photo George Orwell’s former residence where he wrote 1984, satisfying myself with just going as far as Craighouse where I went into the Jura Hotel bar and ordered a latte – strictly no alcohol at that time of day! Making the most of the sun I sat outside with my latte while enjoying the ambience and views. I was feeling a bit disappointed but I turned my thoughts positive by resolving that on another trip I would arrange the itinerary to include Jura and see it fully by staying at the hotel. The attractive and friendly young lady who served me in the bar had nothing to do with my decision!

I returned to Feolin for the ferry back to Port Askaig, where for a bite of lunch I bought a sandwich pack from the stores and then rode back to Bruichladdich and, yes, the wind was getting up and it was against me! However, I was back at the hotel before it got to its worst around 4.00 – the forecast had been bang on!

During the evening the wind strength was increasing and Joan said she had never known winds like it on Islay. My ferry in the morning was scheduled to leave from Port Ellen. Joan explained that the strong currents caused by the wind might mean it being diverted to Port Askaig. Apparently the nature of the approach to Port Ellen means that exceptionally strong currents make it difficult and dangerous to dock. She advised that Caledonian MacBrayne usually inform accommodation establishments when that is happening and she would ask Paul to check when he returned from a meeting. When Paul returned he advised it would still be leaving from Port Ellen – more to come!

I set my mobile phone alarm for 5.30 am and I didn’t sleep well. Laying in bed listening to the wind gusting made me nervous. It didn’t seem to be far short of what it was like following Michael Fish’s infamous 1987 blunder. I tried to comfort myself with the fact that for the 56-mile ride from Kennacraigh to Oban I would have a stupendous tail wind.

Bruichladdich – Port Ellen/Kennacraig to Oban – approx 76 miles.

Despite little sleep I rose at 5.30 am with no difficulty. Listening to the wind it did seem to have decreased a bit although I couldn’t help wondering if I was hearing what I wanted to. After washing and shaving and panniers having been mostly packed Monday evening I went downstairs to leave the key on

reception and pick up the lunch pack Joan had prepared for me as I wasn’t having breakfast. That wasn’t a problem for a 20 mile ride as I had such a good meal on Monday evening and could get food on the ferry. Anyway, then it was outside to ‘face the music.’ - yes, it has relented somewhat!

The first 4 miles to Bridgend were fine as it was tail wind. It was on turning right at Bridgend that the ‘fun’ started. That said, I soon relaxed as it was far from as bad as I feared and thought positive about the roaring tail wind for 56 miles that was coming. I did however make a spur of the moment change of plan. As this ride was about no more than getting to the ferry terminal as quickly as possible, I had judged that although the ‘high’ road route is 2 miles shorter, as the ‘low’ road is much flatter it would probably be quicker. It suddenly struck me that as the ‘low’ road follows the coast it would be more exposed so I took the ‘high’ road.

On reaching Port Ellen I spotted the other cyclist I had crossed paths with on Friday taking photos. We chatted about where we had been over the last few days. He was also catching the ferry so saying “See you in a little while,” I left him to continue taking photos. I arrived at the terminal at 7.30. Although it was indicated the office opened at 8.00 the waiting room was unlocked so I went inside to have the sandwiches from the lunch pack. After a little while a Caledonian MacBrayne employee came in and seemed surprised to see someone there. I thought it was because I was early but considering we were in a ferry terminal waiting room he then said something extraordinary: “You’re not waiting for a ferry are you?” I replied “Yes,” and he then said – wait for it! - “It’s been diverted to Port Askaig.” From my clothes he guessed I was cycling and advised that when the girls got there they would sort something out.

When the lady arrived at 8.00 she booked a taxi for me and the other cyclist. Apparently the ferry captain had made the decision to divert at 7.00 that morning, the departure time for the outward sailing from Kennacraig. I was at least pleased it meant Paul had not made a mistake. Arrivee is perhaps not the place to say it would have been nice to have had a 6-mile shorter ride, but imagine the thought that it would have been a roaring tail wind to Port Askaig! I can laugh about it now! After taking out front wheels and some manhandling our bikes fitted into the taxi, which we shared with two other passengers. Ironically while in the taxi it started raining heavily thus at the last minute destroying my chance of being able to say I spent nearly four days in the reputed wettest part of Scotland and it did not rain.

I spent the ferry journey chatting to the other cyclist.and eating a Scottish breakfast, which was good! On arrival at Kennacraig it was still raining but, although it had possibly dropped a bit, I was pleased the wind was still strong. After putting waterproofs on the other cyclist and I shook hands goodbye. His major riding was over. He was heading for

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On TourCampbletown for a few days where his girlfriend was meeting him and would be driving him home. I joked, “I won’t be so cruel as to say I’m pleased the wind’s still blowing but at least you haven’t got far to ride.”

I left Kennacraig around 12.40 pm and really savoured the tail wind, retracing in one afternoon the ride along the A83 and A816 that I had previously broken up with an overnight stop, although I had no plans for detours as I had done on the outward ride

Just north of Lochgilphead I was able to take the waterproof off and slowly the weather did pick up and the final 20 miles or so were quite sunny. I tried to judge which direction involved the most climbing and think southwards – just – but going north was testing enough. The 10% just south of Kimelford seemed longer in this direction and just before the summit there were temporary roadworks, traffic lights that turned red just before I got there..-

It was shortly after that, while climbing again, that I saw two young ladies in the distance on mountain bikes with panniers.One of them was seemingly much fitter than the other, who dismounted and walked.However, even though one was walking they were too close to the top for me to catch them. I passed them with friendly “hello’s” a little way after the top when they were stopped taking swigs from their bottles and map-checking. Not long after, I was tackling another hill and, when I happened to glance behind, I discovered that the seemingly fitter of the two was sitting on my wheel. What’s this all about? I thought and she promptly came past. As she did I had to point out to myself that I was old enough to be her father, it would probably not be exaggerating to say grandfather. I am sure you get my gist! I had assumed they were continentals but from her accent when she asked me where I was going I think she was a wee Scottish lassie so probably so was her friend. Not long after coming past she pulled in and stopped to wait for her friend – I have no doubt I could have held her wheel all the way to Oban!

Shortly after all that I suddenly felt a bit hungry. In view of the size of the breakfast I’d had on the ferry I was surprised but of course that is cycling! It occurred to me that I still had the crisps from the lunch packet so I pulled into a lay-by – hungry cyclists is what lay-bys were originally for! There were a couple of benches on a grass area where you could sit and enjoy the view of Loch Melfort, which I did while eating the crisps and watching the lassies come past.

The crisps did the job for the remaining 20 miles or so to Oban. I caught up with lassies again at Kilnenver, where they were stopped at the village store. I resisted the temptation to stop too, by which I mean resisting the temptation to be a lecherous old man, rather than resisting food and drink! I came into Oban around 4.45 pm and being commuter time the last mile or so to the Royal hotel was ironically what took time.

Ferry to Isle Of Mull and ride Craignure to Arle – approx 16 miles

This was the start of one of the main objectives of the tour. Having seen pictures of Mull I had been wanting to go there for a long time. I was spending four days there. It was raining! Whether the weather was the reason I don’t know, but as I stood in the ticket office queue I realised I was going to be served by a young man who looked.thoroughly fed up in his work. In fairness though he was helpful. When I asked for a single ticket he asked if I was coming off the island another way, which I confirmed. He told me he could save me a bit of money by issuing a hop-scotch ticket. Perhaps it was girlfriend trouble! I went to the specified point for cyclists to queue and was soon joined by three others; a guy on a stripped down machine doing a day ride and two continental young ladies. Our conversation was mainly joking about the weather.

On arrival at Craignure it had stopped raining. The ride north along the A849 to Salen is not the most spectacular on Mull but it is pleasant enough especially if it is your first visit. I was tempted to do a little detour down the inviting pleasantly wooded road to Finnish bay, where there is the ferry terminal for the Lochaline service. I arrived in Salen nicely at lunchtime and, after spending a little time at the harbour and taking photos, I found a nice tea room for a light baguette and salad lunch in the company of some other cyclists, including eventually the two girls who were at the ferry terminal.

After a fair time in the tea rooms I continued north along the A849 towards Tobermory to my accommodation at Arles. On arrival I realised this was the first – and am pleased to say the only – mistake in planning the tour.Suffice it to say my accommodation was very unsatisfactory. I am not anti-hostels but at £48.00 per night I expected rather more than what was in effect an expensive slightly high-grade hostel. The thought of four nights there was daunting! I think it was reasonable to expect my room to be attended to, which it was not, and I did not expect to be washing up!

Arle – Tobermory – Calgary - Killechronan – Salen – Arle (circuit of

north Mull) – approx 43 miles

Recovery from the ‘shock’ of the day before was helped by a great ride. It was the ‘classic’ circuit of the north of the island following the coast for most of the way, firstly on the east side along the A849 overlooking Sound of Mull to Tobermory. Just before Tobermory town centre it was left onto the B8073 and a short steep hill toward Calgary. This is a lovely road with endless great views, taking in Calgary Bay, Loch Tuath, Laggan Bay, sound of Ulva and Loch Na’Cheal. For much of the way it is also lumpy! A little way out of Tobermory I caught up a couple who were obviously camping. As I passed them I joked, “I think I’ve got the weight advantage today,” and the lady asked if I would like to carry some of it. I am sorry to say I was not the perfect gentleman!

Around Calgary it started raining but it was not long before I found a cafe, which was

part of the self-catering complex at Frachadil Farm. Although it was only just after 11.00, I decided to take the opportunity to feed well – it was a self-service continental breakfast at the digs. Nothing wrong with that in itself but it was meagre. I lingered but the rain wasn’t showing any sign of stopping so it was outside and on with the waterproof. It then wasn’t long before it stopped.

The road is more gentile for a few miles as you ride alongside Loch Tuath and Sound of Ulva. Near Oskamull however, the road swings left temporarily away from the coast up a good climb but immediately before the start of it there is another road that junctions with it ‘sort of’ on the right and continues following the coast. The problem is that there is no signpost and there is nothing to indicate a junction and it is difficult to judge which of the two is the straight-ahead road. To add to the problem my map only showed one road. Just after I stopped a camper van came past and followed the coast road. The cars that came past afterwards either went up the climb or came down it so I figured it was most likely the correct route.

I then looked at the map more carefully and noticed the arrows, which kind of suggested the climb was the accepted route! It was a testing enough climb but I enjoyed it and it was great scenery. Ironically after descending and riding a bit further I passed a junction on the right – this time it was a proper junction with give way lines but again no signpost. I figured that it was the other end of what seemed to be an alternative, probably slightly longer but gentler route.

Onward to the T-junction with the B8035 just south of Killechronan and on turning left there is a bit of a climb but followed by a nice descent to Salen, where I had a sandwich lunch in the same tea room as the day before. I stayed quite a while, not being in a hurry to return to my unsatisfactory accommodation. When I did, before I had left Salen I saw the camping couple again, making use of the public toilets. Apparently they had intended stopping at a camp site on the coast road but decided it wasn’t very good so were going to try another one somewhere towards Tobermory. I told them about the location of my accommodation but advised I didn’t know if it was full or not. The lady suggested that if it was they could snuggle up to me. My response was that she was welcome to but looking at her partner I said I wasn’t so sure about him. We wished each other well with our onward trips and I made my way reluctantly back along the A848 for the final five miles to the digs.

Aros – Salen – Belnahard – Craignure – Salen – Aros (circuit of south Mull) –

approx. 49 miles

I think this ride is what is regarded as one of the classic circuits of south Mull. It started by retracing the latter stages of yesterday’s ride in the opposite direction to Salen and then right onto the B8035, this time having to climb before descending to the junction with the B8073 but today continuing on what is a pretty flat and gentle – just the occasional

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On Tourlittle rise - but nevertheless very scenic B8035 following the coast alongside Loch Na’Keal.The day started sunny but again going south I had a headwind, but not so bad. I passed through the hamlets – hardly big enough to be called villages, or perhaps I am applying mainland definitions! - of Knock, Derryguaig and Balnahard, after which the road swings east away from the coast for a few miles then swings north-east alongside Loch Scridain, to junction with the A849, which I followed to Craignure. Despite being a main road – at least by island standards! - the scenery is stunning, making the challenging continual climbing and descending worthwhile. In Craignure I decided to try a nice looking cafe. I wasn’t disappointed! Fish – haddock – chips and peas was available and it sure tasted good!

The weather had deteriorated, clouding over. On coming out of the cafe it looked ‘touch and go’ whether rain would hold off. It did for the final 16 miles or so along the A149 following the coast back to Salen and Aros.

Aros – Tobermory – Dervaig – Salen – Aros - approx 37 miles

As this was a short ride, I took the opportunity to have a proper look at Tobermory and take photos. Also, in view of the ‘rations’ I was getting for breakfast. I decided I would look for a cafe serving Scottish breakfast and was successful! However, although my priorities might be questioned, I firstly took the photos, some around the harbour and what tends to be the classic photo for Tobermory of the attractive buildings in the main street. I then went to the cafe.

My goodness, the breakfast was good! The cafe was busy, I think local people slightly outnumbering visitors and had a nice ambience and friendliness about it, I admit making me reluctant to leave. However, leave I did to firstly tackle the steep climb out of Tobermory, away from sea level, to the B8073 to re-trace the route of two days ago to Dervaig and passing a tandem couple going in the opposite direction.

At Dervaig, after a photo stop, I turned left to follow a cut-through lane that joins the A849 just north of Salen and had another Hebridean head wind to deal with. However, it was a lovely wooded lane. Once at the A849, I headed south to Salen for my last visit to the tea room. As I only had five miles to go I enjoyed lingering and relaxing in the tea rooms. It was a bizarre feeling as I was far from in a hurry to leave Mull but at the same time I was relieved it was the last night in that wretched place.

Aros – Tobermory/Kilchoan – Mallaig – approx. 61 miles

I was up about 6.30 on the Sunday morning to be in good time for the 9.30 ferry from Tobermory to Kilchoan, on the Ardnamurchan peninsula. As I took my last sights of Mull, I pondered whether one of the main objectives of the tour had been a success. I wouldn’t say that my bad choice of digs spoilt it but it was unfortunate. Never

mind, the main thing was whether I had seen the island as thoroughly as intended. I didn’t get to the south-west corner at Fionnphort and three nooks and crannies in the south. However, it had been a tricky judgement call when planning as to how many days to spend on Mull so I decided that overall it was a success. Fionnphort and those other little bits are on the ‘to do’ list and it can include a trip to Iona.

Back to the ride, it was clouding over and rain looked imminent, but I avoided it while riding. It started while standing outside the closed – I arrived early – waiting room at the ferry terminal. Seven other cyclists turned up, firstly the couple on the tandem I had seen the day before, then a group of five Yorkshire men - I forget which town they said, but Halifax rings a bell – who had ‘fallen out’ of a bed and breakfast in Tobermory. I greeted them with, “Hello chaps, beautiful morning, what more could you want?” We made cryptic jokes about the weather, myself

mentioning that the forecasts indicated the weather had been good where I live and they said that Yorkshire had been good too.

The intention of the tandem couple was to get as far as they could, generally heading north and the group were also heading for Mallaig. The Tobermory – Kilchoan crossing is only 35 minutes and it had stopped raining. However, it was on and off for a while and while the B8007, Ardnamurchan peninsula road is very scenic it is also very lumpy – mostly steep lumpy – and in parts exposed making a headwind a tough proposition. It is also the first or last road on my east-west/west - east permanent and my thought was, do I really put my participants through this!

To be continued

Mull - 2 scenes between Tobermory and Dervaig

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New Randonneurs 2014/15

We welcome 602 members to the ranks of AUK Randonneurs; they have ridden 200 km or over for the first time

Jona AALAnthony ABBOTTTom ABBOTTSimon ABRAHAMJennifer ADCOCKMichael ADUMartin AEDYRod AITCHISONRafe ALDRIDGEPaul ALINEJADMark ALLARDICEBrian ALLENDavid ALLENLuke ALLENBen ANDERSONLee ANDERSONJohn ANGLESEARick ANSELLDave ANTROBUSDerek ARMSHAWJames ARMSHAWAllister ARMSTRONGRobert ATCHESONPaul ATHERTONGem ATKINSONTerry ATKINSONMark BAILEYAndrew BAKERTony BAKERBronwen BANNERNicholas BARKERPenny BARKERAlan BARNARDJohn BARNETTDavid BARONOWSKIAndrew BARTLENigel BARUGHPaul BEEBEEAndrew BEEDHAMPeter BEESTON-TAYLORRay BELLRoger BELLAlex BENDIan BIRDStuart BIRNIEJohan BJORKLUNDSteve BLAKEGraham BLEACHJeremy BOHLPeter BOOROFFJoseph BOOTHPaul BOWERBANKPeter BOYNTONRichard BRAGGGary BRAYBen BRIDLEGeorge BRISCOStephen BRITTStephen BROATCHTim BROCKAndy BROGANAlex BROWNClive BROWNGav BROWNKevin BROWNMick BROWNKeith BUCKMark BUCKINGHAMPaul BUCKLEYPeter BULLENChris BULLOCK

Jeremy BURKEJohn BURKEChris BURNELLNick BUSSTGill CAINEPaul CAKEBREADEwan CAMPBELLGrainne CANAVANAllan CAPLEDuncan CARSONJohn CARTWRIGHTTim CASTLERob CHADDOCKRobert CHALMERSLeighn CHAMBERSJeremy CHANDLER-SMITHAntoine CHARITATGarry CHELLStephen CHRISTIEDene CLARKEJames CLARKERob CLEAVERSimon CLEGGRichard CLEMENTSShane CLIFFEMark COCKBAINJames COEMassimo CONFORTIIan CONWAYAlex COOKAnne COOKLaura COOKJim COPEDuncan COULTERShelley COWERaymond COXPaul CREMatthew CREMOREMark CRIBBNigel CRISSELLRussell CROFTSHilary CROOKMatthew CUNNINGHAMDereck CUTLERMichael DAGLISHSefi DAKARRobert DAMPEREric DANIELSTom DARKEMark DARLINGAndy DAVIDSONSimeon DAVIESErica DAVISArthur DAVIS (SNR)Shaun DE CLANCYDavid DEAKINSEd DEARLOVEAlastair DEIGHTONKevin DENNETTChris DENNISJames Juneyt DENNISDavid DERHAMChris DEVRELLFrauke DIEHLJanine DOGGETTJohn DOLTONColin DONAGHYBarry DONALDSONBob DONALDSONVince DONOHOEGraham DORE

Ben DOUGLASChris DYERAshton DYSONAmitabha EASTONDavid EASTWOODDavid EDMONDSONDarren EDWARDSPete EKESamuel ELLIOTTTom ELLIOTTDavid Trevor ELLISGeoff ELLISGraham ELLISStephen ELLISMalcolm EVERESTIan EWARTMark FAIRHEADDavid FANCYJack FARICYThomas FARRUGIAMatt FASSNIDGEThomas FASSNIDGEAusmarton FERNANDESRussell FILBYJames FINNERTYSimon FLYNNRichard FOLDSJohn FOORDAndrew FOREMANCharlotte FORRESTERAndrew FORSYTHPeter FOSTERDavid FOXCROFTRichard FRENCHGeorge FRIENDIan GARBUTTJohn GARDINERNeil GARDINERJulie GARDNERBrian GARRILLMatthew GAULDSteve GEEMark GIBSONDavid GIGGDavid GILESDaniel GLASSEYSteve GLOMSKIMike GODWINSandra GODWINBarry GOODCHILDIan GOODENSteven GORDONJeremy GOREJeff GOSDENJonathan GOULDSteve GRACEWilliam GRACESarah GRAHAMHugh GRAINGERMark GRANTMichael GREAVESMartin GREENMichael GREERRob GRIFFITHGuy HALLAMUrsula HALLAMTitus HALLIWELLPete HAMLINGLen HAMPSONRobert HAMPSONWilliam HANCOCK

Dave HARDYShaun HARGREAVESYvonne HARGREAVESPeter HARPERAlan HARRISONJerry HATCHETTDan HAYMANAndrew HAYWARDMarcus HEARLERussell HEARNEKathryn HEINEJoel HEMMSDan HENDERSONChris HERBERTSean Bear HERNONJon HESLOPVanda HEWSTONNatasha HICKMANHarry HIGGINSJason HILLMichael HILTONJeremy HINKSPeter D. HINTONRainer HIRSELNeil HOGGARTHMatthias HOHMANNJohn HOLDENBen HOLMESNorman HOLMESLeon HOPKINSDavid HORNEGlynn HOUGHJames HOUSTONAndrew HOWEPaul HOWEGraeme HOYLEBen HUDSONToby HUMPHREYSHing HUNGRobert HUNTERBrett HUTCHINSONOliver ILESAntony JACKKathryn JAGGERSheni JIWABen JOHNSONDavid Ian JOHNSONEwan JOHNSTONShane JOHNSTONChris JONESDarren JONESElfyn JONESGeoff JONESJohn JONESFraser JORDANJanine JOSEPHMalcolm JOYCESimeon JURUKOVPhilip KAMMERStanley KAYRuss KEEBLEJonathan KELLEYDaniel KEMPEDeryck KEMPTONMartin KENDALLDavid KENNYDavid KEYJulian KINGNeil KIRKCarl KIRKBRIDERobin KIRKHAM

Gordon KISBYVince KITLEYIan KNIPELucyna KUNCAdrian LAIJohn LAKEThomas LAMBSian LAMBERTSue LANDYPaul LATHAMGraeme LAUCHLANDavid LAWRENCELewis LAWRENCE-JONESGuy LAWTONOliver LEACHDavid LECKENBYJohn LEERobert LEEGed LENNOXPhilip LEONARDShaun LEONARDAndy LETCHFORDJulie LETCHFORDStu LEVENEGavin LEWISJustin LEWISJohn LILLEYOliver LINEYHenry LINSCOTTSam LIPSCOMBEChris LLOYDJon LOCKRichard LOFTHOUSERoger LONGMANAndrew LUMBJohn LYNASJason LYNOCKRobert MACNAUGHTONDaniel MAHLERDave MANNJohn MANNIONMichelle MANNIONNick MARKSJason MARSHGlyn MARSTONAndrew MARTINHeather MARTIN-DYEJulian MATTOCKSTony MAYNARDKenton MAY_Denis MCCROSSANJohn MCCUEVirginia MCGEEJim MCGILLGraeme MCKEEAlistair MCLEANStuart MCNAMARAMichael MEADOWSAndrew MEARMichael MELVINMatthew METCALFColin MEWAndrew MIDDLEBROOKGavin MILLARPaul MILLERJeremy MILNEPeter MILSOMSuzannah MINNSLiam MITCHELLMathew MITCHELLTim MITCHELL

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New Randonneurs 2014/15

Stuart MOODIEChris MOODYRick MOONEYDaniel MORGANSimon MORLEYNigel MORRISTommy MORRISROEJames MOYLEJasmijn MULLERPeter MULLOYHarriet MUNROChristopher MURKINJohn MURRAYEdward MUSGRAVECarl NANTONJulian NASHBrian NAYLORAdam NEWALLIan NEWALLMick NOBLERobert NORRISJoseph Albert NORTHAndrew NORTONSimon NORTONAndrew Richard NUTTALLSean O'CONNORCiaran O'HARAMichael O'KEEFFEPhilip O'LEARYSean O'MALLEYChristopher O'NEILLAdrian O'SULLIVANMichael OGILVIELukasz OLEJNICZAKChris OLIVERDonald ONIONSJoaquin OREJASCharlie ORRAdib OSMANGraham OWENBarbara PAAGMANRob PADFIELDMalcolm PAGEAgi PALANKIIan PALMERGareth PARDOEMatthew PARKERGraham PARKSGary PARMENTERIan PARSONS

Andrew PATONSteven PAWLEYBen PEACOCKLee PEARCENick PEARCERichard PEARCESarah PERKINSHeather PERRYAdam PETERSGail PHILLIPSDaniel PIERCYStephen PIKEHugo PILEJude PIPERChris PITBLADORoman PIVKARobert PLANTAndrew PLEDGERMichael PLUCINSKIWill POMEROYDavid POTTERKeith POWELLStephen POWELLChristine PRESTONRobin PRICERobert PRIDAYJulian PRINGThom PROVENNicholas PUSINELLIRichard PYESean QUINNTracy QUINTANA-PARKERMartin RADFORDPeter RADFORDDale RAMAGEAlex RANKINKatie RASCHDORFChris RAYNEDouglas RAYNESNick REEVEGraham REGANPaul RENSHAWCharles RHINDJane RHODESStacey RICHPhilip RICHARDSEric RICHARDSONRobbie RICHARDSONAdam RILEYMatthew RILEY

Barra ROANTREEJames ROBARDSJack ROBERTSSarah ROBERTSAlexander ROBERTSONKeith ROBINSONMatthew ROBINSONStephen ROBINSONNiall RODGERSGrzegorz ROGOZPaul ROMANDavid ROSCOEPeregrine ROSCORLAJohn ROSSDouglas ROUXELTim RUSBRIDGEDarren RUSSELLKen RUSSELLSue RUSTMark RYDERBen SADLERRichard SALISBURYNeil SCAIFEBob SCARLEGregory SCHEYMoritz SCHICKDavid SCOTTGordon SCOTTRobert SCOTTValerie SCOTTAlex SCUTTDavid SEWELLNicky SHAWIngrid SHEPHERDPhilip Raymond SHEPHERDJohn SHERLOCKMark SHIELDSAndrew SHORTZbynek SIMCIKAndrew SIMSChappman SINCherryl SINCLAIRLuke SKINNERJames SLACKStephen SLADELuke SMALLMANAlison SMEDLEYAndy SMITHCliff SMITHDaniel SMITH

Malcolm SMITHOliver SMITHSion SMITHTom SMITHJonathon SNOWDENJohn SOUTERNick SPENCEJonathan SPENCER-JONESDonald SPYRichard SQUIREChristopher SQUIRESJonathan STAINSBYAndrew STEVENS-COXJon STEVENS-HALLGraham STEWARDJohn STEWARTTom STONEDavid STRINGERAdam STUDHOLMEPhillip SUDDABYRay SULLIVANMatt SWAINECatherine SWEENEYSteven SZELESIBrian TAITStephen TAITMartin TALLONTIREMark TAPPENDENThomas TAYLORGill THOMHuw THOMASWilliam THOMASRichard THOMPSONSamuel THOMPSONTrevor THOMPSONDouglas THOMSONDavid TILBURYDavid TOLLICKMatthew TOMSAlain TORRIThomas TOWERSKelvin TOWNERPatrick TULLYPaul TUNSTALLAlistair TWINAMEMark TWINNJack TYLERAren TYRDale TYSONRohnny VANMARSENILLE

Stuart VEENJoff VERBYClive VICKERYScott WADDELLGren WADDINGTONGeorge WADSWORTHTim WADSWORTHAnthony WAITERichard WAKEFIELDAngela WALKERLee WALKERRob WALLAndrew WALSHMartin WALSHPablo WALSINGHAMTom WALTONDarren WANPeter WARDLaurence WATKINSShaun WATKINSThomas WEBBMartin WEEKSBilly WEIRAndrew WELCHMartin WHEELERAdrian WIKELEYJohn WILKIETom WILLARDSteve WILLEYIan WILLIAMSSimon WILLIAMSTim WILLIAMSAndrew WILLISCliff WILLISDavid WILLISToby WILLISMagnus WILLSDavid WILSONKeith WILSONColin WITTEd WOLSTENHOLMESheila WOOLLAMLee WOOLSTONAlan WORTHPaul WORTHINGTONAndrew YATESLu ZURAWSKI

This list is generated automatically so may be incorrect if you have changed your name or ridden after a break of 9+years

Transporter 200km

Photos: Richard Clements

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New Super Randonneurs 1014/15

We welcome 233 members to the ranks of AUK Super Randonneurs; they rode 200, 300, 400, 600 km for the first time

AAL JonaALLAN StuartALLEN LukeALLEN NickANDERSON IanANTROBUS DaveARMSHAW JamesARMSTRONG AllisterASHBY SimonASHMAN RoyATKINSON GemBAKER AndrewBAKER TonyBARKER NicholasBARNARD AlanBARNES BruceBARONOWSKI DavidBATCH ChrisBEARD SteveBEND AlexBIRNIE StuartBLACKMORE ChrisBLOFELD StuartBOOTH DeniseBOYD PhilipBRAGG RichardBRICE XavierBRISCO GeorgeBROATCH StephenBROOKS RobBROWN AndrewBROWN DuncanBROWNE Simon JosephBRUNAGEL LudwigBUCKLEY PaulBURKE JeremyBURNELL ChrisCAKEBREAD PaulCAPLE AllanCASTLE TimCHATBURN MarkCLARKE JamesCLEMENTS RichardCOCKBAIN MarkCONNER JessicaCOOK AlexCORY GeorgeCOSFORD PaulCOX RaymondCRANE JackCRAWLEY RonCRE PaulCRIPPS PhilipCUNNIFFE KevinCUTLER DereckDAKAR SefiDANCY MalcolmDEMPSTER MarkDENNETT KevinDENNIS James JuneytDERHAM DavidDONOHOE VinceDORE GrahamDOSSETT MartinDOWNIE AdrianEDGELEY BrandonEIDEM MarkELLIOTT TomELMY MarkEVANS GutoEVANS Mike

FAHEY StuartFARICY JackFARRUGIA ThomasFASSNIDGE MattFITCH AdrianFITZPATRICK AlistairFLINT JoFOREMAN AndrewFORREST ChrisFOXCROFT DavidGILES DavidGLAZE NigelGOOCH SimonGORE JeremyGRACE WilliamGRAHAM StephenGRASSBY AdamGREEN ArthurHAMPSON LenHANN DavidHANWELL RobertHARGREAVES ShaunHASLAM MilesHAY PhilipHAYMAN DanHENN NeilHEWITT AlexHOCKING GaryHOLLIN DaveHOLMES PaulHOTCHKIN HarryHOWELL KevinHUDSON MarkHULL IanHUNG HingILES OliverJACK AntonyJAMES TelbertJIWA SheniJOHNSON BenJOHNSON David IanJOHNSTON EwanJORDAN KennKELLEY JonathanKING JulianKNIGHT TerryKUNC LucynaLAFLIN AndyLAI AdrianLANE DavidLATHAM PaulLAWTON GuyLEACH OliverLEATHER GrahamLEE JohnLEE RobertLENNOX GedLONGMAN RogerLOVELOCK IanMACKAY HughMAKAYA IdaiMARTIN-DYE HeatherMAY_ KentonMCDONOGH AlanMCGEE VirginiaMCKENZIE CalvinMCSHARRY PetaMITCHELL JohnMITCHELL LiamMORGAN DanielMORGAN Geoff

MULLOY PeterMURKIN ChristopherMYLLES AlexNANTON CarlNUNN StephenNUTTALL Andrew RichardO'CONNOR SandraO'HARA CiaranO'KEEFFE MichaelO'LEARY PhilipO'SULLIVAN AdrianOGDEN StephenOLEJNICZAK LukaszONIONS DonaldORNADEL DanPALANKI AgiPALMER AndrewPEACE BarryPILLINGER ShusanahPINFIELD RonPINKERTON MichaelPITHIE MathewPOMEROY WillPORTER AndrewPOWIS AnthonyPRICE RobinPROVAN GraemePUSINELLI NicholasRADFORD MartinRAYNES DouglasREAD RobertRICHARDS DeiniolRICHARDS PhilipRICHARDSON BillRICHARDSON GraemeROBINSON MatthewROBINSON SimonRODGERS TomROSEWARNE SteveROUGH DanSALISBURY RichardSALMONS PaulSCUTT AlexSHAW JamesSHAW NickySIMPSON Alexander

SIN ChappmanSINCLAIR CherrylSKILLEN JamesSMETHURST DavidSMITH CliffSPENCE NickSPENCER-JONES JonathanSTAINSBY JonathanSTEVENS-COX AndrewSTEWARD GrahamSTORBECK OlafSUNG LesleySWAINE MattTAYLOR LeeTETLEY JonTHOMAS WilliamTHOMPSON SamuelTOONE NoelTORRI AlainTYLER JackTYR ArenVICKERY CliveVIDLER JohnWADDELL ScottWALKER AngelaWALL RobWALLACE JossWALSH MartinWALSINGHAM PabloWATKINS LaurenceWEBB ThomasWEIR BillyWHEELER MartinWHITTON NevilleWIKELEY AdrianWILKIE JohnWILLIS AndrewWILTON JohnWIMPENNY MartinWITT ColinWONG-FUPUY CarlosWORTHINGTON PaulWYATT JamesYATES GavinZURAWSKI Lu

To celebrate Audax UK’s 40th Birthday some special medals have been commissioned.

In addition to the new distance medal, riders of BR and BRM events will be able to purchase a commemorative Randonneur medal, either from the organiser or from the webshop.

Riders of a Super Randonneur series (4 rides, one each at minimum distances of 200, 300, 400 and 600km) during the 2015-2016 season will receive a special commemorative medal at no cost!

For the really dedicated there is a unique award for this season only for those achieving 40 points (4000km in BR or BRM rides).

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Coming Soon

Steve Abraham’s Record RideSteve completes his year of cycling with a total of 63,565 miles – exactly 11,500 miles behind Tommy Godwin, or around 66 days of riding at his average pace.

That places Steve third in the all-time list of annual distance records behind Tommy and Bernard Bennett, although shortly to be shunted down one position when Kurt completes his year on January 9th.

Over the year, including his time off in hospital and recovery after his broken ankle, he has averaged 174.2 miles per day and has spent 51% of every hour of the year moving on his bike.(Steve’s record attempt is continuing - ED)

From Jo Wood (end 31st Dec)

The primary reason for this event was to visit the ‘stolen’ village of Imber, a small village nestled in a sleepy hollow whose inhabitants were displaced by the Government during WWII, and never allowed to return – a potted summary (from last year) can be read at http://tinyurl.com/glru2kh You’re only allowed access to the area at certain times of the year, so you need to remember to keep an eye on MOD announcements of when if you’re planning such shenanigans as this.

Old Roads & Drove Roads 200

The event starts from Sparsholt, which lies approx. 5Km West of Wantage / 20km East of Swindon – it’s about 21km and 24km from Didcot and Swindon Stations, respectively.

The route includes some lesser travelled sections of ‘road’ : • SavernakeForesttracks • TheoldturnpikethatranfromDevizestoSalisbury • MilitaryroadsaroundSouthedgeofSailsburyPlain/through& around Imber Plain • TheRidgeway • Manyminorcountryroads

which give quiet and mainly traffic free riding for the duration of use.

Photos from Alex Rankin

This year’s event is on the 20th August - see Calendar

Photos: Alex Rankin

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Competitive touring(Letter published in the CTC magazine Cycletouring,

April/May 1975 issue, p.83.)

SINCE reading Jock Wadley’s book Old Roads and New I have become more and more aware of the multiplicity of events that are organised for French cycletourists and which must act as spurs to a cyclist’s efforts; Whilst one appreciates that many cyclists just like to ride where and how the whim may take them, I feel that there needs to be a series of events wherein those who wish may test themselves and also gather to meet kindred spirits.

What I have in mind is something like the Brevets de Randonneurs Francais over distances of 62, 125, 187, 250, and 375 miles (roughly equivalent to 100, 200, 300, 400 and 600 kilometres) which may be covered at random speeds averaging 10 to 12 mph minimum either alone or in company. The time taken to complete a brevet is immaterial so long as it is within the time allowed, there being no ‘classification of honours’. The major consideration should be participation in the event.

The shorter brevets could be run on regional bases and be annual events. The 375-mile trial could be a national event organised annually by the regions in turn, whilst a major brevet somewhat similar to the Paris-Brest-Paris could be an international event organised to fit between the PBPs. Additional to these could be trials amongst our own minor ‘alps’ which, though perhaps not comparable to the Brevet Cycle Montagnard, could be severe enough tests for those who enjoy hilly rides.

Already cyclists take roundabout routes to get ‘some miles in’ when attending, for example, the York Rally. For the competitively minded there could be a 24-hour ride to York (like a Fleche Velocio) and prizes for the individual or group covering most ground during the 24 hours.

There are lots of possibilities. As cycling is, at last, being acknowledged as a ‘growth sport’ by schools and education authorities, I think that some effort should be made to organise events on the above lines to attract people to the ‘game’ and to provide some small competitive element or tangible reward for achievement.

I would be grateful if anyone interested in building-up a series of brevets, on the above style, would write to me so that the feasibility of promoting them may be assessed. The beginning need only be modest, but it could lead to something worthwhile.

Steve Nicholas

AGM WeekendInformal discussion session: Feedback

It’s been an ambition for some time to arrange a less formal session after the AGM to allow a more relaxed debate on topical issues, and this year at Peterborough we set up a discussion on what AudaxUK stands for, and the fundamental definition of long distance cycling in an Audax context. The formal business over, relatively few members headed immediately for the bar, and it was great to have a good number of engaged members making their contributions.

The topic was relevant and important, as we develop a strategy and plan for the future, as this must be based around the key purposes of the organisation – and it sometimes seems that there are quite varied views out there.

Getting to grips with such a big topic within a short informal session was always ambitious. What we hoped for was to hear all the various views out there in the membership, and at least to arrive at some understanding of what Audax was, what it meant to people, and how Audax UK should plan for the future. What we got – inevitably, it now seems – was a lot of valuable ideas to mull over, but a feeling that, while we all enjoy and support Audax, no-one can really define succinctly what it actually means.

Clearly the original reasons behind our formation, forty years ago, are still the bedrock of our activities. It’s when we move beyond that focus on PBP qualification and similar events that opinion really starts to diverge, from those who see the development into BP, AAA and similar related Audax-style events as a distraction, to those for whom they provide a viable personal challenge.

There was concern for some members that the shorter events were a distraction, and that too much emphasis was placed on events which were used by some entrants merely as training runs for racing, and that there were too many shorter events. On the other hand, it was pointed out, many riders come to the longer randonnées by originally riding events as short as 50km. (Figures for the last year, incidentally, show a relative decline in support for Populaires as opposed to Randonnées, and in some areas there has been a significant decline in the number of BP’s organised.)

Although opinions and interests vary, however, no-one seemed to be promoting radical change to our mix of events, in particular there was no serious call to stop running BP’s and the like. Provided the core, randonnée element is maintained, it seems, people are happy to continue to have the wider programme.

In the early days, remarked someone (our President d’Honneur, no less) it was customary to become a member only on becoming a Randonneur, and to join the committee only after completing PBP. It was also observed that quite a large number of members were not active. As a source of income, nevertheless, all our members – and the shorter events – are important. However, there seemed to be a general view that riders rather than members were the important factor. If we do want members, though, some work is needed, as comments that there was no incentive, and no attempt to promote, indicated.

A number of people expressed concern that we did not publicise Audax well enough, so that many cyclists were pretty ignorant of even the existence of the discipline. The ability to publicise individual events more effectively was also a concern for some. This led to some debate about the desirability or otherwise of large events, with reference to very large events abroad and to LEL, which of late has attracted major interest. Nevertheless, some organisers in the

audience were concerned that the smaller field events should continue – partly because facilities at commercial controls were often limited. Cafes could rarely handle more than 100 entrants, and often fewer, so that large fields would need ‘village hall’ controls and appropriate staffing. Entrants should be aware of the level of facilities they can expect, said one contributor, which brought in Martin Foley to describe the proposed events strategy, which divides events into national, regional and local variants. The broad approach here seemed to meet with approval, though whether the consequent management of the calendar would be welcome remains to be seen. In the past, though, as Peter Coulson recalled, a much greater degree of control had been applied.

Other contributions touched on the possible financial underwriting of events (though many organisers have financial underpinning through a club or CTC group), and a better geographical spread (though others asserted that people are prepared to travel).

All in all, a useful debate; but as to the questions we posed in the briefing document? Some more clearly answered than others, perhaps:

Discussion

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• “Whatdowemeanby‘longdistancecycling’?Generallythisisaccepted as ‘a randonnée’, though recognising that this concept is rather personal.

• “WhatdistinguishesAudaxfromothernon-competitivecyclingdisciplines”? We all seem to know our own minds about this, but whether we all have the same idea isn’t clear, and I suspect no-one can satisfactorily encompass a definition in a short, pithy sentence.

• “Isitall–just–aboutdistance”?Clearlynot,butdistanceiskey;other challenges are accepted but optional.

• “Areweaboutlong-distancecyclingofacertainstandard,oralsoabout wider personal cycling challenges”? The answer ‘yes’ appears to cover it – but isn’t too helpful!

The fundamental purpose of Audax UK might be summarised as Randonnées of 200km or greater, recognising also that shorter events under Brevet Populaire regulations have a role to play in introducing riders to Audax and as feeders for the randonneurs of the future. That’s not to abandon the other challenges which our members appreciate and which form part of our offering. It seems that continuing our activities broadly as now is an acceptable way forward, and there is an implied (and occasionally overt) opinion that we should become more visible and attract more riders – if not more members.

Whatever the success of this particular session, the concept of developing ideas in a more informal setting than an AGM, on occasions when we have a significant number of members gathered in one place (not riding, and sober), seems to be welcomed, and should be considered for future reunions.

I’m very grateful to Jane, our note-taker for the day, for a very comprehensive record of the session, capturing all the contributions.

Chris Boulton

Inevitable Audax UKReading the late Steve Nicholas’s letter, Competitive Touring (opposite), it could be seen as inevitable that AUK has developed in the way that it has. That is with its, at first sight baffling, multitude of awards for different cycling achievements - the basic blueprint was already there for us in France.

But it needed the kick start of Paris-Brest-Paris to set AUK in motion. If Audax Club Parisien had not decided to limit its PBP entrants to cyclists who could complete an ACP 600km in under 40 hours then there would have been no incentive to act.

Steve wanted to ride PBP so his Dad persuaded ACP to accept a successful ride (360+ miles) in a 24 hour time trial as a qualification for the 1975 PBP. But for 1979 a full Super Randonneur series would be required - so organisers would be needed. Hence Steve’s letter - the rest is history as they say.

PBP caught everyone’s imagination and the club committee (now board) was composed of PBP riders, helpers and organisers. There has never been a requirement for a committee member to have ridden PBP but it would have been surprising for someone who had not at least helped at PBP or at the qualifiers to be elected.

Times change and the ‘multitude of awards for different cycling achievements’ that were the spin-off from the PBP fever now occupy the energy of most AUK members.

Audax UK fullfilled Steve’s dreams but we still need a major ambition. London-Edinburgh-London overtook PBP as the ultimate goal for hard riding UK riders some years ago. Perhaps we should throw LEL into the discussion? There is no longer an LEL representative on the board; do we need one? Audax UK certainly needs LEL.

Sheila Simpson

Discussion

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Audax UK Trophies & Major Awards 2015

Trophies: Although the Club is non-competitive, it does recognise achievement and some of the club’s trophies reflect this. Special awards may be made via nominations by members and/or the directors or committee for outstanding achievements of tenacity, courage or service. There are also awards for particular achievements, and we celebrate some of those as well.

The following are awards which, with the exception of the Helpers’ Trophy, are made only to AUK members:-

For Achievement:

Jock Wadley Cup For the individual riding the greatest distance in randonneur events in a season. Winner: Mike Lane Jo Brunton Cup For the runner-up to the Jock Wadley Cup who is of the opposite sex to the winner. Winner: Cathy Brown

Veterans’ Cups

(a) Challenge ACP 1987 Trophy For the individual riding the greatest distance in randonneur events in a season who is aged 55 or over on the first day of the current season. Winner: Mike Lane (b) Doncaster Trophy Centre Award For the runner-up who is of opposite sex. Winner: Ann Marshall

AUK Eagle For the club riding the greatest distance in randonneur events in a season Winner: Audax Club Bristol Rob Baird Jon Banks Andy Curran Oliver Iles Mike Lane Will Pomeroy

CTC Cup For the CTC group riding the greatest distance in randonneur events in a season Winner: Bristol CTC Rob Baird Denise Booth Oliver Iles Mike Lane Will Pomeroy Paul Rainbow

BCF and 1995 PBP Trophies

(a) BCF Trophy For the individual riding the greatest distance in randonneur events in a season who is aged under 18 on the last day of the current season. Joint Winners: Laura Cook, Harry Higgins (b) 1995 PBP Trophies For the runner-up who is of opposite sex. Winner: N/A

Tandem Trophy For the tandem couple riding the greatest distance in randonneur events in a season Winner: Ashley & Cathy Brown

Fliss Beard Trophy – AUK Tricycle Champion For the individual riding the greatest distance in randonneur events in a season on an upright tricycle (not recumbent). Winner: Dan Howard

AAA Trophies

(a) Challenge ACP- Michel Bonnin For the individual gaining the most AAA points in a season Winner: Oliver Iles (b) MichelinTrophy For the runner-up who is of the opposite sex. Winner: Cathy Brown

Jan and Mick Latimer Trophies An informal award for the male and female riders whose

Mileater Diaries have the highest total distances ridden in the previous full calendar year. Male Winner: Peter Baker Female Winner: Judith Swallow

Peter Tandy Trophy For the youngest person to complete a 200km Brevet AUK on a solo machine. Winner: Harry Higgins

The Robert Milsom York Velocio Trophy For the team riding the furthest distance in the Easter Arrow to York. Winner: Lakes Velo (450 km.) Team members: Paul Revell and 3 non-members.

York Arrow Shield For the team riding the furthest distance in the Arrow to the York Rally. Winner: Dave’s Virgin Arrow 2015 (402 km.) Team members: David Atkinson, Les Bauchop, Aidan Hedley, Judith Swallow, Tania Tucker

York Dart Trophy For the team or individual riding the furthest distance in the Dart to the York Rally. Winner: Mike Wigley (234 km.)

Club Organisers’ Trophy For the club having the most distance points awarded in events they organise. Winner: Blacksheep CC

CTC Organisers’ Trophy For the CTC club having the most distance points awarded in events they organise. Winner: Peak Audax

The Recumbent Cup For the individual riding the greatest distance in randonneur events in a season on a recumbent cycle. Winner: Peter Crane

David Lewis Trophy For the AUK individual recording the greatest distance in a 24-hour time trial. Winner: Stuart Birnie

Derek Shuttleworth Memorial Trophy (a) For the individual gaining the most fixed wheel points in a season on a fixed wheel cycle. Winner: Justin Jones (b) For the runner-up who is of the opposite sex. Winner: Lindsay Clayton

For the first UK male finisher in PBP Winner: John Barkman

For the first UK female finisher in PBP Winner: Virginia McGee

For the youngest UK finisher in PBP Winner: Tom Elliott

Other Awards:

Randonneur 10,000 For completing 10,000 kilometres in randonneur events in 2015 Brian Atkins Jon Banks Robert Bialek Ashley Brown Cathy Brown David Coupe Andy Curran Mike Eades Richard Ellis Nikolaus Gardener Peter Gawthowne Jonathan Greenway Oliver Iles Martin Lucas Gordon Panicca Will Pomeroy Ian Ryall

Brevet 25,000 For completing a Paris-Brest-Paris or London-Edinburgh-London, another event of 1300 km or over, a 1000 km, a 24 hour team ride, three Super-Randonneur series, plus any BR or BRM events to a total of 25,000 km, all ridden

within a 6 year period. Brevet 25,000 - 2013 Martin Berry Rob Bullyment Bob Johnson (a 4th) Mike Plumstead B25,000 - 2014-15 Richard Ellis Steve Ralphs (a 3rd) Paul Rainbow Tim Sollesse Neil Veitch

Ultra Randonneur 2015 For completing 10 Super Randonneur series in different years. Andy Corless Terry Dickerson Tom Jackson Arabella Maude Mike Pain David Randerson

100,000 kilometres For completing 100,000 kilometres in randonneur events. Note: Liz Creese has been awarded this already. Steve Abraham John Barkman George Berwick Andrew Clarkson George Hanna Ian Hennessey Bob Johnson Mel Kirkland Mike Lane Martin Lucas Peter Mennicke Richard Phipps Roger Philo Steve Ralphs Sheila Simpson Andrew Southworth Judith Swallow Peter Turnbull Paul Whitehead Note:Paul Whitehead was left off this list in error. Audax UK would like to apologise for this omission. Going through the records to establish who had done this distance was a difficult task, but not an excuse that’s adequate for us, considering his 129,000 kilometres and counting. We hope to recognise Paul’s achievement at next year’s Reunion Dinner. No longer with us: Don Black Jack Eason David Lewis

For Merit:

Paul Castle Cup and Female Merit Trophy Awarded by the Committee, from nominations by members, to the male and female cyclists whose cycling performance is considered to be the most meritorious of the year. Male Winner: Steve Ralphs Female Winner: Maggie Lewis

Organisers’ Trophy Awarded by committee, from nominations by members, to the most meritorious organiser, or organising body, of the year. Winner: The DIY Organisers: Joe Applegarth, Andy Clarkson, Julian Dyson, Martin Foley, Tony Hull, Chris Smith, Paul Stewart, Steve Snook

Helpers’ Trophy Awarded by the Committee, from nominations by members, to the helper(s) in an AUK event. Winner: Highlands CTC National 400 Team

Norman Booth Cup Awarded by the Committee to the person considered to have served AUK best. Winner: Sue Gatehouse and Keith Harrison

President d’Honneur 2014 Sheila Simpson.

Official

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Official

Master of Ceremonies, Keith Benton, and Mike Lane Laura Cook and Harry Higgins Cathy Brown

Ashley & Cathy BrownVirginia McGeeJustin Jones

Bob Johnson

Mel Kirkland

Sue Gatehouse and Keith HarrisonJulian DysonSteve Ralphs

Arabella Maude

Denise Noha

Tim Solesse

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Official

Audax UK Long Distance Cyclists’ Association Minutes of the 39th Audax UK AGM 2015

Held at the Holiday Inn West, Peterborough on 14th November 2015 at 2.00pm

Board Members Attending: Chris Crossland (Chair), Paul Stewart (Secretary), Paul Salmons (Finance Director), John Ward (Permanent Events Secretary & Returning Officer), Peter Lewis (Events Services Director), Mike Wigley (Membership Secretary), Martin Foley (Calendar Events Secretary), John Sabine (Non-Executive Director), Chris Boulton (Non-Executive Director).

The Chair opened the meeting by informing members there would be a meeting after the AGM to address AUK Strategic issues led by Chris Boulton.

He then asked members to join him in a short period of reflection in memory of members who had passed away this year. These included: Simon Martin, Peter Cresswell, Neal Talbot, Brian Garrill, Henry Bracewell, Norman Maggs, Ed Jones, Ian Dixon, and Margaret Phillpotts.

It was reported that the case against the driver found guilty of causing serious injury by dangerous driving to John Radford had been reviewed by the Attorney General following John’s death. A charge of causing death by dangerous driving had been laid, to which the driver pleaded guilty. More news will follow regarding sentencing.

1) TO RECORD THE NAMES OF THOSE PRESENT AT THIS MEETING.

Including the aforementioned board members a total of 59 members attended the meeting.

2) TO RECORD APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.

Apologies had been received from: Stephen Abraham, Pauline Porter, Graham Holdsworth, Chris Davies, Martin Lucas, Richard Phipps, Mark & Louise Rigby.

3) TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE LAST AGM as a true record of that meeting

The Minutes were published in Arrivee Winter 2015 and are on the AUK website and are reproduced in Appendix 1 of the Annual Report).

The resolution was passed with 351 votes for, 0 against and 25 Abstentions

4) MATTERS ARISING from the last meeting.

There were none.

5) TO CONSIDER DIRECTORS’ REPORTS.

Keith Benton queried the typing error on page 5, 3rd paragraph. It was agreed that “Steve Boulton” should read “Chris Boulton”.

The Annual report was approved and passed with 355 votes for; 1 vote against and 8 abstentions.

6) TO CONSIDER THE ANNUAL ACCOUNTS AND TREASURER’S RECOMMENDATIONS

The Finance Director (FD) Paul Salmons was invited to report on the annual accounts and take questions.

The FD stated that he was not proposing to go through all the details but to summarise the changes which AUK has gone through over the last few years. His role is more one of looking at financial strategy helped by Nigel Armstrong who completes the book keeping.

The FD explained that the costs associated with running the organisation had increased compared with previous years. For example, the cost of the Electoral Reform Services to support voting at the AGM, Honoraria and for IT costs.

Arrivee costs for Print and posts were £34k.

A Remuneration Committee had been set up to look at the way honorariums had been previously paid and how to standardise these. They are now reported as gross figures, including tax which was a change to previous years, and were paid during the year to which they relate.

The FD pointed out that the balance sheet had some late changes. The creditors’ figures are out by about £1,000. There is also over £250,000 in bank and this will be used towards the work to be decided

in the new strategy including, for example a new website, raising the profile and promoting the brand. In future there will be a move towards accurate budgeting for the various projects to get maximum benefit back for the members. Overall the surplus this year was £8,000.

Keith Benton noted that on the last page which provided a detailed Profit & Loss account, it was stated that it was for the use of the directors only but he suggested that this related to the areas members would be interested in and so should be for everyone to see. The FD explained that this phrasing was used because that page was an addendum and did not form part of the statutory accounts. In fact the accounts as listed had been circulated to members along with the annual report and were available through the AUK website. He agreed that in future the phrase ‘Directors and Members’ will be used.

Marcus Jackson-Baker asked about some of the details in the Profit & Loss overview in that the administration costs reported differed in different sections of the report.

The FD explained that these costs had been broken down into more categories to allow for more accurate/relevant reporting. Whilst the categorisations had changed the bottom figure was the same. The FD thanked Nigel Armstrong who manages the Nov 29, 2014 accounts for his work and Linda Johnson and Tony Greenwood for all their hard work in years past.

It was resolved to accept the Annual Accounts. Those in favour 340; 6 against and 11 abstentions

6) TO CONSIDER THE SPECIAL RESOLUTIONS

Special Resolution 1: Amendment to AUK Regulation Appendix 7.1 regarding riding other organised events

The resolution was proposed by Paul Stewart and seconded by the AUK Board of Directors.

PS introduced the resolution which was first raised last September by the AUK Board as a temporary amendment to the relevant AUK Regulation Appendices as authorised under Regulation 1.4, and was now being presented for formal ratification by the membership. It had not been possible to present it earlier, i.e., at AGM2014, as it was raised after the submission period had closed.

The amendment allows for members to participate in events outside those recognised by AUK by way of established channels, i.e. BRM/LRM events, and for that participation to count towards awards. It had initially been raised to support rides taking part in HBKH2014 in Germany, and other examples such as the Vätternrundan 300km in Sweden and the Dunwich Dynamo in the UK were quoted.

It was recognised the number of such requests were quite small but were important to those members concerned.

As part of this amendment there is a need to consider AUK’s role. As a regulatory body with certain standards the proposal enables this.

Mike Lane and Dave Matthews asked how this might affect an AUK member riding on the wheel of another AUK member who had not paid fees, and other strictures regarding ‘Pacing’. PS explained that he had discussed this with the (previous) Events Secretary who had explained that regulations relating to pacing referred to pacing organised as a form of personal support on behalf of a specific rider and was banned on that basis.

PS was asked how the distance of such events would be verified. PS said that as far as AUK were concerned, the rider would enter the (DIY) Permanent as they would any other ride, by providing a set of controls and route as appropriate which would be assessed for compliance with AUK regulations. The intent was not to validate other organisations events but to validate rides entered and completed to AUK standards.

PS said that this resolution was not just about the German event; it was a generic response to requests from members who wanted to be able to claim events completed to AUK standards for their AUK palmarès. The Chair noted that PS should address these questions as part of his general response to the resolution as part of his ‘right of reply’ regarding the resolution.

Arabella Maude said she could understand we are ratifying events in the UK but what about Germany and Sweden, should these be ratified when the local bodies had not decided to validate them?

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OfficialCC said that we could not comment on what overseas bodies had decided to do or not but were responding to requests from AUK membersfor their rides to be validated and recognised by AUK. The question was asked how overseas events by ACP affiliates would be affected, as they could be validated by two bodies.

PL clarified that riders taking part in ACP/LRM events currently have their rides validated but rides completed in conjunction with other events organised by ACP affiliates would not, because of their own rules, and therefore such rides should be undertaken for their own enjoyment and not for AUK awards.

Sheila Simpson said that (ACP) BRM events are claimable, you could make two claims one for BRM & one for DIY and it would be difficult to show that these were duplicated.

CC pointed out that they would show up on member’s records as concurrent rides.

Dave Minter said that he was against the resolution. He said the problems relating to HBKH related to a long running dispute between the organising club and the German ACP representative who organises the validation of LRM events in Germany, and it would likely not be resolved until the ACP representative dies and felt this approach was a sledgehammer to crack a nut. This amendment will reverse a rule that has been in existence since the beginning of AUK – you don’t collect a Brevet for a non-Brevet event; this has only come about because of the German event. It is more than is required and that previous editions of the event had been recognised by AUK without resorting to such measures.

CC explained that the situation regarding previous HBKH rides had been investigated very extensively. The first event was due to be LRM approved but this approval was then withdrawn, and the rides of AUK members had been recognised by AUK to support those who had entered it on the basis that it would be a LRM approved event. The decision to recognise the second event was not approved by the Board and CC had been advised that if it had been known then it would not have been recognised. The third event was then not allowed but the Board felt it appropriate to initiate a change to regulations to support the riders taking part, the regulations having previously been modified to remove any discretion the Board might have regarding such matters.

After another speaker had been called, Dave Minter asked to question the resolution further and CC ruled that he had had his opportunity to speak and we should move on.

Dave Minter said he was not aware that members could only speak once regarding a resolution Andy Clarkson said he was for the amendment. Have any of the events ever asked to be an AUK event? We can’t go back to find blame as to why they are not AUK events – if a rider wants to ride these events and can have the credit for it he would like to think he’d get 12 points for it and would want to know before he went, and more to the point, that we had now spent more time discussing it then riders had spent riding such events over the last year. He noted that all the DIY organisers were in the room and the question was asked if there had been an event this year that has been requested under this precedent?

Steve Poulton said that he enjoys rides abroad and had ridden the Marmotte for AAA points. Dave Matthews said that now having listened to arguments could the motion be re-worded to say that the Board validates certain events. CC noted that it was not possible to amend any motion at this stage, the period and opportunity for amendment having ceased. Approval of events would be an operational matter.

Keith Benton was concerned that in his response to Dave Minter, the Chair was putting the case for the motion, and was not remaining unbiased. The Chair said that his intention was to put forward the facts regarding the HBKH situation rather than the misleading account that had been provided. The HBKH situation did not form part of either the merits or demerits of the current motion.

Noel Toone said that he will be voting against. He wanted to ask about pacing which is not covered with this resolution. Historically this has been to do with non-participant riders and these historic regulations will not be changed.

Rob Webb asked how does this impact events run by other audax

organisations which are not BRM/LRM events? They don’t allow carrying of two brevets.

In his right of reply, PS said that this resolution was not just about one event; it was a generic solution which expanded the opportunities for AUK riders to take part in other long distance events completed to AUK standards and have them validated as part of their AUK palmarès. It was intended that riders including such events as (DIY) Perms would include that fact in their Brevet application. He had received some enquiries regarding the Vätternrundan in Sweden but nobody had entered it as far as he was aware. He was aware of some taking part in the Dunwich Dynamo. The question of pacing had been addressed in that it was banned as a form of especially arranged personal support but there were no restrictions regarding riding with others generally. PS noted that when fit he might ride with a group of riders on the event – taking pace – but otherwise would tend to ride mostly on his own. The discrepancy regarding the recognition of (non BRM/LRM) events organised by other ACP affiliates was recognised but falls outside the scope of this resolution and would need to be addressed separately.

The vote was counted and the motion was carried: for 356 votes; against 54 and abstentions 11.

Special Resolution 2: Amendment of AUK Regulation Appendix 7.3.1. for the ‘Easter Trail’ event

MF Introduced the resolution saying that from Easter 2016, AUK will be organising an Easter Trail or Trace Nationale and the rules governing this event are set by Audax Club Parisien (ACP). There are a number of rules unique to this event which will be categorised as a Brevet Populaire. This is a team event for 2-6 machines which finishes in York. Teams can start any time after 6am on Easter Friday and must arrive in York between 8am and 11am on Saturday morning. Teams must plan a route of 201 to 360km including a mandatory overnight stop of 8 hours.

The resolution was required because the event falls outside the current regulations. The Easter Trail event rules are set by ACP and will be validated by them. The AUK event will feature teams of 2-6 machines covering a distance of 201-360 km and starting at any time after 6am on the Friday with a mandatory stop of 8 hours and a maximum time limit of 29 hours.

Mike Lane asked if you gained distance points for this event. MF said no, it will appear in your results as a BP. It is not a BR or a BRM. Julian Dyson asked will there be a badge and MF replied there may be.

Keith Benton asked for the question to be put, and the vote was taken. There were 382 votes; against 11 and abstentions 8 – the motion was carried

Special Resolution 3: Appendix 9.8.2 to allow for events with ‘Mandatory’ routes The resolution was proposed by Paul Stewart and seconded by the AUK Board of Directors.

The resolution was introduced by PS who explained it would enable event organisers to select between offering riders the ability to vary their route between controls (Advisory Routing) as now, or to set fixed (Mandatory) routes. The objective is to simplify the process of planning GPS DIY perms, supports the introduction of GPS Permanents and allows Calendar Events to be organised with fixed routes, as required by the ACP/BRM standard.

PS explained that the proposal had its roots in the DIY Perm planning routes. The usual tools have been withdrawn and it’s now making it difficult to plan routes. This resolution provides DIYers the opportunity to set up routes in a simpler way and reduce the effort for planning and validating routes. It also introduces other opportunities i.e. GPS Based Permanents and mandatory routing for calendar routes for those organisers who would like that option.

Keith Benton questioned that as the postal vote is showing a large vote, is the vote in the room making any difference. The Chair thanked him for having given advance notice of this question. He noted that he had needed about 2 seconds to answer it then, which enabled him to give an instant answer now, the answer still being NO, as to be fair to all, postal voters would have needed to know details of the votes cast by people attending the AGM, an impossible situation. The votes cast by postal voters were held in confidence by the Returning Officer until the time for a vote occurred.

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OfficialDave Matthews said that he didn’t understand why the change was required because riders were expected to follow the route. It was explained that this had not been the case since advisory routes were adopted in 1999, which was the reason the resolution was being raised now, to re-introduce the option for mandatory routes.

Joe Applegarth asked what happens if someone goes back on the route after making a mistake or choosing to go off track and someone else doesn’t. One of the key things with a calendar event that adopts mandatory routing is that it might allow for shortcuts which advisory routes would not. It was suggested that this will need to be considered by the Events Team when accepting such events. He was against taking GPS.

Tony Hull asked if the route is mandatory why do we need to place controls?

Sheila Simpson said that an important purpose of controls is to ensure that riders have rest etc. at regular intervals, i.e., it is part of the duty of care towards riders.

Rob Webb said that he constantly goes off-route as he has no sense of direction. This would make it difficult for him. He can understand why they want the GPS DIY (with mandatory routes) but feels it is divisive.

Ashley Brown was in favour of mandatory routing;advisory routing compromised the route length and he sometimes has to follow a shortest route which may be on main roads.

Andy Clarkson said that we don’t have the guidelines for this. If we do DIY by GPS we have to do the route exactly. Under mandatory route we have to follow that exactly. He felt that we only have half the story – this doesn’t give us anything new that we don’t already do.

Denise Noha said that she didn’t understand what the resolution was trying to achieve.

Mike Lane said he rides mostly by following GPS and was concerned that events with mandatory routes would reduce the number of events available to him.

Noel Toone asked is there an alternative if the calendar ride has mandatory route?

CC said that members present had had a chance to air their concerns and wondered if there were any more questions. It appeared that the matter had been thoroughly aired.

In response, PS said that mandatory routing is part of ACP regulations and the approach used throughout the rest of the Audax world. He recognised the general anxiety expressed by some members about how strictly ‘mandatory routes’ would be enforced, and that it was standing policy that the AUK Board and events team looked to support riders in getting their rides validated; not to try and find ways to stop them being validated.We can expect there will inevitably be a period of adjustment as organisers and riders get used to events with mandatory routes. Whilst it is recognised that riders do go off-route, get lost, etc. and this would be allowed for, if there is a mandatory route then there is an expectation that riders will endeavour to get back onto the route as soon as they can. There is no intent to make ‘mandatory routes mandatory’; it is the organisers’ choice. Regarding dealing with GPS failures, he said that if a GPS fails on a GPS DIY Perm with advisory routing that the rider might be able to recover by collecting receipts from that point on, but for a complicated (mandatory) route this would likely not be sufficient. However the number of DIY perms that are rejected because of GPS problems is extremely small and it was felt that overall it was a manageable problem.

Votes were then counted and the motion was carried: for 362 votes; against 47 and abstentions 13

Special Resolution 4: Amendment to Appendix 12.1 regarding the validation of Brevets for EAPC riders on Brevet Populaire events.

Proposed by Dave Minter and seconded by Matt Chambers.

Dave Minter explained that last year at the AGM a proposal was put forward that riders using e-bikes were same as those using human power alone. He felt that we need to go back to the beginning of AUK when the ruling was that an event should be completed by human power. AUK is the only international randonneur organisation that says if you don’t do it by human power that’s okay. He had no objection to riders of e-bikes wanting to take part but that they should not be

allowed the same benefits as those riders using human power alone.

PS said the recommendation from the Board was based on the principle that this related to Brevet Populaires only, which are not long distance events as recognised, and it was accepted international practice that if you take part in and successfully complete an event, then your participation is recognised.

Keith Benton asked how many riders of e-bikes were validated. The figure was not known but it was minimal.

Arabella Maude asked how does someone on e-bike fit with pacing and how does it fit with equal opportunities.?

Andy Clarkson suggested that collectively this year and last year this topic had been discussed for more hours than e-bikes had been ridden. He suggested that there was no evidence that there is a problem – it doesn’t need fixing.

In his right of reply, Dave Minter said that regarding pacing and external assistance – nobody feels that riding a tandem is external assistance – both have paid and both are riding. The argument is that 250W of power is the same as a Tour de France rider sitting on your bike and no fee has been paid for them. Since 1903 Brevets have been based on human power alone. Equal opportunities do not really apply because you are taking on a challenge – you either meet the standard or not. Why has this been changed? E-bikes were used before the rule was changed – validation does not matter to them – they have not followed the principle of the event. Surely it makes no difference to the rider themselves?

A vote was taken and the motion was passed: In favour 243; against 153 and abstentions 12

Special Resolution 5: Amendment to AUK Company Articles to facilitate scheduling the AUK AGM separately from the Annual Reunion Weekend

The Resolution was proposed by Paul Stewart and seconded by Martin Foley

PS introduced the resolution, saying that historically the AUK AGM has been held as part of the Annual Reunion weekend, however, with the introduction of postal voting at the 2014 AGM a large majority of the total votes cast were done by non-attending members. Some members feel this undermines the purpose of holding the AGM as part of the Annual Reunion weekend; others would prefer the AGM was not held during the Annual Reunion weekend at all. It has also been noted that holding the AGM in November means that regulatory and other formal matters must be progressed during the summer months when attentions are naturally focused elsewhere i.e. on cycling and holidays. Having the AGM at this time of year effectively means that all preparation has to occur during the main cycling time of year i.e. summer. If the AGM was held in the Spring the preparation could be done in winter when riders were not out on bikes. It also means that it would allow for additional informal meetings over the winter period so that proposals can be better developed.

Another speaker wanted to ask about the AUK year, and whether if the AGM is moved to spring or later could the AUK year finish at the end of October i.e. when BST gives way to GMT.

Noel Toone said he found it useful to listen to all arguments today but he was getting the feeling that there was not much point in voting because of postal votes. He suggested that with the informal meetings, if they were like this one which was being minuted, the details could go out to the postal votes so they can vote having been fully informed.

PS confirmed that it was intended such meetings will be minuted and promoted through the AUK forum to encourage open discussion. The proposal would also allow the Annual Reunion Meeting and AGM to be far enough apart for information to go from one to the other through the AUK forum and Arrivée.

Mike Lane was happy to admit that he had changed his mind on two matters that had been discussed today after listening to the arguments. Would postal votes have changed if they had all the details – if they have the information then he would be in favour.

The Chair pointed out that the resolution is enabling and the intention is to decide on the dates. If there are decisions that need to be taken in between then that would need an EGM.

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OfficialHeather Swift said she had also changed her mind during the course of the AGM. Agreed that the intention of changing the Reunion Meeting weekend and any extension meeting will give out information to postal voters - this can only be good.

Rob Webb suggested that these informal meetings would only be for those turning up. Would it be a good idea to make it a web conference? The Chair agreed that they need to look at all ideas. The Secretary suggested there might be regional meetings.

Martin Foley asked what is/was the number for a Quorum for AGM – the Chair replied that is 8.

The motion was passed and the votes cast were: for 323; against 35 and abstentions 18. This was 98% of the valid vote and was therefore carried.

9. Election of Directors

(i) Finance Director

Nominee – Paul Salmons – proposed by Paul Stewart & seconded by the AUK Board.

Proposing Paul, PS said that since Paul joined the Board he had been very impressed with his professional approach and he is fully recommended into the role.

No questions from the floor

Votes were counted: For 385; against 3 and abstentions 6

(ii) Communications Director - This is the new name for the Publicity & Publications Director

Proposed Ged Lennox by Paul Salmons – he works in graphic design and has some good ideas for marketing – impressed that he was taking photos for Arrivée at this meeting

Marcus Jackson-Baker asked – please don’t change the logo again.

Keith Benton questioned whether Board should be proposing new Committee members – should they be proposed from the floor? CC took this on board.

Votes were counted: For 377; against 6 and abstentions 9

(iii) Non-Executive Director (2 positions)

There were three nominees for two positions: Chris Boulton, Dave Minter, & John Sabine.

Chris Boulton was proposed by Andy Clarkson who confirmed his credentials and asked that he be allowed to finish what he has started. Keith Benton seconded – he believes he will help.

Dave Minter was proposed by Marcus Jackson Baker who said Dave had a good understanding of the history and facts of AUK and felt as we have now entered a point of change this will help. Seconder Roger Cortis – not present

John Sabine was proposed by Martin Malins who was not present. Pat Hurt seconded the proposal and said that John was truthful and would recommend him to the Board.

The three were invited to take questions from the meeting.

Peter Lewis wanted to know what collective responsibility meant to the candidates

•DaveMinter:TheBoardhascollectiveandindividualresponsibility.They should do this honestly.

•JohnSabine:Asanon-executivememberyouarepartoftheBoardand questioning is a primary part of the role. Need to be a critical friend and help to come to a decision to show things have been thought through.

•ChrisBoulton:Oneshouldbepreparedtohavearobustdebate,butto try to reach unanimity. Once the Board has made a decision, it’s important that all the directors stand behind it, or the organisation could become dysfunctional. The normal action of a director who cannot support a properly arrived at decision would be to resign.

Keith Benton –asked the Board why they are restricting the number to two and why not have all three. Heather Swift asked when would the third be appointed.

Secretary’s note: Two Non-Exec Director positions were set for election as last year when in fact no member stood for election. The Board subsequently received five expressions of interest and appointed three Non-Exec Directors. The Non-Executive Director positions are elected annually.

In response to questions as to whether the meeting could vote to elect three non-executive directors instead of the two specified in the Meeting Agenda, the Chair said that it could not as that would constitute business not previously notified to the membership.

Paul Revell asked candidates for a brief description of their view of future AUK strategy.

•JohnSabine:Iseetheroleindeterminingstrategywouldcomeoutof scrutinising the proposals of others. He felt it wasn’t substantially broken – should be picking up in growth in sport cyclists who want challenging rides.

•ChrisBoulton:Membershipisquiteabigpartofthis.Asyougotothebigger events there are more members than non-members and we need to look at the membership package. Need to look at a funding strategy. Is AUK going in the right direction?

•DaveMinter:Ispent3yearsinAudaxAustraliainasimilarrole.Idonot have a specific view on this for AUK - seems to be okay but the membership is falling which is surprising.* He believes it could be made more robust. Does not have strong ideas of how to do that and wants to look at what is proposed.

*Secretary’s note: the overall membership is increasing year on year.

Noel Toone: He wanted the meeting to know that he has been cycling for 37 years but hadn’t heard of AUK until 3 years ago. Do we need to change to attract more members or will that fundamentally change what AUK is about?

•JohnSabine–echoedthatandhisownlocalclubwasignorantofAUK. If we get it right we can move ahead without changing the essence of the organisation.

•DaveMinter–doesnotbelieveweneedtochangeessenceofAUK.He believes we would not be here unless the concept was exciting. He is happy with the mix of events – high quality – lots of riders – lots of buzz and low key events. This allows for a range of riders. AUK should be better known – perhaps amongst the walkers etc. for example.

•ChrisBoulton:Ibelieveweneedtomarkettheorganisationbetter,particularly through smaller events

Andy Clarkson – last year we had 3 people in these roles and we have 3 good candidates. He felt it was irrational not to vote them all in and it is only an excuse to keep the options open. Need to give good reasons why all three people should not be put forward.

CC thanked Andy for his sincere comments but noted again that matters like this could not be changed at this meeting. The Board had retained the ability to consider what aspects of its constitution could be improved in the best interests of AUK by the appointment of a third non-executive director, and he would ensure that due consideration of this would be undertaken at the next Board meeting.

He reminded members that the vote on this would be by ballot. All members eligible to vote in person at this meeting had been issued with ballot papers naming the three candidates. Members eligible to vote were entitled to cast up to 2 votes.

Votes were cast and counted: the results Chris Boulton 216; Dave Minter 207; John Sabine 244

Chris Boulton and John Sabine were appointed as Non-Exec Directors

9. Date and venue of next meeting: TBA

Marcus Jackson-Baker read out a message from Stephen Abraham thanking AUK and all members for help and support – sorry that I don’t have time to say more but sure all you understand “time is miles”.

Keith Benton gave thanks to the Board and to the Chair for overseeing this meeting, and welcomed new members of the Board, and offered a vote of thanks to the delegates and Directors because without backroom members the systems wouldn’t work.

10 Close

The meeting closed at 16:50

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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Permanents

Full Permanent details on the Audax UK website at:

http://www.aukweb.net/perms/

Dist AAA Title Nephi Alty 208 3.75 Saddleworth - Bowland 180 3.25 Saddleworth - Slaidburn 115 2.25 Saddleworth - Widdop

Reid Anderson 200 2.75 Fleet Moss Randonnee

Joe Applegarth 1000 0 DIY PERMS SERIES (NE) to 50

David Atkinson 160 2.5 Daves Dales Tour 200 3 Daves Dales Tour Plus 200 3.25 Daves Dales Tour Plus Mk2 100 2 Daves Mini Dales Tour 100 0 Lucias Vale of York Meander

Sean Barker 200 2 Saracen RC 200km No 1 200 0 Saracen RC 200km No 2

Mark Beauchamp 200 0 A taste of the test 200 0 An anoraks delight

George Berwick 2260 0 Round the Coast 1500 0 The Eightsome Reel 2600 0 The Scottish Star 600 0 The Twilight 600

Colin Bezant 1015 various Cambrian Series to 100

100 2 Col de Bavella 400 6.75 Col de Sevi 210 3 Col de Verde 600 9.5 Col de Vergio 315 5.75 Col de Vizzavone

Sarah Britton 100 0 Breakfast in Bampton 100 0 Exeter Circle 100 0 Mad Hatter 100

Anton Brown 200 0 El Supremos Buckbarn 200 200 0 El Supremos Dover Dash 200 300 0 El Supremos Hailsham 300 205 0 El Supremos Hailsham 200 212 0 El Supremos Hailsham Liss 200 200 0 El Supremos Medway Meander 205 0 El Supremos Pulborough 200 200 0 El Supremos Seaford Yalding 200 200 0 El Supremos Sedlescombe 200 1000 0 ELs 1000 410 0 Els 400 611 0 The Hailsham 600

Lorraine Brown 400 0 Kingdom Come

Brian Callow 214 0 Bournemouth Square

Matthew Chambers 400 2.75 Faffers 400

Patrick Cherry 105 3 Alpine Star 1 119 3.5 Alpine Star 2 155 3.25 Alpine Star 3 50 1 Forts and Ferries Grimpeur 100 1.5 The Coastguard Permanent 129 2.5 The Ibex - Route 1 165 3.5 The Ibex - Route 2 103 3.25 The Ibex - Route 3 110 3 The Ibex - Route 4

Andy Clarkson 1000 0 DIY PERS SERIES (Yorks & E) to 50

Geoffrey Cleaver 212 0 Two Battles Permanent

Andy Corless 1000 17 Maniac Grimpeur 400 7.25 Northern Pennines Grimpeur 200 3 NPS2A Penrith 200 3 NPS2B Penrith 200 3.5 NPS2C Burnley 200 3 NPS2D Burnley 200 3 NPS2E Burnley 200 3 NPS2F Burnley 200 3 NPS2G Penrith 300 4.5 NPS3A Penrith 300 5.5 NPS3B Skipton 300 4.5 NPS3C: Burnley 300 0 NPS3D: Burnley 300 5 NPS3E: Burnley 300 0 NPS3F: Kendal 300 4.5 NPS3G: Burnley 400 5.75 NPS4A Burnley 400 7 NPS4B Burnley 400 0 NPS4C Preston 400 0 NPS4D Burnley 400 0 NPS4E Burnley 400 0 NPS4F Kendal 400 0 NPS4G Preston 600 0 Preston - Ayr - Preston 600 0 Preston - Edinburgh - Preston 600 0 Preston - Glasgow - Preston 400 0 Preston - Whitby - Preston 300 4.75 Southern Dales Grimpeur

Chris Crossland 606 1.75 Another 3 Coasts 600 300 0 Bernies Little Flat One 600 0 Bernies Long Flat One 200 0 Bernies Tiny Flat One 310 0 Buttys Brid Trip 200 0 Doncaster Doddle 100 0 Goodbye Yorks Xmas Pud 53 1.25 Leap into the Aire 09 50 1.25 Mellow Fruitfulness 60 1.25 Perm into the Aire 110 2.25 Perm into the Dales 100 2.5 Season of Mists 100 2.25 Spring into the Dales 09 607 1.75 The 3 Coasts 600 200 1.75 The Good Companions 109 2.5 The Hebden Bridge Mini-V 405 6.5 The Old 240 202 1.5 The Red Rose Ride 403 0 The Spurn Head 400 400 0 Yorkshire Dales 300 0 Yorkshire Moors 200 0 Yorkshire Wolds

Alan Davies 600 8 Sea Lovers 600

Thomas Deakins 100 0 Boudiccas Revenge 100 200 0 Boudiccas Revenge 200 200 0 Dick Turpins Day Out 200 0 Horses for Courses 600 0 The Flatliner

Julian Dyson 1000 0 DIY PERMS SERIES (NW) to 50

Chris Ellison 100 2 Mont Ventoux (100km)

Martin Foley 200 0 Border Hills 1300 0 DIY PERMS SERIES (Scot & NE) to 50 200 0 Down to Longtown 206 3 Saltire 200km

Tom Fox 100 0 Alfreton - Harworth 100 0 Alfreton - Sudbury 200 0 Alfreton Figure of 8 227 0 Alfreton ? Uttoxeter - Oakham 100 2 Biggin Hilly Permanent 600 0 Four + Two 200 0 Horncastle 200 404 0 Moors and Wolds 400 100 0 National Arboretum Perm 600 0 Nine Counties

200 0 Notts, Lincs & Derbys 200 150 0 Oakham 150 300 0 Skeggy 100 0 To the Races

Peter Gawthorne 400 0 Lakeland 400 300 1.75 Southport 600 1.5 Southport 200 1.5 Southpor 200 0 Southport-York

Colin Gorton 120 2.75 Steve Coates Grimpeur

John Hamilton 200 3.75 Barcud Coch 132 2.25 Clwydian Panorama 300 6 Enter the Dragon 1000 15 Mille Cymru 200 3.25 Pengwern Permanents 104 1.75 Pengwern Permanents 204 3 Pengwern Permanents 200 2.75 Pengwern Permanents 200 3 Pengwern Permanents 200 0 Pengwern Permanents 300 4.5 Pengwern Permanents 216 3 Snowdon, Lleyn & Lakes 200 404 5 Snowdon, Lleyn & Lakes 400 400 5.5 The Irish Mail 204 1.75 Wandering Wolves 100 1.75 Wandering Wolves 200 0 Wandering Wolves 200 0 Wandering Wolves 200 0 Wandering Wolves 205 0 Wandering Wolves

Tom Hanley 400 0 Buccleuch 400 300 0 Cumberland Gap 500 0 Guid Nychburris 200 0 Oot Tae Carrick

Ian Hennessey 300 0 Blackdowns & Levels 100 2 Coast Roads & Coach Roads 100 2.25 Devon & Somerset 600 0 Exe-Buzzard 600 200 3.25 Exmoor and Coast 600 8.25 Kernow & South West 600 300 0 Old Roads 300 150 0 Sea & levels 150 200 0 Sea & levels 200 200 4 Valley of the Rocks

Jim Hopper 200 3 Peak District Permanent

Mark Hummerstone 200 0 End to End - 7 x 200km BR 1300 0 End to End - Brevet Populaire 1400 0 End to End - BR 1900 28.5 Hummers Lumpy End to End

Pat Hurt 300 1.75 Cheddar Gorge 300 208 0 EWE Baaa 200 0 Marlborough Connection 200 0 Poor Student 200

Linda Johnston 200 0 Brittany Mesh 200 0 Brittany Seaboard 201 0 Carhaix and the Coast 220 0 Hidden Brittany 203 0 Menez - Hom et Roc Trevezel 200 0 Roscoff - Quimper

Simon Jones 2600 0 Calais - Brindisi 1200 0 Igoumenitsa ? Istanbul 1405 0 Roscoff - Nice 4014 0 The Orient Express 450 0 Tour of Kernow 3100 0 Trafalgar - Trafalgar

Chris Keeling-Roberts 116 2.75 Cheshire Peak 205 4.5 Dark & White Peak 106 2.25 Dark Peak 100 2.75 Goyt Peak 108 2.5 Mid Peak

16arrivee.indd 56 15/01/2016 13:22:59


Permanents

100 2.5 Monyash Peak 110 2.75 Staffs Peak 103 2.5 West Peak 103 2.25 White Peak

Chris Kula-przezwanski 100 0 North Somerset 100 160 0 North Somerset 160 160 1.5 N Somerset Grimpeur 160 60 1 Over the Mendips

Peter Lewis 200 0 Round the Plain New

Martin Lucas 1400 0 The Eiger Sanction 7 x 200km

Martin Malins 100 1.75 AAA Milne Extended Calendar Events 100km - 600km 100 1.75 The Reliable

Peter Marshall 1250 0 Cherbourg - Perpignan 6 x 200 200 0 Ouistreham Circuit 1100 0 Biarritz 5 x 200km (+100km)

David Matthews 200 3.5 Barmouth Boulevard 100 2 Brenig Bach 130 2 Momma’s Mountain View 200 3.5 Pistyll Packing Momma 138 2.25 The Clwyd Gate 200 3.5 The Clwydian 206 3 Tour of the Berwyns

Keith Matthews 200 2 Dorset Coast

Alex Pattison 300 4.75 The Snow Roads 200 4.75 Wildcat Grimpeur

John Perrin 200 2 ‘Gollen 614 0 Only Three Steps to Severn 200 0 The Cheshire Loops 200 2.75 The Flashy Venetian 208 3 Totmonslow

Winston Plowes 100 2.25 Hebden Bridge Star 50 1.25 Hebden Bridge Starlet

Stephen Poulton 200 0 Banbury Cross 200 200 0 Bristol Double Avon 200 300 0 Central Scotland 300 1000 0 Centre Tour 205 0 Cheltenham 2012 Flyer 200 0 Cheltenham Flyer 200 100 0 Cheltenham Flyer Taster 400 0 Cheltenham Irish Sea 200 0 Cheltenham Old Clee Hill Flyer 200 0 Cheltenham Olde Folks 200 100 0 Cheltenham The Vale 100 300 0 Cheltenham Wye & Brecon 500 0 Cheltenham Wye & Cardigan 200 0 Cotswold and Thames 300 0 Cotswold and Thames 300 100 1.75 Cotswold Corker 150 3 Cotswold Super Corker 200 2.75 Cotswolds and Mendips 200 1000 0 Eastern Tour 1200 0 England Grand Tour 200 0 Glos & Somerset 200 200 2.75 Gospel Pass 200 200 0 Malvern Elgar Dean 200 0 Midlands Vale 200 500 0 Midlands, SW and Wales Tour 600 0 North East Tour 500 0 Northern Tour 200 0 Pennine Tour 200 0 Severn Bridge High Loop 500 0 Severn Bridge 200 0 Severn Estuary 200km 200 0 South East Oxford Loop 700 0 Southern Tour 600 0 Spa Tour Combination 500 0 Spa Tour Combination 400 0 Spa Tour Combination

50 1.25 Stroud 5 Valleys 400 0 SW and Wales Tour 205 0 Thames and Avon 200 100 0 Trossachs 1400 0 UK Grand Tour 300 0 Welsh & Borders Tour 150 2.25 YatMon 150

Herman Ramsey 400 0 Asparagus and Strawberries 300 0 Green and Yellow Fields 106 0 Manningtree 100 150 0 Manningtree 150 200 0 Manningtree 200 100 0 The Ixworth File

Alan Rayner 100 0 Denmead - Stockbridge 100 100 0 Denmead - Whitchurch 100 200 0 Denmead 200 300 0 Denmead 300 400 0 Denmead 400 600 0 Denmead 600 200 0 Denmead Coastal 200 200 0 Solent - Hungerford 300 0 Solent - Malmesbury

Paul Revell 100 2.25 La’al Lakeland 100

Mark Rigby 300 0 A rough Diamond 200 0 Benjamin Allens Spring Tonic 600 8.75 Bryan Chapman Memorial 600 8.75 Bryan Chapman BP 1337 18 High Roads, Glens, Lochs BP 200 1.75 Kings, Castles, Priests 200 0 Mr Pickwick Goes to Hay 600 9.5 Mr Pickwick yn mynd i chwilio 600 9.5 Mr Pickwick yn mynd i chwilio BP 200 0 Mr Pickwick’s Autumn Outing 200 0 Mr Pickwick’s Crych Cymru 200 1.75 Mr Pickwick’s March Madness 200 0 Mr Pickwick’s Summer Meander 200 0 Sam Weller’s Trip to Wochma 1337 18 West Coast, Highlands and Inner Hebrides

James Roberson 215 0 Cheshire Cycleway

Shawn Shaw 300 0 Aberystwyth - Poole Diagonal 200 0 Cherbourg - Ouistreham 200 0 Dorset Delight 300 4.5 Hardboiled 600 8.25 Hellfire 200 0 La Transmanche 300 0 Poole - Aberystwyth Diagonal 400 6 Porkers 200 0 St Malo - Cherbourg 200 0 St Malo - Ouistreham 200 0 St Malo Route 2 (East) 200 0 St Malo Route 3 (West) 200 0 St. Malo Route 1 (South)

Sheila Simpson 50 2 Alpe d Huez Circuit 50 1.5 Cime de la Bonette 163 4.25 Circuit of Galibier 50 1 Col de Cayolle 100 2 Corniches des Cevennes 105 2 Grande Serre and Col dOrnon Circuit 115 3.5 Mini - Mercantour 50 1 Mont Aigoual 50 1 Mont Ventoux 100 0 Normandy Landings 100 0 North York 200 0 Sea to Sea (Manche to Med) 5 x 200 1000 0 Sea to Sea (Manche to Med) 14 day BP 1000 0 Sea to Sea (Manche to Med) Randonnee 114 0 Suisse Normande 190 4.75 The Mercantour 50 0 York - Selby

Chris Smith 1000 0 DIY PERMANENTS SERIES (Midlands & Wales) to 50

Steve Snook 120 2.25 Deepdale and Fleet Moss 120

200 4.25 Park Rash and Swaledale 200 100 1.75 Silverdale and Wharfedale 100 50 1.25 Widdop 50

Tim Sollesse 700 0 Steam Ride London - Paris - London 600 0 Steam Ride London - Paris 436 0 Steam Ride London - Parisr 100 0 Steam Ride:London-Oxford 200 0 Steam Ride:London-Oxford-London (LOL)

Paul Stewart 1000 0 DIY PERMANENT SERIES (SE) to 50 200 0 The Boat Ride 200 0 The Ditchling Devil

Daryl Stickings 210 3.75 The Cambrian 150 2.25 The Cambrian (Minor)

John Thompson 1000 0 Lowestoft - Arndnamurchan 1000

Stephen Underwood 300 0 Wiltshire Cycleway

Andrew Uttley 200 0 A Ride Around Ben Klibreck

Jonathan Walters 50 1 Surrey Hills 160 2.75 Sussexy Beast

John Ward 100 0 Isle of Wight End to End 100 0 New Forest 100 200 0 New Forest 200 300 0 New Forest 300 160 0 New Forest and Wiltshire Century

Mary-jane Watson 100 1.75 Celts Trams and Castles (Isle of Man) 110 2.25 Three Peaks of Mann (Isle of Man)

Billy Weir 200 3.5 Around Weald Expedition 100 1.75 Glen tae Ben 200 3.5 Meridian Hills

Paul Whitehead 200 0 Summer Saunter to Wantage 200 0 Wantage Winter Wind Up

Philip Whiteman 200 3.5 Montgomery Madness

Werner Wiethege 100 1.75 Down to Downs

Mike Wigley 207 0 A Mere Two Hundred 600 0 A Pair of Kirtons 150 0 Audlem 200 0 Eccleshall 200 0 Holt 200 0 Llanfair ... gogogoch 200 400 0 Llanfair ... gogogoch 400 200 0 Newport 100 0 Radway 200 0 Stockport Eureka 300 0 The Full Monty 200 0 Wilmslow-St Asaph-Wilmslow

Chris Wilby 217 1.5 Cestyll Cymru

Nick Wilkinson 200 0 Cambridge Civil War 200 0 Cambridge Diss’d Clare 200 0 Cambridge Four Counties 204 0 Cambridge Market 216 0 Cambridge Pork Pie 109 0 Cambridge Saffron 100 200 0 Cambridge Suffolk Eye-full

David Winslade 200 0 The Man of Kent 200 300 0 The Man of Kent 300 400 0 The Man of Kent 400 200 0 Weald of Kent

Oliver Wright

110 2 Grindleford Grimpeur 100 2.5 Hathersage - Elton - Roaches

16arrivee.indd 57 15/01/2016 13:22:59


Calendar Events200 06 Feb Alfreton Straight on at Rosie’s 08:00 Sat BR 1190m £6.00 L P R T 15-30kph Alfreton CTC [email protected] ROA 5000 Tom Fox, 180 Nottingham Road Alfreton Derbyshire DE55 7FP200 06 Feb Tewkesbury Sam Weller’s day trip to Wochma 07:30 Sat BRM 203km 2300m [2700m] £5.00 c p r nm t 100 15-25kph BlackSheep CC 01684 292 390 [email protected] ROA 25000 Mark Rigby, 16 Battle Road Tewkesbury Park Tewkesbury GL20 5TZ100 13 Feb Dial Post, West Sussex Worthing Winter Warmer 09:00 Sat BP 104km £5.00 FPRT 15-30kph Worthing Excelsior CC 01903 240 280 Mick Irons, 36 Phrosso Road Worthing West Sussex BN11 5SL100 14 Feb Chippenham Flapjack 09:00 Sun BP 102km £7.00 F P R T M 150 15-24kph Chip. & Dist. Whs. 01225 708449 Eric Fletcher, 174 Littleworth Lane Whitley Melksham Wiltshire SN12 8RE100 14 Feb Leicester Rutland and Beyond 08:30 Sun BP 102km 1290m £4.00 F L P R S T 100 12-30kph Leic. Forest CC [email protected] ROA 1000 Kim Suffolk, 73 Colby Road Thurmaston Leicester LE4 8LG200 20 Feb Aylesbury,Buckinghamshire, HP20 1UR Chiltern Grit 200 09:00 Sat BR 1744m £7.00 A G P X R T (100) 15-30kph 100 20 Feb Aylesbury,Buckinghamshire, HP20 1UR Chiltern Grit 100 09:30 Sat BP 754m £7.00 A G P X R T (100) 15-30kph Aylesbury CC [email protected] Jocelyn Chappell, 112 Walton Way Aylesbury Buckinghamshire HP21 7JR200 20 Feb Cardiff Gate Malmesbury Mash 07:00 Sat BR 1000m £3.00 YH L P R T 15-30kph Newport Velo [email protected] Ritchie Tout, Sunnyside Cottage Mynyddbach Monmouthshire NP16 6RT200 20 Feb Rochdale North-West Passage 08:00 Sat BR 2100m £6.00 R T P 15-30kph West Pennine RC 01706 372 447120 20 Feb Rochdale mini-North-West Passage 09:00 Sat BP 1450m £6.00 R T P 10-20kph West Pennine RC 01706 372 447 ROA 5000 Noel Healey, 95 Shore Mount Littleborough Lancs OL15 8EW120 20 Feb Whitlenge, Hartlebury, S of Kidderminster Sunrise Express 08:30 Sat BP 121km £6.75 P R T F 130 15-30kph 120 20 Feb Whitlenge, Hartlebury, S of Kidderminster Snowdrop Express 09:00 Sat BP 921m £6.75 P R T F 130 15-30kph Beacon Roads Cycling Clu 01562 731606 [email protected] Philip Whiteman, 2 Drayton Terrace Drayton Belbroughton Stourbridge DY9 0BW100 21 Feb Henham, S of Saffron Walden Victoria C. C. - Brazier’s Run 09:00 Sun BP 106km £10.00 A(1) L P R S T 15-30kph 50 21 Feb Henham, S of Saffron Walden Victoria C. C. - Brazier’s Run 09:00 Sun BP £9.00 A(1) L P R S T 10-25kph Victoria CC [email protected] ROA 2000 Kieron Yates, 6 Aberdeen Terrace London SE3 0QX100 21 Feb Old Town Hall, Musselburgh Musselburgh RCC 25th Tour of East Lothian 10:00 Sun BP 106km £10.00 L P R T NM (10/02) 12.5-30kph Musselburgh RCC 07852105204 Alistair Mackintosh, 5 Durham Road South Edinburgh EH15 3PD120 27 Feb Hailsham Mad Jack’s- John Seviour Memorial 09:00 Sat BP 125km 2450m AAA2.5 £6.00 R F P 100 14-25kph Andy Seviour Andy Seviour, 13 Blacksmiths Copse Hailsham East Sussex BN27 3XB200 28 Feb Cheadle, Stockport Newport 08:00 Sun BR 201km 750m £6.00 P R T 80 15-30kph 150 28 Feb Cheadle, Stockport Radway 08:30 Sun BP 153km 450m £6.00 P R T 50 15-25kph Peak Audax CTC [email protected] Tim Hughes, 5 Peterhouse Road Sutton Macclesfield SK11 0EN100 28 Feb Corscombe, near Beaminster The Primrose Path 09:00 Sun BP 102km 1955m AAA2 £7.00 P L R T 55 12.5-25kph Arthur Vince 01935 863 429 [email protected] Arthur Vince, 3 Back Lane East Coker Yeovil BA22 9JN200 05 Mar Cardiff Gate, NW Cardiff Making Hay 07:00 Sat BR 203km 2450m £5.50 YH L P R T 15-30kph Cardiff Byways CC 02920 341768 [email protected] ROA 5000 Richard Evans, 73 Conway Road Cardiff CF11 9NW200 05 Mar Grazeley, S of Reading The Kennet Valley Run 07:30 Sat BR 207km 1763m £7.50 L P R T 15-30kph 100 05 Mar Grazeley, S of Reading The Kennet Valley 100 09:00 Sat BP 895m £6.00 L P R T 12-30kph Reading CTC [email protected] Mick Simmons, 84 Kidmore Road Caversham Reading RG4 7NA

200 05 Mar Tewkesbury Mr. Pickwick’s March Madness 07:30 Sat BRM 209km 2600m AAA1.75 [1700m] £6.00 c f p r nm t 100 15-25kph BlackSheep CC 01684 292 390 [email protected] ROA 25000 Mark Rigby, 16 Battle Road Tewkesbury Park Tewkesbury GL20 5TZ100 06 Mar Birdwell Community Centre Birdwell-Snaith-Birdwell 09:00 Sun BP 109km £5.00 F L P R T 15-30kph Birdwell Whs 01226 726 754 [email protected] Steve Myatt, 11 Spring Lane Carlton Barnsley S71 3EX200 06 Mar Dalmeny Forth and Tay 08:00 Sun BR 208km 2500m £10.00 G L P R T 15-30kph Audax Ecosse [email protected] Martin Foley, 78 Denholm Road Musselburgh East Lothian EH21 6TU100 12 Mar Alfreton Three Fields 09:00 Sat BP 104km 1270m £5.00 L P R T 100 12-30kph Alfreton CTC [email protected] ROA 5000 Tom Fox, 180 Nottingham Road Alfreton Derbyshire DE55 7FP150 12 Mar Chepstow Gospel Pass 8.:00 Sat BP 2280m AAA2.25 £3.00 X P R (150) 15-30kph Audax Club Bristol ROA 5000 Nik Peregrine, 46 Bridge Street Chepstow NP16 5EY200 12 Mar Churchend, Dunmow, Essex The Horsepower 200 07:30 Sat BRM £8.00 A [1] C L P T R M 28/02 15-30kph 100 12 Mar Churchend, Dunmow, Essex The Horsepower 100km 09:00 Sat BP 102km £8.00 A[1] C L M P R T (05/03) 12.5-25kph Flitchbikes CC [email protected] Thomas Deakins, 31 The Causeway Great Dunmow Essex CM6 2AA100 12 Mar Forfar, DD81BT Scone 100 10:00 Sat BP 696m £3.00 GPTS 15-30kph Angus CC 01307 466123 [email protected] ROA 4000 David Husband , 78 Old Halkerton Road Forfar DD8 1JP 200 13 Mar London, Ruislip Lido Steam Ride:London-Oxford-London (LOL) The Ghan 08:00 Sun BR 2128m £7.00 L P R T YH 14.3-30kph 110 13 Mar London, Ruislip Lido Steam Ride:Quainton Express 08:30 Sun BP 117km £6.00 L P R T YH 14.3-30kph AC Hackney [email protected] Tim Sollesse, 59 Lynwood Rd Ealing London W5 1JG100 13 Mar Otford, Sevenoaks Kent Invicta Grimpeur 100 09:30 Sun BP 1890m AAA2 £8.00 F L P R T 12-25kph 50 13 Mar Otford, Sevenoaks Kent Invicta Hilly 50 10:00 Sun BP 945m AAA1 £7.00 F L P R T NM 12-25kph West Kent CTC [email protected] Patrick McMaster, 207 Colyer Road Northfleet Kent DA11 8AT100 13 Mar Seaham Seaham Sircular 09:00 Sun BP 1700m AAA1.75 £5.00 F L P R T 15-30kph Dave Sharpe [email protected] Dave Sharpe, 3 Elizabeth Street Seaham County Durham SR7 7TP200 13 Mar Winsford, Cheshire Scouting Mam Tor 08:00 Sun BR 207km 2570m AAA2.25 [2150m] £7.75 P R T 15-30kph 160 13 Mar Winsford, Cheshire Edale Run 08:30 Sun BP 167km 2370m AAA2.25 [2150m] £7.75 P R T 15-30kph Peak Audax CTC [email protected] Phil Scott, 59 Hawkshead Way Winsford Cheshire CW7 2SY200 19 Mar Andoversford, Nr Cheltenham Cheltenham New Flyer 08:00 Sat BR £6 LPRT 15-30kph 150 19 Mar Andoversford, Nr Cheltenham Cider with Rosie 150 08:30 Sat BP 152km £6.00 P R T L 12.5-30kph 100 19 Mar Andoversford, Nr Cheltenham Character Coln 09:00 Sat BP £5 P R T L 12.5-25kph CTC West [email protected] ROA 5000 S Poulton, Leckhampton Lodge 23 Moorend Park Rd Leckhampton Cheltenham GL30LA

100 19 Mar Catherington, near Portsmouth Le Bois Ocaud de Printemps 100 09:00 Sat BP 105km 1500m AAA1.5 £2.00 L P R T (100) 15-30kph Change of Date Hantspol CC [email protected] Jonathan Ellis, 42 Wessex Road Waterlooville Hampshire PO8 0HS100 19 Mar Copdock, Nr. Ipswich The Copdock Circuit - Spring in South Suffolk 09:00 Sat BP £6.50 L P R T M 12-30kph Suffolk CTC [email protected] Dennis Kell, 9 Pheasant Rise Copdock Ipswich Suffolk IP8 3LF200 19 Mar Girton, Cambridge The Cambridge Pork Pie 08:00 Sat BR 214km 1900m [1700m] £5.00 X G L P R T S YH 15-30kph 100 19 Mar Girton, Cambridge The Cambridge Spring Dash 09:00 Sat BP 850m £5.00 X G L P R T S YH 12.5-30kph Cambridge Audax [email protected] Nick Wilkinson, 42 Dodford Lane Girton Cambridge CB3 0QE100 19 Mar Market Bosworth, Sports Club 1485 Tri Club Audax 09:am Sat BP £8.00 t.s.r.nm.l.c.g.175 15-30kph Change of Date 1485 Tri Club Steven Robinson, 7 Tudor Close Market Bosworth Leicestershire CV13 0NA

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Winchelsea Control - The Autumn Tints - photo: Anton Brown

Calendar Events300 19 Mar Oxford The Dean 06:00 Start Time 06:00 Sat BR 307km 4000m AAA4 £10.00 YH X F G B P R L NM 15-30kph Change of Date Audax Club Hackney 07932 672 561 [email protected] Justin Jones, ACH HQ incorporating The Stag’s Head 39 Harringay Road London N15 3JB200 19 Mar Selkirk Scottish Borders Randonnee 08:00 Sat BR 204km 2168m £10.00 F G P R T 15-30kph Audax Ecosse 01750 20838 Russell Carson, 21 Ladylands Terrace Selkirk TD7 4BB100 20 Mar Alford, Lincs The Wold and Fen 09:00 Sun BP £6.50 L P F T 12-25kph Alford Whs 01507 443 000 [email protected] ROA 4000 Alan Hockham, 11 Trustthorpe Road Sutton on Sea Lincs LN12 2LX100 20 Mar Bynea, Llanelli Carmarthenshire Stopper 08:30 Sun BP 102km 1720m AAA1.75 £4.50 C L F P R T 50 12-25kph Swansea DA 01792391492 [email protected] John Bastiani, The Brambles Reynoldston Swansea SA3 1AA200 20 Mar Exeter Mad March Coasts and Quantocks 08:00 Sun BRM 201km 2725m AAA2 [1500m] £7.00 YH F P R T X 15-30kph 100 20 Mar Exeter Mad March Exeter Excursion 09:00 Sun BP £7.00 YH F P R T 12-25kph Change of Date Exeter Whs 01404 841553 [email protected] Pippa Wheeler, Rull Barn Payhembury Honiton Devon EX14 3JQ200 20 Mar Poynton, S of Stockport Chirk 08:00 Sun BRM £6.00 F P 15-30kph Peak Audax CTC [email protected] Darryl Nolan, 5 Grasmere Road Royton Oldham OL2 6SR400 25 Mar Anywhere, to York Easter Fleches to York ::::: Fri BRM £12.00 Fee per Team. 26th also 15-30kph Audax UK [email protected] ROA 10000 Lucy Mctaggart, 30 Victoria Street Galashiels Scottish Borders TD1 1HL200 25 Mar Anywhere, to York Easter Trail ::::: Fri BP 201km £12.00 per team X 0-0kph Audax UK [email protected] Martin Foley, 78 Denholm Road Musselburgh East Lothian EH21 6TU200 26 Mar Aldbrough St John, nr Darlington Yorkshire Gallop 08:00 Sat BR 1480m £5.00 X P R T 14.3-30kph 100 26 Mar Aldbrough St John, nr Darlington Ripon Canter 10:00 Sat BP 572m £5.00 X L P R T 12-25kph VC 167 01325 374 112 [email protected] Nigel Hall, Finkle Croft Aldbrough St John Nr. Richmond DL11 7TD200 26 Mar Huntingdon Double Dutch 08:00 Sat BR £3.00 X 15-30kph CTC West Surrey [email protected] Martin Malins, 4 North Common Weybridge Surrey KT13 9DN160 26 Mar Swaffham Community Centre Easter 100 miler 08:00 Sat BP 167km £6.50 G L M P R T 15-30kph 100 26 Mar Swaffham Community Centre Easter QE2 09:00 Sat BP 106km £6.50 G L M P R T 15-30kph CC Breckland [email protected] Jonathan Reed, Swaffham Community Centre The Campingland Swaffham PE377RD100 30 Mar Marple, near Stockport An Icecream Wensdae 10:00 Wed BP 109km 800m £5.00 P R T 30 15-30kph 100 30 Mar Marple, near Stockport Goyt Peak Super Grimpeur

10:00 Wed BP 109km 2750m AAA2.75 £5.00 G P R T 12.5-30kph Peak Audax CTC [email protected] Chris Keeling-Roberts, 17 Lower Strines Road Marple Cheshire SK6 7DL300 02 Apr Bushley, Nr Tewkesbury Helfa Cymraeg Benjamin Allen ar. 05:30 Sat BRM 308km 3500m AAA1.75 [1800m] £7.00 100, C,F,L,P,R,T,S,NM. 15-25kph BlackSheep CC 01684 292 390 [email protected] ROA 25000 Mark Rigby, 16 Battle Road Tewkesbury Park Tewkesbury GL20 5TZ300 02 Apr Chalfont St Peter 3Down 06:00 Sat BR 2661m [3100m] £8.00 L P R T 15-30kph Willesden CC [email protected] Ian Oliver, 68 St Dunstans Avenue London W3 6QJ200 02 Apr Galashiels Moffat Toffee 08:00 Sat BRM 204km 2500m [2300m] £5.00 P,R,T,G 15-30kph Audax Ecosse [email protected] ROA 10000 Lucy Mctaggart, 30 Victoria Street Galashiels Scottish Borders TD1 1HL200 02 Apr Honiton Valley of the Rocks 200 08:00 Sat BRM 205km 3900m AAA4 £7.00 L P R T 40 15-30kph Exeter Whs [email protected] ROA 10000 Ian Hennessey, 10 High Street Honiton EX14 1PU200 02 Apr Leominster The Cambrian 07:00 Sat BR 210km 3750m AAA3.75 £5.00 L P R T 14.3-30kph 140 02 Apr Leominster The Cambrian - Minor 08:00 Sat BP 148km 2250m AAA2.25 £5.00 L P R T 12.5-30kph 84 02 Apr Leominster The Cambrian - Welsh Marches 09:00 Sat BP 920m £5.00 L P R T 10-22.5kph Hereford & Dist. Whs [email protected] Daryl Stickings, Weir View Breinton Common Breinton Hereford Herefordshire HR4 7PR300 02 Apr Poole hard boiled 300 02:00 Sat BRM 4400m AAA4.5 £10.00 L P M (50) 15-30kph Wessex CTC Shawn Shaw, 22 Shaftesbury Road Longfleet Poole Dorset BH15 2LT200 02 Apr Ugley, Saffron Walden The Shaftesbury Spring 200 08:00 Sat BR 202km 1600m £5.00 L P R S T 15-30kph 160 02 Apr Ugley, Saffron Walden The Shaftesbury Spring Century 09:00 Sat BP 169km 1410m £5.00 L P R S T 15-30kph 110 02 Apr Ugley, Saffron Walden The Shaftesbury Spring 100 10:00 Sat BP 111km 997m £5.00 L P R S T 15-30kph Shaftesbury CC 01245 421 088 [email protected] ROA 5000 Richard Parrotte, 23 Mayfield Road Writtle Chelmsford CM1 3EJ200 03 Apr Clitheroe, Lancashire Delightful Dales 200 07:30 Sun BRM 205km 3300m AAA3.25 [3600m] £5.00 L P R T 15-30kph Updated Burnley Cycling Club [email protected] Andy Corless, 31 Castlerigg Drive Ightenhill Burnley Lancashire BB12 8AT100 03 Apr Falmouth A Cornish 100 09:00 Sun BP 103km £5.00 F L P R S T 12-25kph 50 03 Apr Falmouth A Bunny Hop 10:00 Sun BP £5.00 F L P R S T 8-20kph Falmouth Whs [email protected] Philip Conroy, 5 Fairfield Road Falmouth TR11 2DN100 03 Apr Galashiels Broughton and Back 10:00 Sun BP 1380m £5.00 P,R,T,G 12-30kph Audax Ecosse 01896 758 181 [email protected] ROA 10000 Lucy McTaggart, 30 Victoria St. Galashiels Scottish Borders TD1 1HL

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Calendar Events200 03 Apr Long Ashton, Bristol Barry’s Bristol Ball Buster 08:00 Sun BRM 214km 2000m £7.00 F L P R T NM (200) 15-30kph 110 03 Apr Long Ashton, Bristol Barry’s Bristol Blast 10:30 Sun BP 116km £7.00 F L P R T NM (200) 12.5-30kph 110 03 Apr Long Ashton, Bristol Barry’s Bristol Bash 09:30 Sun BP 116km 1100m £7.00 F L P R T NM (250) 12.5-30kph Las Vegas Inst of Sport [email protected] Paul Rainbow, 49 Quarrington Road Horfield Bristol Avon BS7 9PJ200 03 Apr Stevenage Stevenage Start of Summertime Specials 08:15 Sun BRM 210km 1240m £6.00 P R T 200 15-30kph 110 03 Apr Stevenage Stevenage Start of Summertime Specials 10:30 Sun BP 890m £5.00 P R T 200 12.5-25kph 60 03 Apr Stevenage Stevenage Start of Summertime Specials 11:00 Sun BP 520m £4.00 P R T 200 12.5-25kph Stevenage & North Herts 07949 333453 [email protected] Luke Peters, 86 Skipton Close Stevenage Hertfordshire SG2 8TW200 03 Apr Wareham Dorset Coast 07:45 Sun BRM 207km 2850m AAA2.75 £12.00 C L F R P T M 1/4 15-30kph 100 03 Apr Wareham Coastlet 09:00 Sun BP 107km 1300m £7.00 C L F R P T M 1/4 12-25kph Wessex DA 01305 263 272 [email protected] ROA 5000 Peter Loakes, 1 Church Cottage West Stafford Dorchester DT2 8AB200 09 Apr Carlton le Moorland Bomber County 7.:00 Sat BR 219km £7.00 15-30kph Lincoln Whs [email protected] Richard Parker, 28 High Street Carlton Le Moorland Lincoln Lincolnshire LN5 9HT200 09 Apr Greenwich, London The Shark 07:30 Sat BR 202km 3200m AAA3.25 £9.00 F G R (07/04) 14.3-28kph Audax Club Hackney [email protected] Ivan Cornell, 13 Maidenstone Hill London SE10 8SY 50 09 Apr Huntly, Aberdeenshire Room to Ride Fifty 09:30 Sat BP 385m £2.00 F G P R T 10-30kph 160 09 Apr Huntly, Aberdeenshire Room to Ride Hundred Mile 08:30 Sat BP 1522m £6.00 F G P R T 15-30kph 100 09 Apr Huntly, Aberdeenshire Room to Ride Hundred 09:00 Sat BP 1035m £5.00 F G P R T 12-30kph Huntly Development Trust Naomi Mason, 24 Victoria Gardens Banff AB45 2JG200 09 Apr Tamworth, Pretty Pigs PH Two Battles 08:00 Sat BR 209km 2300m £7.00 P R T 50 15-30kph 150 09 Apr Tamworth, Pretty Pigs PH Towering Trees 09:00 Sat BP 157km 1630m £7.00 P R T 50 14-30kph 110 09 Apr Tamworth, Pretty Pigs PH The Essex Bridge 09:30 Sat BP £7.00 P R T 50 15-30kph 50 09 Apr Tamworth, Pretty Pigs PH Just a Chuffing 50 10:00 Sat BP £6.00 P R T 50 10-20kph Geoff Cleaver [email protected]

ROA 10000 Geoffrey Cleaver, 43 Goodere Drive Polesworth Tamworth Staffordshire B78 1BY100 09 Apr Trowell, Nottingham Charnwood in the Spring 08:30 Sat BP 103km 950m £6.00 L P R T 150 11.5-30kph Nottinghamshire CTC [email protected] Terry Scott, 22 Kinglake Place Nottingham NG2 1NT 300 09 Apr Upton Magna, E of Shrewsbury Yr Elenydd @ 30 06:00 Sat BRM 307km 4950m AAA5 £10.00 C F G L P R T (100) 15-25kph CTC Shropshire [email protected] ROA 10000 John Hamilton, 22 Oaks Crescent Wellington Telford TF1 2HF 80 10 Apr Abingdon, Oxon Freewheeling Festival Ride 10:00 Sun BP £4.00 T G F R 2/4 13-30kph Didcot Phoenix CC Matthew Chambers, 23 Abbey Brook Didcot OX11 7FY200 10 Apr Congleton, Cheshire Ironbridge 207 08:00 Sun BR 207km 2130m £6.00 P R T 15-30kph 130 10 Apr Congleton, Cheshire Hawkstone 133 08:30 Sun BP 133km £5.00 P R T 15-30kph Congleton CC 01270 760036 Steve Dawson, 131 Abbey Road Sandbach Cheshire CW11 3HB110 10 Apr Earlswood, nr Solihull The JB Run 09:00 Sun BP 112km £6.00 GPRT 15-30kph Midland C & AC Jim Lee, 107 Shustoke Road Solihull West Midlands B91 2QR100 10 Apr Merthyr Tydfil Rhondda Traverse 09:00 Sun BP 109km 2100m AAA2 £5.00 P R T 12-30kph Merthyr CC [email protected] David Jones, 2 Brunswick Street Merthyr Tydfil CF47 8SB110 10 Apr Mytholmroyd Spring into the Dales 09:00 Sun BP 115km 2350m AAA2.25 £4.50 L P R T YH 12-24kph 57 10 Apr Mytholmroyd Leap into the Aire 10:00 Sun BP 1325m AAA1.25 £4.00 L P R T YH 8-20kph

West Yorkshire CTC 01422 832 853 [email protected] ROA 25000 Chris Crossland, 14 Stanley St. West Sowerby Bridge W. Yorks HX6 1EF100 10 Apr North Petherton, S of Bridgwater Dunkery Dash 09:00 Sun BP 102km 1600m AAA1.5 £8.00 F L P R T 15-30kph Bridgwater CC Keith Bridges, 19 Westfield Road Burnham On Sea Somerset TA8 2AW100 10 Apr Polegate, E Sussex Hell of the Sussex Coastal Hills 09:00 Sun BP 105km 1893m AAA1.75 £7.00 P F T (50) 13-25kph 100 10 Apr Polegate, E Sussex For those who dont do hills 100 09:00 Sun BP 101km 650m £7.00 F P T (50) 15-30kph Christopher Tracey [email protected] Christopher Tracey, 20 Salisbury Road Seaford East Sussex BN25 2DD110 10 Apr Uffington The Harlequin Hack 09:30 Sun BP 600m £6.00 C F G L P R T 15-30kph Updated CTC Wantage 07752 957363 [email protected] John Talbot, 33 Barretts Way Sutton Courtenay Abingdon OX14 4DD100 10 Apr Wigginton Fountains 100 10:00 Sun BP 102km £3.50 L P R T 12-25kph Updated CTC North Yorks 0113 267 2929 [email protected] Chris Boulton, 15 Adel Towers Close Leeds LS16 8ES200 16 Apr Alfreton Roses to Wrags 08:00 Sat BR 212km 1391m £6.00 F P R T 150 15-30kph Updated Alfreton CTC [email protected] Stephen Ogden, The Firs 170 Nuncargate Road Kirkby In Ashfield NG17 9EA300 16 Apr Cirencester Heart of England 300 06:00 Sat BR 307km 2800m £6.00 A(2) L P R T 100 15-30kph Corinium CC 01285 659 515 [email protected] ROA 5000 Peter Holden, 39 Querns Lane Cirencester Glos GL7 1RL300 16 Apr Musselburgh Merse and Moors 06:00 Sat BRM 4200m AAA4.25 £10.00 X P L R (50) 15-30kph Audax Ecosse [email protected] Martin Foley, 78 Denholm Road Musselburgh East Lothian EH21 6TU300 16 Apr Poynton, S of Stockport Plains 23:00 Sat BR 310km 1600m £5.00 P X 15-30kph Peak Audax CTC [email protected] Peter Hammond, 3 Dorac Avenue Heald Green Cheadle Stockport Cheshire SK8 3NZ300 16 Apr RuislipLido Steam Ride: University Challenge Event CANCELLED200 16 Apr Worrall, north of Sheffield Paris and Moscow in the Spring 08:00 Sat BR 2800m AAA2.75 £5.00 L P R T (09/04) 14.3-30kph 100 16 Apr Worrall, north of Sheffield Paris in the Spring 09:00 Sat BP 103km 1600m AAA1.5 £5.00 L P R T (75) (09/04) 12-25kph Sheffield District CTC [email protected] Tony Gore, 8 Ladysmith Avenue Sheffield S7 1SF110 17 Apr Bishops Lydeard, Nr Taunton Dustman Dave’s Demon Hilly 08:30 Sun BP 116km 2155m £5.00 L R P T 15-30kph 110 17 Apr Bishops Lydeard, NW of Taunton Dustman Dave’s Doddle 09:00 Sun BP £5.00 L P R T 10-30kph 64 17 Apr Bishops Lydeard, NW of Taunton Dustman Dave’s Diddy Doddle 09:30 Sun BP £4.00 L P R T 10-30kph Wellington Whs Philip Leavey, The Spinney Chitterwell Wellington Somerset TA21 0HF160 17 Apr Honiton Combwich Century 08:30 Sun BP 169km 2470m AAA2.5 £7.00 GLPRT 14-30kph Exeter Whs [email protected] ROA 10000 Ian Hennessey, 10 High Street Honiton EX14 1PU300 23 Apr Alfreton Everybody Rides to Skeggy! 06:00 Sat BR 302km 1141m £7.00 L R P T X 100 15-30kph Alfreton CTC [email protected] ROA 5000 Tom Fox, 180 Nottingham Road Alfreton Derbyshire DE55 7FP400 23 Apr Coryton, NW Cardiff Buckingham Blinder 05:00 Sat BR £10.00 X 15-30kph Cardiff Byways CC Robyn Thomas, 44 Cosmeston Street Cardiff CF24 4LR200 23 Apr Eureka Cafe, Wirral Eureka Excursion 08:00 Sat BR 215km £6.00 R L P T 70 15-30kph 130 23 Apr Eureka Cafe, Wirral Tea in Prospect 08:30 Sat BP 135km 500m £6.00 L P R T 70 12.5-25kph G 68 23 Apr Eureka Cafe, Wirral Two Mills Twirl 09:00 Sat BP £6.00 R L P T 50 10-25kph Chester & N Wales CTC [email protected] ROA 5000 David Matthews, Hill View Cott Cross Lanes Oscroft Tarvin Cheshire CH3 8NG100 23 Apr Forfar Lethnot and Lunan 10:00 Sat BP 1000m £3.00 G P T S 15-30kph Angus CC 01307 466123 [email protected] ROA 4000 David Husband , 78 Old Halkerton Road Forfar DD8 1JP 200 23 Apr Kirkley Cycles, ,Ponteland Chevy Chase 08:00 Sat BR 201km 2465m AAA3 [3000m] £10.00 F L P R T 15-30kph Tyneside Vagabonds [email protected] Aidan Hedley, 16 The Close Lanchester Durham DH7 0PX

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Calendar Events300 23 Apr Meopham Oasts and Coasts 300Km 06:00 Sat BR 3300m AAA1.75 [1650m] £8.00 L P T R 15-30kph Tom Jackson 01474 815 213 [email protected] ROA 5000 Tom Jackson, 19 Denesway Meopham Kent DA13 0EA110 23 Apr Morley Village Hall ,nr Wymondham, Norfolk The Morley Meander 09:00 Sat BP 113km 600m £5.00 LPRTS 15-30kph VC Norwich [email protected] Jonathan Greenway, 12 Hardley Street Hardley Norwich NR14 6BY400 23 Apr Newton Abbot TQ12 1LJ Turf n Surf 400 07:00 Sat BR 5400m AAA5.5 £15.00 A(2) L P R T S 15-30kph 300 23 Apr Newton Abbot TQ12 1LJ Turf n Surf 300 06:00 Sat BR 4050m AAA4 £12.00 A(2) L P R T S 15-30kph Devon CTC 01626 873562 [email protected] Rod Pash, c/o 53 Regent Street Exeter EX2 9EG 110 23 Apr Reepham, nr Lincoln Lincoln Imp 09:30 Sat BP 112km 200m £5.00 P R F L T 10-30kph CTC Lincolnshire Andrew Townhill, 80 Rudgard Avenue Cherrry Willingham Lincoln LN3 4JG200 24 Apr Halifax The Red Rose Ride 08:00 Sun BR 2600m AAA1.5 [1500m] £6.00 L P R T 15-30kph West Yorkshire CTC [email protected] Dave Dodwell, 32 Parkside Avenue Queensbury Bradford BD13 2HQ160 24 Apr High Ham, SW of Street The Nutty Nuns 165km 08:00 Sun BP 165km £7.00 F L P R T 15-30kph 100 24 Apr High Ham, SW of Street The Merry Monk 09:30 Sun BP 105km £7.00 F L P R T (200) 12.5-25kph Mark Lilly 01823 690 038 [email protected] Mark Lilly, Applehayes Main Road Middlezoy Bridgwater TA7 0PB100 24 Apr Kirkley Cycles, Ponteland Burma Road 09:00 Sun BP 1600m AAA1.5 £10.00 FPRT 12-25kph Tyneside Vagabonds [email protected] Aidan Hedley, 16 The Close Lanchester Durham DH7 0PX100 24 Apr Newton Abbot TQ12 1LJ Turf n Surf 100 09:00 Sun BP [1500m] £7.50 L P R T S 12-25kph Devon CTC 07762257917 [email protected] Rod Pash, c/o 53 Regent Street Exeter EX2 9EG 400 30 Apr Chalfont St Peter, Bucks Severn Across 06:00 Sat BRM 407km 3500m £7.50 YH L P R T 70 15-30kph Willesden CC 07881 841 355 Liam FitzPatrick, 13 Heron Close Rickmansworth Herts WD3 1NF400 30 Apr Chepstow Brevet Cymru 06:00 Sat BRM 401km 5000m AAA3.5 [3450m] £9.00 c f l p r t nm z 100 15-30kph BlackSheep CC 01684 292 390 [email protected] ROA 25000 Mark Rigby, 16 Battle Road Tewkesbury Park Tewkesbury GL20 5TZ300 30 Apr Manningtree, Colchester Green & Yellow Fields 00:01 Sat BRM 305km 1500m £4.00 XCTM 15-25kph Flitchbikes CC [email protected] Thomas Deakins, 31 The Causeway Great Dunmow Essex CM6 2AA400 01 May Poole Porkers 400 14:00 Sun BRM 5900m AAA6 £10.00 L P R T M (50) (17/4) 15-30kph Wessex CTC Shawn Shaw, 22 Shaftesbury Road Longfleet Poole Dorset BH15 2LT100 01 May Winnington Park Rugby Club, CW8 3AA Ron Sant Memorial Ride 9::00 Sun BP 106km £5.00 P R T S 15-30kph Weaver Valley Derek Heine, 10 Whitehall Drive Hartford Northwich Cheshire CW8 1SJ110 02 May High Easter, Nr Chelmsford The Counties Festival 100 10:00 Mon BP £5.00 L P R T (70) 15-30kph 53 02 May High Easter, Nr Chelmsford The Counties Festival 50 11:00 Mon BP £5.00 L P R T (70) 12-25kph Updated ECCA Chris Regan, 58 Bramwoods Road Chelmsford Essex CM2 7LT100 02 May Kilburn, N.of Derby National Arboretum 09:00 Mon BP 103km £5.00 P R T 12-30kph Alfreton CTC 01773 833 593 [email protected] ROA 5000 Tom Fox, 180 Nottingham Road Alfreton Derbyshire DE55 7FP100 04 May Hurst, East of Reading Dinton 100 10:00 Wed BP 103km £3.00 L P R T G 60 15-30kph Reading CTC [email protected] Mike Hardiman, 7 Somerset Close Woosehill Wokingham RG41 3AJ100 07 May Alveston, N Bristol South Glos 100 09:30 Sat BP 106km £6.00 P R T 150 12.5-25kph Bristol CTC 01179 672893 Alex Rendu, Whitethorn Cock Road Kingswood Bristol BS15 9SJ150 07 May Bolsover Dovedale and Beyond 08:30 Sat BP 152km 3010m AAA2.25 [2030m] £5.00 L P R T 12.5-25kph 100 07 May Bolsover Beast of Bolsover 09:00 Sat BP 104km 2030m AAA2 £5.00 L P R T 12.5-25kph Bolsover & District CC 01246 825 351 [email protected] ROA 5000 Matt Connley, 7 Eskdale Close Bolsover Chesterfield S44 6RL

200 07 May Bynea, Llanelli Carmarthenshire Snapper 07:00 Sat BR 202km 2200m £8.00 C L F P R T 50 15-30kph Swansea & W Wales CTC [email protected] John Bastiani, The Brambles Reynoldston Swansea West Glamorgan SA3 1AA300 07 May Honiton Old Roads 300 06:00 Sat BRM 3400m £8.00 LPRT 15-30kph Exeter Whs 01404 46993 [email protected] ROA 10000 Ian Hennessey, 10 High Street Honiton EX14 1PU110 07 May Parkend, Forest of Dean The Lumpy Scrumpy 100 10:00 Sat BP 1850m AAA1.75 £6.00 YH C P T 75 G 12-25kph 54 07 May Parkend, Forest of Dean Dean Bluebell Doddle 10:30 Sat BP 1200m AAA1.25 £5.00 YH C P T 75 G 12-25kph Royal Dean Forest CC Adam Taylor, 68 Sneyd Wood Road Cinderford Glos GL14 3GD400 07 May Preston, Lancashire Heartbeat 400 06:00 Sat BRM 409km 5160m AAA5 [4000m] £7.00 L P R T 15-30kph Burnley Cycling Club [email protected] Andy Corless, 31 Castlerigg Drive Ightenhill Burnley Lancashire BB12 8AT200 07 May Wem, Shropshire Four Rivers Ride 07:30 Sat BR 215km 3150m AAA3.25 £7.00 F L P R T 40 15-30kph 170 07 May Wem, Shropshire Three Rivers Ride 08:30 Sat BP 2200m AAA1.75 [1800m] £7.00 F L P R T 50 15-30kph 130 07 May Wem, Shropshire Two Rivers Ride 09:00 Sat BP £7.00 L F P R T 50 12-24kph CTC Shropshire [email protected] Edwin Hargraves, 22 Trentham Road Wem North Shropshire SY4 5HN300 07 May Wigginton, York Wigginton 300 05:00 Sat BR 302km 2132m £5.00 L P R T 15-30kph 100 07 May Wigginton, York Wiggy 100 10:00 Sat BP £3.00 A(1) YH L P R T 12-24kph CTC North Yorks 01904 769 378 [email protected] Keith Benton, 127 Greenshaw Drive Wigginton York YO32 2DB 51 08 May Coppice House, Crewe Foundation Ride 09:30 Sun BP 189m £14.00 L P R T NM (100) 10-25kph 100 08 May Coppice House, Crewe Three Counties 08:30 Sun BP 101km 828m £14.00 L P R T NM (100) 12-30kph 53 08 May Coppice House, Crewe Feisty Fifty 09:00 Sun BP 621m AAA0.75 £14.00 L P R T NM (100) 12-25kph Up & Under Cycling Club [email protected] Andy Fewtrell, Up and Under Foundation Coppice House Quakers Coppice Crewe CW1 6FA200 08 May Dalmeny The Crow Road 08:00 Sun BR 208km 2000m £12.00 F L P R T 15-30kph Audax Ecosse [email protected] Neil Fraser, 14 Maryfield Drive Bo’ness West Lothian EH51 9DG200 08 May Lymington New Forest Excursion 08:00 Sun BR 204km £7.00 C L P R T 100 (8/5) 15-30kph 160 08 May Lymington New Forest Century 08:00 Sun BP £7.00 C L P R T 100 (8/5) 15-30kph 100 08 May Lymington New Forest Day Out 10:00 Sun BP 104km [2m] £7.00 C L P R T 100 10-20kph Cycling New Forest 01590 671 205 [email protected] ROA 10000 John Ward, 34 Avenue Road Lymington Hants SO41 9GJ200 08 May Meopham, nr Gravesend Hop Garden 200km 08:00 Sun BR [1800m] £8.00 F L P R T NM 15-30kph 160 08 May Meopham, nr Gravesend Hop Garden Century Ride 08:30 Sun BP [1550m] £8.00 F L P R T NM 15-30kph 100 08 May Meopham, nr Gravesend Hop Garden 100km 09:00 Sun BP 975m £8.00 F L P R T NM 10-30kph Gravesend CTC [email protected] Patrick McMaster, 207 Colyer Road Northfleet Kent DA11 8AT100 08 May Minehead Exmoor Spring 09:30 Sun BP £5.00 L P R T 100 12.5-25kph 57 08 May Minehead Exmoor Spring 50 10:00 Sun BP £5.00 YH L P R T 10-20kph Minehead CC Richard Miles, 1 Lower Park Minehead Somerset TA24 8AX 200 08 May Shenstone, Staffs Castleton Classic 08:00 Sun BR 214km 2700m AAA2.5 [2400m] £6.00 F L P R T 15-30kph B160 08 May Shenstone, Staffs Derbyshire Dales 9::00 Sun BP 1680m £6.00 F L P R T 12.5-30kph Updated CTC North Birmingham 0121 357 2570 [email protected] Roy Bishop, 88 Millfield Road Handsworth Wood Birmingham B20 1EB100 08 May Shenstone, Staffs Staffordshire Lanes 08:30 Sun BP 102km 1000m £5.50 L P R T 12.5-25kph 54 08 May Shenstone, Staffs Rosliston Roller 09:30 Sun BP £5.00 F,P,R,T 10-25kph Updated CTC North Birmingham 0121 357 2570 [email protected] Roy Bishop, 88 Millfield Road Handsworth Wood Birmingham B20 1EB

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Calendar Events100 08 May Uffington, near Wantage Blowingstone-White Horse 09:30 Sun BP 107km 1162m [1346m] £6.00 P T R 15-30kph Oxfordshire CTC Nick Dunton, 44a High Street Sutton Courtenay Abingdon Oxon OX14 4AP600 14 May Chepstow Bryan Chapman Memorial (Classic) 06:00 Sat BRM 7500m AAA7.5 £32.00 BD C F L P R S T Z (4/5) 15-30kph CTC Cymru [email protected] Ritchie Tout, Sunnyside Cottage Mynyddbach Monmouthshire NP16 6RT150 14 May Forfar Pitlochry 150 09:15 Sat BP 1465m £3.00 G P T S 15-30kph Angus CC 01307 466123 [email protected] ROA 4000 David Husband , 78 Old Halkerton Road Forfar DD8 1JP 200 14 May Lodge Moor, Sheffield The Sheffrec Full Monty 08:00 Sat BR 206km 4000m AAA4 £5.00 L P R T 14.3-30kph 100 14 May Lodge Moor, Sheffield The Sheffrec Mini Monty 09:00 Sat BP 109km 2100m AAA2 £5.00 L P R T 10-25kph Sheffrec CC [email protected] Henry Foxhall, West View Grindlow Great Hucklow Buxton Derbyshire SK17 8RJ 50 14 May Oasis Lesuire Centre, Swindon Tour de Swindonia 10:30 Sat BP [650m] £5.00 P 12.5-25kph Pat Hurt [email protected] Pat Hurt, 10 Newbury Road Lambourn RG17 7LL300 14 May Troutbeck Bridge, Cumbria The Westmorland Spartans 07:00 Sat BR 4000m AAA4 £6.00 A(2) P YH L R T S (60) 15-30kph 200 14 May Troutbeck Bridge, Cumbria The Cumbrian 200 08:00 Sat BR 203km 3320m AAA4 [3900m] £6.00 YH L P R T S A(2) (60) 15-30kph Lakes Velo [email protected] Paul Revell, Kirklands Brow Edge Backbarrow Cumbria LA12 8QL200 15 May Devoran, S of Truro Lizard and the Camel 08:00 Sun BR 211km 3020m [2350m] £6.00 C L P R T 14.4-30kph 110 15 May Devoran, S of Truro Cove and Cliff 09:00 Sun BP 1520m £5.00 C L P R T 12-28kph 59 15 May Devoran, S of Truro Peter\’s Point 10:00 Sun BP £5.00 C L P R T 12-28kph Audax Kernow [email protected] Martyn Aldis, Sundown 25a Kersey Road Flushing Falmouth Cornwall TR11 5TR200 15 May Look Mum No Hands!49 Old St, London EC1V 9HX The Great Escape 08:00 Sun BR 2000m £7.00 YH F T NM R (400) 15-30kph Islington CC 07918 147548 [email protected] Islington Cycling Club, 20 Castle Road Finchley LONDON N12 9ED200 15 May Lound, nr Lowestoft The Norfolk Special 08:00 Sun BR £5.00 FRTP 15-30kph 160 15 May Lound, nr Lowestoft The Norfolk Special 09:00 Sun BP £5.00 FRTP 12.5-25kph VC Baracchi [email protected] John Thompson, 136 Dell Road Oulton Broad Lowestoft Suffolk NR33 9NT110 15 May Maidenhead 10 Thames Bridges 09:00 Sun BP £4.00 P R T 15-30kph 64 15 May Maidenhead Kaf to Kaf 10:00 Sun BP £4.00 P R T 12-25kph Change of Date Willesden CC [email protected] Anne Mograby, 5 Castle Farm Leigh Square Windsor Berks SL4 4PT200 21 May Dore, Nr Sheffield Plain, Peaks and Troughs 08:30 Sat BR 205km 2900m AAA3 £5.00 L P R T 14.3-30kph 100 21 May Dore, Sheffield Peaks and Troughs 9::00 Sat BP 103km 2100m AAA2 £5.00 F L P T 12-30kph 62 21 May Dore, Sheffield Fewer Peaks and Troughs 09:30 Sat BP 1150m AAA1.25 £5.00 F L P T 10-22kph Sheffield District CTC 0114 258 8932 [email protected] John Cripps, 8 Brincliffe Crescent Sheffield S11 9AW300 21 May Kirkley Cycles, Ponteland The Mosstrooper 06:00 Sat BRM 3900m AAA3.5 [3600m] £10.00 F P T A(1) 15-30kph Tyneside Vagabonds [email protected] Aidan Hedley, 16 The Close Lanchester Durham DH7 0PX160 21 May Meriden, Warwickshire Cotswold Challenge 08:00 Sat BP 1200m £8.00 C L P R T NM 100 15-30kph 100 21 May Meriden, Warwickshire Warwickshire Wanderer 09:00 Sat BP 105km 700m £8.00 C L P R T NM 100 12-25kph Jon Porteous [email protected] Jon Porteous, Tumnus Corner Springhill Gardens Webheath Redditch Worcs B97 5SY 50 21 May Meriden, Warwickshire Meriden Meander 10:00 Sat BP 540m [546m] £8.00 C G L P R T NM 100 12-30kph Jon Porteous [email protected] Jon Porteous, Tumnus Corner Springhill Gardens Webheath Redditch Worcs B97 5SY400 21 May Ruislip Lido Cafe Steam Ride : London Circuit Event CANCELLED100 21 May Uckfield, East Sussex D2DR 10:00 Sat BP 103km 1750m AAA1.75 £3.00 FPR 12.5-25kph CTC West Surrey [email protected] Martin Malins, 4 North Common Weybridge Surrey KT13 9DN

200 21 May Willington Hall, E of Chester Tour of the Berwyns 08:00 Sat BR 205km 2190m AAA3 [3100m] £6.00 L P R T 75 (17/05) 15-30kph 130 21 May Willington Hall, nr Chester Panorama Prospect 08:30 Sat BP 131km 1150m [500m] £6.00 L P R T 75 (17/05) 12.5-25kph Chester & North Wales CT [email protected] ROA 5000 David Matthews, Hill View Cott Cross Lanes Oscroft Tarvin Cheshire CH3 8NG160 22 May Carron, Nr Aberlour Dalmunach Dash 09:00 Sun BP 163km 1900m £5.00 G, L, P 12-25kph 100 22 May Carron, Nr Aberlour Dalmunach Dander 09:00 Sun BP 1264m £5.00 G, L, P 12-25kph Oliver Giles Oliver Giles, The Spinney Carron Aberlour Aberdeenshire AB38 7QP100 22 May Brighton Brighton Rock 2016 - Pinkie Brown Returns 9::15 Sun BP 109km £7.50 F L P R T S NM(100) 15-30kph Brighton & Hove CTC [email protected] Brighton and Hove CTC , 85 Hangleton Road Hove East Sussex BN3 7GH 100 22 May Woodley, Romsey, Hampshire Between the Parks 09:00 Sun BP 500m £6.00 G L P R T (75) (10/5) 15-30kph 200 22 May Woodley, Romsey, Hampshire Grand National Park2Park 08:00 Sun BR 1660m £8.50 F G L P R T (150) (10/5) 15-30kph Southampton CTC [email protected] Robert Damper, 12 Julius Close Chandler’s Ford Eastleigh Hampshire SO53 2AB600 28 May Broken Cross, nr Macclesfield Three Steps to Severn 06:00 Sat BR 612km 6400m £10.00 F L P T 14.3-25kph Peak Audax CTC [email protected] John Perrin, 20 Princes Way Macclesfield Cheshire SK11 8UB400 28 May Bushley, Nr,Tewkesbury. Dros Fynyddoedd ac Anialwch Niwlog. 05:30 Sat BRM 401km 6000m AAA6 £9.00 c f l p r t nm z 100 15-25kph BlackSheep CC 01684 292 390 [email protected] ROA 25000 Mark Rigby, 16 Battle Road Tewkesbury Park Tewkesbury GL20 5TZ600 28 May Exeter Kernow and Southwest 600 06:00 Sat BRM 8200m AAA8.25 £17.00 YH L F R Z 60 15-25kph Exeter Whs 01404 46993 [email protected] ROA 10000 Ian Hennessey, 10 High Street Honiton EX14 1PU200 28 May Long Melford, nr Sudbury Grand Tour de Stour 08:00 Sat BR 212km £6.00 CGLNMRT(60)(14/05) 15-30kph 100 28 May Long Melford, nr Sudbury Tour de Stour 09:00 Sat BP 106km £6.00 CGLNMPRT(60)(14/05) 15-30kph Andrew Hoppit 07528 498036 [email protected] Andrew Hoppit, 15 Middleton Rd Sudbury Suffolk CO10 2DB400 28 May Musselburgh The Southern Uplands 06:00 Sat BR 5000m AAA5 £3.00 X P T 15-30kph Audax Ecosse [email protected] Martin Foley, 78 Denholm Road Musselburgh East Lothian EH21 6TU200 28 May Pateley Bridge Dales Grimpeur 200 08:00 Sat BR 215km 4596m AAA4.5 £6.00 L P R S T 15-30kph Hambleton RC [email protected] Paul Roberts, 37 The Close Romanby Northallerton DL7 8BL600 28 May Poole Brimstone 600 06:00 Sat BRM 7600m AAA7.5 £10.00 L P M (50) (24/5) 15-30kph Wessex CTC Shawn Shaw, 22 Shaftesbury Road Longfleet Poole Dorset BH15 2LT600 04 Jun Alfreton 9 Counties 600k 06:00 Sat BR £10.00 X,F,L,T,P 15-30kph Alfreton CTC 01773 833 593 [email protected] ROA 10000 Tom Fox, 180 Nottingham Road Alfreton Derbyshire DE55 7FP200 04 Jun Bitteswell, Leicestershire Heart of the Shires 08:00 Sat BR 210km £6.00 L F P T 15-30kph 100 04 Jun Bitteswell, Leicestershire Heart of the Shires 09:00 Sat BP £5.50 L F P T 12-30kph Leics & Rutland CTC Tony Davis, 2 The Courtyard Claybrooke Magna Lutterworth Leicestershire LE17 5FH400 04 Jun Kirkley, Ponteland The Hot Trod 10:00 Sat BR 4020m £8.00 LTPZFG 15-30kph Tyneside Vagabonds [email protected] Aidan Hedley, 16 The Close Lanchester Durham DH7 0PX400 04 Jun Manningtree, Colchester Asparagus & Strawberries 09:00 Sat BRM 414km 2600m £4.00 XCTM 15-25kph Flitchbikes CC [email protected] Thomas Deakins, 31 The Causeway Great Dunmow Essex CM6 2AA400 04 Jun Newark Northgate Station, Nottinghamshire Lincolnshire Poacher 06:00 Sat BR £5.00 X A1, L, P, R, 15-30kph Lincoln Whs [email protected] Richard Parker, 28 High Street Carlton Le Moorland Lincoln Lincolnshire LN5 9HT300 04 Jun Padiham, Lancashire Knock Ventoux 300 06:00 Sat BRM 4000m AAA4 [4600m] £6.50 L P R T 15-30kph Updated Burnley Cycling Club [email protected] Andy Corless, 31 Castlerigg Drive Ightenhill Burnley Lancashire BB12 8AT

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Calendar Events100 04 Jun Tewkesbury Over the hills & far away 09:15 Sat BP 102km 800m £5.00 C G NM P R T 150 10-25kph BlackSheep CC 01684 292 390 [email protected] ROA 25000 Mark Rigby, 16 Battle Road Tewkesbury Park Tewkesbury GL20 5TZ200 05 Jun Clitheroe, Lancashire Dales Delight 200 08:00 Sun BRM 203km 3600m AAA3.5 [4100m] £5.00 L P R T 15-30kph Updated Burnley Cycling Club [email protected] Andy Corless, 31 Castlerigg Drive Ightenhill Burnley Lancashire BB12 8AT100 05 Jun Hook, Goole Beverley 100 09:00 Sun BP 108km 327m [270m] £3.50 P R T 30 15-30kph Goole Vermuyden CC 01405 761 790 [email protected] Harvey Tripp, 40 Carter Street Goole DN14 6SN300 05 Jun Penzance Many Rivers to Cross 06:30 Sun BR 307km 4940m AAA5 £3.00 BXYHC 14.3-30kph Audax Kernow [email protected] Martyn Aldis, Sundown 25a Kersey Road Flushing Falmouth Cornwall TR11 5TR200 05 Jun Penzance Four Hundreds 200 08:00 Sun BR 207km 3760m AAA3.75 £3.00 BYHXC 15-30kph Audax Kernow [email protected] Martyn Aldis, Sundown 25a Kersey Road Flushing Falmouth Cornwall TR11 5TR200 05 Jun Wimbledon Common The London Ditchling Devil 08:00 Sun BR 205km 2400m [2700m] £15.00 F P R T 15-30kph Willesden CC [email protected] Paul Stewart, 25 Devonshire Gardens Chiswick London W4 3TN600 11 Jun Bushley, Nr,Tewkesbury. Mae Mr Pickwick ... (clasurol). 05:00 Sat BRM 601km 9500m AAA9.5 £17.50 C F L P R T S Z NM 100 15-25kph BlackSheep CC 01684 292 390 [email protected] ROA 25000 Mark Rigby, 16 Battle Road Tewkesbury Park Tewkesbury GL20 5TZ150 11 Jun Forfar Amulree 150 09:15 Sat BP 1552m £5.00 C P T S 15-30kph Angus CC 01307 466123 [email protected] ROA 4000 David Husband , 78 Old Halkerton Road Forfar DD8 1JP 600 11 Jun Padiham, Lancashire Tan Hill 600 06:00 Sat BRM 603km 7800m AAA7.75 £10.00 BD F L P R S T Z 15-30kph Burnley Cycling Club [email protected] Andy Corless, 31 Castlerigg Drive Ightenhill Burnley Lancashire BB12 8AT100 12 Jun Evegate, Ashford Mick Andrews Memorial 100K 10:30 Sun BP £5.00 P T 100 (30/5) 15-30kph Sugar Loaf Animal Snctry Roger Burchett, ‘Haytor’ Stone Street Lympne Hythe Kent CT21 4JY100 12 Jun Finsbury Park, London, N4 2NQ The Italian Job 08:30 Sun BP £6.00 F, G, NM, P, R, (400) 15-30kph Islington CC 07918 147548 [email protected] Islington Cycling Club, 20 Castle Road Finchley LONDON N12 9ED200 12 Jun Forfar Deeside Loop 08:00 Sun BR 2450m AAA2 [2025m] £10.00 L C P R T 15-30kph Angus CC [email protected] ROA 4000 David Husband, 78 Old Halkerton Road Forfar Angus DD8 1JP200 12 Jun Padiham, Lancashire Tan Hill 200 08:30 Sun BRM 206km 4500m AAA4.5 £5.00 L P R S T 15-30kph Burnley Cycling Club [email protected] Andy Corless, 31 Castlerigg Drive Ightenhill Burnley Lancashire BB12 8AT100 12 Jun Sheffield, Wharncliffeside Comunity Cote de Holme Moss 09:00 Sun BP 108km 2200m AAA2.25 £6.00 LPRT(120) 12-30kph Birdwell Whs [email protected] John Woodhouse, 9 Brightholmlee Lane Wharncliffeside Sheffield Yorkhire S35 0DD200 12 Jun Woodrush RFC, Wythall, S Birmingham Cotswold Expedition 08:00 Sun BR 212km £9.00 C L P R S T 100 15-30kph 160 12 Jun Woodrush RFC, Wythall, S Birmingham Cotswold Journey 08:30 Sun BP £9.00 C L P R S T 100 15-30kph 100 12 Jun Woodrush RFC, Wythall, S Birmingham Clockwise Cotswold Outing 09:00 Sun BP 108km £9.00 C L P R S T 80 12-25kph 100 12 Jun Woodrush RFC, Wythall, S Birmingham Anticlockwise Cotswold Outing 09:30 Sun BP 108km £9.00 C L P R S T 80 12-25kph Beacon RCC [email protected] Pete Marshall, 45 Butler Road Solihull West Midlands B92 7QL400 17 Jun Anywhere, to York Summer Arrow to York 06:00 Fri BR £12.00 DIY Also on 18/06 15-30kph Audax UK [email protected] ROA 10000 Lucy Mctaggart, 30 Victoria Street Galashiels Scottish Borders TD1 1HL350 17 Jun Anywhere, to York Summer Dart to York ::::: Fri BR 360km £5.00 DIY Also on 18/06 14.3-30kph Audax UK [email protected] ROA 10000 Lucy Mctaggart, 30 Victoria Street Galashiels Scottish Borders TD1 1HL400 17 Jun Clayhidon, near Taunton Avalon Sunrise 400 22:30 Fri BRM 407km 3300m £15.00 flprtc 15-30kph Exeter Whs Jamie Andrews, Cemetery Lodge Ashill Road Uffculme Devon EX15 3DP

200 18 Jun Apperley, Nr Cheltenham Gospel Pass 200 08:00 Sat BR 3075m AAA3 £12.00 A(1)CPRTL 14.3-30kph 150 18 Jun Apperley, Nr Cheltenham YatMon 150 09:00 Sat BP 2230m AAA2.25 £9.00 A(1)CPRTL 12.5-30kph 100 18 Jun Apperley, Nr Cheltenham Hoarwithy 100 (2Severn2Wye) 09:30 Sat BP £5 A(1)CPRTL 12.5-30kph Cheltenham CTC [email protected] ROA 5000 S Poulton, Leckhampton Lodge 23 Moorend Park Rd Leckhampton Cheltenham GL530LA140 18 Jun Bovey Tracey, Devon Dartmoor Ghost 22:30 Sat BP 145km 2150m AAA2.25 [2300m] £12.00 FGLRT(11th June) 12.5-25kph CTC Devon 01626 833 749 [email protected] ROA 4000 Kevin Presland, Hind Street House Hind Street Bovey Tracey Devon TQ13 9HT100 18 Jun Knavesmire, York Rally 100 09:00 Sat BP £7.50 A(1) C F P R T S 15-25kph 15-25kph CTC North Yorks 01904 769 378 [email protected] Keith Benton, 127 Greenshaw Drive Wigginton York YO32 2DB200 18 Jun Rhos-On-Sea, Conwy Cestyll Cymru 08:00 Sat BR 203km 2265m AAA1.5 [1500m] £12.00 A L P R T 15-30kph 130 18 Jun Rhos-On-Sea, Conwy The Legend of Gelert 09:00 Sat BP 135km 1400m £10.00 A L P R T 12.5-25kph 50 18 Jun Rhos-On-Sea, Conwy Glan-y-Mor 9::30 Sat BP 750m £5.00 A L P R T 10-20kph 300 18 Jun Rhos-On-Sea Golf Club, North Wales Cestyll Cymru 300 6.:00 Sat BR 305km 2864m AAA2 £13.00 A(2) G L NM P R T S 15-30kph Rhos-on-Sea CC [email protected] Chris Wilby, Gwenallt Henryd Road Gyffin Conwy LL32 8HN200 19 Jun Claughton, N of Preston Fleet Moss 212 07:30 Sun BR 212km 3290m AAA3.25 £6.50 P R T 15-30kph 150 19 Jun Claughton, N of Preston Lunesdale Populaire 08:30 Sun BP 158km 2280m AAA2.25 £6.50 P R T 100 13-30kph 110 19 Jun Claughton, N of Preston Pilgrim’s Way 09:00 Sun BP 112km 1540m £6.50 P R T 10-25kph Southport CC [email protected] Allan Taylor, 23 Osborne Road Ainsdale Southport PR8 2RJ150 19 Jun Galashiels Dick McTs 150 Classic 09:00 Sun BP 1576m [1600m] £8.00 PRTG 15-30kph Audax Ecosse 01896 758 181 [email protected] ROA 10000 Lucy McTaggart, 30 Victoria St. Galashiels Scottish Borders TD1 1HL400 25 Jun Aldbrough St John, Nr Darlington The Lincoln 06:00 Sat BR 411km 1457m £5.00 X L P R T 15-30kph VC 167 01325 374 112 [email protected] Nigel Hall, Finkle Croft Aldbrough St John Nr. Richmond DL11 7TD200 25 Jun Beech Hill, S of Reading Alan Furley’s Up the Downs 08:00 Sat BR 202km 2100m £7.00 F L P R T 100 15-30kph Reading CTC 01491 651284 [email protected] Phil Dyson, 25 Papist Way Cholsey Wallingford Oxon OX10 9LL100 25 Jun Beech Hill, S of Reading Alan Furley’s Down the Ups 09:00 Sat BP 105km 1000m £6.50 F L P R T 12.5-30kph 600 25 Jun Upton Magna, E of Shrewsbury Offa’s Dyke 06:00 Sat BRM 610km 8300m AAA8.25 £15.00 C F G L P R T Z (50) 15-25kph 300 25 Jun Upton Magna, E of Shrewsbury Offa’s Double Century 06:00 Sat BR 330km 5100m AAA5 £8.00 C F G L P R T (50) 15-25kph CTC Shropshire [email protected] ROA 10000 John Hamilton, 22 Oaks Crescent Wellington Telford TF1 2HF 67 26 Jun Carharrack, Cornwall Mines and Mineral Railways (ON-road) 10:00 Sun BP 820m £5.00 C L P R T 8-28kph 66 26 Jun Carharrack, Cornwall Mines and Mineral Railways (OFF-road) 10:00 Sun BP 1257m [773m] £5.00 C L P R T 8-28kph Audax Kernow [email protected] Simon Jones, The Cottage Pulla Cross Truro Cornwall TR4 8SA100 26 Jun Caton, NE of Lancaster Bowland Forest Populaire 09:00 Sun BP 1800m AAA1.75 £5.00 P R T 75 12.5-20kph CTC Lancaster & South La 01524 36061 [email protected] ROA 5000 Mike Hutchinson, Heatherdene 9 Whinfell Drive Lancaster LA1 4NY200 26 Jun Old Sils Rugby Club, Junction 5 M42 A Cotswold Adventure & BBQ 08:00 Sun BR 207km £10.00 U FPRTS NM 15-30kph 150 26 Jun Old Sils Rugby Club , Junction 5 M42 Solihull CC mini Randonnee & BBQ 08:30 Sun BP 156km £9.00 RFPT 15-30kph Solihull CC 07919 551155 [email protected] Roger Cliffe, 11 Warren Drive Dorridge Solihull B93 8JY100 26 Jun Old Sils Rugby Club , Junction 5 M42 A Warwickshire Wander & BBQ 09:00 Sun BP £8.00 F P R T 15-30kph Solihull CC [email protected] Roger Cliffe, 11 Warren Drive Dorridge Solihull B93 8JY200 26 Jun Upton Magna, E of Shrewsbury Clwydian Horseshoe 07:30 Sun BR 225km 3350m AAA3.25 £6.00 C G L P R T (50) 15-25kph CTC Shropshire [email protected] ROA 10000 John Hamilton, 22 Oaks Crescent Wellington Telford TF1 2HF

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Calendar Events100 29 Jun Hampton Hill, W London London Midweek Sightseer 09:30 Wed BP £5.00 C L P T 10-20kph Hounslow & Dist. Whs 020 82873244 [email protected] Bill Carnaby, 225 High Street Hampton Hill Middlesex TW12 1NP1000 01 Jul Bispham, Lancashire Mille Pennines 10:00 Fri BRM 1002km 11750m AAA10 [10000m] £55.00 BD C F L P R S T Z (120) 13.3-30kph Burnley Cycling Club [email protected] Andy Corless, 31 Castlerigg Drive Ightenhill Burnley Lancashire BB12 8AT200 02 Jul Awbridge, Nr. Romsey, Hampshire Hungerford Hurrah 08:00 Sat BR 2200m £7.00 L P R T 50 15-30kph 170 02 Jul Awbridge, Nr. Romsey, Hampshire Hindon Hip Hip 08:30 Sat BP 1750m £7.00 L P R T 50 15-30kph 140 02 Jul Awbridge, Nr. Romsey, Hampshire Hungerford Hooray 09:00 Sat BP 1450m £7.00 L P R T 50 15-30kph Winchester CTC [email protected] Alan Davies, 7 Queens Close Romsey Hampshire SO51 5EG400 02 Jul Churchend, Dunmow, Essex Kingdom of the East Saxons 11:00 Sat BR £15.00 A(1) C L P R F T Z M (75) 15-30kph Flitchbikes CC [email protected] Thomas Deakins, 31 The Causeway Great Dunmow Essex CM6 2AA600 02 Jul Galashiels Borderlands Roc Trevezal 07:00 Sat BRM 4900m £6.00 PRTXBG 15-25kph Audax Ecosse 01896 758 181 [email protected] ROA 10000 Lucy McTaggart, 30 Victoria St. Galashiels Scottish Borders TD1 1HL200 03 Jul Lichfield Vale of Belvoir III 08:00 Sun BR 1498m [1329m] £5.00 G R P T 15-30kph CTC North Birmingham 0121 357 2570 [email protected] Roy Bishop, 88 Millfield Road Handsworth Wood Birmingham B20 1EB110 03 Jul Lichfield, The Acorn Inn Charnwood Forest 09:00 Sun BP 119km 1055m £5.00 G R P T 12.5-30kph CTC North Birmingham 0121 357 2570 [email protected] Roy Bishop, 88 Millfield Road Handsworth Wood Birmingham B20 1EB 53 03 Jul Lichfield, The Acorn Inn Moira Furnace Fifty 08:30 Sun BP 470m £5.00 G R P T 10-25kph CTC North Birmingham 01213572570 [email protected] Roy Bishop, 88 Millfield Road Handsworth Wood Birmingham B20 1EB200 03 Jul Smallworth, Garboldisham, Diss Garboldisham Groveller 08:00 Sun BR £6.50 L P R T 15-30kph 100 03 Jul Smallworth, Garboldisham, nr Diss Garboldisham Grafter 09:00 Sun BP £6.50 P R T F L 15-30kph Diss CTC [email protected] Tom Elkins, 6 Marston Lane Norwich NR4 6LZ100 03 Jul Tockwith, York Tockwith Audax 10:00 Sun BP 470m £5.00 L P R T 12-25kph CTC North Yorks 01423358264 Nick Folkard, 208 Prince Rupert Drive Tockwith North Yorkshire YO26 7PU 60 03 Jul Tockwith, York Tockwith Audax 10:30 Sun BP [470m] £5.00 L P R T 10-30kph CTC North Yorks Nick Folkard, 208 Prince Rupert Drive Tockwith North Yorkshire YO26 7PU200 09 Jul Aldbrough St John, Nr Richmond Hartside 200 08:00 Sat BR 203km 2752m AAA3 [3000m] £6.00 FLPRT 14.3-30kph 100 09 Jul Aldbrough St John, Nr Richmond Northern Dales Summer Outing 09:00 Sat BP 1475m [3000m] £4.50 FLPRT 10-30kph VC 167 07887618913 [email protected] David Atkinson, 4 Borrowby Avenue Northallerton North Yorkshire DL6 1AL300 09 Jul Bushley, Nr,Tewkesbury. A Rough Diamond 06:00 Sat BRM 301km 2500m [3450m] £7.00 c f l p r t nm 100 15-25kph 100 09 Jul Bushley, Nr,Tewkesbury. The Teddy Bears’ Picnic. 09:00 Sat BP 103km 975m [900m] £5.00 C,G,L,NM,P,R,T (100) 10-25kph BlackSheep CC 01684 292 390 [email protected] ROA 25000 Mark Rigby, 16 Battle Road Tewkesbury Park Tewkesbury GL20 5TZ600 09 Jul Exeter The Exe-Buzzard 06:00 Sat BRM 5600m £5 X 15-30kph Exeter Whs 01404 46993 [email protected] ROA 10000 Ian Hennessey, 10 High Street Honiton EX14 1PU600 09 Jul Leighton Buzzard The Buzzard 07:00 Sat BRM 5600m £5 X 15-30kph Exeter Whs 01404 46993 [email protected] ROA 10000 Ian Hennessey, 10 High Street Honiton EX14 1PU300 09 Jul Stornoway, Isle of Lewis Golden Road and Standing Stones 06:00 Sat BR 3102m [3200m] £11.00 50 L R T F C A(2) 15-25kph 110 09 Jul Stornoway, Isle of Lewis Hebridean Hundred 10:00 Sat BP 113km 1015m [1068m] £5.00 50 L R T F C A(2) 12.5-30kph Hebridean CC [email protected] Ian Gilbert, 19 Churchill Drive Stornoway Isle of Lewis HS1 2NP200 09 Jul Tamworth, Pretty Pigs PH Brix\’n Water 08:00 Sat BR 216km 2300m £7.00 P R T 50 15-30kph

160 09 Jul Tamworth, Pretty Pigs PH Brix\’n Bouquet 09:00 Sat BP 1400m [2300m] £7.00 P R T 50 14.4-30kph 110 09 Jul Tamworth, Pretty Pigs PH Double Bouquet 09:30 Sat BP 912m [2300m] £7.00 P R T 50 14.4-30kph Geoff Cleaver [email protected] ROA 10000 Geoff Cleaver, 43 Goodere Drive Polesworth Tamworth B78 1BY100 10 Jul Combe Down, Bath Mendip Transmitter 08:30 Sun BP 1650m AAA1.75 £7.00 N.P.R.T 15-30kph Bath CC Robert Mcmillan, 228 Bloomfield Road Bath BA2 2AX200 10 Jul Denshaw, Saddleworth Bowland 08:00 Sun BR 3500m AAA3.5 [4400m] £5.00 P R T 14.3-30kph 100 10 Jul Denshaw, Saddleworth Widdop 09:00 Sun BP 2100m AAA2 £5.00 P R T 10-25kph Saddleworth Clarion 07850 208 977 [email protected] Nephi Alty, Heath House View Ridings Lane Golcar Huddersfield West Yorkshire HD7 4PZ100 10 Jul East Finchley, N2 9ED Suburban Breakout 09:30 Sun BP 103km 1085m [755m] £5.00 PRT 15-30kph Central London CTC [email protected] Nick Bloom, 32 Fortis Green Avenue Fortis Green London N2 9NA300 15 Jul Churchend,Dunmow, Essex Hereward the Wake 21:00 Fri BRM 301km £9.00 X C R L P T M (08/07) 15-30kph Flitchbikes CC [email protected] Thomas Deakins, 31 The Causeway Great Dunmow Essex CM6 2AA600 16 Jul Kirkley Cycles, Ponteland The Border Raid 06:00 Sat BR 5500m £10.00 A(2) F L P T 15-30kph Tyneside Vagabonds [email protected] Aidan Hedley, 16 The Close Lanchester Durham DH7 0PX300 16 Jul Rowlands Castle, nr Portsmouth Wonderfull Wessex 05:30 Sat BRM £8.00 f l p r 15-30kph Hampshire RC [email protected] Paul Whitehead, 73 Spencer Road Emsworth Hampshire PO10 7XR200 17 Jul Newton Abbot, Devon Torplex Two Hundred 08:00 Sun BR 210km 2900m AAA3 £8.00 F L P R S T 15-30kph 100 17 Jul Newton Abbot, Devon Devon Delight 09:00 Sun BP 107km £8.00 F L P R S T 10-25kph CTC Devon [email protected] ROA 5000 Graham Brodie, Homelands 10 Courtenay Road Newton Abbot Devon TQ12 1HP200 17 Jul Otley, West Yorkshire Yorkshire Mixture 08:00 Sun BR 203km 2400m AAA1.75 [1750m] £5.00 L R T S 15-30kph 100 17 Jul Otley, West Yorkshire Over Jordan 09:00 Sun BP 101km 1800m AAA1.75 £4.50 L R T S 12-30kph Otley CC [email protected] Chris Boulton, 15 Adel Towers Close Leeds LS16 8ES200 17 Jul The Steyning Centre, Steyning, W Sussex The Devils Punchbowl 200 08:00 Sun BR 205km 2248m £8.00 F P T 15-30kph 100 17 Jul The Steyning Centre, Steyning, W Sussex The Devils Punchbowl 100 09:00 Sun BP 108km 1200m £8.00 F P T 15-30kph Updated ABAudax [email protected] Anton Brown, 19 Northlands Avenue Haywards Heath West Sussex RH16 3RT200 23 Jul Bath Raglan castle 08:00 Sat BR 203km 2500m £7.00 Xtrpc 15-30kph Bath CC Robert Mcmillan, 228 Bloomfield Road Bath BA2 2AX200 23 Jul Belbroughton, N Worcestershire The Kidderminster Killer 08:00 Sat BR 214km 3750m AAA3.75 £7.85 F L P R S T (90) (8/8) 14.3-30kph 120 23 Jul Belbroughton, N Worcestershire From Clee to Heaven 09:00 Sat BP 123km 1950m AAA2 £7.85 F L P R S T (70) 13-25kph Beacon RCC 01562 731606 [email protected] Philip Whiteman, 2 Drayton Terrace Drayton Belbroughton Stourbridge DY9 0BW200 23 Jul Harringay, London Straight Outta Hackney 08:00 Sat BR £13.00 CFLPRT 15-30kph Change of Date Audax Club Hackney 07932672561 [email protected] Justin Jones, ACH HQ incorporating The Stag’s Head 39 Harringay Road London N15 3JB600 23 Jul Mytholmroyd, W. of Halifax The 3 Coasts 600 06:00 Sat BRM 607km 5611m AAA1.75 [1631m] £10.00 A(3) L P R S T Z YH 15-30kph West Yorkshire CTC 01422 832 853 [email protected] ROA 25000 Chris Crossland, 14 Stanley St. West Sowerby Bridge W. Yorks HX6 1EF600 23 Jul Mytholmroyd, W. of Halifax The East & West Coasts 600 06:00 Sat BRM 605km 4380m [5380m] £10.00 A(3) L P R S T Z YH 15-30kph 200 24 Jul Mytholmroyd, W. of Halifax The Good Companions 08:30 Sun BRM 2697m AAA1.75 [1631m] £5.00 A(2) L P R S T YH 15-30kph West Yorkshire CTC 01422 832 853 [email protected] ROA 25000 Chris Crossland, 14 Stanley St. West Sowerby Bridge W. Yorks HX6 1EF1200 25 Jul Craignure The Highlands, West Coast & Glens 08:10 Mon BRM 1205km 15885m AAA16 [2200m] £25.00 A C F G S T NM P YH X 2Z 13-30kph BlackSheep CC 01684 292 390 [email protected] ROA 25000 Mark Rigby, 16 Battle Road Tewkesbury Park Tewkesbury GL20 5TZ

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Calendar Events1200 26 Jul Craignure The Highlands, Glens & West Coast. 08:40 Tue BRM 1205km 15885m AAA16 [2200m] £25.00 A C F G S T NM P YH X 2Z 13-30kph BlackSheep CC 01684 292 390 [email protected] ROA 25000 Mark Rigby, 16 Battle Road Tewkesbury Park Tewkesbury GL20 5TZ400 30 Jul Biggin, nr Hartington National 400km 07:00 Sat BRM 405km 3900m £39.00 YH A(1) C F G L P R Z 15-25kph Peak Audax CTC [email protected] John Perrin, 20 Princes Way Macclesfield Cheshire SK11 8UB100 03 Aug Marple Dark Peak Grimpeur 10:00 Wed BP 106km 2290m AAA2.25 £5.00 P R T 60 (257) 12.5-25kph Peak Audax CTC Derek Heine, 10 Whitehall Drive Hartford Northwich Cheshire CW8 1SJ100 09 Aug Alfreton Prison for Dinner 09:00 Tue BP 103km £5.00 G L P R T 12-25kph Alfreton CTC [email protected] Brian Smith, 10 The Crescent Clay Cross Chesterfield S45 9EH100 10 Aug Marple, Memorial Park, SK6 Mid Peak Grimpeur 10:00 Wed BP 109km 2400m AAA2.5 £5.00 L P R T 40 (31/7) 12.5-25kph Peak Audax CTC [email protected] Chris Keeling-Roberts, 17 Lower Strines Road Marple Cheshire SK6 7DL400 13 Aug Galashiels Nae Bother to Us 06:30 Sat BRM 3400m £5.00 PRT 15-30kph Audax Ecosse 01896 758 181 [email protected] ROA 10000 Lucy McTaggart, 30 Victoria St. Galashiels Scottish Borders TD1 1HL400 13 Aug Upton Magna, E of Shrewsbury Pengwern Pedal 07:00 Sat BRM 405km 6380m AAA6.25 £10.00 C F G L P R T (50) 15-25kph 300 13 Aug Upton Magna, E of Shrewsbury Pengwern Pedal 07:00 Sat BRM 306km 5550m AAA5.5 £8.00 C F G L P R T (50) 15-25kph CTC Shropshire [email protected] ROA 10000 John Hamilton, 22 Oaks Crescent Wellington Telford TF1 2HF110 17 Aug Maidenhead Riverside to Riverside 10:00 Wed BP 118km £4.00 P R T 15-30kph Willesden CC [email protected] Anne Mograby, 5 Castle Farm Leigh Square Windsor Berks SL4 4PT200 20 Aug Sparsholt, Nr Wantage Old Roads and Drove Roads 07:30 Sat BR £5.00 P R T NM 15-30kph Pat Hurt [email protected] Pat Hurt, 10 Newbury Road Lambourn RG17 7LL110 21 Aug Shere Village Hall, Guildford Tour of the Hills 09:40 Sun BP 115km 2300m AAA2.25 £8.00 F L P R T 225 15-30kph CTC West Surrey 01483 810028 [email protected] Don Gray, Greenleas Beech Lane Normandy Surrey GU3 2JH100 24 Aug Marple West Peak Grimpeur 10:00 Wed BP 103km 2400m AAA2.5 £5.00 P R T 60 (16/8) 12.5-25kph Peak Audax CTC [email protected] David Catlow, 31cavendish Way Mickleover Derby DE3 9BL400 27 Aug Mytholmroyd, West Yorkshire The Old 240 05:30 Sat BRM 407km 6400m AAA6.5 £8.00 A L P R T S YH 15-30kph 400 27 Aug Mytholmroyd, West Yorkshire Not Quite The Spurn Head 400 05:30 Sat BRM 403km 2450m £8.00 A(2) L P R T S YH 15-30kph West Yorkshire CTC 01422 832 853 [email protected] ROA 25000 Chris Crossland, 14 Stanley St. West Sowerby Bridge W. Yorks HX6 1EF100 31 Aug Marple Memorial Park White Peak Grimpeur 10:00 Wed BP 103km 2310m AAA2.25 £5.00 P R T 60 (8/8) 12.5-25kph Peak Audax 01457 870421 [email protected] ROA 10000 Mike Wigley, Higher Grange Farm, Millcroft Lane, Delph OL3 5UX 160 03 Sep Dore, Sheffield Amber and Green 08:15 Sat BP 2850m AAA2.75 £5.00 L P R T 14.3-30kph 100 03 Sep Dore, Sheffield An Amber Gambol 09:00 Sat BP 1550m AAA1.5 £5.00 L P R T 12-25kph Sheffield District CTC 0114 255 0907 [email protected] Tony Gore, 8 Ladysmith Avenue Sheffield S7 1SF200 03 Sep Old Ma’s Tattenhall, Cheshire Pistyll Packing Momma 08:00 Sat BR 209km 3400m AAA3.5 £6.00 P R 50 T L 15-30kph Chester & North Wales CT [email protected] ROA 5000 David Matthews, Hill View Cottage Cross Lanes Oscroft Tarvin Cheshire CH3

8NG130 03 Sep Old Ma’s Tattenhall, Cheshire Momma’s Mountain Views 08:30 Sat BP 137km 2000m AAA2 £6.00 P R 50 T L 12.5-25kph 50 03 Sep Old Ma’s Tattenhall, Cheshire Momma’s Leafy Lanes 09:00 Sat BP £6.00 P R 50 T L 10-20kph Chester & N Wales CTC [email protected] ROA 5000 David Matthews, Hill View Cott Cross Lanes Oscroft Tarvin Cheshire CH3 8NG100 04 Sep Hampton Hill, SW London London Sightseer 08:30 Sun BP £5.00 C L P T NM 10-20kph Hounslow & Dist. Whs 020 8287 3244 [email protected] Bill Carnaby, 225 High Street Hampton Hill Middlesex TW12 1NP200 04 Sep Lymington New Forest On and Off Shore 07:15 Sun BR 202km 2150m £19.00 L P R T 100 (2/9) Ferry 15-30kph

160 04 Sep Lymington New Forest and Isle of Wight Century 07:15 Sun BP £19.00 L P R T 100 (2/9) Ferry 15-30kph 100 04 Sep Lymington New Forest and Coast 10:00 Sun BP 105km £7.00 C L P R T 100 10-20kph Cycling New Forest 01590 671 205 [email protected] ROA 10000 John Ward, 34 Avenue Road Lymington Hants SO41 9GJ200 04 Sep Musselburgh The Erit Lass 08:00 Sun BR 3000m AAA3 £10.00 F L P R T 15-30kph Audax Ecosse [email protected] Martin Foley, 78 Denholm Road Musselburgh East Lothian EH21 6TU600 10 Sep Churchend,Dunmow, Essex The Flatlands 06:00 Sat BRM 606km £6.00 X A(1)C L P R T M (03/09) 15-30kph Flitchbikes CC [email protected] Thomas Deakins, 31 The Causeway Great Dunmow Essex CM6 2AA100 10 Sep Coryton, NW Cardiff Trefil Travail 9::00 Sat BP 105km 2270m AAA2.25 £8.00 YH L P R T 50 12-24kph Cardiff Byways CC 02920633970 [email protected] Hugh Mackay, 131 Stanwell Road Penarth CF64 3LL300 10 Sep Galashiels Alston and Back 06:30 Sat BRM 2700m £5.00 PRT 15-30kph Audax Ecosse 01896 758 181 [email protected] ROA 10000 Lucy McTaggart, 30 Victoria St. Galashiels Scottish Borders TD1 1HL100 10 Sep Rodborough, Stroud Budding 100 10:00 Sat BP 106km 1770m AAA1.75 [1650m] £5.00 L P R S T (60) 12.5-25kph 100 10 Sep Rodborough, Stroud Pedersen 100 10:15 Sat BP 106km 2150m AAA2.25 £5.00 L P R S T (60) 12.5-25kph 61 10 Sep Rodborough, Stroud Awdry 60 11:00 Sat BP 1000m AAA1 £5.00 LPRST(60) 10-25kph Dursley RC 01453 762235 [email protected] James Reynolds, Ambleside The Butts Rodborough Stroud GL5 3UG200 17 Sep Richmond, N Yorks Dales Dales Tour Plus 08:00 Sat BR 3150m AAA3.25 £6.00 C F L P R T 14.4-30kph 150 17 Sep Richmond, N Yorks Dave’s Dales Tour 160KM 08:30 Sat BP 2500m AAA2.5 £5.50 C F L P R T 12-30kph 100 17 Sep Richmond, N Yorks Dave’s Mini Dales Tour 100KM 09:30 Sat BP 1900m AAA2 £5.50 C F L P R T 10-20kph 100 17 Sep Richmond, N Yorks Lucia’s Vale of York Meander 100KM 10:00 Sat BP £5.50 C F L P R T 10-20kph VC 167 078887628513 [email protected] David Atkinson, 4 Borrowby Avenue Northallerton North Yorkshire DL6 1AL200 17 Sep Tamworth, Pretty Pigs PH Wem, we get there 08:00 Sat BR 208km 1400m £7.00 X P R 50 (31/8) 15-30kph 110 17 Sep Tamworth, Pretty Pigs PH Charnwood Challenge 09:00 Sat BP 111km 1094m £7.00 P R T 50 (31/8) 12.5-30kph 51 17 Sep Tamworth, Pretty Pigs PH National Forest 50 09:30 Sat BP 400m £6.00 P R T 50 (31/8) 10-20kph Geoff Cleaver [email protected] ROA 10000 Geoffrey Cleaver, 43 Goodere Drive Polesworth Tamworth Staffordshire B78 1BY

200 17 Sep Upton Magna, E of Shrewsbury Beyond Shropshire 08:15 Sat BR 207km 3110m AAA3 [2970m] £8.00 C F G L P R T 15-25kph CTC Shropshire [email protected] ROA 10000 John Hamilton, 22 Oaks Crescent Wellington Telford TF1 2HF200 24 Sep Broken Cross, nr Macclesfield Venetian Nights 08:00 Sat BR 210km 2750m AAA2.25 [2333m] £8.00 F L P R T 14.3-25kph Peak Audax CTC [email protected] John Perrin, 20 Princes Way Macclesfield Cheshire SK11 8UB200 24 Sep Chepstow Castle Border Castles Randonnee 07:30 Sat BR 3000m AAA3 £3.00 YHXPRT(14/9) 15-30kph Audax Club Bristol ROA 5000 Nik Peregrine, 46 Bridge Street Chepstow NP16 5EY200 24 Sep Coryton, NW Cardiff Ferryside Fish Foray 07:00 Sat BR 225km £8.00 YH L R P T 50 15-30kph Cardiff Byways CC [email protected] ROA 5000 Richard Evans, 73 Conway Road Cardiff CF11 9NW160 24 Sep Husbands Bosworth Welland Wonder 160 08:00 Sat BP 1675m £6.00 LPRT 15-30kph 110 24 Sep Husbands Bosworth Welland Wonder 110 08:30 Sat BP 116km 1350m £6.00 LPRT 12-24kph 53 24 Sep Husbands Bosworth Welland Wonder 50 09:00 Sat BP 525m £6.00 LPRT 12-24kph Welland Valley CC 01858545376 ROA 3000 Mike Vybiral, Logan Cott Grange Lane East Langton Market Harborough LE16 7TF

100 24 Sep Sonning Common, near Reading Henley Hilly Hundred 09:00 Sat BP 102km 1660m AAA1.75 £6.00 FLPRT 12-30kph Reading CTC [email protected] Brian Perry, 16 Rowland Close Wallingford Oxon OX10 8LA

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Calendar Events200 25 Sep Clitheroe, Lancashire Last Chance Dales Dance 200 07:30 Sun BRM 202km 3300m AAA3.25 [3000m] £5.00 L P R T 15-30kph Updated Burnley Cycling Club [email protected] Andy Corless, 31 Castlerigg Drive Ightenhill Burnley Lancashire BB12 8AT200 25 Sep Denmead, Nr Portsmouth WYLYE AND EBBLE VALLEY 07:30 Sun BR £6.00 L P R T M 15-30kph Hampshire RC [email protected] Paul Whitehead, 73 Spencer Road Emsworth Hampshire PO10 7XR100 01 Oct Bristol, Create Centre Tasty Cheddar 09:00 Sat BP 101km 1510m AAA1 £4.00 P YH 12.5-30kph Bristol CTC 0117 925 5217 [email protected] ROA 4000 Joe Prosser, 8 Portland Court Cumberland Close Bristol BS1 6XB200 01 Oct Churchend,Dunmow, Essex Flitchbikes 200 08:30 Sat BRM 201km £8.00 C L P R T M (24/09) 15-30kph 100 01 Oct Churchend, Dunmow, Essex Flitchbikes 100 09:30 Sat BP 103km £8.00 C L P R T M (24/09) 12.5-25kph Flitchbikes CC [email protected] Thomas Deakins, 31 The Causeway Great Dunmow Essex CM6 2AA100 08 Oct Dore, Sheffield Ring of Steel (City) 09:00 Sat BP 101km 1693m AAA1.75 £5.00 GLPRT 12-25kph Sheffield District CTC [email protected] John Cripps, 8 Brincliffe Crescent Sheffield S11 9AW200 08 Oct St Herbert’s, Windermere Brant and Slape 08:00 Sat BR 203km 3500m AAA3.75 £7.00 A(1) P L YH P R T S 15-30kph Lakes Velo [email protected] Paul Revell, Kirklands Brow Edge Backbarrow Cumbria LA12 8QL100 09 Oct Mytholmroyd Season of Mists 09:00 Sun BP 105km 2555m AAA2.5 £4.50 L P R T YH 12-24kph 55 09 Oct Mytholmroyd Mellow Fruitfulness 10:00 Sun BP 1200m AAA1.25 £4.00 L P R T YH 8-20kph West Yorkshire CTC 01422 832 853 [email protected] ROA 25000 Chris Crossland, 14 Stanley St. West Sowerby Bridge W. Yorks HX6 1EF200 15 Oct Corwen, N. Wales The Clwydian 08:00 Sat BR 212km 3200m AAA3.25 [3488m] £6.00 P R T 50 15-30kph 130 15 Oct Corwen, N. Wales The Clwyd Gate 08:30 Sat BP 138km 2250m AAA2.25 £6.00 P R T 50 12.5-25kph 60 15 Oct Corwen, N. Wales ‘The Bala Mini- Bash’ 09:00 Sat BP £6.00 P R T 50 12.5-25kph Chester & N Wales CTC 01745 560892 [email protected] Vicky Payne, Bryn Celyn Penyffordd Holywell Flintshire CH8 9HH200 15 Oct Galashiels Etal-u-Can 08:00 Sat BR 204km 2379m £8.00 PRTG 15-30kph Change of Date Audax Ecosse 01896 758 181 [email protected] ROA 10000 Lucy McTaggart, 30 Victoria St. Galashiels Scottish Borders TD1 1HL

150 15 Oct Trowell, West of Nottingham An Autumn day out. 08:30 Sat BP 153km 1135m £7.00 L P R T(80) 15-30kph Nottinghamshire CTC [email protected] Terry Scott, 22 Kinglake Place Nottingham NG2 1NT 200 16 Oct Carlton Colville,Lowestoft, Suffolk The Silly Suffolk 08:00 Sun BR £5.00 FRTP 15-30kph 160 16 Oct Carlton Colville,Lowestoft, Suffolk The Silly Suffolk 09:00 Sun BP £5.00 FRTP 15-30kph VC Baracchi [email protected] John Thompson, 136 Dell Road Oulton Broad Lowestoft Suffolk NR33 9NT100 16 Oct Galashiels Ride of the Valkyries 10:00 Sun BP 106km 1200m [1517m] £8.00 PRTG 12-30kph Change of Date Audax Ecosse 01896 758 181 [email protected] ROA 10000 Lucy McTaggart, 30 Victoria St. Galashiels Scottish Borders TD1 1HL200 30 Oct Bispham, Lancashire Ride The Lancashire Lights 200 07:30 Sun BR 204km 1800m £5.00 C L P R T 15-30kph Burnley CC [email protected] Andy Corless, 31 Castlerigg Drive Ightenhill Burnley Lancashire BB12 8AT100 30 Oct Bovey Tracey The Dartmoor Devil @ 8 08:00 Sun BP 106km 2500m AAA2.5 £9.00 F G P R T 125 (23/10) 12.5-25kph T100 30 Oct Bovey Tracey The Dartmoor Devil @ 9 09:00 Sun BP 106km 2500m AAA2.5 £9.00 F G P R T 125 (23/10) 12.5-25kph CTC Devon 01626 833 749 [email protected] ROA 4000 Kevin Presland, Hind Street House Hind Street Bovey Tracey Devon TQ13 9HT100 05 Nov Alfreton To the Races 09:00 Sat BP 108km £5.00 L P R T M 100 12-28kph Updated Alfreton CTC [email protected] Brian Smith, 10 The Crescent Clay Cross Chesterfield S45 9EH200 05 Nov Cholsey, E of Didcot Upper Thames 07:30 Sat BR 212km 1900m [1943m] £6.00 L P R T M 15-30kph Thames Valley Audax 01491 651 284 [email protected] Phil Dyson, 25 Papist Way Cholsey Wallingford Oxon OX10 9LL200 05 Nov Galashiels The Long Dark Teatime of The Soul 08:00 Sat BR 2000m £8.00 G, P,R,T 15-30kph Change of Date Audax Ecosse 01896 758 181 [email protected] ROA 10000 Lucy McTaggart, 30 Victoria St. Galashiels Scottish Borders TD1 1HL100 27 Nov Carlton Colville, nr Lowestoft, Suffolk The Waveney Wander 09:00 Sun BP £5.00 LPRT 15-30kph VC Baracchi [email protected] John Thompson, 136 Dell Road Oulton Broad Lowestoft Suffolk NR33 9NT200 03 Dec Tamworth, Pretty Pigs PH Tinsel and Lanes 08:00 Sat BR 211km 2060m £9 P R T 60 15-30kph100 03 Dec Tamworth, Pretty Pigs PH Flowers to Furnace 09:00 Sat BP 104km 940m £7.00 P R T 50 12-30kph Geoff Cleaver [email protected] ROA 10000 Geoff Cleaver, 43 Goodere Drive Polesworth Tamworth B78 1BY

Steve Carroll

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AUK Board & Delegates

Chair: Chris Crossland, 14 Stanley Street West, Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire, HX6 1EF Email: [email protected] Tel: Home 01422 832853 Systems Manager (AUKweb): Francis Cooke, 33 Hawk Green Rd, Marple SK6 7HR Email: [email protected] Tel: 0161 4499309 Assistants: Pete Coates, Matt Haigh, Terry Kay Annual awards secretary: Mike Lane, 8 Ford Lane, Emersons Green, Bristol BS16 7DD Email: [email protected] Mileater secretary: Rob Hidderley, Woodfield House, 417a Stourbridge Road, Catshill, Bromsgrove B61 9LG FWC (Fixed Wheel Challenge) and Super Fixed Wheel: Richard Phipps, 77 West Farm Avenue, Ashtead, Surrey KT21 2JZ

Acting Secretary: John Sabine, 107 Victoria Way, London SE7 7NU Email: [email protected] Reunion organiser: Paul Rainbow 49 Quarrington Road, Horfield, Bristol, Avon BS7 9PJ Registrar: Les Hereward 20 Webster Close, Oxshott, Surrey, KT22 0SF

Finance Director: Paul Salmons, 25 Bluewater Drive, Elborough, Weston-Super-Mare BS24 8PF Email: [email protected]

Director and Membership secretary: Mike Wigley, Higher Grange Farm, Millcroft Lane, Delph OL3 5UX Email: [email protected] Mike has the following Assistants: Peter Davis (Enrolments) Peter Gawthorne (Renewals) Richard Jennings (Enrolments) Allan Taylor (Renewals) Findlay Watt (Renewals)

Director - Calendar events secretary: Martin Foley, 78 Denholm Road, Musselburgh, East Lothian EH21 6TU Email: [email protected] Regional Events Delegates: Nigel Hall (Scotland & N England) Geoffrey Cleaver (Midlands & E England) Pat Hurt (SE England) Ian Hennessey (SW England & Wales)

Director - Permanent events secretary: John Ward, 34 Avenue Road, Lymington, SO41 9GJ Email: [email protected] Tel: 01590 671205 DIY Regional Representatives: Joe Applegarth (North-East) Andy Clarkson (Yorkshire & East) Julian Dyson (North-West) Martin Foley (Scotland) Tony Hull (SW England and S Wales) Chris Smith (Midlands, N & Mid-Wales) Paul Stewart (South-East)

Audax Altitude Award (AAA): Steve Snook, 6 Briggland Court, Wilsden, BRADFORD BD15 0HL Email: [email protected] Ordre des Cols Durs (OCD) Delegate: Rod Dalitz, 136 Muir Wood Road, Edinburgh EH14 5HF Email: [email protected]

LRM/ACP correspondent: Chris Crossland Email: [email protected] Tel: 01422 832853

Communications Director: Ged Lennox, Spring Cottage, Harley Wood, Nailsworth, Gloucestershire GL6 0LB Email: [email protected] Publications managers: Winter Arrivée: Sheila Simpson, 33 Hawk Green Rd, Marple SK6 7HR Email: [email protected] Tel: 0161 449 9309 Fax: 0709 237 4245 Spring Arrivée: Tim Wainwright, 4a Brambledown Rd, S. Croydon CR2 0BL Email: [email protected] Tel: 020 8657 8179 Fax: 020 8651 4515) Summer Arrivee: David Kenning, Little Orchard, Pean Hill, Whitstable CT5 3BQ Email: [email protected] Autumn Arrivée: Peter Moir, 2 Peel Close, Ducklington, Witney OX29 7YB Email: [email protected] Tel: 01993 704913

Directors Without Portfolio: Chris Boulton, 15 Adel Towers Close, Leeds LS16 8ES John Sabine, 107 Victoria Way, London SE7 7NU

Event Services Director: Peter Lewis, 82 Pine Road, Chandlers Ford, Eastleigh, SO53 1JT07592 018947 Email: [email protected] Tel: 07592 018947 Brevet card production secretary: Oliver Iles, 49 Upper Belmont Rd, Bishopston, Bristol, BS7 9DG Email: [email protected] Production of Permanent cards is handled by: John Ward, 34 Avenue Road, Lymington, SO41 9GJ Validation secretaries: Susan Gatehouse & Keith Harrison 11 Heather Avenue Hellesdon Norwich NR6 6LU Email: [email protected] Recorder: Peter Lewis, 82 Pine Road, Chandlers Ford, Eastleigh, SO53 1JT07592 018947 Email: [email protected] Tel:

Randonneur Round the Year (RRTY): Mike Wigley Email: [email protected]

AUK AGM 2015 Photo Ged Lennox

In addition to the volunteer Audax UK event organisers whose details are in the calendar of events, Audax UK is governed and administered by the volunteers below. Many officials below can be contacted quickly using the ‘contact us’ form on the AUK website:

http://www.aukweb.net/contactus/

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PROFS Permanent 50km

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Documents

Arrivée 131 - Winter 2016