Snow Roads

[Nebulous]

Thanks guys for a great experience yesterday. I've only just about done 100 miles on a ride before. The most I've done this year was 58 miles on Saturday and 86 on Sunday, so this was a big step up. I survived it remarkably well, bit of a sore head, possibly because I didn't drink enough.

Weather couldn't have been kinder, organisation was good, plenty food and opportunities to break for a bit.

Noodley - I've just twigged who you were- apologies for not saying hello. I was the grumpy Aiberdonian with no hair looking for beans on toast.

 

[Noodley]

Nebulous, there were many many people looking for beans on toast!

1st lesson for next year: take a few toasters along as a single grill does not work quickly enough to keep an influx of hungry cyclists in toast!
2nd lesson for next year: tell the other helpers not to offer hungry cyclists the option of cheese on toast - toast and beans is difficult enough to churn out without giving people a further option! And then offering the option of cheese grilled first or cheese on top and then grilled was taking it way too far!
3rd lesson for next year: it's probably just as easy to ride the event than run the control

It was a bit frantic at times, but everyone was in good humour, and some of the even looked as if they believed me when I said "your order is next"

 

[Scoosh]

Did your frilly apron meet with much approval, Noodley ?

 

[Noodley]

Did your frilly apron meet with much approval, Noodley ?

 

[Scoosh]

Chapeau ! to those who Completed the sunniest Snow Roads for many a year !

Special mention/plaudits to those for whom it was their first 300k audax.

Well done.


Commiserations to those who were so surprised to see that much sun, they were unable to Complete ... there is always next year ... or a Perm.


In no way intending to underrate these grand achievements ...
Eck of this parish comments on a photo of a certain rider :

... who finished the event comfortably in good time, had a kip in the hall and set off at 6.15 on Sunday to ride the Permanent version, the wrong / hard / daft way. He posted his completed brevet card through our letter-box, again comfortably in time, in the small hours of this morning. Snow Roads twice in two days? Badassness has just been re-defined.

Loadsa photies here

 

[Philip Whiteman]

The Snow Roads was an epic event. Superlatives cannot do it justice.

It is one event that will stick in my memory for a very long time. So, many thanks to the organisers for this ingenious event. I commend you all.

 

[edindave]

Nebulous, I don't think we got to meet unfortunately, but really well done on a massive leap in distance for you.

Noodley, I missed your post on Fri so didn't realise it was you serving up the beans on cheesy toast. It came at a good time for me. I was famished approaching Braemar and my legs were just starting to feel slightly grumpy. I felt great after the stop, and a group of four of us romped home on the final leg.

Philip, I don't think we met either but I echo your post above. It was an outstanding experience and what a great bunch of people. I feel proud and privileged to have been a part of the event.

Scoosh, thanks also to you for your mentoring over the past couple of years. Some of your advice, tips and tricks must have sunk in, as I managed to finish strong.

 

[Scoosh]

'Twas Noodley who got me round my Snow Roads .... well almost ... so you must pass it (the Knowledge) on to another CC member

 

[Noodley]

I got you to the stage that you believed you could do it. My work was done so I gave myself unto hypothermia...

 

[fimm]

Yes, a great event.
A very, very, very long way. I wish I'd made more time to enjoy the views...
Scoosh, I was talking to "glasgowjim" on the way to Cairn O'Mount. He was telling me that he knows you. He also said that his first group ride was a CycleChat one - when he was an 18 stone smoker. Now he tells random women that 600km Audaxes are easier than 400s...

 

[Seamab]

Congratulations and hats off to all those who took part. I've heard this event called many things - "ingenious" is a new and very polite take on it!

 

[Scoosh]

Yes, a great event.
A very, very, very long way. I wish I'd made more time to enjoy the views...
Scoosh, I was talking to "glasgowjim" on the way to Cairn O'Mount. He was telling me that he knows you. He also said that his first group ride was a CycleChat one - when he was an 18 stone smoker. Now he tells random women that 600km Audaxes are easier than 400s...

Aye, he told me he had been chatting to you (and telling you to slow down a bit ) and that you had Completed the ride successfully. You are now fully entitled to feel very smug

Might have to have a word with him about the latter part of his comments - but he is right, in that a 400 is a straight ride, usually with a substantial night section , whereas a 600 has a slower time limit and you can have time for some kip (in a bus shelter, of course !), maybe even at night.

Sadly, Jim had to pack at Braemar, as he was suffering sunstroke and was shivering badly, even with all his jackets on. He's OK now, though

 

[Noodley]

Sadly, Jim had to pack at Braemar, as he was suffering sunstroke and was shivering badly...

So he says, I reckon he just wanted to spend more time with me

 

[Scoosh]

What - just I like did during the SR .... ???

 

[fimm]

Oh, I'm sorry Jim didn't finish. He was very friendly and full of good advice.
I really, really can't see myself going in for anything longer than a 300 - the thought of riding while sleep-deprived does not appeal...