No, not fussed about that to be honest.
The Imperial Century A Month Challenge Chatzone
- Thread starter Rob S
- Start date
Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.
robjh
Legendary Member
- Location
- Cambridgeshire - almost Essex
Got November's done this weekend. I did the Moonrakers and Sunseekers audax, which started from Bristol at 10pm on Friday 15th, reaching Poole for breakfast with a return to Bristol in daylight, total length 307km or 191 miles. My personal distance was a bit higher as it includes the ride to the start from Bristol Parkway station, and losing the route right at the end and getting hopelessly lost in Bristol on the very last stage.
It was a fantastic ride, with 200+ people in good spirits and benign weather for the time of year. The full moon was shining clearly for much of the night, and on the higher stretches after Devizes mist swirled across the road, revealing glimpses of dark hills, and the atmosphere was quite spectacular. It got chilly but never painful, and since most people had come with enough layers to cope with anything the cold was never really an issue.
I jumped onto a faster group after Bath and almost raced to Devizes, and was still keeping a good pace to Salisbury but gradually slowed after that, although as I met the same people at every control there were obviously many doing a similar speed. The seafront through Bournemouth was very atmospheric in the 6am darkness, but sanddrifts made careful and slow riding essential. Breakfast (laid on by the organisers) was by Poole Harbour, and we then climbed through lovely Dorset countryside to Milton Abbas and Sherborne, before dropping down to the Glastonbury Levels. We followed the 'Strawberry Line' ex-railway cycle path from the Cheddar area to Yatton, which completely clagged up my rim brakes with mud and leaves, as I'm running 28mm tyres which are the limit on this road bike frame and leave almost zero clearance. Time for a new bike
I should have finished around 4.30, but missed a turn at the last moment, then blindly followed my Garmin which I think by now had started to recalculate, but to send me back along the outbound route, and by the time I finally twigged what was going on and found my way back I had done another 12km (!), so my actual finish time was 5.30.
Total distance 204 miles / 328km; 154th imperial century ever, and the 71st consecutive month with at least one.
Eddington number has now moved up by 1, from 107 to 108.
the start, Bristol (Easton)
Poole
It was a fantastic ride, with 200+ people in good spirits and benign weather for the time of year. The full moon was shining clearly for much of the night, and on the higher stretches after Devizes mist swirled across the road, revealing glimpses of dark hills, and the atmosphere was quite spectacular. It got chilly but never painful, and since most people had come with enough layers to cope with anything the cold was never really an issue.
I jumped onto a faster group after Bath and almost raced to Devizes, and was still keeping a good pace to Salisbury but gradually slowed after that, although as I met the same people at every control there were obviously many doing a similar speed. The seafront through Bournemouth was very atmospheric in the 6am darkness, but sanddrifts made careful and slow riding essential. Breakfast (laid on by the organisers) was by Poole Harbour, and we then climbed through lovely Dorset countryside to Milton Abbas and Sherborne, before dropping down to the Glastonbury Levels. We followed the 'Strawberry Line' ex-railway cycle path from the Cheddar area to Yatton, which completely clagged up my rim brakes with mud and leaves, as I'm running 28mm tyres which are the limit on this road bike frame and leave almost zero clearance. Time for a new bike
I should have finished around 4.30, but missed a turn at the last moment, then blindly followed my Garmin which I think by now had started to recalculate, but to send me back along the outbound route, and by the time I finally twigged what was going on and found my way back I had done another 12km (!), so my actual finish time was 5.30.
Total distance 204 miles / 328km; 154th imperial century ever, and the 71st consecutive month with at least one.
Eddington number has now moved up by 1, from 107 to 108.
the start, Bristol (Easton)
Poole
Last edited:
robjh
Legendary Member
- Location
- Cambridgeshire - almost Essex
And that's 2024 completed!
I did a 104-mile circular ride today 3rd December from home near Cambridge, west to Ampthill which is almost on the M1, then south and over the end of the Chilterns at Sharpenhoe Hill, in the gap between Luton and Hitchin. I turned NE again at Codicote, where I found Spokes cycling café shut, but a good bakery alternative a few miles later at Watton-at-Stone. From then on to Puckeridge, Clavering and home. I set out at 6.15 am and got back about 3.30pm. It's a route I've used several times before, but is a good one to keep in reserve for shorter days such as these.
The sun never really showed itself, but the light cloud kept temperatures at a comfortable level all day, and with no rain and only light wind it was pretty decent for December.
Total distance 104 miles / 167km; 155th imperial century ever, and the 72nd consecutive month with at least one, and that makes six years in a row of this challenge.
I did a 104-mile circular ride today 3rd December from home near Cambridge, west to Ampthill which is almost on the M1, then south and over the end of the Chilterns at Sharpenhoe Hill, in the gap between Luton and Hitchin. I turned NE again at Codicote, where I found Spokes cycling café shut, but a good bakery alternative a few miles later at Watton-at-Stone. From then on to Puckeridge, Clavering and home. I set out at 6.15 am and got back about 3.30pm. It's a route I've used several times before, but is a good one to keep in reserve for shorter days such as these.
The sun never really showed itself, but the light cloud kept temperatures at a comfortable level all day, and with no rain and only light wind it was pretty decent for December.
Total distance 104 miles / 167km; 155th imperial century ever, and the 72nd consecutive month with at least one, and that makes six years in a row of this challenge.
Last edited:
footloose crow
Veteran
- Location
- Cornwall. UK
Storm Darragh makes my life more complicated! Nothing like lifting your bike over an obstacle on a dark, cold night.
2024 completed!
On a very cold and grey day I managed to convince myself to go out and ride a hundred, hilly miles on post Storm Darragh lanes. Parts of it was lovely with great coastal views and lots of wildlife. Unfortunately as it got fully dark on the way back I was forced to divert into a rats nest of tiny lanes that climb and descend innumerable river valleys. A road accident had closed the main road into Truro and everyone else was also trying to use those lanes - it was very disquieting with constant overtakes with little space. I also managed to get completely lost 15km from home. It all looks different at night. And all of these lanes look the same.
However, as you can guess by the fact I am writing this, I survived. On Strava the weather widget said it was 4c with wind chill making it -1c. Did I mention the strong, cold headwinds all the way back? It was getting close to Type 2 fun.
Mounts Bay and the Mount itself looking moody.
A year ago I didn't think I could do a century ride every month but I became increasingly obsessed with it and started to twitch as the month got past half way with no long ride. In the summer it became increasingly easier. As the weather turned colder I was surprised how much harder it became both mentally and physically. Cold air is more dense, more clothing and more gear on the bike slows you down and its harder work sustaining the enthusiasm for yet another steep, dirty hill.
I am glad that I did it though. Will I do it next year..........
Attachments
Respect to you @footloose crow ,completing this challenge is never easy and the terrain of Cornwall certainly does not make it easier
footloose crow
Veteran
- Location
- Cornwall. UK
Thanks @13 rider. Knowing there was group of us kept me going. I didnt want to be the one that gave up! Now looking at moving to Norfolk...
You would get bored 🤣 with no hills to break up the ride
robjh
Legendary Member
- Location
- Cambridgeshire - almost Essex
Well done @footloose crow
Supersuperleeds
Legendary Member
- Location
- Leicester
I haven't yet.
Supersuperleeds
Legendary Member
- Location
- Leicester
You've probably done more elevation in one ride than I've done on all my qualifying rides
Dogtrousers
Kilometre nibbler
Chapeau!
This is always a tricky one. Is it really closed to bikes? Shall I risk it and maybe I can sneak past whatever the blockage is? But there's always the chance I really will have to turn round and retrace ...
Supersuperleeds
Legendary Member
- Location
- Leicester
I've only once not got through a closed road and that was due to HS2, I was nearly through until the security guard caught me
Incorrect , remember the ride to Harrogate and the missing bridge 🤣I've only once not got through a closed road and that was due to HS2, I was nearly through until the security guard caught me
Dogtrousers
Kilometre nibbler
There are closed roads ... and there are HS2 closed roads. They mean business.I've only once not got through a closed road and that was due to HS2, I was nearly through until the security guard caught me
