The Metric Century (100KM) A Month Challenge ChatZone
- Thread starter ColinJ
- Start date
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Elybazza61
Guru
Yep,didn't get one done I'm afraid;new job(working in a bike shop
) means I get less time for long rides and other life stuff has got in the way too.Well done to all who have though
.Rolling isnt it I had a few surprise ramps leading to Glooston today
Rolling is too nice a word for it!! Also, a lot of the descents aren't wide and straight so I can't pick up speed on them!
- Location
- Egham
Yep,didn't get one done I'm afraid;new job(working in a bike shop
Well done to all who have though
Oh well, at least it's more important things getting in the way. Another go next year perhaps...
After an interesting ride yesterday (for me anyway), I thought I would write a small report. May was looking like a scheduling nightmare as I am abroad for a lot of it and then have kids birthdays and other 'annoying' commitments. Well yesterday, I needed to be at a funeral, but that was just after lunch, leaving the morning free. So Sunday night, I made sure to put my bike in the back of the car to travel to Kent and planned a route.
It was not an ideal day as it was windy and had some drizzle, but beggars cannot be choosers. So first things first, potholes. I had forgotten how bad the roads of northern Kent were, I felt like it was training for Paris Roubaix, the roads in a lot of places were horrific - continuous nasty potholes, not lethal but enough to have you and the bike bouncing around and weaving continuously. It really is enough to put me off riding in this area completely. The worst of it was between Herne Bay and Faversham. In this short stretch I lost a water bottle twice.
After clearing Faversham I headed into the small lanes trying to avoid rush hour on the main roads. These were undulating and narrow with lots of blind bends and gravel meaning that progress was slow, but it was still enjoyable although I did worry about getting back for 11am.
My route had too many small lanes in the woods, great for seeing Bluebells, but bad for progress and it hid what would have been a very healthy tailwind. Frustration peaked when I came to a closed road with no signs or diversion. I had to hop off the bike and hike through the woods to the side of the road for about a quarter of a mile.
After that it was time to head north, into the wind, with a schedule to meet. I picked up more of a main road and some lovely new tarmac, so it was TT time, all too soon it was back onto the more minor roads with the annoying blind bends, but luckily when I got to about 10 miles from home it opened up a bit. I made it back with a few minutes to spare, but in a slower time than I expected.
Next time I come back it will be with the mountain bike, but I am not sure 26" wheels will be big enough to roll out of the potholes.
It was not an ideal day as it was windy and had some drizzle, but beggars cannot be choosers. So first things first, potholes. I had forgotten how bad the roads of northern Kent were, I felt like it was training for Paris Roubaix, the roads in a lot of places were horrific - continuous nasty potholes, not lethal but enough to have you and the bike bouncing around and weaving continuously. It really is enough to put me off riding in this area completely. The worst of it was between Herne Bay and Faversham. In this short stretch I lost a water bottle twice.
After clearing Faversham I headed into the small lanes trying to avoid rush hour on the main roads. These were undulating and narrow with lots of blind bends and gravel meaning that progress was slow, but it was still enjoyable although I did worry about getting back for 11am.
My route had too many small lanes in the woods, great for seeing Bluebells, but bad for progress and it hid what would have been a very healthy tailwind. Frustration peaked when I came to a closed road with no signs or diversion. I had to hop off the bike and hike through the woods to the side of the road for about a quarter of a mile.
After that it was time to head north, into the wind, with a schedule to meet. I picked up more of a main road and some lovely new tarmac, so it was TT time, all too soon it was back onto the more minor roads with the annoying blind bends, but luckily when I got to about 10 miles from home it opened up a bit. I made it back with a few minutes to spare, but in a slower time than I expected.
Next time I come back it will be with the mountain bike, but I am not sure 26" wheels will be big enough to roll out of the potholes.
Dogtrousers
Kilometre nibbler
- Location
- Shrewsbury, Shropshire
Just catching up with this after a few days away. I wish you all the best for a quick recovery and hope you are okay with the half century ride if you do go for it.
Completed my first sportive today at the age of 50. The Tour of Pembrokeshire 63 miles with 4600ft climbing. No particular long climbs but lots of steep descents followed immediately by steep ascents, one after the other with little recovery time and a 16 mph headwind to finish with. Have to say the event was superbly organised and marshalled with an impressive selection of locally produced food at the feed station. When I crossed the finishing line I don't think the legs had another mile in them. I'm completely in awe with you guys who regularly knock out mega mile runs. https://www.strava.com/activities/997333703
graham bowers
Guru
- Location
- NW Leicestershire
Is it OK to include overseas rides please? Off to Switzerland for a few days next week and may get over 100Km in if the legs can stand the climbing for long enough ;-))
Ajax Bay
Guru
- Location
- East Devon
With apologies to those who look at the audax forum thread, having put some effort (unusually) into a ride report, here's how the '6 pointer' ride went.
13/14 May: 600km + 6681m
Bryan Chapman Memorial audax
Nice big breakfast; got to start in good time; no queues for registration; sorted drop bag. Looked for @tatr without success.
Starting at 6am I eased into what I think was the second group on the road, a select crew (15?) through Abergavenny which broke up on the climb up over to Talgarth. With another rider at the top my RD cable broke so I drafted down that long descent to Bronllys, on a 67" (longest) gear. Knowing the Honey cafe would be busy I controlled (08:30 - ave 29kph) at the 'Premier' shop (about 300m into Bronllys - ripe bananas), pulled the cable out and ditched it, stowed the outer, and screwed the lower limit screw to force the chain into the middle (42t) ring. I took the minor road on the east side of the Wye valley (same as the route back and the Brevet Cymru) rather than bashing up the A470 trunk road for 20km. Back on routesheet route I stopped to remove underhat, buff and swap into mitts and then tagged on to a couple coming past. In Rhayader I diverted off to Clive Powell Bikes bought a new cable and fitted it (15 minutes but included a coffee). Made Llanidloes by 11:25 (25kph), took a look at the queue and controlled at the Coop along the road - chicken and mushroom slice.
Rode off with Peter Simon up the hills to Staylittle and left onto the mountain road: spectacular views and exhilarating descent to Forge – punctuated by a stand off with two lambs who showed no fear, till I hollered and my brakes squealed: they shot off up the bank. Through Machynlleth and up the Corris climb, I rode for a while with a lady who identified herself as my local police inspector - she had stopped to find a decent coffee as I went past - too strong for me up the hill after a while, though. Round Cader Idris and all the way up to Cross Foxes before swooping down, bypassing Dolgellau to King's: the turning came earlier than expected but a 30" gear saw me steadily up the double chevrons and on up the valley to the YH control (14:16, 25kph). I had the full menu: super soup, rat and couscous (with self-added pepperoni slices (40g)) and apple pie and custard. Made to feel very welcome by those manning the control and kitchen. Accessed drop bag but really I could have done without. Considered taking/donning over-boots but decided I was going to be fast enough (qv) to miss most of the rain (forecast for 9pm).
On the road to Arthog passed Peter Simon again and rode through Barmouth going round by the sailing club (I have done numerous Three Peaks Yacht Races which start there) and rode in a three up to Harlech. Stopped at the Spar shop and then climbed up to my booked B&B to check in. Leaving Harlech I joined another small group for a while, across the Penrhyndeudraeth bridge and pressed on, eventually alone, through Beddgelert and up Nant Gwynant and left to Pen-y-pass (info control). Seriously fast but assured down to Llanberis and shortly across the Menai Straits to the control (1851 – 90km in 3:15 = 28kph).
After some more food, left at 1915 with the rain forecast for 9. Once on the Beddgelert road the SSW wind was full ahead and spiced with rain which came and went to start with. Caught up with a young lady from Sidcup who professed herself weary but was riding well. Rode together to Penrhyndeudraeth where our paths parted. Rather than return south via Trawsfynydd I had resolved to go back round by the coast (more exposed but crucially where I was to stop). Made it to Harlech at 10:04pm so less than 2 hours rain and less than an hour of increasing darkness - my main light stayed in the bag. Overall 350km done in elapsed time (ie including stops) of 16:04 (21.8kph) and rolling time of 13:48 ~25kph (NB: The wind had been mostly with us.)
Shower, snack, and bed for 5 1/2 hours. Breakfast and away by 5am, with the warmth of morning, just as the sun was due to rise (sunrise = 05:20). Bit slow into a headwind going south high above the coast, though. After the Barmouth bridge I stayed on the well surfaced (but not tarmac) Mawddach Trail along the estuary side and cut up to King’s getting there at 06:25. Previous ‘chat’ suggested 7am was a good time to leave with 220km to go. I bounced through, though the trail had filled my mudguards. Diverted through Dolgellau and up the Tabor (old?) road to Cross Foxes, stopping to clear out the mudguards before the steep and sustained hill. I’m sure the A370 is easier, but if there’s a minor road I prefer to climb that, than on the main road, at whatever time of day. Downhill another matter. Went well up to Ochr y Bwlch col, stopped to get a jacket and gloves on for the smooth, fast (for me - 80kph?) descent, with a bit of spitting rain. The A470 turns east at Cemmaes Road so that meant a tailwind to the next control. Caught (and shaken out of laziness) by a guy from Islington who led me to the control at Aberhafesp (0945 – 69km in 3:10 including 40 minutes' and 300m climb out of Dolgellau). Brilliant set up there with the Community Centre kitchen well organised and offering a range of breakfast treats. Cereal then bacon, beans, tomatoes on toast, coffee did it for me. In and out in 25 minutes, and the day had warmed up a bit. Looking forward to the climb out of Newtown.
Just out of Newtown, rather than sticking to and climbing on the A483 trunk road, I took the Dolfor road, which is again steeper but shorter and eventually (4km?) spits you back into the traffic, which was not heavy, to complete the climb. Slowly caught by a couple from Bristol Audax. The A483 is an interesting road. You look ahead to see where on the skyline the road might pass, only to find that it goes off round the side of the hills ahead; and again; and again. We had to descend eventually and south into Llandrindod Wells – a (the?) ‘high’ town in Wales. Controlled at 12:30. The Hafren Bistro looked inviting but there was a queue so I hopped it to Greggs and had an excellent tomato soup and roll. Greggs had removed salt cellars/sachets and on request “did not have any salt”, which I would like to have added to the soup. Part of their healthy eating drive. There was plenty of sugar available though, in the redundant ‘condiments’ trays: three different types.
105km to go then. Headed south alone but teamed up with Tom from Cambridge outside Buith Wells – we rode together to the end. One of my back lights jumped off outside Crickhowell and by the time I’d got back it’d been run over. I assume the plastic clip securing it to the saddlebag loop failed. Plastic fatigue?
Picked up another rider but stopped in Abergavenny for a quick rest and reorg and blagged some peanuts off a sportive support table set up by the roadside. Swift ride to Usk and steady up the long hill, passed before the top by a fast group of 8. When we got to the top people were coming up the other way saying that there'd been a bad motorcycle accident and the road was closed closed. We diverted off north to pick up the Devauden road, which was a bit of a maze and a section of 1:7 climb but once on it, a fast run down to Chepstow, joining the main road only 100m north of the route. Also helped get the distance up to 600 and reached the Arrivee at 17:55. Met @tatr at the finish.
Thank you to Ritchie and Claire and all those (King’s, Menai Bridge, Aberhafesp and Bulwark) who helped make (and keep) this event in the premier league.
BCM audax completed in 36 hours elapsed, 25 hours rolling time (so 24kph average), 4 hours of stops during the days, and a 7 hour sleep stop. Climb was 6680m over the 600km. A bit slower than this will be fine for LEL and on the first 600km of LEL the climb is (only) about 4000m: 20kph average during the days with 6 hours sleep stops (x 4) will get me round 1436km in 96 hours.
Ajax Bay
Guru
- Location
- East Devon
All the rides you count need to be on Planet Earth. Lunar centuries cannot be allowed (and anyway I suspect grip would be a problem).
Sea of vapours
Guru
- Location
- Clapham, Yorkshire Dales
I certainly have in the past and can't see any plausible reason not to.
GuyBoden
Guru
- Location
- Warrington
I'm back from my hols in Madeira, so I'm hoping to get a 100k in before the end of this week/month, unless my legs have forgotten how to pedal. 
Edit:
May ride done on the 23rd, legs are not at their best.
Edit:
May ride done on the 23rd, legs are not at their best.
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