Sean Barker

Event Name = A Cotswold Adventure Organised by = Dick Law Distance = 208km Start and finish point = Hampton in Arden Entry Fee = £6 Date ridden – Sunday 30th June 2013 I have done several Audaces through the Cotswolds but never a better route than this one. It was just one chocolate box village after another, This looked very much like a route that was designed to take in as much of the Cotswold beauty as possible. The course was hillier than most with two and a half thousand metres of ascent but that just seemed to offer greater views of the surrounding beauty. That start area was slick and well organised with complementary hot drinks. The first control at Cropredy was ably staffed by two charming ladies with complementary hot drinks and a veritable banquet of food from home made flapjacks to cakes and biscuits to fruit. The second control in Charlbury did an excellent selection of hot foods at reasonable prices. The third and final control was in Chipping Camden but I only checked in there as I had a hankering for a giant smoothie which I could get at the Co-op a couple of doors down. This was an excellent Audax but a shame that only fifteen people turned up for the 200km event, clearly a more aggressive promotion should be a priority for next year. One gripe (be it a small one) the Brevet card had all the controls and info controls in kms yet the route sheet was measured in miles. Controls were at Cropredy, Charlbury and Chipping Camden plus 4 information controls.

Event Name = Cotswold Expedition Organised by = Paul Deane Distance = 212km Start and finish point = Wythall, South Birmingham Entry Fee = £8 Date ridden – Sunday 23rd June 2013 At £8 this was the most expensive 200km Audax I have ridden so far but a popular and well frequented event nonetheless. The start was well organised and the course was typically pleasant of a course that makes its way through the Cotswolds. The controls less so, The card validation was well run but the first café stop Broadway Tower had a half an hour waiting time so I, along with many others. gave up and just rode on to the next control at Asthall. The extortionate prices there did mean there was room but a sandwich and coffee for £8 was hard to enjoy. Probably just as well I bit the bullet as the third and final control was too busy and I really didn’t feel like standing up so just kicked on. The finish back at Wythall was excellent, plenty of food provided, pasta and a plentiful supply of cakes and hot drinks. Controls were at Broadway Tower, Asthall and Shuttford plus 4 information controls. Update All the Brevet cards were lost in the post With so many better options available at this time of the year, I'll give this one a wide berth in future