Sean Barker

The Saracen RC run two permanent Audax 200km events, this is the second of these.

The entry form can be found on the Audax UK site on the following link

http://www.aukweb.net/perms/detail/SBA02/

Additional details can be found on the website

Event Name = Pretty Pigs Two Battles

Organised by = Geoffrey Cleaver

Distance = 209km

Total climb 2300m

Start and finish point = Tamworth

Entry Fee = £7

Date ridden – Saturday 19^th April 2014

209km cycling event starting from Tamworth, Pretty Pigs PH. Controls at Wistow Rural Centre, Upper Stow Rural Centre and Wellsbourne, plus 1 information control.

A gently undulating course with a rather long final drag.

The first control is the well-used farm shop at Wistow renowned for its large selection of cakes. Then it’s on to Upper Stow Rural Centre where they are well used to Audax riders and always offer a special meal at a reasonable price. The final control is the garage at Welsbourne to obtain a receipt before the longish final leg of some 60km.

All in all a pleasant course and a worthy addition to the Audax calendar. . 

An all together clearer day at Clee Top yesterday

Absolutely stunning Dave. There is something truly beautiful about Cotswold stone as the sunshine hits it

I rode the Saracen 200km Audax No 2 for the first time today and it really is a lovely course, mostly through the Cotswolds

Event Name = Benjamin Allen’s Spring Tonic

Organiser = Mark Rigby

Distance = 206km

Total climb 2500m

Start and finish point = The Hop Pole Pub, Tewkesbury

Entry Fee = £4

Date ridden = Saturday 5^th April 2014

This was a new event on the Mark Rigby calendar and up to his consistently high standards.

The route started out by following the gently rolling hills from Tewkesbury through Ledbury and on to Leominster where we stopped at a nice coffee shop that served the largest teacakes I have ever seen. It was then on to Wye crossing Mark’s favoured bridge, the old toll to Hay-on-Wye. The third stage is where the hills were, not that there was any too taxing but this was probably the nicest part of what was a very pleasant route. A nice stop at the friendly and well used visitors centre at Lower Soudley. Then it was a relatively flat and gentle last leg home,

This was my third 200km in a week and a late arrival and a slight mechanical problem at the start forced me to start a half hour after everyone else and ride it alone but all in all that worked out well for me as I just rode easily and enjoyed the day.  

A new event for this year and one I’ll look forward to riding again next year.

 

Controls at Leominster, Hay-on-Wye and Lower Soudley.  plus 1 information control.

Event Name = Three Counties Revisited

Organised by = Gavin Greenhow

Distance = 207km

Start and finish point = Droitwich

Entry Fee = £4

Date ridden – Saturday 29^th March 2014

207km cycling event starting from Droitwich. Controls at Tenbury, Weobley and Ledbury, plus 5 information controls.

An unseasonably hot day made for an enjoyable ride on what is a very pleasant route. This is an undulating route and must come close to attaining AAA points.

Gavin Greenhow’s events are always basic affairs with Brevit cards distributed at the start in the pub car park and left behind the counter at the finish but it’s abundantly clear that Gavin puts his focus of attention on the routes that are always interesting.

I have just been notified that this Audax will now qualify for 2 AAA points

Rode this again today and after Tewkesbury it was into a ferocious head wind but after Ludlow I had it pushing me home for the last 60km

I rode this today and I have to say it’s a lovely course but quite a tough one. The ride down to Tewkesbury is an easy start but it starts to get hilly after that on the run up to Ludlow via Ledbury, Bromyard and Leominster. After Ludlow it gets serious with the climb up to Clee Hill Common at 150km a particularly tough one. Finishing the route over Dayhouse Bank seemed easy after that.

It should have been a good view from up on Clee Hill Common but the lower ground was covered in mist.

Event Name = Vale of Belvoir

Organiser = Steve Gloster

Distance = 212km

Total climb =1329m

Start and finish point = Lichfield

Entry Fee = £5

Date ridden = Sunday 9^th March 2014

I am well familiar with this route as it has become my permanent of choice over the last year, however riding the calendar version is an altogether different experience and after the sub-freezing temperatures of last year it was a delight to ride it this time on a warm spring day.

Quite amazing how different everything looks in the sunshine.

The lion’s share of the climbing is in the first quarter as we made our way to Stonehurst Farm, Mountsorrel. It’s then a run out to Grantham services via the picturesque Belvoir Castle. The second half sees the route closely shadowing the first half but with a control at Kegworth.

Controls at Stonehurst Farm, Mountsorrel, Gonerby Services and Donnington Services.

One other bone of contention was that there was no GPS route provided so an evening typing in the route was called for. 

I have also added a second 200km Permanent Audax to our selection http://www.aukweb.net/perms/detail/SBA02/

Both very different in character. 

We just need to agree on a date, sometime in the summer.

Dave is keen but it would have to be at a time that won't interfere with his TT commitments.

Dave if you can throw a month into the ring we could work from that.

Anyone else fancy a group ride on this course? 

If we ride as a group it will be at the comfortable pace of the slowest rider.

But three cafe stops

Event Name = Mr Pickwick’s March Madness

Organiser = Mark Rigby

Distance = 209km

Total climb 2600m

Start and finish point = The Hop Pole Pub, Tewkesbury

Entry Fee = £4

Date ridden = Saturday 1^nd March 2014

A Spring classic. Tackling the Malverns before breakfast. To & through the Forest of Dean for lunch. And an afternoon in the Severn Vale.

It really is apparent that the series of Audax events run by Mark Rigby are becoming ever increasingly popular. I should think that it’s only a matter of time before they are selling out.

This was my second year riding this and it is a delightful ride. All the climbing is in the first three quarters leaving you with a relatively easy final 50km

There really is something captivating about riding through the Forest of Dean at this time of year, the canopy is far from closing so you can see deep into the woods as you climb and descend.

This is certainly an event that is pencilled in again for next year.

 

Controls at Bromyard., Lower Soudley. and Saul., plus 3 information controls.

That sounds like a great idea Alan I'm up for that too.

Perhaps sometime in the summer months?

Along with our summer 100km calendar event we have now added a 200km permanent event to our Audax selection.

This is an event that can be ridden at a time of your choosing. Full details can be found in the following link

http://www.aukweb.net/perms/detail/SBA01/

Should any of you fancy taking on this challenge please let us know in here.

I do know Laura is considering riding a longer event like this at some stage and Dave has expressed an interest in riding a 200km Audax, although it may well get in the way of his racing programme during the summer months.  

Event Name = Sam Weller’s Day Trip to Wochma

Organiser = Mark Rigby

Distance = 213km

Total Climb = 2300m

Start and finish point = The Hop Pole Pub, Tewkesbury

Entry Fee = £4

Date ridden = Saturday 1^st February 2014

This was the second running of this event and one I suspect (and hope) will be a permanent fixture on the Audax calendar. Having ridden the inaugural event last year I was very much looking forward to it this year and despite some truly awful weather it was still (for the most part) an enjoyable day’s riding but then again, as with any Audax Mark Rigby is involved in, you are guaranteed a first class event.

The course made its way through the Herefordshire cider orchards, Wye Valley, Cotswolds and Severn Vale

Controls at Wormelow Tump, Chepstow and Malmesbury, plus 2 information controls.
 

Event Name = Mr. Pickwick’s January Sale

Organiser = Mark Rigby

Distance = 201km

Total Climb = 2100m

Start and finish point = The Hop Pole Pub, Tewkesbury

Entry Fee = £1

Date ridden = Saturday 4^th January 2014

This is a course designed should the weather conspire against us. It does for the most part stick to fairly quiet B roads, but roads that will be gritted should the need arise.

It is still a charming route as it heads north to the first control at Chaddesley Corbett, then eastwards to Warwick Services South before heading into the Cotswolds and to Chipping Norton and back to Tewkesbury.

After some extremely heavy rain during the previous weeks Tewkesbury was heavily flooded as indeed were a number of sections on the course. Mark had adjusted the route sheet at the eleventh hour and even made further amendments via a briefing as we set off. This not only kept us moving safely but allowed us to witness some severe flooding from a safe distance,

Controls at Chaddesley Corbett, Warwick Services South. and Chipping Norton, plus 2 information controls.
 

This was my second riding of this event and one I’ll look forward to again next year.

Event Name = Kings, Castles, Priests & Churches

Organiser = Mark Rigby

Distance = 202km

Total Climb = 2550m

Start and finish point = The Hop Pole Pub, Tewkesbury

Entry Fee = £4

Date ridden = Saturday 7^th December 2013

Definitely one of my favourite rides of the year. With over two and a half thousand metres of climbing it’s a tough one on a cold winter’s day, but it is simply stunning in terms of scenery.

The ride departs from Tewkesbury and makes its way to the first control in Bromyard taking in an info control in Ledbury on the way. The second stage takes you to Ludlow and then the third stage is where the lion’s share of the climbing is to be found as you head for Kington. From Kington it’s on to Wormelow Tump and then home to Tewkesbury.

The route seems to me almost entirely on quiet deserted country lanes.

This was my second year to ride this course and I look forward to riding it again next year.

Controls were at Bromyard, Ludlow, Kington and Wormelow Tump, with two info controls

Event Name = Mr Pickwick’s Cymraeg Cyrch

Organiser = Mark Rigby

Distance = 209km

Total Climb = 2200m

Start and finish point = The Hop Pole Pub, Tewkesbury

Entry Fee = £4

Date ridden = Saturday 9^th Npvember 2013

I rode this last year and remembered it as a particularly picturesque and pleasant ride. My recollection was clearly spot on as once again I loved everything about this event, from following the river Wye to the rugged and rustic Welsh countryside, be it with some 2,200m of ascent.

The three café stops, which were all pubs offered excellent fare and value.

The numbers were well up this year so the riders were offered the choice of two start times.

Controls were at Monmouth, Yalybont-on-Usk and Symonds Yat East and no info controls

Event Name = Mr Pickwick’s Autumnal Outing

Organiser = Mark Rigby

Distance = 210km

Total Climb = 2350m

Start and finish point = The Hop Pole Pub, Tewkesbury

Entry Fee = £4

Date ridden = Saturday 19^th October 2013

This was my second time to ride this Audax and one I look forward to riding again. With around two and a half thousand metres of ascent and an interesting course and it takes you through some of the prettiest Cotswold villages, this is one to savour.

One thing that was clearly noticeable was the numbers were well up on last year and as the riders were briefed before their departure, the organiser (Mark Rigby) gave us further options of café stops in case the intended cafés couldn’t cope with the numbers. Some other Audax events would do well to afford the riders this option.

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Controls at Shipston-on-Stour, Daventry and Chipping Norton with a couple of info controls along the way

Event Name = Droitwich – Lechlade

Organised by = Gavin Greenhow

Distance = 215km

Start and finish point = Droitwich

Entry Fee = £4

Date ridden – 12^th October 2013

215km cycling event starting from Droitwich

This is the second time I have ridden this event and to me it has one positive and one negative. The positive is it’s a lovely course through the Cotswolds with a couple of testing climbs, the negative is there is only one café stop (I do like my café stops)

We made our way through Worcester and on to the first control at a garage in Cheltenham, then it was on to Lechlade for the only café stop. Then it was back to Droitwich stopping at Tewkesbury on the way for the final control.

Controls at Cheltenham, Lechlade and Tewkesbury with three info controls

Event Name = Droitwich – Witney (or the 6 Gates)

Organised by = Gavin Greenhow

Distance = 201km

Start and finish point = Droitwich

Entry Fee = £4

Date ridden – 28^th September 2013

201km cycling event starting from Droitwich.
I have done a number of Gavin Greenhow’s Audax events now and I really can’t think of a more pleasant and interesting one than this one, We made our way to Shipston via Bidford for the first control, then on to Witney via Chipping Norton for the second control. The next stage was onto Chipping Camden via Stow-on-the-wold  for the third control and then the final stage back to Droitwich.

The first control was at a pre-designated café but the controls in Witney and Chipping Camden were open controls and with both towns boasting a fine selection of cafes you were spoilt for choice.

There was just the one info control, which was easy enough to spot.

All in all an event to look forward to next year

Controls at Shipston. Witney and Chipping Camden with just one info control

Event Name = Mr. Pickwick goes to Hay in a day

Organised by = Mark Rigby

Distance = 205km

Total Climb = 1900m

Start and finish point = Tewkesbury

Entry Fee = £4
Date ridden – Saturday 7^th September 2013

205km cycling event starting from Tewkesbury.
If I could only ride one organisers audaces it would be Mark Rigby's With a different Audax for every month and all of the highest quality, it seems you just can't go wrong.

This one is no different. This was my second year to ride this event and it really is a beautiful course. The route takes you west for a first control at Wormelow Tump Post Office then it's on to to the charming Hay-on-Wye for lunch. Then the course makes its way through a number of villages before making its way to Bromyard for afternoon tea. The final stage (which is the longest section) which circumnavigates Bredon Hill and then drops back into Tewkesbury.

This is a hilly course but no particularly big hills but still manages to rack up 1,900 meters of climbing
 

Controls at Wormelow Tump, Hay-on-Wye and Bromyard plus three information controls.