Sean Barker Posted September 8, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2013 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 7th 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Barker Posted September 29, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 29, 2013 Event Name = Droitwich – Witney (or the 6 Gates) Organised by = Gavin Greenhow Distance = 201km Start and finish point = Droitwich Entry Fee = £4 Date ridden – 28th 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Barker Posted October 12, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 12, 2013 Event Name = Droitwich – Lechlade Organised by = Gavin Greenhow Distance = 215km Start and finish point = Droitwich Entry Fee = £4 Date ridden – 12th 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Barker Posted October 19, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 19, 2013 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 19th 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. . Controls at Shipston-on-Stour, Daventry and Chipping Norton with a couple of info controls along the way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Barker Posted November 10, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 10, 2013 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 9th 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Barker Posted December 8, 2013 Author Report Share Posted December 8, 2013 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 7th 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Barker Posted January 5, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 5, 2014 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 4th 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Barker Posted February 3, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 3, 2014 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 1st 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Barker Posted March 2, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2014 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 1nd 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Barker Posted March 10, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 10, 2014 Event Name = Vale of Belvoir Organiser = Steve Gloster Distance = 212km Total climb =1329m Start and finish point = Lichfield Entry Fee = £5 Date ridden = Sunday 9th 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Barker Posted March 30, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 30, 2014 Event Name = Three Counties Revisited Organised by = Gavin Greenhow Distance = 207km Start and finish point = Droitwich Entry Fee = £4 Date ridden – Saturday 29th 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Barker Posted April 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 6, 2014 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 5th 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Barker Posted April 16, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 16, 2014 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 19th 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. . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Barker Posted July 11, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 11, 2014 Event Name = Mr. Pickwick Takes Flight Organised by = Mark Rigby Distance = 206km Total Climb = 1800m Start and finish point = Tewkesbury Entry Fee = £4Date ridden – Saturday 5th July 2014 206km cycling event starting from Tewkesbury. I rode this last year and remembered it as being an easy and uneventful day. Well this year was to prove rather different, a heavy downpour early in the ride left us all soaked through and then I was to get three punctures and ride the last 50km very nervously indeed as I was clean out of innertubes. The course however was as you would expect from a Mark Rigby event without fault, perhaps easier than his usual courses but a thoroughly enjoyable event nonetheless with excellent cafes at the controls. Defenetly one for next year. The course made its way to Wellesbourne for the first control and then on tothe Aerodrome at Turweston and finally on to his well used café in Chipping Norton, where the selection of cakes is always impressive. Controls at Wellesbourne, Turweston. and Chipping Norton., plus 3 information controls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Barker Posted August 25, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 25, 2014 Event Name = A Rough Diamond Organised by = Mark Rigby Distance = 301km Total Climb = 2500m Start and finish point = Tewkesbury Entry Fee = £6:50Date ridden – August 9th 2014 This is a delightful 300 and well worth considering if you fancy a good quality ride without too much climbing. It probably helped that it was such a nice day but despite riding it at a comfortable pace I completed it in less than fourteen hours. So it’s a fast course Controls at Burford, Talybont-on-Usk and Slimbridge mean there are fairly long stretches between café stops, in fact 100km between Talybont-on-Usk and Slimbridge but plenty of chances to take on sustenance between all stops. Controls at Burford, Talybont-on-Usk and Slimbridge plus one info control Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Barker Posted February 8, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 8, 2015 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 18th October 2014 This Audax has become something of a mainstay in my Audax calendar and with good reason. Some testing climbs but without doubt the prettiest route through the Cotswolds I have ever ridden. Mark Rigby has built up a well-deserved reputation for excellent courses and faultless organisation and it has been noticeable how the numbers have increased over the last few years. If you intend to ride this or indeed any of the Blacksheep series then early entry is strongly advised. . Controls at Shipston-on-Stour, Daventry and Chipping Norton with a couple of info controls along the way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Barker Posted February 8, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 8, 2015 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 8th November 2014 This is an Audax with a difference on the way out and indeed or the return it covers a section of the cycle path that runs alongside the River. A particularly magical moment for me was on the return leg when I cycled in the dark following two badgers for fifty or so meters before they darted back into the woods. The café stops are all pubs with plentiful food at most reasonable prices. Without doubt an event for next year’s calendar. Controls were at Monmouth, Yalybont-on-Usk and Symonds Yat East and no info controls Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Barker Posted February 8, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 8, 2015 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 6th December 2014 A classic and challenging winter Audax. 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. Perhaps my favourite section is the climb out of Ludlow and the view back from the Mortimer Forest over the Town 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 is cleverly designed to follow country lanes avoiding the busier B roads Controls were at Bromyard, Ludlow, Kington and Wormelow Tump, with two info controls Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Barker Posted February 8, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 8, 2015 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 3rd January 2015 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. The weather was horrendous as the heavy rain never ceased. It was hard to enjoy this one but the sense of achievement on finishing immense. After finishing and getting changed into some dry clothes I decided I was going to have to get a better waterproof option gloves wise. Controls at Chaddesley Corbett, Warwick Services South. and Chipping Norton, plus 2 information controls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Barker Posted February 8, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 8, 2015 Event Name = Sam Weller’s Day Trip to Wochma Organiser = Mark Rigby Distance = 220km Total Climb = 2300m Start and finish point = The Hop Pole Pub, Tewkesbury Entry Fee = £4 Date ridden = Saturday 7th February 2015 It really is a lottery as to what the weather will bring you at this time of year but today was milder than of late even if only reaching a high of six degrees. The start was below zero with plenty of ice patches in the first section so discretion was very much the better part of valour. It’s a striking course nonetheless with some truly stunning scenery, particularly the Wye Valley and Severn estuary. The course had to be changed slightly this year due to the demise of the post office in Wormlow Tump, so an extra 10km loop was added to reach the new control at Alensmore Controls at Alensmore, Chepstow and Malmesbury, plus 2 information controls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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