Has Phil and Friends Been Cancelled ???

dlrogers

Looking on the Audax website http://www.aukweb.net/cal/index.htm it says that the ride on 31st August has been cancelled. Is this true or have they just marked it as cancelled because it is full ???

Tom Butcher

It can't be full because it's enter on the day isn't it? Is it possible they've cancelled it as an audax but that it is still going ahead as a challenge ride ?

I heard they were a bit disappointed in the numbers that turned out last year or the year before but really they need to update it a bit - a few directions arrows, one feed station and a bit of advertising and I reckon it'd pull in a thousand riders easily.

dlrogers

Maybe ???

Have you done the ride Tom ???

I've been told that there are no directions, food stops, etc.

But I've also read an article written by a guy that did it last year and he said that it was set out like an Audax. Full directions and food stops at cafes, village halls, etc.

I'm just a little unsure of what I need to take with me.

Tom Butcher

Yes done it 3-4 times. First time did it as an audax and you had to get your card stamped - other times just done it as a challenge ride. There are no directions on the course that I've seen and the only food stops are cafes - most people stop half way at a farm in Edale (I think) which sells refreshments from a window - I normally grab something at Monsal Head too as there is a cafe there. I don't know for sure but I think there has always been an option to ride it as an audax - and I'm wondering if this option wasn't proving popular so they've just cancelled that but the ride itself is still on. Don't expect a sportive - they don't publish results etc - but the people that ride it seem to be largely club riders and it's certainly possible to get into a fast moving group.

dlrogers

Thanks Tom

This may seem like a silly question but if there are no directions how do you know which way to go ??? Or do they give out the Audax style directions ???

Tom Butcher

Well the route isn't the complicated and I know 90% of it - and I tend to ride it in a group so chances are someone knows the way. I think they do provide audax style directions. I'd take a map though - there were a couple of times last year we stopped and checked we were going the right way.

dlrogers

What kind of map do you take ???
Ordnance Survey ???
If so, which one ??? What number ???

Mossrider

As Tom said the route is quite easy, particularly if doing the shorter route, and you'll have no issues following the bods in front. On the longer route the extension is more complex (everyone seems to miss the left turn after Winnats) and obviously there are less riders, who are much more spread. Again, if you can get in a group you'll be fine but it may be worth printing a plan off multimap or something similar.

It's a good ride and because there are no timings, seems to have retained the relaxed Audax atmosphere. Last time I did it a couple of years back the weather was not so good so like many others we concentrated on testing a number of cafes...but still did the full ride.

With the possible exception of the Glossop-Hayfield stretch (a tad busy for my likiing but not a huge problem with lots of cyclists on the road) and Winnats Pass (truly a cursed spot - by me anyway! ) its a lovely run

dlrogers

We are doing the long version (150km) so I'll have to try and sort a map I guess.

Thanks for the help.

johnbirkby46213

Just to add my 2'penneth, it is very much an Audax style ride, i.e. route instructions are sent out and its up to you to plot on a map etc beforehand if thats what you like to do. As the instructions are so faultless (on the shorter ride at least) there really is no need to plot on a map. It's a really friendly ride with bunches forming so I am sure you won't need to map in advance even for the long route (which is the short route with a hernia attached)
Actually this year is the first year i am a member of both Audax and CTC so I am not sure under whose auspices to book my slot!
There is an earlier food stop than the Edale one mentioned. Somehow "they" have talked a pub in HolmeFirth to open its doors really early and sell tea/coffee and sausage/bacon cobs. Not ideal for hitting Holme Moss immediately afterwards but hey, there's no real time limit so it hardly matters.
IF I manage not to rush off too early in the opening 20-30 kms this year and feel slightly less shattered at the end than I have done in the past, I am promising myself that next year I'll attempt the long route.
The great man himself does the ride and chats with loads of peeps, offering encouragement etc etc.. And at the end of the ride, he does a quick change so that you'd think he'd not even been near a bike! he then chats with peeps in the village hall which is a nice touch.
I got him to sign my certificate last year.... :oops:

JB

ps the first 2 or so kms are seriously downhill and there is a wicked hairpin/chevron bend that you should approach with great caution (i mention that just incase your bunch of mates haven't done the ride before)

ColinJ

johnbirkby46213 wrote:

<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>
... just experienced my first frame wobble at speed coming off Holme Moss. Not wanting a repeat experience!!

That's why I keep a leg against my crossbar on fast descents! I caught up with John a couple of minutes later and he was still shaking :shock: .