Sunrise & Snowdrop Express 2013. Bookings now open.
Beacon RCC Events
Posts: 15
DON'T FORGET TO BOOK FOR THIS PREMIER EVENT
THE SUNRISE AND SNOWDROP EXPRESS: 16th February 2013
Date: 16th February 2013.
Events: (i) Sunrise Express (clockwise) starting at 8.30am. (ii) Snowdrop Express (anticlockwise) starting at 9.00am.
Distance: Both are 123km.
Entry Fee: £7.50 (£5.50 for AUK or CTC members) + £1 if via Paypal.
Route: Hartlebury – Evesham – Upton Upon Severn – Hartlebury or vice versa.
When does it sell out? Usually before Christmas
Number of entries: 260
Weather: Chilly (probably); Crisp (possibly); Precipitation (hopefully, not).
Camaraderie: Good to excellent.
Beans on Toast: Substantial.
Sportive Rip-off: Certainly not.
Do I have to be a dentist riding a Pinarello? Certainly not, we leave that for over-priced events.
Do I need a beard? Ever heard of shaving?
Mudguards: Not compulsory unless you think events should comply to rules set by Queen Victoria.
The Blurb....
Entries are already flooding in and it is only mid-October.
The Sunrise and Snowdrop Expresses are an institution on the winter cycling and audax calendar. For some riders our event provides a wonderful opportunity to enjoy rural Worcestershire on a crisp winter day. For others it provides the perfect motivation to get out with friends when they might otherwise be tempted to stay indoors. In recent years we have also been delighted to welcome several local racing men and women who used it for steady winter training.
The two 123km events follow the same routes but in opposite directions. The routes follow quiet country roads with only a few short bits on main roads. February can of course be quite cold, so we have the option of gritted alternative if road conditions are poor, assuming that the dear old County Council has sent out its gritters the night before.
We hope you find everything you need to know about the Beacons February Audaxes in these pages. If you have any further questions please contact the organiser below. For details of what an Audax ride entails see our website at:
http://www.beaconrcc.org.uk/audax/express/events.html
Audaxes are self guided rides. Riders will be sent route cards via e-mail and GPS downloads are available from the Beacon website. You will need to be able to ride between 15 and 30kph average to qualify.
Parking: There is ample parking at the HQ. Please follow the instructions of the marshals.
Refreshments
Before the Event: The Hartlebury HQ will be open from 7.15am and you are welcome to purchase hot drinks and food.
On completion of the ride you will be given a FREE food voucher that will entitle you to a mug of tea or coffee, Beans on toast or any other food on the menu to the same value and a slice of cake.
Controls -
Evesham and Upton Upon Severn will feature as the event controls can get a stampt for your Brevet Card stamped and take the opportunity to purchase some fine bread pudding, etc.
The Small Print
This event is run under Audax UK regulations. It is not a race or trial of speed. You are expected to follow the rules of the road and show consideration to other road users. It is your responsibility to familiarise yourself with Audax UK regulations, guidance, and advice. (Members receive these via AUK publications. Others may find them on the AUK website at http://www.aukweb.net )
The route is on open public roads.
- Some routes may be arduous.
- It is not a race or a timed trial.
- The route is not waymarked or marshalled.
- You should prepare by studying the route.
- The organiser provides no rescue service.
- You are responsible for your safety/conduct and compliance with the Highway Code and traffic laws.
- Please remember that the cafes are acting as hosts for our controls.
- In the event of cancellation, fees will not be refunded but will entitle riders to ride the event under 'permanent audax' regulations until 6th April 2013. Any surplus created by the cancellation will be donated to the charity 'Headway'.
- Ride times are not published but a list of finishers will be published on both AUK and Beacon RCC websites.
THE SUNRISE AND SNOWDROP EXPRESS: 16th February 2013
Date: 16th February 2013.
Events: (i) Sunrise Express (clockwise) starting at 8.30am. (ii) Snowdrop Express (anticlockwise) starting at 9.00am.
Distance: Both are 123km.
Entry Fee: £7.50 (£5.50 for AUK or CTC members) + £1 if via Paypal.
Route: Hartlebury – Evesham – Upton Upon Severn – Hartlebury or vice versa.
When does it sell out? Usually before Christmas
Number of entries: 260
Weather: Chilly (probably); Crisp (possibly); Precipitation (hopefully, not).
Camaraderie: Good to excellent.
Beans on Toast: Substantial.
Sportive Rip-off: Certainly not.
Do I have to be a dentist riding a Pinarello? Certainly not, we leave that for over-priced events.
Do I need a beard? Ever heard of shaving?
Mudguards: Not compulsory unless you think events should comply to rules set by Queen Victoria.
The Blurb....
Entries are already flooding in and it is only mid-October.
The Sunrise and Snowdrop Expresses are an institution on the winter cycling and audax calendar. For some riders our event provides a wonderful opportunity to enjoy rural Worcestershire on a crisp winter day. For others it provides the perfect motivation to get out with friends when they might otherwise be tempted to stay indoors. In recent years we have also been delighted to welcome several local racing men and women who used it for steady winter training.
The two 123km events follow the same routes but in opposite directions. The routes follow quiet country roads with only a few short bits on main roads. February can of course be quite cold, so we have the option of gritted alternative if road conditions are poor, assuming that the dear old County Council has sent out its gritters the night before.
We hope you find everything you need to know about the Beacons February Audaxes in these pages. If you have any further questions please contact the organiser below. For details of what an Audax ride entails see our website at:
http://www.beaconrcc.org.uk/audax/express/events.html
Audaxes are self guided rides. Riders will be sent route cards via e-mail and GPS downloads are available from the Beacon website. You will need to be able to ride between 15 and 30kph average to qualify.
Parking: There is ample parking at the HQ. Please follow the instructions of the marshals.
Refreshments
Before the Event: The Hartlebury HQ will be open from 7.15am and you are welcome to purchase hot drinks and food.
On completion of the ride you will be given a FREE food voucher that will entitle you to a mug of tea or coffee, Beans on toast or any other food on the menu to the same value and a slice of cake.
Controls -
Evesham and Upton Upon Severn will feature as the event controls can get a stampt for your Brevet Card stamped and take the opportunity to purchase some fine bread pudding, etc.
The Small Print
This event is run under Audax UK regulations. It is not a race or trial of speed. You are expected to follow the rules of the road and show consideration to other road users. It is your responsibility to familiarise yourself with Audax UK regulations, guidance, and advice. (Members receive these via AUK publications. Others may find them on the AUK website at http://www.aukweb.net )
The route is on open public roads.
- Some routes may be arduous.
- It is not a race or a timed trial.
- The route is not waymarked or marshalled.
- You should prepare by studying the route.
- The organiser provides no rescue service.
- You are responsible for your safety/conduct and compliance with the Highway Code and traffic laws.
- Please remember that the cafes are acting as hosts for our controls.
- In the event of cancellation, fees will not be refunded but will entitle riders to ride the event under 'permanent audax' regulations until 6th April 2013. Any surplus created by the cancellation will be donated to the charity 'Headway'.
- Ride times are not published but a list of finishers will be published on both AUK and Beacon RCC websites.
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Comments
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Wotto, I shall send in my entry for a repeat of this excellent event.
It is easy to underestimate this event. Despite only being 123km long and lack of major climbs, I have always found the Snowdrop Express to be surprisingly challenging. My only explanation is the early nature of the event, coming close to the end of close season when most riders are ground down by the depression of winter.
The 2012 event was great fun. The weather was bizarre. Starting off in mild wet conditions, the temperatures plummeted and many of us were pounded by a severe hail storm. Despite the conditions, everyone was positive and there was a sense of camaraderie as we trundled around rural Worcestershire. All in all, there were about a couple of hundred starters. Some appeared to be seasoned club racers whilst others were new to the game.
Great fun! I commend it.0 -
This was the hardest event I've done due mainly to the weather conditions. Lashing rain and what felt like a force 1 hurricane head-wind. It was only my second long-distance ride and seemed to go on for eternity. Didn't help that we got lost and added another 10 miles.
I'll definitely be etering again this year to gauge how far I've developed.0 -
This was my first winter event and although the cycling was tough at times the atmosphere at the cake stops and with riders along the route was cracking. Never have I enjoyed beans on toast so much.
Entry for 2013 event completed.Purveyor of "up"0 -
I'm in0
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Don't leave it too late. Only 30 places left on each of the two rides.
http://www.beaconrcc.org.uk/audax/express/index.html0 -
Was thinking about it, but 123km is shorter than most club rides and way too short for an audax. I'll stick with the Winter Warmer in Jan and the Newport in Feb.English Cycles V3 | Cervelo P5 | Cervelo T4 | Trek Domane Koppenberg0
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'Do I have to be a dentist riding a Pinerello'. Why would you write that ? Why be devisive? Surely as organisers you should try and be as inclusive as possible and not alienate people with stupid remarks. Is everyone of your entrants going to be an old bloke with a beard riding a really heavy steel bike with a massive saddlebag at about 10mph?
No, of course not because that's not every Audax rider the same as most Sportive riders are not 'Dentists on Pinarellos'
And funnily enough Britains best ever cyclist happens to ride a Pinarello!0 -
Brakeless wrote:'Do I have to be a dentist riding a Pinerello'. Why would you write that ? Why be devisive? Surely as organisers you should try and be as inclusive as possible and not alienate people with stupid remarks. Is everyone of your entrants going to be an old bloke with a beard riding a really heavy steel bike with a massive saddlebag at about 10mph?
No, of course not because that's not every Audax rider the same as most Sportive riders are not 'Dentists on Pinarellos'
And funnily enough Britains best ever cyclist happens to ride a Pinarello!
Hey Brakeless, chill out
The point the organisers are making, afaik, is to break down the barriers and there is as much poking a finger at sportives as audaxes:
"Do I have to be a dentist riding a Pinarello? Certainly not, we leave that for over-priced events.
Do I need a beard? Ever heard of shaving?
Mudguards: Not compulsory unless you think events should comply to rules set by Queen Victoria."
There is a media perception that the average sportive rider is indeed a dentist on a Pinarello and this became a bit of an injoke amongst cyclists over the last couple of years...and that audax riders are bearded chaps (and even chappettes) wearing sandals and socks. Let's face it, neither stereotype is right although I have seen a few ladies with hairy top lips on audaxes
Give this one a bash mate, blinking great atmosphere and about as inclusive as it gets as well as a great early season warmer. If you live close enough, I would also recommend the LVIV Ball Buster near Bristol as one of the better ones (for newbies to audaxes) that get a fantastic and diverse response.0 -
Hi Bobbinogs, I'm chilled, no problem there. I've got to disagree with you about the Dentist Pinerello thing. I don't think it's media lead at all. It's generally used by cyclists who have been cycling for quite a while and like to 'look down' on cyclists who have not come into cycling via the traditional club route and are happy paying for someone to sign a route and put on some feed stops. I've ridden with a few guys on clubruns like this who genuinely dislike the fact that there's so many new cyclists around on very expensive bikes. As I see it the more cyclists on the road the better, whether thats Sportives, Audaxes, clubruns or people that are just out for a ride or are commuting to work. If people have thier own ideas (predjudices) about other cyclists then thats fine but to post them even in jest as the organiser of an event is a bit stupid. I'm sure the event will be great but as a previous poster has said it's not really longer than a clubrun and wouldn't be worth a 120 mile drive for.0
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This made me chuckle. The organiser is a doctor - almost a dentist but not quite - so humour is even more loaded and not just ironic.
I have ridden the Snowdrop several times and enjoyed every one. It is one of the few organised rides where you can experience a real sense of 'event'. Oh, and by the way I ride Cervelo.0 -
Down to just 30 and 20 places left on the Sunrise and Snowdrop Express audaxes respectively. 0
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is there a consenus on which route to go with?0
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dangerousdave. wrote:is there a consenus on which route to go with?
Generally, the Snowdrop is usually the earliest to fill because of its later start. The Sunrise tends to be more popular with those attempting to ride the route as a reliability.
If it is icy, the advantages are as follows:
- The Snowdrop starts slightly later which means a reduced likelihood of frost on lanes;
- The Sunrise 'Gritted Emergency' route allows riders to return to frost free lanes before reaching busy Worcester.0 -
I rode the 2012 Sunrise and the wind-driven cold rain turned to face me whatever turn I took, so I guess you should take the Snowdrop if you want an easy ride.
Purveyor of "up"0 -
Many thanks to all those of you that have entered. The last of the two events closed to entries yesterday.
If you missed out on the Sunrise and Snowdrop Express, the good doctor will be organising another event in August with the Clee audax in the famous Kidderminster Killer -- the latter being targeted at the insane. The Beacon have also penciled in 23rd June for a repeat of its 500 rider strong Cotswold audaxes.
So, if you missed out on the Snowdrop and Sunrise Express, there are plenty to choose from in 2013.
http://www.beaconrcc.org.uk/audax/index.html0 -
Important News for all Entrants.
In case you escape the e-mail during the coming two weeks.
The HQ location has changed following the Hartlebury Trader going out of business. The event now starts from Whitlenge Gardens Tea Room, one mile away.
Details on:
- the location of the new HQ;
- revised route cards (both gritted and ungritted);
- GPS links;
- parking arrangements.
can be found at http://www.beaconrcc.org.uk/audax/express/routes.html0 -
FLOODING
The River Avon is in flood and parts of the planned audax route are closed. The situation is fluid, pardon the pun, and I cannot guarantee the integrity of the current route. However, a resilience plan is in place for managing eventualities.
Current situation:
Currently, Jubilee and Eckington Bridges are closed.
Likely situation on Saturday:
Jubilee Bridge does not usually remain closed for more than a couple of days. However, Eckington Bridge usually takes longer to clear due to the backlog of water from the Severn and Avon confluence.
Diversions
1. Jubilee and Eckington Closures will result in diversions via The Lenches and Great Comberton/Pershore respectively.
2. Eckington closure will result in a diversion via Pershore Town Centre.
Dissemination
If flooding remains a problem on Friday, an announcement will e-mailed on Friday morning. If all is clear, no announcements will be required. Any announcement will include attachments to new GPX files and word documents containing the revised route card. Some printed copies will also be available from the HQ.
Keeping abreast of the flooding news from external sources
Worcestershire County Council homepage: http://www.worcestershire.gov.uk/cms/default.aspx0 -
I rode this one today. Top marks to the organisers for dealing with last minute problems like losing the primary cake stop, and having part of the route under water. As before (second time for me) it was a brilliant ride, lots of friendly chat and a chance to begin to beat those legs into shape for the endless hot summer of cycling 2013. :roll: Purveyor of "up"0
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First time here for Snowdrop and as above well done organisers in sorting out a rideable alterrnative and doing GPX files at last moment . Looked lucky too that Upton was above water too---just goes to show that it isn`t always sunny in Wales (OK we had an inch rain Tuesday to wash away a few inches snow so that woudl explain Severn levels
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Despite being a relatively flat area section back from Evesham was pretty tough I found, just so many short steep hills and rolling drags, started cramping up at 85 km and wondered about my sanity in having signed up for Elenydd 300 ----
I can see why this is such a classic event, and despite early fog ended up with best weather for ages 0
