**NEW**: BIKERADAR Heart of England 2017 autumn ride?

24

Comments

  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,317
    This is what I've got at the moment... I am trying to balance the needs of those travelling by car with an attempt to create a nice and picturesque course but not horribly hilly. It features a steep climb out of Ilmington and the classic Dovers Hill HC, which is also no. 13 in Simon Warren's 100 climbs. The furthest point in Snowshill, which is probably the prettiest of the Cotswolds villages and in summer is surrounded by lavender fields in bloom. There are a number of options for a coffee break. The only downside is that Kineton doesn't have a car park, AFAIK, but it's not London either, so in theory, you can park your car pretty much anywhere in the village.

    https://www.strava.com/routes/6457833

    I have another option which starts from Long Marston, so less convenient for those travelling on the M 40, but can be made into a hillier ride. Let me know your thoughts and priorities, the route is very much customisable
    left the forum March 2023
  • captain_chaos
    captain_chaos Posts: 111
    ugo.santalucia wrote:
    This is what I've got at the moment... I am trying to balance the needs of those travelling by car with an attempt to create a nice and picturesque course but not horribly hilly. It features a steep climb out of Ilmington and the classic Dovers Hill HC, which is also no. 13 in Simon Warren's 100 climbs. The furthest point in Snowshill, which is probably the prettiest of the Cotswolds villages and in summer is surrounded by lavender fields in bloom. There are a number of options for a coffee break. The only downside is that Kineton doesn't have a car park, AFAIK, but it's not London either, so in theory, you can park your car pretty much anywhere in the village.

    https://www.strava.com/routes/6457833

    I have another option which starts from Long Marston, so less convenient for those travelling on the M 40, but can be made into a hillier ride. Let me know your thoughts and priorities, the route is very much customisable

    There's no parking in Long Marston apart from the only pub in the village. Parking in Kineton should be no problem
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,317
    Captain Chaos wrote:

    There's no parking in Long Marston apart from the only pub in the village. Parking in Kineton should be no problem

    I had a spot in mind, where the greenway to Stratford starts (station road), but I agree it should be no problem to find a spot in Kineton given the limited numbers
    left the forum March 2023
  • dish_dash
    dish_dash Posts: 5,647
    Looks good to me Ugo. Do we have a time?
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,317
    dish_dash wrote:
    Looks good to me Ugo. Do we have a time?

    A rough idea... we could meet at 9 AM for a 9:15 start. Latecomers and those who prefer a short ride could join at Shipston around 10 AM
    left the forum March 2023
  • dish_dash
    dish_dash Posts: 5,647
    ugo.santalucia wrote:
    dish_dash wrote:
    Looks good to me Ugo. Do we have a time?

    A rough idea... we could meet at 9 AM for a 9:15 start. Latecomers and those who prefer a short ride could join at Shipston around 10 AM

    Could we go for a 9.30 start just to give me a little more lee-way to get up there...
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,317
    dish_dash wrote:
    ugo.santalucia wrote:
    dish_dash wrote:
    Looks good to me Ugo. Do we have a time?

    A rough idea... we could meet at 9 AM for a 9:15 start. Latecomers and those who prefer a short ride could join at Shipston around 10 AM

    Could we go for a 9.30 start just to give me a little more lee-way to get up there...

    Yeah, fine
    left the forum March 2023
  • darkhairedlord
    darkhairedlord Posts: 7,180
    bobmcstuff wrote:
    Little bit too far south for me at 2 hours drive each way... Otherwise would be keen. If I happen to be down south for some other reason I'll stick the bike in the car but not too likely.
    trust me, this isn't down south.
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,317
    Embarrassingly, I totally forgot I gave my availability for the Uni open day on the 24th and obviously they have put me down for it...

    So I am out... :-(
    left the forum March 2023
  • fudgey
    fudgey Posts: 854
    Ah bummer, tbh i dont mind postponing a week etc as we have a pretty busy weekend then too. My lad is swimming in the club champs sat and sun so id need to arrange child cover for the daughter.
    My winter bike is exactly the same as my summer bike,,, but dirty...
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,317
    Fudgey wrote:
    Ah bummer, tbh i dont mind postponing a week etc as we have a pretty busy weekend then too. My lad is swimming in the club champs sat and sun so id need to arrange child cover for the daughter.

    I can still do the 25th September (sunday), otherwise we are looking at mid October. The first weekend in October I am in Wales for the Autumn Epic
    The following one (8-9 October) is fine
    left the forum March 2023
  • fudgey
    fudgey Posts: 854
    I dont think I can make the 25th, and I am away the weekend of the 7th of October in North Wales on the MTB haha.
    My winter bike is exactly the same as my summer bike,,, but dirty...
  • dish_dash
    dish_dash Posts: 5,647
    Boo Ugo...

    25th or 8/9 Oct don't work for me either... maybe this evolves into a spring ride instead?
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,317
    dish_dash wrote:
    Boo Ugo...

    25th or 8/9 Oct don't work for me either... maybe this evolves into a spring ride instead?

    Don't give up yet... 15-16 October any good?
    left the forum March 2023
  • fudgey
    fudgey Posts: 854
    Ill ask the boss but i think at the moment that is ok for me, but if the weather is rubbish the C60 will wrapped up for winter so ill be on my other Colnago hahaha
    My winter bike is exactly the same as my summer bike,,, but dirty...
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,317
    Fudgey wrote:
    Ill ask the boss but i think at the moment that is ok for me, but if the weather is rubbish the C60 will wrapped up for winter so ill be on my other Colnago hahaha

    No worries, I am no bike spotter, you'd probably get annoyed that I don't even notice you're on a C60... :wink:
    left the forum March 2023
  • fudgey
    fudgey Posts: 854
    ugo.santalucia wrote:
    Fudgey wrote:
    Ill ask the boss but i think at the moment that is ok for me, but if the weather is rubbish the C60 will wrapped up for winter so ill be on my other Colnago hahaha

    No worries, I am no bike spotter, you'd probably get annoyed that I don't even notice you're on a C60... :wink:

    Ha tbh i dont look at other peoples bikes either, but its nicer to ride than the other one.
    My winter bike is exactly the same as my summer bike,,, but dirty...
  • W12_Lad
    W12_Lad Posts: 184
    Hey Ugo. Not been on the site for a while.
    I'm up for this if it happens on a Sunday apart from the 30th.
    https://veloviewer.com/SigImage/15e386/4/5/I/p/bhcdefghij.png[/IMG][/URL]
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,317
    W12 lad wrote:
    Hey Ugo. Not been on the site for a while.
    I'm up for this if it happens on a Sunday apart from the 30th.

    It would be nice to catch up... been a long time
    left the forum March 2023
  • W12_Lad
    W12_Lad Posts: 184
    Nothing happening mate?
    Or have I missed something?
    https://veloviewer.com/SigImage/15e386/4/5/I/p/bhcdefghij.png[/IMG][/URL]
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,317
    W12 lad wrote:
    Nothing happening mate?
    Or have I missed something?

    I think we are looking at spring... the earliest I can get some time off is mid November... don't think many would want to go for 60 miles in mid November... let's see if we can arrange something for mid to late April next year
    left the forum March 2023
  • fudgey
    fudgey Posts: 854
    Forgot about this. I deffo cant do the last weekend of nov/first weekend of dec.
    My winter bike is exactly the same as my summer bike,,, but dirty...
  • W12_Lad
    W12_Lad Posts: 184
    No worries Ugo. Spring is good.
    I intend doing long rides throughout winter as usual, in case you fancy a get together sooner.
    https://veloviewer.com/SigImage/15e386/4/5/I/p/bhcdefghij.png[/IMG][/URL]
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,317
    I am going to be in Tetbury on the 12-13 November weekend with both day "to kill" from 9 AM to 4 PM, while my wife is on a course. However, I don't know the area and the best I can do is rustle up a route with a substantial lunch break somewhere nice.
    Downside is it could be a last minute call: weather in November can be grim and I'd rather do a walk than cycling in freezing cold rain for hours

    Anyone?
    left the forum March 2023
  • W12_Lad
    W12_Lad Posts: 184
    I'm up for it if it's on the 13th.
    https://veloviewer.com/SigImage/15e386/4/5/I/p/bhcdefghij.png[/IMG][/URL]
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,317
    W12 lad wrote:
    I'm up for it if it's on the 13th.

    I can and probably will do both days. DO you still have the same email address?
    left the forum March 2023
  • W12_Lad
    W12_Lad Posts: 184
    I do.
    https://veloviewer.com/SigImage/15e386/4/5/I/p/bhcdefghij.png[/IMG][/URL]
  • fudgey
    fudgey Posts: 854
    I rode this route yesterday, passes very close to Tetbury. Slightly different from the correct route as i started and finished from my house but anyway, its called the Flapjack organised by audax uk and is usually the second week of feb.

    Its not that scenic, a lot of fields etc to look at but a couple of nicer bits. The route is usually 64 miles and ill dig out the route if wanted.
    Ps yesterday i was on my own in the drizzle and some roads were quite muddy/grotty and the odd pot-holed section. And my legs gave up at 50 miles so dont scrutinise too much please haha.
    https://www.strava.com/activities/759241961
    My winter bike is exactly the same as my summer bike,,, but dirty...
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,317
    thanks
    left the forum March 2023
  • Bobbinogs
    Bobbinogs Posts: 4,841
    This might be a little nicer as it covers the water park and then some of the lovely Cotswold towns (Bibury, etc.), a few stunning views as well as some of the classic hills in the area (Slad, the W and Butter row...nothing brutal and this way around will see most of them descended rather than climbed!):

    https://ridewithgps.com/routes/17575576

    I am hoping to make it, weather dependent. Just need to work out the start time and a route over from Chelters, although any early ice will make that a drive. The cafe stop would be at Chedworth which is probably the most cycle friendly cafe in the Wolds and has plenty of safe space for bikes. Cafe53 would be a good end as they are also bike friendly but need to accessed via the rear for bike storage.

    The route above needs a little tidy up but nothing major. This one is a little shorter and without some of the backend elevation so might be a good option if people want a slightly easier end with less technical descending:

    https://ridewithgps.com/routes/17576594

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