2013 PH cycling weekend
Discussion
Ok, so I raised this a few months ago on the back of the London to Paris ride which despite a lot of efforts sadly didn’t happen. This is something a bit easier to organise (famous last words) and should appeal to a few more people. The initial idea is a weekend base where both roadies and mtbers can head off in search of the requisite terrain and then meet back in the evening to argue about who is the better cyclist, drink beer and debate the newest and shiniest things on the market.
We can do this a number of ways, one thing that always sticks out is the money side, how it is collected, who collects it, what you get for the cash and so on. Then there is accommodation, from 5 star to budget and finally the location. When this was raised earlier in the year as a possibility, North Wales looked like a contender being fairly easy to reach, have roads and trails in abundance and also offering a variety of accommodation options so for the time being, that’s what I am proposing.
Accommodation - there are loads of places on www.groupaccommodation.com which are self catering bunkhouses with facilities like showers, cooking equipment, storage areas for bikes, games rooms etc. The advantage being they are cheap, approx £20pppn seems the norm but think bunkbeds, sleeping bags etc.
However, a sensible alternative would be to choose a town in the area, or better still, a sizeable hotel somewhere like Betws, Llanberis etc that either comes recommended or we like the look of, and people book rooms as they wish at this place. Thus transport to and from places whilst we are there is easier and every one can swop stories in the bar in the evening. This removes any issues with self catering and means that everyone can have a decent night sleep in a proper bed etc as I appreciate some of the more powerfully built Company Directors amongst us will not tolerate suffering in anything less than Egyptian cotton sheets and roll top baths.
Rides- Road: Fortunately the etape eryri sportive www.etapeeryri.com has three routes in the area based on the same loop with drop out points along the way, all look like a good challenge and hopefully will be new routes for the majority. There are 47, 76 and 103 miles events and in this part of the world, thats going to be hilly too! Fortunately the route maps are online as sign posts aren’t going to be out (unless we choose t go that weekend?) but audax style crib sheets can easily be generated.
A second roadie route I am plotting is under construction heading out towards and around Anglesey if I can find suitable roads and a third is also under construction. It is envisaged that a mixed ability will turn up thus groups of similar ability riders can find a suitable pace they all enjoy and enjoy the ride without the fear of holding people back or being too far infront.
Rides – MTB: Mtbers have a lot of choices in the nearby area, trail centres at Coed Y Brenin, Betws-y-coed, the singletrack around Snowdon, the downhill courses at Penmachno etc. As far as road and mtb routes go, there is nothing to stop people making a decision the night before or even the morning after based on hangover, weather and what looks interesting on the map….
Dates – This is always going to be the tough part…. I would recommend we try to aim for a weekend between April to June. Weather will be boiling hot or biblically wet. There is a half term at the end of April for those with school children so would suggest we avoid that.
Attire - ph cycling jerseys, morphsuits, fancy dress, drag or mankini.
Actions:
Advise on general idea – All Interested parties
Advise on preferred option for accommodation – As above
Advise of preferred dates – As above
Make accommodation recommendations if possible – As above
We can do this a number of ways, one thing that always sticks out is the money side, how it is collected, who collects it, what you get for the cash and so on. Then there is accommodation, from 5 star to budget and finally the location. When this was raised earlier in the year as a possibility, North Wales looked like a contender being fairly easy to reach, have roads and trails in abundance and also offering a variety of accommodation options so for the time being, that’s what I am proposing.
Accommodation - there are loads of places on www.groupaccommodation.com which are self catering bunkhouses with facilities like showers, cooking equipment, storage areas for bikes, games rooms etc. The advantage being they are cheap, approx £20pppn seems the norm but think bunkbeds, sleeping bags etc.
However, a sensible alternative would be to choose a town in the area, or better still, a sizeable hotel somewhere like Betws, Llanberis etc that either comes recommended or we like the look of, and people book rooms as they wish at this place. Thus transport to and from places whilst we are there is easier and every one can swop stories in the bar in the evening. This removes any issues with self catering and means that everyone can have a decent night sleep in a proper bed etc as I appreciate some of the more powerfully built Company Directors amongst us will not tolerate suffering in anything less than Egyptian cotton sheets and roll top baths.
Rides- Road: Fortunately the etape eryri sportive www.etapeeryri.com has three routes in the area based on the same loop with drop out points along the way, all look like a good challenge and hopefully will be new routes for the majority. There are 47, 76 and 103 miles events and in this part of the world, thats going to be hilly too! Fortunately the route maps are online as sign posts aren’t going to be out (unless we choose t go that weekend?) but audax style crib sheets can easily be generated.
A second roadie route I am plotting is under construction heading out towards and around Anglesey if I can find suitable roads and a third is also under construction. It is envisaged that a mixed ability will turn up thus groups of similar ability riders can find a suitable pace they all enjoy and enjoy the ride without the fear of holding people back or being too far infront.
Rides – MTB: Mtbers have a lot of choices in the nearby area, trail centres at Coed Y Brenin, Betws-y-coed, the singletrack around Snowdon, the downhill courses at Penmachno etc. As far as road and mtb routes go, there is nothing to stop people making a decision the night before or even the morning after based on hangover, weather and what looks interesting on the map….
Dates – This is always going to be the tough part…. I would recommend we try to aim for a weekend between April to June. Weather will be boiling hot or biblically wet. There is a half term at the end of April for those with school children so would suggest we avoid that.
Attire - ph cycling jerseys, morphsuits, fancy dress, drag or mankini.
Actions:
Advise on general idea – All Interested parties
Advise on preferred option for accommodation – As above
Advise of preferred dates – As above
Make accommodation recommendations if possible – As above
Good call Pablo - here are a few of my thoughts based on attending a fair few PH dos:
- Avoid getting too close to Le Mans weekend.
- Somewhere that all of us can stay under the same roof would be preferable and give a better post and pre-ride atmosphere.
- A bunk houses would be fine and good fun if it has a pub very close by that we can use for food/drink/gathering (and enough shower facilities).
- Another option is a Travel Inn or similar that is connected to a good pub.
- Pick a date and stick to it - you will never please everyone and, if a few cannot make it, then fair enough.
Depending on date I would definitely be interested
- Avoid getting too close to Le Mans weekend.
- Somewhere that all of us can stay under the same roof would be preferable and give a better post and pre-ride atmosphere.
- A bunk houses would be fine and good fun if it has a pub very close by that we can use for food/drink/gathering (and enough shower facilities).
- Another option is a Travel Inn or similar that is connected to a good pub.
- Pick a date and stick to it - you will never please everyone and, if a few cannot make it, then fair enough.
Depending on date I would definitely be interested
An excellent idea. I've stayed in Llanberis and Betws-y-Coed over the last couple of years (not cycling though), and although Llanberis is slightly larger, I seem to remember than Betws is more touristy, in that it has a greater selection of places to stay and places to drink. I'm happy to be corrected though! Betws also closer to the evo triangle...
A quick Google of 'Snowdonia climate' suggests that April and May are amongst the driest months. Warmer is probably better (than utterly freezing obviously), so I'd plump with May as it avoids Le Mans in June, though as has been pointed out, the last week of which is likely to be half-term for schools, so best avoided on both of those weekends.
It'd be good to get a good selection of abilities though - I don't want to be dropped on the first climb!
A quick Google of 'Snowdonia climate' suggests that April and May are amongst the driest months. Warmer is probably better (than utterly freezing obviously), so I'd plump with May as it avoids Le Mans in June, though as has been pointed out, the last week of which is likely to be half-term for schools, so best avoided on both of those weekends.
It'd be good to get a good selection of abilities though - I don't want to be dropped on the first climb!
I agree entirely with what Al said
And would certainly be up for it
We're a simple lot, PHers and so pub in the evening and nice riding the following day with a bed to sleep in (travel inn sounds good).
For how long are we thinking?
For example, is it travel up Friday afternoon, ride out saturday and sunday, drive home sunday evening?
And would certainly be up for it
We're a simple lot, PHers and so pub in the evening and nice riding the following day with a bed to sleep in (travel inn sounds good).
For how long are we thinking?
For example, is it travel up Friday afternoon, ride out saturday and sunday, drive home sunday evening?
I’d be up for that.
Snowdon is a great shout, but if I can suggest we stay somewhere catered – i.e. a B+B rather than a bunkhouse? Otherwise trying to get everyone fed / watered / organised in the morning could be like herding cats!
Also, whilst I’m certainly no goateed, company director type that accepts nothing less that Egyptian cotton, in my opinion paying a little more for a private room rather than bunk beds is well worth it.
That said I am happy to go with the flow and if bunkhouse becomes the chosen accommodation this place in LLanberis is handily located, directly across from a pub ( the Rhiw Goch Inn ). I’ve stayed in the cabins on that site a few time and you can easily reach the trails without going onto the main road which is a bonus for the MTB crowd.
http://www.cadairviewlodge.co.uk/Rhiw%20Goch%20Cot...
Snowdon is a great shout, but if I can suggest we stay somewhere catered – i.e. a B+B rather than a bunkhouse? Otherwise trying to get everyone fed / watered / organised in the morning could be like herding cats!
Also, whilst I’m certainly no goateed, company director type that accepts nothing less that Egyptian cotton, in my opinion paying a little more for a private room rather than bunk beds is well worth it.
That said I am happy to go with the flow and if bunkhouse becomes the chosen accommodation this place in LLanberis is handily located, directly across from a pub ( the Rhiw Goch Inn ). I’ve stayed in the cabins on that site a few time and you can easily reach the trails without going onto the main road which is a bonus for the MTB crowd.
http://www.cadairviewlodge.co.uk/Rhiw%20Goch%20Cot...
TonyHetherington said:
We're a simple lot, PHers and so pub in the evening and nice riding the following day with a bed to sleep in (travel inn sounds good).
+1TonyHetherington said:
For how long are we thinking?
For example, is it travel up Friday afternoon, ride out saturday and sunday, drive home sunday evening?
Sounds about right For example, is it travel up Friday afternoon, ride out saturday and sunday, drive home sunday evening?
I admit I have some bias as I work with them, but how about talking to Ride2Raise about this?
They can organise everything, including Ride Mangers/Guides, routes, decent hotels and all meals. There would be support crews with mechanics and first aiders carrying spares and water, energy gels, snacks etc. There could be easy and harder routes for both disciplines, both with Ride Manager or Guide and even massages could be laid on for riders at the end of the day.
Also they would take charge of collecting money etc. Everything above would be included for perhaps £175 per day per person. It might sound a bit steep at first but the costs soon mount up and the security of having good support, spares, mechanics, insurance and first aid is worth a lot. The only extra cost would be the beers.
A bit more info HERE
Just a suggestion. May be worth talking to Richard at Ride2Raise to bounce ideas around? He's an occasional PHer as well by the way.
They can organise everything, including Ride Mangers/Guides, routes, decent hotels and all meals. There would be support crews with mechanics and first aiders carrying spares and water, energy gels, snacks etc. There could be easy and harder routes for both disciplines, both with Ride Manager or Guide and even massages could be laid on for riders at the end of the day.
Also they would take charge of collecting money etc. Everything above would be included for perhaps £175 per day per person. It might sound a bit steep at first but the costs soon mount up and the security of having good support, spares, mechanics, insurance and first aid is worth a lot. The only extra cost would be the beers.
A bit more info HERE
Just a suggestion. May be worth talking to Richard at Ride2Raise to bounce ideas around? He's an occasional PHer as well by the way.
Edited by HardWorkers on Monday 1st October 20:38
I don't think I'm up to the standard of most PH cycling gods so won't be attending. However, I have stayed here in the past www.bunkhouseinsnowdonia.co.uk. It's a pub in Betwys y Coed that has bunkhouse accommodation for 18 and a secure bike store. We stayed there when doing the Marin Trail many years ago. They do food both in the morning and evening.
It sounds a nice idea and of course a fully organised trip will be far easier and convenient for everyone, but if I'm honest I think that will push it a little higher than people may want to go - even though it is good value for what you get.
I'm happy to go with the majority I stress if many like the idea, but my vote would be to keep it far more simple; 2 hotel nights, 2 rides of pre-planned routes and simple normal spares that we'd all take on our normal Sunday morning rides anyway. The worst that can happen is someone loses one of the day's riding.
I'm happy to go with the majority I stress if many like the idea, but my vote would be to keep it far more simple; 2 hotel nights, 2 rides of pre-planned routes and simple normal spares that we'd all take on our normal Sunday morning rides anyway. The worst that can happen is someone loses one of the day's riding.
thanks for the link, some good ideas but I'm not sure how it fits the MTBers who would be in a forest or a piece of singletrack away from roadside support and as Tony said, we seem to have racked up a fair distance between usthrough various events or leisure without mishap (touches wood) and I'd like to think that those who want to come are also motivated enough to lend a hand if required with things like the cooking (should it be a bunkhouse type place) or with mechanical experience etc if required.
I was thinking of Friday and Saturday nights with two days riding, I guess people can also ride on the Friday to if they want to and/or do something on the Sunday.
Anyway, its not my decision and I'm certainly not the ruling vote, I just kicked the idea off again and any interested parties can throw in their suggestions whilst we get consensus on the date and the preferred accommodation.
JQ, i'm sure there are a dozen people who think the same, although the aforementioned London to Paris idea was based on people wanting a challenge and thus a target average speed was mentioned, I kind of think this might be a bit different and I'm sure it would be pretty easy to find someone else who also wants to ride at the same pace as you. Whilst the ph cycling gods may well charge off at peloton pace, there are some of us who also like to cycle slowly on the basis that we are enjoying the scneary and definately not suffering!
I was thinking of Friday and Saturday nights with two days riding, I guess people can also ride on the Friday to if they want to and/or do something on the Sunday.
Anyway, its not my decision and I'm certainly not the ruling vote, I just kicked the idea off again and any interested parties can throw in their suggestions whilst we get consensus on the date and the preferred accommodation.
JQ, i'm sure there are a dozen people who think the same, although the aforementioned London to Paris idea was based on people wanting a challenge and thus a target average speed was mentioned, I kind of think this might be a bit different and I'm sure it would be pretty easy to find someone else who also wants to ride at the same pace as you. Whilst the ph cycling gods may well charge off at peloton pace, there are some of us who also like to cycle slowly on the basis that we are enjoying the scneary and definately not suffering!
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