Rapha Hell of the North VI - Herts, 12th April
Discussion
Yeah, you're right. Looks like through Bramfield, then left down a single track road that passes Queens Hoo Hall towards Tewin, but taking the right just before reaching Tewin and heading up towards Burnham Green. And that's all on-road. There are a couple of off-road sections leading up to Bramfield though.
yellowjack said:
1222hrs, Friday 20th March. Registration opened only 22 minutes ago...
...and after 22 minutes of furiously refreshing the 'Register Here' button...
Apparently, all 300 places went in five minutes!...and after 22 minutes of furiously refreshing the 'Register Here' button...
Rapha said:
Sorry, this event has sold out.
http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/ra...
That probably took Rapha by surprise too. Today they announced today a reserve list for those who missed out.
Get on it here: http://pages.rapha.cc/events/hell-of-the-north-vi (click "register", then "reserve list"). Don't let me
SixPotBelly said:
Apparently, all 300 places went in five minutes!
http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/ra...
That probably took Rapha by surprise too. Today they announced today a reserve list for those who missed out.
Get on it here: http://pages.rapha.cc/events/hell-of-the-north-vi (click "register", then "reserve list"). Don't let mesuffer enjoy this alone!
Well. I'm registered for the reserve list now. Fingers crossed, but I strongly suspect that there won't be many places that "become available", and I'm sure there will be many riders well above me on that reserve list (I'm presuming that they run it on a first come first served basis). Still, I've done what I can...http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/ra...
That probably took Rapha by surprise too. Today they announced today a reserve list for those who missed out.
Get on it here: http://pages.rapha.cc/events/hell-of-the-north-vi (click "register", then "reserve list"). Don't let me
Cheers, SPB, for flagging that up. I've never 'piggy-backed' an event before, but I'm seriously considering sneaking a ride around this route, being as how it's free anyway. Saying that, I tried to deliberately park "defensively" at B&Q the other day, but as soon as I saw the way it looked, I had to get back in the car and put it between the lines. The chances of me 'hijacking' a place on a sportive (however free it is) look pretty slim from this 'ere "goody two-shoes".
yellowjack said:
Well. I'm registered for the reserve list now. Fingers crossed, but I strongly suspect that there won't be many places that "become available", and I'm sure there will be many riders well above me on that reserve list (I'm presuming that they run it on a first come first served basis). Still, I've done what I can...
Cheers, SPB, for flagging that up. I've never 'piggy-backed' an event before, but I'm seriously considering sneaking a ride around this route, being as how it's free anyway. Saying that, I tried to deliberately park "defensively" at B&Q the other day, but as soon as I saw the way it looked, I had to get back in the car and put it between the lines. The chances of me 'hijacking' a place on a sportive (however free it is) look pretty slim from this 'ere "goody two-shoes".
Glad you saw it, YJ. I've tried to send you a couple of PMs in the last week, one of which was to give you a heads up about this reserve list. I suspect my PM ability isn't working as it should though, as I don't get a copy of the messages I send anyone and I don't get any replies from them either. That could mean, of course, that no-one wants to talk to me, which is fine (you bCheers, SPB, for flagging that up. I've never 'piggy-backed' an event before, but I'm seriously considering sneaking a ride around this route, being as how it's free anyway. Saying that, I tried to deliberately park "defensively" at B&Q the other day, but as soon as I saw the way it looked, I had to get back in the car and put it between the lines. The chances of me 'hijacking' a place on a sportive (however free it is) look pretty slim from this 'ere "goody two-shoes".
ds), but I suspect my messages aren't getting through. Either that or they are getting through I'm just not getting the replies.SixPotBelly said:
Glad you saw it, YJ. I've tried to send you a couple of PMs in the last week, one of which was to give you a heads up about this reserve list. I suspect my PM ability isn't working as it should though, as I don't get a copy of the messages I send anyone and I don't get any replies from them either. That could mean, of course, that no-one wants to talk to me, which is fine (you bds), but I suspect my messages aren't getting through. Either that or they are getting through I'm just not getting the replies.
Hmmmm! PM not working you say? ds), but I suspect my messages aren't getting through. Either that or they are getting through I'm just not getting the replies.[hangs head in shame]
This might be the case. An alternative explanation might simply be that I don't check my emails on anywhere near a daily basis. I'll check my inbox (and spam folder) to see if I've received anything...
yellowjack said:
Well. email inbox checked, nothing from you in there, SPB. Checked 'spam' and 'the bin' too, but nowt whatsoever. Quite possibly not working.
Thanks for checking. I thought that was the case. I can reply to PMs but I can't initiate them. I was only going to send you a copy of something, if you're curious. Nothing terribly exciting.
I took a ride up in the area of the ride yesterday. I can also report that the parcours is looking good. Plenty of potholes and gravel on the lanes, a maze of bridleways and farm fields everywhere. I'm under no illusions, it's going to introduce me to a whole new level of suffering and fatigue. Yet still I can't wait. 
I said:
(I might check out) the Country Bumpkin tea/coffee/farm shop at Tewin Hill Farm
Don1 said:
Report back, please! Still trying to get that all put together - I'm fairly new here. But I can give glowing references of The Grandison and The Horns...
Nice little tea shop attached to a livery stable down a rural single track road. The staff were friendly, they had coffee and whilst I passed on the cakes I did have a great beans on granary toast (sophisticated, me). It makes a great turning round point on an easy 60k ride from mine, and I can see myself going back there quite a bit.
Thanks for the other tips. The Horns I've looked at longingly as I ridden past before but The Grandison I don't know. I'll have to check it out now
Edited by SixPotBelly on Thursday 26th March 10:55
The Rules of the Ride:
[/-] it is then.
2014 Rapha said:
- This is a social ride, not a race.
- Ride carefully and obey the Highway Code.
- Be considerate to other road users.
- Watch out for horses and dogs on bridleways.
- Accelerate over the rough stuff, with hands on the tops.
- No smiling (remember, you're a Belgian).
So [-]- Ride carefully and obey the Highway Code.
- Be considerate to other road users.
- Watch out for horses and dogs on bridleways.
- Accelerate over the rough stuff, with hands on the tops.
- No smiling (remember, you're a Belgian).
[/-] it is then.Just a couple of days to go.
If anyone local is out riding the same lanes on Sunday, or stepping out to cheer, jeer, hold out a bidon of Leffe or simply wanting an easy target for their insults, I shall be wearing the loudest, least Rapha jersey I could find:
Except if it rains. In which case I'll be in the same jersey but it'll be the same uniform mud colour as everyone else's.
If anyone local is out riding the same lanes on Sunday, or stepping out to cheer, jeer, hold out a bidon of Leffe or simply wanting an easy target for their insults, I shall be wearing the loudest, least Rapha jersey I could find:
Except if it rains. In which case I'll be in the same jersey but it'll be the same uniform mud colour as everyone else's.
I'm not sure you'll see much event signage. I believe it's limited to avoid spoiling the countryside or annoying residents. Just the odd ribbon tied to a tree here or discreet arrow chalked on the road there.
Nor do they don't pre-publish the exact route (though we could guess it pretty accurately from the course outline and an OS map)
But finding your way round adds to the fun! (they say).
Timing-wise, we'll be set off from Highgate in groups of 15 at three minute intervals, starting at 9:00. I imagine the fastest of the early starters will be coming down Tewin Hill shortly after 11am and the slowest of the late starters around 2pm. If you come out, will you be on two wheels or two legs?
Nor do they don't pre-publish the exact route (though we could guess it pretty accurately from the course outline and an OS map)
But finding your way round adds to the fun! (they say).
Timing-wise, we'll be set off from Highgate in groups of 15 at three minute intervals, starting at 9:00. I imagine the fastest of the early starters will be coming down Tewin Hill shortly after 11am and the slowest of the late starters around 2pm. If you come out, will you be on two wheels or two legs?
Unknown - I'm out with a group of US Army Rangers on an all-dayer tomorrow, 'guiding' them around the town. (I may have told them it's a compliment to call a girl a 'chav' here...)
If I'm able to crawl, I'll stand out with some beer (offering them) and a Pistonheads shirt on, before the wife asks me to go and do something more benefiting her.
If I'm able to crawl, I'll stand out with some beer (offering them) and a Pistonheads shirt on, before the wife asks me to go and do something more benefiting her.
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