PH Cycling Weekend
Discussion
It would appear that the proposed ride to Paris has stalled so I thought we might try something a little less lgostically challenging.
The Short Version:
"weekend riding, anyone in?, where and when?".....
The Long version:
we need to choose a weekend in September or October and a region which offers good off road and road riding. I’m thinking of the Lake District or North Wales as they have some big hills, numerous good routes using bridlepaths, RUPPS and By-Ways and Trail centres. There is also a lot of accommodation and the place should be free from school holidays and things. I'm generally assuming arrival on the Friday PM, rides on the Saturday and Sunday as per peoples desires, depart Sunday PM.
If we pick a location like Betws-y-Coed or Ambleside for example as a base, people can book accommodation according to preference and budget. This means that no one is responsible for booking and thus subject to a financial risk if it all goes a bit fragile.
I’ll map out a few circular road rides online beforehand, a few <50 milers and some a bit longer so everyone can get involved and are not be put off. For those wanting to go off road, a quick scan of the OS maps of either area indicates some good circular routes using bridlepaths and the like, plus as mentioned, trail centres for the single track fans. There are a few sportives in the areas too so I’ll probably pinch those/bits of the routes and there are magazine/online route guides available too for off road trails too. I dont envisage there being any support or that kind of thing on the road, but that said, just bring what you normally take on a ride subject to distance and if there is a disaster, I'm sure someone else will lend a hand etc.
I’ll take both road and mountain bikes. Hopefully there will be enough people interested and we can have a variety of rides on both days, ie, <50m road, >50m road, trail centre and a bit of an exped on both Saturday and Sunday. Of course, people can do as they choose and ride road all weekend if they wish but it might be good to mix it up and take advantage of the varied terrain in the area as well as put faces to names...
I’m pretty sure a lot of the itinerary will be sorted long before we get there on this thread as people state their plans for each day and others get involved. There is also the option for something random like white water rafting or the rope climbing place in Grizedale for anyone who beasts themselves on the first day!!
When momentum picks up, it might be worth making a list of the places where people have booked so others can stay in the same place and car share if necessary over the weekend. I’ll try to find some cycle friendly accommodation with secure storage, jet washes etc when we decide where we’re going.
Day trippers are more than welcome of course!
To avoid any confusion
We will:
The Short Version:
"weekend riding, anyone in?, where and when?".....
The Long version:
we need to choose a weekend in September or October and a region which offers good off road and road riding. I’m thinking of the Lake District or North Wales as they have some big hills, numerous good routes using bridlepaths, RUPPS and By-Ways and Trail centres. There is also a lot of accommodation and the place should be free from school holidays and things. I'm generally assuming arrival on the Friday PM, rides on the Saturday and Sunday as per peoples desires, depart Sunday PM.
If we pick a location like Betws-y-Coed or Ambleside for example as a base, people can book accommodation according to preference and budget. This means that no one is responsible for booking and thus subject to a financial risk if it all goes a bit fragile.
I’ll map out a few circular road rides online beforehand, a few <50 milers and some a bit longer so everyone can get involved and are not be put off. For those wanting to go off road, a quick scan of the OS maps of either area indicates some good circular routes using bridlepaths and the like, plus as mentioned, trail centres for the single track fans. There are a few sportives in the areas too so I’ll probably pinch those/bits of the routes and there are magazine/online route guides available too for off road trails too. I dont envisage there being any support or that kind of thing on the road, but that said, just bring what you normally take on a ride subject to distance and if there is a disaster, I'm sure someone else will lend a hand etc.
I’ll take both road and mountain bikes. Hopefully there will be enough people interested and we can have a variety of rides on both days, ie, <50m road, >50m road, trail centre and a bit of an exped on both Saturday and Sunday. Of course, people can do as they choose and ride road all weekend if they wish but it might be good to mix it up and take advantage of the varied terrain in the area as well as put faces to names...
I’m pretty sure a lot of the itinerary will be sorted long before we get there on this thread as people state their plans for each day and others get involved. There is also the option for something random like white water rafting or the rope climbing place in Grizedale for anyone who beasts themselves on the first day!!
When momentum picks up, it might be worth making a list of the places where people have booked so others can stay in the same place and car share if necessary over the weekend. I’ll try to find some cycle friendly accommodation with secure storage, jet washes etc when we decide where we’re going.
Day trippers are more than welcome of course!
To avoid any confusion
We will:
- Agree dates
- Agree a location
- Seek to establish an itinerary for the weekend and roll call in advance
- Provide links to suitable accommodation once a location is agreed
- Map out some rides of varying distances, once again when a location is agreed
- faff around
- Book and pay for accommodation independently
- Sort out transport to and from the weekend
- Bring a bike as preferred
- Be responsible for mechanical breakdowns and your own comfort whilst riding (food and drink etc)
Sounds great, I'm in for road and MTB.
I reckon N Wales will be perfect, there's obviously excellent riding to be had and it's relatively central.
I know a great house that I've rented with friends in the past, it takes up 12 IIRC and is close to Coed-y-Brenin etc. I understand pablo's reluctance to expect anyone to take the risk of shelling out for a house when people might not turn up, but it's worth looking at.
I reckon we should all state which region we're in so we can get an idea of where is fairest to meet. I'm in the north west (this has nothing to do with recommending Wales, honest!).
I reckon N Wales will be perfect, there's obviously excellent riding to be had and it's relatively central.
I know a great house that I've rented with friends in the past, it takes up 12 IIRC and is close to Coed-y-Brenin etc. I understand pablo's reluctance to expect anyone to take the risk of shelling out for a house when people might not turn up, but it's worth looking at.
I reckon we should all state which region we're in so we can get an idea of where is fairest to meet. I'm in the north west (this has nothing to do with recommending Wales, honest!).
Kermit power said:
Would there be options for the slow-moving, lardy yet willing members?
yes, the idea being that those who thought L2P was a bit too much of a challenge can get involved too. I'll spend some time mapping out a few routes of varying intensity and distance in the next week or two. That way people interested can pick and choose what they do over the weekend and hopefully they will be interested in a bit of a challenge but wont get put off by their ability compared to others. If i can manage it, the road rides will be a couple of 100 or so mile circuits with the shorter routes peeling off and looping back home accordingly. So if someone plans to do the 50 miler but is feeling ok at the split (which iguess wil roughly be the 25 mile point), they can crack on to the point where the 75 mile route splits off (at 37 miles or thereabouts) or if you plan to do the 100 miler but die at the 25 mile point, peel off and do the 50 miler....
no idea baout off road stuff at the moment though the trail centres are likely to be a big appeal for some, i cant enthuse about coed-y-brenin enough and I am sure a quick glance at the map will reveal all sorts of bridlepath treats...
Sounds like a cracking idea, well done for offering up the idea and to sort the routes fella!
Am based in the south west, so north wales / lakes makes scant difference to me as far as getting there.
Some of the road routes starting from Ambleside are stella and the Lakeside YHA makes a good base. I have never used the road bike in North Wales but suspect that there are some equally good routes, and as a place to mtb the trail centres around Coedy take some beating so would certainly tempt me to pack the mtb as well as the road bike were this the preferred option.
Will be watching developments with interest.
Need to get those Pistonheads jerseys sorted beforehand!!
Am based in the south west, so north wales / lakes makes scant difference to me as far as getting there.
Some of the road routes starting from Ambleside are stella and the Lakeside YHA makes a good base. I have never used the road bike in North Wales but suspect that there are some equally good routes, and as a place to mtb the trail centres around Coedy take some beating so would certainly tempt me to pack the mtb as well as the road bike were this the preferred option.
Will be watching developments with interest.
Need to get those Pistonheads jerseys sorted beforehand!!
Pablo.
Have stayed here many times. http://www.maesgwm-wales.co.uk/gallery.php 50 yards from one from of the Coed Y Brennin routes. !0 mins along this to the CYB Trail Centre. Rented both properties one year, about seventeen of us. The Barn, (which is nicer, and bag the downstairs bedroom with en_suite for your self!) sleeps 8, but has a couple of sofa's in a large lounge so there's room for two more people there.
The great thing about staying here is you won't need to use a car, no that taking wheels out, loading bikes and gear etc. Its a drive to the nearest pub and supermarket, so we usually do a mega shop on the way. Nice big'sh sharp climb up to the properties at the end of the day as well! We ride all the CYB routes during the day, get back about 4, eat then out for a night lap, usually the black runs. Also if you want more punishment it's about an hour drive to Snowdon.
Flickr pic's here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23318875@N02/sets/721...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23318875@N02/sets/721...
Have stayed here many times. http://www.maesgwm-wales.co.uk/gallery.php 50 yards from one from of the Coed Y Brennin routes. !0 mins along this to the CYB Trail Centre. Rented both properties one year, about seventeen of us. The Barn, (which is nicer, and bag the downstairs bedroom with en_suite for your self!) sleeps 8, but has a couple of sofa's in a large lounge so there's room for two more people there.
The great thing about staying here is you won't need to use a car, no that taking wheels out, loading bikes and gear etc. Its a drive to the nearest pub and supermarket, so we usually do a mega shop on the way. Nice big'sh sharp climb up to the properties at the end of the day as well! We ride all the CYB routes during the day, get back about 4, eat then out for a night lap, usually the black runs. Also if you want more punishment it's about an hour drive to Snowdon.
Flickr pic's here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23318875@N02/sets/721...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23318875@N02/sets/721...
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