ToSH 26/08/06 UPDATE - 2 WEEKS TO GO

[huw williams]

Maps
As some of you (ie cheats and lightweights) have learned, there are many points on the route where you can cut accross country and miss out some pretty major climbs. A heinous crime but one which does mean that mere mortals can enjoy the experience of doing at least some of ToSH even if they're not up to the whole tour.

To that end I'm going to provide maps with the cheat-routes already marked for this outing so if anyone wants a big ride without doing the whole route, don't be scared.

PDF Maps are available in advance by PMing me. Your inbox will need to be able to accomodate a 3.1MB file

Groups
steady - I know the whole route and I'm going round it at a steady pace, ie not sprinting the hills but not going slowly either. Stopping only for lunch in Shere (punctures/crashes/failure of legs notwithstanding)

Stupid - Racing/training groups, please feel free to blast off the front and set your own pace after we get to the first climb at Coldharbour or just attack the hills for training and regroup at the top

Moderate - There should be a number of riders who know most of the route going around at a moderate pace

Slow - If you get dropped don't panic, you've got a map. Either cheat and rejoin another group further around the course or plough on regardless at your own pace. The idea is that a few groups of different abilities form on the ride and help each other out. Better still, organise your own group of riders in advance, order a map and do it at your own pace.

Punctures/mecahnicals
Use your discretion when and where to wait for riders who puncture - if there are lots of punctures and you stop for every one of them, it'll be dark before you get back. Much better is for a couple of riders to make sure everything's in hand then pick the next cheat point to rejoin another group if you don't want to continue solo.

Weather
Its only happening if the weather is 100% dry. Descents are too dangerous in the wet to take large numbers of riders down them - if its raining we'll postpone it a few weeks and just do the regular club run.

Stats:
Start: 9am CSS. Distance: Approx 100 miles. Climbing: 2300metres.




Original post below.

Summer Madness ? ToSH 26/08/06

This years official ToSH (20th August) clashes with the Highclere Castle sportive and a Bike Wales event so I'm considering doing an ACC ToSH on Saturday 26th August for those who want to go round this now legendary course.

I know there's a lot of other stuff going on in august but we're going to clash with something this time of year whenever we do it.

Who?s up for it?

We had over 30 riders earlier this year so hopefully, it being summer, we'll have enough our to allow the usuall format of fast, medium and slow groups with a mass gathering for lunch in shifts at the cafe in Shere.

There will also be an opportunity to go shopping in Guildford if you?re stupid enough to follow any group which has Monty in it!

As usual maps will be provided and experienced ToSHers will by now be familiar with the fact that the route can be decidedly shortened by cutting across the tops of hills rather than riding up and down them (ie cheating). This is perfectly acceptable for riders less equipped to climb for over 2,500metres in the space of 100 miles which is what ToSH entails.

So all you warm-weather whippetts who struggled around snorting like stuck pigs when we did it in the spring, promising "I'll see you in August" - come and fulfil your destiny.

You don?t have to super fast to do it. The idea is that you get given a route map and find your own way round (there are plenty of riders who know the route by now) at your own speed. Please feel free to organise your own groups in advance based on the speed you want to go or route you want to take.

The main ride doing the whole course will go off with the club run at about 9.15 from CSS and we usually keep a large, medium-paced group together until after lunch at the top of Winterfold (21% climb out of Cranleigh). After that its every man for himself back up over Coombe Bottom, Ranmore Common and Box Hill.

There are always a great number of stories and experiences to emerge from ToSH rides, so lets see if we can get the biggest turn out ever for this one - its a summer bank holiday weekend so you'll have plenty of time to get over it.

Please post replys here on the forum so we can get some idea of numbers in advance.

[Dominic]

Can I put my name down provisionally if it is to get a rough idea of numbers?

Sorry not to be more definite but I have planned a 600k permanent (its an Audax thing ) in Hampshire that weekend. If that doesn't come off, which at this point is dependant on my wife getting a new job, I will be well up for it. (ooh er missus).

[Gavin]

I am up for this could possibly keep up with the steady group but that depends if it merges with the stupid group!

Cheers

G

[huw williams]

Dom - No problem, just turn up on the day if you can

Gav - what usually happens is the stupid group go really fast up Coldharbour and Tanhurst, then miss a couple of turns, do an extra 10 mile loop before realising they better wait for everyone else cos they're lost. After lunch they are knackered cos they went so hard up the first few climbs.

This is why its called the 'stupid' group. Marek is usually in it!

You will be more than capable of keeping up with the main steady group

H

[Brian Nolan]

Put me down for the steady group Huw. The TOSH will sandwich between Highclere Castle and the Spud Riley Gran Fondo on the 3rd September..

[adrian]

Sadly, must cry off as some relatives from the old country are paying us an official state visit on that day. Rats

[Gavin]

adrian,

not cyclist visitors then!

G

[adrian]

Sadly, Gavin, not the right sort of cyclists. Dutchies - they know nothing of hills...

[adrian]

I was thinking of the strictly domestic variety, punting into town and back on the opafiets for a bit of extra belegen cheese (or whatever).

"Tooour offff Shooorey Hils? Heff u gonn mettt?"

Such is my cycling heritage, I'm afraid