What a difference a day makes

A Place to idle the day away talking about anything you fancy. Expect to find cycling and non cycling topics inside

What a difference a day makes

Postby higg » Tue Aug 12, 2008 12:03 am

From this
[img]http://photos-a.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v208/163/48/565591867/n565591867_778032_8765.jpg[/img]

to this
[img]http://photos-d.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v208/163/48/565591867/n565591867_778043_2484.jpg[/img]

in a smidgen over 12 hours. Report to follow.
higg
lives on this board 24/7!!!
 
Posts: 618
Joined: Sun Feb 22, 2004 11:23 pm

Re: What a difference a day makes

Postby George » Tue Aug 12, 2008 12:43 am

Aoden you are a superhero, I like the time you did it in :wink:
User avatar
George
lives on this board 24/7!!!
 
Posts: 2269
Joined: Fri Apr 04, 2003 10:20 am
Location: at a Conference in london

Re: What a difference a day makes

Postby EdO » Tue Aug 12, 2008 9:16 am

Well done Aodan. I did this last year and it's one hell of a ride. Look forward to reading your report.
User avatar
EdO
lives on this board 24/7!!!
 
Posts: 469
Joined: Mon Jul 23, 2007 10:47 am
Location: London

Re: What a difference a day makes

Postby Wal » Tue Aug 12, 2008 9:26 am

Well done Aodan! I'm gutted I couldn't join you - maybe next year!

Mike
User avatar
Wal
lives on this board 24/7!!!
 
Posts: 281
Joined: Wed Jul 12, 2006 10:36 am
Location: Croydon

Re: What a difference a day makes

Postby higg » Tue Aug 12, 2008 11:56 pm

The plot was hatched while marshalling at Hainault. I happened to be standing in the same area as Mike (Wal). We started talking about the next cycling challenge. I had just done the Marmotte and was looking for something new. Mike had just placed well in Palace but was still thinking of his MTB roots. Neither of us had done the South Downs Way so it seemed the next logical step.

This could take ages so for those of you in a rush let me condense it a bit

The stats
=========
miles - don't know (about 100 give or take a mile or two, I knocked the sensor when changing a puncture and didn't realise for a few miles)
Time elapsed - 12hr 17mins
Breaks/Refreshments (by Maria, who gave up the day to drive in support) - 4 (22 miles - QECP 10mins, 50 miles - SpringHead Hill 15min, 69miles - Ditchling Beacon 20min, 85 miles - Firle Beacon 10min)
Punctures x 2
Serious navigation error - about 20-25mins don't know really, by the time I found out where I was (Seaford instead of Alfriston), I was so pissed off I didn't want to think about it, took about 15 mins to get back on track.


Decisive moments
===============
Three weeks to go - Maria volunteering to drive the car in support

Two weeks to go - Mike pulling out beacause of problems with his shoulder

One week to go - Planning feed stops (remembering things Eddie Mundy had talked about re making feeding schedules etc.)

Fri lunchtime - Deciding to go ahead knowing it would be raining for half the day

Waking up at 4.30 on Saturday morning

Starting at 6.30
[img]http://img3011.photobox.co.uk/89150037a83142ac4475c82efbfc36149317874b4855b5d876c4b1734d0141d07fe5f529.jpg[/img]

All the feed stops where Maria was waiting with fresh water, sandwiches and a smile.

The sky filling in and then the first drops of rain before the descent into Amberley
[img]http://img3011.photobox.co.uk/40160200c1ee26227a0bf3f40762aba36061f0620678765053fa19cd88b9679f1aaa94f7.jpg[/img]

Changing in dry and warm clothes at Ditchling Beacon.

Leaving Ditchling Breacon knowing that I only had 4 hours left to make the 12hr time.

Leaving Firle Beacon knowing I had only 1 3/4 hrs to make the 12 hour time
[img]http://img3011.photobox.co.uk/320124749b9db4c02a01ff09063eaff7d72db3c1f119c9eb92b94ff96f5eea22f20e0e62.jpg[/img]

Deciding that I knew which way to go and not getting off the bike and walking ten yards to read the signpost.

Realising I had descended into Seaford and not Alfriston.

Putting the foot down over the last hour to try to make up some time.

Stopping to take photos 2 miles from the end when I knew I wouldn't get under 12 hours.


Memorable moments
==================
The clearing mist and blue sky at the top of the first hill after leaving Winchester
[img]http://img3011.photobox.co.uk/3833740985308e2c06034af8b432a7ffed3023e29dcae91a9aa8f8e45a49c7f6ebab7b3c.jpg[/img]

That special South Downs scenery even though the sky was changing for the worse.
[img]http://img3011.photobox.co.uk/8156628883913cbc6c7e97a720bcec6cb0535ac860c6826c6a1438861c1f1b364b3a0b65.jpg[/img]
[img]http://img3011.photobox.co.uk/35765327a9fd34a5b76035d1991ad7328c8f19e077185839a5e0fe5f31f6fca935eb5172.jpg[/img]

There were plenty of gates to be opened (and closed)
[img]http://img3011.photobox.co.uk/593051678985ee458f557999b7a2216dac55890566e2cf80485e409dc227fd5f06810b2c.jpg[/img]

Sheltering behind the boot of the car at the stops.
[img]http://img3011.photobox.co.uk/1197564400c4c2b9aac47e29f6113ab043efd3538dd472ca6ac8b7538f8273e2b0b1ade4.jpg[/img]

Managing to cycle up Windover Hill after 11hrs
[I wasn't stopping to take a photo]

Spotting Eastbourne through the trees
[img]http://img3011.photobox.co.uk/978654125184d5b048006a1aada614565802e0b25afde6d142e22c11cc9f6dd285d0fe7c.jpg[/img]

Trying to smile at the camera at the finish
[img]http://img3011.photobox.co.uk/80792789cdbd8a839d2b43defd3b97aaa2928b43db2d7bd3d5047ed11a59c0df94397d39.jpg[/img]

Credits
[img]http://img4011.photobox.co.uk/76693817740e840fbcb394d74449a5bfc253dfe1cf9fdf127326704341cad73b01818b1d.jpg[/img]
for the support, food and photos
higg
lives on this board 24/7!!!
 
Posts: 618
Joined: Sun Feb 22, 2004 11:23 pm

Re: What a difference a day makes

Postby Rob C » Wed Aug 13, 2008 8:04 am

Well done Aodan, top marks. How much harder would it be without support, do you think? Are there any shops tea rooms etc on the way to stock up on food?
Rob C
lives on this board 24/7!!!
 
Posts: 562
Joined: Mon May 08, 2006 9:19 pm

Re: What a difference a day makes

Postby Sylv » Wed Aug 13, 2008 8:44 am

Brilliant Aodan!
User avatar
Sylv
lives on this board 24/7!!!
 
Posts: 5742
Joined: Wed Mar 21, 2007 2:40 pm
Location: londinium, lugdunum

Re: What a difference a day makes

Postby Will » Wed Aug 13, 2008 11:35 am

Fantastic work :D
Will
lives on this board 24/7!!!
 
Posts: 723
Joined: Thu Nov 28, 2002 10:02 am

Re: What a difference a day makes

Postby adrian » Wed Aug 13, 2008 11:44 am

Whoa :shock:

Well done - v nice pics and report.
User avatar
adrian
lives on this board 24/7!!!
 
Posts: 1482
Joined: Sat Aug 16, 2003 10:56 am
Location: Bromley

Re: What a difference a day makes

Postby Andrew G » Wed Aug 13, 2008 1:02 pm

Well done Aodan that is one serious ride!
Andrew G
lives on this board 24/7!!!
 
Posts: 10477
Joined: Tue Oct 04, 2005 6:47 pm
Location: Selsdon

Re: What a difference a day makes

Postby Alan M » Wed Aug 13, 2008 5:32 pm

most impressive - what next for thr dynamic duo?
User avatar
Alan M
lives on this board 24/7!!!
 
Posts: 1988
Joined: Mon Sep 15, 2003 9:54 pm
Location: Sanderstead

Re: What a difference a day makes

Postby EdO » Wed Aug 13, 2008 5:45 pm

User avatar
EdO
lives on this board 24/7!!!
 
Posts: 469
Joined: Mon Jul 23, 2007 10:47 am
Location: London

Re: What a difference a day makes

Postby EdO » Wed Aug 13, 2008 5:55 pm

User avatar
EdO
lives on this board 24/7!!!
 
Posts: 469
Joined: Mon Jul 23, 2007 10:47 am
Location: London

Re: What a difference a day makes

Postby higg » Thu Aug 14, 2008 7:36 am

thanks for kind words. On hols. More later. National trail web site gives tap and shop locations.
higg
lives on this board 24/7!!!
 
Posts: 618
Joined: Sun Feb 22, 2004 11:23 pm


Return to General

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 49 guests

cron