The Beacon Message Board

Add me in Phil. Thx

I’m in. Thx Phil

Please add me.
I might also bring along a non member.
Thx

Please add me. Thx

Please add me Andy. Cheers

Please add me also. Many thanks

Great! I heard Sam was in. Who else?

There are 5 of us all stopping in Port Blue spa.

Hi all. Did anyone manage to enter the 312 today.

Very poor registration website crashing, etc.

I got registered but not easy!

Worcestershire and South Cotswold 300 – July 12th 2008

Demanding, scenic event that few have finished with many steep, narrow and poorly surfaced roads used. Last year's ride was flooded out and no-one reached the Cotswolds! In 2008 will there be 10+ finish for the first time in 9 editions of this event?

Total distance 300Km
Total Ascent 4275M

STAGE 1 Droitwich to Teddington

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/300Km-Audax-Stage1
Length 36.6Km,
Stage Ascent 284M

We starting a little late @ 7:15 behind circa 12 riders, not sure if any others started. The weather was fine for the relatively flat first stage. A nice quite start to warm up and stretch the legs.
Control 1 was at well stocked Esso garage.

STAGE 2 Teddington to Dursley

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/300Km-Audax-Stage-2

Length 71.9 km
Stage Ascent 1450M

Let the pain begin……this stage was twice the length of the previous but more than 5 times the amount of climbing…. Our early hopes of a finish in the light were already taking a serious hammering as the steepness and pure number of hills started to take its toll. The sight of the café in Dursley was a welcome sight for a much needed jacket potato – a third distance complete – ride time so far - 5H 15min.


STAGE 3 Dursley to Box

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/300Km-Audax-Stage-3

Length 51.1 km
Stage Ascent 1049M

Literately 20 yards from the café the hills started again…..a lovely 20% gradient for ½ mile (or it seemed like it!) – we even saw Trevor’s beans on toast for a second time! The route to Box was stunning good…….unlike some of the “roadsâ€￾ which is the loosest definition of the name – pothole city & mud. Arriving at the control – this time a pub – was again brief respite from the constant hill after hill.

STAGE 4 Box to Cirencester

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/300Km-Audax-Stage-4

Length 57.5 km
Stage Ascent 671M

A few more hills up to Castle Combe was followed by some welcomed flat terrain through Tetbury and Stroud with the run in to Cirencester the only main roads used all day…..unusual to see traffic again!

STAGE 5 Cirencester to Ashton Under Hill

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/300Km-Audax-Stage-5

Length 44.2 km
Stage Ascent 547M

Time of Day: 18:47 - Another relatively flat section through Chedworth, Hampen, Whichcombe, gretton and Great Washbourne.

STAGE 6 Ashton Under Hill to Droitwich

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/300Km-Audax-Stage-6

Length 37.9 km
Stage Ascent 274M

Into the night…..it became apparent early on in the day that we would need light to show us the way home….thanks to Lee and his dynamo the last stage was a relatively uneventful trek through Pershore back to Droitwich and the finish line for some welcome Pizza, chicken salad and trifle 

Ride Summary

Total distance 300Km
Total Ascent 4275M

Total Ride Time 15 Hours 10 Minutes

Overall organization was excellent with plenty of food and dring both at the start and on completion of this tough 300Km.

Comprehensive route sheet - but I'm glad I had my GPS to guide me!

Already looking forward to next year 

Richard Greer