Asthall control (info for 200s only; others please scroll down)
Several months ago, arrangements were made with the landlord of the Maytime Inn at Asthall to use the pub as the midway control on our 212km Audax this Sunday. However, in the interim, the pub has been sold and closed, and the landlord has not thought to inform us. We therefore became aware of the closure only when we called to give him exact numbers a few days before the event. By that stage, it was too late to change the route.
The Maytime Inn at Asthall therefore remains the official AUK control, but no refreshments will be available there. You will need to stop at the pub briefly to get your card stamped by our club representative, who will be in the car park.
If you wish to stop somewhere for lunch at around half distance, we suggest the following:
1. Burford (96km on your route sheet)
When you are standing at the T junction where the route sheet says "R at T and imm L into Swan Lane", there is a café called The Copper Kettle almost directly opposite.
If you turn left at that T junction, you will find Huffkins tearooms about 50 yards down the road on the left. A little further down the road, on the right, is The Priory tearooms. Several of the pubs in the town also serve food. Please note that tearooms in Burford are often busy, and none of them are expecting an influx of fifty riders, so please spread yourselves out.
2. Leafield (106.1km on your route sheet)
At the point where the road bends sharply to the right near the village green, on the left you will find The Fox Inn. We have never used this venue, but it advertises home-made food from 12.00.
3. Finstock (109.6km on your route sheet)
At the point where the route sheet says "SO at X sp Finstock", if you turn right (sp Witney) and continue for approximately 300m, you will find the entrance to Hilltop Garden Centre, which has a café. The garden centre has a one-way system; at the exit gate, turn right onto the unclassified road and you will find yourself back at the crossroads referred to on your route sheet at 109.6km.
Deterioration of roads
Riders in AUK events must always allow for the possibility that some roads may be in a poor state of repair. That is particularly important after the recent bad weather. A significant number of deep pot-holes have opened up on our routes. There are some particularly bad ones on Stage 2 of the Cotswold Expedition. These holes may be difficult to spot if you are riding in a group or it is wet. Please be aware that what looks like a puddle could be a six-inch crater. You may be sure that the rain will have washed a lot of mud, grit and loose debris into the little lanes on our route.
Entrant list
A full list of people who have entered our event is now available on our website:
http://www.beaconrcc.org.uk/audax/cotsw ... rants.html
Weather info
The forecast for the Cotswolds tomorrow is a mixture of sunshine and heavy showers; it will be breezy, but not as windy as today. Temperatures are unlikely to get above about 17C. Not an ideal day for cycling therefore, but probably not too bad, provided that you have a windproof rain jacket and a good base layer.
Look forward to seeing you in the morning!
Audax update & important notice for riders on the 200
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