Beacon's Clee and Kidder Killer Audaxes
Moderators: Philip Whiteman, George, laurence_cooley, Andy Terry
- Philip Whiteman
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- Location: Drayton, Worcestershire
Beacon's Clee and Kidder Killer Audaxes
......AND NOW IT IS TIME TO ENTER YOUR NEXT BEACON EVENT
WITH ADDED CAKE
FROM CLEE TO HEAVEN IS NOW FULL WITH ONLY A FEW SPACES LEFT ON THE KIDDER KILLER
Just as you thought it was all over, just after George's Cotswold events, now it is time to sign up for the next new, cool, trendy and sexy Beacon cycle event, starting from nearby Belbroughton.
The Kidderminster Killer - 215km
- An epic ride to Mid-Wales and back with 3,750m of climbing through Salop and The Marches.
- Stunning views are the reward for the day's hard effort.
- You may with trepidation but you will finish with elation and a knowledge that if you can ride The Kidderminster Killer you can ride anything .
From Clee to Heaven- 120km
- A venture into deepest rural Shropshire along a figure of 8 route. Strangely, the Clee Hills are rarely visited by any cycling event, so you will be in for a treat.
- The route is hilly with 2,000m of climbing but riders be rewarded but the idyllic countryside of South Shropshire and its blue hills. The route was test ridden last year by several Beacon Members who gave positive feedback.
- Cake
- Excellent cafe controls located at conveniently situated locations
- Cake
- GPS Downloads
- Cake
- New innovative route card sheets
- Cake
- GHQ start and finish point located not too far from Birmingham
- Cake
- Entry on line
Details and entry at:
http://www.beaconrcc.org.uk/audax/killerclee/index.html
WITH ADDED CAKE
FROM CLEE TO HEAVEN IS NOW FULL WITH ONLY A FEW SPACES LEFT ON THE KIDDER KILLER
Just as you thought it was all over, just after George's Cotswold events, now it is time to sign up for the next new, cool, trendy and sexy Beacon cycle event, starting from nearby Belbroughton.
The Kidderminster Killer - 215km
- An epic ride to Mid-Wales and back with 3,750m of climbing through Salop and The Marches.
- Stunning views are the reward for the day's hard effort.
- You may with trepidation but you will finish with elation and a knowledge that if you can ride The Kidderminster Killer you can ride anything .
From Clee to Heaven- 120km
- A venture into deepest rural Shropshire along a figure of 8 route. Strangely, the Clee Hills are rarely visited by any cycling event, so you will be in for a treat.
- The route is hilly with 2,000m of climbing but riders be rewarded but the idyllic countryside of South Shropshire and its blue hills. The route was test ridden last year by several Beacon Members who gave positive feedback.
- Cake
- Excellent cafe controls located at conveniently situated locations
- Cake
- GPS Downloads
- Cake
- New innovative route card sheets
- Cake
- GHQ start and finish point located not too far from Birmingham
- Cake
- Entry on line
Details and entry at:
http://www.beaconrcc.org.uk/audax/killerclee/index.html
Last edited by Philip Whiteman on 21 Aug 2012 13:17, edited 7 times in total.
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Phil, there's a couple of typos in the Housman verse on the From Clee to Heaven page (second and final lines). It should be:
From Clee to heaven the beacon burns,
The shires have seen it plain,
From north and south the sign returns
And beacons burn again.
On a more important note, any chance that the recipe that Steve identified as similar to the elusive Spetchley ginger cake could make the cake list? Recipe here: http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/1462 ... emon-icing.
From Clee to heaven the beacon burns,
The shires have seen it plain,
From north and south the sign returns
And beacons burn again.
On a more important note, any chance that the recipe that Steve identified as similar to the elusive Spetchley ginger cake could make the cake list? Recipe here: http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/1462 ... emon-icing.
- Philip Whiteman
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- Joined: 19 Nov 2006 16:17
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- Location: Drayton, Worcestershire
I'm on the case!lc1981 wrote:On a more important note, any chance that the recipe that Steve identified as similar to the elusive Spetchley ginger cake could make the cake list? Recipe here: http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/1462 ... emon-icing.
- Philip Whiteman
- Posts: 2046
- Joined: 19 Nov 2006 16:17
- Real Name:
- Location: Drayton, Worcestershire
- Philip Whiteman
- Posts: 2046
- Joined: 19 Nov 2006 16:17
- Real Name:
- Location: Drayton, Worcestershire
Audax Helpers:
Clare Abiss - Cake Superintendent & cake donator. 14.00 - 18.00
George Barker - Car Park Marshal. 07.00ish - 09.00am
Bob & Pat Green - Cake Superintendent. 18.00 - /
John Hamilton (AUK Events Director) - Controller at Acton Scott. 10.12 - 12.37
Danny Mayho - Car Park Marshal. 07.00 - 09.00
Michelle McGurk - Coffee and tea provision. 07.00ish - 09.00am
Steve Smith - Web-stuff. Throughout the year.
Lisa Spurgeon - long suffering wife and GHQ controller
Lynne Yeates - Controller at Rays Farm. 10.40 - 11.56 / 12.36 - 15.18
Bacon sandwiches for early morning staff. Lisa and I will arrive between 06.45 and 07.00 to open up. The hall will close at 23.00.
Anyone wishing to bake a cake or two, please let me know. Costs will be reimbursed.
Many many thanks.
Clare Abiss - Cake Superintendent & cake donator. 14.00 - 18.00
George Barker - Car Park Marshal. 07.00ish - 09.00am
Bob & Pat Green - Cake Superintendent. 18.00 - /
John Hamilton (AUK Events Director) - Controller at Acton Scott. 10.12 - 12.37
Danny Mayho - Car Park Marshal. 07.00 - 09.00
Michelle McGurk - Coffee and tea provision. 07.00ish - 09.00am
Steve Smith - Web-stuff. Throughout the year.
Lisa Spurgeon - long suffering wife and GHQ controller
Lynne Yeates - Controller at Rays Farm. 10.40 - 11.56 / 12.36 - 15.18
Bacon sandwiches for early morning staff. Lisa and I will arrive between 06.45 and 07.00 to open up. The hall will close at 23.00.
Anyone wishing to bake a cake or two, please let me know. Costs will be reimbursed.
Many many thanks.
- Philip Whiteman
- Posts: 2046
- Joined: 19 Nov 2006 16:17
- Real Name:
- Location: Drayton, Worcestershire
WEATHER FORECAST
A cloudy start to Saturday, possibility of the odd light shower earlier in the day. Brighter later. Feeling rather warm and humid. 294 Kelvin (290 Kelvin on summits). Light SW wind.
NO EXCUSES THEN!!!!!
FOOD FORECAST
Fruit cake (courtesy of Lynne)
Lemon Drizzle (courtesy of Clare)
Mincemeat Cake
Lemon Scones and Curd
Rock Cakes
Chocolate and orange muffins
Stem Ginger Cake
Sandwiches
Bacon sandwiches (after 4pm)
A cloudy start to Saturday, possibility of the odd light shower earlier in the day. Brighter later. Feeling rather warm and humid. 294 Kelvin (290 Kelvin on summits). Light SW wind.
NO EXCUSES THEN!!!!!
FOOD FORECAST
Fruit cake (courtesy of Lynne)
Lemon Drizzle (courtesy of Clare)
Mincemeat Cake
Lemon Scones and Curd
Rock Cakes
Chocolate and orange muffins
Stem Ginger Cake
Sandwiches
Bacon sandwiches (after 4pm)
- GrahamGamblin
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- Neil Compton
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- Location: Northfield
- GrahamGamblin
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- Location: Stirchley
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- Location: Harborne
Thanks Philip and gang. Great route, surprisingly flat though . OK, so I'm lying - it was the hardest, longest ride I've ever done!
Really appreciate the hard work that went into the planning and organisation. The coffee, bacon and cakes were soooo welcome at the end, too!
Thanks to Gary, Chris and Sean for the company.
Really appreciate the hard work that went into the planning and organisation. The coffee, bacon and cakes were soooo welcome at the end, too!
Thanks to Gary, Chris and Sean for the company.
Thanks to Phil & all who helped organise & staff the audaxes. Thanks also to Keith, Ian & Steve who i rode around with & without who's company i would have lost the will to complete it.
What can i say about the route, by far the longest & hardest days cycling i've ever done by a huge margin, thankfully the weather was excellent.
Will i enter next years killer audax? definitely maybe.
What can i say about the route, by far the longest & hardest days cycling i've ever done by a huge margin, thankfully the weather was excellent.
Will i enter next years killer audax? definitely maybe.
A Grand Day Out
Excellent day! Thanks to Martin, Ian and Keith for the company and help.
The organisation was superb! It was a long way to go for it, but I did enjoy the lemon drizzle cake
The organisation was superb! It was a long way to go for it, but I did enjoy the lemon drizzle cake
Steve
- Andy Terry
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Re: A Grand Day Out
I'll tell Clare.smorty wrote:It was a long way to go for it, but I did enjoy the lemon drizzle cake
CakeStop wrote:I forgot to mention yesterday - I thought adding the Clee to Heaven alongside the KK was a stroke of brilliance.
Agreed on both counts!smorty wrote:It was a long way to go for it, but I did enjoy the lemon drizzle cake
Last edited by rdleaper on 20 Aug 2012 20:57, edited 1 time in total.
- GrahamGamblin
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- Philip Whiteman
- Posts: 2046
- Joined: 19 Nov 2006 16:17
- Real Name:
- Location: Drayton, Worcestershire
Dear All,
I am overwhelmed with the response and would like to thank everyone for their feedback on the two events. However, it would be wrong to take the credit. It was fellow helpers and riders that allowed the event to happen.
I would like to thank the following:
- Michelle McGuirk, Debbie Deane, Clare Abiss, Bob and Carol Green for looking after food and drink needs.
- Lynne Yeates, Graham Kelly and John Hamilton (AUK) as controllers.
- George Barker and Jane Herrin for car park marshalling.
- Steve Smith as web-master.
- Lynne Yeates, Leslie Brown, Natalie Jewell and Clare Abiss for providing extra-cakes.
- Dave Pountney and Dan Howard (Kidderminster CTC) for help at closing down GHQ.
- Dave Pountney as my AUK mentor and the inspiration behind the Kidderminster Killer.
- Lisa Spurgeon. My long suffering wife and helper on the day.
- John Hamilton and Steve Snook of AudaxUK for approving the course and AAA profile respectively.
I would like to thank all riders for providing a real sense of camaraderie yesterday - an essential element for completing both of these challenging rides. Many of the riders were audax virgins and could easily be identified by the 'rabbit in the headlights' appearance at the beginning of the day. I sincerely hope that many of you will be back to ride further Beacon RCC and AUK events in the future.
Results:-
I have yet to process the results for AudaxUK but will do so in the next few days. The provisional results of the validated rides will be published on the AUK website during the coming days http://www.aukweb.net/results/detail/this/events/. Once AUK have approved the validation then your cards will be returned. Many seasoned audaxers will know that the results are used for the varying forms of competitions such as Altitude Awards and the varying forms of distance awards. However, most will also know that audaxes are not races and riders are not ranked in order of completion.
Rides of Note:-
Top prize should go to Peter Johnson, one of the Derby Mercury gang. For many, the Kidderminster Killer was sufficient to finish them off but this was only part of Peter's day out having left Derby at 3am in order to ride the event before riding home again later that night, forming part of a 400km 'Extended Calendar Event' audax.
For most Beacon riders, these two events were 'in at the deep end'. For a few it was their first audax ever. Most may have ridden comparative distances but never on events with Altitude Award points. Most declared that the KK was the furthest they had ridden all year. So, to complete such endurance events is an achievement that is well deserved.
Even 'flat roads Alan Weaver' was overheard to say that he may have enjoyed the ride.
Robin Mainwaring (Cheltenham CC) returned off the KK at 17.38 whilst Phil Richards (ind) returned off the Clee at 14.35. The fastest ever completion on the old KK was in 8h45m by David Hatton in 2007!
Stats:
- The Kidderminster Killer: 67 entries, 61 starters, 58 finished, 1 incomplete Brevet Card, 3 timed out. No reported accidents. Bulk of returns between 20;00 and 21:45.
- From Clee to Heaven: 65 entries, 63 starters, 57 finished. 6 DNF (mainly due to mechanicals or by decision not undertake the furthest loop) No reported accidents. None timed-out. Bulk of returns between 15:15 and 16:45.
Future Events:
The next Beacon RCC Audax is scheduled for 16th February. The 123km Sunrise and Snowdrop Express are considerably flatter but can be challenging in February. Last year the event received 260 entries and was sold out by Christmas. So don't leave it too late for 2013. We have yet to update the webpage but details on this year's event can be found at: http://www.beaconrcc.org.uk/audax/express/index.html
Will there be a repeat of this event?
Having taken the view, "let's see how it goes", the wonderful feedback has left me with no choice. The date is 17th August 2013
Further feedback?
Any feedback on how next year's event is welcome. Here are some thoughts:
- Steve Smith has suggested reducing the minimum speed for the Clee audax in order to avoid the closing time dash. I agree when taking into account some of the cafe delays experienced at Rays Farm.
- Reversing the direction of the 'Rays Farm - Rays Farm loop' next year.
- Diverting the KK route away from the very poorly surfaced Jays Lane.
I am overwhelmed with the response and would like to thank everyone for their feedback on the two events. However, it would be wrong to take the credit. It was fellow helpers and riders that allowed the event to happen.
I would like to thank the following:
- Michelle McGuirk, Debbie Deane, Clare Abiss, Bob and Carol Green for looking after food and drink needs.
- Lynne Yeates, Graham Kelly and John Hamilton (AUK) as controllers.
- George Barker and Jane Herrin for car park marshalling.
- Steve Smith as web-master.
- Lynne Yeates, Leslie Brown, Natalie Jewell and Clare Abiss for providing extra-cakes.
- Dave Pountney and Dan Howard (Kidderminster CTC) for help at closing down GHQ.
- Dave Pountney as my AUK mentor and the inspiration behind the Kidderminster Killer.
- Lisa Spurgeon. My long suffering wife and helper on the day.
- John Hamilton and Steve Snook of AudaxUK for approving the course and AAA profile respectively.
I would like to thank all riders for providing a real sense of camaraderie yesterday - an essential element for completing both of these challenging rides. Many of the riders were audax virgins and could easily be identified by the 'rabbit in the headlights' appearance at the beginning of the day. I sincerely hope that many of you will be back to ride further Beacon RCC and AUK events in the future.
Results:-
I have yet to process the results for AudaxUK but will do so in the next few days. The provisional results of the validated rides will be published on the AUK website during the coming days http://www.aukweb.net/results/detail/this/events/. Once AUK have approved the validation then your cards will be returned. Many seasoned audaxers will know that the results are used for the varying forms of competitions such as Altitude Awards and the varying forms of distance awards. However, most will also know that audaxes are not races and riders are not ranked in order of completion.
Rides of Note:-
Top prize should go to Peter Johnson, one of the Derby Mercury gang. For many, the Kidderminster Killer was sufficient to finish them off but this was only part of Peter's day out having left Derby at 3am in order to ride the event before riding home again later that night, forming part of a 400km 'Extended Calendar Event' audax.
For most Beacon riders, these two events were 'in at the deep end'. For a few it was their first audax ever. Most may have ridden comparative distances but never on events with Altitude Award points. Most declared that the KK was the furthest they had ridden all year. So, to complete such endurance events is an achievement that is well deserved.
Even 'flat roads Alan Weaver' was overheard to say that he may have enjoyed the ride.
Robin Mainwaring (Cheltenham CC) returned off the KK at 17.38 whilst Phil Richards (ind) returned off the Clee at 14.35. The fastest ever completion on the old KK was in 8h45m by David Hatton in 2007!
Stats:
- The Kidderminster Killer: 67 entries, 61 starters, 58 finished, 1 incomplete Brevet Card, 3 timed out. No reported accidents. Bulk of returns between 20;00 and 21:45.
- From Clee to Heaven: 65 entries, 63 starters, 57 finished. 6 DNF (mainly due to mechanicals or by decision not undertake the furthest loop) No reported accidents. None timed-out. Bulk of returns between 15:15 and 16:45.
Future Events:
The next Beacon RCC Audax is scheduled for 16th February. The 123km Sunrise and Snowdrop Express are considerably flatter but can be challenging in February. Last year the event received 260 entries and was sold out by Christmas. So don't leave it too late for 2013. We have yet to update the webpage but details on this year's event can be found at: http://www.beaconrcc.org.uk/audax/express/index.html
Will there be a repeat of this event?
Having taken the view, "let's see how it goes", the wonderful feedback has left me with no choice. The date is 17th August 2013
Further feedback?
Any feedback on how next year's event is welcome. Here are some thoughts:
- Steve Smith has suggested reducing the minimum speed for the Clee audax in order to avoid the closing time dash. I agree when taking into account some of the cafe delays experienced at Rays Farm.
- Reversing the direction of the 'Rays Farm - Rays Farm loop' next year.
- Diverting the KK route away from the very poorly surfaced Jays Lane.
A quick random sample of events with 2 AAA points indicates that 12 or 12.5kph is typical, some go as low as 10kph, I spotted one that was 15kph.Philip Whiteman wrote:Steve Smith has suggested reducing the minimum speed for the Clee audax in order to avoid the closing time dash. I agree when taking into account some of the cafe delays experienced at Rays Farm.
I didn't experience any delays at Rays Farm (the queues had gone by the time I got there. My suggestion was more to allow a bit more time to enjoy the scenery in the middle section. I felt I needed to keep pushing on because I knew I wasn't going to find the last section easy and you always need to keep a bit of time in the bag. The couple of guys that finished behind me had a couple of flats and stopped to help someone else and they nearly ran out of time (although I'm sure you'd have made allowances).
I reckon another 30 minutes to get to Rays Farm second time would be plenty - the HQ will be open late for the KK anyway so whatever the knock on effect on the finish time will be of no consequence.
I could learn to ride a bit faster of course but even if I could manage this I think I'd still want to spend time to take scenery that I'm not familiar with.
Eat cake before you're hungry
- Philip Whiteman
- Posts: 2046
- Joined: 19 Nov 2006 16:17
- Real Name:
- Location: Drayton, Worcestershire
Some pictures from Alberto Contreras, a KK rider from London.
https://picasaweb.google.com/1115244844 ... 6864472594
And from the Derby Mercury gang:
http://www.derbymercury.org.uk/forummen ... 0&start=22
https://picasaweb.google.com/1115244844 ... 6864472594
And from the Derby Mercury gang:
http://www.derbymercury.org.uk/forummen ... 0&start=22
Last edited by Philip Whiteman on 21 Aug 2012 10:25, edited 1 time in total.
- Neil Compton
- Posts: 256
- Joined: 19 Nov 2006 15:39
- Real Name:
- Location: Northfield
- Neil Compton
- Posts: 256
- Joined: 19 Nov 2006 15:39
- Real Name:
- Location: Northfield
I saw two of them - there may have been more! As well as an early **flat** (which put me dead last, not that that really mattered), I also encountered a wandering sheep that thankfully was scared enough to try and run through the fence to get away from me (I get that a lot ), rather than getting in the way. All good fun!CakeStop wrote:Despite wandering dangerously around the road, it was still alive when I passed hours later. I didn't have time to stop nor the energy to bunny hop so I had to swerve around it.
- Philip Whiteman
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- Location: Drayton, Worcestershire
Provisional Results of validated rides are now available from the Audax UK site. In total 61 riders that started on each of the two events.
From Clee to Heaven
http://www.aukweb.net/results/detail/th ... ide=12-415
Kidderminster Killer
http://www.aukweb.net/results/detail/th ... ide=12-390
From Clee to Heaven
http://www.aukweb.net/results/detail/th ... ide=12-415
Kidderminster Killer
http://www.aukweb.net/results/detail/th ... ide=12-390
- Philip Whiteman
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- Joined: 19 Nov 2006 16:17
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- Location: Drayton, Worcestershire
A great blog report on the Clee audax, kindly posted by Lucy Buchanan-Parker.
http://machacasonwheels.blogspot.co.uk/ ... 100km.html
http://machacasonwheels.blogspot.co.uk/ ... 100km.html
- Philip Whiteman
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- Real Name:
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