The Beacon Message Board

Hi All,
I’m just mulling over my 2018 plans and thought that there might be some interest if I shared them or some who have had experience in doing them and could provide thoughts. I’m certainly not suggesting doing all of these things, but thought that after the success of some of the activities this year (200k / 300k / 2x250k rides) there might be a ground swell if we could get some interest.

Single Day
Fred Whitton Challenge (100miles)
http://www.fredwhittonchallenge.co.uk/
Could be done as the official event or as a weekend away. Head up on Friday, ride Saturday, easy spin on Sunday.

Dragon Ride (305k)
http://www.letapeuk.co.uk/wales/dragon-tour/
http://www.letapeuk.co.uk/wales/letape-wales/
Could be completed as a group, staying at Afan Lodge and then doing one of the longer routes on Saturday, with the shorter ride on the Sunday. With four different distances it could be an opportunity for lots of riders, catering for variety of abilities (100k / 153 / 230 / 305k

Coast to Coast in a Day (160miles)
http://www.opencycling.com/coast-to-coast-in-a-day/
I’m going on holiday to Whitby next year anyway, so I might drive to the West then cycle to the East then return the following weekend. As a group this might require some logistics to organise, but driving cars to two different locations and staying over then driving back the following day is all doable.

Chase the Sun (200miles)
http://chasethesun.wixsite.com/chasethesun/info
West to East coast (Kent to Sommerset) self supported

Dunwich Dynamo
http://londonschoolofcycling.co.uk/content.php?id=13
200 km night ride from London to the lost city of Dunwich on the Suffolk Coast.

Team 24hr
http://revolve24.com/events/brands-hatc ... ack-relays
Something like the Silverstone TT, but done over 24hrs as a team. Could be one for individuals (who want to do 6 / 12 / 24 hours) but with some other Beacon members there to support throughout the day.

Multi-Day
Tour of Wessex (3x100 miles)
http://www.pendragonsports.com/Tour_of_Wessex
The full three day event (over bank holiday) is cover 480km, but there are shorter routes and single day options.

Lands End – John O’Groats (9x100miles)
Might be done with an organised company or potentially self supported. I don’t think I am planning on being completely self sufficient on my way from South to North, but doing something at a “challenging” pace (9 days) either staying at hostels / b&b’s or just with an organised group.
http://www.rideacrossbritain.com/
http://www.cyclinguk.org/article/cyclin ... hn-ogroats
https://www.bikeadventures.co.uk/produc ... -aug-2017/

International
312 Mallorca Sportive
Paris Roubaix etc – not thought these ones through though.

So, what say the Beacon Collective? Anyone done any of these events? Is it worth thinking about organising a group for next year and targeting a few?

Some interesting rides there Chris! I've always wanted to knock lejog off the bucket list so would be interested in that, would be good to do it in a beacon group.

I'd love to have another crack at paris-roubaix...

Hi All,

I am planning on entering the The Transcontinental Race next year; it's been a long term goal of mine for a couple of years or so, and I think it's a matter of just going for it (now or never!).

Clearly there's a matter of the event going ahead in the first instance, and then securing a place in the second, but that's the goal.

At present I am planning on entering the race solo, but also thought about entering as a pair if anyone is interested and wanted to join - I'm sure something as hard as the TCR would be made (slightly) more enjoyable riding with someone else .

I'd definitely be up for some of the rides above - C2C in a Day and Chase the Sun have been on my list as training for a while along with another couple of Everestings.

Cheers!

You should definitely have a chat with Stuart White, Alex.

Great, will do. Thanks Laurence.

Good ideas, Chris and others. We normally list these out in the depths of winter, but as it's being raised now, I can suggest two thoughts at this stage

1. A 'circumcision of Birmingham' club run, which I'll lead sometime next year
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/24451799

2. A 400kms audax, as this is a new and tough distance for many of us, as it impinges on sleep-time... perhaps the National 400 next June.

Interested in any Paris Roubaix discussion riding and watching as plan to be in Belgium for something else that week.

WorcsPhil wrote: ↑

24 Aug 2017 21:29

2. A 400kms audax, as this is a new and tough distance for many of us, as it impinges on sleep-time... perhaps the National 400 next June.

Phil i am planning to do a 400km ride on or around the 21st of june next year(The longest day)not necessarily going to do it as a official club run but if others want to tag along(Or maybe make it by invitation only ). I have a route(as flat as possible) and stops planned just got to get my head around a 4am start!!

sounds good, Paul...I'll certainly join you for a 20-hour bacon-fest. We'll have to agree dates early in the new year as I intend to re-do a 500kms club run weekend to somewhere, hilly remote and unpleasant around the same time...

WorcsPhil wrote: ↑

24 Aug 2017 21:29

Good ideas, Chris and others. We normally list these out in the depths of winter, but as it's being raised now, I can suggest two thoughts at this stage

1. A 'circumcision of Birmingham' club run, which I'll lead sometime next year
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/24451799

2. A 400kms audax, as this is a new and tough distance for many of us, as it impinges on sleep-time... perhaps the National 400 next June.

I'll study your route Phil... probably a better devised one than mine when I did a solo circumcision a couple of years back. The unknown territories north of the city were the bits I had problems navigating;

https://www.strava.com/activities/171114764

Chris. A few years ago, a Beacon collective rode LEJOG last year over a period of nine days, the same period as your suggestion. Whilst I will not have time to ride LEJOG due to a backlog on my climbing targets, I can send details on the route that we used. Our version took us up the spine of the UK, keeping us away from the horrors of the A9, A82 A30 and A49, etc.