[Closed] Hell of the North Cotswolds

Lovely day for it and a completely different route to the 3 times I've done it before. Only did the 50k as was feeling a bit knackered from yesterday's road ride and lots of creaking coming from my bottom bracket.

Big thanks to the organisers, marshalls and all the ladies at Temple Guiting village hall.

Does anyone have some gpx files of good North Cotswolds routes they can email me please? Very keen to go back for a play in this area. Please mail to benwilliams70 AT gmail DOT COM

Thanks in advance!

100K for me. Top event again. How many years have I done this thing ? Can't even remember. Perfect weather and a few interesting new pieces on this year's route. That climb will get revisited !

A big thank you to all the organisers from me too.

What bikes/gearing did everyone ride? Was there a reasonable amount of off-road?

Was a great day. Did the 100k on a cross bike in 4.45 and no punctures this year. Thought the route was better than last year

100k on my singlespeed Scandal, the last few miles were not fun.

However, paradoxically I loved it every minute.

Just back after doing the 100km.

Had a great day out in glorious weather.

Well done to the HONC team.

That hill at 80km almost did for me though.

first timer, great event, 100km in 4hrs 30mins on an Spec Epic,

super day, perfect weather for a lovely bimble around the Cotswolds. Good to meet you peteimpreza! That hill was a bugger wasn't it? Made it up on my singlespeed apart from a wet bit where I couldn't get any grip. Nearly killed me mind.

And you mate, schweei bike even if it has only one gear 😀

Well organised, well run & nice & friendly - but too much tarmac to warrant the 90min drive there & back so won't bother next year. 100k 6hrs 15min 😳

100k and that bloody climb nearly killed me. Although you could tell who had dabbed at the top by the muddy shoes....

Seems like there was a lot more tarmac than last year, but I have consumed quite a lot of beer in the last year and details are hazy.

pedalhead - Member
super day, perfect weather for a lovely bimble around the Cotswolds. Good to meet you peteimpreza! That hill was a bugger wasn't it? Made it up on my singlespeed apart from a wet bit where I couldn't get any grip. Nearly killed me mind.

I hope you weren't the bugger who fell in front of me and ruined my rhythm 🙂

Yep, the 'killer loop' around Snowshill really was a killer loop - I see a few just cut it off.

Big up to MidlandTrailQuestGraham - with green bike to match green socks and the couple on the blue Orbit tandem.

100km in 6.02 with sandle sore, heatstroke, punctures, bruised kidneys and sore back.

Great route and great organisation as always - thanks to all the Winchcombe and Cheltenham guys. My imagination or more off-road than normal this time?

Too much tarmac ? A bit of local knowledge needed 😉
Lots of options today to do the distance but ride on concrete mud rather than tarmac. Same difference really...

I hope you weren't the bugger who fell in front of me and ruined my rhythm

nah not me, graceful dismount, naturally 🙂

the couple on the blue Orbit tandem.

Waves to Andy.

That steep climb was ****ing hard going on the tandem. Still managed to clean it though.

I think my stoker is now broken. 😆

Maybe supertacky dual ply tyres aren't the best choice for an event like that. 😯

I did the little one on the SS. My riding partner had 4 punctures so got caught by the marshalls, sweepers and even the guys who took the signs down. Still did a fair bit of catching up after the cake stop.
Fab day, excellent route and I can feel my hands and legs unlike 2 years ago...

55km cheeky version with two pubs stops! Great day out!

110k with the Broadway "he-man loop" -Missed the f00kin turn...The climb back to where I should have turned was not fun !

great day & event though, 8)

Great day out, this was our first time and did the 50km as our winter training plan went to pot.

The bread pudding at the finish went down a treat!

My 5th HONC and all of them bone dry - seems April has better weather than most of May and June. Tarmac content about standard I think but not measured!

Got around the 100 on mtb in 4hr 59 so respectable but not a pb.

The hill was indeen a mutha but I rode it all in one go. Last year avoided granny ring altogether but when I saw that I just dropped straight into Granny no 1!!

Glad I stuck to the 50km, sounds like the big climb on the 100 would have put me in a bodybag!

First time and wasn't sure the 100k would be do-able. gave it a go and rode in a rather sedate manner to make sure we got to the end.
Can't see me doing it again though. It was all a touch boring really wasn't it?

@dirtbiker100, found it quite nice. Very used to forest and moorland rides out here in Shropshire, so the wooded valleys and rolling bridleways of the Cotwolds were something different. The terrain demanded a faster pace too, which pushed my finess nicely!

It was all a touch boring really wasn't it?

It was a 100k ride in the Cotswolds. What were you expecting Crankworx or something?

Maybe if you'd not just bimbled round slowly it would have been more fun. 😉

I bimbled round and enjoyed the views 😉 90km on the cross bike [somhow managed to miss the Laverton loop 😀 ] and back in time for bread pudding. I do wonder why people enter a road based reliability ride and expect a MTB enduro 🙄

Thanks to Winchcombe and C&C for another great route, thanks to the marshals and helpers; great day out.

They lied - my GPS said 102km !

It was a good way to see the Cotswolds, you can tell its not ridden by bikes much, many of the trails where bummpy as hell due to horse traffic. Unlike the Chilterns where they are noticably smoother.

If its sunny next year Im up for it again.

100 fun sunny k's for me and my mate Dave (moaning only kept at bay by application of bakewell tarts). We had hoped to start near the front and get under 5 hours but a starting line seatclamp failure meant a start from the back (big thanks to Marshall Anthony who took us back to his gaff and leant Dave a seatclamp for the day - legend!).

Good ride though and we avoided the field of flints that so blighted last years.

Great day out, 102km here as well. For a reliability ride, I saw a lot of unreliable bikes (punctures etc) - maybe that's the point. I reckon full suss bikes are the most reliable, then hardtails, then cross bikes last. Having said that, a cross bike was probably the bike of choice (my full suss was a bit too much for the trails/roads). The course was well marshalled, well signed, and a real change from previous years - excellent choice of routes. Whoever threw in the Snows Hill climb at 80km needs to be forced to ride it 10 times without a break 🙂

Great day out for me. Stuggled round this year due to lack of fitness and a dodgy knee. Great meeting lots of new folk. Particularly the three lads (Heckler/Pace/Giant XTC), the On One posse and the american lass and guy on the ancient P7 who all were welcome company when I needed it most.

Should that Snowshill have been done the other way round, as that climb would have been a cracking descent!

Many thanks to the organisers for a great day out.

Whoever threw in the Snows Hill climb at 80km needs to be forced to ride it 10 times without a break

I'd particularly like to "talk" to the chap who poured a few buckets of water on part of that climb, just to make it slippy like.

Andy, my thoughts exactly as I rode up that climb on a 6 inch plus bike with a Hammerschmidt and 810mm bars.

Actually, years a go it was much more knarly. It had a gully down the middle due to rain and some large steps. They must have sanitised it for walkers/horses when they downgraded it from a RUPP to a restricted byway.

Whoever threw in the Snows Hill climb at 80km needs to be forced to ride it 10 times without a break

I spent large amounts of time riding along with a big grin on my face, admiring the views. Some of the road was a bit dull, but so what, just tag along behind a cyclo-x posse and 'ave it! Most of the puncture victims I passed seemed to be on cyclo-x bikes, although they were faster otherwise. My hardtail was comfy enough + I put an extra 15 psi in the tyres at the cake stop just to make it easier to roll along the tarmac. A brilliant day out

Did the '75k' option having ripped my sidewall just before the rest stop having been on for a good spin round the 100k - even sealant wasn't going to properly fix that unfortunately. Typical as I'd been hammering the rocky bits this year knowing that my tubeless cx setup wouldn't pinch and then a small innocuous rock in the trail that I must have only brushed with the sidewall does the tyre in. What a fantastic day though. I've done 8 I think and this was the first I've done in short sleeves and shorts 🙂

The course wasn't my favourite this year as I think it's usually better the other way round but I accept that it needs to be mixed up year to year. Big thanks as ever to the organisers.

I pumped up my 2.35 High Rollers to 40 psi - rolled OK, but made a funny noise on the tarmac.

I hope those complaining about climbs aren't the northerners who complain there are no climbs in the south. Just no pleasing some people.

Ended up with 50psi in my Contis. A bit bouncy on the hardpacked offroad.

I used to use 60 front 80 rear when I did it on a MTB!

Put 60 in my Crossmarks,t'was a bit rattly at times on my rigid h/tail... 😯

Had a good 100k ride , until on my kona jake cx bike , one of my jockey wheels fell out of my deraillier , quick bodge , then could get 3 gears then got to the point where i just darn't change gear. so then ended up grinding round in a gear that was too big for the climbs and too low for the road !! But got round in a strange way enjoyed it too.

I do wonder why people enter a road based reliability ride and expect a MTB enduro

Excellent days cycling - loved every minute of it. Put 50 psi in my skinny 1.8 Panaracer Fire XC's and felt a bit battered at the end - bigger volume tyres with less pressure me thinks.

Finished at 2:49pm for the 100k which is a new PB for me 🙂

Love this event more than any other, did my first one in 1999 and have completed about 10 so far.

It was 103km all told I think, dragged myself round it in 8h 20m, not bad considering my almost total lack of cycling in the past decade.

For those wanting more North Costwolds routes, some former HONC routes are available here: http://blog.thecorrective.com/2010_04_01_archive.html

HOWEVER, please remember that the HONC organisers get special permission to use some footpaths and private tracks on the day only, so PLEASE DON'T use these tracks at any other time. If I get round to it, I'll try and get some 'legalised' versions of the routes on-line sometime.

Cracking day out pootling around near the back of the field. Why rush when there was so much sunshine to enjoy? We got to the finish at about 1720 🙂

@simondbarnes - yeah, no idea how or why people get round so quickly... it's not a race 😉

Thanks for your company and patience!

Was good to see you again Simon and good to meet you Matt; we chatted just before I took my, ahem, shortcut. Hope you enjoyed that little climb with Simon 😆

THAT climb: walking hurt more than riding after 80km, but I hardly had the legs for either.

Yesterday was the 3rd longest ride I've ever done and had the highest proportion of off-road in my top 3.

Did a nice little add on to the 50k route to clock up a nice little 65k loop on our tandem too 😀

Really enjoyed it and isnt the format based on Paris/Roubaix 'ROAD' Race ? Hence the title HONC

Maybe next year the event will only be open to 700c wheeled bikes one gear and drop bars 😉

Really enjoyed it and isnt the format based on Paris/Roubaix 'ROAD' Race ? Hence the title HONC

I agree, but it's billed as an OFF-road reliability trial, so I'd expect a bit more off-road. Judging by the number of mountain bikes (80%?) I probably wasn't alone.

*Waves at Tollah* hey, hows the brakes?
I was there as a ride marshall for the first half and then sweeper marshall for the 2nd half of the 100k. Quite sunburnt now. Think the Snowshill loop would have been far better the other way around, but knowing the slightly odd nature (sadistic perhaps) of the guy responsible for the route, its no less than I would of expected.
A large amount of circus bikes out there, but thats one of things I like about events like this, everyone out there, just riding bikes wether they were 'cross bikes, singlespeed 29ers or 160mm travel bikes that would be better suited to the Alps.
I will say, I think if I ride it again I might add a couple of chainrings back on. 34t 1x9 nearly broke me towards the end!

[url= http://www.honc.org.uk/ ]HONC[/url]

So where does it say it is an offroad reliability trial? I see two pictures showing tarmac and two showing farm tracks. I would say that is fairly accurate as a reflection of what to expect.

I got lost. 🙁

I missed the second split and just followed the bikes in front on the short route without realising I should have turned right for the long route.
It wasn't until I saw a sign for "Winchcombe 2 1/2 miles" that I stopped and checked the map.
I wasn't going to go back up that private track against the flow, so I carried on to the finish and kept going North and rejoined the course at the bottom of the hill at Laverton.

It still worked out at 100km with 1800m of climbing.
4:51 on a 34x19 singlespeed 29er.
My own personal route. http://connect.garmin.com/activity/78601540

Hello to everyone who recognised me. [img] [/img]

@ MTG Hi from the Tandem hust after the food stop (Waving) 🙂

Being a reliability trial it has been diluted with way markers the old written route to follow was more fun

I still stand by my thought of it being a bit boring. After hearing hints that CX bikes might find it tough and it was going to be more exciting this year. Then riding an 82km ride last week that took in the descent down to Hailes, then up from stanway and down to stanton then up the same laverton climb.
Should definitely have gone with a CX bike, no matter the weather. On-road down to buckland was a shame, if you're going slow due to corners on roads why not go slow off-road?
If it was Hellish I'd have expected more climbs/descents and less flat roads, especially riding along the edge of the cotswold escarpment.
Even my 64yr old dad said it was all too easy.

On the plus side - The organisation at beginning and end, the mid-ride stop at guiting, the cake at the laverton loop. Even the parking (after hearing about possible problems). Really very top notch. That all far exceeded my expectations. Thanks for all that.
Just a better route is wanted really. Was there reasons for not taking some bridlepaths and routes? too fast/narrow/technical?

So where does it say it is an offroad reliability trial? I see two pictures showing tarmac and two showing farm tracks. I would say that is fairly accurate as a reflection of what to expect.

Dirtbiker, what would you want to see? genuine question, bare in mind 1200 riders and the need to make the route rideable in all conditions. Many of the routes i would use on a solo ride but know that they would suffer with more, then there is always the issue of keeping landowners on side.

I have ideas for routes of a similar length but Graham designs the route, so it will reflect his character. If you want a hilly off road route i am working on a 100-150km circuit of cheltenham. that will have a few little climbs in it that i could share.

I'd have prefered it the other way round, much as it was last year.
I thought the climbing on bridleway was a shame with tarmac descents spoiling all the hard work climbing.
That said I expect I'll be trying to enter again next year.
The rest of the organization was, as usual, tip top.

Just a better route is wanted really. Was there reasons for not taking some bridlepaths and routes? too fast/narrow/technical?

If you want this, and scrumpy, come to [url= http://www.heavenofthesouth.co.uk ]Heaven.[/url]

100k on a single speed , great company, mad conversations all the way round ,i really enjoyed the route and a touch of genius including the climb up from laverton ( i have unfinished buisness there)thanks to the organisers and marshalls . 🙂 😀

mrmo, I was getting carried away and the last two sentences are me realising that many bridlepaths just would not be rideable by 1000 riders in the wet, along with land owner issues etc etc. I fully understand the problems that need to be ironed out and many thanks to graham and co for getting a 100km route that can be ridden by 1200 riders!

4:51 on a 34x19 singlespeed 29er.

Thanks, but if you check my route after I got back on the 50km route by mistake, you'll see I headed North on B roads to rejoin the 100km route, so although my total distance is about right, I missed out some of the lanes and bridleways.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/78601540 <

And you missed the big climb as well!!

Photos are out.

So, pics are up here: http://gallery.sussexsportphotography.com/gallery.tlx?containerid=171867

Shame the website is preventing directly linking especially as they're watermarked. Silly really IMO since if anyone wants to copy them without paying (with watermarks) there's plenty of easy ways to do that...

I did the big climb. I rejoined the 100km route at the bottom of the hill at Laverton.

there's plenty of easy ways to do that...

[img] [/img]

Matching socks & frame. How cool is that 8)

I did the big climb. I rejoined the 100km route at the bottom of the hill at Laverton.

Ah my apologies.

Exactly...

I beat you though. Matching helmet, jersey, socks, frame, bar tape, wheels, gloves, shoes AND sunglasses 😉

I'll not post my pic since obviously screen grabbing it would be naughty but it's [url= http://gallery.sussexsportphotography.com/viewpicture.tlx?pictureid=15021383 ]here[/url]

Not got your vegas m frames on though clubber - poor form - you just had to wear the new oakleys eh?

But they have purple lenses! (well blue iridium but it looks purple 😉 )

The website protection doesn't work on iPhone either. Straight 'save image' option 😉 I hate companies that patronise in this way (try right clicking an image). Sure some people will not pay but they never will and they can get the pics with a simple 'print screen'. I've bought from them for the last god knows how many years. I'm tempted not to this year 😉

Hmm, didn't realise my new sunnies were that red...

I did! 😉

Yep, they're red alright.. 😉

We've discussed event photograph costs before, but as far as I'm concerned, a digital photo is just something I post on page 2 of a forum thread while the subject is still current.
It might get a couple of comments, but that's it. Soon enough we move on to page 3 and it's forgotten about.
It's definitely not something I would pay £10 for.

there were three tandems in this year's HONC

two of the three had no visible number

I tagged those tandems with "tandem"

might be of interest should any STWers have been the tandem riders

[url= http://gallery.sussexsportphotography.com/a.tlx?k=1mxzghr ]gallery[/url]

HONC virgin here 100k in 5.22hrs not inc the 10k there and back from the campsite.
Recognised Graham in the car park anmd seen him again en route.

Coped fine on the rigid, but the last couple of bumpy sections hurt.
Agree that there was a bit too much tarmac. Twas a good tester to see how much training I need for Kielder too. Lots.......

did the 100km, the bloke in the pic on the single speed left me trailing in his wake at about 20 miles, got cramp on the big hill, rolling around on the grass bank trying to sort it out, made it worse as all started to cramp up,walked for a bit then through the muddy part, then just plugged away till the end, well done to all involved with running this event.