Great event. Well organised as usual.
Challenging in places, but completed 80km route. 26” Lefty HT on Nobby Nics ftw - though I did start to look to the many 29ers out on the route, normally passing me on the faster road sections.
back again next year!
Well, I HONCed, and it wasn't the mudbath I was expecting. Ended up doing the 50km after a bit of a mechanical mare in the first 10km:
1) Whilst lining up at the start, discovered the disc caliper body was rubbing on the disc. How the hell I don't know, but had to realign the caliper, so set off towards the back.
2) Riding past Sudeley Castle I had a jockey wheel squealing like mad and start to seize up, so had to stop, dig out some lube and sort that out.
3) Riding up the first climb a young lad (he looked about 10) who had been going great guns managed to drop his chain over the back of his cassette, into the spokes, jamming the wheel. He was looking a bit distressed so I stopped to help him out, he was even more distressed when his bell-end Competitive Dad appeared and his first words to the lad were "what were you doing wrong?" whilst I was un-jamming the wheel. Got him moving again, no thanks from him (not that I expected any, the poor lad was in tears), or from Competitive Dad, or indeed from his mum who had by then turned up.
4) Riding across the first field from Roel Farm my gears started skipping badly. Limped it down to the road and discovered I'd got a badly twisted link in my chain (again, how the hell I don't know). So, more faffing to take a link out of the chain.
By this point we were firmly at The Back and fate seemed against us (well, me), so decided we'd just do the 50. The rest all went well, to be honest I probably didn't have the 75km in my legs anyway.
First time I've done it in about five years, after doing it for about five years on the bounce. Seemed to be fewer folks than normal, and the proportion of people in expensive kit pushing expensive bikes up not-that-massive hills seemed to be greater...
Great event though, well done to the organisers and marshalls who were brill as always.
Why do they hold the event at this time of year ? Its always hit and miss weather wise. The Cotswolds are pants in the wet. If it was a dryer time of year I reckon the turn out would be higher and the event more enjoyable.
Because it's inspired by and held on the same weekend as Paris-Roubaix, aka Hell of the North (or L'Iinfer Du Nord for the Frenchies)..
Why do they hold the event at this time of year ?
Posted by miss dapoint.
Why do they hold the event at this time of year ?
Because the Heaven of the North Cotswolds would be a different event.
Being quite early in the year is one of the things that appeals to me as it gives me something to focus on and get out and ride for. Also a good HONC gets me motivated for the summer.
Thank you organisers, my first HONC coming up from the Southdowns.
I did the 75k think that 50/50 road to off road it would not be too hard.
Wrong, the last incline to Cleeve Hill had me wondering where my fitness had gone given that I think I'm quite fit at the moment.
