So, currently in bed (have been since 8 ) trying to get some sleep in before my 3:00am start to ride to work. Small sleepy village in Suffolk to Fenchurch st in that there London, then home again after a day at work. 200 miles all in. Was meant to do it last Friday but a bout of flu led to it being delayed.
It's been an utterly rubbish year with so many things going wrong or ending badly that I thought I'd do something for charity. Hence this idea conjoured up whilst sat at my warm comfy desk drinking coffee at work. The amount of events I've entered like that (strathpuffer) you'd think I'd have learnt by now....
Anyway, lights are on charge, bottles are prepared and clothing laid out. It's currently -2 outside and due to get a lot colder. So as you're eating your breakfast of turkey and...well, turkey, think of me wobbling through the bad lands of Essex wondering whether I've lost all my toes to frostbite or if the out of date cliff bar I found in my camelbac would be better used as a weapon in Romford.
I'm scared. Very scared...
Good luck, enjoy it, it's riding after all...!
Good luck! You'll smash it!! 🙂
Ha, that's what I keep telling myself....in all honesty I'm dreading it and was hoping nobody would sponsor me. However, that backfired and now I have to do it. With the added bonus that a few of my team ride and understand Strava so I can't just blag it and get the train....bugger
Thank you for the support, it's appreciated
I'm riding 10 miles to work, forecast is -5°C good luck!
6 mile each way here. after 4 months off the bike, it feels like 60 each way......... 😆
Stay warm & best of luck, that's an epic commute!
Like your style. 🙂
I wouldn't mate, it's forecast ice over overnight, you won't have any confidence to give it beans on the downhills.
Nice idea. Sure you'll be fine - enjoy the ride. It'll be better as soon as you get going.
For charity you say? Any way to send a donation? People can be quite generous on here, especially for daft ideas like this.
Good luck! The ride will probably feel easier than getting some sleep.
Don't be scared, embrace the wonderment that is Dawn in Winter.
Enjoy, stay safe, post picz..
Respect. Even if I was capable of riding 200 miles in a day I wouldn't be doing it in the dark in freezing temps after recovering from flu.
You like a challenge I take it?
Good on you, the dread just now will be nothing compared to the dread before the commute back tomorrow 😉
Been thinking myself of doing my 25 mile each way commute by bike in the next couple of days, the way back will be starting at midnight...
You may well have just inspired me. Good luck.
Very impressive, it would take me more than 24 hours to ride that far. Actually I'm even slower in the dark. Best of luck.
If you've done the Puffer, 200 flat miles in the Tropics of Suffolk is a piece of piss by comparison. Good luck, you'll smash it. Just don't expect to be productive at work!
200 flat miles in the Tropics of Suffolk
South Suffolk and North Essex are not flat, not by a long shot.
Good luck Flange, watch out for the muppets in the tin boxes early in the morning.
My commute is 4 miles each way and I find that bad enough, despite the fact that I can do the Mary Townley Loop.
It's partly bad because its a road ride on a mountain bike and not a road bike, but the killer is that I often finish work between midnight and 01:00AM, and once I've ridden 4 miles, gone to bed, I can't sleep for some reason. Doing some moderate/intense exercise (even if only for 16-20 minutes) before bed just makes me feel wide awake. Attempting this has brought on an onset of insomnia so I'm back to using the car.
Thanks massively folks - it's amazing how cold Lycra feels to put on despite it being hung on the radiator. And whoever bought me menthol chamois cream for xmas obviously doesn't like me very much.
3.40 at the moment, now off for cereal and a coffee before getting on the push-upright. The next time I post, hopefully it'll be with my feet up on my desk drinking more coffee!
Well done Sir.
Good effort, listen out for the Dawn Chorus.
And the sweet smell of success.
Keep us updated how you did and about the good cause and possibility to donate. You do the suffering so you can make some publicity for your cause.
Done my old 50 mile each way commute a couple of times. In the Summer. (Well, actually just under 50 miles to added a bit on to make it 100 total). Even that is hard. 200 in winter? Good luck!!
Rachel
Good luck!
Best of luck flange. What are you raising money for?
He might have been better to start it quite sleepy that way he might not notice it is ****ing freezing out there. Hope all went well flange.
Good luck fella, hope you arrive safe and sound soon...
Top effort fellah!
What route did you take? I live in Bromley but the family live in Barrow and Bury St Eds and have often thought about cycling up there (in Summer obvs, one way only). 🙂
Good luck Flange. Stay safe.
Good effort! Can't imagine you'll get much done at work except sleeping and eating. First few miles of return. Journey will be hard..
Dear Flange's boss,
Can Flange leave early today please? Like just after lunch?
Ta
That's a fair challenge, particularly in the dark with sub zero temperatures.
I commute 20 miles each way on the bike and that can be hard enough in those conditions, couldn't imagine doing 100 each way. I find the cold starts to get to you after about 90 minutes, couldn't imagine over 5 hours in that.
Hope you've made it in safely and good luck for the ride home.
Flange gets to work and realises that he starts back on a Thursday...
Wow, that's some challenge to set yourself. Hope it's going well.
Are you in work yet flange? Nearly time to go home 🙂
He's gonna have to spend 6 hours in work to charge his lights!
The men in white coats are debating whether to meet flange at work or on their home driveway, 200 miles (especially in this week's chilly weather) sounds totally insane! 😯
Heck, as much as I've had a bike for at least the last ~40 years, the longest ride I've ever done is ~50 mile round trip from Bitterne to the beach huts at Calshot and back... Less than half way back my legs totally went (having blasted down to Calshot and having some BBQ food) and I had to use the easiest gear I had to crawl back home!
I've often thought of doing something like this. Often have team meetings in Warwick some 100 miles away, also worked in Swindon for a bit about 70ish miles away.
Never considered doing there and back in a day though. If I go to Warwick they offer me a hotel to stay overnight if I drive cos they think it's far enough....
Come on Op update! surely they have wifi at A+E?
Sacked for being late?
If we get let out early today (strong chance, it's dead), imma ride all the way home (normally get a train for [s]some[/s] most of it.) Harrogate to south Leeds. 19 miles. On a fatbike. On the road.
What cream for a sore flange? Needs to be fast acting 🙂
Time to phone the local hospitals/check the emergency pasty isles at the garages?
Garmin live track should be made mandatory for threads like this...
Reckon flange is still waiting for warm enough fingers to type, should have thawed just in time to head home.
Either that, or arrived at work, went for a coffee, went for lunch and a pint and has yet to actually stop off at his desk!
Decided to Strava it and phone went flat at Chelmsford?
It's possible he went outside early morning and realised the roads were far too icy to risk it so took the sensible option and went back to bed.
Decided to Strava it and phone went flat at Chelmsford?
If its not on Strava does that mean he didn't do it? 🙂
All these posts are cheering me up no end after what was fair to say a fairly dismal ride.
Set off as planned at 4am, ticked the first 30 miles off with a fairly decent average despite the cold. Using a new Garmin bought yesterday after my old 800 packed in, not fully understanding it I ended up taking a turn to the right late notice, lost the front wheel and went down, partially on my knee and partially using the rear mech. Result - spannered knee and bent rear mech hanger. Walking back to the junction I confirmed that it was black ice by falling over on it.
Obviously being the amazing mechanic I am, I continued to the next village (castle headingham) with the gears jumping about all over the place to the point where I had to stop to try and fix them. Checking my (rubbish!!) garmin, I noticed it was -8 at this point, then also noticed that my right knee is utterly buggered. Then noticed that I was shaking like a defecating dog and that I was cold....very cold. i then managed to break the hanger, got in a proper strop and stormed round Castle headingham kids playground swearing as best I could while limping. At 6am in the morning...
Called my mum, who was an utter legend and set off to pick me up. Found a garage with a coffee machine and the grumpiest cashier I've ever come across, bought two coffees and a hot chocolate and proceeded to sit outside and sob quietly/shake whilst waiting for mum.
Quick trip to A &E confirmed I've just twisted my knee. Frame could be a write-off as I think I've bent quite a bit of the drop out too. Definitely bust an sti lever which is a pain as its one of the new hydro ones so that'll be a fortune to fix.
Anyway, I'm down but not out. I need warmer stuff to wear - despite two base layers, castelli winter tights and a rapha jacket I was stupidly cold. Garmin 1000's are utterly rubbish so that'll be going back. And I need to drop a bit of weight from the bike as I'd packed too much stuff.
Standing in the garage waiting for mum it did all feel like an impossible challenge at this time of year. But now I've thought about it, I think a pair of leg warmers over the tights, another base layer and overshoes on my winter boots.
For anyone interested, I'm putting myself through this to raise money for children in Syria. I won't put the link on here as I don't want people thinking I'm fishing for donations but if you email me I can fire the link across to you. The route I took is the dulwich dynamo in reverse. However on reflection I'll find another route as the majority of roads I was on this morning hadn't had a sniff of the gritter and were lethal!
Thanks for all your kind words and support, it's massively appreciated.
Hey, you got the being scared bit right!
Heal quick.
Crap luck there, but it was a hell of a cold day to attempt it.
You're down but not out, pick a warmer day and you won't need more layers. Good luck!
Good effort even attempting it in those conditions flange, sorry you came a cropper. Hope you and the bike heal soon. Sliding on ice is horrible, I've done it a few time commuting in stupid temperatures, it's also very stressful riding in icy conditions and it's just no fun.
despite two base layers, castelli winter tights and a rapha jacket I was stupidly cold
That's my standard winter kit but usually one base layer, but in -8 the cold starts to bite and you would struggle to stay warm for more than a couple of hours.
Unlucky buddy, let us know when you attempt it again! Also please make it easy for us to donate!
Cheers folks!
You're right Gary, it wasn't a lot of fun and with the freezing fog I didn't get much of a view either. Having a Hare running along in front of me for a few hundred yards was nice though. You're right about the clothing too, I was fine for the first hour but properly started to feel it after that. Normally I'm fine with one less base layer but that's a commute of an hour maximum.
Frame is a write-off for definite, which is no bad thing as I quite fancy one of those Masons, so it's not all bad! Did manage to hole my new castelli tights though, bastard!
Depending on how bad my knee is I'll be trying again in a week or so. Will update this thread when I do. Third time lucky eh!
Sorry to hear about your fall, but respect for attempting the ride in the cold conditions. Hope you mend soon.
I personally wouldn't ride whenever there's a chance of ice without studded tyres. However, they do take more effort to keep rolling. The furthest I've ridden on them was a winter 200k in the Scottish Borders on a fixie, and it was hard going at times.
I know they're unfashionable, but a pannier is also worth taking along on a winter ride to hold extra clothes - a Buffalo top is bulky, but great for pulling on over your other gear if you have to stop.
I don't want people thinking I'm fishing for donations
What's wrong with that? Stop being silly and post the damn link!
Hey Flange, tried your profile but can't see an email address...
Awesome effort.. Heal quick.
Hope the bike pulls through
Jezebels.
You need moar MTFU 😆
At least you got out of bed 😛
I used studded tyres on my commuter a couple of years ago, wasnt too much of an effort but that was for 20 miles, not 100. Still didn't like riding across icy patches and again it wasn't much fun, and I also couldn't fit my guards so it made it double no fun.
Crap your frame is broken, but those Masons are very nice 🙂
Ok, if people do feel inclined to donate then the link is [url= https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Wil-Kitcher ]Here.[/url] although I'd rather folk didn't as it means I definitely have to do it again!
Now looking at studded tyres...they look....draggy!
Regarding panniers and carrying stuff - I think with a bit of forward planning I could do away without needing to take much at all. Currently have a carradice long flap but it plus the carrier support weigh a ton on their own, let alone with the kitchen sink I thought necessary to take. Extra base layer and my security card plus tubes and food should fit in the back of the jacket, hopefully.
Also, don't listen to DJ shadow riding dark Suffolk lanes on your own....
Bad luck... sounds like an awesome challenge...
Now looking at studded tyres...they look....draggy!
Happy to lend you the set I have but if it's icy I would find another day to do it. You want to enjoy it, well as much as you can, so pick a day the weather is warmer. 5+ hours solo riding in the dark will be hard enough without ice, you just can't relax at all in the dark no matter how good your lights are.
let me know if you want them.
Now looking at studded tyres...they look....draggy
They are; I used to use them on a 6m e/w commute when zero or below and it made me v.hungry, as isounded either like Rice Krispies or frying bacon (when not rolling on ice). Worthwhile, as there was a section that was often black ice, and twice saw vehicles the wrong way up.
I can also confirm that, thanks to Dom's test bike, the Mason Bokeh is very nice indeed.
Cheers Gary, that's really kind of you. Will give you a shout if bike24 doesn't take my monies!
Yes that Bokeh does look lovely but being the owner of a rarely used 'gravel bike' I'm wondering if a definition would be a better bet. It's a lovely looking thing though.
I've just been out and cannibalised parts from the old frame and put them on an even older Airborne Carpe Diem. There's a joke in there somewhere but I'm too tired to work it out...
Sorry to hear you got hurt, glad it wasn't badly
Bikes and ice just plain don't mix, add in fog and you are really stacking the odds!
You run the risk of black ice at 4c and wet or 3c and dry. It's not just you but the other road users who may lose control and hurt you.
Those may seem like pretty high temps but everytime I've broken that rule I've found ice or it's found me, in one case at 25mph in a dip
Good work flange and good to see you raising money for a good cause! Sorry to hear about your crash. Better luck next time! 🙂
Your mad but good mad. Donated.
Also, don't listen to DJ shadow riding dark Suffolk lanes on your own....
In cold weather listening to Slayer* causes you to move faster, generating greater warmth and less hesitation on corners.
*other fast aggressive music has the same effect
I reckon leaving the house is by far the hardest thing in all of this, and you did that so respect!
But yeah, conditions were somewhat adverse.
Sorry to read the update about the slide and likely frame write-off, plus your damaged knee and more importantly... your new clothing! 😉
But at least you didn't wake up with a paramedic over you and no broken bones from the sounds of things. 😀
That's one serious challenge, and not one I'd take up. Good on you for trying and I hope you succeed next time.
Councils tend to grit the main roads first - exactly the ones you'd most like to avoid. Spikey tyres are OK. Ive commuted a fair bit on them, and done some longer rides. Pumped up hard, they're not ridiculously draggy but them I've not tried them for 100 miles 😕
Glad you're OK though. I trust you had an extra insulating layer with you? I tend to carry a Primaloft jacket at this time of year in the event I have an unplanned stop. Even one of those wee foil blankets is worthwhile having.
Top effort Op.
Sorry if didn't come off (no pun) this time, but you'll be back. Happy healing.
Bad luck. Did the garage attendant make you site outside in -8 temps or was that out of choice?
Good effort. After the crash I don't think anyone could argue that it's reasonable to reschedule for late spring when you'd be doing most of it in daylight without an ice risk. 100 miles each way with a day of work in between. Still impressive.
Impressed you actually tried, I would have waited till march for that distance. -I only have 28km to work
not meant as an ad but I have 2 spare Sti RS505 levers, barely used, if you want a cheap replacement for your bike, write me an email.
Nice try op.
Hope you mend quick. Use the lay up time to shop for new frames...
Folks - can't express my thanks enough for the donations made. That you'll sponsor an idiot riding in the ice through Suffolk is hugely touching, thank you!
I'm pretty sore today, made it into work but the knee is certainly not happy. However I'm going to book a few sessions at the physio (I should have a DD set up for them!) and hopefully that'll sort it. Next attempted is planned for a week on Monday all going well although this is dependent on how the knee recovers. If not, it may be the 16th. But it'll get done, I'm more determined than ever.
Goss - thanks for the offer chap. I've actually ordered two new 685 levers so replace the buggered ones. What a flippin swindle they are!
Dazh - not so much told me, but when I asked if I could stand in the shop to warm up he replied with 'well how long are you going to be'? So I took myself off outside for a little cry. His coffee was rubbish as well...
I would have gone on the sick if I'd hurt myself like that just before work. There's no way I'd have gone in. Especially if its an injury bad enough to require physio.
Couldn't you have engaged him conversation about Japanese cars? 😀