TRAINING RIDES 2003

The events list for 2003 is beginning to take shape. If you are entering the Etape you may welcome a chance to meet other riders who are also attempting the challenge. I have compiled a list of suitable rides suggested by people on my mailing list. Please contact the email address given if you would like more details of an event.

Please contact me if you have a suitable event in mind, and I will be glad to add it to the list.

For more details of Audax events see http://www.audax.uk.net . There is a small fee for Audaxs, and is you are not a member of Audax there is an extra £1 payable.

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2003 events

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Saturday 15 February: Cotswold Corker 106 km

Starting from Bishops Cleeve in Cheltenham. 1890 m of climbing.
Contact: Sean Graf, 01242 221321

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Sunday 16th February: Newbury Downs 105km

An interesting area near Newbury. See http://www.audax.uk.net or email steven.oxley@onmail.co.uk for details.

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Sunday 23rdFeb

Cornwall: Camel Valley Reliability Trial, ...132 km (82 miles) Covering north Cornwall coast roads and Bodmin Moor, so should be quite a hilly one....Details from Ivor Edmunds on 01208 813962. Starting at Wadebridge Scout Hut at approx 9.30am.

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Sunday 23rdFeb

Manchester: Starting at Marple Scout Hut with a choice of 100km, 150km or 200km, taking in Delamere Forrest.
Look out for a yellow and green tandem with Mick on the front!
Web site: www.highergrangefarm.fsnet.co.uk/PeakAudax/winter.htm#newpor

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Saturday 29th March

Dunsden Green, N of Reading.
There's a choice of a 100 km or 200 km ride for only £4.00!
Organiser: Kingsley Starling, Phone: 0118 967 6144

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Sunday 13th April

Charlbury 200Km Audax in the Cotswolds.

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Wednesday 30th April

Maidenhead 100Km Audax.

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Monday 5th May (bank holiday Monday)

Lake District: the Fred Witton Challenge. An incredibly hilly ride,109 miles long.
Starting and finishing at Consiston taking in Ambleside, Kirkstone Pass, Keswick, Borrowdale, Honister Pass, Newlands Pass, Braithwaite, Winlatter Pass, Gosforth, HardKnott Pass, Wrynose Pass and back to Coniston ! Phew.
Organiser Paul Lofthouse, Lakes Road Club, 01229 716582.

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ITALY 11th May

Gran Fondo Felice Gimandi. This ride is based at Bergamo in North Italy. Lou is planning to organize a trip there from the UK.
Contact Lou at Breakawayinfo@aol.com

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ITALY 8th June Gran Fondo Barilla, Parma.

Lou is planning to organize a trip there from the UK.
Contact Lou at Breakawayinfo@aol.com

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IRELAND June 8th 2003 : Wicklow 200
200km event starting and finishing in Dublin, and covering most of the Wicklow area (south of Dublin). Its called the Wicklow 200 and generally has about 1000 participants. There are about 7 climbs on the route, the biggest being about 4-5 km. Its a good training spin for the Etape being good physical and, more importantly, mental preparation.
There is a website: www.wicklow200.ie

Joe Conway [joe.conway@qbs.ie] If any riders from the UK want to come over Joe has offered to help with arranging accomodation etc.

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Sunday 15th June: Barbury Bash 100km/200Km

Starting from Milton Village Hall, near Didcot on Oxfordshire, both provide excellent training. The 200km ride has about 2,500 metres of climbing, and is about as hard as doing the Etape! The 100km version is also excellent training.

Contact Neil [neil.bennett@ukaea.org.uk] for more details

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Sunday 15th June: Polka Dot Challenge Gran Fondo! 100miles/60miles

Britain now has its own Gran Fondo: The Polka Dot Challenge Gran Fondo. Its 100 miles long, with an optional 60 mile version (Medio Fondo presumably!) It climbs most of the famous hills in the Peak District. Entry forms are available from Dave Riley, 26 Tabley Road, Handforth, Wimslow, Cheshire SK9 3RZ

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S. WALES: Sunday 22nd June: Golden Valley 157Km Audax

Starting at Garwnant S. of Brecon and NW of Merthyr Tydfil.
For campsite accomodation contact Ron@etape.org.uk

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USA: Iowa: 7 – 8th July Tour of the Mississippi River Valley

As detailed on the website http://www.qcbc.org:16080/tomrv/ this is a well organized, supported tour, with refreshment stops. Mike Giudici [GCampagnolo@aol.com] has suggested it as excellent preparation for the Etape, covering 200 miles over the weekend, with some excellent climbs and good views of the Mississipi. Contact Mike for more information.