Double Creamed 1000
2021

The Festive 500 challenge came about after Rapha’s Graeme Raeburn’s double creamed 1000km over the festive period. He decided 500km was enough for the challenge, the extra 500 being pointless; well in Audax that isn’t quite true…

Easton, City of Bristol | Mon 27th Dec 2021 @ 16:00

WHEN: +iCal
Mon 27th December 2021
16:00 - 20:30
Thu 30th December 2021
WHERE:
Headquarters
Berwick Road
Easton, BS5 6NG
Validation:
BR
Double Creamed 1000 1
Award Distance:
1000
Total Distance:
1020km
Duration:
76h30
Speeds:
13.3-25kph
Climb:
8379m
AAA: 0.00
Rainbow Flat
Double Creamed 1000 3Enquiries
BRIEF:

The Festive 500 challenge came about after Rapha’s Graeme Raeburn’s double creamed 1000km over the festive period. He decided 500km was enough for the challenge, the extra 500 being pointless; well in Audax that isn’t quite true…

description:

Do both Full Fat Festive 500 Pints for a Double Creamed experience!

Sign up to both Pints and transfer to the Double Creamed up until Christmas Eve. This will give you options. But you can not downgrade to the 2 Pints!

details:

Food before depart and at Arrivée included.

Expect weather to range from freezing cold with ice and frost to glorious sunshine one day followed by hurricane winds and walls of water the next to unseasonally warm and benign – be prepared for anything!

This is an X-rated event for experienced randonneurs and endurance cyclists only. The organiser accepts no responsibility for winter weather or road conditions and you undertake this event entirely at your own risk.

Like or loath* it? Let others know.
*Whilst I like to think I can affect the weather alas that is beyond my control...

What others think.

Full Fat Festive Fun

2nd February 2020

I love doing unusual things so this suites me down to the ground, I have ridden it twice and it has been blessed with good weather on both occasions. The route isn’t silly hilly which is perfect for the time of the year, Woburn park is pretty, Oxford is busy but full of culture. Advice to those thinking of riding, take your good lights and dress for the weather.

Hope this runs again in 2020.

Avatar for Richard
Richard

FFF500 2019

2nd February 2020

What a great ride. A welcome sausage bap at the start and great weather certainly added to this event. An excellent route, with options of to avoid any flooded sections (although I stuck to the main route and went around them.

Very well organised, and excellent communication! Hope to be back in 2020

Avatar for Ben
Ben

Full Fat Festivities

2nd February 2020

So nice, I’ve ridden it twice (2018, 2019). Sausage butties and a hot brew before setting off around a beautiful route which has seen unseasonably good weather both years. Good spacing between controls, good organisation and communication before and during the ride. The best way to finish the year!

Avatar for Joe
Joe

Tough for a first Audax

1st February 2020

My first Audax, a really good route, well organised with well thought out controls. Lucky with the weather, highly recommend. Great fun.

Avatar for Nat
Nat

Response from Pedalution

Chapeau!

Not for the meek!

1st February 2020

Well thought out route. Found it quite tough though, due to the lack of miles during the year. Slept too long on the first night, which didn’t help..

Controls well thought out and information before the ride was very helpful.

On finishing the ride, a full day late, Will kindly offered a coffee and a slice.

May do it again!

Avatar for Zuber
Zuber


Bookings aren't available; either I haven't opened entry yet or if after 25/12/21 then they have closed.


You are attending this event.

The following ride details are currently: Pending - all specifics are usually updated the 5th day before the event.



  • Please flick through the following tabs fully and make any preparations before the event.
  • Route files & links will be found under the 'Route' tab.
  • The event/route specific information will be finalised usually the Monday before the event and you will get an email reminder 3 days prior from bookings-noreply@pedalution.co.uk - add it to your address book to save any disappointment.
  • Should you be unable to attend the event I have enabled cancellation from 'My Bookings'. This will aid me in keeping controls informed as to how many to expect and also reduce wastage when printing the brevet cards. Remember there is no option to refund or transfer if you are unable to attend.
  • You will receive your brevet card at the start. Should you start the ride and be unable to finish my phone number is within; please drop me a text with your full name to let me know you won't be finishing so volunteers and myself aren't waiting around longer than necessary at controls and the finish.
  • Please use 'Enquires' link above for any queries.

New to audax? Have a look at Audax UK's About for an overview & FAQs for commonly asked questions.

  • Until the route is finalised the interactive map above will give you an idea of where you are going.
  • It is advisable to study the route notes prior to the event for further details; especially if you are just using a GPX breadcrumb trail to navigate. These are also the 'cuesheet' within the RWGPS route; zoom the map to your desired level, click on a cue and it will focus the map at that cue.
  • Every effort is made to identify road closures before the event and provide alternatives where necessary; however I can not account for any emergency closures that are required.
  • A variety of surfaces may be encountered, some may be as smooth as a baby's bum, others potholed nightmares, or somewhere in between; if any unmetalled sections are used this will be noted in the Event Info above and now visible as 'unpaved' within RWGPS.
  • I do my utmost to select low traffic routes but there may be times busier sections are required.
  • Mudguards aren't mandatory but if you can fit them why wouldn't you?
  • I would always recommend a set of lights as you never know what could happen.
  • Similarly consider carrying 2 space blankets; they cost nothing, are tiny, and can keep you and an other warm should the unfortunate happen.
EXTRA DETAILS:
Usually updated the 5th day before the event - you can join the RWGPS Event in the meantime. The latter 3 'Route File' links below will only work once updated.
Route Files:
CSV

CSV route notes - these can be edited in any spreadsheet software.

PDF

PDF route notes - a version with maps is available in linked RWGPS route (no account necessary to use the official PDF - use 'More v') or the event.

GPX

GPX with control waypoints - if re-uploading to an online planner please make private so as not to confuse others in the future - use this tool to split at waypoints and/or simplify.

RWGPS Links:
Event

RWGPS Event - at least a free account needed but you will get full premium features, including offline maps & voice nav for the app, regardless of your subscription level. To sync to your device (Wahoo, Garmin Edge) you need to join this first.

Route

RWGPS Route - no account needed but you will lack a few advanced features such as early turn warnings.

See the RWGPS App for my tips to use your phone for navigation and maximising battery life.

Troubleshooting:
  • Can't copy the RWGPS route to your account? I have disabled this so should any changes be necessary there is the one correct version.
  • I do not provide technical services for your device having never used anything other than the RWGPS app.
  • Can't add it to Garmin Connect? It isn't an activity. Transfer it to your Garmin via USB.
  • Can't send to your device? Join the RWGPS event.
EXTRA DETAILS:
Usually updated the 5th day before the event.
Start:

Please arrive at least 10 minutes before the depart time to collect your brevet card.

Headquarters - opens new tab for map.
Berwick Road, Easton, City of Bristol, BS5 6NG

Access:

  • Bike - Easily accessible from the Frome Way, a couple on minutes from the Bristol & Bath Railway Path
  • Car - M32 J2 - use Easton turning immediately before M32 slip going into town.
  • Train - Stapleton Road station in a few hundred metres away. Otherwise Bristol Temple Meads and Parkway.

Parking:
On street near by - Alternatively use Bristol Parkway long stay

Food & Drink:
Food available.
Usually a vegan rice based dish for a meal.
Unless specified otherwise above.

Accommodation:
YHA located in the centre.

Finish:

As above. - opens new tab for map & a few details.

Route Controls:

Usually updated the 5th day before the event.

This is what 'audax' is all about. Travelling between controls to collect proof of passage (PoP) to prove you have cycled the distance. The above controls are found in your brevet card, the route notes, as POIs with the route, and waypoints with the GPX. Your brevet card it to be filled out as you progress around the route. PoP is obtained in several ways. It is highly recommended you carry a pen or pencil to fill your brevet card as you go; if it is a long event numbering any receipts to correspond with the control number will save you time later, then keeping them in order is next level!

Types of control:
  • CONTROL - a place or venue where you obtain PoP which can be done in several ways. You will be able to get food and/or drink, also WC will be available.
    • Manned - a volunteer or venue member of staff will stamp your card providing PoP. All controls are thus unless specified as...
    • Free - you must obtain PoP from that place that has a time and date, usually a receipt from a cafe, shop or ATM.
  • INFO - a question found in your brevet card that is relevent to the location needs to be answered and recorded.
  • CHECKPOINT - similar to a control but there may not be any facilities present.
  • SECRET - now that would be telling wouldn't it!
USING YOUR PHONE & RWGPS APP:

I use the RWGPS app on my phone to navigate audax events by using spoken cues, I also use it to route check and proof my route notes. This IMHO is the best of all worlds. I don't need to look at a screen (but I can check if I want), I get clear directions when needed (you may need to get used to my shorthand which gets spoken as such), I get a warning if I'm off route, the battery lasts a lot longer than constantly using the screen; especially nowadays as phone batteries are getting bigger plus many are able to rapid charge in a short amount of time. All you need is a good case and mount for inclement weather.

  • Install the app.
  • Join the event.
  • Go to the route.
  • Send to device.
  • Open app and confirm download.
  • In settings (exact location varies depending on iOS or Android) to optomise for best battery use:
    • Logging - adjust interval: every 10s is best for the battery, logs your ride but won't get you any KOMs; every 1s uses 10x more battery power to write data but may get you a KOM if you pedal quick.
    • Navigation - Spoken alerts ON | Off-course alerts ON | others at your discretion.
    • Handlebar mode ENABLED - this will keep RWGPS above any screen lock so you can recall it if needed by pressing power button or similar.
    • Handlebar mode - Screen OFF for cues | Proximity Wake OFF (otherwise changes in light will turn the screen on) | Keep screen on NEVER.
    • Offline mode ENABLED - when you start riding.
  • Better still use flight/aeroplane mode whilst riding.
  • You can adjust the text-speech settings via your phone settings; the type of voice, playback speed etc.

Most of the battery drain on a phone is from the screen. By using voice commands you eliminate this but can still view the map if needs be. The second biggest drain whilst cycling is the phone itself searching for a signal as you move between cell towers; putting the phone into flight/aeroplane mode whilst moving solves this problem; you can easily turn data back on to #tag that #CAKE at the next stop!

ANDROID:

Make sure battery optimisation is turned off otherwise Android will recognise RWGPS as an excessive battery drain and can limit its functionality. This will be particularily evident if you stop for a bit without GPS signal then continue; the app will appear to be functioning correctly but Android will limit it and data can be lost from the stop point until the app is restarted. There may be a similar feature in iOS.

  • Settings >Apps.
  • Find RWGPS and expand Advanced >Battery.
  • If it says optomised then select and wait for all apps to load.
  • Make sure the apps displayed are 'All apps', find RWGPS and select.
  • Select 'Don't optimise'. Exit settings.

You have agreed to and declared that at the time of the ride...

  • You have no symptoms relating to COVID-19.
  • That you are not self-isolating.
  • That you are not required to quarantine during the period of the event.
  • That no local or other regulations prohibit you from attending this event.
  • You agree that if you develop any such symptoms before the event you will not attend.
  • You agree that if I develop any such symptoms immediately after the event I shall inform the organiser.

Please follow any wishes of private establishments en route. I highly recommend carrying a mask/buff/scarf etc for the simple act of covering your face if needed when indoors. Any specifics requested by controls will be noted in the control tab.

Audax UK's current policy can be found here.