I first rode it in 2008 with my friend PinkPal. We were admittedly 4 days late as the weather was so poor on the day we postponed our ride until the following Thursday. A good decision as the weather was glorious and we sat outside for lunch in the sunshine at the White Hart in Cadnam.
Since then I have ridden it most years with various friends and last year on my own. Here are the details:
| Gridiron over the years: | |||||
| Year | Miles | Overall time | Moving time | Av Mov Speed | Av Elap Speed |
| 2008 | 60.25 | 7:00:00 | 5:05:05 | 11.9 | 8.6 |
| 2009 | 60.40 | 7:09:00 | 5:27:30 | 11.6 | 8.4 |
| 2010 | 61.00 | 5:30:00 | 4:40:58 | 13.0 | 11.1 |
| 2011 | 63.15 | 5:50:00 | 5:01:59 | 12.5 | 10.8 |
| 2012 | 62.70 | 6:30:00 | 4:58:15 | 12.8 | 9.6 |
| 2013 | 63.53 | 5:25:36 | 4:51:47 | 13.1 | 11.7 |
| 2014 | 66.34 | 5:34:16 | 4:43:35 | 14.2 | 11.9 |
As you can see there has been some variation in the distance due to changes in the route. This year a very different course, officially 66.6 miles long.
Back to Thursday. The HCMF meet we were aiming to join was at the Globe in Alresford so we had chosen to follow PinkPal's Warnford training route, quite a hilly one so a good test.
Here is my record of our slightly different route together with our times.
Having parked the car and signed in we set off at 8.46 a.m.
We were joined by two friends of Sarah's who had not entered for the Audax. After few miles we left them behind as the threat of rain in the afternoon meant we were anxious to press on.
We made exceptional time to the first check point at the village hall in Boldre. Just over an hour and three minutes for the 15.7 miles. Well it was fairly flat and we were fresh.
Now the harder work started as we continued north through Brockenhurst. There were masses of other riders about some going slower some going faster, a right mixture of Gridiron and Wiggle riders.
The gentle rise through the ornamental drive lulled us into a false sense of security which was soon dashed as we climbed Bolderwood. This included our steepest slope of the day at 9%. Sarah and Simon were mostly leading, with yours truly just about managing to keep in contact, though the elastic did stretch a bit at times.
The hardest part of the ride for me was the almost flat mile or so across the old airfield into a strong headwind. I really struggled to keep the others in sight. When we turned west along the road towards Godshill matters were different. With a spell on the drops and a tail wind Simon and I were travelling at over 20 mph for a spell and Sarah had disappeared into the distance as she enjoyed herself.
We seemed to be passing or to be passed by a large group from Bognor Regis it was enjoyable chatting to some of them.
We arrived at the second check point soon afterwards and having registered we sat outside the very crowded hall to enjoy a coffee and some other refreshments.
A fantastically enjoyable day out. Thanks Sarah and Simon for riding with me and inspiring me to set a new PB for the Gridiron and for the ride to and from the start.
I've just checked Winchester Strava Group and find I'm 4th out of 13 for the number of miles in the week. I also set a good Ritmo rating of 19.5. (I'm normally 23 to 24)
Here are the map and details for the ride.
It was nice to see Alton CTC represented by Janice and Dan Montgomerie, Mark and another rider (Andy?). Didn't see anyone else from Winchester, though I expect there were some taking part.
PinkPal has set us a very high standard. Our time was about 30 mins more than hers.
Excuses :
1. Very strong gusty winds.
2. I was riding Sporty rather than Posh (a 1 mph handicap?)
3. I had a puncture! (Simon as always a true friend fixing it for me)
4. We were saving ourselves for Sunday!
Pathetic isn't it.
We both enjoyed the ride despite the very blustery conditions and puncture and had a very pleasant meeting in The Globe with our other cycling friends. (This and the puncture account for the major difference between the Moving Time and the Elapsed Time).
The only rain we encountered was just as we arrived at The Globe and whilst we were inside it poured!
Sunday October 12th. The Gridiron.
Woke at 6.20 and was at Simon's in plenty of time for our 7.30 start. Sarah arrived soon afterwards and we loaded the bikes on the car and set off for Lymington. Most of the traffic on the way seemed to have bicycles strapped onto the back or an the roof or stuffed inside.
It seems that a large part of our route was the same as a Wiggle ride. Having parked the car and signed in we set off at 8.46 a.m.
We were joined by two friends of Sarah's who had not entered for the Audax. After few miles we left them behind as the threat of rain in the afternoon meant we were anxious to press on.
We made exceptional time to the first check point at the village hall in Boldre. Just over an hour and three minutes for the 15.7 miles. Well it was fairly flat and we were fresh.
Now the harder work started as we continued north through Brockenhurst. There were masses of other riders about some going slower some going faster, a right mixture of Gridiron and Wiggle riders.
The gentle rise through the ornamental drive lulled us into a false sense of security which was soon dashed as we climbed Bolderwood. This included our steepest slope of the day at 9%. Sarah and Simon were mostly leading, with yours truly just about managing to keep in contact, though the elastic did stretch a bit at times.
The hardest part of the ride for me was the almost flat mile or so across the old airfield into a strong headwind. I really struggled to keep the others in sight. When we turned west along the road towards Godshill matters were different. With a spell on the drops and a tail wind Simon and I were travelling at over 20 mph for a spell and Sarah had disappeared into the distance as she enjoyed herself.
We seemed to be passing or to be passed by a large group from Bognor Regis it was enjoyable chatting to some of them.
We arrived at the second check point soon afterwards and having registered we sat outside the very crowded hall to enjoy a coffee and some other refreshments.
 |
| My Two Pals enjoying the welcome break.
Now was my turn to lead, (Downhill and along the flat of course.) We were soon past Ringwood and climbing the hills again. The wind was against us and it had gone colder. The forecast rain approaching?
We circumnavigated Burley and were out into the open part of the forest with some ups and downs before we were once again in Brockenhurst. A different route back to Lymington beckoned and we crossed our outward route near Boldre. From here only a few more miles with the steep hill in the town centre to negotiate before we were back at the final check in.
The reward for our good speed was we beat the rain which reached Alresford whilst I was enjoying a relaxing bath and a celebratory glass of red wine.
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| We three!. Don't look too bad considering we'd just ridden over 66 miles. |
A fantastically enjoyable day out. Thanks Sarah and Simon for riding with me and inspiring me to set a new PB for the Gridiron and for the ride to and from the start.
I've just checked Winchester Strava Group and find I'm 4th out of 13 for the number of miles in the week. I also set a good Ritmo rating of 19.5. (I'm normally 23 to 24)
Here are the map and details for the ride.
It was nice to see Alton CTC represented by Janice and Dan Montgomerie, Mark and another rider (Andy?). Didn't see anyone else from Winchester, though I expect there were some taking part.
Gridironman!
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