Mills Hills 150km Audax Ride
Route >>>When
Sunday, 5 October 2008 - 8:30amWhere
Chirk near Wrexham.
Start from the car park off Chirk High Street.
Grid Reference: SJ 291 378.
View on Multimap.
Sign on from 8:00am. Start time is 8:30am.
Finish at Coffee Shop cafe on Chirk High Street and, after 6pm, in Car Park.
Description
This ride is my tribute to Graham 'Up The Hills' Mills. The route is very much in the style of Graham's audax rides though, I promise, the only gates are those belonging to the castle. The ride is quite hilly, as indicated by the AAA points, with climbs spaced throughout the length of the route. It adheres to Graham's rule of navigation - "when in doubt, go up". Some of the ascents are steep, 15% and over. The maximum gradient is around 20%, despite the sign, but all should be manageable with appropriate gearing (I will be using a triple).Local knowledge or examination of the OS map will show that there is some scope for taking easier routes in places. While not in the spirit of the event, it has no bearing on the Audax UK or CTC awards and is therefore left to the individual conscience. Note that if you deviate from the prescribed route you have technically left the event.
Somewhat surprisingly perhaps, given that the route goes through Graham's home village of Gwyddelwern, much of the route has not featured in past audax rides. So this is an opportunity to explore some new roads in and around North Wales.Mudguards
Mudguards are optional but be aware that the route takes in minor roads used by farm traffic. If there has been rain in the weeks before the event it's likely to be muddy in places. And, if you are wet and muddy, please be considerate in the cafes used as controls.Lights
Sunset is at 18:41 GMT, although we are 12 minutes west of Greenwich. The latest finishing time is 19:00 GMT. The car park is immediately opposite the finish. Basic lighting for visibility, especially in poor weather, is recommended.Route
View route sheet as PDF >>>
The official route sheet for this audax ride.
It should reproduce accurately on most A4 inkjet & laser printers.
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Maps
- all OS Landranger series| 117 | Chester, Wrexham |
| 126 | Shrewsbury |
| 116 | Denbigh |
| 125 | Bala & Lake Vyrnwy |
Directions to the Start
By Road
From A483/A5: leave at Llangollen exit (A5), down hill to left at roundabout, past KronoSpan factory, left into Colliery Road then immediately right into car park.By Rail
Nearest railway station is Chirk, approx. 1km away.Facilities
The car park is free with ample space.Toilets in car park are normally open by 8am. There is a McDonald's on the A483 junction with the A5 for morning coffee.
At the Finish
The cafe has agreed to remain open later than usual, however it is possible that riders averaging under 17kmh-1 will finish after the cafe has closed. In which case, the finish will be in the car park (i.e. where you started from). Hot drinks will be available to all finishers. And there's a fish&chip shop.Entry
This event is run under the rules and regulations of Audax UK. You can find the Audax UK Calendar page here. General information and background on audax rides can be found on the Audax UK home page.
Either
enter online or in the traditional way using the
entry form
on the Audax UK website.
Note that you are required to complete the paper entry form however you enter but,
in the case of online entry, you may bring it with you when signing on
(blank forms will be available).
Entries are £4.50 which covers the cost of
administration and facilities provided on the ride.
Any surplus is retained by Chester & North Wales CTC.
Insurance
It is a condition of entry that you are covered by third-party insurance while participating in the event. Members of Audax UK, CTC and British Cycling (Silver and above) have insurance cover already; please write your membership number on the entry form. Temporary membership of Audax UK for the duration of the event is available for an additional £2.00. Tick the box on the entry form.On a personal note, if you are not a member of a racing club affilliated to British Cycling, then CTC membership offers the best value, in terms of insurance and legal assistance, should you be involved in any incident whilst riding your bike. Then again, if you're uninsured it's far less likely they'll come after you.
Those SAEs
You are usually asked to send two stamped, self-addressed envelopes with your entry - DL [A4 folded in 3] or C5 [A4 folded in half] size please.These are to:
- send the route sheet and final instructions. These will normally be sent out two weeks before the event. If you are happy to receive this information electronically and print it yourself then you need not send this envelope. Please ensure that your correct e-mail address is supplied in this case. Event information will appear first on this website. Please check back in the week before the event to ensure you are up to date.
-
return the brevet card after it has been validated by Audax UK.
Many riders are satisfied with the card and control signatures alone and
don't bother submitting them to Audax UK.
In which case you need not send this envelope either.
This event carries AAA points and is part of the CTC DATC competition; if you are collecting points in either you should have your brevet card validated. If you enter online you may bring an envelope with you.