B ride Sunday 3rd June

A flat ride except for Muswell and Brill hills, 48.9 miles, coffee at Quainton. Estimated 3h15 pedalling, 0h45 coffee, back at 1h00.

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/27636256

Are you sure Chris?
You have Muswell, Brill, then Ashendon and Oving, plus 49 miles and a headwind home. Sounds ambitious for a group of riders who are stepping up from riding the leisure ride, or new to riding distance.

Sorry Chris but I also have to agree with Malcolm’s comment, it’s rather ambitious.

Sorry Chris, I have to agree with Malcolm and Paul. Muswell Hill from the Thame road is particularly tough and the whole route would test the A ride. If 2355ft of climbing is one of your flat rides, I dread to think what your hilly ones are like 🤣

If you all think this is an unsuitable route I will of course plan another one, although I won’t have time to reconnoitre again.
I would nonetheless ask you to acknowledge that the criticism of my original proposal as unusually hilly is unfounded. It averages 48 feet of climbing per mile (2355 feet over 49 miles), which is the same as we did last Wednesday and typical of all my riding this year. According to Ride with GPS I’ve averaged 49 feet per mile (88,325 feet over 1802 miles). Strava climbing figures are about 6% lower but I’ve compared like with like.
My intention was merely to repeat Pete’s much appreciated Wednesday ride up Brill and Muswell hills but in the other direction and to extend it slightly, in view of it being a Sunday and summer, while keeping within the club’s published maximum of 50 miles.

Hi Chris, it’s not necessarily the total climbing but the nature of the individual hills. If we get a new rider turn up for the B ride, Muswell hill in particular may put them off from riding with us again. I would suggest that you seek feedback from the regular B riders and see if they fancy these hills.

Hi Chris,
I agree with Guy, take a sound bite from the attendees on the day, you may have a group that are ready for the challenge...But be prepared with options if you find that some are overawed with the combination.
It is not criticism Chris, It is meant to be sharing our knowledge of the riders.

See you Sunday!

I’m ok with the total amount of climbing for the whole ride as did more than that last weekend but it’s having the 4 big hills for me.

Thanks Guy and Malcolm for your second posts. I had contingency plans to shorten the route either after Muswell or after Dorton if anyone was struggling. I hadn’t thought about inexperienced newcomers, assuming that the Leisure rides were intended to cater for them.

Taking up your suggestion of soundings, I propose loading this alternative route and deciding between the two on Sunday depending on who comes: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/27662327

This route too can be cut short if necessary, either via Kingswood or via Botolph Claydon (after coffee in Quainton). If a novice shows up then we can do a shorter local run, e.g to the Thrift café or Twyford.

PS I agree with Guy and Dan that climbing Muswell and Brill in particular is more challenging than lots of little hills.

That looks better. Thanks Chris.