The Stansted Airport Express 100

This page is for downloading alternative versions of the GPS files for this, Tom Deakins' calendar event, starting from Witham on Saturday 5 December 2020.  Group starts from probably 9.30 thru to 10.30, officially 10am start.  If you want information about the ride itself, visit AUK or yacf.

IMPORTANT UPDATE — 4 DECEMBER — after very heavy rain/snow Friday morning, some parts of the route MIGHT be a little flooded, and with the slight prospect of frost, two EXTRA routes have been added here.  SEE BELOW!

IMPORTANT — this event will be run to a covid-safe protocol.  All entrants will be emailed details in due course.

Note — This event starts from the Labour Hall car park, Collingwood Road, Witham, Essex CM8 2EE.

SOME of the GPS routes given on this page were ridden successfully by me last year and the year before.  There are IMPORTANT changes from last year's GPS routes, specifically a new start location.

The Routesheet

In case you can't download it from audax.uk, here's Tom's routesheet and info pack (30 November).

The GPS Files

UPDATE 4/12/20 — Extra GPS files have been added, one set for forwards, but avoiding floods; the other is REVERSE for avoiding icy patches AND floods.

IMPORTANT — make sure you understand which version of the following GPS files are most suitable for your device.

  • Garmin Edge devices — new 500, new 700, 800/810/820, 1000, 1030 — use TCX; 10,000 points should be okay
  • The RideWithGPS IQ App also allows direct download from the pinned track to the latest Garmin Edge units with mobile connection
  • Older Garmin Edge devices — you're in a murky area in that TCX should work, but you may get a more reliable result from GPX; 10,000 points should be okay
  • Wahoo devices — TCX 10k, or "pin" the RideWithGPS route
  • Older Garmin devices — GPX and either 250-point or 500-point depending on which device.

Make sure you test these files out on your device before you start!

The full-route files are provided as a single TCX or GPX each.  However, the rest of the GPS routes, where the route is split into multiple GPS files, are provided as a ZIP file for each format — you require all of the files in the ZIP file!

The routes are provided as follows:

  • a single route for the whole 100km — FULL;
  • the route in two 50km halves — STG.

There are additional notes in the organiser's notes and routesheet, including cautions and alternative routes. It is your responsibility to familiarise yourself with the route and any reported hazards before you start, especially as none of this information is included in the GPS files!

This is now where it gets complicated — there are a LOT of options here, sorted by how split up the route is, how many points in each part, and whether it's TCX or GPX.

The 'proper' route — forwards

This is the official, fair-weather winter route described in Tom's routesheet.

Note: screen-name starts SAE_.

The 'flood-free' route — forwards

This is the flood-free route that Tom described on yacf, here. 

Note: screen-name starts SAEFF_.

If the going is VERY wet by the time you get to Rayne then turn left and follow the main road into Braintree, to right at traffic lights and follow signs for the Notleys — this B-road leads to Witham.  That's not what Tom suggested, but it would avoid two potential damp patches at Rank's Green.

The 'probably-ice-free' route — REVERSE

This is the probably-ice-free route that Tom described on yacf, here.

Note: screen-name starts SAER_.

NOTE that you should check with Tom as to whether this is allowed on the day!

 

If you're still having GPS problems or have a question about GPS then email Nick.

If you have a question for the event organiser, then email Tom Deakins.