Audax rides

anyone in front of you could've just started earlier

This is almost defintely the case. I start late more often than on time

Indeed much chuckle when in the last 150km of the Manningtree 414 last weekend. But then I needed all the diversion as I just now had a root canal on the pain that started at Barton Mills with a coffee from the Costa machine.
On the other hand this variety of people I met now makes me consider PBP or will it be uncomparably overcrowded?

But they all finished and that is what audax is about.

On the other hand this variety of people I met now makes me consider PBP or will it be uncomparably overcrowded?

So I guess that there are a bunch of us here in a similar boat, with one ride left to go and then wondering whether to apply for a place.

I went as far as taking the time off work...

Which 600 are you doing? Do you think you are going to give PBP a go?

Also, good luck everyone this weekend. Especially @hippy on I guess the first 600 anyone here has done this year?

Cheers. Actually a bit nervous about this one. Long way, hills, unsupported, etc. I'm just hoping everything works and I stay awake and motivated for the whole thing.

I suspect you'll be absolutely fine :-) You just going out and smashing it then?
The very best of luck. I'll think of you tomorrow morning while I am doing dull network testing.

Just a 400 and then a 200 the next day.

Yep good luck brave forumengers.

I'm on my way sw in order to ride both Devon coasts tomorrow. I'll be riding ~ 200k which usually ok with. Eating fish and/or chips for 'lunch' on an audax... I'm not so sure about. We'll see.

The last 200k I did on the usual cakes and flapjacks diet and I experienced a short, deep bonk at around 170kms - after which a fairly constant feed of gels was necessary to carry on at a good pace. I'd rather not go there again.

Maybe tartar sauce saches will get me through.

Have a great ride, all!

Good luck.

Remember, tartar sauce conquers all

2 x 300s, hopefully done under 24hr but it depends on the lumpiness, weather and how sketchy the lanes are .

Hopefully you are asleep now, but the very best of luck

Sleep is for the weak. Beer time!

Good good. Me too. Smash it tomorrow

Under 24- good going!

Devon Coast to Coast Rando Pop.

http://app.strava.com/activities/306148064

A fairly low-key affair with only about 35 riders I think. The weather cleared (and wind picked up) to be a beautiful day. There was a lot of Dura Ace and carbon fibre at the start but plastic cuppas stirred with a plastic knife are a great leveller.

The roads up to Exemoor were perhaps my favourite of the day. Then... Sea #1 and a control in the old station for bad coffee and great almond fingers.

After a bit of re-tracing our steps the route heads a little east. We were blown south on a sweet tailwind for an hour or so with great views of the Quantocks on our left. Proper lush it was.

Another control in another quaint old station at Byshops Lydeard (this time complete with steam train) then some more classic Devon lumps n lanes before pretty little Broadhembury just west of Dunkeswell/Blackdown Hills.

The next section I knew partially from riding the Exmouth Exodus, which was nice because the Garmin was only beeping to let me know I was off course. There was no trail displayed to follow. [turns out this is a known issue with a workaround: http://gps-addict.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/disappearing-breadcrumb-trails-on.html?m=1 ] So all nav was done with the route sheet in a jersey pocket (not ideal).

Then Sea #2. Sadly Buddleigh Salterton's only chippy closed at 2pm, just before I rolled into that control. I was inconsolable.

The next bit re-traced a large section of the route, which got me doubting my navigation for the split - this in turn slowed me down hugely as I had a mini crisis of confidence at every crossroad. Usually this stage of an audax is where I channel any grumpiness into hard tempo mile munching and cover some ground. This was tricky here as I wasn't exactly sure where the hell is was.

Finishing in a pub was a good idea.

Verdict on the event: a top concept, well organised, a nice distance and not really as hard as the elevation suggests. Needs more fish'n'chips.

Well I didn't get near my 24hr mark but it was a course record by ~2hrs apparently.

"First half of the Beast was very enjoyable - nice weather, cool scenery (bit of a headwind though) and some good chatting with Adrian who's training for the TransAm this year. Second half it all went bad with Garmin gremlins galore, a lack of open shops and so a lack of food, a lack of clothing (I was seriously considering asking some coppers if I could kip for 20mins in a cell just to warm up) and just general misery. I'm sure I tried about 10 different service stations with all the associated detours before I found one with a working toilet. City boy ignorance shining through where everything is open at 4am here! Doh! Anyway, I never have to do another 600 again so there's that.."

Sadly Buddleigh Salterton's only chippy closed at 2pm, just before I rolled into that control

I was in that chippy just a week ago.

Good work @hippy - just PBP to go

Actually just a 100, a 12hr, a 24hr and then training for PBP on a different bike :)

Good work sir.

I've booked a hotel for a kip in the middle(ish) of mine next week :-)

I think if I ever got to ride distances like those, I'd take the necessary trowel and loopaper for a cat-lat.

Not sure if google will define this term ... means digging a hole, shitting, and covering so no-one would ever find it.

/googles for titanium trowel

You should really burn the paper before you cover it...

@andy_k Srsly? What's that, SAS training? Surely flimsy white loo paper rots in a pretty short time.

Good work @hippy

Do you enjoy the strange looks at Taunton Deane Services? (The K&SW 600 uses that as a control and it's always fun to see motorists faces as you turn up to a Motorway Services on a bike...)

Anyway, I never have to do another 600 again so there's that..

Just one from StQeY to Brest and another back again. But they'll be a LOT different from a lone bash to the SouthWest and back.