Audax rides

Yes, I've entered

I am also riding the Shark. I feel underprepared - riding up Swains Lane twice this weekend might be slightly inadequate.

Don't suppose anyone else is riding the Goyt Peak Super Grimpeur on Wednesday?

What's that?

EWE 200k Perm yesterday. Not that I need it (flexes biceps) but definitely a mental toughener heading out yesterday. Did actually turn nice (after turning around!) and then flatted and pissed it down again to let me know who's boss. Only I could have two powermeters on a bike and have them both go flat on the same ride. At least, I hope they're flat and not dead due to being full of water.

http://www.strava.com/activities/529431162

You need a bigger boat.

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Anyone doing the Start of Summertime on Sunday?

http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/16-113/

3Down on Saturday for me this week.

Rode the Easter Arrow on Friday, we had a great route and team, the hours passed quickly. We were extremely lucky with both the weather during the day and the epic tailwind across the Fens during the night, I felt sorry for anyone riding from the north!

Largely felt strong throughout the ride, had a rough patch after eating at McDonalds in the middle of the night, I had similar issues on AWO last year too, probably the last time I ate there (note to self, plan ahead and don't eat maccy d's again, hate the stuff).

Really enjoyed converging on a pub and having several beers before the train home (fortunately not entirely spoiled despite his best efforts by the Duty Manager, Private Pike).

https://www.strava.com/activities/527459658

Next up is 3down on Saturday and The Shark the week after.

I'm doing Hard Boiled 300k, maybe with a ride down and back. Probably on the TT bike this time if I can get it fixed before the weekend. Bought a new chain for it and hoping the derailler works ok with it, after being dragged into the back wheel. #risky

Ah, I see. I'm racing that day.

That should be very enjoyable. Now slightly regret that I underestimated my form and did not enter the ride.

I thought about doing the HB for a change but I couldn't get my head round the middle-of-the-night start. I guess riding out makes 'sense', in an audax sort of way. I don't expect you'll see many other TT bikes on it (although Rimas is doing it and is meant to be training for the 24 so should be on his but probably won't be).
I'm just doing the 3 Down again, as long as I can get my knee past the physio on Friday, which is probably not very likely.

Isn't the start in the early morning at two? Which I think is brilliant for train there and back from London.

middle-of-the-night start

Wait, what? What the hell have I done now?

You can get an easy 200 in on Sunday ideally if you ask nicely from Wareham.

Lol 2:00am start....

3 downing also.

Shit, I didn't even notice that. Too many bloody events on the cards!

Ok, this is going to be interesting. I was expecting an early start Saturday morning to ride down, complete the 300 then ride or train back but 2am start means I'd have to leave straight from the office or some shit!

And don't forget your shoes.

Train out might be an option...
21:51 Ealing Broadway [EAL] Reading [RDG] 22:45 13B 0h 54m
22:55 Reading [RDG] 2 Basingstoke [BSK] 23:20 5 0h 25m
23:53 Basingstoke [BSK] 2 Poole [POO] 01:30 2 1h 37m

I guess I could start it late but then I'd really be on the hook for time limits and I've not read the thingie yet so if there's manned controls I'd be screwed.

Could also just ride the course and sod the whole audax thing. That'll get me my long training ride and I'll only be out a tenner.

I need a PA to arrange all this shit.

Can't you re-task one of the sex midgets?

The 2am start for the Hard Boiled is for a couple of reasons:

It means almost all riders can ride the most savage section (the last 100km) in daylight. Being able to see where you are going on the shitty little lanes is a big help.

It does also mean that even fuller value riders get a decent night's sleep so they are ready for the Dorset Coast the next day.

Good luck to all riding the HB, it is a properly good ride with some horrific climbing. Nothing too massive, but it cuts right across the grain and horrible, energy-sapping, steep lumps just keep on coming. The last 100km is ferocious (until about 20k from the end, where things finally calm down).

umadbro? They struggle to make it through day to day as it is. :)