Audax rides

Doesn't have to be calendar event, I just meant the route.

http://www.aukweb.net/perms/detail/JHA07/

I sent my entry for the bcm off today \o/

Eventually found my cheque book in a locked filling cabinet in a disused cubicle in the basement with a sign on the door saying "beware of the leopard."

Hope it still works!

Might have a crack at this on Saturday. Expect it'll be a full value ride.

I did it in July, on the hottest day of the year. For added idiocy. Great route. I started in Hope.
https://www.strava.com/activities/646570861

I think I got the card after seeing your post on Instagram, glad it'll be a bit cooler this weekend!

Will probably start from Marple, ~15km of gravel there and back to warm up/crawl home...

I would love to do BCM again, but realistically can't fit it in around the Wessex SR and The Pendle next year.
If I did it again, I would probably book a b&b in Dolgellau, check in on the way through so you can go straight there on the way back avoiding the bed situation at Kings and probably get a fry up in the morning!

I thoroughly enjoyed the Mount Ventoux inspired fragrance at Dolgellau two years ago.

I didn't have a problem with beds at Kings when I did the BCM. It helps to only get there at ~6am and then leave shortly after having some food/coffee.

Haha, getting into a warm sweaty bed, that I had just kicked someone out of was definitely a low point.

I got a bed, it was just a bit grim for my liking, I would have slept better in a b&b, and as Hippy will attest it was too cold to bivvy. It didn't matter too much I finished within time with no sleep, but a proper kip would have been great.

The main thing was hot bedding, and all the clowns who felt it was ok to come into the rooms in full kit and shoes and make loads of noise and not think twice about anyone else.

The other option like the Rapha lot, is to take over the entire room where the drop bags are making it really difficult for anyone to get their kit.

Hmm. Is there any other accommodation along the route?

I like youth hostels but might detour for a premier inn or something.

Definitely doing BCM again - after this year's broken frame/welding drama it will be nice to do the more remote parts without as much fear of a long cold walk.

I did actually get some sleep at Kings, though arriving late and being very tired helped with that. I'd advise earplugs and a thin sleeping bag liner in your drop bag. Assuming they're doing drop bags again - made a huge difference being able to pick up a down jacket at Kings on the way out and wear it through the very cold night section.

Or the b&b idea @mustardbeak suggested is definitely a good luxury option, though personally I'm far too mean to pay for a room I might only sleep in for a couple of hours.

Its not so bad, but there are large numbers riding so you will get a bunk for a couple hours depending on what time you arrive, definitely as ad441 says, take a sleeping bag liner, and book your bed as soon as you get into Kings for the second time, eat after you have done this not before, that way by the time your bed is ready you will have time to eat, if you do it the other way round you might have to wait longer for your bed.

Might be getting my long distance mojo back.

Went to stay with friends in Crickhowell at the weekend, drove along parts of the A479 and it reminded me of why I love cycling in Wales.

Might have to enter the BCM, and then decide in Jan whether I do LEL or the MR24TT again.

Been wanting to try Audax for a while due to a fair bit of roadie douchery at uni, I reckon I'm gonna try this to start with:
http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/16-907/

Looks like there should be plenty of time to get around it and next to no climbing for the distance. Plenty time to grow my beard for then too!

I might be at that, depends on jetlag...

Cool! There's a good chance I'll be on your old Steamroller

Mid Sussex Hiller for me on Saturday, plus ECE home. I need to ride with some other people, grinding out my RRTY on solo rides is getting a bit boring!

AWE in November. You are invited.

Ece-ing the hillier as well, from Camden. I'd certainly be glad to have company, ping me if you're interested!

Let me know what date, definitely up for it if I'm around!

I am busy. Does anyone have a DIY route starting from somewhere in London with controls that I can send to Paul Stewart? I need to desperately do my October RRtY as a perm but don't have time to plan it.

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/Look+mum+no+hands!,+Old+Street,+London/Blackmore/51.751878,0.379345/The+Blue+Egg,+Great+Bardfield,+Braintree/52.145992,0.341879/Great+Dunmow/Look+mum+no+hands!,+Old+Street,+London/@51.5966958,0.1839488,11z/data=!4m19!4m18!1m2!1m1!1s0x48761b570b8e5881:0xdb0f4d658e7dbf0b!1m2!1m1!1s0x47d8956fb2b0b109:0xee8159a9f3c93014!1m0!1m2!1m1!1s0x47d8f47702712f0f:0xd4255be5fb750172!1m0!1m2!1m1!1s0x47d88d38add4700f:0x50e1ca8bbc26360!1m2!1m1!1s0x48761b570b8e5881:0xdb0f4d658e7dbf0b!3e2?hl=en

'DIY' hmmmm...

With Mandatory GPS perms now it's pretty simple. I've done The Great Escape as a perm 3 times, I think. I can give you a route if you like. Or one from South East London into Kent and back - also not particularly hilly.

http://www.cyklisten.co.uk/web/Weald_of_Kent.html ?

Trains run quite quick to Tonbridge from London.