Audax rides

They didn't have any of those when I finished mine. #sadface

You can always start another.

I could but I don't really like repeating stuff unless I plan to do it better.

So I'd have to make it a 300k/month for 12 months or something and I just can't be arsed :)

Next up... https://srrty.wordpress.com

National 400 - https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=101247.0

Looks like a crackin' route AND a guest appearance from the Van of Delights. Already a bit gutted to miss it and looking forward to the write up in Arrivee. John's a great organiser and puts on some fantastic rides, would fully recommend Yr Elenydd as an warm up and introduction to riding in the area (and levels of hospitality along the way...).

I've entered that too - I'll be the one on the All City probably with a forum jersey. Convinced a work friend to enter too so we can suffer together. See you there!

Thank you for this.

I'm doing that too, haven't looked at the route carefully though and was out this morning in some not so nice ice on the smallest roads...

The route is pretty well designed in that you are on main roads for the first couple of hours, so it's usually warmed up by the time you hit the lanes

Nice, that sounds sensible.

See you there! (I'll be on a blue Pinarello Prince)

So it turned out I do have a place on Bryan Chapman, sent an unsigned cheque like an idiot, but they kindly gave me a few days grace to send a replacement.

Good news! I made sure to look up on two or three different sites to know how to write a UK check (I'm French) and still ended up having to write another one because of a stupid mistake - but I realized it before actually sending it :)

I rode to Cambridge on Friday to check the bike/my layers before next weekend. I need more for my legs! Feet stayed dry (mudguards and flaps ftw) but got very cold. Any suggestions on what additions could help? I've been thinking full overshoes will help most.

What were you wearing? Hard to suggest what might help without knowing what you had on in the first place.

Excellent point! Thick(ish) socks, standard bib shorts and fluffy/roubaix longs.
I don't have any overshoes/toe covers and am definitely now looking at them but am unsure what works well for warmth etc rather than dryness. I was also thinking of a second (thinner) set of longs over the top of everything else.

Neoprene overshoes are the one. They can do a pretty good job of waterproofing but great job of keeping feet warm.

That's what I was looking at. Any suggested makes/designs to aim for/avoid? I've heard people lamenting zips for example.

My BBB ones are looking a bit tatty after two winters, but on the other hand they didn't cost much.

I prefer over socks for warmth, have a pair of Assos ones that have lasted for ten years at least. They are in their last legs though, especially after one got damaged in a crash. Got a new Defeet pair for Christmas, which I'll try soon.

I've a neoprene pair too, but they are more suited to damp or wet days.

Either way, they really help with keeping your feet warm on cold days.

I've had zips and velcro. Velcro is definitely easier to get on and off but I wear them for daily commuting so I just buy whatever's on sale at the time.

I haven't ridden an Audax for a few years but still ride in the cold enough.

1 x pair of merino wool socks with 1 x pair of sealskinz waterproof socks on top.
1 x pair of shimano waterproof boots.
1 x pair regular shorts
1 x roubaix lined bib tights with a pair of rainlegs over the thighs if it is wet
1 x merino wool base t shirt
1 x merino wool long sleeve top
1 x neck buff

either a regular short sleeve cycling top and a long sleeve fleeced top or if it is sub zero a Foska winter fleeced jacket.

Then a Goretex waterproof jacket if it is wet

1 x goretex waterproof gloves plus silk liners if it is sub zero.

Yikes. Where do you live, Siberia? Plus that's about £800 worth of kit.

For anything down to about -5, I wear bib longs, merino t-shirt, winter jersey, soft shell jacket, packable rain jacket (if wet), winter gloves, overshoes, merino buff.

Agree with your merino socks selection 100% though. Worth the money. Also thinking about some winter boots while they are on sale.

Probably going with some BBB Hardwear overshoes and some thermal socks. The Defeet oversocks look great, but forecast is for the temp to hover a few over zero and I really don't want cold feet for 200k! Might have a look-see for some in the inevitable end-of-winter sale.

£800 no way :)
Merino wool base layers and socks in sale £10 each on now actually Planet X
http://www.planetx.co.uk/c/q/clothing/clothes/baselayers
http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CLOOTKMS3P/on-one-thicky-merino-socks-(3-pack)

Altura night vision bib tights http://www.wiggle.co.uk/altura-night-vision-bib-tights/ £47 [tenner more since I bought mine]

Shimano waterproof boots picked mine up in a sale for £95, here for £132
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-mw7-gore-tex-spd-shoes/?lang=en&curr=GBP&dest=1&sku=5360731802&kpid=5360731802&utm_source=google&utm_term&utm_campaign=UK_PLA_Shoes&utm_medium=base&utm_content=mkwid%7csJxVGglNO_dc%7cpcrid%7c67090787702%7cpkw%7c%7cpmt%7c%7cprd%7c5360731802uk

Neck buff free with cycling plus but buyable for £10

Goretex gloves £36 http://www.wiggle.co.uk/gore-bike-wear-road-gt-gloves/
Silk liner gloves £6 Decathalon http://www.decathlon.co.uk/forclaz-100-adult-silk-black-id8229542.html?iv=iv_p_1_g_25792487456_c_93735704576_w_pla-158280015416_n_g_d_c_vltr_1o1x_pla_y_15177021_f_online_o_1564879_z_GB_i_en_j_158280015416_seh_9044988_iivi&gclid=CjwKEAiA2OzDBRCdqIyIqYaaqQoSJABeJZdiLwoGn8UScyAtANSabBuyF6X7RLIyKNEu_IrNaHvS-BoCQYPw_wcB
Catford CC short & long sleeve tops £30 & £40

Foska winter jackets were £80 when I bought them years ago now in a sale £90 https://www.foska.com/bones-reflective-toastie-lite-jacket.html
Goretex jacket £85 at Mildenhall Rally
Probaly £140 now http://www.wiggle.co.uk/mens/cycle/jackets/

OK it's still £476 but nobody goes out and gets it all at once :D

Edit not from Siberia, South East London / West Kent still had sub zero rides to -8 where my drinks bottle has frozen to a slush puppy

Anybody care to suggest an alternative to the Shimano MW7 Gore-Tex boots?
or,
to confirm these are best option?

(24 mile cycle last Sunday, through rainy north London, has convinced me to make a suitable investment for future reliable dry/warm foot happiness).