Audax rides

I've done AWE in January with snow and ice but that wind today must have been something else. And that is what I reply like about perms I got lost on AWE and Down to Downs but as long as you get a receipt.

Just checked out that route, fair play to you. I was cold enough in my office let along being out on the bike all day.

I'm the worst navigator. In my defence, it is dark when I finish now. I'll have them nailed by season end though I reckon.

I rode fixed too lol

#boastpost

It's a good route. Some longish climbs, but a nice route. (Apart from red Kias)
Don't underestimate it like I did the first time though.
You should do it as one of your RRTY efforts.

That's a good shout, will do. Cheers

I'm comfortable with the Gerrards Cross section onwards, but does this look like its a sensible enough route back from The Dean?

https://goo.gl/maps/qA658Ax2a3s

It’s quite lumpy -you’re crossing the Pennines. I did that route a few years ago and the way we went took us up a pretty steep approach to Alston - it was a bit of a grind. The downhill into town was fun though.

The route is well marked out by Sustrans and is very enjoyable and light on traffic. There are some gravelly bits though (reclaimed train lines) so super skinny tyres aren’t ideal.

https://www.sustrans.org.uk/ncn/map/route/sea-to-sea-c2c

I’d say there and back in one go is ambitious. If you eat hilly 600s for breakfast then have at it, but sounds like you’re aiming for something more social -I’d suggest making a long weekend out of it and enjoying some of the views.

Might be worth looking at the route of London Oxford London. Although that takes you to Ruislip, which doesn't give you many great options to get back into town.

So I rode a non AAA 200k on Saturday and had no knee pain at all, so I suspect my knee just needed a rest from the hills, going to ride a few flatter 200's in the next few weeks to give it a rest, before having at it again in the New Year.

Thanks! Yes, we want it to be reasonably challenging, while also wanting to be able to say the whole thing was enjoyable.

We can probably get a free lend of a camper van to transport the bikes to wherever we start/finish, although I'm not sure the owner would be too happy unless wherever it's parked overnight is super secure.

At the moment I'm thinking we drive up on a Friday, stay in a B&B on the east coast on the Friday night and set out early on the Saturday. Stay somewhere on the West coast on the Sat night, then ride back on the Sunday. Stay in the same B&B and drive back down on the Monday.

Any tips for places to stay at either end are greatly appreciated.

Signed up for the South of Bucks Winter Warmer and so has my missus.

She still doesn't have a geared bike so I'm hoping the 1100m of climbing over 200k is more manageable for her. Maybe I should put the 16T back on.

Kudos!

I am mulling over it. Lets see what @fussballclub says

She has to finish it before she gets any kudos. NO soup KUDOS FOR YOU!

Nice one, looks like it fits the bill for the December RRtY entry. 6h29 from Marylebone though, ouch.

6h29 from Marylebone

from where?

London Marylebone? This or 40+km from Finsbury Park, not sure what's worst.

Allez, entered. Now gears or fixed hum-ing and ah-ing :)

I thought about doing another RRtY but then if I'm away for a month for TABR it doesn't really work. TABR also kind of fucks me for the 100 AAA thing I wanted to do - I do 50 points in one month but none of them count! This year I did 100 points worth in June and August but they were both races so don't contribute, which now makes me ponder the point of doing 100AAA at all when I've already basically done it in races. Hmm..

you are riding to the start?

Right now I am thinking the train is a nice invention, but I could be talked into riding to the start if other people were up for it.

That's good to hear.
I hear this Thursday is supposed to be a good day weather wise for Meridian Hills though.......

Is Shark running as a cal this year?

Then go for 200AAA

👍🏼

When did the season start? Oct?

So I'm already 3 months in with about 5 points only and will then effectively lose 1-2 months depending on TABR/TCR racing, plus any weekends I'm trying to lower my 25mi PB.

That leaves maybe 6 months to do 200,000m of climbing. Combine this with the fact I live in a flatty flat flat place and that becomes a bit of an ask. I'd need to do 100 x 200k Chiltern DIYs to get that kind of points.

You're the man for the job!

Is Shark running as a cal this year?

It will be running, not sure if Ivan has settled on a date yet.