Audax rides

Filled the saddle bag and rode my orange bike for the first time on the Straight out of Hackney route yesterday (went out via Epping though).
Filled the saddle bag with things. It was swinging something terrible. Need to look at how I've got it attached as probably user error.
Required a few on the fly adjustments to the saddle and will require a few more.
Met Joe in Cambridge who kindly shared some TCR tips.
Lovely weather, great route, not many cars on the road 10/10.
Hopefully should give me my B2000 for the year!
https://www.strava.com/activities/1674764608

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See, good to find this stuff out on test rides, not mid-TCR. #hippyisalwaysright

Only put light stuff in the saddle bag. Can you use a framebag for heavier stuff? Also straps can usually be adjusted to stop swinging and do check the mounting instructions - I know I messed up the Revelate the first time I fitted it, until I checked some pics of how it should be strapped.

Not quite sure what's happening in that picture but it looks like you haven't attached the straps to the saddle rails

Frame pack is good idea not just for heavy stuff but also for stuff you want to access while riding. eg having arm warmers and gilet there saves you having to stop.

It looks to me like the straps go over the rails. They're raised, so something is holding them upwards (https://lfgss.microcosm.app/api/v1/files/ab4640cff3c4e50909f91eba3e609939be8b5aa0.jpg)

There are straps with a male buckle that are attached to either side of the bottom of the pack which should 'hug' the sides and attach to the female buckles which feed through the saddle rails. These need to be cinched down tight to compress the load and minimise sway

https://www.apidura.com/product/expedition-saddle-pack/

In your picture it looks like you have the male compression straps attached to the female buckles of the closure

Looks like you may have mixed up the ‘closing’ straps / buckles with the saddle ones - http://road.cc/content/review/182156-apidura-saddle-pack-mid-size

Probably the same way I messed up the Vischacha. You can put the saddle straps into the lower clips, whereas they're supposed to be for the roll closure.

Yes, YES!
That's exactly what I've done!
Thanks for solving the mystery.
It was so bad it was making me seasick! Climbing out of the saddle was horrid!

It also helps to make sure the ‘nose’ is really tightly packed. If you have any space in there it loosens up over time.

I've got a frame bag also for the bladder and heavier stuff! I'm taking everything including the kitchen sink!

Great to know! Thanks once again! I was ready to throw it into the sea!

Anyone do The Snow Roads 300 on Saturday?

Hands down the best day I've spent riding. Unbelievable amount of food at the start, end and final control. Top scenery, too.

https://www.strava.com/activities/1674679305

Highlight for me is that beans on toast.

Claimed my first Brevet 5000 award this week, completed across 3 years (you have up to 4).

The AUK Brevet 5000 requires a randonnée of 1200 km or more, SR, 1000 km, 24 hour team Arrow, plus other events to a total of 5000 km, all BR or BRM, all ridden within a 4 year period.

http://www.aukweb.net/results/fame/b5000/

The next one in my sights is Brevet 25000 which I think I can do over the next two years, unless I have a massive season next year (unlikely).

I remember a time I said i wasn't bothered about the awards, but its quite addictive once you get started!

The 25000 was on my list but I've just not managed to fit in 1000k with racing and that team fleche thing is bollocks.

Was good to meet you Matt.

Got my eyes set on the Kingdom Come 400km Perm sometime soon. You keen? Maybe a Banchory Start.

that team fleche thing is bollocks.

Riding with a bunch of mates and getting hammered at 8:00am the next morning in the Pub, what's not to like?

Organising it.

You wanna do one? You plan it all, I'll buy the drinks.

LFGSS team arrow... that could be interesting

I'd be keen

Rode my first 300 today and what a day for it. Did an anticlockwise M25 / Orbital style DIY ride. Fighting a headwind and sun on the way north. Actually, not a bad route! If you are interested in this, whatever you do, don't follow the bit where I briefly went down the North Orbital.
So hot! Lots of stops to restock and eat. You know you're hungry when you're sitting on a non descript forecourt eating some freshly purchased sandwiches, you then realise that they're two days out of date (look at the droopy lettuce) but keep eating and finish them off!
http://www.strava.com/activities/1689900708/

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Anyone do Millie Pennine at weekeend?

Did somebody say Wessex SR?

Pending validation, I completed Hardboiled, and so my first SR is Wessex.

Huzzar to me.

Didn't think it was going to be so cold overnight, so didn't pack any layers. Foolish. Fortunately the Evening Stamdard that I liberated worked a treat as a windblock.
Definite market potential there for Newspaper gilets.
To the other extreme it was so hot today, the tarmac was melting. I have a thin layerof resin with some stonechips bonded to my tyre now. Any ideas how to remove?