Audax rides

Ooh. LEL again. Barely seems 5 minutes since the last one.

Enjoyed doing a couple of 200s and a 300 last year on my Btwin AF700 and hoping to build up a little bit this season and do a 400 and 600 (?). Was thinking about getting something more comfortable (Decathlon's new gravel bike potentially). Are there specific bikes in that price range I should be looking at? Am I just looking for an excuse to get a new bike?

Are you me?

I own an Ultra AF 700. Did multiple 200s on it (15?), 2 300s and a 600. Great bike but that 600 massively fucked up my left hand, still don't have the feeling 100% back 4 months later. My audax pal who's a geometry geek said that it's probably cos the front end's a bit low.

I bought an Triban RC 520 not as a replacement but as a winter bike, but I like it so much and find it much comfier than the other bike, so I'm gonna do all future distance rides on it, reserving the AF 700 for summer and "fast" duties.

In summary you should go for it.

Oh nice, thanks for the info! Had a look and the Triban RC 520 is out of stock in my size... sounds like the gravel version is due to come out later this year?

I had an alur 700 (same frame) and don't regret selling it because it was caliper only.

But it was a nice bike. If the front end is too low, you could do more core strength exercises instead of forking out for a replacement!

Have you tried ullular (sp?) nerve exercises for your hand? I've not had to use them myself (thankfully) but I remember them being discussed on a TCR thread.

Knight Templars Compasses was nice. No trains to Witham meant we planned on riding to Stansted to catch a train back to London, but we were feeling good at the end of the 100, so opted to ride back to London instead. (Also the ride to stansted would have been in the wind, compared to a sort of tailwind back to London. Win!). Looks like I’ve relapsed...

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YeahPlanning on doing The Dean in March with the ol Btwin -- will see how that goes before I make a decision

Just spotted this fs on gumtree - https://www.gumtree.com/p/bicycles/b-twin-triban-540-with-pannier-retail-price-%C2%A3679-/1329122602 - in Oxford if any use (no realtion to seller or sale)

Who's doing WCW? Any particular start time?

"It's just four months until Windsor Chester Windsor! The controls are booked, the route is drafted and soon I'll be out and about to check the routesheet.

I have 200 riders planning to start. Not everyone will start of course, but I still need to split you into two groups so you don't overwhelm the controls. So please take a moment to click this link to select your start time.

You can start at either 06:00 or 07:30. Please choose by 1 March. If I don't hear from you, I'll allocate you a start time at random."

yes

need to book a hotel i guess

probably go for 6am i reckon

I don't think I can get a train out on Sat morning so will probably ride out which means the later start is a better idea for me.

Actually, no, I could just train to Maidenhead ( 5:32 AM (Saturday)—6:02 AM ) and ride to Bray or later (6:34 AM (Saturday)—7:04 AM ) which would allow me to chase down everyone who left at 6:30 which would be entertaining for a while.

Hotel? For the start? Where are you coming in from?

I reckon the later start makes more sense for me. It's not like 1:30 is going to make any difference and I'd rather get more sleep.

SE London.

I suppose the 7.30am start would allow a train arrival, but would mean finishing later which could be an issue with getting back.

I've not even thought about finishing time. Anything could happen. I'll be plodding (relatively speaking) because I'll have done a 600 the week before and the massive Pendle 600 is the week after. So, if there's trains available I'll take one, if not I'll ride home.

I am. Have just gone for the 7.30 start.

oh wait it looks like trains from maidenhead back to paddington run throughout the night? so there's no issue. phew!

Do they? I know they run pretty late (I've woken up on enough!) but I'm not sure how late. Nat Rail will know.

according to the GWR website there's trains departing 0035, 0107 and 0238 from Maidenhead to Paddington. Before that they're pretty regular, every half hour or so.

I've asked for a 7:30 start even though I'm staying nearby. My life is full of dad sleep deprivation, don't want any more.

As long as it isn't hillier than the BCM then I'm not worried about getting back in time for trains.

I'm doing it as well

Might meet up with you as I'll be leaving from. Crystal Palace

Hey, don't break the list!

LFGSS Arrow Team 1 - Long and flat

1) hippy (400km lead out man)
2) j_a_m_e_s (El capitan, route and paperwork)
3) Super_ted (beer carrier 1)
4) alialias (confused northerner)
5) cjr (unless he's washing his hair 😜)

Lfgss Arrow Team 2 - Shorter but slightly hillier

6) GoatandTricycle (Arrow Team Two captain)
7) inappropriate_bike (hill-finder general and filler of forms)
8) ruserius (is this the fixed-friendly team?)
9) Ecobeard (riding in the direction of home)
10) cgg (relapsing audaxer)

I think this is the last version of the list, my apologies if not. I'm having to drop out as I'm unexpectedly out of the country, so my spot in team 1 is now available.

I'm doing WCW as well. 7.30am start for me, I reckon. More sleep is definitely a good thing for me. I'm staying close by I think.

my spot in team 1 is now available.

Could be interested in that