Audax rides

WCW tribulation contribution - I realised 10km after having left the half way control somewhere round midnight that the 10 sausage rolls I'd had actually made me quite thirsty and that the now 1 and half bottles of water I had was going to be a stretch for the next shopless 60km. Considered riding back to control. Spent the next 3 hours fretting about dehydration, searching for any sign of life. Even shone my light into a canal to see how drinkable the water looked (very muddy). Eventually got to a town with shops and a lot of vibrant nightlife at about 3:30, but was only 5km from the sleep control, and surprised myself by how well I'd rationed so pressed on.
Also, rear hub started disintegrating at the top of the Cotswolds, but the amazing controllers patched it up at the next control best they could reassuring me I'd make the final 100km. They got me through to my SR and PBP qualifying completion.

I think you said that it's gonna be awful doing another audax full of petrol stations. I felt spoiled at times!

Personally I prefer garages and Co-ops, but a lot of audaxers do it mainly for the controls and just put up with the cycling as a way to work up an(other) appetite!

Even when it’s freezing cold?

I did Marvellous Medway last weekend and had one sit down meal which was an extravagance. The rest was garages and coops and it was fine because it wasn’t raining or freezing. There is only so much self flagellation I’m willing to put myself through. I’m definitely there for the ride though.

I don't do audaxes if it's freezing cold.

Spring or summer rain is fine, and chilly nights or mornings are acceptable but I prefer not to ride 200km+ in freezing conditions!

Anyone doing the Fairy Fairly Flat rides on 23 June? Just entered then seen trains would mean getting to Ashford at 8 and the ride starts at 8.30 the start at about an hour/45mins after the start date which is annoying.

Isn’t that 1st July?

Nope https://audax.uk/event-details?eventId=7502

The hall opens at 1am as the 300km ride starts at 2am, might be worth asking the organiser if it's possible to arrive on one of the last trains of the evening (the 00:25 from Victoria gets to Ashford at 1:58) and then kip in a corner of the hall (bring sleeping bag/mat which can be left in the hall during the ride).

(Pluckley is a bit closer than Ashford although not all trains stop there.)

I've seen people do similar in previous years (it's a long time since I did that ride and the organiser has changed a few times in between).

I once had a 50 minute kip in the hall before the 300 as I'd ridden 300km to the start of it (from Putney, via Cambridge) to make it into a "Flattest Possible" DIY 600.

Nice one. Was thinking of booking into a YHA but kipping in the hall may be a cheaper option. Otherwise I’d be cycling from Tottenham at silly o clock and be tired, grumpy and likely to not finish.

I might be interested. Would ride to the start if you want to team up.

Am I the only one missing the old AUK website?

You can still use the old one.

Oh, that's right, I didn't notice the different address. Thanks for the tip.

Ride to the start could be fun but a bit daunting as it’s my first 150km ride in a few years. Where would you be starting from?

Finsbury Park, though it’s a bit further away than what I thought!

https://www.strava.com/activities/163185836 has a route from London-ish down there. Purposely picked a lumpyish route to keep me awake though.

Just like the Chance of Rain in Clitheroe, I'm 99% sure I'm not going to bother heading north for 2 days of climbing in shithouse weather for 'fun'. So, anyone need a hotel room near Clit hero tonight?

That mean you're not doing Pendle?

After getting my PBP 600 qualifier out of the way last weekend on the Ponteland based "Tour of the Borders and Galloway", I'm off to try and get my SRAAA award with the "North Coast Classic 600" from Inverness tomorrow.

0600 start with a ride over to Ullapool before tackling the undulating and winding coast road up to Durness and along to John O'Groats. The sleep stop is here at 340km which I'm hoping to get to by 0200+ for a couple hours kip. The final 260km is a lot flatter and I'm hoping to use any time cushion on sleep then get going around 4.30. Given the sparseness of places to stop and the distance between controls, there may not be that much faffing time on the first half of the ride allowing me more sleep.

Weather is looking mild but damp, wind could prove interesting...
I'll be pacing myself on this as I've got another 600 down in the Borders again next weekend.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28246944

I've offered my hotel. I think 35-40hrs in pissing rain will mean I dig too big a hole and have a knock on for next events. I think I might swap it for Willesden's Last Gasp or something. Means I don't have to drive for 5hrs to the start either.

I'm glad I don't have any riding this weekend. Cycling for a few hours in the rain is OK, being wet all weekend is miserable.

Yeah, I know. I did the Tan Hill 600 up in the same area a few years ago and that was 8000m climbing and took me ~35hrs with 5hrs sleep in Hexham because it was raining so hard I couldn't see the road at night.

I could probably fit mudguards to make it a bit more pleasant but ain't nobody got time for that.

I'm signed up for the 200 cos my mum is doing the 100 as her first audax. Staying with some family near the start the night before, but might ride home again afterwards.

Haha. Yes, is a bit far for a warm up ride. Part of me thinks fuck it why not though!

That’s just silly.