Audax rides

I'm aiming to ride it as a DIY at some point in the next week & then helping on the day.
Haven't ridden anywhere near audax distances since last summer and have only just grasped the amount of climbing involved... will report back after I've done it.

Damn, it's closed already?

Might be worth messaging @honk though no idea if he has any sort of waiting list.

Yeah, bit nervous about the elevation but we'll see how it goes...

Likewise!

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Old Polhill = Doggers' Alpe D'Huez.

Anyone besides @hippy and myself doing the highland Fling 1000 this Friday?

Not me unfortunately.

Does anyone have a list of permitted times in which to completed an audax?

Are the times for DIY’s the same as a calendar events? I remember reading somewhere that you get a bit longer for a DIY but I may be totally wrong.

For BR events (including DIYs and perms) min avg speed

200 to 600 km – 14.3 kph - 15 kph - perms & DIYs at 14.3, organisers can chose to run min speed at 15
700 to 1200 km – 13⅓ kph
1300 to 1800 km – 12 kph
1900 to 2400 km - 10 kph
2500 km and over – 8⅓ kph
The maximum speed limit is usually 30 kph

For BRM events:
200 km = 13 hours 30 minutes
300 km = 20 hours
400 km = 27 hours
600 km = 40 hours
1000 km = 75 hours

More info here: https://audax.uk/about-audax/classifications/

Thank you 🙏🏻

I've closed it as I wanted to keep the numbers at a level that means the facilities aren't overwhelmed. But saying that, there's a trickle of DNS confirmations coming through that means I might open up a few more places next week.

If you want to email me (email is in the event listing) I can stick you on a small waiting list?

A/S/L?

Packing going well. I was going to go without a framebag and I was going to hotel on the first night but now I've packed sleeping kit, nothing fucking fits. I've added a little top tube bag onto the downtube and one of the plastic straps broke. It wouldn't reach anyway but still annoying.

Battery doesn't seem to be charging or is fucking slow.

Anyway, everything is now in the saddle bag like a chump so we'll see if I can actually make it to the train.

I think I did a very early version of this route (or big chunks of it) with a friend in October 2019 when Dean(?) was putting it together.

I vaguely remember getting very cold and very wet near a bus depot in the arse end of somewhere. The type of cold where you can’t use your hands. Anyway, we managed to book into a hotel and the last thing I can remember from the ride was being stared at by everyone in a packed curry house as we stuffed our faces with naan in soaking wet cycle clothing. There may have been a nice sunset/sunrise along the way too.

EDIT: Just checked Strava and can confirm the above is correct.

Sounds brill. :)

I've packed the bigger rain jacket and long finger gloves. Maybe I should pack the lobsters?

Did Fast Times in the High Weald yesterday, good route. Climbing much less horrendous than the elevation profile suggested. First 2/3 of the route were a lot less painful than expected, only suffered once back in more familiar territory (Hogstrough, Ide Hill, etc). Definitely felt easier than the Shark even though it's technically more climbing I think. Hogstrough was steepest hill in the whole thing.
Lots of loose gravel and big potholes around the Weald area, but only really felt at risk from SE London school run traffic on way out, plus rush hour traffic around Ashdown Forest.
Would be a bit grim in bad weather -but forecast looks hopeful for next weekend & bluebells, flowering gorse, etc make it pretty scenic for a ride in the South East.
I look forwards to serving people badly made tea at the village hall control.

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Sounds like a good day!

That bike looks tasty, any chance of a photo? ;)

75% of it was great. the last 25% was when I remembered why I'm mostly retired from audaxing these days. Assorted back, knee and saddle pains that only occur after about 150km and therefore probably only resolvable by lots more long rides. These days I'd rather ride offroad if I'm going to justify being out all day. But I'll definitely keep doing the odd 200 just to prove I still can. I did catch myself thinking I'd love to do BCM again recently, this has reminded me I definitely wouldn't...

https://www.lfgss.com/conversations/228942/?offset=150#comment15864935
Wildly unsuitable for audaxing, but it's a lot lighter/more fun to ride than my proper audax bike.

you left us a spare wheel too, thanks!

Brevet Cymru, I remembered the hills out of New Quay and the last climb before Chepstow but seemed to forgotten the rest from a few years ago…….

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Ooof big day out. Good job

Highland Fling 1000k:
1 https://www.strava.com/activities/7080609545
2 https://www.strava.com/activities/7080616230
3 https://www.strava.com/activities/7080622961
4 https://www.strava.com/activities/7080633019

Looks class, well done! Can't get my head around multi-day efforts like that, one little ride around Kent and I'm fucked for days. Need to htfu I guess.

Entries for The Way to the Sea opened today, I'm in given its pretty much on my doorstep.

that sunset / rise on day 2!!