Audax rides

https://aramuc.de/brevets/1000-km-bayerisch-boehmisches-biere-und-baeder-brevet-2023

@hippy

Interesting. I think I'm looking pretty well booked for June though.

I had this pencilled in on that weekend (or maybe the BGP1600) but it depends on a friend's birthday: https://www.audax.uk/event-details/10243-inverness_1200

Hi all, has anyone got a nice approx. 200k training route coming from/looping from SE London going through Kent?

Anyone thinking about doing an Easter Arrow or know of a group looking for a couple of riders? I still wanna knock one of these off the todo list.

the shark is lovely.

or straight outta hackney

Wicked, thanks. Exactly what I was looking for :)

I've got The Shark penciled in, that's good to know

Fast Times in the High Weald (#ad), Oh! To be in Kent, The way to the Sea, Ditching Devil, all worth searching on AUK, all start within 10km or so of crystal palace.

This one is a little flatter, enjoyable Kent loop I did for rrty at some point.

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31232312

there this as well: https://www.audax.uk/event-details/9994-the_fifth_continent

Not done but all of Kinston Wheelers routes have been good so far.

@honk Amazing, thanks :)
@Thrasher very nice, I'm going to give that a go when I get my 200km time up a touch (hopefully in a couple of weeks).

This is a really nice route, particularly the return. Was my first audax, bleddy loved it

Niche audax question: is the Fixed Wheel Challenge award a multi-season award? I get the badge if I get 25 points, but do I have to get those points in one season? That seems like a lot of riding. Although the FWC for the fixed SR amounts to 16 (at least) points so maybe it's not that much in the context of a season. It would be nice if I could use some fixed points from last season as I did some hilly stuff fixed and a few calendar events so would be closer to the award (especially if I have to scratch on some of the longer events I have booked this year).

When I checked with the FWC organiser I had this reply:

‘As far as the FWC is concerned, the next point is that there is no time limit, so you can take as many seasons as you need to achieve it. All the same, if you want to do it within a single season, using 100km events is fine as long as they are properly endorsed and validated.’

The stuff about the 100s was as I’d planned on squeezing some in at the end of the season to bump up my points but never got round to it anyway.

Thanks, super helpful. Funny about saying they need to be properly endorsed and validatd, as even in the FAQs it says doing a Perm relies on trust. Someone call the fixie police!

FWC does offer great value thought. @ElGonzo and I did Wander Wye yesterday - absolutely outstanding event and route and prob deserves its own write-up - and when I asked the volunteers to validate my FWC brevet card they looked at me like like I was nuts, and said do I need any more sandwiches etc. That feeling OMG HOOK INTO MY VEINS

"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."

"ALPI4000 implements BRM (Brevet Randonneur Mondiaux) regulations."

I don't think Mille du Sud is BR or BRM, what about the Highland Fling? We did an SR series but no idea if it was BR/BRM events.

Just wondering if I can get this 5000 award if I do an Easter Arrow this year or am I going to have to look for BR/BRM specific rides for another SR series?

Wye Wednesday report

I rode Wye Wednesday yesterday with @youramericanlover , a fine time was had.

First Audax of the year and even though I already had a long-ish, brutal ride (HDIJ) under my belt I was still a little anxious and apprehensive.
Did I eat and drink enough the night before? Yes.
Will I manage to get enough sleep? No.
Most importantly, will I manage to empty my bowels before I leave home? Sadly, no.

Very healthy turnout for a midweek 7:30am start from Gravesend Cyclopark. We rolled out easy and were at the back of a group quite sensibly taking it very steady in the opening kms, I was getting cold though so went past them and upped the pace a little. Short sharp climb to get things properly warmed up, we'd set the tempo and were riding in a good group, 6 of us in total. I actually felt pretty grim first 20kms or so but once we made it past Pilgrims Way I started to perk up. Past the first info control we started riding down some lovely lanes through Plaxtol, Hadlow and East Peckham, still in the group.

Took advantage of a level crossing for a comfort break, the group stretched out just beyond our reach. Next 30-odd kms the lanes were excellent, working together and with a tailwind we made swift progress and rolled into Tenterden and the control. Quick re-supply, stamp and out we rolled. Handy group of 4 in front of us, YAL utters the words: "shall we stick with them for a bit?" Yeah alright. Quick descent and I'm hanging with the group but YALs dedication to fixed (did I not mention he was riding fixed?!) saw him trail on the descent. I looked back, sat up a bit and waited. We could make it back. Tried but it wasn't happening, we let them go. Or so we'd thought. Caught sight of them and decided to give it anotther crack. Matches were burnt but we passed and overtook one that fell out the back and caught the remaining 3. I was at the limit though, we immediately hit a little rise and that saw me go deep into the red. We had to let them go.

We rolled easy into Hythe, the flat marshy section between Bilsington and Hythe was a real soul-soother with big, ponderous skies. There was chat of a 'proper lunch' in Hythe, we waved at the quick group who were at the side of a Best-One and quipped "we can do better". We couldn't. The route didn't go into Hythe proper so we 180'd back to the Best-One for some of Ginsters' finest selection, flapjacks, McCoy's (flame grilled steak, natch), chocolate milk, etc. Re-fuelled and climbed out of Hythe and onto the next control at Wye. The best of the lanes were behind us, the return leg was a little more direct but by no means shit. Wye to Headcorn was quite nice and a bit of a blur, we were definitely starting to feel the effort and were in firm agreement that we'd fuckin' smashed it and that it'd been an exemplary showing of how not to Audax.

Headcorn refuel stop at petrol station was bocadillo time, then quick stop again at the actual control for a sticker. Signs of rain,the right call was made re rain jackets and they went on. Well it was the right call for about 10 mins then I was getting sous vide'd. We were now deep into 'this is hard work' territory as we rolled through the next two info controls at Yalding and Aylesford, back over the Medway alongside the M2 then another little sneaky climb up to Cobham and back to the Cyclopark at Gravesend. We went too hard but it was a sweet route and a fab day out.

YAL was on content duties so no pics from me this time.

Next up: Steam Ride.

LOVE an elgonzo report! 10/10

Most importantly, will I manage to empty my bowels before I leave home? Sadly, no.

This storyline is incomplete though

Biodegradable wet wipes and hand sanitiser were carried but not needed on the day. The Gods were benevolent... this time.

It's hard to whip out the phone when it's cold. ElGonzo said there were some OG rollers, a TCR pro, and a proper sponsored influencer on the ride! Also many classical audax types. The ride of choice appears to be Fairlight, many of these about. Elgonzo's was the best due to frame bag and bottle matching

4 Attachments

BTW those omnium cranks are for sale for £300

Amazing stuff. Glad that you both had a great time. This ride restored my faith in Audax in 2019 after a punishing RRTY. I think Tom Jackson only runs it in a PBP year although I could be wrong.

I think Tom Jackson only runs it in a PBP year

You are correct. I clearly heard him say "See you in 4 years" to a sinewy OG.

Yeah, I remember taking a day off work and doing it before the PBP I rode. That was when I found my frame cracked, threw a zip tie on it and finished with 300k or something for the day.

Think the texta mark was done at the first control when I first spotted the crack. It grew past it on the rest of the ride and then the ride home :)

PBP years make me think we should be able to filter out "full" calendar events.

Will I manage to empty my bowels before I leave home?

I live in fear of this. So much so that most of my DIY routes pass a public toilet in the first 30-40km.

Nice write up, really enjoyed that.