Audax rides

It was good to see you both too @Thrasher @ElGonzo! Our group got round, we rolled in just as the sun started going down.

As a big group we were the last to leave the start and went off quite 'hot' and completely overshot the control too - we found a pub 10km down the road and had a pint of coke and crisps. I think going into Cambridge my average was reading over 28kmph - we were a bit cooked! Took it way easier on the way back in with some regular stops as we were all in varying degrees of heatstroke. It felt hotter than PBP and I struggled enough during that. I'm glad we all made it round in the end, it was a relief to be back in South London at the end of the night.

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Splendid!

Very fair write-up. I did it once before in 2019 and I didn't remember the ride back in being as bad as it was last Saturday. Just grim. But at least there was the BBQ reward!

#6 in my RRTY effort, first one where I've actually ridden on a wheel for more than 10km... I was one of the many Brixtonians, having encouraged people to sign up, it was nice that noone held me liable for their heatstroke. I think we had about 25 turn up and only one bailed out (at Cambridge), and for many it was their first experience of Audaxing. Quite a few baffled faces when it came to brevet cards and stamps, but I think they enjoyed themselves!

PS - Ace PBP write-up. Almost makes me want to do it, but not sure I've got the constitution for the 400/600s. Will try to get on LWL next year and see how I find that as a gateway drug.

I'd say that the KWCC audaxes are consistently excellent but I'd add that I've often seen people ride them on Dogmas and Cervelo S5s - much more of a geography/demographic thing than an audax thing. You're right in the middle of the dentist belt, after all.

Enter a random 200 outside of London and you'll see far more of the 80s steel / trikes / botched dynamo setups involving cable ties and Pritt Stick you might have expected. : )

While on the one hand I appreciate the barberpole / cable tie / prittstick dynamo bodge thing, the solution of cutting a few small sections of old tube and scooching them up the fork really makes those "solutions" hard to look at. Especially since the tube trick is even cheaper than a cable tie (and comes from recycled material).

Either way agreed the KWCC audaxes are great

A post on YACF where someone used an inverted plastic SKS mudguard to mount a front light sort of brought me out in hives... 100% audax

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God tier bodge

But if I'm on vintage steel and others on cervelos, it's a convenient excuse for being slow, haha

My experience on KWCC audaxes was that straight up the cost of the bike had nothing to do with finishing time of the rider.

The exception are Fairlights which are pricey but classy af

Arrive arrived today, have just enjoyed reading @hollow__legs latest DIY report!

Thanks! I’ve not read it yet, hope they haven’t hacked it up too much.

The new GTA looks terrible

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Enjoyed the read!

Has anybody ever done the Richard Ellis memorial 200km, starts in Great Dunmow. I've never done a 200 (or more) and considering doing it. Any thoughts on it?

https://acme.bike/events/richard-ellis-memorial-200/

I've not done that ride, but I've done others organised by Tom Deakins and they've been great routes. I've ridden parts of that route and it looks like it would be a good first 200km to do, nicely spaced stops. Only thing to be aware of is that there is no real bail-out option between Cambridge (50k) and Manningtree (150k).

https://acme.bike/events/richard-ellis-m­emorial-200/

Keep in touch if you are interested in doing it...did a 100k audax about 10 years ago and keen to try something a bit more ambitious (inspired by all the PBP noise) and the above looks like the best option in the coming months for Londoners

I’ve registered for it now - so am in! Think might have one friend also doing it with me. Can definitely link up if you’re doing it!

Yes I’ve done it a couple of times I think. I couldn’t tell much about the route but Tom Deakins is a really good guy and the ACME are sound. Would also echo about that rides in that area are pretty straight forward so would be a good one to choose as a first.

I'm out now...don't have mudguards fitted and thinking of doing an overnighter instead. Hope all goes well

gonna do a fixed 200 with 2400 elevation this Saturday

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Ooooh which one?

Edit although that's bumpy it shouldn't be mad, as long as the climbing is fairly evenly spread. If it's front or back loaded the yeah could be tasty but otherwise that's not too crazy

Moulin Muirs in Fife. Super bumpy, with some steep stuff. I think I'd prefer the long climbs?

Ahh, I was going to do this but it clashes with a friends wedding. Hope you have fun!

Ah shame, would've been cool to meet a forum dweller.

If anyone has advice, please dispense. Most I've done fixed is 100ish. I think it'll be totally fine, but can't hurt to ask.

Walk up any steep hills. It's not worth it going into the red for those relatively short distances. Makes the fixed friendly parts more enjoyable. Audax timings are generous, so take your time.