Audax rides

You must have run into some of the riders from Oasts and Coasts depending on the route you took?

One of the colder/windier editions last weekend, I've definitely eaten chips from the cafe in herne Bay in the seafront in some previous years instead of shivering indoors like we were.

Ha what bike were you on?
I did the same. Laughed when the server asked if I wanted ice in my drink

This is the route.
Don't think we saw a single Oasts and Coasts rider weirdly. The friend I was with was meant to be doing it but we didn't have a rack big enough to drive both bikes to the start so decided to do a DIY instead.

It was super cold and, as usual, I didn't wear enough layers. Was shivering uncontrollably at the end. Didn't get any chips in Herne Bay but if you're ever in Dungeness, definitely try the fried potatoes at the fish shack near Derek Jarman's house. 10/10.

Grey Mason Bokeh, in a big peloton of BCC/PCC...

The 'feels like' temp was -2 when we left peckham at 4am!

I think we may have crossed paths I was on a blue canyon… caught the train back at 9:35

Actually looks like your route had only slight overlap in a couple of places...I do like that fish shack. I always think it'd be nice for Oasts and Coasts to include Dungeness but it'd probably mean a compromise elsewhere on the route.

How did you rate the stretch from whitstable to lewes? I've half-planned a 300 calendar event from London which I'm due to do a few test rides for this summer, and those are two of the potential controls. The Weald section I know from lots of other events.

Looks like you went past St Margarets in Wichling, one of my favorite churches in the UK.

Ah yes I was on that train, slightly delirious

The Whitstable-Lewes stretch was great apart from the awful state of the roads. There were quite a few widow-maker potholes on the descents and some really sketchy driving in Headcorn. The scenery was lovely and it was super quiet on the most part though so would definitely recommend it if you get a chance.

Sadly I don't recall the church but I think we were just trying to power through at that point!

Train friend

It's in a woodland/meadow quite far from the road which is unusual in itself, but supposedly one of the last churches in the UK still lit by gas light and there's bats up in the roof.

If you pass another time it's well worth a quick detour to see if it's open, a really unique place.

https://www.smallpilgrimplaces.org/pages/view.php?vpid=99&roid=1

Ohhh that sounds super interesting, I'll definitely check it out next time I'm in that neck of the woods. Thanks for the recommendation!

Mark aka @thebonk is riding the coast of the U.K. and providing some entertaining reportage on the way. Well worth a look / some support.
https://www.instagram.com/totallycoastally/?hl=en-gb

Ah is that who it is, been following that along. Loving the Super C rear bag on the trip!

💋

You must have run into some of the riders from Oasts and Coasts depending on the route you took?

Ooh, I saw a huge train of audax riders going the other way when I was passing Otford on my way to Canterbury. Nice to know what they were riding.

The variation in luggage was pretty fun too see.

Yep in 2024 brevets definitely feel like they're opening out a little, at least in our bit of the South.

Full spectrum from full 'kitchen sink' panniers, the Carradice faithful, Albion/Apidura ultrabro continent crusher getup with aerobars and a guy in summer white aero kit on a top end Cervelo, no toolbag, and what looked like a single spare tube in jersey pocket.

(And dare I say, the most women I've ever seen on this event, which is positive)

I have no idea what goes in all the luggage. I like to imagine a tray bake lasagne that gets eaten all at once at the end.

The bigger the bag, the more you take. I’ve heard tales of a rider taking the same unopened full size Soreen loaf on a 200 and a 300 in their Carradice and it still being unopened at the end.

Bought this morning. Will be devoured today.

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That sounds like good planning- getting around with food to spare rather than finishing wishing you had more!
My dad had 30 year old army surplus hot chocolate which he bought new and kept in his bag as back up.
Bit alarmed when he cooked them up and fed my kids with them. Think it was more shocking that they survived the experience- what was in them to last 30 years?

It's just chocolate and sugar. It's the tinned cheese you gotta worry about.

I accidentally carried a bar all the way across the USA as it fell under my water bladder and I never fished it out. I used to carry "emergency" food but don't really bother with it unless I'm pretty remote. I also stopped buying pro-Brexit Soreen.

Could start sowing badges on to it

Wtf pro brexit soreen?
Do I eat my reserve first before cancelling them?

I can't remember specifics but the company that owned or owns them was pro-Brexit so I stopped buying it. If you look up Samworth whatever you'll find they're big Tory donors which is enough reason for me to continue not buying it or Ginsters or any of their other shit.

https://www.lfgss.com/comments/15327331/
https://www.lfgss.com/comments/16409251/

I’ve rapha Pro team Race cape in Large possibly XL in orange and it’s has been adapted with some additional reflective elements on it. Free to an Audaxer. Its in SE4.