Audax rides

The only actual nice way to start an audax out of north london is by train, and then alighting out of london and starting the audax

Yep, Jelly Fish Legs route was very good. I also did Rutland Midnight Express last year which was excellent, so second @Ruserius comment re Phil Whitehurst's routes. ACME routes are also pretty good but yeah, not as easily accessible.

I did it too! Can recommend.

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/37418115

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/42818221

Straight Outta Hackney route is pleasant enough if you make sure you get on the road around 7/8am or so, before the cars start in earnest.

Northbynorthants starts in Ware, I think? Never done it.

Ware

I found a good craft beer bar there yesterday. I mean, if you need to rehydrate...

https://maps.app.goo.gl/4S9eDCjCsut55hyN8

Right next to the station too... !

Agree with the point above - audaxing north of London is much better if you get the train to Not London first.

Or start your DIY route from your house nice and early in the day, finish it in a small town with a station and a decent pub about 20km north of London and get the train home.

That's exactly what we've been doing. Crossrail + Thameslink has made it a lot easier.

I used to hate using trains for rides and would only do it if it was in Wales or something, now I'm just moderately displeased with doing it. Even as a foot passenger though trains are pretty shite here, random cancellations all the time, slow as fuck out of London. We're getting better at checking if they're actually working rather than assuming a 1st world country would have a functioning public transport system.

It's not lost on me that the process for getting a refund for Saturday's Brighton journey was slicker and more efficient than anything else related to train travel.

I've never done an ECE. Can I stick 25k onto the front of a 200k and 75k onto the end and call it a 300k?

Yes you can do that, its like doing a DIY then the calendar event then another DIY. The only thing to keep in mind is if the calendar event is actually 210 you would still have to ECE 100k

https://www.audax.uk/about-audax/event-types/extended-calendar-events-eces/

Cool. My plan was just to make a 100k+ route and add it to the 200k event. I just want the route out to be 'easy' so I'm not pushing the bike through brambles and crap before we even start.

The guy who runs ECEs has quietly stopped caring about that rule. As long as the recorded GPX track you submit is over 300 km he'll approve you.

I've got 31 to the start and 72k for "dessert" so it should be good anyway. OR&DR is maybe 8k overdistance too. This is going to be a rude shock to the system! Especially if I'm riding the Surly.
I guess the main goal is tiles, but I do need a 300,400,600 still for my SR series this year :S

Think i saw it on here but can a diy contribute to a brevet populaire award?

Yes, if your DIY is the appropriate distance.

👍

I rode the KWCC Rowlands Ramble last weekend.
A hilly 200k loop through Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire.

I rode it last year as my first Audax, and finished last.
I know it’s not a race, but this year my goal was to… improve on that.

It was a good route. Different from last year, a bit harder I think.
Roughly it went Surbiton > Goodwood > Rowlands Castle > Surbiton.

I used the e-brevet app which worked well. Didn’t require any brainpower, and got my location right.

It also meant I didn’t have to wait around at controls (control my controls if you will). At the first one, I had a good momentum and wanted to keep going, so just checked in and rode on. Although a puncture arrived soon after, so a stop was mandated either way.

Controls were well catered and friendly.
Coffee, beans on toast, and a generous array of snacks.
Thanks KWCC

Overall I enjoyed my 2nd Audax, improved my time by about 1.5 hours from last year, and didn’t finish last. (Goal achieved!) I’m happy with that, and looking forward to doing some more.

I feel like I could do a 300k, but maybe wait till next summer.
In the meantime, I’m hoping to do Straight Outta Hackney and Brace of Bramleys.

Not really a ride report, but I wanted to write something.

Ah cool! I live in Rowlands Castle and walked past the control point in the village hall where I had a nice chat with a french fella having a hot drink.

If it's a nice route I might do it starting/finishing here.

Nice one! Amersham amble? 300km is a nice route and a good 300km IMO if you fancy it.

I like the KWCC events. I mean, mostly because I can ride to the start/finish, but still they've been pretty fun. I think I'm still missing one from the set, maybe the 400k? Because I'm always doing something else or it has sold out or something.

Hah, that’s nice to hear.
Hope the French man wasn’t too knackered.

Not sure how it works as a leisure ride, but this was the route if you’re interested.
Hopefully I'm allowed to share it.

Be warned, it is long and hilly!

@Thrasher Thanks! Do you have a link to that event?
I couldn't find it on the AUK site.

Haha I just logged in to AUK and found I have ridden a 300k this season. I'd forgotten all about it.

When I rode down to Hastings because of the "So What!" song.
Came back and the train from Woolwich wasn't running so had to ride across London home.

So I just need a 400k and 600k before November. :)

https://www.kingstonwheelers.com/events/category/audax/

Looks like it’s early in the season

Thanks!
Will put it in the diary.

Does anyone do 400s with a sleep stop?

Was thinking about trying a DIY 400k in the form of two loops to home.

417k
14.3kph
= 29.16hr limit

Something like...
7am -> 12pm (17hr), 243k
4hr sleep (4am)
4am->(12.2hr / 174k) -> 4pm