Audax rides

Does that need a smiley for obvs troll-sarcasm?

I will ride back. Your weaknesses are no counter point for my epicness

Does that need a smiley for obvs troll-sarcasm?

No.

Oh hello Zanda how are you? Thank you for this.

Well thanks mate

been off the bike for a while playing daddy and getting fat.

apart from the 2x daily commute along the embankment when I am a fat unassailable irrepressible, impassable missile.

you may have seen me? probably not.
I'm a whirling blurrrrrr...

you?

A rather testing event on the Mere 200.

Managed to....put on some dry gloves after lunch which boosted spirits

one of the all time most satisfying feelings.

...and getting fat.

Keep up the good work mate, by time the next ride I may just been able to keep up!

I'm in for the Bryan Chapman as well. I'm giving serious consideration to doing it on fixed as well. Anyone else tempted by the challenge?

DNS Northwest Passage last week due to bad weather, a bit of a hangover and a plan to go out on Sunday when it was sunny instead.

Sunday didn't happen either so I've entered the Newport 200 this coming Sunday. Looks like similar conditions to A Mere Century - headwind/rain the first half, tailwind and rain on the way back.

Are any of you Audax types riding the WASP reliability trial from the Pretorius shop on Sunday?

Oooo, thanks for pointing that out. Sounds interesting!

As long as they upload the gpx before, why aren't they uploading it anyway?

yeah, I don't get why they won't upload it either?

It's a reliability ride, which traditionally tests the reliability of both the rider and their bike.

I dunno who in London has the purple Fratello with the Audax UK mudguard stickers and the LEL entrant's number still attached, but they clearly work next door to me as I keep walking past their bike.

Oooo, thanks for pointing that out. Sounds interesting!

As long as they upload the gpx before, why aren't they uploading it anyway?

Bromley contingent.

I dunno who in London has the purple Fratello with the Audax UK mudguard stickers and the LEL entrant's number still attached, but they clearly work next door to me as I keep walking past their bike.

What's the LEL frame number?

Can't remember off the top of my head. Near London Bridge, if that ties in with anyone you know.

Someone in YACF may know.

Just wondering who it is, hence the request for the frame number (and then I can find out who it is).

Did Brazier's Run 100km Audax yesterday. Rode the 75km to the start but couldn't be arsed with 75km of headwind on the way back so got the train home. Only 183km for the day but nice to get the fixed legs back again.

Today I have nicely aching legs, might go for a run on the treadmill in the work gym this afternoon to loosen them up (or pull several muscles completely).

KVR 200 this weekend.

first ride over 10 miles this year.
thinking of doing it fixed....... probably maybe.
Was planning 90+ GI as I remember it being flat (apart from that church hill rd bit)

but last year's strava says nearly 2000m of climbing, which isnt insignificant.

Can't remember off the top of my head. Near London Bridge, if that ties in with anyone you know.

Vanneau PM'd me the dossard number. Don't know them personally and no need to post their name/etc in this thread.

but last year's strava says nearly 2000m of climbing, which isnt insignificant.

Not insignificant, but 1000m climb per 100km is about as flat as Audaxes get unless you stick to the fens or Lincolnshire.

You need a bit of climbing to get out of the saddle otherwise long fixed rides are a pain in the arse (literally).

Rode the Newport 200 yesterday, my first 200 and (for 9/10ths of the way) my first solo audax.

Felt horrific when I got up and ended up leaving the flat a bit late - early push into the wind with heavy legs from the day before, an empty stomach and with caffeine levels at 0... The run out (95km or so) was a push into the wind, the two guys I was riding with shot off after 20km as they wanted to 'push on and get breakfast' while I opted to save myself for the run back. After they left I took a little detour at Goostrey to visit on of my favourite village stores and stock up from their selection of cakes and donuts. Ate half a sandwich and half a brownie to try and bump up the energy levels but still felt pretty rough. With plenty of riders passing me it was good to catch up with an older gentleman a few km before the first control and had a brief chat with him. I ended up passing him 4-5 times through the day but never saw him go past me...!

Stopped again before the 2nd control to get water and Ribena, seemed to do the trick and everything started to feel better, except my legs. I was getting bored of the wind by that point. As I got into Shropshire, the gusts picked up and had me crawling along in a low gear. Arrived in Newport with an hour or so to spare, the control was a large Waitrose and despite beginning to feel quite hungry and low on liquids I decided to push on a few km and find a quieter cafe to stop at. This ended up being 45km and over the only "hill" of the day. Thankfully the wind was now more-or-less behind me and my pace picked up although there were some impressive sidewinds to contend with at times...

As I approachedAudlem I remembered hearing something about a cafe popular with audaxers and local club riders. As I rolled past the first place that looked like it would sell coffee and cake, I spotted a Longstaff Trike and Langster, both kitted out up with dynamo hubs, Carradice and mudflaps parked next to the entrance. Had a good chat with the riders, also on the 200, as they were finishing their food and was warned of the portion size. Ordered double cheese on toast and my first coffee of the day. As the toast arrived I realised why they had warned me... each piece was the size of a lengthy hardback, stacked with a good half inch of chees melted on top!

After demolishing the food, coffee and receiving a text to suggest I wasn't far behind the guys I'd originally set off with. The wind now fully behind my average speed picked up and I started catching up with other riders, about 10km from the final info control another text came through to say they were taking a pub/puncture stop not far ahead. I decided to give it the beans and try and catch them just after the control. Arriving at the Tesco in Middlewich I had caught up with the Trike/Langster guys, had a quick chat and rolled out with them, trying to spot the pub. Despite passing several drinking establishments there was no sign of any cyclists and before I knew it we'd left town. Figuring they'd drank up and left, I decided to push on with the group as it was getting dark. The last 30km was mainly unlit country lanes but I felt I was making good time. Following people who knew the route was a lot easier than checking the Garmin/routesheet.

Arriving back in Cheadle, I handed my card in and grabbed some homemade soup, a cheese roll and rice pudding. There were a good number of riders there but no sign of the two I set off with, 45 minutes later they finally appeared! After a chat with them I decided to skip the pub and head home.

All in all a good day out. Things to remember next time - get more sleep the night before, take a waterproof that packs down smaller and come up with some better sandwich fillings.

Wow nice write-up and was shocked to see the word "Goostrey" on the internet. That's where I grew up.

I only rode from Old St. to Streatham in a headwind yesterday but that was enough for me. Can't imagine having to do that over 100-odd km.

Yes, nice write-up there.

Incidentally, I enjoyed the 1976-vintage write-up of the Windsor-Chester-Windsor 600k in the most recent Arrivee, its atmosphere of quiet night-time A roads, blown dynamo bulbs, pipe-smoking audaxers and even at one point getting mixed up with a trike 100 tt was most evocative.

So, I think the memories of the Poor Student have faded sufficiently for me to start thinking about some spring time audaxes. Have signed up for the Great Escape. Any thoughts on any of these:
Man of Kent 200 - 23 March
Hop Garden 200km - 11 May
Ditching Devil - 8 June (did this last year)

Also on the look out for a good 300km - there's one in the Outer Hebrides in July that looks amazing - but maybe something a bit flatter too?

Heart of England is a well attended and very enjoyable route for a 300. Couple of lumps in the first 50k and a couple between 200-250. Definitely rideable fixed.