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Something I was thinking about on Sunday (probably already discussed here too) but do any of you carry locks while audaxing?
I was thinking it would have been handy to have something while riding alone. Normally I'll just carry a Mini Evo for shorter rides, for longer ones I don't know if it's worth saving half a kg or so and going for a small cable lock, or one of those aluminium d-locks to be used as a deterrent whilst in cafes and shops, or just bringing the Mini Evo anyway. At 84kg and riding a Surly, weight isn't my biggest concern...
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On my last audax in Essex I took a lock to the start, locked it to a post and rode round without it. I took the chance as it was pretty rural but the lock was more for in London as I had to stop near Liverpool St. for supplies.
Then I went all the way back to London before I realised I'd left the lock on the post.
On the London sightseer I took a full steel d-lock with me.
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I've done 50+ Audaxes and the only lock I carry on them is a 3 digit combination "cafe" lock (for a ~£2k bike):-
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/abus/combination-lock-1150-ec006190
At stops it'll either be in sight from where I am, being watched by someone else (i.e. taking turns to go into a big supermarket in a town), so far in the sticks that there's simply no-one to steal it, or as a last resort I lock it to something and be quick.
Most other bikes aren't locked at all so even a cheap lock will mean a very unlikely thief is going to pick someone else's (unlocked) bike rather than yours.
Be careful at the start/end controls in urban locations though, that's where the few bike thefts have taken place. I'll always lock mine up before the start and at the end (unless it's the middle of nowhere).
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I concur, just a simple lock to prevent opportunistic thieves from riding away, I'm more comfortable leaving my custom bike in a small villages than in centre London with two heavy duty lock.
I have the Knog Party Frank, used to have the Milkman but it doesn't prevent frame from getting scratched.
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I need to get a lighter lock for audax rides. In general I think I am carrying to much with me. I have been using a rack bag, so I tend to fill it rather than just take the essentials.
Spare tube, puncture kit, tools, overshoes and food. What do you take with you?
For the London sightseer last year. I had my full evo lock and cable with me, didn't even use it. Last couple of rides I have been taking the mini evo lock, this season I am just going with a saddle bag and a ruck sack which I will stash at the start, providing the finish is there as well.
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KT I would recommend the Man of Kent, I enjoyed that. The only issue is that it starts far out in Kent at 8am - when I did it with Oli we stayed at his parents the night before. I've fancied the Hop Garden before but not done it.
I've always fancied doing the Heart of England, it basically does a giant loop around my parent's house, but that means it's 44 miles from theirs to Cirencester, so as it starts at 6am I'd need to stay in Cirencester the night before, but could stay at theirs (and offer another bed) the following night.
Are you thinking about doing these fixed or on gears? I still don't think I (or my knees) are ready to do another fixed 300 :/
I've also signed up for the Great Escape by the way. And somehow ended up paying Apollo's entry (as long as he doesn't DNS/DNF)!
Think all but GE and the Ditchling Devil are going to require nights away then, by the looks of it. Travelodge here I come. Will do the 300km geared - I won't have done enough miles recently for it to be anything less than hard. DO you think you might do the Heart of England then? Not sure about the others - might do GE fixed, but have a fancy new bike I need to get my money's worth from so most likely geared for the rest.
I am going to look into the Hebridean one - anything that involves a trip on a CalMac ferry is worth it in my book.
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I know, I know. Let's see how many I actually do.
So who's up for the Hebrides then - train to Oban, ferry to Skye, cycle round Skye then ferry to Harris? Oh and then cycle to Lewis. Then do an audax. Then back home...
Do you have a link to it on AUK?
My parents-in-law have just moved up to Skye to build themselves a house on a piece of land they have had de-crofted. I love it up there and have taken my bike everytime I have gone up. Some of the roads are not just stunningly beautiful but also super smooth as a result of pots of euro cash being spent there.
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Think all but GE and the Ditchling Devil are going to require nights away then, by the looks of it. Travelodge here I come. Will do the 300km geared - I won't have done enough miles recently for it to be anything less than hard. DO you think you might do the Heart of England then? Not sure about the others - might do GE fixed, but have a fancy new bike I need to get my money's worth from so most likely geared for the rest.
Heh, I have the same issue. Fancy carbon audax bike and I only did 2000 miles on it last year, must do better!
Yes I think I'm up for it. I've always wanted to do it because it's my ends, there is 'hardly a main road in sight' and because I know it goes past Broadway Tower and down Saintbury Hill...
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Heh, I have the same issue. Fancy carbon audax bike and I only did 2000 miles on it last year, must do better!
Your drivetrain looks double that already now.
anyone able to tell me their experiences of the Mille Cymru?
No. Are you doing this audax from Reading on Saturday?
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Do you have a link to it on AUK?
My parents-in-law have just moved up to Skye to build themselves a house on a piece of land they have had de-crofted. I love it up there and have taken my bike everytime I have gone up. Some of the roads are not just stunningly beautiful but also super smooth as a result of pots of euro cash being spent there.
Indeed - hurrah for EU structural funds. When I was up there I was pretty much the only person on the amazingly regular buses and half the time they couldn't be bothered to collect my fare.
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Heh, I have the same issue. Fancy carbon audax bike and I only did 2000 miles on it last year, must do better!
Yes I think I'm up for it. I've always wanted to do it because it's my ends, there is 'hardly a main road in sight' and because I know it goes past Broadway Tower and down Saintbury Hill...
That's awesome!
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Heh, I have the same issue. Fancy carbon audax bike and I only did 2000 miles on it last year, must do better!
Yes I think I'm up for it. I've always wanted to do it because it's my ends, there is 'hardly a main road in sight' and because I know it goes past Broadway Tower and down Saintbury Hill...
Fab - will bung an entry in and start looking for Travelodges!
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Indeed - hurrah for EU structural funds. When I was up there I was pretty much the only person on the amazingly regular buses and half the time they couldn't be bothered to collect my fare.
These look great. Were I not ushering at a wedding on the 5th I would be thinking about a trip up. Are you going to? Given the scenery, I would think that the 300 will be more than worth it. I've coped the 200 and 300 from the ridewithgps links to try and ride them later in the year.
atk
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KT_Bee
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@Fixedwheelnut
KT I would recommend the Man of Kent, I enjoyed that. The only issue is that it starts far out in Kent at 8am - when I did it with Oli we stayed at his parents the night before. I've fancied the Hop Garden before but not done it.
I've always fancied doing the Heart of England, it basically does a giant loop around my parent's house, but that means it's 44 miles from theirs to Cirencester, so as it starts at 6am I'd need to stay in Cirencester the night before, but could stay at theirs (and offer another bed) the following night.
Are you thinking about doing these fixed or on gears? I still don't think I (or my knees) are ready to do another fixed 300 :/
I've also signed up for the Great Escape by the way. And somehow ended up paying Apollo's entry (as long as he doesn't DNS/DNF)!