Audax rides

Quick DIY question - is there a way to check if I have unused virtual brevets?

I have been clicking around the AUK site but haven't turned up anything useful. Organisers have all changed since I last thought about doing one. Assume I just write them off and buy some new ones?

Unfortunately for now the website has no way of tracking this.

Organisers should track and keep a balance of virtual brevets and should hand these over to the new organiser. Best thing to do is email to check ahead of buying more. In the past I kept forgetting my balance, buying more and built up quite a credit.

Is anyone else doing the London - Land's End - London 1000 this Wednesday?

My friend Anne and I are down on the sleeper train tomorrow night from Aberdeen.

Thanks! Have emailed the current north organiser and will see what they say.

I’d have loved to do it but it made no sense as I live in Cornwall

... I live in Cornwall

I understand, LEL also has the same sense for me being North of Edinburgh!

How is the weather down there? Struggling for kit selection for the coming week.

It’s been humid for weeks. I don’t think you’ll get cold as lows are around 15 degrees but you may get wet.

Well it's just been biblical rain this weekend (see start of Pan Celtic).

If you are riding over Dartmoor at night, you will need something warm. *as a just in case. Night temperatures on the moors can be between 5-15c depending on weather.

I've got leg/arm warmers plus insulted gilet packed.

I also carry a super light down jacket in case getting caught out at night in the cold.

Given the 10pm start, the plan is to only ride through the first night with a sleep stop at 420km and then 300km Friday before another travelodge and a 300 to finish on Saturday.

Fair enough, though you still might need them in the day on the Moors! I can recommend Baskervilles Ice Cream Parlour/Coffee in Moretonhampstead in that case.

Its the biblical rain from this past weekend that has got me a bit worried!

Not much you can do if it rains, other than take a bit more care on descents and cattlegrids. Unlike the sportive riders a few weekends ago.(quite a few offs because people ride like dickheads)

Might give this a go at the weekend.
How changeable is the ticket if I book in advance for the ferry?
There is a 7 and 7:40 sailing from Portsmouth
Can't work out how much time to give to get down there and then around the island.

I just checked and we didn't actually book ferry in the end, we just rolled up and bought tickets (allowing a buffer of time before departure, I think they make you get there at least 15 mins before sailing) - but that was back in October, on the 7am crossing. Obvs now it's peak season they might be slightly busier.

We bought a return for a specific time and then missed it, but they let us on the next one anyway. YMMV - it perhaps felt like we'd been 'let off' rather than it maybe being official policy...

From memory it was about 100km around the island and we stopped in Ryde and Ventnor for something to eat, so 5-6+ hours would do it if you're not in a rush, a bit less if you're cracking on and stopping less.

Thanks. Looks like I’ll be doing it solo so less faff but maybe a little slower.
I was thinking I’d go for the 7am crossing Sunday morning, so 150km in 6.75 hours seems reasonable, especially as nothing will be open.

We left at midnight from Crystal Palace to get on the 7am ferry if I remember right. Leave some time to navigate the hellscape that is Portsmouth though - we were doing 35kph through backstreets trying to find the terminal...

Going back through Whatsapps there's an all-night Esso at about 50km in, if you use the same route - v near Gatwick iirc, and another garage at about 130km just before Portsmouth.

Yeah looks like you went to the wrong terminal first?
I was thinking early Sunday wont be so hell-ish

Useful info thanks!

is there a way to check if I have unused virtual brevets?

Paul Stewart / Paudax states your remaining balance in DIY emails so if he's your organiser you could check your last DIY confirm email for your balance.

Borders of Belgium - anyone doing this still?

No doubt you have already read we do everything to make sure the Borders of Belgium will take place on thursday 2 september 2021.
We made changes to the route and the options.
You can read all about it on our website: https://bordersofbelgium2020.weebly.com/

Beside the changes we worked out a procedure for the start.
This is the procedure:
The parking of the cars is at parking 2 at the domain Puyenbroeck.
The official table for the documents and the start are at the chalet at 1 km (no parking possible at the start).
You need to appear at the official table for your cycling kit (if ordered) and your bag for the bag drop. You return to the car, get ready for the ride, fill your bag and return to the start.
There you drop your bag, you receive your brevet card and you're free to go.

Cycling kit BOB:
it is still possible to order your cycling kit, but you have to order now to get your kit at the start.
Orders via email (to RCRCBEL@gmail.com) has to reach us before monday 5/07/2021 at 13h. Orders can be made after next monday , but don't count on it, you'll get it at the start. It can be sent later to your address at cost.
This is the link to our cycling kit: https://bordersofbelgium2020.weebly.com/cycling-jersey.html

Not this time, but if you want to treat yourself before and after - stay here!

https://www.deminnetuin.be/

Has anyone entered a DIY with Paul SE DIY rep over the last week? I put in an entry on Thursday last week I think it was for a ride I did yesterday and haven’t had confirmation of the entry so far. Guessing it’s a busy time over summer so might just be held up in a backlog of entries. Just to check though as Paul has always been really good at getting back on the weekend after I put the entry in up to this time so worried I didn’t submit the form or something.

I entered a couple, a week apart.
Both confirmations came through at the same time. Looks like he is batching, or maybe he was on holiday, or busy.
I wouldn't worry.

Managed to track them down. Mike Kelly has ended up with.

Turns out I've got a full 6-pack to get through. Been tinkering with possible routes all week as a result.

Yeah I had actually taken a picture of the controls I’d entered onto the form for my own reference and it was only the Friday I entered so happy to sit tight.

Noted, thanks.

It's right after Transiberica (which I'm still planning on riding) so I'm not sure if I'll make it which is a bit of a pity after all the messing around. Maybe I just use the rest of my holidays going to Belgian breweries.