Audax rides

the ride report from the late arriver sounds pretty horrible.

pretty ballsy/stupid attempting a ride like that with only 2 spare tubes on a day like that too. Especially given the fact that there is no chance of being rescued by an audacious samaritan.

I've been out in similar weather for 150k with only one spare tube and didn't need it. The rider was simply unfortunate that he needed his. I wouldn't describe it as stupid to ride on a day like that. In a well populated area, like the one the ride goes through, the option to stop riding is very accessible.

In reality, while the risk of not completing the ride in those conditions is pretty high, but the risk of anything worse than that can be easily mitigated to be very low. I was confident that the riders were able and prepared to do that and so was happy to let them go ahead with the ride.

Part of riding the longer distances of audaxes is about risk management.

the ride report from the late arriver sounds pretty horrible.

Can you show me please?

Just read it, now I feel like I should've done the damn thing.

In a well populated area, like the one the ride goes through, the option to stop riding is very accessible.

Perhaps I've got it wrong then.

I was under the impression that much of the ride was through fairly sparsely populated, but very beautiful, countryside. Perhaps I was carried away by the romanticism of his report.

I was thinking of a solo london-oxford-london last winter (which is generally well populated) when I tore through a side wall and limped 5 miles before the boot gave out. It was wet but not very cold. I had more than enough clothing to keep me warm on the bike, but not if I wasn't burning energy. I ended up with about an 8 mile walk to the nearest train station, and was chattering teeth by the time I got there.

It wasn't dangerous but it was a pretty grim way to spend an afternoon. I'd not celebrate facing that situation in sub zero temps with a blizzard setting in, on icy roads, in an isolated area.

Bit different if you've got good enough clothing to keep you warm, and if there are doors you can knock on if things get serious. However, the devastating reality is that this cold snap has actually claimed lives.

So fair play, stupid is debatable, but I don't think you can argue it's not ballsy.

I'm looking to do my first audax this spring in preparation for the Dunwich Dynamo. I've only got a single speed (Pompino) so I'm looking for a fairly flat one. Also short - 100k preferably and if it goes well I might try and get in a 150k before the DD.

My requirements are also that it should be accessible to me (South London) so that I can get a train out to it as I don't have a car. I was considering one close to my dad's in Cheshire but I'm away the weekend of that.

With that in mind I've been on the audax UK site and found these two:

Alan Furley's Down the Ups, 6m from Reading Stn. - 8th June
London Midweek Sightseer - 26th June
Suburban Breakout from East Finchley - 7th July

Any thoughts as to which of these might be more suitable for a first timer? Any I might have missed?

Thanks in advance.

^^ also this!

anyone in for 3down this weekend?
tossing up riding out but makes for a very long day once I factor in the ride home.
Think Yossarian mentioned he was doing it?

I'm looking to do my first audax this spring in preparation for the Dunwich Dynamo. I've only got a single speed (Pompino) so I'm looking for a fairly flat one. Also short - 100k preferably and if it goes well I might try and get in a 150k before the DD.

I'm yet to do the dunwich dynamo, but from the general pace of it, I'd suggest that it's probably easier to tackle than an audax.

Any of those three you're looking should be fairly easy fixed. 1000m of climbing over 100km isnt flat - there will be hills - but if you have a reasonable level of fitness and/or some determination you wont have a problem. Besides, if you can walk 150m in your cycling shoe of choice almost any hill at any grade can be traversed - at least in the SE of England. just make sure your bike is in reasonable working order and your tyres are in good repair, pick one and go for it.

I believe that anyone that can ride round richmond park 2 or 3 times can ride 60 miles. It's not a huge leap, and at that distance food management isnt even that important.

If you want to test the water, come along on a TNRC or two. Theyre shorter, full of friendly people, mostly sociable, and a good way to test your fitness and machine. and unike Audax, no one gets left behind (mostly).

anyone in for 3down this weekend?

I'm out, again.

New bike will be ready on Sunday, and need to wait till next week for the paint to harden properly.

I'm yet to do the dunwich dynamo, but from the general pace of it, I'd suggest that it's probably easier to tackle than an audax.

A lots easier, the only difficulties is simply your own body clock trying to tell you that you're suppose to be in a warm soft bed than rolling down East Anglia at 2am.

No worry about time limit, you can choose to leave a lots earlier, or a lots later, recommended to leave between 7pm-8pm if you want to take it easy and still get there on time for the sunrise which tend to be quite awesome to behold.

Thought about it. It was on my list but it's probably too much too soon.

#trainingplanexcusesarethebest

audax stuff

Thanks for that mate, that's really helpful.

I'll definitely come down to the TNRC club and maybe bring my GF too. Seems like a good laugh but I'd never heard of it before. I don't tend to delve too deeply into the ride section on here.

I do love riding at night in town (quieter innit) - just need a good front light.

Right, been genning up this audax hoopla. Basically "controls" are sorta checkpoints you need to get to within a certain time window, right?

Exactly, the time limit is quite generous and I reckon you'll find it much more relaxing.

I'm yet to do the dunwich dynamo, but from the general pace of it, I'd suggest that it's probably easier to tackle than an audax.

A lots easier, the only difficulties is simply your own body clock trying to tell you that you're suppose to be in a warm soft bed than rolling down East Anglia at 2am.

There are quite a few Audaxes that carry on right through the night, Ed. :)

I know, I thought he was referring to a typical 50/100/200km audax that doesn't.

Right, been genning up this audax hoopla. Basically "controls" are sorta checkpoints you need to get to within a certain time window, right?

Like a really long alleycat

anyone in for 3down this weekend?
tossing up riding out but makes for a very long day once I factor in the ride home.
Think Yossarian mentioned he was doing it?

I think we're (possibly Yossarian, although I'm battling to follow the email tennis going on, so he might not be, but I know there are 3/4 of the AC Hackney group riding) doing the Dean (300) on Saturday and then The Dorset Coast (200) on Sunday. I'm not sure how well I'll do doubling up...but there's only one way to find out.

Like a really long alleycat

Speaking my language!

I think we're (possibly Yossarian, although I'm battling to follow the email tennis going on, so he might not be, but I know there are 3/4 of the AC Hackney group riding)

nice one.
I'll be there one way or the other. maybe riding out, but definitely riding home.

doing the Dean (300) on Saturday and then The Dorset Coast (200) on Sunday. I'm not sure how well I'll do doubling up...but there's only one way to find out.

daymn
that's a pretty big weekend. not much time for sleepy-time.

I'd love to entertain notions of such adventures, having slept through the alarm for The Dutch last weekend, but I've got hoops on Sun arvo and it's a big game.

whoops...just realised it's actually "the hard boiled" audax ride we're doing on saturday not The Dean.

Yeah, not much sleep...apparently the start time is 2 am Sat morning. We're trying to find a bnb as we had a campsite booked (booked a couple of months back expecting better temperatures) but have since decided against that madness.

Crikey! That is some mentile pedalling.

And here I was all pleased to post that I've entered My First Audax. A 106km effort called Witham Wanderer at end of month.

one month to grow a beard and get your handle bar bag sorted then.

I get a beard too? Awesome.

Crikey! That is some mentile pedalling.

And here I was all pleased to post that I've entered My First Audax. A 106km effort called Witham Wanderer at end of month.

Ooh - that looks nice:

"Shortest of our rides that visit the famous Tea Room at Stisted so more time to enjoy the fare."

You see where I was going with this yeah? And the lanes around that bit of Essex are v nice and lovely pubs in Maldon at end.

Mmm - very tempting. It looks like 9 is pretty much earliest you can get out by train.