-
It was fucking AWESOME!
Fallen ill at Menai Bridge and forced to rest there instead of YHA (fever, lost my voice, cold, shaking etc.), massive hotspot problem on feet that forced me to pull over every 30 minutes which is incredibly frustrating.
Once I finish depositing large amount of mineral in the toliet, I'll start writing.
Tough ride that one.
No kidding, toughest audax to date so far, and it didn't disappoint on the return legs (especially after Newtown).
-
Well done by the way. A huge achievement.
I think the longest ride I have done in Wales was 180k, with 2,400m of climbing. Llanwnog > Llanidloes > Rhyadaer > Elan Valley > Aber > Mach > and back over the mountains via the Forge Road. I was utterly broken after. Cannot even imagine 600k of that.
-
Boast post me full of Elan.
-
Interesting reading from the BCM;
-
Look forward to the pics*/write ups
(And TSK as soon as these exams are over I'll drop the Brooks Swift back off to you!)
*I expect some quality ones from you ed
You better be doing the Ditchling Devil son.
-
Nice write up and photos Ed!
After Sunday's 200 I'm not feeling so confident about the LlanfairPG this Saturday. Sunday took me through Cheshire towards Chester before heading out into Wales and don the Eglwyseg valley towards the River Dee before heading back into England and a long run to the finish. I was excited and ready to go in the morning, pleased to have dropped a few KG on the scales, looking forward to riding some amazing scenery in Wales again and ready to earn my first AA points.
It turned out to be a long, hot, lonely ride. Looking back, I didn't eat sensibly at all and riding alone in the heat was really tough. I didn't stop long at any of the controls or have a proper meal as I'd originally planned, after the first 2km most of the riders shot off and despite having 4-5 behind me, I only briefly overlapped with couple of the other riders at the controls for the rest of the ride. Seriously considered bailing out and probably would have done if I'd seen anywhere to catch a train from. I overdressed and took way too much stuff with me. Ran out of water 30km from the finish, got stuck waiting for cows to cross the road, made a bunch of wrong turns towards the end, nearly fell off trying to unclip, fell out of love with my Charge Spoon, dropped my chain repeatedly and spent hours picking bugs out of my eyes, nostrils, ears and throat... finally finishing after 12 hours 12 minutes and without the energy to even crack open a Rochefort 10 I had waiting for me...
Would ride that route again, avoiding Crewe/Sandbach on the return (to maintain moral if nothing else) and avoid some of the cycle trails/bridleways as it just sapped any speed and energy out of me. I'd also probably drag someone else out for my next 200.
Not really sure what to do on Saturday now. Maybe it's pushing it to do a 400... Keep looking at the route, bike, saddle, my legs, cycling gear but I don't know if any of it's motivating me or filling me with confidence...
-
Derailleur screw limiter adjusted, clear Madison glasses and remember to eat should be more than enough.
You did finish it, despite the odd never in your favour.
Can emphasise on eating, hot day make it feel like you don't need to eat until it's too late, I realised I got unusual stare from other when I order a big meal every time I stop at a control, really paid itself off and only use the bonk ration on the night ride.
-
One thing I learned riding back from Bristol about this time last year - as soon as you feel too hot, stop & take off whatever layers you have on. It's much worse to carry on & you'll be chasing your hydration levels or just plain run out of water. Also I guess as far as taking too much with you - don't take more than you can take off/put in a saddlebag!
That said, it's these experiences - as Ed says, you finished! - that are probably the more character-& experience-building. (p.s. on the aformentioned ride back from Bristol I got off in Stoke-on-Trent and got the train back!)
-
Not really sure what to do on Saturday now. Maybe it's pushing it to do a 400... Keep looking at the route, bike, saddle, my legs, cycling gear but I don't know if any of it's motivating me or filling me with confidence...
Start anyway.
The weekend's weather was pretty tough. A tricky wind, heat that we aren't acclimatised to yet. I did the Llanfair ride at the weekend and even as what could be considered a seasoned audaxer, I got caught out. I got heat exhaustion, had trouble eating after that, suffered through the night section as a result. This coming weekend looks a lot gentler and shouldn't be as trying.
There'll be some fast people on the 400 but also some full value riders as well. You missed the obvious trick of not wanting to ride on your own. If you can't catch up to the riders in front of you, drop back to the riders behind you. Finishing in 12.50 in a group is going to be a more enjoyable experience than finishing in 12.20 on your own. Literally worth half an hour of your time.
As for the 400, if you get to the 200k mark and don't want to go on, you're right by a train station. You might even be able to blag a lift with the organiser. I did this a few years ago when I had some saddle and set up issues. He's a lovely guy, one of the nicest people in audaxing, which is saying something in itself.
Audaxing is a challenge, if you don't start, you'll never know if you'll have made it round. If you don't, it's no big deal. Most audaxers have a little list of "unfinished business".
-
You better be doing the Ditchling Devil son.
Really enjoyed that, well done for pressing on after the low spot halfway :)
This made me lol :')
Ever notice how Wales shaped like the face of a wild boar?
and I've just signed up for the DD! Exams will be done by then, its a couple days before my dissertation deadline but i should be good to do it anyway
jsabine
edscoble
dan
Vesalius
fussballclub
The_Seldom_Killer
atk
judenonesuch
deleted-
Post a reply
About
Audax rides
Posted by
@Fixedwheelnut
Ha! Now I am scared!