Audax rides

I somehow got snow and hail on the same ride. Though neither for very long. Plenty of sun too. Considering the forecast it wasn't bad. Hugely enjoyed various soups, toast and beans at end.

Entered the 300 at Cirencester on the 16th of April. It starts at something like 6 but the organizer confirmed to me that it was possible to crash in the hall on Friday and Saturday night if need be.

^ Take earplugs.

I've done a few sleepovers in halls before/after events, they can be entertaining once you get over the smell of dead badger combined with extreme flatulence (all that beans on toast).

The last Wilesden CC ride I did starting at Chalfont St Peter let people stay in the village hall overnight. Don't suppose anyone knows if they do the same with Severn Across? Cause I really want to do it (not as a perm) but can't get there for the starting time.

Not sure, best to email the organiser.

I don't think it is as in previous years I've either cycled the 40km to the start or got a lift with someone.

Many people stay at Jordan's YH nearby for this one too.

Yeah I guess once you're over the fact that you have 400+ km ahead of you 40 don't make that big a difference :p

ohhhh thanks for the heads up Re Jordan's. Hadn't even considered that. Might ride to the start.

Bugger I have booked into the Slough Travelodge for 3down, that youth hostel would have been much better (closer).

Compulsory mudguards for Horsepower 200

@hippy noted this last week but mudguards are no longer compulsory under AUK rules according to their website. It seems to be at the organisers discretion.

They are only a courtesy to the rider behind and I'll be happy enough avoiding the nice chairs in the cafe.

and I'll be happy enough avoiding the cafe.

Good man.

Not interested in other riders but in the cafés.

So out of curiosity are you a fat burner or petrol head or have deep pockets?

I can't really run a front guard - toe overlap is annoying enough already.
If I'm covered in muck I won't be sitting down anyway. As for the rider behind...

1. htfu
   
2. ride behind someone else
   
   

I wouldn't mind adding a lower flap to my guard but it's so skinny I don't want to split it by drilling a hole or something in it.

I'd ask the organiser. Mudguards compulsory might mean exactly that and they may not validate your ride if you don't have them.

But, yes, it's usually because the cafes have complained about the mess left behind and have threatened to yank their support (extra staff, special cyclist friendly menus, etc) and so the event would most likely be pulled.

Audax UK dropped the mudguard requirement sometime before I started Audaxing (2006) but recently introduced the ability to allow organisers to specify it for their own events if they deem it necessary.

@fussball not sure what you mean.

"Also some of the lanes are ‘agricultural’ and could be wet & muddy with gravel in
unexpected places – for that reason light tyres are NOT recommended and mudguards
are COMPULSORY. We like a good long rear mudflap too! The management at
Snetterton Race Circuit have been very helpful and we’d like to leave them with a good
impression of Audax cyclists, not muddy impressions on the furniture!"

I was going to ride my TT bike. Glad I read this.

Not too keen on fitting a front mudguard to the Kinesis. Maybe I should ride something else.

This is a good ride but popular and as Greenbank says, can be noisy in the hall overnight. Also I suspect they start the setting up around 5am. There is a Travelodge in Cirencester about 5-10 mins ride away so you could easily get that nice quiet extra 30 mins in bed if that's important to you. Easy to finish this one by 9pm so plenty of time to nip out for a beer or two before control close and deaden yourself for sleeping in the hall afterwards.

You could ride without a mudguard if you stay away from the cafés.

@scultura so you has to ride on fat, petrol stations or what was on your bike?

Weather Guess looks clear but cold...
http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/forecast/u12dmws7p#?fcTime=1457740800

Forget 3down and come do Yr Elenydd the weekend after!

So I just got an OK from the organiser Tom Deakins on being allowed to ride with no mudguards at the HP 200. Also OK to use the cafe if not too mucky.

I don't mean to be a dick with the above but I want to start getting some milage on the bike I plan to use for TAW.

@fussballclub I'm hoping to get sponsored by Greggs sometime soon.

Greggs sponsorship... Brill

I wasn't talking about 3down, but instead Severn Across :-)

With that said, I've got the weekend of the 9th totally free and one of the guy's I'm RRtY'ing with is up for it too. Want to book a triple room somewhere if you're not already sorted?

Yep let's do it.