Audax rides

DD was good. 8:22 including stops. Little bit of a dark moment around 3am, but otherwise good.

Unfortunately I am in Germany on the 15th :(
What have you been up to?

What FWC points do you get for a 150k? Is it a point-and-a-half or rounded down to just one point?

What FWC points do you get for a 150k? Is it a point-and-a-half or rounded down to just one point?

One. From regs:-

"
1) Points are allocated on the scale of 1 point per complete 100KM: 100KM = 1 FWC point; 200KM = 2 FWC points, but 150KM = 1 FWC point. (2 x 150KM = 2 points)
"

In other news I've been given a tentative pass for PBP next year. Will have to dig out the calendar to plan the requisite qualifiers...

"
1) Points are allocated on the scale of 1 point per complete 100KM: 100KM = 1 FWC point; 200KM = 2 FWC points, but 150KM = 1 FWC point. (2 x 150KM = 2 points)
"

Bah! - one measily point for all that! :) Should have done another 10k to claim two points...

Bah! - one measily point for all that! :) Should have done another 10k to claim two points...

Or HTFU, start from Dorking and cycle back to SW London for 4 points. ;)

Planning on doing Bernies Long Flat One (600k) as a DIY on 14th if anyone is interested in it. It's flat and comprises three loops from Doncaster of 300k, 85k and 215k (I think). Company welcomed on any of the loops, particularly the 300k, which will be the first. Good chance to have a crack at doing 300k for the first time if you haven't done so before.

Fail.

Kicked this one off at about 5.45 on Saturday morning and it was going reasonably well. I was dodging most of the rain and keeping a decent pace and generally being quite happy with myself through the first loop so set off on the second at around 22.30. The first 60k went well when that certain tiredness kicked in. My attention was diverted by looking for a sheltered place to stop for 10-15 minutes but it never materialised. I thought that a half hour nap at the services at 80k was going to be sufficient for me to make the return journey to the van and get a couple more hours sleep there. Alas 30 minutes out I started to fall apart. my pace dropped, I was tired and just didn't seem to have any energy. Over the next 40k I tried sleeping, eating, energy bars, hydration drinks, coffee but it just wasn't happening and at times my riding, on the flat was slipping below 15kph.

It was a nasty feeling but I had to accept that my ride was over. I had slipped very quickly through fatigue (that feeling of physical tiredness that can be overcome with resting and refueling) and into exhaustion (which requires proper rest and recovery). Alas, despite all the time I had lost crawling along those 40k, it was still too early for trains in the boonies and the only way to get back to the van in Doncaster was to cycle. It was a very unpleasant experience. I'd been a bit ambitious and overestimated my own fitness, particularly following a couple of bouts of illness recently.

That's and end to my SR dreams for this year now and my RRty (at least I didn't endure riding in the middle of winter). I want to focus on doing some other things, particularly at the weekends and audaxing is going to take a back seat for a while (I may indulge myself with an occasional 200k).

I could regret not finishing this ride but I don't. The main thing is for me to try. I was lucky last year and the SR came pretty easily and I was a little niave in thinking it would be the same this year, especially when I was trying to do the hardest ride solo. Quitting the season without trying would be the regretable thing and I have long since come to accept that it is OK to fail. The main thing is to be honest about why you stopped and what lead to that.

Well, chapeau is all I can say. SR is a massive achievement, and doing a 600 solo sounds v v difficult indeed! Well done for knowing when to call it a day, I was terrible at that when I was running long distances, and suffered for it.

Unlucky TSK but a good DNF often serves as extra motivation for not DNFing again, or at least not giving up quite so soon.

From memory I've DNFed:-

• My third ever 200 at only 80km. I was woefully unfit but I still reckon I could have got round if I'd applied the HTFU.
  
• A 600 in horrendous weather (plenty of other people packed on that ride). There were 60mph gusts through the Dales. I gave up at 230km or so.
  
• A DIY 200 halfway. I did the first 100 (a calendar ride) with an enormous hangover thinking that it would sort me out but I just felt worse by the end and got the train home instead of riding the 100km home.
  

Advanced apo-logie's for hitching a ride & poss gonna get some stick, but can't post whilst in the nursery... so sorry & what the heck!
Whilst looking for a comfortable all-season distance/light-touring upgrade to my current modified, capable, but inadequate 8 speed Revolution Courier, I was looking towards purchasing an £850 Ribble Audax or Verenti Kilmeston on credit.

  That said, I’ve now acquired a very nice used 2009 Thorn Audax frame & as a novice builder & minimum wage care-home worker, I’d very much appreciate your advice with regard to mixing, matching & purchasing a decent set of components that will do both myself & the frame justice within my remaining £650 budget. 

Please note; I'm looking for a compact/triple chainset & the rear stays have been cold set at 135mm. So whilst I’d like to purchase off-the-shelf wheels, I may nonetheless need to consider a hand-built rear.

Many thanks, Chris.

deore mtb groupset? 135mm is standard mtb width, is it not? Sure someone will correct me...

might be an idea to start a thread once you're out of the nursery in the bikes and bits, and once you have the advice you need, the classified section ?

Anyone planning on Paris Brest Paris next year and want to start training for it?

Don't you need to qualify for that, collect brevets etc?

Yes

Did you?

You only need to do it in the year that you are riding it. Therefore next year means that entrants will have to ride a 200k, 300k, 400k and a 600k ride for their entry to be complete.

Anyone planning on Paris Brest Paris next year and want to start training for it?

Hey James,
where about are you based?
I may be up for some training

My minimal SR-plan for 2011:-

200: Dunno, probably one of the Henham/Ugley rides since they're easy to get to from London
300: The Dean 300 or Invicta 300 if I have to be home for Sunday morning...
400: Severn Across 400
600: Kernow & South West 600

AntoCuc

I am based in Kew

Myself, Matt_ha and teddy are planning an overnighter to Warminster from London on a Friday night within the next month.

Who else would like to come along?

My dad lives in Warminster but he comes up to London most weeks. If we are organised we can send clean clothes etc to Warminster with him.

To participate people would need decent lights, a well maintained bike and the ability to keep up 15 miles an hour for an extended period of time.

People who don't wear bibshorts or who cannot comprehend why people may wish to use chamois cream need not apply!

AntoCuc is a tough cookie

DJ, when are you planning to do the night ride? I'll be up for it, but depends on dates.

Within the next month

Date tbc need to juggle a few things (gf, dads availability etc)

AntoCuc is a tough cookie

Lol! :)

Within the next month

Will keep an eye on the thread.

Matt_ha, the seldom killer, teddy and I are planning on doing paris brest paris.

We are hoping to meet up on 16/10/10 in Kew for a ride out to Henley, and a pub lunch to discuss training etc.

Is there anyone else with a keen interest in the event who would like to come along?

Given the time of year would suggest mudguards etc to help make it a little more social.

I am also posting this in the Paris Brest Paris 2011 thread, so best to keep discussion there for clarity.