Audax rides

Pacing is one of the harder things to learn on audaxes, particularly for the longer events. You really want to be sat in a gear thinking that you could do it all day, because that's what you will be doing. Groups are great if you can get in with them, but never spend too long at the front and unship yourself at the first sign of strain. It's better to run solo than to bury yourself to stick with someone else. As long as that average is sticking above an average 15kph rolling pace at any time. The other main thing is psychology, the longer you go, the more you push mental limits. If you think you're getting into a downward spiral then try and isolate what is going on with you right there and then and ignore what you've been through so far. You'll probably need a break and some food.

Never tried a map tran and a garmin together but I would imagine it's a tight fit.

Pacing is one of the harder things to learn on audaxes, particularly for the longer events.

I first read that as 'packing'.

#turningintoscoble

Pardon my ignorance but how have these mo'fo's got Brevet 1000 awards only half way through February?? I've just signed up (FML) and am trying to work out how this stuff works. You know, set myself targets and all that jazz...

http://www.aukweb.net/results/detail/this/b1000/

The season starts on 01.11.

The season starts on 01.11.

It is likely to change later this year to 1.10 to give more time between the end of the season and the awards dinner,,, too much of a rush to work out all the awards winners.

I started this season on 20/11 with a 200k, in thick fog all day... great

wools - a quick glance through that list confirms that they are mostly the addicts, nutters and generally hard folk of audaxing. At least 200k 3 weekends a month, all year round is just what these people do. While you're doing anything else for fun, these people are in the saddle. Great people every man, woman and freak of nature.

Why does it start in Nov? I just clicked on a few names and there are certainly some crazy people out there! I hope I can rely on the sane folk of this forum to nick my mudguards if I ever turn out like that.

When we catch you drinking cold custard straight from the can. We will step in. You can rely on the forum.

Oh dear, missed the deadline for Shaftesbury Spring rides.

You should be fine if you enter online using PayPal Ben. I've not had my route sheet yet.

I've entered for the 150k, spybot said he was going to as well.

If you did come we'd save money on train tickets (and a fourth person would make it even cheaper). Although we'd be limited to the same train back.

Oh dear, missed the deadline for Shaftesbury Spring rides.

I'm fairly certain EOL is fine (the club treasurer would be more than happy, I can assure you!)

Why does it start in Nov?

Having the season start/finish in November is common for a lot of cycling stuff. It ties in with a natural downturn in participation and availability in rides and allows all the organisational people to be able to get their records up to date, give out the awards and get the next year started.

Like any organisation, Audax UK has an AGM where changes, rules, procedures etc need to be reviewed and debated and bringing them in at a time that isn't going to affect that many people's main goals is important. All the people up on the list already will be those with an eye on some of the bigger awards and events.

Did the NorthWest Passage on Saturday, 200k from Rochdale up to Settle then Kirkby Lonsdale and back via Lancaster. It's an oddly main road heavy event but except for a few sections this really wasn't a problem. Going off route is quite easy but means the ride is still doable if it's snowy, icy etc.
A bit of heavy rain at the start and a lot of headwind but still a nice tour around the Dales, definitely one to consider for anyone considering more longer rides or even an RRtY.

Both my route sheet for the Shaftesbury Springtime and my Fixed Wheel Challenge Brevet card (complete with personalised letter) arrived today.

It welcomes me to '...the deprived section of Audax' and the organiser's slogan is 'If it isn't fixed it must be broken' :)

I've got mine as well. I also have the Fixed SR card which scares me a little. Am going to have to get pretty hard pretty soon. First fixed ride will be at the end of March.

I didn't realise you had to get the Fixed SR card separately from the FWC card. Which means now I have to commit enough to apply for it.

Hmm. I think I'm probably going to.

I found a good write up on audaxing fixed here:
http://www.63xc.com/philc/audax.htm

It sort of gives me some confidence. Sort of.

What are your setups for fixed bikes? Is it saddle bags or do you have mounts on your frames?

@Fox - Yeah, but it's just a quid and an SAE. You can hold it over for another year if you need to and as rides don't have to be done in order then you could wait until you try a 300 and get stamps from there and end the season on a fixed 200.

@wools - I'm riding a Spesh Tricross SS with a front brake and a Carradice. You could ride with a rack and bag if you wanted though. On a 200 you should be able to just get around with a toolbag.

There was an audax here today ... I didn't even consider participating, because at 39 degrees you have to be kind of demented or seriously masochistic to ride 100k.

Was going to ask if that was C or F then realised I have done both.

Ha^... cold is fine by me, hot is horrible.

... On a 200 you should be able to just get around with a toolbag.

Providing you can get enough food in your pockets, I'd avoid a bag if possible. I keep taking one on only 100s and last time really didn't need it. However rain gear, pump, maps, brandy, reefers etc all need somewhere to be stashed.

For a 100, rain gear in the HTFU, pump strapped to the bottom of the toolbag, brandy at the pub(s) and reefer in the toolbag.

I admit to just not liking ridng with bulging pockets though and would far rather have a handlebar bag on or something. These days I just leave the Carradice on, even for short rides because it's always there and the bike just doesn't feel right without it.

Just received my medal for PBP, it's fucking massive. I think it weighs more than my bike.