2013-01-13 - Watership Down Audax, 100k, nr Winchester

http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/13-29/

[INDENT]108km cycling event starting from Kings Worthy, Winchester. Controls at LOWER CHUTE, plus 3 information controls.[/INDENT]

Super scenic, hilly ride. A bunch of forumengers did it in 2011.

Easily accessible by train in a day from London.

More details over here: http://www.southhampshirectc.org.uk/news/220-watership-down-100k-audax-sunday-13th-january-2013

Except for the bit that says whether this is a circular/loop route or a point-to-point. I suspect it's a loop given that there is parking offered at the start.

In, haven't done this event for a long time. It fills up though if I remember so you have to get an entry in beforehand.

It is a loop

More details over here: http://www.southhampshirectc.org.uk/news/220-watership-down-100k-audax-sunday-13th-january-2013

Except for the bit that says whether this is a circular/loop route or a point-to-point. I suspect it's a loop given that there is parking offered at the start.

Audax UK events are almost always loops.

Just read the other thread from 2011... looks like a damn nice ride.

Just read the other thread from 2011... looks like a damn nice ride.

It's a lovely ride - as long as it's not too icy.

I was thinking about Audaxes just yesterday. I'd quite like to do the Worthing Winter Warmer again this year, make it three in a row.

2011???
Bloody hell, it was a long time ago.

No, it's on a Sunday, next year

I was thinking about Audaxes just yesterday. I'd quite like to do the Worthing Winter Warmer again this year, make it three in a row.

Thinking is good, but maybe not as good as riding an audax last Saturday with a rain poncho.

I'm in, this looks like fun. Good training for Clubman's Hard Day in January at any rate. I'd like to do this SS, 44x16 but if I have a geared bike by then I'll maybe take that. Seems doable from last years thread?

Go on then, let's have a list.

1. Buffalo Bill
   
2. Adroit
   
3. YAL
   

I might quite like to do this as well. Preferably 42/16 fixed but if everybody else is going "I AM ON GEARZ" then I'll probably stay at home and sulk.

I might quite like to do this as well. Preferably 42/16 fixed but if everybody else is going "I AM ON GEARZ" then I'll probably stay at home and sulk.

It's not impossible on fixed, but certainly not ideal. None of the bumps are long, but some are pretty steep.

A pleasant roll to the start of this from my parents house, I will consult with them and then (probably) sign up.

It's not impossible on fixed, but certainly not ideal. None of the bumps are long, but some are pretty steep.

This is one of the reasons I don't ride clipless.

Nancy Sinatra - These Boots Are Made for Walkin' - YouTube

I'm in, this looks like fun. Good training for Clubman's Hard Day in January at any rate. I'd like to do this SS, 44x16 but if I have a geared bike by then I'll maybe take that. Seems doable from last years thread?

Go on then, let's have a list.

1. Buffalo Bill
   
2. Adroit
   
3. YAL
   
   

I haven't entered yet, so no point putting my name on this list.

^ Sorry, didn't mean to be so keen

1. Adroit
   
2. YAL
   

If it's icy, be careful coming down from Coombe Gibbet.

Tempted...

Fixed I did manage Coombe Gibbet but Watership Down I did not. Think I'd take gears this time.

Also tempted. On gears.

I like the "no mudguards no start" rule.

Mudguardists of the world unite!

Waits for someone to say: I don't have mudguards and don't plan on fitting any

I like the "no mudguards no start" rule.

Mudguardists of the world unite!

Mudguards are required because the event is in the middle of winter, and goes up some tiny lanes, which will make the riders filthy in the wrong conditions. As they are using what the Audaxers call a 'commercial control' at Chute, i.e. a pub, they don't want to antagonise the proprietors by having a load of muddy cyclists coat the interior of the establishment.

The first year I did it, I used clip on mud-guards, which were fine.

Of course only serious cyclists have a bike with mudguards, the rule keeps the plebs away.

I might quite like to do this as well. Preferably 42/16 fixed but if everybody else is going "I AM ON GEARZ" then I'll probably stay at home and sulk.

I generally find that 42/16 is just the fraction too high for anything but the flatest of rides on a windless day. Not to say it's impossible but I've found that 42/17 makes a small but quite important difference. Occasionally I've wished I was on 42/18, which wouldn't have gone too slowly on the flat in a tailwind but would have eased the pain uphill into a headwind. Always each to their own and at least on a 100k you're only at it for half a day.

I like the "no mudguards no start" rule.

Mudguardists of the world unite!

The mudguards rule is very rarely enforced and usually just give the organiser/control to send you off somewhere else if you want a sit down break.