Merry Monk 100K Audax, Somerset, 3rd April

[Baggy]

Is anyone riding the Merry Monk? I've just signed my entry form, ready to post. It's supposed to be a good route with good food.

 

[Glover Fan]

Posted my entry off earlier today

 

[Baggy]

Great, at least there will be one other Cyclechatter there!

 

[Baggy]

Have you ridden any of the other Bristol/Devon/Somerset Audaxes? I always wonder how many forum people end up at the same events without realising...

 

[Banjo]

I met up with 4 or 5 cyclechatters on the Snowdrop last month. Cant do the Merry Monk but have signed up for the Alveston South Glos 100 in May.

 

[Glover Fan]

I did my first ever audax last weekend, the mad march 100km from Exeter.

I am probably going to be doing the one from Alveston as well.

 

[Baggy]

I met up with 4 or 5 cyclechatters on the Snowdrop last month. Cant do the Merry Monk but have signed up for the Alveston South Glos 100 in May.

Ah, the Alveston one is the same weekend as the Lymington New Forest rides, so I'll be in the New Forest instead, possibly on the 200k Excursion (which I've ridden once before, but the weekend after the official ride - long story!).

You didn't do the Dunkery Dash yesterday, by any chance?

 

[Baggy]

I did my first ever audax last weekend, the mad march 100km from Exeter.

I am probably going to be doing the one from Alveston as well.

See what I mean - I rode the Mad March as well! I trundled round at the back somewhere, you might have heard me and my husband coughing as we were both a bit ropey! It was a good day out though.

 

[Banjo]

Ah, the Alveston one is the same weekend as the Lymington New Forest rides, so I'll be in the New Forest instead, possibly on the 200k Excursion (which I've ridden once before, but the weekend after the official ride - long story!).

You didn't do the Dunkery Dash yesterday, by any chance?

No not me. I have only done 2 the Snowdrop 125km and the Gospel Pass 150 . May have been CCers on the Gospel Pass ride for all I know.

Gospel Pass

 

[Baggy]

The Gospel Pass always sounds really appealing. Just wondered about the Dunkery Dash as we chatted briefly with someone fairly new to Audaxing who'd travelled from South Wales to ride.

 

[Banjo]

Its a bit of a climb up to the Pass but theres a great downhill then for mile after mile all the way to Abergavenny.Wouldnt want to do it in bad weather. I have seen a pic of riders pushing bikes through snowdrifts up there.

 

[Glover Fan]

See what I mean - I rode the Mad March as well! I trundled round at the back somewhere, you might have heard me and my husband coughing as we were both a bit ropey! It was a good day out though.

We got back to the barn owl at about 3:45, I fell off my bike at the first control at Bicton house cause I had just bought new pedals and then at the same time had to change my inner tube as I damaged the valve before the start pumping up the tyres!!

I was in the middle of the group with a couple on a blue thorn tandem, my in-laws!!

Was a brilliant day out!

 

[Baggy]

Lucky you, having cycling in-laws - I remember seeing the tandem fairly close to the start, we overtook going up one of the first few hills, and then got re-taken a bit further on - I think we might have got to Bicton just after your clipless moment

I was wearing a blue jacket and a blue Buff. And coughing! We enjoyed a nice leisurely lunch at the Mill and got back at about 4.20 before riding home.

Glad you enjoyed it, my first Audax was the Mad March in 2006, but the weather wasn't quite as good!

Are your in-laws riding the Merry Monk?

 

[Baggy]

Its a bit of a climb up to the Pass but theres a great downhill then for mile after mile all the way to Abergavenny.Wouldnt want to do it in bad weather. I have seen a pic of riders pushing bikes through snowdrifts up there.

Hmmm, think I'd draw the line at snowdrifts!

 

[Banjo]

Gospell Pass picture copied this from a post by Vorsprung .I think I may have wimped out on that one