New Year Audax Resolutions

[frank9755]

Out of interest, how are you getting to Oxford? I'm hoping to do quite a few audax this year but the big blocker is getting to the start of some of them.

A decent number of audaxes work with trains. Ironically it is often the ones that are further away, such as Bryan Chapman (book early). I also got a direct train to Inverkeithing (north of Edinburgh) for my other 600km - made it very easy.

The best way, of course, is to ride out. Last year I rode out to The Dean (same start as Poor Student), straight from the office at London Bridge on the Friday night. I spent the night in the Travelodge, with lots of other riders, and had a relative lie-in! The year before I rode out and back for a 200km starting in Herford and made a weekend of it.

Lots of people do an ECE (Extended Calendar Event) which means that if you ride out and back from a 100km that starts 50km away, it makes it into a 200km. Personally I've not done that mainly as I'm not so keen on the 4am starts.

Most events start early in the morning but there are a few with evening starts. I think they are great as the logistics are so much easier and, for FNRttC-ers, setting off to ride through the night is always exciting but does not challenge the comfort zone!

Driving is horrible and I try to avoid it. Going out it is ok but coming home, even after a 200km, I am just really tired. After Bryan Chapman it was scary.

 

[frank9755]

haven't decided regarding mille alba - car/train/plane?

Get the train; book it early!

 

[Dan_h]

Have booked the Kennet 100 (end Feb) and Summertime 110 (end March) - best policy I find is to book rather than just think about it. December has been slow for getting out due to weather and Christmas preps but still hope to have enough time to stay fit and get fitter ....

I am planning on doing the Kennet 100, perhaps I will see you there?

 

[Klaus]

I am planning on doing the Kennet 100, perhaps I will see you there?

Sure - eeasy to spot me - don't have drop bars .....

 

[deckertim]

I am planning on doing a Super Randonneur this year in preparation for doing LEL in 2013

 

[BikingChris]

Id like to get another series under my belt again, but my last partner cant do now, anyone know of anyone in or close to Bradford ?

Want to get the PBP, 1200k done but last time I looked you had to have 2 Audax series under you belt.

 

[PpPete]

The 2011 PBP had a requirement for one SR - with the possibility for a pre-registration with an SR in the previous season. I don't think any knows what the qualifying requirements are for the 2015 edition.

Meanwhile LEL (1400 km) in 2013 does not have a qualifying ride requirement (although an SR would be good preparation - and is therefore amongst my plans for this year)

 

[BikingChris]

Hi Pete, sorry but whats the LEL please ?

 

[LouiseL]

I started to enjoy riding long distances when I stopped 'clock-watching', constantly looking at how far I had ridden. Now I switch the mileage display off and concentrate on the scenery, how I am feeling, chatting to someone and being in the moment.

Oh to be fast enough to have the luxury of being able to do that! For slow coaches like me clock watching is essential to ensure I don't run out of time. Time can slip away unnoticed socialising at controls and when you only ever build up a relatively small time cushion it's easy to come unstuck. You are very fortunate that your easy cruising pace is fast enough that you won't ever be out of time unless there are exceptional circumstances,whereas I've made the arrivee with 10 whole minutes to spare on at least one occasion . In terms of looking at distances I usually only ever look to see how far away the next control is (and when it shuts ) which I do when I am leaving the previous control, followed by a quick ETA calculation. On anything over 200 I would really have to think about it (or check the computer) to tell you how far I had already ridden or indeed how much of the ride was left. That is rarely a focus unless I'm on the last section. Would I enjoy the ride more if I could leave the cyclecomputer at home? Most definitely. It would be much more relaxing. Unfortunately unless I grow a pair of much stronger legs that's unlikely to happen. Shame I can't borrow yours for a bit!

 

[Klaus]

Oh to be fast enough to have the luxury of being able to do that! For slow coaches like me clock watching is essential to ensure I don't run out of time. Time can slip away unnoticed socialising at controls and when you only ever build up a relatively small time cushion it's easy to come unstuck. .....

+1 - same problem here. First Audax was Emitremmus. Difference between total elapsed time and total moving time was one whole hour! The hills didn't help. Being slow I need to reduce the non-moving time to a minimum. As I do more Audaxes it will get easier but needs constant attention.

 

[PpPete]

Hi Pete, sorry but whats the LEL please ?

http://www.londonedinburghlondon.com/
In so far as anything is the British "equivalent" of the PBP this would be it.

 

[zigzag]

regarding tracking the distance - i find it handy to know how far is the next control. this helps to plan food and water intake (so i'm not carrying 1.5l of water for 50km leg). i also have control distances printed out and taped to the frame before the ride - so i can start looking around when the mileage on gps approaches control point (i have mileage and current speed fields on the display - just for reference).

 

[Dora]

To finish one... or to start one for that matter... in fact if we're going that way, find one I like the look of and enter.

 

[velovoice]

Louise, you're an inspiration! Still think you'd be waiting around for me though ... I've entered Dave Hudson's £1 Tea and Biscuits 100k from Newlands Corner on January 29th, although if the weather's bad or even remotely icy I won't go, following my recent fall. I was also thinking of doing the Pease Pottage 100k on February 5th (same provisos re weather though). Haven't looked any further ahead than that yet - I'm looking forward to the spring!

Hi TMN I'm signed up for both of those as well! Glad to know there'll be a friendly face to watch for. I'm going by train to and from - we'll see how well that works out.

My one audax experience (the Flitchbike 100 last June - highly recommend BTW) taught me speed isn't everything. My downfall was time management for stops.

My speed will be whatever it is on the day, not going to sweat that.

Love LouiseL's and Arallsopp's advice - thanks guys!

 

[Banjo]

Erm ... having never heard of them until the end of last year - to do one. I'm doing my first sportive next month (3 booked) and a 100/200 would be interesting.

Have a look on here.http://www.aukweb.net/events/ Should be something suitable. Some you can enter /pay online most use cheques and snail mail.

The big difference between Audax and Sportif rides is theres no route signs on an Audax so study the route card and take a map. Control points are usually cafes shops or pubs so you dont need to lug a full days food around taking some food is a good idea though. Give it a go, doesnt cost a lot and is a lot of fun.