First Audax

2»

Comments

  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,313
    As for the GPX... you don't need one, it's handy to have one. If you are short of cash, Garmin 200 units sell for 40 pounds or so on Ebay and they are all the GPS you will ever need. Otherwise, follow a route sheet, many still do... you can get a holder for the bars... SJS cycles sell them

    OR... follow someone who knows his way round and keep the route sheet as a plan B. You will find someone who has your pace... plenty of very relaxed riders, who use a 100 km as an excuse to spend 10 hours away from their wife. To give you an idea... I generally do a 200 km in just under 9 hours all included and typically I am one of the first to finish, when not the first (that depends whether Bobbinogs is around or not)
    left the forum March 2023
  • secretsam
    secretsam Posts: 5,120
    You guys are making this all sound very lovely

    Next you'll be telling me they have cake, then I'll be totally sold....
    It's just a hill. Get over it.
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,313
    SecretSam wrote:
    You guys are making this all sound very lovely

    Next you'll be telling me they have cake, then I'll be totally sold....

    Depends on the entry fee... normally there is always some food at the start and or at the finish... for longer TLC events there is food available at all controls and included in the entry fee. Most <10 pounds events are however ran on a tight budget and you will have to buy your own food along the way at shops or cafes, if you need receipts to prove you have been through the controls.
    left the forum March 2023
  • cld531c
    cld531c Posts: 517
    Did it!!! Garmnin said 82.06miles (132km) and 1822m climbing. We did all manage to get slightly lost at the start but that seemed to make it more fun.
    Really enjoyed it, nice mix of people, good route and cafes and the non-timed thing seemed to make people more inclined to stop and chat at the cafes rather than filling their pockets and rushing off.
    Legs still a bit sore but I blame that on the completely evil Old Horeshoe Pass and the road up to it!
    Planning my next one now.
    Thanks for all the tips everyone!
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,313
    cld531c wrote:
    Did it!!! Garmnin said 82.06miles (132km) and 1822m climbing. We did all manage to get slightly lost at the start but that seemed to make it more fun.
    Really enjoyed it, nice mix of people, good route and cafes and the non-timed thing seemed to make people more inclined to stop and chat at the cafes rather than filling their pockets and rushing off.
    Legs still a bit sore but I blame that on the completely evil Old Horeshoe Pass and the road up to it!
    Planning my next one now.
    Thanks for all the tips everyone!

    May I recommend this one?

    http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/17-391/

    I am doing the 200 km on that day, which I think is a better one, but this is very nice too. John always comes out with legendary courses. Again, climbing is probably a bit less than advertised
    left the forum March 2023
  • cld531c
    cld531c Posts: 517
    ugo.santalucia wrote:
    cld531c wrote:
    Did it!!! Garmnin said 82.06miles (132km) and 1822m climbing. We did all manage to get slightly lost at the start but that seemed to make it more fun.
    Really enjoyed it, nice mix of people, good route and cafes and the non-timed thing seemed to make people more inclined to stop and chat at the cafes rather than filling their pockets and rushing off.
    Legs still a bit sore but I blame that on the completely evil Old Horeshoe Pass and the road up to it!
    Planning my next one now.
    Thanks for all the tips everyone!

    May I recommend this one?

    http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/17-391/

    I am doing the 200 km on that day, which I think is a better one, but this is very nice too. John always comes out with legendary courses. Again, climbing is probably a bit less than advertised

    Shame, promised the parents I'd pick their pets up from the kennels that day :-(
    Will put it in the diary for next year :-)
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,313
    Autumn rivers?

    less dramatic views, but surely lovely countryside

    http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/18-120/
    left the forum March 2023
  • cld531c
    cld531c Posts: 517
    ugo.santalucia wrote:
    Autumn rivers?

    less dramatic views, but surely lovely countryside

    http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/18-120/

    That one is a bit far for this year but will add it to my (ever increasing) list.

    Im thinking
    - Bala Mini bash (only 60km but helps with my plan to cover as many of the different distances as poss and can tie it in with a weekend away)
    - Cheshire Safari (gets the 150km covered off)
    - Winter Solstice (200km - weather permitting)
    Then I would have no excuse not to try for a 300km next year having already done 50,100,150 and 200 :-)
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,313
    So you would rather do a 200 km in mid winter than one in early autumn? What are the chances of you being in better shape in December?

    Weird
    left the forum March 2023
  • cld531c
    cld531c Posts: 517
    ugo.santalucia wrote:
    So you would rather do a 200 km in mid winter than one in early autumn? What are the chances of you being in better shape in December?

    Weird

    Nope - just more that that one is very close to me and not particularly hilly....
    Fancied the Venetian Nights but have been told its not a great one as the hills are all in the second half and the way back is via a trail.
    Also, unfortunately have to fit rides around others

Categories