25/10/14

As I had been out of the saddle for a while I thought a short audax was a good idea; 80 km is the shortest one I have done so far.  This was a brilliant route on a clear day – as this one was – starting by going past The Wrekin, then south west parallel to Wenlock Edge which was covered in colourful trees. The first control, Jessamine Cottage, was a cafe run from a very large shed. Presumably they have a long-standing relationship with the local organiser, as coffee and cake here was included in the £6 entrance fee (as was food at the start and end, it was excellent value!).

The second control was at Acton Scott farm, which appears to be a working museum, though obviously there wasn’t time for a look around. I got lucky and joined the queue just before hoards of hungry cyclists – at least one of the longer rides was stopping here at around the same time.

The final leg was the longest (not by much) and included the highest point but was also wind-assisted, past Hope Bowlder Hill. Due to the relatively short distance and good turnout I think I was in view of others nearly all the time. I rode with one chap on and off on the middle section, I think he knew vaguely where he was going so had a route map and very well used OS map in his pocket, and was supplementing these by following people when they were available (and I think I provided a bit of a wind shield for a while, he was obviously an old hand at group riding and quite happy right up behind others peoples wheels, whereas it scares me and I keep my distance). For the final stretch I was just behind a couple of others; I don’t think I’ve actually finished with people before, so it was quite nice.

It’s been too long…but I was pleased that I didn’t have to walk up any hills and wasn’t destroyed by the end, I felt strong and I could have gone further, so a few months off haven’t done any damage. Also I think the spinning classes, whilst being from the devil, are excellent training. Part of me thinks it’s daft to drive 60 miles each way to cycle 50, but audax riding gives me such a buzz that, ironically, it’s not about numbers.

51 miles, 5 hours 18 mins

11/04/15

I expect Noah was told to expect ‘sunshine and showers’ too. To be fair there was some sunshine, but the showers were what kept my phone inside several waterproof coverings at all times apart from here at the second control (Wyaston Village Hall). I was impressed by the cheap emergency waterproof I got from Decathlon, I don’t think I was any sweatier than I would be in anything else and it did keep me pretty dry and (more importantly) warm.

A nice ride, the wind was mostly kind apart from the final stretch, which was at least flat although I still found it hard going. Quite a clever route, spot on 100 miles and the two killer hills were just before controls. Most of the rest of the climbing was rather pleasant (possibly wind-assisted) and I reached new maximum speed of 36.8 mph on a descent. Also my Eddington number has gone up by one after today (33).  This is the first audax I have done with no commercial controls – there were three village halls with armies of tea, coffee and cakes producers. Much appreciated, and I think I’d quite like to volunteer at some point. Any women reading, I can highly recommend such rides, as it is one of the few times that there will be a big queue for the gents but the ladies will be available.

100 miles, 8 hrs 14

12/04/14

After the destruction that was my first imperial century I came back for more.  I’ve never liked the idea of gels and sports drinks, the concept of constant sugar consumption seems the antithesis of everything one is supposed to do, especially for the more comfortably upholstered cyclist. And the cynic in me views them as a way to make a huge mark-up on sugar. However I have recently been reading about endurance sports nutrition (not something I ever thought I’d say) and decided to give them a go. I have to say it made a massive difference to this ride. Normally I really struggle in the later stages, but I felt so much better and the prospect of doing a 200 km seems a possibility. Of course I was still overjoyed to see the final control, but it was nice not to be totally destroyed. Although my knees were sore on this occasion, which is a new one.  Another great ride thanks to organiser Geoff Cleaver, from the Pretty Pigs pub in Tamworth which is very train accessible (and they let us use the bogs at the start even though the pub isn’t open then).

101 miles, 9 hrs 17

23/03/14

After the last one I thought something flat might be nice; an ‘easy’ 100 km around Cambridgeshire, which strayed into Essex and Suffolk too. I don’t know this part of the country at all, so I thought it would be worth a visit.  One of the controls was a cafe at which another ride had arrived, and a few bikers…but they did a grand job (hence all the bikes in the photo below).

The wind was favourable for the first half, which I think assisted my average speed of around 13 mph, which is good for me. The forecast was for showers in the afternoon, but we were pretty lucky, just a bit of hail on the last leg. I had gone dressed for the rain though and was a bit too hot in my ancient waterproof. Another opportunity to spend money approaches I think.

It was well organised and friendly, nice quiet roads, but I think confirmed my love of more mountainous landscapes. Which is unfortunate as that means more struggling up hills! It was good to do a ride so soon (for me) after the last one and both me and the bike felt good.

The nice thing about the flat landscape was the big sky, and what a day for it. Sun, dramatic clouds and distant rain. Driving back (first ride with the van) I was mainly heading towards the setting sun amongst the rain, which made for a challenging drive but fantastic views. Approaching Coventry on the M6 it was very clear, and I could see the spires and tower blocks – rather beautiful.

68 miles, 6 hrs 35

08/03/14

This one just about finished me off.  I entered it in a moment of excitement, finding one that was close-ish and train-able, and failed to notice that it was 150 km rather than 100 km.

A small turnout, and a damp misty start from Droitwich. I had company briefly (one guy who had the route sheet somewhere in his pocket and so was planning on following other people), and another chap who took a wrong turning and emerged just as we were passing a junction. I stopped to check the first info control and they kept going; I had nearly caught them up when they missed a turning and failed to hear my shouts, so I headed off and left them to it. They passed me a bit later when I had stopped to take a photo and I assumed from then onwards I was bringing up the rear. I could never have kept up with their pace anyway.

As seems traditional my route sheet and holder fell off, and required emergency cable tie repairs. Despite being rather difficult to connect, my rear light cables seem very easily disconnected by, presumably, road vibrations, even when covered in duck tape. Lights required at start (mainly due to the weather) and final 10 miles – it was a really nice clear afternoon and got dark quite suddenly. There were some gorgeous views of the Malverns from the final stage, heading north between them and Breedon Hill/Cleeve Hill area, with the sun setting, but my phone battery had died by then.

As well as the usual physical complaints of a long ride, I had a slight chesty cough which resulted in some discomfort in the breathing department, and the ride was quite an effort. The final stage – 40 miles – was flat and with a tailwind, but even so I had to bribe myself with stops every 10 miles to feast on fruit and nut chocolate and haribo.

Finished the 100 miles at 7 pm, by which time there was no sign of anyone else. The start/finish was a pub, by then full of Droitwich’s Saturday night crowd. I didn’t want to hang around too long so after acquiring a receipt I headed to the station, to spend half an hour lying on a narrow metal bench in a shelter on the platform. Surprisingly comfortable, just what my back needed.

A great, well thought out route, excellent route sheets (I didn’t take any wrong-turnings), lucky with the weather and wind direction, and easy to get to by train.  I found out (much) later that the organiser, who was – unusually – doing the ride too, hadn’t felt too good and cut his ride short.

100 miles, 10 hrs 30

26/10/13

I hadn’t been out on this bike for quite a while, so it was a bit of an uncomfortable trip.  I had to get up at 5.30am, forgot my sudocrem, knackered getting to the start as I had to climb the hill passed Bolsover Castle, bonk at 60 km control, then my map holder fell off so I had to keep my routesheet in my pocket and intended train home cancelled so ended up coming back late on one with two trains-worth of people on.

Absolutely worth it – great route through Clumber park, not too hilly (apart from the pre-ride journey), nice weather and great cafe stop (The Dovecote at Misterton). I reckon I did about 85 miles today, including all the pre- and post-ride journeys, which is my highest daily mileage yet. +1 on the Eddington number.

85 miles

07/09/13

Flatter and better weather than last time.

68 miles, 6 hrs 3

17/08/13

I am utterly shattered and everything aches. I think I chose a toughie for losing my audax cherry; 120 km with between 1500 and 2000 m ascent (depending on where you look – I can safely say it was a lot, anyway). Still, I am fairly pleased with myself for finishing in the time limits, and not vomiting.

75 miles, 8 hrs 20