San Fairy Ann Cycle Club

Time to think about our 5 audaxes. A month earlier this year to avoid clashing with the London-Edinburgh-London. Something for everyone from 50k to 300k, all avoiding hills wherever possible.

More details on the club website which includes a link to the Audax UK one where you can print an entry form.

Whilst we take entries on the line it makes my life a lot easier if I have them 2 weeks before at the latest. This means I can more accurately estimate how many brevet cards I have to buy and how much food to get in. It also makes signing on before the starts a lot less hectic.

At only £5 (which includes free food at one of the controls on the 3 longer routes plus free food for everyone at the finish) it's not much to lose if you enter and then decide not to ride.

Stands by for flood of entries

Entry & Cheque in the post

Would have loved to do this one but I'll be heading to France - thanks for putting the info on Audaxes and Sportives - I get it now!

I'm trying to decide whether to do something different and ride the 300k or ride another TT (and do another 1:00:nn) - is anyone else up for the 300k?

Go for it Dave - 13+ hours in the saddle will harden you off for the KCA 12 hour.

That should give John Bosley something to work on.

I will probably do the 300k Dave, will need the practice for the 12hr.

Lunatics! It would hurt a lot less to push that bit harder to get under the hour Dave than it would to ride for 13+ hours!! Not sure I'll be practicing for the 12 hour - I think one 12 hour ride a year is plenty!

I'll be doing the 300k again

However if there are a few of us we may need to take it easy to start with. The maximum average speed between controls is supposed to be 18mph and its fairly flat to the first stop at "St Mary's Bay" area. There's nothing worse that turning up at a control and having to wait for the stamp.

I wouldn't be too bothered about the 2nd control as this is back at Bethersden where we start, and if we are early we can simply test out the cake and bacon sarnies.

Now here's a question, what bike will you be taking? TT bike to get used to the position ?

Phill wrote:Now here's a question, what bike will you be taking? TT bike to get used to the position ?

Prior to this weekend, I would have said no way, don't really fancy too many punctures, but after what I experienced on Sunday with them, I don't think it really makes much difference, you never know, might be handy to use the TT bike. I suppose I could put my training wheels on.

There's nothing worse that turning up at a control and having to wait for the stamp

Something I have only ever done once when I got into bad company in the first stage of a 400.

A word of warning if this is your first ride over 100 miles. By all means set a good pace at the start but make sure you are nowhwere near your limit. If you start to struggle to keep up with a fast group you have probably left it too late and may well slow up badly later in the day. The art is to start comfortably fast but know when to settle for a steadier speed.

Don't think about the total distance - just look to the next control. and enjoy the scenery

Thinking about either the 150k or 200k, both would be the furthest Ive ever cycled in one go! Think the 300k would be pushing my luck a little at this stage.

I was going along the lines of aiming at 17mph-18mph ave, then stopping at controls or any feed stations and having a good 10min break or so, eating and drinking or at least bringing money to have stops enroute for fuelling.

Good thinking Michael. 10 minutes is a reasonable stopping time for the roadside refreshment point in these rides. However cafes stops usually take a bit longer.

There are 3 cafe stops in the 200k and 2 in the 150k. You can of course just call in to get your card stamped but please, all riders do not use the cafes as somewhere to sit and eat your own food. In the audax world this is discouraged.

We are grateful to the cafes for accomodating over 100 extra customers - yes it's all good for business but they have to gear up specially with extra food and staff.

I think that, as this will be my first 150k it will probably be my 12 training as well. My goal will be just to get to the next control before sunset!

Ted & I heartily endorse Ron's comments re not using the checking cafes to eat your own food in. We have checked right outside the Railway cafe at Dungeness for a few years now in fair & foul weather. The staff are very good to us, as they do get a lot of extra business over the day (we are there from 10.30am until 6pm or so) & keep us supplied with tea & even let us sit inside to check when it poured one year. However, they do get very busy with the RH&D railway trains coming & going & do not welcome people filling their tables without buying, same goes for using their toilets. So be tactful. We need these checkpoints.

Pasty

This lunatic's entry is in the post.