Author Topic: CTC and Audax (Read 2968 times)

smurphboy · « **Reply #25 on:** June 10, 2012, 08:44:55 PM »

Cudz, I'm up for a 200 at some point this year. Perm might be the best option, although I do want to try the Exmouth Exodus at some point. Also want to do Lon Las Cymru this year too.

Cudzoziemiec · « **Reply #26 on:** June 10, 2012, 10:13:10 PM »

I was also thinking about the Exmouth Exodus, though have to say I thought it was a bit less than 200km. I think combining my first all-night ride with my first 200km might be a bit... YACF?

I'm not bothered about Audax points or anything (I'm not an AUK member anyway) I just fancy seeing that I can do this distance. In fact, Cyclofabrica's just posted a 200km DIY to Upton-on-Severn and back through the FoD in the Have you been out today? thread - I reckon up to U-on-S and back the same way might be a decent stepping stone... I'm busy next Sunday, not sure about Saturday...

Kim · « **Reply #27 on:** June 10, 2012, 11:04:50 PM »

Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on June 10, 2012, 10:13:10 PM

I was also thinking about the Exmouth Exodus, though have to say I thought it was a bit less than 200km.

Ah, I have 174km for last year's, plus 3km to the start from Temple Meads, and 22km from the finish to Exeter St David's.

So you can save a fair bit if you've got a cunning plan to get back from Exmouth. For example, a ticket on the coach service they're running this year...

Jaded · « **Reply #28 on:** June 10, 2012, 11:23:28 PM »

I have a benign DIY by GPS 200km from me, if that helps.

Cudzoziemiec · « **Reply #29 on:** June 10, 2012, 11:27:22 PM »

Quote from: Kim on June 10, 2012, 11:04:50 PM

Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on June 10, 2012, 10:13:10 PM
I was also thinking about the Exmouth Exodus, though have to say I thought it was a bit less than 200km.

Ah, I have 174km for last year's, plus 3km to the start from Temple Meads, and 22km from the finish to Exeter St David's.

So you can save a fair bit if you've got a cunning plan to get back from Exmouth. For example, a ticket on the coach service they're running this year...

I'm sure someone told me it was about 90 miles. That'd make it about 145km. Ah well.

cyclofabrica · « **Reply #30 on:** June 10, 2012, 11:44:32 PM »

Cudz & Smurf, I have a few 200ks starting and finishing in Bristol if your interested? Also you can ride the 150km Gospel pass route and make it a 200km from Bristol or as I think you suggested ride the Ball Buster route

Peter · « **Reply #31 on:** June 10, 2012, 11:48:28 PM »

This is all getting a bit off the original point and confusing for people dipping in. Maybe separate it to a new thread?

Jaded · « **Reply #32 on:** June 11, 2012, 12:07:27 AM »

This is YACF. Did you think you were somewhere else?

Peter · « **Reply #33 on:** June 11, 2012, 12:11:09 AM »

Anywhere except Bristol!

Panoramix · « **Reply #34 on:** June 11, 2012, 12:20:33 AM »

Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on June 10, 2012, 11:27:22 PM

Quote from: Kim on June 10, 2012, 11:04:50 PM
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on June 10, 2012, 10:13:10 PM
I was also thinking about the Exmouth Exodus, though have to say I thought it was a bit less than 200km.

Ah, I have 174km for last year's, plus 3km to the start from Temple Meads, and 22km from the finish to Exeter St David's.

So you can save a fair bit if you've got a cunning plan to get back from Exmouth. For example, a ticket on the coach service they're running this year...
I'm sure someone told me it was about 90 miles. That'd make it about 145km. Ah well.

The exmouth exodus is about 160km ISTR. There are a few hills though but I've done it on fixed beside not being a very strong rider. I brought a friend who had never ridden long distance before and we still talk to each other! If you want to start with a day ride, I don't mind at all riding my tour of the forest of Dean with you and smurf.

Quote from: Jaded on June 07, 2012, 10:12:39 AM

Quote from: Feline on June 07, 2012, 12:02:58 AM
What Bristol CTC seems to be missing most is any 200k audaxes. The most local one currently is run by LVIS but I am sure there is room for more in the calendar.

I'd be happy to add help to getting a 200 up and running...

If I wasn't leaving I would probably be willing to help. Really Bristol is a perfect place to organise 200 and 300km audaxes:

there are beautiful hills close enough (Mendips, Cotswold, Forest of Dean, Brecon Beacons, the quantock hills)
it is possible to organise ride of various difficulty (use the severn estuary or the somerset levels for some flatness)
there are quiet routes to get out of the city
there is a bit of a cycling culture
if you start not too early from Parkway, people can come from Exeter, Cardiff, Birmingham or London by train to ride

I am sure that medium term, you could organise a brevet per month (like in Cardiff) and still manage at the very least 40 entrants each time.

Cudzoziemiec · « **Reply #35 on:** June 11, 2012, 09:31:52 AM »

Quote from: Panoramix on June 11, 2012, 12:20:33 AM

If I wasn't leaving I would probably be willing to help.

I'd be willing to help organise if I was more organised!

In fact I'm perfectly willing to help, but I might be at my best stamping cards and serving tea at a control!

Quote

Really Bristol is a perfect place to organise 200 and 300km audaxes:
there are beautiful hills close enough (Mendips, Cotswold, Forest of Dean, Brecon Beacons, the quantock hills)
it is possible to organise ride of various difficulty (use the severn estuary or the somerset levels for some flatness)
there are quiet routes to get out of the city
there is a bit of a cycling culture
if you start not too early from Parkway, people can come from Exeter, Cardiff, Birmingham or London by train to ride

I am sure that medium term, you could organise a brevet per month (like in Cardiff) and still manage at the very least 40 entrants each time.

All good points, the last is very important I think. One a month though?

Panoramix · « **Reply #36 on:** June 11, 2012, 01:35:31 PM »

Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on June 11, 2012, 09:31:52 AM

One a month though?

They more or less manage one a month in the Cardiff / Swansea area and there are much more people living around Bristol. Some of these rides are quite basic and don't need many volunteers. You could have 2 or 3 big rides and others in between which from a volunteer point of view just need a few controllers at the start and finish.

Kim · « **Reply #37 on:** June 11, 2012, 03:12:05 PM »

Quote from: Panoramix on June 11, 2012, 12:20:33 AM

if you start not too early from Parkway, people can come from Exeter, Cardiff, Birmingham or London by train to ride

I'll third that point. While I'm feeling a bit off calendar events atm, there are precious few that I could reasonably get to by public transport, and ECE isn't a realistic option for those who are only just up to doing 200k. Being able to get to the start by train is far more important than a couple of hours more daylight, IMHO.

Cudzoziemiec · « **Reply #38 on:** June 11, 2012, 04:24:35 PM »

Being able to get back is important, too. There's a 200 from Tewkesbury I was considering. Getting there by train (Ashchurch) is quite peasible from Brizzle without a ridiculously early start - but there's no train that gets back without waiting several hours at Glos and arriving about ten the next morning! So in effect you have to either have your own transport, be willing and able to ECE or be committed enough to pay for a hotel just to go for a bike ride.

Panoramix · « **Reply #39 on:** June 11, 2012, 04:52:35 PM »

Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on June 11, 2012, 04:24:35 PM

Being able to get back is important, too. There's a 200 from Tewkesbury I was considering. Getting there by train (Ashchurch) is quite peasible from Brizzle without a ridiculously early start - but there's no train that gets back without waiting several hours at Glos and arriving about ten the next morning! So in effect you have to either have your own transport, be willing and able to ECE or be committed enough to pay for a hotel just to go for a bike ride.

Good point, but from Parkway, it would work for a very well timed 200 on the mainlines (last trains tend to be around 11pm), it would also work for a 400 but it is impossible for a 300 unless you are extremely quick. Ideally you want to offer a hall or a place to camp and the logistics then become harder.

Cudzoziemiec · « **Reply #40 on:** June 11, 2012, 04:56:12 PM »

Parkway is good from that consideration cos you've got trains going north, south, east, west. OTOH if you really want to annoy train users you could start from Pilning!

smurphboy · « **Reply #41 on:** June 11, 2012, 07:57:35 PM »

Quote from: cyclofabrica on June 10, 2012, 11:44:32 PM

Cudz & Smurf, I have a few 200ks starting and finishing in Bristol if your interested? Also you can ride the 150km Gospel pass route and make it a 200km from Bristol or as I think you suggested ride the Ball Buster route

I'm planning on doing Lon Las Cymru this year so a recce up Gospel Pass might work well...

Cudzoziemiec · « **Reply #42 on:** June 11, 2012, 08:36:29 PM »

Where do you get hold of route sheets for these (Gospel Pass etc) if you haven't actually entered them?

cyclofabrica · « **Reply #43 on:** June 11, 2012, 09:05:04 PM »

I could dig you out a route sheet as sure I have one kicking around somewhere. Or full route including my ECE from Bristol is :

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/154472974

mattc · « **Reply #44 on:** June 12, 2012, 09:19:34 AM »

Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on June 11, 2012, 08:36:29 PM

Where do you get hold of route sheets for these (Gospel Pass etc) if you haven't actually entered them?

You could ask the author.

+paul · « **Reply #45 on:** June 13, 2012, 09:41:34 PM »

Quote from: slohill on June 07, 2012, 05:17:45 PM

The Welsh Festival of Cycling based on Ruthin Rugby Club at the end of July (Chester & N. Wales CTC) is running a 200, 150 and 60k Audax on July 29th. Organised by Vicky Payne (new organiser) with myself as mentor.
Why not come along --- fuller details as ever at www.audax.uk.net

The 130km event will be my first ever audax, and so far I have drummed up interest from another 8 colleagues in work who are tempted (also all Audax virgins). I just need to get them to actually apply now and commit!

I am hoping for a good weather day to enjoy the Clwyd Vale to the full. See you there!

(apologies for the off topic...!)