Yet Another Cycling Forum
General Category => Audax => Topic started by: S2L on 28 March, 2020, 11:24:08 am
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I thought I would, but I'm not... maybe I should reassess my priorities and stop planning the year based upon which events are on and when... very liberating not having to do massive rides every other weekend to "train" for audax ::-)
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Me.
I should currently be part way around 'Another Slice of Rutland' and looking forward to the lumpy bits.
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Not so much audax as missing the company.
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Don't miss that either, maybe because I normally ride them pretty much solo all the way
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Yeah, I'm missing the 300 I would have been organising this weekend - especially the thought of them all riding back into this brisk north-easterly with added sleet and hail :demon:
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Missing the 200 I would have been preparing for and running tomorrow. Today I rode past the silent and deserted Arrivee and some of the final lanes of the audax.
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Nope, haven't done one since 2018 as it eats into family time too much.
Was hoping to do the occasional one every so often (Brazier's Run with cycle to/from and Ditchling Devil each year maybe) but things usually get in the way even of those.
Doing more swimming, running and shorter/faster cycling (e.g. triathlon).
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Not really. Trying to keep the momentum going with my double bass playing. O:-)
Much more diffucult than any 200 I've ever done. ;)
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Don't miss that either, maybe because I normally ride them pretty much solo all the way
Well, I tend to ride them with friends, so I'm missing that lovely experience of 8 hours of spirited chat, piss-taking, quiet contemplation and genuine gratitude for other humans.
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Yes, very much so. I had a calendar SR for this year all booked up. Have missed the 200 and 300 already. I don't think the 400 and 600 in May and June respectively will be held. With the gained fitness I was then going to do a tour of Germany; the Harwich/Hoek ferry is booked for late June. Fortunately I hadn't got around to booking accommodation in Germany. Also missing my weekly 200; the daily 1hr on the rollers doesn't really compensate.
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Thing is, I am gaining fitness... I lost 3 kg over the past 3 weeks... first time <70 kg for maybe 20 years. I do shorter rides, more of them, but I am much faster... used to average 26 km/h over 3-4 hour rides, now it's 29-30 km/h over 1-2 hours.
Heading towards 50, maybe it's the swan song, but I should probably ride the fast wave, while it lasts and leave the long slow slogs for my 60s.... ;D ;D
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Very much. Having slogged all the way through the wettest (and windiest?) winter in my adult lifetime to post 40 points on the board towards a third R10000 was really looking forward to spring and summer cycling. Obvs it all pales into insignificance compared to the current health and economic issues, but nevertheless I’m missing it.
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Don't miss that either, maybe because I normally ride them pretty much solo all the way
Well, I tend to ride them with friends, so I'm missing that lovely experience of 8 hours of spirited chat, piss-taking, quiet contemplation and genuine gratitude for other humans.
This. Many other reasons too, but as someone living alone, very much this.
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I am missing riding hundreds of km just for fun
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yes. Id have probably ridden a DIY 300 this weekend - in todays weather conditions Id have done something like Edinburgh-Montrose-Edinburgh . Id be on my way back by now and enjoying the tailwind and contemplating a stop in either McForfar or Meigle.
Id an Easter Arrow planned this year too, with some new pals from VC167 that I was really looking forward to and was using as serious motivation to get fit enough not to let my new team mates down. :(
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Yes. I’d been looking forward to riding, chatting and drinking with old friends and new at brevets in the UK, France and Australia this year. All those events are cancelled, postponed or suspended, along with travelling. There is a fair chance that at least one of those friends will be dead by next year, given the statistics.
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Nobody enjoying the extra time you can spend with the family? ::-)
Are you all living alone? :-\
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HK and I are now both working from home (since Friday) but we both get a bit stir-crazy without long rides. My family live halfway round the world and this May was going to be the first time to see my parents in nearly three years. Knocking off an Aussie 1200 at the same time was just a bonus and a good excuse for the flight.
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Very much missing audax. I too should have been riding "Another Slice of Rutland" today. Had planned for it and prepared for it. Mostly using the turbo now. Did a two hour session on it yesterday, just because. Don't think I'll be doing that again soon.
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Nobody enjoying the extra time you can spend with the family? ::-)
Are you all living alone? :-\
2 of us working from home and one teenager home schooling. We’re actually working quite well as a unit, but I’m not sure how long it will last.
Not missing it yet, but I did go through the wall planner and ceremonially remove all my events up to June the other day. Quite cathartic, tbh.
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Not missing it yet, but I did go through the wall planner and ceremonially remove all my events up to June the other day. Quite cathartic, tbh.
I kind of felt relieved when AUK cancelled all events... that's why I think I should rethink Audax as something fun to do every now and again in summer, rather than planning event after event... :o
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Been missing it since 2016 because heart. Just about used to it.
Not missing getting out of bed at 0h45 for a 3 am start.
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Its very strange i am missing all my cycling, audaxing , club rides with cafe stops and of course the weekly audax club Portsmouth's weekly ride / pub vist.
I have a few new diy routes planned once Boris/ sport for England/ the auk board allow things to resume.
Still i count myself lucky, i get to cycle to work every day and get to be out and about every day .
Plus working long hours means lots of overtime.
I really feel for those stuck at home working ,not allowed out etc.
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Yes very much. But I know what the health and care sector is under so really it's easy to count myself lucky.
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Aye - Audax is Pointless at the moment
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Yes very much. But I know what the health and care sector is under so really it's easy to count myself lucky.
+ another. Only been near the bikes to clean and service them.
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Missing the 200 I would have been preparing for and running tomorrow. Today I rode past the silent and deserted Arrivee and some of the final lanes of the audax.
I think this was due to be my first 200km and actually 1st Audax too. Ah well looking forward to getting out again later in the year.
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Today was supposed to be my first event as an organiser.
Right now the main thing I'm missing is exercise. Proper decent high heart rate exercise.
J
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Today was supposed to be my first event as an organiser.
I was looking forward to that! But as was said earlier it's not that important, I can do without, as long as the government allows me to ride my bike I'm happy enough.
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Cancellation of events last w/e caused a mass of re-thinking; if I had kept to last year’s timing (day after Cheltenham Racing Festival) the Cheltenham New Flyer would have happened (decent weather too). My main disappointment is the block to consecutive rides in RRTY leagues; cannot even ride a private unvalidated 200 under current restrictions. Riding a long town circuit to the shops on quiet roads is a bonus for maintaining some fitness and mental challenge. Agree comment above about busy schedules on resumption and possible cancellation, rather than re-arrangement of 2020 events. Then just a mass of admin to re-direct entry fees.
I wonder if the Board might permit resumption of Perms if/when the Government announce a partial relaxation of travel restrictions, before resuming the Calendar programme?
My sole consolation, which I would rather not recognise, is that all my time now is concentrated on my role as Carer to wife Shirley, slowly losing her battle against Pancreatic Cancer. My resumption to ride Audax events is likely to combine more sadness than joy for me.
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^very sorry to hear that, Steve, and thinking of you.
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Our thoughts are with you both.
What is that fundraising site you’d set up?
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Here's a thing. With my DIY org hat on, I was kinder dreading this summer, as the number of rides to process increases year on year and the current way of doing things just cannot cope. This pause at least provides a window of opportunity to regroup. We shall see.
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Also very sad to read Stephens post, and very concerned about older members of my family. The latest statistics regarding Covid19 make very sobering reading.
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Yes.
This was my comeback year.
I'm pushing more watts and will cat up in zwift in the next few races but it's a sideline.
The Annual spreadsheets:
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200328/683e490e8da76033173f499e5f947e1d.jpg)
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I was particularly looking forward to riding with you again this year, boab.
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There'll be rides, again, after this. And boy will you appreciate those extra watts and fewer kilos.
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But will those rainy descents be as thrilling?
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I don't ride many, I'm the kind of person who's happy to head out for a solo 300km bike ride without the 'restrictions' of it being an audax - but (as a socially awkward b******) I have to admit I'm missing the social aspect.
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Our thoughts are with you both.
What is that fundraising site you’d set up?
Thanks for your thoughts and concern:
You can contribute towards my sponsorship by visiting my CRUK Donations account: https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/stephens-cycle-300-fundraising-page-108
I have a special Audax-based 3Peaks project in mind for later this year. It will all depend on so many variables.
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Thoughts with Steve.
As others have said, it's the friendships forged along the way. I'm getting out for solo rides every few days, to keep fit. I have the rollers setup in the cellar, if it comes to that. We're also walking good distances in between my cycling (living in a rural area does mean social interactions are easier to avoid).
Missing it? Well, I have stuff to do.
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Not missing audax specifically, though I'd entered a few. I've been concentrating on the silly bike racing, and had hoped to do well in the 2020 season on account of a) cheating[1] and b) more cheating[2]. But what I'm mostly missing at this point is the ability to make future plans, especially at the more touring end of the spectrum.
I'm expecting to start missing riding my bike at some point, either due to further restrictions on movement or myself or barakta becoming ill. I've got a turbo, which is probably better than not maintaining my lung function, but it isn't really cycling. (I also missed the boat on those expensive computer games.)
There will be rides again, of course, but the thing is we won't all be around for them.
[1] Molishment of aerodynamic aids.
[2] Maintaining a decent level of fitness through the winter.
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I'm missing the longer rides, and the company, though going out for shorter, faster rides at least makes a change. I've not done any proper training for speed since my last attempt at the Mersey 24 in 2013 and in the last week already I've seen a decent increase in average speed on my benchmark "hour" circuit. I'm a outdoorsy, restless soul (all cyclists must be, no?) and being indoors more is hard, though at least I'm out and about most days for work and there's a lot to do in the garden (mine and others)! And the sun is shining.
Mrs Tomsk, with her heart condition is probably the most high-risk person to worry about, but almost all the older generation in my family are gone. Those two that remain are living too far away to do anything about and are well cared for by nearer family.
This year was meant to be a "more touring" year, with less Audax organising and fewer to ride too, oh well ... Bikes are getting loads of tlc though.
I have seen a fully laden touring cyclist pass through town the other day, presumably stealth camping and living off roadkill, though maybe the panniers were just stuffed with toilet rolls?
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i still go out quite often (have done over 700km since quarantine), so not missing longer rides. my regular training rides range from 70-150km.
i'm missing riding with others, be it audax, club ride or an impromptu group around the park.
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i still go out quite often (have done over 700km since quarantine), so not missing longer rides. my regular training rides range from 70-150km.
i'm missing riding with others, be it audax, club ride or an impromptu group around the park.
That is sounding rather selfish and irresponsible, especially if you boast about it and it appears on Strava!
I can get 10 km in with a burn to the supermarket for essential food and care supplies.
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That is sounding rather selfish and irresponsible, especially if you boast about it and it appears on Strava!
I can get 10 km in with a burn to the supermarket for essential food and care supplies.
I don't think we should fall into the trap of expressing what we think is right or wrong to do and interpret the spirit of the rules.
As far as we are aware, he is following the rules.
These conversations have been done to death and always end up badly...
Back to topic...
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i still go out quite often (have done over 700km since quarantine), so not missing longer rides. my regular training rides range from 70-150km.
i'm missing riding with others, be it audax, club ride or an impromptu group around the park.
That is sounding rather selfish and irresponsible, especially if you boast about it and it appears on Strava!
I can get 10 km in with a burn to the supermarket for essential food and care supplies.
a lot of unnecessary judgement in this post; everyone can choose what kind of workout is appropriate for them as long as they act responsibly.
p.s.
strength, grace and courage to your wife.
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Missing the 200 I would have been preparing for and running tomorrow. Today I rode past the silent and deserted Arrivee and some of the final lanes of the audax.
I think this was due to be my first 200km and actually 1st Audax too. Ah well looking forward to getting out again later in the year.
If any consolation, it was snowing and strong winds when out earlier. But now blue skies and sun. Stevenage Start of Snowytime 200!
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Not really.
When I retired from work I did one season to give it a decent try. Completed RRtY & SR which convinced me audax was more about self harm than fun.
But having said that there was still unfinished business with the Chevy Chase (DNF and I missed riding the range roads bit) and I was also signed up to help Deano with the Highland Fling so I could see what it's like from the other side. Disappointed to miss out on those but wouldn't be too bothered if I didn't do another audax.
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Completed RRtY & SR which convinced me audax was more about self harm than fun.
Kind of agree with this.
In addition, I always struggled to shift any weight doing long distance cycling... something about getting back home and eating three times what I would normally, counteracting any benefit of exercise, let alone the bloating and indigestion caused by eating large masses of food. After 6-8 hours on the bike, I would easily eat 300-400 grams of pasta, which is 3-4 times the recommended amount, that on top of the number of chocolate bars, cake and sandwiches consumed during the ride itself.
I don't get the same riding shorter/harder... happy to get back and have a slice of toast and a cup of tea.
I don't think I am alone in this, as most randonneurs I see at events are overweight, some dangerously overweight.
BMI now steadily under 23 :thumbsup:
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Completed RRtY & SR which convinced me audax was more about self harm than fun.
Kind of agree with this.
In addition, I always struggled to shift any weight doing long distance cycling... something about getting back home and eating three times what I would normally, counteracting any benefit of exercise, let alone the bloating and indigestion caused by eating large masses of food. After 6-8 hours on the bike, I would easily eat 300-400 grams of pasta, which is 3-4 times the recommended amount, that on top of the number of chocolate bars, cake and sandwiches consumed during the ride itself.
I don't get the same riding shorter/harder... happy to get back and have a slice of toast and a cup of tea.
I don't think I am alone in this, as most randonneurs I see at events are overweight, some dangerously overweight.
BMI now steadily under 23 :thumbsup:
Opposite for me. I found it much easier to be in control of my weight when doing long distance riding. Sure I'd eat like a horse when I got back sometimes but it did wonders for my metabolism, the fitter I was the later on in the day my hunger would kick in, by which time I'd normally staved it off by eating a proper sized meal (instead of starting to eat when hungry and eating too much).
(I'm 20kg heavier than I was when I did LEL in 2009 which was also part of a 50 point season.)
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Having ridden a billion already, I can manage a few months off; but I am missing the anticipation of fun upcoming trips :-( (this year they happened to be mainly Audax)
Very much missing group rides.
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I miss having rides that gave me a reason to push myself; I'm taking comfortable rides over shorter distances, which is the right thing safety-wise, but I miss the satisfaction of doing something more challenging and the stimulation of seeing somewhere new.
I have things pretty good all told - comfortable at home, with money in the bank, which is better than many can say - but yeah, I do miss it.
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I've discovered I can revisit some roads that I know from Audax events on Fulgaz (https://fulgaz.com/fulgaz-rides/). I've not tried it properly yet, but there are various Chilterns rides; I've just been up Britwell Hill much faster than I've ever done it in real life, on the one entitled Women's Tour of Britain :thumbsup:
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I've just been up Britwell Hill much faster than I've ever done it in real life
Oh yes, plenty of people do the Alpe du Zwift under an hour... not many do the real Alpe in that time. There is also a way to cheat, you just have to tell your game that you weigh a lot less than you actually do and therefore for the same power output, it assumes you can go much faster... it's called weight doping... ;D
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I did go through the wall planner and ceremonially remove all my events up to June the other day. Quite cathartic, tbh.
Indeed - I used so much Tippex to cover the events and trips for this year that i ran out and had to order some more. Had all sorts of things planned.
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I've just been up Britwell Hill much faster than I've ever done it in real life
Oh yes, plenty of people do the Alpe du Zwift under an hour... not many do the real Alpe in that time. There is also a way to cheat, you just have to tell your game that you weigh a lot less than you actually do and therefore for the same power output, it assumes you can go much faster... it's called weight doping... ;D
Oh this was just because that site plays the video at the pace of the rider who recorded it (I assume). I was watching, not pedalling at all.
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I'm missing the riding, the eating and all the new people I can meet along the way.
Going back to cycling alone is weird when you've gotten used to riding with friends and/or other audaxers.
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Im missing that contented feeling i get when I've finished a long hard day out. It will be even better when we can start again ..
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It feels strange for me to have only done two Audax rides last month as I’ve been keeping three RRTYs for a few years now. I would have been stepping up the frequency, length and hilliness of my rides in preparation for Deano’s Highland Fling 1000, but that has been postponed. I had also entered the Crackpot and London Land’s End London 1000s and planned to ride the Mille Pennine again too, so was looking forward to the challenge of riding three tough 1000s on consecutive weekends.
It’s mostly having something to look forward to and prepare for that I’m missing so far as I’ve had gaps of up to five weeks without any cycling over the last autumn and winter period anyway. I do very little cycling apart from Audax rides which made my average bike ride over 200km last year. Since the lockdown I’ve only done one mile, on my daughter’s bike with a basket on the front, delivering groceries to my elderly parents. I have a turbo trainer set up in the garage, but haven’t been sufficiently motivated or bored enough to go on it yet.
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I'm missing that they aren't available to enter as I was aiming to get back into it this year. Didn't ride any last year and only one 200 in 2018. With the current guidelines i'm using up my daily exercise walking the dog so limited to trying to get a bit of fitness ready on the turbo (which I find very boring).
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Not at the moment. I was lucky enough to get one in this year, shortly before the lockdown. I was reflecting last year, after giving up on the 1000 du Sud and going touring that, after 15 years of SR series, the need to be at a certain place in a certain time was wearing thin, and might be distracting from the enjoyment of riding a bike. So, in my particular circumstance, an enforced break might be a good thing. It will be interesting to have a spring and early summer focused on my other interests - gardening, writing, and music, that normally get neglected at this time of year in pursuit of miles.
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I was also fortunate to have ridden an audax ( 200km helpers ride) just before the lockdown. I can identify with many of the posts above, and also miss the feeling of satisfaction after an event on returning home and enjoying a beer. On the other hand I have few, if any, audax targets left that seem to matter to me currently. I didn't start serious (i.e annual SR's and longer) audax riding until age 50, and managed 12 years in a row before not quite managing to finish a 600km in time last year. I'm also tiring of chasing control cut-offs, as apart from getting slower over the years ( I was never fast anyway..), now I'm retired there seems less reason to rush round trying to see more countryside in a shorter time, so was already cutting back on audax before the coronavirus crisis, and planning a return to touring. Having said that I believe its very difficult , unless forced by health reasons, etc, to actually give up audax once having become 'addicted' so to speak, so after the crisis I'll probably carry on as a helper and struggling around some events trying to 'beat the clock.' During the crisis I have continued to try to maintain fitness by cycling outdoors for at least an hour a day, usually near to home and including hill repetitions, etc. I also have musical, gardening and other hobbies to pursue so keeping busy.
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Missing the anticipation, the chat, the cake and spending all day outside.
Completed the route check for Another Slice of Rutland 3 weeks ago and not touched the bike again until yesterday to finally get round to cleaning it. Been on the turbo ever since looking across at it across the garage knowing I should apply some TLC.
Was looking forward to my first Easter Arrow next weekend followed by a family holiday. Hopefully we can get the team back together next year.
Bought a gravel bike in the autumn so that should get some local use now it has stopped raining. Have been studying local OS maps spotting bridal ways.
Signed up for BBC London ages ago but even if it goes ahead I doubt I will be fit enough to start.
Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk
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Managed 13.5km around Buckingham in my ACME kit, no police to ask me where I had come from, might have confused them. Also got a similar distance done on Wednesday in my Team Mk kit, so I am there in spirit and look forward to the happier times we will share in the future. Already had a heart attack and skin cancer, this one might be third time unlucky so playing by the rules.
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I don't miss Audax in theory.
Like everyone else I can summon up memories of grim suffering to convince myself I can live without all the downsides.
But in practice, looking out the window thinking I was supposed to be riding the Dorset Coast with good friends on this beautiful sunny day....
:(