Yet Another Cycling Forum
General Category => Audax => Topic started by: Dodge on 28 May, 2008, 09:15:32 am
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Morning Chaps/Chapesses,
I'm after a bit of advice, basically I'm about to do my first 300Km on Saturday (Peacock & Kites from Tongwynlais) and all being well with that event I was hoping to move up to a 400Km over summer.
Only problem seems to be a lack of 400Km events over summer (there seems to be more 600Km) and the ones I have seen unfortunately fall on weekends when I've already got commitments.
Would it be a bridge too far to step straight up from 300Km to 600Km in what is effectively my first year of Audax - previously all I've done is some road racing and sportive events up to around 200Km maximum?
Any advice and/or opinions would be gratefully received!
Ta very much, Dodge...
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There is no reason why you shouldn't try it. 600 in some ways is easier than 400 anyway as you can break 600 into two day rides with some sleep. This is harder to do on a 400. I don't sleep on 400s anyway but I know I can ride 400km without sleep so I do 600s as 400-sleep-200. You probably don't know what you will be like after 400kms. If it was me and I was having trouble I know I'd get too distressed and throw in the towel, you of course might be different. I did my first 600 in my first year of Audaxing, less than two months after my first 300 and with at least one 400 in between. I also did LEL that year to that was my motivation to do the 600, I wanted to see if I could do a SR and a long ride in one year in preparation for PBP.
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I think to my mind, this would depend a lot on the particular 600 you have in mind. If it's a reasonably well supported ride with proper sleep controls, then you could just consider a 600 as two day rides.
Day 1 would typically be 350-400ish km depending on how fast you are, with 200-250km on the 2nd day.
A through the night x-rated job would be a little trickier, as you would probably be experiencing sleep dep on a long ride for the 1st time...
AC
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Any advice and/or opinions would be gratefully received!
Like the man says, JFDI :)
If you can do a 300k, you can do a 400k. 600k is more pleasant (and arguably easier) than 400k. Often because calendar 600k rides have sleeping facilities. Many 400k rides don't.
Try a flatter one to start off with ;)
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Wow, fast responses!
JFDI - absolutely, well I am guilty of thinking about things too much at times, totally agree with you on that one!
MSeries, hearing that you did all that in your first year certainly makes me feel better, I thought perhaps it was a little bit too much to bite off.
I was thinking of doing "A Bridge too far" which goes from Cardiff up to Warrington and back, it says it is a very basic event but does having basic sleeping facilities at around 370Km. Maybe this would not be the best event to enter as a first one?
Any suggestions as a good first event to enter???
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You might be able to find back to back rides over a weekend, that will be a good indicator of your "600 form". Find a couple of 200's running Saturday and Sunday, and enter/ride them.
This will also prove your ability to do long long hours in the saddle. If there's anything amiss with your setup, you'll know it half way through the Sunday!
Assuming all goes well, you should be able to do a 600 with confidence I'd say.
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MSeries, hearing that you did all that in your first year certainly makes me feel better, I thought perhaps it was a little bit too much to bite off.
You can read some more about it here http://www.mseries.plus.com/HowIBecameASR.pdf
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I jumped from 300 to 600 last saturday. It was tough but I wasn't in danger of not finishing. My sore bits were a bit more sore and I ached for a couple of days longer after the ride. Of course it depends on the terrain and weather. I honestly think that the Midhurst 600 could have been almost enjoyable if the weather had been better.
Just make sure you are eating enough and save your self for that final 100km, it's a long 100km (and the final 20km is even longer than that I found)
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Sounds like a great idea Chris, I had not thought of doing that, but certainly sounds like a good way to approach it.
Fortunately there are back to back 200Km at the end of June running out of Tongwynlais (which is local to me) - so perhaps that is a perfect way of testing it out.
Thanks for the suggestion! :thumbsup:
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I was thinking of doing "A Bridge too far" which goes from Cardiff up to Warrington and back, it says it is a very basic event but does having basic sleeping facilities at around 370Km. Maybe this would not be the best event to enter as a first one?
Maybe. It is a very nice route, and not very hilly. The controls are OK too - but last year there was some confusion about the sleeping arrangements and a lot of people ended up missing them. Because it;s a shoestring event you might find fewer riders than one of the mainstream 600s, and it could get a bit lonely if you can't find someone at your pace.
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I did my first 600 before the 400 having done very little since the 300; I had done a 400 the previous year. I generally find 400s harder psychologically because they are one long ride rather than 2 shorter rides (back to back with a Z stop but the second day is much easier and more euphoric) 400s are a lesson in staying up for 24 hrs unless you are lucky enough to get one with a Z stop. For some reason the Severn Across was in July first time I rode it; as were my first 3 400s; they seem to be getting earlier now (I suppose SR series are fast becoming PBP/LEL feeders rather than the Main Event for many riders and it won't be long before there's a major 1200+ event every year), in fact the last one in the South is the Denmead 400 (which I would say is OK as a first 400 too, quite rolling with some great scenery)
A Bridge too Far sounds like an OK 600 as a first.
Agree completely with LEE about the last 100km of a 600
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Thanks everyone for the responses, it has really inspired me and am going to go for it!
I think I'm going to go for the "A Bridge Too Far" event, purely because it is organised by a member of my team, Dave Lewis, and because it starts in my village! Not perhaps the best ideas but hey ho, you have to start somewhere.
Looking forward to reading MSeries' account of gaining SR and hoping maybe I can do my own account of the same later this year!
Cheers y'all!
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Yet another anecdote: Way back sometime in the previous century I decided to return to cycling via audax. In my first season, having done no more than a couple of 100k events, I rode my first ever 300 (not a hilly one) followed a week later by the Bryan Chapman 600, then a 400, and eventually a 200. My training consisted of a few short distance time trials.
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Bear in mind too that GruB and ChrisN managed a ver' respectable time on the BCM600 having never ridden more than a 300k.
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.. and because it starts in my village! Not perhaps the best ideas but hey ho, you have to start somewhere.
That sounds ideal. I had to cycle past my house at 80km, 520km then my parent's house at 550km. The drive home was awful (and now I think about it, quite dangerous). Starting and finishing at home seems like a great iea.
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I had to cycle past my house at 80km, 520km then my parent's house at 550km. The drive home was awful (and now I think about it, quite dangerous).
Wow, that must have been really, really tough mentally!
I think for sure you're right Lee, starting and finishing at home must be a good idea, I'm going to do it! Enough thinking and talking has been done and at this rate I'll just end up talking so much that the ride will have come and gone!
Who dares wins! Hmmmnnn... ::-)
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Sounds like a great idea Chris, I had not thought of doing that, but certainly sounds like a good way to approach it.
Fortunately there are back to back 200Km at the end of June running out of Tongwynlais (which is local to me) - so perhaps that is a perfect way of testing it out.
Thanks for the suggestion! :thumbsup:
Which back to back 200 km rides are you thinking of? Is it the British 200 km and the Ride round Rhondda 200km? If you can do these particular events back to back, you'll definitely have no problem with a 600 km. Between them they have 5.75 AAA points!
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Aye Jasmine, those are the ones! I know the roads these rides are on really, really well, so know that the rides are within my capability - well certainly on an individual basis, but whether or not I'll be OK on back to back days - well that remains to be seen.
But given I live about half a mile from the start - well no excuse really, got to give it a go!
I'm not a climber but I do handle them quite well, I just keep a close eye on my HRM and make sure I pace it correctly...not go gung ho!
Anyone else doing or planning to do these back-to-back events?
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Anyone else doing or planning to do these back-to-back events?
Maybe - I have unfinished business with the British as we packed on it last year.
AC
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Not the back to back, but A Bridge Too Far is on my "definite maybe" list; either that or South then North, depending upon how I feel after this weekend's foray into North Wales.
It is definitely much easier to do a ride that starts from home; no getting up early, faffing with cars or riding to the start. Being on familiar ground (at least the start and end) helps too - although from that point of view Denmead is now starting to feel like home!
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I too did the BCM (600) this year as 1st ride over 300K.
If you can finish the 300 with a bit of time in hand then 600 should be fine. One possible mistake I made was to ride the first 300 too fast (thinking about sleeping time). This resulted was a rather grim/ill night section. Still I had enough time in hand for a few hours rest (although I couldn't sleep much) and left the sleep stop with a couple of hours in hand for a more leisurely 2nd day. I didn't find the last 100 that bad, and the sun even came out for the last 30K making it positively pleasant/fun. I think starting from home was a psycological advanatage (even if it did add an extra 40K) in that towards the end I was approaching familiar teritory and roads.
PS. You'l never know whether you can unless you try.
PPS. Enjoy it!
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Not sure I get the '400 is harder than 600' thing, but I've not ridden a 400 yet and I don't mind riding/being up for 20+ hours at a time. Dodge, get round the 300 and you'll probably be fine. :thumbsup:
There might be an opportunity for a 400 this summer - I still need to ride one and I've got my eye on a DIY Brevet Cymru.
Bear in mind too that GruB and ChrisN managed a ver' respectable time on the BCM600 having never ridden more than a 300k.
yebbut GruB rides about 200 miles a week and I was desperately hanging on to his wheel, suffering like a dog and hating every second of the last 50k. :(
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Cheers Chris, and indeed to all those offering advice and plenty of encouragement.
We'll soon see whether 300Km is OK for me, really looking forward to it now!
Is that an offer regarding the 400Km this summer Chris? I've never done a DIY before. Mind I have heard good ramblings about the Brevet Cymru route, although I did think it was a 600Km - mind I've only been riding Audax since the end of March, so I'm likely to be confused.
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It's just a 'maybe I'll be riding it, possibly with company, at some point, maybe'! I've a vague plan, but nothing organised as yet. If it turns out I've got time and there's a couple/few of us, then I'll let you know.
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There is no reason why you shouldn't try it. 600 in some ways is easier than 400 anyway as you can break 600 into two day rides with some sleep. This is harder to do on a 400. I don't sleep on 400s anyway but I know I can ride 400km without sleep so I do 600s as 400-sleep-200. You probably don't know what you will be like after 400kms. If it was me and I was having trouble I know I'd get too distressed and throw in the towel, you of course might be different. I did my first 600 in my first year of Audaxing, less than two months after my first 300 and with at least one 400 in between. I also did LEL that year to that was my motivation to do the 600, I wanted to see if I could do a SR and a long ride in one year in preparation for PBP.
I found myself saying almost exactly the same to Tim Hall of this parish when he paid a visit here today.
Go for a 600!
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It's just a 'maybe I'll be riding it, possibly with company, at some point, maybe'! I've a vague plan, but nothing organised as yet. If it turns out I've got time and there's a couple/few of us, then I'll let you know.
Ditto.
I really should have a crack at a 400 for SR, and BC is a good option as I can ride from home. Only problem is time and other commitments. Doing the BCM incurred some family-time/DIY/etc debt.
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Sorry to hijack the post a bit but I hope to do my 1st 600 this year too.
When you have a kip at the halfway point, do you usually have some idea of where you're going to rest your weary head or do you just take pot luck and sleep in a ditch?
I woul rally like to have had a wash and a change of clothes/shorts but that's probably a bit too difficult to arrenge and would tie you into a schedule and I do like flexibility. What's everyone's thought on this?
Dodge would find it useful advice too, I hope.
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I woul rally like to have had a wash and a change of clothes/shorts but that's probably a bit too difficult to arrenge and would tie you into a schedule and I do like flexibility. What's everyone's thought on this?
Not at all. :thumbsup:
See the recent Twilight thread for ideas...we rode a similar route last year and had a sleep at a bunkhouse and had hot showers and dried our clothes, a bite to eat and off we set again...
cyclops and others are planning on riding the Twilight in a couple of weeks and I am currently looking at ideas for a 600 route heading up northwards...I shall be working in a hostel/bunkhouse stop for rest and washing.
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Hang on for a wee while Mr Alves. My guess is there may well be a repeat of our successful Twilight - Gie's a Light 600 later this summer. Cyclops, Valkyrie et al are going on 14 June, that might be a bit soon.
I've done several 600s in the sleeping in a ditch stylee. ::-) Belive me, it's much more fun, more civilised and less stressful if you have somewhere to rest your weary arse head. There's nothing like a wee nightcap and sing-song before turning in for the night. ;)
See our various accounts of our ride last weekend on this board. :thumbsup:
EDIT - much as Noodley has just said.
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Sorry to hijack the post a bit but I hope to do my 1st 600 this year too.
When you have a kip at the halfway point, do you usually have some idea of where you're going to rest your weary head or do you just take pot luck and sleep in a ditch?
I woul rally like to have had a wash and a change of clothes/shorts but that's probably a bit too difficult to arrenge and would tie you into a schedule and I do like flexibility. What's everyone's thought on this?
Dodge would find it useful advice too, I hope.
I didn't get the chance to kip on Midhurst 600 and didn't feel I needed to. I much preferred to take a while in Service Stations and the like. However, I DID try and book somewhere originally but everywhere was full due to a big Rugby game in Cardiff so I was, like you, worried about sleeping somewhere beforehand.
My tip would be NOT to kip at half way but at 400km or thereabouts. Try and 'break the back' of the Audax before sleeping. I personally found 200km on Sunday as tough as the 400 before it. I think doing back-to-back 300s seems tougher than a 400-200.
Plenty of riders on Midhurst 600 slept for a bit (either on floor or with head on table) in Motorway Services Restaurant at 400km. I guess you need to know where your route takes you. I saw a couple of country Bus Shelters 'occupied' around 360km but check overnight temperatures before planning to do that (or carry a light summer sleeping bag).
The problem with Midhurst is that it puts you in the middle of nowhere, on a 100km section between 10pm (300km) and 4am (400km) so there weren't many options apart from getting to 400km.
I can really see the attraction of BCM. A big field of riders and some guaranteed facilities. I think I'll do it next year for those reasons. If I planned to do 600's a lot (and I don't) then I'd enjoy free-camping with some ultra-light gear (Hammock/tarp for example). Out in the countryside nobody is going to bother you between 1am and 5am.
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Sorry to hijack the post a bit but I hope to do my 1st 600 this year too.
When you have a kip at the halfway point, do you usually have some idea of where you're going to rest your weary head or do you just take pot luck and sleep in a ditch?
I woul rally like to have had a wash and a change of clothes/shorts but that's probably a bit too difficult to arrenge and would tie you into a schedule and I do like flexibility. What's everyone's thought on this?
Dodge would find it useful advice too, I hope.
Like you and many others, I was very worried about sleeping. I did a 400 first, and had to have 30mins at the 300km mark, so I knew I'd need at least that on the 600.
But it turned out to be no big deal; I have now slept head-on-hands, or indeed under tables on several rides, and survived (although the proper beds were much nicer).
As you say, flexibility is nice on your first one. On the BCM I needed a kip well before the 400km beds, and if I had tried to plod on without sleep I think I would have hated it. Also, I'd hate to book a B&B and then arrive there with just 30mins in hand.
If you fancy a wash/change of clothes, consider carrying just a pack of wet-wipes (ladies tend to have access to a surplus of the smaller packs) and a clean pair of shorts. These items can be deployed at any dry toilet area - service stations are ideal.
Every night has been different in my extensive Audax career (14 months) - the more you do the more you realise it'll probably all work out OK.
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Make your first 600 as painless as possible. I've done 2, The 3 Coasts last year, and the Bryan Chapman this year. The organisation and support on both rides made it so much easier to get round.
You do need to be flexible with your plans, I slept for a couple of hours on the 3 Coasts, but just cat napped on the BCM.
Go to ACF and dig out the as many 600 ride reports as you can. It was the ride reports from last years' BCM that inspired me to have a go at one. Just get as much information as you can, you learn just a much from someone who packed as someone who got round successfully.
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Thanks for all this information, really, really useful.
Regarding the sleeping arrangements, and indeed for the ride as a whole, are there any suggestions on what is best to take with you on a 600Km, e.g. sleeping bags etc.
I'm totally wet behind the ears on this subject ::-) can you tell? I know it should be common sense, but it doesn't hurt asking eh? ;D
Also, none of the rides I have done so far have necessitated any kind of rack. My bike is really a cyclosportive/racing bike rather than a typical Audax bike, it is a Sunday Silk Road with no clearance for mudguards (so I'd have to use Race Blades where required) and use a rack that attaches to the seat post or perhaps one of those Caradice bags off the back of a Brooks saddle(is that right? And if so, can you fit the racks to the back of a standard saddle - Fizik Arione).
Does anyone have any opinions on any of the above regarding bike/equipment?
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I'd look at the Carradice SQR seat packs instead of a rack. They look ideal
for example
SQR Tour (http://www.carradice.co.uk/sqr-saddlepacks/sqr-tour.shtml)
I haven't used one (I use a Barley) so you'd need reviews from others. 16 Litres seems a good size to me or you'll end up carrying too much (like me)
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I like the idea of the Barley myself actually, looks like just the thing without going over the top.
Can you easily fit these to a standard saddle or do you need some additional accessories?
So, when we're talking about sleeping on 600's, do people carry sleeping bags with them on these rides and could you fit one of these in the Barley?
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It's just a 'maybe I'll be riding it, possibly with company, at some point, maybe'! I've a vague plan, but nothing organised as yet. If it turns out I've got time and there's a couple/few of us, then I'll let you know.
Ditto.
I really should have a crack at a 400 for SR, and BC is a good option as I can ride from home. Only problem is time and other commitments. Doing the BCM incurred some family-time/DIY/etc debt.
You don't need a 400. A 600 will do fine. :thumbsup:
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It's just a 'maybe I'll be riding it, possibly with company, at some point, maybe'! I've a vague plan, but nothing organised as yet. If it turns out I've got time and there's a couple/few of us, then I'll let you know.
Ditto.
I really should have a crack at a 400 for SR, and BC is a good option as I can ride from home. Only problem is time and other commitments. Doing the BCM incurred some family-time/DIY/etc debt.
You don't need a 400. A 600 will do fine. :thumbsup:
My arse tells me otherwise.
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It's just a 'maybe I'll be riding it, possibly with company, at some point, maybe'! I've a vague plan, but nothing organised as yet. If it turns out I've got time and there's a couple/few of us, then I'll let you know.
Ditto.
I really should have a crack at a 400 for SR, and BC is a good option as I can ride from home. Only problem is time and other commitments. Doing the BCM incurred some family-time/DIY/etc debt.
You don't need a 400. A 600 will do fine. :thumbsup:
My arse tells me otherwise.
Oh dear, still sore from the BCM? Doing a 200 at the weekend seems to have sorted mine. ???
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Back on the bike now but unless I tweak my position a bit, anything over 500km is likely to be pretty bad. Got to keep riding to stay ahead of you, anway. :thumbsup:
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That's one of the reasons I'm really not very keen on DNSing the Irish Mail due to being worn out and having lots of stuff to do. I dropped a place already since Sunday. :'(
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I'd look at the Carradice SQR seat packs instead of a rack. They look ideal
for example
SQR Tour (http://www.carradice.co.uk/sqr-saddlepacks/sqr-tour.shtml)
I haven't used one (I use a Barley) so you'd need reviews from others. 16 Litres seems a good size to me or you'll end up carrying too much (like me)
I have one, and I like it. I used it on last weekend's 600. However, I was surprised that the set up (empty) weighs more than a Blackburn rack and an Altura Skye rackpack. ???
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Re "the step up" to a 600, it's not really a problem. Just ride steady and eat lots. As Eck mentioned, I'm doing the Twilight 600 in a couple of weeks time. My total cycling distance for the year to date is 550km, including a single solitary 200km a couple of weeks ago.
Re what to carry, clothes etc. - take very little and keep it light. You can generally get a couple of hours shut-eye lying on a floor/seat etc. in the clothes you're wearing. I wouldn't bother with a change of clothes on a 600 - in fact I didn't bother with a change of clothes on PBP, but that was mostly 'cos I was too knackered to go find my drop bag :sick:. The clothes you intend to ride in plus a spare base layer and waterproofs for when it's colder at night are all you need.
Don't forget that you'll need lights. On a nice clear moonlight night a £40 Cateye battery LED is sufficient. On a cloudy, rainy night you'll be practically blind without a decent dynohub/Solidlights combo (or something similar). Worth borrowing a dynohub and lights if you can.
Go for it!
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Don't forget a headtorch to read the route sheet!
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I've only just done my first 600 so cant speak from a position of great authority but would echo valkyries advice to travel as light as possible. I stuck to the absolute basics and managed to get everything into a small Ortleib saddlebag and to be honest I never really felt I was short of anything.
I didnt really feel the need to sleep but when we had an enforced stop at Magor due to the bridge being closed just dossed on the floor and used my waterproof as a blanket. It was fine.
Prior to this ride I'd only done one 300 before but didnt find the increase much of a problem. I think the key is to pace yourself carefully. I used a heart rate monitor and tried to keep down to 70% of max on the flats and no more than 80% on the hills. This takes a bit of discipline as its easy to push much harder when youre fresh at the start, it pays dividends in the end though.
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technically if you ride at 20kph average (inc stops) a 600 should give you 10 hours sleep time. I find a sleep stop vital for breaking the ride down into 2 halves; especially if you are going back to a half way / two thirds point and back out; but YMMV.
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So, when we're talking about sleeping on 600's, do people carry sleeping bags with them on these rides and could you fit one of these in the Barley?
Very few people carry sleeping bags. Teethgrinder sometimes does, I know. But he's a fruityloop who'll happily ride 1000k in a weekend on a mountain bike with panniers.
If it's a calendar ride, there will often be somewhere to sleep at the 350-400k mark. On the three coasts, this was also the arrivee, so you could drop your sleeping bag, do the first half of the ride, come back to the start, sleep and then do the second loop. Infinitely preferable!
I carried an ultralight cellular lofted bivvy bag on PBP, but that was more because of all the horror stories I'd heard about riders not being able to find somewhere under cover to nap. I had two sleeps inna tent/sleeping bag in Loudiac, provided by the lovely Liz. In the end, the bivvy bag stayed vacuum packed and unused, but it was nice knowing that if had really have had to, I could have put on all my clothes and climbed inside for a few hours sleep. It weighed 350g and was the size of a VHS cassette, fitted in one of my front panniers (carried on the rear for PBP).
On a calendar 600k with sleeping "facilities", all you really need is what you'd usually take on an audax and at least a change of shorts. On the BCM, Liz and I had the luxury of a change of shorts every 200k - that was fabulous.
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I carry a space blanket on 400+ rides. Cheap and compact but extremely useful if you are in the middle of nowhere and get struck by the dozies. It is also versatile if the temperature plummets (extra layer of insulation under the shirt etc).
In the past I also carried a cotton sleeping bag liner but now don't bother.
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I'd also go for a change of shorts. I also like having a flannel or two to wash/wipe various places.
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I carry a space blanket on 400+ rides. Cheap and compact but extremely useful if you are in the middle of nowhere and get struck by the dozies. It is also versatile if the temperature plummets (extra layer of insulation under the shirt etc).
I carry one on every audax I do as part of my IFAK (individual first aid kit).
If someone (and that includes me) is injured, you want to keep them warm until the ambulance arrives. A space blanket is just the ticket.
Also useful for emergency kipping :)
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I'd also go for a change of shorts. I also like having a flannel or two to wash/wipe various places.
Baby wipes. Flushable, so you don't have to carry round a flannel that's been used to wash/wipe various places ;)
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I changed into dry shorts, base-layer, socks and jersey after about 450km and it was a real pick-me-up after wearing wet rags for hours. For me it was worth carrying spares for that feeling alone.
Like Charlotte says, it's nice to know you have stuff if you need it. Worrying about not having enough can waste more energy than carrying it in the first place.
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I changed into dry shorts, base-layer, socks and jersey after about 450km and it was a real pick-me-up after wearing wet rags for hours. For me it was worth carrying spares for that feeling alone.
Like Charlotte says, it's nice to know you have stuff if you need it. Worrying about not having enough can waste more energy than carrying it in the first place.
and if the weather turns, as you say wearing wet rags is not much fun.
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I'd also go for a change of shorts. I also like having a flannel or two to wash/wipe various places.
Baby wipes. Flushable, so you don't have to carry round a flannel that's been used to wash/wipe various places ;)
Good idea, but can't always apply enough water to clean some areas to my satisfaction; my sweat is very salty and I hate being sticky. A wet flannel is very good for cooling a hot randonneur/se.
I think I like one for 'clean' areas and one for others.
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I'm a 'kitchen sink' type, who would suggest more kit than many for a 600.
It can get quite cold at night, even in mid-summer, and if you need to stop outdoors following a mishap, you can get very cold, especially if you're wet/sweaty. I'd recommend some warm kit...
and tooth-cleaners
and flannels
and food
and tools
and spares
and maps
etc
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Does anyone have any opinions on any of the above regarding bike/equipment?
Hi Dodge,
Just say that on top of the sage advice above, you may also like to read this thread:
http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=585.0;topicseen (http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=585.0;topicseen)
I travelled fairly light on both of my 600s, but took the kitchen sink approach to Paris-Brest, lugging 2x20ltr panniers the whole way around. One was full of sleeping gear in the form of lwt bivvy, thermarest and folding pillow. I did use these on the first night when the dozies got insufferable, but got dangerously cold (I had bedded down in a market square that was roofed but exposed); it was the closest I came to packing. I think next time, I'd go for the space blanket option instead, even if you take 3-4 and throw them away after each sleep...
AC
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Thanks Andy, much appreciated, I'll have a look at that thread now...
Dodge
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I'd look at the Carradice SQR seat packs instead of a rack. They look ideal
for example
SQR Tour (http://www.carradice.co.uk/sqr-saddlepacks/sqr-tour.shtml)
I haven't used one (I use a Barley) so you'd need reviews from others. 16 Litres seems a good size to me or you'll end up carrying too much (like me)
I have one, and I like it. I used it on last weekend's 600. However, I was surprised that the set up (empty) weighs more than a Blackburn rack and an Altura Skye rackpack. ???
It is however more aerodynamic! Note: - I like mine
Julia ;D
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Inspirational - thank you all.
Not sure if I will ever get up these distances.... having recently got lost on a 200 ;D
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Inspirational - thank you all.
Not sure if I will ever get up these distances
My exact sentiments last year.
Turns out that you will if you want to enough.
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Inspirational - thank you all.
Not sure if I will ever get up these distances
My exact sentiments last year.
Turns out that you will if you want to enough.
Could not agree more, especially given 3 years ago I was a 40-a-day smoker, drinker, 19 stone and could not even ride 2 miles :P
I can still remember the significant pain after a mountainous (well there was a couple of small hills!!) 2 mile ride from the bike shop to home on my new mountain bike! Ouch, I couldn't walk for the next 3 days!
It still amazes me just what the human body is capable of, and I think the point that keeps on coming across is that a huge amount of it is in the head...if you are bloody minded enough then nothing can ultimately stand in your way!
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I think that, for me, crossing the 100 mile ride 'barrier' a few years ago was quite significant.
Once your legs can keep pedalling for 100 miles then they will probably be able to keep pedalling for as long as your brain can hang in there.
I totally agree about it being a mental game on long rides. I used AA Route planner to see how far 600km actually is. As it happens it's the same as cycling from Havant, on the South coast near Portsmouth, to Lockerbie in South West Scotland.
There is NO WAY I would attempt such a thing. That would be crazy right?
However, by breaking it up into small sections (ie. a route sheet) and treating it as several 60km rides to food controls, it turns out that I actually did ride that far in under 2 days. You can always ride another 20km/1hour no matter how tired you feel but there's no way you can ride from Havant to Lockerbie.
When I'm in a bad patch I just tell myself that the next 20km is the same as my feeble little lunchtime ride and it doesn't seem so bad.
Just a mental game.
Edit. I'm started to process of getting my shoulder/neck cramps fixed (Doctor then Physio). If I can sort that pain out then Audax will be less of a mental game and more fun. Most of my longer rides have been about dealing with a "knife shoved in my shoulder blade" rather than turning the pedals. It must be nice to be able to concentrate on the scenery instead. I'm certainly not doing PBP unless it's fixed.
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When I'm in a bad patch I just tell myself that the next 20km is the same as my feeble little lunchtime ride and it doesn't seem so bad.
Just a mental game.
I and a few others I know consider the distance as the number of commutes, I know I can ride home no matter what state I am in. My commute is about 7 km each way, LEL was therefore 200 commutes !!!
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I'm certainly not doing PBP unless it's fixed.
Oh, I'm not sure I'd want to ride PBP fixed. There's quite a few hills... :o
;)
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So, when we're talking about sleeping on 600's, do people carry sleeping bags with them on these rides and could you fit one of these in the Barley?
Very few people carry sleeping bags. Teethgrinder sometimes does, I know. But he's a fruityloop who'll happily ride 1000k in a weekend on a mountain bike with panniers.
I don't carry a sleeping bag, except for a few very rare occasions. If you really get things right and sleep well before the ride, you won't need to sleep. I sometimes carry a balaclava, which is a very lightweight way of keeping warmer for sleeping.
You could always book a hotel on the route and share it with other riders to cut the cost down.