Audax Dreams for the New Season

[Bikeabilityman]

What should I do?

Don't let Audax run your life (and give others a chance 😉). Cycle to the shops (and pub), go on 50 mile (and less) club rides, dig over the allotment, paint the house (I'm doing that intermittently!), etc.

[Jethro]

I have spent 2017 really enjoying my cycling and only did two rides all year that were over 100 miles (Ride London 100 and Velo Birmingham 100).  I did a number of 100k Audax's as well and took my time by riding and chatting to others.

I am beginning to miss riding a 200k though, the last being a DIY Perm in October 2016.  Next year may be similar to this year again though.

[BobScarle]

One thing I do want to have a go at next year is the Dunwich Dynamo. I hope to ride from Redditch to Hackney, do the DunRun and then ride to a hotel. Ride back home the next day. Something a little different to audax, no time constraints.

[Ian H]

Once again I’m trying not to be in “Championship” mode......

Part of me wants to win a seventh consecutive title, and part of me wants to stay home when it’s icy, sleep in when it’s dark, pig out on the sofa in front of a film when it’s blowing a hoolie, and sit drinking coffee / reading a book in the conservatory when it’s raining cats and dogs (which sounds great under all that glass).....

What should I do?

There's always the year record. Ride it then write about it.

[telstarbox]

@BobScarle: Dunwich is great fun, get it in the diary!

[whosatthewheel]

Once again I’m trying not to be in “Championship” mode......

Part of me wants to win a seventh consecutive title, and part of me wants to stay home when it’s icy, sleep in when it’s dark, pig out on the sofa in front of a film when it’s blowing a hoolie, and sit drinking coffee / reading a book in the conservatory when it’s raining cats and dogs (which sounds great under all that glass).....

What should I do?

Leave it to someone else... you're unlikely to get an OBE even if you reach 10 consecutive titles...

[Aunt Maud]

@ BM

Take a break, have a KitKat.

[bikey-mikey]

What should I do?

Seek professional help. And I say that in all sincerity.

Indeed, Melovan....  Veloman

I get depressed and put on citalopram again, and then get told to go out and ride my bike... and it goes away...   ride your bike advice given by neurologist, neuro-psychologist, neuro-psychiatrist, neuro-physiotherapist and several GPs..  but it’s not just for the endorphins: they say I need to feel successful...

[whosatthewheel]

What should I do?

Seek professional help. And I say that in all sincerity.

Indeed, Melovan....  Veloman

I get depressed and put on citalopram again, and then get told to go out and ride my bike... and it goes away...   ride your bike advice given by neurologist, neuro-psychologist, neuro-psychiatrist, neuro-physiotherapist and several GPs..  but it’s not just for the endorphins: they say I need to feel successful...

Set yourself a new target? With time in my hands, I would love to have a go at the record for the cycle around the British Coast... 4800 miles, I think 220 miles a day to bag the record?
Admittedly it needs a bit of budget, as you will be sleeping and eating out for 3 weeks, but with a couple of grand to spare, why not?

A few months to get faster and then you set off in May or June

[mattc]

Yes, a new target sounds like a good idea 

But I guess BM wants something that he can steadily chip away at all-year round. How about something LIKE munro-bagging - I'm not sure what is around in cycling, but the possibilities are endless:
- The 100 climbs (or the 200?);
- Every county/town   (/village ... )
- Cross every river?

... and maybe try to fit as many 'hits' into audaxes as you can [cos I'm presuming you do actually like the culture/framework of audax, and its participants ]

[whosatthewheel]

I like the idea of the 100 (or 200) climbs... only issue there is having to face long car trips to tackle "that climb"... Bealach Na Ba springs to mind... it is a very very long way up in Scotland. I remember many hours of driving just to go from Fort William to Applecross

I also think that something like the round the coast of Britain might only be 20-30 days of cycling, but it is a lot of work to plan it... perfect for those long dark winter days. Accomodation needs to be sorted, the route needs to be finalised to the last detail, including detours for possible road closures in the more remote areas... and then of course the million dollar question: Clockwise or anti-?
Totally unsupported or partially supported?
Personally, I do like planning and looking forward to things, gives me the same good feel as actually doing it.

[telstarbox]

Yes - it's very satisfying when you've spent some time putting together a route, identifying scenic lanes, picking out potential cafes etc and then it all comes together on the day

[dim]

I've cycled 13,451 Km so far this year, with an elevation gain of 74,717 m

my average for the week is approx 300 Km (commuting plus a few decent rides per week .... I have a 42Km route that has 300 meters of elevation that I enjoy doing a few times a week

and still.... I feel that I'm not ready for anything over 200Km. 

I've cycled a few 200Km rides, and was pretty knackerd after that, so to think that I can cycle for another 4 hours+ would be guessing. Could be my bike (Giant TCR which has pretty aggresive geometry and probably not suited for very far rides?)

In spring/summer, I will try to cycle a 135Km route with 1400 meters of elevation 2-3 times per week (preferably on 2 consecutive days on a weekend and one midweek) and then try and build it up from there.

I will do a few 200Km Permanent Audax rides and enter as many 100-200Km Audax rides as possible, and then try a 300Km Audax and see how that goes

I have another problem, being that I need to slow down a bit .... I always ride solo, and every ride is a race ... iff I see someone in the yonder, I have to catch up and pass .... and, I need to join the Cambridge Cycle club and do the beginners group rides where I will learn how to ride in a group.

I'm hoping that I will be able to do rides such as LEL and PBP

[whosatthewheel]

I've cycled 13,451 Km so far this year, with an elevation gain of 74,717 m

my average for the week is approx 300 Km (commuting plus a few decent rides per week .... I have a 42Km route that has 300 meters of elevation that I enjoy doing a few times a week

and still.... I feel that I'm not ready for anything over 200Km. 

I've cycled a few 200Km rides, and was pretty knackerd after that, so to think that I can cycle for another 4 hours+ would be guessing. Could be my bike (Giant TCR which has pretty aggresive geometry and probably not suited for very far rides?)

In spring/summer, I will try to cycle a 135Km route with 1400 meters of elevation 2-3 times per week (preferably on 2 consecutive days on a weekend and one midweek) and then try and build it up from there.

I will do a few 200Km Permanent Audax rides and enter as many 100-200Km Audax rides as possible, and then try a 300Km Audax and see how that goes

I have another problem, being that I need to slow down a bit .... I always ride solo, and every ride is a race ... iff I see someone in the yonder, I have to catch up and pass .... and, I need to join the Cambridge Cycle club and do the beginners group rides where I will learn how to ride in a group.

I'm hoping that I will be able to do rides such as LEL and PBP

It sounds to me like your legs are fine but your head is not in the right place. Most folks doing 600 and over would probably ride less than you, probably slower than you, but have a different mindset about distance.

Basically distance is where you draw the line... I used to see 200 km as a very long way... now that line has been moved to 400 and 200 seems a "half day workout".

The other thing you might want to look into are contact points... when you ride for 10 hours or more a saddle that fits your shape becomes essential, a position that doesn't make your hands numb or doesn't break your back are also a must.
Most long distance audaxers use leather saddles and very relaxed riding positions... you lose 10 watts of aerodynamics, but gain 10 hours of "bearable cycling"

[Mrs Pingu]

I suppose now I've booked that ferry to Belgium I'd better have a bash at that Flat as A Pancake 300 for slow people I've been pondering...
Don't tell anyone though.

[Pingu]

You've said it now 

[Ruthie]

Well, points would be nice. But I’ve been saying that for ten years now 

So I might try and I might not. I mean, really.

[Mrs Pingu]

You've said it now 

Shhhh!

[Zed43]

What should I do?

Ride Every Tile?

As for my audax dreams in 2018:

• RRtY (July 2017 - June 2018
• Brian Chapman & This is not a Tour
• Revenge on the Kristiansand #1 (1000km)
• Merselo - Verona

And probably a few other brevets; Knock Ventoux and Tan Hill being in the same weekend is alluring travel wise.

[The Solo Socialist]

Not to crash this year, get full use of my Right Hand!
Ride regularly without DNF's or worse still DNS's.
Get fit and maintain that fitness.

[bikey-mikey]

Not to crash this year, get full use of my Right Hand!
Ride regularly without DNF's or worse still DNS's.
Get fit and maintain that fitness.

I wish you well, on your noble quest.  May all your rides be long and successful, and your fitness build steadily.

[hillbilly]

Randonneurs, who art on cycles,
hallowed be thy aims,
across this land,
Year round ye plan,
to start in the next LEL.

Fill in this day your brevet card.
Fake not your information controls,
as we forgive not
those who break regulations.

Head you not into McDonalds, and deliver you from Ginsters
For yours is the routesheet,
The Maptrap, and the eTrex
For SRs and SRs, audax.

[telstarbox]

Very good

[The Family Cyclist]

To do some Audax (what's the plural of Audax?) For the first time in my working life I don't work weekends. Have hardly cycled last three months for reasons I can neither reason or justify as reasons but hopefully can convince my legs to get me round a 100 especially if I remember to keep them fed

[whosatthewheel]

To do some Audax (what's the plural of Audax?) For the first time in my working life I don't work weekends. Have hardly cycled last three months for reasons I can neither reason or justify as reasons but hopefully can convince my legs to get me round a 100 especially if I remember to keep them fed

Being a Latin word, the plural would be "Audaces", but you will read "Audax" and "Audaxes" commonly used as plural