Hello Dears
With the new audax season well underway, I know that many of you will have concerns and questions about your riding and I've registered here to see if I can offer you the benefit of my many years riding experience.
I doubt that many of you will have been audaxing as long as I have and in that time, I've learned a thing or two about how to become a successful rider. I've ridden all the classics in my time, PBP, LEL, BMB, CNC, NFN, DVD, you name it and I've probably been there and back again.
Of course, these days, modern bicycles and equipment makes riding so much more enjoyable. I cut my teeth on long distance rides using lugged steel and stiff leather so I doubt I'll know much about your fancy carbon bikes if that's the sort of thing you want help with. But it's good to see so many of you still insisting on waxed cotton duck to carry your rainproofs. I know that I wouldn't be comfortable with anything else banging into the back of my thighs on a long wet ride.
I'm very much a traditionalist and sometimes I wonder whether or not you young things have it too easy now. Back in my day we used to navigate using nothing but our flickering Pifcos and the light of the stars. Nutrition was all about jam sandwiches and most of us used to carry our own tea bags in case they ran out at the cafe stops. Well, what with the rationing, you never could be sure.
Many people have turned to me for advice over the years I've been riding, so please don't feel that your troubles are too trifling to discuss here. I could tell you tales of how I counselled some of our most famous riders in their moments of doubt. I've seen them learn and grow from little acorns to the mighty audax superstars that they are today. I taught that Richard Phipps everything he knows about spinning a fixed wheel and many's the night that Jack and I shared a comforting bowl of rough shag together. Few know it, but it was me who gave little baby Dave Hudson his nickname. As I dandled him on my knee during a Spanish tandemming holiday with his parents, I couldn't help but notice how appropriate it was!
So don't be shy, my dears. Ask me anything you like about long distance riding and I'll try to help you. If your problem is too embarassing to mention publically (I know all about the issues some of you gentlemen can face, "down there") you can confide in me by private message and I'll answer your letter anonymously.
See you up the road!
Mrs Miles