http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Audaxes + sportives 2019 en Wed, 13 May 2026 03:59:31 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19201&page=9#post-318750 Mon, 02 Dec 2019 10:20:40 +0000 panyagua 318750@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Good to meet you @murun - I did wonder if you were a forumite. We enjoyed the day in the end - the section from Gleneagles to Dunblane was stunning with the low sun and frost - but were glad to get back to a hot shower. Ice wasn't too much of a problem in the end - most patches could be steered round, but just one sheet across the path from Clackmannan where dismounting seemed like the sensible option. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19201&page=9#post-318735 Sun, 01 Dec 2019 23:30:33 +0000 Murun Buchstansangur 318735@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@paddyirish yes, that was me - what are the odds of 3 previously unconnected people from a relatively small bit of NI meeting in a small café in Auchterarder? Very nice to meet panyagua and Mrs panyagua also, in that case! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19201&page=9#post-318733 Sun, 01 Dec 2019 22:12:35 +0000 paddyirish 318733@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@Murun, yes, from Dalgety Bay - if you had a conversation about the waitress being from Donaghadee, then I was there in the far corner from you. panyagua who was sitting to your right also a member of the parish! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19201&page=9#post-318732 Sun, 01 Dec 2019 21:29:29 +0000 Murun Buchstansangur 318732@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@paddyirish Going somewhat by the username (and the mention of Kisas), but do you live in Dalgety Bay? If so, your friends were kind enough to let me join them for lunch and we did meet? Nice to meet you if so. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19201&page=9#post-318731 Sun, 01 Dec 2019 21:15:29 +0000 paddyirish 318731@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Was a stunning day, but rule 2 freezing (Clear, -5°C, Feels like -9°C, Humidity 96%, Wind 5mph from WSW - by Klimat.app). Rode with Mr and Mrs panyagua among others, all great company. May have met @Murun, but wouldn't have recognised you- sorry! </p> <p>Was really icy in isolated parts, especially Glendevon and Gleneagles. Was glad I fitted studded tyres in advance. Two great new cafés for me. Kisas in Auchterarder and Corrieris in Causewayhead. </p> <p>Thanks to Mary for organising, even providing a cold weather alternative route, and a great spread at the end. </p> <p>as a wee bonus, a quick detour in Causewayhead meant grabbing a Veloviewer tile that extended my cluster to Loch Venachar. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19201&page=9#post-318730 Sun, 01 Dec 2019 20:53:31 +0000 Murun Buchstansangur 318730@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Did it on the commuter/gravel bike with 38mm gravel tyres. Stuck to the original route which was mostly fine though many roads still white, and occasional black ice from meltwater which had to be looked out for. Some not great driving from the Fife/Stirling/Clacks punters on the short sections of main road, which didn't come as a surprise from previous forays. 29 starters/30 DNS apparently. Thanks to the organiser and helpers. Stovies at the end were great. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19201&page=9#post-318713 Sun, 01 Dec 2019 09:54:35 +0000 edinburgh87 318713@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I'm a reluctant DNS today now too. The 'sore throat' I've been nursing the past couple days was worse this morning. Had hoped it would have sorted itself out overnight. May look at doing something short and local to assuage my guilt a little.. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19201&page=9#post-318693 Sat, 30 Nov 2019 18:36:54 +0000 amir 318693@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I'm going to stick with the coast Road or go mtbing tomorrow morning. I ventured a wee bit south of Eskbank today and it didn't inspire confidence. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19201&page=9#post-318692 Sat, 30 Nov 2019 18:30:26 +0000 edinburgh87 318692@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Thanks Gembo. Grippier tyres it is, I'll just have to consign myself to an even more sedate pace :) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19201&page=8#post-318691 Sat, 30 Nov 2019 18:19:46 +0000 gembo 318691@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Will be icy.</p> <p>Main road A70 was gritted today but still icy</p> <p>We did route to carnwath on gatorskin 25s (or similar) slow on way out - in middle of road. Ok on way back. Two folk said we were brave, water bottles frozen outside apple pie</p> <p>If you take the main road option to avoid the ice I think the mad drivers of fife might get mad.</p> <p>If you take the route that avoids main road you will need grip</p> <p>By about 09.45 main roads will be melting</p> <p>Also is it going ahead? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19201&page=8#post-318690 Sat, 30 Nov 2019 18:11:19 +0000 edinburgh87 318690@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I'll be there - ECE'ing to a 200. Unsure on tyre choice. I have a choice of: normal audax bike with 25mm gatorskins or commuter bike with CX tyres (optional studded front). What's the general consensus of this house? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19201&page=8#post-318681 Sat, 30 Nov 2019 13:05:36 +0000 amir 318681@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@paddyirish I am signed up. Not 100% sure whether I'll do it yet, but I'll be with normal tyres. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19201&page=8#post-318680 Sat, 30 Nov 2019 12:53:08 +0000 Greenroofer 318680@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>A propos of nothing, I have noticed that if one were to get off a train at Oxenholme, make one's way to the top of <a href="https://cyclinguphill.com/great-dun-fell/">Great Dun Fell</a> and then return to Edinburgh via Carlisle, Moffat, Broughton, Carnwath and Auchengray, it would be almost exactly 300km.</p> <p>A return trip from Edinburgh to <a href="https://www.climbbybike.com/climb.asp?Col=Green-Lowther&amp;qryMountainID=16781">Green Lowther</a> down via Carnwath and Abington and back via Moffat is almost exactly 200km.</p> <p>Perhaps luckily, a ride from Oxenholme to Edinburgh incorporating both summits is not 400km.</p> <p>Well there you are. Something for the 2020 thread, I think. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19201&page=8#post-318675 Sat, 30 Nov 2019 10:35:49 +0000 Cyclingmollie 318675@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>When I tried to get a place a couple of weeks ago it was full. But I wouldn't be riding it in this weather anyway. Studs might work but my winter bike doesn't have clearance for them. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19201&page=8#post-318673 Sat, 30 Nov 2019 09:45:36 +0000 paddyirish 318673@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Braco Way 100km out of Dunfermline tomorrow. There is a main road option and the planned route. Think I may fit studs and do the original route.</p> <p>Anyone else riding? Most of you guys don't get out of bed for less than a 200? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19201&page=8#post-317024 Sun, 03 Nov 2019 23:13:14 +0000 bill 317024@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"Langholm to Eskdalemuir was very much a slog."</p> <p>I really like that stretch from Langholm to Eskdalemuir (and then north of Eskdalemuir). Part of it may be because I finally can catch up and leave behind my pals with whom I am not able to keep up on the flats and downhills. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19201&page=8#post-316995 Sun, 03 Nov 2019 14:50:51 +0000 Frenchy 316995@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Enjoyed that immensely, although the stretch from Langholm to Eskdalemuir was very much a slog.</p> <p>Great fun once it got dark, too.</p> <p>Saw a heron, a handful of buzzards and several rabbits, all alive. Also a badger, multiple pheasants, a fox and a frog which were, er, not alive. I also heard an owl at some point, and am <em>fairly</em> sure I saw one at another point, although it was dark and it could just as easily have been a seagull.</p> <p>I took @HankChief's suggested route in both directions on the A7 stretch, although still had one of the most horrendous passes I've ever experienced whilst I was on the A7 itself. Also an oncoming DPD driver forced me into the verge in the dark near Ettrick somewhere.</p> <p>Very nice to meet @bill and @edinburgh87. @bill's "relaxed" pace in the first 50km was too much for me - I slowed down whilst getting some biscuits out of my bag and there was no way I was catching up again. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19201&page=8#post-316980 Sat, 02 Nov 2019 23:57:12 +0000 bill 316980@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Really enjoyed the ride. Amazing colours, lovely low clouds in the morning and in the evening. We even got some sunshine, so my stuff managed to dry out. Not much wind. </p> <p>Counted 5 dead male pheasants and 3 female ones. One of the riders was collecting them along the way. Apparently came back with 3 in total. </p> <p>Nice to meet Frenchy! and thanks for coming and asking if me is me! </p> <p>Also saw a fairly romantic scene on my drive in at 6.30am by the Redford Barracks: a girl in a bit of a dress walking away from the gate. A boy with his hands on the bars on the other side of the gate. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19201&page=8#post-316977 Sat, 02 Nov 2019 23:12:19 +0000 edinburgh87 316977@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@cyclingmollie that's the stretch. I agree ref the surface, was meaning more that the driving was largely fairly well behaved. Altho driving back from Gala myself on way home, was overtaken at 70mph (I was doing 50-60 tops in nsl) , in fog by someone with a death wish descending into Gorebridge on the A7. Unless 2019 Pug 308s have radar fitted I have no clue how he knew there was nothing coming. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19201&page=8#post-316976 Sat, 02 Nov 2019 23:02:04 +0000 edinburgh87 316976@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Glad you had a good day amir. Similar story on the 200 but the freezing fog on in the Ettrick Valley on the leg back from Eskdalemuir in the dark caught me by surprise a wee bit. I think it was a smaller field this year too. Nice to meet Frenchy finally too! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19201&page=8#post-316975 Sat, 02 Nov 2019 20:44:56 +0000 amir 316975@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@greenroofer something more sensible but hopefully as comfortable </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19201&page=8#post-316974 Sat, 02 Nov 2019 20:39:40 +0000 Cyclingmollie 316974@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>edinburgh87: <em>The A7 stretch is used on Alston and Back and tbh I've never found it too bad.</em></p> <p>If it's the bit we did on the first part of the Borders Explorer it's certainly not great. The smoothest bit is the white painted line along the roadside. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19201&page=8#post-316972 Sat, 02 Nov 2019 19:29:32 +0000 Greenroofer 316972@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@amir - sounds lovely. When you say you 'bought a Rolls', was this the impulse purchase of a luxury motor or something more sensible. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19201&page=8#post-316971 Sat, 02 Nov 2019 19:25:37 +0000 amir 316971@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I hope you guys had a good one. I did the shorter one (116km). The first quarter I found tough due to my weaken calf not dealing with the rolling roads that we'll. But once we hit the sustained climb, it started to click for me and I made good time to the cafe and back. I dedicate this Audax to my physio.</p> <p>Colours were terrifyingly beautiful.<br /> It was quite a luxury to have a relatively relaxed start time and finish on the light. I had a good chat with folk I know. Great day. Oh, and I bought a Rolls in the jumble sale. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19201&page=8#post-316970 Sat, 02 Nov 2019 14:29:14 +0000 Frenchy 316970@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Some rain in the first 20 miles, but now a beautiful day, aye. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19201&page=8#post-316954 Sat, 02 Nov 2019 09:36:44 +0000 gembo 316954@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>No rain yet and nary a breathe of wind, could be a good one </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19201&page=8#post-316950 Fri, 01 Nov 2019 23:10:40 +0000 amir 316950@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@edinburgh87 thanks. I'm actually thinking to attempt the shorter ride tomorrow. I can always turn back </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19201&page=8#post-316947 Fri, 01 Nov 2019 22:01:47 +0000 HankChief 316947@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>An extra 7 miles probably isn't worth it but plus 1 would be IMO. YMMV. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19201&page=8#post-316944 Fri, 01 Nov 2019 21:37:40 +0000 edinburgh87 316944@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>PS @ Amir - hope you feel better soon. Are you contemplating the Braco Way 100 in Dec? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19201&page=8#post-316943 Fri, 01 Nov 2019 21:36:26 +0000 edinburgh87 316943@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@bill - decided against the ECE, it's been a pretty busy week at work. Couple more 200s this year then up the distance in January.</p> <p>Did the route-check last week too - for those of you debating the A7 - the closed section was rideable in theory but not pleasant, officially closed, and it would be irresponsible to send 70+ riders down that stretch on an "official" event. The A7 stretch is used on Alston and Back and tbh I've never found it too bad. It's over in 30-40 mins IIRC anyway. </p>