Yes - it is 2014 already (in the wonderful world of audax).
Events can be found here: http://www.aukweb.net/events/?From=14%2F10%2F2013&To=12&Days=&Category=&Dist_min=&Dist_max=&Aaa=&Region=scotland
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Events, rides etc.
Audax + sportives 2014
(345 posts)-
Posted 10 years ago #
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These are the events that are tempting me just now:
27 Oct 2013 Ride of the Valkyrie's (complete with spare apostrophe)
13 April 2014 Rivers Lochs and Glens - nothing like a ride with a ferry
There are plenty more excellent choices, including those by Cyclops of this ilk. I'll also be aiming to do some DIYs.
Posted 10 years ago # -
What's Ride of the Apostrophe's?
Posted 10 years ago # -
The Snow Roads is already booked up. Lordi.
I'll have to clear it with my Dad and sister, but I have room for between two and four cyclists to get a proper bed in Forfar, should we decide to concoct a DIY that cribs the route, except that it fiddles the start a little and overshoots Kirrie at the end.
Posted 10 years ago # -
You can always ride the Perm Uberuce!
So far I have planned:
October 200km DIY
Sun 27 Oct 2013 106km Ride of the Valkyrie's from Galashiels
Nov 200km DIY by GPX
Dec 200km DIY by GPX
Jan 200km DIY by GPX
Feb 200km DIY by GPX
Mar 200km DIY by GPX / 200km Calender event.
Sat 19 Apr 2014 300km Merse and Moors from Musselburgh
Sat 17 May 2014 400km The Southern Uplands from Musselburgh
Sat 07 Jun 2014 300km The Snow Roads from Kirriemuir
Mon 21 Jul 2014 1302km The Highlands, Glens & Western Isles from Brodick, Isle of ArranPosted 10 years ago # -
@DaveC, I'm riding a DIY 200 this week that's very similar to yours, except I start in Edinburgh, head to Crieff, and go via Ladybank, cutting out the Tayport/St Andrews bit. Will be doing a few more DIYs over the winter, one a month should do nicely.
Entered the Snow Roads, and More Passes Than Mastermind 200 out of Symington, though I've an issue getting to the start: seems the first train to Carstairs won't get me there early enough. Could ride there I suppose, but it's an extra 60k (mostly in the dark) and would require getting up a silly o'clock...
As to other calendar rides, haven't decided yet but I might scale back my travelling a bit this year, which naturally reduces the choice available. We shall see...
Posted 10 years ago # -
I'm not sure I want to join Audax UK, though. I just like going for unreasonably long rides in unreasonable weather at roughly 13.5mph average, whilst on a steel bicycle with a Carradice and sporting a beard.
Wouldn't I stick out?
Posted 10 years ago # -
The Merse and Moors from Musselburgh 300 looks fun, but 3 times further than my longest ever ride. Reckon I could make it?
Posted 10 years ago # -
@twq. I'd do a few 200's so you get comfortable with distance before you extend to 300.
Its starting to get a bit difficult to do a 200 now though as daylight is reducing. If you have a 200 you can try on roads which in the dark you're comfortable on, and perhaps have someone who can ride with you, then you could build up to it over winter.
I was told 'You can ride twice as far as you're comfortable with, easily', which is pretty true for me. Got comfortable with 100's, then 200's, so the 400 was fine and 600 easiler (especially as the 600 was over 2 days).
But personally for me commuting 4-5 days a week to work really helps get you match fit! (long rides are important though to get to know your body and how it responds to longer rides.
Posted 10 years ago # -
I am of the opinion that training for audax happens in the digestion.
Get your gut used to long hours of frequent meals and constant demand, then it's over to stubbornness and cheeriness. Fitness barely gets a look in; once you can do 40 miles, your muscles' performance drops out the equation.
Posted 10 years ago # -
Yeh I'd agree with Uberuce somewhat.
Posted 10 years ago # -
I'm tempted to do my quals for PBP. a 200, a 400 and a 600.
Apart from that though I'll be concentrating on road racing next year.
Posted 10 years ago # -
Thanks @DaveC - I don't know if my 4 mile commute really counts, maybe I should start extending it. I can handle 40 miles easily enough, and do eat regularly. Got a turbo trainer for the worst short winter days so I can keep pedalling.
Posted 10 years ago # -
That Merse and Moors looks good fun. 60 miles further than my longest ride (and 80 miles longer than my longest this year), but handy starting in Musselburgh as I can just head out from home, and the southermost point isn't a million miles from my sister's place if I need to ditch and get the train back from Newcastle.
And only £6. I think I may just have to enter that tonight.
Posted 10 years ago # -
Ah yes, it's the year before PBP.
I can't believe things are selling out already, I hadn't even started considering the next Snow Roads so soon after the last. Didn't the season start like a week ago? :Z
My real aim this year is to find the motivation to do a few DIY by GPS. I could never be bothered before, but now we live on the outskirts of town it should be possible to work out a fast 200km and force myself to ride it.
Posted 10 years ago # -
@arobcxmp ;O)
You'll have to ensure you ride a BRM audax to qualify for entry to PBP. I'm riding a 1300 next year, which I'm hoping will give me first dibs on PBP entry, but Dave will know more than me, as the seasoned Audaxer on here, along with cyclops.
I think the only 600 next (calender) year is Lucy's 600 from Galasheils.
Dave C
Posted 10 years ago # -
What is a DIY by GPX/GPS?
Posted 10 years ago # -
You set the route by locations, like places (like a paper entry), or junctions of roads, like A977/A92 junction. Then ensureing its still min distance using Google walking, you post your entry and just point out its DIY by GPS in the entry. I like to link to the google directions plan I have setup to check the route also, in the notes attached to the entry.
Then when you have completed the ride, you send the gpx to the organiser for the region.
Posted 10 years ago # -
You don't need to do any rides in 2014 to qualify for PBP (you need to do a BRM SR in early 2015). Riding a BRM event in 2014 will allow you to register but not qualify earlier for PBP but in 2011 it wasn't oversubscribed and proved totally unnecessary. They've upped the numbers for PBP2015 but abandoned national quotas so it's hard to predict but you'll most likely be fine with no rides in 2014 but if you're really worried a 200 will more than suffice.
Posted 10 years ago # -
Cyclops, one of the riders (we both know) said that as I'm riding the Highlander this Audax year, that I'd get an invite to the 2015 PBP? I know I have to ride an SR in 2015, which I plan to do anyway, but does riding anything over 1000km the year before really give people any preferential treatment over others who may not have?
Cheers,
Dave (still new to this stuff) C
p.s. yes I know I'll look at the AUK handbook, and I beleive there is a PBP website which may also help.Posted 10 years ago # -
I don't know anything about 2015, but previously the ACP handed out a national allocation to each org, who then had to figure out how to award places if they were oversubscribed.
IIRC some did this on the basis of your longest ride the previous season (i.e. first refusal to those who did a 1600km, then to those who did 1400km, etc etc). You still had to apply.
The UK wasn't oversubscribed as Cyclops says, but I hedged my bets with a 600km the year before (I'd never done anything more than 200km so didn't know if I really wanted to try PBP anyway).
I'm put off the Highlander by the thought of spending days riding through insane clouds of midgies. At least it's x-rated so there (probably?) isn't a cap..
Posted 10 years ago # -
The longer BRM ride you do in 2014 the sooner you can preregister for PBP. They don't send out invites though! Quote from ACP (PBP organisers) :"In 2011, we had many available places. It should be the same in 2015".
So you can preregister earlier but they anticipate everyone who wants a place will get one, even if they don't ride a BRM in 2014.
Posted 10 years ago # -
Hmm... front door 200km (almost)
Any improvements?
Posted 10 years ago # -
@Dave the link does not work.
Posted 10 years ago # -
I've really enjoyed the two audaxes I've finished (for some reason I thought I had something on the day on the Three Glens or I would probably have done it again). I do like the look of some of the scenic west coast ones (like the one with the ferries, starting from Ballachulish) but 200km is a long way and involves some commitment to training... so I'm really not sure what, if anything, I'll do this year.
Posted 10 years ago # -
@fimm, try removing the last number! :D Also just ride to and from work more, and that'll help with tthe training. You did brilliantly on this years Snow Roads!
@Cyclops, thanks for clarifying, that sounds like good news. Gavin (another mutual mate) also wants to ride the PBP - and we're planning our SR next year. He's away in July so will miss Lucy's 600, so I may also end up riding John SB's 600 which is very conveniently situated/modified to start from, pass by and end at, our houses!
Dave, I don't plan to stop long enough to get eatten alive! I've walked the WHW also and know what I'm in for! Hence taking a tent not a bivi! Am still umming and erring about hostels....
Posted 10 years ago # -
That's me entered the Merse and Moors. I feel slightly lightheaded.
Posted 10 years ago # -
You wait until you finish it, you'll feel somewhat different! ;O)
Posted 10 years ago #
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