CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Events, rides etc.

Audax + sportives 2014

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  1. crowriver
    Member

    Well I'm at home now having packed the More Passes Than Mastermind about an hour and a half after the départ. I had cycled from Edinburgh early in the morning to Symington (about 53k) as the first leg of an ECE perm, but could not complete the 200k event.

    Several factors decided it for me: I've had a cold all week, and though I was dosed up on max strength flu powders my energy levels were fading after about 70k (from Edinburgh); This meant I struggled to catch the rest of the group after starting a couple of minutes late. I could have carried on, and maybe caught up at Sanquhar but about 20k into the calendar ride my saddle started to twist loose. I spent quite a while trying to tighten the seatpost bolt but after another 5k it was loose again: maybe has a partly stripped thread. The prospect of trying to ride the event with that potentially happening frequently, or getting worse, did not appeal. So Iturned and headed for home.

    Managed to ride back to Edinburgh but had to keep retightening the darn thing!

    Anyway a pity as I was hoping to complete this event. Maybe next year!

    Posted 10 years ago #

  2. Cyclingmollie
    Member

    You and me too crowriver. I've also had a cold. Pulled out early enough to allow my arranged lift to go to someone else.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  3. amir
    Member

    Bad luck to crowriver and also cyclingmollie. It's a good route and I enjoyed the ride a lot though the final unforeseen pass by Biggar was unwelcome. It was very wet south of Sanquhar and headwind from Abington to Thornhill via the Dalveen pass made the going hard on that leg. On the plus side there were plenty of curlews and lapwings and a red kite.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  4. Cyclingmollie
    Member

    Did I say "had" a cold. "Have" is the operative word. Glad you got round safely.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  5. ARobComp
    Member

    Cracking ride yesterday at the MPTM although I was feeling it last night. We took quite the battering I set off with the first group but a few too many beers on thursday put paid to my ability to see it up the hills with the front 4 group and I was dropped. Ended up slogging 40km or so alone through a pass into the wind and rain which was probably good for me as I've been struggling with solo motivation but I found it again!

    Felt strong today which is a good sign! 2 weeks of trying to lose a bit of weight I think and I'll be good for Merse and Moors!

    Also @crowriver I almost missed the start as I was in the loo!

    Many hundreds of thanks to Amir for the lift also as I wouldn't have been able to manage it otherwise!

    Posted 10 years ago #

  6. chdot
    Admin

    "Bethany Christian Trust, an Edinburgh based charity, is inviting serious amateur cyclists to take part in its 6th annual Sportive, on 7th of June."

    Posted 10 years ago #

  7. Blueth
    Member

    For those who may be interested. There is a meeting at 8pm tonight in Bennets bar next the Kings in connection with reviving the Hardriders section of the CTC. All welcome - I'm sure you will know who to approach when there!

    Posted 10 years ago #

  8. DaveC
    Member

    A few CCEers rode the Audax Merse and Moors 300km yesterday. Panyaqua, arobcomp, cyclingmollie and I all set off from Musselburgh at 06:00. The route was Musselburgh-Innerleithen-Elsdon (south of Otterburn over Carter Bar)-Alnwick-Coldstream-Dunbar-Musselburgh. 315km in 17:20 hours. The wind was against us to Alnwick where it got easier to the Arrivee. The Cragside steps were horrid! As was Carter Bar. Well done to Panyaqua and cycling mollie on there first 300, very impressive and cyclingmollie got to ride to England and back as he's wanted to do for a while I understand.

    Dave C

    Posted 10 years ago #

  9. Cyclingmollie
    Member

    Yes, a long held ambition. Your support on the way round - experience, knowledge, encouragement and endless supply of brownies and pancakes - was a tremendous boost. The star of the show for me was the scenery in Northumberland. That is a beautiful part of the country.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  10. ARobComp
    Member

    Well done guys!

    I made the right decision to turn back at Innerleithen. By the time I got back I was pretty worse for wear. I think that I need to recognise that one cannot do work, relationship, sport and social life well all at the same time!

    I think I'd have made it around but would have NOT been a happy bunny!

    Bottom bracket was creaking pretty bad too but think that's just a bearing wash out problem.

    Well done you guys!

    Posted 10 years ago #

  11. panyagua
    Member

    Yes, it was a tough ride but a very rewarding one. Riding through the beautiful Borders scenery in the still morning sunshine made me think that cycling doesn't get much better. Special thanks to DaveC for providing very welcome snacks and guidance, and getting a great 'team time trial' going on the final stretch.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  12. amir
    Member

    I'm feeling a bit jealous of those that did the M & M.Who's planning to do the Tayside Transgression next month?

    Posted 10 years ago #

  13. DaveC
    Member

    Don't be jealous, seriously it was one tough mother lover!!

    I'm not down for the Tayside Transgression even though you could call it local, I'm down for the Deeside Loop, and Southern Uplands two weeks later.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  14. amir
    Member

    I'm on my travels again for those two unfortunately. Hard life.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  15. crowriver
    Member

    Who's planning to do the Tayside Transgression next month?

    I entered this event some time ago. Will need to get a cheky wee 200 in before then to stretch the legs. Might be staying with relatives in Glenrothes prior/after ride, alternatively could camp. Anyone got tips for camp sites near Kinross?

    Posted 10 years ago #

  16. Cyclingmollie
    Member

    ARobComp: "work, relationship, sport and social life ... all at the same time"

    To which you could add organising POP14.

    I'm not sure what to do next. The Southern Upland looks very tough. It's x-rated whatever that means. I only have the Crystal Run and the Erit Lass on my list. I might try a DIY by GPS to England.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  17. DaveC
    Member

    X rated is not as bad as you might imagine. It simply means its a basic event. No starting or ending food/drink/accomodation. You simply collect your card at the start, and then make your way round collecting receipts etc, as you normally do. At the end you simply pop the brevet and receipts in the letter box of the org, or post it off to them within a week. This is why its cheap as chips (non Harry Ramsden's chips) as there are no frills offered.

    You are ideally suited for the Southern Uplands as its near your house so you can roll up last minute, and then head off to bed at the end, where as others have to drive to the start and then org their own accomodation, or risk driving home straight afterwards!

    Posted 10 years ago #

  18. Cyclops
    Member

    The Southern Uplands hasn't got the short, steep climbs that the Merse and Moors has but is more long, steady climbs. You still get me to wave you off at the start but as I'm riding round with you all there won't be any catering at the end.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  19. Dave
    Member

    Southern Uplands is going to be my first brevet this year I think - quite a bit of new road which is exciting, and who can say no for £2?

    Posted 10 years ago #

  20. DaveC
    Member

    Dave you doing it on the bent? I'm tempted...

    Got new Kojaks and mudguards on mine. :D

    Posted 10 years ago #

  21. DrAfternoon
    Member

    I managed to set off from Musselburgh at 6.11am after discovering a flat tire before I even got on the bike!

    Excellent day though. Worst was the climb to Carter Bar on that rough road against the wind. Actually enjoyed all the ups and downs from Duns to Dunbar and felt much better in Dunbar than I did last year, although I struggled to match the time trial pace back to Musselburgh. The flat still seems to be my weak spot.

    Signed up for the Southern Uplands and the Tayside Transgression. Pushing towards my first SR this year, and still haven't given up the notion of the West Highlands 1300.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  22. DaveC
    Member

    @DrAfternoon, were you in the wee group of 5 of us TTing back fron Dunbar, or where you the chap at the back who said he was loosing power?

    Dave C

    Posted 10 years ago #

  23. Cyclingmollie
    Member

    Amir has offered me a lift to the Tayside Transgression. So if there are places left I will ride that. Another 300 aaargh!

    Posted 10 years ago #

  24. DrAfternoon
    Member

    @DaveC, I was in the group slightly ahead of you guys. I think I last saw you in Coldstream. Don't think any of my final lot are on here. We lost Kevin Rae in Duns after his back wheel broke a second spoke. (I'm Duncan by the way).

    The route for the Tayside Transgression looks gorgeous. I spent a lot of childhood holidays in Glen Lyon but I've never cycled the length of it.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  25. DaveC
    Member

    Ah Duncan...!!! penny drops. Great to see you in the cafe in Elsdon btw.

    Yeh Kevin caught up with us in Duns. We over took you guys in Coldstream but were heading for Duns as I like the pubs there. Unfortunately having only used it on the Erit Lass, and us being later on the Merse and Moors, the pubs had stopped serving food. We did find one up by the police station, next to a chippy and got fish and chips. Kev's wife picked him up and he buzzed us as we were heading north 10 mins later.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  26. DaveC
    Member

    Well that's the Deeside loop out the way. The Caorn o Mount was a long hot slog and was very hard. I'm so glad I had 22,32,44 on the front and 11 - 34 on the back as I really need it. 11 hours in total. The day was mainly fine but the wind appeared to strengthen throigh the day and the Cairnwell qas an 8kph grind up into a head wind with showers on and off.

    I have ridden this before so know what to expect, but its a little different on a recumbent. Hurts in different places today. I shall start taking ibuprofen at the start, not 70km in when it starts to hurt. My knees appear to be taking a battering and hurt but nat as much as the Merse and Moors 300km audax.

    I really need to cut down on the rubbish I carry round with me, the bent is heavy enough as it is. Top speed according to Strava was 81kph with my computer reckoning 88.9 and me seeong 86on the gps. Certainly fast but I wasn't able to pedal more than around 50kph with my gearing as it is currently.

    Next up, cyclops' Southern Uplands 400 in 2 weeks.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  27. Baldcyclist
    Member

    "
    Hurts in different places today. I shall start taking ibuprofen at the start, not 70km in when it starts to hurt
    "

    I believe Tramadol is the painkiller of choice these days for the Pro's. ;)

    Posted 10 years ago #

  28. Uberuce
    Member

    I fancy doing the Deeside Loop or Snow Roads or at least a very long jaunt in that area, but still haven't bothered joining AUK. I do, however, have a parent that has a big house near-enough on the route of both of them.

    I've only tentatively cleared this said parent, my dear old Dad, so it's provisional, but: does anyone fancy going up to Castle Uberuce on a Friday night, eating vastly and then setting out into the Grampians, biding over on the Saturday and then back on the Sunday?

    There's room for two in proper beds, a third on a sofa-bed, and couch space for two more.

    If there's cars and roofracks, then we can ignore the need for sleeping arrangements, just ditch the vehicles there and treat it as a day event.

    For the car-less among us(eg: me), there's a 20 mile ride from the nearest train station so the bunks might be needed.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  29. Dave
    Member

    @DaveC, I just popped in my entry for the Southern Uplands, so I'll be at the start one way or another, on the bent.

    I'm not sure I'll try to do the whole thing, as I've only ridden it once this year (to work and back), and I haven't even managed a 200 yet. But it's a nice route and there are a couple of options to cut it short (Monaive to Dalmellington or even Moffat to Abington) if my knees give me gyp.

    Better get the bike dialled in...

    Posted 10 years ago #

  30. Cyclingmollie
    Member

    Uberuce I could be interested but would depend on my wife's working hours, my mum's willingness to come through for a couple of days, drop-offs, pick-ups etc. etc. One day events are much easier to fit into my life.

    Posted 10 years ago #

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