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Audax + sportives 2014

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  1. Dave
    Member

    +1

    This is just a suggestion, but if you ride with a GPS, it would be interesting to look at the amount of time you spend off the bike and see whether this is also adding pressure to your rides.

    I remember taking a straw poll after the last PBP and it was remarkable how similar the "time on the road" element of the ride was between people who finished in ~65 hours and people who finished in 90 hours.

    Getting through the controls quickly makes it more likely that you'll be able to ride in groups, which reduces the effort you need to put in, in turn meaning you need less of a rest at controls...

    Worth a thought anyway. Don't be disheartened!

    Posted 9 years ago #

  2. DaveC
    Member

    Sounds like a hard ride Chris. Glad to hear you made it back ok and your sleepy moment didn't end as bad as it could have! This ride sounds ultimately tougher than my 400 last weekend! Anythign where you are out of time and having to ride through the night just to get home sounds awful! At least on a 400 you expect an overnighter. One of my problems if faffage at controls!

    Posted 9 years ago #

  3. crowriver
    Member

    Thanks everyone for the supportive words of encouragement. I was disappointed, if not surprised, at my lack of speed on the road. As I had feared beforehand, a complete lack of training since early April weakened my performance, if not my determination.

    Btw my tip is to do some shorter rides concentrating on speed and/hills.

    I have Arthur's Seat on my doorstep so will probably do some hill climbing routines there as a starting point. Ultimately though I'm just getting old, I can certainly improve my performance (I have been better in the recent past) but I will never be fast.

    Faffing at controls? Possibly, but I think both I and my riding companion (who I have since discovered also packed) were very conscious of not wasting time at stops: you have to be when you're up against the time limit. It was really my road speed that wasn't up to scratch.

    Anyhow, as I said I'll take a wee break to take stock and see what July brings.

    Posted 9 years ago #

  4. amir
    Member

    Don't let this knock your confidence too much. After all you survived and 300km is a very long way (as everyone outside the audax world will ascertain). Above all do the cycling for the enjoyment (even if that involves pain!).

    "I'm just getting old, I can certainly improve my performance (I have been better in the recent past) but I will never be fast."

    Well, you will have seen plenty of audaxers older than both of us. But certainly don't imagine you can't get a bit faster if you want to. It's about drive, belief and a bit of training (along with cake to balance). Cycling with others that are slightly faster than you can help as well.

    Posted 9 years ago #

  5. crowriver
    Member

    plenty of audaxers older than both of us.

    Aye, but most were previously (or are still) road racers, time trialists, triathletes, club riders or marathon runners with years of training behind them. I am "none of the above"...

    Posted 9 years ago #

  6. LaidBack
    Member

    Been reading this and can understand your disappointment.

    On the upside the fact that you dug in and got home means that you should not be totally disheartened.

    There are so many variables in why a ride might not go as well. One other one not mentioned I think is familiarity with a route. I'm sure everyone here has conquered the fear of a hill that they thought was at their limit. By doing it time and time they know it's beatable. 'Seasoned' Audaxers may have passed the same territory on 'shorter' audaxes many times.
    In a way the whole genre is about pushing limits (and bikes from time to time). It's survival on a bike.
    DaveC recently changed his bike and he's now got to adapt to that (if he's willing to). The thing is I'm sure if you have the mindset to overcome these challenges you will come back again for more.

    Posted 9 years ago #

  7. DaveC
    Member

    "It's survival on a bike.
    DaveC recently changed his bike and he's now got to adapt to that (if he's willing to). The thing is I'm sure if you have the mindset to overcome these challenges you will come back again for more. "

    I have the mindset, I just need a new set of knees. Or lots of spinning, or both! :O(

    Posted 9 years ago #

  8. crowriver
    Member

    There are so many variables in why a ride might not go as well. One other one not mentioned I think is familiarity with a route. I'm sure everyone here has conquered the fear of a hill that they thought was at their limit. By doing it time and time they know it's beatable.

    There's certainly something to that. One motivation for riding calendar events is to travel to areas I haven't cycled before. However that has the drawback of not knowing which climbs to prepare for, and so on. I knew the roads in Fife, Angus and Perthshire pretty well but not the area north of Blaiegowrie and west of Pitlochry.

    The cafe owner at Bridge of Balgie said she knew some of the faster riders as they do weekend club runs out that way. So they certainly have practised on some of the hills around there.

    I think I'll be back riding audaxes but I need to consider my tactics and strategy if planning on riding some of the more challenging events or longer distances. Just getting miles in the legs will not be enough on its own, it seems. Some additional training will be required. Whether I have the time or discipline required to put in that extra effort remains to be seen. Hence a break to think about it.

    Posted 9 years ago #

  9. DaveC
    Member

    Some people appear happy with a series of 200s. I know you completed a RTYR which I did not. There comes a time when you know what you are capable of, and I have accepted this. I'll not bother trying to ride RTYR again as its a PITA in winter. I also tried to ride with friends and others being busy at different times meant on a few occations we were forced to ride on the last day possible before the end of the month, regardless of what the weather was like. This is silly and meant I didn't enjoy it, so I binned that idea.

    If you can't complete certain rides and are not enjoying it, why bust a gut, and put yourself at risk? I know its supposed to be 'Audacious' but my priority is enjoyment. This is why I'll be holding off riding the Highlander on the Bent for the time being, and am riding the Snow Roads on my Dolan Dimon Frame bike.

    Posted 9 years ago #

  10. riffian
    Member

    Crowriver, your ride report certainly captured your determination in the face of adversity. Well done for surviving and getting home!
    I've never done more that a 200k so I wont offer advice on technique/training for a 300k.
    In terms of increasing my speed on the road, I've found club riding an effective and sociable way of doing it. I ride with PortoVelo who are a friendly club not too far from you.

    Posted 9 years ago #

  11. crowriver
    Member

    @DaveC: If you can't complete certain rides and are not enjoying it, why bust a gut, and put yourself at risk?

    Yes, absolutely. This is the reason why I seldom try to keep up with the faster riders. On the other hand, I can complete a 200 now without much bother, sometimes even in a decent time. I enjoyed most of the Tayside Transgression, until the rain started and it got dark. I even managed a 300 DIY, but it was a fairly easy route.

    I suppose it comes down to trying to push limits, that's where the challenge lies. Perhaps though I need to push myself to get a bit faster, before I go further. Which might mean I can eventually complete a 300 comfortably in time, instead of being up against the time limit.

    @riffian: In terms of increasing my speed on the road, I've found club riding an effective and sociable way of doing it. I ride with PortoVelo who are a friendly club not too far from you.

    I did actually ride with PortoVelo one time a couple of years ago. However I picked the wrong day: Edinburgh Marathon was on, and only a small group turned up, who were all pretty fast. No 'slower' group to tag onto as I understand is the normal practice when numbers are better. So I got dropped after about 20k!

    I should probably try them again, if I can find time. In the meantime I need to do some training rides to practice hill climbs and sustaining speed...

    Posted 9 years ago #

  12. DaveC
    Member

    If you have not ridden an Audax or not ridden the Snow Roads, then this peice from the Adventure Show shows Dougie Vipond's ride from 2012.

    [+] Embed the video | Video DownloadGet the Video Widget

    Posted 9 years ago #

  13. HankChief
    Member

    Just finished the 3PistesCycle. Anyone else?

    100miles and 3,000m of climbing, including Glenshee, Lecht and Cairgorm.

    To quote Fimm It looks like hard work to me - that's Glenshee and The Lecht the hard way!

    It was - the Lecht especially just reared up like a wall. Proud of myself for not getting off and walking although it was touch a go.

    A well run sportive with a good atmosphere - the weather helped. I'd recommend for anyone wanting a significant challenge next year.

    Posted 9 years ago #

  14. fimm
    Member

    Well done HankChief!
    Boyfriend & I watched the Giro stage on Saturday with a couple of men who were off to do the 3 Pistes (proper friends of a friend, though I think I'd met one before).
    How did the transport go? Shifting a quantity of bikes must have been a bit of a job, especially when (generalisation alert) that kind of event probably attracts people with Nice Bicycles...

    Posted 9 years ago #

  15. Murun Buchstansangur
    Member

    Another 3PistesCycler here. Day was 'enlivened' by a broken rear spoke just outside Braemar and nursing a sick wheel with brake rub the next 60 miles - I was descending like a nun!

    Posted 9 years ago #

  16. Baldcyclist
    Member

    Not really either Audax or sportive, but certainly long distance(ish). I've signed up for the Strava Gran Fondu challenge this month, 130km (or 80ish miles in real money).

    Would adding my 2 commutes be cheating? So my normal 24 miles in the morning followed by and extended 60 mile commute home via Kincardine to give me the 130km in 24hrs.

    Or should it all be in one go?

    Posted 9 years ago #

  17. twq
    Member

    @Baldcyclist I think the ride would look a bit odd with an 8-hour rest in the middle!

    Posted 9 years ago #

  18. HankChief
    Member

    @baldcyclist I'd treat it however you want to. Maybe starting with combining morning and afternoon rides and then challenging yourself to do it in one go.

    You could argue that you are just having an extended lunch stop...

    The 'prize' is really about the self satisfaction you get from pushing yourself. Yes, you can buy an overpriced jersey but I don't see that as the main reason for doing it.

    I've been doing them since the start of the year - it's been a good motivation for me. Not bought a shirt.

    Posted 9 years ago #

  19. amir
    Member

    I have seen some of the jerseys out and about. Must be rich riders.

    Posted 9 years ago #

  20. HankChief
    Member

    $109 + $20 postage...

    Then you have the dilemma of which month/colour you get, or do you get one for each month. You would look a bit silly wearing a March jersey in June...

    Like I say, I've not succumbed. ..

    I guess it is a way for Strava to make some money and remain free for most users.

    Posted 9 years ago #

  21. DaveC
    Member

    I rode the Snow Roads audax yesterday. It starts in Kirriemuir and goes to Banchory via the Cairn o Mount. Then on to Oyne via Echt and over the Carbach more via Rhynie. At Dufftown it heads sw to Tomintoul where it turns se up and over the Lecht. Tailwind to Dufftown where we ate alfresco. From Tomintoul we headed back into the headwind. After the Lecht two smaller hills rear up of no consequence before we hit the A93 for the 9miles to Braemar. The volunteers at Braemar gave us beans on toast with grated cheese and fresh drinks. From Braemar we turned south towards the Cairnwell. All signs of sun and warmth had gone replaced by forst spitting then showers then heavy rain which set in for the rest of the night. The heavy rain gave us some impetus to get back asap and I booked in at 21:50, 14:50 hours after starting.

    Alex Patterson organised a fantastic support crew with food at Braemar and Kirrie.

    I'm told recombnd rode but sadly I missed him. Saw jacksonpriest also on a number of occasions.

    Posted 9 years ago #

  22. Dave
    Member

    <double post>

    Posted 9 years ago #

  23. Cyclingmollie
    Member

    Great ride Dave. What treats were in the Carradice this time?

    Posted 9 years ago #

  24. amir
    Member

    Given the gradient if those hills, I'd have put helium balloons in the saddlebags.

    Congrats Dave

    Posted 9 years ago #

  25. recombodna
    Member

    I did It in 18 hours. Grovelled into kirriemuir around midnight for a beer and a bridie before getting back on the bike to ride the 5 k up to the campsite ... Soaked ... Frozen ... and sore.....

    It was a hard ride and no mistake but I'm glad I finished. There were 4 riders still to come in when we finished and I know 2 of them were struggling at the top of the lecht.

    It's good to know what almost 200 miles feels like. Well done to everyone who finished.

    I'm sitting here with a beer on the couch nursing my sunburnt arms.........

    Posted 9 years ago #

  26. amir
    Member

    Well done, recombodna!

    Posted 9 years ago #

  27. DaveC
    Member

    Well done recombodna! Audacious effort there! I think those who struggle round to complete just in the allowed time are more Audacious than those who get round with thime to spare.

    I too am nursing a little sunburn on my arms, and knees.

    Tom, I had rocky road, but I didn't eat it all, as usual, I forgot until after the first cafe stop when I was too full to tuck in. Iced cream at Dufftown went down a treat.

    Posted 9 years ago #

  28. panyagua
    Member

    Dave, if Cyclingmollie and I had been there, I suspect your Rocky Road wouldn't have lasted as long... good effort getting round in under 15 hours.

    Posted 9 years ago #

  29. Cyclingmollie
    Member

    Yes, I do like Rocky Road but ice-cream is also an excellent energy rich food - cream, sugar, eggs etc.

    Well done recombodna as well. I really want to try the Snow Roads myself now. It seems to be quite hard to get a place on.

    Posted 9 years ago #

  30. DaveC
    Member

    You do need to enter early!

    Posted 9 years ago #

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