Ice cream in Dufftown was very good!!
It is good to get a 300 under my belt but I think I'll leave a space for another cyclist next year ;-)
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Events, rides etc.
Audax + sportives 2014
(345 posts)-
Posted 10 years ago #
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Just three weeks to go until my 1308km ride round Scotland (without a fridge).
Starting to get a little nervous now. Hope my best side shows through, as I have arranged to meet up with the folk who produced 'that Snow Roads show' on occasion throughout the ride.
:O)
Posted 10 years ago # -
Three weeks, blimey. I'm committed now. Just accommodation at the end left to book. Doing my second 600k this weekend, the York-Langholm-York after the Swan With Two Necks three weeks back. You know you're in trouble when a 600 is a practise ride.
Day three of the Highlands 1300 is going to be the proper tough one I reckon. I've got accommodation slightly short of Gairloch (Loch Maree) for the end of day 2, which leaves a good 350k to Trantlebeg.
Haven't heard from the TV folk. Saw something on the YACF thread about them emailing riders.
Posted 10 years ago # -
Good luck to you both. 300km is enough for me just now. Besides I think it would be difficult to swing it with the OH. Don't forget to cake up.
Posted 10 years ago # -
Aye, best of luck. Don't forget to pack a mosquito net and midge bite ointment! ;-)
Posted 10 years ago # -
Good luck DrAfternoon and DaveC.
Posted 10 years ago # -
Dr Afternoon, the Hostel is open again. If you can cancel the accom in Loch Maree you could push on on Tues and get a little futher up the road.
Trantlebeg looks tight as I think there are only ~20 max sleeping spots? There is a hotel a little further on at Forinsard but I'm contemplating taking a bag and wee tent incase there is no room at the Inn (in Trantlebeg)
Are you doing the Badass (TM) SR this year? Instead of 200, 300, 400, 600, your doing 400, 600, 600, 1300? Madness!
Posted 10 years ago # -
Anyone else signed up for Tour o' the Borders?
Got a bit of work to do on the recumbent mechanically, but I'm really looking forward to this year on closed roads (if slightly nervous about mixing it with 3,000 mainly weekend warriors...)
I've lost 5kg so far enjoying the fine summer weather. Will be interesting to see if that makes a difference on the climbs.
Posted 10 years ago # -
Yep, I've signed up again this year (I think i have finally dried out from last time).
It was my first sportive (and the longest I had ridden to that point) so I'm looking forward to seeing how the hills compare to last year.
I did the Etape Pennines last weekend, which was very hilly (7,000ft in 62miles) in roasting conditions and no tree cover.
I hoping that the 5,000ft over 77miles is a better balance of height & distance although with all the hills in the first 40miles we'll see.
BTW - anyone heard from DrAfternoon & DaveC?
Posted 10 years ago # -
Good luck on the Tour o' the Borders! Hopefully drier this year.
DaveC got in at 8pm. Great job - sounds like a really hard route.
I'm planning to do a DIY 200km with cyclingmollie on Sunday along the route of the Forth & Tay. Hoping the weather will hold.
Posted 10 years ago # -
I'm doing the 55 mile Tour O'the Borders with my cousin. I was out with Amir and ARobComb last weekend on the bike I'm going to use, for 40 miles more than that, so I'm happy enough there.
The complicating factor is being in Peebles the day before to register. My cousin can't do it, and while I will be in Edinburgh by that point and can sign his forms since we're registered as a team, there is the logistics of getting me to there and back on the Saturday.
Halp? I don't know if HankChief and Dave plan to drive down on the Sunday morning(that's what we're doing from Linlithgow), but if you are, that presumably means you'll have to be doing a prior trip to register.
I'll gladly chip in for fuel costs for that run.
Posted 10 years ago # -
Well done DaveC! Taking a well deserved rest I hope...
Posted 10 years ago # -
+1, an amazing feat to view from my position as a mere mortal rider. Hats off to Dave C, slainte! :-)
Posted 10 years ago # -
Chapeau, DaveC! That's a terrific achievement, especially in this heat.
Posted 10 years ago # -
I'm doing the Tour o' the Borders this year too, the long route. I'm happy to transport people down and back on the Saturday for registration if you need a lift. I've got a Ford Galaxy which spends 99% of its life in the garage but can take 7 people in total, so let me know if you'd like a lift. Uberuce, give me a shout if you need one, I live close to Craigmount High School so can head west to pick people up if necessary.
Posted 10 years ago # -
Well done DaveC! Was Dr Afternoon doing it as well?
Posted 10 years ago # -
I'm back online now, and feeling great (esp after two coffees this morning). I would love to put a long write up but I haven't had the time so I may cheat and put up a mates blog which captures most of my experience. I'll submit my personal experince I promis but for now work becons...
Posted 10 years ago # -
Well done Dave. And that's a great read. Looking forward to seeing that edition of the Adventure Show.
Posted 10 years ago # -
Dr Afternoon came in 5th, though we all know Audax is most definately not a race.. oh no, not a race, we don't want to come in before others... most definately not.. nope, no.... ;O)
Posted 10 years ago # -
Well done to Dr Afternoon as well.
(I have to confess to being surprised when people were commenting on the "course record" being broken when I did the Snow Roads, as I didn't think that people knew that kind of thing!)
Posted 10 years ago # -
The Highlander Audax,
Day 1 Brodick, Campelltown, Lochgilphead, Oban.
“Are you Dave Crampton?” asked Margret Wicks or as she asked to be called, Meg, of Triple Echo who produce the Adventure Show, as I got out of the car at Ardrossan ferry terminal. I had arranged to meet for the 08:20 ferry but had gone back to retrieve my helmet left at a mates house. We made our introductions and Paul the Cameraman was introduced as I prepped my bike. More faffing with packing. I’d brought far too much ‘stuff’ with me and was trying to slim down even now, with 20 minutes until the ferry sailed. Paul got to filming with Meg asking me questions like how I was feeling, what did I expect, had I lanned it, what was special about my bike etc… A few short introductions with other riders and we boarded the ferry to Brodick. On board I met Simon the producer/arranger for the program. The sun was shining and the clouds were long gone, it was going to be a hot day.At the Start we gathered outside a café on the ferry terminal and Mark Rigby started to hand out brevit cards. I’d met a few more folk including two dutch cyclists who looked like they were setup for a leisurely tour not a fast paced light Audax, with two large Ortlib panniers and dutch ctyle touring bikes complete with huge 25mm tyres! The start came as an anti-climax as Mark announced that we’d be better off waiting an hour and a half before setting off. Not the usual ‘off like a shot’ start then. Eager to start, we looked around at each other waiting for someone to set off first. That would be me then. As we wound our way along the coast I was past by the Swedish Train as they were to become, three Swedes who had come over especially for the event. I let them get away as I knew I would not make the early ferry from Lochranza and was mopped up by others heading the same way. The ferry looked tight as rumour spread that it was small and we might not all get on. The camera crew got wind of this and tried to get some reaction but we remained cool and all got on board without hastle. Off at Claonaig, we headed down a lumpy B842 to Campbelltown arriving around 4:30pm before finding food at a local Coop, the Audax staple food vendor. Then north, heading to Lochgilphead on the main road, much faster and flatter then the small road we had ridden down on. On route a few of us joined together to form a larger goup before splitting again as the speeds rose. Outside Lochgilphead I got a puncture and lost the group only to catch up again for food. In Lochgilphead I found most of those I’d tagged long with, before buying food and drink, ready for the last 60km to Oban. Riding away from Lochgilphead I met up with Ken Thompson and we rode to Oban together. Towards the end I was flagging and starting to bonk. As we dropped into Oban Simon stopped us short of our accommodation to ask how we were feeling. Tired but happy to be in Oban. It was around 10:30pm, not too bad for a 200 with an enforced break at the ferry terminal on Arran.
Day 2, Oban – Tobermory – Broadford – Achnasheen – Gairloch – Poolewe.
6:15 rise and shine for the 7:45 ferry to Craignuire. Last on as I assumed cyclists would be kept until last, I just made it on before the doors close. A drunk islander was holding up the ticket queue asking why they would not let him on…. Causing a few furrowed brows from late foot passengers wishing to purchase their tickets. On Arran we had a lazy ride to Tobermory for an early lunch. We gathered together by the clock tower to east and share water and stories before boarding the next ferry back onto the mainland at Kilchoan. This time I had asked another cyclist what times the ferry sailed from Mallaig. 3:20 and 4:40pm. So resolved I headed east then north over Morven at an average of 30kph towards Glenfinnan to join the A830 to Mallaig. Tagging along with Stuart Allan I eventually lost him, fearing we would not make the 3:20 ferry to Armadale. I reached the ferry terminal to be waved on eagerly by a cameraman to be stopped at the ramp by the ticket collector who informed me I’d nothing to worry about, just 3 cars left to board then me. Breathing heavily I was caught by Simon again and asked what it meant to catch this ferry? ‘Saved me an hour and 10 minute delay’ I said trying to catch my breath. On board the ferry I caught up with a few other riders including the Swedish train and decided to take it easy to Broadford. I rode alone to control at the coop where ice creams beckoned as I tried to find a shaded spot out of the oppressive afternoon hot sun. Water was becoming a problem, I was emptying my bottles faster than I could find refills. At Kyle of Loch Alsh I stopped again for 45 mins finding food for the next 120km before Poolewe, my overnight stop for Tuesday. I climbed the hill out of Loch Alsh to see another familiar face, Meg waving at me. As I climbed with another local worker who was out for the evening cycling we separated at the top where I, leaving him behind, desended at great speed for what seemed like ages, to Loch Carron. Passing the loch on the now famous road for its recent closure due to rock falls which blocked the road I head north east towards Achnasheen, climing steadily the whole way. At the Ledgowan Lodge I was met again my Paul (cameraman) and Meg, where I ate my evening meal, nuts and rice pudding, in a cloud of midges. Unable to find my 3 plastic spoons in my overheated, exhausted and befuddle state, I borrowed a plastic ruler from Meg to eat the rice pudding cold out of the can. It never tasted so go. 10pm now and my last ~65km to Poolewe setting of into the twilight and stopping only to put on my bright gillet and change GPS batteries, I made good time with my MP3 player providing my favourite tracks to help me along. At Gairloch I was confussed by the signs and spent 25 minutes looking for the ATM, as I misunderstood the larger size of the village I kept going in circles. Eventually finding it I left for Poolewe at midnight. The roads were empty, the light almost all gone and with tunes in my ears I rode a section with no lights and was able to navigate the road easily in the dusk. I made the last few km to Poolewe in great spirits to be met by Simon again at the Hotel. Fearing I would be late for the key collection they had collected my key for me, unknown to me until I arrived. After a shower I felt much better. Bed at 1am Thursday morning.Day 3. Poolewe, Ullerpool, Lochinver, Durness, Trantlebeg.
Up at 7am I had a leisurely shower again, dressing in my now sticky sweaty cycle clothing and making full use of the coffee I packed the sandwich lunch I’d organised from the hotel prior to my arrival. My morning piece to camera done I left for Ullapool. Along the way I met Adrian from Brighouse, and we rode together to Ullapool stopping briefly at an independent hostel, Sail Mhor Croft Hostel at Camusnagaul. Then the last leg stretch to Ullapool in the heat again. There we had a vast plate of Macaroni cheese and chips, with huge quantities of water. Leaving Ullapool at 1pm we headed north towards Lochinver. 10 miles north of ullapool my rear wheel broke a cassette side spoke and two others pulled out of the nipples. After an hour or more fixing the wheel, I managed to get a semi trued wheel, and decided to abandon the recommended route along the coast instead taking the slightly longer but flatter main road to Lochinver. There I met up with Mark Hagger, Ian, Adrian and Chris. Retracing my route out of Lochinver we headed for Durness. Chris ad Adrian had decided to book into the local Backpackers hostel as time was getting on. After a brief stop at Scourie, as the kitchen was closing we managed to get Pea soup from a very gumpy counter lady. “What would you recommend?” we asked “Kitchens closing!” came the curt reply. “So can get some soup please?” “Kitchens closing, hurry with your order!” Refueled with coke and soup we headed for Durness and its up and down roads which linked sea lock after sea loch over huge rock lumps, arriving just before midnight. After a brief cuppa Mark Hagger and Ileft for Trantlebeg, leaving Adrian and Chris for their 3 hour sleep. We regrouped with Ken Thompson and Ian. Headed for Trantlebeg ‘overnight stop’ over 100km away. We rode off into the night, stopping for caffine based pills, water in Bettyhill and a little Audax Hotel action! Arriving in Trantlebeg I was cold as the temp appears to fall sharply around 6 in the morning. Just in good time too as I had been micro napping on the bike. Not wise! A quick checkin, then food, shower and sleep in that order.~Day 4. I had agreed with Mark that we would only sleep up to 4 hours but he was up after only 2 and I was woken from my slumber rudely to be told we were heading off. After the briefest of breakfasts we setoff joined by Chris. Only a few km up the road Chris disappeared off the back and it was just me and Mark to the near the end. The route took us on the B871 towards Strathnaver and then south to Larig. This was the fourth hot, dry day and we had to pull in to remote farm steads to find water, and only water, as the farms appeared deserted with doors left wide open when we knocked… Meeting Mark the Organiser at Grummore caravan site, we assumed we were last as he told us he had left the control to head south. The climb over Shin forest was balmy, with huge timber articulated lorries and crazed white van men flying up and down with little regard for other road users. In Larig we found the Spar and fed and watered carried on following MattC and Pat down through Shin toward Ardguy. At Ardguy we called into an iced cream shop and finding it closed headed into the open cycle shop. Chris of Heavens bikes was a hero. The shop was due to close at 6:30pm and it was now 6:20pm. He sugest it would be ~45 minutes replacing my rear spoke and truing up my rear wheel, but was happy to allow us in. It turns out reading on the web Chris has saved many a LEJOG cyclist as they cycled by Heaven Bikes. Over the Struie climb I met Chris again as he headed home on his own bike. I then waited for Mark and cycled for iced cream at Evanton. Then off to Dingwall for the next control. We met Mat and Pat at Tesco in Dingwall and left them for Drumnadrochit. In Drumnadrochit we found Simon cruising round for looking cyclists and chatted on camera. It was past midnight! The last slog to the control at Speanbridge and food in Fort William took nearly the rest of the morning.
Day 5. After a quick pit stop in Fort William at 6am we headed for the SYHA in Glencoe at 7am but in Ballahulish decided to have breakfast there as our plans were to avoid Rannoch Moor and its climb and fast road and head instead south for Connel Bridge over the fantastic Falls of Lora, somewhere I have scuba dived in full flow! We had a quick sleep off the road to Connel and then lunch in Connel at 12:30 in a layby before turning east to Loch Awe. Now I was getting concerned for time and knowing Mark was slower than me I made the difficult decision to part company with Mark and shoot for Inverary. The climb from Loch Awe was very hard. With nearly no water left, I was having to ration it and breath solely through my nose to stop dehydration setting in. Finally arriving in Inverary I was glad to have a hearty drink, refil my bottles and have another iced cream. I asked the at the Tourist Information Centre, where was half way to Dunoon and where would I find water. South of Inverary I called in at Strachur. I was fortunate to spot a medical centre as I pulled into town where I was able to refill yet again, my bottles and have a large black sweet coffee. Having another iced cream to fend off the searing heat in Strachur filling station, I felt great riding down Loch Eke arriving in time for the 5:30 ferry from Hunter’s Quay. The final 40km was supposed to be a short hopto the finish but the busy roads and rough surfaces, coupled with my now saddle sore rear, made it a very uncomfortable ride. I was looking for a coffee to freshen up for the Arrivee when I rode right to the finish. I stopped off at the Bank on Hamleton Street to control, not knowing the Organisor was just 50 yards away with the camera crew… Turning from the bank ATM I was faced with a beaming Meg and Paul shoving a camera into my face. I’m afraid my energy and eager enthusiasm had long gone somewhere in Largs and I just had to die on my ass on camera…. Knackered.
Posted 10 years ago # -
That's awesome. Chapeau to all!
Posted 10 years ago # -
Thanks for the report Dave. Amazing - well done.
Posted 10 years ago # -
Thanks for the ride report. You deserve several recovery trifles for that!
Posted 10 years ago # -
Great to read your report - what an achievement. Looking forward to the Adventure Show!
Posted 10 years ago # -
The show may be shown in December but I will remind folk when I'm told.
Posted 10 years ago # -
How's the recovery, DaveC?
Posted 10 years ago # -
Great, I've been a little tired, wanting to sleep in when my morning alram goes off.
*** Disclaimer - about to eat Lunch? Don't read on! ***
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.But other than a few in growing hairs from the saddle which have now scabbed over, I'm fine! I plan to ride trhe Bent for a few days, let my posterior heal.
Posted 10 years ago # -
Cyclingmollie and I did a 200km DIY audax on Sunday, roughly along the route of the Forth & Tay (but without the snow).
It's largely a fantastic route, starting from Dalmeny, up to Dollar, through the Ochils to Auchterarder, then along through Newburgh to Tayport, down to St Andrews, along to Falkland and back.
The highlight was undoubtedly the stretch from Newburgh to Newport-on-Tay. The road was quiet with fantastic views in glorious weather - highly recommended.
The ride moved along the epicness axis when we reached Leuchars. After admiring the lovely romanesque church, we entered a frankly biblical downpour, just as we cycled onto the extremely busy road between St Andrews and Dundee. We couldn't see hardly a thing and neither could the motorists, the derailleurs were running through the flood waters so we dived into a bus shelter. Living the audaxers dream! However it was a badly chosen bus shelter and the more stupid and frankly rude motorists would drench us completely every few minutes.
Note of interest:
- on leaving the FRB we found Ferry Toll Road into Rosyth has been closed due to the new bridge. However there was a useful off-road bike track (steep!) between Milne Road in the port and Rosyth.
- lots of amusing placenames
- no cafes open in Newburgh on Sunday!
- Wormit and Newport - well worth visiting - slightly surreal places
- Balgove farmshop has a wonderful cafe
- traffic in places was horrendous esp on the A91 and Guardbridge (but avoidable using the bike track) and in the Lochgelly-Cowdenbeath area (even at 7pm on a Sunday).The climb between the Lomond Hills from Falkland is hard going after 110 miles but the view and descent are fantastic. I really would avoid Lochgelly etc though.
Posted 10 years ago # -
Yes I have ridden a very similar route many times.
Use this route, as a template next time:
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/3501032
It avoids the main road from Newport on Tay to Luchars, and instead heads onto Tayport then south, much more quiet. At km mark 86 (assuming you are riding the opposite direction to my ride, clockwise, you can leave the poor surface just south of Tayport and head east towards Tentsmuir and then south to bring you out in Luchars' old village. Much niceer than the main road out of Luchars towards the A92.
We control in Achterarder at the cafe opposite the Scotmid. They let cyclists in even when your dripping! At Newburgh our control is the Scotmid, which is air conditioned in summer! In St Andrews we use either the cafe ('georgous food bar' - now a different name) at the north end of Bell St on the east side, or in winter the Bella Italia a little further south. Lock your bikes up its a Uni town! There is a cafe in Falkland called Kind Kintochs Kitchen http://goo.gl/maps/uPHys which has good coffee and good cakes.
I have ridden the route in summer and winter.
Posted 10 years ago #
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