Who's in for tomorrow's audax from Gala (Long Dark Teatime of the Soul)? It should be chilly but exceptionally beautiful, especially around Castle O'er.
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Sport
Audax + sportives 2017
(282 posts)-
Posted 8 years ago #
-
I am. The forecast is for a chilly 15mph northerly which will make the return leg "interesting". Louping Stanes/Girdle Stanes stone circles worth trying to remember to look out for.
Posted 8 years ago # -
Not me! CBA...
Posted 8 years ago # -
"Louping Stanes/Girdle Stanes stone circles worth trying to remember to look out for."
I think they're on the other side of the valley from the Castle O'er road - though may be visible.There's loads of interesting archeology around there - a roman fort, iron age forts and settlements, enclosures and the intriguing Deil's Jingle. The area by the Black Esk Bridge is very beautiful. The time before last on this audax I nearly ran down a badger there.
Posted 8 years ago # -
I've booked my first few audaxes for 2017 and they should all be crackers:
Forth & Tay from S Queensferry. Always tough due to the time of year
Scottish Borders Randonee from Selkirk. Pretty hilly.
Port Navigation from Ballachulish. One of the very best. Three ferries, Morven & Mull
Ironbridge 200 from Congleton. I've never started an Audax in England before.
These are all 200km. I'll probably book some longer ones later once I'm sure of form, including the Merse and Moors but I'm not sure about an SR at this stage.
Posted 7 years ago # -
Never done anything like this. Only started riding properly last year. Thinking the shorter route of Tour of the Borders in September may be a good goal to aim for. Any thoughts?
Posted 7 years ago # -
"properly" - you mean without stabilisers?!
All bike riding is proper.
There are a few serious Audaxers on here (including at least one organiser).
And quite a few who had never heard of audax until they read about it on CCE.
Expect plenty of advice/support.
Posted 7 years ago # -
Hopey, the Tour of East Lothian is next month. If you try that and enjoy it you'll have the whole of the rest of the season to look forward to. You can get the train back from Drem or Dunbar if it's awful.
Posted 7 years ago # -
Cycling with others eg in a club may be good preparation. You can find out about good routes, up your distances and speed and learn how to cycle in a group.
There is info at http://www.cycling-edinburgh.org.uk
To this I'd add small-ish clubs such as Portovelo. Portovelo runs social rides at different levels https://porto-velo.com
These days there are many of these small clubs so it depends where you live and your taste.
Posted 7 years ago # -
Some tasty runs have just been added to the Audax calendar http://www.aukweb.net/events/?From=16%2F01%2F2017&To=12&Days=&Category=&Dist_min=&Dist_max=&Aaa=&Region=scotland
These include one by a new organiser, our very own DaveC . http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/17-427/
Posted 7 years ago # -
"If you try that and enjoy it"
Hmm. Very much depends on the weather!
Tales of snow, ice and punctures on that ride abound: a few related on this forum.
I have registered, but the short term forecast will be monitored closely to help me decide whether to start the ride...
Posted 7 years ago # -
I entered DaveC's Borders of Fife just now. I have no idea really whether the twins will allow me to do it, but nice to support an event either way :)
(Maybe 14 months is too young to be towed around a 200km in a trailer?)
Posted 7 years ago # -
I've entered Borders of Fife too and expect to try Forth and Tay in March. Minipaddy has expressed an interest in East Lothian Rough Stuff.
Posted 7 years ago # -
Thanks Dave for your valued support, I do appreciate it.
This is my first outing as an organiser and I hope is to eventually put on a themed Series of rides. The Theme is Borders of... starting with a simple 200km ride round the border of Fife. Fife has some varied lanscape, beautiful scenery and very welcoming people.
The Audax page can be found here:
http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/17-427/
The event will be run on Saturday 23rd September 2017 from Dalgety Bay. There will be cake, and other sugary treats before and after.
Cheers, Dave C
Posted 7 years ago # -
Going to try and get my audax legs back this year I think. Hope to see some of you on the start lines!
Posted 7 years ago # -
Still mulling over my Audax rides for this season, but having entered the Port Navigation, ironically I'm no longer mulling over the one that goes to Mull. Mrs Panyagua has also entered - this will be her first 200.
Will probably enter the Forth and Tay and/or Scottish Borders Randonée. Can't manage the Merse and Moors this year as I'm joining a group doing the Tour of Ayrshire that weekend, which is a closed road sp*rtive. Also plan to do Moffat Toffee 200 on 1 July with Mrs P.
It's likely I won't be targeting an SR this year - aiming for variety of riding instead, including a bit more MTB, and perhaps joining Dunfermline CC. Would also love to have a crack at Mont Ventoux - anyone interested in a wee jaunt?
Posted 7 years ago # -
Signed up for the Tour of East Lothian. Did have serious second thoughts when I realised Redstane Rig was on the route...
Posted 7 years ago # -
@daveC and @ Dave - Borders of west Lothian, basically the perimeter of the spokes west Lothian map starting in Balerno and going down to south Queensferry then avonbridge blackridge harthill fauldhouse then out to Climpy and over to Braehead and down to Carnwath and back t Balerno is one I have thought about creating. Does leave west Lothian, fo north and south Lanarkshire, Falkirk and Edinburgh. So is five counties
Posted 7 years ago # -
Would also love to have a crack at Mont Ventoux - anyone interested in a wee jaunt?
The last time I was there I was very, very tempted to borrow the upright 3-speed propped on the neighbour's balcony and have a go. I'd probably have died. It is very good fun on a motorbike.
Posted 7 years ago # -
The last time I was there I was very, very tempted to borrow the upright 3-speed propped on the neighbour's balcony and have a go.
Posted 7 years ago # -
Magnificent, Frenchy!
Posted 7 years ago # -
Went out to observe The Tour of East Lothian Audax.
All I can say is that these wind farm sites were well chosen!
Chapeau to those who had the power and skill to track stand up Redstane Rigg. I failed to make it all the way up as got one huge gust too many. I did the short sharp gullies ok before the Rigg, I have cycled in stormy weather before but some of the side gusts around buildings and wooded areas were quite demanding.
Looked like a great turnout. Sorry if I didn't recognise any forumers. I was pretty easy spot on the blue M5 recliner. Some very strong cycling by you all.
I bailed out after Garvald as really didn't have the energy to battle back into city from Dunbar. That said I still managed to clock 55 miles today with av speed of 15.4 and a 40 max.
If you were out today for the whole 106km route then you made a fabulous effort. Share your story of survival of the hell that is TOEL.
Observing the Tour of East Lothian Audax 2017 by LaidBackBikes, on Flickr
Observing the Tour of East Lothian Audax 2017 by LaidBackBikes, on Flickr
Observing the Tour of East Lothian Audax 2017 by LaidBackBikes, on Flickr
Observing the Tour of East Lothian Audax 2017 by LaidBackBikes, on Flickr
Observing the Tour of East Lothian Audax 2017 by LaidBackBikes, on Flickr
Posted 7 years ago # -
Dunbar to Musselburgh was absolutely brutal. Think Musselburgh to Gilmerton is going to be worse. Today is the closest thing to an unenjoyable cycle ride I've ever had.
At the top of Redstane Rigg I told myself "it's all downhill from here". It was meant to be literal, not figurative.
Posted 7 years ago # -
At Musselburgh you'd ideally just want to fold the bike up and take the bus.
A few people must still be out there?Well done for doing of course. That route is never easy.
Posted 7 years ago # -
I was a DNS for three reasons. 1. I was trundling along to Musselburgh for sign-on, the sun was out, windy but looking okay. Around 8.40am I had just left Joppa and realised that a) I had forgotten to bring any cash and b) I had forgotten to bring my bank card. Pulled over and pondered whether to head back home, get the items, and return: still time. 2. Turned into the wind, and was nearly taken out by a side gust on Porty High Street. Reached Fishwives' Causeway and realised the wind was really not fun. 3. Starting to feel the effort already, and the event hasn't even started yet: must be less fit than I thought. Need more miles in the legs. At this point, decided to forget it.
Went for a more leisurely spin round Northfield, Innocent, Meadows, Roseburn and out to Cramond shore. Then round the NEPN and home. Just as I got back, the heavens opened and I imagined myself at the top of the Rigg in howling wind and lashing rain. Right decision, for me anyway.
In the afternoon I hauled a big load of shopping on the Pashley Pronto against the wind and rain on Leith Walk. That was hard enough, so respect to anyone who battled that all the way from Dunbar!
Posted 7 years ago # -
Ooooft as Archie would say.
Posted 7 years ago # -
Well done to all those that went out today and I hope it will seem more enjoyable in retrospect. The ToEL is a toughy, especially given the weather is nearly always challenging.
In the end I'm glad I opted out of entering (no Audax points) and went for a great ride yesterday to Dunning in better weather.
Next week is the Forth & Tay. Cross fingers for bearable weather!
Posted 7 years ago # -
After doing January and February 200k rides in horrid weather I had a lovely day out on the ToEL! Hadn't done much proper climbing this year and was expecting to suffer up the Rigg more than I did. Pretty hairy on the way down in the gusting sidewinds, a couple of nasty wobbles when I let the speed go. I saw the aftermath of one crash on the downhill and I heard there was another.
Back from Dunbar was tough, but after last year which was properly horrid, didn't seem so bad. Looking forward to the Forth and Tay.
Posted 7 years ago # -
Forth and Tay will be my first attempt at a 200. Have done a couple of 100k rides so far this year, both extended commutes so am not feeling that ready, and am also fighting a cold. Initial forecast seems there will be a moderate Southerly tending towards SW when the return from St Andrews starts
I will give it a good shot - I don't get many passes so have to make the best of each one. All the same, I have taken note of potential bail out options.
Posted 7 years ago # -
DrA "...pretty hairy on the way down in the gusting sidewinds, a couple of nasty wobbles when I let the speed go. I saw the aftermath of one crash on the downhill and I heard there was another."
Looked like one on Garvald descent? We were flagged to slow up. Hope injuries not too bad. Glad you got a full value day out!
Posted 7 years ago #
Reply »
You must log in to post.
posts
