When are you thinking of riding the DIY 400? If the 18th August, I can join you.
Dave C
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Events, rides etc.
Audax & sportive 2018
(181 posts)-
Posted 6 years ago #
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This is near to the route I do. I start from Fife though and I'm not sure where you are riding from. I could help woth routing if you like?
Posted 6 years ago # -
Thanks Dave C, afraid I'm doing Lucy's 600 (or attempting to) on the 18th, thanks tho. Not sure when I plan to tbh but thought it was an ideal first 400. Thinking of adapting hankchiefs route , leaving from the Gyle so fairly simple. This forum is a fount of knowledge, much appreciated all!! :)
Posted 6 years ago # -
'hankchiefs route' is the one DaveC gave us for getting to PoPAberdeen.
Posted 6 years ago # -
When doing the LEL is not enough.
https://www.transcontinental.cc/
Transcontinental race anyone?
Friend of a friend is doing it right now.
Posted 6 years ago # -
No matter how mad you think you are, there's always someone madder
Posted 6 years ago # -
TCR is nuts and hypnotic watching the dots- the route is sadistic. They were in Slovenia, have to go North to Poland and back down to Bosnia.
James Hayden likely to defend his title.
Bjorn Lenhard in 2nd has had a nightmare. This was a description of his Friday (Quote from TCR Instagram page)
"Second place rider @bjoernlenhard #TRCNo6cap2 has had a bad day. He was forced to walk to the CP after his tubeless tire got sliced on the parcours. The previous day was rough, traffic and a headwind was made worse when he ran out of food and water. He arrived at CP3 close to tears, yet somehow, still smiling. He’s had two cakes and two sprites and he’s now fixing his bike, eager to get going again. Hero!
The official instagram feed is amazing- photos by James Robertson and Camille McMillan
https://www.instagram.com/p/BmBVI1RHc1T/?taken-by=thetranscontinental@firsthippy is a lot of fun following on twitter.
One guy tried it on his Brompton - gave up after 1200km when his Hub gave in...
Posted 6 years ago # -
Meanwhile 3 time TCR winner Kristof Allegaert is currently attempting LEJOGLE and hoping to do it in less than 5.5 days.
and Scotland's Jenny Graham, dwarfing them all
Posted 6 years ago # -
Hello.
I'm travelling back from the Borders of Belgium. This is an event run buy Ranndoneurs BE every 2 years. The ride starts in Wachtbeke in the NW of Belgium and rides anti clockwise round the border of Belgium for 1001km. Riders have 75 hours to complete the event.
This was my first go at the BoB. I really enjoyed the whole experience. I liked the Belgian cycle infrastructure and their considerate drivers. The first section the control 1 was lovely. As we arrived at control 1 and found it closed our hearts sank a little. It was an info control, but at 8pm the pub was closed... This was a taste of what was to come.
I was riding with Aidan Hedley from Durham on his head turning new trike, yet to be named. Some may know of his trike tandem called Rufus? Now I have notridden with Aidan before. He uses a route sheet but had a new eTrex 30x as a back up, with a slightly out of date route. So I got used to shouting at Aidan as he would turn the wrong way and need a nudge in the right direction.
Ypres was beautiful and Aidan found a late night cafe so tucked into spag bol at 11pm Thursday. As the cloud came down and light drizzle set in we plodded on through the lanes and the odd section of 'cobbles'?? (I'm sure there is a proper name for them). But the section through the French city of Lille was great as there was no traffic. The next section was grim. No water, no opportunity to get a rest, with all covered areas under bright security lights. All the houses had outside taps on the front, but everyone we tried was turned off inside, of had the handle removed.
Getting rid of rubbish was a problem too, no bins anywhere in the SE!We eventually rode into dawn and the ups and downs to the wet supermarket after the dam. Then on as it dried up to Houyet where the sun was definitely out in force. The climbs there were long but not impossible, especially with my triple. As we tired, Aidan found an open barn with hay bales we slept on. I went to slerp as soon as my head hit the hay! From here the countryside rolled over to Neufchateau where it was becoming a lovely ride again. Iced creams were the order of the day.
It is funny how cold, dark and rain make the ride less enjoyable.
The last section through the forest to Martelange was nice except for the late night boy racers who buzzed past. At Martelange, Aidan said it's up here, and turned away from the garage we could see a hundred metres to the left. He caught me after 5 minutes... After a lovely stop in Arai Garage we were joined by a lone Belgian lady, Elizabeth. She was slow at climbing and Aidan soon left us. I stayed with Elizabeth to Champlon despite her repeated suggestions that she was slowing me down. It would not be gentlemanly if I were to have left her, and then she develop some problem. The ride to Champlon was lots of climbs and drops. The valleys were bitterly cold, some suggesting 2-3 degrees. It certainly felt cold and I was glad of my merino wool top. If I left Elizabeth and she had to stop, she would have frozen! She was borrowing Aidan's water proof as it was.
Champlon was just at the stage I was starting to doze. Those 3 espressos in the garage were obviously wearing off. Elizabeth told me off for looking at the sheep. I didn't need to count them to fall asleep!
The ride on Saturday I did alone as Aidan left 15 minutes before me suggesting as I was faster I'd catch him. I didn't. I got to the control at Losheimergraben in good time, 11:30. I ate a hearty bowl of soup and 2 rolls. I had to explain what a roll was. Briuchen?? Anyway after there I slept for an hour in the woods behind and returned to a confused looking bar maid, to order soup again! :-)
The drop from that control was fast and I was making up good time until a couple of hours later when I had a sudden puncture. I inspected the tube to find a short pinch type gap. Then 5 minutes later another, a sudden ppssst and flat. I assumed a rim tape issue as the tyre had no sharps in. But on having a look at the tyre in detail I found a narrow cut in the side wall. I suspect the tube bulged out and the hot rim melted the tube. Good job I had a spare tyre, I put new tyres on the bike just before... :-(
At the tri border I hooked up with Bobby from Oxford and we rode together to Lommel. Bobby is a great guy and really made the journey fun. He still owes me an iced cream though... ;-)
After Lommel we rode together again along more canals with a larger Belgian group. Aidan had set off earlier. I rode for a time chatting to Dave Smethurst. He is a lovely chap and we had a lot in common. I have a great respect for Dave now, cheers man! We caught Aidan, or rather he caught me, at the last control. Lost again Aidan? :-)
Here Gabriele rolled in in her Quest XS. She had a carbon breakage where here front wheel brace attached. After rooting through my spares/tools I unbolted here wheel arm and rebolted it with a spork attached. The carbon was broken on 3 sides and pulling open like a door. The spork secured to the 'outside' prevented the 'door' from opening. She completed the event! So success all round I think! :-)
Then we had a nice quorum to Antwerpen where we had a great meal out in the sun and beers. The last 43km dragged along next to the motorway but we came in with 2 hours to spare, so all good.
I slept quite a lot the next 2 nights, suppose 4.5 hours sleep on a 1000km brevet is reasonable?? :-)
Posted 6 years ago # -
Great riding Dave!
Posted 6 years ago # -
Well done Dave thats some feat! Presumably you've spent the last couple of days catching up on lost calories.
Posted 6 years ago # -
Well done Dave! Sounds like a fantastic experience
Posted 6 years ago # -
Lost calories and lost sleep. 2 times 11 hours of sleep!! :-)
Posted 6 years ago # -
Sounds like an amazing ride! Chapeau DaveC!
Posted 6 years ago # -
Hang on Dave, did you do a 85km cycle the day before the 1000km cycle?!
Posted 6 years ago # -
and the day afterwards too. We cycled from Zebbrugge to the accommodation in Wachtbeke. Then last Thurs (6/9/18) we cycled 22km to the start. After the ride we cycled back to the accommodation (22km) and a day later ~70km to the ferry. That last day was painful!!
My Quads went on strike and formed a picket like at the end of my bed! :o)
Posted 6 years ago # -
4.5 hours sleep on a 1000km brevet is reasonable??
Not the word I'd use. Bleeding heck.
Posted 6 years ago # -
That is just nuts.
I reckon Dave is ready for a step up ;-) Transatlantic Way in 2019 and TCR in 2020?
Posted 6 years ago # -
This coming Saturday is my 2nd running of the Borders of Fife. A 200km Audax BR from Dalgety Bay Scout Hut at 8am. The order book has closed but I thought I'd remind folk who have entered, that if you do not intend on starting, I would appreciate a short email saying as such.
http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/18-427/
Kindest regards, Dave C
Posted 6 years ago # -
Now I have had a little time to recover, I have listed the ride controls and times for future ref:
Borders of Belgium - 2018 Thursday 6th Sept, Starts at 14:20
A little about my trip at last.
The journey across was very pleasant. We cycled onto the ferry (unlike Calmac) and the 4 berth cabin was very spacious for 2 of us. Mark Jagger had decided not to go after an injury a couple of months ago which left him not race fit.
The Ride. Well it was a ride and a half! I had forgotten how little sleep we get on these long rides. We rode through the night on Thursday evening to make up time for our slow progress. Aidan had said he was slow on the trike. The first control (127km Adinkerne) was a bit of a wake up call. We arrived around 7:30pm to find the bar closed, but a sign on the door marking 2 letters VG gave us the proof of passage. I expected most of the controls to me manned or at least open. Belgium was very bike friendly but the towns shops close very early and finding water was tricky. Everywhere after Ypres has an outside tap, but they were turned off inside! We found a couple of pharmacies which had covered entrances to lie down out of the drizzle, but they had bright security lights and we feared being moved on by the police. We eventually found a rest spot and spend 30 mins from 05:30 Fri morning kipping. Then after the sun came up and after the rain had stopped it brightened up and became more pleasant. The hills after that were tough but not impossible with my triple crank. The Dam and next stop was handy as we were struggling to find food and water. (9am 206km Roubaix)
The ride to Hoyget (400km) was hard going over the climbs. But afterwards with 400km down in ~25 hours we were feeling good. The ride to Luxemburg (495 at Martelange) was ok with a long quiet woody section just before through (forest D'Anlier.
Luxemburg was fun, we arrived and Aidan turned away from the garage listed as the control. I should have expected such as he was always turning off route and I was having to shout after him. He took out his hearing aid and with my 'Helmet Angels' (google them) I could not hear him when he was in front of me. :o)
The ride from Luxemburg was cold diving down into the small towns and villages. I was glad of all my warm clothing and waterproofs. Long finger gloves if I attempt it again.
The Overnight control at Champlon (556km) was good, proper supported control, food, help, beds, showers.
I found the ride was good from Champlon as I was alone, could lug in my music and just focus on riding. I stopped at the German border control at Losheimergraben for food at 11:30 Saturday. The between 12 and 1pm I slept in the wood 500m down the road. At 1pm I returned to the control for a repeat lunch, to the surprise and confusion of the staff. :o)
Down hill from there and 2 punctures near Ovifat. I eventually found it to be a split brand new tyre and was happy I had strapped the old front tyre on as a spare. From here it was plain sailing. I stopped in Eupen at a corner shop for fresh fruit and supplies of food. I found the Asian people to be very helpful friendly and having great English, in comparison to the local Belgians!
I set off later than Aidan on Saturday and rode alone until 6pm at the Tri-border tower (Vaals at 711km).
At the Tri Border I hooked up with an English rider on his own called Mark 'Bobby' Charlton. We rode to the end together but the stretch up past Maastricht was lovely along the canals and past the huge lochs! We stopped at 11pm in Holland for a snack and I gave Mark half my food, which he was very happy about! Then arriving at the overnight control at 2:30 again, we got 1.5 hours sleep before 5am wake up and on the road before 6am. We rode a long stretch with the Belgians and a lovely chap called Dave Smethurst. Dave is a great chap, retired fire office and a great sense of humour. At the last control I was fortunate to be able to help a German Quest Velomobile rider repair her broken carbon shelled 'car' with the aid of a spork. It was genius and very simple. I could see Aidan was impressed, and it gave me a massive lift having a clear enough head to make a simple repair out of a bad job. (902km at Meersel-Dreef)
The last 100km was a gentle ride to Antwerpen for a beer and a meal out. David Smethurstrst said he had to carry on as he thought he would be out of time, but later confessed that he had felt guilty not joining us as he had infact plenty of time.
The last 43km was a little boring along the side of a motorway an then a narrow cycle path busy with other users, but we finished with 2 hours spare and had a nice hour or 2 drinking and socialising before being escorted by a mountain of a Belgian called Dirk Willems. His very slow pedalling was a sight to see. He would ride out of the saddle, gently push his pedals down in a very slow rhythm and woosh away!! He told us he finished at 7pm on Saturday evening!!!!!
The rest as they say is history. a gentle ride back to the ferry (65km), with a stop off in Brugge for lunch and presents.
Start - 0km Wachtbeke
1 - 127km Adinkerne (7:30pm Thurs)
(24 hours garage) - 206 Roubaix (8am Fri)
2 - 400km Houyet (miday Fri)
3 - 495km Martelange (11pm Fri)
4 - 556 Champlon (overnight Friday night - 2:20am Sat)
5 - 646 Manderfield (Losheimergraben - 11am Sat & 1:15pm Sat)
6 - 711 Vaals (6pm Sat)
7 - 742 Vise (8:30pm Sat)
8 - 793 Maaseik 10:30pm Sat)
8 - 893 Lommel (overnight Saturday - 2:30am - night)
9 - 902 Meersel-Dreef (9am Sunday)
10 - 1001 Wachtbeke (finish) (3:20pm Sunday)
Posted 6 years ago # -
Yesterday I ran my second Audax as an Organiser.
39 riders set off at 8am on the Borders of Fife, 200km BR Audax. The route took them from Dalgety Bay to Crail along the old industrial southern coast of Fife. From Crail the riders rode north through St Andrews to Newport on Tay. Turning west they encountered the westerly winds which slowed them down, sapping their energy. Riding along the beautiful northern coast of Fife, and up the Tay the riders called in at Abernethy, before riding up the wooded Glen Farg to Milnthorpe and down to Dollar. From Dollar they climbed out through Dollarbeg and down to Clackmannan before returning to the Alloa to Dunfermline railway path, and finally through the ancient Scot's capital to the Arrivee.
33 riders returned, the other 6 feared lost in the wilds of the Kingdom of Fife..... 3 riders of this parth joined in the fun, Adrian & Tom, meeting Tom's mum in Crail for tray baked munchies and Ian & his harem of Dalgety Bay ladies.
Dave C
Posted 6 years ago # -
And a very good day out it was, thanks Dave. At the request of Mrs Panyagua I rode with her group of six, who happened to be the only female riders in the field. It was a first 200km for four of them, and although it was a long day, all were delighted to complete the ride. It was a bonus being able to coast home in 5 minutes from the arrivee!
Posted 6 years ago # -
I missed last year's Borders of Fife but told my mum to watch for riders at 11am. She missed them all as they were all through by then. So this year she waited from 9am with some fresh pastries which were welcome when we arrived just after 10am. I'd not cycled along the coast before and it was much faster than any previous route I've tried. That's mainly down to hill avoidance and that couldn't last. The climbs began after Newport. @amir: "Is that the Ochils up ahead?" @me: "ha ha no, they are much further west". Well ha ha yes those were the Ochils. Oh dear, more climbing. Lunch at Jamesfield: @DrAfternoon: "Can I have a scone please?", waiter: "Your cycling friends at the other table had the last one", @DrAfternoon: "Those are not my friends". It got a bit rainy between Milnathort and Dollar but that only made the hills look more dramatic. Great views from above Dollarbeg. @amir led the charge for the finish along the railway path from Clackmannan. Very welcome baked potatoes, beans on toast, fruit pie and ice cream etc. at the end. Thanks Dave C for organising a super good event. And thanks to everyone who spoke to my mum and made such a good impression.
Posted 6 years ago # -
We woz on our best behaviour
Posted 6 years ago # -
Few events next weekend from Galashiels. I've done the Ride of the Valkyries before, so probably looking to do either Dick McT's Century Classic (160 km) or Etal-U-Can (200 km).
Anyone done either/both of them before?
EDIT: The route for the Dick McT's Classic appears to be completely different from previous years, due to the poor state of the roads on the normal route. This year it's just a shorter version of Etal-U-Can
Posted 6 years ago # -
I've ridden them both before. The Etal U Can is a beautiful route at this time of year if it's sunny. It's undulating but without any really step climbs and keeps mostly to quiet roads. Dick McT's 150k Classic had had to be rerouted as the back road between the Moffat Water valley and Boreland is even more cratered than before. So it is now a short version of the Etal U Can.
Posted 6 years ago # -
This would be great, I sometimes get through a scandalous amount of plastic bottled water depending on an events controls:
Posted 6 years ago # -
Going to be very very wet on Saturday, apparently.
Posted 6 years ago # -
I've wussed out of the Dick McT's audax tomorrow. Weather forecast's looking horrible.
Posted 6 years ago # -
Very sensible decision.
Posted 6 years ago #
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