It just occurred to me - we're now in 2021 as far as Audax goes, so thought I'd be the one to kick off this season's thread. What are everyone's plans for next year? Mine - a) finally manage an SR, b) cut down control faff to a minimum for once. Mainly DIY and SBR events but am also entered into Andy Berne's Tour of the Borders and Galloway 600 in June.
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Events, rides etc.
Audax and Sportives 2021
(247 posts)-
Posted 3 years ago #
-
Just want to get out again on Audax- managed one in the 2020 Season, a 100km in December 2019.
Haven't done any cycling on the Borders yet and see Lucy McTaggart has just launched all her routes for the season.
I like the idea of the Scottish Borders Randonneurs Super Rouleur Award 2021 (100, 160, 200 and 300) over the year. Haven't done a 300 yet, so that would be a good aim for me.
Trying to fit 4 events into a busy family life may prove the hardest part of the challenge.
Posted 3 years ago # -
I was kind of thinking of doing LEL this year (so 2021 now), but I've gone off the idea. My audaxing is a very solo activity (which is the way I like it), and LEL does seem to involve interaction with other people.
I hope that another SR is on the cards, so that I can satisfy myself that it wasn't a fluke in 2019. I'm also pondering a solo LEL-style activity (so a 1200 or similar), but not sure what.
All this health-, economy- and pandemic-permitting, of course...
Posted 3 years ago # -
I have a 600 on my calendar owing to cancellations last year, so an SR attempt may be on the cards. I'll see in March and April. Easy to judge form then (necessary when you get to a certain age)
BTW LEL is now taking place in 2022
Posted 3 years ago # -
@amir - I think I may have lost track of which year it was. It was originally going to be in 2021 wasn't it? It's now going to be in 2022. Either way, I was thinking about it and now I'm not :-)
Posted 3 years ago # -
Randonneurs (women, who participate on equal footing with men, are called randonneusses)
https://www.bikehacks.com/beginners-guide-randonneuring/
Randonneusse! Having no knowledge of French that is new to me and good to know!
Posted 3 years ago # -
They ain’t no Wooses
Dem RandoneussesPosted 3 years ago # -
@gembo - ain’t that the truth!
Posted 3 years ago # -
Hi All,
Just wanted to draw your attention to a new Edinburgh Audax event, the Moscow Express which is a 200k to Moscow (Ayrshire) and back from the West of Edinburgh. Currently X-rated / barebones but I am aiming for more hospitality depending on how things go with COVID and entrant numbers. Some good new roads and vistas which I hope some of you may be interested in. There are also two more “SBR-north” events about to be released; a 100k and an autumn 200. These are run as part of Lucy McTaggart’s Scottish Borders Randonneurs programme and are fully coordinated with the Galashiels calendar to broaden the suite of events in the Southern Scotland Audax calendar. My events also qualify for the SBR Super Rouleur award (100, 160, 200 and 300 all in SBR events in one season), should that be of interest.
Full details and entry:
Posted 3 years ago # -
Exciting to have some events from Edinburgh @edinburgh87!
Now I am waiting for @gembo to tell us all about Moscow and its Volga Burn!
Posted 3 years ago # -
Nice, @edinburgh87.
Posted 3 years ago # -
I've decided not to renew my Audax membership this year. Didn't do a single Audax ride in 2020 and not hopeful 2021 will be much better.
Also requested a refund on my guaranteed LEL place. I just can't see that happening in a way that I would be comfortable with even by 2022.
LEL was great in 2017 so I am content with that as a memory to cherish.
Going to content myself with some long solo bike-packing trips this year as & when the time is right.Posted 3 years ago # -
My five year membership runs out in 2022. Wonder if I'll actually ride an audax in the time remaining? Maybe a cheeky DIY or two this summer, if Covid restrictions allow...
Posted 3 years ago # -
I've never done an organised audax event in my life, but I'll stay a member. I've just started a six-month training plan, with a view that by the summer solstice I'll be back in the form I was a year ago and be fit enough to do long rides.
My hope/plan is that in the second half of the year things will be in a state where very long rides will be legally and morally permissible, and thus I can spend a few months collecting an SR for the year.
Totally gone off the idea of LEL in 2022. I'd gone off it before COVID, but agree with @mightysimmonite that it's unlikely to be attractive even next year...
Posted 3 years ago # -
Calendar events now currently suspended in light of the recent announcements - the Moscow Express remains open for entry (currently 10/30 places taken). Just to reassure any potential entrants lurking here that if we are prevented from running the event it’ll be rescheduled for autumn. You will also be able to request a full refund if you prefer. I’m cautiously optimistic that we can run the event at a barebones level on 10 April but I’ve been optimistic a few times lately...
Posted 3 years ago # -
Moscow Ayrshire. The road goes up you take your picture at the sign. Then you have to turn round and go home. @Druidh cycled there from California in Falkirk. There is also a fellow who ran from Moscow to California.
Not sure why they went for changing the name, not sure if they would celebrate Napoleon’s retreat. Not sure if it is on same latitude as big Moscow.. I do remember the Trash Can Sinatras. Indeed I know their former manager.
Posted 3 years ago # -
@gembo - glad it was not just me who couldn’t resist the allure of these two particular villages:
https://www.strava.com/activities/3923113066
Thought of a California via Moscow Audax but having done it as a DIY the transit of East Kilbride and Coatbridge / Airdrie was horrible due to trafffic and that was a Sunday
Posted 3 years ago # -
@edinburgh87 yes those bits of Scotland are very unpleasant to transit.
The detours to avoid them can be very long.
Also California is best avoided and Moscow is not great.
Posted 3 years ago # -
I've kept my spot on LEL for now. I don't yet know if I will ride it or not. Although I have just joined Audax UK and will be entering the Moscow express as soon as it's processed.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Great @acsimpson, welcome aboard
Posted 3 years ago # -
LEL was great in 2017 so I am content with that as a memory to cherish.
Hear hear.
Many many stars need to align for a LEL attempt to come off and be 'enjoyable'. Its great when it does, but equally there are many other ways to gain enjoyment both on and off the bike.
Posted 3 years ago # -
I do wonder how practical the longer (400+) events with more TLC like sleep controls will be in the current climate. I can’t see things like town halls full of sleeping bags etc coming back in 2021 at least. We’ll be fighting over every bus shelter :). Something the length of LEL kinda needs proper controls as opposed to receipt collecting.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Would it not make sense for Audax and Bikepacking to get married and have a child? Named Audpacking.
Like Audaxing but you have to carry approved sleeping shelter and food. Bivvy bag and so many Calories per 100km.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Wanted to force myself to ride a bike for longer than the nursery run, so I went all-in with entries for a 100, 200 & 300 (all down in the borders). But they are March / April / May and now I'm wondering if that's too optimistic. If so, I might try to do the equivalent distances as DIY within our council area (!)
Posted 3 years ago # -
@IWRATS - I guess a DIYxGPS off-road event could achieve that with tightening of the rules for such events to mandate bivvy bags or something (to cover AUK's a$$ if nothing else). Although tbh mightn't the 'pressure' and admin burden of brevet cards and validation not detract from the serenity and freedom of a bike packing trip?
Would be a travelling circus of vagrancy if LEL was run at the usual entrant numbers with entirely self-sufficient sleeping controls though. Total carnage :).
Posted 3 years ago # -
A travelling circus of vagrancy sounds wonderful.
Posted 3 years ago # -
As one of the very few people to have organised an off-road audax they're a heck of a lot more work than an on road one. You've got a distinct lack of signposts, farmers dumping tree trunks across the route two days before it's due to happen, gates that were open now suddenly padlocked, etc.
Everyone made it back eventually and those that got lost got to see some bonus countryside. You do need to limit numbers (I set it at 50) and stagger the start as you want to avoid large groups on what will inevitably be shared use tracks.Posted 3 years ago # -
Named Audpacking
Plenty of bikepacking "events" , each more mental than the previous. I guess they're slightly more competitive than audax in that the first few people are actively trying to win, everyone else just seems to be trying to survive/have fun.
Did you ever read "joining the dots" by Lee Craigie, her experience of the Highland trail 550. Definitely type 2 fun.
Posted 3 years ago # -
I did not read that. Seemed like having a snooker match in an earthquake or something.
Posted 3 years ago # -
@Dave a 300km would certainly be a challenge, particularly within City of Edinburgh. I think I'd go mad!
Posted 3 years ago #
Reply »
You must log in to post.
posts
