I have started a new thread given that the audax season finishes on Monday.
The first local 200 of the audax year and the last local 200 of the calendar year is next Saturday (5 Nov). It is the old favourite Long Dark Teatime of the Audax Soul. A good excuse for a nice pud at the Eskdalemuir hub. Who will I see there?
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Events, rides etc.
Audax and Sportives 2022-3
(94 posts)-
Posted 2 years ago #
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Ahh you beat me to it. Was thinking that when browsing the forum the other day. I’ll be there.
Don’t forget Christmas Tour of Midlothian on 27th too if anyone needs a boost to their Festive 500 plans. Will keep entries open fairly late up to a max of 30 (it’s a fairly uncertain time of year as regards “life getting in the way of cycling”.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Sadly, I'm busy next weekend but at the risk of being accused of hijacking I'm hopefully of fitting in a DIY 200 to finish the season.
I'm also away at Christmas or I would have been taking a slot in Midlothian.
Posted 2 years ago # -
A while since I've 'written anything up', but rode the Peculier Old 200 at the weekend, from Darlington. It's a circular route, heading West into Teesdale, before turning South into North Yorkshire to Masham, home of the beer after which the event is named, then a flatter return Northwards back to Darlington via Appleton Wiske.
There were 70-ish starters from 80 entrants, and we set off in a bunch from Darlington McDonalds at 0750, heading north on flat roads to Fishburn which was about 25k in. I'm not a fan of riding in a huge bunch, and was quickly wishing I'd let the 'bulge' pass before setting off. After Fishburn, we're heading Westwards and start climbing, through a number of ex-colliery towns (Coundon, Ferryhill etc) and quickly enveloped in mist as we gained altitude. Lovely descent into Middleton in Teesdale and the CoOp, where about 25 riders were at the same time as me (72k). Didn't stay there too long, and was soon heading south to Masham. This section was into the teeth of a strong SE-ly wind and rain, with very undulating terrain, short descents followed by ramps of 10-20% which was very energy sapping, quite different from our longer and more gradual climbs on most SBR routes. The organizer had set up a check point at Scargill (98k) which provided welcome relief. The climbing eased off after Catterick, where the military heritage of the town was very evident, including "Danger, Tank Drivers under construction" signs, which I forgot to photograph. Rolled into Masham (138k) with only 26mins of 'stopped' time, most of which was at Middleton. Despite the slow moving speed I was happy with progress and congratulated myself on being unusually efficient with stops. Quick Co-Op visit (again), soaked through, set off for the finish. Encountered a chap from Newcastle about 5k out of Masham who was unsure of the route (route sheet fell to bits, and no GPS), so he tagged on the back of me and provided some company to the finish. There was a very welcome car control at Appleton Wiske (183k), where a quick cup of tea was had before a rolling run to the finish, where I think I arrived about 18:50.
Definitely recommend this (and probably most) of Dean's events to anyone from up here looking for something different (closer than up North, too).
Posted 2 years ago # -
Nice write up Edin187
Posted 2 years ago # -
Lovely report @edinburgh87! I was one of the DNS-es as I decided to go walking in the sunshine instead, and I bumped into Jenny Graham, so not a bad trade.
I know what you meant about those short and steep ramp. We had it on the return leg on LDL through that area. Really energy sapping, as you say.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Thanks @bill - I can't help thinking of margarine adverts whenever you say LDL. But completely agree, Dunfermline is NOT Edinburgh!
Posted 2 years ago # -
Hoping to participate in home in time for tea time in a couple of weeks. Would be delighted to meet any of you CCEers
Posted 1 year ago # -
Not technically a DIY audax as it was the wrong distance and measurement units, but I had a smashing 100 miler round east lothian and the borders on Saturday. Got some sun for the first time this year. Despite the dry, sunny and windy conditions, the roads were still a mud/puddle fest and both me and bike (which does sport sks longboards) were fair filthy by the time we got home.
Was happy to see that after 2 periods of illness in the past 2 months my legs are hopefully 'good enough' for the Long Dark Teatime in a fortnight.
Posted 1 year ago # -
I rode the Crystaaal Rig on Saturday with an ECE to take me a month closer to completing a RRTY.
The forecast in the couple of weeks before had been all over the place with a real chance of snow falling at the top of the Lammermuirs at one point and even the day before the pessimists at the beeb were suggesting a 60% chance of a soaking in the hills. I left the house in a little drizzle which only lasted minutes but feared the worst.
I met another couple of riders at the start and headed out with them quickly making out way to Gifford and on to Spott via an impromptu road closure who were thankfully willing to let us pass. I've ridden parts of the Crystaal rig road before joining or leaving it via the gravel roads which serve wind farms but this was the first time I had climbed it from the North and it was a cracker of a climb. Quickly revealing a splendid view over our shoulders before continuing to rise upwards for long enough to satisfy even the most ardent climbers. Unfortunately just before the summit the climb rounds out so by the time we stopped the view had disappeared but a welcome rest was taken at the top before descending into a headwind past the first lambs of spring to the Whiteadder reservoir.
Next up was the climb up to the top of the Redstone Rig before descending to Gifford. Sadly by this point we had a crosswind so we had to temper our speed slightly but still enjoyed the free miles.
Back in Gifford we enjoyed a lunch break at the Lantern Rouge who happily signed our brevets as they no longer offer paper receipts. The final leg was along rolling lanes back to Bonnyrigg sadly the wind had got up by now so it wasn't as gentle as we'd hoped. Somehow we had stayed dry dodging the showers we could see scattered around East Lothian. All we had was a tiny spot of drizzle and a threat of rain at the top of the Redstone Rig.
Back at the End Ross was waiting to welcome us with Chocolate Brownies and other sustenance to fuel me up for remaining miles of my ECE.
I retraced the route back to Gifford for my third visit of the day. Sadly I was a little to late for a cake at the Lantern Rouge so I pushed on to Haddington to try my luck with the Loft. Despite shutting at the same time as the LR their door was open and they were more than happy to sell me a takeaway can and cake which I enjoyed in their courtyard.
When planning the route I had attempted to take the full 200Km over the AAA threshold and so my route went up into the middle of the Garleton hills rather than round them. Watching the numbers tick up I realised I wasn’t going to hit the threshold for 200km as the remaining 40km of my ride were downhill to Aberlady and flat all the way home, leaving me with “just” 2700m of climbing for the day (although done in 160km).
The view from the hills also revealed a very different sky from the rest of the day. Instead of scattered showers there was now a fairly ominous wall of grey to the north and west of me. It held off until Gosford where I made use of the driveway to don my raincoat before enduring 15 minutes of sustained heavy rain all the way into Port Seton. It wasn’t pleasant but all things considered such a short soaking was a pretty good outcome for the forecast.
The wind was now set in but thankfully I had some company to climb the Dutch mountain and share chips in Porty with. If Dutch mountains counted I’m sure I would have been close to 4000m for the day.
I feel I’m on the home leg of the RRTY now with just 3 more rides to go. Next up is the Long Dark Teatime.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Well done acsimpson. I think you may be due more than the calendar event AAA points, even if not all 200km count. You can check here (tick Resample):
Posted 1 year ago # -
Thanks, that's an impressive wee tool. It took me seconds to work out the same thing I spent half an hour doing earlier. I've requested the extra half point although this might end up being my only AAA ride this year.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Nice write up @acsimpson! I remember mentioning reinvigorating this thread when you left and you didn’t disappoint!
Thanks to all who entered either event.
They’ll be back in Autumn 24 in a more x-rated format (McDonald’s start / finish and lower entry fee / bigger field).
Posted 1 year ago # -
I had a brilliant time on edinburgh87's Talla Ho! Really glad the snow cleared and we had very acceptable weather given it was mid-March.
Next up for me is the Long Dark Teatime. Hopefully I will see some of you there. Then an Easter Arrow 400 to York on Good Friday. Seems alarmingly close.
Posted 1 year ago # -
I'm going to be driving down to Galashiels for the LDTT. Would anyone like a lift from Edinburgh?
Posted 1 year ago # -
Long dark teatime was a great outing if somewhat chilly. Hoping for warmer for the Easter Arrow to York next Friday.
Posted 1 year ago # -
“
Easter Fleches to York Description 400km cycling event starting from Anywhere, to York.
“
https://www.audax.uk/event-details/9069
“starting from Anywhere“
Good idea, is that common?
Posted 1 year ago # -
Common?
It happens once a year. Usually a few teams from Scotland go but I don't know if any others this year. Perhaps Covid has had an effect, or Paris Brest qualifications (I don't think this event counts).
This is the first time I have been drawn into this special form of madness. Easter is fairly late this year, but it still seems early for a 400. It's a team event, we have a team of 5. Rules are arcane and tricky so I'm leaving those to our captain. We are heading down to Kendal for a curry. Then overnight through Wensleydale before meandering down to York to arrive at 8am. I think all the Arrow teams converge on the same pub for breakfast. Then train back.
Posted 1 year ago # -
No
“Common” as is ‘do many Audaxes have infinite starting points?’
Posted 1 year ago # -
Searching for "Anywhere" as a location on the audax site shows amir's 400km Easter one (and a shorter 200km version on the same day), and a 200km one to Melrose in October.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Ah. These are Darts and Arrows. The latter are longer. The Melrose one is also a meet up for the weekend, and you can do a return Dart to get home.
Of course, an Audax dies not need to return to the same point. For instance you can do a 200 from Edinburgh by cycling to Aberdeen and getting the train back.
Posted 1 year ago # -
I had a great time on the LDTT on Saturday too. First formal audax. All went nicely up until the point on the way home that I started daydreaming and found myself in Yarrowford instead of Selkirk :) Soup at the Eskdalemuir hub was just the ticket after 50 kms of headwind from Longtown.
Missed @amir and @acsimpson, I was mainly near the back of the pack.
Posted 1 year ago # -
as @nobrakes says I also rode the LDTT on Saturday. It was definitely long although due to PBP friendly scheduling it wasn't dark for the majority of the field.
I was still putting my shoe covers on when the majority of the field left a few minutes before the advertised time so I spent the early part of the ride playing catchup and not sure who was ahead of me. I chatted to various people as a I slowly moved up the field feeling quite strong and being assured that there was a reasonably sized group up ahead. When we got to Eskdalemuir though it became apparent that the only group that had been ahead was the 3 riders we passed just before arriving in the village.
I was settling in to my pie and toast when folk started getting ready to leave. Not wanting to miss a tow I jumped back on my bike to and headed south, riding most of the way with 2 other riders. The roads here were pretty terrible, including one which was officially closed for no apparent reason other than the lack of remaining surface for a section of it.
Heading down the A7 to Longtown and out to the turn I was on the front and ended up alone for a while and somewhat surrealy found myself at the front of the pack at the half way point. I had used the best of my legs up though and needed a break so was happy to let the fast crew leave me behind.
By the time I had left several other groups had arrived and were queuing for lunch so I headed off solo into the headwind. Once I'd passed the lantern rouge coming south didn't see anyone else until I was caught just before Eskdalemuir. As I turned into the hub my rim bottomed out on a stone, so I made a mental note to put more air in before leaving and pondered whether a lack of air had made the solo stretch harder than it should have been.
After an extended rest I extended the rest further when I discovered my tyre was now flat. 4 of us headed off together to share the work towards the finish. We picked up a 5th member before the top of the hill and after one star rider dragged us all the way to the top we took turns in the wind back to Gala.
All in all I was very happy to have finished an hour ahead of my target time.
I suspect I saw @amir's bike at a couple of check points and was retrospectively spotted by @nobrakes but didn't manage to meet any fellow CCErs.
Posted 1 year ago # -
@acsimpson that road has been closed for quite a while. The autumn version avoided it, but this was the first time it has started from the Focus Centre, and Lucy forgot to swap the GPS. I'm glad the road was passable as we saw quite a few taking it. Is the long furrow still present?
Posted 1 year ago # -
It was definitely an interesting road surface for a few miles. More pothole than road.
I take it others went a different route?
Posted 1 year ago # -
The alternative route starts a little further along the road to Langholm at https://goo.gl/maps/TSK5jcnDEy9AKNXs6
Posted 1 year ago # -
The Easter Arrow was fun. It is harder than a standard 400 (for me at least), due to the enforced riding through the night. Normally I start early doors and aim to get back in time to enjoy some beauty sleep. The route was lovely, especially the Shap A6 climb as the sun was going down. Wensleydale had some annoyingly sharp uphills going down the valley. The flatter bits nearer to York were pretty in the sunrise, with owls and little traffic. Great to see all the Arrow teams from around the UK in the pub at the end, though frankly too tired to speak much.
Is anyone else doing the Roamin in the Gloamin this weekend? A 300 from Freuchie, through the southern Highlands including some new roads for me.
Posted 1 year ago # -
@amir well done with the Easter Arrow!
Similar to you I choose i start 400k in very early hours to come back home and get some sleep.I am going up for the Roamin in the Gloamin. I hope to see you at least at the start!
Posted 1 year ago # -
See you there @bill!
Posted 1 year ago # -
Good to see you @amir! A lot more than I had expected ;-) Roamin in the Gloamin 300 is a tough route starting in Freuchie through Perth, Little Glenshee (first time I heard of it), Sma Glen, Aberfeldy, side road by Schiehallion, House of Bruar, Bair Atholl, Pitlochry, Kirriemuir, Forfar, Dundee, Newbrough and back to Freuchie.
Lots of climbing. It is a hard route or maybe it is a bit early in the season. The weather was great. Only a little bit of headwind at times. It seemed to be always sunny on uphills (so roasting) and changed to overcast for downhills (so freezing).
We had three car controls which helped by providing snacks, water and banter. A fairly late start (8am) meant that that the half way lunch was rather late (about 5pm). Turned out that Escape Route in Pitlochry did pizza when we rolled in (the cafe itselt was closed) so each of us devoured a pizza. Surprisingly climbing up Moulin was easier on an entire pizza than on their enormous soup and sandwich combo!
Once in Newport I was actually ready to finish (Moulin Muirs which I did a few weeks ago starts and finishes here so perhaps that was in my head) but there was still 40k to go. I knew there were two climbs: one to Gauldry and one out of Newbrough. The latter one was new to me (as to everyone). We had a group of Newburghians cheering at us and shouting "Left, Left!" directing us at the turnoff at 1am which was pretty unexpected but nice! The climb hit quickly and sharp. I here caught up with the group ahead of me as I was behind and on my own all the way from Newport. That steep and long climb felt like a mean joke in the last 10k of a hilly ride. We were relieved when arrived at the arrivee and collapsed in the organiser's living room with cups of tea.
A really good route. Definitely not the roads I would pick when plotting my own route -- that's one of the things I like about Audaxes that you are forced to take the more difficult ways. The route is very scenic and I imagine will be very, very hard when weather isn't as clement as what we got.
Posted 1 year ago #
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