Looks like a good CCE turnout for the Erit Lass. Got my routesheet today.
Quite fancy the Guy Fawkes but have no experience of audax in the dark.
I'd need to get some serious lights though.
How serious do I need to get?
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Events, rides etc.
Audax 2012
(472 posts)-
Posted 12 years ago #
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Can't make that one, but hopefully will see some of you on the three glens :-)
Posted 12 years ago # -
How serious do I need to get?
Serious enough to ride on a dark lane, safely, at speed with it as your only significant source of light bar moonlight. As in, "be seen around town" lights won't work.
It should also be suited for road riding rather than offroading - it needs to concentrate the majority of the light on the road ahead of you - not off into the bushes or down immediately below your bars infront of the wheel. While that is suited for lower speed navigation where there's potentially a lot of obstructions around, if most of your light is focussed too close then you will potentially miss hazards on the road ahead without giving yourself enough time to react to them.
It should also scatter some light far ahead to pick up retroreflective markers, road signs, catseyes etc.
You get some lights that are very powerful, but lack a sophisticated lense and just create a bright beam of light like a torch would. Again, not perfect as you just don't see enough of the road ahead and the brightness kills your vision around the periphery of the illumination - a gradual edge to the illuminated area is better than a tight one. Very useful for a head/helmet torch though for pointing at things you want to see better without pointing the whole bike (has a tendency to make you crash!)
Posted 12 years ago # -
Yeah, as kaputnik says a head mounted torch is a good idea to supplement your main beam on the bike. Cycling in pitch black can be fun if disconcerting: 'exhilarating' is the word.
I'll also be on the Three Glens Explorer on 30 September, Erit Lass is too soon.
Posted 12 years ago # -
The Erit Lass organiser just checked the route by bike in 8.5 hours which is about what we took last year. If the Fawkes and the New Season start at 9am perhaps only the last hour or so will be in failing light. Sunset on 20 October is 5.59pm.
Posted 12 years ago # -
New Season's a better bet for daylight as it's before the clocks change...
Posted 12 years ago # -
Both audaxes start at 8am
Posted 12 years ago # -
And sunrise is at 7.55am. So Lights may be needed in the morning.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Take your pick.
Borders New Season:
Sunrises:
07:51 BST
Sunsets:
18:00 BSTGuy Fawkes Buddhist:
Sunrises:
07:20 GMT
Sunsets:
16:28 GMTIf I were planning on going to Galashiels (which I'm not, see prior post) reckon I'd rather be riding just after sunrise, while fresh, alert and awake at start, than riding for an hour or more in the dark when tired at the end...
Of course you guys all may be really fast and do it in 7 hours, in which case no need for lights on either.
Posted 12 years ago # -
If sunrise is that 7.55am then there will be plenty of light in the sky. The morning period of civil twilight starts about 30-40 minutes before sunrise so you won't be riding in darkness at 8am.
Posted 12 years ago # -
I'm now in for the Erit Lass, oops.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Wow!! Good luck with that! Martin's Audaxes are quite hilly!
Posted 12 years ago # -
Aaargh.
The thing Mr fimm was supposed to be doing that weekend is not happening, so we might have to go and vist some friends then instead.I take it that there's no such thing as a refund if you have to pull out?
Posted 12 years ago # -
You could try. I usually just wave it as its less than a tenner. Contact Martin to ask.
Posted 12 years ago # -
I see this gaff got a mention on the Audax Eccosse Farcebook lastnight with Martin the organiser of this coming weekends Erit Lass saying there were lots of old and new faces on the ride and a large contingent from City Cycling Edinburgh.
Posted 12 years ago # -
I'm crying off the Erit Lass, unfortunately. Have a lingering malady that makes me relunctant to emabrk on a 200k ride. Good luck to all CCErs who are tackling this great ride.
Now looking at the Three Glens Explorer on 30 Sept.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Sounds like there could be a good CCE contingent on the 3 Glens then! Wonder if a batch of the whizzy citycycling shirts could be procured in time for it....?
Posted 12 years ago # -
@Smudge, now there's an idea.
Team CityCycling ahoy!
WC (Fields)? * Are you listening?
Need. Team. Kit.
(Not fair on you really, a lot of hassles for naught. But if you 'open source' the design, folk could order their own, the right size and all that. Mind you, group discount if ordering more than 10 jerseys?)
* -
Posted 12 years ago # -
Bump!
Posted 12 years ago # -
Well some of us have the Erit Lass audax this weekend. I am not sure whether I am looking forward to it. I have been sat in a conference all week with no cycling and seem to have a cold coming on, so I am not sure how fit I will be. On the upside, the forecast is okay at the moment, with light winds for the morning following by srtinger tail winds later (cross fingers).
So who is doing it now? I think we have at least the following:
Tom
JacksonPriest
Laidback
meDave?
DaveC?
recombdna?Posted 12 years ago # -
Yeah, I'm doing it. Will be my first ride since PBP to go over 20 miles or so IIRC
Posted 12 years ago # -
What type of bike are you planning to use, Dave?
Posted 12 years ago # -
Dave and amir - tapering? As you can see from Strava I've been putting in huge mileages for the last fortnight in preparation.
crowriver - I looked this up and found that "I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member" was coined by Groucho Marx.
Posted 12 years ago # -
I've fallen back on my own recumbent, from back in the day. I haven't ridden *that* any distance since May or June 2011, but it seems to be useable judging by the last couple of commutes.
Posted 12 years ago # -
I'm now in the Erit Lass. See you all Sunday.
Dave C
Posted 12 years ago # -
Not quite ready for Erit Lass, plus my partner would hit the roof if I abandon the family for the day again so (relatively) soon after Newtonmore. About once a month I can manage, once a fortnight would cause tensions...
Posted 12 years ago # -
There was a big contingent of CCE'rs on the audax today, including 3 Daves (and that's with one missing). Unfortunately I bailed out in the Moorfoots (cold zapped all power in my legs) but still managed 73 miles.
I am now feeling like I must avenge my downfall. The only audaxes that I can do are the Etal-U-Can (16 Sept) and the Guy Fawkes Buddhist Retreat (3 Nov) both starting from Gala. I've already booked on the latter - anyone thinking of doing the former?
Posted 12 years ago # -
Nice to see Amir, Tom, Dave, Dave (laidback) & Jackson Priest? in the Portovello top. Sorry I forgot to introduce myself to everyone. I had a blast. It was hard work but worth it for the sense of acheivement now. We arrived at the finish at 19.15 having ridden flat out from the approaches to Redstane Rig. The wind was in our favour and with failing light and the threat of eventual rain I rode my heart out from Redstane Rig back. Hard ride.
I'll be on the Three Glens and maybe the New Season Brevit.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Amir... There are other Audaxes as you say. Sorry it didn't go well for you today. I half expected I might not have made it. I think the fear of doing another 200k persuaded me to keep going. That and the excellent food supplied by organiser Martin and family.
Will I do another? These things are highly competitive and not sure how hard I want to ride.Posted 12 years ago #
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