I really am going to do the Three Glens, honest.
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Events, rides etc.
Audax 2012
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Posted 12 years ago #
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DaveC and amir almost talked me into the Three Glens this morning, however time wise I think the Guy Fawkes Buddhist Retreat is a more realistic option for me. I need some time to get some longer practise runs in, and this requires flight control clearance from Mrs.Earthowned. Who else is doing the Guy Fawkes?
Posted 12 years ago # -
I'm on the Three Glens, then I'm doing a DIY 100k in October, plus hopefully the Trossachs permanent (also 100k). Entry is in via snail mail, just waiting for a reply.
I'm leaving the 200k+ Audaxes until next year...
Posted 12 years ago # -
I put my application in for the 3 Glens online/paypal. Not had a routecard yet though..
Just hoping it won't be this windy on the day! :-oPosted 12 years ago # -
@earthowned, You'd be better off doing The Three Glens then considering the Guy Fawkes as The Three Glens is a shorter ride and will put you in good stead for the Guy Fawkes. I've learned that practice is the only way to be able to ride longer distances. Also, they are a month apart so you don't have to worry about recovering for the Guy Fawkes.
It'll be dark oclock when you setoff/finish on the Guy Fawkes too, so you'll need a good set of lights, and I mean a set of lights you can see by not just be seen with. The Guy Fawkes is from Galasheils. Controls at Eskdalemuir, Langholm, Gretna, Langholm and Eskdalemuir, so there won't be lots of ambient street lighting.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Correction to the above, controls are Eskdalemuir, Langholm, Lockerbie, Eskdalemuir and Innerleithen.
I expect the light will be most of concern on the the return; it should be pretty light when we set off. The sun sets at 1628 approx. 200km at 15 mph takes 8.5 hours (if you did this including stops you'd arrive at sunset). How long you actually take will depend on your stops as well. For me - I'd hope to get around by about 17:30 to 18:00 - so an hour or two in the dark. May not be that dark at that hour. If we have clear skys the moon will be about 3/4s.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Having done the Guy Fawkes before it's generally round about the top of Paddock Slack we need to stop and put lights on. Unless you're quick (and it isn't an easy ride) you'll likely be riding the busiest part of the route (A72) in complete darkness. We tend to go for the "ride in a group lit up like a Christmas tree" approach which causes most drivers to slow and some even to come to an almost complete halt as they can't figure out what this slightly wobbly object with multiple lights in front of them is.
Posted 12 years ago # -
@Smudge, go to the calendar event listing on AUK web page. There is a link to a Bikeroutetoaster page from the 3 Glens entry. This gives you map, elevation, cue sheet, GPX file...
Posted 12 years ago # -
@ Amir and Tom - ah well never mind. Amir, hope you're feeling healthier. Tom, I think there's a cheap japanese noodle bar in West Nicholson Street btw.
BTW what's the NIMBY capital of Scotland?
Why, Porty of course!I may postpone that route til another time and just go to the Bathgate Alps tomorrow instead, then PV on sunday. This will be my first weekend for 7 and a half years when the gurls have all been away, and the choice is making me go a bit giddy. Too many options...
Posted 12 years ago # -
BTW what's the NIMBY capital of Scotland?
Why, Porty of course!There was me thinking it was variously the New Town, Grange and Barnton/Cramond. Better add Porty to the list, I suppose. Sigh.
Posted 12 years ago # -
I got my Three Glens route card by email today. I haven't investigated it yet...
I get really cold cycling home in the rain yesterday, which leads me to ask, how would one dress to do 160km or more in the rain? It rained all day yesterday.And how are people getting to the start? My initial thought was train but if lots of people get the train that would be a problem (I bet there are not many trains on a Sunday).
Posted 12 years ago # -
*Note to self: better get an earlier train* ;-)
Rain cape?
Definitely waterproof overshoes. Waterproof gloves if you have them/they exist.
Posted 12 years ago # -
I should say there is a non cycle just cake option. Contact Neil the organiser for details. It has been said that this could be the end of Audax in Scotland ('just cake no cycling' that is).
Posted 12 years ago # -
@Fimm, I am no expert but on both little 100km jaunts I've done so far (novice to this you see!) the weather has been light rain and drizzle, I wore a warmish windproof top over my cycling jersey and found I was warm enough. As to getting wet I just accepted it and ignored it ;-) That said, I had a packaway rainproof jacket in the bar bag in case it got very very heavy or I had a wait somewhere (and I also have full mudguards so I retained a dry behind!) I also find a buff quite good for keeping my head warm even once it's soaked.
But hey, I'm sure we'll have nothing but sunshine all day.... maybe ;-)
I'm local(ish) so I can just roll down to the start and call it a warmup (though a friend who's coming on it with me is making noises about taking the car into Linlithgow)
For those seeking waterproof gloves, get some neoprene divers gloves, (if you know any divers you may well be able to scrounge a pair with worn out fingertips which you can then turn into fingerless gloves) waterproof, windproof and once they're wet they're still warm :-)
@DaveC, what is this evil of which you speak?!? Cake and no cycling?? We're all doooooomed I tell ye!
Posted 12 years ago # -
Hello CCE! Breaking the habits of a long time lurker.
Inspired by this thread, I've signed up for Three Glens as my first ever Audax. It's a good chunk further than I've ridden before so slightly daunting, but I survived a 70 mile ride including the Col du Climpy route in the rain yesterday, so hopefully doable.
Did end up freezing cold though, with combined altitude and wetness. A decent jacket is a must I think.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Welcome DrA
If you've been lurking long enough, you'll know that there are now quite a few people doing Audaxes because of CCE.
Most seem to enjoy it!(?)
So stand by for advice, encouragement a CCE welcome at the start, and perhaps sympathy at the finish.
Posted 12 years ago # -
@Chdot, Sympathy? Congratulation you mean surely ;-)
Posted 12 years ago # -
@ Smudge I was meaning sympathy/understanding (if required), but congratulations perhaps more important!
Posted 12 years ago # -
I think chdot got it right the first time! Traversing the various fora and discussion boards relating to Audax, the terms 'sufferfest' and 'fellow sufferers' surface quite a bit.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Do you think we can book a repeat of Sunday's weather for next Sunday?
Posted 12 years ago # -
Me and a few palls did a part of the route of next weekends Three Glens Explorer here:
http://app.strava.com/rides/22883479
I note 1164m of climbing and don't anticipate much more on Sunday on the Audax. You should note however that the two previous years have been wet last year being very wet. Its begining to get cold now and combined with the rain it could warrent more than a thin micro waterproof. I'll have my Goretex in my Caradice.
On the ride yesterday we were up in the Sun from Path of Condie to Dunning and as we approached the decent into Dunning this view met us:
http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p86/Dave_Crampton/2012-09-23101736_zps1db4d393.jpg
The whole valley up which the A9 goes was under low cloud whilst we up top were in warm sunshine. It was cold in the valley and I was glad we climbed (see the largest climb on the Strava route) into the sun.
See you all next Sunday.
Dave C
Posted 12 years ago # -
Current forecast for Sunday is temperature in double figures, 15mph wind, light rain. We shall see, yesterday they were predicting sunshine/light cloud and not much wind.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Hmm I have visions of Met staff throwing dice with weather symbols on them.... :D
Posted 12 years ago # -
Just received my welcome pack from AUK HQ. Nice mudguard stickers! One will be going straight on the Raleigh...
As a welcome I couldn't ask for more than getting my photo in Arrivée magazine (however unflattering due to flapping windproof jaeket). Imagine my surprise upon opening the summer edition... I do believe I spotted DaveC on p.47 too.
Posted 12 years ago # -
eh??!! seriously?? I haven't had a proper browse of that yet. I'll be sure to have a look this evening! Thanks for the heads up.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Finally seen the magazine!!
In this pic, Steve Whalley (a mate), Dave (Riffian), Murry (Recombdna) and me.
http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p86/Dave_Crampton/2012-09-25200832.jpg
Posted 12 years ago # -
Appologies, Murry is in ths one behind Kevin (in Blue)
http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p86/Dave_Crampton/2012-09-25200845.jpg
Pics are in a large format so showing as an image would only show the left 3rd.
Posted 12 years ago # -
I was thrilled to make my pictorial debut in such an esteemed publication! See you all on Sunday, I signed up for the Three Glens. Fingers crossed for the weather...
Posted 12 years ago # -
Wow.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Thankfully you've not all seen the shot of me. Different page...
(@DaveC, please don't share it on here, it's great to be in Arrivée but I don't necessarily want the whole of the Internut connecting my face, name and forum handle).
Posted 12 years ago #
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