We did the Braw lads baw breaker yesterday. Very nice well organized event put on by Gala CC. Only £15 entry 3 food stations and pizza at the end. it was Mrs Dna's first sportive and first +100miles ride. Some rain some sun some wind and a Lot of steep hills. The event was only marred slightly by me hitting the ground at 30mph in the wet stripping the skin off my arm and bending my rear mech. luckily only 5 miles from the end so I finished in the highest gear and bleeding. I recommend it for next year for those who are inclined (the event not the crashing part)
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Events, rides etc.
Audaxes + sportifs 2013
(669 posts)-
Posted 11 years ago #
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Yes remember Rob you punish your body when cycling and its only when you rest does your body heal its self. No rest means punishment, punishment, punishment!!
Ensure you are resting at least 2 days a week, maybe more, if you racking up so many kilometres.
I trained for my 600 Audax by just cycling to work and back 5 days a week, and thats only ~55km each day - broken into two - 5 days a week from April.
@Recombodna, I have a mate in Selkirk who rode that, looks good.
Posted 11 years ago # -
I will be resting plenty this week as in London till thursday eve. going to do plenty of core work and let legs recover.
Again I can't believe how much of a difference lowering the saddle by about 1.5mm made to my back. Insane.
Posted 11 years ago # -
We did the Braw lads baw breaker yesterday
Well. Are they?
(Broken, I mean)
Posted 11 years ago # -
funnily enough they are the only things that don't seem to be broken........
Posted 11 years ago # -
Not long back from Portmahomack where I was taking part in the Cromarty Cruise audax.
After the longish train journey north, upon arrival at Fearn station the rain was chucking down. I threw on the rain cape and made my way to Portmahomack, towing the trailer behind me with camping gear. Just much simpler than messing around with panniers on the audax bike, however changing trains at Inverness station was somewhat fraught.
On entering the hall at Portmahomack there was a fine home cooked meal on offer while awaiting riders making their bedraggled way back from the Tongue Twister 300. The assembled riders looked with some trepidation upon the deluge outside. As I camped by the sea that night I can confirm it rained heavily for most of the night.
On Sunday morning however the rain was spent. After a good breakfast at the hall, a much reduced field set off on the 200. Conditions were cool, but mostly dry for much of the ride, to everyone's surprise. The wind was a different matter. The Cromarty Cruise is a reasonably flat route, with a few climbs thrown in for some spice. The stretches around the coast, such as the Cromarty Firth, were very exposed though. The wind built up in the afternoon, and made for tough going on the homeward leg. Luckily I had teamed up with some veteran audaxers so got a tow part of the way back. The forecast was for 20mph winds but it felt much stronger than that, at least 30mph maybe more, and with strong gusts. Coming back along the headland to Portmahomack the wind was near gale force. It was then I started to worry about the tent.
Sure enough at the arrivé it was confirmed it had been flattened by the wind. At least it had not ended up in the sea...
Despite the adverse conditions, it was a good event and the warm welcome and hospitality in Portmahomack second to none. Certainly memorable and I daresay I'll be back at some point.
Posted 11 years ago # -
@cyclingmollie:
Any thoughts on the England trip for this Sunday? I think I have a day licence.
"amir, we need to get this England trip organised. Next Sunday any good? Meticulous research has ruled out going via Bransly Hill or Oldhamstocks. So it's over the Rig to Chirnside/Honey Farm and home by Blackadder/Whiteadder. "
Posted 11 years ago # -
I should be free Sunday - looks a touch windy, a south westerly. Imagine it will get quite breezy up on top of the Lammermuirs.
Posted 11 years ago # -
amir and kaputnik, yes I'm okay for Sunday as well. Looks like it could be overcast but dry. I'm thinking we could go by Gifford to Redstone Rig, then to Longformacus, Ellemford, Preston, Chirnside and across the border at Fishwick. The Chain Bridge cafe bus is open from 11am to around 4.30pm on Sunday. Where and when would you like to meet?
Posted 11 years ago # -
Depends which route you want to take to Gifford I suppose!
Posted 11 years ago # -
Or further west at the Wallyford roadabout if you want to go through Tranent?
Posted 11 years ago # -
if you want to go through Tranent?
Why would anyone want to do such a thing! Crossgatehall works for me.Posted 11 years ago # -
Crossgatehall at the railway path car-park at 9am is fine for me.
Just need to tape a route map to my top-tube now , old-school stylee.
Posted 11 years ago # -
I've now replaced my stolen showerproof jacket. Just. In. Case!
Posted 11 years ago # -
I rode 100km yesterday around innerleithen and peebles, then did an hour on the stationary bike. Today I headed up to Aberdeen for a solid 230km (ended up being 237 which was frustrating - nothing like riding 7 extra KM!)
I was at an engagement party last night so when I booked the train home from aberdeen I assumed some time considerations and actually I wasn't wrong (assumed 7.5 hr riding time and did it in 7 hours 15 minutes riding time) However I screwed up and forgot to count stoping time which meant that by the time I hit Braemar I had 2.5 hours to do 54 miles. I managed it in 2 hours. It was brutal but it seems that the training is paying off. The wind was sort of with me but blustery and oft screwed up my rhythm. Bad times.
BEst thing today was meeting an old audax hand at the bottom of glen shee (spittle) and riding up it with him - damn was he fast - he does a self 200 every few weeks. I did also get a speed wobble at 86kmph and thought I was about to die. Genuinely horrid. If I'd crashed that fast that would have been either a) my life b) all my bones!
Anyway It was an ace ride and I had good times. ANyone up for a bit ride weekend coming?
Posted 11 years ago # -
I also lost he £50 lightweight jacket that I bought on Sat today. If anyone finds a super lightwight jacket let me know!
Posted 11 years ago # -
Likewise I lost my brand new lightweight jacket today. Wore it for the 20 minutes up to GIlmerton where I stowed it in a pocket. Refolded and restowed it at Crossgates. By the time I got to Longformacus it was gone! Judging by wind on top of Lammermuirs it is now somewhere past Duns...
Glad I bought the £60 jacket as I had almost decided to go mad and spend considerably more, before reeling myself back in!
Posted 11 years ago # -
You chaps need saddlebags, with handy pockets for stowing jackets out of the wind. You can chuch your sarnies in the main comprtment too.
Having said that I nearly left my jacket on the train last week. Luckily a fellow traveller spotted it and brought it to me as I was unstrapping my bike. Who said manners and doing the right thing were all in the past?
Posted 11 years ago # -
You chaps need saddlebags
I had the last one stolen out of my Carradice! I just can't win!
Posted 11 years ago # -
I've just ordered a bag for the top of top tube, one for inside frame and looking at a saddle bag now - recommendations?
Posted 11 years ago # -
Carradice. :D
What style of bag? How much gear will you need to stuff in?
Posted 11 years ago # -
Carradice and dispense with the other 2 :)
Actually top-tube "tri bag" is good for keeping snacks handy if you aren't inclined to slow down and stop to dig in your Carradice.
I don't like the inside-frame ones as I find they fould my knees.
Posted 11 years ago # -
After much trial and error, I now find the Carradice Super C Audax bag optimal for, well, audax! Quick release buckles instead of leather straps/metal buckles. Handy side pockets.
For a more touring style ride involving carrying food, more clothes, etc. the Nelson Longflap is a real Tardis of a saddlebag. I've had two carrier bags of shopping in one!
This tribag by Topeak seems to be the best, with Ortlieb style drybag material keeping your cereal bars, jelly babies etc. out of the rain/sweat. Haven't used it but do fancy one.
Posted 11 years ago # -
Ok guys,
LEL is this sunday.
I need your help to let me know if I've forgotten anything.
I have 2 bag drops - each of these will contain the following (5kg max)
*New bib shorts and jersey
*Replacement electrolyte and carbo drink and protein recovery drink mix seperately packaged per leg.
*batteries for lights
*cable ties
*spare tube.
*chammy creamI have 2 small tribags on the front of the frame
Upper tri bag
* tools - chain tool, tyre levers, allen keys
* handy food,
* fruit pastelles
* chewing gumLower tri bag
*recharging block for phone and GPS unit (waterproofed)
*cables
*batteries (8xAA and 4xAAA)I have my 7l carradice saddle bag
* waterproof jacket
* leg warmers
* Thermal
* sleeping bag liner
* bivvy bag
* 2x spare tubes (might tape these to frame)
* spare rear light
* spare front light
* shoe covers
* energy powders and gel cache
* thicker gloves
* buff
* warm hat
*pumpJersey pockets
* map and route card
* snacks per leg
* handy sachets of electrolite and carbo powder
* head torchSo - what have I forgotten. Should I pack a spare tyre?
I get food every 60-140km and am confident on having a big meal every 3-7 hours across the whole event.
Anyone got any tips/last minute ideas of weight saving?
Posted 11 years ago # -
babywipes or similar?
You have tubes but no puncture repair (or even patches).
Emergency cable ties and gaffer tape for repairs to bags/clothing.
Spare, dry socks in your drop-bags.
Spare tubes you could cable tie to saddle rails.Weight saving;
Chewing gum offers no nutrition, is that in lieu of a toothbrush or similar? Or just to pass the time?
Cut all labels off of clothes (no, really, ultralight mountaineers swear by it)Posted 11 years ago # -
socks! Good point
Puncture repair I'll get a thingy - plus plastic cards to reinforce the tyre just in case. Good plan. cable ties yes good plan. Gaffer not sure - it's bulky -0 maybe in one of the drop bags (I can send stuff back in them too)
Chewing gum a vital one for being bored. labels will be removed.
Also forgot vaseline for nipples/other rubbed bits and medical tape for taping up my feet after a few hundred miles.
Posted 11 years ago # -
My tolerance for gels is very limited. I assume there are feedstops for getting real, "solid" hot food in you?
Don't forget to drill holes in your lovely new frame and your tyres to save vital grammes :)
Posted 11 years ago # -
hehe not a chance I'm taking a drill to my fenix.
Gels are back ups yes. There is food at each stop - route here: http://www.londonedinburghlondon.com/route
20 stops total. varying between 40km (pfft) and 99km. This basically works out perfectly for my style of riding allowing nice breaks every 2-4 hours.
Basically means I've less need to carry more savoury food stuff as I get a meal quite regularly. Awesome stuff really /
Posted 11 years ago # -
Got an ETA for the Edinburgh turnaround?
Posted 11 years ago #
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