I wondered what happened to you outside Yett o Muchart. I got a sprint on to overtake that other cyclist and flew down the hill. Twas only at the Fire Engine that I discovered that the light following me wasn't yours. He did say that you weren't far behind though. That section from Yetts to Dollar was far furhter than I remembered and I was having doubts about the road we'd taken incase it was the wrong one. As for being bright (visible for I never claim to be the smartest), I aim to be seen!!
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Events, rides etc.
Audaxes + sportifs 2013
(669 posts)-
Posted 12 years ago #
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Just completed a DIY 105k around the Lothians: Dalkeith, Gifford, East Linton, Dirleton, North Berwick, then home.
I managed it within the time, despite a blasted headwind at various points (especially on the way back) and two road closures at Dalkeith and Kingston which cost me some time.
The Dalkeith closure is actually navigable by bike: the landslip subsidance is on the carriageway, but the shared use path is fine, as long as you don't mind riding through humungous layers of leaves, twigs and detritus which has amassed since the road was closed some months ago. The one between Kingston and Dirleton was a pain as it was bridge works. Had to go the long way round.
Those factors aside, I do seem to be even slower on permanent audaxes than on the calendar events. I suppose it's the lack of other riders to give the extra impetus to speed up a bit...
Lovely sunshine in the afternoon mind, and the forecast rain failed to materialise I'm glad to note.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Oh yeah, how could I forget. I was passing through Joppa on the final homeward stretch yesterday. It was getting dark, I had the dynamo light on, the pulsing whirr of the roller on the front tyre measuring out the metres.
I must have looked as though I was toiling a bit, and it's true the headwind along the coast had taken the steel out of my legs. All of a sudden, a middle aged lady stepped out from the pavement to my left, made what I can only describe as a mime of waving a flag, and cried "Allez! Allez! Allez!" as though she were a spectator at Le Tour. I gave her my widest Cheshire cat grin, and it was amazing what a boost to morale and energy this (ironic?) gesture gave me. It's nice when someone cheers you on.
Posted 12 years ago # -
What plans afoot for the new season?
The full up Snow Roads has urged me on to thinking of still seemingly ages away next year. I'm signed up for Forth and Tay which looks to be popular here, but also tentatively looking at 300k. Anyone thinking of or already done Merse and Moors?
Posted 11 years ago # -
Feb: Tour of East Lothian 100 (entered)
Mar: Forth and Tay 200 (entered)
May: Amulree For Tea 150 (provisional)
June: Cromarty Cruise 200 (provisional)
September Three Glens Explorer 150 (provisional)In the intervening periods I aim to do Permanents and DIYs, one per month on average.
Considered the Dave Harris Memorial 200 in March instead, but route a bit on the lumpy side and awkward to reach/depart without a car...
Posted 11 years ago # -
I'm signed up for the ToEL in February. Hoping to do the Forth and Tay in March. Really like to do A Fyne Cowal in June if I can work out a sensible way of getting there. I've tended to stick to local audaxes as the additional time taken travelling makes negotiating participation difficult.
A new one which caught my eye is The Crystal Run July 2013 - 100k from Musselburgh.
Merse and Moors maybe a bit far for me just now.Posted 11 years ago # -
Yes, the Crystal Run is a great route. I saw Martin had scouted it out on Strava a few months ago. It goes through Tripsmuir Wood as well, one of East Lothian's creepiest places imo.
Posted 11 years ago # -
Aye, I saw the Crystal Run but might be away on hols then. I have similar negotiation issues to riffian but I love getting up north when I can. The Portmahomack audax weekend is something special: there's a 300 and a 100 also in the same period. Forfar's not far from my place of work so...
Posted 11 years ago # -
Crystal Run looks a good (tough) ride - Musselburgh starts are good for the simple reason of being able to ride to and from the start from home!
Posted 11 years ago # -
Crystal Run is a very good ride. It's close to a training run I used to do so would recommend it. I think I might sign up although I need to check whether that's at the same time as the London Edinburgh London.
Posted 11 years ago # -
IIRC LEL is shortly afterwards.
Posted 11 years ago # -
It is verbotten to put anything else on at the same time as LEL in case it poaches riders away from LEL however ludicrously unlikely this may be.
Posted 11 years ago # -
Just signed Mrs Recombodna up for the tour of east lothian.
I've signed up for the ToEL in feb, the forth and tay in march the kinross sportive in april the craggy island triathlon in september and the bealach mor also in september also hope to ride a few "hills'' in the pyrenees during the summer. Looking forward to the new year!!
Posted 11 years ago # -
Looking at Forth & Tay, Merse & Moors, and Deeside Lass. I will probably do a couple of 200s also, perhaps those I haven't entered before. I've done ToeL twice now and may do it but will probably just do a local tonne.
Posted 11 years ago # -
Completed another DIY 100k yesterday, put back from last week due to frost and ice. Went round the Forth, same route as in October but clockwise this time. Temperature was just right: only one time did I feel cold, on the descent from Beecriags to Linlithgow, and that only because my inner gloves were soaked in sweat/condensation from the ascent.
I was in time but a bit slow, mainly held up on the home stretch after dark by my bottle dynamo slipping a bit on wet tyres when encountering big bumps (eg. the tree roots on that blasted A90 path): bump, suddenly just a standlight, stop, adjust, continue, bump... Fine on roads and decent surfaces, probably the bolt holding the dynamo in position has worked it's way slightly loose and needs adjusting, as I've not had these problems before. However, I lost most of my time cushion due to this, so may have to upgrade to a dynamo hub if I'm to tackle much night riding.
I'll see how it goes, but I'm enjoying getting out regularly. If I can extend my distance limit over the next year (trying out a few 200k events in the spring) I might have a crack at the Round The Year Randonneur award next season. In the meantime, I'm racking up the 100ks, slowly but surely.
Posted 11 years ago # -
I have just signed up for my first audax of 2013 - a lovely route:
13 April The Port Navigation, a 200 km from Ballachulish with 3 ferry rides!
I am also thinking of two more before then (but have to do the awkward paper entry process):
The Tour of East Lothian 17 Feb
The Dave Harris Memorial (200km from Rosewell) 24 MarchPosted 11 years ago # -
I think I'm siging up for the Port Navigation too. We saw Graham earlier in the pub. Thinking of camping but where? The Squirel is handy but VERY BASIC. Youth hostle might be ok but we'll have to book early.
Not doing the ToEL unless something special happens. Haven't ridden the Dave Harris yet and think I may have to. There is a 400 early in the year I think which I may do just so I don't have to do a 400, 300 600 in one month - groan. I need to look at the calender again as a few new rides have been added since I last looked. There is a ride called 6 passes which a mate is organising so we're doing that too. It has the highest peak on an audax at 720m. Thats around 100m higher than the access oad to the Cairngorms.
Posted 11 years ago # -
The Port Navigation does look great. I am not sure about accommodation but I suspect I'll be able to find a B & B. My OH is keen to go up also (but not to cycle!) if she isn't off to see her family.
I'm in two minds whether to do the ToEL - my energy levels are not as high as I'd like (hopefully will be resolved soon) and the weather is also a gamble. I will see about booking the Dave Harris nearer the time.
Posted 11 years ago # -
Anyone interested in doing a locally based 300km this summer (when the weather is bound to be great)?
I am keen to overcome this particular distance hurdle (under reasonable conditions of light, weather and not too many big hills). At the moment the only 300km audax in the summer within 30 miles or so is "Alston and Back" from Galashiels. This is on 29 June. The alternative is to do a Perm or DIY.
Posted 11 years ago # -
I'd be up for a local 300km when the days are longer. Would like to try some longer rides than the 100k ones I've been doing so far.
Posted 11 years ago # -
Not sure if this has been mentioned anywhere -
Only 112km!
With an 80 option.
Posted 11 years ago # -
Amir, what about the Merse and Moors as a summer permanent? I like the idea of not having to take lights etc. The appeal of the 200km rides is that they can be done with just sportive kit.
The Audax handbook has a lot of awards and achievements. The "Randonneur 1,000", five 200km rides in one year, looks interesting.
Posted 11 years ago # -
Only 112km!
With over a km of vertical!!
Posted 11 years ago # -
"Amir, what about the Merse and Moors as a summer permanent? "
That does sound a good route (though not lacking in hills!). It has the advantage of having some opt-out places, esp on the way back e.g. Alnmouth, Berwick, Dunbar. It is not currently a perm (see link below) so we would have to run it as a DIY. We might want to contact the event organiser, Martin, out of courtesy.
http://www.aukweb.net/perms/?Dist_min=&Dist_max=&Aaa=&Region=scotland
Posted 11 years ago # -
You know the Snow Roads is also a perm.
Posted 11 years ago # -
"It is not currently a perm"
OK
For those not keeping up (like me), what's the difference between a perm and a DIY?
There have been various CCE rides over the last few years - some well documented. Essentially all 'leisure' - though a few 'audax distance'.
There have been a few suggestions for (and actual rides) in and around Edinburgh.
Perhaps there could be some 'set' routes - even starting as low as 10 miles - for CCEers to 'collect' and perhaps some longer ones to become un/official Audax ones?
Stamps along the way at shops that sell Mars Bars (or rubbings at Sustrans Mileposts)??
Posted 11 years ago # -
chdot. That is a great idea. So good, in fact that I have had it myself several times. In Austria some tourist info offices give out cards into which you punch holes at various points on walking routes. Complete the set and you can hand the card in for a souvenir badge. A similar thing in the Lothians for cycling would be great. Maybe connecting castles or old farms.
Posted 11 years ago # -
"Maybe connecting castles or old farms"
I presume the farms would have to have chimneys??
Where's your map again?
Posted 11 years ago # -
"A similar thing in the Lothians for cycling would be great"
RideLothian?
Posted 11 years ago # -
chdot: "Where's your map again?"
Chimney Sweep by Cycling Mollie, on FlickrPosted 11 years ago #
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