My plan is to leave the longer rides until next year. They tend to leave the body's defences low and I'd miss the cafe stops. Instead, I'll do more intensive short rides. Maybe get my speed up again.
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Events, rides etc.
Audaxes + sportives 2020
(147 posts)-
Posted 4 years ago #
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You still cycling to work or (or expecting to have to) working from home?
Posted 4 years ago # -
I am already working from home (all of our staff are now apart from IT support). I'll be substituting commutes for pseudo-commutes, with a bit more freedom on timing (eg a bit cold for my taste this morning so will go later).
Posted 4 years ago # -
@amir / all - I totally agree with the premise of reducing the demand on NHS resulting from sporting injuries etc and genuinely fully support AUK in their stance HOWEVER the authorities would never say "don't drive in-case you crash" (and likely injure more than yourself and more severely). Preaching to the converted I know bit feels better to have it off my chest :)
Posted 4 years ago # -
Reducing national speed limit to 50 or 40 mph would be sensible? Likely to reduce crashes, and deter unnecessary travel.
Posted 4 years ago # -
France went to 80km/h or 50mph on the equivalent of two lane A-roads a couple of years ago.
Widely ignored mind.
Posted 4 years ago # -
@edinburgh87 from my perspective, the key aspect is re immune systems. Clearly activities such as cycling are generally good for your health and immune system. However, I believe riding for long distances can depress immune response. That's why I will continue to ride, but for shorter distances (<200km). I might have been tempted to do the odd 200km, but the lack of company (for safety as well as company), cafes and points. So a refocus for me - I know my speed has been drifting down so time to address that.
Posted 4 years ago # -
@amir, completely agree with your stance on this.
I still hope to do a bit of leisure riding, assuming we don't go into full lockdown. However most of my cycling will be utility - picking up shopping, riding to the allotment.
Was really hoping to do some longer rides and touring this year but may need to wait until we are past the first peak of COVID-19.
I'm not ruling out a solo bivvy or lightweight wild camp overnight expedition somewhere if the weather looks up. Literal self-isolation...
Posted 4 years ago # -
@amir - fair one! I think I'll do something similar, I want to sort out some comfort issues and build endurance back up although tempted to do some solo rides up to SR length as this year was meant to be my first SR :( guess we've all just been given a training year without the drama of the points table assuming safe to do so / no hard outdoor bans...
Best wishes to all in your long distance endeavours
Posted 4 years ago # -
Yesterday I went to do my "Not Quite Snow Hare" -- not quite an Audax. The original Audax route was passing my Audax pal's front door in Biggar, so he was gutted it got cancelled. We arranged to go for a ride regardless given the promising forecast.
I went down to Biggar via Carnwath. The Apple Pie was open but I didn't stop as I was promised breakfast in Biggar. My legs were rather tired after Friday's commute back via Carnwath but after my 'Big Biggar breakfast' the legs finally sorted themselves out.
From Biggar we headed down to Sanquhar. The 20km stretch from Crowfordjohn to Sanquhar was amazing: excellent views, smooth road surface and very little traffic. It was noon at that stage but still not very warm at all. The wind was were chilly.
After some snacks in Sanquahr we headed back over to Biggar for a pasta dish. From Biggar we went over to Peebles via Drumelzier. Lovely roads again and we avoided the big climb beside Trahenna Hill that the original route had. We got gritted twice around Peebles.
From Peebles we turned north to Edinburgh along A703 with nice tailwind. Some drivers were annoyed with our presence there. In Leadburn our ways parted and I went home via Penicuik.
It was a lovely ride. Roads around Biggar and Sanquhar were amazing. Spotted my first spring lambs. I was never too warm in my padded winter gloves. Glad we were able to dine at my pal's place given the closures.
Posted 4 years ago # -
@bill Sanquhar has the oldest post office in UK?
Yes done all those roads and indeed they are lovely
Not ever joined them up in a big loop
Apple pie is doing take out but no sit in. The tearoom might be open when lockdown is revoked
Good you got out as will not be long now b enforce the total lockdown
Posted 4 years ago # -
Sanquhar has the oldest post office in UK?
@gembo Wikipedia says "Sanquhar is notable for its tiny post office, established in 1712 and held to be the oldest working post office in the world."
I sat in the Apple Pie on Friday. We were four cyclists there.
Posted 4 years ago # -
@bill yes who can argue with Wiki - the building is perp to the main st kind of sticks into it??
If true
Yelp apple pie went carry out only Saturday so you were the last diners
Posted 4 years ago # -
Well done Bill. Even more disappointed that it was cancelled now. Hopefully solo cycling won't be outlawed. I passed three Portovelo riders today all about a mile apart. That's some serious social distancing.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Interview with the legendary George Berwick, who turns 80 this year. Some of you may have met him during an audax.
Interesting snippet: he seems to have retired (from work) at age 42!
https://www.veloveritas.co.uk/2020/05/17/george-berwick-may20/
Posted 3 years ago # -
DIY and perm audax events to restart from 1 August, up to 200km.
Posted 3 years ago # -
That DIY 200 that we had to pull out of because of black ice last November feels like unfinished business. The back roads of East Lothian are okay in winter but I'm getting a bit bored now. I've been trying bike and hikes. Ride to Pencaitland/Carberry/Longniddry then go for a walk.
Posted 3 years ago # -
I have been concentrating on local hills, nature and training (depending on presence of eOH*). The spring has been special this year and my speed is back to 2012 levels, before long distance riding and aging slowly killed it.
That said, I would have appreciated it if Nicola had said we could go to cycle somewhere else. Just for a change.* eOH = OH on ebike
Posted 3 years ago # -
I have just procured and installed an actual saddlebag on my fancy bike. I am also awaiting delivery of a set of extremely long mudflaps. With those in place, I will have to admit that the assimilation is complete.
Of course, given that the longest ride I've done this year has been 90 miles (and that was done on a 'gravel bike' with a backpack), it all seems a bit pointless. This weekend would have been RttS, I think, and last year I made that part of a DIY 400 :-(
Posted 3 years ago # -
I remembered reading Greenroofer's plans for a 600k ride last year and and advice that followed and planned myself a 600k ride, split roughly 350+250km.
Day 1 ended up being around Galloway Forest (thanks to @gembo and his pal for route check and helpful info) and day 2 was through the Borders. It's actually quite fun to have so many km at your disposal and you need to find a way to use them up instead of having a particular destination in mind.The forecast looked good for both Saturday and Sunday. Light breeze on Sat, moderate breeze on Sunday. Sunny spells, some clouds, temp 10-17C. NO RAIN.
Day 1: I left home at 3:10 and headed down to Biggar along A701. As soon as I entered the Borders, drizzle started. It became a persistent drizzle for 2h that soaked me through. I didn't pack my rain jacket because the forest said no rain. My bad. At 05:40 in Biggar I considered my options: turn back and start over the following day, knock at my pal's door and ask to borrow dry clothes, option 3? I checked the forecasts again and it still claimed no rain, so I thought I must have imagined it all, so option 3 became 'press on regardless' (motto of our bushwalking club).
From Biggar I followed the Audax 'Snow hare' route down to Sanquhar and I headed to New Cumnock for a shop stop. At 08:40 I stopped at Scot-mid with frozen feet and hands. I considered asking people to buy dry socks off them. Scot-mid had Costa coffee machine, so I was able to get some warm liquid into me.
I headed towards Dalmellington and Straiton and welcomed the sight of hills as I could finally warm up a bit. Around the lunchtime between Straiton and Newton Stewart (along Galloway Hills) I was finally dry and warm. Another water stop in Newton Stewart and back up through New Galloway, Dalry and a lovely mountain pass along A702 back to Biggar.
Arrived in Biggar at my Audax pal's at about 20:20 and he fed me some carbonara and a cup of tea (also offered wine), which tasted was amazing. Since it was getting really chilly, he insisted on me taking his spare softshell and I left for an amazing Lang Whang sunset ride home. Arrived home at 23:20. Mr Bill fed me lasagna and 3 cups of tea (and also offered wine).Day 2: I left home at 05:40 in chilly but lovely sunny weather. I decided to wear most of my winter layers. I headed for Moffat via Devil's Beef Tub into the very chilly headwind. When I stopped in Broughton, it said it was 9C (feels like 6C). Spitting of rain on Beef Tub and I rolled down to Moffat's Co-op for water.
Then I headed for Lockerbie and up to Boreland and Ettrickbridge. This was such a slog. It is quite hilly and for some reason I had to stop a lot to pee and to adjust my suddenly unbearably uncomfortable socks. I eventually fixed them socks with some tape, something I wish I had done some 100km earlier. I refilled my water bottle in Eskdalemuir hub tap and ate my ham and cheese croissants. I didn't realise the hub would be open, so I carried enough food with me and opted to eat that rather than the delicious hub food.
After Ettrickbride I turned off to Yarrowford. A708 turned out to be horrible: rough surface, into the headwind and lot of ups and downs. I called the rough road sections many names. Bad names.
At Gordon's Arms I turned off for Traquair, then Cardona, Peebles and back home along A703.
Arrived home at 20:20, so with 40min to spare for the 40h Audax limit. 31h 20min in the saddle.Conclusions:
- Overall I enjoyed it.
- I should have packed the rain jacket.
- There were times when I was warm. This weekend turned out to be a lot colder to me than any days previous week.
- Flapjacks from @gembo's daughter recipe are very nice.
- Ham and cheese croissants again proved to be an excellent source of energy.
- Jakemans throat lollies were excellent at soothing my poor throat exposed to all that cold air.
- Sudocrem in a little toothpaste tub was very useful.
- You can go to Galloway Forest for a day trip on a bike.Posted 3 years ago # -
That is one epic ride! Well done Bill.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Nice one @bill. You have inspired me to get back on the bike and starting putting in some miles!
The only question is how far can I push it? I suppose there's only one way to find out...
Posted 3 years ago # -
A ride of note. Frightening distance with early start, rain and a lack of public toilets.
You obviously thrive on Audaxing - I saw Winter Ride 600k on Strava and thought it was a data error (!)
Well done @bill !Posted 3 years ago # -
Fantastic, Bill. It takes a lot to do one of these things solo.
I prefer cool over too hot after flaking out on a ride a couple of years back. Always expect rain in Scotland. I look at several forecasts and follow the worst.
Boreland way is definitely too hilly - in a bad way - lots of medium and steep hills - I prefer long passes. If I copy your route I would avoid that bit!Posted 3 years ago # -
Thanks @steveo
Thanks @Greenroofer. Definitely your ride last year inspired me to do my own rides instead of waiting for the organised ones.
@LaidBack thanks. Some public toilets are open now I believe but I didn't really want to spend time hunting for them. Also with potential queues in cafes and restrictions I opted to carry most of my food and use shops to get water.
@amir thanks. Links to routes day 1 and day 2 if you want to save them for later. Boreland is exactly as you say. I went that was during my 400k route last month but I was a lot fresher then, so I didn't mind it. I did consider going via Langholm this time but I decided I didn't want to do the climb to Bentpath without anyone to chase :)
Posted 3 years ago # -
I had to stop a lot to pee and to adjust my suddenly unbearably uncomfortable socks
There should really be a CCE gallery of perfect sentences.
I've never ridden much over one hundred miles in a day and probably never will, so that write-up is a gem.
Posted 3 years ago # -
These two sentences should also go in that gallery:
"Overall I enjoyed it."
"There were times when I was warm."Poetry.
Posted 3 years ago # -
And so very Scottish.
Posted 3 years ago # -
@bill truly epic adventure
Posted 3 years ago # -
That's some achievement.
Posted 3 years ago #
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