Things I learnt on my 300km audax

Don't you just love computers! Soon we won't even have to ride our bikes!

That mention of home mad energy bars is making me think it's time for my mid morning snack already!

Lovely article - short sharp and inspiring.

re 5)- it's like BBQ smoke; follows u'round.
take it as a compliment- normally de win'don care!

I assumed Dave means the B3227; it would have been quite a scenic detour across the border to the B3277. He is either Superman, needs a drug test or would have noticed his mistake! Honiton to St Agnes, Cheddar Gorge and back in one day? How many pasty's would that take?

Um, the B3277 is miles away from Barnstaple...

All good points!

for my lejogle ride due to start next week I was peaking with my training last week and likewise did a 301km ride on the thursday, I then followed it up with 276km on friday as a good test.

on the 301 day I also got my first puncture in 4500km (ironically it was 2 hrs after I had offered an old boy the use of my (only) co2 cartridge - which thankfully he declined!

i think I am a little fool hardy though, my saddle pack has a co2,tube and a multitool and everything else goes in my pockets - its a great feeling to feel your pockets get lighter as the day wears on!

total km for the 7 days of training 1220 - good times indeed!

There is only one wind direction when you are riding a bike. It's called a North-South-East-Westerly, and you are always heading into it.

Sideburn

I've been baby Audaxing for a couple of years (200km or less) and the main problem I have is slowing down - that sounds stupid, but if you've been throwing yourself around the universe as fast as you can for a few decades where a long ride is 4/5 hours then the recalibration takes a while. It's like the old school 'getting in the miles' training, except that's the main event. Of course you can flog yourself to death if you want!

Congrats on the 300, Dave!

No.5 is so true. I did a blustery 110km Audax yesterday and it felt like I was riding into a headwind for at least 90% of the time.

Back in the day I thought the 'old guys' were great. You know the ones, mud guards, spokes taped to the frame,tool kit, who had no problem keeping up with us 'young upstarts' with thinly disguised racing bikes, minimal kit. I now ride in the rain wondering why I don't get mudguards and am coming to terms with being an 'old guy'. Audax's look like a challenge and free from the b.s. and the trail of empty gel wrappers that goes with sportives. Do you just need to pace yourself or do you need to get the miles in?

Oh dear, Sideburn - looks like you're on the radar now for 'conversion'

Sideburn
If you want an intro to these events, then come along this Saturday (19th May) to the 109 miler coast to coast ride. Starts at Kentisbeare Village Hall - registration on the day starts at 07h30 for an 08h00 ride start.

They'll be plenty of MAMILs with carbon/titanium bikes and no mudguards!!

Brilliant piece. Did you make it to Dulverton over the course of the ride? If not, then I highly recommend a return trip to Lewis's tea room there. Truly spectacular cake and/or cream teas

There were 14 finishers, with a 6am start the first person was back just before 8pm.

The last two arrived just before 1am

The weather was very good

Next event in this series is the Kernow and Southwest 600km starting from Exeter, details here

http://www.ukcyclist.org.uk/ksw600

Well done Dave! My first 300 due in a couple of weeks, so I've taken notes, mainly re muesli bars.

Sideburn despite the cliches there seem to me a few types that actually turn up on the day - for a 200 down my way (London/Essex) you'll get a large turn out of club guys on club guy type bikes (carbon, ribble winter trainers, out and out race bikes). The only thing to check is that the event isn't 'mudguards compulsory', otherwise you can ride what the hell you like. Steel and titanium is default only 'cause it lasts forever and you get more guard options. I once rode next to one of the guys who did 20k+ a year and he was on a Giant carbon TCR without guards (must have been his 'short' ride bike).

So yes, ride one. Enjoyable, go at your own pace without the pressure of a timing chip, and cheap. Cafes are always well chosen and are expecting you to be wet and smelly. Also a fascinating glimpse into a genuinely errr, idiosycratic part of the cycling world.

Great achievemant, Dave- really makes a person feel trapped in the office today.

Love the cartoon counterpoint of the road sign. Round body on skinny legs, stuff in its jersey pockets, with large B3227 standing to attention....

Would a 'mamil' with a carbon and no mudguards (me) get strung up from the nearest tree for entering one of these events? Or is the kit obligatory?

People take the piss out of the brown bar tape on my Ribble Audax but I'm obviously rocking the look now.

Just need a RoadCC Jumper that fits like that (i.e. Lose more weight)

Would have laughed at the wind direction comment if I'd
not had just that on a 100km sportive on Sunday !!!!

Congrats on the 300k

let's have the energy bar recipe then...

6) Especially if you are a German naturist.

that pictures just up the road from me

Well done mate 300k is some ride regardless of the terrain.

Classy pic...