Audax Rides

cdaly_

ford2600 wrote: »

Last year on Priest's Leap 300 first rider was in at 8, last just before 2am cut off.

That was me!









Not the first...

darkvalley

I'm out on Saturday for the Birr 200. Expecting to do it around 20 to 22kph. 10 hours if it's a good day for me, 12 if not. Not very fit at the moment, but even when I am, im only a couple of kph faster.
I've been last home on every audax i've done so far, but have never ridden the whole day on my own on any of them except one and even then met others at controls. You meet people at different points of the day. Faster rider often spend longer at controls to eat, chat etc and I catch up and spend very little time at them and eat on the bike.
They are good days out, with a chance to see a different part of the country than you normally ride, and routes for the most part avoid busy roads, so very enjoyable.

Wishbone Ash

ford2600 wrote: »

A group of 3 did riders did ride Midelton 200 with well over 2000m climbing at almost 30km/h in 2013. That is as savage as it is rare

I recall seeing someone on Strava average 31km/h on the WW200 last year which has more climbing (although no orienteering or controls delays I suppose).

blueballfc

darkvalley wrote: »

I'm out on Saturday for the Birr 200. Expecting to do it around 20 to 22kph. 10 hours if it's a good day for me, 12 if not. Not very fit at the moment, but even when I am, im only a couple of kph faster.
I've been last home on every audax i've done so far, but have never ridden the whole day on my own on any of them except one and even then met others at controls. You meet people at different points of the day. Faster rider often spend longer at controls to eat, chat etc and I catch up and spend very little time at them and eat on the bike.
They are good days out, with a chance to see a different part of the country than you normally ride, and routes for the most part avoid busy roads, so very enjoyable.

I might be behind you is it not Sunday tough?

darkvalley

Indeed it is. I'm not sure if I'm glad that I checked in here now, as if I didn't I'd have gone down a day early, but at least I would have been the first home on this audax!!

py

Got my first audax (Orwell 200) in a few weeks and was looking through the rules on the audax Ireland website.

3. For night riding front and back lights are mandatory. Riders must also wear a reflective vest, Sam Browne, sash or similar. This applies to ALL events of 300kms or more, at any time of year.

Do they recommend any particular lumens for front/back?

For the Orwell 200, it looks like it's going to be bright from the off at 7am, will I still need high viz?

4. Each rider must be self-sufficient – following vehicles are prohibited and personal support may only be received at controls.

This is self explanatory but was looking to find out what sort of fuel people bring with them on audax. I read somewhere on the site that they recommend having gels as a backup but I'd typically use these as primary source of fuel on Sportives with addition of bananas and cereal bars.

In addition to the type of fuel, are people using handlebar or frame bags to carry it? Does anyone use a camelbak reservoir (or similar)? I'd typically start off with 750ml*2 on the bike for a long-ish spin.

5. At the start of the ride, each rider will receive a brevet card and a routesheet. Riders must follow the route and should return to the point where they left it before continuing if they deviate from it. There may be secret controls along the route.

6. Riders must get their brevet cards stamped and/or signed at each control along the route. At controls which are not manned by the organiser, proof of passage can be obtained from a local establishment (e.g. shop receipt with place, date and time), or demonstrated by answering a question about a local landmark (i.e. info controls).

8. At the finish, each rider must sign their brevet card and return it to the organiser for validation.

I've not had a brevet card on a Sportive so any information around this process would be great.

Although it is not explicitly stated in that set of ACP rules, the opening of control points is determined by the maximum allowed average pace of 30km/h, and the closing of controls by the minimum average pace of 15km/h (lower for brevets longer than 600km e.g. 13.3km/h for a 1000km brevet.)

I've noticed on some of the flatter routes that average speed is ever so slightly above the 30Km/h limit, would you be waiting around at control points if you are above the upper limit?

In general, do people plod along solo or in groups?

If there are any other advice you can provide for a first timer, it would be most welcome.

ford2600

py wrote: »

Got my first audax (Orwell 200) in a few weeks and was looking through the rules on the audax Ireland website.



Do they recommend any particular lumens for front/back?

For the Orwell 200, it looks like it's going to be bright from the off at 7am, will I still need high viz?



This is self explanatory but was looking to find out what sort of fuel people bring with them on audax. I read somewhere on the site that they recommend having gels as a backup but I'd typically use these as primary source of fuel on Sportives with addition of bananas and cereal bars.

In addition to the type of fuel, are people using handlebar or frame bags to carry it? Does anyone use a camelbak reservoir (or similar)? I'd typically start off with 750ml*2 on the bike for a long-ish spin.



I've not had a brevet card on a Sportive so any information around this process would be great.



I've noticed on some of the flatter routes that average speed is ever so slightly above the 30Km/h limit, would you be waiting around at control points if you are above the upper limit?

In general, do people plod along solo or in groups?

If there are any other advice you can provide for a first timer, it would be most welcome.

Don't turn up with 2 euro lights from dealz.

The organizer will send you an email with requirements closer to date, see what he/she says about gear.

I wouldn't be changing your normal fueling strategy at his stage but in the medium to long term you might do well to move more towards real food especially for longer events.

People turn up with all types of bags etc. Personally I don't even have a saddle bag, spares in one bottle and water in the other. Other lads carry a lot, again whatever you are comfortable. In saying that I managed to carry
*two tubes & levers
* pump on frame
* spare quick link & chain tool
* tyre boot
* cable ties

If you look at speed of fastest guys on Sunday, circa 32km/h they're audax speed was 27kmish. Clock doesn't stop on audax so controls isn't a problem once lads stop.
Staggering times might be an idea on the flatter 200's.

You will get groups and solo riders on most Audaxs. Orwell strikes me as like a long flat sportive but I might be wrong.

Just enjoy it, a bad day on bike is better than a good day at work

Get a receipt at each control (effectively shop/café) and write type of arrival on brevet card. I've attached my control card for Antrim 300.

Mefistofelino

Route check of the Forgotten Roads 200 yesterday. Really interesting route with a nice mix of remote mountain roads and historic villages. For anyone taking part in the event next week, a few things worth noting:

No matter what the temperature at the start, you will not be cold after 20 minutes.

When the organiser says its not a route for your nice carbon wheels and 23mm racing tyres, he means it. Among the groups the Forgotten Roads have been forgotten by are the council road maintenance departments.

The flat section in the middle, isn't.


A tough day out but very enjoyable.

ford2600

Mefistofelino wrote: »

When the organiser says its not a route for your nice carbon wheels and 23mm racing tyres, he means it. Among the groups the Forgotten Roads have been forgotten by are the council road maintenance departments.

The flat section in the middle, isn't.


A tough day out but very enjoyable.

Not an easy route, 2200m climbing but feels harder than Pink Elephant, Midleton and probably as hard as Inner Ring.

Including stops I typically get around 200's in 9hrs, it took over 10hrs on Friday.

With strong wheels and tyres they are rewarding enough roads.

Thanks to @Mefistofelino for all the assistance

ford2600

Forgotten Roads 200 update

https://www.facebook.com/audaxireland/

http://www.audaxireland.org/

Route change at start owing to weather forecast of snow/sleet on high ground. New route files and route sheets emailed to entrants

paulie gaultieri

Anyone signed up for Orwell Sunday? Did it last year and found it great for getting a few kms into the legs. The weather forecast for Sunday has me in two minds this year tho....I know I know that's probably not how audax folk think ��

NamelessPhil

I haven't signed up for the Orwell 200. The weather forecast looks typically grim alright. I did the King's Mountain in similar conditions a few weeks back and it wasn't too bad once you keep moving. You'll have a head wind for the first 80 km before turning south for Tullamore, then it'll be mostly tail wind for the way home. Find a group and work in and you'll be fine.

py

paulie gaultieri wrote: »

Anyone signed up for Orwell Sunday? Did it last year and found it great for getting a few kms into the legs. The weather forecast for Sunday has me in two minds this year tho....I know I know that's probably not how audax folk think ��

The forecast earlier in the week for Sunday didn't look too bad but having checked it today, it's looking a little wet. I'm still going to get out for it though, will be well wrapped up though.

paulie gaultieri

Ah yeah twas grand last year with two groups for people to align with but the rain only started really around the Curragh so we were practically home at that stage.

py

Orwell 200 was on today and it was my first audax. Raining from the get go when I hit the road just after 6am. Given the cold and wet conditions I think there was a good chunk of DNS. A large enough group stuck together on the front till the first control at Leixlip (~25Km) and then it broke up a little. Pkenty of tea and sandwiches consumed at the 2nd control in Kilbeggan. We (2 of us did it together) made relatively good time up until the 3rd control in Monasterevin but the lumpy remaining 60Km proved to be a little much on the legs. (lumpy... far from hilly/mountainous). As soon as we get up over the last hill coming out of Saggart on to the N81, morale picked up and we made relatively good time back to Joe Daly's in Dundrum. There were some nice treats back on offer back at Joe's which were most welcome after a long day of cold and wet cycling. I'm really glad the wind held off today, that really would've just destroyed confidence/morale from the off.

I took a draw string bag with me and found it to be invaluable. Took some spare base layers and would be inclined to bring other lightweight clothing items in future.

Big thanks to the organiser and all volunteers at the controls. Delighted to finally get to an Audax Ireland. I should be back again next year for the same event and will look at the Audax Ireland calendar for other interesting events this year.

There was news that a woman had an unfortunate fall early on and was taken to hospital so wishing her a speedy recovery.

devonp

ok did my first Permanent Audax today, Dawn Raid starting in Maynooth (handy being close to Leixlip). was happy enough but struggled in the last 30Km probably a mental thing as i went through the official finish in Kilmessan and still had to get back to Maynooth for my finish, weather closed in earlier than i expected and got two thorough soakings 1. coming off the SG heading for Kilbride and 2. going into Summerhill. had a rush of blood to the head and took on TH as i was passing it (off the bucket list now) very windy and wet up there, think its a bit less demanding than Kippure
met a big group from Nass CC on Lake drive(still hate it)on an Easter spin and chated to one guy-thanks for the words of encouragement and good luck in Rathdowney? racing on Sunday

so 225Km for the day in total incl the to and back bits

py

Any advice on stepping up to the 300Km mark? Considering the Midlands 300 (maybe as a permanent) and was looking for any advice. I've a Garmin 500 and I think it should survive the day though perhaps I'll sort a *special* cable to charge it.

devonp

py wrote: »

I'll sort a *special* cable to charge it.

yes my Garmin 810 quit at 270Km on my only 300 to date , but that was prob a bit more hilly than the Mid300(and i took quite long breaks!!), will the supplied Garmin data/charging cable not work to charge on the go? if not what special cable do I need?
cheers

py

devonp wrote: »

yes my Garmin 810 quit at 270Km on my only 300 to date , but that was prob a bit more hilly than the Mid300(and i took quite long breaks!!), will the supplied Garmin data/charging cable not work to charge on the go? if not what special cable do I need?
cheers

I only discovered recently that such a cable existed. My understanding is that some Garmin Edge models don't allow you to charge whilst on the move using the cables provided. You've 2 options basically (1) something like a gomadic battery pack or (2) a "special" cable attached to another type of battery pack.

OleRodrigo

The Gomadic works well. Fill it up with duracell, make sure the Garmin is charged fully and you should be OK for up to 1000 km plus. Mine was still going strong on the same batteries on PBP, at 1030 km, when I inexplicably took off the battery pack at a control and mislaid it.

Also, there's the e-trex 30 which runs on aa batteries. Lots of Audax UK folks giving it the thumbs up. Good thread on it here. I'd agree that the longer the ride, the greater the potential for a PITA with Garmins.

https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=101734.0 .

@py, great article on stepping up to a 300 km.

http://www.audaxireland.org/the-saddlebag/stepping-up-to-300k/

Wishbone Ash

devonp wrote: »

... will the supplied Garmin data/charging cable not work to charge on the go? if not what special cable do I need?
cheers

The standard supplied cable will re-set the Garmin as it assumes you are uploading. You need a cable without any data pins (or whatever they are called) inside the part which slots into your Garmin.

Wishbone Ash

OleRodrigo wrote: »

... there's the e-trex 30 which runs on aa batteries....

I think one of the lads in my club has one. Does it allow a few seconds to change batteries? Must suss it out.

OleRodrigo

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

I think one of the lads in my club has one. Does it allow a few seconds to change batteries? Must suss it out.

Good question. I assume so, or probably it caches the ride and allows it to be continued after it starts with the new batteries.

In any case I assume its not an issue or it probably would have been flagged.

smacl

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

I think one of the lads in my club has one. Does it allow a few seconds to change batteries? Must suss it out.

I've an old hiking Garmin with basic maps that runs on AA batteries which I used before getting the 810. Seems to run forever on a couple of AAs, running out of memory was more an issue than running out of power. Much bigger and clunkier than the cycling units and took a bit of searching to get a handlebar mount.

Mefistofelino

OleRodrigo wrote: »

Good question. I assume so, or probably it caches the ride and allows it to be continued after it starts with the new batteries.

In any case I assume its not an issue or it probably would have been flagged.

No problem swapping the batteries out mid-ride on an Etrex. You don't even need to power the unit off (perhaps you should, but you don't have to). New batteries in, turn the unit back on and off you go. Batteries will usually last up to 24 hours on a single spin but I've never run them beyond 18-20 hours - too afraid of them dying after 23 hours 55 minutes of an Easter Fleche!

However, the Etrex can be a royal PITA for setting routes due to a significant waypoint limitation, so I'm currently investigating keeping an 820 powered-up on the go using the dynamo as the advertised battery life is pants - it didn't even make it to 10 hours when navigating.

devonp

ok so i have an Edge 810 as stated above
today i tried out two USB power packs, a lipstick type one black with dimples from Maplin and a heavier type from Lidl silvercrest. had two different cables the original Garmin one that came with the gps unit and a random longer cable i found in the "box of cables" we have lying around(think it was an old camera cable poss konica/minolta)

tried both power packs with both cables...all combinations good no cutting out or stopping of recording (see below)
one thing was when i was disconnecting the power packs the Garmin came up with a powering off warning, a 15 sec. countdown which i just canceled by hitting the X
i always made sure i had the cable connected to the powerpacks before connecting to the garmin...happy days

https://www.strava.com/activities/955324168

Wishbone Ash

devonp wrote: »

ok so i have an Edge 810 as stated above...



....one thing was when i was disconnecting the power packs the Garmin came up with a powering off warning, a 15 sec. countdown which i just canceled by hitting the X....

When I try to recharge my 810 on the go, that message regularly appears when the cable is connected and it gets very tedious constantly pressing the X. It's one of the reasons why I lost the mental battle during the Evil Ride last year.

Carawaystick

py wrote: »

Any advice on stepping up to the 300Km mark? Considering the Midlands 300 (maybe as a permanent) and was looking for any advice. I've a Garmin 500 and I think it should survive the day though perhaps I'll sort a *special* cable to charge it.

The biggest part is accepting the 15(or so) hours you'll be out for.
the audax ireland has a decent article on it
When you get low/down, remember "This too will pass"
Eat only real food
start slowly, don't burn your matches early.

cdaly_

Rode the Long Heron 200k on Saturday, still knackered...


Oh my. That was ... intense...

A lovely scenic route, perfect weather but the surfaces...

We rode everything from smooth tarmac (didn't think we had any in Ireland) to bog tracks 'repaired' with shattered brick/pottery shards.

The Royal Canal is the subject of an upgrade to become worthy of the name 'EuroVelo 2' which consists of replacing narrow meandering tyre-width mud track bordered with bottom-bracket-high, leg-sapping, dew-laden grass with stretches of tyre-ripping, wrist-vibrating, leg-sapping hardcore interspersed with short stretches of tyre-hissing sanded surface which feels like a hand to the back after the hardcore.
I'm sure it'll be lovely when it's finished.

As part of the construction work, sections of canal bank were closed, sometimes by means of high, barely climbable, un-notified fence. Needless to say, these were duly climbed.

The ride took the full day from 07:00 to 20:20 and much of Sunday was spent sleeping it off.

Thanks very much to the organiser for a gorgeous, relentless, terrifying (though almost traffic-free) route. I'll be back to do it again.




Someday...

ford2600

Rode the Pink Elephant today with the chief.

Route is nice as ever, and a great day to spend a bike. Some rain and wind but it's West Cork in September so no complaints

A great route in store for all the entrants in 2 weeks time

selwyn froggitt

I cycled the Pink Elephant Audax yesterday.

I've done the event/ridden the route half a dozen times before,it's great to have an event like this starting in the Cork city suburbs and local to a good few of the starters.

This Audax has a bit of everything from mountain roads,forest tracks and fresh water lakes through to the Atlantic coastline,brilliant.

The road from Ballyvourney through Coolea and then on to Gougane Barra is superb and simply impossible to get bored with.

The weather was reasonably OK,but quite gloomy nearly all day and the lights stayed on.

Well done to everyone that finished and a big thank you to the organiser who always does an amazing job.

devonp

rode the Orwell 200 as a permanent today to complete my first(and perhaps only!!) Audax Ireland RRTY

was able to start/finish from my doorstep in Leixlip. i pffafed about as usual in the kitchen before getting going(behind schedule) only to have to come back to collect my water bottle from just past Intel (2.5Km out), so bottle collected started again!!
this was a spin of 2 halves, the first half a great tailwind & cross tailwind as far a Portarlington with only a few specks of rain allowed me to make good time.
then i hit the headwind and things got, how will i put it... challenging
cycling across the wide open spaces of the Curragh(the home of FLAT racing in ireland...its not flat those gee gee's probably take those 4-6% drags in their stride...i didn't). at another racing venue , Punchestown, i really started to feel the cold and probably bonked...limped into Rathcoole and was never so glad to see a Subway(normally won't go near the joint), i must have looked a state the nice man behind the counter asked if i was ok? anyway had a coffee, sub and crisps and out i went, it felt Baltic for the first 10 mins . i got going and the shelter of the city helped. it was getting dark and i hadn't brought my specs ...i nearly came a cropper switching to the cycle path near churchtown(missed the little lip from the road)
got to Joe Daly's and then headed back through the traffic to Leixlip, hit a few potholes in my semi blind state and made it back home to the finish.
happy to have done the RRTY
kudos to those around here who do consecutive RRTY and/or are serial RRTYers

i whimped out of doing the temporary fever hospital group spin today and opted for the better (but busy) roads of the Orwell.
kudos to the mudlovers who took on the TFH; how did it go ??

cdaly_

TFH was grand. T'was pretty cold but 4 layers took care of that. The push into the headwind from Fore to Garristown wasn't too bad what with hedges providing shelter much of the time.

I got to try out my new Igaro D1 usb charger. Did a great job. I was running osmand as satnav on the phone and, for interesting technical reasons, had the screen lit the whole time. While stopped, I would lose battery but while rolling, it maintained battery level. For the last 30km, I had the screen off so it would just light up for turns and, in that time, the battery recovered around 2%. This was all while running lights from the dynamo at the same time.

Matt Bianco

TFH is a fine route and as cdaly said, the hedgerows were a big help in sheltering form the north-easterly that picked up over the day in both strength and coldness!

Great to meet the wide variety of riders over the course of the day from the first time audaxer to the returning Race Around Ireland veteran returning after a serious injury as the combination of great routes and riders makes audax the phenomenon it is

brownian

Sorry I missed the TFH - was all set but then attacked by man flu. Hopefully get it done as a permanent in the next couple of weeks....

terrydel

Any on between now and April?
If I decide to do Mallorca 312, these would make ideal training.

NamelessPhil

Plenty! http://www.audaxireland.org/events-calendar

You can also ride permanents on any day that suits you if you can't make an organised ride.

Daroxtar

Well done those out on Saturday morning. I spoke briefly to a few people at the control in Longwood, anyone of you? (I wasn't cycling, just popped into Spar for some groceries)

Matt Bianco

Daroxtar wrote: »

Well done those out on Saturday morning. I spoke briefly to a few people at the control in Longwood, anyone of you? (I wasn't cycling, just popped into Spar for some groceries)

I was one of the group of Dublin Wheelers you met - hope you add to the Mick Byrne as many great routes in the AI calendar especially the Titanic Torr, Dying Cow and the dreaded Brown Stuff as you mentioned liking climbing

Daroxtar

Matt Bianco wrote: »

I was one of the group of Dublin Wheelers you met - hope you add to the Mick Byrne as many great routes in the AI calendar especially the Titanic Torr, Dying Cow and the dreaded Brown Stuff as you mentioned liking climbing

What is the Brown Stuff?

Grassey

http://www.audaxireland.org/events-calendar/gazetteer/400km-events/brown-stuff-400/

ford2600

Daroxtar wrote: »

What is the Brown Stuff?

If you ask you have to ride it!

Not the easiest of audax rides to start with.

I rode it on 23/07/16 in a moment of madness as a permanent; which is your only choice as it hasn't be on since 15 as an event(it was but on for PBP). I was on road including stops for 20h30m; that's a long day on your own

If you are going to dip your toe in audax, try Tara 200 maybe given location. Pat Doocey's Iron Mountains 300, Carlingford 300 or Antrim 300 would be other good options( worth the drive, it was even worth a night in Newry!)

If heading south Pink Elephant 200, Inner Ring 200 (mark 3 now I think) or 3 Rivers would be great options

cdaly_

Daroxtar wrote: »

What is the Brown Stuff?

The name comes from the old OSI paper maps where higher elevations would be coloured in various shades of brown. When asked about the route, the organiser would point at the map and say "Just ride around the brown stuff"...

Looking at the current online OSi map viewer, it should be called The Yellow-Purpley-Brownish Stuff or perhaps in OpenCycleMap, The Darker Green Stuff...

nilhg

First taste of Audax today, headed down for the Birr 200, not sure if it's an entirely typical one, kinda faster than I was expecting.

Wet , windy, mucky but very enjoyable spin with some very nice lads

NamelessPhil

The Birr 200 and the Orwell 200 are both fast Audax events. They're both flat enough and usually have people testing their legs.

nilhg

NamelessPhil wrote: »

The Birr 200 and the Orwell 200 are both fast Audax events. They're both flat enough and usually have people testing their legs.

My legs were well tested yesterday, that's for sure.

The first thing that struck me at the start yesterday was the amount of bikes without mudguards,especially given that the weather yesterday was well forecasted, for most of the day there were 8 or 9 floating in or out of our group, I was the only one with guards or from what I could see much more than the usual amount of gear/spares that you'd see on a club 100 any weekend. Most were more local than me but it would have been a long wait if they had to make a call for help from the road.

Quite a few of the roads travelled did come up to the expected Audax standard though, smoot tarmac is inn short supply in East Galway/North Tipp

All in all a good day out

The Noble Nudge

Has anyone a link for the Orwell Audux in April?

nilhg

The Noble Nudge wrote: »

Has anyone a link for the Orwell Audux in April?

http://www.audaxireland.org/events-calendar/gazetteer/200km-events/dublinmeathkildare-orwell-200/

devonp

http://www.audaxireland.org/events-calendar/gazetteer/200km-events/dublinmeathkildare-orwell-200/
you can get details of all Audax events etc from the Audax Ireland site above

its on the 4th March this yr

there is a 300Km version during the summer, it takes in some of the Slieve Blooms (Wolftrap mt.)

ford2600

nilhg wrote: »

First taste of Audax today, headed down for the Birr 200, not sure if it's an entirely typical one, kinda faster than I was expecting.

Wet , windy, mucky but very enjoyable spin with some very nice lads

You are still waiting your first taste of Audax! If you have a cx bike or a decent winter bike and are nearish to Dublin I'd be inclined to ride anything Ronnie Moore organises, or head south and ride Inner Ring or Pink Elephant. Yola 200 looks interesting to but a bit of a hike also

I just sent entry in for 3 Rivers 300 in April, which is a brilliant day on bike; first time as an event this year in a long time