Audax Rides

NamelessPhil

I was chasing damp bike tracks on the route yesterday, ye were somewhere ahead of me but I never saw you. I knew where you'd been by the half-empty bottle of water and the crumbs at Kealkill.

I travelled down to Cork by bus late on Friday evening, arriving in the lashing rain at my hotel just before midnight. Up at 7am but I lost time trying to wrestle a brand new pair of overshoes onto my shoes and trying to get them closed! I was late leaving with nearly 13km to ride in the dense fog to the start in Ballincollig. I sent a text to the organiser at got there at 8:12. I started at 8:22 and rode the whole way round on my own. I was glad I'd opted for full winter kit because it was cold with the promise of rain showers later.

The fog lasted for the first 20km until after Coachford when the sun burnt through the cloud revealing the rolling landscape around me. Tea and a brief stop in Ballyvourney before pressing on up the major climbs of the day on the way to Gougane Barra.I may have had "Whiskey in the Jar" as an earworm. Met a large group of tourists walking the back roads near Gougane. The weather was still good but cold and the clouds were massing to the south. The descent after the climb of Keimineigh was fantastic to Kealkill. The rain showers started coming down on the way to Dunmanway. I met a large group of old fellas playing that uniquely Cork sport of road bowling outside of Dunmanway. a brief but cold soaking in Dunmanway and then the ride for the coast.

Quick stop in Roscarbery and then some calculations to make sure that I'd get back to Cork in time to catch the last train back to Dublin. When I reached the coast at Owennahincha I noticed that the tide was in but thought no more about it. On to Clonakilty via the woods of Castlefreke. After Clonakilty the route hugs the coast via Ring and Timoleague. As I turned for Ring I met the first of the spring tides covering the road completely. All I could do was look for the middle of the road, find a low gear and keep pedalling and pray I didn't fall over! Timoleague was completely covered and I was cycling in water up to my knees. The wind had picked up from the south and the sun was setting.

On to the Pink Elephant restaurant, a picture sent to the organiser with an ETA. through Kilbrittain and on to Bandon and then over the final climb to Cork and into Ballincollig at 20:06. Ten hours of riding and about two hours total stopping time. It's a good route, the climbing is evenly spread and not too technical, there's nothing over 15% and it's mostly 4% drags. The weather was good for me apart from one shower and a bit of rain into Cork.

Thanks to the organiser I made the last train home and arrived in Dublin at midnight with a ride home in the pissing rain.
Pink Elephant 200

ford2600

NamelessPhil wrote: »

Quick stop in Roscarbery and then some calculations to make sure that I'd get back to Cork in time to catch the last train back to Dublin. When I reached the coast at Owennahincha I noticed that the tide was in but thought no more about it. On to Clonakilty via the woods of Castlefreke. After Clonakilty the route hugs the coast via Ring and Timoleague. As I turned for Ring I met the first of the spring tides covering the road completely. All I could do was look for the middle of the road, find a low gear and keep pedalling and pray I didn't fall over! Timoleague was completely covered and I was cycling in water up to my knees. The wind had picked up from the south and the sun was setting.
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https://goo.gl/wy85ct

You might need this for next year!

I've ridden that section of road around Ring/Timoleague quite a bit and high tide getting onto road would never have entered my head

NamelessPhil

It was a combination of a full moon, spring high tide and a southerly wind pushing the tide onto the road. There were signs warning of the occurance. Timoleague was particularly bad. I was in the middle of one flood when a car tried to enter the other end. I managed to signal them to wait until I'd got across because I didn't want to be knocked over by the wave from the car.

A tide table and faster legs would have saved me a soaking. It wasn't particularly cold and I'd mostly dried out by the time I reached Cork.

cdaly_

Give it a few years and we would have been able to forecast that for you...

Unknown Soldier

Will there be Audax "Beginner" rides over the next few months, like there were at the end of last year/possibly start of this year?

paul a newman

Am planning on running a 100k on the first sunday in Nov (6th I think) from Humphries bike shop. Leaving at 9 am going to St Margarets, Oldtown, Garristown, Ardcath, Slane, Hayestown and back via Skryne, The famous Borrowaddy Road, Ashbourne, Ballymadun and returning around 2pm. Post a reply if interested. We hope to get a few in before end of year.

Weepsie

paul a newman wrote: »

Am planning on running a 100k on the first sunday in Nov (6th I think) from Humphries bike shop. Leaving at 9 am going to St Margarets, Oldtown, Garristown, Ardcath, Slane, Hayestown and back via Skryne, The famous Borrowaddy Road, Ashbourne, Ballymadun and returning around 2pm. Post a reply if interested. We hope to get a few in before end of year.

I could be interested. First half of that are roads I know, but i tend to go for Tara if going further and not slane so a new route there for me

Wishbone Ash

Unknown Soldier wrote: »

Will there be Audax "Beginner" rides over the next few months, like there were at the end of last year/possibly start of this year?

Your gone way beyond that (unless of course its for Mrs Unknown Soldier)!

halvis

Weepsie wrote: »

paul a newman wrote: »

Am planning on running a 100k on the first sunday in Nov (6th I think) from Humphries bike shop. Leaving at 9 am going to St Margarets, Oldtown, Garristown, Ardcath, Slane, Hayestown and back via Skryne, The famous Borrowaddy Road, Ashbourne, Ballymadun and returning around 2pm. Post a reply if interested. We hope to get a few in before end of year.

I could be interested. First half of that are roads I know, but i tend to go for Tara if going further and not slane so a new route there for me

paul a newman wrote: »

Am planning on running a 100k on the first sunday in Nov (6th I think) from Humphries bike shop. Leaving at 9 am going to St Margarets, Oldtown, Garristown, Ardcath, Slane, Hayestown and back via Skryne, The famous Borrowaddy Road, Ashbourne, Ballymadun and returning around 2pm. Post a reply if interested. We hope to get a few in before end of year.

I could be interested too, never cycled around there but always fancied it. Will watch this space.

magicbastarder

do boardsies (who are not wearing the boards top) have a secret hand signal to spot each other?

smacl

paul a newman wrote: »

Am planning on running a 100k on the first sunday in Nov (6th I think) from Humphries bike shop. Leaving at 9 am going to St Margarets, Oldtown, Garristown, Ardcath, Slane, Hayestown and back via Skryne, The famous Borrowaddy Road, Ashbourne, Ballymadun and returning around 2pm. Post a reply if interested. We hope to get a few in before end of year.

Won't make this one as out on the batter the night before, but hope to catch one or two of these spins over the winter, thoroughly enjoyed the one from the Phoenix park last year.

Wishbone Ash

smacl wrote: »

.... out on the batter the night before...

You don't hear that expression much nowadays - my father always used it.

magicbastarder

are these considered doping for these rides?
http://www.expresschemist.co.uk/product_2421_audax-ear-drops-10ml.html

smacl

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

You don't hear that expression much nowadays - my father always used it.

School reunion night, all of us on the wrong side of 50, drinks may be had

Planet X

Wow!
That's the Temporary FH 200 sold out for January.

OleRodrigo

Planet X wrote: »

Wow!
That's the Temporary FH 200 sold out for January.

Only twenty places I believe

Planet X

True.
I've popped my KM 200 in the post today.
PN might not be happy

OleRodrigo

Probably not but that's how these things are going.

Jaysus, KM already. This year flew by.

Planet X

Concur.
It's on the up.

paul a newman

you were the second entry PX

Planet X

paul a newman wrote: »

you were the second entry PX

What????
For the KM?
Couldn't be....just posted it this morning?

paul a newman

received one on the net P X, so your's will be the second. Anticipating 60/70 entries this year, slight route changes have been made to keep us off main roads, all will be revealed post xmass

Planet X

Time limit for a 300, 400 and 600?
For example the National 600.
Cheers.

OleRodrigo

20 hrs, 27 hrs & 40 hrs respectively

A super 600 has 50 hrs afaik.

Planet X

OleRodrigo wrote: »

20 hrs, 27 hrs & 40 hrs respectively

A super 600 has 50 hrs afaik.

......and a Super is?

OleRodrigo

Planet X wrote: »

......and a Super is?

A 600 with 10000 m of climbing. On the cards but nothing concrete yet

Carawaystick

Does anyone know any more about the mtb audax in Mayo? How much is off road, or off decent forestry roads etc? I'd love to try it, but worried I'd timeout if it was too technical/rough surface.

paul a newman

Eamon Neilan is the organiser, you'll get his no from audaxireland.org, its supposed to be a great route, but I'd imagine it will be windy ! I did his 400k two yrs ago, and the first 189k of it was into a headwind

wanderer 22

Carawaystick wrote: »

Does anyone know any more about the mtb audax in Mayo? How much is off road, or off decent forestry roads etc? I'd love to try it, but worried I'd timeout if it was too technical/rough surface.

I emailed Eamon; he says the route has to be updated but that
'it should cater 50% off road , forest trails , muck and the occasional throw your bike over a gate or 2along the way , and of course some walking when the muck stops ya turning '

Sounds cool, something to aim towards for me I think

wanderer 22

Going to sign up for the Orwelll 200 on March 5th , anyone from here planning the same?

Wishbone Ash

colm18 wrote: »

Going to sign up for the Orwelll 200 on March 6th , anyone from here planning the same?

That's last year's event on the Audax website( but presumably on March 5th this year??)

wanderer 22

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

That's last year's event on the Audax website( but presumably on March 5th this year??)

Ah yes, March 5th!

Planet X

Anyone do the KM yesterday?
How bad was the return leg into the wind?
I paid up but chickened out. Bike ready, flapjacks made, bottles filled.
Looked bad yesterday afternoon.

paul a newman

23 did it, first back were in at approx 4.30 pm, last 2 were in at 8pm. Tail wind for 80k, most got to 2nd control at Ryefield stores in good time, then it got wet and windy, but not too bad, it's winter cycling so most were well prepared, with goretex jackets, overshoes and good gloves and headwear. From an organisers point of view, it was good to see that everyone had good quality lights and reflectivewear. We'll see you soon PX

Matt Bianco

Good event as always yesterday - some route changes from previous years around Oldcastle and was lucky to spot some others at new control at Munterconnacht as had thought Ballivor and Kells were only controls.

No denying the coldness (a maximum of 4c for the day by my reckoning) but only became a factor once the rain started in run in past Curragha. Met some seasoned audaxers on the road for the first time which was great and huge kudos to Paul and Aidan as always for organising a great event

paul a newman

We are probably going to stick with that route for future KMs as we deem it safer, with less main roads, and feedback for the new route has generally been positive so far. It's also a nicer route in spring/summer when the weather is better!

Planet X

Well done Paul & Aidan.

secman

I know someone who did it yesterday, just over 10 hours, I'd say it was a miserable unjoyable day out on the bike.

P_1

colm18 wrote: »

Going to sign up for the Orwelll 200 on March 5th , anyone from here planning the same?

Could be tempted. It's on the Sunday right?

ford2600

paul a newman wrote: »

23 did it, first back were in at approx 4.30 pm, last 2 were in at 8pm. Tail wind for 80k, most got to 2nd control at Ryefield stores in good time, then it got wet and windy, but not too bad, it's winter cycling so most were well prepared, with goretex jackets, overshoes and good gloves and headwear. From an organisers point of view, it was good to see that everyone had good quality lights and reflectivewear. We'll see you soon PX

They knew what they'd get if they didn't have them "For fcuks sake lads did any of ye read the emails"!

Miklos

P_1 wrote: »

Could be tempted. It's on the Sunday right?

Sure is. Good way to earn a few extra roast spuds with your dinner.

NamelessPhil

It wasn't great on the way back to Dublin alright. Not a great day with the legs for me. I'm going to retitle The Weeknd's track "I can't feel my face when I'm with you", to " I can't feel my face, hands and feet". 229km for the day

Limestone1

NamelessPhil wrote: »

It wasn't great on the way back to Dublin alright. Not a great day with the legs for me. I'm going to retitle The Weeknd's track "I can't feel my face when I'm with you", to " I can't feel my face, hands and feet". 229km for the day

Fair play to you. Like PX I baulked ..... was looking out at the wind at 7.00am and thought I don't have enough in my legs if its like that on the way home. Tks for confirming going back to bed was a good decision !

blueballfc

Came across this about the Birr 200, on a different thread, are speeds like this typical for Audax events ?I was was always under the impression that they were more like a long distance amble around back roads !

""Headed for Birr today for the 200 km Audax. Was an interesting tough day but it was good to have a big turn out so we could suffer together. Weather was mixed but we managed to get around all the same. It's the toughest spin I've down since I started cycling.

205km, 29.4 km/h, 879m

https://www.strava.com/activities/472639826"

ford2600

blueballfc wrote: »

Came across this about the Birr 200, on a different thread, are speeds like this typical for Audax events ?I was was always under the impression that they were more like a long distance amble around back roads !

""Headed for Birr today for the 200 km Audax. Was an interesting tough day but it was good to have a big turn out so we could suffer together. Weather was mixed but we managed to get around all the same. It's the toughest spin I've down since I started cycling.

205km, 29.4 km/h, 879m

https://www.strava.com/activities/472639826"

On flat events with big numbers you will get that, Orwell is the same.

On Midelton the organiser used to split up field in 10 min slots between 7 -8 which meant a group of 60 riders werent TTing around.

On nearly ever event you will have a huge spread on times. Last year on Priest's Leap 300 first rider was in at 8, last just before 2am cut off.

On audax you finish or you don't. There is no winning.

On Midelton in 2015 we would have hit Clonmel before control opened only for a puncture. The tailwind was massive. The headwind from 100km home made sure controls were well open after that!

py

I've seen some quicker times posted for the Orwell 200 which has me somewhat alarmed as this year's version will be my first audax.

strava.com/ segments/ 11520120 (new poster so links won't work till I post more)

Matt Bianco

I would say those speeds are on the exceptional side although the Birr 200 is one of the flattest (if not the flattest) in the Audax calendar. In my experience 22-28 kmph would cover the majority of riders - anything between 7h15m and 9h30m rolling for a 200 like that would be more atypical imo

Lewotsil

The Orwell 200 is an outlier of sorts from an average speed perspective - massive groups can meant you get sucked along - I think last year there was a core group of 30-40 riders - well over 60 entries etc.......plus the route is pan flat bar the last 40k or so....navigation is simple ........all combines to an 'easier' or faster event.

ford2600

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

blueballfc

Matt Bianco wrote: »

I would say those speeds are on the exceptional side although the Birr 200 is one of the flattest (if not the flattest) in the Audax calendar. In my experience 22-28 kmph would cover the majority of riders - anything between 7h15m and 9h30m rolling for a 200 like that would be more atypical imo

Thanks still tough flat or not 29 kmph over 200 is a fair speed, I averaged 26 kmph over 160 in the tour of meath last year and that was a bit of a stretch. My fear would be that with small numbers you would spend the entire day our on your todd, a few hours fair enough but not sure I would be on for the full day.