entered my first audax 200 km what now

[a boardman]

I have entered my first 200km audax Chirk (200km): Sunday 27/03/2011

http://www.highergrangefarm.fsnet.co.uk/PeakAudax/...

now here is the funny part

I dont have a bike, not been on one in ages (only at the gym)

I went over to ribble to buy one today, but they where shut for stock taking, and is going to take a few weeks to get ready.

what else do i need,

what should i do for traing.

nothing like jumping in with my eyes closed.

[Parsnip]

For an Audax? Growing a beard should probably be your first port of call.

[Roman]

Well done for setting a goal to start with.

Back to back spinning sessions will help build some stamina whilst you have no bike or on dark winter evenings (so long as they're not those rubbish classes with lots of jumping up & down & 'sprinting' out the saddle with no resistance). You will need to get some longer rides in as well though obviously, ideally with a club or some mates to develop your group riding skills.

I'm not sure what your budget is but the Ribble Audax is a very popular bike and the Rbble Superlite and Evo Pro Carbon are both superb value at the moment too - esp. with Sram Apex or Rival. Best visiting during the week before or after lunch if you can to get measured up on the jig. Really pleased with my Gran Fondo.

[a boardman]

Having read the fancy a road bike thread and emailed parrot of doom about ribble bike , I had gone to ribble to check out and if right order a ribble Audax with possible the extras you mentioned ITM wheels, Vittoria tyres, would you still say I would be better with a compact.

But it was closed for stock take, i will visit again next Saturday,

the only other things are pedals was thinking of A520 and clothing this time of year warm. and also extras like mini toolkit etc....

[Roman]

I'm a compact convert personally. 50/34 with an 11-25 cassette will give you a good range (similar to 53/39 with a 12-29 cassette).

I prefer the R540 pedals but then the 520s are better if you want to walk around more off the bike and use mtb shoes.

[a boardman]

hope ribble are open tomorrow.

any recommendations for clothing for this time of year to keep warm and dry.

[DrMekon]

Just get out and ride. Ensure you are comfy. Practice eating on the bike. Get used to forcing drink and food down yourself whilst you are pushing on. As long as you don't hang about in cafes and don't have mechanical problems, the time limits are generous. I say that as a someone who'd never ridden more than 40 miles on the road before last season, and my bike is an tourer with 37mm tyres.

FWIW, last season (Nov1-Oct31) was my first season, and I managed to do 2 unvalidated DIYs (just for practice), a 300 (in 14h50) and a 200 (in 9h40). I didn't have problems on any, and never flirted with the time limit. Next season, I plan to do a 200, 300 and 2 600s. I 2012 I hope to do a 1000 and I am going to do LEL in 2013 if it all goes to plan.

BTW the guy I did the last 200 with is a TT rider, and he's done 200s in 7.5 hours before. He didn't have a beard. You ever get people wearing Rapha, despite the stereotype (about Rapha wearers).

[b2hbm]

Good gloves, a thin cap to fit underneath your helmet and overshoes, essential winter kit to me. 200k is a tough target for someone just starting so 10/10 for effort.

Ask Ribble about turbo trainers. You can use a spinning machine at a gym, but turbos are more suited to serious bike training and given the timescale you can't afford to miss any sessions over winter if we have another bad one.

[a boardman]

order the ribble audax downside is that they have no frames in, and no expecting any till December.

so it may be Christmas before it is ready.

is it worth the wait or should i look at cancelling and buying something else.

[carbonjunkie]

Don't buy a ribble. Or anything from dave hinde. Both are pretty notorious for customer service, from the mail order side at least.

maybe look at an end of season focus from wiggle?