This Is Not a Tour

[wobert]

As those who Dotwatch maybe aware, Mike Hall was tragically killed earlier this year during the inaugural Indian Pacific Wheel Race.

As a tribute, Mike’s Club Blacksheep CC is organising a weekend tribute to Mike’s ethos on unsupported rides around mid-Wales next June.

Titled “This Is Not a Tour”, The Club are offering a range of distance rides out on both days, I’ve got my name down for the 100k on the Saturday.

http://tinat.cymru/

I’m looking forward to exploring the Elan valley and surrounding areas.....together with a bit of unpaved tracks....

[E65Ross]

Elan Valley is nothing short of spectacular.

[wobert]

E65Ross said:

Elan Valley is nothing short of spectacular.

Yep, hence my name is on the start list.....

I’ve decided to do different events each year to give a bit of variety and something to aim for.

The only exception to this is the Mad March Hare, which has been on the calendar for the last three years as my “spring opener”....

Looking forward to it....

[AndStilliRise]

Awesome. How do get involved?

[wobert]

Search “thisisnotatour” on FB or follow the link above.

Alternatively go to the AUK website...the rides are on the 2nd and 3rd June starting in Llandrindod Wells.

http://www.aukweb.net/events/?From=19%2F10%2F2017&...

[nammynake]

This looks interesting, although I'm not sure my bike will accommodate big tyre. I wasn't planning to do big miles next year (having done London-Edinburgh-London this year) but I'm tempted!

[anonymous-user]

There's about ten of us signed up already,most of us are doing the slow 400km except gruffly who is doing the fast 400 and Justin who is doing the 300 because he's a bit wet.

[JustinF]

pablo said:

There's about ten of us signed up already,most of us are doing the slow 400km except gruffly who is doing the fast 400 and Justin who is doing the 300 because he's a bit wet.

It's Wales, we'll all be wet

[Celtic Dragon]

Awww crap, its the same time as the Tuscany Trail which I was thinking of going back to.

[SixPotBelly]

Celtic Dragon said:

Awww crap, its the same time as the Tuscany Trail which I was thinking of going back to.

Yeah, I was eyeing Tuscany Trail this year coming but the date clash means that will have to wait another year now. Wales is hot 'n' dusty too though, right?

Edited by SixPotBelly on Friday 20th October 18:47

[Usget]

I was planning on getting there, realising I've bitten off more than I can chew, faking a "mechanical" and retiring to the nearest hostelry for a refreshing few pints of Brains, if anyone is keen on joinig me

[Celtic Dragon]

SixPotBelly said:

Yeah, I was eyeing Tuscany Trail this year coming but the date clash means that will have to wait another year now. Wales is hot 'n' dusty too though, right?

Edited by SixPotBelly on Friday 20th October 18:47

Last year, I’d have been dryer in typical Welsh weather, let alone what they actually had!!

[CoolC]

Usget said:

I was planning on getting there, realising I've bitten off more than I can chew, faking a "mechanical" and retiring to the nearest hostelry for a refreshing few pints of Brains, if anyone is keen on joining me

It's alright, I'll have my tool kit in the car.

My main issue is deciding which of my wholly inappropriate bikes to bring....

Edited by CoolC on Friday 20th October 21:59

[yellowjack]

Usget said:

I was planning on getting there, realising I've bitten off more than I can chew, faking a "mechanical" and retiring to the nearest hostelry for a refreshing few pints of Brains, if anyone is keen on joining me

If it's a pint (or three) of SA then I'm up for that!

The Audax mileages? Not so much, given that I don't really have a suitable bike for that right now. My only serviceable road bike is the carbon fibre Emonda, with no mudguard or pannier rack mounts. I sounds like it could be fun though, if the weather plays nice...

[anonymous-user]

Rack and guard mounts are unnecessary, it's 400kms, what on earth are you putting in the panniers?!. I'll just take a large saddlebag and plod on, stopping at petrol stations and takeaways as appropriate. The only big issue for most people will be tyre clearance. They recommend 35s iirc

Haven't decided if I'm staying in an audax hotel or just going to push through the night. I guess I'll see how I feel, the weather, the distance I've travelled by say midnight etc etc

[CoolC]

Not having a suitable bike is part of the fun.

[yellowjack]

Hmmm? I'm pretty close to the limit with 25mm tyres on the Emonda. I might get away with some 28mm rubber in there but likely no more than that.

I thought panniers, etc were mandatory for Audaxers, along with beards?

Seriously, though - 250 miles/400 km? That's a good 100 miles more than I've ever ridden in one hit before. I'm not sure I've got the kit, nor the admin required for such lunacy really. I shall have a think about it, but at the moment it's unlikely to be honest.

I could handle a 200 km ride no problem, maybe even push it to a 300 km ride, but those distances just don't sound "Audaxy" enough really? Plus I'm a bit of a "slow plodder" so I might not make the time allowances if there's as much climbing and poor surfaces as the organisers are making out.

We'll see though. I've got a post on this thread now, so I'll see any updates, and will be better positioned to make a decision closer to the time. I've never considered Audaxing before now, but for some bizarre reason this one has kinda piqued my interest...

[SixPotBelly]

yellowjack said:

I could handle a 200 km ride no problem, maybe even push it to a 300 km ride, but those distances just don't sound "Audaxy" enough really? Plus I'm a bit of a "slow plodder" so I might not make the time allowances if there's as much climbing and poor surfaces as the organisers are making out.

That's why most of us have opted for the 400 "Populaire". You have two days to finish that, so just think of it as nice a 200km ride the first day, and another nice 200km ride the second.

(we won't mention the climbing for now)

[wobert]

YJ do the distance you feel capable and happy with. :-)

I’m feeling slightly underwhelmed with my commitment at 100k, compared to others on here (it’s 110k actually) with c7k of climbing.

But I know, if I up this to the next level (200k) I will ruin the day out as I will be stressed worrying about doing a distance I’ve not done before on tarmac, let alone with many “rough” sections.

I’ve done two 100 milers this year (Bob Clift and Velo Birmingham).

Both are towards the upper end of the endurance of a slightly overweight (100kg) middle aged bloke, so I set the bar at an appropriate level.

TINAT (100k) is equivalent to the Velo Vrynwy I did back in June. That was a good day out and took in a climb I’d been itching to do for a while (Bwlch y Groes)

The pull on this one is the Elan Valley and being out in the wilds, BUT I know where my “level” is, hence I’m doing the shortest route.

BTW I was planning to use my Canyon Endurace, but fit some slightly more “off-road” orientated tyres....what are people’s thoughts on this?

[CoolC]

SixPot up there ^^ has put the 400k route into some fancy mapping software and it shows that 95% of the route is paved road, with only 3% unpaved, 2% compact gravel.

My bike might just squeeze a pair of 28's in (25's currently) which will be great for the paved, and rubbish on the unpaved, but that's part of the adventure. There is no right bike.

I had considered putting more road oriented tyres on my MTB, but then I'm lugging around a big old MTB on the road sections.

An I too am a fat bd big boned rider hovering around 100kg. I see this as the kick up the arse I need to stay training over winter to be vaguely ready for it. (see Usget's post earlier, it's only half in jest)