300km Audax?

[nammynake]

Thinking of goals for next year. The longest ride I've done is 112 miles. I'd like to stretch that next year and 300km seems a reasonable target. I know there are a few guys here who are into long distance rides. Can you recommend a 300km event in the North of England?

Thanks

[DrMekon]

I've heard good things about the Wiggington 300

http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/14-151/

Probably too far, but Yr Elenydd is a classic

http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/14-748/

However, this is PH, so I feel duty bound to talk you into a bigger "purchase". 300km is my least favourite distance. It's just a long day in the saddle. You can hammer it without too much worry, and be home before it's properly dark. I've done summer 300kms without lights before. In contrast, a 400km inevitably involves some night riding, and you get to say you've done a double century. A 400km is a cracking distance - the night-time, sleep deprivation shenanigans, without the horror of the following dawn.

I promise, if you are considering a 300km, you can definitely do a 400km. And that brings the Old 240 into play, which is meant to be brilliant.

http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/14-933/

I have a pretty full calendar next year, but it's one on my must do list. Lots of write ups on YACF, but these two make it look fun

https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=62526.0

Go on, 400! That'll give you something to focus on.

[nammynake]

You've now got me thinking...

My longest ride of 112 miles was done with a minimal kit on a road bike in just under 8 hours. My longest day on a bike (MTB with panniers) was about 100 miles but we were out from breakfast until midnight, due to a combination of slow riding, off-road sections and multiple mechanicals. That was in many ways more difficult than the fast 112 mile ride.

I've also done several 24hr mountain bike races (relay) in the past so I've had some insight into what it must be like riding for such a long time on little/no sleep.

Would a standard road bike kill me? I think 25c tyres are the biggest I can fit, and I do wonder how it would feel after 18+ hours!

[DrMekon]

nammynake said:

You've now got me thinking...

My longest ride of 112 miles was done with a minimal kit on a road bike in just under 8 hours. My longest day on a bike (MTB with panniers) was about 100 miles but we were out from breakfast until midnight, due to a combination of slow riding, off-road sections and multiple mechanicals. That was in many ways more difficult than the fast 112 mile ride.

I've also done several 24hr mountain bike races (relay) in the past so I've had some insight into what it must be like riding for such a long time on little/no sleep.

Would a standard road bike kill me? I think 25c tyres are the biggest I can fit, and I do wonder how it would feel after 18+ hours!

My audax bikes are both Madones (a carbon 4 series and a alu 2 series, both running 24mm tyres), and I've not had problems on them. In fact, I feel much better on them that I did on my steel audax bike. Follow Velocio's advice and you really will be fine. It sounds like you are far better prepared than lots of people I see making it around. The audax forum on YACF is the most active place to get advice, read stories, and laugh at tales of suffering. Read some stuff on there, and you'll waltz around. TBH, lots of people do the 200, 300, 400, 600 in there first year to get the Super Randonneur award. I did a 300 the year before, but it shows it's possible. In fact, I'm pretty sure one of the girls went from 1st 200km to qualifying and completing PBP (1400km) in a season. Guess it just depends on what time you have. Still, if you've already done a century, and you're in that sort of shape, all the move up to a 400km takes is a bit of pacing and learning to listen to your body a bit.

[nammynake]

Some great advice there DrMekon. I'll head over to YACF....

Thanks

[Disco You]

nammynake said:

You've now got me thinking...

My longest ride of 112 miles was done with a minimal kit on a road bike in just under 8 hours. My longest day on a bike (MTB with panniers) was about 100 miles but we were out from breakfast until midnight, due to a combination of slow riding, off-road sections and multiple mechanicals. That was in many ways more difficult than the fast 112 mile ride.

I've also done several 24hr mountain bike races (relay) in the past so I've had some insight into what it must be like riding for such a long time on little/no sleep.

Would a standard road bike kill me? I think 25c tyres are the biggest I can fit, and I do wonder how it would feel after 18+ hours!

If your bike fits you well, it'll be fine.

A friend of mine did London to Paris in 23 hours on a Look TT frame with drop bars and 23mm tyres. Obviously it was completely the wrong bike for the job and he is insane, but he did it!

[DrMekon]

Disco You said:

If your bike fits you well, it'll be fine.

A friend of mine did London to Paris in 23 hours on a Look TT frame with drop bars and 23mm tyres. Obviously it was completely the wrong bike for the job and he is insane, but he did it!

Or even if it doesn't...

1200km on a french onion seller's bike
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZIwFBCaVmE&hl=...

I think Steve Abraham set himself the goal of drinking a bottle of Jack Daniels whilst completing LEL (1400km) on a Moulton. As far as I know, he only managed half the bottle.

My experience is that it's mostly in your head - I guess people like Steve and Drew are so utterly confident of their abilities, they appear to be handicapping themselves to make it interesting.

My only fail has been a DIY200 where the weather went from 10c in Otley to 2c a sleet blizzard on the approach to Kidstones. I only had a winter jersey on, and had to turn back. I managed to get around LEL 10 days after being knocked off by a 4x4 on a mix of dihydrocodeine, proplus and nytol, despite a healthy chunk of the skin on my arse falling off in the shower in Edinburgh (grade 2 pressure sore!). I don't know how much the experience of doing long rides really helps you physically to do even longer rides. I've not done more than a 200km since the summer, but if you told me I had to do a 600km now, I just know I could. One of the guys in my LBS entered the Transcontinental on the back of never having ridden more than 240km in a day. He made it to Turkey.

I looked back through some of your posts. Seriously, you won't have any trouble. I;m pretty sure I'll do the Old 240 - I'd happily ride around with you until you get bored of my incessant chatter.

[DrMekon]

DrMekon said:

I promise, if you are considering a 300km, you can definitely do a 400km. And that brings the Old 240 into play, which is meant to be brilliant.

http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/14-933/

I have a pretty full calendar next year, but it's one on my must do list. Lots of write ups on YACF, but these two make it look fun

https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=62526.0

Go on, 400! That'll give you something to focus on.

FWIW, I couldn't resist and have put in an entry for the 400km Old 240 now. Would be fun to see some other PHers on it (go on nammynake!).

[TwistingMyMelon]

Anyone doing any down south this year?

[Rolls]

There is talk of possibly doing a 300 towards the end of April with a bunch of us! (two of whom are on here)

[Spyder5]

DrMekon, I remember in a post some time ago you said a big part of the challenge to big rides were the mental obstacles.

Would you mind sharing some of the techniques you use to get yourself through some of the difficult patches?

[TwistingMyMelon]

Should rename this the Audax thread!

Respect to DR Mek, his threads are inspirational

Going to aim for the double century barrier this year, cracked my first century last year by accident, did a 50 mile ride with a mate had 3 pints of Guinness and thought I would ride home instead of a 50 mile train journey , was a lovely quiet warm June evening. It taught me to relax into covering bigger distances, pace yourself and enjoy it!

[anonymous-user]

http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/14-6/

Here's a 300kmer in Tewkesbury I'm planning to ride, elevation profile doesn't look too daunting.

[bert11]

pablo said:

http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/14-6/

Here's a 300kmer in Tewkesbury I'm planning to ride, elevation profile doesn't look too daunting.

yes I did the rough diamond 300k last year and loved it! well recommended
http://www.strava.com/activities/73697567

[DrMekon]

swerni said:

Need to confirm holiday dates, but if not away, am up for this

Great stuff.

Something to whet your appetite if you missed it - http://balancingontwowheels.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08...

[DrMekon]

Spyder5 said:

DrMekon, I remember in a post some time ago you said a big part of the challenge to big rides were the mental obstacles.

Would you mind sharing some of the techniques you use to get yourself through some of the difficult patches?

I've some mindfulness practices through my work (like this - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhwQvEGmF_I ) and because I'm used to directing my attention to my breathing. If I'm struggling with boredom or pain, I often "notice" the pattern of my cadence and breathing and how they are synchronised, and I count the pattern of revolutions to breath (eg 1[in] 2[in] 3[out] 4[out]) and just focus on that. I've also done some metta meditation (loving-kindness), and use the visualisation (my sons asleep) and mantra ("I'm thankful") I find helpful to switch off to pain or boredom.

Chatty company is really good, as is good scenery and hills.

Failing that, I meditate on rule 5 (and berate myself for being a miserable excuse for a cyclist).

What I try to avoid is counting down the miles. I switch off distance and time elapsed on my Garmin and just focus on speed / hr / cadence. Nothing worse than counting down the miles.

I wouldn't say I'm great at this stuff. I've just had to do it because I'm not naturally good on my own for long stretches. If you are more introverted, you might find it's all just a nice chance to get some space. I thrive on company, so 600km on my own is pretty tough for me. In contrast, when I did LEL (1400km), I had company after the first 200km, and it was mentally a cinch as a result.

Edited by DrMekon on Thursday 9th January 16:17

[anonymous-user]

If you can get access to it from a friendly student, the Journal of Applied Sports Psychology is great and often has articles about solo round the world sailors and how they cope with stress etc. Sadly there hasnt been much research completed about the mental pressures of long distance cycling in a competitive context.

[DrMekon]

Thanks for the tip Pablo - A few interesting things in here if anyone is interested. Will leave up for a couple of days.

http://is.gd/mGO9f4

[Spyder5]

Thanks for the tips chaps - I am on a 100 this weekend and will put them in to practice.

I am training for a 220 mile solo ride, so any help is appreciated!

Edit - I have downloaded the PDF's (I'll get reading these tonight - lots of info!) but the link to the Youtube video doesn't work should be.. http://youtu.be/PhwQvEGmF_I

Its an interesting technique that i'm looking forward to using...i'll update on Sunday

Cheers

Edited by Spyder5 on Thursday 9th January 15:48

[nammynake]

The reports of the Old 240 linked above paint a vivid picture and I'm definitely intrigued. The route sounds interesting and tough.

Realistically what training would be needed to get round without too much discomfort? I sure that my current training plan (and a strong will) would get me round, but I'd like to be prepared sufficiently to enjoy the ride at the time rather than reflecting on an epic effort after the event.

My current plan is to build up to 80 miles (hilly and fast) over the next few months, in preparation of the Fred Whitton (if I get in).