2005 London Edinburgh London Audax Information

Dave Kahn

David Martin wrote:

> So at present I aim to do 100 miles a week. This week I am up to about 60,
> though I should be able to push that to nearer 85 if I head out Sunday
> evening. Next week will be awkward with work things going on.

I'm already at 110 - 120 miles a week with commuting and utility riding
so there's a reasonable base although it's made up of many short rides.
Some nippy Tuesday evening rides with the Twickenham, and maybe the odd
sprint triathlon, should stop me getting too trundly as I start
increasing the distance. However, I'm an Audax virgin so I'll have to
see how it goes and modify the preparation as necessary.

--
Dave...

Every time I see an adult on a bicycle, I no longer despair for the
future of the human race. - H. G. Wells

Dave Kahn

davek wrote:

> I might also do the Denmead 400 in May if I can fit it in (ie if the wife
> lets me).

I've got that one pencilled in as well. The name has an odd resonance
for me as Denmead was also the name of my son's prep school.

--
Dave...

Every time I see an adult on a bicycle, I no longer despair for the
future of the human race. - H. G. Wells

MartinM

Boil in the bag was definitely how I would describe myself, had the
logistical nightmare of wearing something warm whilst retaining a
decent waterproof, in the end it was not needed. Hope you all enjoyed
yourselves boys n girls; for me it was a one off- too far to drive on
a Sunday, back to the Denmeads from next year. Very good ride though,
even though I managed the whole ride on 6 biscuits from the pub!
(consults Fat Boy Chinese take away menu at home)
see you for Mad Jack, no danger of starvation that day c.o El Supremo.

MartinM

Ah well, if I can't do LEL, at least I can aim for an SR series this
season.

I would say an SR or equivalent is vital before you even consider LEL
or PBP, 600 is the longest you will ride in preparation for either
ride. Simonb has found a good training plan on the AUK site in the LEL
section, basically starting with lots of 100s and building up to two
600's.

BTW as well as the Denmead 200 and 400 I am doing the Elenith 300 (but
no 600 for the set). Will prob do the Invicta Hilly 100 as well, I need
the hills for L'Ardechoise in June.

MartinM

No it went past the Watership Down pub then Laverstoke then right at
the mill and a long way S until under the A303, then back through
Hunton and Stoke Charity.

The only people I have ever encountered at Whitchurch have been the
charming folk at the Silk mill cafe and a vicious p**cture fairy (3 in
a row on the last wet leg of a 400)

davek

MartinM wrote:
> Will prob do the Invicta Hilly 100 as well

I'm definitely doing that one - hopefully should find it much easier
than last year, when my legs completely gave out coming back up Exedown
and I ended up having to walk for a bit (walk? stagger more like). I say
easier, but well... anyway, I am fitter and stronger than I was this
time last year, so should be able to cope better with the pain...

And if I recall correctly, the Invicta is a lot less gruelling than the
Surrey Hills.

d.

MartinM

davek wrote:

> And if I recall correctly, the Invicta is a lot less gruelling than
the
> Surrey Hills.

Definitely, plus you get to see the hills on the way down first (I
punctured at the bottom of Yorkshill and lost the whole field, caught
up Ok though)

Ok I'll definitely do it; it will be the only Kent event I do this year
as the others are not convenient, will wear my East Grinstead CC kit
are you doing Mad Jack Fuller?

M

JohnB

MartinM wrote:
>
> No it went past the Watership Down pub then Laverstoke then right at
> the mill and a long way S until under the A303, then back through
> Hunton and Stoke Charity.

That's very pleasant route, especially through Hunton.

> The only people I have ever encountered at Whitchurch have been the
> charming folk at the Silk mill cafe

Unfortunately the Silk Mill has presently stopped people using the tea
room unless they pay the entry to the Mill. Its a great shame as it was
a very popular cyclists stop.
I'm going to have words with the manager :-@
Many cyclists now use the White Hart instead.

There is an undercurrent of yobbery in the town caused by a small number
of wayward youths, which thankfully is being addressed.
Earlier this year they tore down the Silk Mill footbridge causing
£10,000 worth of damage then left human excrement all over the Silk Mill
lawn at the rear.
They also set fire to the bench sets in the Millennium Meadow as well as
burning down a barn ofull of hay just before Christmas.

Just like most places really.

As yes, it is a very pleasant charming town[1] - at least most of the time.

[1] believed to be the smallest town in England

John B

MartinM

Unfortunately the Silk Mill has presently stopped people using the tea
room unless they pay the entry to the Mill. Its a great shame as it was
a very popular cyclists stop

That's a shame, I wonder if that will apply to next week's 115k AUK
ride; seems daft, there were several dozen riders in the caff (no-one
else there the whole time I was there) who all spent money and would
not even have gone there otherwise.

On a tangent, when I did the London to Cambridge there were banners
across the road in a few villages like on the Tour welcoming the ride.
One publican however did not enter into the spirit, a large blackboard
saying "only regular cutomers served" so loads of riders sat outside
eating their sandwiches instead!

MSeries

MartinM wrote:


> ......"only regular cutomers served" so loads of riders sat outside
> eating their sandwiches instead!
>

Miserable TW@, how does one become a regular if you can't get served the
first time ?

JohnB

MartinM wrote:

John B wrote:

> Unfortunately the Silk Mill has presently stopped people using the tea
> room unless they pay the entry to the Mill. Its a great shame as it was
> a very popular cyclists stop

Martin wrote:

> That's a shame, I wonder if that will apply to next week's 115k AUK
> ride; seems daft, there were several dozen riders in the caff (no-one
> else there the whole time I was there) who all spent money and would
> not even have gone there otherwise.

If I get some time I'll pop in and see.
My daughter worked in the tearoom for a short time as a school placement
and I know the manager.

Or cyclists could ask direct to:
http://www.whitchurchsilkmill.org.uk/contact.html

John B

Dave Larrington

Jon Senior wrote:
> Dave Larrington wrote:
>> Indeed. Provided it doesn't break on the way home. I realise this
>> is leaving the testing of the new seat installation until the last
>> possible moment, but I've been off with the dreaded lurgi all week.
>
> I was considering asking how you'd got on with that, but you obviously
> hadn't! ;-) I did get an enquiry the other day from someone who'd seen
> the website[1] who was looking at fitting the HPVelo seat to a KMX-X.
> I'll drop him a line in a month or so and see how he got on.

Well, it didn't break or fall off (unlike one of the front lights and one of
the bottle cages) and while my knees are quietly protesting[1], the rest of
me isn't.

1 - first time I'd done more than 40 km in a day since July...

--

Dave Larrington - http://www.legslarry.beerdrinkers.co.uk/
World Domination?
Just find a world that's into that kind of thing, then chain to the
floor and walk up and down on it in high heels. (Mr. Sunshine)

Dave Larrington

MartinM wrote:

> Bright Eyes, burning like fire!
> ^ ^
> II II
> o o
> = O =
> W

The only bunny-wunnies I saw yesterday were distinctly two-dimensional.

Bah!

But I managed to avoid wheelspin AND gain envious looks while plonking up
the Down in a 13" gear :-)

--

Dave Larrington - http://www.legslarry.beerdrinkers.co.uk/
World Domination?
Just find a world that's into that kind of thing, then chain to the
floor and walk up and down on it in high heels. (Mr. Sunshine)

Dave Larrington

MartinM wrote:

> Very good ride though, even though I managed
> the whole ride on 6 biscuits from the pub!

Three Brunch bars and four bottles of Stuff...

> (consults Fat Boy Chinese take away menu at home)

Gigantic curry and N cans of Stella...

> see you for Mad Jack, no danger of starvation that day c.o El Supremo.

Have the route sheets gone out for MJF's yet, anyone?

--

Dave Larrington - http://www.legslarry.beerdrinkers.co.uk/
World Domination?
Just find a world that's into that kind of thing, then chain to the
floor and walk up and down on it in high heels. (Mr. Sunshine)