Western Cape Audax SR Series 2014 & 2015

[walkerr]

As the poster says - do you have what it takes?

 

 

Over the past 3 months, a group of us have been working with Audax SA to plan Western Cape Audax series for 2014 and 2015.

 

For some, these will be a way to qualify for Paris-Brest-Paris (PBP) 2015. For others these will be a way to put their endurance cycling credentials to the ultimate test. Regardless of objective, they'll be interesting and challenging rides - with the accolade of Super Randonneur (SR) status for anyone who completes all four distances in the same year.

 

Details and dates are now available on th Audax SA web site:

 

http://audaxsa.co.za...n-entries-open/

[Underachiever]

Good luck guys

 

Audax riding in the Cape is a proper test!!

[PeterM]

This is good news for all Cape based cyclists thinking about doing some real distance riding

 

Paris-Brest-Paris 2015 (PBP'15) - this must be cycling madness. Most properly the most historical (since 1891) cycle race/ride around. A stunning 1230km pedal through the French countryside, rolling hills accumulating into +-11 000km of climbing, and your body will burn about 35 000kcal of energy.

Riders have a max of 90 hours (3,75days) to complete it, which should be plenty of time if you don't rest or sleep too much.

 

And, NO I have never done such a ride or anything similar. One has to be crazy to even consider the challenge of doing a 600km Audax ride and than doubling it up to do a PBP. Madness! MAD, Mad, mad, mad, mad, mad, maybe!

[straatvark]

Let me say 'interesting'

 

First need to finish a TB first

 

The 1200km Míle Fáilte Audax (http://mf1200.com/MFMain/) is finishing today and would probably be won by Dave McLoughlin, one hrrm pretty hard human being.

[walkerr]

The 1200km Míle Fáilte Audax (http://mf1200.com/MFMain/) is finishing today and would probably be won by Dave McLoughlin, one hrrm pretty hard human being.

 

Minor correction - no such thing as 'win' in an Audax, since it's not a race. Of course someone will be first home ...

[PeterM]

Apart from PBP training etc, one actually should learn French too. So that one can order good food, chat to the locals, and cycle up to a beautiful French mademoiselle and be able to say more than the only stupid thing one remembers from school French class, such as: "Je ne suis pas un cheval!"

[Shebeen]

very interesting...hmmm

[walkerr]

one remembers from school French class, such as: "Je ne suis pas un cheval!"

 

Or my favourite: j'ai un camion de pompier rouge

[straatvark]

Minor correction - no such thing as 'win' in an Audax, since it's not a race. Of course someone will be first home ...

 

How wrong of me I can only blame my own insecurities i.e. 'slow' / 'suck at these distances'/mental weakness that got exposed as open heroism

[GaryvdM]

The date for the 600 next year looks good (after Argus.) I hope I can do the GP 600 and the WP 600!

[GaryvdM]

 

 

I love this photo. It must have been taken somewhere close to Brest as there are randonneurs heading in both directions.

 

Also interesting is to see lots of handlebar bags. I love my handlebar bag for anything >= 300km.

[walkerr]

I used a bar bag on LEL - have recently got one of these, which works very well:

 

http://bridgestreet.cc/products/

 

May well do without the bar bag now, find one bag easier.

[GaryvdM]

I used a bar bag on LEL - have recently got one of these, which works very well:

 

http://bridgestreet.cc/products/

 

May well do without the bar bag now, find one bag easier.

 

What I like about the handlebar bag is the ability to get stuff (food, route sheet) out while riding.

 

When you do events like LEL or PBP, do you have carry your own clothes and toiletries? I guess the saddle bag is better for that.

 

Also, where did you sleep each night for LEL?

[walkerr]

What I like about the handlebar bag is the ability to get stuff (food, route sheet) out while riding.

 

When you do events like LEL or PBP, do you have carry your own clothes and toiletries? I guess the saddle bag is better for that.

 

Also, where did you sleep each night for LEL?

 

LEL we had 2 drop bag points, which if you were clever you nominated at controls you could access in both directions, so you were never more than 1 - 1,5 days away from your drop bag. Made it very easy, just needed extra warm layers, change of shorts (for overnight if not reached drop bag), plus snacks and spares.

 

PBP I believe you have to arrange your own drops - I'm thinking 1 drop bag around Loudeac (440km out from Paris and can also access on way back). So a similar plan will hopefully work.

 

Toiletries? What are those .... in all seriousness, I did carry small travel toothbrush and mini shower gel and razor and deodorant. Took up very little space, I think I even used them once ...

 

The bar bag is convenient for access, but I found it a hassle unhitching 2 bags when leaving the bike. I'll prob go with just the tail bag if I can. It was a bit tight on space on the UK 400, but the weather was darned cold and wet so I carried full change of extra layers for the night leg.

 

Edit: all of which assuming I qualify of course. Guilty of thinking too many rides ahead!

[Guest Frail4Life]

How do I Qualify?

Too much reading, never did enjoy reading.

[walkerr]

How do I Qualify?

Too much reading, never did enjoy reading.

 

There's a fact sheet here with key information and dates:

 

http://audaxsa.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/PLAQUETTE-GB.pdf

 

If you're serious about PBP though, I think you'll need to develop a love of reading. There's a lot to learn!

 

On the cycling front, you'll have no issues with the distances you ride.