Hello from Sunny Brighton!

[Ovingdeaner]

Hello
I don't know if I count as a beginner...I'm new to this forum though! I've been commuting in Brighton, cycling about 100 miles a week, for the last six years, on an old Carrera Banshee MTB, which I've always loved, and a Barracuda Cipressa road bike (which I am aware, is frankly crap, but have also always loved).
The Cycle to Work tax free bikes scheme is open to me in April, and I'm 90% sure (probably 99% sure) that I'm gonna upgrade to a Trek 1.5, triple set. I'm doing the right thing, aren't !?
Also, I do a lot of rides around the Sussex countryside, and quite fancy trying some of these organised rides I am semi aware of...but what is an audax, a sportive etc? Where do I look to find out about these? Are they competitive?
Thanks!!

 

[ianrauk]

& a big hello from not so sunny Orpington.
No doubt some peeps will be along to help you with your questions.

But here http://www.aukhawk.uklinux.net/ wil tell you all about Audax

 

[snorri]

Hello
I don't know if I count as a beginner...I'm new to this forum though!

Welcome
Beginner to the forum, but not a beginner to cycling.
I hope you will enjoy it here, it sounds as if you have considerable cycling experience which I hope you will share with the rest of us.

 

[rich p]

A local lad! The Trek triple sounds perfect for the Beacon!
Audaxes are not supposed to be competitive but I've never been near enough the front to find out. Sportives possibly are more so but I've only done those in France on survival mode.

 

[Ovingdeaner]

Thanks for the replies, fellas!
The Beacon...always there, always enticing, never done. I've always chickened out, cycled along Underhill Lane, and then back into town through Pyecombe. So yes, the triple means I'll have no excuse...I can barely wait...
There's no going back now, I've ordered the bike! Hurrah!

 

[punkypossum]

I was tempted by the 1.5, but an aversion to the pukey green plus a big discount and full 105 made me go for the 1.7 triple! Enjoy!

 

[Ovingdeaner]

Hope you look in again, Punky Possom! (Or anyone who can answer this).
I like the pukey green...but...I'm getting my head turned by the 1.7...
What is it about the 105 set up that is so much better than the Sora/Tiagra that is on the 1.5? Obviously the tax free bikes scheme means I get a healthy discount, and it's probably only an extra £10 to £15 a month for the 1.7. Is it worth paying the extra? There's still time to change my mind...
Thanks!

 

[stoatsngroats]

Hi OD from 30 miles away.....

The beacon is gonna be my next serious hill test...maybe on the FNRttC, if I can get sorted by then..!

Here's hopeing....!

 

[colessurfer]

welcome, I have just bought Specialised 18 really good for me, new to this so thats all I can say.
cheers and welcome again
Dave

 

[Old Walrus]

DO the Beacon! Based in Hassocks it's a bit of a magnet although the commute to Brighton is via Pyecombe...
The Beacon is a grind but grab a low gear from the Underhill Lane junction and sweat it out, timed correctly Mr Whippy is on site at the top!
Welcome!

 

[Ovingdeaner]

I WILL do the Beacon, hopefully quite regularly, when I get a triple set. This is no longer going to be a 1.5, but a virtually new Massi A-Carbon. Full 105 set up, aluminium/carbon frame (it's sooo light), apparently over £1600 when new, £800 to me, which virtually halves with the tax free bikes scheme. This bike belongs to the manager of my LBS, who is honest and trustworthy in all my dealings with him over the years. I'm childishly excited...but my voucher doesn't come to me until May 18th. Booo!