Entered my First Audax - now what???

[Pale Rider]

It wasn't so much motivation. A lot of it was what do I have to prove.

I've seen this regularly in my more humble double figure mileage cycling environment.

Each year my Sunday morning group does a three day tour.

Very few of the tourists turn out for the following few Sundays.

After the high of completing the big ride, there is a low which often manifests itself in not wanting to ride.

The manager of my local bike shop has seen something similar.

He has had customers who build themselves up to do the Coast to Coast, but then rarely cycle again.

I reckon the low after a big ride is something worth being aware of.

It's one of the reasons I'm not into 'further and faster' - it's not a goal that is sustainable for long.

We did a shortish 25 mile ride last Sunday.

I tell myself to enjoy it for what it is, and look for small benefits such as it was nice to be home early for a change instead of being out most of the day.

 

[Fubar]

I've seen this regularly in my more humble double figure mileage cycling environment.

Each year my Sunday morning group does a three day tour.

Very few of the tourists turn out for the following few Sundays.

After the high of completing the big ride, there is a low which often manifests itself in not wanting to ride.

The manager of my local bike shop has seen something similar.

He has had customers who build themselves up to do the Coast to Coast, but then rarely cycle again.

I reckon the low after a big ride is something worth being aware of.

It's one of the reasons I'm not into 'further and faster' - it's not a goal that is sustainable for long.

We did a shortish 25 mile ride last Sunday.

I tell myself to enjoy it for what it is, and look for small benefits such as it was nice to be home early for a change instead of being out most of the day.

Sounds similar to the downer of coming off tour - probably why my mind turned to entering a 200k Audax in the first place!

 

[martint235]

I agree with a lot of what Pale Rider says. There is are two periods after something as long as LEL. The first is the physical side. I couldn't really move one of my hands properly for a month or so. I managed to commute for a week but then I went to a beach for two weeks anyway so it was less of an issue. The second is the "I've done it, now what?" that does see you stop cycling for a bit although there are lots of people unaffected by this.

However I think a lot of it depends on your motivation for cycling. I didn't take up cycling to do LEL. I just saw it as a challenge. If you do this then you'll realise at some point that you actually still love being on a bike. A lot of mine was I didn't love being on a bike in the rain or the dark and so didn't see any point in putting myself through it. If your entire motivation for cycling is whatever challenge you're taking on, chances are you'll have a dusty bike afterwards. There are those that do LEL because they enjoy it though and I suppose they just never stop cycling.

 

[Fubar]

Right! Not that I'm not enjoying the motivation chatter (I am) I still have a nagging worry I'm not up for all this.

SOOOO, I checked last years' 200k ride I did as I remembered the ride but had no memory of the times - here it is:

https://connect.garmin.com/activity/578505185

Moving Time: 7h 40m, Elapsed Time: 8h 40m, which means I hung around for an hour - it was a 50-mile organised ride that I rode to the start/from the finish so spent some time stuffing jelly babies/bacon rolls (not all at once. I think). I remember being mostly on my own all day and it was breezy, I was however a lot fitter and carrying less timber, and the elevation is around half of what I can expect on the Lass - but hills go down as well as up, don't they?

So if I take the pace a bit easier, don't dawdle at the controls (as has been said), fingers crossed for no mechanics, don't get lost, don't lose anything, eat, drink... I should be ok, shouldn't I?

SHOULDN'T I??*

*(s'ok you can reply what you want - it doesn't constitute a binding contract)

 

[iandg]

You have 13hrs 20min to finish the ride - at the pace of your last 200k ride, you have over 5hrs to play with for rest stops, route decisions and mechanicals - should be easily do-able

 

[Edwardoka]

So if I take the pace a bit easier, don't dawdle at the controls (as has been said), fingers crossed for no mechanics, don't get lost, don't lose anything, eat, drink... I should be ok, shouldn't I?

SHOULDN'T I??*

*(s'ok you can reply what you want - it doesn't constitute a binding contract)

Have a word with yourself, you big girl's blouse. Of course you'll be fine.

 

[martint235]

You have 13hrs 20min to finish the ride - at the pace of your last 200k ride, you have over 5hrs to play with for rest stops, route decisions and mechanicals - should be easily do-able

^^^^^This. You can drop your pace by 33% and still be comfortable. So you did it last year at just over 23kph and you only need to maintain 15kph. Just do it.

 

[jefmcg]

It's a bit more climbing, but you have close to twice the time.

You might find this fun. Move the slider to the top, then press the play button and watch lots of riders go round from last year.

http://labs.strava.com/flyby/viewer...ZC3plmQvU5JkL//6ZC5IJmgvh0JsL1gCADQtfEw7kl3MQ

 

[Fubar]

You have 13hrs 20min to finish the ride - at the pace of your last 200k ride, you have over 5hrs to play with for rest stops, route decisions and mechanicals - should be easily do-able

Reassuring.

 

[Fubar]

Have a word with yourself, you big girl's blouse. Of course you'll be fine.

Harsh.

 

[Fubar]

^^^^^This. You can drop your pace by 33% and still be comfortable. So you did it last year at just over 23kph and you only need to maintain 15kph. Just do it.

Nike?

 

[Pale Rider]

Climbing - for me - has a disproportionally large impact on achievable distance.

I can tootle along for several hours in easy conditions, but plonk me in a hilly area and I very quickly become cross, tired and emotional.

There are a few dry stone walls in North Yorkshire over which I've been tempted to do a Bradley.

It seems to me the reason why LEL is doable for so many is because it runs on the flatter, east side of the country, or countries.

Those on here who have been there and got that particular T shirt are better qualified than me to comment.

 

[Fubar]

It's a bit more climbing, but you have close to twice the time.

You might find this fun. Move the slider to the top, then press the play button and watch lots of riders go round from last year.

http://labs.strava.com/flyby/viewer...ZC3plmQvU5JkL//6ZC5IJmgvh0JsL1gCADQtfEw7kl3MQ

Time-consuming!

 

[Fubar]

Climbing - for me - has a disproportionally large impact on achievable distance.

I can tootle along for several hours in easy conditions, but plonk me in a hilly area and I very quickly become cross, tired and emotional.

There are a few dry stone walls in North Yorkshire over which I've been tempted to do a Bradley.

It seems to me the reason why LEL is doable for so many is because it runs on the flatter, east side of the country, or countries.

Those on here who have been there and got that particular T shirt are better qualified than me to comment.

I'm no climber, but I always find them the more interesting rides - for me riding on the flat can be energy-sapping and soul-destroying.

Hopefully that means this ride is perfect for me!

Why do people keep mentioning LEL?!? I'M NOT DOING IT!!!

Probably.

 

[Fubar]

It's a bit more climbing, but you have close to twice the time.

You might find this fun. Move the slider to the top, then press the play button and watch lots of riders go round from last year.

http://labs.strava.com/flyby/viewer...ZC3plmQvU5JkL//6ZC5IJmgvh0JsL1gCADQtfEw7kl3MQ

Actually that was quite fun, everyone home by 10h 30m - interesting to see the last 2 riders "slowing up" on the homeward stretch.