Audax Ride Update

It’s now about a week and a half until the Audax Ride. I’m getting good responses. Looks like a nice group is forming. Please do contact me soon if you want to go along.

Just a reminder of some pertinent details.

• The ride will leave from in front of Bicycles Unlimited.
• We will start at 7:30 AM (prompt)
• The ride is 125 miles long.
• We will stop in Warm Springs for a great sit down lunch at the Bulloch House.
• Pace will be a good touring pace. Expect about a 13 mph rolling average.

A note on averages. “Rolling average” is the average speed while the bikes are moving. “Overall average” is the total distance of the ride, divided by the total time from start to end. That 13 mph rolling average is both harder and eaiser than you think. It takes discipline to keep a group together. It’s worth it.

Slight variations on the the theme:
Climbers party: I usually turn the climbers loose on the spine of Pine mountain. There is a convenient rally point at the intersection with GA-85 alt, where we can all meet up again.
Motoring in the flats: There are two good long relatively flat sections. In these I like ot try to bring the group up to a high pace. If it’s possible for the group to paceline these sections, and the pace is not so fast that it breaks the group up, we’ll move through these.

Mostly, expect a good long day in the saddle. Get to know one another. Bring your best jokes and stories. It’s a fun day!

A Bit of Packing Explained

I promised some explanation about some of the items in yesterday’s post about packing for the Cheaha Two Day Tour. Most of the items should be self explanatory. Some aren’t. So here goes.

“A complete change of riding clothes for the second day.” Some might consider this to be a bit excessive. It is possible to wash riding clothes by hand in a hotel sink, then wring them out, first by hand, and then rolled up inside a towel. Then hang to dry further. I’ve done this. It works. However, it is only fair to note, usually this means putting on damp clothes the second day. I for one am particularly enamored of fresh dry socks and fresh dry shorts. This is especially true when I’m putting already tired feet and a pre-tenderized butt into these items.

“A set of light clothing to wear on the night between the two days.” This could be pretty light weight and very casual. I expect that most of us will want to go eat at one of the restaurants near the stop point. Also, visiting and socializing in riding clothes just might feel a bit odd. I personally want to get into something clean, and not too confining after a day in the saddle.

“Toiletries (think light and absolutely necessary)” If it’s something you absolutely must have (your own toothbrush, and toothpaste fer instance) I’d bring it. Remember, hotels usually have soap. Cosmetics are definitely optional!

“Two non-perishable lunches.” Once we pass Carrollton, we will be leaving restaurants behind. We won’t see another until Oxford. That means from about mile 45 until the end of the day at about mile 114, it’s sports bars, gels, and convenience store food. (I’m packing a lunch!)

On the return trip, after we leave Oxford, we don’t see a restaurant until Carrollton. That’s about 50 miles. You might want to stop and eat in a restaurant, but it will be Sunday afternoon. Could feel a bit odd. (Again, I’m packing a lunch.)

“Your cell phone (turned off)” It’s like this; for most of this trip, cell phone coverage is spotty at best. If your phone is on, it will run its batteries down pretty fast. Leave it off. If you need to make an emergency call, turn it on, look for coverage, and make your call. There is good coverage out to Palmetto, in Carrollton, on top of Cheaha, and in Oxford. Bring the phone for emergencies, but save the batteries.

“Here’s another hint, mount the largest tires your bike will accommodate.” Most (not all) road bikes will handle a 700 X 25 tire. Some will take something along the lines of a 700 X28 or 700 X 30. (Touring bikes can usually accommodate even larger skins.) The reason I suggest a larger tire is that not all road surfaces are ideal. Some are a bit on the rough side. A higher volume tire can be inflated to a lower pressure. It will roll more smoothly over the rougher stuff, and your day will be much more pleasant.

Bon Route’

Packing For the Cheaha Two Day Tour

A quick review of the basics. We’re going to ride from PTC to the Summit of Cheaha, (about 100 miles from start), then another approx 14 miles down to Oxford, Alabama. That’s day one. We spend the night in hotel in Oxford. Then on day two we get up and ride back to PTC, bypassing the mountain, for a trip of about 97 miles. And it will all be self supported.

There are some implications to those statements. Self supported means we carry what we need. Sure, we can stop and by water, and food along the way, but the food part is a bit chancy, and the water has to last through some fairly long stretches. Additionally, if we need it, we need to bring it along on the bike.

So here’s a list of things that a rider might just want to have along. It is by no means exhaustive.

• A complete change of riding clothes for the second day.
• A set of light clothing to wear on the night between the two days.
• Toiletries (think light and absolutely necessary)
• Medications
• Sunscreen
• A rain jacket
• Sunglasses.
• Two spare tubes
• A patch kit
• Two non-perishable lunches
• A pump
• A small tool kit
• Tire levers
• First aid supplies
• Your cell phone (turned off)

Also seriously consider bringing your “riding wallet,” containing the following:

• Your license
• A credit card
• Cash for food and water
• Med insurance card
• Emergency contact info
  

Now do you understand why I suggested lower gearing? Here’s another hint, mount the largest tires your bike will accommodate.

Finally, you might consider bringing a small and light camera.

I’ll explain some of that gear in tomorrow’s post.

The Audax Experience

In the course of putting on Audax rides, I talk to a lot of people, a lot of cyclists. Some want to do the ride, but have concerns about their ability. Many are worried that they will “hold the group back.” These are legitimate concerns. No one wants to fail. No one wants to be the one who spoiled the party.

The thing about Audax riding is the synergy. Everyone compromises. Everyone is strong at something, and everyone has their weaknesses. Interestingly, the route I use is almost a neutralizer. There are hills to challenge those who aren’t especially gifted climbers, flats to challenge those whe don’t develop as much power, descent that can instill fear. Over the length of the route, no one will have a singular advantage.

But more important, it is NOT a race! We are dedicated to finishing together, to aiding each other, to bringing us all to the end of the day, and that triumphant close formation group ride up the Peachtree Parkway, two by two, in close interval. It feels good. There is a bond.

That bond is forged from a lot of things. It’s called camaraderie. It comes when we climbers wait a bit for those who aren’t as fast up the hills. It comes from when the big diesels take the front on the flats and block the inevitable headwinds for the lighter riders. It comes from the jokes, and the encouraging words. It comes from trusting the rest of the group. It comes from giving and receiving. It is a thing worth doing.

I think it splendidly ironically wonderful that we pass close by Franklin Roosevelt’s “Little White House.” It was Roosevelt who said, “We have nothing to fear except fear itself."

Come on, folks, let’s do this thing!

Count Down to Audax Ride

Tour Calendar:

• Spring Audax Ride: Sunday, 24 May
• Cheaha Two Day Tour: Saturday and Sunday, July 18 and 19
• Cox Atlanta MS 150:
• Waynesville, NC Adventure: Thurs thru Sun, Oct 1, 2, 3, and 4
• Other rides and tune ups: TBA

It’s just two and a half weeks until the Audax Ride. Are you going? There are some key items to accomplish, if you are.

Notify me that you are coming, and get your $28.00 to me. Please note: I can take cash, or your personal check. This money does not go through the bike shop, so get it to me. I’m handling reservations and food purchases. What you are paying for is lunch, water along the ride, and a post ride sandwich snack. I need your commitment in advance. Really, this is important.

Let’s talk for a moment about the end of your training. Here’s a suggestion. Ride hard and as long as you can for the next week, that’s until Wednesday, 13 May. Then back it off to a pretty easy pace and duration for the remainder of next week.

For the last week prior to the ride ~~ TAKE IT EASY!!!!

Really. Once you are inside of two weeks before an event, your training is over. Your body will not incorporate training loads in less than two weeks. So it will be time to rest well, and be refreshed.

Some will be asking, “Please, can’t I ride for the last week?”

Of course you can, just at a very low volume, and a very very easy effort level. In other words, ride enough to stay loose, and to keep your lets ready, but don’t do any kind of serious training.

Your bike: Get those last minute service items taken care of now!

Your gear: Plan out what you will take now. Start getting it together.
Some suggestions include, a bit of food for the early stops in the day. Two spare tubes that fit your bike. A rain jacket. Sunscreen. Spare water bottles. A good strong tail light.

A QUESTION OF LUGGAGE

SPRING AUDAX RIDE: Sunday, 24 May

CHEAHA TWO DAY TOUR: Saturday and Sunday, July 18 and 19

WAYNESVILLE, NC ADVENTURE: Thursday through Sunday, Oct 1, 2, 3, and 4

Other rides and tune ups: TBA

Notice the events posted above. Each is a different kind of tour, and each requires a slightly different kind of preparation. This post focuses on the issues attendant on carrying stuff. For a tourist, this really bears some thinking. Some of the choices are controlled by what kind of rider you are, and what kind of tour you are doing.

First Principle of touring packing: Get the load off of the rider and onto the bike.

Here’s the deal. You have to pull everything you are carrying, and lift it up and over every hill along the way. You provide the effort for this. You should not have to support that load too!

The first axiom of tour packing: No matter how much stuff you pack, and how carefully you plan, you will leave something vital at home.

Corollary: No matter how carefully and efficiently you pack, and how light you manage to make your load, you will still be too heavy, and you will still carry something completely useless the whole way.

However: It won’t matter. You’ll figure it out. Help will show up in the least expected places. You are more resourceful than you know.

I’m choosing this topic now, as I want to give potential riders the max amount of time to think about, select, install, test, and debug some cargo carrying rigs.

The Cheaha Two Day Tour will actually require a bit more cargo capacity than the later Waynesville NC Adventure. This is due to the self supported nature of the Cheaha trip. For Cheah, you will need to carry the following:

• Spare riding clothes for the second day
• Some “off bike clothing” for the middle evening
• Toiletries
• Two lunches
• Rain gear and minimal emergency clothing
• Other equipment, spares, tools, etc.

I promise, Ill get into explanations for all this in the near future. For now, if you look at the above short list, you will conclude that you are going to need some kind of luggage system. This might be a rack and a capacious rack top trunk. It could be a rack and a pannier or two. It might be one of the redoubtable high volume seat packs such as Carradice, of England, make. It could be a trailer and dry bag. (I don’t necessarily recommend that last one for this trip.)

Hopefully this provides some food for thought.

UPCOMING EVENTS

SPRING AUDAX RIDE: Sunday, 24 May

CHEAHA TWO DAY TOUR: Saturday and Sunday, July 18 and 19

WAYNESVILLE, NC ADVENTURE: Thurs thru Sun, Oct 1, 2, 3, and 4

Other rides and tune ups: TBA

I expect I don’t have to do a lot of explaining about the Audax Ride. To date, this blog has been devoted to doing just that. There will be more in the future. For now, I want to deliver some more details on the two new touring projects.

The Cheaha Two Day Tour: This will be an out-and-back. We’ll leave from Peachtree City, GA. We will spend Saturday, 18 July, riding to the summit of Cheaha mountain. That’s just about 100 miles. Then we will finish the day’s riding by doing another 14 miles, down off of the mountain, and to our overnight location in Oxford, Alabama. The site I’ve chosen for the overnight stop is located in the middle of a group of hotels, with several restaurants (including a Waffle House) all in the same general locale. We’ll spend the night in hotels.

On day two of this tour, we will get up, check out, meet for breakfast, and then ride back to Peachtree City. The return trip will be about 100 miles. It will not include a climb up Cheaha.

We will be self-supporting on this trip. That means, we will bring what we need. We won’t have motor support. Sure, we’ll have stops along the way. We can use the stops to buy food and water, as well as taking the odd “breather.”

The Waynesville, NC Adventure: This is a semi-supported tour. We’ll recruit a few drivers among our friends and significant others. The idea is we’ll spend three days doing cycle touring up to Waynesville. We can meet our drivers at the overnight stops along the way. I’ll be supplying a lot of info on accomodations soon.

On the fourth day, we’ll do a spectacular ride up onto the Blue Ridge Parkway, to Water Rock Knob, the highest point on the Parkway. Thisw ride will return to Waynesville. Once we’re back in Waynesville, we meet our drivers for the last time, load our bikes up, and drive back home.

The overnight stops on this trip will be in Dahlonega, GA; Dillard, GA; and in Waynesville, NC.

Preparations and training: Keep watching this blog. I’ll be putting up a lot of training advice, posting dates and times for some useful training rides, discussing equipment, and providing more details on the trips themselves. Please do feel free to comment, and please do contact me if you are interested in any part of this project.

One last detail. I will not be handling any money for the Cheaha or Waynesville tours. Each rider will be responsible for booking overnight lodgings, and for their own meals. In other words, I’ll get you to places to eat and sleep, doing so is your responsibility.