The Touring Corner ~ Beginning (Part1)

This week we’ll address the question,  How do I get started? 

I would like to share a little story.  This is a bit of history.  Bear with me, it’s relevant.

Think back to the era when the American continent was being explored.  Do you remember that a lot of those stories were about disasters?  Expeditions that never came back.  Starvations and privations.  People wandering around in the wilderness for half of forever before being rescued.  Does any of that ring a bell?

Well, here’s an alternate story.  In 1670 the Hudson’s Bay Company was chartered.  This company still exists, in a greatly modified form, today.  They explored most of what is now Canada, and did it very successfully.  They opened trading routes, established frontier outposts, and did all of this with a great deal of success.

            One of the key factors in that success was the “Hudson’s Bay Start.”  It went a bit like this.  When an expedition was being planned and mounted, all the provisions would be gathered, along with all the canoes and all the people.  Everything would be loaded up, and then the group would set off.  But they would not go far!  The first camp was merely a “pull out,” frequently still in sight of the fort.  Then the expedition would have a meeting.  Were they overloaded?  Were they carrying things that were not needed?  Was something missing that was needed.  Did everyone understand their duties?  In this way, if serious deficiencies were noted, the expedition could turn back and correct the problems before becoming irrevocably committed.

            Back when I started doing tour type riding, I could have used that advice.  Instead, I got in over my head more than once.  I thought I was doing good planning and preparation.  I took off with overloaded, under-prepared bikes, determined to do a journey that was too long and too hard for my condition and equipment.  This makes for good stories, but bad experiences.

The moral of the story is simple.  Don’t tackle the big stuff at the beginning.  Do your learning (and make your mistakes) close to home!  You’ll learn to improvise and adapt, but it’s a lot easier to learn the big lessons and still be able to bail out.

To be continued…

The Touring Corner

I've begun a series in my weekly e-newsletter.  We're examining the subject of Bicycle Touring.To make this just a bit more accessible, I'm re-posting each week's article here.

Just what is “Bicycle Touring”?  That’s a simple question, but it’s not all that easy to pin down.  Use those two words together on the majority of our fellow citizens and you’ll probably get a blank look.  Sometimes you get a reply something like, “Oh, you mean that Tower dee Francy thing?”  And yes, it’s called the “Tour de France,” but that’s a race.

            Mention bicycle touring to an average cyclist and you probably conjure up images of folks crossing the continent on bikes that are loaded down with huge bags.  And yes, that most certainly would be touring.  Although that activity is usually described as “self-supported touring.”

            Does it count as “touring” if you sign on with one of those lovely guided outfits?  The operator shleps your luggage, prepares your meals, has guides on bikes with you, and usually has a SAG van following along in case someone gets tired.  (Think Bike Ride Across Georgia. Also known as BRAG.)  But, these are tours too.

            One might think that touring would involve a destination.  However, Randonneurs consider their events to be touring.  But those events start and finish at the same place.  Does that disqualify them?

            That last brings up a philosophical point.  What makes a “tour”?  Is it necessary to have a destination that is the reason for the trip?  Or, like the Randonneurs, is the journey the destination?

            What about “credit card touring”?  For that matter, every year in June a bunch of serious crazies race across the continent.  It’s called Race Across America or RAAM.  It most definitely a race, but it accomplishes that trip across the country that is pictured in the minds of those who visualized the fully loaded bicycle.

            In the Spring of every year, I invite folks to accompany me on a one day, 125 mile ride.  We do it self-supported, and Randonneur style.  We accomplish this trip in one day.  Does that qualify as touring?

            Seems like there might be as many definitions of “touring” as there are “tourists.”  The common elements are a human on a bicycle, a route, and a destination.  Basically, touring is about going somewhere, and doing it on a bike.  And, yes, I do believe that the route and the experience of traveling it, are a big part of the answer.

Here are a few other interesting questions about the activity:

I like the idea.  How do I get started?

What kind of bike do I need to do touring?

Tell me more about this “credit card touring” thing.  How does that work?

Tell me more about this “self supported” thing.  How does that work?

What is this “Randonneuring” thing?

Hey!  What’s up with this bikepacking stuff?

Riding across the country sounds interesting.  How do I go about that?

Short tours? Long tours?  Regional tours?  Transcontinental?

In future editions, we’ll be discussing these topics.  It’s going to be an interesting and fun journey.

AUDAX RIDE AND TUNE-UPS: THE STRUCTURE

In response to several requests, we’re going to take a bit of time here and go over some important specifics about the Audax 200K and the Audax Tune Ups.

Let’s get the money thing out of the way first.  For the Audax Tune Up  rides, you will need to pack snacks, or bring a bit of cash for food along the way.  There is a fee for the Audax 200K.  We’ve tried to keep this down to a minimum.  The fee covers your lunch (at a resaurant) and water at the other stops, and a post ride sandwich snack.  We don’t yet know what the exact amount will be this year, but it is unlikely to be a lot higher than in the past.  In recent years, it’s been $27.00 per rider.  We’ll let you know exact amounts soon.

Ride structure:  We will ride each of the Audax Tune Ups in the same fashion as the Audax 200K.  That is to say, we will stay together as a group.  Some will find the pace somewhat relaxed. Others may need to stretch a bit to hold it.  In general, we try to hold to a 13 to 15 mph rolling average.

Yes!  There will be stops along the way.  Here’s the profile:

            Tune Up I:  35 miles.  One stop, approximately mid-way.

            Tune Ups II and III:  45 miles.  Two stops, one at approximately15 miles 

and one at approximately 30 miles

Tune Ups IV and V:  65 miles.  Two planned stops, at approximately 15 and

40 miles.  One optional stop at approx 55 miles.

All break-stops are kept to a minimum time.  We attend nature’s call, refill bottles, snack, and then roll!  There is an exception to that.  On the 65 mile Tune Ups, the second stop is a “lunch break,” and will be a bit longer.

Audax 200K:  Optional stop at approximately 15 miles.  Planned stop at approx 35 miles.  Planned stop at approximately 50 miles.  Lunch break at approx 65 miles.  Planned stop at approx 82 miles.  Planned stop at approx 105 miles. 

We hope this is helpful in your planning and decision making.

The Audax 200K ~ Starting to Begin to Get Ready

This month, we do the first of the Audax Tune Up Rides.  This one is sort of the “ice breaker.”  Remember, the Audax 200K is a self-supported ride.  One of the aspects of the Tune Ups is preparation for that.  These rides give us the opportunity to ride in “Audax Style.”  They are also a chance to begin the process of riding with the “necessities” of self-supported style.

            There is a bit of a contradiction here.  A Tune Up in February, for a ride that will take place in May.  One could, reasonably ask,  “How much will I learn for a warm weather ride, while it’s still freakin’ Winter!?”

            I can hear my father saying,  “It builds character.”  To which I will add, “Yu might be surprised at just what you will learn.”

            Seriously, it is good to start getting the mind into the frame of planning and selecting gear and equipment.  The ride in the group is excellent practice too.

(Just by the way...  You will find the dates for the whole Tune Up series, and the Audax 200K, to the right in the Tour Calendar gadget.)

Preparing for the 2016 AUDAX 200K

Folks, it's time to begin.  The "road to an Audax 200K is ahead and waiting.
In order to make this information available to the widest possible audience, we are repeating sections of our "weekly" emailing here.  We hope you find this helpful.  Please do enjoy!

AUDAX RIDES:  Possibly the first question that occurs, is “Just what is an Audax Ride when it’s not all dressed up for church?”

The simplest answer is that it is a group touring ride, over a predetermined course, with pre-arranged stops.  The somewhat unique thing about this style of riding is that it is a group ride, where the group stays together.  No one is left behind.  It is not a competitive event.  If anyone has a problem the whole group stops and works the problem.  It’s a slef-supported ride, but ride in mutual support.  The motto is “One for All, and All for One!”

 

Other important info on the Audax Ride:

·      200 K means 200 kilometers.  This is approximately 125 miles.
·      Yes, it’s a long ride, and YES if you start preparing now, you CAN do it!
·      Over the years that we have been doing this, roughly half the people who successfully finished fit the following profile:

o   They’ve never done a long ride before

o   They haven’t ridden 45 miles before the 45 Mile Tune Ups

o   They haven’t ridden 65 miles before the 65 mile Tune Ups

o   They haven’t ridden 100 miles before the 125 mile ride!

o   They did all of these things and had a great time on the 125 mile ride!

·      This is the stuff works!

 

So you might be asking,  “How do I start getting ready for this?”  The answer is simple.  Start riding your bike at least three to four times a week, for at least 1 to 2 hours at a time.  (Hint: the Bicycles Unlimited Spin Class would be a good place to do two of these rides every week.)  And, to clarify, that 3 to 4 rides per week could be 3 each one hour rides and one two hour ride.  Yes the weather is challenging.  Trainer work counts, and there are god riding opportunities.  You don’t have to ride hard, and distance isn’t the object.  Time in the saddle is the critical factor at this point.


NOTE:  If you are interested in receiving my semi-weekly email, the TOME, please contact me at Bicycles Unlimited 770-486-9252

Audax Ride Series 2015 Edition

What the heck is an Audax Ride? The following definition is from the Randonnuers USA website.

Audax (oh docks) - A style of group bicycle touring found mostly in France, but also in Holland and Belgium to lesser degrees. A steady pace is set by a road captain, who is in charge of a group of fellow club members. In modern times the pace is usually about 22 km/h (13.5mi/h) between stops; the itinerary and resting places are planned in advance.

For the purposes of this blog, we are talking about doing a 200 kilometer (approximately 125 mile) audax style ride. Ours will go on Saturday, May 16,  2015.

Why should I do this thing?  One could be forgiven for wondering that.  Here’s an attempt at an anser:

• It feels good to meet a challenge (and 125 miles with a mountain in the middle certainly qualifies)
• It’s good to engage with others in a mutual goal.
• There is a sort of magic synergy that occurs when a group of riders decides to enter a non-competitive endeavor. Somehow our strengths add and our weaknesses diminish.
• It’s an absolutely great day!

Getting Ready:

To aid folks in preparing for this style of riding, and this particular ride, I’m leading five “tune up” rides.

Audax Tune Up Rides:

22 February (Sunday) 1:00 PM 35 miles (approx)

8 March (Sunday): 1:00 PM, 45 miles (approx)

29 March (Sunday): 1:00 PM, 45 miles (approx)

12 April (Sunday): 11:00 AM, 65 miles (approx)

3 May (Sunday): 11:00 AM, 65 miles (approx)

I can pretty much assure you that, if you do all of these, you will be able to handle the 200K. 

We will ride these in an Audax style. The group will stay together. The pace will be moderate. We will be riding a predetermined course. Anyone who is willing to abide by the intent and spirit of these rides is welcome to come along. The rides will leave from the front of Bicycles Unlimited, in Peachtree City, GA.

A necessary few words about the Tune Up Rides:  The group will stay together in mutual aid and support.  There will be no SAG.  We’re doing this as self-supported rides. The terrain for these rides is (deliberately) more hilly and more challenging than that which will be encountered on the 200K.  The idea here is simple.  “If I can do something that is harder than the actual ride, then I’ll certainly be able to standup to the ride itself.”

There will be a fee for the actual Audax Ride, on 16 May. This fee will cover your lunch (sit down at a good restaurant), a post ride sandwich snack, and water refills along the ride. There are no fees for the “Tune Ups.” Ride fee is payable, in advance, by check or cash.  I don’t have enough info yet to set a precise number on the fee, but it will most certainly be no more than $30.00.

Hope to see many of you all there.

I'll be posting more info on all of this soon.

Oh yes, one last and critically important note: Helmets required on all rides.

The GAPS ~ Directions & Route

Driving Directions to Ride Start:

From Fayette County:

Get on I-85 and go north

Get on GA-400 and go north for 53.8 miles (to the end of GA-400)

Turn left onto GA-19

Go 5.6 miles (to Danlongega Court Square)

Turn right at square and then left immediate onto Park St

Go one (short) block and turn left onto Warwick St

The parking lot is immediately on your right

 

ORIGINAL TRIPLE GAP ROUTE
Miles	Leg	Turn	Comment
0.0	0.0		Dahlonega Gold Museum
0.0	0.0	R	East Main St
0.3	0.3	BL	Bear left onto GA-52
0.6	0.3	L	Onto GA-52
0.9	0.3	R	onto GA-52 @ light
2	1.1	L	onto Rockhouse Rd
4.2	2.2	L	onto Cavender Creek Rd
4.4	0.2	R	Porter Springs Rd
10.4	6.0	R	onto US-19
14.6	4.2	L	onto US-19/129 @ Turners Corner
22.4	7.8	~~	Top of Neels Gap (store on right)
25.4	3.0	L	Wolf Pen Gap Rd (easy to miss)
27.3	1.9	~~	Summit  Wolfpen Gap
36.6	9.3	L	GA-60 (store on right)
43.8	7.2	S	US-19 joins route
48.6	4.8	R	onto US-19 Buss
52.8	4.2	R	onto E Main St.
52.9	0.1	~~	enter Square and Finish!!