This year I started riding Audax rides, nothing too major yet, just small steps with my longest ride being 200 km up the hills and out to Toodyay and back, but with longer rides in mind/planned … 300 km, 400 km, 600 km and now the big one, 1,200 km (750 mi) over around 4 days (90 hours).
Yep, I am talking about the Perth-Albany-Perth 2010 Randonnée which will be run for the fourth time in 2010, between dawn on Tuesday October 5, 2010 and Friday October 8, 2010 (revised dates as at October 23, 2009) under the auspices of Audax Australia. You can read the full description of the ride and see the route on the ride page at Audax Australia. If you want to talk about the ride you can do so in the Audax Australia forums.
On a personal note, whilst I know I have a long way to go in terms of preparation, I am pencilling this in as my goal for 2010 and probably as a life goal as well. How about you? Care to join other like minded riders on a bit of a challenge?
The idea of riding from Perth, through Mandurah to Bunbury and then into the south-west wine region of Margaret River and then though the karri forests further south before reaching the coastal town of Albany just appeals for some crazy reason. After a short sleep (hopefully) the route continues the loop heading out from Albany to the Stirling Ranges National Park, but thankfully not up Bluff Knoll, before rolling into the farming areas of Gnowangerup, Katanning, Wagin and Williams, before again getting into the forests around Dwellingup and descending to the coastal plain at Pinjarra and and on to Mandurah and finally to Perth and the finish and a damn long rest I suspect.
Sounds easy? Why not start training now and pencil it in your calendar for 2010 and maybe take a life challenge. Hope to see you on the ride.
That sounds very tempting.
I’ve crossed Australia a number of times but the longest distance I’ve ever done in one day is a little over 200 km. Maybe it’s time I got involved with Audax.
That sounds very tempting.
I’ve crossed Australia a number of times but the longest distance I’ve ever done in one day is a little over 200 km. Maybe it’s time I got involved with Audax.
I am planning to complete the PAP to celebrate turning 40! It sounds like a really great event and the training will be fun.
I am planning to complete the PAP to celebrate turning 40! It sounds like a really great event and the training will be fun.
Good on you Greg. Me I am just trying to get in on it before I am too old 🙂
Andrew
Good on you Greg. Me I am just trying to get in on it before I am too old 🙂
Andrew
I’ve recently begun looking into the brevet series here (Florida, USA) myself. Are you planning on using your LHT for it? From what little I’ve dug up, it seems most folks opt for a lighter bike – not necessarily carbon fiber light, but lighter than an LHT – and minimal bags like a saddle bag and handlebar bag. There are no rules that say you have to go that route though, and I’d imagine the 600km and longer routes would need more gear.
I’ve recently begun looking into the brevet series here (Florida, USA) myself. Are you planning on using your LHT for it? From what little I’ve dug up, it seems most folks opt for a lighter bike – not necessarily carbon fiber light, but lighter than an LHT – and minimal bags like a saddle bag and handlebar bag. There are no rules that say you have to go that route though, and I’d imagine the 600km and longer routes would need more gear.
Hi Todd. My preference for the Audax rides is my Look 555, however, I have read in the Surly owners group of riders using them on Audax rides.
Hi Todd. My preference for the Audax rides is my Look 555, however, I have read in the Surly owners group of riders using them on Audax rides.
I think the Look would def be your better choice, the LHT would be good though, its comfy and a strong ride. The racks etc would need to come off though. There are some great Audax specific bikes around mainly in the UK that are really well suited. When I did a 1000k in 3 days the Road bike was my choice. I would say it would be again as well
I think the Look would def be your better choice, the LHT would be good though, its comfy and a strong ride. The racks etc would need to come off though. There are some great Audax specific bikes around mainly in the UK that are really well suited. When I did a 1000k in 3 days the Road bike was my choice. I would say it would be again as well