Brass monkey audax feedback

[ajay khandelwal]

After watching the Tirreno-Adriatico race on Friday, when Paulo Bettini decided the rain was too bad, and persuaded other riders to boycott the race, only to restart half an hour later, and then crash 65km in, I had similar visions for the Brass Monkey. I saw myself at Coulsdon South early morning under a deluge of hail, telling Tim Wainwright that he was out of order and that the Brass Monkey would have to get back into his tree. I mean, a lot of wise riders were staying at home to avoid the weather this weekend, so maybe it was time to think again. My daydream was rudely interupted by Mark Mclaughlin's telephone call. 'Er, Ajay, we're leaving, everyone is leaving NOW.' What, its only 8.30? Well I suppose that was the time advertised, I just imagined this audax business would be more relaxed, with guys collecting their pensions from the post office and drinking 3 cups of tea, maybe setting off by midday. But the Addiscombe lot were intent on turning it into a mass start road race.

Never mind I thought, if I miss them I can always do the club run, but no, I couldn't do that as I'm off to do the Tour of Flanders in 20 days. It has 19 climbs over cobbles and the race profile looks like a hack saw laid on its side. So, I need the training, especially as I seem to have picked up the 7 kilos that Marek has lost. Ok, so after collecting the brevet card and route map from ever cheery Tim Wainwright, I set off at a brisk pace, it was now 8.50 and I had to make up 20 minutes. I got on the wheel of another regular audax rider and asked him to tell me about the scene. His words were, 'Its small', ok, so what are the riders like, 'nutters'. Fair enough. By this time I realised the advantage of having a map reader and bento box on your handlebars, as I lost my map fiddling about in my back pockets. A great ride up turners hill, where we were met by a shaft of sun, and then a fast descent through the ashdown forest, where we were pelted with a very fine sleet.

By the time we reached the first refreshment stop, we had caught the main body of riders and the addiscombe auto - bus. Monty, Phil, Tim, Amy and many others were coming out as I arrived. I ran in and got a sticker for my brevet card, saying good bye to my audax companion. But by the time I returned, my Addiscombe compatriots had all gone. It took me and a group of riders half an hour to catch them. I think Phil had buckled his wheel in a pot hole, so everyone had pulled up to help. I rode straight past down the hill, with a mission of getting on. I bumped into Mark and Geoff further down the road and off we went. The pace picked up from here on, and Mark and I got a little over enthusiastic, leaving our map reading fellow riders behind and going over Spout Lane and getting a bit lost. After that we tore up the map route and rode freestyle, doing quite a few detours, and pushing up a few hills. Great training to return back through the climb upto Bletchingley and through to Farthing Downs. My heart rate went upto a healthy 185 and I felt like a poached egg.

Imagine our surprise to find the rest of the Addiscombe having already taken over the cafe, the michelin starred DDs, as we walked in ! Tim said, 'Ajay, I knew that you'd never make it around without getting lost' Touche! Great atmopshere in the cafe with Joyce helping, and Tim getting some photographs of the ride on his laptop. About 110 km all in all.

So, what's going on? Huw looks like he's peaked, choosing to stay indoors. Toks, eagle of merstham looks like he's got avian flu, Marek has joined weight watchers. Looks like the Addiscombe rank and file are fighting back now !

Was pleased to see Thor Hurshovd win the sprint on today's stage of the Tirreno Adriatico on his Look bike! An omen of things to come. PS Yohan, did the new glasses help you go faster at your East way debut?

[Graham O]

Agree. It was a cracking ride. A few nice lumps along the way as well.

Ended up riding most of the route with an young avid audaxer who was telling me about his planed 200K, 300K and above rides over the coming months. He was telling me about a 600K ride, he was thinking about...wow..

I think that I might have a go at this when I am old and crusty..

[huw williams]

Well, I was all set to come when I mate the fatal mistake of speaking to my coach on Friday evening for my (semi) weekly debrief. (In the interests of coach/rider confidentiality said coach shall remain ananymous here but for the sake of convenience we'll call him/her Satan.)

After re-living how much two-wheeled flagelation I'd endured during the past five days Satan's next question was "what are you doing at the weekend?". "Riding the Brass Monkey" I ventured. "NO WAY" commanded the devilish one "sitting behind a bunch of bearded, budgie-tapping* Audax riders? What good is that going to do you?" "Errr... it's fun and sociable and I've already ridden hard all week" I whimpered. "It's threshold intervals for you" insisted Old Nick "and you'll do them solo." "Can't I go with the club-run at least, and maybe just put in a few attacks?" I pleaded. "No! Solo ride, three hours with one 25minute threshold session somewhere in each hour."

What can I say? It was a brutal session in a swirling headwind. On the third interval my legs fell off and I had to fight like a junkyard dog to keep my heart rate in the FS zone. At that point I'd have willingly paid £50 to be on the Brass Monkey ride.

I'd also suggested I wanted to do the training race at Eastway on Sunday. "NO YOUR NOT" shouted Lucifer, "hiding in a pack of riders when you should be doing solo intervals into the wind. It's a two hour ride for you with 25 minutes..." well, you get the picture. So that was my weekend. Plenty of miles and loads of pain without seeing a single agreeable face.

Coaches then - they're only usefull for taking you to away football matches!

*Budgie-tapping - Old roadie slang for riders who go at a constant, but not very high pace. Eg: "A break went up the road but I got stuck with a bunch of Budgie-Tappers and couldn't bridge accross." Or "There was a training group heading out but I wanted a steady ride so I sat in with the Budgie-Tappers."

[Marek]

AJ, did you get your new Optilab glasses yet. I am going in to see them tomorrow to order a pair but just wondered which frame you went for.

Cheers

Marek....

[ajay khandelwal]

Secret training Huw! The lonliness of the long distance interval rider....
I reckon you had a lie in unless you can produce witnesses?
Marek: I had a long discussion at Optilabs with my lovey wife in tow as so that I could get glasses I could drive in and wear on holiday as well as do the bike stuff on.

So my initial choice of mirror blue to match the bike was quickly rejected. In the end after a long discussion with the knowledgeable sales assistant I went for prescription brown polarising lenses with black frame. Polarising lenses are the most versatile and cover the largest range of light conditions. Hope that helps. Haven't heard back regarding 10 percent discount request for Addiscombe members yet ! Tried them out this weekend and glasses were fine. Some good feedback and reviews on roadcycling uk website where they got 10/10. The design is unfussy with no bits, so fairly indestructable and good for racing.

[Marek]

Ordered a pair today, they are a bit on the wide side but sod it, better to be able to see where your going me thinks.

Cheers

Marek....

[Toks]

[quote]I'd also suggested I wanted to do the training race at Eastway on Sunday. "NO YOUR NOT" shouted Lucifer, "hiding in a pack of riders when you should be doing solo intervals into the wind. It's a two hour ride for you with 25 minutes..." well, you get the picture. So that was my weekend. Plenty of miles and loads of pain without seeing a single agreeable face.