9/10 Audax- Autumn Tints

Once again it was time for the first audax of the 2016/2017 winter season, 'Autumn Tints'.

Patrick finds some Autumn tints

For those that have yet to partake in an audax, these rides are just like a sportive but without the hefty price tag. Unlike a sportive the route is not marked out so a garmin is essential and there is no sweep wagon. They tend to attract the somewhat older and more eccentric types of cyclist which is one of the reasons why I enjoy them so much.

Of all the local audaxes, this is one of the easiest and also most generous with food/tea supplied at the start, middle and end.

A welcome pattern has emerged in the club where the superfit riders like Patrick or Duncan will ride to and from the start at their own pace, while riding the actual audax with the main group. This means everyone gets the appropriate workout.

We had a really good turnout this year of around a dozen riders. Tom had set off lone wolf and Gareth was riding round with some friends from work but the rest of us all rode together for the first leg to Winchelsea. It was pretty cold and the glorious sunshine had yet to warm us up so it wasn't a surprise when we only got as far as bexhill before our first pee stop.

Derek on top form

Rather than take the main road through Ore village I guided everyone up Barley lane instead. This is a much nicer way up but he first bit is brutally steep so I did feel a bit guilty about Shirley who still hasn't mastered the art of honking on the pedals .

Shirley loves riding on thedrops

Before long we arrived at Winchelsea where Dave Hudson (El Supremo) had laid on the usual array of treats for everyone. There were ample quantities of sausage rolls, sandwiches, mini pizzas and endless cups of tea. Sitting chatting on a plastic chair in the sun I completely lost track of time and it took repeated calls from Patrick to get me moving again.

The second half of the route is very different. It takes the B roads over towards Heathfield and so is very lumpy. Derek was having one of his best ever road days. Having lost a stone over the summer he was pleased to find that this year  he could comfortably ride ahead  with the A team . Malc C was also pleased to find himself coping much better with all the
  hills. It looks like all those early morning pre BBRs have really paid off. Shirley has missed quite a lot of riding over the summer due to a house move plus becoming a grandmother for the first time, so to keep up she had to dig deep and suffer more than was ideal.

I must admit to finding this route tougher than I remembered from last year but it really is a wonderful event finished off with even more food at the end. For half of us the ride was over but I didn't envy the A team as they set off for a quick blast home along the coast .

Regrouping with the A team at Netherfield

Many thanks to the organisers for organising such a great event and Dave for all the tea and food. You can check out other Audax events here
http://www.aukweb.net/

Steve C