Dear super fit cycling supremo,
I hope I might be able to tempt you to think about doing an Audax or two before Christmas but certainly to get some in your diary for the New Year.
Andrew Ramsey and I did last Sunday's 'World of Water', named after the Aquatic garden centre lunch stop. It should have been called 'a challenging route through amazing Kent countryside, past oast houses, windmills, sleepy villages and hair raising downhill stretches'. There were no 'UP' hills, only 'DOWN'. (I wish). There was a 200k but we chose the shorter 100k ride; over 60 miles was enough for us.
This is like a big, friendly Club Run, over 50 riders, where you can ride with a fast group or slow down to join a group going for a leisurely stroll. It's not a race but you can be competitive if you want to be. The best thing is the camaraderie, car free route...and early tea stop with free cakes, tea and bananas, all laid on by the enigmatic Dave Hudson.
I know when Graham Haysom is back from China, he'll gently nag you to try an Audax. Take a look at the Audax calendar and get into training for the ultimate cycling challenge, the 1200km, 90 hour Paris-Brest-Paris. You have four years to train for that one!
Best wishes,
Russell