Any route that contains a section called the Staircase is vaguely worrying

Possibly even worse when you call it by its full title of, 'Devils Staircase'

Bearbonesnorm wrote:

Any route that contains a section called the Staircase is vaguely worrying

Possibly even worse when you call it by its full title of, 'Devils Staircase'

But it's a pretty ugly piece of road-engineering. Fortunately there are some bigger, harder, more interesting climbs that follow it before the long, deceptively curvy descent to Tregaron.

But it's a pretty ugly piece of road-engineering. Fortunately there are some bigger, harder, more interesting climbs that follow it before the long, deceptively curvy descent to Tregaron.

Yes and I always think the climb up from Dolgoch side is much worse (than the famous side) ... longer, false summit and no distracting switchbacks

ZeroDarkBivi wrote: Anybody want to explain what this AUK points thing is all about for the uninitiated? Do they make prizes?

Some light reading about Audax: https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=1201.0

ZeroDarkBivi wrote:Anybody want to explain what this AUK points thing is all about for the uninitiated? Do they make prizes?

If you regularly ride audaxes, esp. year-on-year, then they're a great way to measure your season's performance.

If you ride RRTY then points can mean an individual award/badge, eventually. (I need one 200+ in October at audax pace and I'm up to 60 straight months ... sad, I know ... but there are some in the 200+ straight months!)

If you ride audaxes every week then there's a slim chance you might get more points than everyone else and be awarded a trophy.

Otherwise, points don't mean an awful lot on a one-off basis. Would Mike have gone for the points merely because they were there? I don't know. But riding within the stiffer "BR" (points-awarded) time limit does suitably add to the challenge.

FWIW, 200s earn 2 points, 300s earn 3 points, 400s = 4 points and 600s = 6 points. 100s don't earn anything at all because they just aren't very far for a long-distance cyclist (e.g. audax rider).

Dyffers wrote:

ZeroDarkBivi wrote: Anybody want to explain what this AUK points thing is all about for the uninitiated? Do they make prizes?

Some light reading about Audax: https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=1201.0

Alternatively: http://www.camaudax.uk/audax/.

Audax. Like stamp collecting for cyclists.

Bearbonesnorm wrote:

But it's a pretty ugly piece of road-engineering. Fortunately there are some bigger, harder, more interesting climbs that follow it before the long, deceptively curvy descent to Tregaron.

Yes and I always think the climb up from Dolgoch side is much worse (than the famous side) ... longer, false summit and no distracting switchbacks

I can believe it, but I've not ridden it that way around.

FWIW, this Kinesis promo shot of Mike was taken just below the Devil's Staircase — I've only been there once, but recognised it straight away. It seems fitting the routes should head that way.

ScotRoutes wrote:Audax. Like stamp collecting for cyclists.

(but don't tell Mrs W)

Oh go on then..... 300 slow for me too.... more likely slow than 300 ;-)

300 slow for me too

300 slow for me too, 400 route is still an option but I'm not convinced I wouldn't be biting off more than I can chew.

signed up for the 400 Populaire - maybe see some of you guys out there

I will be giving the 300 slow a whirl. Apart from the odd trail centre I haven't ridden in Wales for a long time, anyone remember the Iron Lemming weekends? I will probably fall back on my default Nano 40cc tyres. Looking forward to it already.

So you know. I've updated the website to include an accommodation page. http://tinat.cymru/the-know/accomadation/

Good reminder. I've entered now

I might draw up a list of hedges in and around Builth

300 Slow - I don't expect to finish, just want to be part of it...

Quite looking forward to a nice reflective ride around this.

slightly wrote:300 Slow - I don't expect to finish, just want to be part of it...

Me and some mates can drag you between pubs and a sleep in a hedge...... we're hoping it'll be fun

#bemoremike

Aw and myself are signing up for the 300s when I get around to paying

Aw and myself are signing up for the 300s when I get around to paying

What you're gonna do both of 'em?

And I created a page about a Sunday post ride social. Early days yet but it provides the idea. http://tinat.cymru/the-social/

hog roast, local real ale and a local band

if that happens. I look forward to falling asleep in a field after my second recovery ale..

Bearbonesnorm wrote:

But it's a pretty ugly piece of road-engineering. Fortunately there are some bigger, harder, more interesting climbs that follow it before the long, deceptively curvy descent to Tregaron.

Yes and I always think the climb up from Dolgoch side is much worse (than the famous side) ... longer, false summit and no distracting switchbacks

The Devil's Staircase was always a favourite in the old Milk Races. I've cleared the classic westbound climb a few times but can't remember having ever managed the eastbound climb in one go
The Tregarron to Abergwesyn / Abergwesyn to Tregarron road in either direction is one all riders of narrow strips of tarmac should do - it is a true wild undulating route (normally accompanied by a ferocious headwind or driving rain!)