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Audax Update
Southport CC members have continued to actively participate in many events. The combined total points for the club is 165, with 1 point represnting 100K ridden (i.e 16,500K ) and 146 for the firts six riders. Four riders have completed a Super Randonneur Series of a 200,300,400 and 600K rides as qualification for the PBP and three riders will be attempting the ride (see above).
Individual points total to end of July are: (first 6 riders qualify for the Club competition)
Allan |
TAYLOR |
39 |
Damon |
PEACOCK |
26 |
Peter |
GAWTHORNE |
25 |
Steve |
GINTY |
20 |
Malc |
HEATHCOTE |
19 |
William |
DEAN |
17 |
Terence |
SEANOR |
11 |
Lee |
HUNT |
4 |
David |
WALKER |
4 |
The next Calendar event in the North West is the Northern Dales on Sunday 4th September. Starting from Arnside at 8.00. this will see riders travel to Leyburn and then return via The Tan Hill Inn. If you are interested in taking part talk to any of the riders listed above or e-mail the webmaster for more information. (webmail@southportcc.co.uk)
Audax Update
Next event for the Audax riders is on 27th March starting from Poynton (south of Stockport) out and back to Chirk 207K. Steve Ginty, Allan Taylor with Peter Gawthorne and Malcom Heathcote making their comeback ride. Next event is the following week end from Congleton to Ironbridge and back. Contact any of the Audax riders if you want to take part.
Posted 22/03/2011
Trip to Mons for Mons Audax.
Plans are being hatched for a trip to Mons from April 29th for the Audax ( Mons - Chimay - Mons 200K) returning on 2nd May (travel and arrangements dates to be confirmed). This would be a repeat of the trip reported by Lennie Collins - see Audax - Mons Chimay May 2009. If you would be interested in taking part send an e-mail to webmail@southportcc.co.uk or talk to Steve Ginty. This trip would involve some long distances and would need some experience of Audax rides.
Posted 7/01/2011
SouthportCC Audax report 2010
Bad weather in the winter of 2009/10 disrupted the SouthportCC audax riders plans for the winter events. The winter solstice 200k ride to be held on the Sunday before Christmas was cancelled due to snow as were the January rides.
The usual suspects started the year with the Rochdale to Settle, North West Passage on a cold February day, and a number of rides out of Stockport in February, March and April.
The 300km ride across the Cheshire plains in late April started from Poynton at 11:00 pm and went into mid Wales. On this ride Malcolm was trying out a new energy gell which seemed a good idea at 3 in the morning, but by 6 am he was regretting using some untried product an didn’t feel too goodly for the rest of the day.
The annual Audax around Mallorca was completed during the club jolly to the island.
Steve Ginty during the Audax ride in Mallorca
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See map and details here
Throughout the summer Pete, and Allan were completing 200k rides at the rate of 3 per month. Deamon Peacock did a randoneur series of 200, 300, 400 and 600km rides and in the Autumn. (See here for a report on Damons 400.) Pete Gawthorne and Malcolm Heathcote spent a weekend on the road setting off from Southport early on Saturday morning to ride to Newport then back to Southport (180 miles), after a shower and change of clothes they set off to Milnthorpe where the rain started and continued as they pedaled back to Southport then over to Rivington and back home by Sunday evening. 600km (380 miles) completed.
John Findlay joined in one of the Southport-Settle-Southport events and considered the 130 miles a grand day out.
The Bolton lads Dave Walker and Lee Hunt together with Steve Duffel completed the Cheadle- Eureka Cafe - Bangor on Dee - Cheadle ride in November.(See report below)
Pete Gawthorne won the club Audax Trophy again in 2010 for completing the randoneur series and accumulating 44 points for the club.
Allan Taylor gained 63 points, a club record.
SouthportCC were 9th in the Audax UK league of over 100 clubs.
"Permanents" Starting in Southport
Permanents are events registered with AUK which can, in most cases, be ridden at any time. They are intended as events for the more experienced rider, riding alone or with family and friends, and not as replacements for calendared rides whose dates have been planned as part of a programme of events.
Permanents starting from Southport are organised by Neville Holgate nev.holgate@talktalk.net . Cards and route sheets can be obtained from Neville. There are five routes:
NH 01- Southport - Scarborough - Southport 600K
NH 02 - Lakeland 400K
NH 03 - Southport - Lakeland 300
NH 04 - Southport - Settle - Southport 200
NH 05 - Southport - York 200
See the Audax site for more details www.aukweb.net
SouthportCC Audax report 2009
and other dead big dead hard rides
2009 was the most successful year ever for SouthportCC in terms of Audax and long distance rides with the club places 8th in the AudaxUK league.
This years club Audax award went to Pete Gawthorne with 5500km covered in events; the second place went to Malclom Heathcote with 5000km, which is impressive as Malcolm works full time and spent 3 weeks touring in the Pyrenees with his 16 year old son.
Pete and Malcolm both completed the Audax Super Randoneur series this year, and also rode the length of Hadrians Wall having pedalled to the start then home afterwards.
Annette Robinson and Diane Davies rode the lands End to John O’Groats in July over 11 days. They have both been regulars on the Saturday runs for a couple of years and gradually increased their mileage for the ride.
Annette went on to ride solo coast to coast in September and completed the Horseshoe pass sportiff; Diane has since moved to Qatar.
Geoff Lovelady completed the LEJOG on a more scenic route.
Allan Taylor rode the Etape d’ Tour, to celebrate the start of his 61st year, finishing the 116 mile ride by climbing the Ventoux in a creditable 9 hour, taking just under 3 hours to complete the final ascent in 36 deg temperatures.
Allan did most of his training by riding 200km Audaxes at a rate of 2 per month and a 140 mile ride around Mallorca during the club holiday.
Karl Turner rode the Fred Whitton event in May, 112 miles around the lake district over Kirkstone, Honister, Newlands, Winlatter Hard Knott and Wyrnose in under 8 hours.
John Fewtrell and Ian Robinson rode a couple of Sportives including the winter Grasmere event in the Lake District as did Craig Middleton.
Five club members took part in the 2009 Mons-Chimay-Mons audax events on May Day. Having travelled to Hull by car to catch the overnight ferry they rode the 95 mile ride from Zeebruge to Mons the day before the event, 2600 riders took part in the ride. After a rest day when Lenny spent the full day re-hydrating with our Belgian hosts, the gang rode back to Zeebruge to catch the overnight ferry home. (Click here for full report) Photos in Photo Galleries.
In addition to the usual gang of long distance riders Steve Duffell rode a couple of events. In the North West Passage ride held in February from Rochdale to Settle, Kirby Lonsdale, Scorton and back to Rochdale. Steve jumped onto Dave Hilton’s wheel in a break along the Lune Valley only to regret this approaching Blackburn when he realised he had no idea where he was so had to hang on over the moors to Haslingden and the tough climb of ‘Owd Betts at Norden.
In July as Steve rode towards Southport to join the riders heading to Penrith for the day, decided he was overdressed and nipped home to shed some clothes, while he was doing this he missed the passing riders, Bolton boys Dave and Lee, Allan etc. and chased all the way to the cafe in Penrith where he was told the others had left 10 minutes ago. Having shovelled some food down he resumed his chase over the Kirkstone Pass and can’t have been far behind as he decended to Windermere where he took the Kendal exit rather than the Bowness road. He returned home alone having covered 180 miles.
Peter Gawthorne and Terry Seanor spent 3 days in July at Thorne near Darlington assisting at the feed and sleep over station for the London Edinburgh London 1400km ride, our only club member participating was Damon Peacock.
The Bill Bradley rides organized by SouthportCC, although not Audax events, gave 90+ cyclists a chance to try some longer than usual rides and witness the undulating training routes in the Forest of Bowland used by Bill. Once again the popularity of the ride has brought some new members to the club. The event is scheduled to be repeated in 2010.
JoinAudax
To join AUDAX UK please use the online application form. It's simple to use, and allows you to join instantly by paying online.
Annual membership now runs to the end of 2011 and five year membership to the end of 2015.
If you prefer not to pay online then please complete the application form, print out a copy and send it to Audax UK in the post.
Full details are on the form.
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Chirk - A grand day Out
Sunday 27th March saw six riders from the club arriving at the car park in Poynton. As this is a "shoestring" event no tea or facilities, just a van to collect the cards from. Allan, Steve with the comback duo of Peter and Malcom were joined by Bill Dean and Damon Peacock. A steady pace to Poole Craft Centre for the first control, Allan, Steve and Bill pressed on without tea, Peter and Malcom adopting a steadier approach. At Chirk a stop for tea and refreshments and then along the lanes being used by the "Cheshire Cat" sportive riders travelling in the opposite direction (and paying £35.00 for the privilege versus our £5) We saw one accident to a sportive rider with ambulance in attendance. Allan, Steve and Bill were back at about 5.15.pm (with Bill flagging a little towards the finish) with Peter and Malcom about an hour behind. Damon we think came in later with his partner. A grand day out.
Posted 01/04/2011
Audax Report on North West Passage
Set off at 8.00am from the Spring Inn in Rochdale - about 50 riders in total - light rain at the start. The route goes from Rochdale to Todmorden then onto Gisburn. Snow started to fall as we climbed out of Rochdale and continued with slush etc on the roads all the way to first control at Settle. From Settle to 2nd control at Kirby Lonsdale rain with some snow. Turn and down to Scorton with the wind now against and still light rain. Out of Scorton and down to Ribchester, then skirting Blackburn and over the moors to Rochdale. The rain eventually stopped around Blackburn so up again and then a high speed descent into Rochdale.
206K, finish at 17.40 and pie and mushy peas. Next ride is Newport from Cheadle on Sunday 27 Feb. Steve Ginty and Allan Taylor
Posted 23/02/2011
Latest Activity on the Audax Scene
Steve Ginty and Allan Taylor completed a delayed Winter Solstice ride on the 29th December. A Mere 200 was the next ride on 23 January. This ride passed the point (without incident but very carefully) at which Peter Gawthorne (and Steve Duffel) came off during the ride in November .
Peter Gawthorne is now back on his bike and is planning his come back Audax for the Chirk event on 27th March.
Next event for Steve and Allan is the North West Passage on Saturday 19th February. There is another event in February (Newport 200 on Sunday 27th Feb) which Steve and Allan are planning to ride. If you want to join them get in touch with Steve or Allan or e-mail webmail@southportcc.co.uk.
Posted 12/02/2011
The Winter Solstice - A long day out?
The Winter Solstice is the next ride for the Audax members. At 200K and with an 8.00.am start on Sunday 19 December, good lights are a must have. The ride starts at Bredbury near Stockport. Travelling west across Cheshire to Farndon on the Welsh border, then south to Market Drayton. The return leg is north east through Nantwich and Middlewich to Bredbury. See Audax site or here for more.
 Last year there were 65 entries but only 5 started because of the snow.
The winter solstice is the shortest day of the year and is on the 21st December. In Southport sunrise is about 8.24.am and sunset 15.56.pm.
The days get longer after the Solstice
See here for more
Posted 11/12/2010
Eureka - Not such a good idea for the Audax men?
At 6.00.am on Sunday 14 November 4 cars were being loaded up with bikes for the journey to Cheadle. Cold and damp, but not raining and no frost, the Audax riders were preparing for a long day in the saddle. Steve Ginty and Allan Taylor, Peter Gawthorne and Malcom Heathcote, Dave Walker and Lee Hunt (making their Audax come back after an 18 month gap) and Steve Duffel making a guest appearance. The cars converged on the Cheadle start location.
Arriving in the car park the bikes were assembled, lights fitted for later in the day and multiple layers of apparel donned, topped off with SCC jerseys. Tea and visits to the comfort stations in the church hall, cards collected and all was ready for the roll out at 8.00.am.
A field of about 40 took the start and out onto the roads to pass to the south of Manchester airport. A fast pace at the start as the lead groups took up station. The SCC riders were up near the front. With just 9K completed a slight descent to a left hand bend on a narrow road with many trees and leaves. Steve (Ginty) and Allan followed by Steve and Peter withMalcom, Dave and Lee.
Steve Duffels front wheel slid out from under him and Steve was sliding gracefully across the road on his (back)side. Peter lost his front wheel but not so gracefull as he landed with a crash on his shoulder and head. The group of riders all came to a stop.
Riders took up position to warn the trraffic approaching in both directions while Peter was disentangled form his bike. It was soon apparent that Peter had received a severe blow to the head (his helmet was cracked in four places!) although he remained conscious throughout, and also his shoulder was severly damaged.
An ambulance was called and also a call to the organisers. After about 35 minutes Peter was loaded into the ambulance and Malcom (who had travelled with Peter) left with the organiser and his own and Peter's bikes, to travel on to the hospital.
Steve (D) had recovered enough to continue and so the remaining 5 SCC riders set off to follow the rest of the field. Carefully through the lanes out to the Eureka cafe, where cards were stamped but no time for tea. On across the Dee and south to Bangor isy Coed. Turn and north to the Ice Cream Factory (cafe) for a cup of tea and a scone after 132K. News from Peter by text - at home thanks to Malcom, but a broken collar bone and concussion.
East across the Cheshire lanes to an eventual turn north at Astbury.
Now the light started to fade and the SCC group were joined by a number of VC167 riders. At a fast pace through the dark lanes and eventually at 17.45. back into Cheadle. Arriving at the finish however Dave was caught out by a missed kerb and came down , fortunately without injury.
210K covered. Soup, sandwiches and cake at the finish.
For a latest on Peter see News and Events
Eureka!! Next Ride for the Audax Group
Peter Gawthorne, Steve Ginty, Malcom Heathcote, Dave Walker, Lee Hunt and Allan Taylor are all entered for the Eureka Audax on Sunday 14 November. 210 km from Cheadle Village Hall to the Eureka Cafe (Famous Cycling Venue), the Ice Cream Factory and back to Cheadle via Astbury. Details on the Audax page (link below) or see this link.
In 2008 this proved to be one of the hardest events of the year with strong winds and driving rain. The group are hoping for a better time this year.
Audax Report for 2008
2008 was probably the most successful year ever for SouthportCC's long distance rides; having pedalled over 13,000 miles in events between them.
Southport CC were 8th in the UK league in terms of distance ridden in Audax UK events .
Once again Terry Seanor and Nev Holgate were the heroes, having ridden the 600km from Southport to Edinburgh and back in under 40 hours.
The Audax Round-the-year-Randonneur competition has been popular with an increasing number of club members.
This involves riding at least one 200km event in each of 12 consecutive months.
Riders involved in this challenge include
Allan Taylor, Pete Gawthorne, Malclom Heathcote, Bolton boys Lee Hunt and Dave Walker, with Dave Hilton and Steve Duffel often turning up for the rides.
Club members tend to enter most of the events in the North West so if your interested in having ago there is usually someone who can advise you on the route etc.
A link to the Audax calendar of events is www.aukweb.net
Onwards and upwards.
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