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NEW TO THIS

Being a relative newcomer to regular cycling, I concluded that I was too old
to start competitive cycling but after training for two Ride London-Surrey
100 events in 2016 & 2017 I discovered that what I enjoyed was just cycling,
and cycling longer distances. Last year I discovered Audax UK
(http://www.aukweb.net/home/), the UK long distance cycling association.
Last month I finally managed to cycle an Audax event, the Bois Ocaud
d'Automne 100 near Portsmouth.

On a very cold
Saturday morning I
set off to ride the
21 km to the start.
I arrived, signed on,
got given my Brevet
card and offered
FREE tea & biscuits.
Just before 9am we
gathered outside, were given a briefing and at 9am told we could leave. A few
riders headed off at a fast pace, but
most riders took a leisurely start and
pace which meant people could chat.
We made our way along country lanes
stopping at the one information
control before continuing to
Whitchurch where the control was
sensibly located in a pub. After beans
on toast and a pot of tea we headed
off back along country lanes, with a
climb up Old Winchester Hill. Arriving back at the Arrivee there was more
FREE tea, sandwiches, cake, biscuits, etc. After a suitable break, I headed
off. Total distance that day, 149 km.

Having finally completed an Audax event, I'm planning 100, 200 & 300 km

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