Diary of a Randonneur

redefined_cycles · Post by **redefined_cycles** » Sat Feb 22, 2020 1:02 am

Thanks Neil... Enjoyed that and helped bring back memories of my ride on same day with similar goals (to Kabul Express for food in Derby)... Was a nice day for a ride that was it not !

The big day just draws closer and closer

looking forward to yer next episode fella...

composite · Post by **composite** » Thu Feb 27, 2020 2:11 pm

No video this time cause I'm an idiot, so its a written ride report instead. :)

This was the recent Up and Down Like a Yo-Yo 200km AAA event in Devon.
https://www.composite-projects.co.uk/20 ... de-report/

composite · Post by **composite** » Tue Mar 03, 2020 9:13 am

Quick video of a 100 that I did the other day in character building conditions.

https://www.composite-projects.co.uk/20 ... tooth-100/

BobCatMax · Post by **BobCatMax** » Fri Mar 06, 2020 2:28 pm

I do like it when one of your videos pops up Neil. I am currently sofa bound most mornings from 4am to half 6 looking after our 3 month old and they do make a most welcome distraction!

sean_iow · Post by **sean_iow** » Fri Mar 06, 2020 3:43 pm

Most of my riding these days is out in the rain and now even when I'm indoors I'm watching you riding out in the rain

I'm enjoying these vlogs, keep up the good work

composite · Post by **composite** » Fri Mar 06, 2020 4:04 pm

Thanks for the kind words guys, it's nice to know they're landing.

Here's the next one already. :)

DIARY OF A RANDONNEUR – EPISODE 9 – THE GRASSY KNOLL 300
A 314km DIY that I did last Monday.

https://www.composite-projects.co.uk/20 ... knoll-300/

sean_iow · Post by **sean_iow** » Fri Mar 06, 2020 4:09 pm

I'll have to watch that later as I should be working.... but I have just read your review of the GribGrab Optimus gloves. The Outdry logo comment caught my eye and I have my Dissent 133 waterproof gloves with me and they have the same logo. A quick look on their website and they refer to HDrylite

https://www.dissent133.com/collections/ ... 6084310475

Which would seem to suggest it's not GribGrab's own fabric/system?

redefined_cycles · Post by **redefined_cycles** » Fri Mar 06, 2020 4:27 pm

sean_iow wrote: ↑Fri Mar 06, 2020 4:09 pm I'll have to watch that later as I should be working.... but I have just read your review of the GribGrab Optimus gloves. The Outdry logo comment caught my eye and I have my Dissent 133 waterproof gloves with me and they have the same logo. A quick look on their website and they refer to HDrylite

https://www.dissent133.com/collections/ ... 6084310475

Which would seem to suggest it's not GribGrab's own fabric/system?

I have the Outdry logo on my deep winter Raph$ gloves. Got em cheaper than stated price but by ek they're ace. Usually carey em as backup in case it starts stowing or gets really cold and rainy as they just work, breath, keep warmth

composite · Post by **composite** » Sun Mar 22, 2020 4:15 pm

Write up from my trip last week.
Grit, Mac and Cheese - 800km in 4 days (4x200km DIYs)
https://www.composite-projects.co.uk/20 ... 00km-diys/

composite · Post by **composite** » Thu May 14, 2020 1:50 pm

I was able to finally get all the video parts from my trip in March uploaded and here they are. The first 2 are ride videos and the last one is an unpacking video, where I go through all the gear I had with me.

Direct youtube link

sean_iow · Post by **sean_iow** » Fri May 15, 2020 8:58 pm

Just caught up with these, great work again

benconnolli · Post by **benconnolli** » Sat May 16, 2020 3:35 am

Those videos reminded me that I love Wales

composite · Post by **composite** » Sun May 24, 2020 1:50 pm

Episode 11. Bit of commentary on my experience of lockdown and how I'm challenging myself now the Audax season is suspended. I do a segment on Explorer Squares at the end as well.

Direct YouTube link

UnderTheRadars · Post by **UnderTheRadars** » Sun May 24, 2020 2:52 pm

Good to see some of my local trails and lanes there

sean_iow · Post by **sean_iow** » Tue May 26, 2020 8:28 pm

I enjoyed that

It felt like I was on a social ride with you, without the effort of having to keep up.

composite · Post by **composite** » Mon Jun 01, 2020 9:44 am

Episode 12. A week in the life of a Square hunter.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSzl0nekHQk

composite · Post by **composite** » Sat Jun 13, 2020 6:15 pm

My first 200 in a while plus a monster square haul.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qy5z4D_LjYs

composite · Post by **composite** » Fri Jun 26, 2020 9:35 pm

In this one I go for a ride on a very hot day and then allow my sun addled brain to talk about the AUK statement from June 17th, give predictions on the restart to the season and finally talk through my modified goals for the 2020 season.

Diary of a Randonneur - Episode 14 - Season restart predictions and modified season goals

redefined_cycles · Post by **redefined_cycles** » Sat Jun 27, 2020 8:08 pm

Niel... Not sure if you're up to date with the LeJOG issue but Andy Corless has put a few updates on the YACF. Has rescheduled the event for next year but not response to anyone thats asked about refunds or partial refunds cos they won't be ablr to make the provisional new dates. Personally I've not been impressed (lack of communication and ignored emails) and kinda fallen out of love with wanting to do any audaxing

Keep up the good work Niel...

redefined_cycles · Post by **redefined_cycles** » Sat Jun 27, 2020 8:09 pm

composite wrote: ↑Sun May 24, 2020 1:50 pm Episode 11. Bit of commentary on my experience of lockdown and how I'm challenging myself now the Audax season is suspended. I do a segment on Explorer Squares at the end as well.

Direct YouTube link

38 squares... Really well done mate. I'm just on a measly 17

Dean · Post by **Dean** » Sat Jun 27, 2020 10:33 pm

I watched it because there was a cat in the thumbnail, was not disappointed.

I wouldn't want to ride the concrete bridleways near me with those tyres!

UnderTheRadars · Post by **UnderTheRadars** » Sun Jun 28, 2020 4:48 pm

Nice, longer episode

composite · Post by **composite** » Sun Jun 28, 2020 5:37 pm

redefined_cycles wrote: ↑Sat Jun 27, 2020 8:08 pm Niel... Not sure if you're up to date with the LeJOG issue but Andy Corless has put a few updates on the YACF. Has rescheduled the event for next year but not response to anyone thats asked about refunds or partial refunds cos they won't be ablr to make the provisional new dates. Personally I've not been impressed (lack of communication and ignored emails) and kinda fallen out of love with wanting to do any audaxing

Keep up the good work Niel...

Yeah, I have been watching that thread on YACF as it unfolded. I was aware that Andy is known for his crap communication so I haven't been disappointed.

Generally speaking, the Audax UK rules say no refunds when you can't make it to an event, however, I'm sure that this must come under an event cancellation. All the ones that I had already entered have already got new dates and I have just stuck them in the calendar for next year. Some of those organisers did offer refunds but are struggling as none of them really run at a profit and for many people, they would have already paid out for some costs so its a difficult situation. I'm weighing up options regarding the rescheduled LEJOG. If I do ride, it would only leave me 2 weeks recovery time before London-Edinburgh-London. This is right on the cusp of the minimum time I would want between events of that length.

I would suggest not letting one bad experience turn you off the whole thing. Honestly, something like the LEJOG event is not a normal Audax event anyway. You might be better just finding a few local 200s which will give you a far better flavour of what they are generally like. Calendar events aren't going to be back on for some time though IMO, and even once they are there's a good chance they won't really be the same for a while. You have time to get over this experience.

redefined_cycles · Post by **redefined_cycles** » Sun Jun 28, 2020 6:02 pm

Thanks Niel... Yeah, I'll not let it reflect on the whole Audax experience

composite · Post by **composite** » Mon Jul 20, 2020 4:26 pm

Episode 15 - Back to the long haul

In this one, I do my first long ride for a little while. It involved a lot of re-routing on the ground due to some poor/unfortunate routing choices. Was another bumper square haul as well!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gNPmocsCG8

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