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 AUTUMN
BEYOND THE DYKE, 205km. 6th October 2018
There are no expensive fees, no headline sponsors, no goodie
bags, no numbers, no gold standard times, no broom wagons
and no pretending at the finish to have looked into the jaws
of hell and survived.
The Autumn Audax is cycling at its best. It's about a good
distance in a day, riding at a sensible pace with good company,
travelling through quiet and pleasant countryside in the orange
glow of an autumn day before winter arrives.
 The
once popular 'Beyond the Dyke' organised by Alan Mason, disappeared
off the calendar some fifteen years ago following his retirement.
Well, the event is now back by popular demand. Like King Offa,
we will be sending an army of cyclists over the Dyke into
the badlands of Mid-Wales. These border raiders will be challenged
by some charming countryside which continually varies from
the airy views from Brown Clee to the deep cleft valleys near
the striking Knucklas Viaduct. On their return, the riders
will pass through the tranquil and delightful Teme Valley
before a final assault over the Abberley hills.
Control locations include: Craven Arms, Presteigne and Tenbury
plus three information controls. There are plenty of cafes
and shops at the control locations as well as other locations
on route. So, need not fear as there will be plenty of cake
and coffee opportunities.
Riders simply stop at the controls and collect evidence of
proof of passages (an ATM, till or café receipt) and answer
information questions shown in their brevet card - just to
make sure that everyone's ride can be validated as a true
audax at the end of the day. Control points are located in
towns where plenty of cafes and shops can be found.
Dusk is a 6.30pm by which time, the majority of riders will
have returned but it is always a great idea to carry lights
just in case of delay.
- Picturesque scenery
- Quiet country lanes and B roads, plus some low usage
A roads.
- Open 'free' controls where proofs of passage can easily
be obtained
- Plenty of cafes and shops available at control locations
- RidewithGPS downloads
- Comprehensive and tested route cards
- Shower and changing facilities
- Free parking
- Light refreshments at the start
- Post event food at HQ
- Some light snacks at the start
- On-the-day validation of successful audax rides Audax
Altitude Awards statistics are as follows:
- Climbing: 2628 m
- Partial AAA eligible climbing: 1594 m
- Partial AAA start: 5.6 km
- Partial AAA distance: 107.0 km
- AAA points: 1.5
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