How far did you pedal your Thorn in 2009?

[PH]

but why would you wan't to go faster on basically a touring bike,if i want to go faster i get out the  road bike ;)doing the type of miles your doing you should be as strong as a horse.

Audax, where comfort is essential and speed = sleep.
I wanted to go faster on any bike not just my Raven, but after riding 10,000+ miles a year for 7 of the last 10 it just wasn't happening.  The expert advice was to reduce the distance, do some structured training and then build up the distances again, it's working so far.  Aim this year is to do 300km Audaxes with 6 hours to spare, rather than my usual 2 hours or less. Then I can sleep and continue to the longer distances.  I don't do well on sleep deprivation, though I know some people can handle it.

[sbseven]

PH, I think the type and weight of the bike is very significant for doing 'fast' long distance Audax rides.

My main Audax road bike is a Seven Axiom Ti, Campag Record, 23-622 tyres etc. It weighs about 17lb (7.7kg) with mudguards! I always ride audaxes with the bare minimum of luggage even for over-nighters. I can manage 200's within 8 hours, 400's in 20hrs, 600's in 32hrs. On my local training rides (pretty flat) I consistently average 28-30 km/h.

OTOH, my Raven Nomad, flat bars, no racks, 50-559 tyres weighs 33lb (15kg). On the same training rides, I can barely manage 22-23km/h, for what feels like more effort! Clearly, my audax times would be a lot slower on the Nomad. (I don't think I'd want to ride a 300+ on a Nomad, though)!

I realise the Raven Tour isn't quite so heavy and cumbersome, but I hope you get my drift. (Your 14 mph average is the same as my Nomad average...).

BTW, my racing audax bike is as comfortable as my Nomad.

Shaun

[Blacksail]

8,000 miles on my very comfortable RST. Now I have a set of studded tyres, Schwalbe Winters, I will be able to keep going through the ice season and hope to go further this year.

[PH]

PH, I think the type and weight of the bike is very significant for doing 'fast' long distance Audax rides.

Indeed, I've recently treated myself to what should be a bit faster.  Planet X Ti Sportive
http://www.derbyctc.org.uk/pictures/px/px.jpg

[jags]

3600 on four Thorn bikes.

meant to ask how is that mercian project comming along.

[sbseven]

Indeed, I've recently treated myself to what should be a bit faster.  Planet X Ti Sportive
http://www.derbyctc.org.uk/pictures/px/px.jpg

Sweet. I agree, that should be a bit faster than the Thorn. 

Enjoy your fast audaxes!

Shaun

[john28july]

meant to ask how is that mercian project comming along.

Ive let a friend have it to build as it was too small for me. So it is getting some use as it should.
John.

[Cake]

This seems to be catching - i have been pushing harder on my RT (average speed up from 12.5 m.p.h. to 13.9 m.p.h and a 7.5 hour (including stops) 101 mile ride) so that longer distances and audax rides will be easier and more enjoyable.

Easier because my new steed is a bit lighter as it is a Sabbath September with 105 triple etc.

I haven't been able to have a setup ride on it yet due to the snow...

But soon.....

So basically i have been using the RT as a training tool aswell as a superb workhorse!

[sbseven]

So basically i have been using the RT as a training tool aswell as a superb workhorse!

This is my 'secret weapon' also. I'm 'training hard' all winter on the Nomad. Come the springtime, I'm going to be flying on my racing bikes like never before!

[freddered]

Thorn Raven Tour:

2006 - 1542 miles out of 1811 miles
2007 - 3121 miles out of 3203 miles
2008 - 4224 miles out of 5003 miles
2009 - 1404 miles out of 5573 miles

Basically I acquired more bikes in 2009.  My Raven Tour, for 3 years my "Bike for all Seasons" is now my bike for when it's really ugly out there.

My daily training is mostly on a 700c Single-Speed bike.
My Audax rides are done on my 700c Fratello or, if I want to be even quicker, my 700c Ribble.

When it's windy, raining and dark, and I need a bike that can ride rough-shod over potholes on rough country lanes, I reach for the Thorn. 

It got me around an Audax Super Randonneur without any fuss but my Fratello should get me around with a bit more (some) sleep.

[Andy B]

I don't use a computer on my RST, but typically 4500 miles per year, 99% of which is commuting.

Andy