u/Impossible_Mode_1225

I just want to give everyone who is struggling with doubts and confidence a bit of encouragement. I just finished the Míle Fáilte 1200 in Ireland which was an absolutely wonderful event. But I've never felt so unprepared for an audax. Before MF I had ridden only 3000 km this year. I did a 600 a month earlier (my only audax this year) and after that I barely got on the bike because work was so stressful. By the time I got to Ireland I felt exhausted and dreaded the idea of destroying myself mentally and physically even more when I really just wanted a holiday. But I thought I'd give it a go because even doing one or two days would be better than not even trying.

And then the first day actually went quite well. I decided to keep stops to an absolute minimum and slam myself with carbs to keep my energy up. I had a cathartic little cry in the rain, and did the distance without feeling too bad. The second day followed the west coast of Ireland which I really wanted to see, so I did the same thing again (including the cry 😂), and decided that tomorrow would be tomorrow's problem. And then I got on with the third day, and the last day, and I made it to the finish!

So here are my words of encouragement: you're doing great and you too can do it! Keep stops short, don't waste time off the bike, snack on the bike and eat the most calorie-dense food you can find (but stay away from food which is hard to digest), try to maximise sleep if you can. Chat to nice people but ride your own speed. And then you might just surprise yourself.

Does anyone know what causes the lycra on bib shorts to thin and become see through? I have an expensive pair of Assos bibs that are basically now unwearable in public because it leaves nothing to the imagination. I wash everything at 40 C and don't tumble dry. I have a few theories, but would like to know for sure, so that I can stop wasting expensive kit: Is thinning caused by UV damage - the thinning is on the bit that is most exposed? Sweat? Is 40 C too hot?

I started reading the new encyclical. I've actally never read a papal encyclical, but I'm really interested in this one both from a professional and spiritual perspective. I want to start this post as a kind of reading group. I haven't finished it yet - it's really long! But if others are trying to read it in full as well, I'd be very interested in your reflections. https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/encyclicals/documents/20260515-magnifica-humanitas.html#_ftnref5

Basic info: male British Shorthair cat 1.5 years, neutered, 5 kg. This little guy has had chronic constipation since he was 5 months old. He's had 4 enemas under sedation since. His current regime is cisapride and movicol + extra lactulose if I think he's having an episode. Diet is low residue (Hills i/d digestive). X-rays when he was 5 months showed him to have an unusually narrow pelvis. He is currently having an episode, and I expect I have to take him to the vet again tomorrow. It totally comes out of the blue and this time the extra lactulose didn't fix it. I don't think it's progressed to megacolon yet, but I wonder what the long-term solution might be. 4 enemas in a year seems a lot. I'd appreciate any advice anyone can give. Uk based.

I completed a 600 last weekend and I felt physically and mentally mostly fine throughout, but the following days I was totally in the dumps. Felt like I hadn't enjoyed it at all, no good at riding long distances, and what's the point of this audax nonsense anyway, etc etc. Now the cloud has lifted again. Why does that happen? Am I not supposed to get endorphins rather than depression from this?

I'm pretty experienced at audax, but saddle issues are always a risk factor for me. I'm now once again pondering getting a Brooks saddle. I think there is a slight imbalance in how my pelvis moves because I often get more pain on the left, and the idea of a saddle adapting to my shape that appeals. But on the other hand it's expensive and if it doesn't work for me, I'd be adding it to my collection of expensive useless saddles. Should I give it a go? And presumably only the leather versions really mold themselves to your butt?