Audax or Sportive

[Kestevan]

Now I'm finally back on two wheels again, I quite like the idea of entering some of the Audax events.

But, to be honest there's something putting me off; looking at the Audax UK site there seems to be
something of an unhealthy obsession with badges, points and certificates.

I've always been wary of people/organisations that think that any item can be
improved by sewing on a selection of cloth patches.

Is this the first step on a slippery slope that leads to growing a beard,
buying sandals and sitting down to sew patches on my anorak?

Am I being unreasonably biased, or should I just stick to being ripped off on sportives.

 

[chillyuk]

I've always been wary of people/organisations that think that any item can be
improved by sewing on a selection of cloth patches.

Is this the first step on a slippery slope that leads to growing a beard,
buying sandals and sitting down to sew patches on my anorak?

Anorak?

You mean you don't have a campfire blanket

 

[ColinJ]

There's nothing to stop you doing an audax event and not even bothering to get your card stamped, but you should at least hand it in at the end so the organiser knows that you got round safely.

I'm not bothered about points, awards, what-have-you, I just like doing the rides.

Why don't you nip over here for Spring into the Dales in 3 weeks time and see whether you enjoy it?

 

[BigSteev]

As Colin says, the collecting of points/medals/badges etc etc is entirely up to you. Personally I never bother, although I do get my card stamped.
The rides themselves (at least the ones I've done) are fine and well organised and cheaper than the Sportives.

 

[wafflycat]

Now I'm finally back on two wheels again, I quite like the idea of entering some of the Audax events.

But, to be honest there's something putting me off; looking at the Audax UK site there seems to be
something of an unhealthy obsession with badges, points and certificates.

I've always been wary of people/organisations that think that any item can be
improved by sewing on a selection of cloth patches.

Is this the first step on a slippery slope that leads to growing a beard,
buying sandals and sitting down to sew patches on my anorak?

Am I being unreasonably biased, or should I just stick to being ripped off on sportives.

You're being unreasonably biased.

You don't have to have any badges, certificates, points or anything else if you don't want them.

As for anoraky stuff & sandals. Should you want to go that route, you will find that the serious audaxer who does the long distance endurance events is as hard as nails and none I know of wear anoraks. They have to be to be doing that sort of cycling in all weathers, effectively unsupported, and having to get themselves to and from events. They do, however, know their stuff about bikes and cycling.

The thing with audax is that you can do it to whatever level of seriousness you want. You can do it as a long social ride (on the shorter events) or a serious porting endurance event (on the long ones).

It's entirely up to you.

 

[jimboalee]

At the hotel in Dublin before the 1998 TdeF start, I asked Lance Armstrong what he wanted most out of cycling.

His response was “I want as many cuddly toy lions as I can get”.

 

[Kestevan]

Now Cuddly toy lions are far more my cup of tea

To be honest it was the SITD thread that peaked my interest.... unfortunately riding it is right out as it falls on the weekend of my wife and daughters birthdays; so no pass out for me.

Might have to try one of the other events this year - see how the knee holds up after the Cheshire cat next weekend.

 

[Baggy]

Audax events usually have things like Soreen, sandwiches and biscuits at controls and fell pretty relaxed whereas sportives have energy bars and energy drink and everyone's in a hurry.

 

[Arch]

Audax events usually have things like Soreen, sandwiches and biscuits at controls and fell pretty relaxed whereas sportives have energy bars and energy drink and everyone's in a hurry.

The Big G sportive I did last year had cake, biscuits, and savoury wraps.... And squash.

 

[zacklaws]

The Big G sportive I did last year had cake, biscuits, and savoury wraps.... And squash.

And don't forget the pie, peas, mash and gravy at the end too.

 

[Ian H]

Some of the early season short audaxes have a sportif element with the local road club out for their first bash of the year. But proper randonnees start at 200k - 125 miles. You can still ride fast if you have the stamina, and there's no compulsion to buy badges or medals.

 

[Arch]

And don't forget the pie, peas, mash and gravy at the end too.

How could I forget! There was more cake too!

 

[pickup1980]

how do you go about getting in to Audax events.
I live in edinburgh if that help?

 

[rich p]

how do you go about getting in to Audax events.
I live in edinburgh if that help?

Have a look on here and apply to the one you want to do.

http://www.aukweb.net/cal/index.htm

 

[jimboalee]

Some of the early season short audaxes have a sportif element with the local road club out for their first bash of the year. But proper randonnees start at 200k - 125 miles. You can still ride fast if you have the stamina, and there's no compulsion to buy badges or medals.

Any Audax event organised by a club has a hidden competitive agenda.