First Audax - what to expect...

[ianrauk]

Not at the front, they aren't!

I was going to say....

What's the saying?
Sportive riders pretend to race
Audax riders pretend not to race

 

[Donger]

Not at the front, they aren't!

Hmmm. Yes, there are always one or two. Some people may have thought I was one of them from time to time. Truth is, I worked it out quite quickly that if you set off with the leading groups and gradually let most of the field overtake you in dribs and drabs, you have a steady stream of cyclists up ahead of you right up to the half way cafe. Means you always have someone else to follow and don't have to pay as much attention to the route prompts as you go! I may have been quick off the starting line, but I was nearly always one of the last 10-20% to finish.

 

[Dogtrousers]

In such discussions I wonder at the success of Sportives, particulary in the Garmin / Wahoo age. Very few people need the sign posting now (sat nav just beeps at you), and food is rather restricted. Possibly due to:

1. The idea that if you pay more you get more, so Audaxes are seen as the poor bretheren
2. Food stops. Maybe of low quality, but the idea that someone is there looking after you and providing you cyclists food gives you a warm sense of being wanted, rather than having to queue up at a regular café and being offered what the general public wants.
3. Organisation and hype get bigger numbers, and a sense of doing what everyone else is doing rather than a niche activity.
4. Being heartily congratulated at the end with a pointless medal, rather than just warm words, but also some 'pedal' pusher persuading you to step up to the next level as 200k* isn't actually that hard. And a chance to **buy** a cloth badge.

* - or 300k, or 400k, or LEL/PBP depending on the ride that you have just finised.

I kind of agree. I've done quite a few small sportives over the years. Normally just for a bit of a change or to ride with some friends. They're kinda like audaxes but shorter, have some rather pointless signs, and some free peanuts and unripe bananas. They cost a bit more and sometimes you get freebies like a sachet of lube or a gel (easily confused ). Nothing against them at all as an excuse to go for a bit of a fun ride that's a bit different to my usual solo trundles.

I do like the relaxed vibe of audaxes but I don't think there's really a fat lot of difference between the two at my pootly level. I Obviously there are serious people who go further/faster and the nearer you get to the sharp end I think they probably differ more.

 

[blackrat]

Re: Audax riders pretend not to race
I ride randonnees (all part of the French thing) - and unlike audaxes in the UK we are unlikely to ever have more than a half dozen riders. But even so, there are always those who manage the 200K in less than 7 hours and those who take the full 13 hours to do so. Over here, if you ride you must expect to be self-sufficient because you will very often find yourself alone on the road.
It becomes even more vital that you are comfortable riding solo and navigating on 300 - 400 - 600k's because of night riding.

 

[Mazz]

I worked it out quite quickly that if you set off with the leading groups and gradually let most of the field overtake you in dribs and drabs, you have a steady stream of cyclists up ahead of you right up to the half way cafe. Means you always have someone else to follow and don't have to pay as much attention to the route prompts as you go!

Very good advice, I did just that. Also when I went past riders by the roadside, I would just say 'hiya, you alright?'. Normally they just say Yes I'm fine, just stopped for a bite to eat, etc. It's just a courtesy thing really to make sure they're ok.