what is an Audax?

[andy0001]

I've cycled over the years quite a bit. not really far but am in the stages of putting a route together for a LEJoG i plan to start doing some longer rides early next year(feb time) and just carrying on my daily rides (10-12 miles) until then and using the gym over the winter.

So back to my question: what is an Audax? can someone explain one to me and what they do? would they help with training at all?

 

[JohnHenry]

http://www.ctc.org.uk/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabID=3931


Audax UK exists solely as the overall organising body of 'audax' style rides. The term 'audax', meaning audacious, was the name given to a movement which started a little over 100 years ago somewhere in Europe – hence the fact that distances are measured in kilometres - and referred to challenging events involving walking, cycling and horse riding. Further information about the origins of the movement may be obtained by logging onto the Audax UK website – www.audax.uk.net

 

[Baggy]

Looking at the links above will explain a lot, but in short, you have to ride a set distance within a set time dictated by a minimum and maximum speed (usually 12-15kph minimum to 20-30kph maximum). Event distances range from 50k, and go up to 600k plus.

You're given a "brevet card" (to record proof of passage) and a route sheet with abbreviated instructions to follow. There are control points approximately every 30-50km where you have your brevet card stamped, and can usually have a cup of tea or a snack.

They're ideal for people who want to practice riding at a reasonably steady pace all day, you learn a lot about what kind of food/drink/pace works for you over longer distances.

They're also a good way of sampling a wide selection of home-made cakes as controls are often run by the WI, CTC and bike club volunteers!

 

[Fab Foodie]

Audax is like a combination of a long diistance bike ride with a bit of orienteering. It's not a race, in fact almost the opposite. Distances from 100km to 1400. Self-sufficiency is key in Audax. There are loads of them upand down the country with interesting and challenging routes. Cheap to enter unlike Sportives. Great camaraderie between Audaxers.

 

[YahudaMoon]

Audax is like a combination of a long diistance bike ride with a bit of orienteering. It's not a race, in fact almost the opposite. Distances from 100km to 1400. Self-sufficiency is key in Audax. There are loads of them upand down the country with interesting and challenging routes. Cheap to enter unlike Sportives. Great camaraderie between Audaxers.

It's not a race. It's not a race if you don't want it to be a race. Audax started as a 24 hour TT race or longer. Try keeping up at the front on most audax events and then tell me it's not a race. Also what about Paris Brest Paris1200km & York Arrow Team TT ?

 

[YahudaMoon]

As for minimum time finish times you try doing a 220km in 6 hrs 30minutes or 400km in 14 hours. Eating cake & drinking tea all day and plodding along looking at tourist atractions are a myth.

 

[Baggy]

As for minimum time finish times you try doing a 220km in 6 hrs 30minutes or 400km in 14 hours. Eating cake & drinking tea all day and plodding along looking at tourist atractions are a myth.

Well, I've definitely done the latter, and I've helped out on controls where people have done the former - not something I'll ever manage though!

The majority of riders seem to manage to find a happy medium where you can enjoy a brew or two without having to keep an eye on the clock...on the shorter rides, anyway.

 

[YahudaMoon]

Who can do 200km with out tea coffee or cake lol

I think Lance Armstrong even managed a piece of cake lol

 

[yello]

Eating cake & drinking tea all day and plodding along looking at tourist atractions are a myth.

I note the smiley but, just to assure the OP, it is no myth. Plenty of riders are more interested in the ride as some kind of jaunt rather than doing it fast. I sat in a cafe on a 200 for over 2 hours once, just because two of us were chatting and in no hurry to be getting on. And we finished in time... not by much though!

That said, I've recently become aware that there are more people than I thought that ride audax as fast as possible, as some kind of training ride. Whether that's a recent change or a France v UK thing, I don't know.

 

[Fab Foodie]

It's not a race. It's not a race if you don't want it to be a race. Audax started as a 24 hour TT race or longer. Try keeping up at the front on most audax events and then tell me it's not a race. Also what about Paris Brest Paris1200km & York Arrow Team TT ?

Strange that most descriptions start-off by saying that Audax is a non competative sport....

 

[Banjo]

Audax is pretty much what you make it.

If you can fly around with the fastest riders maybe its a race, I wouldnt know as I am allways well back in the field enjoying the ride ,stopping in cafes for an unhurried lunch, taking photos and generally not behaving much differently than I would on a ride out in the country on my own.

Times arent published in the results just a list of successful finishers listed in alphabetical order .I have no idea (or interest) as to who got round quickest on any of the Audax rides I have done.

 

[Ian H]

...Audax started as a 24 hour TT race or longer...

This is not quite true. In the days before Audax UK, British riders were allowed to qualify in th UK by completing a minimum of 600km in a 24hr. Otherwise they could ride a proper 600 in France.

 

[YahudaMoon]

Strange that most descriptions start-off by saying that Audax is a non competitive sport....

Totally the opposite.

You have your club to compete with
CTC to compete with
AAA Competition Audax altitude award
RTYR - At least one 200km for every calender month
SR Super Randoner

This list goes on .......................

Thats if you want it ?