Why do people flock to Sportives but not to Audax?

[Rob3rt]

I agree with Rob3rt, Sportives are a money making exercise, Audaxes are much more traditional "old school" events and from my experience attract a different type of rider. I've done one sportive, first and last and only did that because it was the TdF route. Too many nutters for me, RLJing, p*ssing off motorists and dropping litter, not seen that in an Audax and long may that continue.

I agree, one of the major problems with sportives IMO is the amount of riders of varying ability within such close proximity (some simply allow too large numbers), both in terms of fitness and experience. In an audax, the entries are more limited and the riders much more spread out along the route (that is not to say you don't get some useless riders in audax too). I don't really know what they can do to make it better other than reduce numbers.

 

[Alun]

Sportives have a better actual name, what does Audax mean to the average person? Also, sportives tend to be a shorter length; most riders I've seen go for the sub-70 mile sportives, where on an Audax you're just getting started. Finally, it's the greater amount of marketing/promotion that's done by the companies promoting sportives, including the magazines and media. How many Audax write-ups do you see in mainstream publications?

Unless it's a Populaire, in which case you've just finished!

 

[Scruffmonster]

They're nothing like the same.

It's almost like comparing the London Marathon with a running club 26.2 Mile training run.

I dislike major city marathons due to all of the sponsored everything, but you turn up, run a course full of water, gels, aid stations. It's nothing like a run of the same distance without route markers.

I like Sportives (1-3 a year maybe) for the fact I can turn up in a new area, ride a distance, completely marked out, see new places, take in the sights. I'll pay £12-30 for that. I dislike all of the corporate branding, the mass of emails, mailshots, leaflets and such, but it's a good way to spend a few hours so I can suffer that.

The only thing that's put me off Audax is the self guided nature. It's not that I can't navigate, but more the fact that I don't want to. I just want to ride my bike.

 

[middleagecyclist]

The only thing that's put me off Audax is the self guided nature. It's not that I can't navigate, but more the fact that I don't want to. I just want to ride my bike.

GPS? Great when you set them up with the route.

 

[Scruffmonster]

GPS? Great when you set them up with the route.

Admittedly that's an option. Though it's still a minor faff. I've used my 910 for it and it's sub optimal. Maybe I'd try it if I had a bike specific piece of kit.

 

[Scruffmonster]

GPS? Great when you set them up with the route.

Admittedly that's an option. Though it's still a minor faff. I've used my 910 for it and it's sub optimal. Maybe I'd try it if I had a bike specific piece of kit.

 

[totallyfixed]

I agree, one of the major problems with sportives IMO is the amount of riders of varying ability within such close proximity (some simply allow too large numbers), both in terms of fitness and experience. In an audax, the entries are more limited and the riders much more spread out along the route (that is not to say you don't get some useless riders in audax too). I don't really know what they can do to make it better other than reduce numbers.

Stop timing them, gives the impression they are "racing" and might [though it's a long shot] stop idiotic behaviour at junctions and lights.

 

[Scruffmonster]

Stop timing them, gives the impression they are "racing" and might [though it's a long shot] stop idiotic behaviour at junctions and lights.

Just time the 'major' climbs. People will game the system and conserve energy on the flat. No need to jump lights etc.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

GPS? Great when you set them up with the route.

Tis what I do. But sometimes it feels like I'm just following the line on the GPS and taking little notice of what is around me. Truth is I need to knuckle down and figure out how to load proper routes, with turn warnings and all, onto my Etrex rather than just lobbing a track on there and following the breadcrumbs.

 

[Banjo]

I do Audaxes also do the occasional Sportive which I enjoy for a different reason.

Somebody said that the Audax time limits would be off putting. They are usually 15kph minimum to 30 kph maximum
A few riders may get to the first control too early ie faster than 30 kph but very few if any get to the next control too early.

Audax time is calculated from the start to the finish with no allowances for stopping at controls/navigating/eating fixing a puncture or whatever else you need to stop for.To exceed the 30 kph average limit you would probably need to ride all day at an average rolling speed of about 35 to 38kph /hour This would be quite an achievment on an unmarked route that is likely to use a mixture of lanes and A and B roads .

Theres no razmataz at the start of an audax no rousing Rocky 3 music flags or PA systems.Generally people stand around chatting until the organizer mentions casually that its time to go and chatting continues for a minute or two then off you go.

Audax is all about completing the distance not breaking any speed records, human nature will allways make some people want to be first back or to beat some personal goal but the real winner of an audax is the person who has the most enjoyable ride .
I guess the same could be said of a sportive but for lots of sportivers he first /only question is "what time did you get?"

 

[RhythMick]

I took up cycling last Sept with a view to getting some weight off while having some fun. Like most people I guess, I turned to experienced friends and colleagues for advice. Several suggested I try out Sportives, but none pointed me in the direction of Audaxes.

Having read this thread, and the AUK links, I think Audaxes would suit me much better. I'm going to join up and look to get a few 100s under my belt before trying a 200, which would also be my first imperial century.

Anyone around Sheffield area?

 

[RhythMick]

Theres no razmataz at the start of an audax no rousing Rocky 3 music flags or PA systems.Generally people stand around chatting until the organizer mentions casually that its time to go and chatting continues for a minute or two then off you go.

Audax is all about completing the distance not breaking any speed records, human nature will allways make some people want to be first back or to beat some personal goal but the real winner of an audax is the person who has the most enjoyable ride .
I guess the same could be said of a sportive but for lots of sportivers he first /only question is "what time did you get?"

Lovely, sounds just the thing. I did the "Let them eat cake" Sportive last year which had a similar relaxed feel to it.

 

[RhythMick]

Do you tend to use a rack and smallish bag or just carry spare tubes, food, etc in under saddle bags ?

 

[Scruffmonster]

I don't believe that those that run Audax events want people flocking to them...

If they did, a few hundred A5 flyers at local sportives would remedy that.

 

[ianrauk]

Do you tend to use a rack and smallish bag or just carry spare tubes, food, etc in under saddle bags ?

You get all sorts of riders using all sorts of methods to carry gear.
Panniers, rucksacks, saddle bags, jersey pockets.
Just do what you feel comfortable with.