Why do people flock to Sportives but not to Audax?

[martint235]

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.

@arallsopp did a great video tutorial for me and Ross. I'll try to find it and send you a link

 

[Fnaar]

Called the sheep effect.

We all need to be managed so if someone stumps up money down the chain, the wheels get well oiled.

Surely the chain gets oiled, not the wheels?

 

[Banjo]

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

In summertime I might only use a underseat bag for tools tube minipump etc and stuff food in pockets.In winter I use a rack bag to carry waterproofs extra clothes etc. You see all sorts from people with full panniers to people with just a banana in a back pocket .Bearing in mind theres no broom wagon to pick ytpou up[ on an audax an extra spare tube more tools and spares are worth carrying.

A lot of hardened audaxers use Carradice saddle bags .

This is my set up for 200 k Audaxes.

 

[Rob3rt]

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

I did a 210km audax not long ago, all I carried was what fit in a small saddle bag and my jersey pockets, nothing more than I would carry for a club run, I did stash an extra emergency piece of cling wrapped malt loaf under my saddle though!

 

[GrumpyGregry]

@arallsopp did a great video tutorial for me and Ross. I'll try to find it and send you a link

I'd appreciate that.

 

[Peteaud]

I did a 210km audax not long ago, all I carried was what fit in a small saddle bag and my jersey pockets, nothing more than I would carry for a club run, I did stash an extra emergency piece of cling wrapped malt loaf under my saddle though!

210K, I would need a hearse waiting for me 1/2 way round.


I will probably try an audax next year.

 

[GrasB]

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

Best sportives I've been on have had timed sections towards the end of the ride & not the whole route. Not just climbs but flat sections & descents.

 

[cyberknight]

Sportive, you follow signs. Audax, you follow (at times-cryptic) instructions. Sportives cost more, but you do get some freebies.

This is what does it for me as i have no sense of direction,a garmin would be a minimum for an audax for me and i could still get lost

 

[HLaB]

In answer to the OP and without reading three pages, I'm guessing folk prefer a fully planned route (sportive) rather than having to self navigate (Audax).

 

[gambatte]

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 .

Sounds like what I'd be after I was looking at the whole Sportive/Audax thing last year. Didn't get round to it. I will next year though!

Anyone around Sheffield area?

Yep. I'll be commuting Maltby/Chapeltown when it warms up or I get my arse in gear. Got a few running goals to hit before spring though.

 

[DooDah]

Ok I am new to all of this. I want to set myself a couple of challenges for 2013. What shold I be planning on, in your opinion, and how should I go about it?

 

[RhythMick]

Sounds like what I'd be after I was looking at the whole Sportive/Audax thing last year. Didn't get round to it. I will next year though!


Yep. I'll be commuting Maltby/Chapeltown when it warms up or I get my arse in gear. Got a few running goals to hit before spring though.

I'd be keen to find a training partner if you're interested. I live between Barnsley and Penistone.

 

[RhythMick]

In summertime I might only use a underseat bag for tools tube minipump etc and stuff food in pockets.In winter I use a rack bag to carry waterproofs extra clothes etc. You see all sorts from people with full panniers to people with just a banana in a back pocket .Bearing in mind theres no broom wagon to pick ytpou up[ on an audax an extra spare tube more tools and spares are worth carrying.

A lot of hardened audaxers use Carradice saddle bags .

This is my set up for 200 k Audaxes.

Haha, just right then. I bought the Carradice rack top bag for commuting. All set.

I use my phone for navigation, Samsung Galaxy S3 with ViewRanger software. And a waterproof case mounted on the stem.

 

[ColinJ]

Ok I am new to all of this. I want to set myself a couple of challenges for 2013. What shold I be planning on, in your opinion, and how should I go about it?

I think you should start a new thread where you ask the same question after giving us more information so we have something to work with! (What kind of rides do you like to do, how far do you ride at the moment, do you like hills, admiring scenery or riding fast etc.)

 

[Rob3rt]

Ok I am new to all of this. I want to set myself a couple of challenges for 2013. What shold I be planning on, in your opinion, and how should I go about it?

You should sign up for your local crit league and thrash yourself to within an inch of your life on a weekly basis, you should also partake in time trials at the weekend and also try to fit a few road races in! As the autumn approaches, get some Hill Climb's done and then take 2 weeks off before beginning your base training for 2014!