Audax rides

If you know you can complete a set distance within the time limit, the logical step is to try and do it quicker… and if you are really quick, then the next step is to see if you can be the quickest on the day or ever… doesn’t make it into a race. Wanting to go fast on a bike is probably the first thing you try to do when you remove the stabilisers… or even before

I don't agree, but that's cool! I only ever really wanted to go farther, see more, pack more into a ride. If going faster means seeing more or something cool = yes! If going faster means seeing the same stuff but finishing earlier = 100% meh

@JacqueLucque @kjlem Thanks, very kind of you both to say!

I'd half agree.

For me with audax it is all about finishing within the time limit and maximising enjoyment.

So for example PBP 2019 I was having a blast and did it in less than 80 hours, much faster than I planned. For 2023, I plan to slow down and enjoy the experience and villages a bit more.

For LRM events over 1200 I also try to work with the time limits to maximise sleep. Of course fast riding and minimising faff during the day also helps with this.

For me with audax it is all about finishing within the time limit and maximising enjoyment.

This pretty much sums it up for me as well.

The thing I love about audax is that it is many different things to many different people, but it can also be many different things to the same person.

But I still think it’s kinda cool to see how fast people can do routes, even though I have no interest in doing things fast myself.

I think that's exactly it... there is more than one way to ride an Audax... could be the adventure, the views, the social aspect or the obsession for being the fastest.

Am I the only one who does it for the badges?

No, I tend to collect at least one of everything. Amongst other things, AUK produce various PBP x ‘various numbers’, currently topping out at 8xPBP. I guess I will keep going to get eight of them then.

I do it strictly for the badges and the Strava kudos

I do it to find pubs I've not been barred from.

Badges are nice, but after earning the SR one, I ran out of badges I could realistically aspire to... I thought about getting an AAARRTY or whatever it's called, but it's fairly flat round here, so that would mean either veeeeery long rides, which I don't want to do in winter, or car journeys to drive somewhere hillier

FTIHW will be back in 2023, in case anyone's looking for an AAA 200 within the London city limits. Route's pretty much unchanged from last year, and we'll be stepping up the food offering a notch.
It's not BRM so not a PBP qualifier, but is still a good early season leg tester with 3200m of elevation to get over.
https://www.audax.uk/event-details/10394-fast_times_in_the_high_weald

entered. will be interesting to see how close I come to weeping/vomming at the top of Hogtrough this time

Oooooh, I enjoyed the food last time!

Also, coronation day. I guess that means quiet roads for a few hours but maybe street parties and drunk drivers

oh fuck, might have to ride this then! I actually drove to Croydon to collect a bed during England semi final and I couldnt believe how quiet it was.

Yes, hard to guage. Basing it on riding during royal weddings, some villages go fairly all out on it and some are business as usual.

Will be keeping an eye on road closures nearer the time.

Make sure you pay your entry fee otherwise you'll be heading through traitor's gate

Was there also still to be another more benign BCC audax in the calendar?

It was a consideration, although the route needs a lot of work and I'm a bit time poor... But if not next year then the year after!

But yes, the plan was for a more flattish 200 as a companion to ftithw.

Thanks. I've entered FTITHW again in the meantime, it's a good test.

AFTAFTHW

Anyone know if the Alpi 4000 might be running in 2023?

Route looks great and it looks do-able by train, excluding the Eurostar bit.

https://alpi4000.it/

I think the forum's famous @Klar needs a huge shout-out as she was awarded the 2022 Female Fixed-Wheel Champion.

Amazing work! You are my hero.