Audax rides

This is a heartwarming tale.

How do you explain audax to people?

I just call it long distance cycling. And try not to mention the actual distances: over about 60 miles they are not impressed, just think you're weird!

What about All Points North?

On somehting that isn't a fixed route, wouldn't you want to have the freedom to flex your route as required?

I ask because I've seen at least a couple of people who have completed the recent edition have got points from it.

The rule is so vague that no DIY organiser is going to turn you down, especially as they may not realise you’re also doing a race.

(tbh APN is more audaxy than going out on a 50 km training loop several times a week, which from next season will be eligible for points)

I asked about a super fixed wheel patch a couple of years ago and got the same response. What rekindled my interest was seeing a veteran audaxer posting a picture of all their patches and badges on the facebook group and there was a super fixed wheel patch ... they used to exist! Can they be revived? I did draft an email but never sent it, I did half think if I manage a super fixed wheel this year (I declined the Chapman on fixed but hopefully will do another 600 and/or PBP) then I might revisit it with an offer to sort the patches.

'like orienteering but with bieks'

How do you explain audax to people?

Getting away from people for a long time, on a bike.

then I might revisit it with an offer to sort the patches.

Thank you! I wonder how we can make all of this happen and be helpful to the fixed wheel challenge organiser rather than a pain. I feel like the fwc might need a re-boot, some new badges, insta page, new challenges.

Can you ensure that previous fixed RRTY will be eligible for a badge so I don't have to do another one?

Caught onto this thread at the right time - I'm hoping to do Dunwich Dynamo and back as my July RRtY DIY. Do you think that could work?

I could even send off my All Points North ride too - anything for points. However I do already have an audax logged from May...

Ha! No, I can ensure nothing.

Caught onto this thread at the right time - I'm hoping to do Dunwich Dynamo and back as my July RRtY DIY. Do you think that could work?

Yes, plenty have done it before. Only problem is that there and back is ~360km so you need a bit more to bump it up to 400k unless you're just happy with getting 3 points for it.

DD is only 180 km, so you’d have to do it as a 200 or 300 or add some padding.

It’s been DIYed by many people many times.

Just tell people you sleep in bus shelters for fun.

You can't retroactively enter a DIY afaik.

Did the new Gospel Pass 600 this weekend, excellent route all round. I didn't actually look at the route much beforehand, so had no idea what Gospel Pass involved. Was pretty magical with full moon when I did finally make to the top.

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Gorgeous!

Finished the 9 counties audax in around 30 hours elapsed at the weekend, good day out, mostly enjoyed, still plenty of things that could be improved.

Sleep deprived ride report below:

9 counties you say, pfft that won't take too long right? Sure, sure... Just set off at 6am into some steep climbs before taking on 100 miles of rolling countryside and the baying frenzy of sunny Saturday motorists. Don't forget your receipts though. What's that, the route turns north... Ah but haven't we been dealing with a cross head wind, saddle up and enjoy the battering of a pure headwind for a good 60 miles - real cyclists have café stops but you are only worthy of an overpriced and underwhelming sandwich, and the nauseatingly complicated task of assembling a meal deal alludes you. Receipt! Roll on into the headwind forming brief and calculating alliances with other riders to hide from the winds might, all the while dodging the road kill you hope not to emulate. The flallands end, pointing west now the pace picks up, choppers buzz overhead, optimism briefly overwhelms you before a shower of screen wash and the warm blazing orb you've chased all days dips below the horizon and an icey chill bites. No matter, you've almost made it home before night fall, it will soon be over. The control presents an illusory safe haven, alas your race is not run and with a polite farewell you're cast back out into the wintery night. Another gratuitous climb and a rambling pep talk, we don't need to sleep, we know what we're doing. Mingle with spirited revellers "you're a tosser" , must get that sacred receipt and escape once more into the frozen wastes. Stay up right, keep moving, please stop moaning about the cold - there's a golden arches out there somewhere, sanctuary. Closed, shit. Life draining from frozen limbs, slumped over the world fades to grey...zzz. Ten minutes on and the engine grumbles back to life; coffee, receipt and on into the dawn. Freezing fog blankets the land, yet the promise of sun rise lifts the nights sluggish pace. Hope rises over the Humber bridge with 70 miles tick down, a solo mission for the last 8 hours, but wait a chance meeting and one last riders alliance is formed. Cruising south with a comforting tail wind, just might make it. Finally a McD's and one last hallowed receipt. Just 40 miles left, potholes, climbs and motorists saap the legs but the alliance holds firm. Arrivée.

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Pendle 600k 2023
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/43088300

I had a DNF in my 600 on Saturday. Was riding on the tandem, and my knee started hurting after 150km, as it has on my other three PBP qualifiers. I didn't fancy shredding it by riding another 450+km, so I decided to stop.
Felt really strange as I haven't DNF'd many rides before. It was funny having a free Sunday at home that I hadn't expected.

I need to spend some time riding my solo. I think I might be able to get my knee working OK on that, and only try the tandem again once it is.

@ILb Strong riding and nice write up.

@hippy 9.75 AAA points. That's fairly beefy. I would love to ride some audaxes in England but I'm not sure I could handle that one fixed.

@frank9755 Sorry to hear that. Have you got another one lined up?

Completed The Tour of The Borders and Galloway 600 this weekend with Mrs Legs. The route was incredible and the weather was great. Mrs Legs totally crushed it. This was her longest ride to date and she cruised round no bother. That's also our SR series completed, so PBP here we come!

https://www.strava.com/activities/9206941040

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Yeah, I think the Pendle is one of the lumpiest 600s around.

Nicely done. Sounded like a good event.