Audax rides

Had signed up for this but my graduation is 23rd of July... Would be a great ride though with incredible scenery I'm sure

Should drop out so a space is freed up

I'm out for this as well as I'm not in England! I'm pretty sure that there is already a waiting list for those that didn't make the initial registration, which seemed to be sell out remarkably quickly... but if the option of transferring places is there, then mine can also be taken...

I'm out for this as well as I'm not in England! I'm pretty sure that there is already a waiting list for those that didn't make the initial registration, which seemed to be sell out remarkably quickly... but if the option of transferring places is there, then mine can also be taken...

Just dropped him an email and mentioned your name as well,

Anyone doing the Windmill Ride on 29th June?

I'm looking at the 120 as a "get back into audax" event after injury. I'd prefer a 100 to be honest, as the riding to and from the station each end will be about another 20 miles but I can't do any in July and can't be arsed to wait until August...

Windmill Ride on 29th June?

I just went to check this out because the distance doesn't seem too frightening for a novice like me. I never did 120, but I did 100km to Cambridge and that took me less than the time they allow, so I figure I could be just about alright.

Do you think if I turn up with an old steel bike, wearing jeans and normal shoes I'd be totally out of place?

Maybe it's a stupid question, but one needs to start somewhere and not having taken part on any sort of competitive ride it's hard to know what's the etiquette. It's something I'd like to do, but when I see people all geared up with stuff I can't even think of affording it puts me off a bit.

I only started audax last year and that 100k was the longest ride I'd ever done at the time.

I'd say jeans will be incredibly uncomfortable and you'd get odd looks but I did all my audaxes last year in trainers. I wore cycling shorts though (£15 2nd hand).

Just make sure you bike is roadworthy, you know how to fix it if it goes wrong and you have the right clothing with you. People are really friendly and it's not competitive at all. You're only "racing" against the clock.

Do you think if I turn up with an old steel bike, wearing jeans and normal shoes I'd be totally out of place?

Do not wear jean, I repeat, do not wear jean.

It's extremely uncomfortable.

Maybe it's a stupid question, but one needs to start somewhere and not having taken part on any sort of competitive ride it's hard to know what's the etiquette. It's something I'd like to do, but when I see people all geared up with stuff I can't even think of affording it puts me off a bit.

Ride like a 100k have all kind of people on all kind of bicycle, from an old gent wearing his sunday's best on a front suspension MTB with slick tyres to a plastic fantastic electronic tubular razzle dazzle bicycle with matching outfit to signal the incoming Spanish Armada.

Like other have said, comfortable clothes, take it easy (ignore those who sped off), and you'll be fine, it's basically touring on a budget.

Sounds great, thanks. I use padded underwear for longer rides but will get something more appropriate than old jeans on top of them.

It's probably silly for you guys that are so used to this stuff, but I'm kind of anxious about enrolling on a small audax like that. Paying the fee, scheduled start, etc. It feels like, erm, a step. I'm sure once I'm there it's all very natural.

Reckon you're overthinking it, best thing to do is to not give one single fuck about what other will think of you.

Cycling mean you can wear y-front and a vest, yet still won't get some stare from the locals.

Sounds great, thanks. I use padded underwear for longer rides but will get something more appropriate than old jeans on top of them.

It's probably silly for you guys that are so used to this stuff, but I'm kind of anxious about enrolling on a small audax like that. Paying the fee, scheduled start, etc. It feels like, erm, a step. I'm sure once I'm there it's all very natural.

Do you have a beard yet? That's another step.

And a pipe!

Or is that CTC only?

Do you have a beard yet? That's another step.

Ha, that I do.

I think pipes must be CTC, I've never seen one on an audax. Then again, I only do the little audaxes of 100km so maybe pipes are like... the next level.

My first ride I rode to the beach 40miles in shorts and a t-shirt on a tank of a 7 speed steel bike with a plastic saddle.
One if my best rides ever. I was just out there. Exploring.

Just don't worry!

I just went to check this out because the distance doesn't seem too frightening for a novice like me. I never did 120, but I did 100km to Cambridge and that took me less than the time they allow, so I figure I could be just about alright.

Do you think if I turn up with an old steel bike, wearing jeans and normal shoes I'd be totally out of place?

Maybe it's a stupid question, but one needs to start somewhere and not having taken part on any sort of competitive ride it's hard to know what's the etiquette. It's something I'd like to do, but when I see people all geared up with stuff I can't even think of affording it puts me off a bit.

I would recommend printing out the route directions and fitting them into a small plastic bag that you can access easily. And take a map. If you find yourself on your own and take a wrong turn, it will be difficult to get back on track unless you know the roads very well. As others have said, Audax events are very relaxed and friendly and all sorts take part, so whatever you wear you will probbly fit right in :-) Once did one in the rain in Kent with a guy wearing sandals with SPD pedals attached. My feet were cold with overshoes :-) The important thing is to have fun, and finish (in that order). Good luck!

I think pipes must be CTC, I've never seen one on an audax. Then again, I only do the little audaxes of 100km so maybe pipes are like... the next level.

The legendary Jack Eason used to smoke a pipe. He was a very accomplished audaxer so I think it may mean that pipe smoking is something to aspire to.

I would recommend printing out the route directions and fitting them into a small plastic bag that you can access easily. And take a map.

Cool, thanks for that. What about gps? Do people use Garmins or the printed sheet is what it's all about?

Printed sheet is fine but I found out within 10 minutes of my first one that you need some kind of holder on your stem/bars as dragging it out of your pocket every 5 mins gets old.

I made one out of some cardboard I found in a bin and a sticking plaster - true story.

I find route sheets (with their broken typography, acronyms, and hieroglyphs) slow to read so have used GPS mostly. I'm probably missing out on the true spirit of Audax but it makes for a smoother ride.

It's good to have a paper map as backup (kept somewhere dry). Google maps print-outs work, as do preloaded maps on a smartphone (just make sure you've got a full battery).

Meh, route sheet or GPS, either one will get to your destination.

I use both, GPS while checking route sheet.

Ditto.

I use a GPS now, but happily used just a routesheet for 20+ Audaxes.

I always have a routesheet somewhere as a backup[1] and a couple of rubber bands to make a makeshift mount on handlebars or forearm.

Out in the sticks (i.e. Bryan Chapman 600 through Wales) I'll carry the relevant pages from a 1:250,000 road atlas, but tend not to for day rides in the SE of England as you're never that far from civilisation.

1. Needed it once; GPS ran out of power and my external battery pack didn't have enough charge.
   

...a plastic fantastic electronic tubular razzle dazzle bicycle with matching outfit to signal the incoming Spanish Armada.

In tears :')

I used to always get lost with routesheets haha, I was a nightmare, think I've gotten lost on the same part of the ditchling devil ride 3 times... (after the dyke there's a sneaky left hand turn on a descent before poynings)

GPS has definitely changed my enjoyment of audax for the better, but I'll still print and carry a routesheet.

Yeah which we somehow managed to pass the final control and end up doing a fucking lap of Richmond Park before returning.

^Totally forgot about that haha, my first 200 ever and my legs were shagged. WHy was that a good idea?!?

If I'm not too late (8pm or so) I might be tempted to do 3 laps after finishing just to see how 200km in the legs affects my lap times...

Luckily I live only 3km from the finish.