Audax

Does the word 'Audax' mean nothing to you or does it just conjure up visions of hard men doing impossible mileage under cover of darkness pausing only to mutter about "only 250 miles to go" before exchanging secret, funny handshakes?

Originally taken from the Latin word meaning 'audacious' or 'daring' it was adopted as the name of a cycling club and has now come to mean and describe a type/style of cycling.

Hopefully what follows should dispel any of those fears and explain what Audax is all about.

Riding an Audax is fun! It is not racing (not that racing is not fun either) but you do have to book into 'controls' within pre-determined time windows based on an upper & lower average speed.

It is true that some events cover phenomenal distances, but not all. Most Audaxes are run over 100km (62 miles) to 200km (124 miles) Distances. Journeys not to be sniffed at but easily achievable for most Club riders.

The routes taken are usually through some of the most beautifully scenic countryside and route maps are sent to the participating riders prior to the start of the event.

Although riders are booked into events as individuals, they are allowed, indeed encouraged, to ride with members of their own club or with friends they may meet or make along the way.

 

Audax's 2008

SUGGESTED AUDAX EVENTS FOR APRIL 2008 Heart of England 300: Come & help Pete Holden either by riding or helping. An undulating ride through the rural Heart of England offering a chance to see the Cyclists' war memorial. Few big hills after the Cotswolds, mainly on quiet roads. Café controls. The Spring Faccombe Haul is based on Faccombe, SW of Newbury and offers a puff making experience. A gentler ride for the weekend is the Harlequin Hack starting from Northmoor, West of Oxford. It offers a modest excursion into the Cotswold hills followed by a gentle wander through the watery lanes of the upper Thames, the Evenlodeand the Windrush.
Date	Description	Distance	Contact
Sat 12 April 06.00 £5.00	Heart of England 300	307km	Peter Holden, 39 Querns Lane, Cirencester, Glos GL7 1RL 01285 659515 Peter.holden@renishaw.com
Sat 12 April 09.00 £4.50	The Spring Faccombe Haul	100km AAA1.25	John Hollands, 6 Laviner Close,Early, Reading,RG56 5UD Jon.hollands@talknet.net
Sun 13 April 09.30 £4.50	The Harlequin Hack	108km	John Knight, Jordan Cottage, Picklescott, Church Streton, SY6 6NR

SUGGESTED AUDAX EVENTS FOR LATER IN 2008
Sat 14th June	Family Audax Gateway Centre Spine Road 10.00am	-	Terry Cleary 01453 882928
Sat 18th Oct	Centurion Audaxes 9.00am	2 x 100K	Peter Holden 01285 659515

 

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Windrush Warmup 2008 - Report Jan 2008

 Seventy-seven riders set off from the Bradstone Pavilion at Ashton Keynes on Sunday in the first of this years' Corinium Cycling Club Audaxes. This was the Windrush Winter Warm-Up over 108km (67.5 miles).

These are long distance cycle events open to all and organised by the club under the auspices of Audax UK. Riders travelled from as far as Brighton, Cambridge, Gravesend and Tamworth to take part.

In mild but drizzly conditions, the riders were blown by a strong tail wind through Down Ampney, its usual start which had to be altered after the village hall burnt down. They then took in Fairford and Bampton to reach a mid morning refreshment stop at Stanton Harcourt in good time.

Following the route of the Windrush through Witney and some delightful Cotswold villages, the next stop was at the Fox Inn, Barrington. A warm welcome was extended to all along with pasta and, possibly, some Donningtons' beer.

Now the hard bit as riders faced a head wind, and some rain, on the way back to Ashton Keynes via Aldsworth and Coln St. Aldwyns. But all seventy-seven made it back at varying times in the afternoon. They were fed and watered by the stalwart Bud Dutton who provided catering to her usual high standard for the hungry and exhausted cyclists.

 

 

 

Audax Checklist

• Contact the organiser a few weeks before the event and you'll be sent the appropriate forms & info for the ride.
• Once you get your letter in the post, complete the forms, chuck in your payment and send a couple of SAEs back.
• In return, you'll receive a route map and your Audax card. Look after them and sort out some waterproof wrappings as you'll need to take them with you on the day.
• On the day we suggest you pack some spare tubes. Repairing tubes at the roadside is no fun if its raining.
• Make sure you've got the appropriate clothing as the weather can turn. As they say, you can take layers off but if you ain't got them you can't put them on.
• You should aim to arrive at the start point about 30 minutes beforehand.
• You'll need to sign in and get your card stamped before leaving.
• At each check point you'll need to make your card available. Stow it safely but make sure it's easy to get out.
• Take a pen or pencil as you'll need to "mark yer card" with locations etc
• When you've finished, hand your card over to the organiser, have a cup of tea and a cake and Audax UK will return your card a couple of weeks later.