Audax Rules

"Cliff" <[email hidden]>typed

Quoted message said:

Following on from a previous thread I have often fancied doing Audax but I
understand there are a number of rules.
I ride a Giant OCR and have happily ridden 240miles in one day on it.
(alright one day and part of the night) so I know I can put up with the
saddle and the vibration but would I be allowed to join an Audax Ride with
no mudguards or has that rule changed now?

Organisers decide whether mudguards are needed on their rides.
This is specified in the Calendar.

Quoted message said:

I usually average 12mph on a long run with stops. (14 to 16 excluding
stops). Would that be fast enough?

Yes.

Quoted message said:

Are there any other rules I might fall foul of?

Your bicycle must be legal, lit at night and roadworthy...

Quoted message said:

Can I just turn up and ride?

Not usually. Ideally you should complete an Entry Form at least a
fortnight in advance and will get a Route Sheet back in the post.

Quoted message said:

Do most riders ride in groups, if so are they generally welcoming to
outsiders?

Some prefer to ride alone, some in groups. Outsiders are usually
welcomed but don't be surprised if everyone else seems to know each
other!

Audax rides are mostly run by unpaid volunteers, some of whom give their
own homes over for use on these rides. Consideration, courtesy and
appreciation will go a long way...

Quoted message said:

Sorry I have so many questions, but the previous post give me the urge
to do
it.

Enjoy! Visit the Audax UK website on www.audax.uk.net for more info.

--
Helen D. Vecht: [email hidden]
Edgware.

Cliff said:

Do most riders ride in groups, if so are they generally welcoming to
outsiders?
Sorry I have so many questions, but the previous post give me the urge to do

I did my first and only Audax last year. There was 8 participants, we
completed 150km in 5h53mins including stops. Out of the other 7 riders,
2 were welcoming, these two were the other two who entered alone. The
remainders were in group of 2 and 3 and didn't make any effort to
welcome me or the other two singles. The orgainsers were top notch
though, really nice folks. Other folk on here have more experience of
Audax than I have and their experiences are better. I was dissappointed
with my first Audax.

Where are you based Cliff ? DId you have any particular rides in mind ?

in message <[email hidden]>, Cliff

(') said:

Following on from a previous thread I have often fancied doing Audax
but I understand there are a number of rules.
I ride a Giant OCR and have happily ridden 240miles in one day on it.
(alright one day and part of the night) so I know I can put up with
the saddle and the vibration but would I be allowed to join an Audax
Ride with no mudguards or has that rule changed now?

Depends on the Audax.

Quoted message said:

I usually average 12mph on a long run with stops. (14 to 16 excluding
stops). Would that be fast enough?

Yes.

Quoted message said:

Are there any other rules I might fall foul of?

IMLE no. The audaxers seem a fairly relaxed, informal and friendly
bunch.

Quoted message said:

Can I just turn up and ride?

Better to let the organiser know in advance that you're coming. I
suspect in most events you _could_ just turn up and ride, but I'm sure
they'd prefer to have notice that you're coming.

Quoted message said:

Do most riders ride in groups, if so are they generally welcoming to
outsiders?

Some, and apparently.

--
[email hidden] (Simon Brooke) http://www.jasmine.org.uk/~simon/

;; Men never do evil so completely and cheerfully as when they
;; do it from  religious conviction."          -- Pascal

Quoted message said:

in message <[email hidden]>, Cliff
([email hidden]'😉 wrote:

I be allowed to join an Audax

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Ride with no mudguards or has that rule changed now?

Depends on the Audax.

Quoted message said:

I usually average 12mph on a long run with stops. (14 to 16

excluding

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

stops). Would that be fast enough?

Yes.

Quoted message said:

Are there any other rules I might fall foul of?

IMLE no. The audaxers seem a fairly relaxed, informal and friendly
bunch.

Quoted message said:

Can I just turn up and ride?

Wot everyone else said, plus a key to whether you need mudguards is M
listed in facilities on the website for each ride, and a date and
number if the entries close on a certain date or number of riders.
Organisers generally prefer to know entries in advance so they can plan
food,Brevet cards, helpers etc. Some organisers accept entries on the
day but don't assume they will. PLus popular rides especially ones with
AAA points get full up before or on the day even if in theory you can
enter on the line.

hope this helps, enjoy the rides.

MSeries <[email hidden]> wrote:
: Audax than I have and their experiences are better. I was dissappointed
: with my first Audax.

Starting with more popular ones is a good call. Though of course if it's
hard to know which ones are the popular ones to start with!

Arthur

--
Arthur Clune PGP/GPG Key: http://www.clune.org/pubkey.txt
It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness

Helen Deborah Vecht <[email hidden]> wrote:

: Organisers decide whether mudguards are needed on their rides.
: This is specified in the Calendar.

To add a little: in the calendar, look for a "M" in the string of
letters just after the cost. That means mudguards needed.

Looking at the list I'd say most don't now. Some organisers will
insist though in practice if you ring up and say you're new and
want to give it a go and I doubt anyone would be bothered.

Arthur

--
Arthur Clune PGP/GPG Key: http://www.clune.org/pubkey.txt
It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness

Arthur Clune said:

Starting with more popular ones is a good call. Though of course if it's
hard to know which ones are the popular ones to start with!

That was my intention but short of phoning the organiser I can't see how
to find this out. I'd prefer not to call the organiser for questions
such as this since they spend enough of their own time actually doing
the organising, they don't need their lives invading by greenhorns like
me. Not all of them have email addresses on the event pages. If such
information was available onlilne I'd be more inclinded to take part.

Arthur Clune said:

Looking at the list I'd say most don't now. Some organisers will
insist though in practice if you ring up and say you're new and
want to give it a go and I doubt anyone would be bothered.

If they let you in without mudguards to a mudguard event you could find
yourself in an awkward position when it gets wet. If you sit at the
back of a group you'll be a wheel sucker, and if you move forward
you'll be the only one spraying the other riders with road muck.
--
Dave...

MSeries said:

Arthur Clune said:

Starting with more popular ones is a good call. Though of course if

it's

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

hard to know which ones are the popular ones to start with!

That was my intention but short of phoning the organiser I can't see

how

Quoted message said:

to find this out.

try looking at the results page for each event from last year on the
website, it tells you all the AUK members (and non-members without
names) who completed, but of course no times as that is not allowed.

If they let you in without mudguards to a mudguard event you could find
yourself in an awkward position when it gets wet;

indeed, the few events that now require guards are for a very good
reason, probably that one or more of the cafe/hall/house owners has
agreed to use it as a control on the understanding that riders do not
sit on their nice seats with muddy backsides! to enter a M ride without
them would be frowned upon.

MartinM said:

MSeries said:

Arthur Clune said:

Starting with more popular ones is a good call. Though of course if

it's

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

hard to know which ones are the popular ones to start with!

That was my intention but short of phoning the organiser I can't see

how

Quoted message said:

to find this out.

try looking at the results page for each event from last year on the
website, it tells you all the AUK members (and non-members without
names) who completed, but of course no times as that is not allowed.

Thats great, I didn't know about the results pages - thanks.

"MartinM" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

in message <[email hidden]>, Cliff
([email hidden]'😉 wrote:

I be allowed to join an Audax

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Ride with no mudguards or has that rule changed now?

Depends on the Audax.

Quoted message said:

I usually average 12mph on a long run with stops. (14 to 16

excluding

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

stops). Would that be fast enough?

Yes.

Quoted message said:

Are there any other rules I might fall foul of?

IMLE no. The audaxers seem a fairly relaxed, informal and friendly
bunch.

Quoted message said:

Can I just turn up and ride?

Wot everyone else said, plus a key to whether you need mudguards is M
listed in facilities on the website for each ride, and a date and
number if the entries close on a certain date or number of riders.
Organisers generally prefer to know entries in advance so they can plan
food,Brevet cards, helpers etc. Some organisers accept entries on the
day but don't assume they will. PLus popular rides especially ones with
AAA points get full up before or on the day even if in theory you can
enter on the line.

hope this helps, enjoy the rides.

I'm guessing that everyone turns up with some sort of touring bike. As I
only have one bike, I guess a mountain bike isn't best suited?

dkahn400 <[email hidden]> wrote:

: If they let you in without mudguards to a mudguard event you could find
: yourself in an awkward position when it gets wet. If you sit at the
: back of a group you'll be a wheel sucker, and if you move forward
: you'll be the only one spraying the other riders with road muck.

Not really an awkard position IMO especially for a new rider who hasn't
ridden the distance before. I'd expect someone like that to sit on the
back most of the time anyway and certainly wouldn't mind if someone
did that to me in a audax.

Arthur

--
Arthur Clune PGP/GPG Key: http://www.clune.org/pubkey.txt
It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness

elyob said:

I'm guessing that everyone turns up with some sort of touring bike.

As I

Quoted message said:

only have one bike, I guess a mountain bike isn't best suited?

Depends how much you like riding a mountain bike on road (I don't)and
how fit/keen you are to keep up with a bunch riding at about 25kph;
I've seen a few MTB's, even on a 400, but most riders do ride
touring/winter type bikes with 23-28mm tyres, although
spring/summer/autumn events attract all sorts of road bikes. Comfort
and the ability to ride kilometer after kilometer are the most
important things.

elyob said:

I'm guessing that everyone turns up with some sort of touring bike. As I
only have one bike, I guess a mountain bike isn't best suited?

I thought that but on the 150 that I did most folk were on lightweight
racing type machines including me.

"elyob" <[email hidden]>typed

Quoted message said:

I'm guessing that everyone turns up with some sort of touring bike. As I
only have one bike, I guess a mountain bike isn't best suited?

People turn up with: touring bikes, road bikes, recumbents, ATBs,
tandems, tricycles, Bromptons, Moultons, the odd Dursley Pedersen etc.

I think they outlawed the skateboard a while back...

If your bike is reliable and comfortable over long distances, it
shouldn't be a problem. I personally would avoid knobbly tyres.

--
Helen D. Vecht: [email hidden]
Edgware.

Helen Deborah Vecht said:

"elyob" <[email hidden]>typed

Quoted message said:

I'm guessing that everyone turns up with some sort of touring bike.
As I only have one bike, I guess a mountain bike isn't best suited?

People turn up with: touring bikes, road bikes, recumbents, ATBs,
tandems, tricycles, Bromptons, Moultons, the odd Dursley Pedersen etc.

I think they outlawed the skateboard a while back...

Though a scooter is permitted;
a Scandinavian ice skater did the Paris Brest Paris on one.

Quoted message said:

If your bike is reliable and comfortable over long distances, it
shouldn't be a problem. I personally would avoid knobbly tyres.

I agree.
Plus the stuff on consideration over mudguards if the organisers ask for
them - its as much to keep muck off sofas and the cafe owners happy as
anything else.

- Nigel

--
NC - Webmaster for http://www.2mm.org.uk/
Replies to newsgroup postings to the newsgroup please.

MSeries said:

Other folk on here have more experience of
Audax than I have and their experiences are better.

My first Audax had over 100 entrants. I still found it difficult to find
people to talk to, though. Most of the field seemed to be split into
groups that were riding together, or singletons who were old hands of
many years experience and riding alone because they liked being alone.

I found that the way to get people interested and talking to you is to
choose your clothes carefully - on the last AUK ride I took part in, I
wore the club jersey and got loads of comments, not least because it
indicated that I had travelled some way to take part in the ride. I also
struck up conversation with a woman who was wearing a PBP jersey. The
point is that like any social situation you need a "way in" - it's no
good expecting everyone to suddenly be your best friend just because
they share an interest in cycling (unless they are URC subscribers, who
seem to be invariably lovely - even the grumpy ones).

I've also found that being a member of a club helps - our most senior
club member is known across the county and whenever I ride alongside him
in an event we invariably fall in with other groups of people he knows.
Then on one occasion when I wasn't riding with him, I even fell in with
a group of people who recognised me as "Mike's friend".

d.

MSeries said:

That was my intention but short of phoning the organiser I can't see how
to find this out. I'd prefer not to call the organiser for questions
such as this since they spend enough of their own time actually doing
the organising, they don't need their lives invading by greenhorns like
me.

I have found that organisers are more than happy to talk about their own
events! More specifically, my recent query about night-time starts
generated a fair bit of "lively debate" on the AUK group, and has led to
a few off-list exchanges with the organiser, who has gone out of his way
to be helpful.

Of course, it's more difficult to break the ice over the phone than in
the social environment of a group email/usenet discussion, but I'd
suggest giving it a try - after all, these people often open their homes
to riders to use as checkpoints, so they obviously don't mind having
strangers "invading" their space.

d.