Reflections on first audax

[Richard Goodman]

"gavin" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> > A ride of a fixed length (usually metric) ridden within
> > pre-arranged speeds usually organised within the ambit
> > of Audax UK by independent volunteers.
> >
> > Audax UK has a comprehensive website but I've lot the
> > most recent URL; Google should help.
>
> Thanks, Helen. Can I just ask what "within pre-arranged
> speeds" means? There's an upper speed limit????
>

Yes. You have to pass through controls that are only open
for a specific time-window. Too quick and you'll arrive
before they open, so if you want your ride recognised you'll
have to wait around until they do - which will reduce your
average. The 'ordinary' ones (Brevet de Randonneur) for
rides of less than 600k specify an average speed of between
14.3 - 15kph up to a max of 30kph (could be less), including
stops. The 'beginner' ones, like the one I was on, (Brevet
Populaire) can have a reduced minimum.

The AUK site is at <http://www.audax.uk.net/>

Rich

 

[Helen Deborah V]

"gavin" <[email protected]>typed

> > A ride of a fixed length (usually metric) ridden within
> > pre-arranged speeds usually organised within the ambit
> > of Audax UK by independent volunteers.
> >
> > Audax UK has a comprehensive website but I've lot the
> > most recent URL; Google should help.

> Thanks, Helen. Can I just ask what "within pre-arranged
> speeds" means? There's an upper speed limit????

Yes. Nobody is supposed to exceed an average of 30kph on any
ride. Average speed includes rest stops & visits by the
p*nct*r* fairy etc. Maximum and minimum speeds are
advertised in the calendar (usu 15-30kph, less on some
shorter 'brevet populaire' rides)

Checkpoints ('controls') have opening and closing times. At
each, you should get your card signed, stamped and timed.
You get your card at the start of the ride and sign & hand
it in at the end. It then gets sent off for Validation and
hopefully eventually returned to you. You can get cloth
badges or metal medals for completing distances.

www.audax.uk.net may cause you to spend much time online...

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

 

[Davek]

gavin:
> Thanks, Helen. Can I just ask what "within pre-arranged
> speeds" means? There's an upper speed limit????

That's exactly it - it's because it's a strictly amateur
organisation and they don't want people to treat it as a
race (there are no prizes for finishing first).

However, the speed limits are typically 15-30km/h, which
allows you to ride pretty quickly should you be so inclined.
But that's not just your riding speed - it's your overall
average, including rest/feeding stops (and sleep stops on
longer events).

The website is here: <URL:http://www.audax.uk.net/>

d.