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looking for a cycling challenge and have seen that there's a 100k audax starting 5 mins away from me mid august.
just wondering what i could expect if i entered (freindly or bike snobby etc), and whether the route is marked or you need to follow a routecard or something?
Not one bit snobby and very freindly. Usually a route card. On longer audax, you often have to get your card stamped or buy something at a designated shop and keep the receipt for verification. I've even done one where you had to make a note of certian things such as the colour of the door of the butchers shop on the high street in Horwich as evidence that you'd completed the ride.
One or two of the old boys may comment if it's a wet day and you don't have guards but they're no longer compulsory.
It is very definitley not a race.
I love them as much as I despise sportives. Which is a lot.
Yep. Audaxes are generally a nice ride with like-minded folks, the check points are usually at cafes so cakes a go-go!
One 100km event near me has 3 checkpoints! That's a cake every 20 miles!
100K Event will probably have a lot of first times like yourself as its a gateway / social event so don't worry. Good luck.
I love them as much as I despise sportives. Which is a lot.
What's the difference between an Audax and a Sportive? I was under the impression that it was just a longer Sportive, but at 100km, obviously not...
Just bought an Audax bike myself and wouldn't mind giving it a go. However, being new, terrified of the descents, nervously grabbing the brakes at first sight of any pothole, and turning blue on the ascents, I don't think I'd be at all comfortable in a tight group. Would an Audax be more relaxed?
Yes, an audax is people travelling at their own speed, there are no bunch sprints etc
With everyone riding the same route you'll spend a bit of time riding alongside others who (usually) will have a chat, maybe pass on some tips and chew the cud with you.
What's the difference between an Audax and a Sportive? I was under the impression that it was just a longer Sportive, but at 100km, obviously not...
An audax costs a fiver and any spare money usually goes to the local club/charity a sportive costs £50 and the money goes to an "events organiser", that's the difference.
The other difference is Audax's have a max and min speed so if you get to the checkpoint/cake early you have to wait for the marshal with the stamp to turn up. Whereas sportives classify you at the end into gold, silver and fatty.
just be sure you win it
what are the route cards really like? are they easy enough to follow or do you need a map to decipher it?
Route sheets can vary a bit, some are better than others. You should be able to follow it without a map, its usually directions for what to do each junction. They have distances for each instruction, so it helps if you have a cycle computer (set to km). And some use abbreviations, eg TL, TR (turn left/right), SO (straight on), SP (signpost) - these should be explained on the sheet.
Usually when you enter, you will get the route sheet a week or two before the ride. So you can try plotting it on a map beforehand.
Plus for a lot of audaxes, there is a GPS track available, so you can follow that instead.
thanks guys, i'll get my whacking 6quid entry fee in. what have i too lose.
btw, its on sun aug 12th, 9.30 start from long rock near marazion if anyone else fancies giving it a go. lovely coastal rides round here so bound to be very scenic.
You'll come away from it a wiser man
You'll at least know where the cheapest Werther's Originals and a 2oz of shag can be found