Frankly the image of Audax that springs to my mind is small numbers of antisocial old giffers who don’t like sportives because they consider £25 too expensive and don’t like other people very much
I’ve ridden a few Audax events this year. Great routes, which got me exploring a few new roads I hadn’t been on before, and some good company to ride with.
The highlight was the National 400, which was a followed a route from Dingwall north to Durness and Tongue, returning through Kildonan, Golspie and Lairg. Fantastic scenery and some good climbing. We had to pay a whole £35 for that, although the entry fee did include 6 hot meals (2 courses in a couple of controls!) served up by some very dedicated and cheerful volunteers at ungodly hours.
I like the simple, low key ethos of Audax. It’s a long day (and sometimes night) out on your bike on interesting roads with good company. Sportives can be good fun as well, but kind of fall between two stools for me; they don’t have the extreme physical and mental challenge of road racing, but they’re taking themselves a bit too seriously to offer the same laid back fun as Audax or touring.