What is Audax  ?

Look through CTC’s calendar of events and you’ll notice that the majority are rides of specific distances, usually 100kms, 200kms etc. Why are they measured in kilometres, you might well ask! The answer is that all – or certainly the vast majority of – these events are ‘audax’ rides; that is, they are run under certain rules, which are laid down by Audax UK (which is another cycling club).

Audax UK exists solely as the overall organising body of 'audax' style rides. The term 'audax', meaning audacious, was the name given to a movement which started a little over 100 years ago somewhere in Europe – hence the fact that distances are measured in kilometres - and referred to challenging events involving walking, cycling and horse riding. Further information about the origins of the movement may be obtained by logging onto the Audax UK website – www.audax.uk.net

For our purposes here, what you need to know is how an audax ride ‘works’. They differ from ordinary rides simply by being slightly more organised, in that you are timed through a number of control points. Here then is the process you need to follow if you want to ride an audax event.

Firstly you must complete an entry form - this needs to be done at least two weeks in advance of the event - and send it to the organiser together with the entry fee and two stamped self-addressed envelopes. Details of the ride (where it starts etc) and the route sheet will be returned to you in one of your SAEs.

Next, turn up at the start on the day of the ride, about half an hour before the event is due to start. This allows you time to collect your record, or ‘brevet’, card, have a cup of tea and get ready to ride. You should fill in the back of your brevet card with your address and the phone number of your next of kin.

Look at the inside pages of your brevet card and you’ll see the controls you have to go to on the ride and when they open and close. You must call in at these controls between the times stated, and have your card stamped. Sometimes, instead of getting your card stamped, you’ll need to answer a question; this is an ‘information control’.

Finally, you should get back to the start before the finish time of the event. Sign your card on the back and hand it to the controller who will stamp it and retain it. You’ll receive it back, duly ‘validated’ in a few weeks in the second envelope you provided. And that’s about it.

Why bother with all this stuff when all you want to do is ride your bike? For a start every route is checked for quality so you know you're going to get a good ride. Audax events are designed to be challenging and there are numerous trophies and medals you can collect if that's your thing. Meet an audax rider and you’ll usually be meeting an experienced and motivated rider – the kind of rider you’ll probably want to become, if you aren’t one already! Bonne route!