Audax - Long Distance Cycling

Well, think of it as fast touring (but not fast enough to be a race). Shorter rides start at 50km, rising to 100km, 200km, 300km, 400km in a day, 600km in a weekend, or even 1200km over a number of days. These are not races and, generally, you need to maintain an average overall speed of 15-30kmph (9-18 mile per hour), including all your stops. Whilst it is true that it is a physical activity, long distance cycling is equally a mental activity as the mind often quits long before the body, as long as you can keep consuming calories and keep moving forward with a positive mindset then it really is unbelievable what you can achieve. You follow a route set by the organiser using a gps device or route sheet.You are expected to be self sufficient, there is no broom wagon or course direction arrows. Events are open to all riders, you do not have to be a member of a cycling club or a member of Audax UK. You are free to ride on your own or with anyone else on the event. Quite often there will be other CCW riders on the same event that usually help each other out and ride some or all of the event together. 

The rides are organised under the Audax UK umbrella, usually a great route with refreshments at the start and finish and an added bonus of low entry fees.The audax community is generally low key and very diverse in terms of ability. There is often a greater than normal level of female participation. There are many great audax events in the local area throughout the year, a few of the club members are audax organisers and even run an event on behalf of the club each year. Audax has become really popular in the club over the past decade. There is a great deal of knowledge and support in the club for anyone wanting to get involved in audaxing or stepping up to the next distance. The club has a Whatsapp group where members can seek advice or company on events etc. The club has various annual awards for the club’s audax riders. 

Blurring the line between Audax and racing is ultra racing. Massive multi day distance events that require the rider to be completely self sufficient and an audax type mindset. Not surprisingly the club also has several members who ride such events, supported by club members “dot watching”, a WhatsApp club chat offers encouragement to those inside their event bubble. 

The club actively tries to support the events run by Brandon Edgeley and John Gallagher under the Crewe and Nantwich Audax umbrella and the Peak Audax events run by Janine Day and Claire Dwyer. There is usually a free audax event each year for club members.  

Local audax events organised by Brandon and John can be found here - https://creweandnantwichaudax.wordpress.com/ 

Localish events, including events run by Janine and Claire, can be found here - http://www.peakaudax.co.uk/ 

The whole national audax calendar and further information can be found here - https://www.audax.uk/