The What and Why of the Audax Ride

I do this ride every year, and have been for quite some time.  Each year I invite any and all who might be interested to join up.  If you are a long time reader, you probably already know most of what I’m about to say.  If you are new, I’ll be giving you a very brief description here, and I invite you to go back and mine some of the past posts.  There are (as the name of this blog might suggest) more than a few posts devoted to this ride.

The Reason:  I happen to believe that there is great value in getting on a bicycle and going somewhere.  Too many (most) rides are too short.  Way too short.  We look for more in the way of camaraderie than speed.  We want to enjoy the process of going out on the road and working together toward a common goal.  It’s all about having fun on the bike, enjoying each other’s presence, and living our way through one good long day.

The Structure:  This is a touring type of ride.  It’s style is rather unique.  The group will stay together.  The idea is to finish.  Together.  All of us.  But that does not make this a “No Drop” ride.  The pace is manageable, but there is a significant distance involved.  A schedule must be met.  This requires good, strong, consistent effort from all present.  This is a self-supported ride.  No SAG trucks.  No catered rest stops.  As a group, we are self-sufficient.  (More on that in the near future.)

We will leave on time.  7:30 AM start.

We will take several (short) breaks,

            10 miles for “nature break”  (optional)

            30 miles

            50 miles

            65 miles (LUNCH!)

            90 miles

            105 miles

            125 miles (FINISH!)

(All distances are approximate.)

There will be reservations for the lunch stop.  (One of the reasons for the schedule.)

Costs:  There is a fee involved.  This is to pay for lunch and for water along the way.  It’s usuall quite modest.  I will be announcing the exact amount soon.

Bragging Rights:  “I rode 125 Miles in one day!”  and “There was a mountain!”

A note about the terrain:  The route has several sections with some respectable “rollers.”  There are some good long relatively flat stretches.  We will go over Pine Mountain before we stop for lunch.  It’s long.  It’s mostly through some very scenic territory.  The traffic is mostly not much of a problem.

Can I do this?:  If you’ve never ridden century distances, you might feel a little intimidated.  If you’re not sure about your ability to get this done, you can be forgiven.  But that is why we have a series of Audax Tune Up Rides.   There are two each 45 mile tune ups, and two each 65 milers.  We will ride the tune ups in the same style as the actual 200K.  We will stay together.  We will ride in mutual support.  The pace will be controlled.  And, just by the way, the terrain on the tune ups is, by design, more demanding, mile for mile, than on the actual 200K.  If you can do the tune ups, you can do the big one.

Give it some thought.  We’ll be putting up more on this as time goes by.