Preparing for the 2016 AUDAX 200K

Folks, it's time to begin.  The "road to an Audax 200K is ahead and waiting.
In order to make this information available to the widest possible audience, we are repeating sections of our "weekly" emailing here.  We hope you find this helpful.  Please do enjoy!

AUDAX RIDES:  Possibly the first question that occurs, is “Just what is an Audax Ride when it’s not all dressed up for church?”

The simplest answer is that it is a group touring ride, over a predetermined course, with pre-arranged stops.  The somewhat unique thing about this style of riding is that it is a group ride, where the group stays together.  No one is left behind.  It is not a competitive event.  If anyone has a problem the whole group stops and works the problem.  It’s a slef-supported ride, but ride in mutual support.  The motto is “One for All, and All for One!”

 

Other important info on the Audax Ride:

·      200 K means 200 kilometers.  This is approximately 125 miles.
·      Yes, it’s a long ride, and YES if you start preparing now, you CAN do it!
·      Over the years that we have been doing this, roughly half the people who successfully finished fit the following profile:

o   They’ve never done a long ride before

o   They haven’t ridden 45 miles before the 45 Mile Tune Ups

o   They haven’t ridden 65 miles before the 65 mile Tune Ups

o   They haven’t ridden 100 miles before the 125 mile ride!

o   They did all of these things and had a great time on the 125 mile ride!

·      This is the stuff works!

 

So you might be asking,  “How do I start getting ready for this?”  The answer is simple.  Start riding your bike at least three to four times a week, for at least 1 to 2 hours at a time.  (Hint: the Bicycles Unlimited Spin Class would be a good place to do two of these rides every week.)  And, to clarify, that 3 to 4 rides per week could be 3 each one hour rides and one two hour ride.  Yes the weather is challenging.  Trainer work counts, and there are god riding opportunities.  You don’t have to ride hard, and distance isn’t the object.  Time in the saddle is the critical factor at this point.


NOTE:  If you are interested in receiving my semi-weekly email, the TOME, please contact me at Bicycles Unlimited 770-486-9252