Probably The Greatest Cycling Organisation In The World

The latest edition of Arrivee magazine arrived today.

That's a reason for me to pay tribute to the cycling organisation, if there were to be such a vote, that I consider to be the greatest in the country and indeed the world.

Which may be contradictory given I have only taken part in a few of the events which they run. And because their central ethos is almost the opposite of how I like to ride.

But still I stick to my guns. Audax (Arrivee is their regular magazine) is an inspiration.

For those who don't know (which unfortunately is probably the vast majority of cyclists) Audax is a worldwide organisation which originated in France way back in time. Typical of its style they have no official global title. We in the UK just happen to use "Audax", others do different.

It's main function is as simple as they come. To hold events which will be of interest to cyclists and in which everyone, regardless, can take part.

As befits its French orgins the events are called "randonees" which is slightly difficult to translate directly into English. It implies a journey, with purpose, but done for fun where the objective is definitely just to take part, nothing like a race.

The US branch call themselves "Ranonneurs USA" and they sum it up very nicely
 
"Randonneuring is long-distance unsupported endurance cycling. This style of riding is non-competitive in nature, and self-sufficiency is paramount*. When riders participate in randonneuring events, they are part of a long tradition that goes back to the beginning of the sport of cycling in France and Italy. Friendly camaraderie, not competition, is the hallmark of randonneuring."

(* whilst self sufficency is paramount it is also the case that if you take part in an randonee and run into any sort of trouble you will not be short of a friend to help you out even if they have never met you before in your life)

Randonees happen pretty much all year round. They vary in length from 100km to well over 1000km. They could not be easier in terms of format. You simply turn up at a HQ and get a "brevet" which is a card with spaces to be stamped. You collect these stamps by following a route from checkpoint to checkpoint, usually returning to the HQ. True to its nature the route is suggested, its up to you if you follow it or not, just so long as you get back to the HQ with the requisite stamps. There's only one other rule really. You can't go too fast. The maximum average speed is a sedate 30km/h which encourages folk to linger at the various checkpoints refreshing themselves with tea and a cake. There is also a minimum speed limit but this is pretty generous for all but the very longest of events (where it assumes that you don't need much shuteye).  The cost. Peanuts. Well a few bags of them but still nothing like a sportive or road race.

Quaintly, sometimes there are not even checkpoints. Just puzzles that require you to visit somewhere in order to find the answer. Such as what is the name of the pub in Chipping Snodbury? You could ofc look this up on Google but anyone low enough to do so would not by definition be taking part in an Audax in the first place. And it is the taking part that counts.

The reward? Another cup of tea and a cake. And a badge or "brevet". That's it. No winners, no losers. Just a badge. The competition as such is between members to collect as many badges as they can, of varying mileages. The prize? A mention in Arrivee and another badge. And for those who get enough badges another mention in Arivee and another badge.

Audaxes are fun even you don't participate. The cyclists who take part in them are some of the most relaxed people you are ever likely to meet and you will see, in one place, a greater variety of human powered machines than anywhere else. Some Audaxers actually take a preverse pride in making things as difficult for themselves as possible by for example using single speed fixed bikes, Bickertons, tricycles or elipticals. You can see everything from something dating back to men wore plus fours to machines that look more like spaceships No UCI nonsense here. So long as it has wheels and is propelled by muscle its OK.

Even if you never ever take part in an Audax, if you are interested in cycling then you should find out more about them.

Because, even in this day of the internet, Strava, Garmin and route planners galore if you want a really good journey on a bike your safest bet is to ride an Audax route.

This is because they have been planned by real people to be as interesting as possible to ride.

The options come in two forms.

You could just pick any Audax run anywhere and ride its route, there will be a gpx of it somewhere.

But for a real adventure try doing a "permanent". This is a special type of Audax which is not run as an event. Instead it can be undertaken as a challenge by anyone any time. Each permanent has an organiser. You contact them and just as above they send you a brevet.

The only difference from an event is that their are no event checkpoints to visit. Instead you must go into venues like shops and get something to prove you have been there. In many countries this is great fun as the shopkeepers are used to mad cyclists turning up and have a special stamp for the occasion. Other times you just need to buy your cup of tea and a cake and keep the receipt.

These permanents can be simple. Or they can be epic, the greatest adventure in a cyclists life.

Just two of the latter that I have done are

• One that starts by you dipping your bike in the Atlantic Ocean, then riding across the full length of the Pyrenees to dip it into the Mediteranean.
• Another that starts in Geneva, crosses the Alps and then the Dolomites to finish in Trieste from where Venice is close to hand as a final destination.

There really is only one fault I would find with Audax. They don't just hide their light under a bushel. They dig a 20 foot deep hole, put the light in it, fill it with concrete then erect a sign saying "nothing of interest here".

The prime example of this is the only Audax I regularly take part in, either as a rider or volunteer (the latter with the very welcome company of Mrs M)

It's the LEL. A 5 day jaunt from London to Edinburgh and back again. Some 1400km and a bit in the height of the British summer with all that entails. It's epic. Hundreds of riders from every part of the globe come to take part. Yet next to no-one is aware it happens, not even the inhabitants of the towns it passes through. 

It's a pity.  Or maybe not. For those aware of it Audax is an unspoiled treasure. Perhaps it's best it stays that way.