Sportive or Audax

[jefmcg]

Audaxers

 

[Tim Hall]

An alternative view of Audax here. It was from a few years back on YACF. (contains rude words)

 

[rb58]

Audax is for the unfit who cycle at snail pace. All they care about is miles on the clock.

An average sportive rider would easily be able to compete with the best in audax, he would have to adjust his training but his far higher level of fitness would see him through. Basically would have to slow down, and the body would adjust to the long SLOW days on the saddle. The boredom of slowly peddling for hundreds of miles would be the only bit to overcome.

An average Audax rider however would suffer big time trying to ride a fast sportive time!

I presume you had your tongue firmly in your cheek when you wrote this?

 

[outlash]

 

[DaveReading]

An alternative view of Audax here. It was from a few years back on YACF. (contains rude words)

What's the 50/50 Rule ?

 

[steveindenmark]

Would the recent Transcontinental Race be classed as an Audax?

It seems to tick some of the boxes. If it doesnt, what is it classed as?

 

[Hill Wimp]

There are many different types of cyclists, all real cyclists but its the Audaxers that i have always admired and as a kid they were the ones i wanted to be. I just wanted to be able to ride for miles and miles.

 

[jefmcg]

If it doesnt, what is it classed as?

It's a race.

 

[Citius]

Any event where the objective is to be first over the line is a race.

 

[Venod]

I shan't embarrass the individual by linking to it but the fastest guy on the audax I happened upon on Wednesday wrote this on his strava record of his ride:

Marple AUDAX 100k first place

Thin end of the wedge etc etc

A local rider bragged that he won a sportive and his next race was a local sportive (a charity ride) during the sportive he was bragging about he was seen jumping red lights, he got a right slatting on Facebook, so much so that he changed his Strava account so no one now sees his rides, he didn't need to brag he is obviously a talented rider as could be seen from his Strava feed (before he made it private)

I think a lot riders treat Sportive's as a race which I think is a shame.

 

[steveindenmark]

It's a race.

It only appears to be a "Race" for about half a dozen riders. The rest seem content to get to the end at their own speed, or even to get as far as they can. All of which is very admireable.

But my idea of a race is where all the competitors compete to come in first.

I like the format, but am not sure about the Race bit.

 

[jefmcg]

London Marathon is a race. Most entrants are have no chance or expectation of winning.

 

[Dogtrousers]

There is a big tendency to fragmentation in all groups, and cyclists are no exception. “Look at them … ”, group A says of group B, “… they’re doing it all wrong. Nobbers.”.

So what is it, I wonder, that gives rise to the rather sneery attitude of Audaxers to Sportives? Is there some resentment that the sportives, with their slick websites pandering to escapism and racing fantasy, are so successful in hoovering up newcomers to cycling? Meanwhile Audaxing remains obscure, and when people do hear of it it’s for insane feats like the Highlands and Islands, LEL, PBP and so forth, nothing accessible to mortals.

If audaxing didn’t exist, would you invent it in its present form? With its rather lacklustre website and emphasis on paper (Brevet cards, route sheets, till receipts, SAEs) and bizarre complexity (calendars, perms, DIY[by GPS] etc). Is it just the fact that it’s volunteer run and strapped for cash that is holding it back from a slicker operation, or is it deliberately obscure, old fashioned and technophobic?

I’ve very much enjoyed the audaxes I’ve done, and liked their homespun atmosphere, but they were more daunting and complicated to enter than a simple rock-up-and-ride it sportive even if they were very friendly once you finally manage to enter.

 

[Citius]

But my idea of a race is where all the competitors compete to come in first.

Like I said earlier, if the winner is deemed as the first over the line, then it is a race. Whether all competitors view it in the same way is immaterial.

 

[steveindenmark]

Like I said earlier, if the winner is deemed as the first over the line, then it is a race. Whether all competitors view it in the same way is immaterial.

You make it sound as though it is run for the organisers and not the riders. Its an odd event. But addictive to watch on the PC.