As my first ever Audax (at Moira) is only a couple of weeks away I went out for a trial 108km ride with bike set up for Audax new wheels with dynamo, tyres, lights, bag, and even a map trap, it a lot heavier than I'm used to but thats why I tried it. I had worked out all the times, my controls where I would stop and have a snack etc, but flapping about running out of time I was only stopped for 10 minutes. I was out for 4hrs 40mins so riding for 4:30 the whole idea in doing Audax is to slow down and enjoy it, the challenge being longer distance when I know what I'm doing. At the moment though I just keep pedaling, I would not stop for a brew in a cafe for fear of running out of time. Then when I get home and see I had loads of time left I feel daft. I keep saying to my self I'll spend more time in controls checking in and looking for answers to questions that will slow me down.
So my plan of action for my first Audax in Moira is to tag on to people and learn the cycling speeds, times at info controls and controls and generally learn so I can enjoy. So if you see someone looking lost and asking lots of questions, be gentle with me, and if we stop for a brew and I keep looking at my watch don't take the mick to much.