Why is an Audax NOT a "training ride"? Surely all bike rides are many things at once - it's part of the beauty of cycling!
Even riding a PBP qualifier is:
- about qualifying;
- about getting some miles in ( "training"?)
- getting away from Real Life for a day
- testing your kit/food/clothes
- seeing some nice views/roads
- many other things, depending on the rider
folks riding time-trials, or CTC group rides, or Reliability Rides could certainly list a different (but overlapping) set of aims/reasons.
It's all good - no need to judge anyone unless they're being a dick and/or ruining another rider's day.
Of course discussing what is the BEST ethos to ride with is part of the fun, but is generally not taken seriously.
(Examples being:
"recumbents - they're cheating surely" On a very flat ride
"recumbents - they're a stupid choice surely" on a very hilly ride
"who needs a carbon bike eh - it's an audax, not a race!"
etc etc ...
)