A stupid question, maybe.

[Goldcrank]

This maybe a stupid question but I don't know how to go about entering an audax ride.

I would Like to start small, 200 or 300, in the London area. Do they exist? How do I enter? Will someone hold my hand up to the start line? Please.

Thanks GC

[geraldc]

Start with a 100, it gives you the flavour, but without too much pain, no stupidly early starts for one.

Lots of us are based in London, you shouldn't have a problem finding someone to show you the ropes.

Just follow the instructions on the audax website for entries. audax.uk.net

Start by emailing or phoning the organiser, and just having a quick chat with them.

[Martin]

If you can wait until September I can recommend the Anfractuous 200 / Nyctophobic 100 from Chalfont St Giles 13th Sept; easy to get to the start; very good route, excellent controls etc etc.

Just go to the website as Gerald says print out the entry form and put a cheque in the post (with 2 SAEs and the extra £2 insurance if you are not AUK/CTC/BC)

I'll be there (for the 200) 

[Goldcrank]

Thanks geraldc,

Not wishing to blow my own trumpet but I could ride 100k quite quickly (unless audax have some strange rules about starting with 100, or doing it on a penny farthing, which I don't have)

Or is you suggestion to do the 100 in order to find my feet?

[geraldc]

Well that's the thing, you're not allowed to ride audax too quickly 
There's nothing more enjoyable than arriving at a control before it opens.

Riding from a route sheet strapped to your bars is a skill that does need to learnt, as does reading a route sheet with a headlamp while still moving at a fair pace. You can spot the newbies on an audax, they're the ones stopped at junctions pulling the route sheets out of their jersey pockets, while everyone else rolls by.

200s and 300s may involve some night riding, whereas 100s don't, but feature controls, info controls and all the other stuff you'll experience.

[border-rider]

If you can ride a 100 quite quickly then either do just that  - it can be fun - or start with a 200.

[Goldcrank]

Thanks Mal Volio. You have made me smile.

[Goldcrank]

Thanks Martin (aka Zoom), I was hoping for something in the next couple of weeks but I will look into your suggestion.

[nuttycyclist]

If you're already a fast rider and happy over a 100 distance, then I'd say start with a 200 (it makes it worthwhile travelling to the ride).

Things to bear in mind though are that its a distance ride over a set route, with stopping and chatting at controls to get some socialising in.  You will need the route sheet, and a pen to write down the info control answers.

But yes, just go to the website (already linked) register for a ride, then play it by ear.

I rode to my first ever 200, and knew nothing at all about what I was supposed to do.  I was welcomed, shown the tea pot then my brevet card, given a banana and told to have fun.

[Noodley]

...given a banana and told to have fun.

...further comment should be forbidden 

[geraldc]

This is what you're looking for
Central London CTC - Audax Rides 2008 this weekend

Seems they will accept on the line entries

[Martin]

Thanks Martin (aka Zoom), I was hoping for something in the next couple of weeks

There's not a lot  apart from The Muswell Hills (which I've heard is very good)

26 Jul     200     anywhere to Rhayader Festival            BR   
   26 Jul     200     Bolsover                           3.25  BR   
   26 Jul     200     Quarndon, NE Derby                       BR   
N  27 Jul     200     Congleton, Cheshire                      BR   
   27 Jul     200     East Finchley, N London                  BR   
N  27 Jul     200     Rhayader Festival                  0.5   BR   
N  28 Jul     200     home from Rhayader Festival              BR   

   02 Aug     200     Bassaleg, Newport                        BR   
U  03 Aug     200     Denshaw, NE of Oldham              4     BR   
   03 Aug     200     Upton Magna, E of Shrewsbury       0.75  BR   
   04 Aug     200     Moreton in Marsh, Gloucestershire        BR   
   06 Aug     200     Galashiels                               BR   
   06 Aug     200     Moreton in Marsh, Gloucestershire        BR   

   09 Aug     200     Tamworth                                 BR   
   10 Aug     200     Wickhamford, SE of Evesham               BR   

A  16 Aug     200     Gladestry, W of Kington            2.5   BR   
N  17 Aug     200     Gladestry  W of Kington            5.25  BR   

   23 Aug     200     Mildenhall                               BR   
   23 Aug     200     Newtonmore                               BR   
N  24 Aug     200     Shipton, NE of York                1     BR   

   31 Aug     200     Forfar                                   BR   
   31 Aug     200     Goonhavern, NW of Truro            0.75  BR   

   06 Sep     200     Beech Hill, S of Reading                 BR   
   06 Sep     200     Bynea, Llanelli                    1.75  BP   
   06 Sep     200     Dumfries                                 BR   
   07 Sep     200     Arnside YH                         0.75  BR   
   07 Sep     200     Lymington                                BR   
U  07 Sep     200     Moira, W of Ashby-de-la-Zouch            BR   

To be fair Audax events from the London area do tend to be a bit few and far between due to lack of nice quiet roads and maybe suitable start controls at the start but if you are willing or able to go out to the Home Counties or Sussex / Hants the world is your oyster 

[Goldcrank]

The "The Muswell Hills" looks just up my street, and it's my end of town too. Unfortunately Mrs GC has booked this weekend up with a friends birthday. Damn her...

[Jasmine]

If you can/are willing to travel, the Doctor Foster's Summer Saunter from Bassaleg on 2 Aug is a really lovely ride.

And Mal Volio is having a BBQ. 

[frere yacker]

The Cheddar Gorge 300 is a nice ride, starting close to Oxford.  Varied scenery and about as good an introduction to what Randonneuring in the South of England is like.

You'll probably be aware that the step from 200 to 300 means that you will need to be just that wee bit more confident that your bike is comfortable for riding for up to 20 hours.

Also, keep in mind one of the main things to get used to on any audax is finding your way around the route.  Beginners often find the route sheets confusing.  Even though a 100 might seem beneath your fitness/ability, they can be useful simply to get used to these types of peculiarity without significant time commitment.

[Mr Larrington]

Other generally-recommended not-far-from-Londonton events:

September 6th: Alan Furley 200, Beech Hill (just south of Reading).  Has lots of lumps in the middle.

Martin Zoom already mentioned the Anfractuous on September 13th

September 20th: Chelmsford Coastal Caper 200 - seems to be a new event, so no info available.
September 28th: Autumn Assortment 200, Ruislip.  Mostly harmless.
October 11th: Golden Tints 200, Henham (near Saffron Walden). Also mostly harmless
November 8th: Upper Thames 200, Sonning Common (just north of Reading).  Some lumps, but generally not overly fierce.
December 7th: South Bucks Winter Warmer, Great Kingshill (near High Wycombe).  Here be the P+nct+r+ Fairy

[Goldcrank]

Thank you for all your replies. I was hoping that there would be more London based starts. But it looks like the train may have to get involved somewhere along the line.