5-reasons-i-do-not-race Sarah Hammond

[mattc]

https://cyclingtips.com/2015/12/5-reasons-i-do-not-race/

(came across this via some coverage of the IPWRace !!! )



I know it's not about Audax, but I suspect it reflects how a lot of us feel about Audax.

[BrianI]

   That's how I feel about Audax. A nice day in the saddle, without worrying about racing to get the fastest time! (as long as you get round before the final control closes...)

[bikey-mikey]

+ 1

🚴🏽☕️🚵‍♀️☕️🚵☕️🚴‍♀️

[BobScarle]

I have to pretty much agree with all she says. There seems to be a lot of people who equate faster with better, in other words to become a better cyclist one must get faster. I must be terrible then.

[Delph Cyclist]

It's also for similar the reasons that I don't like Mandatory Routes.  As long as I make it to all the controls within the time limits, it leaves me free to explore odd little turns, or visit that café just off route.  Of course, I'm happy for others to nail down where they intend to go if that's their game.

[Wobbly]

+1 Delph

[Cudzoziemiec]

I love exploring little tucked away lanes and odd buildings, as well as visiting cafes, but I find that on an audax it tends to be time limits, not mandatory routes, which make it difficult to do.  My understanding of mandatory routes is, btw, that it's ok to deviate to a shop, cafe or whatever as long as you then rejoin at the point you left the route. I might be wrong about that though.

[Karla]

+1 Delph

Is that why you're not a 1st cat anymore?

[LEE]

I have to pretty much agree with all she says. There seems to be a lot of people who equate faster with better, in other words to become a better cyclist one must get faster. I must be terrible then.

I train to go faster only so that pootling about between Cafes is even easier.

[Alismed]

A very inspiring read, thankyou and another nudge towards taking on some 'dead-end' challenges ie looking at the map, spotting a dead end, making a picnic and heading there, slowly!! Some accidental ones have led to the quietest most beautiful locations (ok so I live in rural Wales; a cul-de-sac may not have quite the same sense of adventure to it!!)