So why do people pay so much to do sportives when there are so many good audax rides available ?
Sshhhh! Don't want too many
Sportivo Types catching on - it would be no fun when the occasional audax overlaps with a Sportive!
2 years ago, the Chirk 200 clashed with the route of The Cheshire Cat. There were a load of Dulwich Paragoners on their whayte caarbon blingery who we caught. Fine, until Chris Wilby from Huddersfield parish had the audaxity to pass them on his Airnimal, with rear panniers.
"
Strewth mate - we've just been taken out by a club run and a blorke on a shoppa! Can't 'ave that."
They gave chase and got ahead for about 400 yds, until the unrelenting endurance of an 'ardened randonnuer saw them off.
Such joy!
T'was the same on Hartside 200 a few years back, overhauling the Etape Du Dales. I recall odd expressions from a chap on a carbon Wilier, as Tigger's Taxi, replete with rack-pack and nodding Tigger, and my goodself saw them off on a long climb before our routes parted, near Appleby.
Besides, there are enough Audax riders without muddies these days.
Don't want any more if we can avoid it, if we are to keep getting wet rides in 2011. (This was the 3rd on the trot).
Sadly, I haven't got the legs to get ahead (never mind stay ahead) of Flat Earth Bob, so am otherwise perpetually at risk of riding in a private rainstorm, or on my own, just off the back...
That said, forecast looking good for "Rosies to Wrags" and "the Red Rose" 200s this weak-end.