Silly question but are they well advertised locally to enable you to find them
Not usually. The information you get from the organiser will give you directions to the start, and there is usually an Audax UK control sign outside the start building.
and what do you do when you get there?
At the start you'll normally see a table with brevet cards and plastic bags. Find your card, put it in a plastic bag. You don't normally have to tell the organiser that you are there - he'll know because your card has gone.
edit: you don't need to get a stamp at the start, having the brevet card proves you were there at the right time.
Make sure your bike is all ready to go, then grab a coffee and/or some food. Keep an eye on the time, the hall will suddenly empty a few minutes before the off, and without an announcement. People will be queuing up outside on their bikes ready for the organiser to tell them to go.
I have never used a route sheet or riden with any time restrictions. Will the route sheet keep me awake all night!!???
Thanks
It's pretty easy. Have you got a route sheet holder on your bars? That's by far the easiest way to handle them. I laminate the sheet to keep it dry, then use a bulldog clip on the stem to hold it in place, but there are many solutions to holding it. The worst is to keep it in your back pocket - it's difficult to refer to it.
Here's my routesheet holder - the white stuff is polymorph plastic, moulded to fit the stem perfectly. It is now covered in black tape to merge in with the stem, and held in place with a cable tie.
Remember to take a pen with you (for info controls) and some money for food. Don't be shy about telling people it's your first, they'll normally look after you.
Which ride are you on?
Edit: Welcome to YACF! Keep an eye out for YACF jerseys, it's an easy conversation opener to ask someone who they are on the forum. Similarly, if someone is wearing an Audax Cymru (white/green) or Audax England (predominantly red) jersey, there is a very good chance that they hang around here.