What is an audax?

pbamf

Ok forgive me for being a newbie but what is an audax. How does it differ from a sportive?

BrianTrousers

Audax riders have hairier legs.

vinnn

Good answer BrianT

Audax is explained on the FAQ at the Audax UK site over at http://www.audax.uk.net

Crapaud

Audax UK FAQs

There's more from seasoned audaxers here.

A search of Sportives/Audaxes/Training rides will throw up a number of threads where the differences between sportives and audax are discussed.

My tuppenceworth, for what it's worth ...

IMO the most fundamental differences are:

In sportives the emphasis is speed; audaxing is endurance (distance) In sportives everything is organised for the rider; route is signposted / marshalled, etc. On an audax you're expected to be self-sufficient; navigate yourself via a routesheet, organise your own food and drink etc.

Check out the AUK calendar and try a couple of brevet populaires (BPs) ('audaxes' of less than 200km (they start at 50km)) to get a feel for them and see if they're for you. They're relaxed, sociable and fun.

amaferanga

I've heard it said that sportives are for those who like to pretend to race and audax is for those who like to pretend they're not....

I've done a bit of audaxing, but, as someone who likes riding scenic routes on quiet roads, I find most of the longer events (200km+) unappealing since that generally means long stretches on A-roads.

But be careful, I found out what an audax was in 2006 and a year later I found myself doing this

SpinningJenny

OK, that seems a frightening prospect, amaferanga! Still, living in Sheffield, I guess you get good practice on all those hills! (I have family there...).

Next question for the uninitiated - how do you pronounce 'Audax'?

Is it - 'Ow-dax'?

Or is it - 'Or-dax'?

Or is it possibly - 'Oh-dax'?

Thanks

Sorry to hijack - what poor netiquette!

Crapaud

amaferanga wrote:

I've heard it said that sportives are for those who like to pretend to race and audax is for those who like to pretend they're not....

As a generalisation it's got some merit, however I think it's only a proportion of riders that think and treat them like that. There's another portion - like me - who don't race and are just happy to pootle along and finish within the time limit. Then there're those in between. Both are what you make of them I suppose.

amaferanga wrote:

... But be careful, I found out what an audax was in 2006 and a year later I found myself doing this

You madman! Have you dried out yet? I followed the 'live' thread over by - the most gripping thread that I've ever read. Great stuff!

SJ, I tend to pronounce it odd-axe, or sometimes owed-axe. I'm not sure if there is a correct pronunciation, or that it really matters.

nferrar

or-dax...

alfablue

Audax was a word coined by Italians, derived from the Latin audace. My Italian pronunciation guide gives the example au as in autobus "OW-toh-boos" , so by this logic, audax should be pronounced OW-dax.

I just say Or-dax, out of habit.

vorsprung

See my blog

http://audaxing.wordpress.com

For several articles on audax bikes, riding, and other peripheral stuff

Monty Dog

Yes, an audax is like a sportive, but at a fraction of the price, fewer riders, generally no feedstops and ridden by people with beards and big saddle bags!

bompington

alfablue wrote:

Audax was a word coined by Italians, derived from the Latin audace. My Italian pronunciation guide gives the example au as in autobus "OW-toh-boos" , so by this logic, audax should be pronounced OW-dax.

So is that OW as in snow or as in now?

Cleat Eastwood

Monty Dog wrote:

ridden by people with beards and big saddle bags!

And thats just the women.

Pross

So where does a randonee fit into all this