What is Audax?
Audax rides are
non-competitive long distance tours by bicycle, called "randonnees".
The challenge of Audax is not in racing, but in riding at your own pace
to finish within the time limit. Audax events are held in most parts of
Australia, and you will be made very welcome when participating in
rides when visiting other Regions. Rides are open to all reasonably fit
riders - non-Audax members are most welcome to join our friendly and
supportive participants...
Download a PDF article (right click Save Link as ...) "Hooked on Audax"
from the November 2000 issue of Bicycling Australia Magazine written by
Patrick van Dyk.
Audax History
 The
word Audax comes from the Latin for bold or courageous. In 1897 a group
of Italian cyclists rode 200 km between sunrise and sunset, and became
known as "les Audacieux".
In 1904, Henri Desgrange, the father of the Tour de France, formed an
Audax style of riding. It consisted of a team of cyclists riding under
the control of a captain at an average speed of 22.5 km/h. While this
style still exists in Europe, it is much less popular than the
"randonnee" which later developed, individual long distance touring
style cycling. Audax Australia offers randonnees in Australia under the
auspices of Les Randonneurs Mondiaux, the world-wide body.
In 1931,
Australian Sir Hubert Opperman, "Oppy", won the 1200 km
Paris-Brest-Paris race. No longer a race, and held every four years,
this has now become the most famous randonnee of all, the "PBP". Until
his death in 1996, Oppy was the patron of Audax Australia.
The Participants
 Audax rides are open to all
reasonably fit and determined cyclists willing to take up the challenge
that makes a randonneur. You don't have to be a member of the Audax
Club to participate, but members do enjoy the benefits of reduced entry
fees, personal accident liability insurance cover while on rides, and
the Club's quarterly journal, "Checkpoint" with up-to-date information
and stories about rides in Australia and overseas.
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Equipment
Participants
must have a roadworthy bicycle, and comply with all road rules. For all
rides which have the potential to involve riding after sunset, the
following equipment is compulsory
(1) two independant front
lights and two independent rear lights must be available for use (i.e
attached to the bicycle or carried). One of each must be permanently
fixed to the bicycle, or to a permanent attachment (eg a rack, but not
a rack bag)
(2)
At night or at times of low visibility at least one front light (of
fixed beam) and one rear light must be illuminated a rear red reflector
must be permanently fixed to the bicycle.
(3) A reflective vest ( or
equivalent for a rider of a recumbent) must be carried and must be worn
at night or at tiems of low visibility.
Brevet
cards will not be issued until a lighting inspection has been
done at the start of a ride and the result recorded. If the lighting
rules are breached during a ride, the ride organiser must disqualify
the rider. The lighting requirements apply if any part of the maximum
permitted time for the ride is at night.
Additional items such as extra
lights and reflective anklets are strongly recommended. Mudguards are a
good idea particularly during winter.
Participants provide all their
own food, tools and spares on unsupported rides. Limited catering is
provided on supported rides - it is best to check with the ride
organiser when you book in. Much better to ask than to be hungry
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