From the moment I first heard about Audax (a good few years ago now) I wanted to get out on some of their rides. So I've no real excuse or explanation for the delay in getting on with it. But I'm pleased to report that I've finally pulled me finger out, starting with the You Yangs and Yonder ride yesterday.
The ride was fully booked at 100 riders and no extra entries were taken on the day, which I understand is pretty unusual for an Audax ride. I heard someone say that the last time he did this ride there was only 20 people entered. So I wonder if the imminent arrival of Bicycle Victoria's Around the Bay is encouraging people to get a bit of distance into their legs or if endurance riding is the next big thing? At any rate, many of the people I spoke to were on their first Audax ride.
Well over half of the participants took themselves over the 150km route, with the remainder of us on the 100km loop or (for the self-described caffé latte set) the 65km out-and-back trip to the You Yangs.
Starting at Werribee, the 100km route took us on a roughly triangular route west-ish to the You Yangs, then north towards Bacchus Marsh, and south-east back to Werribee (check out Surly Dave's entry for his GPS-generated map of the course). From my point of view it was a pretty good route: mostly on quiet back roads over gently undulating, if unspectacular, countyside. The climb up to the checkpoint in the You Yangs was neither too long nor too steep, and from the top there was a good view over the billiard table flat Werribee Plains.
Conditions were also excellent: sunny without being hot and only a puff of headwind on the northbound leg, which turned into a handy tailwind on the roll back into Werribee.
And my time? Well, let's not dwell on minor matters like that… The important thing is that I made it around in time for lunch, finished feeling strong—and had more than enough energy left over for a stroll down to the cafe with MLSP and the Co-Pilot after I got home. And I'd call that a pretty good day.
Comments
Well done you and welcome to Audax. I procrastinated for ages before going to my first event and now I've done about a dozen and I'm well and truly hooked. A nice bunch of people and some sensatonal rides. And your time? Doesn't matter. It's not a race. As long as you're having fun.