We've entered our first Audax!

It's been a while since I heard the word Audax. Others call it brevet, randonneurs or in simple words: long distance cycling events. As with most unknown words these days, I wikipedia-ed it and this is what the net came up with:

Audax is a cycling sport in which participants attempt to cycle long distances within a pre-defined time limit. Audax is a non-competitive sport: success in an event is measured by its completion.

It kind of sounded like a fun thing to do, didn't it?! We loved the non-competetitive aspect of it. We then discovered than the UK is big in Audax-ing, which is quite surprising given the crap weather. Whenever I tell my folks back home that I cycle throughout the year in London (and in Copenhagen) they always say: but it's so rainy and cold out there! Yes, it may be, but put waterproofs/warm clothing on (and maybe mudguards) and you're all sorted.

So, Lucy and I have been browsing the Audax UK calendar and decided to enter the New Upper Tea 200 event held in the Guildford-Surrey area. The few facts that we know about it:

- 213 km to be completed in less than 13.5 h.
- No much idea about the route (we'll get it on the day I believe!)
- 2000 m climbing (good training for my upcoming Etape Cymru!)
- Average speeds (including stopping time) must be within 15-30 km/h
- Sunrise at 6:57 am and sunset at 6:40 pm means that we may have to cycle in the dark
- Dave Hudson is the organiser, and he seems to be well-known for his supreme food feeds
- It's all non-profit, you pay a little fee to cover food costs
- Registration is the old fashon way: post the forms to Dave, with pre-stamped envelopes, and send cheques in at least 2 weeks before the event.
- It's the minimum distance to be recognised as a proper "audax/breve/randonneur" meaning that if we complete it we can call ourselves "audaxers/randonneurs"!

The ultimate Audax achievement: a Randonneur 5000 (something to aim for!)