Audax newbie - Any advice?
-
- Posts: 118
- Joined: Mon Jun 16, 2014 9:20 am
Audax newbie - Any advice?
Postby V8rider » Thu Sep 03, 2015 11:00 am
-
- Posts: 57
- Joined: Tue Aug 25, 2015 1:42 pm
Re: Audax newbie - Any advice?
Postby robHflyte » Thu Sep 03, 2015 11:19 am
For lights I'm inclined to recommend a hub dynamo and a B&M light. The Luxos U delivers plenty of light on the ground and has the advantage of a USB point so you can keep your Garmin full of juice. I tend to ride with charger lead in during the day and then when night falls unplug the Garmin so all power is available for lights.
Secondary light, a normal bike spot-light will do, Ayups are good for that.
An Audax reflective vest, I think they are $6, just get one of those.
Don't forget your bike reflector.
-
- Posts: 727
- Joined: Fri Apr 03, 2009 8:33 pm
Re: Audax newbie - Any advice?
Postby ausrandoman » Thu Sep 03, 2015 1:10 pm
You will see a huge range of lighting equipment on Audax rides. All of them involve some compromise of price/performance/reliability. Most of them work well enough.
- cameronp
- Posts: 114
- Joined: Tue Jul 21, 2015 1:12 pm
- Location: Melbourne
Re: Audax newbie - Any advice?
Postby cameronp » Thu Sep 03, 2015 3:28 pm
Entering a ride: You don't need to be a member to ride an Audax, although there's a $10 surcharge if you're not. Some of the larger rides have online entry, but it's more common to enter by emailing the organiser with a filled-out entry form (available from the Audax web site) and bringing your cash on the day.
Navigation: I've been uploading the routes onto my Garmin and using that with great success. As a back up, I also have a secondary bike computer (cheapest wired wheel-magnet one I could find) and carry a printed copy of the route sheet.
Brevet cards: These are pretty straightforward. Just ask someone at a cafe at the relevant checkpoints to fill out the time and initial it. Then return it to the organiser at the end of the ride.
Lighting: I'm using a dynamo and B&M IQ Cyo Premium - there's a thread about my set-up here. The shaped beam is amazing, with a fancy reflector making the road closer to you dimmer and the road further away brighter than a typical bike light. i.e. pretty much a constant-brightness cone of light extending about 30 metres ahead of you. There's a battery-powered version with the same beam called the IXON IQ Premium. I haven't used it, but I think that would be my recommendation for Audax lighting on a budget. Despite the dynamo-heavy replies so far in this thread, most people I've seen out on Audaxes are just using standard battery lights.
I've also used a Cygolite Expilion, which I find not quite good enough on its low setting for me to ride confidently alone at night, although it does last for ages. Another option that gets good reviews online is the Fenix BC30 - when you add in the cost of an extra set of batteries, it ends up costing about the same as a dynamo set-up, though.
For reflectives, I just use a cheap Bunnings hi viz vest. My rear dynamo light has a built-in reflector. If your light doesn't, you'll need to get a red reflector from a bike shop (they'll probably give you one for free). The Audax membership pack also includes a large, high-quality rear reflector.
- bigfriendlyvegan
- Posts: 3977
- Joined: Tue Apr 01, 2008 2:18 pm
- Location: Denistone, NSW
- Contact:
Re: Audax newbie - Any advice?
Postby bigfriendlyvegan » Thu Sep 03, 2015 3:35 pm
-
- Posts: 57
- Joined: Tue Aug 25, 2015 1:42 pm
Re: Audax newbie - Any advice?
Postby robHflyte » Thu Sep 03, 2015 3:37 pm
-
- Posts: 118
- Joined: Mon Jun 16, 2014 9:20 am
Re: Audax newbie - Any advice?
Postby V8rider » Fri Sep 04, 2015 10:41 am
The advice has got me thinking that I might want to have a specific bike built up for audax, and I have a bike in the stable which would be good for it. Are you guys running specific bikes? or is that overkill? The thought of dynamos and relectors on my aero bike makes my skin crawl!
Any other tips or advice (especially for stuff other than lights) would be appreciated.
- bigfriendlyvegan
- Posts: 3977
- Joined: Tue Apr 01, 2008 2:18 pm
- Location: Denistone, NSW
- Contact:
Re: Audax newbie - Any advice?
Postby bigfriendlyvegan » Fri Sep 04, 2015 10:58 am
Get the lights and reflective stuff. Put it on your bike. Ride your bike. A 200km ride will be about 8 hours in the saddle with more time eating, drinking coffee, fixing flats, fixing flats, fixing flats, fixing flats, and fixing flats. Budget 12 hours. For winter rides, you'll start and end in bad light. For summer rides, you'll start and finish in the sunshine.V8rider wrote:Thanks for the advice guys. I hadn't really thought of going the dynamo route, and I guess I'm looking to start at the lower end of the audax spectrum. I might just jump in to some of the shorter rides to get the feel of it. The lighting I currently have would be sufficient for these rides.
The advice has got me thinking that I might want to have a specific bike built up for audax, and I have a bike in the stable which would be good for it. Are you guys running specific bikes? or is that overkill? The thought of dynamos and relectors on my aero bike makes my skin crawl!
Any other tips or advice (especially for stuff other than lights) would be appreciated.
Just ride.
When you've done a few rides, have a think about a more dedicated bike, but even then it's not absolutely necessary. You're only typically going to be doing 300km a day for most longer rides (though there are obviously exceptions).
Just ride. Stop thinking.
- cameronp
- Posts: 114
- Joined: Tue Jul 21, 2015 1:12 pm
- Location: Melbourne
Re: Audax newbie - Any advice?
Postby cameronp » Fri Sep 04, 2015 11:31 am
Sounds overkill to me. I just have the one road bike. Most people on these rides are just on standard endurance roadies, Roubaix/Synapse/etc. Mine permanently looks a little Audax-y now with dynamo lights and a giant saddle bag, but realistically you're probably not going to be doing a long ride more than once a month, so it's not a big deal to only put lights/reflectors on the bike when you need them.V8rider wrote:The advice has got me thinking that I might want to have a specific bike built up for audax, and I have a bike in the stable which would be good for it. Are you guys running specific bikes? or is that overkill? The thought of dynamos and relectors on my aero bike makes my skin crawl!
For the aesthetics, well, I came to road riding via commuting and then touring. To my eyes, a bike set up for unsupported, long-distance riding looks good!
-
- Posts: 118
- Joined: Mon Jun 16, 2014 9:20 am
Re: Audax newbie - Any advice?
Postby V8rider » Fri Sep 04, 2015 11:55 am
I guess I was feeling like I'd already done the just ride part. For instance I rode 220km a few weeks a go, it was about 9 hours in the saddle 10.5 hours all up. That was solo, and I was pretty happy with that.
If just doing your own thing and working it out as you go is the best way to learn, I'm ok with that. 300+ seemed like a bit of a step up though, I guess I'll give it a crack and report back!
Only reason I ask about a dedicated bike, is I have something that's probably more suited to this than my "usual" roadie (Merida Reacto), although I did ride the reacto on the ride above and was pretty comfortable.
- HappyHumber
- Posts: 5072
- Joined: Wed Nov 14, 2007 11:48 pm
- Location: Perth, (S.o.R.) W.A.
Re: Audax newbie - Any advice?
Postby HappyHumber » Fri Sep 04, 2015 12:08 pm
As stated by others; your fitness is there. I would just think more about modest improvements in self-sufficiency in the event of less supported or more isolated rides by yourself.
Look at some of less aero luggage options for the style of your existing bike. Bigger saddle bags, post mounted beam pannier racks for modest weight capacity (both of which are definitely uncool amongst the cognoscenti latte set). Think places to stow a jacket/arm warmers/booties/space blanket. Energy food for the route. chamois cream sachets, a few emergency ibruprofen, suncream etc etc.
My experience admittedly is limited to rides in WA and only upto 400km, so I don't know how the Fitz's Epic compares in terms of volunteer support and route facilities.
Your kit for any one ride will take into consideration some research of the route, like likely open shops on the way, weather, distance between water etc. Some of the bigger rides will allow for a drop bag which will allow for a change of kit. It's the little things that can make a helluva psychlogical edge in the weary stages and low points.
Amen. Most weekend warriors around here think my bike has several nasty tumours.cameronp wrote:For the aesthetics, well, I came to road riding via commuting and then touring. To my eyes, a bike set up for unsupported, long-distance riding looks good!
Hit me up via the BNA dm; I'll get an alert. If y'know, you know.
- biker jk
- Posts: 7001
- Joined: Tue Nov 17, 2009 6:18 pm
- Location: Sydney
Re: Audax newbie - Any advice?
Postby biker jk » Fri Sep 04, 2015 12:24 pm
-
- Posts: 118
- Joined: Mon Jun 16, 2014 9:20 am
Re: Audax newbie - Any advice?
Postby V8rider » Mon Sep 14, 2015 10:00 am
Route - I'll study this harder, especially the back part of the ride so I know what's coming when. It's a bit demoralizing when you hit a tough climb you didn't know existed. Roads - rough country roads are super rough after you've done a couple of hundred kms. 28's are probably a decent option, or a more compliant ride, so yeah, I'm still thinking of modifying a spare bike (over time) to use as my spend a day riding and eating cake bike!
Sunscreen - use more, more often, then use even more!
I'm sure there's some other stuff also, but it was a good day out, and it won't be my last.
-
- Posts: 57
- Joined: Tue Aug 25, 2015 1:42 pm
Re: Audax newbie - Any advice?
Postby robHflyte » Mon Sep 14, 2015 10:11 am
-
- Posts: 727
- Joined: Fri Apr 03, 2009 8:33 pm
Re: Audax newbie - Any advice?
Postby ausrandoman » Mon Sep 14, 2015 8:58 pm
- bigfriendlyvegan
- Posts: 3977
- Joined: Tue Apr 01, 2008 2:18 pm
- Location: Denistone, NSW
- Contact:
Re: Audax newbie - Any advice?
Postby bigfriendlyvegan » Mon Sep 14, 2015 9:11 pm
More people should do this.V8rider wrote:So I went and took BFV's advice
Well done on the 300! I'm trying to find a date when I can do this as well. If I can't drag some poor suckers along with me, I'll go it alone. You've inspired me.
-
- Posts: 1711
- Joined: Wed Mar 17, 2010 8:28 pm
Re: Audax newbie - Any advice?
Postby thecaptn » Mon Sep 14, 2015 10:51 pm
If you want to be Audax chic, firstly don't wash your bike for at least 6 months prior to any major event then stick some random coloured fluro tape to your helmet and dropouts followed by a smattering of red 2 1/2" reflectors anywhere within 23" radius of your saddle bag and not less than 2 but no more than 4 zip ties to your helmet regardless of season. Finally if you can stump up for a non matching wheelset and a bar/helmet mirror you achieve Audax cool-defcon level 1
- simonn
- Posts: 3763
- Joined: Thu Jan 31, 2008 11:46 am
- Location: Sydney
Re: Audax newbie - Any advice?
Postby simonn » Tue Sep 15, 2015 10:07 am
Front lights, for 200 and less (i.e. barely any time in the dark) ayups and a blinky. For 300+ you want a decent main and, IMHO, a decent spare too. I have two sets of Ayups (well, one is my wife's from when she commuted before we had kids). Until you start thinking about multi day rides where there might not be anywhere to charge batteries then I wouldn't bother about dynamos (YMMV of course). Even then 3-4 epic ayup batteries should see you through a 1200 and would be cheaper (and offer more redundancy) than a dynamo setup (when I last calculated it). I was all set to go dynamo and then realized I had a kid and I barely get out to ride as it is, let alone for a days at time
FWIW, ayups are pricey, but they are tough as. I've had mine since 2008 for around, I guess, of 50,000km of commuting and riding through numerous stacks and storms. Replaced the batteries once. I need to do a bodge repair on one of the heads every now and then (make a spring more springy with a micro screwdriver), but it works.
Get yourself an external USB battery to charge your GPS and phone too.
Return to “Audax / Randonneuring”
- General Australian Cycling Topics
- Info / announcements
- Buying a bike / parts
- General Cycling Discussion
- The Bike Shed
- Cycling Health
- Cycling Safety and Advocacy
- Women's Cycling
- Bike & Gear Reviews
- Cycling Trade
- Stolen Bikes
- Bicycle FAQs
- The Market Place
- Member to Member Bike and Gear Sales
- Want to Buy, Group Buy, Swap
- My Bikes or Gear Elsewhere
- Serious Biking
- Audax / Randonneuring
- Retro biking
- Commuting
- MTB
- Recumbents
- Fixed Gear/ Single Speed
- Track
- Electric Bicycles
- Cyclocross and Gravel Grinding
- Dragsters / Lowriders / Cruisers
- Children's Bikes
- Cargo Bikes and Utility Cycling
- Road Racing
- Road Biking
- Training
- Time Trial
- Triathlon
- International and National Tours and Events
- Cycle Touring
- Touring Australia
- Touring Overseas
- Touring Bikes and Equipment
- Australia
- Western Australia
- New South Wales
- Queensland
- South Australia
- Victoria
- ACT
- Tasmania
- Northern Territory
- Country & Regional
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users
- All times are UTC+11:00
- Top
- Delete cookies
About the Australian Cycling Forums
The Australian Cycling Forums is a welcoming community where you can ask questions and talk about the type of bikes and cycling topics you like.
Bicycles Network Australia
Forum Information
Connect with BNA
This website uses affiliate links to retail platforms including ebay, amazon, proviz and ribble.