Entering an Audax Ireland event

Anyone can ride an Audax Ireland event. You don't need to be a member of the club, but you do need a Cycling Ireland licence for insurance, and every entry goes through Eventmaster, Cycling Ireland's online entry system. This page takes you from choosing a ride to getting it validated.

Choose an event

The calendar lists every Audax Ireland event with its date, distance, start and time limit. Entries open on Eventmaster in stages through the year, usually six to eight weeks before each event, and close shortly before the ride. Some events have an entry limit, so enter early if a particular ride matters to you.

If no date suits, a permanent is a set route you can ride on a day of your choosing.

Get a Cycling Ireland licence

Audax Ireland is affiliated to Cycling Ireland, and every rider needs a Cycling Ireland licence to be insured on the day. You have two options:

• An annual licence of any grade, including Leisure. This is the better choice if you plan to ride more than a few events.
• A one-event licence for €10. If you don't give an annual licence number when you enter, Eventmaster adds it to your entry automatically.

Organisers prefer riders with an annual licence, because one-event licences mean extra admin for them.

Enter on Eventmaster

Each event has its own Eventmaster page, linked from the event's page on the Audax Ireland website. Entry fees are low, usually €5, plus a small Eventmaster booking fee. Some events also let you order an ACP or Audax Ireland medal with your entry.

Before the ride

• A few days before the ride, the organiser gets in touch with the route sheet and a RideWithGPS route. For bigger events you may hear from them sooner.
• Most events have a WhatsApp group for the ride, and you'll be added to it.
• Front and rear lights are compulsory for riding in the dark. On events of 300 km or more you must also wear a reflective vest or sash, at any time of year, and organisers can ask for one on a 200 in darkness or poor weather.

On the day

Arrive at the start in good time. The organiser checks you off the start list and gives a short briefing, and then you're away. Ride at your own pace and follow the route. You have to be self-sufficient: no following cars, and help only at controls.

Proof of passage

You need proof that you passed each control on the route:

• On most Irish events, you post a photo of yourself at each control to the ride's WhatsApp group.
• On busier rides, the organiser may use brevet cards instead. You get your card stamped at each control and hand it back at the finish.
• At a control with no one there, a shop receipt showing the place and time also works, or answering a question about something on the route (an information control).

After the ride

The organiser checks everyone's proof. BRM results then go to Audax Club Parisien for homologation. Some organisers email your homologation number when it comes back, but not all do. You can always look it up yourself in a free ACP rider account: checking your results shows you how. If you track your rides on Audax.ie, add the number to the ride.

Joining Audax Ireland

Membership isn't needed to ride events, but it's cheap and supports the club: €10 a year, running with the calendar year. You can pay it on the Cycling Ireland website when you renew your licence, or join directly through the club's membership page. You need it to claim a Brevet Hiberniae medal.