Questions people ask

Is it a race?

No. There are no winners and no placings. Everyone who finishes inside the time limit has completed the ride, whether they finish first or with minutes to spare.

Do I need to join a club?

No. You need a Cycling Ireland licence for insurance: an annual one, or a one-event licence for €10 added to your entry. Joining Audax Ireland is optional, €10 a year, and only needed to claim a Brevet Hiberniae medal. See entering an event.

What does it cost?

Entry is usually €5 on Eventmaster, plus a small booking fee, and €10 more for a one-event licence if you don't have an annual one. Food along the way is the bigger cost.

How fast do I have to go?

Not very. A 200 has a 13½ hour limit, about 15 km/h including every stop. Controls also have opening times, so there's little point rushing. See the rules for the limits at each distance.

What distance should I start with?

Most riders start with a 200. Some events are shorter, around 100 km, and make a gentler first ride. If you can ride 100 km comfortably, a 200 at audax pace is within reach.

Can I ride with friends?

Yes, and many people do. You can ride in a group the whole way. What you can't have is a support car following you: help from anyone else is only allowed at controls.

What bike do I need?

Any bike you're comfortable on for a long day. Road, touring and gravel bikes are all common, and mudguards make a big difference in Irish weather. See gear and bike setup.

Do I need lights?

Yes, for any riding in the dark, front and rear. On events of 300 km or more you also need a reflective vest or sash, at any time of year.

Is there food along the way?

Mostly you buy your own at shops, cafés and filling stations, which are often the controls anyway, and the organiser will often suggest good places to stop. Carry enough to get you between villages.

What if I can't finish?

Stop, get yourself home, and tell the organiser, so nobody is left waiting for you at the finish. It happens to everyone eventually, and it goes on your record as a DNF.

How do they know I rode it?

At each control you post a photo of yourself to the ride's WhatsApp group. Busier rides use a brevet card, stamped at each control and handed back at the finish.

Do I need Strava?

Not to ride. You only need a Strava account to sign in to the Audax.ie tracker. If you've never ridden an Audax, there's nothing to import yet: plan your first event instead.

What do "audax", "brevet" and "randonneur" mean?

Audax is Latin for bold. A brevet is a certificated ride, from the French for certificate. A randonneur is someone who has completed a 200 km brevet. The glossary has the rest.

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