Audax
What is an Audax
An Audax ride - known internationally as a Randonnée - is a cycle ride that has to be completed within a set time limit, including any stops to eat or rest. In most cases, riders have to maintain a minimum speed of 15km/h (some particularly long or hilly rides have a slightly lower minimum speed) and importantly a maximum speed of 30km/h. That's a little under 10mph and 20mph in Imperial measures.
It's not a race and individual riders' times are not published; if you finish within the time limit, you've succeeded.
Riders are expected to be self-sufficient. That doesn't mean that you have to ride alone or that you can't call on the services of a village blacksmith to help weld your frame back together, should the worst happen, but you navigate for yourself and if you do have any mechanical problems along the way, it's down to you to sort them or get yourself home.
Some rides offer food along the way; more often, you'll be finding your own sources of fuel, from cafes and pubs to village shops and service stations.
Throw in the hills, the British weather and distances ranging from 50km to 1400km and what might have sounded like a simple bike ride becomes more of a challenge - one that is appealing to increasing numbers of cyclists year on year.
It's not a race and individual riders' times are not published; if you finish within the time limit, you've succeeded.
Riders are expected to be self-sufficient. That doesn't mean that you have to ride alone or that you can't call on the services of a village blacksmith to help weld your frame back together, should the worst happen, but you navigate for yourself and if you do have any mechanical problems along the way, it's down to you to sort them or get yourself home.
Some rides offer food along the way; more often, you'll be finding your own sources of fuel, from cafes and pubs to village shops and service stations.
Throw in the hills, the British weather and distances ranging from 50km to 1400km and what might have sounded like a simple bike ride becomes more of a challenge - one that is appealing to increasing numbers of cyclists year on year.
Audax events from Hawick
To enter please visit the Audax UK website: https://www.audax.uk/choose-a-ride/calendar-events/
The Debatable Lands 200km Audax - Saturday 8:00am 5th April 2025
A circular route mainly on quiet country roads through the moorland and forests of the southern uplands and North Northumberland with sections alongside Handrian's Wall, and Kielder Forest and Water.
The ride snakes south through rolling Border countryside and over the border into Northumberland to pick up the Roman road at Greenhead. Travelling west to east, following Hadrian's Wall with several small climbs, we would hope to have the wind on our backs taking us onwards to Chollerford where there is a excellent cafe stop. The route then heads back towards the Scottish Borders passing through the forested hills of the Northumberland National Park and along the side of Kielder reservoir. With a checkpoint at Waterside there is a chance to refuel and then onward through Jedburgh for the last control before heading back to Hawick. With plenty of opportunities for other stops on route this has the making of a pleasant midsummer day out in the beautiful border countryside between Scotland and England.
A circular route mainly on quiet country roads through the moorland and forests of the southern uplands and North Northumberland with sections alongside Handrian's Wall, and Kielder Forest and Water.
The ride snakes south through rolling Border countryside and over the border into Northumberland to pick up the Roman road at Greenhead. Travelling west to east, following Hadrian's Wall with several small climbs, we would hope to have the wind on our backs taking us onwards to Chollerford where there is a excellent cafe stop. The route then heads back towards the Scottish Borders passing through the forested hills of the Northumberland National Park and along the side of Kielder reservoir. With a checkpoint at Waterside there is a chance to refuel and then onward through Jedburgh for the last control before heading back to Hawick. With plenty of opportunities for other stops on route this has the making of a pleasant midsummer day out in the beautiful border countryside between Scotland and England.
The Northumbrian 200km Audax - Saturday 8.00am 28th June 2025
https://www.audax.uk/event-details/calendar/12784-the_northumbrian
Exploring the North Northumbrian countryside starting from Hawick. It follows a mix of A and B class roads and takes in the main towns in North Northumbria of Alnwick, Wooler and Bellingham, returning by Kielder.
Visiting the Northumbrian National Park and starting from Hawick it follows the main road east cutting off onto quiet roads through the villages of Morebattle and Town Yetholm. From there it enters the Northumbrian National Park making its way to Wooler. From Wooler we continue to Alnwick for the second control. In both Wooler and Alnwick there are plenty of places to refuel and both are worth a stop and explore if you haven't visited before. The route then makes its way to Rothbury and the small village of Elsdon with its famous cyclists' cafe and then on to Bellingham for the final free control before returning to Hawick by way of Kielder. There are many points to stop along this final leg including the Falstone Tearooms and Kielder Castle. The event is a basic event with free controls.
Sea Houses and Back 200km Audax - Saturday 8.00am 19th July 2025
https://www.audax.uk/event-details/calendar/11135-seahouses_and_back
Visit the seaside from Hawick while passing through the spectacular scenery of the Borders and the Northumberland National Park. Lunch at Seahouses of Fish and Chips makes for a special day out before your return.
This event can count towards the Scottish Borders Randonneur's Super Rouleur Series. There is nothing quite like a visit to the Seaside in July and this route takes you through some spectacular scenery to get there. You start with a visit to the first control at Carter Bar. The road from Hawick climbs gradually but once at Carter Bar you are rewarded with wonderful views at this well known Border Crossing. The may be a temporary food stall here but don't rely on that, you will need to be carrying enough food and drink to get you all the way to Wooler. You won't be seeing any shops until then after you have left Hawick. At Carter Bar the route does not cross the border with England just yet but heads back north for a few kilometers down a long descent with switch backs. You will turn right onto a minor road after the descent and travel through very quiet and hilly Border countryside passing through the village of Yetholm on the way to the next control in Wooler. This is a good place to restock your supplies. The next control is at the Northumberland coast in the holiday town of Seahouses. There are plenty of places to eat and drink, a busy harbour and spectacular beaches nearby. This is where to stop for lunch. The return to Hawick heads north to begin with along quiet roads towards Coldstream. From there it follows the River Tweed upstream to Kelso and then the River Teviot valley back to Hawick.
https://www.audax.uk/event-details/calendar/12784-the_northumbrian
Exploring the North Northumbrian countryside starting from Hawick. It follows a mix of A and B class roads and takes in the main towns in North Northumbria of Alnwick, Wooler and Bellingham, returning by Kielder.
Visiting the Northumbrian National Park and starting from Hawick it follows the main road east cutting off onto quiet roads through the villages of Morebattle and Town Yetholm. From there it enters the Northumbrian National Park making its way to Wooler. From Wooler we continue to Alnwick for the second control. In both Wooler and Alnwick there are plenty of places to refuel and both are worth a stop and explore if you haven't visited before. The route then makes its way to Rothbury and the small village of Elsdon with its famous cyclists' cafe and then on to Bellingham for the final free control before returning to Hawick by way of Kielder. There are many points to stop along this final leg including the Falstone Tearooms and Kielder Castle. The event is a basic event with free controls.
Sea Houses and Back 200km Audax - Saturday 8.00am 19th July 2025
https://www.audax.uk/event-details/calendar/11135-seahouses_and_back
Visit the seaside from Hawick while passing through the spectacular scenery of the Borders and the Northumberland National Park. Lunch at Seahouses of Fish and Chips makes for a special day out before your return.
This event can count towards the Scottish Borders Randonneur's Super Rouleur Series. There is nothing quite like a visit to the Seaside in July and this route takes you through some spectacular scenery to get there. You start with a visit to the first control at Carter Bar. The road from Hawick climbs gradually but once at Carter Bar you are rewarded with wonderful views at this well known Border Crossing. The may be a temporary food stall here but don't rely on that, you will need to be carrying enough food and drink to get you all the way to Wooler. You won't be seeing any shops until then after you have left Hawick. At Carter Bar the route does not cross the border with England just yet but heads back north for a few kilometers down a long descent with switch backs. You will turn right onto a minor road after the descent and travel through very quiet and hilly Border countryside passing through the village of Yetholm on the way to the next control in Wooler. This is a good place to restock your supplies. The next control is at the Northumberland coast in the holiday town of Seahouses. There are plenty of places to eat and drink, a busy harbour and spectacular beaches nearby. This is where to stop for lunch. The return to Hawick heads north to begin with along quiet roads towards Coldstream. From there it follows the River Tweed upstream to Kelso and then the River Teviot valley back to Hawick.
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Hawick Cycling Club, 2 Teviot Crescent, Hawick TD9 9RE
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