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
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100km Riccarton Line Audax - Sunday 9.00am 4th June 2023
An out and back route from Hawick to Falstone through the hills and moors of the southern Scottish Borders and North Northumberland passing Kielder Water on the way.
The route meanders south from Hawick towards Bonchester Bridge and then over Note' o' the Gate. Named after Mary Queen of Scots comment to her entourage as she rode from Jedburgh to Hermitage Castle in a day to visit her lover, the wounded Earl of Bothwell. Once over this pass you turn left at the next junction following the former railway line route from Riccarton Junction to Hexham. This quiet road takes you through rolling countryside to Kielder Water. Once passed the dam you turn left again for Falstone where there is a warm welcome at the Falstone Tea Rooms. The journey back is a simple retracing of the route you have just followed from Hawick.
An out and back route from Hawick to Falstone through the hills and moors of the southern Scottish Borders and North Northumberland passing Kielder Water on the way.
The route meanders south from Hawick towards Bonchester Bridge and then over Note' o' the Gate. Named after Mary Queen of Scots comment to her entourage as she rode from Jedburgh to Hermitage Castle in a day to visit her lover, the wounded Earl of Bothwell. Once over this pass you turn left at the next junction following the former railway line route from Riccarton Junction to Hexham. This quiet road takes you through rolling countryside to Kielder Water. Once passed the dam you turn left again for Falstone where there is a warm welcome at the Falstone Tea Rooms. The journey back is a simple retracing of the route you have just followed from Hawick.
The Debatable Lands 200k Audax - Sunday 21st June 2023
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.
200km Seahouses and Back Audax - Sunday 8.00am 16th July 2022
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.
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.
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.
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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