Sean Barker

Event Name = East Midlands Forest 200km

Organized by = Ian Hill

Distance = 207km

Start and finish point = Moira, W of Ashby-de-la-Zouch

Entry Fee = £5.40

Date ridden – Sunday 1^st September 2013

A relatively flat but pleasant and excellently organized event. The course ran clockwise roughly circumnavigating Leicester but on quiet roads and through a plethora of charming and quaint villages and towns. There were three excellent café stops (control points) the last two of which were familiar to me having used them on a number of previous Audax events. The start/finish point (Moira village hall) was well stocked with complimentary sandwiches, cakes and drinks, and a pleasant welcome.

Control points – Landyke Lane End, Rockingham and Wistow and only one info control.

Event Name = Neville Chanin Memorial – Over the Severn

Organised by = Peter Hutchinson

Distance = 213km

Total Climb = 3134m

Start and finish point = Wickhamford, SE of Evesham

Entry Fee = £7
Date ridden – Sunday 4^th August 2013

213km cycling event starting from Wickhamford.

Now through nobody’s fault but my own I arrived late and set off half an hour after the rest. I also managed to go off course and tack on another 15km but this was due to not being able to see my instructions due to the heavy rain. So despite riding on my own to Chepstow and getting lost sometime after that, there was no escaping the fact that this was a lovely route, some decent climbs and some spectacular views. The start/finish area was expertly run with a warm friendly welcome and a hot drink and food at the beginning and a most welcome bowl of soup at the finish. The controls for the most part were open so just get a receipt and use any of the plentiful choice of cafes and tea rooms along the route.

With over 3,000m of climbing it was challenging for some but I don’t remember any of the climbs being particularly difficult.

This scenic ride made its way to Chepstow via Tewkesbury, Newent and the Forest of Dean and returning over the Severn Bridge, Wotton-Under-Edge, Stroud and Andoversford.  

Controls at Newent, Chepstow, Stroud plus 4 information controls. 

Event Name = Midlander 100

Organised by = Jim Lee

Distance = 110km

Start and finish point = Earlswood Lakes Warwickshire

Entry Fee = £6

Date ridden – Saturday 14^th July 2013

110km cycling event starting from Earlswood Lakes

With a fairly straight forward run down to Defford via Pershore and a slightly longer return trip via Evesham necessitating the two info controls, this was a pleasant if familiar route but made special by the large group of Saracen riders who rode it as one group.

One control at Defford and two info controls on the return leg 

Event Name = Clee and Herefordshire Hills

Organised by = Gavin Greenhow

Distance = 207km

Total Climb = 3050m

Start and finish point = Droitwich

Entry Fee = £4

Date ridden – Saturday 13^th July 2013

207km cycling event starting from Droitwich.
This really is a spectacular route, with over 3,000m of climbing you really do enjoy some breath-taking vistas. Perhaps more of a course for a stronger rider but if you can manage it, it is truly a rewarding ride.

The route made its way around the Clee hills before making the first control at Cleobury. Further controls were at Bromyard and Ledbury, although most of us took an additional stop at Tenbury Wells for refreshment on what was a particularly hot day

Controls at Cleobury, Bromyard and Ledbury plus 5 information controls. 

Event Name = Mr. Pickwick Takes Flight

Organised by = Mark Rigby

Distance = 206km

Total Climb = 1800m

Start and finish point = Tewkesbury

Entry Fee = £4
Date ridden – Saturday 6^th July 2013

206km cycling event starting from Tewkesbury.
Another intriguing name for an Audax from Mark Rigby but apparently the name is derived from places and landmarks it passes through or are nearby

As I have come to expect from Mark Rigby’s events this one is of the highest standard, a pleasant and charming route be there some unavoidable sections along busy roads
 

This is not an overly difficult 200km and perhaps an ideal one for those looking to step up in distance, With good and interesting controls from the café at Wellesbourne to the Aerodrome at Turweston and finally on to his well used café in Chipping Norton, where the selection of cakes is always impressive.

Controls at Wellesbourne, Turweston. and Chipping Norton., plus 3 information controls.

Event Name = A Cotswold Adventure

Organised by = Dick Law

Distance = 208km

Start and finish point = Hampton in Arden

Entry Fee = £6
Date ridden – Sunday 30^th June 2013

I have done several Audaces through the Cotswolds but never a better route than this one. It was just one chocolate box village after another, This looked very much like a route that was designed to take in as much of the Cotswold beauty as possible.

The course was hillier than most with two and a half thousand metres of ascent but that just seemed to offer greater views of the surrounding beauty.

That start area was slick and well organised with complementary hot drinks.

The first control at Cropredy was ably staffed by two charming ladies with complementary hot drinks and a veritable banquet of food from home made flapjacks to cakes and biscuits to fruit.

The second control in Charlbury did an excellent selection of hot foods at reasonable prices.

The third and final control was in Chipping Camden but I only checked in there as I had a hankering for a giant smoothie which I could get at the Co-op a couple of doors down.

This was an excellent Audax but a shame that only fifteen people turned up for the 200km event, clearly a more aggressive promotion should be a priority for next year.

One gripe (be it a small one) the Brevet card had all the controls and info controls in kms yet the route sheet was measured in miles.

Controls were at Cropredy, Charlbury and Chipping Camden plus 4 information controls.

Event Name = Cotswold Expedition

Organised by = Paul Deane

Distance = 212km

Start and finish point = Wythall, South Birmingham

Entry Fee = £8

Date ridden – Sunday 23^rd June 2013

At £8 this was the most expensive 200km Audax I have ridden so far but a popular and well frequented event nonetheless. The start was well organised and the course was typically pleasant of a course that makes its way through the Cotswolds. The controls less so, The card validation was well run but the first café stop Broadway Tower had a half an hour waiting time so I, along with many others. gave up and just rode on to the next control at Asthall. The extortionate prices there did mean there was room but a sandwich and coffee for £8 was hard to enjoy. Probably just as well I bit the bullet as the third and final control was too busy and I really didn’t feel like standing up so just kicked on. The finish back at Wythall was excellent, plenty of food provided, pasta and a plentiful supply of cakes and hot drinks.

Controls were at Broadway Tower, Asthall and Shuttford plus 4 information controls.

Update

All the Brevet cards were lost in the post

With so many better options available at this time of the year, I'll give this one a wide berth in future

Event Name = Heart of the Shires

Organised by = Tony Davis

Distance = 206km

Start and finish point = Bitteswell, Leicester

Entry Fee = £6

Date ridden – Saturday 1^st June 2013

An unusual but pleasant undulating route that formed a figure of eight, which meant that the midway point on the course was in fact the start/finish point. This was a welcome feature as it was so well stocked with a variety of foods, cakes and drinks, where you simply made a donation.

The organisation was first class, It really couldn’t be faulted

Controls were at Brixworth, Hallaton, Bitteswell and Southam plus 5 information controls.

Event Name = Gospel Pass

Organised by = Steve Poulton

Distance = 200km

Total Climb = 3075m

Start and finish point = Apperley near Cheltenham

Entry Fee = £6

Date ridden – Sunday 26^th May 2013

This really is a stunning course with some absolutely outstanding views. If you don’t like climbing then you probably won’t enjoy it with over 3000m of climbing it’s probably better suited to the stronger rider but if you can cope with the climbs it’s a truly rewarding ride,

The course passes through the Forest of Dean to Monmouth, hilly to Pandy for a southern approach to iconic Gospel Pass. Climbs continue returning to Pandy and return via Grosmont and Marcle Ridge

Controls at Monmouth, Pandy, Hay-on-Wye, Pandy and How Caple, plus 3 information controls.

If there is a fault with the course it would have to be the controls, Monmouth was an open control so it’s just getting a receipt to prove proof of passage. Pandy which you hit twice, before and after all the big climbs is a pub that served only soup and cakes so at around 73km and then 137km that was the only chance to sit down and relax. It was a long run home with only a van serving coffee and cake 25km from the finish.

 

Event Name = Cotswold Challenge

Organised by = Jon Porteous

Distance = 160km

Total Climb = 1300m

Start and finish point = Meriden, Warwickshire

Entry Fee = £6

Date ridden – Saturday 18^th May 2013

A well supported event that makes its way through the Cotswolds . Controls at Blockley and Harbury, plus 4 information controls.

Mostly country lanes across the Avon and through Cotswold villages, up Edgehill and through Burton Dassett Country Park.

A pleasant ride and a good one for anyone looking to move to a longer distance than they are used to. 

Event Name = Three Counties Revisited

Organised by = Gavin Greenhow

Distance = 209km

Start and finish point = Droitwich

Entry Fee = £4

Date ridden – Saturday 27^th April 2013

207km cycling event starting from Droitwich. Controls at Tenbury, Weobley and Ledbury, plus 5 information controls.

The route is undulating but with no real climbs of note.

As with all Gavin Greenhow’s Audaces this is a basic one, although a gps file was fashioned by one of the competitors and distributed on the lead up to the event.

Although for the most part it did cover well-trodden ground the area in and around Weobley was unknown to ne and a delight to discover

Event Name = Pretty Pigs Two Battles

Organised by = Geoffrey Cleaver

Distance = 209km

Total Climb = 2300m

Start and finish point = Tamworth

Entry Fee = £5

Date ridden – Saturday 13^th April 2013

209km cycling event starting from Tamworth, Pretty Pigs PH. Controls at Wistow Rural Centre, Upper Stow Rural Centre and Wellsbourne, plus 1 information control.

This is a rolling ride with one or two sharp climbs. 

This really is an event of two half’s, the first half and control points afford you pleasant country lanes and good cafes but the second half sees the control points further apart and the final stop is a garage, so a standing break in the forecourt is the order of the day. 

Event Name = Sam Wellers April Foolery

Organised by = Mark Rigby

Distance = 204km

Total Climb = 2500km

Start and finish point = Tewkesbury

Entry Fee = £4

Date ridden – Saturday 6^th April 2013

204km cycling event starting from Tewkesbury. Controls at Bromyard, Ludlow and Wormelow Tump., plus 3 information controls.

A chance for cyclists to keep both their RRTY & AAARTY live on one ride. A quality spring route, taking-in parts of Shropshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire. A wonderfully scenic route & good controls throughout. 

The ride departs Tewkesbury and after an info near Ledbury stops at Bromyard for breakfast. The ride continues via quiet roads through Tenbury Well to Ludlow for a light lunch. The route then rolls onto Preisteigne (info) and Kington (info). After climbing out of Kington, the routes drops into the Wye valley and crosses the river at Bredwardine. Where the route follows quiet roads to the final control at Wormelow Tump. The route then crosses the Wye once more at Hoarwithy and follows deserted lanes back to Tewkesbury. 

Event Name = Montgomery Madness

Organised by = Philip Whiteman

Distance = 203km

Start and finish point = Bewdley

Entry Fee = £3

Date ridden – Tuesday 2^nd April 2013

Controls at Bewdley, Bromyard, Ludlow, Knighton, Montgomery, Bridgenorth.

This permanent audax can be started and indeed finished at any of the control points.

This is a hilly course but nowhere near as tough as its made out to be. I did cover it on a particularly cold and snow covered day which no doubt added to the challenge.

Some stunning countryside and spectacular views as it covered the Stretton Hills, Worcesteshire, Salop & Herefordshire. Some of the climbs include Grit Bank, Stiperstones Long Mynd and Wenlock Edge.

Shops, Cafes and ATMs available at all controls

Event Name = Character Coln

Organised by = Stephen Poulten

Distance = 104km

Start and finish point = Andoversford, Near Cheltenham.

Entry Fee = £5

Date ridden – Saturday 16^th March 2013

Only one info control on the way to the only Control at Uffington.

The course was a charming meander through the Cotswolds and along  the upper reaches of the R Thames tributary as it winds from Andoversford to the plains. The route back through such touristy places as Bibury and Chedworth was a delight.

One thing I perhaps should mention was despite the fact that I used the provided GPS route without problem, I was told by a number of riders

who used the route sheet, that is was riddled with errors that caused many to ride off the route and be somewhat lost at times. 

Event Name = Vale of Belvoir

Organiser = Steve Gloster

Distance = 212km

Total climb =1329m

Start and finish point = Lichfield

Entry Fee = £5

Date ridden = Sunday 10^th March 2013

The first quarter was a pleasant ride out to Stonehurst Farm, Mountsorrel but thereafter it was fairly uninspiring stuff. Not helped by the two controls at moterway service stations. There were however some nice sections through the vale of Belvoir and around the castle area

It was tough going as we fought our way into a strong headwind on the way out complete with blizzard conditions at times. The return trip was considerably easier as we were fairly well blown home

Controls at Stonehurst Farm, Mountsorrel, Gonerby Services and Donnington Services.

One other bone of contention was that there was no GPS route provided so an evening typing in the route was called for. 

Event Name = Mr Pickwick’s March Madness

Organiser = Mark Rigby

Distance = 209km

Total climb = 2600m

Start and finish point = The Hop Pole Pub, Tewkesbury

Entry Fee = £4

Date ridden = Saturday 2^nd March 2013

A Spring classic. Tackling the Malverns before breakfast. To & through the Forest of Dean for lunch. And an afternoon in the Severn Vale.

When it comes to Audaces Mark Rigby = class. Flawless route sheets and not only are you furnished with a GPS file of the route, you are actually given a selection, the complete route and individual files for each section. Also his series of monthly Audaces not only give the rider the distances he/she needs but also the climbing will also qualify for the AAA standards.
This route as you would expect from anything Mark Rigby is responsible for was absolutely stunning, the sections through the forest of Dean were a joy to behold.

The cafe at the half way stage afforded you absolutely stunning views of the Forest of Dean 

Controls at Bromyard., Lower Soudley. and Saul., plus 3 information controls.

Event Name = Snowdrop Express

Organiser = Phil Whiteman

Distance = 123km

Start and finish point = Whitlenge Garden Centre, Hartlebury

Entry Fee = £5.50

Date ridden = Saturday 16^th February 2013

A mass participation Audax that will most likely sell out well in advance of its starting date.

There are two Audaces run concurrently this the “Snowdrop” and the “Sunrise” which starts a little earlier and runs in the opposite direction.

The large numbers of riders and perhaps the fact that there are so many Audax novices makes it somehow feel more like a cyclosportive than a traditional Audax, it may cost a couple of pounds more than my usual Audaces but with a hot drink and light meal included in the price at the finish it does represent good value.

The organiser “Phil Whiteman is nothing if not meticulous, with clear route directions and gps’s provided he even re-designed the route at the 11^th hour due to local flooding during the preceding days.

Controls at Upton upon Severn and Evesham  and no info controls

Event Name = Sam Weller’s Day Trip to Wochma

Organiser = Mark Rigby

Distance = 213km

Total Climb = 2300m

Start and finish point = The Hop Pole Pub, Tewkesbury

Entry Fee = £4

Date ridden = Saturday 2^nd February 2013

This was a new event for 2013 that made its way through the Herefordshire cider orchards, Wye Valley, Cotswolds and Severn Vale

Controls at Wormelow Tump, Chepstow and Malmesbury, plus 2 information controls.
A typical quality event as you would expect from Mark Rigby and judging by the positive response from the participants I’m sure it will be a regular event on the calendar. 

Event Name = Mr. Pickwick’s January Sale

Organiser = Mark Rigby

Distance = 201km

Total Climb = 2100m

Start and finish point = The Hop Pole Pub, Tewkesbury

Entry Fee = £1

Date ridden = Saturday 6^th January 2013

At the utterly ridiculous price of £1 this somehow seems like Marks Rigby paying homage to his hardy stallworts who will venture out on the coldest and shortest days of the year.

This course can change depending on whatever conditions the winter may throw down.

Controls at Chaddesley Corbett, Warwick Services South. and Chipping Norton, plus 2 information controls.
Despite setting out in the dark and riding through the dark to finish this is a predictably interesting and quality Mark Rigby route.

Event Name = Kings, Castles, Priests & Churches

Organiser = Mark Rigby

Distance = 202km

Total Climb = 2550m

Start and finish point = The Hop Pole Pub, Tewkesbury

Entry Fee = £4

Date ridden = Saturday 8^th December 2012

Controls at Bromyard, Ludlow, Kington and Wormelow Tump, plus 2 information controls.

The ride departs Tewkesbury and after an info at Ledbury stops at Bromyard for breakfast. The ride continues via quiet roads through Tenbury Well to Ludlow for a light lunch. The route then rolls onto Preisteigne (info) and Kington where there's a free control. After climbing out of Kington, the routes drops into the Wye valley and crosses the river at Bredwardine. Where the route follows quiet roads to the final control at Wormelow Tump. The route then crosses the Wye once more at Hoarwithy and follows desserted lanes back to Tewkesbury

Event Name = Mr Pickwick’s Cyrch Cymru

Organiser = Mark Rigby

Distance = 209km

Total Climb = 2200m

Start and finish point = The Hop Pole Pub, Tewkesbury

Entry Fee = £4

Date ridden = Saturday 10^th November 2012

Controls at Monmouth., Talybont-on-Usk and Symonds Yat East.

A beautiful ride into Wales and the Brecon Beacons, an undulating course with a testing climb in the second half.

Event Name = Mr Pickwick’s Autumnal Outing

Organiser = Mark Rigby

Distance = 206km

Total Climb = 2350m

Start and finish point = The Hop Pole Pub, Tewkesbury

Entry Fee = £4

Date ridden = Saturday 20^th October 2012

As with any Audax organised by Mark Rigby you can be confident that it will an interesting course with roads appropriate for the time of year and an excellent choice of café stops.

This course has controls at Shipston-on-Stour, Daventry and Chipping Norton with a couple of info controls along the way

A delightful course that allows you to see some charming Cotswold villages dressed in autumnal colours

Event Name = Droitwich - Lechlade

Organiser = Gavin Greenhow

Distance = 215km

Start and finish point = Spring Meadow Cavery Pub, Primsland Way, Droitwich

Entry Fee = £4

Date ridden = Saturday 13^th October 2012

As with all Audaces I have ridden that are organised by Gavin Greenhow this is a basic one. 
It’s up to you to obtain proof of passage through the three control points and on finishing you leave the completed Brevit card with the staff at the bar.

Controls at Cheltenham, Lechlade and Tewkesbury

It’s not an unpleasant route but far too many unnecessary busy roads for my liking, something that was probably reflected in the surprisingly small field 

A record of Audaces ridden by Saracen members