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This is not the place to describe fully what Audax is all about, but in brief, since "Audax" stems from the Latin "To be Bold" [audacious], then not surprisingly, these are challenging rides. Like "reliability trials", there is a target time to achieve a set distance, and more often than not over a set route. Other than that, how fast you ride and how frequently you stop is down to the rider - it is not a race! Or so they say - try Cyclo-Sportives if you want fame and glory!

Audax rides are open to non-members, but you pay extra on the entry fee to cover Insurance, etc. You generally need to enter in advance (because you need to be issued with route sheets and a Brevet Card (to be stamped en-route) so use the Audax Entry Form, post that to be with the Organiser at least 10 days before the event, along with payment and 2xStamped SAE's.

MS Word version of Entry Form

For info and websites relating to long distance and international events click here to open new window.

We're newly introduced to the world of the Cyclists Touring Club - Manchester District Association, so we're learning the ropes.
Events appear to be open to all-comers but their many competitions are only able to be won by CTC members. Entry is less formalised than Audax or CTT, but you still need the correct forms, etc. See the CTC Manchester DA Website and CTC's own list for more details as well as What's On in CTC's "Cycle" magazine.

Many of the DA events are organized by Peak Audax who offer their own calendar of events, at home and abroad.

Welcome to the world of Rules and Regulations...

The annual list of events and all Regulations, etc, are contained in the CTT Handbook published each year. These are published in January and are obtainable from the Club Treasurer (Steve Taylor) or by contacting a CTT Official - see their website for more information.

The CTT Website lists late changes (e.g. Cancellations, change of organiser, omissions, etc) to the Handbook so it's always worth checking there before you send an entry off.

ENTERING : Generally, you should send off the Official CTT Entry Form by post, to arrive at least 14 days before the event. 21 days is better. [As an event organiser myself, last-minute entries are a pain in the backside]. The absolute deadline is at the organiser's discretion and the CTT Rule is that the Organiser is supposed to close his entries 12 days before the event. So, for a Saturday time trial, he needs the form a week-on-Monday before. If you're a bit late, try phoning the Organiser - if the event isn't oversubscribed, he/she might let you in late. But only try this trick at 13 or 12 days in advance. At 11 days or less, tough. So, sooner is much better...

Tips for filling entry forms

1) Obtain your Blank Entry Form from the CTT website
2) Enter well in advance - 3 to 4 weeks beforehand is recommended
3) Fill in all parts of the entry form.
   So, this means you need to keep a record of any past events - date, your time, course number, who the winner was, winner's time.
4) Tick the Reserves option box - otherwise you will be top of the rejects heap if the event is oversubscribed.
5) If you are over 40, then fill in the Vet's Section: age (on the day) and Current Standard (see VTTA Standard Tables)
6) Sign and date the bottom of the form. If you don't, CTT Reg's state that the Organiser must reject your entry.

Time Trials

Sporting Courses Time Trials are run under CTT Rules and events are listed in the CTT Handbook. The SPOCO Bit is a Points Series trophy. The local series is Lakes & Lancs SPOCO. See their website for full details. I think you, or the Club, needs to register with SpoCo to qualify for their trophy.

Cyclo Sportives

These are all privately organised, so the requirements vary. No thanks to Cycling Weakly, these events had previously been the joy of a few select and local nutters riders but thanks to mass publication and advertising, previously ignorant roadies, bored with the same old annual cycle of events, have latched onto new things - result - cyclo-sportives are now over-subscribed... Enter well in advance - like 6 or 7 months in advance....