Audax 400km report, 25/06/2016

Hi all,

I am honored to write up the story behind this particular Audax with my well-known Frenglish. Sorry about the length of it but I can talk a lot sometimes 🙂
One year ago, Joshua (the Audax Master) was talking about an Audax 400 in the Wechat group and despite not knowing him personally and having a 170km ride as my longest ride, I have decided to participate in my first Audax and finished it with a wrong setup on my bike that kept me off the bike for 2 weeks.

Lesson learnt, I have done several Audax from 200 to 600km, (had to give up the latter at km380 due to lack of inner tubes/energy/soaked in rain) in both Shanghai and Hong Kong (hills add up some fun and pain). I try to cycle no matter the weather so as to understand how to push my limits a little further and getting used to it. Rain or shine, -10 or +40 degrees, day or night, I try to go out and see how I feel.

So few weeks ago, as usual, Joshua posted an article about the Audax 400 that would start from Songjiang, pass by Taihu, go a little further and come back to the starting point. This kind of distance usually scare people off but still 203 participants registered, and so did I. Organizers are as usual very friendly but still need to strengthen the control part (HK is much more strict and it’s necessary).

I prepared myself as usual with 2 inner tubes in my saddle bag, CO2 that I didn’t have on my 600km ride, hand-pump, handlebar bag for my food and stem bag for my phone and battery charger. I also brought 3 burgers from KFC, about 15 snickers, 2 big bottles of 900ml, salt tabs and took the decisions to go without gels/electrolytes drink.

Regarding gears, the day before the event, rain was forecasted for only few hours so I also brought my windbreaker in case I would need it. I was wearing the summer Pudong kit and it was perfect as usual. My gloves were newly bought Specialized Body Geometry Sport with extra padding. I was particularly concerned about my palms as they recently got numb in my Audax in HK and these new gloves did a great job keeping my hands in good shape. Bikewise, I decided to go with the Tarmac Pro Race and to keep the CL60 rim as they brake well in the wet while giving me an advantage on the flat roads of this challenge. Got 2 lamps I know that are reliable and strong, front from Decathlon and back from Infinite.

The day before, one of the organizers contacted me and ask whether she could make an interview with me right before the start which meant I had to arrive at 530am and less sleep. My weakest point on this kind of event is the lack of sleep as I usually drive to the starting point right before the start and meant that I had to wake up at 330am. Still I accepted as I was the only “foreigner” but was somehow concerned about my shape.

Well, with the training and my preparation, everything still looked fine for this day on the saddle. Slept for 6 hours and woke up to see rain out of my window. Tough day expected. Arrived a bit early and took a 30min nap before getting my race package. Rain was not stopping until 625am, 5min before the start! Took off my windbreaker and off we go!

No luck, rain started again immediately but I was too focused on joining the front guys. Some of the guys were doing 200km and didn’t have to manage their energy so the usual 45km/h>35km/h>45km/h took place among the Chinese cyclists, showing off their power on short periods during the first 100km…

Once they headed back, only me and another guy were left at Taihu lake. A car with some organizers was following us, blocking the cars that could overtake. We worked together nicely and reach the half of the course by 1pm, only 6,5 hrs after the start. People at the check point were so excited to see us and it was funny to be taken in picture with each of them. Meanwhile, I was eating my 1st burger and was still feeling strong.

Rain didn’t stop but riding out there was manageable. We then headed back on a steady pace while meeting the slower guys on the opposite side of the road. Around km220 rain stopped and the guy with me decided to accelerate and I decided to keep my energy for later in case I would need.

From this point, I was by myself, roads were damp and I was going easy knowing I was in 2nd place until I reached the check point at km270. The car was following for some time but I didn’t really pay attention on it. People again were so excited when I arrived and told me I was in 1st place. The guy probably got lost going by himself and I understood that the car was only following the leader… After getting my stamp, I continued steadily by myself until 2 furious guys from the same team passed me and obviously tried to drop me. I was lucky to keep my strength and was happy to look at them looking back on me with their pissed off faces. No luck, I got a flat and couldn’t follow them. I stopped and repaired it, broke my hand pump and was feeling lucky to have my CO2 this time. Took my 2nd burger and continued cycling. And here, I couldn’t believe what I saw : the 2 guys were on the side of the road pumping the tire with a floor pump with a girl from their support car. I was pissed as Audax is meant to be self-assisted and no support car allowed. I knew the 2 guys would catch me up and so did they at km310. The support car was in front of us, organizers car was behind us. Speed decreased to a 30-32km/h and they stoppped trying to drop me. I had the time to mention they didn’t even have a bag on their bikes, nor inner tubes in their jerseys. They didn’t have GPS like garmin or phone to navigate either nor lamps. All they did was relying on their support vehicle. Suddenly, at km330 one of them got a flat and had to stop, leaving the other guy by himself with me. He took 2 gels and sprint again at 40+ for few km without looking behind him. He was there to finish first but was very dissappointed when he looked back. Somehow he forgot he didn’t have GPS and with 40km left, he realized he shouldn’t drop me. We finally started to work together. I knew I was in first place and that the guy wouldn’t make a stupid move so I enjoyed the last hour on the saddle, going at my pace and remembering all my trainings to be there. Of course, Audax is not a race and there is no ranking but finishing first is still a little achievement, my biggest achievement cyclingwise.

We reached the finish point, people were excited again but the girl who gave me my certificate and medal gave me the 200km one at first. She didn’t know the 1st 400km guys have arrived! Funny. A short moment of glory with people asking me for pictures with them, short interview but all I wanted was to tell my wife :).

One word about the organizers, they did a good job preparing and making this happen but they definitely should be more severe about people with no light, with support car, etc.

Alright, it is passed now. Next is 600km but I might be in France during that period so let’s see whether I can do it or not.

Thanks for the few ones that read it all and see you on the road!

Philippe