AUDAX RANDONNEURS SOUTH AFRICA (AURASAN)
Audax Club Parisien (ACP) Randonneurs Mondiaux (RM)
is fully affiliated with ACP/RM
ABOUT US
The Basics of Randonneuring – (reprinted from Randonneurs USA Members' Handbook)
“As for the word audax, don't try looking it up in your dictionary. Even a cycling glossary may not be of any help. Although the Audax Club Parisien and Audax United Kingdom groups include audax in their names, as does Audax Randonneurs S.A., randonneur rides, strictly speaking, are not audax events. These are organized by the Union des Audax Français, which insists that its members adhere to an unchanging 22.5 kph pace that is kept in check by a ride leader. But technicalities aside, the Latin audax has a double meaning that few randonneurs would find inappropriate. According to the Cassel's English-Latin Dictionary, audax means 'bold' in both a positive and negative sense. The positive meaning is 'daring' and 'outrageous'. The bad: 'audacious, rash or foolhardy'. Every randonneur event – with its mixture of sleepless, ghostly night riding, scenic vistas, uncertain and troublesome swings in weather, companionship, and tediousness, skilful cycling and exhausted plodding – seems to combine a bit of both sides of the word's meaning.”
- Ian Austin
Aurasan had its nativity on 16th February 1997 with its inaugural 200km event. It was observed and monitored by Bob and Suzanne Lepertel of the Audax Club Parisien/ Randonneurs Mondiaux (ACP/RM) who were instrumental thereafter in Aurasan being granted full membership with authority to organise events in accordance with the rules and ethos of ACP/ RM.
Broadly speaking a Randonnée is a self supported ride of at least 200km using any form of Human Powered Vehicle (HPV). No outside assistance may be provided to the riders other than at designated points: usually Controls which are located to ensure that participants conform to the route and the set average speed of between 15 and 30 km per hour from start to finish and between Controls. Controls are usually located at garages, cafés, or some such establishment where provisions/ refreshments may be obtained and who are prepared to authenticate the riders' Control Card. In some cases the organisers may themselves set up Controls where there are no other facilities. Riders may of course assist each other and may also take advantage of fortuitous offers of help. No drafting behind vehicles is permitted and the wearing of approved helmets is compulsory.
The standard distance for RM events are 200, 300, 400, 600 kms. The completion of all four in a calendar year confers the title of Super Randonneur. SR may be also achieved where a longer distance substitutes for a shorter distance. In South Africa a medal is awarded for each successful completion of an event.
RANDONNÉE POPULAIRE (RP) is an event shorter than 200kms run according to the same rules but does not qualify for international recognition as do the official distance events: the results of which are approved and recorded in the Paris headquarters of ACP/RM
PBP
Every four years the 'ultimate Randonnée' is held Paris-Brest-Paris, 1200 kms in 90 hours. This is the 'Comrades' of the Randonnée ethos. Qualifying requires a Super Randonneur performance in the preceding 12 months. The event is usually held in August and the next one is in 2011.
THE AUDAX FORMULA
The Audax formula ensures almost any cyclist – determined novice, occasional sporting rider, tourist, or racer – can enjoy a pleasant yet challenging day's ride and achieve internationally recognised standards of cycling competence and endurance.