Hugely successful Audax rides organised by West Surrey CC

Sunday 7^th June saw 116 riders take part in three long-distance rides under the auspices of Audax UK.  All started from Elstead in Surrey and the routes took people west into Hampshire and Wiltshire under grey but not too threatening skies.  The Nearly Stonehenge is a 200km route which has been going more or less in its current form since 1978.  The Danebury and Overton rides (150km and 100km respectively) are a bit more recent but take in many miles of quiet country lanes with glorious views.

Nearly a third of this year’s riders were women, a growing trend that we were delighted to see and one which aligned with AUK priorities to celebrate its 50^th anniversary.

The events were organised and supported by West Surrey Cycling Club and a team of club volunteers was on hand to make sandwiches and provide refreshments and encouragement for the returning cyclists.

We are looking forward to holding the events again next year and are provisionally holding 6^th June 2027 in our diaries.  In the meantime, though, the club will be running the Tour of the Hills on 9^th August 2026, another demanding but very fulfilling event in the Surrey Hills (see www.audax.uk for details).

This was my first audax and I don’t think I could have wished for a better introduction into this particular world of cycling.  The whole atmosphere, bonhomie and organisation was first class and thanks are due to you and the team

I rode the 100 with my daughter, and it was her first Audax. I don’t have any negatives to share — only positives.

The communication was very good, and the GPX file worked well.

We both really enjoyed the route. It runs close to where I live in Aldershot, so I’ll definitely be adding parts of it into my regular rides.

The hospitality was excellent, so please pass on my thanks to your volunteers. For my daughter’s first Audax, the welcome at the start and finish really stood out, especially the gift bag. It was a great example of how to make the event feel welcoming and encouraging, particularly for women coming into Audax.

I’m sure we’ll be back again, and hopefully I can encourage her to try a longer distance next time.

That was my first Audax and all I can say is… BRILLIANT ! The communication before the ride, the briefing before we went, the refreshments at the start/finish were all great and most importantly… everyone I spoke to and rode with were so friendly and welcoming.

I’ve completed a few “sportive” events and this felt much friendlier and far less “corporate”, but still professional.

All photos copyright Mike Carrington