Audax Permanents

Koobcam

Only just discovered the meaning of this-basically you can ride the permanent routes at any time (as opposed to having to do them on specified dates) and have them validated through the usual checks. I was hoping to do some longer distance stuff in the next couple of months but always seem to be away or busy on the relevant dates. So, I'm wondering how this works: do you have to specify a specific date when you will do the route, or would an estimated date do the job. I suppose I should just email the organiser of the relevant route, but if anyone has done permanents before, perhaps they could let me know how things normally work. Thanks

Mefistofelino

Koobcam - I organise a number of Permanents. What works for me is for riders to enter a couple of weeks in advance and give a rough idea of start date, starting point and direction (unlike the "calendar" events, a permanent can start at any point on the course and run in either direction). I'll provide a brevet card, with proposed control points. Closer to the date itself, riders usually email me to confirm the date or advise if they are postponing.

After you have completed the permanent, you can send the organiser the "proof of passage" - typically the brevet plus shop receipts etc but many organisers will accept a GPS file (check beforehand though). The ride is then validated and the brevet card returned to the rider.

I presume you've seen this page? http://www.audaxireland.org/audax/permanents/

If you have any further questions, just ask.

Koobcam

Mefistofelino wrote: »

I presume you've seen this page? http://www.audaxireland.org/audax/permanents/

If you have any further questions, just ask.

Mefistofelino, thanks for the advice, much appreciated. I have had a good look at the Audax Ireland website alright, so I know the routes available and the general rules etc, though I didn't realise you could do them in the opposite direction or potentially validate with gps data-that might alter my plans somewhat. My only other question: is it possible to do a DIY permanent? I had a look at the Audax UK website and it seems as though this is possible there (ie you design a route, contact an organiser or someone in Audax UK who can give you a brevet card and then do the usual validation checks). There are plenty of great permanent routes as it is, but just wondering if DIY is an option in Ireland? Also, which permanents do you organise? I'm thinking of starting out with some 200s in my local (ish) area, so would be ones like the Mick Byrne (or any of the other ones starting around south Dublin/Bray) or the 200 around the Slieve Blooms.

Mefistofelino

1) The GPS-validation is, as mentioned above, down to the individual organiser. Personally, I have enough paperwork clogging up my life so anything that reduces it is fine by me! Several riders do the Permanents on a completely paperless basis - emails, payment by PayPal, no brevet card, download the route GPS file, validation by GPS track file. Others want the traditional brevet and paper route-sheet which is fine too. Just a word of warning - it's not unknown for a GPS unit to go belly-up on a ride, leaving you without a validation file, so it may be worth having a Plan B (which doesn't have to be a stack of receipts - something like a time-stamped photo of yourself at the control locations will suffice).

2) At the last time of asking, DIY Permanents weren't an option here. However, as the numbers taking part in audax events in Ireland has increased significantly over the past few years, it's something that might be considered.

3) All my events are Cork-based (Midleton 200, Pink Elephant 200, Three Rivers 300 & Beara 400) so you'll probably find something a little closer to home!

NamelessPhil

I've ridden the Ardattin and Mick Byrne routes as permanents. I contacted the organiser about a week beforehand and used a GPS file for validation and paid the €5 by Paypal. I've also sent a text at the end of the route as a way of establishing the finish time. I've also sent a photo by text (town sign, selfie in front of landmark) as a form of validation.

On the Celtic Knot 1000 I also sent a text from the control to the organiser just so he'd know where I was as I was one of the last riders on the route.

The Ardattin is a really handy permanent if you're south Dublin based. I rode it on 2nd January this year just to kick off the RRTY!