We have just concluded the 200km/300km/400km Audax Subic and 100km Populaire last weekend. Please check the below files for the tentative results and let us know by May 3 of any comments/questions so we can double-check from our end and do the necessary adjustments before we submit the results to Paris on May 4. You can reach us at info@audax.ph. Let us not spam the Facebook group/page of Audax Randonneurs Philippines. Please note that your result reflects your elapsed time = scanned time at the finish. It doesn't reflect the elapsed time in your Strava or GPS devices.
Tentative Results 100km Populaire Subic.pdf
Tentative Results 200km Audax Subic.pdf
Tentative Results 300km Audax Subic.pdf
Tentative Results 400km Audax Subic.pdf
While the Audax Subic routes are very familiar routes in the long-distance cycling community of the Philippines, we received a lot of people backing out as we approached the weekend. Understandably, the high temperatures were still on a rampage last weekend and we knew it will be very challenging for most. Add that with the many local fiestas that caused a lot of traffic along the route, the vehicular accidents and the fire near the cemetery on the way back to Subic, our randonneurs had a field day. As we were receiving such accounts all throughout the day, we were worried but kept on hoping that we won't have any major accidents/mishaps for the weekend. We received accounts of participants calling it a day as the heat and cramping is just way too much for them.
But just like any Audax ride, no matter how many times you've done these distances and these same exact same routes, each ride still proves to be an experience like no other. While not finishing can be viewed as cowardice by the uninitiated, we saw this as being wise for not pushing as we know these people will come back stronger than ever. Take it from me, someone who has DNF'd so many times in the past, we just need to step back, assess, learn and move forward again. While there were accounts of severe cramping and even one who collapsed during a meal at the 250km mark (due to low potassium levels), everyone got attended to right away by the tireless emergency response team who worked round-the-clock last weekend. And speaking of support, there were so many non-riding family and friends who supported their teammates, their relatives and even other strangers along the route. I know for a fact that supporting others in these big rides is very very tiring and I would often say that I would rather just ride than support. Your selfless support for others is truly inspiring.
Thank you to SBMA (the Tourism office and the traffic enforcers), Unison Bikes, DT Swiss, Nutrition Depot, Maynilad, Mango Valley Hotels and Batch 99 of the UP Upsilon Sigma Phi and UP Sigma Delta Phi for the support. Thank you to the San Antonio Highlander Amateur Radio Association (DX3-SAHARA), the volunteers who ensured smooth traffic in between San Marcelino, San Antonio and San Narciso. Thank you to the David's Salon crew, led by Ms. Jola Gonzales, who worked for more than 24 hours straight last weekend. Thank you to my Audax crew (Jola, Shai, Sherlee, Solo and Ann), especially the ladies who were all on their toes last weekend and kept the relevant updates going while I'm in Singapore. The Audax is in good hands with the Audax crew. Last but not the least, thank you to everyone who showed up last weekend, finish or not finish. All inspiring in our book. You were all a testament to one of my favorite quotes, "You don't need to be great to get started, you just need to get started to be great."
Photo credit: the brave souls of the hottest Audax ride in PH history by Ms. Sherlee Tambalque