Audax Baler Reminders
06/04/2019 | Carmela Pearson
Friends, we have already posted all relevant information for the 200km Audax Baler in the ride information page. Please go through the Audax Baler 200km Strava profile, load the Audax Baler 200km GPX file to your GPS device and understand the Audax Baler Route Description. On top of this, we would like to reiterate certain reminders about this ride. Please go through the reminders below and forward it to people who might be interested to join us:
While the route is stunning, please read through the reminders below!
1) WHAT IS AN AUDAX? All participants are expected to know what they are getting themselves into before signing up for this ride. Everyone should read through the Audax: Are you in it for the long ride? to fully understand the nature of our rides. This is not a race but a self-sufficient ride on an unmarked course. Everyone should go through the audax.ph website before the ride. Reading is a virtue! *wink*
2) This is a self-sufficient ride. However, you can have your special needs (food and drinks) put in the support vehicles on stand-by at the control points. Please bring these items during the registration on Friday afternoon or on Saturday morning no later than 4am so we can facilitate properly. We're trying to avoid the rush on Saturday morning. LABEL YOUR BAGS PROPERLY.
3) STARTING IN THE DARK. We ALWAYS start on-time. Please ensure you have the proper bike lights for the ride as we will start at 4am. DO NOT LEECH ON SOMEONE ELSE'S GOOD LIGHTS. If you don't have lights, head on to your friendly bike shops and get those lights NOW!
4) ON SUPPORT VEHICLES: As the roads in Baler are quite narrow, tell your support to do Leap Frogging instead of Direct Follow. Support vehicles are allowed but DO NOT USE THEM TO GET AHEAD OF OTHERS. No drafting behind your support vehicles. Tell your drivers to be mindful of other cyclists on the roads. Once you ride the support vehicle, please have the decency not to have your brevet cards stamped and not to tell others that you're a finisher. In other words, NO CHEATING!
5) Distance may not be exact but we tried to create the best route given the convenience of control point locations and road quality. Expect it to be +/- 5% of the total distance.
6) Audax Baler doesn’t have as much elevation gain as Audax Rizal BUT the climbs are steeper with some at 10-12%. The descents are also technical with sheer drops and switchbacks. Please take extra caution descending. Do not rush going down especially if you don’t see the roads ahead of you. There are so many signs on the road like the photo below that warns motorists and cyclists of the danger of the roads. PLEASE BE EXTRA CAREFUL!
Heed this warning... the audax is not a race so no need to risk it!
7) Steel bridge warning at Kilometer 88! Similar to the treacherous steel bridge that has caused so many DNFs in Subic, there is also one in Baler. Please slow down and be careful not to get your wheel caught in the gaps of the steel slats. PLEASE BE CAREFUL!
8) This is a non-profit ride and our registration fees go to the logistical costs and accreditation dues that we pay to Audax Club Parisien on a yearly basis. We had to pay 7,400++ Euros this January 2018 alone. Some have been asking for items (finisher shirts, certificates, etc.). One joins the audax not because of the items one can gain but rather for one's own personal satisfaction for finishing. As much as I want to provide a lot of things for the participants, I am bound by these rules set by ACP.
9) As much as I want to give everyone finisher medals, I cannot. The audax finisher medals are all imported from Audax Club Parisien (ACP) and are standard across all ACP-accredited countries. I don't include this in the registration fees because I don't want to burden the riders of this extra cost. For those who would like to have a medal, there is an option in the registration forms. I have a very limited number of medals for this ride. We will give priority to those who will pay for them in advance upon advance registration. Should you not finish the ride for some reason, we would be happy to return your medal payment.
10) THIS IS NOT A RACE. To enjoy the roads and the beautiful Aurora countryside, pedal at a comfortable speed that you can maintain for the duration of the audax. Besides, this ride is better treated as an endurance ride that will not only burn fat but will also nurture a friendly atmosphere. :)
AGAIN, please make sure you have read through all the references and information shared on what the audax is about. We are still seeing a lot of questions posted that could have easily been answered IF ONLY PEOPLE WILL READ. "Reading is a virtue." Questions that can be answered through the website will not be entertained anymore.
The organisers behind these rides ride these courses themselves. We understand what each and everyone will go through. This is a very challenging ride but definitely very doable. Make sure you are mentally and physically prepared for this one. Kindly forward this information to other interested participants. See you there! Thank you!
