The Lewes Wanderers Cycling Club
Reliability Trials & Audax Rides
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Reliability Trials


LWCC Reliability Trial

We run our own Reliability Trial event every January - This year's edition was held on:

Last event: 22nd January 2012 - 45 miles

  • We had 58 entries
  • 35 successful rides by Wanderers
  • 11 successful rides by non-Wanderers
  • 12 DNF within their time limit
  • See No. 254 our February 2012 magazine for report, results & photos


    ESCA Reliability Trial

    LWCC promoted the 2011 Reliability Trial for the ESCA Rally Shield on Sunday 20th November

    It was held over a 65-mile course, with the start and finish at East Hoathly Sports Pavilion. Riders could opt to complete the course in 4 hours, 4 hours 30 minutes or 5 hours. The cost per rider was £4.00 (unchanged from 2009).

    See No. 253 our December 2011 magazine for reports, results and photos


    The 2012 edition of the ESCA Reliability Trial will be promoted by the Rye Wheelers on Sunday 18/11/12.
    • What is a Reliability Trial?

    Reliability Trials are, like Audax events, not races, but rather long distance rides which emphasise fitness, self reliance and navigational skills.

    How Reliable a cyclist are you?

  • Fitness - Do you think you are fit enough to complete the course in your sellectd time?

  • Self Reliance - Are your skills, equipment & machine reliable enough to deal with any mechanical or climatic conditions which could occur on the day?

  • Navigational Skills - Can you successfully navigate the course, passing through all the required controls using the directions provided?

    The proof of a reliable cyclist, in the spirit of Reliability Trials is someone who can answer yes to the above 3 questions!

    A reliable cyclist is not someone who trains numerous times before the event on a pre-published route. Neither is it someone who follows their handlebar mounted satellite navigation system around a way-marked route on the day of the event (there are plenty of sportives throughout the year for cyclists who want to do that).

    LWCC Chairman, Chris Martin collects the ESCA Rally Shield for 2010 - Photo: Keith Evers

    LWCC Chairman, Chris Martin on behalf of the Lewes Wanderers collects the ESCA Reliability Trial Shield for 2010

    • Lewes Wanderers and the ESCA Reliability Trial

    The ESCA Reliability Trial was introduced in 1985 by Charles Robson. The association members have done battle since for the Reliability Trial Shield. See the drop-down box for the full list of winners.

    With the exception of 1996, the Wanderers had failed to win the shield, until taking it in 2004. In 2005 it was a tie between the Wanderers and Eastbourne Rovers, both clubs having 15 counters.

    Since 2006 the Wanderers have taken victory each year and see this as a special event, a chance to get its members out in numbers and riding together.

    LWCC promoted the 2011 ESCA Reliability Trial & with 23 classified finishers retained the shield.

    28 Wanderers in one photo
    Taken after our victory on 20/11/11

    18 Wanderers in one photo
    Taken after our victory on 21/11/10

    24 Wanderers in one photo
    Taken after our victory on 22/11/09

    22 Wanderers in one photo
    Taken after our victory on 23/11/08

    30 Wanderers in one photo
    Taken after our victory on 18/11/07



    Local Audax Events - tough stuff for 2012


    15/10/11 - Mid Sussex Hilly & Hillier 100km
    See reports & photos in No. 252 November mag

    11/12/11 - Mince Pie & Stollen 100km
    See reports & photos in No. 254 February mag

    21/01/12 - Hills and Mills 100km
    See reports & photos in No. 254 February mag

    11/02/12 - Worthing Winter Warmer 100km
    See reports & photos in No. 255 March mag

    18/02/12 - Mad Jack's 120km
    See reports & photos in No. 255 March mag

    Dave (El Supremo) Hudson is promoting 27 events on 13 different dates in 2012. These are run from various start locations around East & West Sussex.

    Download your entry forms from and view the full Audax calendar at Audax UK.

    It is currently only £19 PA to join AUK and you get plenty for your money, including Arrivée their quarterly magazine.

    You don’t need to be a member of Audax to enter and ride their events. Non-members pay an extra £2 per ride to cover insurance and you are covered on this premium if you are a member of CTC.

    LWCC Forum members can use our Forum for all the latest on Audax, Reliability and Sportive events.

    See the club magazine for more info and reports.

    Info on Audax UK from their website

    Audax United Kingdom is the internationally recognised long distance cycling association in the UK.

    Usually referred to as Audax UK or AUK, it was established in 1976. Audax UK oversees the running of long distance cycling events in the UK, and, using a system of timed checkpoints, validates and records every successful ride.

    The cycling events listed in their calendar will take you on some of the best roads for cycling in the UK. The rides are open to everyone. There are a wide range of rides (from about 50km up to 600km), so if you like riding a bike you should find something you'll enjoy.

  • Can anybody ride Audax UK's events?
      Yes. Although technically, AUK does not 'run' events - these are run by clubs or individuals under AUK's supervision. When a non-member enters an event, there is a small additional fee over and above the usual entry fee, which gives the rider 'temporary membership' of AUK for the duration of the event. This is necessary for insurance reasons.
  • What does the word 'Audax' mean?
      It's Latin for 'bold', and was first used in the context of endurance sports towards the end of the 19th century.
  • What do the words 'Randonnée' and 'Randonneur' mean?
      'Randonnée' is a French word which loosely translates to 'ramble or 'long journey' - it's not really cycling-specific, but in AUK we take it to mean a long cycle ride. A 'Randonneur' is a person who has completed a recognised 200 kilometre ride.
  • What does the word 'Brevet' mean?
      It means 'certificate', more or less. So it's the card you carry, which gets stamped at controls and finally validated by AUK as proof of your ride. The word is often also used to describe the event itself - ie, a certificated ride.








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    Audax Gallery

    Peter Baker rides Paris-Brest-Paris - 21-24/08/11

    Peter Baker rode and completed the 1230km of Paris-Brest-Paris between 21st & 24th August 2011. See No. 251 our October 2011 magazine for Peter's report and more photos

    The tough one and the boys are ready to start the mighty Mad Jack - 120km - 18/02/12 - Photo: Rob Pelham

    It was a cold day for the Worthing Winter Warmer - 100km - 11/02/12 - Photo: Micky Turner

    Wanderers ready for the start of the Hills and MIlls - 102km - 21/01/12 - Photo: Chris Martin

    Wanderers ready for the start of the Mince Pie & Stollen - 108km - 11/12/11 - Photo: Chris Martin

    Wanderers ready for the start of the Mid Sussex Hillier - 15/10/11 - Photo: Chris Martin

    Wanderers before the off on the Worthing Winter Warmer Audax - 12/02/11 - Photo: Chris Martin

    Wanderers with Dave Hudson & his toasted cheese sandwiches on the 1066 Audax - 5/02/11 - Photo: Chris Martin

    Wanderers ready for the off on the Hills & Mills - 104km - 15/01/11 - Photo: Chris Martin

    Wanderers take on fuel - Mince Pie & Stollen - 108km - 12/12/10 - Photo: Chris Martin

    Wanderers enjoy tea & cakes after the Mid Sussex Hillier - 125km - 23/10/10 - Photo: Chris Martin