The Pork Pie 200k audax

Audax riding is something between a sportive and orienteering. Although a route is provided, you can choose your own way so long as you visit the control. Oh yes, and the coffee stops are mandatory as it’s your receipts that provide “proof of passage”. As such, a handful of intrepid SICC riders gathered in Girton for the inaugural Cambridge Port Pie – a 200km out and return ride to Melton Mowbray via Oundle. It was very pleasant to explore back roads further afield and the camaraderie is greater than on a conventional sportive – everyone helps everyone else to complete the ride. Time limits are very generous and we were greeted by a deluge of cake, homemade soup, rolls and healthy snacks on arrival back at base, and all for an entry fee of just £4. This is a great early season long ride and I hope it runs again next year.

Sarah Kelman