Fredwina does a brvet! (is this old news?)

[Fredwina]

I decided to do a 200K brevet this morning. I drove down to San Diego , and it was drizzling all the way down. I had looked at the weather forecast before leaving, and it looked like it would clear off, Wrong!
I go to the start location right at the start time(the trolley stop in Old Town), I needed to use the bathroom real bad.... Unfortunately, they were all locked! :mad:
So I started out. I found a quickie mart and used theirs. I had though about going in the woods, but I really need to use some toilet paper to ensure a comfortable ride :o
I pedaled past Mission bay and then got on what has to be the world's worst bike path. Trees root growing through the pavement, blind curves, a Homeless encampment under a bridge, plus it ended in a flight of stairs:confused:
Sound like fun? Did I mention the weather forecast said the rain would end? well instead it started pouring. I was pretty miserable and thought about turn around.
The rain finally started to let up at Oceanside. Going through Camp Pendleton, I started to met ride from an MS150 going the other way. I got out of the base and rode the old 101/coast Highway to San Clemente. where The control and turnaround was at a Carl's Jr(think Hardee's if you're in the Midwest or East Coast). Most Carl's have a mexican sub-menu. I had a burrito platter (had to get my much Frijloes for the way back ;) . It reminded for an Auto shop that I used to live by that claimed to specialize in Foreign and Domestic Autos, I always wanted to my car by - as at the time I had Mercury built in Mexico with an Australian body and a Japanese engine.
Anyway, the way back!
It finally cleared up enough to take pics:
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o254/Fredwina_photo/20071013/SUNP0002.jpg
an Indian Guru had this built for himself: The area is called Swami's:
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o254/Fredwina_photo/20071013/SUNP0003.jpg
I stopped at a 7-eleven in Encitas to refuel, and Finally Came to my nemesis, The Torrey Pines climb:
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o254/Fredwina_photo/20071013/SUNP0004.jpg
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o254/Fredwina_photo/20071013/SUNP0005.jpg
It gains about 500 feet in about a miles. I tried a little game. The climb is bit deceiving , as it has a sharp curve about halfway up, just enough to demoralize you. So , i kept that mind, and tried to conserve my effort, and I was up it no time. and no let down rounding that curve.
It was downhill the rest of the way. I did a victory loop of Fiesta island and turned in my card. This got me over 6,000 miles for the year (sorry Lisa) and I'm now eligible for the R-1000 (1000 kilos in Randonees in a single year.
Now to work on that Fleche cue sheet

[Tuckervill]

I like how you just "decided" to do a brevet "this morning".

I've only been to California a few times, but I have seen that Swami place! It's hard to forget. I remember it because my son and I were arguing at the time. lol. How weird is that?

Sorry it rained on you. Thanks for the report!

Karen

[jobob]

Nice report, as always !

FWIW, I usually bring one of those pocket-sized packs of Kleenex, if nature calls and the available facilities (whatever they may be) hve no TP.

[Fredwina]

I like how you just "decided" to do a brevet "this morning".

I've only been to California a few times, but I have seen that Swami place! It's hard to forget. I remember it because my son and I were arguing at the time. lol. How weird is that?

Sorry it rained on you. Thanks for the report!

Karen
I had planned on week or two in advance, but almost decided not when I saw the rain, but the weather said it would "clear out" right:rolleyes:

[Mr. Bloom]

I had planned on week or two in advance,

Hmmm...I'm having to plan stuff in '09 to assure I can be able...:D

[sundial]

Nice pictures, Fredwina. My favorite is heading toward the coast.

This is a dumb question but what is a brevet? :confused:

[onimity]

Brevet:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brevet_%28cycling%29

Congrats Fredwina, that's an amazing number of miles (or kms) for the year!

Anne

[RoadRaven]

Somehow missed this post, FW...

You know what impresses me most about your post... after the fact you did it (WOOHOO!!!)

The way you say:

I decided to do a 200K brevet this morning.

I'm with Tuckervill and MrSilver on this one... Thats something I would plan for days, maybe weeks out! Well impressed...

[elk]

must feel worth it when you hit those fat bicycle lanes that run down along the sea...wow.

elk

PS How long does it take to do that 200K? What time do you start in the am & when do you finish? Aproximates will do..!!

[Fredwina]

It stated at 7:00 . Ii was more like 7:30(actually 0730, since Brevets use 24 clocks)
I got back at 1630(4:30) could have gone a bit faster, but was enjoying a day on the bike.
It was pretty much and out and back route.
The nicest part was actually after the ride - I had stopped at the Trek store to get some gloves, and then had dinner. I was near Miramar Marine Corps Air Station and they were having an Air Show, so I watched the Air Force Thunderbirds perform

[silver]

Oh that sounds wonderful. You've inspired me to do something like this. I love that you saw the thunderbirds fly afterwards!

[mimitabby]

wow, you completed your brevet WITH HILLS a lot faster than Raleighdon did his saturday; with a 2800 feet of climb..

you're doing great!

[Fredwina]

wow, you completed your brevet WITH HILLS a lot faster than Raleighdon did his saturday; with a 2800 feet of climb..

you're doing great!

I had 3622 using web based mapping (too cheap to buy a Garmin)
Maybe I should move up there,. MT! I'm usually the last one in. But then I usually don't tarry too long at control.
Sliver, welcome to the Crazy Lady Society:) I'm trying to remeber if JoBob or myself is the prez...(maybe it's MP;) You may be in the sam boat I am, as I think the nearest series to you are in St Louis and Lexington, KY

[mimitabby]

Fred, we could use you!
but Raleighdon isn't a tarrier either. but they did stop for lunch.

he was riding with 3 others, and they decided to stay together.

[Brandy]

Nice report. :) I think we'll do the 200k and 300k in January...they're on our calendar. Thought about doing the 200k on December 15th, but don't want to drive all the way down to Chula Vista!

[Fredwina]

Geez, you're not do the Rancho to hemet one on 11/24 wah! wah! wah!:p It has a totallly excellent route(it's estianlly one of my perm routes with less controls:cool: )
I'm never posting here agian!:p
on a serious note, i found a Fellow Rando rider (am I the only one who hate the term "Randonouse" for Female Brevet ride? Makes me feel like should sprout wings and start honking!) in Rancho, and he trying to get to do the AZ series, plus we're working on a Fleche route from cucamonga to Oceanside.
If you're really interested, check out www.rusa.org. You'll need to join to get distance credit, but everyone's dues expire in Decmenber, so you may want to wait for a month.
Brandy, Bbby Fisher and the LA Wheelmen are supposed to do a series on the westside next year, Another option, as the rumor is the SLO series are no more....

[Brandy]

Thanks for the heads up, I just saw Bobbie a couple of weeks ago at Furnace Creek. I'd be interested in seeing what she puts together! Hmmm...maybe I'll email her.

I haven't decided on the whole brevet series yet, mainly because of time constraints, other events, childcare, etc. The 400k falls the week after Butterfield Double, so I am defaulting and letting George take that one.

Funny you should mention the Az. brevet series, I was just on the website this morning!

[Fredwina]

Unless you're planning on doing an event that requires it (like a 1000 or 1200K), or just want the Super Randonneur title, there's no need to do the whole thing... I probably should get around to doing a 400K and 600K myself:o

[Brandy]

That's the thing...I'm not! :p I just think they'll be good early season training rides. Well that and the boyfriend thinks I need to toughen up and do some longer unsupported rides before I start dreaming about Furnace Creek 508 Solo. :p If I could get the jan/feb 200k and 300k's from San Diego and Los Angeles that would be a good jump start on my doubles season. I really need to just get out and climb...I've decided to take on Mulholland and Heartbreak Doubles this year and the Grand Tour Triple. We'll see how all of this goes!

[Veronica]

Why not do 508 on the tandem? Or even as a mixed team?

V.

[Brandy]

Why not do 508 on the tandem? Or even as a mixed team?

V.

All options have been discussed and I'll give you the lowdown...

2006...George did it multi-speed and had horrible stomach (read...24 hours of vomitus) issues and came in 7 hours over his goal. His time was 43 hours.

2 weeks ago...he did it on a fixed gear. Yes, he's crazy. Yes, it was painful to watch...but he did it and I was so proud of him. 45:12

2008...he wants/needs to redeem himself. We have the nutrition down (it went PERFECTLY this time!!!!) and he wants to shoot for his goal of 36 hours multi-speed.


As for me...I don't think I'll be ready to go solo in 2008 and that's the only way I want to do Furnace Creek 508. It's just a personal thing, but watching people suffer out there was the best/most appealing part to me. That's what I want! If I do it on a 2 person team, it's less suffering, and I won't get the whole experience. The tandem...maybe an option for another year, but I need to give my honey the chance to redeem himself. We're planning for me to go solo in 2009. :)

My goal event for this year is Everest Challenge. YIKES! :eek:


Edited to add: We have like 2 miles on our tandem. I'm skeered of it! It sure is pretty though! ;)

[Veronica]

Well that's a pretty cool goal. Are you thinking RAAM eventually? I'm somewhat envious. Please keep up the blog, so I can ride vicariously through you. :D

V.

[Brandy]

Thanks Veronica. I don't know where my eventual goals will lie, but I love all that goes into RAAM, so who knows. I would definitely need to be in a different place in my life...years down the road when all of my kids are old enough to crew for me. :p

I'll keep up the blogging, this season should be interesting. :D

[Fredwina]

you would post too if it happened to you ! (major apologizing to Petula Clark:p )
Hey, that's fine Brandy. You know about RUSA perms
MT, be careful what you wish for!
I get an e-mail every once in while want to know If I want to work on the WA State welfare system. I've resisted, but I'm getting fed up w/ work(didn't want to type this w/ someone reading over my shoulder). We've got some real dinosaur stuff, and i'd like to upgrade my skills, so I can get a real job(buying your health insurance sucks! Do i get glasses or a mammogram?) Been meaning to update the resume(I do this fairly regular)
anyway venting feels better! V and Brandy, hijack away!