Do we have any randonneurs here? We have several in our club and those folks both amaze and frighten me....frighten mostly because I can't imagine doing it.
If you're curious about randonneuring check out rusa.org.
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Do we have any randonneurs here? We have several in our club and those folks both amaze and frighten me....frighten mostly because I can't imagine doing it.
If you're curious about randonneuring check out rusa.org.
I sometimes go to 200 km brevets because they are good for base training. I race XC and I do not have a road bike so I ride my mountain bike.
Next week I'll do my second 200 k this year if the temperature is over 40 F.
This is the route
There are several here who have done some serious randonneuring over the years - I am sure they will speak up when they see this thread. During my first year of cycling I had an intention of doing this but over-use injuries prevented it. My goals have been less...aggressive since then :o I still hope to do a brevet someday, we will see.
Wow on a mtb that's impressive!Quote:
Originally Posted by Anelia
This, and touring, is the type of cycling that attracts me, but I don't have the time right now to consider it. It's regularly featured in my " if I win the lottery" type fantasies.
RUSA #5603 here!
Hello, This year was I started that amazing non competitive and long distance cycling. I live in Portugal and the Randonneurs Portugal are very recent. In 2012 I did four brevets of 200kms and one of 300kms. I was very injured of a fall, so I did not participate in the 400kms brevet. I was DNF at 600kms (only ride 389kms), because of backpain, knee pain and so.Quote:
Originally Posted by thekarens
I remember every quilometer as special moment, with good weather, stormy weather, riding by day or by night, and so many times alone. I remember once, I had to hide my hair under the helmet because my female condition could affect my safety during a long night ride. I was lost so many times, because my garmin became crazy and the road book did not seem very clear.
But I am lanning to return to the road in 2013.
You can see more about Randonneurs Portugal, our Calendar and also some photos of the 2012 brevets, here
http://www.randonneursportugal.pt/
Bonne route
Angela
I used to be a randonneur ... not remotely hardcore compared to some here, but I managed to eeke out a few 200Ks back in the day. I was even a permanent "owner" for a while (look up permanents on the RUSA site if you know not of what I speak), mainly because back when I got into randonneuring and was persuing an R12 there were hardly any perms in my area. After my bike crash 3 (yikes, almost 4!) yrs ago I gave away my permanent routes to others in my club (SF Randonneurs) since during my recovery I wasn't able to maintain my routes.
My enthusiasm for cycling in general has been waning over the last couple of years and has really taken a nosedive in the past few months. :( My RUSA membership renewal is coming due the end of this month (I had a 3-yr membership) and I'm not sure I'm going to renew. Eh, maybe I'll renew for one more year in case I catch the cycling bug again. Randonneuring was such a large part of my life several years ago that it's kind of hard to let go of it completely.
RUSA # 7236, and my husband Chris and I just earned our first P-12 award on our tandem (http://www.rusa.org/award_p12.html)--and we'll probably start on our second soon. I've done at least one RUSA-official 200k, but truthfully, a 100k ride totally works for me. Chris, of course, is in deep, having done multiple 1200ks including Paris-Brest-Paris. So I'm a rando but definitely on the weenie end of the continuum. They're nice folks, randos--I like them a lot. Unpretentious, welcoming, pleasant--just regular folks who like to ride long.
Jobob, you've had a tough year. Don't know if you'll want to rando more but I do know things will get better and more fun again. Hugs to you.
RUSA #3502. My first brevet was a 600k. :rolleyes: Not the smartest start, but I stuck with it and have done a couple of SR series (200, 300, 400 and 600ks), a fleche (410k in 24 hours), a dart (210k in 13 hrs) and just now created my own perm (inaugural ride set for next week).
Jo we may have talked about this at some point, but I have absolutely found that my riding ambition comes and goes. I had a GREAT year last year and a CR@P year this year. I have learned not to read too much into the highs or the lows. And if you are on a low, ride when it is fun and because it is fun and don't *make* yourself ride because you think you should. You will find the fun again. Oh - and I let my RUSA membership lapse for a couple of years too. ;)
I do really love the rando crowd.
I think I've let my RUSA number lapse. I guess I could look it up. I was on my way to an R-12 - 9 months in when I realized I was just not having fun. It was also the first year I did a Half Ironman and I just like those events more and the trainining that goes along with it. I briefly contemplated doing PBP, but realized I really like to sleep every day. :D
MP what is your route?
Veronica
Yooza! - I looked up your route. That's a doozy with 8800 feet of climbing. Is it up the "easy" or the "hard" side of Coleman? That is such a pretty area. I couldn't find my RUSA number, but my fastest 200 K was in August, 2 weeks after doing my HIM. Funny, I can do a HIM faster than a 200K, even with not running much of the run! :D
Veronica
Wise counsel, this...Quote:
Originally Posted by maillotpois
Although I'm no rando, I agree, sage advice. I'm in a little bit of a down year, too, about 400 miles less than last year and 600 less than the year before. I'm blaming it on weather and time commitments (and my riding partner, Hirakukibou being away for the summer), but in reality, I just a little sick of it. My ability to want to ride in the cold is a little less this year, too. I'm not reading too much into it, as I have found other forms of exercise and I'm actually fitter.
I need a good snowy winter, with lots of x country skiing, to make me want to ride lots next season.
Sage advice indeed. I had a down year as well, mainly due to occasional mountain bike injuries and a lingering whiplash injury from late 2011. This winter I am backing way off on riding, outside of some work on the trainer and spinning bike, as I need to focus on increasing my t-spine mobility, shoulders, and upper body strength. I would love to do some gravel riding this winter, but right now I need to take care of my mobility issues to increase my bike performance (and general comfort level) and, hopefully, finally stop tweaking old injuries.
Like Crankin, I am fitter than before - probably the most fit in my life so I am not hurting from this period of backing off on the bike and focusing on other things for the winter. Doing a brevet someday is still in the back of my mind, but I need to address these mobility issues before anything. I do need to find some way to get outside this winter though. I keep toying with the idea of geocaching...
Thanks, guys. I only know it because I have gone through the cycle (no pun intended) a few times myself. :)
It is the easy side of Coleman. I took a shake out route I have been doing in the dead of winter for a few years (last year it was below freezing for 3 hours and 22 for the entire run up Marshall) and turned it into a brevet. My two local RBAs, DH and I will do the inaugural ride next weekend. Once that's done, we will throw it up on the SFR website.Quote:
Originally Posted by Veronica
I am also working on a perm in Tahoe, but that won't really be rideable for a bit.
I admire randonneurs and once researched what it would take to qualify for the PBP. Then I realized that I'd rather just take my time and actually enjoy the route. I'd still like to ride from Paris to Brest and back to Paris, and someday I will, but I will go the round about way and stop in villages and explore small roads and it will take weeks, not hours. I'm of the touring mindset, that's all.
I really appreciate how RUSA acknowledges (nowadays!) that the ultra-long distance rides like PBP and the other 1200k brevets, a.k.a. randonnees, aren't necessarily the do-all and end-all for everyone. In recent years many 100K rides (called populaires) have been added to event calendars, and the P12 award was introduced, which recognizes a rider who completes a RUSA-sanctioned 100K ride (populaire, hence the P) every month for 12 consecutive months (otoh, the R12 recognizes a rider who completes a RUSA-sanctioned 200K+ ride every mo for 12 consecutive mos). That's a good thing IMHO.
If/when I do get back in the grove, I'm likely going to look into some of the 100K permanents routes that have popped up in my area (a couple of which cover much of the same territory as my long-departed East Bay 200K, ahem :cool:)
Speaking of the East Bay 200K, I glanced in my file from back when I ran that route -- nope, I couldn't part with that, either :o -- and V, your RUSA number was 4055. Back when I ran that route I probably could have spouted you number off the top of my head, I think you rode that route more than anyone else back then. :)
Yeah, I'm going to renew my membership for another year. :D
Jo, # 3749.
Hee, I'm thinking about the time V, Mel and I attempted to ride my 200K permanent route on what turned out to be the Hottest. Day. Ever. Oy, that was a disaster. :p But we all lived to see another day. :D
Ah, but here's a report from a much better day on that route.
I thought Kitty was now running your East Bay 200 K. That was a good route, interesting terrain, but not too hilly and food in all the right spots. 4 out of my 9 were on it. 4055, huh, so I renew after a lapse do I get my old number back? :)
Veronica
Oh my, that was awful! I should have known something was wrong with me when I was NOT sweating buckets anymore. But Mel finished. :pQuote:
Originally Posted by jobob
Veronica
Yep, Kitty's still running it -- I meant long-departed from my own perspective. NOT TOO HILLY? Shee-it. :p Well, in the scheme of things I suppose it wasn't. :oQuote:
Originally Posted by Veronica
It was difficult to design a route in that part of the East Bay that went over interesting roads, had suitable checkpoint locations spaced about the right distance apart, AND kept the amount of climbing down to a dull roar (i.e., low enough that *I* could possibly do it, heh). And you know what? I really enjoyed designing that route. :cool:
That brat ... :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Veronica
I was a RUSA member during my first and second cycling season until I let it lapse. I had seriously considered establishing a permanent in driving distance from home since Indiana doesn't have any (or didn't, that may have changed). Then I started my mtb injuries... Depending on how things develop with my neck - it really needs to improve before I can ride seriously long distances - I will likely eventually rejoin and pick up this idea again. Southern Indiana has some beautiful, and hilly, terrain that would be perfect. A populaire closer to home might not be a bad idea either. Time will tell but I have got to get this neck and t-spine in better condition first.
I just completed the inaugural ride of my 200k permanent route - RUSA route 1743 I believe. I rode with my husband and our club's RBA. The average temp (according to my Garmin) was 41, and that would have been ok, but it rained the whole last half so I got pretty chilled every time we stopped. (So I kept my stops to a bare minimum.). the headwinds were pretty bad as well.
It was our RBAs R48 ride (four R12s in a row) and I was pretty honored he chose to spend it on my route (a real brute as it turns out with over 9000 feet of climbing in 124 miles). All in all a long, fun and difficult day. And we went to a concert the night before so I had 4 hours sleep going into it. :rolleyes:
I gave my RUSA membership up after my accident.
Like JoBob, Life has taken a few twists and turn that have taken away from my bikes. Working here in NY and then spillting my time between here and TN is not quite the same as SoCal.
I still get e-mails from folks wanting to do my permanent routes.
I did it...It was coldish, it was longish (220km, 10,5 hours riding, 11,5 hours from start to finish) but I had great support from my team mates so I didn't feel the pain.
That's me in the brevet. You can also see the rest of the pics in the album.
To be honest, road cycling is boring to me. I do it only because it's worth the miles in terms of training. And of course the company. I intend to do one more in spring again for the base training.
My husband just bought me a 2-year RUSA membership for Christmas. So far I have only gone on one "official" brevet (our local "Last Chance" New Year's Eve 200k) and two other "unofficial" 200k rides. Planning on doing the Last Chance again this year (last year I was unofficial when I did it) and we'll see what the next year has in store, but honestly, I don't see myself doing any distance longer than 300k.
You guys have a great club and terrific support on your brevets. I've done your 400k, which was lovely (V joined me for the second half which was awesome, but I now realize is forbidden. Whatever, we had "fun" and I was so grateful for the company.) We had a few folks from your club on our 1000k this year and it was really nice to meet them.Quote:
Originally Posted by MojoGrrl
We have a lot of folks in our club who do only 200ks, and that's awesome. You don't have to do 600ks to be a randonneur. :)
Forbidden even though I was a RUSA member? All the rest stop people knew and no one said anything. :p It WAS fun, but only 'cause I didn't do the whole thing.
Veronica
Yes, actually. If you were not riding the entire thing, technically you were not supposed to be there, even as a RUSA member. I learned this over the last few years as I've gotten more involved with the club. I think it is considered "support". That said, I'm not losing sleep over it. :rolleyes:Quote:
Originally Posted by Veronica
RUSA #5872 here (renewed thru 2015). I've completed two super rando series (200, 300, 400 and 600 km) as well multiple shorter distances and a 24 hour fleche. Sadly DNFd at PBP last year at the second to last control with less than 100 miles to finish. I'm planning to return to France for 2015.
I have ridden with a number of rando clubs - Ohio, Kentucky, Great Lakes, Santa Cruz, and North Carolina. The people in these organizations are very supportive and willing to share their experiences. And the rides are in wonderful, scenic areas.
This Saturday I'm going to another brevet. Here's the route: http://www.bikemap.net/route/1926132
Wish me no rain and strong wind :)
Looks like a great route, Anelia. Photos, please? :)
We did a new 200k brevet route a friend organized a week or so ago. Great ride through farms and forests, not too hilly and I got in with a great group of riders from the Sac/Davis area. Some folks I knew before, but hadn't really ridden with. It makes such a difference to have fun riding companions. Gearing up for a fleche in a month or so. Our RBA asked us to join his team and the team is filled out by two just wacky fun guys. I loved the fleche last year. It was my favorite ride of the year and my team was amazing.
I did one 200k last year. The weather was too cold for me this year (20's to start) and I'm not too interested in the longer brevets. My DH did 200, 300, 400 and had a DNF on the 600 in the Arizona winter/spring series last year. I thought it was 80% fun and 20% misery. I might do one again in the future though.
The promised pictures :)
I was wrong with the route but it was even more interesting than I thought. 228 km and about 1800 m ascent. It took us 10 hours and I enjoyed almost all of it. I felt miserable in the middle but after I ate salty bread and soup, I was OK and continued.
I am the gal (only one this time) with the mountain bike (again only one) :)
Wonderful pictures! And sounds like you made great time considering the demands of the route.
Drat I gotta wait til I get home to look at these. Something to look forward to after vacation. :)
And the boys shot some videos:
Video clip No 1
Videoclip No 2
Just saw this thread today. (Haven't been on the forums much lately. Super busy here at TE!). As some of you, I caught the rando bug a few years ago, and I've got it bad. ;-) I love nothing more than heading out on my bike and riding myself silly. I love the challenge of the long rides, and sometimes marvel at the distances I manage to ride without falling over!
Jaclyn, I finished PBP in 2011, but Mortagne au Perche (the 2nd to last control, where you DNF'd) was my lowest of low points. (My brief summary of the ride is here: http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...t=44397&page=7 scroll partway down the page, which is page 7 of a longer thread.) Keep 2015 in your sights!
It's good for me to go back and read that write-up now. I need to really internalize all the things that I struggled with back in 2011. I've decided to ride London-Edinburgh-London in July, which is a 1418km randonnee. 200km longer than PBP! But with another 26 hours in which to do it. I'm hoping to get a little more sleep than I did at PBP (which was ~10.5 hours worth) and to finish the ride not feeling quite as thrashed. I'll be riding with a good friend from Eugene. She and I are very compatibly paced and have ridden both 400K and 600K together, so we know we are great ride-mates.
I'd encourage pretty much anyone to give rando a try. As has been mentioned here, the rides start at 100K (62.5 miles.) 200K is a great challenge to train for if you've ridden a few centuries and felt pretty good about it. And maybe you're looking for a new challenge. If you've ever given riding a double century a thought, then a 300K (187 mile) is definitely something you could also consider.
Rando doesn't really get badass scary until the 400K distance. That's 249 miles, which is a helluva long way to cover on a bike in one go. I personally find it to be the hardest distance. You're guaranteed to ride many hours in the dark, and if you're amongst the slower in the bunch, you have a good likelihood of seeing not one but two sunrises. This has happened to me once, when it took me over 5 hours to complete a 400K up in Washington. Wow, that was a loooong nite. Distances over 400K are, for 99% of randos, multi-leg events. The typical 600K has an "overnight" stop somewhere around 350k, where most randos have enough time to catch a few hours sleep before continuing on. I've done 4 600s, and I like that distance. Hard enough to be challenging, but not so long that it seems insurmountable. Anything over 600K is a major, 3-4 day affair. Some people knock 'em out like they are nothing, but for me they are a Really Big Deal requiring months of planning. :o
If anyone is local to Portland, and is interested in learning more about rando, or want to try a 200K and needs some company, let me know. I ride lots of 200s and know most of the Oregon routes pretty well. I *really* want to encourage more women to give rando a try. I think women are well suited to endurance events. (we're more patient than men, and are less likely to feel like we need to jackrabbit out of the gate to keep up, meaning we don't burn ourselves out too early in a ride.) I'd love to ride with some more women! There are only a few female randos in Oregon.
I rode a lovely 200K yesterday with one of my rando buddies. I put up a few pictures here. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...5691132&type=3
Susan