P12 - randonneuring.

[Biciclista]

Good luck. No reason why you can't make up some routes. You just have to do it, send it in, and get it approved. Of course there are lots of RULES about how the route should work, but I guess that's part of the fun (not for me) of making a route.

[Susan126]

Okay Mimi I went and did it. I filled out my RUSA application tonight and will drop it in the mail on my way to work tomorrow morning. It says to allow two weeks for processing. I haven't been riding a lot. My last "good" ride was almost two months ago. I did ride this past Sunday in 34 degree temperatures (as you already know from our FB postings) and got chapped lips from that ride which was only 20 miles long. But what the heck I'm up for a challenge this year. And besides I need to get back in shape I also need to drop 15 pounds! So . . . here we go!

[KnottedYet]

$20/year. Not bad.

[Velocivixen]

I just rode my first ever 25 miler yesterday and it happened to be on my hybrid. I'm already looking at "road" type bikes (Surly Cross Check, Salsa Casseroll to name a few). I would totally try it on a different bike than my current one. It sounds like a fun and energetic challenge!

[Biciclista]

the other woman on our ride rode a hybrid. She did great but we worried about her wrists.

[maillotpois]

Great photos - well done! I had no idea RaleighDon had such awful cellulite.

[Biciclista]

Great photos - well done! I had no idea RaleighDon had such awful cellulite.

it's from all those donuts...

[maillotpois]

it's from all those donuts...

Oh well that all makes sense, then, doesn't it?

[Velocivixen]

Wow, that sounds like a challenge that I think you can do! Good for you.

Now, I must admit that I have no clue what you all are talking about. This post sounds so interesting so I've got another browser open to Oregon Randonneurs trying to figure out the terminology. It sounds like something I could get interested in. I wonder if there's a books called "Randonneuring for Dummies"? I would buy one toute suite!

[gatorbait]

Wow, Mimi, sounds like both you and your hubby have some challenges ahead of you. Glad you can be there for each other to face them head-on. Good luck on both fronts!

[maillotpois]

Great ride report. And great healing energy going out to you guys from Marin County. Your DH and I have shared so many common goals this year and next. I know he is going to beat this into submission like any other brevet.

[Biciclista]

Velocivixen,
Oregon / Portland is a great rando area! We did one of our 100k's there and DH goes down there often to do 200k's and 300k rides as well.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask. I think in the beginning of this thread there are more explanations.

[jobob]

Good luck. No reason why you can't make up some routes. You just have to do it, send it in, and get it approved. Of course there are lots of RULES about how the route should work, but I guess that's part of the fun (not for me) of making a route.

Hee hee. There are plenty of rules on how to set up and run permanents!
Probably why I so enjoyed designing and running them, I'm so anal retentive.

Here's a starting point if anyone is interested. http://www.rusa.org/perminfo.html

I gave away my 200K permanent routes after my bike crash (they were too much of a hassle to maintain at that point), but perhaps I'll ease my way back into it again with 100K populaires.

Thanks for the inspiration, Mimi!

[Catrin]

Thank you Mimi! I had not heard this, and I've been working out some good targets for me this year. Last year I did fine with longer distances...until I reached 75 miles - that is when it all went to h*ll in a hand-basket and I developed my overuse injuries

Metrics are in my reach though, and once I renew my 2011 RUSA dues will determine if I want to establish a permanent here, or simply ride my favorite metric once a month unofficially. Where I tend to ride there are very few places in which to have a control.

Thanks for the encouragement

[indysteel]

Thank you Mimi! I had not heard this, and I've been working out some good targets for me this year. Last year I did fine with longer distances...until I reached 75 miles - that is when it all went to h*ll in a hand-basket and I developed my overuse injuries

Metrics are in my reach though, and once I renew my 2011 RUSA dues will determine if I want to establish a permanent here, or simply ride my favorite metric once a month unofficially. Where I tend to ride there are very few places in which to have a control.

Thanks for the encouragement

Having ridden on the NW side a lot, I could suggest at least a few. There's a gas station in Sheridan. There's also a convenience store in Whitestown. I've actually done a number of rides that hit both of those on the same ride.

One of the rides I used to do a lot, essentially started at Nebo and followed the the shop's training route (or I'd start in Broad Ripple to really get some miles). At the route's northern-most point, I would continue north to Sheridan instead of heading west. At Sheridan, I'd start heading southwest/south again toward Zionsville, ultimately getting back onto the training ride's route for a bit. I think at 156th Street, I'd head west toward Whitestown and hit the market there. Then I'd head east again back toward Nebo, ultimately getting back on the training ride route. I'm not exactly sure how many miles all that is, but it's pretty easy to add miles in and around Whitestown, i.e., by doing a loop from the market toward Lebanon. All but a few of the roads on this route are lightly traveled.