I think randonneurs and long-distance riders fall into two groups:
1. Those who have to prove something, and move on once they have achieved their goals.
2. Those who just like riding their bikes. The more the better. Those are the guys who ride for decades.
Also, most clubs offer a 100 km (64 mile) "populaire" where you don't need to be a member or pay a fee - just for trying it out. And a 200 km brevet is 125 miles, which is within the possibilities of most cyclists. I know many randonneurs who never do a 600 or 1200, and they are no worse randonneurs for that! It's a big tent, and everybody is welcome.
Some randonneurs like to play up the "Xtreme" part of the sport, but realistically, it isn't extreme at all. It takes some dedication, but it's neither only for the gifted or the foolhardy. Give it a try!
Jan Heine, Seattle
>Lou and all,
>
>You know what, that seems to be the reaction I'm getting. Also getting a
> lot of support from people in general and more so from those who have r
>idden and most especially from those planning to ride in 2007. I have di
>pped my toe in a new segment in our cycling community. I didn't even kno
>w there was a brevet series here in San Diego, but hot damn!, there is.
>The San Diego Long Riders. Found out yesterday while talking with Chuck
>Slesinger that they a division of my old San Diego Bicycle Club. Have ma
>de a deal to begin motor pacing at the velodrome once a week to keep up
>my legspeed.
>
>I will ride as much as I can and do my best effort. If I don't make it a
>t least I will be well aquainted with the bicycles I'm building, meet a
>lot of new people, see a LOT of countryside, and ride a whole bunch. I r
>eally don't see any harm in that.
>
>But to answer your question, Lou. YES, I'm crazy. You were expecting som
>ething else??
>
>Brian Baylis
>La Mesa, CA
>Got a randonnuer bug up my butt. Only way to kill it is to sit on the sa
>ddle long enough to smother it.
>
>
>-- "Mike Dayton" <mdayton@nc.rr.com> wrote:
>
>
>
>Snipped: "I read Brian Baylis's recent diatribe about doing P-B-P or
>similar rides. I don't know whether to laugh or cry.......Brian, have
>you
>lost your mind?
>
>Lou Deeter, Orlando FL"
>
>
>
>++++++
>
>
>
>
>On our local club rides, the classic look has given way to carbon, but I
>
>regularly see vintage bikes on the brevets like Brian mentions. The fact
> is,
>many of the bikes we love make excellent randonneuring bikes, as do the
>KOF
>bikes by Weigle and Heron and Rivendell and others. Their geometry is
>comfortable on the long haul, fenders and lights and bags are easily
>mounted, and they can accommodate slightly wider tires.
>
>
>
>
>For riders interested in putting their vintage bikes through the paces o
>n a
>400K or 600K, check out http://www.rusa.org http://www.rusa.org/
>al
>organization for randonneuring in the U.S. The site has a calendar of 20
>06
>rides, as well as information on PBP and other long-distance events. The
>
>quarterly newsletter features vintage or KOF bikes from time to time. Ja
>n
>Heine did an article on his PBP 2003 experience aboard a Herse tandem an
>d
>the latest issue has a photo feature on a Mercian.
>
>
>
>
>On the last PBP, I rode my Silk Hope that is pictured on Dale's website
>but
>with a different set-up.
>http://www.classicrendezvous.com/USA/McLean/Gallery.htm Since this year'
>s
>Cirque theme is randonneuring bikes, I may display it exactly as I rode
>it,
>with a mix of vintage and modern components, including mismatched bar en
>d
>shifters. Look for it, complete with the PBP number plate.
>
>
>
>
>Mike Dayton
>
>Editor, American Randonneur
>
>
>Raleigh, NC