Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling - How much do you tell them?

At about the 170 km point of my 400K last weekend, I pulled into a little grocery store out in the middle of nowhere. As I rode up, a pleasant family came out of the grocery store, made a bit of small talk with me about the weather (it was hot) ... and then lady asked me the inevitable question: "Where have you cycled from?" I told her and the whole family seemed very surprised. She asked me what time I had started, and I told her I started at 5 am. They were amazed.

Then she asked where I was headed that night. I hesitated. I could tell her the whole story, all 400 kms of it, or I could name a place not terribly far away, which I knew I would reach before nightfall. I opted for the second option, and even that seemed to be almost unbelievable to them. She asked, "Do you think you'll make it before nightfall?" I reassured her that I would (and I actually arrived there about 7:30 pm).

We exchanged some more pleasantries, and went our separate ways. I like talking to people along the way ... that's one of the many things I enjoy about long distance riding ... but sometimes I feel somewhat uncomfortable telling the whole story of what I'm doing out there. It just sounds a bit ... insane. :D

When you're asked those questions ... what do you say?

just give them what they want to here, you going to the next town or whatever, and you started in the previous one, a half hour before, and will arrive at your destination in a half hour

I just tell them the whole story and let their jaw drop, it's fun to watch. I was doing a 200 miler this weekend, pulled into a gas station for a little water and was asked where I was going. When I told him the short version he just shook his head and asked if that was in one day, the answer…yes and I needed to get going because I wanted to get back before dark. End of discussion.
Where were you doing your 400K? We started in Bishop, CA, rode up to Mammoth and did the loop, on to the June Loop, then to Mono Lake back down 395, out 120 to Benton and back to Bishop.

I just tell them the whole story and let their jaw drop, it's fun to watch. I was doing a 200 miler this weekend, pulled into a gas station for a little water and was asked where I was going. When I told him the short version he just shook his head and asked if that was in one day, the answer…yes and I needed to get going because I wanted to get back before dark. End of discussion.
Where were you doing your 400K? We started in Bishop, CA, rode up to Mammoth and did the loop, on to the June Loop, then to Mono Lake back down 395, out 120 to Benton and back to Bishop.


Sometimes I tell the whole story ... other times I think that I'm going to look like a person who stretches the truth excessively, or doesn't know what she is talking about.


I did my 400K here in Central Alberta ... my story is a few posts down. :)

I'm with DanteB on this one...

I've had more than one person stop to offer me a ride some place while I was taking a break... when I explain that I'm 169 miles into a 185 mile ride, their jaws drop and the look on their faces is priceless. :)

My problem is the folks at work. When I tell them I do 50mi a day, they seem to think I am a wacko who is trying to kill himself. These are teachers, btw, including physical education teachers.

I've given up the battle of trying to explain. "Yeah", "its not bad" is my standard reply to most questions. I've learned not to lie about it, because their is always someone starting out that wants to join me. I'm not an elitist, but after a day with teenagers, I need the quiet and solitude of a solo ride.

The "looks" I get are especially fun on multi-day tours. "So, where'd ya start from?" And then you mention some town on the other end of the state. The eyes-wide-open jaw-dropping look is priceless.

What's the point of being crazy if you can't have a little fun with it? :)

We exchanged some more pleasantries, and went our separate ways. I like talking to people along the way ... that's one of the many things I enjoy about long distance riding ... but sometimes I feel somewhat uncomfortable telling the whole story of what I'm doing out there. It just sounds a bit ... insane. :D I prefer 'ambitious' ;)


When you're asked those questions ... what do you say? Most of my co-workers and friends are aware of my 'crazy, masochistic distance riding thing' and when they ask where I'm riding to this weekend, I'll either name the control points if it's a brevet, or I'll name my major turning points if I'm doing a training ride. A few co-workers have either done club ride centuries or charity centuries so they 'get' the distance thing and we can geek out on terrain and good country stores and stuff. One of them did a Eurasian crossing with her husband (bike tour from London to India) and we have some weird inverse mutual appreciation society going. I am in awe with her for having ridden parts of the Silk Road. She thinks doing 200 miles in a day is nutty. ;)

For folk encountered during a brevet I usually just name off control points. Sometimes we don't get too much of a surprised reaction, because our brevets usually involve 30+ riders, and if I'm in the middle of a pack, a lot of store and restaurant owners will have seen a bunch of cyclists pass already and will be wondering what the big deal is.

Our fleche team didn't have that benefit, as we were just doing our own route, and we were doing it on a Friday night, so a lot of the encounters with 'spectators' were usually between 11 and 2 am, Some of the fonder memories were going into a Denny's in Nashua, finding it was jampacked with kids out on a Friday night. We were going to leave and find another place to use as a control, but I wanted to stop in and use the bathroom to change into warmer clothing. By the time I came out, word had spread through the restaurant and a bunch of folks were out looking over our 'high-tech' bikes and asking us questions. That was kind of neat.

For charity centuries, I usually name the charity, then tell them where I'm going. Normally people seem to accept the idea that one can do extraordinary things in the name of a cause. Lots of folks still ask us if the brevets that we do are 'for something' and I sometimes feel vaguely guilty when I say that it isn't.

When touring, I usually name the towns where I'm going to have meals and sleep, then state ultimate destination or general itinerary. Sometimes, it's fun not to name the ultimate destination and just to say, and "the next day, who knows?" That either gets folks to think that you're an adventurer or hobo; though that judgement might be dependent on how long it's been since the last hot shower.

My reaction down here is universally positive - except among fat gringos (I am a Gringo so I can use the term), they think I am certifiable.

There is a race / just finish it that they have every year year - You start at Tilaeran and go to La Fortuna and then back. It is two days. Really isn't bad since it is about 70 kilometers but parts are pretty hilly. Just to make it interesting, the first day goes along the backside of Lake Arenal - which is suitable only for MTBing - you cross streams and full-size rivers with your bike. It is a lot of fun they say. I am hoping to do it this coming year.

You spend the night at a place with hot springs with a to die for view of Arenal Volcano...

My reaction down here is universally positive - except among fat gringos (I am a Gringo so I can use the term), they think I am certifiable. I imagine that a country that sponsors La Ruta de los Conquistadores (http://www.adventurerace.com/eng/english.htm) has a more than passing acquaintance with cycling badassery.

I just tell them the whole story and let their jaw drop, it's fun to watch. I was doing a 200 miler this weekend, pulled into a gas station for a little water and was asked where I was going. When I told him the short version he just shook his head and asked if that was in one day, the answer…yes and I needed to get going because I wanted to get back before dark. End of discussion.
Where were you doing your 400K? We started in Bishop, CA, rode up to Mammoth and did the loop, on to the June Loop, then to Mono Lake back down 395, out 120 to Benton and back to Bishop.


Dante...I had a lady chat me up from the bathroom stall at checkpoint 3 this weekend. I was in there washing my hands and the three layers of salt off of my face and she had about five different questions for me...all of her replies were "OMG" :roflmao: Of course, I couldn't tell if her jaw was dropping, she was in the stall going to the bathroom at the time. :p

Brandy, you are in the best position of all of us. Somewhere in Kansas someone asks you where you started, "Oceanside". When did you start, "Three days ago." Where are you going, "The East Coast." :D

Dante...I had a lady chat me up from the bathroom stall at checkpoint 3 this weekend. I was in there washing my hands and the three layers of salt off of my face and she had about five different questions for me...all of her replies were "OMG" :roflmao: Of course, I couldn't tell if her jaw was dropping, she was in the stall going to the bathroom at the time. :p

Most people think I'm crazy, especially for my age and size, and I tell them "look at my forehead isn't tattooed there?". Great picture of you climbing Sherwin Grade. :)

Brandy, you are in the best position of all of us. Somewhere in Kansas someone asks you where you started, "Oceanside". When did you start, "Three days ago." Where are you going, "The East Coast." :D

Then I get to point to the weary riders and say..."yeah, but they're doing all of the work!" ;)

I'm here distracting myself from the chaos that is preparing for RAAM. Who put me in charge anyway. :p

Great picture of you climbing Sherwin Grade. :)

Thanks Dante!

I'm with Dante ... just tell them the whole story. Besides, all conversations tend to be for sheer entertainment. Telling someone you're doing 200 miles, 300 miles ... or for others reading this, 400k or 600k, and see the reaction on their face ... it is just awesome. And Macka, I just am in awe every time I read your stories. It is just amazing. It makes my triple crown goal pale in comparison to what you do. I'll do the "I'm not worthy" in front of you.

I also get a kick out of telling the guys and gals at work about my rides. My favorite reaction from them is "I don't even do that in my car".

If they're genuinely interested, I tell them everything. If it's just their way of saying hi, they'll clearly be uninterested and I'll go off my separate way once that's clear.

My problem is the folks at work. When I tell them I do 50mi a day, they seem to think I am a wacko who is trying to kill himself. These are teachers, btw, including physical education teachers.

My co-workers - also teachers - think I am insane for riding (commuting) 30 km/18 miles a day. I did a 160 km/100 mile charity ride this weekend (split over 2 days) and they are ready to ship me off to a padded cell somewhere, although they did donate very generously to the charity!

(Some of the people ON the ride thought I was insane because I did it on a vintage 5 speed Raleigh and camped overnight - hey, the dorms were full and I am too cheap for a hotel! And the bike behaved itself beautifully.)

Maybe I'd better not tell them that this ride really whetted my appetite and I want to start randonneuring :)

My co-workers - also teachers - think I am insane for riding (commuting) 30 km/18 miles a day. I did a 160 km/100 mile charity ride this weekend (split over 2 days) and they are ready to ship me off to a padded cell somewhere, although they did donate very generously to the charity!

(Some of the people ON the ride thought I was insane because I did it on a vintage 5 speed Raleigh and camped overnight - hey, the dorms were full and I am too cheap for a hotel! And the bike behaved itself beautifully.)

Maybe I'd better not tell them that this ride really whetted my appetite and I want to start randonneuring :) Do it! Also charity centuries were totally my gateway drug into randonneuring.

My girlfriend did Tour De Cure 100k on Sunday on a Marin Kentfield hybrid and got a few comments from roadies saying, "wow! I can't believe you're doing this distance on that bike!"

Also, my new favorite "what do you tell them" story happened this weekend in the opening hours of our 600k. We started at 12:01 am and it was a little after 2:00 am when we rode through Shirley, MA. in a pack with 15 other cyclists, dodging traffic as the bars closed out and released their drunks. Cars buzzed us for the next six miles. Horns honked and catcalls echoed into the distance. A car pulled up next to me, matching my pace, and one of the kids in the passenger seat yelled out.

"Hey! Where you guys goin'?"
"Vermont."
"Holy s**t! You serious?"
"Hella serious, guy. Going there and coming back."
"What? ... why?"
"To be badasses."

That got a laugh. Then he asked, "do you wanna race?"

"Sure, but I'll need a bit of a headstart to make it interesting. Why don't you sleep first and drive to Brattleboro when you wake up?"
"Ok, badass, I'll see you in Brattleboro. Later."
"Drive safe."

We never did see that kid again. Maybe I should've told him where in Brattleboro we'd meet him.

Sometimes I tell the whole story ... other times I think that I'm going to look like a person who stretches the truth excessively, or doesn't know what she is talking about.



ha, the truth is i usually don't know where exactly i'm going...i usually just tell the truth about where i start/finish, but sometimes i fib and shorten the distance a bit to avoid a bit of the shock and awe...but about where i'm going along the way, i generally don't have a clue...i just follow the cuesheet blindly (or if i have someone to follow, i hardly even look at the cuesheet)...

i must admit though, i sometimes shorten the kilometers-to-miles conversion when i tell my mom about a brevet i'm going to do...i did my first 600k this weekend and i told her 600k is a little over 300 miles...i feel bad about that, but i think it makes her worry a bit less...

With the really long distances, it can sound a bit like a "fish story" ... you know how the fisherman catches something a bit bigger than a minnow, and by the time he has told the story 20 times, he wrestled in a shark.

When I finished my first 1200K (the Rocky Mountain 1200), I drove to where my Aunt and Uncle were camping, not too far away, to say "hi" because I hadn't seen them in a while. They knew what I had just finished, and my Uncle started telling everyone they knew there about it. I left to stay with my Grandmother, and a few days later we went back out to where my Aunt and Uncle were. My Uncle told me that several of the people he told had come to him after I left and told him to stop exaggerating ... that he really didn't mean 1200 kms, he meant 200 kms. After all, no one could ride 1200 kms. He had a lot of trouble convincing them.

Even just a few weeks ago, I was on a 3 day, 300 km cycling tour (100 kms a day), and was chatting to someone (a cyclist) about cycling-related things. The topic of other events came up, and I mentioned Randonneuring ... and mentioned the 600 km ride I was planning to do the next weekend ... in 40 hours or less. The reaction: "That's impossible. It is not possible for a cyclist to ride 600 kms in 40 hours or less." She figured the only conceivable way anyone could do that is if the route was perfectly flat and there was a tailwind ... and even so it would be next to impossible. It's hard to even convince the cyclists!!

I would say Im just doing one of my little life passions, and head out into the sunset. :)

I was on a ride and was around 67 miles out and my cell rang. I picked it up and
it was a friend of mine wondering where I was. I told him how far out I was and
the guy said "that's insane". I said "no, insane are those people who assemble
triple masted sailing ships in glass bottles". He had no answer to that. You just
gotta do what makes you happy right?