Fifty Plus (50+) - My First Brevet

I rode my first brevet yesterday, the 209k (128 mile) Vacation in Italy permanent brevet that starts here in Arlington. For those who aren't randonneurs, I won't bore you with an explanation of what a permanent brevet is, but there were just 4 of us riding it.

My report on it is longer than many here may care to read, so I'll just post a link to my ride report on the rbent forum (http://spinnerbaker.com/rbent/YaBB.pl?num=1181486925/0#0).

Congratulations! Now I know what a permanent brevet is:)

I don't see any of these types of rides in my future:o

I thought a brevet was a military sort of cap...you know, like the Green Brevets?

Cool!! Congrats...I remember my first brevet many......many ( :( ) years ago. Up until then, the longest ride I had ever done was about 75 miles...so jumping to 120 was a tiring leap! Are you going to do a whole series?

I'm foggy on this.

Doing a brevet in Arlington, TX is like taking a Vacation in Italy???

I don't see any brevets in my future, but I admire you for being capable of doing one and planning more.

Randonneurs are either the coolest bikers in the world, or the most insane. They share that spot with fixie riders.

A fixie randonneur should probably just be caught and hung.

Way to go. Just 70 days to Paris Brest Paris for this year but looking forward to reading your account of the 2011 PBP.

I'm still confused as to what a "permanent" brevet is.

Bud, you're a stud.

I'm disappointed that this thread is about bicycles again and does not have anything at all about flaming bags of crap left on unsuspecting yet deserving teacher's porches. No, wait, that's a blivet isn't it? Never mind.

I'm foggy on this.

Doing a brevet in Arlington, TX is like taking a Vacation in Italy???

My thoughts also. Have been to Arlington, TX and toured most of Italy. I fail to see the connection.

I'm foggy on this.

Doing a brevet in Arlington, TX is like taking a Vacation in Italy???

Yesterday's ride passed through Italy, Texas at mile 60. Italy is also the site of next week's Tour de Italia (http://www.lonestarcyclists.org/tour/tour.html) ride.

I'm still confused as to what a "permanent" brevet is.

RUSA's page on permanent brevets (http://www.rusa.org/perminfo.html) explains it better than I could.

Aaaahhh!

Italy, Texas.

Last Friday I rode through Verona, Wisconsin. I guess I took my own Italian vacation.

Perhaps next week I should go to Rio, Wisconsin.

In any case, it sounds like a fascinating new adventure for you. Was the pace as casual as brevets claim to be?

Cool!! Congrats...I remember my first brevet many......many ( :( ) years ago. Up until then, the longest ride I had ever done was about 75 miles...so jumping to 120 was a tiring leap! Are you going to do a whole series?

I won't be doing a series this year, but who knows about next year?

My first brevet was a 300 KM in about '83 or '84 and I remember it nealy killed me. I remember I finished in daylight (barely), but considering how unprepared I was, I was lucky to finish at all! I rode P-B-P in '91 and finished, but over the time limit. Haven't ridden a brevet since . . .

Best Regs,
Rick / OCRR

Aaaahhh!

Italy, Texas.

Last Friday I rode through Verona, Wisconsin. I guess I took my own Italian vacation.

Perhaps next week I should go to Rio, Wisconsin.

In any case, it sounds like a fascinating new adventure for you. Was the pace as casual as brevets claim to be?

Brevets only require a 10 mph average (including stopping time), so many do ride a casual pace on them. My on the bike average for this ride was 16.5 mph, which would be casual to some here, fast to others. But while my on the bike time was 7:48, my overall time was 9:33, so we did take some time at the stops.

Brevets are a different style of riding, and I do enjoy it, but I'm not sure I'm ever going to be into the really long distances, or riding all night.

Brevets only require a 10 mph average (including stopping time), so many do ride a casual pace on them. My on the bike average for this ride was 16.5 mph, which would be casual to some here, fast to others. But while my on the bike time was 7:48, my overall time was 9:33, so we did take some time at the stops.

Brevets are a different style of riding, and I do enjoy it, but I'm not sure I'm ever going to be into the really long distances, or riding all night.

Distance riding is an art form in itself and I know of many Randonneurs that only go out for milage. Quick trip to the shops with them takes 4 hours as they go two towns away. Don't get involved. As to that night riding- its great- just expensive for good lights.

Glad you have seen sense on the long distance- but you have started the long trail that never ends. You will start wondering if you could go a bit faster and do another one to prove you can- then it is upping the distance and then a Night ride and then----- How about the ride that Will does- Feel certain he could do with some company.