BlueJay66
07-03-08, 01:53 PM
Randonneuring a 600 km Ride
I rode with the Great Lakes Randonneurs on June 28th and 29th. A group of 15 riders started out at 6:00 AM from Delavan WI. If you have a map handy you may want to get it out to see where we went. It was a nice day, but I was prepared for other weather. Clothing I was wearing or had with me included my cycling shorts, a jersey, a wind vest, a long sleeve jersey, a plastic rain jacket, and arm warmers. I had a pair of wool leg warmers but I left them in my car, thinking I would not need them.
I had been a little worried about this ride in the week before. The longest distance I had ridden in 2008 so far was only 86 miles and here I was embarking on a ride of almost 400 miles! I thought this would be as much of a mental challenge as a physical one. The idea that put me at ease, was knowing that I could ride at a very moderate pace if I had to, so that if I needed to slow down I probably could. The time allowed for the ride is 40 hours, which I found out was 4 hours more than what I thought, so that was a nice surprise.
So starting from Delavan I found two other riders named Eric and Rich to work with and we set a nice pace of 16 to 18 mph for the first leg of 32 miles to Edgerton WI. I made sure to drink plenty of water and despite a head wind, it was a very good ride. The wind was from the west, but it was only between 10 and 15 mph which was not as bad as the 30 mph winds that had caused me to abandon the 200 km brevet in April. That’s right! I had not even been able to complete 200 km two months before, and now I was attempting 600 km. What was I thinking?
Part two was a 33 mile leg to Verona, WI. We had more of a headwind on this leg, but had picked up two other riders so we all shared the burden of pulling into the wind.
From Verona we went to Sauk City along a very hilly course. I got left behind by the other 4 riders, but Eric and Rich waited for me at about the half way point to make sure I was ok. That was nice and we rode together again for a few miles and then I just took it easy and really enjoyed the beautiful views. I had started getting some pain in my left knee, but slowing down helped. Going up many of the hills in my lowest gear meant moving at a speed of about 3 mph, on the flats I was going about 14 mph. Riding into Sauk City, I could see a large rain cloud moving in the direction we would be going next. I met up with all four riders I had been with, and two more riders arrived while I was eating/resting/refueling. There were two other riders much farther ahead so I felt very good being in the middle of the group of 15 riders after completing 96 miles.
The next stop was Baraboo and I knew there would be some really big hills on the way. I did not know that I would get under a thunderstorm for this leg. I was glad to have my rain jacket and my helmet since I rode through some hail. Thankfully the rain was not very heavy, and I was merely damp when I got to the next rest stop at 121 miles. It was about 3:00 PM now and I was still feeling good.
I left Baraboo with Eric and Rich again and we crossed the Wisconsin River on the Ferry for Highway 113 on the way to Lodi, WI. At Lodi I was tired and rested a bit longer so I was on my own again for the next leg.
I did not mind being on my own on the way to Columbus, WI. It was a 28 mile flat leg, and it was with the wind which was now blowing at between 15 and 20 mph. I could see a rain storm far to the north and the road was nearly vehicle free. I think I was passed by one car and one motorcycle in 25 miles! I saw Eric and Rich leaving as I approached the Kwik-Trip convenience store, and I was about 10 minutes behind them after a short rest. Total mileage to Columbus was 170 miles.
Leg 7 was to Lake Mills WI by way of Waterloo WI. I put my lights on in Waterloo, but did not have to turn them on yet. The mosquitoes found me quickly while stopped, but luckily that was the only run in I had with them for the evening. I was now at just over the halfway point. My left knee was feeling better, but my right knee was bothering me. I had taken some ibuprofen at Lodi, but thought I might need more. I turned on my lights 10 miles before reaching Lake Mills. Thankfully they did not turn into a mosquito magnet. There was still twilight when I got to the 7th stop, another Kwik-Trip, but it was dark as I pulled out to head towards Whitewater.
On my way out of Lake Mills I heard sirens, and an ambulance was coming towards me on a side street. I slowed and pulled over, but so did they. They seemed to be extra cautious, which I thought was nice, but it also gave ma a small sense of foreboding. About 3 miles further on I saw an accident scene ahead marked by many flashing lights. I asked a firefighter directing traffic if the accident involved a cyclist – hoping for the best and fearing the worst – and sadly I was told that a cyclist had been struck by a car. I looked forward and saw Rich standing near the back of an ambulance. I asked the firefighter if I could go closer and he said no. I then saw a helicopter on the road and saw a patient being transferred from the back of the ambulance. I was able to get Rich’s attention and when he saw me he came over. Eric had been hit from behind while making a left hand turn. Rich had gone past the turn and was heading back and saw the accident in front of him. The rules of Randonneuring require head lights and tail lights, plus reflective ankle bands and a Sayer sash all of which Eric had on. I can’t say for certain, but I think the driver was impatient and was passing on the left without realizing Eric was turning left. He is out of the hospital now, but it certainly gave me pause as I continued on once the helicopter had lifted off. The EMS and fire personnel were very supportive but concerned. Rich abandoned the ride at that time and the ride director came to give him a ride back to Delavan. It was a very dark and lonely long ride to Whitewater in more ways than one. At one point the road was flooded with 2 inches of water, but it was passable. The route took me through Fort Atkinson. About the only thing I saw were fireflies which kept me company, a black dog that felt the need to chase me, and a few drunk college students that were surprised to see me as I pulled in to Whitewater.
The 9th leg and the one that would take me back to Delavan was also dark, but the fireflies again helped light the way. It was only 20 miles, but it took me just under two hours. I finished in light rain. I wished I had my leg warmers to keep my knees warm. I had a cue sheet and the turns were marked in White paint on the pavement. When I pulled in to the Super 8 motel I had gone 250 miles or 400 km. I was able to sleep in a room from 2:30 to 6:00 AM, and was back on the road by 6:30 AM. Talk about a mental hurdle! I was hoping the pain in my knee would have stopped, but it was still there. I was having a hard time when I realized that the route was taking me down and up the hills near Alpine Valley on Bowers Rd. At the control in East Troy I met Bill, Bob, Rodney and Jacques who had been behind me but only rested and showered in Delavan and kept going. I was pleased because I had riding partners again, and the wind was at our back.
I was not sure exactly where the route was taking us, but the farther and farther east we went the more I realized that we would have to turn around if we got to Lake Michigan. We had a stop in Wind Lake, WI, and then we went on to Caledonia which indeed was after we had ridden all the way to Wind Point on Lake Michigan north of Racine. While at the Speedway gas station we got one rain cloud above us and another rider caught us. We had ridden just over 500 km so we only had 100 km to go, but it was heading back west into the wind.
Leg 13 took us to Waterford, WI. We were there at about 3:00 PM and now had 30 miles to go. The last leg had more wind of course, but we made it back at 5:30 PM to the Super 8 in Delavan. I had started 35 ½ hours before. I had been on my bike for about 26 ¼ of those hours. My computer counted 105,630 pedal revolutions and my on bike average speed was 14.5 mph. My computer read 382 miles. 12 of the 15 starters finished the brevet.
One of the great things about randonneuring is the non-competitive nature of the event. It is a challenge to simply see if you can do it, and I really felt a sense of accomplishment when I was done. The camaraderie between the riders is instant. At one point we saw some people sitting on the side of the road that we had passed going towards Wind Point. “Back to Delavan!” I said as I smiled and went past. “Oh boy!” said the man with surprise. A little farther down the road I said to Jacques, “I think he was impressed, but he doesn’t even know the half of it!”
Thanks for reading and I hope some of you may think about giving Randonneuring a try. It would be great to have an MCBC contingent. Happy Roads!
Jay Marshall 6-29-2008
I rode with the Great Lakes Randonneurs on June 28th and 29th. A group of 15 riders started out at 6:00 AM from Delavan WI. If you have a map handy you may want to get it out to see where we went. It was a nice day, but I was prepared for other weather. Clothing I was wearing or had with me included my cycling shorts, a jersey, a wind vest, a long sleeve jersey, a plastic rain jacket, and arm warmers. I had a pair of wool leg warmers but I left them in my car, thinking I would not need them.
I had been a little worried about this ride in the week before. The longest distance I had ridden in 2008 so far was only 86 miles and here I was embarking on a ride of almost 400 miles! I thought this would be as much of a mental challenge as a physical one. The idea that put me at ease, was knowing that I could ride at a very moderate pace if I had to, so that if I needed to slow down I probably could. The time allowed for the ride is 40 hours, which I found out was 4 hours more than what I thought, so that was a nice surprise.
So starting from Delavan I found two other riders named Eric and Rich to work with and we set a nice pace of 16 to 18 mph for the first leg of 32 miles to Edgerton WI. I made sure to drink plenty of water and despite a head wind, it was a very good ride. The wind was from the west, but it was only between 10 and 15 mph which was not as bad as the 30 mph winds that had caused me to abandon the 200 km brevet in April. That’s right! I had not even been able to complete 200 km two months before, and now I was attempting 600 km. What was I thinking?
Part two was a 33 mile leg to Verona, WI. We had more of a headwind on this leg, but had picked up two other riders so we all shared the burden of pulling into the wind.
From Verona we went to Sauk City along a very hilly course. I got left behind by the other 4 riders, but Eric and Rich waited for me at about the half way point to make sure I was ok. That was nice and we rode together again for a few miles and then I just took it easy and really enjoyed the beautiful views. I had started getting some pain in my left knee, but slowing down helped. Going up many of the hills in my lowest gear meant moving at a speed of about 3 mph, on the flats I was going about 14 mph. Riding into Sauk City, I could see a large rain cloud moving in the direction we would be going next. I met up with all four riders I had been with, and two more riders arrived while I was eating/resting/refueling. There were two other riders much farther ahead so I felt very good being in the middle of the group of 15 riders after completing 96 miles.
The next stop was Baraboo and I knew there would be some really big hills on the way. I did not know that I would get under a thunderstorm for this leg. I was glad to have my rain jacket and my helmet since I rode through some hail. Thankfully the rain was not very heavy, and I was merely damp when I got to the next rest stop at 121 miles. It was about 3:00 PM now and I was still feeling good.
I left Baraboo with Eric and Rich again and we crossed the Wisconsin River on the Ferry for Highway 113 on the way to Lodi, WI. At Lodi I was tired and rested a bit longer so I was on my own again for the next leg.
I did not mind being on my own on the way to Columbus, WI. It was a 28 mile flat leg, and it was with the wind which was now blowing at between 15 and 20 mph. I could see a rain storm far to the north and the road was nearly vehicle free. I think I was passed by one car and one motorcycle in 25 miles! I saw Eric and Rich leaving as I approached the Kwik-Trip convenience store, and I was about 10 minutes behind them after a short rest. Total mileage to Columbus was 170 miles.
Leg 7 was to Lake Mills WI by way of Waterloo WI. I put my lights on in Waterloo, but did not have to turn them on yet. The mosquitoes found me quickly while stopped, but luckily that was the only run in I had with them for the evening. I was now at just over the halfway point. My left knee was feeling better, but my right knee was bothering me. I had taken some ibuprofen at Lodi, but thought I might need more. I turned on my lights 10 miles before reaching Lake Mills. Thankfully they did not turn into a mosquito magnet. There was still twilight when I got to the 7th stop, another Kwik-Trip, but it was dark as I pulled out to head towards Whitewater.
On my way out of Lake Mills I heard sirens, and an ambulance was coming towards me on a side street. I slowed and pulled over, but so did they. They seemed to be extra cautious, which I thought was nice, but it also gave ma a small sense of foreboding. About 3 miles further on I saw an accident scene ahead marked by many flashing lights. I asked a firefighter directing traffic if the accident involved a cyclist – hoping for the best and fearing the worst – and sadly I was told that a cyclist had been struck by a car. I looked forward and saw Rich standing near the back of an ambulance. I asked the firefighter if I could go closer and he said no. I then saw a helicopter on the road and saw a patient being transferred from the back of the ambulance. I was able to get Rich’s attention and when he saw me he came over. Eric had been hit from behind while making a left hand turn. Rich had gone past the turn and was heading back and saw the accident in front of him. The rules of Randonneuring require head lights and tail lights, plus reflective ankle bands and a Sayer sash all of which Eric had on. I can’t say for certain, but I think the driver was impatient and was passing on the left without realizing Eric was turning left. He is out of the hospital now, but it certainly gave me pause as I continued on once the helicopter had lifted off. The EMS and fire personnel were very supportive but concerned. Rich abandoned the ride at that time and the ride director came to give him a ride back to Delavan. It was a very dark and lonely long ride to Whitewater in more ways than one. At one point the road was flooded with 2 inches of water, but it was passable. The route took me through Fort Atkinson. About the only thing I saw were fireflies which kept me company, a black dog that felt the need to chase me, and a few drunk college students that were surprised to see me as I pulled in to Whitewater.
The 9th leg and the one that would take me back to Delavan was also dark, but the fireflies again helped light the way. It was only 20 miles, but it took me just under two hours. I finished in light rain. I wished I had my leg warmers to keep my knees warm. I had a cue sheet and the turns were marked in White paint on the pavement. When I pulled in to the Super 8 motel I had gone 250 miles or 400 km. I was able to sleep in a room from 2:30 to 6:00 AM, and was back on the road by 6:30 AM. Talk about a mental hurdle! I was hoping the pain in my knee would have stopped, but it was still there. I was having a hard time when I realized that the route was taking me down and up the hills near Alpine Valley on Bowers Rd. At the control in East Troy I met Bill, Bob, Rodney and Jacques who had been behind me but only rested and showered in Delavan and kept going. I was pleased because I had riding partners again, and the wind was at our back.
I was not sure exactly where the route was taking us, but the farther and farther east we went the more I realized that we would have to turn around if we got to Lake Michigan. We had a stop in Wind Lake, WI, and then we went on to Caledonia which indeed was after we had ridden all the way to Wind Point on Lake Michigan north of Racine. While at the Speedway gas station we got one rain cloud above us and another rider caught us. We had ridden just over 500 km so we only had 100 km to go, but it was heading back west into the wind.
Leg 13 took us to Waterford, WI. We were there at about 3:00 PM and now had 30 miles to go. The last leg had more wind of course, but we made it back at 5:30 PM to the Super 8 in Delavan. I had started 35 ½ hours before. I had been on my bike for about 26 ¼ of those hours. My computer counted 105,630 pedal revolutions and my on bike average speed was 14.5 mph. My computer read 382 miles. 12 of the 15 starters finished the brevet.
One of the great things about randonneuring is the non-competitive nature of the event. It is a challenge to simply see if you can do it, and I really felt a sense of accomplishment when I was done. The camaraderie between the riders is instant. At one point we saw some people sitting on the side of the road that we had passed going towards Wind Point. “Back to Delavan!” I said as I smiled and went past. “Oh boy!” said the man with surprise. A little farther down the road I said to Jacques, “I think he was impressed, but he doesn’t even know the half of it!”
Thanks for reading and I hope some of you may think about giving Randonneuring a try. It would be great to have an MCBC contingent. Happy Roads!
Jay Marshall 6-29-2008