Bite the bullet... I wanna do it!
08-13-09, 06:23 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Vienna VA (DC metro)
Posts: 180
Bikes: 2014 pinnarello FP Due, 1990 Pinarrello Triveso, 2007 Fuji Cross Comp, 1984 Trek 520
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Bite the bullet... I wanna do it!
Okay well after thinking about this for a few weeks I really want to get into doing brevets etc. I have toured a bit, I commute 40+ miles rt 4 days a week and this just seems like the next cool step for some fun. Yeah I want to join your strange group of people that call 90 hours in the saddle fun!
Either way, I don't really know where to start and was wondering if there was a good lead for newbs. I just got an 84 trek 520 that I will build up over the next few months as the randonneuring/light touring rig.
Either way, I understand it is getting to the end of the season, so I have the extra time to try something short 200k? in the fall and to do a good fun build etc.
Any thoughts on sources for getting started? I would think something like that would make a good stickie.
Either way, I don't really know where to start and was wondering if there was a good lead for newbs. I just got an 84 trek 520 that I will build up over the next few months as the randonneuring/light touring rig.
Either way, I understand it is getting to the end of the season, so I have the extra time to try something short 200k? in the fall and to do a good fun build etc.
Any thoughts on sources for getting started? I would think something like that would make a good stickie.
08-13-09, 08:52 PM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Columbus, OH
Posts: 11,375
Bikes: '08 Surly Cross-Check, 2011 Redline Conquest Pro, 2012 Spesh FSR Comp EVO, 2015 Trek Domane 6.2 disc
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times
in
6 Posts
Even if you miss out on the last of the local series for the summer/fall, you can always check your local rando club's website for Permanent routes. 
For getting started, read up at the RUSA website. If/when you do join RUSA, you'll get the Handbook, which also has some great beginning infomation.
Searching this forum with your questions is also not a bad start. There are a lot of experienced riders here.
For getting started, read up at the RUSA website. If/when you do join RUSA, you'll get the Handbook, which also has some great beginning infomation.
Searching this forum with your questions is also not a bad start. There are a lot of experienced riders here.
__________________
"I feel like my world was classier before I found cyclocross."
- Mandi M.
"I feel like my world was classier before I found cyclocross."
- Mandi M.
08-13-09, 09:56 PM
#3
Randomhead
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Happy Valley, Pennsylvania
Posts: 24,398
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Liked 3,698 Times
in
2,518 Posts
you have a very active club in your area, just start riding 200k's. Once you've done a couple, you can work your way up to longer distances
08-13-09, 10:02 PM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: On the bridge with Picard
Posts: 5,932
Bikes: Specialized Allez, Specialized Sirrus
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 17 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
+1 Search online for your local randonneuring group. I joined up with the San Diego group and got on their email list. They do a lot of rides all year round, and are more than happy to help newcomers with any questions.
08-13-09, 10:30 PM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Bakersfield, Host of the 2012 ToC ITT
Posts: 1,747
Bikes: Waterford 2200
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
__________________
Make mine a double!
Make mine a double!
08-14-09, 08:38 AM
#6
Reeks of aged cotton duck
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Middle Georgia, USA
Posts: 1,176
Bikes: 2008 Kogswell PR mkII, 1976 Raleigh Professional, 1996 Serotta Atlanta, 1984 Trek 520, 1979 Raleigh Comp GS
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
4 Posts
I ride an '84 520 too... but I bought mine new in late 1983. I just recently finished a major refurb job on the old gal:
The old 520's ride smooth... like your grandpa's old Buick!
08-14-09, 08:55 AM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Pasadena, MD
Posts: 911
Bikes: Airborne Carpe Diem; Trek 520
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Either way, I don't really know where to start and was wondering if there was a good lead for newbs. I just got an 84 trek 520 that I will build up over the next few months as the randonneuring/light touring rig.
Either way, I understand it is getting to the end of the season, so I have the extra time to try something short 200k? in the fall and to do a good fun build etc.
Any thoughts on sources for getting started? I would think something like that would make a good stickie.
Either way, I understand it is getting to the end of the season, so I have the extra time to try something short 200k? in the fall and to do a good fun build etc.
Any thoughts on sources for getting started? I would think something like that would make a good stickie.
https://www.dcrand.org/dcr/
Check the calendar section -- they are putting on some fall 200k's.
08-14-09, 10:28 AM
#8
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Vienna VA (DC metro)
Posts: 180
Bikes: 2014 pinnarello FP Due, 1990 Pinarrello Triveso, 2007 Fuji Cross Comp, 1984 Trek 520
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
That 520 looks really nice.
thanks to everyone. I am diggin in and learning. Thanks a ton!
08-14-09, 11:28 PM
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: On the bridge with Picard
Posts: 5,932
Bikes: Specialized Allez, Specialized Sirrus
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 17 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
08-15-09, 06:21 PM
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Bakersfield, Host of the 2012 ToC ITT
Posts: 1,747
Bikes: Waterford 2200
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
08-15-09, 10:12 PM
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: On the bridge with Picard
Posts: 5,932
Bikes: Specialized Allez, Specialized Sirrus
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 17 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I don't know if I'll have time to do another this year, but I want to do the CA Triple Crown next year.
08-16-09, 08:27 AM
#13
Randomhead
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Happy Valley, Pennsylvania
Posts: 24,398
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Liked 3,698 Times
in
2,518 Posts
See:
https://www.dcrand.org/dcr/
Check the calendar section -- they are putting on some fall 200k's.
https://www.dcrand.org/dcr/
Check the calendar section -- they are putting on some fall 200k's.
08-17-09, 02:55 PM
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,009
Bikes: SOMA Grand Randonneur, Gunnar Sport converted to 650B, Rivendell Rambouillet, '82 Trek 728, '84 Trek 610, '85 Trek 500, C'Dale F600, Burley Duet, Lotus Legend
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
What's this "end of the season" thing to which you refer?
We (DC Randonneurs) have brevets scheduled every month through December, will possibly schedule in January and February, and will definitely have a full schedule from March forward. The September brevet -- Civil War Tour -- will visit several battlefields (Gettysburg and Antietam at least). There are about a dozen DCR members who are riding R-12's and will definitely be riding in January and February, either on a permanent or brevet. Also, there are training rides that are not associated with DCR but are lead by some of our members--there are typically two century rides every weekend, often with shortcut options. See the "Calendar" page of the DCR website for the upcoming brevets and for the scheduled training rides (www.dcrand.org).
Email for more info. Look forward to meeting you. The Trek 520 should work well as a rando bike.
Best regards,
Nick Bull
President, DC Randonneurs
We (DC Randonneurs) have brevets scheduled every month through December, will possibly schedule in January and February, and will definitely have a full schedule from March forward. The September brevet -- Civil War Tour -- will visit several battlefields (Gettysburg and Antietam at least). There are about a dozen DCR members who are riding R-12's and will definitely be riding in January and February, either on a permanent or brevet. Also, there are training rides that are not associated with DCR but are lead by some of our members--there are typically two century rides every weekend, often with shortcut options. See the "Calendar" page of the DCR website for the upcoming brevets and for the scheduled training rides (www.dcrand.org).
Email for more info. Look forward to meeting you. The Trek 520 should work well as a rando bike.
Best regards,
Nick Bull
President, DC Randonneurs
08-18-09, 08:59 AM
#16
Senior Member
When I initially joined RUSA they sent a very useful book that will tell you where to start and more. Maybe they still do, or maybe they sell it.
08-19-09, 08:21 AM
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Bakersfield, Host of the 2012 ToC ITT
Posts: 1,747
Bikes: Waterford 2200
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
