One of the things that happened here with Audax Australia was the creation of shorter length, populaire-style events on the premise that they would attract additional riders into the sport.

Unfortunately, from my perspective, these events, unless combined with 200+ km events, tend to dilute the organising pool, and so we end up with longer events either being organised at a lesser attention to detail, being organised by people who are not receiving any additional support and then burn out, or not at all.

It's worth noting that the people who do up to 100km populaire-style events rarely go on to participate in the longer events and the full SR series and BRM events.

I am not sure that randonnees need a surge of interest. It is a very esoteric form of cycling that appeals to a certain, older, more-mature segment of the bicycling population because of its requirement for organisational ability, acquisition of specialised equipment, endurance fitness development and extended periods in the saddle.

I always found it entertaining that the 200km randonnees attracted the roadies in vast numbers, but after that, the numbers decreased rapidly to the relatively few committed riders in the 600s. To me, the roadies really are white noise in the overall context of LD events, and I try to tune them out of my zone.

And yes, we've come across the rude, ambitious moronic roadie who just doesn't have a clue about the reasons why we and others are in an event. And that in itself is a danger to the fabric of the sport. It is well known that some clubs with a proliferation of roadies have lobbied to increase the average speed of 200-600 randonnees well above the current 15km/h.

I also have to question the attraction of larger events. Even PBP is losing its appeal for me because of the vast numbers of riders now permitted. I don't like riding in large packs, and the dangers were confirmed with PBP 2007 when people crashed off their bikes within 10km of the start.

For me there is a different, more intimate cameraderie involved in events such as the Last Chance and Great Southern we did finish, or the BMB we didn't complete. There also is something special to be one of few on the "honour board" of finishers of a tough event such as the Giro Tasmania 1000, too. And the same goes for the two 24H Mid-West Ultra TTs that we participated in.

My time in sports and recreation administration showed that there is a cycle in activity. There is a building phase, a maturity phase, and a decline phase. How long the phases take depends on the will and interest of the public at the time. Aerobics is a prime example or a relatively rapid development and maturity phase, and an equally rapid decline. Here in Australia, basketball has done the same. Cycling, in all its forms, is probably mid-cycle and helped by the rising price of fuel. But it will decline again, and so will the participation rates in LD events.

The question about polarisation of LD events in California is an interesting one. Maybe the climate has a lot to do with it, and the resulting proliferation of riders and organisers attracted to the region.

By the way, surreycrv, Machka and I were talking about those pins the day before yesterday. She regards the one she received after a 200 several years ago as much, much more special than any drink bottle or T-shirt she's got on any other event, mainly because of the versatility in how it can be displayed with pride... and how it's a mark of achievement on what was a horrendous event for her.