RAWK! I didn't know Brevets qualified as a randonee. In that case, I definitely want to get in to those! I know what you mean about touring leading into and after one...that'd sort of be my plan. Pedal like stink for a finite distance just to get from one point to another then slow down and relax - "tour!"
Do you feel sleep deprived on a those rides? How's a 200km compare to a 1200km? (aside from "six times longer")
I'm not much into the "opera" type events either - whale or croc-watching - or sky/scuba diving. Maybe an amusement park. They have Six-Flags parks all over the US.
I'll check out the links! Thanks!