I do it .....

-- because of the challenge ... it's easy to do 3-4 hours, it's more of a challenge to spend a day or 3.5 days on the saddle.

-- because it gives me a chance to push my limits both physically and mentally ... most people never reach their limits, and I don't think I've reached mine yet either ... I'm still pushing.

-- because it reduces life down to the basics ... the "rat race" and "keeping up with the Jones'" and all the modern technology which has pervaded our lives don't matter out there ... instead it all comes down to basic bodily functions - finding enough to eat, finding a spot to relieve ourselves, and getting enough sleep to keep moving ... and keeping our very simple transportational method (our bicycles) functioning. The idea of being out in the middle of nowhere with so little to help me out is exhilarating. It's refreshingly primative.

-- because I'm one of the few women in the sport ... it's not something everyone is doing ... it's different.

-- because I get to see the world ... a local or semi-local brevet allows me to travel all sorts of roads I might not normally travel and to explore the province in which I currently live ... more distant randonnees and 24-hour races give me the opportunity to travel around the world. Without randonneuring I might never have gone to Europe, Australia, and eastern USA.

-- because the randonneuring crowd is a great bunch of people! I always look forward to getting together with various ones at the various events.

-- because it seems to take me 120 km just to warm up ... once I'm warmed up, I might as well keep riding!