Originally Posted by
Tex_Arcana
Anyway, I plan on treating myself to a new bike for my half century birthday (thanks for the tax rebate Uncle Sugar) and a touring bike is practical for commuting as well as for randoneuring. I'm in research/prep mode until then (gathering equipment, bags, lights, reflective sashes, ankle straps, etc.).
Finally, my question is this. What have you seen on the web, books, or other materials that would be helpful for a randonneuring wannabe. Any IRC chatrooms, and other resources.
Machka's site is a good reference (
http://www.machka.net). After I completed PBP this year, I posted my experiences on my LJ (
http://cris.livejournal.com/tag/paris). The field notes entry (
http://cris.livejournal.com/174442.html) was written with rookies in mind, from the perspective of my only having two years into the sport. I will concur that being a foul-weather commuter is one of the best preparations for being a randonneur.
As far as other sites to 'kick thing up', I think that SIR (
http://www.seattlerandonneur.org/) has one of the better club sites out there, and their Flickr photostream (
http://www.flickr.com/photos/seattlerando/) has some excellent photos from PBP and other rides.