I am not really a true randonneur. While I like this style of riding, I have only been doing 200k brevets. A 130 mile ride is a great training ride. And I enjoy a long, hard day of riding, but following that with a long, hard night of riding, and/or another day of long, hard riding just hasn't been that appealing, so I haven't attempted the longer brevets. I also haven't bothered to buy any of the brevet medals. I got into chasing hardware for years with my tournament fishing, and don't have the urge to do that with my riding. But, I had been tempted to tackle a 300k. This is still a ride which can be done in one day, albeit a long day.

A few friends had also been wanting to do that first 300k, so yesterday, we decided to do the Lone Star Randonneurs' 300k brevet out of Italy, Tx. With a detour added onto the route, it ended up being 195.6 miles, so after having our brevet cards signed, four of us hopped back onto the bikes and rode another 5 miles, to claim our first double century. You can read my detailed ride report here. Here are a few photos from the ride.

Reflective recumbents in the morning darkness: Greg, Paul, Peggy, me, and Steve.


Peggy and I getting passed in the morning fog.


Leaving Dawson just after the first control.


Peggy, Greg, and I pull into the second control at Mexia.


Two recumbents from New Orleans made the trip for the ride.


Peggy, Steve, and Ken head for Jewett.


A long, gradual incline.