Originally Posted by
Bearonabike
I don't know about your club, but serious Randonneur riders ARE training for a race, it's just a race against the clock. (for those unfamiliar try
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brevet_%28cycling%29). I have a friend who did the Brevets requirements for P-B-P and while it says "non competitive" that doesn't mean people aren't busting their backsides to qualify.
Randonneuring is not racing, and you don't race against the clock. The event is timed, but the times are pretty relaxed. You've got to maintain a 15 km/h minimum speed, including all breaks. Hardly race pace. And it isn't supposed to be competitive ... after all you're not competing against anyone else. Everyone who finished a brevet "wins" ... it doesn't matter if that person crosses the finish line quickly or slowly. Randonneuring is supposed to be supportive and friendly.
And I've done a lot more than just the brevets required to qualify for the PBP.