Bud Bent

Are there any 50+'ers here who are into randonneuring? This is something I really hadn't given any thought to until I started riding with a guy who is into it. I tried a couple of the Lone Star Randonneurs' populaires (shorter rides done in the style of randonneuring, to give interested riders a chance to try out brevet style riding, without the long distance).

Today's 163k populaire that I rode was my first 100 mile ride, so I really haven't built up to the distance of brevets yet, but I can see the appeal of this type of riding. Anyone else?

Monoborracho

Which route did you travel today? What towns?

I've considered randounneuring but didn't really have the bike for it....though I now have a 520 I'm dialing in...more on that later. I've looked at the LSR site several times and talked to a few of guys who ride the routes.

I did a 45 miler today (I call it the Eliasville loop) out in the hills and crossed the Brazos four times. On one 10 mile stretch I saw a total of one car. Sometimes I feel like everything I ride is randonneuring as its always in scarcely traveled ares.

There is a small grocery store in Newcastle where, when I stop there, they always ask if I need my card signed. I guess its on one of the LSR routes, but not sure which. I know that several of the routes that begin in Mineral Wells have a control at the Whataburger here in town.

Bud Bent

This was my first 100 mile ride, so it's hard for me to say at this point whether I'll ever get into the really long rides. As for the route, here's a copy of my report on the ride, that I posted on the rbent forum:

This Lone Star Randonneurs' ride started at the corner of Danieldale and Clark Road in Duncanville, went south through Cedar Hill and Midlothian, then west to its first control stop at Maypearl, then on to Covington for the second stop. Then, it reversed the route for another stop at Maypearl, then back to Duncanville. The roads were low traffic, with only a few rough spots. I thought it was a very good route.

Since I had never done a 100 mile ride, I decided I'd better pace myself for the first three legs of this ride, then see if I had enough left to speed up a bit for the last leg. I used my heart rate monitor to pace myself, trying keep my heart rate under 160 on climbs, and under 150 the rest of the time. That worked out well. I still managed to stay in the front half of the riders, and though I kept a little faster pace than I intended on much of the third leg, just to keep riders in front of me in sight, I still felt good enough after three legs that I sped up and rode with the lead group for the last leg. Jorge pulled into the finish first, and I was right on his wheel.

This group takes time to regroup and chat at all the control stops, and as always, was one of the friendliest group of riders I've seen.

I ended up with 101.3 miles, at a 16.7 mph average, and an average heart rate of 141. My gps recorded 3618 feet of climbing. It didn't really seem like that much. I guess that's because there are no really brutal hills on this route, and lots of flats. My max heart rate for the ride was 173. I can't remember the last club ride I did without a higher heart rate than that. I guess that's why I had energy at the end. There is probably something to be said for pacing yourself well.

I enjoy riding with this group enough, I guess I should join and tackle a 200k brevet. If I can ride 100 miles, I can ride 128 miles, right?

stapfam

Its just another 28 miles and with a tighter eye on the Pace- will be possible. Just like that bridge too far in holland. Distance riding does take some training so for your normal rides it is an idea to try and get your normal 30 odd miles up to a 50 odd miles- just for training.

Well done on the ride and for staying upright on a bent for so long.

Bud Bent

Good point. If I'm going to do longer distance rides, I will need to look at increasing the distance of my training rides.

detrieux

Budbent,

Your speed is in the excellent category as far as I am concerned so you should have no problem completing the 200 k. As most of the Rando riders will tell you, it is 90% mental for all rides. Many take pain meds, stomach meds, and emergency food. Money for the controls to stock up on food is a big part of the action.

I did my first 200k this spring in some of the worst conditions for a ride of that length. Cold, windy, raining, snow, sleet, hail, thunder and lightning, plus getting lost and adding at least 10 extra miles. So cold at the end that it took almost an hour to stop shaking from the cold. If you have a century under your belt I can say you are ready for a 200 k. I did mine on a Rans Rocket with rear rack, fenders, and it took 12 hours and 4 minutes. This is the only one I plan for this spring but want to try the 200 K and possilby the 300 k in the fall since they are much closer to home. I had to drive almost 4 hours to get to the ride. Rando riders are some of the nicest people out there.

Just go for it. I plan to do many more and at 56 I am looking forward to riding a full series in the future. Due to family committments, I am not able to dedicate the time necessary for a full series at this time.

I would think the Corsa would be the ideal speed machine for Rando riding. I have given serious consideration that when I make the committment to do the series of getting a Corsa or Strada just for the Rando riding.

For what it is worth, several who bag the series and the PBP, BMB etc are 50+.