commuterDude: R-12 pt.4 -- May!

May 31, 2008

R-12 pt.4 -- May!

The quest for R12 continues, and just in time...with 10 hours and 44 minutes to spare! Details to come - 136 miles, under 8 hours rolling. i'm pretty excited, as things seem to be working out. I think all I needed was some sunshine, some warm temps, and finally some mental clarity about why I'm riding: ride because I enjoy it, and the numbers will come: well, not since 2005 have I seen numbers like today, and I'm thrilled. I did some math, tho...since today's event was 217km, its not really apples to apples. My fastest 200k was 2003: 6hrs 57min - total time, not rolling time. today, I did 217: in 9hrs 08mins....big deal: but for this mileage level, that makes it my third fastest event of this length ever. 2nd is 2005 at 9hrs 00mins - same course as 2003 - and that was on a single speed. If I do the math, and even today's ride to exactly 125 miles like 03 and 05's ride, today marks the 2nd fastest 200k I've ever ridden: 8hrs 31mins....now, that is only 90-some minutes shy of 2003's ride. now you can see why I'm happy! Still work to do - but its been years since I averaged this fast for this distance. Factor in that the course up in Liberty has only one control, and that the Border Patrol has two, then its even closer...and I'm 25 lbs heavier....well,well....suddenly I have a good feeling about 2008! more details about the ride to come! yeah - its no Jeff Winter or Mark Metcalfe, but I feel good!!!

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What is bicycle commuting?

Simply put, bicycle commuting is the act of travelling to a place of work or education by bicycle. In many areas it is common to combine bicycle commuting with public transport. Worldwide, the bicycle remains the most common commuter vehicle, and bicycle riding the second most common form of commuting, second only to walking. While the absolute number of bicycles in existence globally is unknown, it is clear that significantly more bicycles are manufactured than automobiles. In the United States about 40% of automobile trips are two miles or less; using a bicycle for these short trips can reduce your emissions and expenses. If you live within ten miles of work, you could save thousands of dollars in fuel, insurance and automotive maintenance costs each year. This webpage seeks to highlight bicycling as a viable transportation platform and a fun, exciting, healthful way to improve your life! Visit the commuting links below and get started today!

What is Randonneuring?

The French term "randonnée" loosely translates as a long tour or ramble along a defined route, and persons embarking as such are dubbed "randonneurs". In cycling, the term defines a hard-riding enthusiast attempting a long-distance randonnée (called a "brevet", usually 200 kilometers or greater) within a certain time allotment. Non-competitive by design, randonneuring encourages camaraderie: riders test themselves against the clock, the weather, and a challenging route - but not each other. Randonneuring's ethos embodies self-sufficiency and mental toughness; support vehicles are not allowed and brevets are held regardless of weather. Randonneurs USA (RUSA) organizes brevets in the United States under the auspices of the Audax Club Parisien (ACP) and the Randonneurs Mondiaux (RM), and rider's results are recognized world-wide. This website seeks to highlight the excitement and challenge of long-distance bicycle riding by sharing personal ride accounts, with the hope of growing the sport. If this type of bicycle riding interests you and you'd like to find out more, visit the RUSA webpage to find rides in your area!

For ride announcements and discussions on randonneuring in the greater Kansas City area, visit KC Ultra Cycling, and join the KC Ultra-Cycling Email List:

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Courtesy Randonneurs USA

What is Ultra-Marathon Cycling?

Just as the 26.2-mile marathon represents a benchmark for runners, bicyclists generally consider the "century", riding 100-miles, a worthy endurance challenge. Ultra-marathon cycling involves exceeding that benchmark, often several times over, offering the long-distance challenge of randonnuering with a more competitive flavor. This is the world of 24-hour races, double-centuries, and beyond. Where randonneuring rewards all finishers equally and emphasizes self-sufficiency, ultra-racers compete for time and placing, maximizing speed by utilizing support crews for hand-ups and fast repairs. Event courses can be long and scenic, but may take the form of many laps of a looped course. Winning ultra-distance events requires the rare combination of endurance and a high average speed. Randonneuring and Ultra-Marathon often complement one another: brevets can offer base-training to prepare for racing, and fast randonneurs often enter ultra events for a new challenge. Visit the World Ultra Cycling Association's website for more information.

Courtesy World Ultra Cycling Association

May 31, 2008

R-12 pt.4 -- May!

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