commuterDude: December 6th - Permanent

Thursday, November 27, 2008

December 6th - Permanent - 203 km

I'm looking to get #11 over with before winter arrives!
Any RUSA member that would like to join in, please email me ASAP so we can get you registered!

5:00 AM start time -
Olathe, KS to Weston, MO and back.

** ALSO, I am looking to build an email-blast list for these rides, to supplement these blog announcements - if you're interested in being on it, shoot me an email.

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 is probably 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 not known, it is clear that significantly more bicycles are manufactured than automobiles. In the United States about 40% of automobile trips are 2-miles or less; using a bicycle to make these short trips can reduce your carbon footprint and save you money. If you live within ten miles of work, you could save thousands of dollars this year alone in fuel, insurance and maintenance costs. The goal of this website is to highlight bicycling as a viable transporation platform and a fun, exciting, healthful way to improve your life. Visit the commuting links below and get started today!

What Is a Randonneur?

There is no direct English translation of the French term "randonnée", which loosely means to go on a long trip, tour, outing, or ramble, usually on foot or on a bicycle, along a defined route. A person who goes on a "randonnée" is called a "randonneur". In cycling, it defines a hard-riding enthusiast who is trying to complete a long-distance randonnée (called a "brevet") inside a certain time allotment. A non-competitive sport by design, one rides to test oneself against the clock, the weather, and a challenging route - but not to beat the other riders. The ethos of randonneuring is self-sufficiency and mental toughness; support vehicles are not allowed, and brevets are held regardless of weather. Once riders have successfully completed a 200-kilometer "brevet", they are entitled to be called a "randonneur". Randonneurs USA (RUSA) organizes brevets in the United States under the auspices of the Audax Club Parisien (ACP) and the Randonneurs Mondiaux (RM), and the results are recognized world-wide. The goal of this website is to highlight the fun and excitement of long-distance bicycle riding and help grow the sport. If this type of bicycle riding interests you and you'd like to find out more, I welcome your email!

For ride announcements and discussions on randonneuring in the KC-Area, please consider joining the KCUC Email Group: