commuterDude: The streak LIVES

March 24, 2013

The streak LIVES

This one will take some time to recollect and organize -- but, it will certainly be a doozey of a post. I don't know if I can safely speak for the veterans among the KCUC crew, but as far as my 11 years worth of brevets and permanents, yesterday will stick out in memory as having the toughest, nastiest conditions I've ever endured. The first half of the ride was actually close to perfection: tailwind, not too cool, light traffic, which produced a solid 16.7 MPH average at the halfway point. Turning back north and east for home, however, Glen & I simply started laughing... the promised NE headwind which would daunt us for the entire 2nd half of the ride wasn't only real, it was gusty and cold. Glen had been strong all day, and as the pack of 18 had long since spread out I ended up on a solo mission for some of the tough bits. Wind I can handle... cold is fine... even cold and wet is okay once in a while. Wool, fenders, good rain jacket... no worries. But, right as we left the Osawatomie Casey's, the sleet had begun. From there, bad became worse. The rando spirit pushed to the extreme, strangely our smiles only widened as we made our way north into the wind and heavy, wet snowfall. The roads became slick and treacherous - something that wasn't to have happened until after sundown... so much for forecasts! Drivetrains caked in snow, helmets clogged - but spirits high - our group finally finished in just under 12 hours.

The "Gavia Pass" analogy-rich mini-epic snowstorm on this same route last March (what IS it with March around here??) was pretty nasty, and still memorable.... but compared to yesterday? Pah! That ride last year was easy. It had only been 15 miles! The bar has been set far, far higher now, with regards to "what'r the worst conditions you've ever ridden in?" The I've-Had-Worse file is full! Fifty miles, and with stops and such, five hours of riding in heavy winter precipitation. UN-REAL.

But, the streak is secure.... 21-in-a-row now.

If April isn't sunny and warm, however... I quit. [LOL]

Okay, not really. ...'cause I've had worse.

Stay tuned!

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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

March 24, 2013

The streak LIVES

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