tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post334556474266752193..comments2024-03-27T05:14:23.738-04:00Comments on Lovely Bicycle!: Study in Lights and Darks: My 300K DNFVelouriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comBlogger93125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-85900849742364211972017-04-03T15:17:18.123-04:002017-04-03T15:17:18.123-04:00This made me cry a little. I can feel where you we...This made me cry a little. I can feel where you were. I have never randoneurred, but I've toured without food for days. Staggered up mountains in rain and darkness.<br /><br />You did right to come off the road. I'd have been camping or walking with such poor visibility, or riding slowly.<br /><br />I'm proud of you. You didn't fail.<br /><br />You did well.<br /><br />As for me, I hate the heat, too. :)<br /><br />Love and grace.<br /><br />d. smith 2017Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15622105337778715796noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-86891963593290020832014-06-08T23:36:48.759-04:002014-06-08T23:36:48.759-04:00Thank you for this.
I just DNFd a 400k. I felt hor...Thank you for this.<br />I just DNFd a 400k. I felt horrible for abandoning.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-88661813353584244692014-03-10T15:33:45.594-04:002014-03-10T15:33:45.594-04:00Excellent article. Those who have been there can r...Excellent article. Those who have been there can relate to every word. Dont beat yourself up. As for the comments about 'never ride on your own in the dark' what a load of rubbish. If I had to ride with the bunch all the time, I would never have stuck with Audax.It is the strange mix of companionable solitude which is it's whole attraction for me. And if I didn't set out at midnight I would have missed two of my best DIY 200k events ( and probably suffered heat exhaustion like yourself) . Wonderful article; please take away the positives from your experience. The Vicarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04388839911679204962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-33812846503227360482013-06-18T14:10:45.133-04:002013-06-18T14:10:45.133-04:00Really late to this post, but I had to add a comme...Really late to this post, but I had to add a comment. The narrative, the photos, the mood of the whole thing... it's sublime.<br /><br />It may have felt like a failure at the time, but I came away from this post with the feeling that you, actually we, gained a lot more from your DNF than we would have from your finishing (not that I'm glad you suffered, mind you). Thank you for this.<br /><br />On a more mundane note: if one must absolutely ride in hot 95+ degree weather, a Camelback-style hydration pack is a godsend. A sweaty back is but a small price to pay to avoid dehydration.<br /><br />I fill mine all the way ice and water (stays cold for a surprisingly long time) then I also fill two water bottles on the bike. I drink from the camelback and douse myself with the water bottles. This works pretty well.TMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16972726941993291842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-68897214244222209622013-06-17T11:42:01.833-04:002013-06-17T11:42:01.833-04:00Check out the Fenix BT 20 dual beam light. Check out the Fenix BT 20 dual beam light. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-53484918312372328942013-06-17T00:37:45.540-04:002013-06-17T00:37:45.540-04:00First comment ever on your site. First, I really e...First comment ever on your site. First, I really enjoyed this tale. Second, never forget how lucky you are to be able to brevets and long rides like this. As much as I love cycling, my body simply would never allow it, so you are truly blessed. It's great you take advantage of your gift. Keep on pedaling!SKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03781010970462013917noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-42404705752563939112013-06-13T11:52:06.175-04:002013-06-13T11:52:06.175-04:00GORGEOUS photos. I love the way the reflective tap...GORGEOUS photos. I love the way the reflective tape photographed!Shelby from anewbohemia.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05331201030457149272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-75426677590989974792013-06-11T16:35:17.753-04:002013-06-11T16:35:17.753-04:00You sure about the first? My experience says you ...You sure about the first? My experience says you get a bunch of strong guys together it's a race at the front. In the middle and back it's about doing your best. <br /><br />Charity rides, mup, commuting - makes no difference. Its just nomenclature.GR Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01145811568384053426noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-55305048883121286942013-06-11T15:16:59.083-04:002013-06-11T15:16:59.083-04:00i think there are times when i had to finish a rid...i think there are times when i had to finish a ride simply because it was the only way home... surely the 400k i did a few years ago here in VT was that way. and the 300k i did in boston when i did my first series was like that.<br /><br />managing the fact that you can call for rescue is a skill, too, just like riding in the dark.bmikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14690285578204158345noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-83100289796852513172013-06-11T12:25:23.364-04:002013-06-11T12:25:23.364-04:00After talking it over with a bunch of experienced ...After talking it over with a bunch of experienced randonneurs, I think it's actually a matter of angle. But I will play around with it and report back.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-1031242088554902942013-06-11T11:20:27.157-04:002013-06-11T11:20:27.157-04:00The appropriateness of a behaviour is heavily cont...The appropriateness of a behaviour is heavily context dependent, so I don't think it works to compare heaving at an intense sporting event to doing so at a professional meeting. But I get your point.<br /><br />Considering the tone of further comments that have been submitted, I am bringing this particular thread of comments to a close. Thank you everyone.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-38736835840083030312013-06-11T10:52:45.237-04:002013-06-11T10:52:45.237-04:00Randonnees are not endurance races. There is a big...Randonnees are not endurance races. There is a big difference in culture between them.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-79421348951973906802013-06-11T10:46:23.220-04:002013-06-11T10:46:23.220-04:00Anonymous 11:57 - Then how do explain that Randonn...Anonymous 11:57 - Then how do explain that Randonneuring is, statistically, a very safe sport, despite what some scaremongers might suggest? And what is this group mentality? In my experience there are as many different approaches to participation as there are randonneurs. I've DNFed a couple of times and been there when others have done so and never witnessed any pressure or criticism from the organization or other riders. On the contrary, as we've seen in this thread, the attitude is overwhelmingly supportive and positive. How many RUSA sanctioned randonnees have you volunteered at or ridden? Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-1571858646632567552013-06-11T01:07:16.687-04:002013-06-11T01:07:16.687-04:00Your last part is the point -- at the fine edge of...Your last part is the point -- at the fine edge of incoherence one can not make good decisions. And a official making a bad decision is bad... decision making.<br /><br />That said now and again there are casualties in endurance racing. Part of the sport.GR Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01145811568384053426noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-45917991039314044272013-06-11T00:51:36.075-04:002013-06-11T00:51:36.075-04:00Exactly. As I've been saying it's a compe...Exactly. As I've been saying it's a competition. What doesn't kill you make you stronger. The guys asking the questions are riders after all.<br /><br />That said V is pushing her boundaries and hadn't had a bad crash yet. This experience, and her riding in general, has given her a reality check. It is what it is.GR Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01145811568384053426noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-39078088585880770132013-06-11T00:51:18.230-04:002013-06-11T00:51:18.230-04:00Well, I only mean that I don't want him to wor...Well, I only mean that I don't want him to worry or feel that he is "on call" every time I go out to do one of these events.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-19056681908671682782013-06-11T00:48:52.263-04:002013-06-11T00:48:52.263-04:00I pretty much agree with the points you make, so n...I pretty much agree with the points you make, so no argument here.<br /><br />Re downhill: No I wasn't riding the brakes. But I'm not great at cornering, so a cautious descender where the road is twisty. Getting better at it with time though.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-78688072993503784272013-06-10T23:57:59.456-04:002013-06-10T23:57:59.456-04:00Next time you're at a meeting with a photograp...Next time you're at a meeting with a photography client try emitting an uncontrollable wail for 10, 20. 30, 60 seconds and see how easy it is to snap out of that one, call it insignificant. How is it any different if it "only" happens in front of a group of randonneurs.<br /><br />Jim, I've been at enough checkpoints listening to the officials ask the riders what their name is, what day it is, have you had a drink of water, do you know where you are, etc., and send the riders back out on the road after getting bad responses to each and every question that I take a dim view of the proceedings. What you say is exactly correct and has no effect whatever when the group mentality says continue at all costs. The guys who finish in good order are impressive, those with the good sense to pull themselves are very impressive, and those who play the game to the end are living dangerously.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-25132233540366719282013-06-10T23:22:59.720-04:002013-06-10T23:22:59.720-04:00Anyone anywhere anytime doing anything while alone...Anyone anywhere anytime doing anything while alone in the dark is going to imagine things that aren't there. And have trouble focussing on the important things that are there. If anywhere is a lonely country road and there are genuinely possible bad outcomes and the person alone in the dark is also heat stressed and fatigued/exhausted lots of ominous rustlings and worse will be imagined. Imagining all of that is stress and more stress. And makes it less and less possible to do the things you need to do. All of this is absolutely normal and predictable for the given circumstance.<br /><br />Hygiene for this circumstance is simple. Do not be alone in the dark. Be with people. No other choices. <br /><br />Some of what I read on this blog is so unlikely I can't be sure I read it. From what you say about going downhill without brakes beginning on Leg 5 can it be concluded that before then you were consistently riding the brakes down every hill? What a handicap. No wonder you were riding alone. Who would wait for you at the bottom of every hill? (The "descent" verbiage is misleading. If it can be done no brakes by an exhausted rider of limited/newfound skill it's only a hill.) Spending twice the time on every downhill crushes average speed. The constant braking loads the hands arms shoulders. But it makes no sense that anyone riding a 300K can't even ride down a hill so what did I read here? If it's real that you've been braking every hill you must be making darn good speed uphill and on the flat. Next time you could start with a good group and finish 300 in daylight.<br /><br />Start with the group. Stay with the group. Finish with the group.<br /><br />Riding with the group is infinitely easier than this solo routine. Paceline training is supposed to teach that. Take that lesson over again until you learn it. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-61135202592605197592013-06-10T22:41:50.453-04:002013-06-10T22:41:50.453-04:00I'm still stuck on derailleurs. And curious a...I'm still stuck on derailleurs. And curious about of how small a compact crank can work with Campy derailleurs. Whatever it is, I want one.<br /><br />I'm sure the fitting of the Seven with proper gearing for steep hills would be comfortable for a very long haul like a 300k but isn't the fit of your Rawland pretty close to optimal for you? Would the weight of the Seven with better gearing make it a better choice for the next long haul ride you try?<br />New England Bicyclisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16609454624593868118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-30551405564492793342013-06-10T21:34:39.002-04:002013-06-10T21:34:39.002-04:00Too bad you had to abandon, but it was a good read...Too bad you had to abandon, but it was a good read!Bertin753https://www.blogger.com/profile/02860648732848589740noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-35087180438613445632013-06-10T18:37:36.182-04:002013-06-10T18:37:36.182-04:00Thanks, man. I hear they are the best.Thanks, man. I hear they are the best.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-66815839504465839982013-06-10T18:23:20.275-04:002013-06-10T18:23:20.275-04:00No worries, great hub. Check our Neil at Cycle Mo...No worries, great hub. Check our Neil at Cycle Monkey if you need service ever.GR Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01145811568384053426noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-20355742121235393352013-06-10T18:15:24.457-04:002013-06-10T18:15:24.457-04:00Ah, well the good news is you don't have to th...Ah, well the good news is you don't have to throw it in order to enjoy what it offers. I, too, was concerned about the weight -- being spindly myself, oh, and old, too -- but when I'm off road and in dust and dirt, I'm grateful. So far, so good. Anon 404Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-24774344861736497092013-06-10T17:00:34.056-04:002013-06-10T17:00:34.056-04:00Anon 444 - yup
Anon 404 - sprained a wrist picking...Anon 444 - yup<br />Anon 404 - sprained a wrist picking up a rohloff with my spindly arms.GR Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01145811568384053426noreply@blogger.com