There's fun and there's fun. Or, as my friend Einar puts it... type 2 fun. That is where it is more fun afterward (finishing), than during. And sometimes it is like that. I can think of a few truly spectacular bonks that if I had not had a great riding partner, I'd have been done for. I am still not fond of the 400k distance. Maybe this year; I think I have the nutrition thing under control. Still have to take many ditch naps; I don't do well at staying up all night.
But mostly they are actual fun during. :-) There have been only a few rides where I spent extended time by myself. The SIR 600k which Michael refers to was the longest one. Rode with people on and off the first day, and, after Lake Crescent on day 2, only saw a rider or two in passing. The last 45 miles of that route had serious type 2 fun sections - a seemingly endless string of walls. But I finished, and in plenty of time, and that was SO COOL! If I did not like it, I wouldn't be riding these rides so much. Cheers, Lynne F On Sunday, December 9, 2012 11:38:44 PM UTC-8, Manuel Acosta wrote: > > Got to tag along with some SF Randonndeurs, Ely from Ruth Bags, Ray from > Mission Bags and David on their Jittery Jaunt 200k Permanent that took us > to the small town of Valley Ford. I'm not too fond of doing this much > mileage but was pretty curious about exploring around the Petaluma area so > I figured it would be good to explore with people that knew how to get > around and answer that dying question, Why all the miles? Those randonneur > guys, you would think that would enjoy riding all those miles, but the ugly > truth is that they don't. Apparently no buddy does. So what's the big deal? > Why would anyone want to put their body through that much suffering? I went > along searching for this answer. > And finally got it after a day of recovering. > When you have been riding your bike for the whole day and your whole body > is telling you this is a stupid idea. The only thing that pushes you along, > sometimes literary, is the other stupid people that is suffering with you. > You learn a lot about yourself and others when you're cramping and riding > up a steep grade in the middle of the night and the only thing that pushes > you on is that there are other people waiting for you with more food. That > sense of finishing something you set your mind to and doing it in the > company of great people and amazing scenery with plenty of food breaks > makes the whole experience a little less painful. > > Pictures prove that miles really don't matter but riding with amazingly > supportive and friendly people do: > > http://flic.kr/s/aHsjD9oML9 > > > -Manny "Oh the wonderful healing properties of snickers." Acosta > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msg/rbw-owners-bunch/-/9DtvAzX0e3gJ. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
