old riders

[Ronald Long]

I'm wondering how many of you are in your 70s, and still fully active in Randonneuring - as it full SR series, maybe even a 1200km.

My riding "fell apart" around 2019, though a variety of factors, and never fully recovered. At this point I'm a "healthy 74", I'm consistently riding at least a 100km a month, putting lots of hours on an indoor trainer, but even a 200km is a rarity - I'm averaging 1-2 a year. 

I'm really struggling to get back to longer distances. I know that a good part of it is mental, but I'm also wondering how many folks well into their 70s are doing longer rides (200km and up).

Obviously at some point I'll be "too old", but I have no sense of where that point is, and this community is the best source of potential data I can think of.

ronald

Rusa 4915

[Gary DelNero]

I turn 70 in a few months and wonder the same thing. I quit doing the R12's as soon as I hit ten years in a row. I now find the Audax style rides particularly enjoyable. We did the 600k here in KS last year. Much easier than a solo ride. I do find it harder mentally to willingly expect difficult conditions, cold rain, excessive night riding, ditch naps.
I think as I get older I enjoy the camaraderie more than the biking.
Consider the Nebraska Sandhills bike week. Shorter days, more rest.
There are several riders in their 70's at PBP, so it's not impossible. I think the DNF rate rises with age, but you can't succeed without showing up.
Good luck

Gary DelNero Rusa 7468

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[Dan Driscoll]

Ronald, 

I wonder the same thing. As a fellow 70’s guy, I know Father Time will have his way and I will age out of Randonneuring, or maybe slowly phase out, but no idea or game plan on when that will be. 

I do not think that there is a magic number, everyone will be different, but 70 has been what I’ve seen as a start, although I know some in their mid 70’s that can still do 1,200km’s. Years ago I called a lot of Old Randos that were at the Tip Top of RUSA in terms of accomplishments, that now longer paid RUSA Dues to see what was up? The answer was mostly "I’m in my 70’s, can’t ride like I used to, the longer rides I used to enjoy are no longer as enjoyable/doable, so it was time to move on".  

I know some that plan their Rando Retirement strategically, one claiming that PBP 2027 will be his last Grand Randonnee. I know others that continue attempting Grand Randonnees accepting a higher DNF percentage Rate each year, and are OK with that. 

As Neil Young sings, is it better to burn out or fade away? I’m undecided at this point, but thinking about it. 

I've spent a huge percentage of my life riding and volunteering Rando for the last 30 years, so it will be a bitter sweet good buy. I suspect that the 1,200kms will come off the plate first and with them likely the 1,000kms. 

I have a few streaks going that I’d like to keep alive as long as possible, I’m at 28 consecutive ACP Super Randonneurs and hope to stretch that well past 30, I’m about to earn my 22nd R-12, and hope to keep that going as long as possible. I’m at 20 RUSA Cups, and hope I have a few more left in me?

When finishing a 200km within the time limits becomes difficult, I’m unsure if I’ll continue to find joy in chasing States and keeping a P-12 alive, but I hope so. The RUSA Awards have kept me motivated so far and I hope that does not wear off.  

Bottom line, predicting how much longer I’ll last is beyond me…… Surrounding yourself by good and positive people that enjoy Rando, may be the best advice to offer, to extend the joy and longevity, it’s worked for me.  

We all have our own definitions of Endurance, but for me it’s less about how far you do in a day and more about how far you go in a lifetime.   

DanD 

[Rob Hawks]

I'm months away from falling into your described category of 'in your 70s, having just passed the halfway point of my 70th trip around the sun.

I expect I'd get a lot younger if I gave up my RUSA duties and being an RBA, but then I'd have to figure out what to do with my time.

Yes, of course I've also wondered about recognizing when 'that time has come'. For now, I'm setting off tomorrow on the 600k puzzle piece for the SR series, planning to ride a 1000k later in the month and shooting for at least one more chance at a PBP finish.

There are very few if any riders on the brevets this year that I rode with in 2004 and 2005 when I first started. 

rob hawks

[Dragi Gasevski]

Rob, Ronald — your posts really resonated with me.

I’m now 72, and somehow the long distances still feel like home. Every year I’m logging 18,000 to 20,500 miles, with a couple of Super Randonneur series and plenty of unofficial long rides that fill in the gaps. Some years the body cooperates, some years it fights back, but the rhythm of the bike keeps pulling me forward.

I also know that many people my age don’t even want to drive their cars 600–1000 km anymore — meanwhile we’re out here riding those distances on two wheels. That alone says something about the kind of stubborn, slightly unreasonable people randonneurs tend to be.

Like you said, Rob, very few riders from the 2004–2005 era are still showing up at brevets. But every time I line up for a 300, 400, 600, or 1000, I’m reminded that there are still riders in their 70s quietly doing the work, turning the pedals, and proving that “too old” is not a fixed point.

Ronald — you’re still riding, still training, still thinking about the long distances. That already puts you ahead of most people your age. Whether you get back to 200s, 300s, or beyond, only your body will decide, but the door isn’t closed just because the number 74 is printed on your driver’s license.

For me, as long as I can ride safely, enjoy the miles, and support the randonneuring community, I’m staying in the game.

Best,

Dragi

#13193

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Best,

Dragi

[Kerin Huber]

Hi Ronald and other Randos,

Here's some perspective from a female rando.  I think the aging thing hits us harder since we go through menopause and suddenly lose most of our anabolic hormones.  How I miss the power and the recovery ability I used to have.

I still love randonneuring, but as I've gotten older and slower, my criteria for evaluating what constitutes a "great" ride have changed.  It used to be that half the enjoyment came from completing a very long, difficult ride as fast as possible.  Now I couldn't care less about my finishing time or whether I'm the lanterne rouge.  What makes a ride enjoyable now is seeing beautiful scenery, riding with nice people, and finishing- no matter what my time.  

I have retired from doing 1200's and the like because they aren't fun for me anymore, and they just take such a toll on my body.  But I still love doing 100's, 200's, and the occasional 300k.  I will keep doing the shorter rando rides as long as I can.  But when I stop having fun on these rides, I see a future of doing short coffee shop rides with my local bike club.  I hope I will be able to ride my bike for many more years, one way or another.

Sincerely,

Kerin

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[Mike Hrast]

I’m moving on towards 72 and my body is breaking down. Recent back problems have kept me off the bike for several months. Whereas I’d like to try another PBP I don’t think it’s the cards. I’m getting forgetful these days so trying to coordinate any logistics for PBP would be harder. 

Radiation for cancer 10 years ago has left me with osteoporosis so taking a fall is a big risk. I do miss the comradery on the rides so I’m hoping to get back to 200-300k rides 

Mike

#3970

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On May 1, 2026, at 9:32 AM, Ronald Long <ronal...@gmail.com> wrote:



[jeff.li...@gmail.com]

Hello Ron,

I'll turn 64 in a month. So I have not hit the big 7-0. But I have been a cycling enthusiast on and off most of my life and been a member of a couple of cycling clubs. My observations of those riding around me have lead me to believe age 70 is a big year for an avid cyclist if he or she is still riding at all. Maintenance of fitness at that age becomes quite an uphill battle, and most enthusiasts get fed up and throw the towel in. The ones that continue start to only ride with similarly aged individuals. The Princeton Freewheelers headquartered in Cranbury, NJ has a group of riders that go by two different names: Social Security Crew or Geriatrics Crowd. The last time I checked there was an 87 year old in the group. Most of their rides top off at 35 miles.

This past Tuesday I completed a 73 mile perm along the Delaware River in PA and NJ with a female randonneur who very recently turned 70. The route had 105k of "gravel" in it and we finished in 7h40m. I've been trying to impress on this woman the importance of resistance training and speed work on the bike at her age. She doesn't want to hear it. The days of just going out for a fun long ride just does not cut it after you turn 70 if you want to maintain your fitness level. Most people should be able to tackle an SR series and maybe a 1000k brevet as late as age 80. But they would have to be strategic about their training: 1. resistance training (weights), 2. speed work on the bike, and 3. peak for the long rides. The days of going long all year long don't exist after you turn 70.

You are doing well to consistently ride at least one metric century a month at age 74. I doubt there are many RUSA members your age doing that. There will be some certainly. But if you want to get back to doing an SR series you might want to consider limiting your rides longer than 40 miles to a four month window during the year. The other eight months would be when you focus on weight training, speed work on the bike, and possibly swimming to help you with mobility issues. Diet becomes critical after you turn 70. You can eat the wrong foods, but you will be sabotaging your training efforts.

I think as we age we should strive to remain vibrant/agile. Crawling across the finish line of a long bike ride isn't really something to be brag about. I'm a firm believer in quality of life, not quantity of life. Are you spending a lot of time on an indoor trainer because the weather is not good outside? Or is there some other reason? I hate riding an indoor trainer unless I have a HIIT workout to do.

Best of luck to you, -Jeff

Jeff Lippincott, RUSA #11633

[Richard Stum]

I'm 72 now. To celebrate the year I turned 70, I did a full series and a 24-hour TT race. My endurance on day two of the 600K was unbelievable. My max heart rate was at the bottom of the Grand Canyon—it felt like day four of a 1200 of years past. 

And Shermer’s Neck has got the best of me, since those last two long events. PT and time off the bike (backcountry ski during the winter) has not helped a whole lot. As a tall fellow, I prefer the efficiency of aerobars, but I know that makes it worse. And no, I don't want to try a bent. 

The reason I started cycling was due to a worn out previously injured ankle. In January I had it fused and now enjoy hiking and light jogging without neck pain. I had the procedure done because my future with cycling looks bleak, due to what appears to be a non-reversible overuse injury. 

This year's big event is a week-long mountaineering trip and some longer backpacking trips later this fall. I'm frustrated and nearly done with the unnatural position of cycling with my fat head cantilevered over the bars! I wish I could continue but everyone's fate is different. 

In the recent RUSA print magazine there has been a series from a UK author on fitness and health. One article on 1200s didn't address the "fade" that we geezers experience on days 2-4 of these longer events. I would like to learn about this.

Cheers,
Richard Stum
Living & Working in the Mountains of Central Utah
Rap Sheet: Salt Lake Randonneurs RBA | Rando Richard—Blog | Strava | eoGEAR—My Bag Company | 

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[Jake Kassen]

Emily O'Brien wrote an article for American Randonneur in 2024 that focused on gender but touched on age. She crunched some numbers and found that about 5% of RUSA finishers were 70 and above.

The average age of a RUSA finisher is about 50 for men and a few years younger for women across all event lengths of event. Overall, the largest age bracket of RUSA riders is 50-59.

The number of starters 70+ is only about 1/2 that of starters 20-29, although probably for reasons apart from fitness. (Time and money is in shorter supply in your 20s.)

So take that as you will. There's not a lot of riders in their 70s but there are enough to say the magic age of 70 doesn't eliminate people from the sport. Antidotally, the people who really rack up kilometers and have stellar fitness are retired because they have time to ride every single day.

Jake

PS. I'm a little dismayed by the rapid adoption of e-bikes. Maybe it's keeping people moving when they'd otherwise be sedentary but I can't help but think it's prematurely reducing endurance levels for all ages. I fear that soon, non-electric bike riders will be a small minority.

[Ronald Long]

I'd like to thank all of you who took the time to share your experience/perspectives on being an "old randonneur". 
One of the things this question, and your answers helps me realize is how much the fact that I abandoned PBP at Loudeac in 2015, which in retrospect is an embarrassingly "stooopid"  decision, pushes me towards another attempt for all the wrong reasons. It's time for me to make my peace with that, and base my riding on what is meaningful for me now, at whatever distance that might be.

thank you all!

ronald

[Keith G]

I rarely weigh in here, but this thread spoke to me.  I've been unusually introspective on this subject lately.
As a rider that has said "no" to myself for too many years - especially since the pandemic - skipping opportunities, etc., and only being in my early 50's ... these are good lessons.
The thoughts of our original KC RBA, Bob, still echo in my head:  "you don't stop riding because you get old, you get old because you stop riding." 
Of course, physicality, nature, time ... it all catches up ... but I see the rides as - if nothing else - good training for whatever the cards hold for us at some indeterminate age, where-ever we are today.

Also said here, "you can't succeed without showing up."   Very good thought ... yeah, I can't really participate in this conversation in my 50's, but my 70's are out there ... what will I do with the limited number of summers I might have left?  I run into folks my age occasionally that I haven't seen in years, and sometimes wonder ... "man, what happened to you?"  Folks that used to run, lift, cycle, row, play sports at a high level, but have hung it up.  Do I want that for myself, so early?  No... keep riding.

I am -- as any randonneur at any age should -- taking these thoughts seriously, because attitude is everything.  It stops mattering how far, how fast, how "extreme" ... but, instead becomes about how many smiles, how many memories, and have we prevented ourselves from sinking too deeply into the recliner.  Indeed, even 50km at age 70+ is WAY more than most are willing to try.  Just keep showing up, even if it doesn't look like it used to.  That's the lesson I'm taking.  More than just the 70-year-olds that can take lessons from this.  For the young and the fast ... good on ya, keep it up.  For those on the fence about whether or not we're "too old for this," ... nah we're not, let's choose to keep at it.

Thanks all  

[Lois Springsteen]

As a female ride, I've  experienced power drops and loss of recovery ability since my mid 50’s as Kerin describes. My last 200k was about two years ago and at the time I had an inkling that it might have been my last.  

I’ll be 75 in November and still enjoy riding regularly. 100k seems like a great distance for me to do while still having fun. The body sensations are the same when I ride, but the speed, heart rate, and recovery are all slower. 

Like Jake, I lament the advent of e-bikes. Many folks seem to be getting them prematurely which pushes the pace up higher for their older cohort. Sadly, it becomes an arms race, pressuring some to get them if they want to keep up. I’ve never been a fast rider, so I’m fine riding off the back, knowing that my effort is fully powered by me.

I’m working on my Ultra P12 at the moment. I think I will get there. 

Lois

Lois Springsteen, CFP® 

831-227-6266

On May 1, 2026, at 12:52 PM, Kerin Huber <kerin...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[Jim Koegel]

Anyone know the age of the oldest American rider to finish PBP?

I once heard the oldest ever to finish PBP was a Frenchman age 83.8

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/randonneurs-usa/7CE7AF45-2D34-43A4-8998-5C81C85EE349%40bryant-springsteen.net.

[Rob Hawks]

On RUSA's own website is some information on that.

rob

[Colin Moy]

Nice mention of Lois!  

I echo everyone's sentiment. I was 69 in 2023 PBP and DNF due to a rookie mistake as a first timer.  Lack of confidence, too fast/too hard at the start, and over trained.  After a year of rehab (my body was trashed), I bounced back at 70 and finished Hokkaido 1200 in 87.5 hrs.

Now, it's the fun factor that keeps me going riding with friends, especially team events. Riding a 600k solo last year was very demoralizing. I feel physically capable of finishing PBP with more experience, but mentally I'm not so sure.

Whatever your spirit and body will offer, keep riding, be it brevets or short social rides,

Cheers,

Colin Moy

RUSA#11115

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[Dave Thompson]

I'm another who rarely weighs in on-list.

I turn 74 this year.  Domestically this year, I've only completed 100k perms.  I dnf'd a flat Florida 1200k because I wasn't paying attention to a twinge in my right knee and had to stop after 900km.  But, I just completed a climby 1200k in Brazil, go figure.

It's the international riding that keeps me interested - that, and of course, if I ride enough, I can eat whatever I want :).

I have two issues right now.

Physical - I have back issues; nerves being pinched by my lumbar vertebrae.  That's not going to go away without surgery.

Mental - I was hit by a car in the Philippines October 1, 2022 and since then I've been much more concerned with enjoying the rides than damn-the-torpedoes and finishing up.  Day after day riding until dawn is my enemy.

So ... between the physical and mental, I've dnf'd a few LRM events, but I've also completed many since 2022.  I'm a lot slower now and keep on thinking that I'm not up to a tough ride anymore and should only think about shorter rides ... but then I complete one and realize that it's the mental attitude that's the most challenging.

I've also come to realize that there's a huge difference between a minimum speed of 10kph (1900+km events), 12kph (1300-1899) 13.33 (1000+ 1200-1299) and 200/300/400/600 @ 15kph.  I've got a couple of 2000k events planned this year and at a minimum of 240k per day, it's more like touring since I'll be able to do most of my riding in daylight.

I'll keep on going as long as I can but it's the back problem that'll probably be the main hurdle.  I'd like to complete PBP again ... I'm still annoyed that I DNF'd in 2023, only 20km from the end, due to a French rider running into me from behind as I was standing at the side of the road, sending us both to the hospital.  Unfinished business!  

Dave.

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[Geoff Hazel]

I'm 76 and still pursuing P-12 and American Explorer.  I've gotten a bit slower over the 12 years since I started Randonneuring.  Three years ago, I was very happy after a month of weekly 100k rides to crack 5 hours on the Commons/Renton/Maple valley route.  Nowadays I'm more commonly doing it in 6-ish hours when I ride monthly.  I suppose I could get faster if I worked out and / or rode more often, but I've got plenty of other things to keep busy with.  The nice thing about the P-12 (or for some, the R-12) is that it is a strong motivator to NOT skip a month - especially if you're a few months in to the "next" series.  

One thing I like about RUSA riding is the wide range of "awards" available.  I can keep my 100k streaks going and get another P-12 with what I consider the bare minimum of riding.   

I'm going to keep going as long as I can still "enjoy" riding 6 hours at a time -- or at least, endure it.  Perhaps if I make it to a Super-P-12, I'll think about slowing down.  Just 2.75 years to go!

[Roger Hillas]

Jim,

A little tangential both to your question, and to the more general discussion, but perhaps relevant nevertheless.

According to the plaquette, 169 riders 70 - 79 years old started PBP in 2023. 61 were homologated (101 DNFs, 3 Disqualified, 4 outside the time limit).

Four riders 80 - 89 started. All four DNFed.

The oldest finisher was Patrick Rossignol, who was born in 1944.

At age 76, Jean-Claude Chabirand became the first and only 13 time finisher. I had the good fortune to finish right in front of him and was one of the first people to shake his hand, one month after my own 70th birthday.

[John Cumming]

I am extremely grateful for this discussion, and for all the suggestions and experiences that have been shared.

I did not get serious about randonneuring until I was approaching 60 years of age, and retirement. Through five seasons, I completed 40 brevets,  5 Super Randonneur series, 2 Fleches, and 3 Grand Randonnees (including 2019 PBP) without a single DNF.  This left me unjustifiably cocky about my own randonneuring abilities, and insufficiently empathetic to the challenges faced by randonneurs older than me.

I’m now approaching 72, and very much experiencing a decline in my power and randonneuring skills.  An article in (British) Cycling Plus magazine tells me that, in aging from 50 to 70 years of age, I lost 25 percent of my strength (I’m sure they’d tell me I had lost a similar amount while aging from 30 to 50).  This loss of strength affects not only my pedaling, but also my ability to shift gears, to fix flats, and even to zip up my cycling jacket on a cold Ontario night.  My dexterity, reflexes, and visual acuity for night-riding have definitely decreased with age.  As I have progressively LESS time available to take a sleep break on a long randonnee (due to my progressively slower riding), my NEED for sleep undoubtedly continues to grow.   Yet 72-year-old me faces the same 75/90-hour time limit that 30-year-old me would have faced, for 1000/1200 rides.

As Dave Thompson points out, the more relaxed speed requirements for progressively longer Grand Randonnees provides one alternative for older riders to continue participating in RM Grand Randonnees.  We are seeing more 108 hr/1300 km rides being offered in conjunction with traditional 90 hr/1200 km events.  However, if the 1300 is not properly structured, the older, slower rider is still faced with significant night riding, generally riding alone and arriving long after the last slice of post-ride pizza has been consumed.   I have sketched out what I believe would be an ideal concurrent 1200 / 1300 event, which would facilitate maximum engagement and probability of success for older slower riders.  (This essentially involves a day-before start for 1300 riders - Illustrated here). 

I plan to participate in a 2,000 km Grand Randonnee later this year, in the hope that I can ride 240 km each day over eight riding days (10 kph minimum). Of course, with the additional days involved in such a long event, the risks of ride-ending mechanicals or weather – and investment of time and money – are greater relative to 1200 km rides.  Which brings me back to contemplating how older slower riders could continue to be involved in signature events such as PBP…   

Younger riders have suggested to me that we “ancient anciens” should not question the existing rules, and should “just continue to ride”, gracefully accept DNF’s and OTL’s.  But riding well “at the back of the pack” (after resources at controls may have closed, and where fellow-rider support is least available) has its own risks.  And we old riders are just as motivated by the medals and recognition as the young.  Surely a 75-year-old completing a 1200 in 110 hours is every bit as worthy of recognition as a 30-year-old completing the same route in 90 hours? 

I recall reading that the average age of PBP riders in the 1980’s  was 30, but had risen to 50 by the 2019 edition.   In PBP 2023, approximately 56% of riders were 50 years of age or older (slightly up from ~ 54% in 2019).  The “aging” of the PBP population (and, I suspect, the randonneuring population in general) is the result of one of life’s great injustices:  for most of us, the valuable resources of free time and discretionary funds do not arrive until well AFTER our physical abilities have significantly diminished.  There is, I believe, a large and growing cohort of senior randonneurs who still have the time, finances, equipment, and desire to be involved in randonneuring. These senior randonneurs/randonneuses could be a powerful force in pushing for common-sense changes to existing rules, that would foster greater inclusivity of older slower riders. When ACP abolished the intermediate-control time closure rule several years ago, they demonstrated that randonneuring rules CAN evolve.  So we senior randonneurs, rather than fading into the sunset, should take every opportunity to advocate for events and rules that will allow us to safely participate in all aspects of Randonneuring, for as long as possible.

As for our Randonneuring Organizations, there are a number of things they can do to promote old-rider inclusivity.  Senior-friendly programs and awards (such as Permanents Program and American Explorer award) are very important, and much appreciated.  A focused survey, directed at older members (and those who have already ridden into the sunset) might identify initiatives to prolong the active involvement of we proud old geezers.    

Cheers,

John Cumming

RUSA # 10823

Do not go gentle into that good night,

Old age should burn and rave at close of day;

Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

-         Dylan Thomas 

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[Barbara Tardiff]

I rarely participate in on line discussions however I can’t help but support and echo John’s thoughts and suggestions. 

I came to randonneuring even later, at age 65, from long course triathlon and gravel event background. Alas, it seems like as soon as I got into and excited about the sport, I started “aging” out (now 3 weeks shy of my 70th birthday). As I have become more adept at pacing, fueling, training, managing mechanical issues, I have become slower and despite regular visits to the gym,  2-3x/week, less powerful. Although I enjoy riding long distances and have historically performed well in endurance events in my age group, I find I have trouble finishing within the allotted time for longer events. There is not much camaraderie when you are riding solo at the back of the pack and finishing after everyone else does. 

Like John and others who have contributed to this discussion, I have the time, finances, equipment, and desire (and I would add feel the imperative in terms of health and longevity) to be involved in randonneuring. 

Shortly after learning about randonneuring I set my sights for and qualified for PBP. It was a great experience however I made the mistake of entering in the 84 hour group because I wanted a morning start and DNFd about 180k short of the finish. After 3 days without sleep, I simply couldn’t continue. It wasn’t a questions of fitness or endurance—I just didn’t ride fast enough to sleep AND hit the controls before they closed. I completed two 600K last year leading up LEL, finished in time however with minimal sleep and not a lot before the cut offs. (Ended up withdrawing from LEL at the last moment because of a family issue and have a deferred entry in 2029–unsure whether how reasonable that will be three years from now). 

I did a Rouleur week earlier this year.  Doing a long ride every ride with an opportunity to sleep and cover each every night is a great way to experience an environment and enjoy some camaraderie. Love the concept of a 2000k, doing 240K or so each day. I do think there is an opportunity to be creative and structure events that attract and encourage older riders. 

Barbara

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[ed bernasky]

Ronald,

I’m not sure what is rarer: me doing a brevet or logging into my Gmail account these days. But as a lifelong athlete approaching 70, it goes without saying that power and recovery decline as the years pile up.

What nobody tells you is exactly how your body will fail you. Personally, I’ve had a string of orthopedic issues over the past 8 years. Recovery feels much more difficult the older I get; it takes three times as long to bounce back from an injury compared to my youth, and it is easy to give up.

On PBP 2023, I experienced some unexplained difficulties with balance and weakness. I had to quit. Lo and behold, I soon learned I had central canal stenosis in the lower lumbar region and ended up with a two-level laminectomy. Going into that PBP, my power was excellent and my climbing was better than when I did Charly Miller in 2015. Like an old pickup, the motor was good, but the frame was rusted out.

Now, I am getting a new hip. Do I hang up my reflective vest?

Now that my back is decent and once the new hip is installed, I wonder if I could do a 1200k in a recumbent position. Is it possible?   I did a flat 200k riding very easy this year, coming off a longest training ride of only 32 miles. I volunteered for late control work on a busy brevet recently and knew only one rider; they were mostly new randonneurs with numbers approaching 20,000.  We are getting old.

I am currently eyeballing a flat 400k permanent. Before every single brevet, I crank U2’s "Beautiful Day."  Somehow, I know if I can do that 400k, "I’m not a hopeless case" and it will be a beautiful day.

Keep pedaling no matter what the distance,

Ed Bernasky
RUSA #560

[Ronald Long]

Ed  - thank you for sharing your experience. I think what you mention is one of the things I worry about - being taken by surprise on the 3rd or 4th day of a grand randonnee (assuming I make it to the start line. ).

I've been very fortunate health wise, forgetting that in 2018 I rode 5700+ KM, but also DNF'd/DNS'd  5000+ km due to tachycardia episodes. (I am 6 years post ablation, with zero episodes).

As to the recumbent question. I switched about 8000 km ago to a front wheel drive Cruzbike. It is so much more comfortable, and kind on the wrists, neck, butt. There are (mostly younger) people setting amazing speed/endurance records on the racing version of the bike. I know there were some folks who finished PBP 2023 on Cruzbikes, but not their ages.

Possibly the biggest challenge I face is mental. I sign up for a ride, and then, the morning of, decide I don't really want to ride today. I'd love to figure out what is going on in my own being, that I have these regular "changes of heart".

Since it's a year before PBP, there will be lots of opportunities to ride in the next several months. I think SIR has 2 more SR series (one a Brevet week).

ronald

[Jim Koegel]

Here’s an idea…

Have a group for only 70+ riders.

They could go after the 1st group (84hrs) in the morning. With a finishing time with the last 90 hour group, thus giving them a little more time to complete PBP.

This group would ONLY BE for Anciens

PBP could offer a special jersey identifying this group. And post they’re own competition list, with special recognition for those competing the ride in 90 hours or less.

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/randonneurs-usa/4c412c65-89e8-4257-8baa-c22911e61748n%40googlegroups.com.