Populaire or 200 KM to start the year?

[rob_...@earthlink.net]

Dear Randonneurs:
I KNOW our local RBA and by the sounds of it tons of others are planning multiple 200 km brevets, if not double full SR series for the year -- especially in the more active areas. However, our starting 200 KM is 9 JAN 2010. Yeah, I know some areas, LOTS of areas, have theirs scheduled for 2 JAN 2010, but isn't that a bit much to start the year?
OK, I know the R-12 people appreciate it, but are any areas starting off the post-Holiday "let's get into shape now that we've bloated ourselves" exercise period with one or two Populaires before they launch right into the full brevets?

Robert "it's been rainy the past two years, but I'm fine with it IF it rains again" Leone

[DrCodfish]

Robert said:

:...but are any areas starting off the post-Holiday "let's get into

shape now that we've bloated ourselves" exercise period with one or
two Populaires before they launch right into the full brevets?"

Robert:

Our club (SIR) usually runs a winter training ride series that is easy
paced and grows progressively longer (distance). Here is a link to
last years series:

http://www.seattlerandonneur.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=212&Itemid=26

I have not seen anything on that for next year yet, but it has been a
tradtion for a number of years now and I suspect we'll do it again.
Perhaps you should think about organizing something like this in your
area.

Just sayin'

Yr Pal Dr C

PS: One nice thing is that when you actually organize rides like
this, they NEVER get rained, or snowed, or iced out!

[TomMarchand]

You need to come down to the "tropics"(Florida) for the winter. Our
first brevet of the season will be Jan 16th.