Red Lantern stories, anyone?
Robert Leone
I don't think I've been "Lanterne Rouge" more than twice in my three
years of Randonneuring, unless you count the populaires and a permanent
or two back in 2008. One person (and you know who you are!) disputes my
claim to being the slowest Rando in San Diego given his finish behind me
in the 2009 Rainbow 200km brevet, but I think that claim is voided on
the grounds that I'm pretty sure we accidentally locked him into the
bathroom we were using in Rainbow. Oh, and a flat tire in Del Mar
shouldn't really count as slowing him down for riding speed comparison
purposes (although it does count for brevet completion time stuff). And
do those bonus miles and double-backtracking on the UC San Diego campus
make him slower, or simply adventurous?
Should a Lanterne Rouge story be penalized unless it includes a) bonus
miles and b) a mechanical?
Robert "and we're all reverse weight weenies, too" Leone
DrCodfish
But it's gonna take me a while you know, .... because .... I'm ....
slow.
Is this the right place? Not sure others want us plugging up the air
waves with laborious tales of plodding along for hours and days when
we could be articulating the intricacies of light wiring diagrams or
GPS programming glitches. I will say however that there have been
some pretty entertaining aspects of rides that produce the LR.
Perhaps there is another website where we could chronicle LR rides
past and future. I'll think about that (and many other things) as I
am 'flying' along the shores of Hood Canal tomorrow.
wishing you all a fantastic Next Year!
Yr Pal Dr C
cris.co...@gmail.com
> Should a Lanterne Rouge story be penalized unless it includes a) bonus
> miles and b) a mechanical?
I don't have a particular preference in this thread, but to my mind,
there are three groups who typically constitute the back of the pack:
1) the unlucky and unfortunate rider who is delayed by navigation and
mechanicals
2) the leisurely and unhurried traveler who wants to finish the ride,
but also prefers to savor everything along the way
3) the determined and ambitious underdog who really does need the full
amount of time allotted
It is, of course, possible that someone can overlap into these
categories. I think that all of these can be interesting stories; but
for different reasons that are left to the individual reader. Some
might say that individuals in the second category, who can be fast but
simply don't choose to be, aren't a fair comparison for those who
can't help but struggle with finishing times. That's probably
correct, but it doesn't mean that there isn't an audience for their
stories. Leave the penalizing up to the reader's judgement.
Larry Parker
> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> "randon" group.
> To post to this group, send email to ran...@googlegroups.com
> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
> randon-un...@googlegroups.com
> For more options, visit this group at
> http://groups.google.com/group/randon/
>
Bill Bryant
There was a time some years back when Randon was filled with ride
report. Riders of all speeds shared their experiences on brevets and
it made for good reading. I suppose that type of writing energy has
gone into personal blogs in recent years?
Nowadays the list seems filled with equipment discussions instead.
I, for one, wouldn't mind more ride reports, and not just from the
Lantern Rouge group. We get to learn about other regions' brevets and
their riders, there are amusing things to share, insights into
personal determination in the face of appalling
conditions/setbacks/bad luck, etc. The cross-pollination is a good
thing, IMHO.
Bill Bryant
Santa Cruz Randonneurs
Janice Chernekoff
I agree. Since I'm typically the Lanterne Rouge on rides, unless someone else is really unlucky that day, it would be nice to know that others also make really good use of ALL of the time allotted. I am such a Lanterne Rouge in fact, that I've just begun writing my ride report for the 2006 BMB where I was, of course, the Lanterne Rouge, using all but 28 minutes of the allotted time.
Please do send your rider stories.
Best,
|
|
littlecirclesvt.com :: mike beganyi
Where else?
I mean its winter, and if folks are focused on writing up their
stories of their LR finishes we'll steer clear of discussing fenders,
or GPS, or the mathematical formulas invoked after riding a 200k and
400k in 2010 that might increase your chances of getting into PBP
2011...
;)
Kevin Foust
Last year on the PCH Randos 400k I made a choice. It was a nice route from Simi Valley to Solana Beach CA substantially following Pacific Coast Highway. I felt good riding on my "commuter" bike which also turns out to be an nearly ideal randonneurring machine with dynamo lighting and year round fenders. I enjoyed bombing some of my traditionally fast sections of PCH, The Point Mugu area and through Malibu just north of Santa Monica. I rolled along the beach path through Santa Monica and Venice with another rider, Eric, I believe. Just before the control on the Palos Verdes Peninsula we found Ken Campbell. We rolled along into Long Beach where it was just starting to get dusk. Ken and I got separated in Long Beach and I put on my reflective gear and switched glasses for the night riding sections. I had been considering stopping at my home in Dana Point since I started planning to ride this brevet. Ken and I talked about it some as he lives in Newport Beach and it did sound appealing to him as well. As I considered it more I realized that I had plenty of time to get home, have a hearty dinner, shower, sleep and then continue the remaining 46 mile ride to Solana Beach. I even thought about switching bikes to my fixed for the last 46 just to mix things up a bit.
I reached Dana Point at 2145, about 206 miles into the ride. With a time limit of 27 hours I was about 16 hours into the ride leaving a ton of slack for the last 46 miles. At the start I had talked to Jim Swarzman and mentioned that I might choose to rest overnight and then continue. We agreed that I'd give him a call if that was the case. I didn't want Jim to be stuck waiting for me to finish if there was no need. After a quick check on the closing time of the last control in San Clemente I had a nice late dinner and evening at home. I was in bed by 2300 and set the alarm for 0400 to make sure I'd get to the San Clemente control, about six miles away, before it closed at 0520.
Up and out the door by 0430 I headed for the finish. The early morning is my favorite riding time and this was no exception. I could tell it would be a beautiful day. At Oceanside I stopped for breakfast at 7-11 and really enjoyed a microwave bean and beef burrito with a cup of coffee. I stripped off my reflective gear and headed south to Solana Beach. The beach cities were just waking up on an early Sunday morning and it was pretty much me and the dawn patrol surfers. I reached the finish at 25 hours 50 minutes firmly claiming the Lantern Rouge for this brevet.
As I was discussing this ride with my buddies we decided that this was a very civilized way to approach a long ride. I did enjoy the ride a lot and rode fast when I felt like it and goofed off when I felt like it. The overnight stop at home was the icing on the cake for this ride and I'd certainly do that again. What's the hurry?
Regards,
Kevin
San Diego Randonneurs
PCH Rando
If anyone else is interested in this ride we (PCH Randos) will be
running it again September 2010.
Here is a link to Lisa's and my Lantern Rouge run at the Van Isle
1000.
http://www.pchrandos.com/Ride%20Reports/GregLisaJones_-_2006Vancouver1000.pdf
Great ride by the way, I highly recommend it.
Greg Jones
PCH Randonneurs RBA
Charles Coldwell
> If not here, then where?
>
> There was a time some years back when Randon was filled with ride
> report. Riders of all speeds shared their experiences on brevets and
> it made for good reading. I suppose that type of writing energy has
> gone into personal blogs in recent years?
If so, send links!
--
Charles M. Coldwell, W1CMC
"Turn on, log in, tune out"
Winchester, Massachusetts, New England (FN42kk)
GPG ID: 852E052F
GPG FPR: 77E5 2B51 4907 F08A 7E92 DE80 AFA9 9A8F 852E 052F
Rob Hawks
http://rusa64.blogspot.com/
http://www.formerlyfloyd.blogspot.com/
http://www.kentsbike.blogspot.com/
http://curiousrandonneur.blogspot.com/
http://mile43.blogspot.com/
http://thedailyrandonneur.wordpress.com/
http://randonneurapprentice.blogspot.com/
http://randonneurextra.blogspot.com/
http://sfcyclotouring.blogspot.com/
http://ramblings.cyclofiend.com/
http://bike.duque.net/
for starters. Pretty much go to any of these sites and look at the
blogs those guys read and you'll find tons more.
And if I may humbly add my own: 449km.blogspot.com
rob hawks
Charles Lathe
That does sound like a leisurely way to finish a brevet. In the
future, you might consider that stops at home probably contravene the
rule about not receiving outside support. Since the RBA knew about
it, it's probably OK, but you might be disqualified by some RBAs for
that one.
Regards, Chuck Lathe
Franklinville, NC
Randon Nerd
While I'm not a lawyer (and I didn't stay at a Holiday Inn Express this morning either) I'm not quite sure what rule could have potentially been violated in stopping in at one's home.
(Intentionally responding "on list" to see what others might have to offer on this one.)
Randi
Kevin Foust
That is an interesting prospective. What would be the reasoning behind a DQ for stopping at home?
Regards,
Kevin
Bill Bryant
in-between controls. If the home was open to all the brevet entrants,
then no problem. Anyone could stop and get the support
(rest/shower/hot chow), just as if stopping at a motel & cafe would be
fine for a stop in-between controls. The main point is that this type
of support is not limited to just one rider (and his/her pals).
But if it is otherwise, then that could be unfair to others who might
be in equal need of sleep/hot food. A good analogy is what if a rider
had his/her support crew in an RV parked strategically in-between
(far-flung) controls and that rider was able to get sleep/shower/hot
food, but not the other riders. Everyone would would agree that this
type of individual support is not allowed under BRM rules.
More often, however, this type of situations can get into a gray area
of the rules. If, on one hand, it turned out that an entrant's home
was used by only the one rider, and there were no other motels/cafes
for a long ways in either direction of the home, then this type of
personal support would be unfair to others who might want to sleep and
eat a hot meal too. But on the other hand, assuming there were some
motels/24-hour restaurants along the route near the home, then it
should be okay. With some other businesses to use, there shouldn't be
a problem with stopping at home since no one has an advantage denied
to others. How far the businesses are from the individual rider's home
will become the key point of discussion, and hence, more of judgement
call by the brevet organizer whether the resting place/support was
available to others or not.
Bill Bryant
Rules Committee member
Randonneurs USA
kG
http://www.commuterDude.com
Plenty of DNF and Lantern-rouge stories... enjoy at my expense! kG :)
Lynne Fitz
Lynne F
http://lynnerides.blogspot.com
DrCodfish
" ...I'm competing with Duane..."
With all due respect, I learned eveything I know (and not one tenth of
what he knows) about the fine art of finishing... barely.. from the
Sensei himself.
It had nothing to do with a resolution but I started the new year off
with an astonishingly slow 200K. Here is a brief retelling: (copied
from my blog: http://drcodfish.blogspot.com/2010/01/polar-bears-on-bicycles.html)
POLAR BEARS ON BIKES
No, not a Vegas lounge act or the catchy name for a new TV sit-com on
about a group of 20-somethings, this was a 200K brevet on New Year’s
Day.
If you read here much you know that we were planning to ride SIR
permanent number 0202 on New Year ’s Day. Actually I started this out
with an invite early last month to several friends who had better
sense (and other commitments) than to say yes so figured it would be a
ride of solitude. One thing lead to another, word got out, and by
Thursday night 6 other people had said they would be along. That
sounds well and good but then there is the getting up at oh-dark-
thirty, donning the armor and then trudging off to the battle ground.
Some folks in the Seattle area had to arise at 4:00 am for the 6:30
start, followed by a rainy drive south on I-5. It seems among many it
is particularly challenging to make your prep and head out for a ride
in a driving rain, (I know it is for me) so these folks get points for
sticking with it.
As I raised the Garage Door at 5:00am
the drive way glistened with rainwater, but nothing was falling from
the sky. The light cloud cover was scudding along at a fast clip to
the north and the clouds were backlit by the Blue moon I knew was
hiding above. I stepped out and looked back at the bright spot where
the moon loomed above and just as I did so a hole in the clouds
drifted by and there for a moment was that big wheel of blue cheese
moon. Not necessarily a good omen, but a nice start to what was going
to be a long day for me.
As I pulled into the Top Foods Parking lot there was an SUV with a
bike on a rack, fenders, lights, a sure sign of an anxious randonneur.
I went in to test the plumbing and coming out saw a rider heading out
the car. It was Lyn, we introduced ourselves and wit plenty of time in
hand commenced the methodical process of sorting through collections
of gear trying to guess what would be the best match for the day.
The weather man predicted a high of 48 for the day, with rain all day
and head winds on the way home. I expected temps to be at least 10
degrees colder at this time of the morning but it was obviously much
warmer. It was also not (yet) raining. As riders started showing up
from the north they all reported that it was raining hard in Seattle
and environs. Oh joy, we would be headed into a cell or a front with
wind that would bring weather to us from the south as the day wore on.
When James showed up he said the current temp was 50 degrees, a small
blessing.
Seven of us rolled out smartly at 6:30 AM. I advised them all that I
was sure to be slower (a lot slower) than all of them and to not wait
or worry for me. I’m slow but durable. We rolled along amiably for the
first few miles, this part when it is like this is always very
pleasant to me. I like hearing the rides talk softly in the dark,
wheels whirring, lights blinking, a few bursts of laughter as the legs
warm up. Sometimes it’s off to the races at the gun; not necessarily
bad, but definitely different. After the first info control things
started to stretch out and by the time we hit the on ramp to 101 I
could just see a collection of little red lights off in the distance.
In less than 5 miles on the route we were into the rain and it pretty
much rained, or rained hard, or poured for the whole ride. There might
have been a stretch or a moment when it didn’t rain, but if so, that
moment is lost to me.
Into Hoodsport I encountered James who had decided to abandon. I
stopped at Hoodsport Coffee Co and had a quad Americao. I ordered a
triple but she asked if I wanted the 4th on the house. Sure I said, I
didn’t figure it would cause any problem; it was 50 miles round trip
between here and Brinnon with only the Eldon Store in between. I tried
to be quick but the locals wanted stores. The other riders had been
through earlier so I made a point of letting the proprietor know how
much this little oasis is appreciated by randonneurs, and explained a
little about randonneuring and SIR. Here I thought about Adrian. I’m
sure this is just the sort of spot where he would take a little time
off the bike: good coffee and good fellowship with friendly folks.
Beyond Hoodsport the wind did build through the morning such that by
the time I was half way to Brinnon there were white caps all the way
across the Canal. The Breeze was singing in the trees; It started out
with a solo ballad, but in short order it was the Mormon Tabernacle
Choir singing Onward Christian Soldiers, with a freight train in the
background for effect.
I kept my stops few and short and arrived at Brinnon about noon
holding an average speed of between 12 and 13 MPH. For this ride I had
the Garmin along and it is set to miles as opposed to Kms on the
Sigma. It gave me a start a few times when I looked down at the stats
and then a sense of relief to realize that there was no need to
convert to miles (always a lower number)
The route back took its toll: Boreas and Harpies joined forces to
throw what they had at me. In the beginning I obsessed on the numbers,
constantly wiping the rainwater from my glasses and the Garmin screen
to see how rapidly my average was falling. It’s a rookie mistake and
only serves to add anxiety to the list of things that draw your
attention from the real work at hand. Fortunately the old ways kicked
in and I fell to just watching the road ahead to assure I didn’t roll
over any tire eaters. In addition to the requisite radiator clamps,
tail light lenses and bungee cords there was a wealth of limbs, twigs,
and cones freshly strewn along the way. I thought about how I would do
if I had to fix a flat or work on a mechanical. I had my hand s full
(get it?) just keeping the bike on the road and in the right gear. I
am a firm believer that people can do anything but this was a test
worth avoiding.
I was riding just at the edge of too cold. Soaked through, even in
wool whenever I stopped even very briefly I was chilled and soon
shivering. At Hoodsport on the return leg I elected just to get water
and keep moving. Cold as I was I figured with the climb out of the
Skokomish river valley just ahead, I’d soon be warm. 5 miles down the
road at Potlach better thinking prevailed and I pulled over under an
awning to put on my thermal vest and turn on the dangle light that
hangs from the locker loop on my raincoat. The route ahead included
increased traffic between Shelton and Olympia and in the dark and
rain, with intermittent stretches of inky black punctuated by clusters
of retail roadside lighting I didn’t want to disappear from the field
of view of speeding (hung-over?) motorists.
That stretch was nerve wracking and more so as it was along here that
I had my obligatory bonk. Remember that speedy thinking back in
Hoodsport…just get water and move along smartly? Another lesson re-
learned: eating on the bike is not about now, but about an hour from
now, or maybe even two hours from now. Well, here I was an hour up the
road, wobbling left to right on a shoulder with traffic whizzing by at
60 miles per hour mumbling to myself. Sure it was a hill, but that’s
no reason to be riding at near track stand speed. “BONK!” leapt to my
consciousness. I pulled over, leaned the bike against a guard rail
(thank you DOT for a bench and a bike stand) and rummaged in my front
bag. I came up with a Clif Mojo bar I had bought at the start that
morning, just for the receipt. I like these because they are not too
sweet and not too nutrient dense, help me avoid nausea. They are also
pretty dry so I also grabbed a bottle and plunked down on one of the
guardrail posts. There in my slightly addled state, in the dark, in a
driving rain, with soggy full finger gloves, I contemplated food, just
on the other side of a nearly impenetrable protective wrapper.
Comically I thought, why don’t they do like the airlines do: “In case
of emergency, pull string to remove wrapper”?
Once I got that down I looked again and found the perfect solution:
Dried apricots and a ziplock half full of salty cashews. This was
manna. The apricots were perfect: not too dry and a little tart, the
salty cashews were the perfect coda. I’m blessed in that if I catch
this early I usually come out of it quickly and in less than 10
minutes I was bounding up the hill in double digits again.
Finally I was at the Steamboat Island exit and on to deserted country
roads for the next few miles. It was here that I narrowly averted
disaster. There is a short segment that takes you down a short and
progressively steeper one way lane which ends with a stop sign and
hard right. This little stretch transects a thick wood and on this
moonless, rainy night it literally was pitch black. This is home
ground for me, I’ve ridden it hundreds of times so I know what to
expect. For whatever reason, instead of stopping at the sign, I let it
go and shot across Madrona Beach road and was on to a steeper gravel
drive way diving down toward to water. Judiciously braking, sliding,
and correcting brought me to a safe if exciting upright stop. Well, at
least I know I’ll be wide awake for the last miles into the finish. It
would not be an SIR event without a nice little vertical gift at or
near the finish, and the climb up Mud Bay road serves to get the blood
pumping.
I finished with a strangle hold on the Lanterne Rouge, but much to my
surprise (and I must say delight) there were Joe and Lyn waiting to
welcome me in. They finished hours earlier and were determined to
stick around for my arrival. I tell you, Randonneurs are the nicest
people.
For me in ways, this event is a metaphor for riding PBP. I’ve done
that twice; once was sublime, the second time was ‘character
building’. This brevet was character building in many of the same
ways.
It took a fair amount to get there. Not so much compared to flying
half way round the world with a bike in a box, but compared to riding
off the back porch on a sunny Saturday afternoon, it looks a little
more like commitment. And no matter the conditions, riding and
finishing PBP always requires a fair amount of commitment.
The pluses are still the same, just at a different scale: You are
riding with friends. 7 compatriots is a different scale than 4,000 of
your closest friends but riding with others, even just a few, is a
quantum leap from rolling along in cold wind and rain solo. I don’t
know if misery loves company but I am certain that misery is easier to
vanquish when you ride with others. It is hard to whine when others
are going through the same thing, and at the same time it is hard to
make light of your miserable conditions when you are alone. I thought
about some of my friends down in SoCal; They organized a 200K brevet
for the season starter on Saturday. My friend Greg emailed to say that
there were 67 participants registered, and the weather forecast was
for 72 degrees and sunny.
Sorry, no pics, this just wasn't that scenic.
Yr Pal, Dr C
Peter Noris
brevets, Boston Montreal Boston 2001. I had started randonneurring in
1991 to qualify for PBP under International Randonneurs. Went, had a
great time, but, randonnee abandonnee... . In 1992, the day after I
decided to enter BMB, I was hit by a car while training, and whether
or not I rode was the least of my troubles. It was 2000 before I was
able to ride again, on a recumbent. My original goal was to reach 50
miles a week, and get back to club activities again. Six months later
I started (and completed) an SR series with Jim Solanick as RBA in
West Palm Beach, Fl.
Originally, I had thought of doing the Last Chance 1200 - no hills -
but at the last minute, decided to pick up where I left off ten years
earlier and go to BMB. I stayed in North Carolina for a few weeks to
see if I actually could muscle that thing uphill - my fully faired
Tour Easy weighed 38 lbs. bare. Reassured that I could climb anything
- slowly - at least on a fifty mile ride I headed for Boston.
This was different from the Centennial PBP - small, friendly and much
more low key. I met many I would become friends with over the years -
even though I was extremely tense about the whole thing. For nearly
five years walking had been very difficult - now this? My first year
back?
I won't go through a blow by blow of the whole ride - but there are
things that stick out. Tears ran down my face during the rollout that
I was picking up again where I left off. On the first two climbs
everyone told me I had the wrong bike for the course as they passed
me going up - and as they passed me for the third time started calling
out "see you soon" - 45-50 mph down hill pulls back a lot a people.
From then on, until Middlebury Gap, I had fun. In the dark, when I hit
the last 200 meter kick , I blew up. I couldn't get clipped in in the
dark - feet under the fairing - on the hill, and walked. This is where
Kent Peterson passed me and later wrote I "looked like Sisyphus on a
bad day". True - but 15 yards later, at the summit he moaned "I'm
toast" and fell over in the grass.
From then on, just a fun BMB - a little rain, a little wind, a little
climbing...until my chain broke going up some god forsaken climb or
another. I managed to get Pierce on my cellphone for neutral support,
and walked or flintstoned three miles till he found me. Once
everything was good - I took off down hill with Pierce following. At a
very bumpy 40 mph my cue sheet blew off. I had another, and was late,
so kept going. At the bottom of the hill, I stopped to get the other
sheet. Pierce pulled up, and as I looked in my seat bag, he said to
just continue on the road with the lane markings to the next control -
which was very nearly correct. I rode through the dark, up hilll, down
hill, up hill,...sometime passing a house, once nearing a more heavily
trafficked road, but never intersecting it...through the night for
miles. Finally, sun up, other traffic, people to ask for directions. I
finally pulled into the control, exhausted, 4 hours later than I
expected and starving. Here's where I made the mistake that assured me
of my Lanterne Rouge - I was still nowhere near that spot.
A good friend, Michael Koth, was just leaving. From some reptilian
brain thought process, I decided it would be a good idea to inhale
food and caffeine, and keep going. I got dropped two miles later.
Ever dozed off going downhill at 40? Been so tired you did it three
times before you realized this was a bad idea? Just as I pulled over a
rider came from behind to see if I was ok - he'd been watching me
going like hell, start to weave, slow down as I woke up and braked and
repeat - he rode with me and kept me awake to the next control. As I
rode in I started singing "Amazing Grace" when I saw Pierce - " I once
was lost, but now I'm found".
Seriously overdrawn in the sleep department, on the last section I was
still not the LR - but I could fix that. In South Florida, navigation
is not tough - particularly in Miami Dade County, where I started.
After a few years of getting lost, I got much better - but that day,
tired, and hot I skipped a line and read my next turn as at a T -
good - I could just pedal and not think. A long time later I realized
that I should have made several turns by now, and was seriously lost.
I came into a small town with a street fair, and saw a Post Office
booth. The two postal workers didn't even recognize the street names I
was looking for - but the regional supervisor was there, and he did.
His first words were (in a very broad accent) "My god, you're nowhere
near there". Oh boy. What seemed like days later I finally hit a road
that was part of the route, and then the intersecting road, and was
back on track - in the section where it was noted there were many easy
to miss turns.
But I'm still in the time limit, and feel amazed I'm going to make it,
terrified I will have an equipment failure and really, really tired.
Dodging pedestrians and cars, trying to find my way home - I mean to
the hotel.
I was in the time limit, the final finisher and had completed a ride I
started training for nine years earlier. My BMB was 804 miles - a few
bonus miles, and an equipment failure.
Some people get their Lanterne Rouge by lazily not training enough or
stopping to take photos and meet locals while being blazingly fast in
between. Me? I got mine the old fashioned way - stupid mistakes and
bad luck.
rando
Vincent. In fact it was the day John and I met. I satisfied both
categories one and three below, though I suppose getting in with over
an hour to spare even if we were the final finishers might disqualify
us? For my account that includes a broken derailleur (no big deal for
the fixie riders, right?) and an underdog status (second ever brevet
for me) see this report: http://curiousrandonneur.blogspot.com/2009/06/which-is-worse-unceasing-rain-or-no.html.
On Dec 31 2009, 10:18 am, "cris.concepc...@gmail.com"
Slo Joe Recumbo
I didn't think I was "Lanterne Rouge" and then I was.
In late 2002 in New Jersey I discovered randonneuring and also that
there was this incredible ride called Paris-Brest-Paris.
Being confined to Miami for work ( I know...some have to suffer
greatly) I looked up rides and found that there was a series being run
near me by Jim Solanik up in the West Palm Beach area. I signed up.
On the 200km, I came in last.
On the 300km, I came in last.
On the 400km, I came in last and Jim greeted me with: "Joe, you're
always last, but you come in smiling." I daresn't tell him it's
because I love this type of event AND I'm on a recumbent. Am I guilty
of prostelizing? Naw.....just why I was smil'n.
On the 600km, I figured I was last as I pulled into a convenience
store towards the end of the brevet during a drizzly fog and in need
of something warm. As I'm pulling in I see bikes leaning against the
wall and inside are four randos. Some greets and I grabbed a cup of
java. The group is still huddled together as I leave.
"Hmmm I ponder..I might not be last." The fog is really thick and I'm
glad I've got a Petzl Duo headlamp because all the front bike mounted
lamp is doing is creating a blinding whiteness in front of me. The
Petzl Duo does it's job cutting through the fog and illuminating the
edge of the road as I vow not to miss a turn.
I don't.
As I enter the final controle room at the hotel Jim says: "Glad you
made it. You're the final rider and now I can get some sleep."
Final Rider? Lanterne Rouge? How's that I think? Then I spot one
of the riders from the convenience store sitting on the couch. He
gives me a strange look and leaves. It dawns on me: Somehow he didn't
pass me but he finished before me?
In 1999 the USA did not have a great finishing rate and a lot of it
was attributed to the poor Florida rider finishing rate, so Jim had us
routed over "Sugarloaf Mountain" about four times to give us hill
climbing challenges. Looking at a map the next morning I realize
there's more than one way to tame a mountain. Going around is one of
them. I tell my story to a rando bud I've made and she goes ballistic
saying I've got to tell Jim. "But I can't be sure" says I. All I
know is that I didn't miss a turn and nobody passed me. She tells me
I need to tell Jim so these guys know that cheating doesn't cut it as
a randonneur.
I later learn that Jim read them the riot act but couldn't prove they
circumvented Sugarloaf.
So I was the Lanterne Rouge.
But wasn't.
However, I continue to be and yes still smil'n.
DrCodfish
Earlier in this thread I made a smart Alec remark about lights and GPS
posts. I want to apologize for that. Rando is the big tent and there
is, and needs to be room for discussions about equipment, technique,
experiences, and yes even various forums and formats for sharing, (or
not sharing0 the discussions.
These ride reports insipire me, entertain me, and remind me to keep
going, even when I cross the threshold into the 'no fun' zone. "The
story's the thing". Another rando all the way across the country said
this to me and upon reflection I'd have to agree; Experiencing other
people's telling of their tales is the part of randonneuring that
keeps on giving (even more than that pesky saddle sore or those numb
digits).
Thaks for writing.
Yr pal, Dr C
Lynne Fitz
Type 2 fun. As in, it isn't fun at the moment, but it sure is fun
when you've finished.
Cheers,
Lynne F
DrCodfish
" ... a riding friend of mine refers to that as Type 2 fun. As in,
it isn't fun at the moment, but it sure is fun
when you've finished."
Excellent, that had me "Type 1 laughing," as is coffee spewing from my
nose onto the keyboard.
Dr C
bobby...@bendbroadband.com
SP
Bend, OR
> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
> Groups "randon" group.
> To post to this group, send email to ran...@googlegroups.com
> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to randon-
> unsub...@googlegroups.comFor more options, visit this group at
> http://groups.google.com/group/randon/
bobby...@bendbroadband.com
Don't tell anybody, but saddle sores and neurological damage don't have to be part of it either. Why d'ya think some of us ride recumbents??
SP
Bend, OR
(Just can't resist being a smart... ahem... "aleck".)
----- Original Message -----
From: DrCodfish <pjinoa...@comcast.net>
Date: Monday, January 4, 2010 10:54 am
Subject: [Randon] Re: Red Lantern stories, anyone?
Bill Gobie
sores aren't much use. Who can you show them to?
Bill Gobie
On Jan 4, 2010, at 10:17 PM, <bobby...@bendbroadband.com> <bobby...@bendbroadband.com
Charles Lathe
when I finished first, next to last, and then last. The brevet began
in confusion for me because we started on a hot and foggy Atlanta
morning just after dawn. It wasn't a big group, but I didn't know
just who the starters were. There were brevet riders, riders who
intended to ride part of the brevet but not the whole thing, and a
local club that left at the same time, spent 90 miles on our course,
and ended up riding a double century. And, though we waited about
twenty minutes, one rider wasn't able to start with us, but was on the
way and would catch up since she is an accomplished ultra distance
racer.
Leaving with my lights off, I soon decided the thick fog and
overhanging trees warranted a tail light so I stopped just long enough
to switch it on. I was dropped and didn't see anyone else until I
caught the club riders at mile 89, where they were preparing to
remount and leave our course.
In the Taladaga Mountains of Alabama, the late starter caught me and
we rode together for about a half hour, but it was very hot and I
found her pace blistering so I stopped to take some pictures and let
her go. In the city of Taladaga, I found the RBA and a couple of
riders. I got may card signed, ate a couple of burritos, and got back
on the road. It was an out and back route that turned around a little
shy of Birmingham and I wondered that I didn't see the riders ahead of
me coming back as I made my way toward Birmingham, but there was no
official overnight stop and plenty of places to eat, sleep, or shop so
I assumed I or they were off the road when we passed.
Back in Taladaga, a control, Nina had rented a room and parked the car
in front of it. The RBA, and I assume other riders, were also in the
motel, but I didn't see anyone besides Nina. After two hours, that
included a 90 minute nap, I was back on the road.
An hour before the finish, I stopped to eat a sandwich and drink a
Coke on a park bench where I fell asleep for a couple of minutes. I
had plenty of time and wanted a nap, but I figured I was the last one
on the course and should not keep anyone waiting for me at the end.
When I did finish, I asked how far back I was. "You're the first to
finish." All but one rider had abandoned.
Minutes later, the ultra distance racer rolled in and was clearly
surprised to see me. She had quite a story to tell that included a
lost cat she adopted on the way and a ride in a squad car. The squad
car ride ended up being a disqualifier so I moved into last place as
well as first.
At a very trying 400K this past summer, I saw my friend again and
asked about the cat. They are still happy together and she finished
that brevet appropriately well ahead of me. As for the other riders
who abandoned, one went on to a successful four man team, fixed gear,
RAAM ride two weeks later. The brevet had more climbing and was a lot
hotter than he expected and he realized that finishing was not a good
idea with a RAAM team counting on him. The rest of the riders bailed
when he did, in Taladega.
I have finished in the back group plenty of times, but my only first
finish is also the only one were I finished last by myself.
Regards, Chuck Lathe
Franklinville, NC
On Dec 30 2009, 2:49 am, Robert Leone <rob_le...@earthlink.net> wrote:
> Dear Randons:
> I don't think I've been "Lanterne Rouge" more than twice in my three
> years of Randonneuring, unless you count the populaires and a permanent
> or two back in 2008. One person (and you know who you are!) disputes my
> claim to being the slowest Rando in San Diego given his finish behind me
> in the 2009 Rainbow 200km brevet, but I think that claim is voided on
> the grounds that I'm pretty sure we accidentally locked him into the
> bathroom we were using in Rainbow. Oh, and a flat tire in Del Mar
> shouldn't really count as slowing him down for riding speed comparison
> purposes (although it does count for brevet completion time stuff). And
> do those bonus miles and double-backtracking on the UC San Diego campus
> make him slower, or simply adventurous?
> Should a Lanterne Rouge story be penalized unless it includes a) bonus
> miles and b) a mechanical?
>