The PCH Randonneurs announced their routes for the 400km and 600km brevets. When I had written about the 300km brevet I did in February, I said that while I didn’t have the easiest of times on the ride, I’d still love to do the rest of the series. And you know, physically I was totally fine doing the 300km ride. Keeping my morale up was the problem. So if I could get through that, tacking on another 60 miles on top of the 300km mileage didn’t seem so bad.
However, looking at the map for the 400km route puts things into a whole new context that honestly kind of scares me. I mean damn. It starts in Ventura, goes down the PCH to Malibu, turns around and goes back to Point Mugu, up and over the Santa Monica mountains to Simi Valley then out to Ventura. But that’s not all of it. The ride continues north past Santa Barbara to Goleta, turns around and heads back to end in Ventura. Maybe it’s all the out-and-back bits, but that just seems so insanely long. Insane in a good way? I don’t even know anymore.
Then there’s the 600km route which is just… crazy. It’s essentially Ventura to Cambria and bike, but taking the scenic route on the way up. Though oddly enough it almost doesn’t seem as bad as the 400km because it’s more of a loop.
If a challenge of will was the problem in the 300km ride, maybe it’s not a good thing that I’m already psyching myself out over the 400km and 600km ones. Regardless, there is a very strong part of me that wants to see the series through, so I’m definitely planning on doing the 400km brevet, which happens April 19. In the meantime, I think I want to do a nice long century on my own one of these weekends in March just to stay conditioned. Bronwyn and I were considering doing the Solvang Century that happens this upcoming Saturday, but we slept on the registration date.
As for the 600km, I’d like to do it, though let’s see how the 400km one turns out first. Also, it’s held May 17 (and 18) and that’s only a couple of weeks before my wedding, so my weekends might be booked during the preparations.
In other bike-related news, over the past few days I’ve been watching and lusting over a custom Rivendell frame on eBay. This thing is essentially my dream bike, in my size, and is what I would use to replace my Bridgestone RB-2, moving all my parts from the Bridgestone frame over to the Riv. Financially, a new bike hasn’t been an option (what with the wedding), BUT today at work I just got a raise and will be receiving a nice and unexpected bonus with my next paycheck. The smart thing to do would be to put that money into the wedding fund (which is what I likely will do), but since the bonus is beyond what I’ve been budgeting, part of me is very tempted to indulge myself. I guess I’ll just wait and see how high the bidding gets…
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Comments ( 3 )
Well, it’s all for the best that we missed the registration for the Solvang Century, because I wouldn’t have been able to do it anyway. Stupid foot.
Bronwyn added these pithy words on
Mar 06 08 at
10:27 am
Dang, the frame went for a pretty reasonable price. I’ve been resisting the temptation to buy a 3rensho road frame myself.
John added these pithy words on
Mar 10 08 at
2:21 pm
Yeah, it really did. My max bid was $950, but I forgot to monitor the end of the auction (got caught up in playing Smash Brothers Brawl). I probably would have ended up getting into the heat of the moment and bidding up to $1100 (which I wouldn’t have regretted). Ah well… Better luck next time.
Jon added these pithy words on
Mar 10 08 at
2:31 pm
