But I had already decided that this year would contain attempts at both the 200K and 300K (assuming I made the 200K distance), and it was up to me to find an event to do. I had thought for a moment that I would be yet again doing the LBC Tour de Mad Dog, which would have taken up many of my weekends, limiting even further the events that I could get to. Luckily, I missed out on qualifying for the TMD, and it has freed many weekends.
Searching the RUSA events page , I came across a 200K event put on by The Great Lakes Randonneurs, who are based out of Chicago, but run most of their events from Delavan, WI. This allowed me to drive up the night before, sleep in the van, and after the ride go visit friends who live nearby and shower and crash on their sofa.
Despite having the new bike, I decided to ride the Motobecane. It is really better set up for distance events, with plenty of luggage space, fatter tyres, fenders, stouter wheels, etc. I tuned it up with a new chain and cables, trued up the recently-built-by-me rear wheel. A few check rides and it was good to go. A new battery in the computer would have been a good idea, I later found out.
I sleep fairly well after a dinner at the local Chili's, and get myself registered, brevet card filled out and cue sheet. I chat a bit with some of the people doing the earlier starting 400K/600K rides, then get changed and ready for the 7am departure.
I roll out and get into a nice trio with a pair of Anciens. Bob, who I rode with off and on for about half the ride and Hamid, who was doing the 300K and went off on his way after the first control.
The route is quite a nice one, with mostly well paved roads and very little traffic, meandering through tiny little towns, each of which is quite picturesque with their little main streets of businesses that are nearly all brick-pavered. Sadly I took no pictures of these, as I was running low on phone juice and haven't gotten around to buying a new digital since the old one died.
I rolled with Bob for about the first 38 miles, enjoying a chat. We were rolling briskly and missed a turn, once back on course, it started getting more climby than rolly, and I decided it was time for me to back off and ride my own ride for a bit. It also started raining a few miles earlier. I was pretty stoked about the rain, but sadly another couple who were at the first control were not thrilled and decided to wait it out and then turn back. I get my first brevet stamp, ate quickly and rolled on out. 15 minutes stopped. Not bad.
Upon leaving the control I had a bit of an issue finding the route. I spent about 2 miles and around 10 minutes making sure I was going down the right road, but finally figured it out. The next control was only
As I was coming into the second control, I saw the others already on the bikes and heading to the next control. I was 62 miles in at this point, close to half way through the ride and was ready for lunch, despite the fact that I knew this might mean I never see the other riders the rest of the day. Getting my card stamped, I grabbed a bag of Combos, a gas-station cheeseburger and a grape soda. A gel and Powerbar from my bag made for a quick meal and I was rolling again. I was rather impressed with another 15 minute stop considering all the food I got down.
With some fresh fuel in me, I picked up the pace to the next control. Averaging 18mph I take advantage of the tailwind and make the 13 miles from Evansville, WI to Oregon, WI in under 45 minutes. The cashier tells me I'm only 10 minutes back from the others. I make my shortest stop of the day, 7 minutes and turn SE towards the next control.
The wind is coming out of the South. 10mph or so at this point of the day, slowing me again, but I push on. The rain has since stopped and the heat is starting to rise. I manage to get the 25 mile leg in ~1h40m or so. This leg crosses through some very pretty farmland. It reminds me of parts of Kentucky. Not quite the lavish horsefarms around Versailles, but smaller prettier places...with a rather strong odor...
As I roll into the control, I see Bob is still there. He's still eating and drinking and prepping his bottles for the last leg, which means I actually caught up and he wasn't just waiting up for the first-timer. He tells me he'll ride in with me and to take my time. I thank him and proceed to take my longest stop of the day: 17minutes.
The final leg is 30 miles, during which time we discuss topics ranging from terrain of WI and the history of the areas we've ridden through, to bikes and fueling. We're pushing into a stouter headwind 15mph or so and not in a real hurry as we've all the time in the world to get back. I already knew once I let the 7 hour mark pass at the last control that I wasn't making it in sub-9, but I knew that sub-10 was practically a given at this point. 9:20. I am very happy with that result.
