tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7101867618520201104.post1974572654442944386..comments2020-09-22T21:10:11.513-07:00Comments on Mark's Rando Notes: A Perfectly Logical ObsessionMarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15885294842214877171noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7101867618520201104.post-3568269616714291492019-02-05T14:31:23.388-08:002019-02-05T14:31:23.388-08:00Great story Mark. Luck plays a big role in whether...Great story Mark. Luck plays a big role in whether you achieve “success” in 1200k’s, especially when the goal is a CM at PBP. Based on all of your preparation, and then sticking to the plan (discipline), I’m not at all surprised. Michelle must have been delighted with your result. <br />Good luck preparing this year. I’ll be interested in hearing your plan, come August!Brad Tannerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08761034262686076247noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7101867618520201104.post-23496432623103805592019-01-10T19:04:50.952-08:002019-01-10T19:04:50.952-08:00Yes, same Bob (Brudvik). He did Charly Miller as p...Yes, same Bob (Brudvik). He did Charly Miller as part of Seattle group in 2011 and recovered from his crash well enough to finish PBP 2015 in 70 hours or so. I do think that he’d like to go fast again this year. Not me; I’m back to my usual tricks.<br /><br />Sleep - One short nap of maybe 45 minutes. It was at the 800k mark and I wasn’t sure that a nap at that point would pay off in a faster final 400k, but I was ahead of my plan so I went with it. Here’s a near contemporaneous note about the sleep issue: "Between [tapering] leading up to the ride and getting a lot of sleep before the start (11 hours or so Saturday night and then another 3-4 after breakfast Sunday morning), I was never sleepy during the ride. (A little loopy at times, but never sleepy). My caffeine consumption on the ride was moderate. 25mg/stage in the Perpetuem bottle. Maybe 4-5 200mg caffeine tablets. A little bit of Coke and coffee. Much less than I expected. Made the call at Carhaix on return to try a nap at the gite . . . . Nap seemed to refresh me. My post-ride hunch is that the incremental hour off the bike cost me little, if any, total time.”<br /><br />Yes, I rode by myself after Tinteniac. (Bob dropped off after about 200k and for a bit I rode with ad hoc groups). Occasionally rode with others, but just chatting, not drafting. Because my supported stops were super effiicient, I think that the riders around me were generally stronger than I by a decent margin. As a result, the effort to get on and stay on never seemed like the right thing for me. I’m not much of a group rider anyway. I’m not good at drafting, I don’t like the concentration required, and I do best on a long ride when I get to ride my own ride.<br /><br />I used the regular pump clamp that came with the pump. I screwed one end into my rack mount eyelet and zipped the other end to the seat stay, in each case using the holes in the mount that normally would attach to bottle cage screw. This worked well on this bike. On another bike I have, it’s a problem with heel striking the pump if it moves at all.<br /><br />The wheels were actually Enve 4.5s, which I have since ditched because they are too deep for 60mm tube stems and life is simpler without that worry. I now use 3.4s on pretty much all my long rides. The 4.5s were completely stock (King hubs). My usual travel 3.4s have the front rebuilt onto a 20h Schmidt generator hub.<br /><br />We did not have a spare bike. We did have spare wheels (Enve 3.4 with generator front). Came in handy when Bob’s front wheel got messed up.<br /><br />The Randonneurs Mondiaux website has a compilation of all the LRM results (excludes PBP). We also have an “honor roll” which includes a table of riders with 10 or more LRM events and one of riders with 10 or more LRM events + PBPs. It’s subject to some data inconsistencies (different versions of names) but riders with a bunch of 1200s have tended to send me updates. See http://www.randonneursmondiaux.org/39-Honor_Roll.htmlMarkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15885294842214877171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7101867618520201104.post-54898212039001737062019-01-10T15:57:52.429-08:002019-01-10T15:57:52.429-08:00Wow, just wow! I am reading this for the first tim...Wow, just wow! I am reading this for the first time, some years later. You are truly an inspiration to randonneurs world-wide Mark. Sorry to hear that Bob crashed. Is he planning on a CM attempt this year? Was he the same gentlemen that was on the PacTour 600K last spring in Arizona?<br /><br />Questions on this PBP: <br />How many hours of total sleep did you get?<br />You said “So I rode by myself. (With few exceptions, probably for the last 800 kilometers or more).” Does that mean you were not with a regular group or that you were really not drafting off others for much of that duration?<br />Did you use some special clamps to mount the pump back there (good idea)?<br />The Enve 3/4 wheel set is legendary. Did you use the stock wheels with the 20/24 spoke count…or did you have a rear wheel built special with extra spokes?<br />Did your crew have an extra bike frame or just components? (Having done some supported ultra races, having an entire extra bike frame was really nice.)<br /><br />As a side note, is there site showing the max-count-to-date of people finishing 1200K’s (or 1400s) worldwide (in English)? Or do you have such a reference on your blog?<br /><br />Once again, a belated congrats!<br />Rando Richardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10127419123279497510noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7101867618520201104.post-17563010589131461282015-10-05T18:43:38.813-07:002015-10-05T18:43:38.813-07:00Mark,
Very enjoyable read of your ride. I think ...Mark,<br /><br />Very enjoyable read of your ride. I think you were the only Rando that I briefly rode with after the first pass of Loudeac and I enjoyed our chat although my "trip" thru the forest should be copyrighted. Your Parlee touring frame is beautiful and it would have been my choice for a comfy, go fast Grand Randonnee. <br /><br />Your spreadsheet approach was interesting. I tried to look at the ride in that detail but I found myself making too many assumptions. I am simple that way. I just figured if I got to Brest in 24 hours, I had a good shot since the ride statistics show only the very fittest require 20% more time on the return compared to the outbound whereas many riders need almost 40% more time. I planned on a bit less than 30% more time for the return. I calculated 23:30 would be my time to get to Brest and I got there in 23:00 finishing ahead of my estimation despite taking way too long at controls to find food. I did not plan having to ride 700 km solo but I bet you did not either. Thus, I also skipped my 90 minute sleep stop planned for Tintineac. It really was a great ride. No problems. Pure fun. In 2019, my 60 year old body is going to have support at each control and it is going all out. I just hope the lions, alligators, pits to the abyss, and marching dinosaurs remain abay. I understand they are let loose after dinner time.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10960807501437840533noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7101867618520201104.post-73046671215159440152015-10-05T18:43:30.853-07:002015-10-05T18:43:30.853-07:00Mark,
Very enjoyable read of your ride. I think ...Mark,<br /><br />Very enjoyable read of your ride. I think you were the only Rando that I briefly rode with after the first pass of Loudeac and I enjoyed our chat although my "trip" thru the forest should be copyrighted. Your Parlee touring frame is beautiful and it would have been my choice for a comfy, go fast Grand Randonnee. <br /><br />Your spreadsheet approach was interesting. I tried to look at the ride in that detail but I found myself making too many assumptions. I am simple that way. I just figured if I got to Brest in 24 hours, I had a good shot since the ride statistics show only the very fittest require 20% more time on the return compared to the outbound whereas many riders need almost 40% more time. I planned on a bit less than 30% more time for the return. I calculated 23:30 would be my time to get to Brest and I got there in 23:00 finishing ahead of my estimation despite taking way too long at controls to find food. I did not plan having to ride 700 km solo but I bet you did not either. Thus, I also skipped my 90 minute sleep stop planned for Tintineac. It really was a great ride. No problems. Pure fun. In 2019, my 60 year old body is going to have support at each control and it is going all out. I just hope the lions, alligators, pits to the abyss, and marching dinosaurs remain abay. I understand they are let loose after dinner time.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10960807501437840533noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7101867618520201104.post-75215712280512864892015-10-05T18:43:07.873-07:002015-10-05T18:43:07.873-07:00Mark,
Very enjoyable read of your ride. I think ...Mark,<br /><br />Very enjoyable read of your ride. I think you were the only Rando that I briefly rode with after the first pass of Loudeac and I enjoyed our chat although my "trip" thru the forest should be copyrighted. Your Parlee touring frame is beautiful and it would have been my choice for a comfy, go fast Grand Randonnee. <br /><br />Your spreadsheet approach was interesting. I tried to look at the ride in that detail but I found myself making too many assumptions. I am simple that way. I just figured if I got to Brest in 24 hours, I had a good shot since the ride statistics show only the very fittest require 20% more time on the return compared to the outbound whereas many riders need almost 40% more time. I planned on a bit less than 30% more time for the return. I calculated 23:30 would be my time to get to Brest and I got there in 23:00 finishing ahead of my estimation despite taking way too long at controls to find food. I did not plan having to ride 700 km solo but I bet you did not either. Thus, I also skipped my 90 minute sleep stop planned for Tintineac. It really was a great ride. No problems. Pure fun. In 2019, my 60 year old body is going to have support at each control and it is going all out. I just hope the lions, alligators, pits to the abyss, and marching dinosaurs remain abay. I understand they are let loose after dinner time.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10960807501437840533noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7101867618520201104.post-84301503761753366552015-10-05T18:42:35.093-07:002015-10-05T18:42:35.093-07:00Mark,
Very enjoyable read of your ride. I think ...Mark,<br /><br />Very enjoyable read of your ride. I think you were the only Rando that I briefly rode with after the first pass of Loudeac and I enjoyed our chat although my "trip" thru the forest should be copyrighted. Your Parlee touring frame is beautiful and it would have been my choice for a comfy, go fast Grand Randonnee. <br /><br />Your spreadsheet approach was interesting. I tried to look at the ride in that detail but I found myself making too many assumptions. I am simple that way. I just figured if I got to Brest in 24 hours, I had a good shot since the ride statistics show only the very fittest require 20% more time on the return compared to the outbound whereas many riders need almost 40% more time. I planned on a bit less than 30% more time for the return. I calculated 23:30 would be my time to get to Brest and I got there in 23:00 finishing ahead of my estimation despite taking way too long at controls to find food. I did not plan having to ride 700 km solo but I bet you did not either. Thus, I also skipped my 90 minute sleep stop planned for Tintineac. It really was a great ride. No problems. Pure fun. In 2019, my 60 year old body is going to have support at each control and it is going all out. I just hope the lions, alligators, pits to the abyss, and marching dinosaurs remain abay. I understand they are let loose after dinner time.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10960807501437840533noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7101867618520201104.post-3549553716494680122015-10-02T18:20:32.618-07:002015-10-02T18:20:32.618-07:00Hey Mark, great story, thanks for sharing.Hey Mark, great story, thanks for sharing.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12099462458461177530noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7101867618520201104.post-28727353104134339252015-10-02T18:19:37.812-07:002015-10-02T18:19:37.812-07:00Hey Mark, great story, thanks for sharing.
Hey Mark, great story, thanks for sharing.<br />Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12099462458461177530noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7101867618520201104.post-33791021857876114852015-10-01T08:57:04.560-07:002015-10-01T08:57:04.560-07:00Mark,
This is the story I hoped you would write. E...Mark,<br />This is the story I hoped you would write. Excellent in all respects!Eric Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17263190575797334135noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7101867618520201104.post-22941915885093468972015-10-01T03:32:00.759-07:002015-10-01T03:32:00.759-07:00great story! next goal?great story! next goal?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7101867618520201104.post-32146546253968603482015-10-01T02:45:08.847-07:002015-10-01T02:45:08.847-07:00This is a wonderfully well told story. Thank you ...This is a wonderfully well told story. Thank you for it.Bill Wattshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10861106056315326432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7101867618520201104.post-77530079822075514842015-10-01T01:52:43.631-07:002015-10-01T01:52:43.631-07:00Great stuff - the ride and the report. Congratulat...Great stuff - the ride and the report. Congratulations!Iron Riderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18009140265170387540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7101867618520201104.post-48796716044116741642015-09-30T23:32:10.112-07:002015-09-30T23:32:10.112-07:00Great read & epic ride Mark. Heard a rumour th...Great read & epic ride Mark. Heard a rumour that when Peter Donnan & I came to stay with you for Cascades that you starting thinking then that if these 2 old Aussies can finish Cascades I can do CM time at PBP. Good to see you finally stopped stuffing around & got on it. Bravo to you & the Parlee Lethal Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00241652249012028389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7101867618520201104.post-74529622395958003262015-09-30T20:44:03.719-07:002015-09-30T20:44:03.719-07:00Congratulations, Mark. After following your posts...Congratulations, Mark. After following your posts on the PACTour ET ride this spring then seeing your occasional blurbs on your training (the 'I miss Rando' post was my favorite), it wasn't too surprising that you had a great ride at PBP (not that it was easy, but you stayed focused very well) Your story was fun to read and your result was well deserved. Cheers! Rob WelshRando Robhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06843900561234518997noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7101867618520201104.post-30267231304691787742015-09-30T20:37:12.870-07:002015-09-30T20:37:12.870-07:00Excellent writing. I felt like I was there.Excellent writing. I felt like I was there.LapisLeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05652107464306786379noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7101867618520201104.post-21174227251623126622015-09-30T20:30:12.393-07:002015-09-30T20:30:12.393-07:00Amazing story. Thanks for sharing.Amazing story. Thanks for sharing.Jeffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06948583900593002299noreply@blogger.com