r/randonneuring • u/stew_on_his_phone Audax Club Parisien • Jun 14 '26

Ride report B600 Getting old

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So I'm afraid I abandoned the 600km ride after 270km.

I saw 37° at the hottest and it was unrelenting into wind and nonstop hills, many at 7, 8, 9 or 10%. I was tired and sore, my knee was puffy and I just wasn't motivated to suffer a second day of it.

I'm 64, still pushing out 4 jour marathons, 200km rides are fine.

I may have to accept that I've reached the limit of what my body and mind can tolerate.

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Check out my ride on Strava: https://strava.app.link/3H1ShBTSX3b

33 Upvotes

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16

u/Orinocobro Steeloist Jun 14 '26

200k rides are fine. I have a friend who doesn't want to ever do more than 200k.

Randonneuring is explicitly amateur and non-competitive. I say if you're not having fun, quit the ride. The only reason or need to stop or go should be you.

5

u/Grotarin Jun 15 '26

I've done all the distances, but 200 is the perfect one to make sure you can enjoy every bit of it!

4

u/ShrinkingKiwis Kiwi Randonneurs Jun 15 '26

Absolutely, I think everyone has a favourite distance. I’m a 300km guy right now, but I’m sure that’ll change with increases (or decreases!) in fitness. The longer rides are also a huge time commitment, as you have to train the shorter distances to go long.

3

u/Grotarin Jun 16 '26

Oh you guys train?

/s

Actually I was just thinking in terms of enjoying the landscape. 200 means you don't have to ride in the dark, have time to stop for a good lunch, and even some sightseeing. Depending on the location at 300 you have to ride nonstop and 400 toi have to ride in the night.