Round The Year Randonneurs Log

[rabbit]

Dec 2013- Nov 2014 RRTY and AAARTY  - done 

Taking the first qualifying ride of each month for the RRTY and the AAARTY:
December 2014 - Kings Priests and Castles Tewkesbury 200
January 2015 - January Sale Tewkesbury 200
February 2015  - Sam Wellars Day Trip Tewkesbury 200 (this one didn't have AAA so first AAARTY of this month was the Cheddar Gorge 300 km)
March 2015 - A Hilly DIY 200
April 2015 - Helfa Cymraeg 300 (Yr Elenydd the following week was the first AAARTY counting ride in April)
May 2015 - Brevet Cymru 400
June 2015 - A Hilly 200 DIY
July 2015 - A Hilly 200 DIY
August 2015 - A Hilly 200 DIY
September 2015 - A Hilly 200 DIY
October 2015 - 1300 km DIY to the Southwest Lakes and North Wales
November 2015 - Hilly 200 DIY around Clun (waiting for AAA to be awarded but am sure they will be cos it was a right tough blighter in the middle)

So that's that - a second year of RRTY and AAARTY complete 

I have two concurrent RRTYs running for a good deal of the year, but I have largely returned to mountainbiking now so chose to reduce my Audaxing/road riding right down to just one a month and this pulled out of the concurrent attempt.  I was not planning a third year of RRTY or AAARTY, but I seem to have already booked myself onto the Blacksheep winter events........

[BobScarle]

I joined AUK in January this year and have only just discovered the RRTY. I only have two qualifying rides so far and am struggling to find one for this month. I had hoped to do Mr. Pickwick's Cymraeg Cyrch but I have already committed to a (shorter) ride on that day. Last month I did a DIY by GPS which worked quite well, so it looks like something similar this. I think this could get quite addictive.

Rides so far

September - Mr Pickwick goes to Hay in a day.
October - DIY to Marsh Gibbon
October - Mr Pickwick's Autumn Outing

[wilkyboy]

I think this could get quite addictive.

Wait until you're 10 months in before you say that*   


* so says I after 37 months straight, and I'm a veritable lightweight at this game ...

[Whitedown Man]

I think this could get quite addictive.

Wait until you're 10 months in before you say that*   


* so says I after 37 months straight, and I'm a veritable lightweight at this game ...

... or until you realise you've accidentally got three running simultaneously, but now that you have it would be negligent not to squeeze in that DIY on the last day of the month 

[Marmitegeoff]

I think this could get quite addictive.

Wait until you're 10 months in before you say that*   

you need to start thinking about your exit strategy now.   But it may already be too late.  Even a year off does not work.

Geoff
(60 straight months)

[Saracen Sean]

Just do what you find enjoyable. I ran six concurrently last year and started to feel like a hamster on a wheel.

[jochta]

One more to go for 2x RRtY...

03 Jan - The Poor Student
07 Feb - Sam Weller's day trip to Wochma
22 Mar - EWE Baaa (permanent)
12 Apr - The Harlequin Hack (ECEd to 200km)
16 May - DIY Perm
27 Jun - Rural South (my first 300km event)
31 Jul - Marlborough Connection (permanent)
23 Aug - Old Roads and Drove Roads
6th Sep - DIY Perm
18th Oct - A Taste of the Test (permanent)
7th Nov - Upper Thames

Really struggling for the last one though. I'd really like to do a calendar event to finish on but my father-in-law's 80th birthday bash on 5th December means my normal South of Bucks Winter Warmer is out of the question. Can't do the Winter Solstice ride on the 20th now. Which only leaves "A Brevet upon St Lucy's Eve" on 12th Dec although the route doesn't fill me with huge enthusiasm or "Santa Special" on 20th Dec but Colchester is a pig to get to for me even when it isn't the weekend before Christmas! Might just have to do a perm or DIY.

[tippers_kiwi]

2014 
Mar 15 - Horsepower 200 / The Springtime 200 / Wormingford Dragon
Apr 15 - Green and Yellow Fields
May 15 - Asparagus and Strawberries - Helpers Ride completed
Jun 15 - The Windmill Ride
Jul 15 - Hereward The Wake
Aug 15 - Flitch Bikes
Sep 15 - Chris Negus Memorial 100 + ECE
Oct 15 - DIY by GPS
Nov 15 - Dick Turpins Day Out
Dec 15 - DIY by GPS
Jan 16 - Dick Turpin's Day Out - Group Perm

[Somnolent]

One more to go for 2x RRtY...

03 Jan - The Poor Student
07 Feb - Sam Weller's day trip to Wochma
22 Mar - EWE Baaa (permanent)
12 Apr - The Harlequin Hack (ECEd to 200km)
16 May - DIY Perm
27 Jun - Rural South (my first 300km event)
31 Jul - Marlborough Connection (permanent)
23 Aug - Old Roads and Drove Roads
6th Sep - DIY Perm
18th Oct - A Taste of the Test (permanent)
7th Nov - Upper Thames

Really struggling for the last one though. I'd really like to do a calendar event to finish on but my father-in-law's 80th birthday bash on 5th December means my normal South of Bucks Winter Warmer is out of the question. Can't do the Winter Solstice ride on the 20th now. Which only leaves "A Brevet upon St Lucy's Eve" on 12th Dec although the route doesn't fill me with huge enthusiasm or "Santa Special" on 20th Dec but Colchester is a pig to get to for me even when it isn't the weekend before Christmas! Might just have to do a perm or DIY.

Don't know where you are based but looking at that list of rides, I'd guess that my new "Round the Plain" http://www.aukweb.net/perms/detail/PL01/ might be reasonably accessible - you can start anywhere around the circuit..[/shameless plug]

[jochta]

One more to go for 2x RRtY...

03 Jan - The Poor Student
07 Feb - Sam Weller's day trip to Wochma
22 Mar - EWE Baaa (permanent)
12 Apr - The Harlequin Hack (ECEd to 200km)
16 May - DIY Perm
27 Jun - Rural South (my first 300km event)
31 Jul - Marlborough Connection (permanent)
23 Aug - Old Roads and Drove Roads
6th Sep - DIY Perm
18th Oct - A Taste of the Test (permanent)
7th Nov - Upper Thames

Really struggling for the last one though. I'd really like to do a calendar event to finish on but my father-in-law's 80th birthday bash on 5th December means my normal South of Bucks Winter Warmer is out of the question. Can't do the Winter Solstice ride on the 20th now. Which only leaves "A Brevet upon St Lucy's Eve" on 12th Dec although the route doesn't fill me with huge enthusiasm or "Santa Special" on 20th Dec but Colchester is a pig to get to for me even when it isn't the weekend before Christmas! Might just have to do a perm or DIY.

Don't know where you are based but looking at that list of rides, I'd guess that my new "Round the Plain" http://www.aukweb.net/perms/detail/PL01/ might be reasonably accessible - you can start anywhere around the circuit..[/shameless plug]

That looks perfect. I'm in south Oxfordshire so even the start location is easily accessible for me. Cheers 

[3peaker]

One more to go for 2x RRtY...


Really struggling for the last one though. I'd really like to do a calendar event to finish on but my father-in-law's 80th birthday bash on 5th December means my normal South of Bucks Winter Warmer is out of the question. Can't do the Winter Solstice ride on the 20th now. Which only leaves "A Brevet upon St Lucy's Eve" on 12th Dec although the route doesn't fill me with huge enthusiasm or "Santa Special" on 20th Dec but Colchester is a pig to get to for me even when it isn't the weekend before Christmas! Might just have to do a perm or DIY.

Don't know where you are based but looking at that list of rides, I'd guess that my new "Round the Plain" http://www.aukweb.net/perms/detail/PL01/ might be reasonably accessible - you can start anywhere around the circuit..[/shameless plug]

That looks perfect. I'm in south Oxfordshire so even the start location is easily accessible for me. Cheers 

My (SP Perms) SE Oxford Loop 200 uses winter-friendly roads and Controls in Botley (Oxford), Abingdon and Wantage (passes Uffington White Horse) in its Loop from Cheltenham. Varied terrain, great views and descents.

[Marmitegeoff]

Just do what you find enjoyable. I ran six concurrently last year and started to feel like a hamster on a wheel.

For me, the challenge is also about the time element, so I do not contemplate having concurrent series running.  There can be only 1 qualifying ride in a month.  So a RRATY X 5 can take 60 months or longer, and a X 10 will take 120 months or longer.

I re-iterate that this is just my particular take on the challenge.

 

[Mr Green]

I don't want to speak too soon... but only December to go for my first RRtY.

 

Arthur

[Saracen Sean]

Just do what you find enjoyable. I ran six concurrently last year and started to feel like a hamster on a wheel.

For me, the challenge is also about the time element, so I do not contemplate having concurrent series running.  There can be only 1 qualifying ride in a month.  So a RRATY X 5 can take 60 months or longer, and a X 10 will take 120 months or longer.

I re-iterate that this is just my particular take on the challenge.

 

I understand your take on this and find it admirable but alas I’m wired slightly differently.

The trouble for me would be that I wouldn’t find riding just one a month a challenge and I would be consumed with boredom a long time before I reached ten years, in all probability before I reached five.

Before I set out on the challenge of an Ultra RRTY I was advised by a very experienced Audaxer who knew me well and had my character sussed precisely that I would fall to boredom if I didn’t get it completed within five years, so I decided to do it in three.

Just closing it down now, due to finish in February.

He was right by the way; I’ve had enough and am looking for the next challenge.

[Marmitegeoff]

Just do what you find enjoyable. I ran six concurrently last year and started to feel like a hamster on a wheel.

For me, the challenge is also about the time element, so I do not contemplate having concurrent series running.  There can be only 1 qualifying ride in a month.  So a RRATY X 5 can take 60 months or longer, and a X 10 will take 120 months or longer.

I re-iterate that this is just my particular take on the challenge.

 

I understand your take on this and find it admirable but alas I’m wired slightly differently.

The trouble for me would be that I wouldn’t find riding just one a month a challenge and I would be consumed with boredom a long time before I reached ten years, in all probability before I reached five.

I ride more than once a month, but I only claim 1 X 200 per month.

[SR Steve]

I've been keeping two RRTYs going lately and just done my November ones riding to the AUK Reunion and back in windy conditions.

With work and family commitments and not needing to commute, I have trouble squeezing in any more winter cycling at all and find that riding 2 x 200km rides each month is just enough to keep up a reasonable level of fitness through the winter. Without the RRTY I probably wouldn't have the self discipline to make the effort and would struggle to complete my first 200km of the year in March or April after 5 months off. I used to be able to get away with that when I was younger, but now it's easier and less painful to keep going.

[TOBY]

Gower Getter in October finished off no# 12, year# 7, Month# 84. However November is looking doubtful - boo.

2009
2010 
2011 
2012 
2013 
2014 
2015 

[3peaker]

I've been keeping two RRTYs going lately and just done my November ones riding to the AUK Reunion and back in windy conditions.

With work and family commitments and not needing to commute, I have trouble squeezing in any more winter cycling at all and find that riding 2 x 200km rides each month is just enough to keep up a reasonable level of fitness through the winter. Without the RRTY I probably wouldn't have the self discipline to make the effort and would struggle to complete my first 200km of the year in March or April after 5 months off. I used to be able to get away with that when I was younger, but now it's easier and less painful to keep going.

Well done on your 100,000 trophy SR; I hope to join the Club this AUK year. Agree that continuing to ride every month (2 or 3) certainly maintains the endurance fitness. Very useful to know routes which you can align to weather and to reduce travel to start, which is why I prefer Perms in Winter. Managed to survive the Double Dinner Dart rides, where my return ride into the SWerly for 13hrs was a true challenge; although this latter ride was my 3rd Nov ride and I only intend doing monthly doubles.

[Clemo]

I had planned to have a two month break but this RRTY malarky means i'm only two rides away from completing it  it would be mad to stop now.......


Congrats Steve 

[Reg.T]

STV, have just finished my 3rd consecutive year 
Dec 14: Kings, Castles... 200 (Tewkesbury)
Jan 15: January Sale 200 (Tewks)
Feb: Malmesbury Mash 200 (Cardiff)
Mar: Mad March Coasts & Quantocks 200 (Exeter)
Apr: Surf N Turf 400 (Newton Abbot)
May: BCM 600 (Chepstow)
Jun: Avalon Sunrise 400 (Clayhidon)
Jul: DIY 200 with Gaddi (Bristol)
Aug: ACB Group DIY 500 (Bristol)
Sep: Hay in a Day 200 (Tewks)
Oct: Autumnal Outing 200 (Tewks)
Nov: DIY 200 with Bikey Mikey (Bristol)

[LittleWheelsandBig]

Partway through #8 with:
07 Mar Kennet Valley Run 200 BRM
11 Apr Green & Yellow Fields 300 BRM
23 May Flatlands 600 BRM
14 Jun DIY 200 BR back from Brum
25 Jul National 400 BR in Scotland DNS
substituted by Halfway to Tofino 400 BRM in Canada
08 Aug Flitchbikes 200 BR
19 Sep DIY 600 BR being the A&S+Horsepower
25 Oct DIY 200 BR to/from the Blue Egg
15 Nov DIY 200 BR back from the AGM
Edit:
05 Dec South of Bucks Winter Warmer 200 BR

Planned
02 Jan 2016 Poor Student 200 BRM
20 Feb Chiltern Grit 200 BR
We'll see what actually happens

[Jon+1bike]

First year riding and first RTY completed. PBP counts for one month.
Accident slowed me down in October, but still on target for AAA RTY, have two more rides to do! Weather tough up tops.
Chosen 'short' rides for last few, starting from Hebden Bridge. Thanks Chris. Still in awe of those doing year after year.

[NeilH]

So - I'm now four months in to my first attempt at RRTY, and it begins to look like I might actually give it a proper go, rather than just thinking about the possibility in a "what if" kind of fashion. On the basis that if I publically declare myself, then I'm more likely to go through with it ...

Progress so far:

23 Aug 2015	Old Roads and Drove Roads	200
29 Sep 2015	Poor Student Perm (anti-clockwise)	200
03 Oct 2015	The Less Anfractuous	200
21 Nov 2015	DIYxGPS (based on the Upper Thames route)	200

Next up: another Iddu perm (EWE Baa) over the Christmas period, to get my December ride in, followed by the Poor Student calender event.


(EDIT) For the record, this first attempt came off the rails when I had a slow EWE Baa, cumulating in a minor off in the dark (no lasting damage or injury) which caused a pinch flat, which took me out of time.

Revised plan going forward is to continue trying to churn out 200s at roughly monthly intervals, but not beat myself up if I can't schedule a ride in a given month, try to get faster, and see if another RRTY streak starts to emerge ...

[Revolution9]

2012
2013
2014

Forth and Tay 200 08 Mar 2015
Merse and Moors 300 18 Apr 2015
The Southern Uplands 400 16 May 2015
A Pair of Kirtons 600 6 Jun 2015
National 400 25 Jul 2015
Alston and Back-All set for PBP 300 01 Aug 2015
ECE of Dick McTs Autumn 150 Classic 200 13 Sep 2015
Etal-U-Can 200 03 Oct 2015
Permanent (DIY) 200 25 Nov 2015

[Martin]

2006                
2007           
2008           
2009            crashed and burned after 10 months
2010         
2011  X5               
2012           
2013   double           
2014  double x10  

another double attempt

14.3.15 Lasham Loop ECE 200 / 22.3.15 Man of Kent 200
4.4.15 Double Dutch 200 / 18.4.15 Dutch Double Dutch DIY 200
10.5.15 New Forest Excursion 200 / 16.5.15 Meridian Hills perm 200
6.6.15 Meridian Hills perm 200 / 21.6.15 Fairly Flat 200
11.7.15 Meridian Hills perm 200 (reversed    ) / 14.7.15 Manx Cat Eats Cake DIY 200
1.8.15 Straight Outta Hackney 200 / 29.8.15 Way Out West 200
6.9.15 New Forest On and Off Shore 200 / 19.9.15 The London Grimpeur ECE 200
3.10.15 The AAAnfractuous 200 / 25.10.15 Meridian Hills perm 200
7.11.15 Upper Thames 200 / 14.11.15 Dinner Dart
5.12.15 South of Bucks Winter Warmer 200