12/31/09 Update
Let’s see… It’s been awhile since my last post. LOL. I’m no longer a novice, really. After having started riding again the middle of last year (2008) following a long layoff, I completed the PCH Rando SR series (200, 300, 400, 600K) last winter/spring. Rode the 24-Hour Fleche team randonneuring event, on a route I designed from Whitney Portal to Ventura. Finished the Gold Rush 1200K where I met Nicole. Did Furnace Creek 508 on a mixed two person team with Nicole in the Classic Rendezvous category (1983 technology/equipment — lugged steel frame and fork, minimum 32-spoke wheels, 6-speed freewheel, downtube or bar-end shifters, toe clips and straps, and no aerobars). Earned the RUSA R-12 and 5000K distance awards. And did 5 double centuries. So it was a season of “seasoning”.
2009 PCH Randos Fleche, "Team Flecheaters". L to R - Dana Lieberman, Shai Shprung, Michael Bratkowski, Elaine Perry, and me, Jim Swarzman
So, the 2010 randonneuring season starts this Saturday, 1/02/2010, with PCH Randos 200K brevet. I’ve been slacking a little on my training the last couple weeks (“off-season” and busy with work), and am not sure about my fitness or speed. But I think I’m going to try to complete the SR series this year while meeting the “R60″ standard. R60 refers to doing each of the brevets in 60% of the allowable time which will be a big challenge. Very doable, but not assured, for the 200K. Pretty good chance on the 300K. Outside chance, on the 400K. And pretty much no fu**in’ way for the 600K. LOL So we’ll see. Maybe I’ll miss it on the 200K, and then the pressure’s off. 
