My Oregon Adventure / A Different Allure Libre

I have this idea. My opportunities for serious bike travel might be somewhat limited for the next couple years, for a variety of reasons. But that is not going to keep me from logging a lot of miles and seeing the sights. I am going to ride my bicycle to all of the cities and towns in Oregon.


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I am going to use my GPS unit to map the rides and hopefully have some good pictures for you here.

I am a somewhat asocial person. I used to think that there was something wrong with me, considering how much I just prefer to be by myself. I am not into group rides. There is only one person with whom I enjoy riding. And no, I am not just saying that because she reads this.

And that leads me to a thought that has been rattling around in my head. Why can't brevets be done any time? A real allure libre. Even permanents have their limitations. But we have the technology to track brevets electronically. Oh, sure, those uptight French don't even like permanents and won't accept them as qualifying rides, but we in America tend to be a little less stick-up-the-ass about these kinds of things. Brevets should be able to be ridden without checkpoints, ridden anytime randonneurs want, or are able, to ride, and can very easily be verified.

I suppose some people might think, "What's the point?" Some people think that riding brevets are all about the camaraderie. And who am I to argue with them? I suppose everybody brings their own reasons to the table for why they would subject themselves to such misery.

I personally see randonneuring as a test of the rider and the bicycle. Did you build up your platform properly? Did you train your body, mind, heart, and soul to pull off this ride? These tasks are hard enough in and of themselves. Now, scheduling my work life to coincide with the qualifiers in the series AND hope that nothing catastrophic comes up with a software project right before the only 1200km brevet I can attend? I suppose that is part of the trial, part of the test of one's mettle. But some of us have lives.

Now, there are indeed additioal requirements in riding unsupported. A GPS unit and/or a GPS tracker is necessary. In my case, I also want to carry a decent camera. Sleeping space, water, and other needs will now be solely the responsibility of the rider. But isn't living off the land part of the reason of allure libre? Everyone can be their own randonneuring governing body, but there would be a certain amount of "in the spirit" of it all.

What do you think? I am writing and gathering a set of software tools that will allow for translating and overlaying GPS tracks on Google Maps. If you have any feedback or ideas, sound off.