r/randonneuring

Our region brevets tend to start very early, like 4am in the morning, and riders have to arrive some time before to allow check-in and bike inspection.

If the start is near where I live, I'll just wake up earlier enough and drive there. If the start is far away, and I have strong motivation to ride it, I'll bite the bullet to spend the nights before and after at a nearby hotel (sometimes the start & finish is the hotel).

My dilemma starts when the start is neither too far nor too close, say about an hour drive away. It's not far enough to absolutely require a hotel stay, but not close enough that if I drive to the start I'll lose more sleep than I would like.

For example, recently I was debating if I want shell out $300-$400 for a two-night hotel stay (before and after the ride) for a tough 400k that begins at 4am and my expected finish time would be around 2-3am in the next day. The place is an hour away from my home. Having a hotel room after the ride instead of driving straight home is a much safer arrangement. But to me that's quite an expensive 400k.

How do you usually arrange your travel plan for such rides?

My wheels are 700C. I used to fit 25mm tyres. I've just gone up to 32.

I used the same inner tubes when i fitted the 32 tyres.

Those tubes are 700C 25/28. All my spares are also this size.

Now I read that I risk punctures and faster air leak through the rubber.

I know inner tubes aren't expensive but it burns my arse that the 5 or 6 I have hanging about are no use.

What do you think, how real us the risk of 25/28 inners on 32 tyres?

Hi everyone,

I’m thinking about doing a solo 12-hour road cycling ride to see how far I can get, and I’m trying to figure out what I actually need to bring.

Right now, my plan is basically not much more than what I’d take on a normal 3–4 hour Sunday ride:

• multitool + pump + 2 spare tubes

Nutrition-wise, I’d aim to stay on the bike as long as possible and bring:

• ~60 g carbs per hour (+ ~10% buffer)
• 4 × 1L bottles of (isotonic) water

If needed, I’d refill water at cemeteries or public taps along the route.

The idea would be to start at around 6:00 AM, so I’d still have enough time to take a train home the same day if things go according to plan.

Am I being too naive here?

This would also be a kind of test for a future 24-hour ride. Eventually, I’d like to do another 12-hour block at night as well—but with proper lights this time 😉

I’m looking for a pretty specific type of road bike and I’m starting to wonder if it even exists 😅

My goal is ultra-distance road events / fast endurance riding, so I still want:

- a genuinely high-performance bike

- a dynamic geometry

- something efficient and exciting to ride

But at the same time, I’m obsessed with integration and practical features.

To me, the future is:

- internal frame storage

- integrated frame bags

- top tube bolts

- clean cockpit integration

- easy aero bar compatibility

- smart ultra-distance details without turning the bike into a “gravel mule”

And that’s where I’m struggling.

For example:

- bikes like the Pinarello new Grevil F (or similar gravel-oriented platforms) have amazing integration and storage solutions, but the geometry and overall philosophy are too gravel-focused for what I want.

- endurance bikes like the Cannondale Synapse, Trek Domane, Scott Addict, Canyon Endurace, etc. are close, but often a bit too “progressive”, comfort-oriented or not aggressive enough.

- what I’d LOVE is something with the vibe of an Endurace CFR, but with:

- true internal storage

- top tube mounts

- clean aero bar compatibility

- modern all-road practicality

Basically:

a fast road bike designed by someone who actually rides ultra-distance events.

Am I missing some niche brands or lesser-known models here?

Thanks!

I'm currently in Heidelberg and would like to do couple of brevets but I'm confused. Is the closes start to Heidelberg Frankfurt? ​Is it normal for germans to travel couple of hours to the start? Thank you for all the help :) ​​

I'm prepping for a 400 this weekend and unexpectedly cold/rainy conditions are in the forecast. I'm debating between carrying rain pants, and carrying a second set of long tights to change into mid-course if the opportunity arises.

My concerns with the pants are breathability being poorer, leading to chills from sweating, and also saddle discomfort due to the extra layer.

If you were me (and keeping weight/packed items to a minimum!) how would you proceed?

I’m in the market for some new pedals, having happily ridden Look X-Tracks for a number of years. I’m strongly considering the Wolf Tooth CTRL pedals due to the larger platform even though it’ll be for a road/gravel bike. I like my X-tracks over Shimano pedals precisely because they have a bit more contact area, and the weight of the CTRL pedals is actually less than my X-tracks. I’ve got good shoes, so the added stiffness from a larger platform isn’t really the concern, it’s more about comfort over long/multiple days.

Anyone have hands-on (foot-on?) experience with these, or similar experience going to a larger platform?

Also: yes I know the ALT pedals are more comparable to X-track, my question is really about the possible additional benefit of an even larger platform than I have now.