William:

Appreciate your efforts to continue this ride. Luckily I have that Sat. off. Now I've got to get to work on my wife (why I need to do this, why it won't kill me, how I will make it up to her, yada, yada) . At least I've got three weeks to do that!

So God willing I'll be there. I know Gunther (my k75rt) is champing at the bit.
Very sorry to hear that TJ is ill. Hadn't heard about that.

Steve

Bill K's post got me to thinking....500m in 12 hr on back roads, many of them unfamiliar, is a lot to handle. But we won't actually have 12hr...subtract 1hr for eating, restroom, map reading, stop signs, etc, and finishing within the time limit means a minimum avg. speed of 45mph. Subtract 1.5hr (more realistic), and that minimum avg speed goes up to 47.5mph... on a route that is mostly back roads.
Last year there was a shorter route available, and tho no one took it, 2 of the 9 participants DNF within the time limit. We're hoping for a larger turnout this year, why not put in the shorter route? When road bicycling clubs hold their "century" rides (100m), they always offer a metric century route (100km) that travels many of the same roads. It's been my experience in that sport that many riders don't make up their minds which route to take--long or short--until the morning of the event. Depends how they feel, the weather, their other obligations, etc.

I respect the idea of 500m in 12 hr. It's heroic. Maybe it's a bit too heroic for some of us. So let me be the first to publicly say, I'd appreciate a less Hemingwayesque option. Give the glory and the prizes to the 500 milers, but leave the door open for those who just aren't going to be able ,for whatever reason, to chew that many miles in under 12 hours.

BTW...the shorter route will make participation a much easier sell at home for those of us who are married and have young children at home.

Respectfully,
Steve
K75RT