Now that I’ve completed my first randonneur series, I’ve been getting questions about my plans for the rest of the year. To tell you the truth, I haven’t given it too much thought.

My brain tends to work in very small time frames. My goal at the start of this year was to finish a 400k. I knew that if I could complete 250 miles in one day on a bike, I would be able to push on further for longer rides.

I did finish the 400k. In fact, I told Chris that I would join him on the 600k this year as well. That was his major goal for the year since he was sick for the only 600k planned last year before almost everyone went out to Paris.

Once every four years there is a 1200k in France called Paris Brest Paris (PBP). Most riders consider it to be a real destination ride. Something that we all work towards. From what I gather, it isn’t the hardest 1200k in the world, just the biggest. People across the country come out and root you on. There is plenty of support. Especially since I haven’t been to Paris, the thought of doing it definitely excites me.

But that is in 2012 (edit: 2011! Thanks Matt.) … what about this year?

Jane has been training for our return run of Seattle to Portland this year. I’ve really been looking forward to that actually. Lots of smug cyclists like to rip on the ride for not being challenging enough. The truth is, it is an amazing people watch experience. You see children, elderly, handicapped, cancer survivors, “regular” people, big, skinny, short, tall… all with a goal to ride their bikes further than a lot of them ever imagined riding. It really is beautiful.

My favorite part of the ride is stopping for free food every 20 miles just for the hell of it. They cue sheets but you don’t even need them. Just follow the rest of the 9000 riders. Seriously, where else are you going to ride for 200 miles and only climb 2,000 feet? Sign me up.

Chris mentioned scaling back on the big stuff for the rest of the year. It was already on my mind. I’m planning on trying for a R12 award (200k+ each month for a year), but I don’t think I’ll do many rides over 300k for the rest of the year. The 400 and 600 were awesome and epic, but they take a real time commitment for my already short feeling weekends. I don’t want to have Jane thinking I’ve moved out.