Davis 400K Brevet

Lonnie “Epic” Wolff, from Cedar City, invited me to join him for the April 30th (2011) Davis California 400K brevet. It was one I had not done before so it sounded like an interesting ride. For a full report, I refer you to his blog post on this ride. Anthony Blauer, my local rando friend, from nearby Manti, also joined us.

The name of this brevet was rather boring. Perhaps it might be more appropriately called “The Vineyard 400” as it passes by many vineyards in the northern California, Sonoma valley region.

The day started with some pretty stiff winds, but we persevered. They later dissipated. I pushed ahead past Lonnie and Anthony, staying on the wheel of a few tandems, until they fell off the pace on some of the rollers. At that point, I moved along by myself. Finally at the turnaround spot I was rejoined Lonnie and Anthony. (I had a mechanical problem with a cleat and also missed a turn, costing me some time.) Anthony was having some electrolyte depletion issues, along with a painful knee problem he has struggled with all season. We proceeded together during the second half and we finished just within our goal of 20 hours at 19:55!

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Author: Rando Richard

I’m an old guy (age 69 in 2023) who enjoys aerobic, endurance sports. I call myself a cardio-junkie. Perhaps the more appropriate term would be “ultra” endurance sports. Since I was a teenager I have always enjoyed “slow twitch” outdoor sports like backpacking, ice climbing, running, mountaineering, hiking, alpine skiing and randonnée skiing (alpine touring, backcountry skiing or skimo). In 2005 I starting running with more regularity — except this time it was not for the intent of getting ready for a mountaineering trip, but as an end to itself. From 2005 to 2007 I managed to eek out two seasons of ultramarathons — that is competitive trail runs up to 50 or 100 miles. Due to a nagging ankle injury from the 80s (an accident while ice climbing in the 1980s where my lower tib and fib were badly broken), I had to cease that grueling, but rewarding activity. I then migrated into ultra distance road cycling or randonneuring. The rides are called brevets (pronounced bruh-VAY, it’s French) and are minimally supported — they are similar to ultrarunning and backpacking where one must be self reliant. Although brevets are non-competitive, they do have have cut off times to qualify as a finisher. They are usually are done in groups, which can have a competitive slant to them. Today, I continue to participate in long distance cycling including some ultra-racing, randonnée skiing (a blend of cross country and downhill disciplines) and still get out on an occasional mountaineering trip. Since 1996 I have been designing, manufacturing and selling camera bags. That is Kinesis Photo Gear (kgear.com). In 2005 I started selling cycling bags under the Kinesis label and eventually expanded it to including other sports like SUP (stand-up paddle boarding and some skimo). Consequently, it become eoGEAR — the “eo” stands for endurance outdoor. My wife and I are empty-nesters now and we live and work out in the boondocks of central Utah, half way between Salt Lake City (great powder) and Moab (great red rocks). Well, I guess that is all for now. Safe travels mate! Perhaps I’ll see you on the road or trail. — Richard Stum

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