Indiana Randonneurs 400k 2016

251 miles 11,000' of climbing. 

Bike:

Gear:

Bread bags for feet --- wet ride

Frame pump

2x tubes

watch

cycle gloves

wool long finger gloves

Black latex gloves over my wool gloves (great water protection)

Helmet light

GPS

tums

Ibuprofen

Tylenol

Cliff bars

Recoverers

Spare shift cable

Tool seat bag with general tools. 

Butt butter

Ziploc bag for Brevet card, phone, and wallet.

Pen

reflective gear

Solar battery

phone cable

GPS cable

 xtra AAA

Helmet

Spare light

Gen light

2x Rear lights

Bike shorts

swim trunks

frogg togg jacket

cycle SS jersey

cycle LS wool jersey

5.10 shoes

sunglasses

night glasses 

  water bottles

4x Sandwiches

4x hard boiled eggs 

Morgan Monroe Forest

Our 400k winds through a beautiful section of Morgan Monroe forest.  I really enjoy this area.  Nice quiet roads, low traffic, and very steep climbs are available if looking.  

Puncture on the route before the hills.  Team efforts.

As expected in southern Indiana a lot of short steep climbs.  After Bedford the climbs start. County Farm road and Pearless road are the two that stand out.  Quick downs and abrupt steep climbs, almost not giving you time to shift.  Glorious route.  While headed to the Bedford control we came across our only rain.  We were on a flat farmland meadow and you could see the rain sheet coming it.  It was rather amazing.  It was warm enough not to bother us so no need to put on the rain gear.   

Another highlight was the ride into Seymour, the last control before finish.  This is a relatively flat segment, which is a nice relief, and a farming area.  This segment is in the very dark on back country roads.  It is a peaceful ride.  On this particular day the fireflies were giving us a wonderful display.  There were no clouds in the sky, no city lights, so the stars were showing all their wonder.  The stars meshing softly with the fireflies was an amazing show given by nature.  Well except when riding by a country barn party at 1am with a big drunk guy yelling asking if I wanted a beer...   

Knee held up well, ankle is getting better.  I'm more confident in my knee now, but concerned about my ankle, hoping it heals soon.  I can still feel my lack of training. These rides are more difficult than last year.  Because of the recent ankle injury my only "training" has been commuting.  I need some long non-brevet rides soon if I want to finish the upcoming 600k and beyond.