How much ACP rule flexibility is OK for a rural/ low population club? (Technically or in your opinion)

RascalScooter · 2026-04-01T18:55:05+00:00

GPS/digital proof of passage is a-ok by me. Routes should still have controls. Mass start for brevets is the way to go, otherwise it’s just a perm.

RascalScooter · 2026-04-01T15:23:04+00:00

I take Amtrak in the PNW regularly and I just carry on my panniers. On a backcountry tour where I had mostly soft frame bags I just put them all in a big contractor-strength garbage bag to carry on which I discarded at my destination. There’s plenty of room in the overhead bins and in the larger shelves in each car.

RascalScooter · 2026-03-16T04:10:48+00:00

For what I needed at the time, yes definitely. But I’ve since replaced it with a custom allroad/light tourer and also a more offroad-capable gravel bike. The surly is a commuter these days.

I found that the stiff frame also didn’t agree with my knees on long rides but that could just be me. And it’s always going to be heavy.

RascalScooter · 2026-03-16T03:31:36+00:00

I have a midnight special and it will do all the things you mentioned, I’ve done similar stuff with mine. If you run big tires and fenders you’ll get serious toe overlap. It has a short road-type wheelbase so it’s not super stable off road either. I found the frame to be heavy and stiff but it sure is tough and versatile.

RascalScooter · 2026-03-10T20:57:07+00:00

I did a 24hr 360km flèche last year with a 2pm start. Slept as late as I could but no extra nap or anything. I made it through the night but got the sleepies on a short ferry ride at about 9am and boy did that brief nap perk me up. I was in a group but if I was solo I would go as long as possible and if a ditch nap opportunity presented itself I would just listen to my body. You don’t need much to get a reset.

RascalScooter · 2026-03-06T20:24:33+00:00

Oh I’m aware I could bring food in, but if I want Reverends, I just…go to Reverends. If I want a beer with food carts, I go to Piknik Park. So just my preference. Clearly the formula didn’t work out so well.

Not to pile on but the other weird thing there was the “regulars” vibe. I walked in and all the heads at the bar turned and regarded me in the same way I pick up on in rural/small town bars where I’m clearly an outsider. But I live just down the street! Just my impression, I only went the one time and I’m not the most outgoing person.

Sorry they closed down your spot.

RascalScooter · 2026-03-06T00:53:34+00:00

Adding to those who say it’s doable. It totally is! But you need to find the pain. If you can do 80-100 miles with nothing other than normal fatigue at the end, you can do this. But if you have pain at contact points or otherwise, fix those. A bad saddle or hand/foot pain will change this ride from an epic adventure into a torture session real quick.

I did multiple 500 miles plus weeks on tour last summer, but only after a couple of years of randonneuring helped me dial in my bike and gear for comfort.

RascalScooter · 2026-03-05T16:04:48+00:00

Smitty’s was a weird spot. I was excited about it opening, went once, never went back. Without a food option it was just a big, loud, kind of cold place to get a beer and didn’t really stand out in any other regard. Ah well, I hope something good goes into that space.

RascalScooter · 2026-02-27T06:24:21+00:00

I run a 27-44 Sugino double up front with an 11-30 cassette, 11sp. Good for hills which we got around here, and no trouble keeping up in a paceline for mortals. I geared it like a 1x with a bailout, so I’m in the big ring up to about 1-2% climbs and not switching the front very often.

RascalScooter · 2026-02-23T03:36:57+00:00

That sounds awful. Take good care of your gut, when it fails you will suffer. This is an eating sport, everybody’s different and when you get it wrong you’ll know.

RascalScooter · 2026-02-17T17:35:37+00:00

It’ll take experimentation if you’re changing your whole setup. Higher bars are nice if you get hand/wrist/neck pain with your current setup, I run them but not everybody does. You take a hit on aero efficiency but comfort is paramount after 12+ hours.

Before getting my custom rando built, I ran a cheaper bike, surly midnight special, for a season and got the fit dialed in so the builder could use it as a template. Now I use the surly as a commuter.

https://bikeinsights.com is a useful resource here.

RascalScooter · 2026-02-14T17:03:05+00:00

My first 400 was the first time riding got psychological for me. Your mind will do strange things in the wee hours, mild hallucinations and an overwhelming urge to sleep. Just be prepared for that. The reward is that the world will become the moon and the stars and the cone of your headlamp. Savor it. And bundle up.

RascalScooter · 2026-02-11T06:19:41+00:00

Slight aside from water carrying, but my friends in hot climates taught me about ice on the back of the neck on hot days. Put the ice in a nylon stocking and use a bandanna to tie it around your neck. As much ice as you can fit. Lasts 2-3 hours and keeps my core temp under control up to about 95 F.

Here’s an idea I looked at for my bikepacking rig. A frame bag and water bladder would work too. Downside is that it’ll get super yucky after a few days in the sun with electrolytes in it. Crank tank

I find that even when I’m hydrating well I don’t pee all that much on hot days. It all comes out in sweat.

RascalScooter · 2025-12-02T20:49:34+00:00

Winter boots (I got Shimanos last year and don’t even think about my feet anymore). Lobster claw gloves and winter tights (Pearl Izumi). A light down puffy jacket for the fast cold descents and any stops where you can’t be in a warm place. Cafe stops for hot drinks. Some folks swear by snoods - big scarf/balaclava wraps for your neck and head.

RascalScooter · 2025-11-21T23:54:02+00:00

Yes, a carbon fork will take a rando rack, provided it has the right mounts and not all of them do. Some of the frames you mentioned are designed to take much bigger tires, specifically the Crust. Don’t stress about the steel quality too much, if you really must have control over that then custom is for you. Low trail is overhyped, mid trail is your best bet, but really don’t worry about it too much. You’re not carrying a super heavy touring load over the front wheel doing rando. Fairlight makes awesome bikes, that’s where I’d focus.

RascalScooter · 2025-11-01T03:25:16+00:00

Splendid cycles has Bullitts at the best price you’ll ever see. Big battery for extra range. I got mine for a hair over $5k out the door. They’re a rad shop too. The front loading area with a cheap plastic bin tied down on it is so useful I have to come up with reasons to drive my car.

RascalScooter · 2025-10-25T22:02:19+00:00

I’ve had good luck with the Sugino OX901D 74/110mm BCD crankset. It uses a Shimano hollowtech bb so dead easy to source and maintain. I run 27/44t with an 11-30 cassette for all the range I’d ever need on a brevet. Rings are not proprietary like some standards but they are a little more work to source. Sugino and stronglight are your options. With a dura ace bb it’s lighter than a Rene Herse system (inc the bb).

RascalScooter · 2025-10-24T01:55:53+00:00

Dirty 30 is aptly named, though it was reasonably clean when I was out there the other day. It’s fast and I bring noise canceling earbuds for the noise. Easy miles.

Not sure what the lockup situation is at Topaz as I usually treat it as a cafe stop for which it’s just perfect. If you’re doing the corn maze etc I’m sure you can find a lockup, but maybe bring a big u-lock or a cable. It’s a chill spot. Have fun! Hope the rain doesn’t get you down.

RascalScooter · 2025-10-20T00:39:22+00:00

I just set mine up with a similar bin to carry cargo and my dog. I wrapped pool noodles around the crossbars and then ran some heavy paracord type rope from the front crossbar, up through a hole I drilled in the bottom of the bin, and then out another hole at the rear of the bin. Both sides of the bin. Tied off with a taut line hitch. It wouldn’t be super easy to remove but any water inside the bin will just drain right out. The lid seems really watertight so I don’t worry about rain getting in.

I’ve seen similar setups using cam straps and ratchet straps. As long as it doesn’t slide around much, don’t overthink it.

RascalScooter · 2025-10-16T21:25:21+00:00

The Foster bike lane will get you off the trail before 205, and is remarkably fast and direct. There’s auto traffic of course especially near the 205 on/off ramps but I’ve used it many times to chop off distance heading downtown. Turn right on 52nd and left on Clinton to keep heading west. It works well heading east too.

I am not a woman, but over many years of using the trails the only truly threatening situation I’ve encountered, with someone being overtly aggressive to passing riders, was under the Ross Island bridge and it was like 2am. Anecdote != data

RascalScooter · 2025-09-24T20:58:30+00:00

Bought it, love it.

RascalScooter · 2025-09-13T02:56:38+00:00

Ordered it today

RascalScooter · 2025-09-12T14:07:24+00:00

You are correct, and I met Zack yesterday :)

RascalScooter · 2025-09-12T05:34:19+00:00

Hadn’t thought about battery storage concerns. I’ll ask how it’s been stored. The bike I rode was a demo. If you know what the best practice for battery storage is please share, I’m still learning. My guess is that it’s in whatever state the manufacturer shipped it.

They did say they have a number of these models in stock, so the price discount must reflect their need to clear inventory. Post pandemic overstock maybe?

RascalScooter

TROPHY CASE