Is it bling or are they trinkets? My kids give me such a hard time for buying randonneuring medals, you wouldn't believe it. They always smirk and giggle when one arrives in the mail. "How much did you pay for that one, pops?" Since rando events are so lean, the finishers medals are generally not included in the registration, so if you want a medal, $8.50 it is. It wasn't until recently that my kids got the point that one needs to actually finish an event to be eligible for a medal in the first place. In an age when people get awards just for showing up, I understand their cynicism, but these medals mean more to me they think.
I don't typically buy medals to acknowledge all of the rides I complete. On the contrary, I only have three sets of medals, each from a different commemorative year denoting something special in my randonneuring life. ACP unveils a new design with each edition of Paris-Brest-Paris, so medals change every four years. I earned my first set of medals (from the 2004 - 2007 collection) in 2007 during my first year of randonneuring. The next set I purchased in 2010 to mark my fastest brevet series to date when I finished three out of four brevets within 60% of the allowable time. The third set (above) I purchased this year to commemorate my first successful brevet series following my accident. Unsure that I could still cycle for 400 or 600 kilometers straight when I began the season, these medals remind me that I am back in action and able to ride long distances without pain or suffering.
I only buy medals for the things I feel are real accomplishments. I probably should have for my first 200K, but so far the only one I've bought was for my SR series in 2010. The next possible one I can see would be for the R12 I'm partway into now.
ReplyDeleteYeah, they're trinkets, but...
Good strategy, Keith. Best of luck on that R-12! Since they only send R-12 medals quarterly, I'm still waiting on mine having completed my first in June. I skipped July and am two moths into a possible second run. I think the only window of opportunity in this very busy month is next weekend, so we'll see. My son "becomes a man" at the end of the month so it's all hands on deck around here.
ReplyDeleteI think it's awesome that you bought a set of the ACP brevet medals to commemorate your return to randonneuring. It's a huge accomplishment!!
ReplyDeleteI always tease about how we have to buy our own medals, BUT I buy one set of the SR medals every four years, when the new ACP medals are issued. I think riding the series is something to celebrate and generally they are nice-looking medals. I have them up on my bulletin board at work to remind me of good weekend rides gone by.
Thanks, MG! Sounds like we have a similar strategy. I do like the ACP medals quite a lot.
ReplyDeleteTrinkets, but dam good trinkets. Yes we do have to buy them but so much goes into one, they are worth it!
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more, Bob. And I do prefer the quality of the ACP medals to the RUSA distance medals. These have real heft and the designs are first rate.
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