Well, for some reason, I received an email that I had a reply here. I guess I forgot to lock the thread or unsubscribe from it. An update might be good though.
I did in fact change rides. I picked up a recumbent and rode Ragbrai in 2011. In 2012, I rode the full brevet series which are rides that are 200-km, 300, 400 and 600. If you aren't familiar with brevets, they aren't races but you have to finish the ride by a certain time or you don't get credit for the ride. For example, I rode the 400-km (about 245 miles) in 19 hours.
I capped off the 2012 season by riding 1200-km (750-miles) in about 85.5 hours. That was from the Denver area to about halfway across Kansas ....and back. To qualify, you have to complete a full series i.e. the 200, 300, 400 and 600.
2013 was more of the same. I rode a 200, 300 and 400 but skipped the 600. I also rode a 1200 in Texas. That one was from a Dallas suburb to way west of Austin, back the east towards Houston and then back up to Dallas. 88 hours or so.
No real plans for 2014 - a bit tired of all the training but still riding...more for the fun of it.
I documented several of my rides at
http://gerryelam.wordpress.com/