Let's talk about riding bicycles for a minute.

Wikipedia's article on Paul de Vivie is a worthy read. Of special note is his "code for the wise cyclist":

1. Keep your stops short and few.
2. Eat before you're hungry, drink before you're thirsty.
3. Never get too tired to eat or sleep.
4. Add a layer before you're cold, take one off before you're hot.
5. Lay off wine, meat and tobacco on tour.
6. Ride within yourself, especially in the first hour.
7. Never show off.
—Velocio

Which is a pretty interesting interpretation of the original French.

1- Haltes rares et courtes, afin de ne pas laisser tomber la pression.
2- Repas légers et fréquents : manger avant d'avoir faim, boire avant d'avoir soif.
3- Ne jamais aller jusqu'à la fatigue anormale qui se traduit par le manque d'appétit et de sommeil.
4- Se couvrir avant d'avoir froid, se découvrir avant d'avoir chaud et ne pas craindre d'exposer l'épiderme au soleil, à l'air, à l'eau.
5- Rayer de l'alimentation, au moins en cours de route, le vin, la viande et le tabac.
6- Ne jamais forcer, rester en dedans de ses moyens, surtout pendant les premières heures où l'on est tenté de se dépenser trop parce qu'on se sent plein de forces.
7- Ne jamais pédaler par amour-propre.

These resonate deeply, the only amendment I would make is an eighth: 8. Always carry front and rear blinkies. Since I was home sick from work all day, I've had hours to pour over the randonneuring content available online. It's mental preparation for a fine mixed-on/offroad randonne tomorrow, masquerading in name as the East Bay Allez! CX.

Back when Andrew, Howard, John and I rode most of the Tour of Woodside route as an all-day century thing, the lights played a vital point. Descending Crystal Springs in the dark, two of the four of us running the most minimal lighting, was a fright. My blinkies are always on the bike now.

Then there's a quote from Henri Desgrange, early organizer of the Tour de France, regarding the use of derailleurs.

I applaud this test, but I still feel that variable gears are only for people over 45. Isn't it better to triumph by the strength of your muscles than by the artifice of a derailleur? We are getting soft. Come on fellows. Let's say that the test was a fine demonstration - for our grandparents! As for me, give me a fixed gear!