The New Jersey Randonneurs designed a tough 1200K route with the usual 90 hour running clock time limit from the 'burbs of New York City to the Canadian border and back. Lots of car traffic, though I usually had a shoulder to keep me safe. Still had to listen to a seemingly non-stop buzz in my left ear for too much of the ride. Saw some pretty country in upstate New York, Vermont, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. Had fun riding solo for 80% of the ride, though I did spend some random bits of time with others. Even had a trail angel hand me a Heady Topper (special Vermont beer) at 8:30 AM on the third morning. Can't turn down kismet like that! What was neat was that we had a pro female gravel racer on the ride. She blew past me every morning at around 7 AM and finished each day six hours before me. Definitely put things in perspective! I'm a strong rider, but there are multiple levels above me for sure. (I averaged 14 mph moving speed for the full distance, she averaged 20 mph! 54 hours riding time vs 38 hours riding time.)