Colorado 2004 Brevet Results

2004 Brevet Series in Review

				Riders
Length	Type	Route	’04 Date	2004	2003	2002	2001	2000	1999
120km	populaire	Keenesburg	4-Apr	29	x	17	-	-	-
120km	populaire	Horsetooth	11-Apr	11	28	13	-	-	-
120km	populaire	Estes Park	24-Apr	4	18	x	-	-	-
200km	brevet		2-May	53	56	39	24	16	19
24 hr	flèche		8-May	9	7	5	-	-	-
300km	brevet	Black Forest	15-May	33	50	22	19	12	16
400km	brevet		12-Jun	28	42	14	8	10	17
600km	brevet		26-Jun	21	40	10	8	5	21
1000km	brevet		12-Jun	3	3	4	1	-	-
300km	brevet	Grand Loop	10-Jul	13	8	6	3	-	-
125km	populaire	Barr Lake*	18-Jul	4	-	-	-	-	-
200km	brevet	Black Forest *	31-Jul	20	-	-	-	-	-
300km	brevet	Denver-Aspen	7-Aug	17	21	-	-	-	-
300km	brevet	Peak-to-Peak *	21-Aug	12	-	-	-	-	-
125km	populaire	Copper Triangle	11-Sep	9	x	11	-	-	-
1200km	randonnée	Last Chance	13-Sep	14	-	13	4	-	-
200km	brevet		19-Sep	15	20	12	13	-	-
125km	populaire	Apple Valley*	2-Oct	10	-	-	-	-	-
Totals				305	293	166	80	43	73

“-” = not scheduled “x” = cancelled "*" = new for 2004

Another great turnout in 2004! Thank you for coming on our rides. Hopefully they have been satisfying for you, and that 2005 will offer you further chances for personal accomplishment.

115 cyclists participated in our series of Brevets, Populaires, the Flèche, and the Last Chance 1200k (up from 99 in 2003). Of these, 96 rode brevets (up from 92 in 2003 and 56 in 2002), 7 rode populaires only, and 11 rode the Last Chance only.

Some riders came from Arizona, California, Georgia, Iowa, Tennessee, Washington on the brevets, plus California, British Columbia, Florida, Kansas, Saskatchewan, Texas, and Virginia on the Last Chance. Some highlights from this year:

New brevets - The Black Forest 200km (July) and Peak-to-Peak 300k (August).
Front Range Flèche – Three teams: Team Falcon joined Teams Prairie Dog and Pika.
The Grand Loop became a brevet, and encored as a UMCA John Marino Challenge event.
The Last Chance had its largest field, and everyone survived!
New populaires – the Airport Loop (July) and Apple Valley (October) populaires.

Special thanks to our volunteers – RMCC president Charlie Henderson, who ran the Denver-Aspen 300k and wrangled the Last Chance; Tom Foss, who handled registration and ran populaires, Val Phelps who ran populaires; Carol Garnand, out secret checkpoint; and Last Chance staff John Hughes and Dave Buzzee.

Consolidated 2004 Rider Results

Rider	RUSA No.	Total km.	Pts.	4 Apr 120k	11 Apr 120k	24 Apr 120k	2 May 200k	8 May Flèche	15 May 300k	12 Jun 400k	12 Jun 1000k	26 Jun 600k	10 Jul Gr Lp	18 Jul 120K	31 Jul 200k	7 Aug 300k	21 Aug 300k	11 Sep 125k	13 Sep 1200K	19 Sep 200k	2 Oct 120K	Town
ARANDA, Jasmine	2317	1620	16	4:50			8:20		12:26	17:15		32:27										Arvada, CO
ARCHAMBAULT, Ilka		500	5												8:29		13:28					Fort Collins, CO
BARANCZYK, Merle	410	1560	16				8:09	231		17:29		29:12										Salida, CO
BAUGH, Sam		310	3										15:26									Clinton, MO
BENNETT, Kathryne		900	9				8:15		12:35	17:45												Fort Collins, CO
BENOIT, Diane		640	6	3:35	4:18		7:34								7:20							Morrison, CO
BENSON, Gary		300	3													15:40						Denver, CO
BERG, Bruce	1349	1200	12																86:40			Berkeley, CA
BILLINGS, Marland		240	2	3:35	4:18																	Lakewood, CO
BILLINGSLEY, Ken	356	400	4				9:10													8:28		Cheyenne, WY
BOBAK, Voytek	2497	300	3													15:40						Littleton, CO
BOETHLING, Fred	1762	600	6				8:38			19:16												Boulder, CO
BONNER, Ken	894	1200	12																71:58			Victoria, BC, Canada
BOOKMAN, Ron		300	3													16:40						Evergreen, CO
BOYLE, Tom	1174	640	6	3:45	5:11		8:15								7:20							Littleton, CO
BREEDLOVE, Bob	1680	1000	10							19:45		33:42										Des Moines, IA
BREWER, Mike		200	2																	6:57		Golden, CO
BROWDER, Chris	1821	400	4							16:34												Shasta Lake, CA
BUSCH, Mike		200	2				9:40															Broomfield, CO
BUTYN, Mike		200	2												7:23							Denver, CO
BYRNE, Jason		120	1	4:15																		Longmont, CO
CARUSO, Scott		620	6	3:35					11:00						6:22							Lakewood, CO
CAVNER, Blair		200	2				9:40															Greenwood Village, CO
CHAFFEE, Carol		2245	22	3:30	4:18		6:45	308	12:17	15:35							12:00	4:57		7:07	3:53	Arvada, CO
COHEN, Phil	2647	1000	10							22:12		37:30										Augusta, GA
CROSSLAND, Ann Bond	1618	1000	10							19:45		33:42										Snowmass, CO
de ROSSET, William	2401	600	6						13:20								13:37					Fort Collins, CO
DICK, Nathan		310	3										17:24
DODGE, Tim		200	2												6:15							Denver, CO
ELLIS, John Lee	153	3470	35				7:55	224	12:34		61:27	32:20	14:59		7:23		12:05		dnf	8:12		Louisville, CO
ELMBLAD, John	1927	360	4					224														Denver, CO
ENGLER, Ed	2486	900	9				9:00		13:59	20:02												Rapid City, SD
ERICKSON, Karl		320	3																	7:10	4:37	Boulder, CO
FARNSWORTH, Rex	796	610	6										16:38			15:15						Highlands Ranch, CO
FAVREAU, Robin	1576	1620	16		5:11		8:09		12:17	18:45		35:10										Durango, CO
FLANIGAN, John	2434	1500	15				7:42		11:15	16:00		25:15										Denver, CO
FOLEY, Paul	1471	2480	25	3:35			7:18	308	12:17	16:34		30:12			7:39	14:23						Golden, CO
FOSS, Tom	2032	565	5	3:55			8:09							4:14				5:59				Wheat Ridge, CO
FOURNEY, Robert	890	500	5				6:49		10:45													Golden, CO
FROEHLICH, David		320	3	3:35											8:37							Superior, CO
GALLO, Felix B.	2643	700	7						12:17	17:04												Boulder, CO
GILLESPIE, Michael	2207	2050	20		5:11	5:59	9:38		13:52	19:13		32:27	17:24									Arvada, C
GREALISH, Chris	1060	1020	10	3:35			6:45		13:10	17:00									dnf			Boulder CO
GREGORY, Robin		245	2	3:30														4:13				Littleton, CO
GUDIS, Aimee		320	3	4:00			8:09															Centennial, CO
GUTH, John	787	1200	12																73:28			Stafford, VA
GUTH, Nancy	933	1200	12																73:28			Stafford, VA
HALL, Floyd		0	0														dnf					Castle Rock, CO
HALLAM, Eric		200	2				7:45															Monument, CO
HARRIS, Nick		125	1															6:20
HART, John		320	3	4:10			8:05															Greenwood Village, CO
HENDERSON, Charlie	6	625	6						13:39						8:44			6:26				Littleton, CO
HERZBERGER, Matt		120	1	3:30																		Lakewood, CO
HIEBERT, Doug	2298	500	5				8:15		13:49													Lakewood, CO
HIGGINS, Kerry	1003	3120	31	5:00			9:40		14:35	20:00		33:33					15:28		86:40			Lakewood, CO
HORNICK, John		120	1											3:12								Littleton, CO
HOWE, James	2313	1320	13				7:00		10:50	16:00						11:40					3:39	Lakewood, CO
HUGHES, John	46	1560	16				9:18	224		20:00		33:32	dnf									Boulder, CO
JACOBSHAGEN, Eric		200	2												8:16							Sedalia, CO
JAGODA, Jack	2251	120	1	4:50																		Englewood, CO
JETER, Lukas		510	5				11:01						16:21									Denver, CO
KALCHBRENNER, Todd	1852	1200	12																64:10			Olano, TX
KALISCH, Tim		1630	16	3:30			7:00		10:50				13:33		6:15	11:04				6:49		Denver, CO
KELLAGHER, Bill		245	2															4:20			3:39	Boulder, CO
KNOBLAUCH, Tom		2430	24	4:05			9:00		13:37	17:05		34:40	15:12		7:07	14:25						Aurora, CO
KNUTSON, Ken	1131	1200	12																84:11			Tracy, CA
KOSTNER, Barbara		200	2				7:18															Lakewood, CO
KRAYCHY, Jim		2725	27	3:30			6:45	308	12:17	15:35		24:00					12:00	4:57		6:55	3:53	Lyons, CO
KROONENBERG, Stuart	1635	1510	15				7:00		10:18				15:26		6:49		12:05			7:55		Highlands Ranch, CO
KROSNOWSKI, Audrey		120	1	3:35																		Larkspur, CO
LEO, Travis		300	3													14:23						Highlands Ranch, CO
LEWIS, Norman	1800	2480	25	4:16			8:38	231	12:44		64:19						14:57			8:12		Littleton, CO
LIEDTKE, Brian		120	1	3:35																		Golden, CO
LONG, Beth	2145	200	2				10:50															Aurora CO
MACK, Jerry	1741	1100	11				7:34		12:34	16:30					8:29							Arvada, CO
MANKE, Jason	2610	500	5				7:35		12:34													Boulder, CO
MARTIN, Leonard	661	600	6									35:45										Oak Ridge, TN
MAYER, John C.	2667	520	5	4:15			9:10								8:48							Denver, CO
McCAMMAN, Dan		120	1																		4:31	Denver, CO
McDONALD, Sargent		620	6				7:00		11:20					3:13	dnf							Arvada, CO
McLEOD, Grant		1200	12																85:27			Indian Head, SK, Canada
METCALFE, Mark	1589	1200	12																63:41			Duncanville, TX
MICHEL, Mark		120	1			5:41																Littleton, CO
MILLER, Bob		320	3	3:35											7:20							Littleton, CO
MYERS, Brent	2129	200	2				10:50															Wheat Ridge, CO
MYERS, Mike	413	1200	12																83:42			Baxter Springs, KS
MYERS, Nancy	414	1200	12																83:42			Baxter Springs, KS
NANSEL, Alan		300	3													15:15						Aurora, CO
NANSEL, Ian		300	3													14:01						Aurora, CO
NORIS, Peter	1140	120	1																		5:48	Denver, CO
OLSON-RANGITSCH, Marta	1896	2100	21				9:55		13:59	20:02												Rapid City, SD
PARELMAN, Joseph		300	3													13:00						Fairway, KS
PEARCE, James		0	0														dnf					Littleton, CO
PHELPS, Val	2299	3060	30	3:35	5:11	5:45	8:09		12:17	18:45		35:10	dnf									Aurora CO
PLONSKY, Susan		400	4							22:12												Casa Grande, AZ
PRENDERGAST, Mike		320	3				8:09							3:15								Erie, CO
RANGITSCH, Tim	1895	2100	21				9:55		13:59	20:02												Rapid City, SD
RICE, William Kelly		200	2				8:30									dnf						Arvada, CO
ROSENTHAL, Harris		325	3															4:20		6:49		Denver, CO
SHANNON, Kelly		300	3													11:40						Denver, CO
SHER, Jordan		200	2																	6:57		Denver, CO
SIMMONS, Alan		1970	19		4:18	4:23	6:45		12:00				15:13			13:50	12:00			7:19	3:52	Lyons, CO
SIMMONS, Eric	1503	1860	19					231	14:12	20:02		33:45			10:03							Colorado Springs, CO
SMITH, Vernon	1842	1620	16	3:35			7:18		12:17	16:34		30:12										Colorado Springs, CO
SNAVERLY, Henry		365	3	4:20														5:00			4:15	Aurora, CO
STRUZESKI, Kevin		300	3													16:30						Highlands Ranch, CO
STURGILL, Michael	1847	300	3														12:05					Phoenix, AZ
TOWER, J J		200	2																	8:12		Anchorage, AK
TOWER, Janice	2275	200	2																	8:12		Anchorage, AK
VAN METER, Erika	2248	2410	24						14:06			30:52	15:51									Aspen, CO
WALLACE, Dan	1555	0	0																dnf			Winter Park, FL
WERNER, Glen	341	1000	10								65:19											Englewood, CO
WITKES, Marc		1200	12																			Denver, CO
WOLF, Douglas		200	2												9:14							Denver, CO
ZEISIG, Theo		640	6	4:01	5:11		8:15													8:12		Boulder, CO

200km Brevet -- 19 September 2004 -- "Stove Prairie - Poudre Canyon - Horsetooth"

RUSA#	Time	Rider
356	8:28	Billingsley, Ken
	6:57	Brewer, Mike
	7:07	Chaffee, Carol
153	8:12	Ellis, John Lee
	7:10	Erickson, Karl*
	6:49	Kalisch, Tim
1635	7:55	Kroonenberg, Stuart
	6:55	Kraychy, Jim
1800	8:12	Lewis, Norman
	6:49	Rosenthal, Harris
	6:57	Sher, Jordan **
	7:19	Simmons, Alan
2275	8:12	Tower, Janice*
	8:12	Tower, Jonathan*
	8:12	Zeisig, Theo
		* First Colo. Brevet!
		** First Brevet!

First Clockwise Stove Prairie 200k!

Balmy weather welcomed 15 riders on the first-ever clockwise Stove Prairie 200k. A nice tailwind up Buckhorn Canyon only slightly softened the 12% to 15% grades to Stove Prairie - but riders enjoyed fresh, smooth asphalt all the way to Poudre Canyon.

Poudre Canyon wafted a refreshing breeze, and riders had a good welcome at the Columbine Lodge checkpoint in Poudre Park. Alas, after the triple climbs over Lower Horsetooth, stormy winds greeted everyone - sparing neither the faster nor the more sedate - for the final 30 miles.

We were pleased to be joined by Janice Tower and her son J. J. from Anchorage. Janice is one of ten Americans honored by the ACP with special 200km certificates, commemorating their 100,000th 200k rider, and she chose our event as her commemorative 200k.

- John Lee Ellis

Photos clockwise: E243 Ride Start (Theo Zeisig photo); Janice Tower and son JJ at Stove Prairie (John Lee Ellis photo); free range cows and riders in Buckeye Canyon (TZ photo); J and JJ Tower, J Ellis, Norm Lewis on CR 12 (TZ photo).

1200km Randonnée -- 13-16 September -- Colorado "Last Chance"

RUSA#	Orig.	Time	Rider
1349	CA	86:40	Berg, Bruce
894	BC	71:58	Bonner, Ken**
153	CO	dnf	Ellis, John Lee
1060	CO	dnf	Grealish, Chris
787	VA	73:28	Guth, John
933	VA	73:28	Guth, Nancy*
1003	CO	86:40	Higgins, Kerry***
1852	TX	64:10	Kalchbrenner, Todd*
1131	CA	84:11	Knutson, Ken
	SK	85:27	McLeod, Grant**
1589	TX	63:41	Metcalfe, Mark*
413	KS	83:42	Myers, Mike
414	KS	83:42	Myers, Nancy
1555	FL	dnf	Wallace, Dan
			* RAAM Qual. Time!
			** 2002 Veteran!
			*** First 1200k!

Hottest, coldest, windiest Last Chance yet?

On a summery, moonless night, 14 riders - our largest field yet - headed out from Boulder for an adventure on the vast plains.

Weather was pretty much par for the course: balmy breezes off the Rockies wafting the riders out, then stiff crosswinds on the plains of Colorado and Kansas. Arid conditions during the day; thunderstorms, tumbleweeds, and a tornado threat in the evening. Highs in the 90's under cloudless skies; lows dropping into the 30's the final night in Colorado.

As in years past, riders praised the smooth, quiet roads, and the friendly drivers and inhabitants. This helps to balance out the very challenging nature of this event.

This year saw our first tandem - Mike and Nancy Myers. We also had riders finish in RAAM-qualifying time - Todd Kalchbrenner, Mark Metcalfe, and Nancy Guth.

Big thanks to Dave Buzzee, former Ohio RBA, who came all the way out here to help staff the Byers bagdrop, and John Hughes, former Utah RBA, who came from north Boulder County to manage the ride start and dropbags. And ... as in 2001 and 2002, we especially owe a great deal to Charlie Henderson for the bagdrop setup, the encyclopedia of services, the rancher ambience, and the motivation behind this ride!

- John Lee Ellis

Photos left-to-right, top-to-bottom: (1) Dawn east of Oberlin, (2) Wheat west of Norton, (3) Bird City, (4) Prairie Dog State Park, (5) Idalia, CO (Todd Kalchbrenner, Nancy Guth, Chris Grealish, John Guth), (6) Charlie Henderson at Atwood bagdrop, (7) a shady spot west of Norton.

300km Brevet -- 21 August 2004 -- "Peak-to-Peak"

RUSA#	Time	Rider
	13:28	Archambault, Ilka *
	12:00	Chaffee, Carol
2401	13:37	deRosset, William
153	12:05	Ellis, John Lee
	dnf	Hall, Floyd *
1003	15:28	Higgins, Kerry
	12:00	Kraychy, Jim
1635	12:05	Kroonenberg, Stuart
1800	14:57	Lewis, Norm
	dnf	Pearce, James *
	12:00	Simmons, Alan
1847	12:05	Sturgill, Mike
		* First 300k!

First Time "Peak-to-Peak" 300k!

Coyotes howled - and not that far away, either - as the 12 starting riders climbed the Morgul-Bismark "Wall" in the 5am darkness to kick off the inaugural Peak-to-Peak 300km brevet.

This new route started up Coal Creek Canyon just before dawn, and spent nearly 50 miles on the Peak-to-Peak Highway getting to Estes Park. The previous night's rain glistened on pine needles near Pinecliffe in the morning sun. Reaching the Peak-to-Peak around 8am, riders found it delightfully quiet and not that chilly, either. And despite a boisterous mélange of clouds atop the Divide, the weather remained essentially dry and fine for the day.

RMCC club riders such as Tom Foss and Mike Prendergast were there atop the Devil's Gulch switchbacks to greet the breveteurs, and more RMCC and UMCA luminaries, including Charlie Henderson, John Hughes, Felix Gallo (with his ultra-cycling dad Victor) greeted the randonneurs-of-taste who stopped at the Glen Haven General Store for cinnamon rolls.

Ilka Archambault from Ft. Collins was going after her first 300k, as were Floyd Hall and James Pearce. Carol Chaffee and Jim Kraychy were imbedding this 300k (186.6 miles) in a 400-mile training ride for this autumn's Furnace Creek 508. The brevet drew actually four Furnace Creek veterans: Jim and Carol, plus Mike Sturgill and Stuart Kroonenberg - Stuart eschewing the benefit of drafting as a prep for riding the 508. With this brevet, this makes Alan Simmons the only cyclist to ride all four of this year's 300k's (Black Forest, Denver-Aspen, Grand Loop, and Peak-to-Peak). Mike Sturgill came all the way from Phoenix for his first Colorado event, did great, and gave it high marks.

Mike measured 10,600 ft. total climbing on the ride (almost all of it in the first half), and provided this elevation profile (flags denote checkpoints).

- John Lee Ellis

300km Brevet -- 7 August 2004 -- Joe Lookingbill Memorial Denver-Aspen

RUSA#	Time	Rider
	15:40	Benson, Gary
2497	15:40	Bobak, Voytek
	16:40	Bookman, Ron
796	15:15	Farnsworth, Rex
1471	14:23	Foley, Paul
2313	11:40	Howe, James
	11:40	Kalisch, Tim
	14:25	Knoblauch, Tom
	14:23	Leo, Travis
	14:01	Nansel, Ian *
	15:15	Nansel, Alan *
	13:0	Parelman, Joseph
	dnf	Rice, Kelly
	dnf	Schroeder, Jerome
	11:40	Shannon, Kelly
	13:50	Simmons, Alan
	16:30	Struzeski, Kevin
		* 1st Denver-Aspen!

A Grueling Denver-Aspen!

Headwinds and hail made a tough ride even tougher for the 17 riders starting this year's Joe Lookingbill Memorial Denver-Aspen 300k. The headwinds started in Littleton and persisted through Conifer, over Kenosha Pass, and up the Arkansas.

As riders summited Trout Creek Pass, a dark cloud loomed ahead. On the descent, rounding a bend in US-285, many confronted an inches-deep blanket of hail on the roadway, dangerous for cars, much less bikes.

After all this travail, the Woody Creek Tavern's warm welcome provided a comforting finale.

The D-A has settled into an aficionado event with an enthusiastic core ridership, plus some new faces, such as father and son Alan and (18-year-old) Ian Nansel.

Thanks to Charlie Henderson for leading this ride - Charlie will be providing a commentary with more juicy details.

- John Lee Ellis

200km Brevet -- 31 July 2004 -- Black Forest

RUSA#	Time	Rider
	8:29	Archambault, Ilka *
	7:20	Benoit, Diane
	7:20	Boyle, Tom
	7:23	Butyn, Mike
	6:22	Caruso, Scott
	6:15	Dodge, Tim
153	7:23	Ellis, John Lee
1471	7:39	Foley, Paul
	8:37	Froehlich, David
6	8:44	Henderson, Charlie
	8:16	Jacobshagen, Eric *
	6:15	Kalisch, Tim
	7:07	Knoblauch, Tom
1635	6:49	Kroonenberg, Stuart
1741	8:29	Mack, Jerry
	dnf	McDonald, Sargent
2667	8:48	Mayer, John C.
	7:20	Miller, Bob
1503	10:03	Simmons, Eric
	9:14	Wolf, Douglas *
		* First 200k!

First Ever July 200k!

For the 20 riders heading out on our first ever midsummer 200k, the heat and the climbing started right away. The climb from Castle Rock took in scenic Lake Gulch Road then Hwy. 83 before joining the spring 300k course to Elbert and Black Forest.

Afternoon shower-bearing clouds provided some welcome shade, and the Larkspur Renaissance Festival gave a change of pace from the route's general tranquility. More than one rider got time out for a break at the level crossing before Palmer Lake, as long coal trains inched their way up the Palmer Divide. And despite the heat, the lush greenery suggested spring rather than summer.

- John Lee Ellis

West Plum Creek Valley near Larkspur

310km Brevet -- 10 July 2004 -- The Grand Loop

RUSA#	Time	Rider
	15:26	Baugh, Sam *
	17:24	Dick, Nathan *
153	14:59	Ellis, John Lee
796	16:38	Farnsworth, Rex
2207	17:24	Gillespie, Michael *
46	dnf **	Hughes, John *
	16:21	Jeter, Lucas *
	13:33	Kalisch, Tim
	15:12	Knoblauch, Tom
1635	15:26	Kroonenberg, Stuart
2299	dnf **	Phelps, Val *
	15:13	Simmons, Alan *
2248	15:51	Van Meter, Erika *
		* First Grand Loop!
		** "Grand Crescent"

Best Counterclockwise Weather Ever!

From atop Lookout Mountain, ominous flashes of lightning greeted 13 riders as they left Golden at 3am. What kind of day lay in store??

The weather turned out to be the best ever for a counterclockwise Grand Loop. The lead riders encountered light rain at the top of Trail Ridge. All other riders had fantastic temperatures, no rain, and a fair amount of tailwind (except of course on the 5,000-foot climb up Trail Ridge road ).

Descending highway 36 into Estes Park, Rex Farnsworth nearly bagged a four point buck with his Litespeed. After losing a lot of rubber braking from 45 mph, Rex stopped less than a wheel length from the deer as it changed its mind and re-crossed the road!

More wildlife greeted the riders in Estes Park where a herd of elk lined both sides of highway 34 near the Stanley Inn (like Tour de France fans cheering us on). The good news is the elk were not interested in crossing the road.

In true randonneur spirit, Furnace Creek veteran Stuart Kroonenburg accompanied our guest, Sam Baugh, through Clear Creek Canyon's mining-town frontage roads and backwoods bikepaths.

A final observation on this excellent brevet. Thanks to CDOT, construction on the eastern side of Berthoud is nearly complete. One can enjoy this wonderful descent riding smooth asphalt shoulders completely out of the traffic. The last half mile is still under construction, but was not a problem.

Once again this year, the Grand Loop is a UMCA John Marino Competition event. JMC participants included Sam Baugh from Missouri, and locals John Lee Ellis, John Hughes, Luke Jeter, and Stuart Kroonenburg.

For the first time, it is also a RUSA domestic brevet. The Grand Loop was already a brevet-format event, so the actual event hasn't changed, but riders can now get RUSA credit.

Thanks to Wojiech, support vehicle driver, for his fine support, and Rex Farnsworth and Charlie Henderson for the event arrangements!

- John Lee Ellis and Rex Farnsworth Grand Loop article on the UMCA website

Wojiech (Fall River Pass)

De Rosa (Fall River Pass)

Sam Baugh and Stuart Kroonenberg

600km Brevet -- 26-27 June 2004 -- St. Vrain Canyon - Devil's Gulch - Kersey

RUSA#	Time	Rider
2317	32:27	Aranda, Jasmine **
410	29:12	Baranczyk, Merle
	dnf	Bennett, Kathryne
1680	33:42	Breedlove, Bob
2647	37:30	Cohen, Phil **
1618	33:42	Crossland, Ann
153	32:20	Ellis, John Lee
1576	35:10	Favreau, Robin **
2434	25:15	Flanigan, John **
1471	30:12	Foley, Paul
2207	32:27	Gillespie, Michael **
2643	dnf	Gallo, Felix
1003	33:33	Higgins, Kerry **
46	33:32	Hughes, John
	34:40	Knoblauch, Tom **
	24:00	Kraychy, Jim
661	35:45	Martin, Leonard *
2299	35:10	Phelps, Val **
1503	35:45	Simmons, Eric
1842	30:12	Smith, Vernon
2248	30:52	Van Meter, Erika
		* New to brevet series!
		** First 600k!

Coolest 600k Yet!

The 21 starters got another dose of the 400k's cool, showery weather. On the plus side, they enjoyed a refreshing, moist tailwind up St. Vrain Canyon all the way to Meeker Park.

Glen Haven boasted a double treat - a secret checkpoint, graciously staffed once again by Carol Garnand, in addition to the highly esteemed cinnamon rolls at the Glen Haven Store!

Riders - some fortified by homemade breakfast burritos in Kersey - praised the now-quieter, countrified second loop, featuring Kersey Road to Hudson, then rural county roads west to Erie.

From out of state, we welcome Leonard Martin from Tennessee, plus 400k veterans Bob Breedlove from Iowa and Phil Cohen from Augusta. Phil showed great persistence once again, journeying from his flat, sultry Georgia climate to finish this chilly, showery, and in places mountainous brevet!

- John Lee Ellis

1000km Brevet -- 12-14 June 2004 -- Lefthand Canyon - Ft. Morgan - Devil's Gulch

RUSA#	Time	Rider
153	61:27	Ellis, John Lee
1800	64:19	Lewis, Norman *
341	65:19	Werner, Glen *
		* First 1000k!

Another Tornado-Free 1000k!

A pause in the recent pattern of thunderstorms, golfball-sized hail, and tornadoes on the Eastern Plains made for a great excursion for these 3 riders. They had plenty of company on the 400k loop (shared with the 400k brevet), a "tranquil" second day to Fort Morgan, the foot-high wheat offering greenery but not much wind protection, and a cool, refreshing climb up Big Thompson Canyon, followed by cinnamon rolls at Glen Haven, to make sure these were up to snuff for the 600k riders in a couple of weeks.

With the 1000k and Paris-Brest-Paris 2003 in their pocket, Norm Lewis and Glen Werner are now poised for their Randonneur 5000 award!

- John Lee Ellis

400km Brevet -- 12 June 2004 -- Lefthand Canyon - Carter Lake - Horsetooth

RUSA#	Time	Rider
2317	17:15	Aranda, Jasmine
410	17:29	Baranczyk, Merle
	17:45	Bennett, Kathryne
1762	19:16	Boethling, Fred
1680	19:45	Breedlove, Bob
1821	16:34	Browder, Chris
	15:35	Chaffee, Carol
2647	22:12	Cohen, Phil
1618	19:45	Crossland, Ann
2401	23:00	deRosset, William **
2486	20:02	Engler, Ed
1576	18:45	Favreau, Robin
2434	16:00	Flanigan, John
1471	16:34	Foley, Paul
2643	17:04	Gallo, Felix
2207	19:13	Gillespie, Michael
1060	17:00	Grealish, Chris
1003	20:00	Higgins, Kerry
2313	16:00	Howe, James
46	20:00	Hughes, John
	17:05	Knoblauch, Tom
	15:35	Kraychy, Jim
1741	16:30	Mack, Jerry
2299	18:45	Phelps, Val
991	22:12	Plonsky, Susan
1895	20:02	Rangitsch, Tim
1896	20:02	Olson-Rangitsch, Marta
1503	20:02	Simmons, Eric
1842	16:34	Smith, Vernon
		* New to brevet series!
		** First 400k

Chilliest Front-Range 400k Yet!

A healthy turnout of 28 riders made for an enjoyable 400k. Weather was mild - in the 70's - punctuated by a few showers, perhaps the coolest temps on a 400k since the North Park 400's.

Out-of-state riders included RAAM/UMCA luminary Bob Breedlove from Iowa, new Arizona RBA Susan Plonsky from Casa Grande, and BMB-aspirant Phil Cohen from Augusta (and of course Tim and Marta Rangitsch and Ed Engler from Rapid City SD).

Bob Fourney showed up on the 400k route in his faired HPV. He wasn't riding the entire brevet because he was "tapering" for racing on an HPV team in RAAM a week hence.

We especially thank Carol Garnand for staffing a secret checkpoint on the Peak-to-Peak Highway (jct. routes 7 and 72) - the snacks were a real hit with the riders, plus a chance to catch your breath for a moment.

(Photos to follow!)

- John Lee Ellis

300km Brevet -- 15 May 2004 -- Chatfield - Black Forest

RUSA#	Time	Rider
2317	12:26	Aranda, Jasmine
	12:35	Bennett, Kathryne
	11:00	Caruso, Scott *
	12:17	Chaffee, Carol
2401	13:20	deRosset, William *
153	12:34	Ellis, John Lee
2486	13:59	Engler, Ed
1576	12:17	Favreau, Robin
2434	11:15	Flanigan, John
1471	12:17	Foley, Paul
890	10:45	Fourney, Bob
2643	12:17	Gallo, Felix
2207	13:52	Gillespie, Michael
1060	13:10	Grealish, Chris
6	13:39	Henderson, Charlie
2298	13:49	Hiebert, Doug
1003	14:35	Higgins, Kerry
2313	10:50	Howe, James
	dnf	Jeter, Lukas
	10:50	Kalisch, Tim
	13:37	Knoblauch, Tom
	12:17	Kraychy, Jim
1635	10:18	Kroonenberg, Stuart
1800	12:44	Lewis, Norman
1741	12:34	Mack, Jerry
2610	12:34	Manke, Jason
	11:20	McDonald, Sargent
2299	12:17	Phelps, Val
1895	13:59	Rangitsch, Tim
1896	13:59	Olson-Rangitsch, Marta
	12:00	Simmons, Alan
1503	14:12	Simmons, Eric
1842	12:17	Smith, Vernon
2248	14:06	Van Meter, Erika
		* New to brevet series!

Chilliest 300k Yet?

A couple days after a spring snow, 33 riders started on this year’s 300km. As day dawned somewhere close to Sedalia, the frost on cars and fenceposts was a sign that temps were still on the cool side. It made for a “refreshing” ride.

Winds came up and skies darkened mid-ride, in the Black Forest area. Snowcovered Pike's Peak shown a baleful light across the landscape, but aside from a sprinkle of rain and sleet, riders, though wind-buffeted, stayed dry, and enjoyed a talewind most of the way back from Palmer Lake.

- John Lee Ellis

Pikes Peak outbound ...

Pikes Peak return.

Flèche -- 8 May 2004 -- Colorado Front Range Flèche

Team Prairie Dog - 224 Miles

1927	Elmblad, John *
153	Ellis, John Lee (captain)
46	Hughes, John

Team Pika - 308 Miles

	Chaffee, Carol *
1471	Foley, Paul (captain)
	Kraychy, Jim *

Team Falcon - 231 Miles

410	Baranczyk, Merle *
1800	Lewis, Norman *
1503	Simmons, Eric (captain) *

* First flèche!

Biggest Flèche Yet!

Under fine, mild weather conditions, 3 flèche teams took to the field, one more than in 2003 and two more than in 2002.

The teams' routes were quite distinct in character. Team Prairie Dog used a variant of past years' foothills-hugging routes. Team Pika did some altitude work, up Lefthand Canyon to the Peak-to-Peak Highway, then forayed far out onto the Plains - they get the awards both for max altitude and max distance! Team Falcon started near Falcon (east of Colorado Springs), and rode an almost exclusively deep Plains route through Limon, Last Chance, and Fort Morgan - they get the award for fewest trees.

The Pikas and Prairie Dogs crossed paths at Glen Haven, and while glad to see each other, were disappointed to miss the cinnamon rolls that had drawn them - as the Glen Haven Store was not yet open for the season. The Falcons and Prairie Dogs shared a common destination and finishing time (8am at Superior) and so enjoyed a celebratory breakfast together.

The Pikas and Prairie Dogs had shared a concern that the falcon is a raptor, but in the end, all riders finished unscathed - prey and predator alike!

- John Lee Ellis


Falcons	Pikas	Prairie Dogs

200km Brevet -- 2 May 2004 -- Horsetooth - Poudre Canyon - Stove Prairie

RUSA#	Time	Rider
2317	8:20	Aranda, Jasmine
410	8:09	Baranczyk, Merle
	8:15	Bennett, Kathryne
	7:34	Benoit, Diane *
356	9:10	Billingsley, Ken
1762	8:38	Boethling, Fred
	8:15	Boyle, Tom
	9:40	Busch, Mike *
	9:40	Cavner, Blair *
	6:45	Chaffee, Carol
153	7:55	Ellis, John Lee
2486	9:00	Engler, Ed
1576	8:09	Favreau, Robin
2434	7:42	Flanigan, John
1471	7:18	Foley, Paul
2032	8:09	Foss, Tom
890	6:49	Fourney, Bob
2643	dnf	Gallo, Felix
2207	9:38	Gillespie, Mike
1060	6:45	Grealish, Chris
	8:09	Gudis, Aimee *
	7:45	Hallam, Eric *
	8:05	Hart, John *
2298	8:15	Hiebert, Doug
1003	9:40	Higgins, Kerry
2313	7:00	Howe, James
46	9:18	Hughes, John
	11:01	Jeter, Lukas
	7:00	Kalisch, Tim
	9:00	Knoblauch, Tom
	7:18	Kostner, Barbara *
	6:45	Kraychy, Jim
1635	7:00	Kroonenberg, Stuart
1800	8:38	Lewis, Norman
2145	10:50	Long, Beth
1741	7:34	Mack, Jerry
2610	7:35	Manke, Jason *
	9:10	Mayer, John C. *
	7:00	McDonald, Sargent
2129	10:50	Myers, Brent
2299	8:09	Phelps, Val
	8:09	Prendergast, Mike
1895	9:55	Rangitsch, Tim
1896	9:55	Olson-Rangitsch, Marta
	8:30	Rice, Kelly
	6:45	Simmons, Alan
1842	7:18	Smith, Vernon
	8:15	Zeisig, Theo *
		* New to brevet series!

Toughest 200k Yet?

Under sunny skies, a lush, green landscape and mild temps welcomed 53 riders on the first brevet of the season. This was comparable to last year’s high ridership, and most everyone had a great time. John Hughes praised the scenic value and rural quietude of 122 miles of the course, the balance (three miles) consisting of the 12%-15% grade to Stove Prairie, which got everyone’s attention. So did the over-6,000-ft. elevation gain.

This is the first time in a couple of years that we could use the Stove Prairie Road and the first time to throw in the Horsetooth Centennial Road to boot. After the stiff climb, riders especially enjoyed the 10 miles of new, smooth asphalt on the descent to Masonville.

Two tandems and one HPV were in the rider mix, including tandem team Tim and Marta Rangitsch for their second brevet season from Rapid City SD (along with their friend Ed Engler), and Bob Fourney in his faired recumbent, for which he said this hilly course was not optimal, but which did not keep him from posting his usual fast time.

How much does finishing time tell? Luke Jeter came in at 11h1m … but that included an "intermission" to bike over to a time trial in Hygiene, race that, then bike back to the brevet route and finish the brevet!

RMCC president Charlie Henderson graced the ride start in jeans, as he’d gotten back the night before from race training in Mallorca, and was kind enough to see come see us off.

- John Lee Ellis

Robin Favreau, Val Phelps, Mike Prendergast, and John Hart at the summit

Before the dive into Masonville ...


Wojiech (Fall River Pass)	De Rosa (Fall River Pass)	Sam Baugh and Stuart Kroonenberg