200km -- 3 October 2015 -- James Canyon RUSA# Time   Rider 6764 8:00 Bachman, Greg 7760 6:34 Baker, Chris 7:39 Benoit, Diane 10552 11:17 Chang, Marc * 6322 10:54 Dean, Robert 1471 8:55 Foley, Paul 9094 8:58 Ledru, Pascal 5692 7:36 Jones, Lloyd 6:34 Olsen, Kale 2812 8:43 Peterson, Eric ** 6:34 Ploransky, Jonathan 6:34 Rudolph, Steve 5691 9:48 Szmurlo, Len 3551 8:58 Snavely, Henry 10173 8:58 Turek, Michael   * First Brevet! ** First Colo. Randonnée! First James Canyon Brevet After Flood! Under glowering clouds, 16 starters and 14 finishers joined us for the first James Canyon 200k since the September, 2013 floods! (Yes, same situation as September's Stove Prairie route.) Repairs to James Canyon Drive from Lefthand Canyon to Jamestown this spring opened the road full time to non-residents. Our local randos gave Eric Peterson, visiting from Illinois, a warm welcome. Thanks once again to Paul Foley for collecting riders' brevet cards at the finish! - John Lee Ellis PBP'15 veterans Mike Turek, Pascal Ledru, and Paul Foley at Sandy's. Paul Foley photo Pascal and Mike enjoy sun and a bite at The Cidery in Erie. Paul Foley photo 200km -- 19 September 2015 -- Stove Prairie RUSA# Time   Rider 7:25 Benoit, Diane 1471 9:05 Foley, Paul 9962 9:05 Haugen, Timo 9053 10:03 Hilligoss, David 6:29 Horwood, Joshua 5692 6:45 Jones, Lloyd 6026 6:17 Lowe, Mark 6:43 Rudolph, Steve 3112 9:05 Rupel, Ray 3551 9:34 Snavely, Henry 10173 9:05 Turek, Michael 2993 9:05 Wiss, Dick   First Stove Prairie Brevet After Flood! Under brilliant sun, 13 starters and 12 finishers joined us for the first Stove Prairie 200k since the September, 2013 floods! Repairs to the narrow canyon part of Buckhorn Road were completed late spring, making it possible to cycle that stretch and thus reopen the Stove Prairie route. Thanks to Paul Foley for collecting riders' brevet cards at the finish! - John Lee Ellis Up the stiff climbs above Horsetooth Reservoir. Paul Foley photo Ray Rupel, Timo Haugen, Dick Wiss, and Mike Turek at Stove Prairie. Paul Foley photo 300km -- 1 August 2015 -- Peak-to-Peak RUSA# Time   Rider 5897 14:40 Cramer, Cathy 153 14:23 Ellis, John Lee ® 1471 14:40 Foley, Paul 9603 15:17 Fraser, Malcolm 9053 17:15 Hilligoss, David 9592 13:15 Hulett, Jeffrey 10581 13:13 Johnson, Kieran 5691 17:15 Smurlo, Len   ® Pre-Ride First Peak-to-Peak Turnaround in Allenspark! 9 starters and 8 finishers joined us for this year's Peak-to-Peak 300k under brilliant sun, mild temps on the Peak-to-Peak Highway, toasty temps back down on the Plains! This year we were able to ride more of the Peak-to-Peak Highway and descend St. Vrain Canyon, now in good shape after the 2013 flood. - John Lee Ellis Still green at the mouth of Coal Creek, unusual at this time of year! Still some spots of snow on Meeker Peak, unusual in a normal season! 400k/600k/1000k -- 20-June 2015 -- Poudre Canyon — 400km — RUSA# Time   Rider 7409 18:15 Albershardt, Andy 560 16:34 Bernasky, Ed ♦ 153 17:39 Ellis, John Lee 10173 17:41 Turek, Michael 17:41 Turner, Jason * 7898 17:56 Warren, Corinne * First 400k! ♦ Visitor from another region! — 600km — RUSA# 400km   Time   Rider 7760 15:08 24:50 Baker, Chris 2434 15:20 31:33 Flanigan, John 1471 17:37 35:23 Foley, Paul ® 7751 16:09 36:41 Griffith, Scott ® 9962 17:41 37:40 Haugen, Timo 10610 17:47 35:20 Nelson, David 3112 15:08 24:50 Rupel, Ray 6276 18:17 37:30 Shlachter, Jeremy 1842 15:20 31:33 Smith, Vernon 8 23:33 37:43 Springsteen, Lois ♦ 8564 20:15 38:40 Stanton, Laurie ® * First 600k! ♦ Visitor from another region! ® Pre-Ride — 1000km — RUSA# 400km   720km   Time   Rider 1679 17:47 41:15 63:25 Mangin, L. John * 9307 21:23 44:49 70:40 Maytorena, Hector *♦ * First 1000k! ♦ Visitor from another region! Toastiest Poudre Canyon Brevets Yet! 22 starters and 19 finishers enjoyed a brilliantly sunny but at times toasty triad of solstice brevets. It certainly seemed scorchingly hot at times, as the heat sapped moisture and strength. Fortunately the scenery was pretty good, with lots of lush green left over from our wet spring! A number of riders have now achieved their Super Randonneur status with this ride, and qualified for Paris-Brest-Paris. For John Mangin and Hector Maytorena, while they're both 1200k veterans (including the Colorado High Country), this was their first 1000k, putting them in line for the coveted RUSA Cup award. We were especially honored to have RUSA members #8 and #7, Lois Springsteen and her husband Bill Bryant, as Lois finished up her PBP qualification. Bill and Lois rode the first 600k I organized, to qualify for PBP'99. An extra thanks to Dave and Caroline Hilligoss, who volunteered with refreshments at Masonville, just in time for the big climbs, and Beth and Brent Myers who did the same as night fell on the 400k loop in Johnstown. With heartfelt appreciation! - John Lee Ellis Santa Cruz Randonneuse Lois Springsteen with honorary SCR rider JLE at start. Corinne Warren, David Nelson, Mike Turek, John Mangin, Timo Haugen, and Jason Turner Dave and Caroline Hilligoss at Masonville Beth and Brent Myers at Johnstown Andy Albershardt and Jeremy Shlachter in Poudre Canyon 400km -- 6 June 2015 -- St. Vrain - Lefthand RUSA# Time   Rider 7760 15:58 Baker, Chris 5897 18:44 Cramer, Cathy 153 18:30 Ellis, John Lee 2434 16:20 Flanigan, John 1471 17:37 Foley, Paul 1167 17:59 Gooch, Terri 5417 18:30 Grainger, Michelle 7751 26:03 Griffith, Scott 9592 15:58 Hulett, Jeffrey 5418 18:30 Le Goff, Steve 9094 19:07 Ledru, Pascal * 2145 21:01 Long, Beth 6026 14:35 Lowe, Mark 2129 21:01 Myers, Brent 1679 17:37 Mangin, L. John 5471 21:18 Nakamura, Tammie 17:37 Nelson, David * 15:58 Olson, Kale * 3112 15:58 Rupel, Ray 1842 17:37 Smith, Vernon 8564 26:03 Stanton, Laurie 10173 19:15 Turek, Michael 17:20 Turner, Jason   * First 400k! First St. Vrain - Lefthand Loop! 24 starters enjoyed a better-than-forecast pretty nice ride among rain-greened verdant hills and plains with only spotty showers. Riders said they liked the climb up St. Vrain Canyon and descent of Lefthand, as well as the rest of the route, even perhaps the visit to Gilcrest! A very special thanks to the energetic and dedicated volunteers who made this brevet possible: Terri Gooch who started off the riders after producing ride materials; Michelle Grainger who spearheaded last-minute organization; Corinne Warren who provided welcome support at 9,200 ft. on the Peak-to-Peak Highway; and Brent Myers and Beth Long with support, sustenance, and good cheer in Masonville! I'm sure every rider was appreciative, and I know I was. - John Lee Ellis A foggy start after a rainy spring - Mike Turek photo Mike Turek and Pascal Ledru in Masonville - Brent Myers photo Impromptu ride leader Terri Gooch, as Brent and puppy look on - Beth Long photo 300km/400k/600k -- 16 May 2015 -- Poudre Canyon — 300km — RUSA# Time   Rider 12:18 Benoit, Diane 9053 15:15 Hilligoss, David, * 7751 12:59 Griffith, Scott 3600 12:28 Koenig, Gary 10610 13:24 Nelson, David * 8694 12:56 Sendor, John 3108 13:24 Shenk, Catherine 3551 16:06 Snavely, Henry 8564 15:28 Stanton, Laurie 2307 11:24 Walsh, Bryce 12:18 White, Andy 12:18 White, Kami * First 300k!   — 400km — RUSA# Time   Rider 9720 21:19 Aldrich, Brian 1557 18:49 Brining, Doug * 9603 18:17 Fraser, Macolm 9962 18:49 Haugen, Timo 16:01 Nelsen, Eric, * ♦ 9878 21:19 Stiasny, Eric * 17:41 Turner, Jason * 2015 17:49 Wong, Felix * First 400k! ♦ Visitor from another region! — 600km — RUSA# 400k   Time   Rider 7409 21:22 35:32 Albershardt, Andy 5897 18:24 34:28 Cramer, Cathy 153 23:44 33:57 Ellis, John Lee 1167 18:17 33:57 Gooch, Terri 5417 18:17 33:57 Grainger, Michelle 9592 14:09 31:49 Hulett, Jeffrey 5418 18:17 33:57 Le Goff, Steve 9094 18:17 34:14 Ledru, Pascal * 2145 19:44 35:32 Long, Beth 6026 15:54 35:19 Lowe, Mark 2129 19:44 35:32 Myers, Brent 1679 17:49 31:24 Mangin, L. John 3112 16:54 33:57 Rupel, Ray 7898 18:17 31:46 Warren, Corinne * First 600k! Driest Poudre Canyon Weekend ... Compared to the Forecast! 35 starters and 12 finishers (300k), 8 finishers (400k), and 14 finishers (600k) enjoyed better-than-forecast weather for this triumvirate of distances for the "early bird" longer brevet weekend. As you can see, the popular distances were 300k and 600k. This is a new 300k offering, mainly as backup for PBP aspirants. It turned out to be especially useful given the previous weekend's snow, hail, and general moisture indignities on the Black Forest 300k. Despite cloudy, rainy forecasts for Saturday - after a week of soaking rains - Saturday morning was preternaturally sunny, although afternoon showers dogged some of the riders. Given recent weather, we'll take that. And again, a big commendation to all of you who braved the conditions and the distances! - John Lee Ellis Terri Gooch, Catherine Shenk, Malcolm Fraser, Michelle Grainger, and Steve Le Goff at the Masonville info control, flanked by the apparition of blue sky. PBP aspirant Pascal Ledru, finishes his first 600k! At Vern's in LaPorte Ray Rupel helps Pascal Ledru fix a puncture on Kersey Road 300km -- 9 May 2015 -- Black Forest RUSA# Time   Rider 1557 15:10 Brining, Doug * 2401 15:10 deRosset, Will 153 13:55 Ellis, John Lee 4819 11:31 Feldman, Foon 1471 11:31 Foley, Paul 9603 15:00 Fraser, Malcolm * 1167 13:55 Gooch, Terri 5417 13:55 Grainger, Michelle 9962 11:31 Haugen, Timo 9592 11:31 Hulett, Jeffrey 5418 13:55 LeGoff, Steve 9094 14:25 Ledru, Pascal 6026 14:30 Lowe, Mark 1679 14:20 Mangin, L. John 5471 19:49 Nakamura, Tammie 3112 11:31 Rupel, Ray 1842 11:31 Smith, Vernon 7898 14:55 Warren, Corinne   * First 300k! Wintriest Weather Yet on the Black Forest! 28 starters and 20 finishers joined us for this year's BF 300k. Event day bode a continuation of heavy, cold showers of the previous days, plus hailstorms, and - starting mid-afternoon in the Black Forest - heavy, wet snow. Commendations to the riders, and a special thanks to Tammie Nakamura for leading this ride, and to Corinne Warren, with the help of her husband Mark, Foon Feldman and Ray Rupel for looking for and rescuing riders! - John Lee Ellis A snowy and spectral Pikes Peak looming over the course. Corinne Warren, who pre-rode, then rescued riders on event day. 360km+ -- 2 May 2015 -- Front Range Flèche Team: Les Lanternes Rouges Distance: 369km   RUSA# Rider 7898 WARREN, Corinne D * 9094 LEDRU, Pascal * 1679 MANGIN, L John * 10610 NELSON, David Lawrence * 10173 TUREK, Michael Gerald *   * First Flèche! Southernmost Flèche Start! The 5 all-flèche-rookie members of team "Les Lanternes Rouges" enjoyed reasonable conditions, and quite a bit of hospitality on their ride, which spanned Canon City to Lyons! Corinne and her team did a great job of putting together a team and a route. The flèche is both a planning and execution challenge, and tougher, I think, than a 400k. You can see Corinne's report for more photos and details! - John Lee Ellis Artwork in Cheyenne Canyon near Colorado Springs Balanced Rock in Garden of the Gods 200km -- 25 April 2015 -- Rawhide Ramble RUSA# Time   Rider 6764 8:32 Bachman, Greg 7760 7:03 Baker, Chris ** 7:09 Benoit, Diane ** 8:01 Bogdanovic, Damjan * 1557 9:21 Brining, Doug ** 5967 8:40 Cook, Brett ** 10566 10:46 Cox, Jennifer * 6322 10:19 Dean, Bob ** 2434 7:26 Flanigan, John 9:36 Hilligoss, David 10565 10:46 Hislop, Eric * 7:09 Horwood, Josh 9592 7:03 Hulett, Jeffrey ** 8:03 LeBlanc, Todd 9094 8:09 Ledru, Pascal ** 2145 9:20 Long, Beth 1679 7:03 Mangin, L. John ** 2129 9:20 Myers, Brent 5471 9:04 Nakamura, Tammie 6:28 Nelson, Eric * 9:21 Olson, Kale * 1468 7:50 Rapp, Brian 7:35 Rosenthal, Harris ** 8945 8:43 Schabacker, Noah ** 6:28 Schaefer, Tim ** 8694 7:09 Sendor, Jon ** 3108 9:20 Shenk, Catherine 1842 7:03 Smith, Vernon ** 3551 9:40 Snavely, Henry ** 8564 9:33 Stanton, Laurie ** 10173 7:59 Turek, Michael ** 7:21 Turner, Jason 7:52 White, Andy ** 7:52 White, Kami ** 2015 7:49 Wong, Felix 9223 6:28 Zitz, Walter **   * First brevet! ** Rode both spring 200k's! Biggest Turnout Yet - Just Barely - on the Rawhide Ramble! 38 riders enjoyed mild temps - upper 40's into the 60's - and dry despite forecasts of afternoon showers. We were actually even luckier, with gushing rains in the 40's the next day, and a "wintry mix" the weekend before. A fair number of rider (19) completed both spring 200k's, and we give a hearty welcome to folks new to randonneuring! Special thanks to Tammie Nakamura for collecting the cards at the finish and looking after the riders. - John Lee Ellis Horsetooth Reservoir, between the warm-up climbs ... and the others 200km -- 11 April 2015 -- Kersey Kick RUSA# Time   Rider 7760 5:55 Baker, Chris 6:40 Beeman, Donald 6:42 Benoit, Diane 7:08 Bevan, Richard 6:39 Bodeux, Reynald 1557 6:40 Brining, Doug 5967 7:43 Cook, Brett 5897 8:04 Cramer, Cathy 6322 9:21 Dean, Bob 2900 9:15 Dick, Nathan 2949 8:32 Dumitrescu, Bogie 6379 5:55 Edwards, Billy 153 7:25 Ellis, John Lee 4819 5:55 Feldman, Foon 1471 6:41 Foley, Paul 9603 7:20 Fraser, Malcolm 7:20 Frazee, Carolyn * 1167 7:20 Gooch, Terri 5417 7:20 Grainger, Michelle 7751 7:37 Griffith, Scott 9962 6:20 Haugen, Timo 6:40 Holland, Greg 6:41 Hornick, John 6:30 Howell, Craig 9592 6:40 Hulett, Jeffrey 3555 7:18 Knoblauch, Tom 9094 6:44 Ledru, Pascal 5418 7:20 Le Goff, Steve 6026 5:55 Lowe, Mark 1679 6:40 Mangin, L. John 6:53 Nelson, David 6:48 Rosenthal, Harris 5:55 Rudolph, Steve 3112 6:41 Rupel, Ray 8945 8:05 Schabacker, Noah 5:55 Schaefer, Tim 8694 7:03 Sendor, Jon 1842 6:41 Smith, Vernon 3551 7:47 Snavely, Henry 8564 8:40 Stanton, Laurie 9878 7:56 Stiasny, Eric 8601 7:20 Thomas, George ** 10173 6:35 Turek, Michael 7898 6:40 Warren, Corinne 7:00 White, Andy 7:00 White, Kami 9223 5:55 Zitz, Walter   * First Colorado brevet! ** First 200k Randonnée! Fastest Average Speed Kersey Kick Ever? 47 riders enjoyed mild temps - upper 40's into the low 70's - with a fair amount of tailwind, under mixed overcast and sun. This is a great course for riding together if you wish, and making good time if the winds cooperate - a nice first 200k for the season. Thanks to everyone who came out, and the camaraderie that was shown. - John Lee Ellis Michelle Grainger and Carolyn Frazee with dessert choices after a Kersey burrito. Terri Gooch and George Thomas beam at the finish.   Corinne Warren with a personal best time, training for the flèche + PBP. Bogie Dumitrescu one step closer to PBP!