RMCC Challenge Series Frequently Asked Questions

What is the new Challenge Series and why was it created?

     The “new” RMCC Challenge Series is actually a resurrection of the more competitive way RMCC used to conduct some of our rides--a competitive style open-road timed event with official recognition of the fastest finishers. There has been a decrease in the number of amateur long distance competitive road events available to riders in Colorado over the past few years. Returning the Challenge Series to this style of event offers more riding options to existing members and will attract new riders to the club.
     Challenge Series events were made a separate program from the Brevet Series to preserve the integrity of Brevet events, which are structurally non-competitive. Additionally, it is important to maintain the brevet series since those events are needed to qualify for various awards and for 1200K events such as PBP.
      RMCC has effectively added a third category of rides to our schedule: As before, the core is our weekly-ride schedule for intermediate to advanced riders. The Colorado Brevet Series exists for riders interested in long to ultra distance type riding, and now the RMCC Challenge Series steps in for riders interested in competitive-type events.

The Brevet series used to be called the Challenge Series. Does this mean we aren't doing brevets any longer? Do we now have 2 series because some people got mad at one another?

     Rest assured--we are still doing brevets (and a lot of them)! A few years ago, the “Challenge Series” moniker began to be applied to the Colorado Brevet Series, partly because the terms “Brevet” and “randonneuring” were unknown to the majority of cyclists, and we saw the term “Challenge Series” as being more helpful from a marketing perspective.
     The new series was not created because people got mad at each other. John Lee Ellis, who is the Regional Brevet Administrator and an RMCC Board member, has offered invaluable assistance in getting the new series up and going. The goal is to offer a broader range of events to satisfy both competitive and non-competitive interets.
     RMCC will continue offering its extensive line-up of Brevets, with a few slight changes: Two 300k events--Denver to Aspen and the Grand Loop 300k brevets were moved to be included in the Colorado Triple Crown, part of the Challenge Series. In the past, these were actually stand-alone events and were only classified as brevets a few years ago. All the other Brevets are still offered as part of the Colorado Brevet Series.
     The downside of any confusion over this restructuring is hopefully offset by the elimination of using two names for the Brevet Series, which will simply be called the Colorado Brevet Series from now on. The RMCC Challenge Series will now be how we offer competitive events.
     Do note that the brevets will continue to be non-competitive in nature. The overall impact of the addition of competitive events on the nature of the club remains to be seen. As the year goes on, we look forward to hearing your input on whether the new series is an overal plus for the club!

In the past, Charlie has always emphasized that RMCC events are not races. How did you get this Challenge Series concept by him?

Charlie Henderson, our longtime President, has always emphasized the non-competitive nature our our rides, brevets, and tours to encourage people to try new events and to reduce any possible intimidation factor. However, Charlie was a driving force in creating the Challenge Series because of the demand among many for more competitive type events. So, you can disregard any rumors you may hear that Charlie has been abducted by aliens and brainwashed!

In the past I have done events that are now part of separate series (e.g. the Grand Loop is a Challenge Series event and the 400K is part of the Brevet Series). Does this impact me in any way?

     There are some, fairly limited, impacts:
     --You can’t ride the Triple Crown’s Grand Loop or Denver-Aspen for brevet credit. However, a Grand Loop route Permanent has been approved by RUSA, so Brevet credit is available for riding the Grand Loop course.
     --You can’t ride both the RMCC 1-2-3 200k event and 200km ACP Brevet on May 2, since the 1-2-3 scheduled its 200k on the same date as the brevet. But there are other 200km brevets in the season. There are no other scheduling conflicts.
     --You can’t ride the Keenesburg route as a Populaire, since it was “donated” to the RMCC 1-2-3 as its 100k ride. But there are still three other spring Populaires.
     --It may be a “challenge” to ride a full slate of Brevet Series and Challenge Series events in terms of recovering between events. However, great care has been taken to avoid actual scheduling conflicts (except for the May 2 situation).

Do I get credit for any of the Randonneuring awards (UMCA mileage challenge, completion of a brevet series etc) by doing the challenge series events?

--UMCA Year-Rounder Challenge: yes (it’s not a randonneuring-specific program).
--Randonneuring credit: No--that includes qualifying for other randonnées such as 1200k’s.

I just like to ride to finish (i.e. I'm not very fast). Can I still do the Challenge Series events like the 1-2-3, or are those really for racers only?

     The Challenge Series events are not formal races. All are welcome to participate in any of the Challenge Series events as long as you are a club member. If you are new to competitive riding, these events might be an excellent way to gain experience without having to find a team to join. Some will ride to reach a personal best time; others will ride to try something new, because they like the route, or just for the training. And, of course, some will ride to best the competition!
     If rides like Joe Lookingbill Denver to Aspen Classic, the Colorado Death Ride, the Copper Triangle, etc. are goals for you, you are welcome to ride them as you see fit, and have the satisfaction of finishing. Plus, earning the Triple Crown award is not based on competitive criteria--you just have to finish.
     While the Challenge Series is emphasising competition somewhat more (the brevet series is explicitly non-competitive), both types of events have been created to be challenging on a personal level. There will be as many different goals as there are riders. Ultimately, you can make of the Challenge Series whatever you want!

On brevets you've always promoted supporting yourself. Is that true with the Challenge Series? Can I have a support vehicle?

     When riding brevets, support is only allowed at designated checkpoints. See the brevet rules for more details.
     The same general rules apply to the Triple Crown events (Denver-Aspen, Grand Loop, Death Ride)--you can have a support vehicle, but they can only meet you at designated checkpoints. "Handoffs" from moving vehicles are not allowed both for safety reasons and to maintain a level playing field for those who do not have an assistant available.
     On The Colorado 1-2-3, no support vehicles of any kind are allowed as we would expect that riders are able to support themselves on rides of this length.
     Complete rules for the Challenge Series will be posted soon.

How do I sign-up for both Brevets and Challenge Series events?

You sign up for brevets as you always have: a) Using the sign-up insert card that is sent out with the ride program calendar in late January; b) The application form on the web (will be posted soon); or c) an e-mail to John Lee Ellis
You can sign up for Challenge Series events by using the insert that will be in the ride program calendar that will go out in late January. Sign-up options will also be available on the website. Again, check back for more details on this.