Randonneurs USA

Colorado Last Chance 1200km Randonnée
"Venture to Kansas"
Rocky Mountain Cycling Club
Randonneurs USA & Randonneurs Mondiaux

Rocky Mountain Cycling Club
Application Form  -  2006 Info-for-Riders  -  Brevet Rules  -  Colorado Brevets 

2008 News!
  • Last Chance jersey and vest offered this year - see application form!
Dates: September 10-13, 2008, Wednesday-Saturday
Start Time: Sign-in 2:00am, Depart 3:00am
Fee: Estimated: US$150 (discount for RMCC members: $15) - includes bag drops, Randonneurs Mondiaux medal foreign currency options
Entry Deadline: August 15, 2008
Qualification: In the twelve months preceding the event, either a full brevet series (200km, 300km, 400km, 600km), or a 1000km brevet, or a 1200km randonnée (e.g., Paris-Brest-Paris, Cascade 1200, or the Rocky Mountain 1200 ... or any other 1200k sanctioned by the Randonneurs Mondiaux or ACP) 
Rider Limit: Due to the nature of the event and the geography, we are imposing a 30 rider limit on the combined 1200k and 1000k field. Rider placement is on a first-come basis to those sending in their full fee, even pending qualification.
1000km Option: Route is the first 1000km of the full route; fee is the same as for the full 1200k; rider cap shared with 1200k.
Jersey: Last Chance short-sleeve jersey available for order (price: $69) - sleeveless jersey and vest also available. Last Chance jersey at PBP'07
UMCA & RAAM : Last Chance 2006 was a John Marino Challenge (JMC) event. Riders may also use the Last Chance to qualify for the
Race Across AMerica (RAAM).
American Randonneur Challenge The Last Chance is a RUSA American Randonneur Challenge event along with the aforementioned US 1200k events.

The Route – The route is an out-and-back from Boulder, Colorado, at the foot of the Colorado Front Range, across the Colorado eastern plains and into the western part of Kansas. The climbing comes in 50 and 100 foot hills throughout the course, making the course more akin to Paris-Brest-Paris (but with more yucca plants and fewer trees) than to Boston-Montréal-Boston. The many short hills – in lieu of extended climbs – plus the fact that wind is always a factor in this terrain – encourage riding together and the camaraderie this brings.

Support, Logistics, and Checkpoints – We are able to offer limited support, which should include a roving event vehicle, to provide assistance where needed. There will be 2-3 bag drops coordinated with checkpoints and reasonable daily mileage. Personal support vehicles are permitted, and (because there are very few roads in this region) these vehicles may follow the event route. However, they are allowed to meet and help riders only at the official checkpoints, except in case of emergency. Checkpoints will be establishments (stores, hotels) along the route, not staffed by event officials. Meals are not inclusive, but will be available for purchase at the establishments in the checkpoint towns.

Stages and Accommodation – As much of the route is sparsely populated, we recommend certain stage lengths, with limited night riding. In 2008, the stages are 251, 219, 180, and 103 miles, respectively. At those points, riders can find food and lodging, which are coordinated with the bag-drops and checkpoints. Those going for a faster time - for example, participants in the John Marino Competition or attempting to qualify for RAAM - can make use of the bagdrops, but will need to ride longer stages.

Weather – September traditionally offers tranquil weather in Colorado with mild temperatures. Danger of tornadoes, thunderstorms, lightning, hail, snow, and high (chinook) winds are low. Mean daily temperature range for the Front Range at this time are 48°F to 77°F (9°C to 25°C). However, it is common to encounter highs in the 90's as you descend into Kansas, and in 2004, temps dipped into the upper 30's the final night in Colorado.

Terrain – The route is rolling to strongly rolling, characterized by wide expanses and areas with few trees. Agriculture, grazing land, and cactus-populated sandhills predominate in eastern Colorado, dryland crops in Kansas. The route offers a vista of the Rocky Mountain Front Range. Maximum altitude is 5600 ft., comparable to the Blue Ridge Parkway at the Mt. Mitchell road – hence, no altitude impediment for riders coming from lower elevations.

Traffic – Traffic on most of the course is moderate to very low. This country is sparsely populated, I-70 and I-76 drawing away the bulk of through traffic, leaving our route relatively quiet. Highways near the more populated region near Boulder have full, rideable shoulders.

Qualifying – To qualify, riders may complete, in the twelve months preceding the event, a full brevet series, or a 1000km brevet, or a 1200km randonnée (for example, Boston-Montréal-Boston or the Cascade 1200), or submit a résumé to the Event Organizer for consideration.  A "full brevet series" consists of 200km, 300km, 400km, and 600km ACP or RUSA-sanctioned brevets. For any of these, the rider may substitute a brevet of greater distance (for example, a 500km RUSA brevet for the 400km requirement).  RUSA Permanents may be substituted for the 200k, 300k, or 400k requirement if there is no brevet series local to the rider, or for other extenuating circumstances - consult the Event Organizer. Qualifying events do not need to be ridden in order of increasing distance.  Local riders may wish to consider the Colorado Brevets.

Registering  – Our registration and refund policies are designed to let those most serious and committed to riding the Last Chance make plans with more confidence, while letting others express interest. You may express interest by mailing the Brevet Series Application form e-mailing the Event Organizer. You may reserve a space within the rider limit by mailing a Last Chance Application form together with full payment, whether or not you have yet qualified. IMPORTANT - If you have not yet qualified, note so on the form, and send in a second form listing your qualifying rides as soon as you have qualified.  

Refunds   – Cancellations prior to August 1: full refund minus $10. From August 1-31: 50% refund. In September: 25% refund. Again, our policy is designed to encourage you to ride if you can, and if you find you can't, free up the limited space for other riders who would like to.

Foreign Payment – If you are living outside the US, we especially appreciate your interest in the Last Chance!  You may send a payment (check or money order) in US dollars, or you may send a check in a foreign currency for the equivalent amount at current exchange rates for the fee you have selected plus the equivalent of US$10 - that is what the bank will charge us to cash your check. That is the most economical solution we have found. Example: Paying a $150 entry fee in Canadian dollars would be (US$150 + US$10) x 1.22 = a check for $195.20 Canadian.

On-Line Payment – You may also pay on-line for event fee, RMCC membership, and Last Chance jersey. (Scroll down the page to find Last Chance.) A processing fee will be added (approximately 6%) but no currency-conversion fee.

Contacts – For more info, contact John Lee Ellis, Colorado Regional Brevet Administrator.

Ultra-Marathon Cycling Association
  • The 2006 Last Chance is honored to be a John Marino Challenge (JMC) event worth 4 difficulty points. JMC competitors must be members of the UMCA to count their events in the challenge.
  • Riders may use the the Last Chance to qualify for the Race Across AMerica (RAAM). To do so, the rider must (a) be a member of the UMCA, (b) declare his/her intention in advance to use the Last Chance to attempt to qualify for RAAM, and (c) finish within age/gender division time limits.
Ultra-Marathon Cycling Association