Last Chance Rider Update #3

Last Chance Rider Update #3

Updates - I have had a chance to update:

the route map and cue sheet, with updated checkpoint times and support points.
rider info, including motels at Phillipsburg and Keenesburg.

Check-In and Inspection

Check-In and Inspection will be 4pm-5:30pm on Tuesday 12 September at the Comfort Inn. You will need to show your bike’s lighting system and reflective gear, and your reflective gear .
I will hand out the rider packets including brevet card, Kensington postcard, printouts of map, cue sheet, and rider info, plus dropbag tags for Atwood and Byers, helmet number, and frame number.
After inspection, you may wish to join other riders for dinner at a neighboring restaurant: we recommend Carrabbas, where we will have our après-finish meal.

Ride Start

Sign in between 2am-2:30am at the Comfort Inn. We will try to arrange a motel-provided self-service breakfast.
Deposit your Drop-Bags in Atwood and Byers piles, respectively.

En Route

Atwood - We have tried to provide room for every applicable rider (exception riders know who they are). In some cases, this may be a bed in the motel; in a few cases, floor space in a room. Please follow the directions of the staff when you arrive.
Kensington – Mail your turnaround-point postcard, noting time of passage, at the Kensington post office.
Unstaffed Checkpoints – For checkpoints not a “Personal Checkpoint” that have no Last Chance staff, have any store clerk note your time of passage and initial the card or, if during the night when all establishments are closed, note your own time and initials.
Atwood and Byers Sign-In/Out – When you arrive in Atwood and Byers, sign in on the sheet provided. Then remember also to sign out when you leave, whether your stay is half an hour or overnight. This allows us to track rider progress and post it on the website. If the staff personnel are asleep or otherwise unavailable, you may record your time of arrival on your brevet card yourself, but in any case record your arrival/departure on the sign-in/out sheet.

Ride Finish

As in years past, the “pre-finish check-in” is at my house (noted on cue sheet). During daylight hours it should be staffed all the time. During nighttime hours, Buster the Dog may announce your arrival. Please be sure your time of arrival is noted on your card and that you leave your card in the receptical provided. This allows us to keep close track of finishers, and post rider progress on the web.
Drop Bags will be available starting Saturday afternoon at the Comfort Inn.

Personal Support

A reminder about the rules for personal support (chiefly to support individuals, especially if they have not supported on a randonnée in the past):

The rider may receive support only at checkpoints and support points (SP on map).
The support vehicle may travel the route, rather than taking alternate roads, but is not to follow, leapfrog, or generally stay in the proximity of the rider.
SAFETY FIRST - Exception to the above is a genuine emergency or safety situation (such as a tornado). In that case, support may render assistance, but must also be prepared to render assistance to other riders in need of it.

We know that you will be concerned about your rider, full of enthusiasm, and quite possibly bored in those quiet intervening hours, but please practice restraint and stay within the rules – otherwise your rider could be penalized.

Après-Finish Dinner

As in years past, we are arranging reservations at Carrabbas Italian Grill, in the next block north of the motel, starting 7pm on Saturday. We will try to have enough seating for everyone. Attendees pay their own way.

Last Chance Jerseys!

This fall, after we get quotes from garment manufacturers, you may order your Last Chance jersey at that point, when I can show you the jersey design and the cost. (The jersey will also be offered to past years’ veterans.)

Thank you for your interest in the Last Chance. See you soon!

-john lee