"Sunset over the Front Range" - JLE photo, © 2010

STORIES Michael Henderson Val Phelps Colin & Julie Stokes Guido Van Duyn Irene Takahashi

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Venture in to the Land of OZ by Irene Takahashi Since I began riding with RMCC 3 years ago, the Last Chance 1200K has been a curiosity and intimidating challenge (any 1200K was an intimidating challenge, for that matter). This year, I decided it was time to try our home turf 1200K. As a prelude, I rode the Cascade 1240K in June. Both 1200Ks carried their own challenges and lessons learned. The Cascade almost derailed me (physically and mentally) and the Last Chance showed me that I could endure other mental and some minor mechanical challenges. Around 40 of us left Louisville at 3 am to head for Kansas. Started out with a nice, mild night that took us into thick fog about 35 miles down the road, visibility was about 15 feet and we were getting pretty wet and cold. Things improved just before we got to Strasberg and the sun started to show itself. I lucked into riding with my friends from Texas, Val & Robin Phelps and Brenda Barnell, for the first 155 miles, which included the rollers between Byers and Anton. They're strong riders and great company. When we reached the control in Cope (mile 146), Robin Phelps and Brenda Barnell, where's Val? I realized how exhausted I was after riding with the Texas contingent, who were kind enough to let me draft and hang with them. I started out from Cope with them, but decided a few miles later to drop off and let them keep moving, since they were definitely stronger than me (and I was about to explode) and they had further to go before they called it a day. They planned their first night in Oberlin, 28 miles further than my stop in Atwood (mile 251). So now it was time to regroup at the store in Idalia (mile 180) with some Powerade and Cheetos...hot and tired I set out for the rest of the 70 miles to the first overnite stop in Atwood. The headwind and monotonous terrain made the miles go by slowly. When the sun started to go down and everything started to cool off, I felt more energized...the rest of the ride to Atwood took much less effort. There is a long hill before the descent into Atwood, it was not as bad as it felt going back up it on the 3rd day. Today's lesson: when you feel lousy, hang in there, things will change eventually. The volunteers in Atwood were great. Jim Krachy and Beth Long had a table full of pizza and fresh fruit and cooler full of sodas. They were checking us in and assigning sleeping quarters. Tiny and Buck (two furries) were assisting in welcoming us in. Beth and Tiny As tired as I was, it was nice to sit, eat and chat before finding my room and a hot shower!! Left the next morning at 3:30pm with Nate Dick, and was treated to a moderate climb immediately out of the gate, kind of a rude wake up demand. By the time we got to Oberlin, our first control of the day, Nate was feeling a bit nauseous and decided to slow it down a little. We rode together for a few miles, then I struck out alone because I was feeling pretty good. As it would turn out, Nate was never very far behind me, and we even did some leapfrogging at the controls and he would eventually finish 3 hrs ahead of me. Had a beautiful sunrise and then some ominous black clouds that only spit rain at us for a few miles. Riders on their return trip nearing Oberlin, as I was heading out The ride was full of mild rolling hills most of the day, along with a headwind. About 3 miles outside of the Phillipsburg control (mile 343) which is the last control before the turnaround at Kensington (mile 360), I saw John Lee Ellis on his return trip from the turnaround. We stopped and chatted across the highway for a few minutes as trucks rolled by. John had been enjoying a tailwind back as I was riding into the wind. He decided to come over to my side of the road to continue our conversation for a few more minutes. Just as he arrived on my eastbound side of the road, the wind changed direction and was now coming from the west, making a tailwind for me. WOW!!! my RBA turns out to be the Wizard of OZ, and he was nice enough to sacrifice his tailwind to share with me. The low point of my day was now the high point of my day!!! Totally energized, I rode hard to get to Phillipsburg and take advantage of this tailwind. Thanks John Lee! Got to the Kensington Post Office on Main street, which was our turnaround point. It was very anticlimactic with a lonely post office mail box on the sidewalk outside of the office itself. I decided to go inside to mail my card and struck up a 10 minute conversation with the post mistress...everyone I had conversations with in Kansas were down to earth, nice folks. The final 110 miles of the day to get back to Atwood (mile 469), the day 2 overnite, was tiring, but at least I was heading back toward Colorado...HOORAY!! Sunset day 2 The final climb from Oberlin (mile 442) to Atwood seemed to go on forever, that would be my second low point for the day. It was very dark and quiet, except for the occasional truck or car. At one point I startled a coyote at the side of the road with my headlight and then kept thinking there was a coyote following me in the darkness as I crawled up the hill.. kinda scared myself. Wild imaginings alone in the dark?!? Finally arrived back in Atwood for more pizza, soda and hot shower and comfortable bed. Soon after my arrival, the Olsen brothers and Guido arrived. Bill Olsen had hauled 3-24oz. cans of Bud Light up the hill from Oberlin to enjoy with his pizza. They would be Bill's carbo loading method of choice with a pizza chaser. Struck out in the morning with the Olsens and Guido. Mark Olsen is a very strong, steady rider who was kind enough to pull/pace me up the hill out of Atwood...hills first thing in the morning are hard for me. We stopped in Bird City, 27 miles down the road, at the Bird City Cafe and had great rancher breakfasts which gave us a good start to another long (180 mile) day. It was great to have company, and they were great company. We all rode different bikes and had different gear on the bikes...they all wore uncleated sandal with, and without, socks. We all do very different things professionally, and we all share a love for the long rides. As the day heated up, we stopped in Cope for lunch, where Guido was looking pretty beat. After eating and pushing on, Mark and I tried to race to Anton hoping to be able to get to the store before the 5:30pm closing (or so we thought, it actually stayed open until 6:30pm) so we could get some liquids and calories for our group of four. In Anton we filled up with food and water as dusk was trying to set in. Bill offered Guido his first ever Vivarin. This little yellow tablet transformed Guido into Superman...he was pedalling strong and fast. It was BIG FUN, powering through the deep rollers, and cruising up the other sides of the 55 mile stretch to Byers (mile 649), our 3rd overnite stop. At Byers, we were greeted by Susan Plonsky, who had a spread of soup, gourmet grilled cheese and a selection of other sandwiches and drinks. We were at the final overnite and it all felt doable. The next morning Eric Simmons was on shift with gourmet coffee and hearty pancakes. I was lulled into a false sense of security because of the heat of the previous days and a prediction of possible rain late in the day.. I did a randon no-no...I left my raincoat behind and only took a wind jacket. Huge lesson learned..be ready for cold and rainy weather conditions even if you're not in the mountains, or you may suffer like a dog. We set out from Byers around 3:30am only to be greeted about 5 miles later by a very cold, wind driven, horizontal mist that soaked me very early on. I was getting hypothermic and not moving very fast. Mark loaned me his long fingered gloves, which helped, but I was still not thinking very clearly because I was so cold. We eventually got to Keenesburg (mile 690) and stopped for our another cafe breakfast, Mark treated us...Thanks Mark. This was an important warm-up for me. Lots of hot coffee/cocoa and hot food. I begged a plastic bag and disposable clear deli gloves from the waitress and now had a waterproof outer shell, along with my shower cap. Bill suggested I put some newspaper under my jersey, that, too was a nice bit of additional insulation. We finally got to Platteville where we stopped for a good break with more food and hot drink. As we were leaving the parking lot for our final 36 miles, I heard a pop as I shifted my rear derailleur...I would find out later that I had just broken my rear shifter cable. I was now stuck in the middle rear cog and at least had both chainrings in front were available...I just went from a 20 speed to a 2 speed bike. At least we were on the home stretch with no extreme grades...it made the last part of the ride more interesting. I expended more energy than I would have with all 20 gears, but it wasn't devastating and actually kind of fun to see what I could power up with the high gear. We arrived at John Lee's house at 1:25pm...lot's of daylight and a good ride was had by all. A HUGE THANKS to my riding company along the way...especially the Olsen brothers and Guido..the last two days went by much faster with you three. The support and organization were great...thanks to all the volunteers (Jim Krachy, Beth Long and Brent Myers, Charlie Henderson, Susan Plonsky and Eric Simmons), John Lee, thanks for including the very comfortable overnites at Atwood, and the tailwinds. It was a bonne route...a good way to wind down the season!! Irene Takahashi My First 1200k by Michael Henderson Day 1 As expected, this first leg was fast, with a strong group of riders, mostly downhill, and a light tailwind. Arrived in Byers with about 10-12 of us, at dawn. All departed at different times, so we were now spread out. Andrea and I were last to leave, even though we were only there about 7 mins. Realized that we wanted to stay with Colin and Tim, so worked together to catch up with them. That was hard work. Passed Victor, Tom K, Russell & Peter, Tom L and I think Sara. Mark Lowe, as usual, was gone up the road. This was all in a drenching fog - needed wipers on the glasses, had to keep using my glove to clear them. Everything was soaked. And it made for interesting riding - who was that fuzzy red light up ahead? In a few miles we made contact with Colin and Tim, and the 4 of us worked well together through the fog, over the rollers to Anton. Glad I couldn't see what was in store for the return trip! And it was cool - a blessing. Stopped for a quick pee break in Anton, where Tom & Tom passed us. Decided we wanted to catch them before the control in Cope, so rode a team time trial, with Colin and Tim putting the hurt on Andrea and I - we could only take short pulls, but at least gave them some rest. Reached both my max HR and max speed for the ride in the stretch - 198bpm and 41mph. We missed the catch by about 300 yards as we rounded the corner into Cope. Quick control thanks to Charlie who was supporting Andrea for the whole Last Chance, and me for just the first day, then back on the road, Andrea and I were 2nd out, after Tom K. I decided that I was working too hard, so when Tim and Tom L rode past, I resisted staying with them. Still cool, but the fog was burning off, and the N wind was picking up. It was during this section that poor Victor missed a turn and rode 30 miles off course (60 miles round trip!!!!). No wonder he was last in to Atwood. He still completed in 83hrs - but that was for 810 miles, not 750! Colin, Tom L and Tim passed us after Tom’s flat, and led us into St Francis. Andrea had another quick control, I wanted to double check that my supply box reached the motel for my Thursday night stay. So rode to Atwood solo, temps finally on the rise. Lots of grasshoppers on the verge, many jumping into the spokes as I rode by, a mobile guillotine. Everyone was at Atwood when I arrived - except Andrea, who was now the front-runner on the road, and Tim. Tom(s) and Mark were taking extended breaks before riding through the night. Had some pizza, watermelon, Coke, then headed out as Russell & Peter arrived. Was soon passed by Tom(s) and Mark. Arrived in Oberlin for my first sleep stop. Colin was already there, and Russell & Peter, Vernon & Paul, Val & Robin, and John Lee arrived later. 280mi, 16:05hrs - longest I've ever ridden in a single day, and about 2 hours ahead of plan! Day 2 A big thanks to Brent for staffing the Oberlin motel, and thanks to RMCC for making this possible! Took forever to get settled for a mere 3 hours of sleep, but I did have to replace a slow flat (goat-head!). Slept well for an hour and a half, tossed and turned for the other hour and a half. Groggy and inefficient, finally leaving at 12:30am. After a few miles felt better, and made good time to Norton, watching the lights of farms and towers come and go over the rollers. Somewhere before Phillipsburg, as I was feeling really drowsy, got chased by 3 phantom dogs coming from the right. Never saw them, but heard their barking and running. Got up and sprinted for 30 seconds, one little dog was right with me the whole way on the shoulder yapping. That woke me up! Passed by 3 sets of riders already heading back, think it was Mark, Tom K, Tom L, and Tim. Had to stop to put on a jacket and change headlight batteries, but made Phillipsburg as I was getting drowsy again. Cup of coffee and dawn gradually woke me up again on the way to the turn-around in Kensington. As I pulled up to the PO, Colin's wife Julie, running support for him, arrived and gave me a Capri juice! OK - heading back to Colorado, 650k to go! But it's uphill and wind against - ugh! That first leg back to Phillipsburg was a real psychological test, as the real work began. Soon saw many riders still outbound - Colin, Vernon & Paul, John Lee, Val & Robin, and many others. Took some time at the Phillipsburg control to resupply and grab some solid food (nothing like a cheddarwurst fresh from the heat-lamps!), Colin arriving just before I left. Did not make great time to Norton, had trouble focusing and keeping the pedals turning - until Colin caught me, that is. Thought I'd ride his train for a while, but he really put the hammer down and it was all I could do just to stay in his slipstream. Then we'd start up another roller, I'd be at my limit, and he'd sit up and wave me past for my pull! Gahh! We'd crest the top, he'd come by, and I'd have to sprint again to keep his wheel. Finally, on the descent into Norton, my lower back told me that I shouldn't keep this up, no matter the headway we were making. Colin stopped off at McDonalds where Julie was waiting for him, and I pressed on after getting my card signed at a gas station. Outside of Norton, I saw Tammie off her bike looking at her rear wheel - she'd split a sidewall, so I gave her my spare tire. "No problem, I said, "I've got a boot patch if it comes to that." Little did I know. Up till now it had been overcast with even some drizzle, but the sun was finally making an appearance. Still good riding temperatures, but starting to warm up. The small-critter road-kill littering the shoulder in west central Kansas? - frogs! Boy there were a lot of them, just glad I didn't run over any live ones. In Oberlin, Julie greeted me with another Capri juice and Pringles. Thanks, Julie! It was like I had my own support crew. Slathered on sun screen and headed to Atwood as Colin arrived, looking hot and tired. Seven miles shy of Atwood, after being battered by the turbulence of huge oversized vehicles, my rear tire went flat, and sure enough, I had a split sidewall! I laughed. It seemed to take forever to get the boot in place and the new tube in, I needed 3 hands. I was sure Colin would pass me, but he wasn't to be seen, and I was soon in Atwood, scarfing pizza and soda. Thanks Beth and Brent! Jim was staffing too, but was taking a well deserved nap while I resupplied. Oh - Brent changed my rear tire with a spare I had in my drop bag - thanks a ton, that saved me so much time! Off to St. Francis with the sun in my eyes. A nice afternoon ride, but I really appreciated when the sun dropped below the horizon. Made the Empire Motel at deep dusk, showered, ice for my knees and achilles, and fell asleep as I was posting a blog update! Day 3 Slept well for about 4 hours, thankfully. Up at 1am, off by 1:40 (too slow! But now right on plan), and started really slow to warm up the knees and stretch the achilles. Little did I know, I was being watched as I left the Empire motel - and a few miles later Henk and Gary rode up on me, and we chatted logistics. I wanted a picture of the state line, so rode on ahead, then caught back up to them after they passed. We're not in Kansas anymore! Chatted some more, then I pulled ahead as I felt good after my easy warm-up. After Idalia, however, I really started to drowse, and felt a little queasy. I think I may have slept a little on the bike around 4am. My body decided it was done with liquid food for the rest of the ride, so I started checking the cue sheet for the next store to get some solid food. Much to my surprise, as I pedaled through Joes, Charlie was on the side of road with his idling truck. He shouted encouragement as I passed, but I was puzzled - that could only mean that Andrea was behind me at this point, and that was not a good sign for her. Well, on to Cope, where I hoped the store would be open. I was 45 mins early, but Charlie was there to save the day with an extra peanut butter bagel of Andrea's. She came powering through as I was eating, and Charlie explained that Thursday had been a bad day. She had slept in Idalia, and I passed her before she started out. Now it all made sense. So, on to Anton, and a few miles later I catch Andrea with a flat. I helped her change it and we rode together to Anton. After riding much of the first day with her, and not expecting to see her again, this was a pleasant surprise. She had another quick control, while I took my time and bought burritos. Heading to Byers, I felt great. In fact, since Norton yesterday, except for the hour or so around 4am this morning, I had been feeling strong on the bike. Not super fast, but fast enough and strong out of the saddle over the rollers. (My problem was I was sore and tired off the bike at the controls, which made it slow going to get back on). Unfortunately, somewhere between Linden and Last Chance, my left knee failed me. It was too sore to get out of the saddle, either to power over the rollers or stretch while pedaling. So my average speed plummeted - had to spin up the rollers, and coast downhill to stretch, very frustrating. Rolled in to Byers and decided a short break might do the knee some good. Showered and took advantage of Susan's awesome grilled cheese sandwiches and stocked drinks coolers (3 frappachinos!), thanks Susan! Julie was also there, helping Susan, saying Colin was plugging along having left Atwood about midnight. Lots of people arrived while I was there - Henk & Gary, Vernon & Paul, Colin, and John Lee. Finally, I pulled myself away, and yes! the knee was feeling better. And the winds were tail and cross-tail! A nice helping hand for the last 100 miles. But it was hot, maybe 95. On the way to Keenesburg, there was an irrigation fountain by the side of the road. I saw it about 200 yards away, and there was no hesitation when I arrived: dropped the bike, waded through the ditch and stood under the COLD water for 10 seconds, so refreshing! I love biking in Colorado, where your clothes dry in mere minutes. Back on the bike, with the winds cooling me further, I enjoyed more grilled cheese, and felt nearly as fresh as day 1. Fast roads to Platteville for the final control, arriving at 7pm. Well, I had 3 hours to get to Louisville if I wanted to break 67 hours. But I needed food, and yet again I had a slow control - somehow I ended up having to average 17mph to finish by 10pm. That was a tall order given my failing knee. But, hey, I'd been doing this for more than 64 hours already, might as well give it everything I had left. And so I did, 'till about 10 miles to go (only 10 miles!!), when my mind knew I couldn't make 10pm, and my body completely gave up. Cursing myself for all the wasted time at controls, I limped in at about 9mph, finishing at 10:13. Almost fell asleep in the shower, but once in bed, and removed from the immediate disappointment of missing the goal, I had to admit I was pretty psyched with my first 1200k - and lots of lessons learned! Michael Henderson “ROAD TRIP” by Guido Van Duyn Bill Olsen looked over the top of his Budweiser tallboy and asked “Are you averse to taking a caffeine pill?” I said “Give me one and I’ll try it.” It had been a tough day of riding, day 3 out of Atwood Kansas with the Olsen brothers Mark and Bill along with Irene Takahashi from Boulder. The four of us had enjoyed a wonderful breakfast at a rancher's café in Bird City; we also stopped later in St. Francis and Idalia. We were stopped in Cope where I was so tired I just had to lie down somewhere. I found a picnic table and within minutes found myself drifting off to sleep. There was no time to sleep, I had to get into the general store with the others and get something to eat. After a couple of hotdogs and a big can of iced tea I got back on my bike and left before the others to soft pedal and give myself a breather as the others caught up. In about 20 minutes Mark, Bill and Irene caught up, as well as Dan Diehn from Wisconsin and Taylor Kruse from Ohio. I found myself well matched with Bill so we rode together while the others rode ahead. The previous day we had ridden out to Kensington in central Kansas. I had arranged to leave with Bill and Mark at 4:30am. Irene was already waiting; Nathan Dick was ready to go so Irene left with him while I waited for the Olsen brothers. I ate some watermelon, Bill and Mark arrived ready to roll a few minutes later fueled by a meal from the previous night of pizza and beer! The three of us made our way to Oberlin Kansas in the morning darkness. We arrived and stopped at a gas station/café to have our cards signed and get some breakfast. As we sat down among the interested local truckers and ranchers, Bill told them about our cycling adventure, about PBP and randonneuring. People in Kansas were very friendly and took the time to talk to us. At the McDonalds in Norton I struck up a conversation with a lady who also worked for the local newspaper. She got her notebook out and wrote down a few things about our event and had Mark and I pose while she took our picture! After Norton I couldn’t stay with the Olsen brother’s and rode by myself to Phillipsburg where Taylor was just leaving the Subway on his way to the turnaround at Kensington. I followed him a little later, mailed my postcard and took a few pictures in Kensington. I made my way back to Phillipsburg where I caught up with Dan and Taylor. We rode together to Norton picking Nate up along the way and met up with the Olsen’s at the McDonalds. Nate left ahead of us, the five of us rode together to Oberlin where we found Nate stretching and playing with a Chocolate Lab puppy that had bounded out of one of the locals’ pickup truck. We had a delightful chat with some folks who had just finished their workday and had seen the lights of the many randonneurs on Hwy 36. Bill Olsen was in a hurry to get back to Atwood, so he took off by himself with three 24oz cans of Budweiser strapped to his handlebars, can’t have pizza without beer! The first 200K had been the fastest I’d ever ridden about 8hrs, Atwood more than 400k in about 20hrs, the postcard control in Kensington was 600K in about 34hrs again the fastest I’d ever ridden. We had been fortunate with the winds, but now sitting outside of the store in Anton, Colorado on the third day with temperatures in the nineties the journey was starting to take its toll. So I took the little yellow caffeine pill, the six of us, Mark, Bill, Irene, Dan, Taylor and I, got on our bikes and started riding. After a while I started having fun again, speeding down a roller tucked down over my aero bars, Bill would pedal by me furiously trying to gain as much speed as possible to carry him up the next roller. I would of course also start pedaling like mad to catch him as we crested roller after roller pulling Mark and Irene behind us. After a few hours we tired and Mark and Irene rode on ahead of us into Byers. Bill regaled me with various stories such as the Jan Heine “Fastest Tire Changer” story. As we made our way to the Long Horn Motel in Byers Bill got a little panicky has it looked like the liquor store had just closed and there was to be no beer that night. I checked in and went off to enjoy some sandwiches and soup that the Rocky Mountain Cycling club had provided at the control. I headed to my room around 11:30 after asking for a 2:30 wake up call. Bill and I had arranged to depart at 3:00am with Mark and Irene following half an hour later. In the dark of the early morning Bill and I left with him navigating, I don’t how he manages because he doesn’t use a bike computer. Bill uses only the cue sheet but we managed to make our way by watching the clock and shining my headlamp on the street signs. It started to get very cold and rainy, Mark and Irene caught up with us just before sunrise, we were very cold and wet as we made our way to Keenesburg where we were able to take refuge in a wonderful café that had just opened. After a delicious sit-down breakfast and having procured plastic bags a large one to serve as a jacket for Irene and small ones to cover Mark’s sandaled feet we set off to the penultimate control at Platteville. The last leg was a struggle for me but I made it in with the help of my randonnneuring friends, Mark was waiting to direct me in to the finish at John Lee’s house. As Mark likes to say “We’re here for a good time not a good time.” True randonneuring spirit indeed! Guido Van Duyn Last Chance 2010 by Val Phelps Forty riders started in Louisville, CO just east of Boulder, CO at 3:00AM Wednesday 9/15. Good friend, distance cycling mentor & RMCC President Charlie Henderson welcomed Last Chance riders & we had a chance to talk briefly to RMCC speedsters Tom Knoblauch & Andrea Koenig prior to the start. Once we started, a brisk pace spread the riders out quickly. We visited briefly with long time RMCC friends Vernon Smith & Paul Foley who rode with Robin & I on the 2006 Last Chance 1200K. We also rode with Irene Takahashi-Aldrich (who we met this year at the Cascade 1240K), John Lee Ellis (Colorado RBA & long time friend) & Nate Dick (another long time RMCC friend). Riders chose many different speeds, distances between stops & time off the bike making riding in groups difficult. Brenda, Robin & I choose to break the ride into three stages. Louisville, CO to Oberlin, KS (277.8 miles & 6 hours off the bike), Oberlin, KS to Atwood, KS (191.6 miles & 7 hours off the bike) & Atwood to Louisville, CO (282.6 miles). We enjoyed spending time at the overnights visiting with volunteers & good friends Brent Myers, Beth Long & Jim Kraychy. We also had the opportunity at Byers to visit with volunteer, Arizona RBA & long time friend Susan Plonsky. Just before St. Francis, KS around 3:00AM on the second day a pick-up truck followed us slowly for a couple of miles, passed, made a u-turn, pulled along side & rolled down his window. I told Brenda & Robin to keep moving & I carried on a short conversation with the driver who then proceeded on down the road. I’m not certain of his motives but there were a few tense moments. We also had an unusual conversation with one of several teenagers around 1:00AM at the last control in Platteville, KS. He wanted to know what roads we would be traveling but we avoided answering the question. Another somewhat tense moment. In a convenience store in St. Francis, KS we visited with several locals enjoying their morning coffee. One gentleman with very “colorful” language told us about a jail that was built under a bridge to house prisoners working on the bridges project along US-36. We located the jail under the bridge near Last Chance, CO. We had the opportunity to visit with a number of fellow riders along the route. We spoke with ultra racer Tom Lavallee at a McDonald’s in Norton KS, Greg Courtney who took our group picture at the end of the Cascade 1240K this year, Ronaele Foss challenging herself after very difficult health issues, Richard Isham another rider we met at the Cascade 1240K, Brett Cook a late Last Chance addition, Mary Florian battling equipment issues, John Schlitter of Bacchetta fame & Sara Kay Carrell. The Last Chance may appear to be an “easy” 1200K but there are no “easy” 1200Ks. The route is an out-and-back that loses elevation & has prevailing tail winds the first half with elevation gain & prevailing headwinds on the return. Unfortunately, you can’t predict eastern Colorado / western Kansas weather. The elevation won’t change but the wind often won’t behave as predicted. The changing weather conditions & the lack of available services make this a very challenging ride. A final note for those of you that read my 2006 Last Chance 1200K ride report. I’m happy to report that my ass didn’t hurt. In fact, my ass feels as though I just completed a thirty mile ride. I attribute my comfort to my Brooks Swift saddle, Boure shorts & Lantiseptic. Life is good when your ass doesn’t hurt. Val Phelps Lone Star Randonneurs Rocky Mountain Cycling Club