Rocky Mountain Cycling Club
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Newsletters of 2003

 

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January/February 2003

Rocky Mountain Cycling Club

C h a i n   C h a t t e r 
January/February 2003

For people who love to ride


RMCC Club Meetings

Club meetings are held on the first Tuesday of each month. Attendees can experience the Denny's Restaurant at Park Avenue and I-25 at 7:00 PM. This is our club, and you  can help with your input.

 


RMCC Online! 

Latest  
news and ride updates done by John Klever. Sign up for ride leader, latest newsletter, brevet information, and more.
www.rmccrides.com

 


Membership

Cost is $25 per year and goes toward printing of the program guide, newsletters, brevet sponsorship, and support of Bicycle Colorado.

Contact Tom Foss 
7301 W 32nd Ave. 
Wheat Ridge, CO

80033 
tfoss@bullocks- express.com

 


2003 Jersey Orders

Voler jersey orders, done by Rick Melick, are scheduled to be in by May 2nd and are scheduled for delivery around June 20th. This year's order will include wind vests that will match our traditional jerseys. Look for the order form in next month's newsletter.

New Bike Selection
By Val Phelps

This is the time of year when many cyclists decide to add to or upgrade their trusty steeds. Advertising hype will tell you that you need to ride Lance's bike, so you can ride like Lance. No matter what bike you buy, unless it's a Harley, you're not going to ride anything like Lance. 

Pros' bikes are light (maybe a good thing), stiff (maybe a good thing), and free (definitely a good thing). Heavier riders (over 150 pounds) require heavier bikes for stiffness, stability, and durability. Stiffness is very efficient but usually less comfortable. The pros are able to handle the harshness of a stiff ride because of their superior conditioning. 

The pros receive several new bikes per year at no cost. Unless a rider also receives free bikes or has the money to continually purchase new bikes, durability becomes a key issue. Choose a bicycle shop that will customize your new bicycle. 

Many cyclists are fortunate enough to fit predetermined sizes. I am not. Several excellent bicycles have top tubes that are too short to fit me properly. I chose a manufacturer that could make a bicycle to my exact specifications. The shop did an extensive fit to determine exactly the dimensions that were right for me. They never considered selling me a bike that did not fit me exactly. 

Components are another key issue in choosing your new bicycle. Many shops will push components that the pros ride. These components may not be the most cost effective and, if they match the gearing the pros use, can cause additional stress to the body, specifically the knees. Explain to a good shop the type of riding you're currently doing, as well as the type of riding you hope to do, and they will match components to your individual needs.

Ask experienced riders for recommendations.

Challenge Series Seminar
By Charlie Henderson

RMCC is offering a seminar on long distance cycling emphasizing brevet riding (200K, 300K, 400K, 600K, and 1200K events) with special emphasis this year on Paris-Brest-Paris (PBP). We will emphasize how to ride  these events for success for both the average randonneur rider as well as the elite rider. We will cover setting goals, training, nutrition, planning, sleeping and the potential pitfalls.  Speakers will be members with multi-year experience in riding and competing in these events. REI flagship store in the old Forney Museum at 15th and Platte Streets.

Seminar Presented by Ed Burke
Reported by Darrell Quick

Ed Burke on Nutrition and Hydration 
Presentation in Breckenridge, Colorado at the seminar "The Role of Science and Medicine in Cycling"  on August, 31 2002 

Fluid loss is one half to two liters per hour when cycling actively. Fluids should be replaced at the rate of .6 to one liter per hour or more, and carbohydrates should be replaced at the rate of 60 to 80 grams per hour.

A 7 to 10% carbohydrate solution is best tolerated and most realistic. Gel Pack will require 6 to 8 ounces of water for proper dilution to absorb properly. Fructose is the commonly used carbohydrate because the sweet taste makes it palatable. Gastrointestinal effects due to difficult digestion in some can cause bloating, cramps, and gas. The solution also must pass through the liver to breakdown into simpler sugars. 

Typically the body can store 2000 calories as carbohydrate/glycogen versus far more as stored fat. The goal is to burn more fat than glycogen. Burke also recommends branched-chain amino acids (protein) during and after efforts. He recommends fluid replacement during efforts up to 90 minutes include carbohydrates at a minimum, and protein must be added if the effort is greater than 90 minutes.

Recovery beverages should be used during the "glycogen window", which is 30 to 60 minutes after exertion. Recovery beverages should include one half gram carbohydrate per pound of body weight and protein and antioxidants. When asked which beverages he recommends, Burke replied, "during exercise, use Accelerade. For recovery use Endurox R4 or Metabolol."

 


Fried Rabbit
By Rex Farnsworth

 Ah, Fried Rabbit! Cyclists can be divided into two groups: faster riders called rabbits, and slower riders called turtles. Since almost all of the physical characteristics that make a rider fast deteriorate with age, rabbits tend to be younger and turtles tend to be older. Regardless of grouping, all cyclists thrive on catching and devouring a fine rabbit.

As a cyclist ages, he is faced with a ever shrinking set of catchable rabbits. But all is not lost. One key physical attribute re mains nearly undiminished with the years: endurance. This sets up an interesting opportunity for old turtles to competitively hunt young rabbits if the event is long enough. Ultra-marathon cycling events provide golden opportunities to compete on a level, endurance playing field where a clever turtle can still enjoy a fine rabbit dinner. Here's how it works.

Preparing the Rabbits. Since turtles are clearly not pre-event favorites, mental preparation of the rabbits is essential. Arrive early and allow ample preparation time. The following are time-proven techniques to improve the overall success of the hunt. Remember, unless a rabbit makes a mistake, he is going to be tough to catch.

  • Stimulate competition among the rabbits such that there is an all-out battle early on. Your goal is to help the rabbits indiscriminately deplete their glycogen stores, the sooner the better.

    • "You know, I believe you can beat John if you can stay with him up that first climb."

    • "When was the last time you beat Sally?"

    • "Have you noticed how strong Gary has gotten? You need to watch him today ."

  • Point out "minor" problems with the rabbits' position, pedal stroke, or bike. Get them focused on frivolous problems.

    • "I've noticed your left knee jets out at the top of your stroke."

    • "How long have you been bobbing up and down when you stand?"

  • Bring up old injuries for them to worry about.

    • "How's the tendonitis?"

    • "Do you still get bad saddle sores?"

    • "How's your neck and shoulders? Still having lots of pain?"

  • Play on their fears.

    • "Looks like you've put on a little weight."

    • "It must be hard to climb carrying all that food and water."

Handling the Early Miles. The early event miles are wonderful - for the rabbits, but not so wonderful for the turtles. Rab bits love to speed between controls and to spend time socializing and recovering when they get there. Turtles also ride as fast as they can between controls (which is not too fast); however, turtles take short stops in order to pickup time on the resting rabbits. These conflicting tactics set up repeated passing of the turtles by the rabbits as they fly to the next control. Turtles have learned to use these meaningless, early passing for further rabbit preparations. Here are a few things you can do during these early miles to increase your chances of dining on rabbit later.

  • Stir up the rabbits with a few jams/jumps of your own. Be sure your jams are just long enough to elicit the desired rabbit behavior and absolutely no longer. Once stirred up, the rabbits will hammer for hours while you drop back to watch the fun.

  • Plant additional mental seeds for later harvesting. Try these catchy phrases.

    • "You're a little off your pace today aren't you?"

    • "Your stroke is not as smooth as usual. Are you feeling OK?"

    • "I think John is really putting time on you."

  • Identify and mark selected rabbits for future reference. Visualizing how you will catch/pass them as the event unfolds. Such marking is very satisfying even though you may never see the rabbit again.

  • Learn to handle rabbit comments as they pass with your best turtle smile. (Note: It is very had to differentiate between a turtle smile and a sneer.) Remember that some of the comments may be sincere.

    • "I sure hope I can climb like that when I'm old."

    • "Not bad for an old guy ."

    • "You are really riding strong today."

What's For Dinner? Eventually it will be time for dinner. Like shrimp (see Forest Gump), rabbit can be enjoyed in end less variety limited only by your imagination. Here are a few classics.

Fully Bonked Rabbit. This is the classic dish characterized by a near lifeless rabbit desperately attempting to reach the next control. He is a victim of rabbit wars and has indiscriminately consumed all of his glycogen. The meat has an unusual burned taste thought to result from extensive lactic acid soaking. This is an easy dish to devour with little risk of the rabbit turning on you.

Fricasseed Rabbit. This dish is characterized by a demoralized rabbit experiencing a potpourri of painful show-stoppers (total pain can be measured on a scale of 1 to 10). Just about everything that can go wrong has gone wrong. This rabbit has assorted aches and pains including such things as numb hands and wrists, knee/hip tendonitis, muscle cramps, neck and shoulder pain, and aching/blistered feet. He is not having fun. The meat may have an off taste, which some believe is residue of aspirin or ibuprofen. When anticipating a meal of Fricasseed Rabbit, re member that such a rabbit is not necessarily bonked and can easily transition into a Born Again Rabbit just long enough to spoil your day. 

Ground Rabbit. This rabbit has butt rash, and is contemplating the eternal question: Why me Lord? Like pain, rash can be quantified on a scale of 1 to 10. He generally uses creative cycling positions, stands up a lot, displays unusual pedaling styles often executed with bowed legs. Ground rabbit is not for everyone. The meat sometimes tastes like talc or butt balm. Check for white, dusty looking shorts especially in the pad area. This is another dangerous meal. Your approach may be just the thing to divert the Ground Rabbit's attention from his rash to beating you. 

Fried Rabbit. Now here is the granddaddy of all rabbit dishes. This rabbit has been totally hammered and tenderized by the entire event. He may have survived multiple bonking sessions, has one or more Fricasseed Rabbit symptoms totaling at least a 7, and is probably running about a 9 butt rash. Occasionally, a Fried Rabbit will be exceptionally tasty if its face is salt en crusted and it is drooling (but not excessively). When considering a Fried Rabbit, be concerned about dehydration as evidenced by extensive redness of the face. Such dehydrated rabbit may be dry and hard to swallow.

These classics all have variations such as old, young, male and female. For example, tender, young, female fried rabbit. (Note: as I get older, a rabbit is a rabbit and I'm no longer bothered by gender or other gentlemanly considerations.)

Where's the Rabbit? When approaching the dish dujour, be careful. Several things may go wrong that can positively ruin the dish as well as your day, and leave you asking the Wendy's question: Where's the Rabbit?

Deceptive Rabbit. Some rabbits will do anything to avoid being a meal on wheels. If they see you closing, they will create a deceptive reason to stop thus denying you the undisputed satisfaction of a clean pass. If they can get stopped early enough (like before there is any one-on-one passing competition) the question will remain as to who was really stronger on that day. Typical deceptions for stopping (and for diminishing your meal) are: checking for bike problems, stretching, eating, drinking, dropping the chain, faking a cell phone call, and peeing (this excuse is seldom used by female rabbits).

Stunned Rabbit. Even though your approaching meal may show all the signs of a Fully Bonked Rabbit or even a Fried Rabbit, the rabbit may be only stunned. Your approach may be just the stimulus to unstun the little feller, and revive him to full Frisky Rabbit status. Devouring a Revived Rabbit is way too tough and may set you up to be someone else's Stewed Rabbit. A Stewed Rabbit is a turtle that has failed an attempted pass and is thoroughly cooked in his own juices and disappointment.

It's Time for Dessert. Here are a few ideas to add enjoyment and fulfillment to the end of a perfect meal. It is your turn to speak up.

  • "How are you doing?"

  • "Isn't this a great day?"

  • "Don't you just love these long brevets?"

As for me, nothing complements a rabbit main dish like a good belling. It is deeply satisfy as well as a final measure of fulfillment. Having no shame or conscience, I use my handlebar bell to administer the coup de grace. I generally give one ringy-dingy for ordinary Fully Bonked Rabbit, and two or even three ringy-dingies for my all time favorite: young and tender, salt encrusted Fried Rabbit.

Footnote: Once belled, some rabbits develop psychological complications and dreading that carry over to future events. It never hurts to do a little warm-up belling during early rabbit preparations.

Editorial Section
By Brent Myers

Once again I have my pulpit until they take it away from me. And remember this is just my opinion and not the club' s position. The Fried Rabbit  article by Rex was cooked up over a few rides and years, but mainly it was me who was poached by this rider. And I am proud to have been cooked by riders such as Rex, Charlie, and Bob. I have enjoyed being outfoxed and out ridden over the years. Ride with them sometime to see how it is done. Some of this knowledge will be presented at the Challenge Series meeting. And look for the Toasted Turtle  rebuttal in the upcoming issues of Chain Chatter.

Disturbing news in the Rocky  January 21st about motorists and this deadly game of "Bicycle Boxing" where baseball bats are used from a moving vehicle. Reports from single riders in the canyons also report assaults. One thing is true is that all of them are riding single and are prey to "bullies" who want to hurt and intimidate us. One idea I have is to post signs in the canyons advising: Riding alone in the canyons is dangerous due to vehicular ASSAULTS.  Maybe a PR campaign such as this would bring awareness as to what we put up with.

Again I invite articles on your favorite rides as this makes my job much easier and our newsletter more informative. And if you do follow Val's bike purchasing article just don't get a red one. They really don't go faster.


February Ride Schedule 10:45 AM

Feb 1 (Sat)  R/P 24 mi Waterton, Chatfield
Littleton E 34 mi Ken Caryl, Deer Cr
Rick Melick 
Feb 8 (Sat)  R/P 20 mi Watkins and return
Tower Road E 39 mi Bennett and return
Val Phelps  
Feb 15 (Sat) R/P 24 mi Morgul, Arapahoe
Superior E 34 mi Morgul, Lookout
Val Phelps 
Feb 22 (Sat) Littleton R/P 40 mi Ken Caryl, Dr Ck, Phillipsburg, Chatfield
E 50 mi Ken Caryl, Parmalee, Bear Creek, Willow SP
Rick Melick  
Feb 23 (Sun) Castle Rock R/P 33 mi Larkspur, Perry Pk, Wolfensburger
E 46 mi Larkspur, Palmer Lake, Wolfensburger
Rick Melick

Calendar of Events


Club Meeting

Tuesday February 4th, 2003 7PM
Denny's at 38th and I-25
Join us for a dinner and to help with club business. This is your club, and your input will improve it.


Brevet Meeting

March 26th, 2003
REI at 15th and Platte Streets
Informational meeting for riders interested in long distance riding under the sanctioning of RUSA and Audax Club Parisien. You've done the century, done the crits, now come and join us for the ultimate in cycling challenge. Subjects covered are nutrition, conditioning, strategy and presented by nationally recognized coaches.


Chain Chatter  
January/February 2003
 

Rocky Mountain Cycling Club
P.O. Box 201
Wheat Ridge, CO 80034
 

www.rmccrides.com    

For people who love to ride!


February 2003

See the January/February 2003 newsletter.

March 2003

Rocky Mountain Cycling Club

C h a i n   C h a t t e r 
March 2003

For people who love to ride


RMCC Club Meeting
Club meetings are held the first Tuesday of every month. Attendees can experience the atmosphere and repartee at the Denny's Restaurant at Park Avenue and I- 25 at 7:00 PM.   

RMCC Online
Latest news and ride updates done by John Klever. Sign up to lead rides, club history, brevet information, present and past newsletters, and more. 

www.rrnccrides.com

Membership 
Cost is $25 per year and goes towards the printing of the program guide, newsletters, brevets, and club activities. Contact:
Torn Foss
7301 W. 32nd Ave.
Wheat Ridge, CO
80033

Wheel Into Spring Party 
May 4th
Beth Long's after the Prospect Valley
Ride - 3PM; details later

Challenge Series Seminar
********** March 26th **********
Previously scheduled March 25th

RMCC is offering a seminar on riding long distance events (non members are welcome) from 6:30 to 8:30 pm at the REI flag ship store (formerly the Forney Transportation Museum) at 1416 Platte Street (just south of 15th and Platte Streets) in Denver in the large (east) meeting space. Participants should park in the underground lot in front of the store. Use the stairs or elevator for access to the front door of the store.

The seminar will emphasize brevet riding (200 kilometer, 300 km, 400 km, 600km, and 1200 km events) with attention focused on this year's Paris-Brest-Paris (PBP) event. Discussing how to ride these events to achieve success for both the average randonneur rider and the elite rider, we will cover setting goals, training, nutrition, planning, sleeping, and the potential pitfalls. Speakers will be members with multi-year experience in riding and competing in these events, and those speakers are:

John Lee Ellis
Veteran of Paris-Brest-Paris (PBP) 1991 and 1999, Boston-Montreal-Boston (BMB) 1988 (the inaugural year) and 1990, and the Race Across America (RAAM) 1991. Member of the boards of directors of Randonneurs USA and Ultra-Marathon Cy cling Association (UMCA). Has administered the UMCA Mileage Challenge since 1998 and has ridden in it since 1988. Organizer of the RMCC/RUSA Colorado Brevets since 1999. Founded the Charlotte Tarheels "Solstice Century Series."

Bob Fourney
Two time solo RAMM Champion, Team RAMM finisher, Human Powered Vehicle (HPV) RAMM competitor, two-time PBP finisher, world record (bicycle) Fairbanks to Nome, world record Denver to Albuquerque

Chris Grealish
Three time BMB finisher, winner 2002; three time RMCC brevet series finisher (200k, 300k, 400k, 600k); three-time Denver/ Aspen Classic finisher; 375 miles in 24 hours; 900 miles in one week; UMCA member; USCF/ACF Cat 3 road racer/cyclocross

Charlie Henderson
Two time finisher of PBP, one time finisher BMB, one time finisher Colorado Last Chance 1200. In 2002 awarded the prestigious Audax Club Parisien 5000 Kilometer medal. Awarded the Audax Club Parisien Super Randonneur medals for 1995,1999, 2000,2001. President, Rocky Mountain Cycling Club.

John Hughes
Five time finisher of PBP, first place BMB, USCF Coach, Director UltraMarathon Cycling Association, Editor, UltraCycling Magazine

New Year Century
Val Phelps

January I, 2003 8:00 AM marked the first annual Val's RMCC New Year's Day Century. Several people reported snow in different parts of the metro area, but the weather was clear and cold throughout our northern route. Eight of us left the Wagon Road Park and Ride and headed into the wind towards Apple Valley. The riders split into two groups with the lead waiting for us at the convenience store in Lyons be cause I had inadvertently given out an earlier version of the map and the fast group was somewhat confused. That's the only way to slow these guys down! After our break we headed east toward Longmont. We made a short turn north and then headed south with a tailwind towards Riverdale Road. The weather was warming and heading south with a tailwind was like flying! The traffic was minimal throughout the ride (people were still sleeping, hung over, or both) and the weather was decent for January 1st. Carol Chaffee was the first in but all eight of us now have bragging rights, having completed the first century of the year. I would encourage other RMCC riders to join us for next year's winter training rides and century event.

New Members
Rick and Jean Abbott, Will Allenn, Lisa Javernick and Hans Bakker, Kathryne Bennett, Tim Black, Fred Boethling, Dean Cahow, Cathy Cloutier, Cindy Cox, Rick Disberger, Ed and Lisa Engler, Homer Fritz Jr., Sheridan Garcia, Greg Gebetsberger, John Hart, Jon Lieber, Joyce Mahn, Laurel Mayhew and Kevin Olsen, Mark Michel, Andrea Miller, Thorn Mindala, Frank Moritz, Steven Oltmans, Rich Olver, Mike and Kelly Prendergast, Darrel Quick, Tim Rangitch and Maria Olsen-Rangitch, Scott Spangler, Steve Stephens, Bonnie Urban, Melissa Welch, and Eric and Sarah Zacharias


March Ride Schedule 10:45 AM

Mar 1        Monument

R/P

Air Force Academy loop

31 mi

Rick Melick

(Sat) 

ID REQUIRED

E

AF A and Rollercoaster 49 mi
Mar 2 Wagn

R/P

Brighton Loop    27 mi Val Phelps  

(Sun) 

E

Brighton Dacono Loop  51 mi
Mar 8 Gold

R/P

Lookout Mountain, Morrison Road, Red Rocks    29 mi Tom Foss

(Sat)

E

Lookout, Soda Crk, Bergen, Red Rocks, Morrison  45 mi
Mar 9 E255

R/P

Johnson's Corner, Evans Loop 40 mi Charlie Henderson

(Sun)

E

Johnson's Corner, Kersey Loop   57 mi
Mar 15 LARK

R/P

Palmer Lake, Monument, Black Forest loop  43 mi Rick Melick

(Sat)

ID REQUIRED

E

Palmer Lake, Monument, AF A, Black Forest loop  50 mi
Mar 16 SUPR

R/P

Hygiene, Louisville loop  40 mi Dan McCammon

(Sun)

E

Lyons, Hygeine, Erie loop  50 mi
Mar 22 Lyon

R/P

Lefthand Canyon, Jamestown and return  30 mi Charlie Henderson

(Sat)

E

Lefthand, Ward, Raymond loop   47 mi
Mar 23 Wagn

R/P

Northglenn, Broomfield, Boulder loop  39 mi Val Phelps

(Sun)

E

Northglenn, Boulder, Longmont   66 mi
March 26 REI Flagship Store Brevet and PBP Orientation Meeting   6:30 to 8:30 PM Refreshments

(Wed)

*******New Date******* See page 2 for more details *************

Mar 29 Roon

R/P

Mt. Vernon, Paradise, Bergen Pk, Evergreen     44 mi Rick Melick

(Sat)

E

Mt. Vernon, Paradise, Bergen Pk, Evergreen, Bear Ck  52 mi
Mar 30 E243

R/P

Berthoud, Loveland, Campion loop     40 mi Tom Foss

(Sun)

E

Carter Lake, Loveland, Campion 60 mi

Chain Chatter  
March 2003
 

Rocky Mountain Cycling Club
P.O. Box 201
Wheat Ridge, CO 80034
 

www.rmccrides.com    

For people who love to ride!


 

April

Rocky Mountain Cycling Club
For people who love to ride

Chain   Chatter 

April 2003

**********April Ride Meet Time: 8:45 AM**********

Date Meeting Place Cat    Mi  Tour Description Ride Leader
Sat 4/5 Monument R/P 43 AFA touch and go, Co Springs, Black Forest  Dan McCammon
E 61 AFA, Co Springs, Black forest, Rollercoaster
Sun 4/6 Wagon Road R/P 43 Northglenn, Ft. Lupton, Brighton Loop Brent Myers
E 72 Ft. Lupton, Keenesburg, Brighton Populaire
Sat 4/12 Littleton R/P 35 Deer Creek, Tiny Town, Willow Springs Road Loop Rick Melick
E 60 Deer Creek, High Drv, Evergrn, Parmalee, Deer Crk, Chatfield 
Sun 4/13 E255 R/P 48 Horsetooth and return  Charlie Henderson
E 75  Horsetooth, Ft Collins, Windsor Populaire 
Sat 4/19 Golden R/P 38 Golden Gate Canyon, Highway 119, and return Tom Foss
E 58 Golden Gate, Rollinsville, Coal Creek Canyon
Sun 4/20 Castle Rock R/P 43 Wolfensburger, Palmer Lake, Larkspur Loop Rick Melick
E 77 Wolfensburger, Monument, Black Forest Loop 
Sat 4/26 Lyons R/P 47 Lefthand, Ward, Lyons Loop  Brent Myers
E 75 Lefthand, Allenspark, Estes Park  Populaire 
Sun 4/27 Superior R/P 53 Superior, Longmont, Hygiene, Baseline Val Phelps
E 91 Superior, Berthoud, Carter Lake 
Tuesday Lookout Mountain Rides 5:30 PM Golden Jonathan Breen 
Wednesday Handle Bar & Grill Rides

5:30 PM Wash Park 

Tom Foss 

RMCC Club Meeting
Club meetings are held the first Tuesday of every month. Attendees can experience the atmosphere and repartee at the Denny's Restaurant at Park A venue and I-25 at 7:00 PM.


RMCC Online
Latest news and ride updates done by John Klever. Sign up to lead rides, club history, brevet information, present and past newsletters, and more. www.rmccrides.com


Membership
Cost is $25/yr and goes towards printing of the program guide, newsletters, brevets, and club activities. Contact:
Tom Foss
7301 W 32nd Ave.
Wheat Ridge, CO
80033

Wheel Into Spring Party
Saturday, April 12th at Beth Long's after the Deer Creek Parmalee ride. Please RSVP so we can better plan for the number of guests. This is a great opportunity to bring significant others and trade cycling tales.

For Sale
2000 Trek T100 tandem. 23/21 drum brake $2000 Trade for 23/18? Contact Brent Myers

2001 Gary Fisher Sugar 2 GS (women's) full suspension Mtn bike fits 5'9" See website for full description. Loaded. Asking $1200 Contact David or Karyn

New Members 
Glenn Ackerson
Jean Addy
Jason Byrne
Tracey Campbell
Blair Cavner
Eric D' Amico
Keith Fox
Scott Griener
David Hopp
Bill Kellagher
Jay Kotecha
Joshua Martinsons
Sargent McDonald
Martin O'Brian
Devora Peterson
Brian Pettit
Jerome Schoeder
Eric Simmons
Alan Simons
Michelle Slaughter
Rojer Spaulding
Bill Tankovich
Ted Vandenburg
Keith Webster

Handle Bar & Grill Wednesday Evening Rides
Val Phelps

During daylight savings time, the Wednesday night ride consists of laps around Washington Park. If you arrive late, you can join the group by waiting until the riders again pass by. Our pace on this ride varies from leisurely to intervals. Riders of all abilities are welcome. This is a great opportunity for new or prospective members to ride with RMCC without the fear of being left behind. Several new members have improved both their strength and  their ability to ride in a group.

Last year we added the Handle Bar & Grill as a sponsor. They provide a significant food and drink discount as well as a reserved table following the ride.

Join us this year for cycling and socializing at The Handle Bar & Grill Ride.
Contact Val Phelps with questions.

Dispelling the Myth
Sheridan Garcia

I was really apprehensive when someone suggested that I try a ride with RMCC. You know what I mean... In the cycling circles I frequented those guys are legendary. It isn't because I'm a female and feel intimidated - after all, women are superior - right???? But anyway, I'd heard about their frenetic riding, the pain, the pleasure, and then these guys sat around at parties with lampshades on their heads, counting the teeth in the rear sprockets of their ultra-extreme, fancied-up rigs. Later, on an RMCC ride, the leader cleverly dispelled my fears... "that is not true at all. We're actually a bunch of fun lovin' party dudes and dudettes with feelings and 1/2 brains - and you'll see the difference in your riding come springtime... You'll show 'em... I guarantee it."


I live and work in the mountains west of Denver. So I'm used to colorful personalities and individuals who demonstrate strength and agility in unusual  ways... many possessing 1/2 brains. We uppity mountain wimmen know how to use chainsaws and shotguns... usually not at the same time though. Of course, unless some group of surly mountain bike riders decides to carve single track through one's property and into the National Forest, but that is another story.

Anyway, you can imagine how impressed I was with a guarantee like that because I DID want to show 'em, and surface impression is important here. But a breathless conversation, which includes some gear coggery equation like " I'm in my 52/11... how about you?", makes me nervous. I would probably think about my 52/11 as much as I would think about installing a brass monkey door knocker on my tree house. And for the record, I prefer beefcake over rabbit any day, and I sure love riding with this club! Would someone please pass the brains?

Editorial Section

This weekend after the massive snowfall, I had resolved to spend time getting things done I normally wouldn't do and try a spin class to help maintain conditioning. I had assumed that all of the roads would be unridable but I found out Sunday morning that Saturday's ride had been held and also Sunday's ride. I had relied on what I had observed in my area and subsequently didn't ride. Feeling foolish at not calling the ride leader for updates, I vow to be better connected. And as an occasional ride leader it again emphasizes the necessity of calling and finding out the actual conditions of the area before canceling the ride.

Next item I need help on. Spin classes seem like a great idea but why do they call them spin classes if they want you to grind at 60 RPM? It was easy to ignore the instructions and get a good workout on the legs, but next time I am going to bring my heart rate monitor and base my workout on my actual effort.

Kivilov's death again reminds us to wear our helmets. I rode the Cherry Creek bike trail one warm Sunday and at least 20% were not wearing theirs. Please wear your helmets and don't take them off for climbs either.

To Draft or Not to Draft... That Is the Question
A Review of Maynard Hershon "Paceline  101 "
Beth Long

I am a relatively new rider, and as such I'm often perplexed or overwhelmed by the technical articles often appearing in bicycling publications. However, I was given an article to review for the newsletter and felt it was written just for me, the green rider who doesn't understand pace line riding, but desperately wants to.

The author, Maynard Hershon, deals with the fears new riders have when they hear the word "pace line" - the fears of being too slow, of dragging others down, of getting dropped. He emphasizes how important it is to learn the techniques of drafting to equalize the strength differences between riders. Drafting can save up to 25% of the effort a weaker rider must make according to Mr. Hershon.

He also talks about the relationship aspects of drafting using your partner as a teammate, getting used to being physically close, and communicating so you don't fall too far behind.

When participating in a pace line the author emphasizes several things. He discusses the importance of maintaining constant speed and knowing your abilities when you are to lead the pace line. Don't speed up just because you get an adrenaline rush, and only stay in the lead for as long as you can pull. Even 30 seconds is fine if that is your limit. When your lead is done, just "soft pedal" allowing the next rider to assume the lead.

In summation, if you follow the rules of speaking up, being consistent and relaxing around other riders, a pace line and drafting can be useful tools for any rider to move to the next level... I think I'll heed the authors advice and see if I'm up to the challenge.

Editors note:  Maynard Hershon' s article can be read at www.planetultra.com/ maynard. Permission was not granted to publish, so this was the best alternative, and I found his other articles to be equally as informative.

Nokon vs. IDS
Brent Myers

Nokon versus IDS. Are these new cable products to upgrade your bicycle worth it, or can you get by with just the standard vinyl wrapped coils? Since my recycled Russian metal bike was shifting slowly, I knew I was in need of new cables for the derailleurs. The Campy cable set was $40. I thought I would give the IDS system a try, which retailed for $45 for the derailleur only. The Gore-Tex Ride-On cables had already gotten good reviews from one of the "turtles", so I wanted to try the new stuff, and I just thought they looked cool.

Both systems start with standard high-quality stainless steel cables and use low-friction tubing that encases the cable. The rigid section, providing the strength between sectional aluminum tubing and replacing the standard vinyl/steel housing, provides the compressional strength.

Instructions for installation were barely adequate for both products, and the complexity of the Nokon system was greater than the IDS. The quality of the Nokon system was higher, and it had a special section with their name embossed. Nokon was definitely proud of their product, and I would endorse them over the IDS.

I did, however, find both systems difficult to install correctly the first time. Maybe it was the fat tires or my competent help, but certain things were difficult. Extending the plastic housing past the adjusting nuts on the brakes (Campy) as instructed would have required a drill to open the diameter of the hole and it would have been impossible to extend the liner past the end a quarter inch as recommended. IDS was slightly easier and simpler to install, but the quality of the Nokon outweighed this benefit.

My brakes and shifters work great! I hope I can get extended use since corrosion will be minimized. I might be hesitant to use these products if I had an ugly red-painted bike since there would be metal-to-paint contact resulting in paint wear. If one is looking to save a few grams on a cable set with great shifting and a cool factor, then consider having your mechanic install them.

Product reviews have no basis in actual fact and are purely testimonial. Product testers are looking for free stuff to demonstrate. Upcoming reviews:

Vredestien vs Continental 3000 vs Michelin Pro Axial
Lighting systems
Hydration packs
Energy drinks


Memorial Weekend Grand Mesa Loop Tour
Mary Melick

The Memorial Weekend Three-day Grand Mesa Loop Tour will start from Rifle this year, on Saturday May 24th and runs through Monday, May 26th .The cost of the ride is $180.00, which includes accommodations, full sag support, maps and snacks/refreshments along the route. Accommodations are based upon double occupancy, so either bring a friend, or you'll make a new one on the trip. Woo, woo!

The route is from Rifle to Paonia - Paonia over the Grand Mesa into Grand Junction - Grand Junction back to Rifle for an approximate total of 330 miles if you include the optional loop out to Colorado National Monument and back.

Friday, May 23rd:
 Rifle:  The Rusty Cannon Motel. Cars may be parked in a lot adjacent to the Rusty Cannon Hotel in Rifle until your return on Monday. The Motel is approximately one mile outside of town and restaurants, other than fast food, are in town. There are three rather nicely rated restaurants available. No arrangements have been made for dinner on the 23rd.

Saturday, May 24th: 
Rifle to Paonia is approximately 96.5 miles with the climb up to McClure Pass and then a fast descent into Paonia.
Paonia: 
The Bross Hotel is actually a fully renovated bed and breakfast with private baths for each room. Dining in Paonia is within a block of the hotel at the Casa, which is supposed to be the best restaurant outside of Grand Junction. Although no arrangements have been made, if everyone would like to eat together, reservations can be made. A full breakfast (hence bed and breakfast) will be served on Sunday morning and is included in the cost of your room. 

Sunday, May 25th: 
Paonia over the Grand Mesa into Grand Junction is approximately 105 miles with the climb over the Mesa from the south being the preferable approach.
Grand Junction: 
The Best Western Horizon Hotel. Dinner reservations have been made at the Winery in Grand Junction for Sunday evening. Although not within walking distance, transportation to and fro will be available.

Monday, May 26th: 
Grand Junction returning to Rifle is approximately 65 miles, or you may add an additional 25 miles by adding the Colorado National Monument loop. Rifle to Denver is approximately 185 miles (all downhill).

Please note: The Bross Hotel in Paonia and The Best Western Horizon in Grand Junction both have hot tubs, so remember your suits! In addition, massages are available for Saturday, May 24th at the Bross for $45/hr, but, if you are interested, you will need to book at least one week in advance.

For additional information and/or reservations, contact Rick or Mary Melick. The maximum space is limited to 20 and we are close to 50%, so get your name on the list soon. Registration and a deposit of $75.00 are due by April15th . The registration deadline had to be moved up to accommodate the hotels' cancellation policies.

! ! !Voler Jersey Order! ! ! 

Time is running out!
Show our club colors by
wearing the quality jersey
and, new for this year, the
matching wind vests.

Order form in March's newsletter or 
downloadable on our website.


Chain Chatter  
April 2003
 

Rocky Mountain Cycling Club
P.O. Box 201
Wheat Ridge, CO 80034
 

www.rmccrides.com    

For people who love to ride!


May 2003

Rocky Mountain Cycling Club
For people who love to ride

Chain   Chatter 

May 2003

Confession of a Fried Rabbit
By Val Phelps

I too have fallen victim to the crafty turtles. I'm really not certain if I'm a rabbit, or, if by age or evolution, I've been transformed into a turtle. I am certain, however, there is much to be learned from the wise old turtles in RMCC. You may have noticed me riding with and listening intently to the more experienced shelled reptiles in our club.

After my initial training in turtle tactics, I have made a habit of stirring up the rabbits. Sprinting past the rabbits for a short time (this really stirs them up) and then slowing to a comfortable pace with the majority of the group causes the rabbits to pickup their pace and hopefully burn themselves out (a classic turtle strategy). Turtles are also privy to numerous shortcuts that can only be learned by befriending our terrapin brothers. 

I have adopted my own verbal turtle tactics such as:

"I ride a steel Schwinn" (it's actually a 19 pound Waterford).
"I'm old and slow" (I'm old but not that slow).
"I suck at climbing" (only compared to our elite RMCC climbers).

Most importantly turtles are masters of heart rate maintenance. A turtle keeps his rate out of anaerobic levels unless absolutely necessary until the final few miles of a ride. This is easier said than done. Pride (not wanting to be passed), greed (drafting fast riders will make you go faster), and ignorance (not knowing your heart rate) will cause all but the strongest riders to falter near the end. A stewed turtle is the finest but most difficult dish to obtain. A turtle will often disavow any knowledge of a contest making the rabbit's victory hollow. The only way a rabbit can know for certain that a turtle is ready for consumption is to listen for the turtle's bell. The bell signifies that the turtle is indeed trying to hunt rabbit and, therefore, available to be eaten themselves.

**********May rides start at 7:45 AM**********

Date Meeting Place Cat   Mi  Tour Description Ride Leader
May 3 Sat Rooney Road R/P 41 Bergen Park, Evergreen, Red Rocks Tom Foss
End 78 Bergen Park, Squaw, Bergen, Red Rocks
May 4 Sun Aurora R/P 54 Aurora, Prospect Valley, and back  Amy Oehmen
End 110 Aurora, Prospect Valley, Roggen, Keenesburg 
May 10 Sat Superior R/P 62 Morgul-Bismark, Coal Creek, Nederland    Tom Foss
End 100 Morgul-Bismark, Coal Creek, Ward, Lyons, Hygeine
May 11 Sun Wiggins R/P 54 Fort Morgan, Weldona, Goodrich, Orchard Jack Vincent
End 92 Fort Morgan, Brush, Hillrose, Orchard
May 17 Sat Castle Rock R/P 67 Franktown, Monument, Palmer, Larkspur Rick Melick
End 95 Franktown, Kiowa, Elbert, Monument, Palmer  
May 18 Sun Exit 243 R/P 51 Johnstown, Windsor, Berthoud, Mead Jon Breen
End 99 Johnstown, Fort Collins, Hoorsetooth, Longmont  
May 24 Sat Golden R/P 71 Mount Vernon, Idaho Springs, Echo Lake Jack Vincent
End 99 Same as above but Saint Mary's Glacier added 
May 25 Sun Exit 255 R/P 61 Windsor, Severance, Milliken, Timnath Jack Vincent
End 109 Windsor, Purcell, Briggsdale, Kersey, Matthews, Milliken
May 31 Sat Rooney Road All 62 Red Rocks, Deer Creek, High Grade, Pleasant Park, Sheridan Garcia
Conifer, Black Mountain, Evergreen, Red Rocks 

********Weekday Rides*******
Start at 5:30 and continue through the summer

Tuesdays Golden Tuesday night hill climb Jonathan Breen
Wednesdays South High School Handle Bar and Grill rides Val Phelps
Loop Washington Park
*******RMCC Challenge Series Rides********
May 4 Sun Exit 243 200 K Horsetooth Reservoir       8:00 AM start  John Lee Ellis
May 17 Sat Littleton 300 K Black Forest, Elbert         4:00 AM start 
May 31 Sat Superior 400 K  Platteville, Horsetooth     4:00 AM start 

Must call to register for all RMCC Challenge Series Rides.


RMCC Club Meeting
Club meetings are held the first Tuesday of every month. Attendees can experience the atmosphere and repartee at the Denny's Restaurant at Park A venue and I-25 at 7:00 PM.


RMCC Online
Latest news and ride updates done by John Klever. Sign up to lead rides, club history, brevet information, present and past newsletters, and more. www.rmccrides.com


Membership
Cost is $25/yr and goes towards printing of the program guide, newsletters, brevets, and club activities. Contact:
Tom Foss
7301 W 32nd Ave.
Wheat Ridge, CO
80033

Exit 243
The ride start at the gas station has been moved due to parking restrictions. We will be starting at the park-and-Ride on the south west quadrant of Exit 243.

For Sale
2000 Trek T100 tandem. 23/21 drum brake $2000 Trade for 23/18? Contact Brent Myers

2001 Gary Fisher Sugar 2 GS (women's) full suspension Mtn bike fits 5'9". See website for full description. Loaded. Asking $1200 
Contact David or Karyn

Specialized Tri Spoke rear wheel (clincher) with Continental tire for $150 obo.
Zippdeep rim $$) front wheel (tubular) with Continental Triathalon tire for $150 obo. Both wheels are in mint condition with about 500 miles. 
Contact Trish Heisdorffer.


Syntace C2 clip ultralight medium aerobars. Used one season. $65 
Campi 11-25 10 spd. Cassette near New $45. 
Performance Hang 2 Plus wall mount bike rack $20 
Contact Jonathan at 
ghostman2651 @earthlink.net

Tire Review
By Val Phelps

Michelin Pro Race / Continental Grand Prix 3000 / Vredestein Fortezza

There are many factors to consider in choosing a road tire such as economy, durability, puncture resistance, weight, comfort, rolling resistance, and cornering. Size and tire pressure also have an effect on any particular model. All tested tires are 23mm and were run at the maximum recommended air pressure.

Each category with order of preference: 
Economy -Vredestein / Michelin / Continental 
Durability -Vredestein / Michelin / Continental 
Puncture Resistance -Vredestein / Michelin / Continental
Weight - Michelin / Continental/ Vredestein 
Comfort - Michelin / Continental/ Vredestein 
Rolling Resistance - Michelin / Vredestein / Continental
Cornering - Michelin / Continental/ Vredestein

Overall "feel" makes the Michelin Pro Race my overwhelming favorite. If economy, durability, and puncture resistance are most important; I recommend the Vredestein Fortezza. A tire not tested but recommended by many RMCC riders is the Continental Ultra 2000 (very similar to the Vredestein Fortezza).


Announcing a new benefit for our members and presented by our own Mike Prendergast, an evening of bike maintenance for the uninitiated. This hands on workshop will only cover the basics such as removing the chain, lubricating the chain, quieting those noisy gears, changing the cluster, and adjusting the headset and the slightly wobbly wheel.

Bring your bike for hands-on instruction from Mike and others.

This workshop will be at Mike's in Erie on May 19th from 6:30 to 8:30 PM.

RSVP Mike Prendergast


Lessons from the Cherry Creek Time Trials
 
By Tom Foss

The coach said the most important thing to know is your start time and the race clock time. I knew both those things, but I swear someone changed the race clock after I had set my watch by it. Okay, so next week I'll set my watch to the race clock WHEN I come back in from marshalling.

I thought things were going too smoothly for my first time trial - got back to the start, peed, got the trainer out, got changed, I start at sunset so switched to yellow lenses in my Smiths, remembered to take my frame pump and saddle bag off the bike (took one of the water bottle cages off the bike the night before), switched out the skewer on the back wheel so the bike would fit in the trainer, and then did my 20 minute warm up with a two minute interval at lactic threshold (LT) in the middle. Four minutes to start -- got the bike off the trainer, switched skewers again (I have to find some way around this), drained the water bottle and threw it in the jeep, decided to ride without gloves so ditched those too. Two minutes to start, put helmet on, clicked in and rode off to start 50 yards away. I'm at the start with one minute to go. Yeah! Did it! Coach said if you got to the start and had to wait more than two minutes you'd cool off too much. 

I'm number 381, why is number 385 in front of me, why is number 384 going now?! My watch is now a minute and a half slower than the race clock!? The starters said to just get going - no point in a standing start. I get going, but wait my heart rate monitor (HRM) is not running - next week remember to start the HRM way before the start. Finally get the HRM on and WHOA, I'm already so way out of zone I begin to think I'm going to die halfway through the course. So, with the HRM alarm beeping in my ears I finally get onto the aero-bars and clear my head off all things except going fast. I was able to use racers 385, 384, 383 and 382 as targets - I passed each one. And as hard as I thought I was riding (my HRM alarm kept reminding me) I finished feeling I could have ridden a little bit harder. After starting at least 1:20 later than assigned, my total time was 29:51.3 for the 10.2 mile course. Really slow. I had hoped for a time under 27 minutes. Okay, I can rationalize and subtract the minute and 20 seconds I was penalized, and maybe an additional 20 to 30 seconds for dealing with the HRM -- I'm almost there. And the fastest time yesterday? 21:33.0. I'm 57 out of 63 in my division (SM45+). Wait 'til next week.
Editors note: Tom has since dropped a minute and a half. Way to go Tom!!!!!


!!!Voler Jersey Order!!!
Time is running out!
Show our club colors by wearing the quality jersey 
and, new for this year, the matching wind vests.

Order form in March's newsletter or downloadable on our website.



Chain Chatter  
May 2003
 

Rocky Mountain Cycling Club
P.O. Box 201
Wheat Ridge, CO 80034
 

www.rmccrides.com    

For people who love to ride!


June 2003

Rocky Mountain Cycling Club
For people who love to ride

Chain   Chatter 

June 2003

Proposal on the Pass
By BJ Long

McClure Pass is a place that is familiar to many cyclists. Various comments are made about the steepness and the beauty of the area, but, for two RMCC members, McClure will always be magical. That is the place where Jim Krachny proposed to Carol Chaffee during the Memorial Weekend Ride.

At the Bross Hotel in Paonia, Carol said, " We had just climbed the pass when he told me to pull over. 'Pull Over I said...' .We never stop on top of a pass! Then he convinced me to pull over, and he got down on one knee and everything!" Carol had just come down the stairs at the Bross and was just beaming as she told us the news. She couldn't believe Jim had carried the ring in his jersey all morning. And a beautiful ring it is.

The couple, who met mountain biking, are a wonderful match and just radiate warmth and happiness. It is a good thing they've found each other to ride with because none of the rest of us can keep up with them. 

They are planning a November wedding after the Furnace Creek 500, and we wish them the best! So for two members of RMCC the words "I just love McClure Pass" really ring true.

June rides start at 7:45 am.

Date and Day

Start

Ride Name

Ride Starter

Type of Ride and Ride Description

Mileage

June 7, Saturday

Pine Junction

Pine Junction-Woodland Park Century
Meet time is 8:15 for an 8:30 departure.
Jack Vincent
R/P: Pine Junction, Pine, Deckers, Pine, Pine Junction 50 miles
End: Pine Junction, Pine, Deckers, Woodland Park, Deckers, Pine, Pine Junction 96 miles
Pine Junction Web Cam
June 8, Sunday

Northglenn

Northglenn-Greeley Century Val Phelps
R/P: Northglenn, Brighton, Dacono, Northglenn 41 miles
End: Northglenn, Brighton, Fort Lupton, Platteville, Evans, Milliken, Johnstown, 
          Firestone, Dacono, Northglenn
101 miles
June 14, Saturday Lyons

Lyons-Trail Ridge Road Century

Alan Simmons
R/P: Lyons, Raymond, Ward, Lefthand Canyon, Lyons 47 miles
End: Lyons, Allenspark, Estes Park, Iceberg Pass, Fall River Pass, 
          Trail Ridge Summit, Fall River Pass, Iceberg Pass, Estes Park, 
          Pinewood Springs, Lyons
110 miles
June 15, Sunday

Exit 255

Exit 255-Stove Prairie Century Bob Miller
R/P: Exit 255, Masonville, Horsetooth Reservoir, Timnath, Windsor, Exit 255 57 miles
End: Exit 255, Masonville, Stove Prairie, Rist Canyon, Bellevue, Fort Collins, Horsetooth Reservoir,
          Masonville, Loveland, Exit 255
85 miles
June 21, Saturday

Superior

Superior-Golden Gate Canyon Century Beth Long
R/P: Superior, Boulder, Lefthand Canyon, James Canyon, Jamestown, 
         James Canyon, Lefthand Canyon, Lee Hill Road, Boulder, Superior
48 miles
End: Superior, Boulder, Lefthand Canyon, Ward, Nederland, Rollinsville,
          Golden Gate Canyon, Golden, Leyden, Morgul-Bismark, Superior
95 miles
June 22, Sunday

Exit 243

Exit 243-Carter Lake-Loveland loop Jack Vincent
R/P: Exit 243, Johnstown, Campion, Bodecker Lake, Carter Lake, Berthoud, Exit 243 62 miles
End: Exit 243, Johnstown, Windsor, Timnath, Fort Collins, Horsetooth Reservoir, 
       Masonville, Carter Lake, Berthoud, Exit 243
126 miles
June 28, Saturday

Copper Mountain

Copper Triangle Century Clockwise Sheridan Garcia
R/P: Copper Mountain, Fremont Pass, Leadville, Turquoise Lake, Leadville,  
          Fremont Pass, Copper Mountain
69 miles
End: Copper Mountain, Fremont Pass, Leadville, Turquoise Lake, Tennessee Pass, Vail, 
          Vail Pass, Copper Mountain
100 miles
June 29, Sunday

Aurora

Aurora-Roggen Century Jonathan Breen
R/P: Aurora, Watkins, Bennett, 88th Avenue, Strasburg, Bennett, Watkins, Aurora 67 miles
End: Aurora, Watkins, Bennett, Prospect Valley, Roggen, Keenesburg, 
          Prospect Valley,  Bennett, Watkins, Aurora
110 miles

*******Weekday Rides********
Continue through the summer

Day

Start Location

Ride Description

Ride Starter

Tuesday

Golden

The Tuesday Night Hill Climb starts at 5:30 pm. Jonathan Breen
Wednesday

South High School

The Handle Bar and Grill Show-and-Go
This ride starts at 5:30 pm.
Val Phelps
Thursday

Erie

Thursday Evening Erie Ride
This ride starts at 6:00 pm from Meadow Sweet Park.
Mike Prendergast

*******RMCC Challenge Series Rides*******

Date and Day

Start

Ride Name

Ride Starter

Type of Ride and Ride Description

Mileage

June 14 - 15, Saturday and Sunday Superior-Estes Park 600 Kilometer Brevet
Starts in Superior
This is a RMCC Challenge Series 2003 ride.
John Lee Ellis
Brevet: Superior, Boulder, Saint Vrain Canyon, Estes Park, Horsetooth, Wellington, Evans 372 miles
Registration is required for the brevet by June 1. Subject to cancellation. 
Sign in at 3:00 AM for a 4:00 AM departure. Lights are required.
Rules & Tips
ACP Super-Randonneur Credit 
Qualified for UMCA Mileage Challenge credit
June 28, Saturday

Golden

THE GRAND LOOP
They'll Say It Can't Be Done
This is a RMCC Challenge Series 2003 ride.
Charlie Henderson
Golden, Boulder, Lyons, Trail Ridge Road, Granby, Berthoud Pass, 
           Idaho Springs, Golden.
203 miles
Meet at 2:30 AM. Registration is required by June 5. 
June 28 - 30, Saturday - Monday

Superior

Superior-Platteville-Lefthand Canyon-Saint Vrain Canyon-Horsetooth- Wellington-Fort Morgan-Big Thompson Canyon
1000 Kilometer
Brevet 
This is a RMCC Challenge Series 2003 ride.
John Lee Ellis
Brevet: Superior, Platteville, Lefthand Canyon, Saint Vrain Canyon, Horsetooth, Wellington, Fort Morgan, Big Thompson Canyon 622 miles
Registration is required for the brevet by June 15. The brevet is subject to cancellation.  
Sign in at 3:30 AM for a 4:00 AM departure. Lights are required.
Rules & Tips
ACP Super-Randonneur Credit (372 miles).
Qualified for UMCA Mileage Challenge credit

RMCC Club Meeting
Club meetings are held the first Tuesday of every month. Attendees can experience the atmosphere and repartee at the Denny's Restaurant at Park A venue and I-25 at 7:00 PM.


RMCC Online
Latest news and ride updates done by John Klever. Sign up to lead rides, club history, brevet information, present and past newsletters, and more. www.rmccrides.com


Membership
Cost is $25/yr and goes towards printing of the program guide, newsletters, brevets, and club activities. Contact:
Tom Foss
7301 W 32nd Ave.
Wheat Ridge, CO
80033

Exit 243
The ride start at the gas station has been moved due to parking restrictions. We will be starting at the park-and-Ride on the south west quadrant of Exit 243.


For Sale
2000 Trek T100 tandem. 23/21 drum brake $2000 Trade for 23/18? Contact Brent Myers


5/6: For Sale: Rambouillet frame by Rivendell Bicycles, 58 cm NEW, has had wheels and brakes installed, but never completely built up or ridden. See www.rivendellbicycles.com for more details. Perfect long mileage or brevet bike! Perfect condition. $875 free shipping to Front Range area.
Tim Rangitsch, 605.348.0241, timmarta@juno.com


4/22: For Sale: Specialized Tri Spoke Rear Wheel (clincher) with Continental tire for $150 or best offer.  Zipp Deep Rim 440 Front Wheel (tubular) with Continental Triathlon tire for $150 or best offer.  Both wheels in mint condition with about 500 miles.  If interested, contact Trish Heisdorffer.


4/16: For Sale:
Syntace C2 Clip UltraLite medium aerobars. Use 1 season. $65
Campi 11-25 10 spd cassette, nearly new $45
Performance Hang 2 Plus wall mount bike rack $20
Contact Jonathan Breen.


7/19: Leadville Hostel & Inn

500 East 7th St., Leadville, CO 80461
719.486.9334 www.leadvillehostel.com
leadvillehostel
@amigo.net

An inexpensive and clean place for the adventure minded visitor to the mountains. Rates are $15 to $20 per person per night, depending on the season. Group rates available. Shuttle service can be arranged for hikers, bikers and river runners.


300km Brevet - 16 May 2003

RUSA# Rider Time
1936 Abernathy, Stacy 14:52
1566 Alvis, Mark 14:38
Aranda, Jasmine 12:51
410 Baranczyk, Merle 12:38
818 Barday, Robert 13:18
Bennett, Kathryne 11:50
356 Billingsley, Ken 14:37
2132 Bodeux, Reynald 12:36
Chaffee, Carol 11:05
1850 Deignan, Mike DNF
Delella, John 13:22
Dickerson, Terry 13:34
2308 Dodge, Stephanie 14:56
1948 Durmas, Christopher 14:37
153 Ellis, John Lee 11:50
1927 Elmblad, John 13:34
2264 Emig, James 10:35
Engler, Ed 14:57
796 Farnsworth, Rex 13:05
Flanigan, John 11:08
1471 Foley, Paul 11:12
2032 Foss, Tom 13:01
890 Fourney, Robert 10:10
908 Fox, Mike 14:52
471 Fulton, Michael 10:10
2206 Gillespie, Melody 15:15
2207 Gillespie, Michael 15:15
1060 Grealish, Chris 10:10
6 Henderson, Charlie 13:08
2298 Hiebert, Doug 12:55
2309 Howard, Mark 12:13
Howe, James 11:25
46 Hughes, John 13:35
Kalisch, Tim 11:40
Knoblauch, Tom 12:50
1635 Kroonenberg, Stuart 11:05
Kraychy, Jim 11:05
836 Ledbetter, Scott 11:38
1800 Lewis, Norman 12:36
2145 Long, Beth 13:51
McClenaghan, Sean 11:05
McNeal, Kyle 12:45
2129 Myers, Brent 13:51
1896 Olson-Rangitsch, Marta 14:57
2033 Oltmans, Steven 11:36
Pettit, Brian 13:06
2299 Phelps, Val 12:49
1895 Rangitsch, Tim 14:57
Saunders, Rita 12:00
1503 Simmons, Eric 13:22
1842 Smith, Vernon 10:58
2248 Van Meter, Erika 14:15
341 Werner, Glen 13:34

Biggest, Windiest 300k Yet!

The new, quieter-but-no-less-challenging Palmer Divide 300km attracted 50 riders, more than double any previous turnout! For many, this was their first 300km, and, thanks to the wind, there were many fast times - Chris Grealish, Bob Fourney, and Mike Fulton finishing in 10:10, for example - and quite a few PR's.

Well, it may not have been verifiably our windiest 300km, but it was pretty windy, with typical good-weather conditions for that area - a hefty downslope southerly wind over the Palmer Divide to waft riders back home. All the checkpoint stores were friendly and welcoming, including the newly-remodeled Black Forest store, under new ownership. Temps in the 80's were a welcome contrast to the chilling downpours of two years ago.

Our riders included the trio from Rapid City SD again - Ed Engler, and Tim and Marta Rangitch - plus Terry Dickerson from Cambridge, England.

- John Lee Ellis, Regional Brevet Administrator

 
200km Brevet - 4 May 2003

RUSA# Rider Time
1936 Abernathy, Stacy 9:20
1566 Alvis, Mark 8:59
Aranda, Jasmine 8:52
410 Baranczyk, Merle 9:05
818 Barday, Robert 10:06
app. Bennett, Kathryne 7:50
356 Billingsley, Ken 9:30
1182 Black, David 11:49
2132 Bodeux, Reynald 8:07
Boldt, Bryan 6:34
Chaffee, Carol 7:15
488 Corbitt, James 11:49
1850 Deignan, Mike 10:16
2308 Dodge, Stephanie 10:05
1948 Durmas, Christopher 9:30
153 Ellis, John 8:12
1927 Elmblad, John 9:20
2264 Emig, James 7:24
app. Engler, Ed 9:20
796 Farnsworth, Rex 10:06
Flanigan, John 7:50
1471 Foley, Paul 7:03
2032 Foss, Tom 8:15
890 Fourney, Robert 6:55
908 Fox, Mike 9:20
471 Fulton, Michael 6:45
2206 Gillespie, Melody 10:22
2207 Gillespie, Michael 10:22
1060 Grealish, Chris 7:07
6 Henderson, Charles 10:06
70 Herrick, Jack 10:01
2298 Hiebert, Doug 8:36
2309 Howard, Mark 8:03
Howe, James 7:07
46 Hughes, John 9:26
2251 Jagoda, Jack 8:52
Kalisch, Tim 7:10
Knoblauch, Tom 8:00
Kraychy, Jim 7:15
836 Ledbetter, Scott 8:10
1800 Lewis, Norman 8:23
2145 Long, Beth 9:34
>> Mayer, John 9:01
McClenghan, Sean 7:50
McDonald, Sargent 7:12
McGamman, Dan 8:07
2129 Myers, Brent 9:29
1896 Olson-Rangitsch, Marta 9:25
2033 Oltmans, Steven 7:40
Pettit, Brian 8:53
2299 Phelps, Val 7:40
Prendergast, Mike 7:40
1895 Rangitsch, Tim 9:25
Simmons, Alan 6:50
1053 Simmons, Eric 10:16
1842 Smith, Vernon 8:12
2248 Van Meter, Erika 8:52
341 Werner, Glen 9:01

Biggest, Windiest 200k Yet!

The Rawhide course promises wind – skirting Wyoming as it does – and this year it certainly delivered! Fortunately there was quite a bit of tailwind payback on the way home. A record 56 cyclists rode this 200km, up from 39 riders in 2002 (also a record, up from the 20’s the year before). Of these, 74% were members of Randonneurs USA, a fair number aiming for Paris-Brest-Paris. We had two tandems, three riders from South Dakota, and one from Florida.

Our wet snow/rain spring lent a velvet green to the open prairies and the hogback ridge which the route paralleled southbound. Increasing downslope winds made for brilliant cloudbanks over the Divide and, according to Charlie Henderson, a “white-knuckle” experience over Horsetooth Reservoir – Charlie had been looking forward to a “recovery day” after his big climb the day before over Juniper Pass.

We thank all the riders, both veterans and new faces, for coming out; and a special thanks to en route officials Patricia Heller and her dog Buster!

- John Lee Ellis, Regional Brevet Administrator

 


A Week to Remember
By BJ Long 

Neither snow, nor wind, nor desert sun kept the Spring Contrail from being a rousing success. The drive down did not bode well for 16 cyclists, marooned in the Holiday Inn in Trinidad for 5 1/2 hours, while blizzard conditions closed Raton Pass. Spirits were rather low when the electricity at the hotel went out, and the answer to " when can we leave" became ambiguous, at best.

Despite the delayed journey we arrived in Safford, Arizona and, after catching a night of rest, began our riding challenge the next morning. 

I felt rather overwhelmed by the depth of experience and famous names on this ride. Chris Grealish, winner of last year's BMB; John Hughes, former RAAM winner; John Lee Ellis, Charlie Henderson, Rex Farnsworth and Bob Barday all multiple finishers of PBP and BMB... all riders whose names I had known and been intimidated by! It didn't help that on the drive down Rita and Chris were discussing all of the long-distance rides they had completed over the last ten years or so, such as the Denver to Aspen Classic. I wondered what I had gotten myself into and how was I going to survive the next six days. 

All of my worrying was unwarranted. The beauty of Contrail is that no one cares. What I mean by that is that no one cares who you are or how much riding you have or have not done; everyone is just there to ride and have fun. 

I learned a tremendous amount from Chris and Rita on the way down. The important things to do, but more importantly, the things not to do. Chris was very generous, sharing his experience and dispensing advice to try and help others learn from his mistakes. His kindness continued throughout the ride, giving tips and opinions, and not acting at all like the celebrity I feared he might be. 

I also learned a lot from Sy Katz. He taught me to have fun with all this riding and, although nutrition is important, to relax a bit with it. I'm not sure I could do the 11,000 foot climbing day subsisting on hostess snowballs as he seemed to do, but the relaxed and jovial manner with which he approaches riding is definitely worth evaluating. 

 John Hughes and Jon Lee Ellis were both surprisingly upbeat and friendly. When I went to the brevet seminar, I was impressed with both of them. John Hughes seemed to be very intellectual and quite knowledgeable, like a college professor. John knew more about equipment and training than anyone I've heard speak. Both of them were quite different away from the podium. John H. was very down to earth, not at all the aloof person I feared, and John Lee with his beaming smile showed me what it's like to do something, i.e., ride great distances, because you truly love riding. He quietly went out everyday before us and finished after us, as he completed the extra mileage that he needed to get his riding fix. 

The contrail isn't just for riders of this magnitude. There are mere mortals that also made the ride special: Nela and Ray, he the racer, she the quiet, but determined rider; Laura and Mike, the fun loving, but terrific riders from Fort Collins who provided all of us with chocolates for Easter and the best peanut butter and jelly bagels around; Mike Peters, the most improved rider since he struggled through last year's contrail, also should get credit for the best sunburn. It covered half of his forehead. 

The experienced turtles Charlie, Rex, and Bob gave me a boost after I tried to keep up with the rabbits one day. They dispensed advice and gave me hope that I too could be a distance rider, and that the sport has a place for everyone. 

I learned so much on the Spring Contrail that for me it was much, much more than just a ride. John Hughes taught me to ride at my level, and I'll find others to ride with. He picked me up with his little paceline on the last day when the winds were horrific and I felt like crying. Chris Grealish taught me that all of us are in this together no matter what our level of riding is. Sy Katz reminded me to have fun and laugh, and John Ellis taught me that I do this thing, this cycling thing because I really do love it. All of this added up to a wonderful week to remember. And as all you, I am a member of RMCC - the club for people who love to ride.


Fried Rabbit Again
By Brent Myers

The riding season is well on it's way with goals being reached and favorite rides already coming to pass. I woke up this morning, the second morning after my first 400K brevet, moving rather slowly and having coffee and Nuprin for breakfast. I took the advice of the experienced brevet riders and took it easy and enjoyed the daybreak on the flats and never pushed the ride into Ward. Never once did I succumb to the siren call of the rabbit. But after the last checkpoint in Windsor, on the flats again I realized how tired I was. Sunset was beautiful, but the ride back slowed down in the darkness. 

At this point I realized I would finish but was reassessing my goal of doing PBP, knowing I was not going to like getting on the bike to do at least 300K the next day. I am not physically or mentally ready to go to Paris. I'm going to aim for BMB in two years. I've learned a lot in 400K with a greater respect for those who have and will do America proud in 2003. It's just not my time yet. Before I go, I will have at least one l200K of experience to rely upon. Not doing this is foolish and ill advised for me and, I believe, anyone else who is thinking of PBP for their first l200K.


Chain Chatter  
June 2003
 

Rocky Mountain Cycling Club
P.O. Box 201
Wheat Ridge, CO 80034
 

www.rmccrides.com    

For people who love to ride!


July 2003

Rocky Mountain Cycling Club
For people who love to ride

Chain   Chatter 

July 2003

*****July rides start at 7:45 AM.*****

Date and Day

Start

Ride Name

Ride Starter

Type of Ride and Ride Description

Mileage

July 5, Saturday

Golden

Foothills Climb Fest - They'll say it can't be fun - 10,000 vertical feet; 500,000 horizontal feet  Bob Miller
R/P: Golden, various climbs and descents, Golden 65 miles
End: Golden, various climbs and descents, Golden 100 miles
July 6, Sunday

Superior

Superior-Hygiene-Berthoud loop Tom Foss
R/P: Superior, Boulder, Longmont, Erie, Lafayette, Louisville, Superior 50 miles
End: Superior, Boulder, Longmont, Berthoud, Lafayette, Louisville, Superior 72 miles
July 12, Saturday

Monument

Monument-AFA-Black Forest loop
You will need a picture ID to ride on Air Force Academy roads.
Rick Melick
R/P: Monument (Lewis Palmer), Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Monument 43 miles
End: Monument (Lewis Palmer), Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, 
          Black Forest, Monument
61 miles
July 12, Saturday

Bergen Park

Triple Bypass (This is not an RMCC ride.)

 
Bergen Park (Evergreen), Squaw Pass, Echo Lake, Idaho Springs, Georgetown, 
         
Loveland Pass, Dillon, Frisco, Copper Mountain, Vail Pass, Vail, Avon
120 miles
Sponsored by Team Evergreen. Registration forms are in local bike shops or click here.
July 13, Sunday

Rooney Road

Rooney Road-Evergreen-Conifer loop Jack Vincent
All: Rooney Road, Red Rocks, Evergreen, Black Mountain Road, Conifer, 
       Pleasant Park Road, Phillipsburg, Deer Creek Canyon, Ken Caryl, 
       Red Rocks, Rooney Road
62 miles
July 19, Saturday

Idaho Springs

Idaho Springs-Mount Evans-Bergen Park return
Sign in at 7:15 AM for a 7:30 departure.
Val Phelps
R/P: Idaho Springs, Echo Lake, Bergen Park, Idaho Springs 44 miles
End: Idaho Springs, Echo Lake, Mount Evans, Echo Lake, Bergen Park, 
          Idaho Springs
72 miles
July 20, Sunday

Northglenn

Northglenn-Keenesburg Century Jack Vincent
R/P: Northglenn, Henderson, DIA (Denver International Airport)  loop, 
          Barr Lake, Brighton, County Road 6, Northglenn
67 miles
End: Northglenn, Henderson, DIA loop, Barr Lake, Prospect Valley, 
          Keenesburg, Hudson, Fort Lupton, Brighton, Henderson, Northglenn
114 miles
July 26, Saturday

Littleton

Littleton-High Drive-Conifer loop Jack Vincent
All: Littleton, Deer Creek Canyon, High Drive, Brook Forest, Conifer, 
       Pleasant Park Road, City View Drive, Deer Creek Canyon, Littleton
62 miles
July 27, Sunday

Northglenn

Northglenn-Hudson figure 8 + Keenesburg Brent Myers
R/P: Northglenn, Brighton, Fort Lupton, Dacono, Northglenn 44 miles
End: Northglenn, Brighton, Hudson, Keenesburg, Hudson, Fort Lupton, Dacono, 
          Northglenn
72 miles

*******Weekday Rides********
Continue through the summer

Day

Start Location

Ride Description

Ride Starter

Tuesdays

Golden

The Tuesday Night Hill Climb starts at 5:30 pm. Jonathan Breen
Wednesdays

South High School

The Handle Bar and Grill Show-and-Go
This ride starts at 5:30 pm.
Val Phelps
Thursdays

Erie

Thursday Evening Erie Ride
This ride starts at 6:00 pm from Meadow Sweet Park.
Mike Prendergast

*****RMCC Challenge Series Rides*****

Date and Day

Start

Ride Name

Ride Starter

Type of Ride and Ride Description

Mileage

July 12, Saturday

Littleton

Littleton-Pine Junction-Manitou Springs-Littleton 300 Kilometer Brevet Charlie Henderson
Brevet: Littleton, Pine Junction, Manitou Springs, Colorado Springs, Sedalia, Littleton 185 miles

RMCC Club Meeting
Club meetings are held the first Tuesday of every month. Attendees can experience the atmosphere and repartee at the Denny's Restaurant at Park Avenue and I-25 at 7:00 PM.


RMCC Online
Latest news and ride updates done by John Klever. Sign up to lead rides, club history, brevet information, present and past newsletters, and more. www.rmccrides.com


Membership
Cost is $25 per year and goes towards printing of the program guide, newsletters, brevets, and club activities. Contact:
Tom Foss
7301 W 32nd Ave.
Wheat Ridge, CO
80033

 
600 K Brevet Results
RUSA# Rider Time Speed
471 Fulton, Michael 20:45:00 17.97
1060 Grealish, Chris 20:45:00 17.97
890 Fourney, Robert 22:05:00 16.88
2264 Emig, James 26:30:00 14.06
2309 Howard, Mark 26:30:00 14.06
1471 Foley, Paul 26:50:00 14.06
1635 Kroonenberg, Stuart 26:50:00 14.06
1842 Smith, Vernon 26:50:00 14.06
1800 Lewis, Norman 28:00:00 13.31
410 Baranczyk, Merle 28:40:00 13.00
Howe, James 31:30:00 11.81
153 Ellis, John Lee 31:34:00 11.81
1471 Mack, Jerry 31:40:00 11.77
Chaffee, Carol 32:00:00 11.65
Kraychy, Jim 32:00:00 11.65
6 Henderson, Charlie 32:30:00 11.47
796 Farnsworth, Rex 33:03:00 11.28
2032 Foss, Tom 33:03:00 11.28
559 Baker, Tom (AZ) 33:05:00 11.29
2132 Bodeux, Reynald 33:13:00 11.22
818 Barday, Robert 33:15:00 11.23
341 Werner, Glen 33:20:00 11.18
886 Slack, Doug (IL) 33:28:00 11.13
660 Lake, John (IL) 33:29:00 11.13
2248 Van Meter, Erika 34:08:00 10.92
1936 Abernathy, Stacy 34:50:00 10.70
1927 Elmblad, John 34:50:00 10.70
908 Fox, Mike 34:50:00 10.70
2298 Hiebert, Doug 34:50:00 10.70
46 Hughes, John 34:50:00 10.70
2033 Oltmans, Steven 34:50:00 10.70
1503 Simmons, Eric 34:50:00 10.70
356 Billingsley, Ken 34:55:00 10.67
1948 Durmas, Christopher 34:55:00 10.67
1896 Olson-Rangitsch, Marta(sd) 35:30:00 10.50
1895 Rangitsch, Tim (SD) 35:30:00 10.50
1762 Boethling, Fred 36:34:00 10.20
2308 Dodge, Stephanie 36:34:00 10.20
1975 Moreels, Pierre (CA) 38:05:00 9.79
1923 Basset, Christophe (CA) dnf
Bennett, Kathryne dnf
2145 Long, Beth dnf

Hot Springs Adventure
September 6 & 7

Last mini-tour of the year takes us to the wonderful North Platte Valley in Wyoming. Enjoy the Snowy Range Road and the towns of Saratoga and Riverside. We will be staying at the historic Wolf Hotel and enjoying the hot springs. 170 total miles.

Contact Brent Myers.

 

Thanks!!!

This is for the volunteers who make this club run as smoothly as it does. Charlie Henderson and John Lee Ellis for their work on the brevets and their endless support for other riders. The Melicks for the Memorial Day Weekend ride, Voler jersey order, and Rick's advocacy with Bicycle Colorado. And Beth Long for the spring party along with my birthday celebration. And John Klever for our maps and website. And Tom for our E-mails and advocacy. And our ride starters...great job. And to Jonathan Breen who runs our Tuesday night ride and is soon going back east, I think, to chase after a particular woman. And to Mike P. for finally showing me how to clean my bike.                Brent


Chain Chatter  
July 2003
 

Rocky Mountain Cycling Club
P.O. Box 201
Wheat Ridge, CO 80034
 

www.rmccrides.com    

For people who love to ride!


August 2003

Rocky Mountain Cycling Club
For people who love to ride

Chain   Chatter 

August 2003

*****August rides start at 7:45 AM.*****

Date and Day

Start

Ride Name

Ride Starter

Type of Ride and Ride Description

Mileage

August 9, Saturday

Ted's Place

Ted's Place-Stove Prairie Double Looping Century Jack Vincent
R/P: Ted's Place, Mishwaka, Stove Prairie, Masonville, Horsetooth Reservoir,  Bellvue, Ted's Place 56 miles
End: Ted's Place, Mishwaka, Stove Prairie, Masonville, Horsetooth Reservoir, Bellvue, 
           Rist Canyon, Mishwaka, Poudre Park, Ted's Place
87 miles
August 10, Sunday

Littleton

Littleton-Conifer-Evergreen loop Tom Foss
R/P: Littleton, Deer Creek Canyon, Pleasant Park Road, City View, 
          South Turkey Creek Canyon, Deer Creek Canyon, Littleton
42 miles
End: Littleton, Deer Creek Canyon, Pleasant Park Road, Conifer, Black Mountain,
          Evergreen, Indian Hills, Willow Springs, Ken Caryl, Littleton
67 miles
August 16, Saturday

Golden

Golden-Mount Evans Century Tom Boyle
R/P: Golden, Mount Vernon Canyon, Bergen Park, Juniper Pass,  
          Bergen Park, Lookout Mountain, Golden
47 miles
End: Golden, Mount Vernon Canyon, Bergen Park, Juniper Pass, Echo Lake, 
          Mount Evans, Echo Lake, Juniper Pass, Bergen Park, 
          Lookout Mountain, Golden
93 miles
August 17, Sunday

Castle Rock

Castle Rock-Monument-Larkspur loop Beth Long
R/P: Castle Rock, Wolfensburger Road, Larkspur, Castle Rock 32 miles
End: Castle Rock, Wolfensburger Road, Palmer Lake, Monument, Larkspur, 
          Tomah Road, Castle Rock
62 miles
August 23, Saturday

Lyons

Lyons-Glen Haven Century Bob Miller
R/P: Lyons, Longmont, Carter Lake, Drake, Glen Haven, Devil's Gulch Road, 
          Estes Park, Pinewood Springs, Lyons
73 miles
End: Lyons, Longmont, Carter Lake, Drake, Glen Haven, Devil's Gulch Road, 
       Estes Park, Allenspark, Lyons
90 miles
August 24, Sunday

Northglenn

Northglenn-Prospect Valley Century Val Phelps
R/P: Northglenn, Henderson, Brighton, County Road 6, Northglenn 51 miles
End: Northglenn, Henderson, DIA loop, Barr Lake, Prospect Valley, Hudson,
          Fort Lupton, County Road 6, Northglenn
106 miles
August 24, Sunday

Larkspur

10th Annual Emily Griffith Center Road Ramble
This is not an RMCC ride.
Larkspur, Palmer Lake, Monument, Black Forest area -- Registration forms are at bike shops.  25 - 102 miles
August 30, Saturday

Golden

Golden Gate Canyon loop Tom Foss
R/P: Golden, Golden Gate Canyon, State Highway 119, 
          Golden Gate Canyon, Leyden, Golden
38 miles
End: Golden, Golden Gate Canyon, State Highway 119, Rollinsville, Pinecliffe,
           Wondervu, Coal Creek Canyon, Leyden, Golden
58 miles
August 31, Sunday

Wiggins

Wiggins-Hillrose-Orchard Century Gary Kliewer
R/P: Wiggins, Fort Morgan, Weldona, Goodrich, Orchard, Wiggins 54 miles
End: Wiggins, Fort Morgan, Brush, Hillrose, Snyder, Dodd, Fort Morgan, Weldona, Goodrich, Wiggins 92 miles

*******Weekday Rides********
Continue through the summer

Day

Start Location

Ride Description

Ride Starter

Tuesdays

Golden

The Tuesday Night Hill Climb starts at 5:30 pm. Philip Baker
Wednesdays

South High School

The Handle Bar and Grill Show-and-Go
This ride starts at 5:30 pm.
Tom Foss
Thursdays

Erie

Thursday Evening Erie Ride
This ride starts at 6:00 pm from Meadow Sweet Park.
Mike Prendergast

*****RMCC Challenge Series Rides*****

Date and Day

Start

Ride Name

Ride Starter

Type of Ride and Ride Description

Mileage

August 2, Saturday

Littleton

The Joe Lookingbill Denver-Aspen 300 Kilometer Brevet
This is an RMCC Challenge Series 2003 ride. Details
Charlie Henderson
Brevet: Littleton, Conifer, Pine Junction, Bailey, Kenosha Pass, Red Hill Pass, 
               Fairplay, Twin Lakes, Independence Pass, Aspen
186 miles
August 18 - 22, Monday - Thursday

St. Quentin-
en-Yvelines, France

Paris-Brest-Paris 
See
www.rusa.org.
PBP
Brevet: St. Quentin-en-Yvelines, Brest, St. Quentin-en-Yvelines 750 miles

RMCC Club Meeting
Club meetings are held the first Tuesday of every month. Attendees can experience the atmosphere and repartee at the Denny's Restaurant at Park Avenue and I-25 at 7:00 PM.

RMCC Online
Latest news and ride updates done by John Klever. Sign up to lead rides, club history, brevet information, present and past newsletters, and more. www.rmccrides.com

Membership
Cost is $25 per year and goes towards printing of the program guide, newsletters, brevets, and club activities. Contact:
Tom Foss
7301 W 32nd Ave.
Wheat Ridge, CO
80033

Exit 243
The ride start location at the gas station has been moved due to parking restrictions. We will be starting at the park and ride on the southwest quadrant of Exit 243.

For Sale
2000 Trek T100 tandem. 
23/21
Drum brake 
$2000 
Trade for 23/18? 
Contact Brent Myers

Hot Springs Ride September 6-7 
A few spots are still
available. 
Contact Brent Myers.

Leadville Hostel & Inn
500 East 7th St., Leadville, CO 80461 719.486.9334
www.Ieadvillehostel.com 
leadvillehostel@amigo.net
An inexpensive and clean place for the adventure minded visitor to the mountains. Rates are $15 to $20 per person per night, depending on the season. Group rates available. Shuttle service can be arranged for hikers, bikers and river runners.

RMCC Goes to the Huntsman World Senior Games
By Rex Farnsworth

Each year athletes gather from around the world to participate in the Huntsman World Senior Games in Saint George, Utah (usually more than 6000 strong plus spouses, family and friends). The senior games are all about fun in a competitive environment. To ensure that almost every athlete can enjoy the competition, there are many divisions in each sport. For example, in cycling there are divisions for men and women; in 5-year age brackets; and in 4 skill levels (novice, public A and B, and licensed). If you will be at least 50 years old by December 31, 2003, you can participate in the games. 

This year, the club is offering a trip to the senior games. The following arrangements, planned to allow members to participate in the cycling and/or in the mountain biking. 

A car pool departs Denver on October 5 with members who plan to participate in the cycling and for members who plan to participate in both events. Generally, we will race each morning, and pre-ride the next day's course in the afternoon. In the evenings, we will enjoy the excellent restaurants and nightlife of Saint George (it does exist). If time permits, we will tour Zion National Park by bicycle. A car pool returns to Denver on Saturday, October 11, with riders who are not staying for the mountain biking. 

For the mountain bike riders who did not participate in week one, a car pool departs Denver on October 10. The Friday departure provides ample time to pre-ride the course multiple times during the weekend before the events start on Monday. The final car pool returns to Denver October 15. 

Contact Rex Farnsworth to reserve your place on the trip. Then visit the Senior Games web site to register early. Senior games registration is $59 before 10 August; and $79 thereafter. In addition, there is a fee for each race entered ($12 cycling, $10 mountain biking). Finally, you will need a USCF day license for each day that you race ($5/day). Day licenses are available for purchase when you arrive in Saint George or from the USCF directly (see links below for more information).

Here are important information links: 
World Senior Games home page: www.seniorgames.net
Cycling info: www.hwsg.com/eventslcvcling.html 
Mountain Bike info: www.hwsg.com/events/mtnbiking.html 
Registration info: www.hwsg.com/regis.html 

Riding with RMCC
By Val Phelps

I encourage the more experienced members of our club to share their knowledge with new or prospective members. Inexperienced cyclists are often intimidated and may not ask for guidance, or they simply don't know what to ask. Experienced cyclists can encourage new members by providing tips on group riding, nutrition, equipment, training, and bike handling. 

Sometimes cyclists may not be receptive to unsolicited advice. Be firm when a rider is exhibiting dangerous behavior. Anyone riding in an unsafe manner with our club must be corrected immediately for the safety of all RMCC riders. If the rider does not respond, inform the ride leader or an RMCC board member. 

Aggressiveness is not necessarily unsafe. Experienced cyclists know how to react when a rider "jumps" or takes an aggressive line. If you keep your composure, even being bumped is not unsafe. Carefully judge the level of experience in any group before riding aggressively, or you can frighten less experienced cyclists. 

Accessing a rider's skills can be difficult. Fitness doesn't give a cyclist the experience or knowledge to ride safely in a group. Diplomatically instruct the inexperienced but strong cyclist in safe group riding skills. 

I encourage new members wanting to improve their cycling skills to join us at the Wednesday Washington Park ride. The nature of the ride (laps around the park) makes it the perfect place to learn and practice group riding skills.

 

 


Grand Loop Results
By Charlie Henderson

Fifteen riders started the 2003 Grand Loop with ten successfully completing it. The 3:00 AM start made for a peaceful ride with no traffic through Boulder and on to Lyons with no wind to light head winds. Most riders arrived just as light was arriving and started up US Highway 36 to Estes Park in cool conditions with only light traffic. The ride up Trail Ridge was one of the best in years, with crystal clear skies and no clouds. Riders at the back did encounter stiff head winds above Rainbow Point. The descent from the visitors' center was fast and fun because of low traffic volume. However, there were stiff head winds all the way into Granby. Heading east out of Granby, early riders had tail winds to the base of Berthoud, while later riders encountered some head winds and tail winds. With 146 miles and over 11,000 feet of vertical, the start of the climb up Berthoud was ominous because another 2,000 feet was coming and the body and legs were tired.

At the top of Berthoud Pass, three riders stopped, having completed 152 miles and 13,500 feet of climbing, which is a lot more feet per mile than the Denver-Aspen Classic (the reason we use it as a Grand Loop qualifier). Also it is a good warm up for the weenie-like Triple Bypass. Congratulations to you three.

The ten who continued had good tail winds down the pass to Empire and then were greeted by strong head winds blowing up Clear Creek (UGH). Those who were veterans of the Grand Loop knew what was lurking ahead: the 1.8 miles, 7% to 10% grade of Floyd Hill - a true test for tired legs! Finally the end was near, and the riders rolled down Lookout Mountain to the finish with the second hardest Colorado ride behind them (first is the Durango Death ride) at 201miles and 15,000 vertical feet. 

A huge congratulations to all of you.

ORDER OF FINISH

Rank Name Hours:Minutes
1 Robin Gregory 13:36
1 Kelly Shannon 13:36
3 Harris Rosenthol 13:47
4 Dick Wiss 15:17
5 Ed Sherline 15:30
6 Rex Famsworth 16:16
7 Randy Balkeim 16:22
8 Robert Pogorelz 16:30
9 Jasmine Aranda 16:38
10 Tom Knoblauch 18:36

A Fond Farewell
By Brent Myers and Beth Long

Rocky Mountain Cycling Club has many faces. There are those who are aggressive in their demeanor and riding, those who are friendly and those who are funny. But none is more valuable than the quiet and encouraging rider, the rider who does his best and helps others along the way. Such a rider and person is Jonathan Breen. 

Jonathan has dedicated quite a lot of time to the club, both serving on the board and starting and leading the Tuesday Night Hill Climbs. He has done his job very well and with positive energy, but now his life is taking a different road. He is going to New England to try a different life. 

Jonathan was one of my riding partners because he lived in my neighborhood and we would do the Lookout Mountain climb after work. Jonathan loves Colorado and has hiked many fourteeners, the California trail, and many parts of the Appalachian trail. When I was hiking with him and we were close to the summit of a peak, Jonathan turned around, despite the pressure of fellow hikers, and led a group of us to safety when the weather was marginal. He is self-assured in his abilities and earns respect by his actions. We have ridden together for many rides including Mount Evans, the Woodland Park Century, Trail Ridge, and many others. 

Our loss will certainly be felt. Jonathan we will miss your quiet smile and your kindness to others. Thank you for sharing time with us, both on the bike and off. We will miss you, but we wish you happiness and joy as you travel into your future. 


Chain Chatter  
August 2003
 

Rocky Mountain Cycling Club
P.O. Box 201
Wheat Ridge, CO 80034
 

www.rmccrides.com    

For people who love to ride!


September 2003

Rocky Mountain Cycling Club
For people who love to ride

Chain   Chatter 

September 2003

*********September rides start at 8:45 am*********

Date and Day

Start

Ride Name

Ride Starter

Type of Ride and Ride Description

Mileage

September 6, Saturday

Granby

Granby-Rand return Sheridan Garcia
R/P: Granby, Willow Creek Pass, Granby 46 miles
End: Granby, Willow Creek Pass, Rand, Willow Creek Pass, Granby 68 miles
September 6 - 7, 
Saturday -
Sunday
Hot Springs Adventure - "Loop the Snowy Range" Brent Myers
Laramie, Centennial, Snowy Range, Saratoga, Encampment, Laramie 160 miles
Full SAG. Registration is required by August 1. 
September 7, Sunday

Superior

Superior-Boulder-Ward return Tim Kalisch
R/P: Superior, Boulder, Lee Hill Road, Lefthand Canyon, James Canyon,
          Jamestown, James Canyon, Lefthand Canyon, Old Stage Road, 
          Boulder, Superior
49 miles
End: Superior, Boulder, Lee Hill Road, Lefthand Canyon, Ward, 
          Lefthand Canyon, Old Stage Road, Boulder, Superior
62 miles
September 13, Saturday

Copper Mountain

Copper Triangle Counterclockwise
This is a Populaire and an RMCC Challenge Series 2003 ride. If you are doing the populaire, the sign-in is 8:30 am.
Tom Foss
R/P: Copper Mountain, Vail Pass, Vail, Vail Pass, Copper Mountain 41 miles
End: Copper Mountain, Vail Pass, Vail, Minturn, Tennessee Pass,  
          Leadville, Fremont Pass, Copper Mountain
78 miles
September 14, Sunday

Littleton

Littleton-City View-Chatfield loop Rick Melick
All: Littleton, Deer Creek Canyon, Phillipsburg, Pleasant Park Road, Conifer, 
       Aspen Park, City View, Deer Creek Canyon, Chatfield Reservoir, Littleton
58 miles
September 20, Saturday

Golden

Golden-Idaho Springs-Echo Lake loop Mark Michel
R/P: Golden, Mount Vernon Canyon, Idaho Springs, Mount Vernon Canyon,
          Lookout Mountain, Golden
48 miles
End: Golden, Mount Vernon Canyon, Idaho Springs, Echo Lake, Bergen Park,
          Mount Vernon Canyon, Lookout Mountain, Golden
70 miles
September 21, Sunday

Northglenn

Northglenn-Hudson Figure 8 + Keenesburg Val Phelps
R/P: Northglenn, Brighton, Fort Lupton, Dacono, Northglenn 41 miles
End: Northglenn, Brighton, Fort Lupton, Hudson, Keenesburg, Hudson, 
          Lockbuie, Brighton, State Highway 7, Northglenn
80 miles
September 27, Saturday

Lyons

Lyons-Raymond-Ward loop Tom Boyle
All: Lyons, South Saint Vrain Canyon, Raymond, Ward, Lefthand Canyon, Lyons 47 miles
September 28, Sunday

Littleton

Littleton-Deer Creek-High Drive loop Rick Melick
R/P: Littleton, Deer Creek Canyon, Indian Hills, Willow Springs, Ken Caryl, 
          Deer Creek Canyon, Littleton
35 miles
End: Littleton, Deer Creek Canyon, High Drive, Evergreen, Kittredge, 
          Indian Hills, Willow Springs, Ken Caryl, Deer Creek Canyon, Littleton
49 miles

*******Weekday Rides********
Check for new ride times.

Day

Start Location

Ride Description

Ride Starter

Tuesdays

Golden

The Tuesday Night Hill Climb starts at 5:30 pm. Philip Baker
Wednesdays

South High School

The Handle Bar and Grill Show-and-Go
This ride starts at 5:30 pm.
Tom Foss
Thursdays

Erie

Thursday Evening Erie Ride
This ride starts at 6:00 pm from Meadow Sweet Park on September 4. After September 4, the start time is 5:30 pm.
Mike Prendergast

*****RMCC Challenge Series Rides*****

Date and Day

Start

Ride Name

Ride Starter

Type of Ride and Ride Description

Mileage

September 13, Saturday

Copper Mountain

Copper Triangle Counterclockwise
This is a Populaire and an RMCC Challenge Series 2003 ride. If you are doing the populaire, the sign-in is 8:30 am.
Val Phelps
R/P: Copper Mountain, Vail Pass, Vail, Vail Pass, Copper Mountain 41 miles
End: Copper Mountain, Vail Pass, Vail, Minturn, Tennessee Pass,  
          Leadville, Fremont Pass, Copper Mountain
78 miles
September 20, Saturday

Exit 243

Exit 243-Horsetooth Reservoir and beyond 200 Kilometer Brevet
This is a RMCC Challenge Series 2003 ride.
Tom Foss
Brevet: Exit 243, Horsetooth Reservoir, and beyond 125 miles
Pre-registration for the brevet is encouraged. 
Sign in at 7:00 AM for an 8:00 AM departure.
Rules & Tips

RMCC Club Meeting
Club meetings are held the first Tuesday of every month. Attendees can experience the atmosphere and repartee at the Denny's Restaurant at Park Avenue and I-25 at 7:00 PM.

RMCC Online
Latest news and ride updates done by John Klever. Sign up to lead rides, club history, brevet information, present and past newsletters, and more. www.rmccrides.com

Membership
Cost is $25 per year and goes towards printing of the program guide, newsletters, brevets, and club activities. Contact:
Tom Foss
7301 W 32nd Ave.
Wheat Ridge, CO
80033

Exit 243
The ride start location at the gas station has been moved due to parking restrictions. We will be starting at the park and ride on the southwest quadrant of Exit 243.

For Sale
RMCC Jerseys:
1 - extra large
1 - Men's medium
1 - Women's medium
1 - Men's small

RMCC Wind Vests
2 - extra large
1 - large
2 - medium
1 - small

Contact Rick Melick

Leadville Hostel & Inn
500 East 7th St., Leadville, CO 80461 719.486.9334
www.Ieadvillehostel.com 
leadvillehostel@amigo.net
An inexpensive and clean place for the adventure minded visitor to the mountains. Rates are $15 to $20 per person per night, depending on the season. Group rates available. Shuttle service can be arranged for hikers, bikers and river runners.

Do You Need Anything?
Rex Farnsworth

Prologue
Paris-Brest-Paris has three optional start times for the 1,225-kilometer course. Each starting time has a different time allotment and an associated set of control closure times leading up to the total time limit. The 80-hour ride starts at 8 pm Monday; the 90-hour ride starts at 10 pm Monday; and the 84-hour ride starts at 5 am Tuesday. Support vehicles can support their riders only at the controls, and the vehicles are strictly prohibited from the PBP course itself. Four RMCC riders rode the 84-hour ride sharing a common support vehicle: Charlie Henderson, Bob Barday, Jerry Mack, and Rex Farnsworth. The following are excerpts from their story. 

Do you need anything? 
Sitting in the van near the Villaines La Juhel control (1,002-kilometer mark) while the clock ticked down to the end of Charlie's ride, we think back to the football field at Guyancourt where we started PBP 2003. We savored the excitement of the start. Even though three of us were PBP veterans, we did not know what challenges and adventures lay ahead; we only knew there would be challenges, and that handling those challenges and helping each other would determine if we finished or not. This year gave new meaning to the question always asked as one passes a stopped rider: Do you need anything? 

Do you need anything? Yes, I need a new stem. 
Our challenges started as soon as we arrived. Assembling my bike, I stripped a bolt and ruined the stem. At lunch Charlie and I discussed finding a bike shop. We did not have a car, and the closest bike shop was in Versailles, two train stations away. Charlie asked the Frenchman sitting at the next table if he could recommend a shop. Residing in a remote city, he did not know of a shop, however, he volunteered to help us find one. He drove us around the suburbs for two hours ranging all the way to Chaville some 15 kilometers away. We found three shops --- all of them closed for holiday. Europe goes on holiday for three to four weeks in August. Imagine 4,000 cyclists in Guyancourt with hundreds of problems and no bike shop! Due to business commitments, the Frenchman reluctantly gave up the quest and returned to work. He would not even accept reimbursement for his  gasoline. Others helped and we eventually located an open shop in Coigniere. A $52 taxi fare later I had a new stem. 

Do you need anything? Yes, I need a spare bike. 
We started PBP at 5 am Tuesday. Arriving in Mortagne (141-kilometer mark) at 10:15 am, we were already in big trouble. Charlie's titanium frame cracked at the bottom bracket, almost fully separating both the seat tube and the down tube. The bike could not be ridden. We tried to rent or buy a bike, but the local shop had closed in 2002. We inquired about shops in nearby towns, but they were too far away; and besides, the shops would be closed for, you guessed it, holiday. We asked if a local club would loan us a bike. At this point the Chief of the Mortagne Control arrived and promptly offered his personal bike to Charlie. Fifteen minutes later, the Chief showed up with a sparkling new $4000 all carbon Look criterion bicycle complete with carbon fork, Ksyrium wheels, carbon crank set, and electronic shifters. One might loan a perfect stranger a "beater bike" --- but not a beauty like this! Without this generous act, Charlie would have DNFed [did not finish] in Mortagne. We had lost almost two hours, and we were dead last in PBP. 

Do you need anything? Yes, I need encouragement and moral support. 
If the first two stories did not convince you, this one will: the French people are incredible! A huge crowd lined the Rond point des Sangliers at the start, even though it was 5 am. People in scattered, small groups lined the entire route. In the villages, they positioned themselves near dangerous and tricky intersections to protect the riders and to keep spacey riders on course. They were laughing, clapping and cheering, and the children tried to high-five the riders. (Try that when you can't even ride a straight line!) Riders did not need to worry about water or food between controls because French families were everywhere giving away coffee, chocolate, cookies, raisins, water and more. They almost seemed disappointed if you passed them by. The city of Gorron (946.5-kilometer mark) had wired the entire city with continuous sound such that you could listen to the same song from entry to exit. Such enthusiasm provided a much-needed mental boost. 


Do You Need Anything? continued

Do you need anything? Yes, I need a spoke wrench and someone who can use it. 
Our chance to help came about I hour before Tinteniac closed for the 90-hour riders (859-kilometer mark). Three riders were huddled over a bike at the side of the road. A frame pump had fallen into the rear wheel breaking one spoke and nearly pretzeling the wheel. Time was of the essence, so the original two helpers excused themselves and headed for the control. After ten frustrating minutes trying to straighten the wheel, we realized the wheel was rubbing both sides of the frame as well as touching the fender in numerous places. We removed the fender, straightened the wheel, and sent the rider on his way, however, 30 minutes had passed, and there were only 30 minutes left to closing. Even though he had been riding for more than 52 hours, he rode like a 40-kilometer timetrialist. Luck was not with him; just too many hills, each one looking like the last one before the control; he DNFed just 15 minutes beyond the cutoff time. As 84-hour riders, we had one additional hour before Tinteniac closed for us. 

Do you need anything? Yes, I need a place to rest and get well. 
Pulling into Tremblay (1,156-kilometer mark) with Bob Barday was a wonderful experience. We stopped at the bakery where Bob had DNFed in 1999. This family had taken care of Bob for two days while he recovered from intestinal distress. We were greeted as members of Bob's extended French family with lots of excitement, hugs and kisses (not to mention great French coffee and pastries). Bernard insisted that Bob meet their new granddaughter who lived about 30 minutes away, so we spent almost a full hour waiting and basking in their hospitality (while the clock continued to run at Nogent le Roi). With only 69 kilometers to go, Bob was assured of being a finisher. What an experience to share the elation of finishing PBP with the family who had given so much help four years before. 

Do you need anything? Yes, I need a little luck. 
Back at the Villaines control (1,002-kilometer mark) we have waited more than 2.5 hours. It is clear that Charlie will miss the cutoff. He needs something, and this time there will be no help. He is experiencing serious vertigo and is unable to ride safely. He is just 4.5 kilometers from the control, hoping the dizziness will soon pass---while time runs out.

Epilogue 
Of the three PBP's we have entered, this was the first time we were far off the back. It gave new meaning to the old saying: "bad things happen when you are off the back". We were riding with the desperados, riders full of emotion and desperation who were just barely beating the cutoff times --- and sometimes they did not make it. Although riding this far back makes great human-interest stories, we hope to never share this part of the adventure again.


 
Rank Rider

Time

13 Stacy Abernathy 16:01
10 Voytek Bobak 15:07
4 Tim Crossen 12:27
7 Rex Farnsworth 14:08
Doug Feely *dnf
Pat Gallagher dnf
5 Chris Holmes 13:52
Lukas Jeter dnf
3 Tim Kalisch 12:08
5 Mark Kozlowski 13:52
14 Norman Lewis 16:12
Michael Morross dnf
11 Michael Raber 15:22
Carl Robinson dnf
2 Harris Rosenthal 11:07
1 Kelly Shannon 10:51
Nicholas Tesi dnf
Christian Updike dnf
12 Erika Van Meter 15:32
8 Mike Wicklund 14:33
8 Tim Zaremba 14:33
*did not finish

Denver to Aspen Classic
Charlie Henderson

Forty-five people had signed up but only 21 showed up for the 3:00 am signup and 4:00 am start. 14 would finish. Great weather greeted the riders for most of the ride with scattered showers on Independence Pass. Head winds seemed less bothersome than in most years. Most riders greeted the finish at the Woody Creek Tavern favorably. The atmosphere was friendly with good food and drink. The seven-mile distance from Aspen is gently downhill, not adding difficulty to an already difficult 300 kilometers, and makes the distance 186 miles. 

We will change the location of the first control from Grant to the Conoco station in Bailey.

Congratulations to the 14 finishers!!

 


New Ride Leaders
Val Phelps 

Our training rides are a valuable service we provide our club members.  We need more new volunteers to lead rides.  The RMCC board has come up with a plan to encourage additional volunteer participation.  We will be available to help new ride leaders with their first ride.  Our membership shouldn’t be disturbed by the sudden influx of 'no volunteer' on our web site.  It’s our hope that more people will volunteer if there are more opportunities.  We will still be there to lead the ride if no one steps forward.

I encourage our membership to consider leading rides.  Serving as a ride leader isn’t difficult, and we will be there for support.  Anyone interested in volunteering as a ride leader can contact me for more information.


Chain Chatter  
September 2003
 

Rocky Mountain Cycling Club
P.O. Box 201
Wheat Ridge, CO 80034
 

www.rmccrides.com    

For people who love to ride!


October 2003

Rocky Mountain Cycling Club
For people who love to ride

Chain   Chatter 

October 2003

October rides start at 9:45 am.

Date and Day

Start

Ride Name

Ride Starter

Type of Ride and Ride Description

Mileage

October 4, Saturday

Superior

Superior-Apple Valley loop Val Phelps
R/P: Superior, Boulder, Hygiene, Longmont, Louisville, Superior 62 miles
End: Superior, Boulder, Hygiene, Lyons, Apple Valley, Lyons, Longmont,
          Firestone, Frederick, Dacono, Erie, Lafayette, Louisville, Superior
81 miles
October 5, Sunday

Monument

Monument-Air Force Academy loop
You will need a picture ID to ride on Air Force Academy roads.
Bob Miller
All: Monument(Lewis Palmer), Air Force Academy double loop, 
       Roller Coaster Road, Monument
49 miles
October 11, Saturday

Exit 255

Exit 255-Rist Canyon Century Dan McCamman
R/P: Exit 255, Carter Lake, Exit 255 37 miles
End: Exit 255, Carter Lake, Masonville, Horsetooth Reservoir, Bellvue, Rist Canyon, Stove Prairie, 
          Masonville, Loveland, Exit 255
85 miles
October 12, Sunday

Aurora

Aurora-Strasburg + loop then return Val Phelps
R/P: Aurora, Watkins, Bennett, Watkins, Aurora 39 miles
End: Aurora, Watkins, Bennett, 88th Avenue, Strasburg, Bennett, Watkins, Aurora 67 miles
October 18, Saturday

Golden

Golden-Evergreen-Soda Creek loop Tom Foss
R/P: Golden, Rooney Road, Red Rocks, Evergreen, Stage Coach Road, 
          Bergen Park, Lookout Mountain, Golden
48 miles
End: Golden, Rooney Road, Red Rocks, Evergreen, Stage Coach Road, 
          Bergen Park, Soda Creek Road, Lookout Mountain, Golden
54 miles
October 19, Sunday

Northglenn

Northglenn-Barr Lake-Dacono loop Charlie Henderson
R/P: Northglenn, Dacono, Brighton, Henderson, Northglenn 41 miles
End: Northglenn, Dacono, Brighton, Barr Lake, Henderson, Northglenn 61 miles
October 25, Saturday

Larkspur

Larkspur-Monument-Black Forest loop Rick Melick
All: Larkspur, Spruce Mountain Road, Palmer Lake, Monument, 
       Roller Coaster Road, Black Forest, Monument, Palmer Divide, 
       Perry Park Road, Larkspur
60 miles
October 26, Sunday

Northglenn

Northglenn-Broomfield-Morgul loop Brent Myers
All: Northglenn, Broomfield, Morgul-Bismark, Superior, Marshall, 
       Cherryvale Road, Boulder, Erie, Northglenn
46 miles

*******Weekday Rides********

Day

Start Location

Ride Description

Ride Starter

Wednesdays

South High School

The Handle Bar and Grill Show-and-Go
This ride starts at 5:30 pm. The final Handle Bar and Grill Show-and-Go is October 22nd.
Tom Foss

RMCC Club Meeting
Club meetings are held the first Tuesday of every month. Attendees can experience the atmosphere and repartee at the Denny's Restaurant at Park Avenue and I-25 at 7:00 PM.

RMCC Online
Latest news and ride updates done by John Klever. Sign up to lead rides, club history, brevet information, present and past newsletters, and more. www.rmccrides.com

Membership
Cost is $25 per year and goes towards printing of the program guide, newsletters, brevets, and club activities. Contact:
Tom Foss
7301 W 32nd Ave.
Wheat Ridge, CO
80033

Exit 243
The ride start location at the gas station has been moved due to parking restrictions. We will be starting at the park and ride on the southwest quadrant of Exit 243.

For Sale
RMCC Jerseys:
1 - extra large
1 - Men's medium
1 - Women's medium
1 - Men's small

RMCC Wind Vests
2 - extra large
1 - large
2 - medium
1 - small
Contact Rick Melick

Leadville Hostel & Inn
500 East 7th St., Leadville, CO 80461 719.486.9334
www.Ieadvillehostel.com 
leadvillehostel@amigo.net
An inexpensive and clean place for the adventure minded visitor to the mountains. Rates are $15 to $20 per person per night, depending on the season. Group rates available. Shuttle service can be arranged for hikers, bikers and river runners.

The Ride of My Life - 2003 Paris Brest Paris
Or the tour of the town on a hill with a church to a town on a hill with a church 
By Mike Fulton

First, I want to thank the people that really made this ride of a lifetime special: my wife Terri who supported me all the way; Bob Fourney who taught me the most about ultramarathoning; Chris Grealish who taught me to plan for the low times and visualize the result; dad and Aunt Joanne who gave up a week's time, were awesome at every checkpoint, and hardly slept; Gary Koenig who brought PBP to the Colorado consciousness; and everyone in the Rocky Mountain Cycle Club who ever rode with me on long distance rides. 

The day of the ride, Bob told me the 80 hour start was divided into two groups, so I arrived at the start earlier than I wanted to. It was hot in the sun waiting for the start with 500 other nervous riders. As I waited, someone mentioned getting his card stamped. I had almost forgotten to get it stamped: automatic disqualification. Everyone crowded together, and we had to wait. I saw Chris, Jim, and Glen.  Bob was starting 15 minutes back with Ann Crossland. Finally, the time ticked down, and we were OFF! Right away the lead car went the wrong way around the traffic circle. Without the lead car to slow us down, we were going 27 miles per hour right away, so I was immediately at maximum heart rate. Luckily I was half way back in the peleton when part of the front group went the wrong way. I don't know how they turned around. 

We came to one of the first challenges, the town of Elancourt. It's a fast, narrow descent with lots of speed bumps. PBP must be a favorite for the locals as so many lights, water bottles, pumps, and so forth not properly clamped down come off on this hill. Suddenly on a descent, there was a crash to my immediate right. I was in perfect position to the left. As I passed them, they were flying through the air twisting onto their backs. Close call. Chris said, "What a  shame to end your year that way". Surprisingly, one of the men involved in the crash would finish seventh overall. Suddenly a tire blew somewhere, and each of us jumped up and down on his bike to feel for the squishy tire. Eventually someone raised his hand, worked his way to the outside, and prepared for a lot of chasing. PBP is like that - you have to have a lot of things go right to finish well. Martin Paul asked me what my plan was. He said his plan was a sub 48-hour ride. I told him I just hoped to finish. My hope was to do better than that, but your main goal has to be to finish. 

We got to Mortagne au Perche, the first feed zone, and at our pre-arranged meeting place, my dad and aunt gave me a new Camelback, bottles, a musette bag, and I tore off. I was gapped by an eighth mile or more to the group and chased really hard to get back on. Chris and I sat at the back, gulped in air, and attempted to get our heart rates down, happy to be there. Prior to the feed zone there were over 250 riders. Bike lights shone as far as the eye could see. Now we were down to 100.

Suddenly I felt a piece of tape float across my face. It was the tape holding together the broken frame from my clear glasses. Then a while later, another let loose. As we got towards Villaines, the tempo started to increase until we were racing through town. What a mess at the control; crews and riders were everywhere. I ran in my cleats for the stairs to the control. There were men at the gates saying "doucement, doucement", which must mean slowly. I attempted to push past one of them, and he grabbed and held me while letting 20 others go past. He must have held me for 20 seconds. I figured that was the end of my PBP. I wouldn't be able to get back to the front this time. Finally he let me go. I checked through, ran out the exit, and found my bike and crew. When Joanne put my musette bag on, the lens fell out of my broken glasses. I picked it up and rode off. After another extremely hard effort much longer this time, I caught the peleton. We were now down to 35. I was elated. Chris and I were still there, the only Americans left. In the group were French, Danish, German and Italians. Just by looking, you could tell their nationalities. I took the glass lens and carefully placed it back in the broken frame, hoping it would stay. After Fougeres, we were down to 28. 

We arrived in Tintineac, and I peed for what seemed like hours. A woman walked by, but I could not have cared less. We rolled into Loudeac, and the group took another five minutes, which I spent in the bathroom, until Joanne yelled, "Mike, they're leaving". I tore out of the checkpoint with no one in sight. I came around the corner, and there they were, stopped, all peeing on the side of the road. I began to feel that my stomach would keep me from doing well, and started to mentally prepare for getting dropped, but kept saying "this is my year". 


The Ride of My Life - 2003 Paris Brest Paris - continued

On the leg to Carhaix there are some very steep climbs. I started each climb in the front of the group, and slipped back, managing to keep contact. On one of the major climbs, when I got to the back, I saw Chris, and he was in difficulty. In the same place I had been dropped in '95, Chris and I lost contact with the group, along with several others. Because I had slid back through the pack, I was able to chase back on down the hill. 

They took another five minutes in Carhaix, which I spent in the women's bathroom with the door open for all to see as there was no light that worked. Again I heard, "Mike, they're leaving". Other than my intestinal problems, I was having the ride of my life. Due to the lack of food, I felt at times that I would get dropped if they went really hard. Luckily they never did drop me. 

The climb through Huelgoat and up Rock Trevezel is always long and hard, and I assumed I would come off the peleton, but suddenly we were at the top, so I dove for the ditch for bathroom break number six on the day, then chased back on. We were filmed by a TV3 car with a camera, then a man on the back of a motorcycle came by. Everyone thought that was cool and waved to them. 

Because of my stomach, I gave up on Sustained Energy from Carhaix to Brest, drinking water the whole way. I decided to try Orangina; it had gotten me to the finish in '99. My Dad had to jump a chain link fence (at age 67) and run across a field to meet us with Orangina just as we rolled in. We had arrived in Brest in very fast time: 3:55 pm for 19 hours 55 minutes for 375 miles, averaging 18.8 miles per hour. My Dad went to pump up my back wheel and by mistake screwed the valve all the way out, so the tire went flat. A bystander rushed over, helped him find the valve, screwed it back in, pumped up the tire, and they were ready when I came out. 

The Orangina started working just in time to go back up Roc de Trevezel. For some reason the Roc always seems worse than it is, and we were at the top fairly quickly. It is a long slow down hill, and we started passing riders on their way to Brest. Some stopped and clapped for us or took pictures. They yelled, "Les premiers", the leaders. What a feeling! I exchanged yells with Fourney on his way to Brest. 

Carhaix was busy with people bound for Brest. We screamed out of the checkpoint, and again everyone stopped to pee, so I rolled along slowly. At this point we were down to 15, so I asked the younger riders their ages. I was second youngest at 37. The youngest was 36, and one of the eventual winners was 57! On the side of the road there were more and more people clapping and yelling "les premiers". It was so emotional. I was with the group that would eventually win. It was the best feeling, and I choked up. There was the official car behind us with lights on, and a motorcycle or two, so we made quite a procession. 

In Loudeac there was a huge group waiting for riders coming from and going to Brest. I had to pass some slow moving people on their way to Brest. So I yelled, "Attention, attention" and "Les premiers", and people just scattered, and yanked others out of the way. We were off for Tinteniac with the full procession of motorcycles and follow cars. I felt like Lance in the Tour. I felt the Orangina giving me stomach problems (deja vu '99), so I stopped using the Orangina and tried the rice. The rolling hills started taking their toll, but I was amazed how little food one really needed to ride at a fairly high effort. The French don't descend very quickly, so on one hill I went to the front to help drive the pace a little bit since my lighting was so much better than theirs. I got to the bottom of a comfortable descent and had a 200 yard gap. (Note to self: attack on a descent in '07.) On the return to Tinteniac, the group started looking haggard due to the effort and the cold. 

We pulled into Tinteniac, got some clothes, then went to pee in the street. The cold was really tough and took a lot of energy. I fell asleep four times, jerking awake each time. The last time the bike was on an angle, and I jerked it back upright. How I didn't overlap a wheel and crash I don't know. I asked the Danish guy to talk to me to keep awake. It was freezing cold; it got down to 51, and I shook uncontrollably going down the big hills. The Dane ended up vomiting and had to abandon in Fougeres. In my sleep deprivation I didn't notice; the Dane morphed into the Belgian. 

We got to Fougeres about 3:00 am, and we were down to 14. Suddenly the attacks started. The first was while I was peeing off the bike. The attacks would be up a little hill with a surge that was incredible. I was in the middle of the pack, would get gapped, the others would pass me, and we would catch the attack, then we would all go slow and rest. It was attack, rest, attack,  rest. I got dropped a couple times and managed to chase back on down the hills. Because of my stomach problem, I was getting weaker. I was in awe of the attacks and started to feel for the first time that I was in way over my head. After a strong attack, I got gapped. I was sure I was off for good. Oh well, I had had a good ride. I settled into a sustainable pace and rode for about 10 minutes when I saw the show (bikes, motorcycles and car) ahead descending a long hill. I then made the biggest mistake of the ride: I chased back into the group. We started up a hill that looked like Everest, and I hit the wall. It was like I had gone into slow motion, but the world was in normal time. All the energy left my body, and I could barely turn the pedals. They rode away, and I was done. I sat on the side of the road to eat any food I could find in my pockets. Suddenly everything hurt. It took me probably 45 minutes to an hour to ride the eight miles to Villaines. Dad and Joanne met me, got me dressed warmly and changed for daytime riding, and gave me some Sustained Energy and tea. Everyone at the checkpoint watched and cheered me like I was a huge celebrity. I struggled off and caught a Californian who had abandoned after Villaines on the way to Brest. He pumped me up, saying "Keep that ride going. What a time you'll get. That's impressive". 

The climb to Mortagne Au Perche is huge. I arrived in Mortagne at 11:01, 12 hours faster than in '99. I set off at a good clip. The back of my right knee started hurting, so I slid up on my seat. This section was very hard. The route was relatively flat, but there was a nasty side wind, and I could only manage14 to 16 miles per hour. I kept looking back, expecting to be caught at any time. I was hallucinating. I would see bikers everywhere, big statues that turned into bushes, intricate bike sculptures that were hedges, even one biker that was changing his tire that turned into a tree. Finally I went down all the side streets and back alleys, farm roads, and so forth, and arrived in Nugent le Roi, the last checkpoint. I was told I was number 14. I only had 40 miles left. On a big climb I was caught by four chasers. Relief washed over me as I realized they did not have frame plates. Several others would catch me, but not one had a frame plate. 

When I got to the edge of town, I saw a sign: 15k to go. It was all within the city of Gyancourt. After no sleep and 750 miles to fight traffic for the last nine miles with no signs was torture. I came around the final roundabout to the gym, swiped my card, and was overcome with emotion. I had finished 13th in 45 hours 20 minutes as the first American! 14 hours faster than '99. It was definitely the highlight of my life. My Dad and Joanne met me; we were so elated! I felt great. The last minute addition of the gel saddle had saved my butt. My feet had a couple of pressure points, but thanks to the Smart Wool socks they felt great. The heels of my hands were definitely bruised, my right thumb was numb from shifting, but overall I was on top of the world! John Hughes congratulated me. I had exorcised the PBP demon, mainly by convincing myself that "this was my year", by envisioning the low spots before they happened, and by focusing on the result. I had a hard time composing myself, and I could barely talk to my wife Terri. 

A huge thanks to dad and Joanne, especially for struggling through the second night, where they had not gone before. Thank you Terri for your support and encouragement. I couldn't have had the experience of a lifetime without you.


Chain Chatter  
October 2003
 

Rocky Mountain Cycling Club
P.O. Box 201
Wheat Ridge, CO 80034
 

www.rmccrides.com    

For people who love to ride!

November 2003

Rocky Mountain Cycling Club
For people who love to ride

Chain   Chatter 

November 2003

November rides start at 10:45 am.

Date and Day

Start

Ride Name

Ride Starter

Type of Ride and Ride Description

Mileage

November 1, Saturday

Rooney Road

Rooney Road-Deer Creek Canyon loop Rick Melick
All: Rooney Road, Red Rocks, Willow Springs, Ken Caryl, 
       Deer Creek Canyon, Indian Hills, Kittredge, Red Rocks, Rooney Road
44 miles
November 2, Sunday

Ken Caryl

Ken Caryl and beyond,  30 to 50 miles Tom Foss
November 8, Saturday

Northglenn

Northglenn-Louisville-Erie loop Val Phelps
All: Northglenn, Louisville, Erie, State Highway 52, Northglenn 41 miles
November 9, Sunday

Ken Caryl

Ken Caryl  and beyond,  30 to 50 miles Val Phelps
November 15, Saturday

Aurora

Aurora-Bennett return Amy Oehman
All: Aurora, Watkins, Bennett, Watkins, Aurora 39 miles
November 16, Sunday

Ken Caryl

Ken Caryl  and beyond,  30 to 50 miles Tom Foss
November 22, Saturday

Littleton

Littleton-Ken Caryl-Chatfield loop Bob Miller
All: Littleton, Ken Caryl, Deer Creek, Chatfield Reservoir, Littleton 33 miles
November 23, Sunday

Ken Caryl

Ken Caryl  and beyond,  30 to 50 miles Val Phelps
November 29, Saturday

Superior

Superior-Morgul-Boulder loop Sheridan Garcia
R/P: Superior, Morgul-Bismark, Boulder, Baseline Road, Louisville, Superior 23 miles
End: Superior, Morgul-Bismark, Boulder, Lookout Road, Louisville, Superior 33 miles
November 30, Sunday

Ken Caryl

Ken Caryl and beyond,  30 to 50 miles Tom Foss

RMCC Club Meeting
Club meetings are held the first Tuesday of every month. Attendees can experience the atmosphere and repartee at the Denny's Restaurant at Park Avenue and I-25 at 7:00 PM.

RMCC Online
Latest news and ride updates done by John Klever. Sign up to lead rides, club history, brevet information, present and past newsletters, and more. www.rmccrides.com

Membership
Cost is $25 per year and goes towards printing of the program guide, newsletters, brevets, and club activities. Contact:
Tom Foss
7301 W 32nd Ave.
Wheat Ridge, CO
80033

Exit 243
The ride start location at the gas station has been moved due to parking restrictions. We will be starting at the park and ride on the southwest quadrant of Exit 243.

For Sale
RMCC Jerseys:
1 - extra large
1 - Men's medium
1 - Women's medium
1 - Men's small

RMCC Wind Vests
2 - extra large
1 - large
2 - medium
1 - small
Contact Rick Melick

Wanted:
55 cm road bike for starter bike. Prefer 9-speed but could do 8-speed. 
Looking for < $700. 
Contact Brent.

January 1st
Val's New Year's Day Century
Mark it on your calendar so as to get a jump on the rest of the mileage monsters. More information in December's issue.

Winter Break Party
Saturday, November 22
6:00 PM

Where: Beth Long's at 3557 South Cathay, Aurora, Colorado 
Why: Share an evening off the bike socializing and discovering what everyone looks like without a helmet.
What to bring: Side dishes and spouses
RSVP just so we can estimate the number of turkeys.


Editorial Section
Brent Myers

The season is winding down with a look back to the great accomplishments and rides done by the distance riders in PBP and the brevets. Just as great an accomplishment is two new riders who have worked hard all last winter to become good riders. I commend Sheridan and Homer for sticking with us and achieving their goals. 

The 2004 Program Calendar planning meetings are now underway with some difficult decisions being made as to ride starts and courses. We try to provide safe routes and challenging rides but this becomes increasingly difficult with the growth and construction taking place. If you have a ride that you think might be a good addition, contact one of the board members. This process takes a year to be formally included, as we will ride with you and help to create the cue sheet and maps. And then comes the final vote from the board to see if it goes in the schedule. Contact me at BMyersLSG@Aol.com.


Henderson and Ellis Join Derrick in Randonneur 5000 Award

The prestigious Randonneur 5000 award honors a comprehensive level of accomplishment in riding brevets and other randonneuring. The award was established in 1961 by the Audax Club Parisien, who sanction Paris-Brest-Paris. To achieve it, a cyclist must ride at least 5000 kilometers of brevets in a four-year period, including a full brevet series - 200km 300km, 400km, 600km, and 1000km  - plus a 1200km randonnee such as Boston-Montreal-Boston or Paris-Brest-Paris (or our own Colorado Last Chance!) and a Fleche, which is a 24-hour team event.

Last year, Jack Herrick became the first from Colorado to achieve the Randonneur 5000. And this year, Charlie Henderson and John Lee Ellis have finished qualifying. Their 5000km started with Paris-Brest-Paris 1999, continued through several years of brevets, and wrapped up by riding our Colorado Front Range Fleche back in May and our l000km brevet in June. 

Through last year, only 48 other Americans are listed as having qualified, so this remains an exceptional achievement. Congratulations to our persistent fellow club members, Charlie, John, and Jack!


Paris-Brest-Paris 2003
The Race and the Randonee

John Lee Ellis

The final PBP starters were slicing through a chilly, breezy night after a hefty 450 km day of riding ... when a swarm of bluish lights flew at them out of the darkness. It was the lead pack of the first starters, the racing contingent, already 150 km into their return from Brest. The two faces of Paris-Brest-Paris thus encountered each other - the race and the randonnee. 

First run in 1891, the 1230-kilometer Paris-Brest- Paris, or "PBP", is a grueling test of human endurance and cycling ability .Organized every four years by the Audax Club Parisien (ACP), PBP is the oldest bicycling event still run on a regular basis. Beginning on the southwestern side of the French capital, it travels west 615 kilometers to the Atlantic Ocean port city of Brest (westernmost city in France) and returns along nearly the same route. This year's was the 15th PBP.

Rider Statistics

As of this writing, statistics are not yet official, but their import can be seen.

Finishers by Starting Time Registrants by Outcomes
18 Aug. 8 p.m. 80 hour limit 822 23.7% Registrants  4,187
18 Aug. 10 p.m. 90 hour limit 2,201 63.5% Did Not Start (DNS)  118
19 Aug. 5 a.m. 84 hour limit 462 13.3% Starters  4,069
Total   3,465 100.0% Abandons (DNF)   604 14.8%
Finishers  3,465

Paris-Brest-Paris 2003 - continued

The Race
On Wednesday, August 20, the first six riders finished PBP at 14:40. They established a new record of 42 hours 40 minutes:

Marc Leuckx (Belgium), Team Cyfac Bio Racer 
Dominique Briand (France), OC Cyclo Manissieux 
Jean Marc Robin (France), Cyclos Pays Quintyn 
Loic Bodin (France ), OC Montauban 
Denis Moran (France), VC Challans 
Didier Kerlouet (France)

After the race, one of the first six said he was off the bike only 40 minutes total over the course of the 1,230 km event. Leuckx said his interest in long-distance cycling dates from crossing the US two years ago on PACTour. And with his PBP success, he's continuing to dream of racing RAAM one day. 

Melinda Lyon (Boxford, MA) was the first female finisher, repeating her first place finish in PBP '99. Her time (54h 48m) was about one one hour 45 minutes longer than in PBP '99. In 1999 she was essentially an unknown to the PBP peloton, this year they were watching for her, making her ride a lot more stressful as a known top contender, and her victory all that more impressive. It's thought that she is the only woman with multiple and consecutive first-place PBP finishes! 

Mike Fulton (Lakewood, CO) was the first US finisher and 13th overall, finishing in 45h 21m. Fulton said it was "Just crazy at the controls. We were running in and out. I was off the bike only 1-2 minutes at a control." Fulton said that "Phillipe [Deplaix, one of the 1999 first finishers] set a very fast pace going out. We were down to 35 riders by Fougeres. After Fougeres, Phillipe insisted that the lead pack take cinq minute [five minutes per control]. After he pulled all the way to Brest, the leaders attacked and dropped Phillipe. I stayed with the lead pack on the way back until Villaines. They attacked on the hills, I would come off the back, and then I'd get back on the descents, because they don't descend that fast. When I finally got dropped, I was so depleted that I had to stop and sit in the road." This was Fulton's third PBP, all of them at race pace, and his most successful! 

Chris Grealish (Boulder, CO) was the second US finisher (17th overall, with a time of 46h 05m), after finishing first last year in Boston-Montreal-Boston. This was all the more impressive as Chris was a rookie to PBP; he said he learned a lot that would trim minutes off his time next time 'round.


When Do I Start? 
Today's PBP offers three starting times:
8 p.m. (80-hour limit) intended for those racing and other fast folk (24% of the finishers, which seems high);
10 p.m. (90-hour limit), the largest group (64%), favored by rookies and those wanting the most time; 
5 a.m. the next day (84-hour limit), the smallest group (13%), favored by expeditious veterans (and some rookies) who prefer a smaller starting crowd and a pre-dawn rather than through-the-night start. 

The 80-hour starters headed out from St. Quentin on a wonderfully dry, mild evening just before sunset, after listening to uplifting speeches in the orange sunlight. The 90-hour starters had the same conditions, only dark, and likewise a cool night to ride through. The 5 a.m. starters next morning had a fine day of riding, some light overcast, some sun, cool northerly breezes that increased toward evening. Beyond Fougeres, the 84-hour riders start overtaking the slower of the 90-hour riders, overcoming their seven-hour head start. Many of both groups took a sleep break in Loudeac, 452 km (282 miles) into the ride. This traditionally makes Loudeac a crowded controle, and 2003 was no exception. 

Already by midnight, the indoor sleeping mats were all taken, and the lawn was strewn with cyclists wrapped in foil, like giant candy bars in wrappers crinkling in the breeze. That nice mild daytime weather meant a rather chilly night, though, and few people were taking garden-hose showers outdoors as they had in 1999. The 80-hour racers had none of these concerns, of course, as they napped in Brest, or not at all, as they chose, then raced homeward. 

After that first night's break, things spread out enough that everywhere was calmer, still populous but with a mat or cot for most everyone to sleep on. As in recent PBP's, the controle officials were quick and efficient (and genteel) at stamping your controle booklet and scanning your magnetic card. Lines were not a problem at the controle table itself, but could be in the controle cafeterias in places like Loudeac. Riders coming in that first midnight could face up to a half hour gamely standing in line. More than one rider fainted, though the combination of fish aroma, mustard-yellow wall paint, and 450 km in the legs may also have been contributing factors. 

Some Interesting Riders
Lon Haldeman (Sharon, WI) rode PBP on a one-speed bike (with freewheel), as he had in 1999. Tooling down the road with his Route 66-emblazoned seat pack, he tended to accumulate riders like flies, and was a cordial riding companion, shortening the miles with good conversation. Lon's one-speed bike gave the illusion that it was leveling the playing field a bit with other riders. 

Bob Foumey (Highlands Ranch, CO), another multi-time RAAM winner, ratcheted back his pace this PBP to accompany other riders as mentor and riding partner, finishing in a leisurely (for him) 59h 45m. Bob said it was novel to have time to sample the controle food, which he discovered was pretty tasty. Foumey said the potage (broth) was especially recommended - though you had to request it specially - as rehydrant and resalinization medium. (By contrast, Bob had raced PBP '99, in a faired recumbent no less.) 

Reinhard Schroder (GER) is an UltraCycling contributing editor and helps promote the UMCA in Europe. He was aiming himself for a finishing time in the 50's, a speedy PBP to put it mildly. His attitude changed somehow en route, and he ended up finishing in 67h 04m, saying it was the most fun he'd had in a long cycling event. 

Woody Graham (Columbia, SC) racked up yet another successful PBP, reprising his avowed goal of using as much as he could of the 90 hours he'd paid for. 

Tales of Perseverance
PBP is about persisting and persevering, even more than about coming in first. Lulu and Charlie Weschler (Copenhagen, DK) were making expeditious progress until a sinus infection, drowsiness, and saddle sores conspired to slow their progress to a crawl. Each mile was miserable, yet they kept going and making the controles, largely through grit and determination (and mostly sans sleep) to finish in 82h 50m, little more than an hour under their 84-hour limit. 

Mikael and Nancy Henriksson had a simpler excuse for falling behind their schedule - they just got horribly off course on the way outbound to Loudeac, which they reached an hour after Charlie and Lulu. Suddenly, their orderly, sleep-plentiful PBP turned into a scramble to finish officially ... which they did, in 82h 49m. 

Charlie Henderson (Littleton, CO) was 80 miles out on this, his third PBP, when his titanium frame revealed imminent collapse, thanks to a large and growing crack near the bottom bracket. Making it to the next controle, his PBP looked to be fini until the controle directeur offered Charlie his fancy carbon crit bike to ride the remaining 700 miles. Charlie gratefully accepted, rode with little sleep to make up lost time, and made it almost 1000km until unmanageable vertigo ended his ride - and yet Charlie's is a success story, too, in PBP terms, as a story of persistence and will. 

Where Do They Come from?
PBP is clearly an international event, and yet a local one, too. Riders come from as far away as Perth, Seattle, Oslo, and Nice; and as close as towns along the route. Signs in the small villages highlight favorite local riders, while wishing all the PBP riders success. 

US cyclists form the largest foreign contingent, but other countries are sometimes more visible, as their riders sport uniform country jerseys: the garrulous Aussies with their kangaroo jerseys; the rough, tough Danes with their red and white Danish-flag jerseys; the low-key Swedes bedecked in yellow-and-blue; and the effervescent Italians accented with red-white-green ribbons. 

So, Which Jersey to Wear?
For many, once the training, equipment, and nutritional strategies have been nailed down, the foremost question becomes: Which jersey to wear during the event? Some riders were seen wearing the ACP's PBP '03 jersey, which was included in the sign-in packet. These are excellent, cheerful jerseys, but it was perhaps a faux pas to wear them en route - after all, it's pretty clear you're riding PBP '03; the jersey adds no information to this fact. Instead, veterans say you should choose jerseys expressing your affiliation(s). Best is a country jersey. For the US, the closest was the RUSA or RUSA/PBP jersey. A club jersey might also work. There were, as always, plenty of California Bear (Davis Bike Club) jerseys to be seen. A UMCA jersey would not have been totally out of line, either, and a few were seen on the course. Fortunately, since PBP is a 3-4 day event for most riders, you could wear them all (in succession, mind you), and some did. 

The Terrain
PBP advertises at least 28,000 feet of climbing, yet the highest point on the route is the heath landscape of Roc Trevezel, a few hundred meters above sea level (and highest point in Brittany). Getting there provides PBP's only extended climb. The rest of the climbing is parceled into rollers of a kilometer or so. If you're racing it, your peloton strategy needs to reflect this, as Mike Fulton describes above. If you're on your own, a wise gear ratio is your best friend. 

Over the years, PBP's hilliness has become more pronounced, as it has sought quiet country roads. But this year, riders got one break. Veterans were bracing for the ornery succession of rollercoaster hills coming into Brest. Some riders started mentally bracing 600 km in advance (that is, at the ride start). What a pleasure, then, not to take that plunging turnoff into the region of knee-wrenching hills and valleys, but instead to stay up on the ridges, with splendid coastal views (for those riding in daylight), and a gentle dive down to the scenic bridge crossing over to Brest.

The Weather
PBP is held during what is traditionally "la canicule" (the dog days) of August. PBP '95 and '99 were fairly toasty, and this summer the great European heat wave was making life miserable (and deadly) on into mid-August, with unprecedented over-100-degree temps in Paris (and over 11,500 deaths in France). Riders were strategizing their hydration more than usual, and hoping for the traditional refreshment stands set up in front of country houses. Then, a week before ride start, the heat broke. It turned out to be the mildest PBP in years, 50's to 70's F, coolest near the coast, dry, and sunny to light overcast during daytime. Fields looked parched and yellow, and the vigorous sunflowers seen during PBP '99 had already been harvested this year, but it was fine riding weather. 

Vignettes

  • The "bicyclettesfleuris" (antique bikes decorated with flowers) at village entrances. 

  • The refreshment tables in front of people's homes, set out sometimes simply with water, sometimes with coffee and cake (causing more than one cyclist to swerve for an unscheduled pause ), sometimes with coffee, juice, and cookies to break up the nighttime miles. 

  • The picnics held by locals into the night at the roadside to watch riders pass and encourage them on. 
    The Villaines-Ia-Juhel key chains handed out at their controle station; they always have some nice trinket for the riders. 

  • The marigolds handed to cyclists by children of one mother near Fougeres, a touching gesture, though testing the tired cyclist's equilibrium all the same. 

  • The Villandry company's photographers perched at the top of punishing climbs such as the stiff one leaving Villaines-la-Juhel, to catch you at your slowest and most harried, and provide cher- ished photographic memories of your PBP. 

  • The cyclist from Rennes (an historic city not far from the course) sporting a big, infectious smile, who had ridden Paris-Brest-Paris umpteen times now, typically on an hour's sleep here and there, and who expected to finish in 59 or 60 hours ("we're not so young anymore!"), and dreamed one day of riding Historic Route 66. 

Copyright 2003, UltraMarathon Cycling Assoc., Inc. Reprinted with permission. For more information go to
www .ultracycling.com


From the summer 2003 Contrail, the group on the left all were PBP participants. 

From the left: Charlie Henderson, John Lee Ellis, Bob Fourney, Ann Crossland, Glen Werner, Rex Farnsworth, and Jerry Mack.

Two of the riders, Ann and Bob, were riding out of Aspen, and we just happened to meet them in the middle of Glenwood Canyon for a surprise reunion.

Unnamed Contrail rider confusing gender or just another bicyclist committing a crime.

Rex Farnsworth, Charlie Henderson, and Tom Foss enjoying a little bit of shade in Carbondale before the ride to Redstone. This relaxing moment was soon ended when Charlie was confronted by an irate motorist who turned around and argued about road issues. Tempers soothed by calm discussion, we all soon enjoyed the comforts of Redstone for two nights.

 


Chain Chatter  
November 2003
 

Rocky Mountain Cycling Club
P.O. Box 201
Wheat Ridge, CO 80034
 

www.rmccrides.com    

For people who love to ride!

December 2003

Rocky Mountain Cycling Club
For people who love to ride

Chain   Chatter 

December 2003

December and January rides start at 10:45 am.

Show-and-Go Rides: 
Saturday rides start at the Wagon Road park-and-Ride. Contacts are Val Phelps or Tom Foss. 
Sunday rides start at the
Ken Caryl park-and-Ride. Contacts are Tom Foss or Tom Boyle.


2nd Annual RMCC New Year's Day Century

Since the BCS ruined college football on New Year's Day, perhaps you're looking to ride instead? Or perhaps you just want to start the year right. Regardless, Val Phelps will be leading the second annual RMCC New Year's Day Century on January 1, 2004. The ride will start at 8:00 at the
Wagon Road park-and-Ride. The ride will take in Lyons, Apple Valley, Longmont, and Riverdale Road. Traffic on the route is minimal, especially with all of the non-cyclists sleeping off their hangovers.

Contact Val Phelps for more information. The ride will occur as long as road conditions are safe for riding.


RMCC Club Meeting
Club meetings are held the first Tuesday of every month. Attendees can experience the atmosphere and repartee at the Denny's Restaurant at Park Avenue and I-25 at 7:00 PM.

RMCC Online
Latest news and ride updates done by John Klever. Sign up to lead rides, club history, brevet information, present and past newsletters, and more. www.rmccrides.com

Membership
Cost is $25 per year and goes towards printing of the program guide, newsletters, brevets, and club activities. Contact:
Tom Foss
7301 W 32nd Ave.
Wheat Ridge, CO
80033

Exit 243
The ride start location at the gas station has been moved due to parking restrictions. We will be starting at the park and ride on the southwest quadrant of Exit 243.

For Sale
RMCC Jerseys:
1 - extra large
1 - Men's medium
1 - Women's medium
1 - Men's small

RMCC Wind Vests
2 - extra large
1 - large
2 - medium
1 - small
Contact Rick Melick

For Sale:
Thule hitching post two-bike carrier fits in car hitch.
New
$100. e-mail sheridan@town. nederland.co.us 

January 1st
Val's New Year's Day Century
Mark it on your calendar so as to get a jump on the rest of the mileage monsters. More information in December's issue.

 

 

Editorial Section
By Brent Myers

First I have to apologize for the small mistake I made in last month's newsletter by relying too much on the CTRL V and C keys without proofing the copy before it went to print. I can be the butt of many jokes, which are usually created by myself. John Lee was very flattered that I would have liked his article so much as to have printed it twice. I could blame it on Microsoft, but then the lawyers would start to arrive, and then I would have to surrender my PC.

Help is on the way in the person of Mark Michel, a RMCC member who will be helping me to publish the monthly newsletter and to get it out in a timely fashion. Keep sending in those articles, as we all enjoy the exploits of our members. 

Work is finishing up on the 2004 Ride Schedule, which will arrive early next year. The selected rides are the result of years of experience. Changes are made with deliberation. Many times we hear that the roads are just too busy. We attempt to find alternatives, but the list is short. 

We discuss Highway 93 and Indiana every year. Nothing much will change in the near future. The flat recovery rides that we try to hold on Sundays are harder to manage because safe roads are scarcer with the closing of the Air Force Academy. Every country ride now has new residential developments with which to contend. We rode Tower Road in the old days. We hold the Wiggins ride twice a year to experience friendly motorists and flat terrain. Without a state-wide consensus on planning growth, the status quo will continue to erode our quality of riding until we are chased far out onto the plains.


Benefits of an Off-Season Vacation
By John Hughes

Sometimes working out can feel a lot like, well, work! Even if you haven't done a major event that leaves you overtrained, by fall the discipline of working out and the monotony of following a training program can leave you bummed out. Take a vacation from training. 

During this vacation, active recovery is one of the keys. Take part in physical activities that are low intensity. You should be able to carry on a conversation not just of one-liners, but full paragraphs. You want to maintain some aerobic fitness without forcing yourself to go hard. 

During the vacation, do something different that will be fun. If you are truly addicted to road-biking, this can be as simple as riding different routes. Or perhaps going on a club ride with a slightly slower group of riders, who like to stop for coffee. Or call up a friend who's just starting to ride, and invite him or her on a ride. 

During this vacation, try different activities. Yesterday I hiked to the top of Twin Sisters (11,400 feet) in an early-season snow - delightful. Hiking and jogging are great off-season activities because they are weight-bearing. Weight-bearing exercise is important for bone density. Studies have shown that extensive cycling may result in loss of bone density, and not through crashes. 

Mountain biking is another excellent change of pace; it will challenge your motor skills while providing different scenery. Mountain biking on a challenging trail may also get your heart beating so hard you can't carry on a conversation. That's okay as long as you don't feel like you must go hard. 

Most of us follow a structured weekly training rhythm. You're on vacation; forget the structure. Maybe you decide you want five days of outdoor activity a week, but don't write out a plan. Be spontaneous, and do what feels right on Tuesday. 

Active recovery is important to maintain a minimum level of cardiovascular fitness. However, a vacation from training isn't just to heal the body, but it is also to nourish the spirit. Try different activities that stimulate the senses. Hiking, running, and biking on trails, at a pace where you can suck in the beauty, is one way to enrich yourself. You can also use some of the time you'd been devoting to training to going to a museum, concert, or the theater. 

For ultracyclists, riding is a primary source of pleasure, both for the endorphins and from the satisfaction of accomplishing goals. When you cut back during the active recovery phase, it's important to include other activities that you enjoy. Don't just take the hours that were filled with the training routine and start down your to-do list. That's no vacation; that's just changing stressors. 

How long a vacation from training do you need? That depends on how beat up you are, as well as how patient you can be. The best way to judge how long a break you need is to pay attention to how you feel: are you feeling fatigued or energetic? Is your enthusiasm for riding returning? I've been on a vacation from training for a month and I'm starting to get excited about riding a century with John Lee Ellis. 

IV. Transition to training 
After a restful and enjoyable vacation, then you begin the transition back to working out. You're body isn't ready to jump back in to the full regime of training; it needs preparatory work in three areas:

Benefits of an Off-Season Vacation - continued

1) Cardiovascular fitness 
During your vacation you stayed active and maintained a minimum level of cardiovascular fitness. Now is the time to put a bit of structure into your aerobic exercise. As you are starting to get back into training, frequent, regular aerobic activities are the most important. Ideally, you'd be exercising five or six days a week. Cross-training is a great way to get exercise; the workouts don't have to be cycling-specific. Intensity isn't critical, although you aren't ready to push too hard. Even though you're thinking about some long rides in 2004, at this point the workouts can be short: 30 to 60 minutes. Daily aerobic exercise is the foundation of aerobic fitness. 

2) Strength, especially core strength and connective tissues. 
A road cyclist turns millions, if not billions, of crank revolutions during a season. Each of these revolutions is at relatively low intensity and power. As a result, a road cyclist's, and especially an ultracyclist's, legs are not very strong. Seems contradictory, but compare your power output to a track sprinter; they're strong! Resistance training can help to increase bone density, enhance connective tissues, and prevent overuse injuries. The best leg exercises are ones that are weight bearing and tax multiple muscle groups across several joints. Lunges and step-ups are two excellent exercises. Pelvic tilts, leg raises, and back extensions are good for core strength. For more information, see resistance training for distance riders. 

3) Flexibility and stretching 
Flexibility helps cyclists to improve bike handling, increase core strength, improve power, and resist injuries. Muscles that aren't stretched regularly shorten over time. Many of us don't stretch enough during the regular season, so part of our preparation for next year is to work on flexibility. 

Recovery is an integral part of the training rhythm, and if you don't allow for adequate recovery, your body will insist on it, like mine did in Paris! Prevention really is the key. Pay attention to the indicators of overtraining. Listen to your body; don't just tell it what to do. Use the nutritional and other recovery techniques regularly, not just when you feel like you're on the verge of a breakdown. Finally, take a vacation from training. Your body will thank you and you'll come back excited about 2004.


More Stories from PBP
ByJean-Pbilippe Battu

Hello Charlie 

I hope this e-mail will reach the correct person. I am looking for Charlie Henderson who rode PBP 03 two weeks ago. 

I am Jean-Philippe Battu, French rider, from Grenoble in France, 2875 in PBP, and I was descending in the forest close to Hardanges, in the night, around 1 :00 am on Thursday morning when I heart in the night: "Anyone speaks English here?" 

I stopped, and it was you; number 5854. Apparently you had problems with your bike and your front pannier and your front light, but I didn't understand very well what happened. Anyway, I went on the ride and in Villaines I spoke about you to the organizers and apparently your son was here, and he brought you assistance in the night. 

I hope you are OK and you didn't crash. I am sorry not to stay with you but I was in late and reached Villaines just before the closing time of my checkpoint. Perhaps could you explain me now what happened to you. I checked the results, and saw you didn't continue after Villaines. 

I hope the e-mail address is correct; I found it on the Rocky Mountain Bike Club. 

Nice to read your answer ...

Cheers
Jean-Philippe BATTU
Grenoble FRANCE 

Editors' note: This was taken from an e-mail sent to Charlie H. This was just one of many the examples of how gracious and helpful the French are.


California Cabernet
By Rex Farnsworth

I've been recovering from the flu for the past two weeks, and I missed the Death Valley Century last weekend. It snowed heavily on the high passes the night before, and during the ride it was windy (20 mph) with snow flurries. Guess that was no place for a cycling sissy anyway. 

Saturday, Hank Meier and I rode the Solvang Century, my first really big California cycling event. There were nearly 5,000 cyclists, and like Paris all you needed to do was follow the line of riders; no navigation required. The route followed the Santa Ynez river valley to Lompoc, then north through Vandenburg Air Force Base to Santa Maria. The last 45 miles had 3,000 feet of the total 4,700 feet of altitude gain including three grades with short sections exceeding 12% grade. Total route was 103 miles. 

I drove to Arroyo Grande on Friday before the ride, and made the mistake of doing dinner with my brother. We always drink way too much; I enjoyed two Martinis and two thirds of a bottle of Cabernet. The net result was a very short, disturbed night's sleep, and a very bad hangover starting the ride. Nothing like riding through the DENSE fog dodging errant riders and wanting to puke! Hank took pity on me and pulled the entire ride, averaging 16.6 mph. Once I started feeling better, I totally enjoyed the ride. 

The route uses very lightly traveled back roads that wind and roll through the ancient cattle ranches, vineyards, and flower farms. It's springtime; the hjlls are intensely green, and the poppies are just starting to bloom. 

The last 30 miles featured excellent rabbit hunting! On the last climb we passed an entire rabbit racing club, all in salt encrusted matching team jerseys and shorts. Early on, this pack of nuts had cut us pretty close, and one guy even passed on the right. I enjoyed the revenge almost as much as the fried rabbit. 

Editor's note: Rex spends his retirement in Newport Beach so he gets to ride in California before we even get started. Is this another turtle trick?


Chain Chatter  
December 2003
 

Rocky Mountain Cycling Club
P.O. Box 201
Wheat Ridge, CO 80034
 

www.rmccrides.com    

For people who love to ride!


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