Unofficial map and downloadable track:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/1810086
;
Cue sheet.
Contact for more information:
rba@will-rando.org
Photos
Google photo album by Chris Archibald
Google photo album by Jeff Reynolds
Do you have more photos from the ride? Please send a link to rba@will-rando.org
Report
Friday's weather was gorgeous. Sunday's weather was lovely. We rode Saturday. That's rando.
We had a good group of 8 riders, including veterans and riders new to randonneuring. Two riders came down from Seattle to support the opening of a new region (thanks!); the remainder were from Eugene and Springfield. Everyone arrived at the start prepared for a rainy ride.
For a little time at the departure point it was fairly dry, but rain began to fall a few minute before the start. At the finish, one rider reported that the rain fell predictably whenever he removed his rain jacket. Another reported that it never rained again after he donned his rain legs in Alsea, but a rider not far behind him had steady rain through the same segment of the ride. No one complained of insufficient rain.
Still, everyone did well. There were no DNFs, nor any stories of changing a flat in a downpour or puking in a ditch. Everyone (save the pre-rider a week before) finished with at least an hour in the bank. Despite some hard climbs and some long climbs and some questionable dining choices and lots of moisture, overall it appears that riders enjoyed a scenic and challenging ride. We're going to call it a success.
Thanks to the intrepid riders who didn't let a rainy day stop them from riding 127 hilly miles. It's a promising start for randonneuring in the southern Willamette Valley.
Riders:
Chris Archibald, Eugene
Gabe Graves, Eugene
Audunn Ludvikson, Seattle
Keith Moore, Woodinville
Guy Polson, Springfield
Jeffery Reynolds, Eugene
Zach Schmidt, Eugene
Aaron VanDerlip, Eugene
Michal Young, Eugene (pre-ride)
Requirements
This ride is now over, but this information may be useful to riders considering future brevets.
This brevet is sanctioned by Audax Club Parisien and Randonneurs
USA, and is subject to RUSA Rules for
Riders. If you are not familiar with these rules, please
read them well in advance so that you can be prepared. They are
Your bicycle must be equipped with front and rear lights, even if you expect to finish in daylight. After dusk, you must use your lights. You must carry adequate reflective garments, preferably conforming to RUSA reflectivity guidelines. If you are observed riding in low light conditions with inadequate lights or reflectivity, you will be disqualified.
Familiarize yourself with procedures for riding a brevet, incuding collection of times and signatures on the control card. The card must be signed and turned in at the finish.
What to expect
This is a self-supported ride. There is no SAG. Food and drinks are available at markets along the route. Randonneuring rules prohibit personal support vehicles or other personal support except at the controles, which are marked on the route.
This is an all-conditions ride. There will be some kind of weather. Maybe it will be wonderful, and maybe it won't. Come prepared. Unless you feel your life or health are at risk, ride through.
Expect this to be a little tougher than a typical club century ride. You need not be a fast rider, but it takes some discipline to move efficiently through the controles. Remember, the clock doesn't stop, even when you do! The slower you ride, the more important is your “controle discipline.”
Most important: Be safe, and enjoy the ride.