October Newsletter
The DC Randonneurs continue to impress! Two weeks after PBP, 13 riders that participated in PBP 07′ were back on their bikes riding a 200K Brevet. When most riders were either recuperating from PBP or sulking about what went wrong, the DC Randonneurs are out riding and enjoying the challenge and camraderie of the Brevet of the Month. Mark Brewer, one of the newer DC Randonneurs, came out and completed his first brevet and had a great time doing it. I’m hoping some of the other new members follow Mark’s lead and do their first Brevet before the year is over. Several other members with schedule conflicts completed permanents in September to keep their R-12 asperations on target.
The inaugural Appalachian Double Cross 1000K started from Paris, Va and went to Athens, OH and back. There were 3 starters for this epic ride: Bill Arceiri, Ray Skinner, and myself. Unfortunately Bill hit a big rock on the shoulder of US33 the first night and it damaged his rim to the point it wouldn’t hold the bead of the tire. Ray and I struggled through the hills, wind, heat and fog to the end. Ray finished around 1 a.m. on Tuesday and I finished about 6 1/2 hrs later with 20 minutes to spare. I’ll write a short ride report soon.
The next event is the Woodbine 200K beginning @ 7:00a.m. 0n October 20th. Registration begins@ 6:00 a.m. The brevet fee is $10. Bill Beck has once again volunteered to be the event coordinator for this route that he designed. This out and back route passes through Gettysburg on its way to the turn around in Dillsburg.
The November Brevet of the Month is The Tappahanock 200K which begins from Ashland, Va. Hope to see some of our southern members who don’t get to the monthly brevets on a regular basis. It is also a very good choice for a first brevet as it is the flattest of all the courses that we offer. This is a Paul Donaldson designed route that crosses a lot of the little streams and rivers that flow into the Rappahanock River. Paul has also agreed to be the event coordinator for this brevet.
On Friday October 19th at 7:30 in the Glen Echo Town Hall we will have a GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING to elect new officers and to preview plans for the Shenandoah 1200K and the rest of the 2008 schedule. Please try to attend as we need 15% of the membership to achieve quorum. This is also another chance to provide input and help shape the final plans. Light refreshments will be served.
Matt Settle,
RBA