Newsletters of 2003

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.

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."

February Ride Schedule 10:45 AM

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.

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

R/P

31 mi

(Sat) 

E

R/P

(Sun) 

E

R/P

(Sat)

E

R/P

(Sun)

E

R/P

(Sat)

E

R/P

(Sun)

E

R/P

(Sat)

E

R/P

(Sun)

E

(Wed)

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

R/P

(Sat)

E

R/P

(Sun)

E

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Start

Ride Starter

Mileage

Golden

Superior

Monument

Bergen Park

Triple Bypass (This is not an RMCC ride.)

Rooney Road

Idaho Springs

Northglenn

Littleton

Northglenn

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

Start

Ride Starter

Mileage

Littleton

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

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

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

Start

Ride Starter

Mileage

Ted's Place

Littleton

Golden

Castle Rock

Lyons

Northglenn

Larkspur

Golden

Wiggins

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

Start

Ride Starter

Mileage

Littleton

St. Quentin-
en-Yvelines, France

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.

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

Start

Ride Starter

Mileage

Granby

Superior

Copper Mountain

Littleton

Golden

Northglenn

Lyons

Littleton

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

Start

Ride Starter

Mileage

Copper Mountain

Exit 243

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. 

 

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!!

October rides start at 9:45 am.

Start

Ride Starter

Mileage

Superior

Monument

Exit 255

Aurora

Golden

Northglenn

Larkspur

Northglenn

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". 

November rides start at 10:45 am.

Start

Ride Starter

Mileage

Rooney Road

Ken Caryl

Northglenn

Ken Caryl

Aurora

Ken Caryl

Littleton

Ken Caryl

Superior

Ken Caryl

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.

December and January rides start at 10:45 am.

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: