Rider Check-in

Rider check-in done
Pack your bags and get some sleep
Clouds get a head start

A pleasant afternoon in Louisville, Colorado, and a greeting from Last Chance chief John Lee Ellis as lighting systems and reflective gear was inspected. Drop bags are to be delivered at tomorrow morning's sign-in -- riders will have access to the bags up through the 3:00 am start.

Steve Whiteman's Moots is fresh from the shop and not yet fully rigged with his randon bags.

The rider progress page now shows the expected start list.

Riders should see temperatures in the 50's from the start through early morning as they attain the first control at Byers, and may encounter patch fog.

National Weather Service forecast for Atwood:
Wednesday: A chance of thunderstorms before 10am, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 10am. Patchy fog between 10am and 4pm. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 79. North wind 10 to 15 mph becoming east. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Atwood and Byers - A Couple of Things

A couple of notes on Byers outbound and Atwood:

• Byers outbound control - Look for Charlie Henderson and/or Jim Kraychy on the right side of the highway (near the Longhorn Motel and Cafe). They will be there to check riders through so you don't have to stop at the Sinclair station on the left (although you are welcome to do so). If you don't see them, head for the Sinclair.
• Atwood rooms - All rooms will be unlocked (so riders can be assigned most efficiently when they come in); please leave rooms unlocked when you leave. Also: it is possible some riders will be able to keep the same room outbound and return, but Charlie and Jim will have to assess things as things develop. There is also some space in the common area to leave items out to dry, etc., if needed.

-jle

Cue Sheet in Excel Format

I have posted the cue sheet in Excel spreadsheet format:

http://www.rmccrides.com/lastchance2009route.xls


This allows you to alter or personalize the format, add notes, etc., if you so desire. Caution: the spreadsheet includes some hidden rows; if you paste a range of rows or the entire spreadsheet elsewhere, my experience has been that the hidden rows will become visible (and lend confusion).

-jle

Stretch Your Legs!

Looking for a few miles to make sure your legs and bike are still functioning nominally? Here are a couple of short outings from the ride start. Note: both of these are more interesting than they appear on a map! (These maps courtesy of Microsoft Streets & Trips.)

Eldorado Springs - Cherryvale (18 miles) - Cross US-36 and turn right (through the shopping area). Once you summit Davidson Mesa on Marshall Rd. you are into open country with great views of the Boulder Flatirons. This route takes you up South Boulder Creek to the mouth of Eldorado Canyon. You can turn around at the town's "wall," where the road turns to dirt.

Return as you came or via Cherryvale, which is a very pleasant road, and South Boulder Rd. is ok, too.

Morgul Bismark (14 miles) - This is the classic Morgul-Bismark loop (named for Davis Phinney's cats, I'm told) - a bit more climbing than the other route, but even better views! (Good views of Eldorado Canyon and the Indian Peaks defining the Continental Divide.) Go over US-36 and continue up McCaslin to Hwy. 128, from there to Hwy. 93. Here you can descend the couple of miles to Marshall Rd., or depending on time of day, just come back the way you came. (The 1½ miles on Hwy. 93 are downhill but without shoulder. Not generally a problem, but you be the judge.)

Give either of these a try and soak up some Colorado mountain scenery!

-jle

Finish-Line Procedure Revised

After talking with riders and staff, it seems in everyone's best interest for nighttime finishers (9pm-6am) to proceed directly to the Comfort Inn, rather than stopping by my house. I have revised the procedures note (below) and cue sheet to that effect.

In the past, some riders have had difficulty navigating to my house in the dark. And Buster says he'd prefer a sound sleep (which he manages to achieve most of the day, too).

-jle

Ride Procedures

Ride Start

Sign in between 2am-2:30am at the Comfort Inn. We will try to arrange a motel-provided self-service breakfast. Deposit your Drop-Bags in Atwood and Byers piles, respectively. As in years past, the Comfort Inn staff is making provisions to store guests' bicycle bags and other luggage during the event.

En Route

Atwood Sleeping - We've allocated enough room for everyone intending to sleep there, though in some cases it may be two to a queen-sized bed. Please follow the directions of the staff when you arrive. Do not leave drop bag or other items in the motel room - you may be sleeping in a different room on your return through Atwood. Instead, you will need to repack your drop bag and return it to the drop-bag area.

Kensington – Mail your turnaround-point postcard, writing on it your time of passage, at the Kensington post office. Volunteers Guy Oldfield and his wife Barbara will be there at certain times, with some food and drink. You still need to mail your postcard.

Unstaffed Checkpoints – Checkpoints noted as “Store/Personal Checkpoint” have no event staff: have any store clerk note your time of passage and initial the card or, if during the night when all establishments are closed, note your own time and initials.

Atwood and Byers Food - We will have a selection of hot and cold food - e.g., pizza at Atwood, soup, etc. If you have specific food, drink preferences (esp. energy, nutritional, sports drinks), consider packing them in your drop bag. Atwood rooms have microwaves, and there is also a common area for eating. Atwood and Byers both have places to restaurants, but they close relatively early.

Atwood and Byers Sign-In/Out – IMPORTANT - When you arrive in Atwood and Byers, sign in on the sheet provided. Then remember also to sign out when you leave, whether your stay is half an hour or overnight. This allows us to track rider progress and post it on the website, and keep track of the riders. This is in addition to having your brevet card validated by staff.

Ride Finish (Revised)

As in years past, from 6am-9pm, the “pre-finish check-in” is at my house (noted on cue sheet). Please be sure your time of arrival is noted on your card and that you leave your card in the box provided. This allows us to keep close track of finishers, and post rider progress on the web.

NOTE: During nighttime hours (9pm to 6am) proceed directly to the Comfort Inn, have a clerk annotate your card, and leave it in my vehicle.

Drop Bags will be available starting Saturday afternoon at the Comfort Inn.

Après-Finish Dinner

As in years past, we've made arrangements at Carrabbas Italian Grill, in the next block north of the motel, starting 6:30pm on Saturday. Attendees pay their own way. Mention the Rocky Mountain Cycling Club as the group you're with. In past years, everyone's had a great time!

Bonne Route!

-jle

Check-In and Inspection

Check-In and Inspection will be 4pm-5:30pm on Tuesday 8 September at the Comfort Inn in Louisville. If this time will not work for you, please let me know in advance.

You will need to show your:

• lighting system mounted on bike and backup lighting system,
• reflective gear for your bike and yourself (legbands and reflective vest or equivalent)

I will hand out rider packets including brevet card, Kensington postcard, printouts of map and cue sheet, plus dropbag tags for Atwood and Byers. After inspection, you may wish to join other riders for dinner at a neighboring restaurant - there are several within walking distance.

See you soon!

-jle