Stories and Photos

I am collecting stories and photos that you would like to share about your Last Chance ride. So please send:

• stories or blog-links (or other links)
• photos or on-line photo links, etc.

And I will post your material or link to it, respectively. Some of you have already sent material and links so thanks. "Story" doesn't have to be a blow-by-blow account, by the way: if you have some vignettes or wry observations, those would be great, too.

The event aftermath is still quite the busy time here at Last Chance HQ - I'll post links, etc., as expeditiously as I can.

-jle

Jersey Reminder

A reminder that we need to receive any additional jersey (and other attire) orders by September 19. At this point, it's probably best to order on-line if you're interested:

http://secure.midlifesports.com/home.php?cat=283v

Scroll down to find the various items of Last Chance attire.

Thanks,

-jle

Lost, Loaned, and Found

Found - a black, righthand SealSkinz brand glove was found by Beth and Brent Myers on Strasburg Rd. It it's yours, let me know.

Eric Simmons lent a number of items to various riders. If you have not yet returned them, please let me know and we'll find a way to get the items back to Eric. (If you are still in the Louisville area, you can drop them by my house.)

Thanks,

-jle

Day 4 - Saturday 13 September

6:22 am - Riders passed a clear, breezy night under a large, waxing moon which lighted their way. Temps in the low 40's made for crisp riding, but at least it's dry. Finishers today should enjoy sun and temps into the 70's! And a fresh dusting of snow on the Front Range peaks is gracing riders' views as they head west to the finish.

8:30 am - Eric Simmons is packing up the Byers control, while his compadre Leslie Sutton is off to ride the Last Chance 200k brevet! A hearty thanks to Eric and Leslie, as well as Dan Shields and Charlie Henderson who held down the fort at Atwood for two days, and played a big role in making this such a special event!

4:24 pm - All but two of the remaining riders have finished, and they've had a brilliant sunny day to enjoy those final miles! It's a far cry from the soaked figures who were the first to arrive, 36 hours before.

9:25 pm - Our final two riders, Ernesto Berzacola from Milan and Piero Delgado from San Juan PR finished in time to grace our presence (and hand over their cards) at the rider celebration dinner! Still full of enthusiasm, they put a fine finish to our event!

-jle

Day 3 - Friday 12 September

8:30 am - Five riders headed out from Byers overnight, and four of them have now made it to the finish: Ken Bonner, Larry Ide, Tom Knoblauch, and John Schlitter. Cold, at times drenching, rains have moved in with a cold front, and accompanied these riders for most or all of those final 103 miles. They arrived in various states of chills, sogginess, and general rough condition, but they can be proud of their performances!

10:30 am - Atwood-to-Idalia is beset by heavy rains and reduced visibility, temps in the low 50's ("Just like PBP'07," Charlie Henderson points out, as he patrols that stretch).

1:23 pm - Things are brightening up. The showers are thinning out and some places even have sun peeking through. Half a dozen riders in two groups headed out from Byers late morning.

And here's a heartwarming story: Charlie reports that nine cold and soggy riders descended on the cafe in Idalia this morning. The proprietors gave them blankets and dried their clothes while they ate. Now that's small town spirit!

Ken Bonner, who bested his previous finishing times (in 2002, 2004, 2005, and 2006) despite "100km of drenching rain" at the finish, felt conditions on balance were very favorable, at least for the Last Chance! He reminded me that 2006 had a big tailwind going out, which was better than nothing, oh, and no storms to speak of, so he'd been happy about that. This year, Ken had a similar tailwind outbound, tailwind on much of the return, cool temps ideal for cycling, and limited troublesomely strong sun. So he's not complaining about a few soggy hours at the end.

3:16 pm - Leslie Sutton reports from Byers: "I'm back at my coin op washer 'desk'. Roberto [Trevisan] and [Vincent Muoneke] are in excellent spirits after hot showers and hot food. They arrived at 13:05 and just departed at 14:35 as the sun started peaking out of the clouds and warming us up. Roberto reports that the drivers here are very courteous and the smooth roads are a treat. Jim [Solanick]'s clothes are hanging on the pipes in here (utility room) and they are just about dry, so I think he wil be on his way soon as well."

Note: I've added Leslie's photo of Roberto Trevisan departing Byers to the Flickr group photo pool.

7:15 pm - The next four riders have now come in, riding together and showing lots of camaraderie: Henk Bouhuyzen, Tim Feldman, Catherine Shenk, and Dick Wiss. The weather has brightened up ahead of schedule, making for a scenic finish with the sun setting over the cloud-bedecked Front Range. As Henk, Catherine, and Dick registered with the UMCA as aspirants to be RAAM qualified, they are now. A strong performance and congratulations!

-jle

Photos

I have posted a few photos from the event start in the Flickr group "Colorado Last Chance 1200km 2008" --

http://www.flickr.com/groups/882563@N21/

I will be posting more, and hope we will also be getting some from Byers and on the road, depending, as always, on when there's a moment to spare.

-jle

Day 2 - Thursday 11 September

7:56 am - As you can see from the rider times, most everyone got in and out of Atwood in good shape. Reports from the earlier riders through the turnaround point at Kensington are of strong winds through the night - not unusual - but no moisture. Right now it's high overcast, not threatening, with some breaks of blue.

11:30 am - The good news is no thunderstorms, tornadoes, or tumbleweeds. But it has turned cool, in the 50's with a 20mph wind out of the north, sprinkles and drizzle. Trail boss Charlie Henderson reports that Floridian Jim Solanick has broken out his RUSA wool jersey, its inaugural use since purchase half a year ago.

4:05 pm - At this point, everyone has made it through the Kensington turnaround point. Weather seems reasonably ok for cycling: overcast, 70°, drizzle here and there. The rain is parked off to the SE.

Richard Stum from Utah praises trail ranger Eric Simmons' delicious pasta salad, which he's enjoyed a couple times already on the route - this prepared by Eric's gourmet wife. Eric will no doubt be cooking up something tasty in Byers, as he and Leslie Sutton brace themselves for the onslaught of randonneurs.

8:45 pm - Leslie Sutton in Byers reports that Larry Ide and John Schlitter have come through: "Larry and John rolled in at 8:08, enjoyed some PB&J sandwiches, talked about getting a jacuzzi room if they finished by 3am, and then headed out into the night at 8:31p. It's a little chilly out here - about 53 degrees with a NNE breeze."

-jle