Last Chance 2009 Registration Now Open!

Registration for the Colorado Last Chance 1200k is now open. You may apply either by sending in an application form with check, or online. The printable form includes options for ordering jerseys/vests; on the online page, these are separate options:

Printable form: www.rmccrides.com/lastchance2009application.htm
Online: http://secure.midlifesports.com/home.php?cat=283v

BEFORE APPLYING, please carefully read the qualification, payment, cancellation and other details: www.rmccrides.com/lastchance.htm

If we need to change any of these policies, we will update that page and let you know via the Last Chance blog. Confirmed and waitlisted rider lists will be filled by date in which applications were sent (e.g., postmark for mailed applications). For that reason, it may be a week or so before we publish the initial confirmed/waitlisted lists.

Feel free to reply or contact me with any questions. First, however, check this blog as your question may already have been answered here. Also, check or subscribe to the blog for announcements and updates as they transpire.

Thanks!
-jle

Last Chance jerseys and vests mailed!

Thanks to our gracious volunteer and fellow randonneur Will deRosset, the Last Chance jerseys and vests that riders ordered have been mailed out - first class for international recipients, and priority for US. Voler got these items to us as scheduled (actually a few days early).

Thanks to Will for volunteering to handle this and carrying out the shipments!

-john lee

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