June Newsletter
The ACP qualifying series continued with two very different, but equally scenic and challenging 400K randonees. 82 starters earned 74 brevets. Thank you Lynn Kristianson and Chris Mento for coordinating these outstanding events and recruiting the excellent volunteer staff. Three CHEERS for all involved in making these events special.The final test, the 600K qualifier is this SAT/SUN from the Super 8 in Middletown, Va. This ride will certainly test the randonneurs desire and determination as it traverses the Shenandoah Valley with its endless undulating terrain. Pacing and time management become more important as the randonees grow longer and fitness becomes less a factor in completing the course. The weather forecast for this weekend is for very warm temps on Sat. Please remember to hydrate and pace yourself. The object of the sport is to finish, so respect the heat and humidity and save some energy for later in the brevet. Remember, randonneuring is about overcoming obstacles, so flexibility and adaptation to the conditions are key. Try to be rested as much as possible at the start.
The Brevet of the Month returns to the calendar with 3 200K Brevets from the Bears Den Lodge on June 29,30, and July 1. The brevet on June 29th will begin at 8 pm. This will allow us to follow the sunset west and then ride with the full moon thru the night to a sunrise finish, if we are fast enough. Saturday the brevet starts at 8 am. On Sunday it’s a 5 am start with the sun rising as we climb along Mt Weather Rd. These brevets, use of the cottage, and lots of munchies is free to all DC Randonneurs and their families. Everyone is encouraged to come out and share their experiences and aspirations for PBP. Keep in mind that there is more to life than brevets. The Bears Den is a great place to hike, located just steps from the Appalachian Trail and the sunsets from the overlooks of the Valley are spectacular. Also, it is just a nice place to relax. Hope to see you there.
Laissez le bontemps roule!
Matt Settle,RBA