2014 Season is Less Than 90 Days Away

I was talking with my friend Dennis this last weekend and he reminded me that the first brevet of 2014 is March 29th.  That is less than 90 days away!  I think it was a reminder that 1) I needed to post the Calendar of Events for 2014 to the website and 2) it is time to set up some goals for this year.

After taking 2013 off and only offering a few 200K and 300K events, the 2014 season will host a full series (200, 300, 400 and 600K) of ACP events.  My Calendar of Events is up to date as of this posting.  I hope you will check out the calendar and join me and other riders from the mid-west for some or all of these events.

I have kept the ride prices the same for the last four or five years.  This year the 200K remains at just $10 per rider.  The 300K and 400K events remain at $15 per rider.  I did raise the 600K event from $20 to $25 per rider.

Yes, it is 2013. It is January, the weather is cold and rain is on the way. I wanted to give a quick note to tell you the 2013 calendar of events has been posted to the St. Louis Randonneuring website.

You will certainly note that for the first time in eight years I am not offering a full ACP Brevet Series. I am offering an abbreviated schedule of several 200 kilometer and two 300 kilometer ACP events. I am offering two 200K events in April and dual 200K/300K events in May. Prices for the rides remains the same as it has been for many years, $10 for a 200K and $15 for 300K events. I certainly appreciate every rider who attends and keeps our sport alive in the greater St. Louis area.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. My contact information is located on my "contact" page on the website.

April 14 Brevet

Hello riders. It is now just 24 hours before the April 14th brevets. I have been checking the forecasts for the St. Louis area and the weather is going to be a little more challenging than the last brevet. Currently the morning forecast is for temperatures around 58 degrees with a 50% chance of scattered storms. By noon the temps should climb to near 72 degrees, still with chances of scattered storms. By evening the temps should be 77 and yes, still those pesky chances of rain. Winds all day are mostly out of the south growing in intensity later in the day. That should make for a nice tail wind north!

First, if you are riding the 300K, you will need lights (front and rear) as well as reflective gear. Lights for the 200K are optional as the sun will be up before we head out and not set until nearly 7:45PM That said, lights and reflective gear are always a good idea. If you think you may take longer that 12 and a half hours to complete the event, then make sure you DO have your lights and reflective gear.

Second, all riders, 200K and 300K should think about rain gear and visibility in the rain.

Registration will begin in Edwardsville at 6:00AM, closing at 6:45. Please make sure you register during those times. The 200K distance fee is $10, and the 300K event fee is $15. Exact change is much appreciated. See you there.

Calendar Update ** Important **

It was brought to my attention that my April Calendar of Events did not properly list the dates and start times. If you are already looking at events for St. Louis and Springfield MO, please check the Calendar of Events page to make sure the event you want is listed and what the registration and start times are. I apologize for the confusion and any inconvenience this error has caused.

The brevet season is off to a good start

March 31 was the season opener for the St. Louis brevet series. The morning temperature was in the low 50’s with the rising sun and blue skies early on. Not being a fast rider, this RBA took up the rear position (lantern rouge) heading out of the Edwardsville IL parking lot.

16 riders started at 7:00 AM as they headed along the Madison County IL trail. As with most brevets the early pace was quick but riders settled into their rhythm and found other riders to talk and ride with. The group broke into multiple groups. Fast riders itching to put in a fast time were quickly off the trail and heading east towards Pocahontas and Greenville.

While St. Louis brevets have been ridden in temperatures ranging from 14 degrees to over 100 degrees and precipitation which varies from snow, sleet, sprinkles, rain and downpours, today’s event topped out at 76 degrees with no precipitation and a light breeze. You could barely ask for a better day to ride.
Of the 16 riders who started the 200K event, 14 finished, and all finished under ten hours.

Thank you for supporting the St. Louis and Springfield MO events, and I look forward to seeing you on the road again soon.