Thought I'd mention again that this is an international association
that welcomes long distance riders from all over the world and has
numerous challenges.

One of them that can be done 'ON YOUR OWN' is the Year Rounder with
the website here: http://www.ultracycling.com/standings/umc.html

Following is the newsletter that comes out twice a week. So check
out membership un UMCA, ......and do some ldr's ...

ride long and prosper

slo joe



Ultra Marathon Cycling Association

Year-Rounder Challenge News
Issue 97 September 8, 2008

1) News from John Lee Ellis


The Camaraderie of Distance – As I write this, it's the eve of a few
days of cycling immersion for several dozen riders down the street.
Tomorrow they'll be off on the Colorado Last Chance 1200k, the
most "open" of the 1200k's, at least if tree-count is any measure.
Year-Rounders include Ken Bonner, Tom Knoblauch, and Catherine
Shenk. What unexpected adventures, species of wind, and dust devils
speaking in tongues will they encounter? Who can say - that's the
great thing about spending so long on a bike - something fascinating
is almost sure to happen! We wish all the riders a safe, successful
trip.



Pony Express by Bike - Speaking of camaraderie and distance, Year-
Rounder Spencer Klaassen and Dan Clinkenbeard just completed
Spencer's own RUSA "Pony Express" Permanent - an epic trip if ever
there was one, to the tune of 2979km. Congratulations, you guys!



I hope that as the season tapers for many of us, you have found some
dynamite event, tour, or retrospective excursion to put your season
in perspective!



-john lee



2) Rides from All Over


Here we are into September and enjoying the weather. That is, of
course, unless you live in hurricane land. Please join me in
sending positive thoughts to all of those living in the affected
areas. May your lights be on and your cleanup minimal.



· A few more RUSA Anniversary brevets from Michael J Bailey
in California, Dan Driscoll and Pam Wright in Texas, and Ed Brady in
Ohio.

· The Ultra Midwest 24 Hour Challenge in Illinois drew
several Y-Rs, including Larry Ide who rode 412 miles, Gerald Eddlemon
who, "won 60-69 age class by only 2.3 miles over entire 24 hours of
racing," and Joel Sothern who writes that, "Course vandals threw a
monkey wrench into the race by painting phony arrows on the pavement,
but Joe Jamison and crew made adjustments and the race went off
largely without a hitch."

· Jennisse Peatick rode the Lance Armstrong Foundation
Century in Pennsylvania.

· "It's not so much where one rides. The best thing to do is
to follow your instincts without to much reflection." Well said by
Tom Knoblauch, who does most of his rides in Colorado.

· Larry Ide set the UMCA Illinois E-W-E Record in a time that
Mr. Ellis called "fast."

· Kenneth Bonner tells a story of not giving up on a
brevet. "Not my day!! One of the ferries from Vancouver Island broke
down, and the last one for the day was late. Consequently, I arrived
at the start point of the 600 km about 2 a.m., so started the ride
with little sleep. Broke a rear non-drive side spoke within about 35
miles. Nice warm sunny day. Then I missed a turn ... 20 miles later
and night falling I was back on course. Now discouraged and very
sleepy, I went off course for several miles to try and find a motel --
all full. Dawn was just breaking when a drive-side spoke broke.
Duct tape and a tensioning tool straightened my wheel. Still sleepy,
I caught a few minutes sleep on the side of the freeway. Finished
with another rider in heavy rain ... we both had wonky back wheels.
Fortunately they did not collapse! (And that's the good news!)"

· Ritaann Becker Tells her own tale of excitement on a North
Florida 200k Permanent. "It was a hot day (mid-90's), humid, and a
long, solo ride on the roads of rural North Florida. But around 90
miles, at the M&M General Store (w/ the claim of being the "Biggest
Store in Leonia", for year's there's been a sign on the
door, "Rattlesnakes Wanted" Dead or Alive ("or Alive" is now crossed
out). Apparently, they pay by the foot for dead rattlesnakes brought
in, because while I was sitting there I witnessed (the rattler) and
heard a rattlesnake story told by a petite, older lady (76), dressed
in her Sunday best, about how she had just killed the rattler at her
back kitchen door w/ her hoe (it was about 4' and in her car trunk).
She proceeds to tell me she had the same problem with an alligator a
few weeks earlier, it met her hoe, too. You just had to be there;
stuff for great storytelling. After I left, seven miles down the
road, I was climbing a hill and could see something up ahead, half on
the road and half in the grass ... couldn't make it out yet. As I
got closer, its head up and rapid movement of the tongue got my
attention real fast as I swerved around a rattlesnake; where's the
lady w/ her hoe when you need her?"



Got any stories? Send them to year-roundernews@...

3) Stats



John Lee put many hours into organizing the Last Chance 1200 which
starts tomorrow at 3 AM. Bonne Route to all of the riders! - ed.