WINTER RIDING: With the right layering you can ride all year round in Shanghai.  So git on yer bike and ride.  :)

Brevets:  There are three 200km rides now sanctioned by the ACP in France:

• SSS: Shanghai to Suzhou to Shanghai (200km) Out and back brevet.
• Pudong:  From the ferry station to the airport, beyond, and back.  (200km) Out and back brevet.
• Suzhou: Three loops totaling the 200kms.  (Loops brevet)
• All three can be ridden anytime as what is called a "Permanent" More about that when I can figure out some non manned controls.

ROCn STATUS:  Still looking for someone to take over ROCn at the end of June when my stay in Shanghai is over.  Another "Yank" has moved to Chengdu and might run ROCn from there if I can't find another helpful soul in Shanghai. 

Ultra Marathon Cycling:  http://www.ultracycling.com/index.html   A very worthy organization to join with lots of information on ultra cycling:

• Year Rounder Challenge:  Anyone can sign up for this and challenge  yourself to do a century ride (100 miles or about 160kms) every month.  Use the cue sheets for the brevets or create your own century rides. 
• Equipment for Long Rides:  Check out the tips by Ken Bonner, who so far has over 12,000 miles ridden this year.

Brevet Cue Sheets: You can find them in the "Files" section of this yahoo group.  The SSS has to be updated as one of the roads is undergoing major construction.  I plan to update that sometime in December.

GPS: Returned from the U.S. with a Garmin eTrex Hcx gps unit only to find that the China map doesn't work in China unless you purchase a GPS unit made for China.  The government throws off the pointer for security reasons, so my GPS has me about 500 metres or 1/3 mile from where I really am.  Still good to be able to see the streets around and about.

GEOCACHING with a GPS unit:  Has nothing to do with ultra long distance cycling, but can be a fun way to explore Shanghai if  you have a GPS unit.  Folks hide "geocaches" in varous locations and with the co-ordinates you simply try to find them.  All you need for information is here: http://www.geocaching.com   There are about 8 geocaches in the Shanghai area.

As always.....Ride Long and Prosper

Slo Joe Recumbo

Chief Cook and Bottle Washer