New England Randonneurs

Our VT 400k route has been certified by RUSA. This route is a scenic tour around much of our great state – taking in the Green Mountains, a slice of the Connecticut River valley, long portions on both Rt 12a and Rt. 100, and quaint small towns like Saxton’s River, Putney, Grafton, and Rochester, VT.

Our halfway stop will be at the famed West Hill Shop in Putney, VT. Some good friends run the place – and they have let me know that in addition to our humble little event passing through town they are running their annual Tour of the Valleys ride. It is also their 40th Anniversary – they will be hosting a party that will start at 3pm, just about right for mid pack randonneurs to arrive and enjoy a festive refueling. They are serving as a stocked control – so they can take care of the go-fast guys and gals too.

The preliminary course can be seen here. Official cue sheets will be verified and finalized in the next two weeks, and will be sent to registered riders upon request.

This ride starts in Waterbury, VT. Accommodations for our out of town guests can be made at a number of local B&Bs or Inns, but the Best Western Waterbury is less than a 1/4 mile from the start.

On April 21st at 7pm NER is holding an informal meeting to discuss Paris-Brest-Paris, 1200k events, and randonneuring in general. If you’re thinking about going to PBP or other 1200k events in 2011, this is your chance to have all your questions answered: training, transportation, eating, sleeping, etc. If you’ve ridden PBP before, come and help answer questions or just reminisce about the event. Even if you have little interest in PBP, come hang out with your fellow Randonneurs.

The meeting is open to the public and is free. No pre-reg required, just show up! Snacks and drinks provided.

Date & Time: April 21st @ 7pm.
Location:
55 Old Bedford Road, Lincoln, MA (Google Map)
Directional Note: This is the office building immediately outside Hanscom Field.
Meeting will be held in the building’s café.

Special thanks to John McClellan for making the meeting space available.

From the Fashion Desk, Melinda Lyon writes:

The order has been placed and it should be in my hands at the end of March. I am hoping to have jerseys to sell/distribute at the 100K, if not the 200K. If you are something other than a man and medium or large you might want to reserve a jersey with me ahead of time with a check for 65 bucks. Ordering & design info on the merchandise page.

I will deliver at the ride and save you the shipping fee. Due to the small order, those who are not men and medium or large will see a smaller selection as I try to cover all of the rider size options.

Tracey Ingle, NER RBA writes:

For those of you planning to ride PBP this year, or even if there is a
slight remote possibility you’ll ride it, you’ll want to get your RUSA membership up to date at least two weeks before the 200k. The 200k is scheduled for April 2nd, so if you do the math. . . get that membership renewal or new member application in as soon as possible. I say to give a two week window so you can be sure your membership is in place at the time you ride the 200k.

This year PBP applications will be handled online only, directly with Audax Club Parisien. Technically RUSA membership is not required as it was in past years. However, you will need your homologation numbers from your qualifying brevets in order to complete your PBP application. These numbers are available through the RUSA website as a member benefit – for members only. Non-members’ homologation numbers are not available in this way.

If you participate in a qualifying brevet and you are not a RUSA member at the time of participation, you will have to contact the RBA (i.e., me) to get your homologation numbers. I don’t necessarily receive them immediately. In fact, there can be delays of up to several weeks before I receive them and am able to convey them to non-members.

RUSA members will have access to their numbers much sooner than non-members. And since this year ACP is capping the number of entries they are permitting, timing will be critical. I highly recommend all randonneurs become RUSA members, but this year more than ever it is vitally important if you will be going to PBP in August.

If you have any questions about PBP, registration, or RUSA membership, please let me know.

Finally, make sure to check the updated info on the Vermont rides. The 400k is brand new and looks to be real scenic. Now is also a good time to start planning your Fleche routes!