200k ACP Brevet, 151k and 100k RUSA Populaires, April 5, 2025

[StephenH]

Join us Saturday, April 5th, for 200k ACP Brevet (Red Bandana), 151k RUSA Populaire (Whiskey River) and 100k RUSA Populaire (Wild Willie's).

The 200k route is an ACP brevet, so the time and mileage credit are figured for 200k, rather than the actual mileage.  However, it does qualify for certain awards or medals.

Start time:  7:30 (sunrise is 7:11).

Start location:  Start is actually a Shell station.  Parking is at the Alvarado High School parking lot, off of I-35W south of Alvarado.
From the intersection of Hwy 67 and I-35W, take I-35W south.  If you're on the service road, use the first ramp to get on the freeway.
Exit on Exit 24, FM 3136/ FM 1706.
Turn left at the stoplight on FM 1706.
Turn immediately right onto the 2-way service road on the east side of the freeway.
The control store is there at the corner.  Go past it, past the stop sign for the freeway offramp, then turn left into the parking lot just past the offramp.
That left turn can be hard to see in the dark.
Park in the area of parking lot out closest to the freeway.  This is a big parking lot/ marching band practice area- not the little parking lot up by the school.

RUSA membership is required for all rides.  See the RUSA website for details.
Lone Star Randonneurs membership is required for all rides.  See the LSR site for form; get the form and money in to Dan prior to the ride.

We anticipate all riding will be in daylight.  If you have any doubts about finishing the 200k before sunset, be sure and bring lights and reflective gear.

Waivers are attached.  Complete, print, sign, scan, and email to both me and Dan and then bring the paper copy to the ride start.
If you've already filled out a waiver for this ride, you don't need to send another one.

I will have some route notes in an update.
There is a 1,000k this same day in Austin, and we expect some riders to be out for either that or weather.  So ridership may be limited.

Latest revisions of cue sheets are these:
Red Bandana:  https://ridewithgps.com/routes/42606817
Whiskey River:  https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45428023
Wild Willie's:  https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45620445 (this is the perm file, but brevet is the same route).
We have two or three minor tweaks in the works on Red Bandana and Whiskey River and I will update them in a bit.

Current long-range forecast is Thunderstorms, with 60% chance of rain, low of 55, high of 69, winds from ENE at 15 mph.  That is not good, but I will be watching that forecast in hopes that it gets better!
Check back for updates.

Stephen H
stephen...@yahoo.com


 

[StephenH]

Update:

Interested riders:
Joe (200k, 151k)
Rob (200k, 151k)
Buddy (151k)
Stephen (200k, 151k)
Debbie (200k, 151k)
Sharon (100k)
Tim (100k)

Updated forecast:
"Thunderstorms in the morning", then cloudy skies, low of 41, high of 60, winds from N and NNW at 16 mph.
One possibility is to adjust the start time based on the forecast, and we will look at that, so be sure and check back for updates.
I think the riders showing both distances above are all figuring to do the shorter route if weather is bad in the morning.  And I don't think anyone is planning to ride through a monsoon if it get worse.

I just got back from the doctor's office, and I have the Ick.  They think it's just allergies, maybe a virus.  Anyway, if I feel better and the weather improves, I'll be out riding.  If I still feel crappy, I may not be out even if the weather is better.

Also, I will point out that all three routes are available as perms if that is advantageous to you.

Check back, more later,
Stephen H

[StephenH]

Update:
Current forecast shows wind at 14-17 mph all day, with rain possibilities of 61% at :00, 54% at 9:00, 37% at 11:00, and dropping thereafter.

Current riders:
Joe (200k/ 151k)
Rob (200k/ 151k)
Buddy (151k)

Pam- maybe (151k)
Stephen (200k/151k)
Sharon (100k)
Tim (100k)

If you plan to ride and aren't on the list, please contact me ASAP.  Additional info will be offline.

Thanks,
Stephen H