200k ACP Brevet, 151k RUSA Populaire, 100k RUSA Populaire, Alvarado, 4/4/26
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StephenH
Mar 29, 2026, 10:47:26 PM (3 days ago) Mar 29
to Lone * Star * Randonneurs
Join us April 4, 2026 for a 200k ACP Brevet, and 151k and 100k RUSA Populaires out of Alvarado, Texas. (But see the weather note below!)
The Wild Willie's 100k starts in Alvarado, goes down through Grand View to Carl's Corner, then returns. Whiskey River continues on to Hillsboro, and makes a loop out west and back in. Red Bandana makes a bigger loop out west. Note the amount of climbing on each route, and also note the wind forecast below.
At one time, Willie Nelson had some financial interest in the store at Carl's Corner, and had some memorabilia displayed there, and thus the Willie-themed names. That financial interest is long-ended, but the names remain. The 200k ACP means the route qualifies for certain ACP awards and metals, but also, the time and mileage credit are based on 200k rather than the actual 204k distance.
Start time: 7:30 AM. Sunrise is at 7:12, so this is a daylight start.
Start location: Alvarado High School parking lot. From I-35W and Hwy 67 in Alvarado, take I-35W south, take the first onramp, then the first offramp will be Exit 24 for FM 3136 and FM 1706. At the traffic light, turn left, go under the freeway, then south on the 2-way service road on the east side of the freeway. There is a stop sign for an offramp, and just past that is a driveway into the school parking lot, which is easy to miss in the dark. We normally park at the end of the parking lot nearer the freeway. The routes officially start at the Shell station that you pass going under the freeway. I personally prefer to use the facilities at the Q-T store at 67 and I-35W on the way in.
RUSA membership is required. See the RUSA website for details.
LSR membership is required. See the LSR website for details. Please get the form and money in to Dan prior to the ride.
The official time on the 200k extends to 9:00 PM, while sunset is at 7:50. Lights and reflective gear meeting RUSA requirements are required for riding after sunset. Even if you plan to be in before sunset, it is prudent to bring that gear "just in case". Also note that if it is overcast, darkness happens faster!
Waivers are attached. Please complete, print, sign, scan, and email to both me and Dan, and bring the original to the ride start. If you are not sure what distance, send in waivers for both and you can decide at the ride start.
On the 200k, the 4 miles beginning at Mile 53.2 have been trafficky, but we will deal with that.
On the 200k and the 151k, the routes go past the new Buc-ee's in Hillsboro, and I'm not sure how that affects traffic.
The 200k route is here: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45636801
The 151k route is here: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45428023
The 100k route is here: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45620445
A couple of these are perm route maps, but brevets are identical, so don't let that throw you.
The current long-range forecast shows an 80% chance of rain on Saturday, with "Thundershowers", with winds from the north at 18 mph (tailwind out, headwind back in), with a low of 58 Friday night, high of 65 on Saturday, and low of 47 on Saturday night. The rides are officially "on" rain or shine, but turnout will obviously vary depending on the weather. Oftentimes, rain predicted that far in advance will still happen but turn to be later or earlier than the original forecast. Anyway, check the forecast right beforehand, and be prepared for whatever is predicted.
I've heard from Gary, Dana, and Mike on the 200k, Amy may be in for the 100k or 151k, and I think all of us are only riding "if that forecast improves". I'll update plans and riders later in the week.
Stephen H
stephen...@yahoo.com
The Wild Willie's 100k starts in Alvarado, goes down through Grand View to Carl's Corner, then returns. Whiskey River continues on to Hillsboro, and makes a loop out west and back in. Red Bandana makes a bigger loop out west. Note the amount of climbing on each route, and also note the wind forecast below.
At one time, Willie Nelson had some financial interest in the store at Carl's Corner, and had some memorabilia displayed there, and thus the Willie-themed names. That financial interest is long-ended, but the names remain. The 200k ACP means the route qualifies for certain ACP awards and metals, but also, the time and mileage credit are based on 200k rather than the actual 204k distance.
Start time: 7:30 AM. Sunrise is at 7:12, so this is a daylight start.
Start location: Alvarado High School parking lot. From I-35W and Hwy 67 in Alvarado, take I-35W south, take the first onramp, then the first offramp will be Exit 24 for FM 3136 and FM 1706. At the traffic light, turn left, go under the freeway, then south on the 2-way service road on the east side of the freeway. There is a stop sign for an offramp, and just past that is a driveway into the school parking lot, which is easy to miss in the dark. We normally park at the end of the parking lot nearer the freeway. The routes officially start at the Shell station that you pass going under the freeway. I personally prefer to use the facilities at the Q-T store at 67 and I-35W on the way in.
RUSA membership is required. See the RUSA website for details.
LSR membership is required. See the LSR website for details. Please get the form and money in to Dan prior to the ride.
The official time on the 200k extends to 9:00 PM, while sunset is at 7:50. Lights and reflective gear meeting RUSA requirements are required for riding after sunset. Even if you plan to be in before sunset, it is prudent to bring that gear "just in case". Also note that if it is overcast, darkness happens faster!
Waivers are attached. Please complete, print, sign, scan, and email to both me and Dan, and bring the original to the ride start. If you are not sure what distance, send in waivers for both and you can decide at the ride start.
On the 200k, the 4 miles beginning at Mile 53.2 have been trafficky, but we will deal with that.
On the 200k and the 151k, the routes go past the new Buc-ee's in Hillsboro, and I'm not sure how that affects traffic.
The 200k route is here: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45636801
The 151k route is here: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45428023
The 100k route is here: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45620445
A couple of these are perm route maps, but brevets are identical, so don't let that throw you.
The current long-range forecast shows an 80% chance of rain on Saturday, with "Thundershowers", with winds from the north at 18 mph (tailwind out, headwind back in), with a low of 58 Friday night, high of 65 on Saturday, and low of 47 on Saturday night. The rides are officially "on" rain or shine, but turnout will obviously vary depending on the weather. Oftentimes, rain predicted that far in advance will still happen but turn to be later or earlier than the original forecast. Anyway, check the forecast right beforehand, and be prepared for whatever is predicted.
I've heard from Gary, Dana, and Mike on the 200k, Amy may be in for the 100k or 151k, and I think all of us are only riding "if that forecast improves". I'll update plans and riders later in the week.
Stephen H
stephen...@yahoo.com
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