2015 DRR ACP Brevet Schedule

2015 DRR ACP brevet calendar

Feb 28 : 200 Km - so as not to break with tradition, this will be the perennial favorite Flat Yak route.

March 21 : 300 Km - a new route by Norm in NE Oregon visiting quiet roads around Hermiston and Pendleton.

May 16-17 : 400 Km + 600 Km combo deal. Choose either 400 or 600 Km brevet distances. New routes coming soon from Susan and Paul.

September 26 : 200 Km - route yet to be decided, but it will probably be a lovely one.

More details will follow in the new year.

Summer 200Km Results

Philippe Andre
Donald Brightbill
Norm Carr
Asta Chastain
Douglas Hiebert
Kathy Mullet
Ron Mullet
Susan Otcenas
Theo Roffe
Del Scharffenberg
Gary Smith

all completed the DRR Summer 200 Km brevet. Well done and thanks to all riders for making it a successful event.

It was a beautiful, if a little warm, day of new (to many) roads and wonderfully quiet central Oregon scenery, thanks to a well-thought out route that carefully avoided the traffic of 97 and 197, visited plenty of interesting sites and sights along the way, and provided just the right amount of elevation challenge for a late-season brevet.

Many thanks to Susan for all her hard work researching and documenting the route, for delivering an impeccably put together brevet, and for generally being a dream organizer. Special thanks to Cathy and Marcie for volunteering to provide shade and fluids and snacks to hot and thirsty riders at out-of-the-way but well-chosen and very welcome locations.

~~~~~~~~~

That was the last DRR ACP brevet of 2014. It's been a fun year on the bike so far and it's been lovely to welcome so many riders who have travelled to our events. We hope everyone has enjoyed our season as much as we have and to see you again for some of our rides next year. Bring your friends! All always welcome.

Meanwhile, be well, happy cycling, and watch this site for announcements of any group permanents and suchlike that might happen during the fall and winter, and news of our plans for 2015.

- Norm

DRR Summer 200K - A River Runs Through It. 8/16/2014

Organizer: Susan Otcenas

Ride date: Saturday 16th of August 2014

Sunrise: 06:07
Sunset: 20:11

Sign in from: 06:30
Start at: 07:00
Finish by: 20:30

Fee: $10 (cash only, at the ride start)

Start/Finish location: Riverfront Parking Lot at Brewery Overpass Rd (Interstate 84 Exit 85) The Dalles, Oregon  (Use CAR parking lot on RIGHT, not boat parking lot on left.)

Lights and reflective gear required as per RUSA rules.

Route cue sheet is here

Map / GPS download

SIGN UP to ride HERE

or you can see who else is riding


Due to the likelihood of high heat, the distance between controls, and the exposure to sun (ie. lack of shade) on many of the roads we will be traversing,  we are requiring all riders to carry three water bottles.  We are hoping to have a manned water stop on the longest stretch of road between services, but please do not count on it.

Join us as we explore roads that are not often explored on brevets.   The ride starts and finishes at the Riverfront Parking Lot in The Dalles.   Bathrooms are available at the start.

Our ride first heards north over the Columbia River and visits the Maryhill Stonehenge Memorial for an information control.  Look to the southwest for great views of Mt. Hood!

Back over the bridge at Biggs Junction at mile 25 you will find your LAST opportunity for water until Mile 46.  Riders are STRONGLY encouraged to fill all three water bottles at this location, as there is a lot of climbing in those intervening 21 miles.  On a hot day, you will go through that water quickly.

The climb up Fulton Canyon Road is long, but well graded.  And nearly devoid of cars!  Along the way you'll be treated to fantastic scenery.

Climbing Fulton Canyon Rd.

The old church at Locust Grove

Junction of Fulton Canyon & Van Gilder

The next control is in Moro.   Those with lots of time in the bank may opt for the Cafe.   Those with less time may opt for the convenience store, with a pit stop in the public restrooms in the park across the Street.

Moro.

Grass Valley is just 10 miles down the road.  Although not a control, riders are encouraged to top up their water bottles, as the next opportunity is not until Tygh Valley, which is another 30+ miles and at least one good climb away.

After some amazing views of the Mt. Hood and Mt Jefferson, the roads drops down an incredibly twisty, seriously fun canyon road, through Buck Hollow and down to the Deschutes River at Sherar's Bridge.

Mt Hood

The Deschutes River near Sherar's Bridge

After a short flat out-n-back to an info control, a climb out of the canyon will take riders to the next control at Tygh Valley.   Once again, please fill all three of your bottles, as the climb up Tygh Ridge is long.  Most riders will do this climb in mid-afternoon when the temps will reach their highest.   If you are lucky. you will see elk on the slopes to your right as you climb.

Once you summit Tygh Ridge at mile 97, pat yourself on the back.   You've done nearly all of the climbing there is to be done!   Most of the rest of the ride is downhill, with just 600 feet left to do over the remaining 29 miles.

A rippin' descent on Dufur Gap Rd will take you to an info control (keep an eye on your odometer and don't miss it!) and then on into Dufur.   Kramer's Market will be a welcome refuge on a hot day with lots of tasty options for food and drink.

Ask not what Dufur can do fer you.  Ask what you can do fer Dufur.

Finally, 20 miles of (mostly) downhill backroads will take you back to The Dalles, where you will be welcomed at the park by a smiling, happy volunteer.

We look forward to seeing you on the 16th!

(BTW, need a place to stay on Friday and/or Saturday night?  Cousins is always a great option,with a convenient Denny's a short walk away for an early a.m. breakfast.)

++++

Again, due to the likelihood of high heat, the distance between controls, and the exposure to sun (ie. lack of shade) on many of the roads we will be traversing,  we are requiring all riders to carry three water bottles.  We are hoping to have a manned water stop on the longest stretch of road between services, but please do not count on it.

Spring 400 Results

Peter Beeson
Rick Blacker
Norm Carr
Asta Chastain
Doug Hiebert
Audunn Ludviksson
Vincent Muoneke
Susan Otcenas
Joe Platzner
Graham Ross
Mark Thomas
Charlie White
Kathy White
Paul Whitney

all finished the DRR Spring 400Km brevet. Great job everyone.

Big thanks to Paul for organizing it all and to Julie for providing communications support. Many thanks to all the riders (especially those making a trip from afar) for making it another lovely day out on the bike. Thanks to the weather (even the wind, mostly) for being kind.

Got any photos or stories you'd like to share? Send Norm your links and he'll put them here.

This was the largest number of riders on a DRR event so far. Woo yay.

Next up, a summer 200K. Mark your calendars, it's going to be a hot one.

Spring 300Km Results

Well done

Jan Acuff
Peter Beeson
Asta Chastain
Doug Hiebert
Audunn Ludviksson
Susan Otcenas
Graham Ross
Gary Smith
Paul Whitney

who all finished the DRR Spring 300Km ACP brevet.

It was a typically breezy spring day in E WA but everyone worked together admirably. Many thanks to Cathy for volunteering her support. Thanks to Marcie for the Rando Cookies of Awesomeness and more support. Thanks to Ian for providing eyes on the road. Thanks to all the riders, especially those who made a trip to come ride with DRR. Thanks to Susan for post-ride breakfast. Thanks to everyone for another fun DRR brevet weekend. See you on the 400.

Spring 200Km Results

Rob Anderson
Norm Carr
Asta Chastain
Doug Hiebert
Susan Otcenas
Gary Smith
Paul Whitney

all finished the DRR spring 200 brevet within a few minutes of each other.

Thanks all for being such a fun and friendly group to ride with. Big thanks to Cathy and Ian for volunteering as control support and card-signers.

It's layering season out here. The day started shivery, in the low 20s, but gradually warmed up to 60ish. The wind was light and the sun shined. Blossom bloomed and bees buzzed. Everyone stayed together in a sociable clump for most of the ride while frequently demonstrating impressive paceline and drafting technique, especially into the brutal light breeze on the homeward leg. Commiserations to Doug who was required to demonstrate impressive flat fixing technique more than once. Kudos to Asta who demonstrated impressive napping technique more than once.

See you on the 300.

Spring 100 Km Populaire Results

Cruising Twin Bridges Road

Benton City Refueling

The DRR Spring Populaire had four finishers

Norm Carr

Doug Hiebert

Gary Smith

Paul Whitney

Thanks to all for being there. And thanks to Marcie for being the special-guest brevet-card-signer. See you in a couple of weeks for the 200.

DRR Spring 400Km ACP Brevet 4/26/2014

This will be a repeat of last year's route - #895, the Extended Yakima River Tour - an out and back trip from Richland to Ellensburg.

Organizer: Paul Whitney

Ride date: Saturday 26th of April 2014

Sunrise: 05:51
Sunset: 19:59
Sunrise (4/27): 05:49

Sign in from: 04:30
Start at: 05:00 (4/26)
Finish by: 08:00 (4/27)

Fee: $15 (cash only, at the ride start)

Start/Finish location:
Albertsons parking lot, Leslie and Gage, Richland, WA 99352

There likely won't be a designated greater/card-signer at the finish. The Albertson's is 24hours, so get a signature or receipt there. At the ride start we will indicate the car into which to deposit the completed route cards. Don't forget to bring a pen to sign your card at the end of the ride.

Route cue sheet

Map / GPS download (draft but very likely)
Outbound  to Ellensburg.
Return to Richland.

There will be extended riding in the dark on rural roads. Lights and reflective gear must be used, as per RUSA rules. Consider your plans for backup lights and spare batteries. Use plenty of reflective items.

It can still be chilly in E WA this time of year, especially in the hours of darkness. It's reasonable to expect some wind and maybe a shower as well. So it's therefore a good idea to carry an extra layer or two.

Although the roads on the route are all surfaced, the pavement is quite beaten up in places, especially through the Yakima Canyon. There's sections of chipseal that can be rough. If you're undecided about tire choice, a little wider for comfort won't hurt.

Like all DRR brevets, this is a minimally supported ride. There are some longer stretches (~50 Km) without services. Please be ready to carry sufficient food and drink for your needs. There might be volunteers at some controls with snacks and water, but please don't depend on it.

DRR Spring 300Km ACP Brevet 4/5/2014

For this year's edition of the spring 300Km we're resurrecting the original DRR 300 loop route, #741, Richland - Waitsburg - Walla Walla - Pendleton - Richland. You can whet your appetite with Paul's route description and photos from previous years.

Organizer: Norm Carr

Ride date: Saturday 5th of April 2014

Sunrise: 06:29

Sunset: 19:31

Sign in from: 05:30
Start at: 06:00 (4/5/14)
Finish by: 02:00 (4/6/14)

Fee: $10 (cash only, at the ride start)

Start/Finish location:
Albertsons parking lot, Leslie and Gage, Richland, WA 99352

It will be dark at both the beginning and end of the ride. Lights and reflective gear must be used, as per RUSA rules.

There will be information controls - please bring a pen.

It can still be chilly in E WA this time of year, especially in the hours of darkness. It's reasonable to expect some wind and maybe a shower as well. It's therefore a good idea to carry an extra layer or two. The last dozen or so Kms of the route are a fast descent, most likely in the dark, and are very likely to be cold.

Although the roads on the route are all surfaced, the pavement is quite beaten up in places, especially through the canyon after Pendleton. There's also some sections of new chipseal that are still rough. If you're undecided about tire choice, a little wider won't hurt.

Like all DRR brevets, this is a minimally supported ride and there are a couple of long stretches (60-90 Kms) on this route without much in the way of services. Please be ready to carry sufficient food and drink for your needs.

The route has been slightly adjusted this time to avoid the traffic of downtown Walla Walla and to join WA-125 (can be busy, but a good shoulder) a little later. This means we won't reach obvious services without a detour until Milton-Freewater. Good idea to stock up on food and drink in Waitsburg.

There might be volunteers at some controls with snacks and water, but please don't depend on it.

Route cue sheet (final)

Map / GPS download (final)

You can always register on the day for DRR rides, but it makes the organizer's life easier if people signup in advance.

DRR Spring 200Km ACP Brevet 3/22/2014

Yep. It's Flat Yak. Again. Would be a shame to break with tradition.

This is a low-level course through the Yakima River valley out to a lunch stop in Toppenish and back. It follows generally quiet roads through eastern Washington farmland. Some pre-ride notes from a couple of years ago are still relevant.

There's a good chance it can be chilly or windy or both this time of year, so consider bringing extra layers. Like all our brevets, this is an unsupported ride but there are sufficient opportunities to find food and drink along the route.

Organizer: Norm Carr

Ride date: Saturday 22nd of March 2014

Sunrise: 06:56
Sunset: 17:12

Sign in from: 06:30
Start at: 07:00
Finish by: 20:30

Fee: $10 (cash only, at the ride start)

Start/Finish location:
Albertsons parking lot, Leslie and Gage, Richland, WA 99352

As an early season ride there's a possibility for riding in the dark so lights and reflective gear must be used, as per RUSA rules.

There will be information controls - bring a pen.

Route cue sheet (updated 3/11/14
- use the File menu item to get the download format of your choice)

Map / GPS download (updated 3/9/14)

DRR 104 Km Populaire 3/8/2014 (was 3/1)

The opening event for the DRR 2014 brevet season will be a 104 Km populaire using the "5 Cities, 3 Rivers" permanent route.

This ride was postponed from March 1st, due to cold and ice.

There's a good chance it can be chilly or windy or both this time of year, so consider bringing extra layers. Like all our brevets, this is an unsupported ride but there are sufficient opportunities to find food and drink along the route.

Organizer: Norm Carr

Ride date: Saturday 1st of March 2014

Sign in from: 07:30
Start at: 08:00
Finish by: 14:56

Fee: $0, nil, nothing, nowt, no charge, nada, zip, zilch, zero

Start/Finish location:
Starbucks, Columbia Point, off George Washington Way, Richland, WA 99352

Route cue sheet (updated 2/24/14)
(use the File menu item to get the download format of your choice)

Map / GPS download (updated 2/24/14)