Tuesday, October 20, 2020

Where's DRR Gone?

DRR is on-hold for now and no longer exists as a distinct RUSA region. With the pandemic, other commitments, and lack of volunteers, we decided to mothball this thing.

We might organize some RUSA brevets in 2021, in cooperation with SIR. That's a big maybe right now.

RUSA has reinvented how it's handling permanents. We've a few permanents hereabouts that it would be a shame to lose but we need to get them refactored and reapproved for the new system. Again, time and volunteer availability will determine when that happens.

Meanwhile, there's SIR and Oregon Randonneurs. Norm will continue to maintain the unofficial calendar tool.


Friday, June 14, 2019

Gravel 132km and 200km Ride, 7/14/2019 - Wenatchee

Another one of Shiggy's great rides.  A combination of the climb up Badger Mtn, the gravel descent to Palisades, and the challenging climb up Swakane Canyon.  The shorter route doesn't go up Swakane Canyon and ends back in Wenatchee after Palisades.

Early in the day you will warm up with the sustained climb up Badger Mtn.  After the first hard section, we will leave the pavement for more climbing on gravel and rejoin the paved road near the top of Badger Mtn.  At the top, the course will follow the unpaved Ruud Canyon road down to Waterville.  You can restock on food at the grocery store or the excellent Coyote Cafe.

From Waterville, the route crosses the plateau and eventually joins the railroad bed down Douglass Creek.  The railroad ceased operations in 1985 and the line was converted to a state park.

More information is here:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mansfield_Branch_(Great_Northern_Railway).

This section has numerous stream crossing (none more than knee deep).  The weather should be warm so you'll dry quickly.  The gravel on Douglass Creek is large and chunky so have appropriate tires.

About 9600' of climbing. many miles of gravel (four large sections). 32mm or even much larger tires recommended.  The shorter route is 132 km with 5900 of climbing.

Finishing the 200km route in the time limit will be challenging so riders should keep moving and be prepared to bail in Wenatchee before Swakane if darkness is coming.


Organizer: Shiggy & Gary Prince

Ride date: Sundary, 14th July, 2019

Sunrise: 05:18
Sunset: 20:54

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

132 km route
Sign in from: 06:30
Start at: 07:00
Finish by: 15:48

Fee: $ 5 
RUSA members only.


Start location for both distances
Safeway
510 Grant Rd
East Wenatchee WA 98802

Finish for 200km
Safeway (as above)

Finish for 132km
McDonalds
201 Valley Mall Parkway
or similar, on Valley Mall Parkway.  It's a short ride .6 mile ride back to Safeway.


132km route map/GPS

200km route map/GPS

Route Cue Sheet

Register to Ride                Who's Riding?


There will be some long stretches without services. Please ensure you are carrying enough food and drink for your needs. Away from towns cell phone coverage may be unavailable.

There will be several info controls (please have a pen).

You and you alone will be responsible for your own safety during this event. You will be required to sign the ride waiver (132km or 200km)

Monday, April 8, 2019

DRR Spring 600km ACP Brevet, May 18th 2019

Another shameless recycling of a route from previous years, because we like it.

Ride date: Saturday-Sunday, 18-19 May 2019

Sign in: 05:40 Saturday
Start at: 06:00 Saturday
Finish by: 22:00 Sunday (40 hrs)

Sunrise Sat: 05:19
Sunset Sat: 20:27

Organizer: Norm Carr

Fee: $20 (helps a little with pre-ride/drive and other expenses, there will probably be no ride support)

Start location: John Dam Plaza, Richland WA.
Finish location: Open control, downtown Richland.

Accommodation

The start and finish will be in the same place as the Spring 400, in Richland.
If you need somewhere to stay, the Red Lion, Hampton Inn, Shilo and the Days Inn are all nearby. If you will be driving to the start, use the Richland Federal Building parking lot, a couple of blocks NW on Jadwin Ave where there's lots of space.

24 Hr Services:
Richland
Denny's, 1301A George Washington Way
Exxon, 1401 George Washington Way
Shari's, 1745 George Washington Way
WinCo Foods, Jack in the Box, Columbia Point
Benton City
Cougar Cafe/Conoco, Kennedy Rd.
Hermiston
Walmart, Shari's


Register to Ride                Who's riding?


Route
RUSA route #1943 "Double Cheeseburger 600"

This route is split into two parts, both starting and ending in Richland, and is intended to be ridden over two days, a hillier first day of ~350 km and an easier second of ~250 km.

Cue Sheet 

Route Part I
Route Part II
(route is still in revision/development, but this will give you a close approximation)

Day one is an out and back with a loop that explores some familiar and unfamiliar quiet roads of NE OR. From Richland we'll make an early detour via Dallas Rd and Reata Rd followed by the famous climb over to Oregon up Clodfelter and long descent down Plymouth. After Hermiston it's the long empty trip up 207 to Lexington, then 74 to Heppner. If we're unlucky, this is where the headwinds will be worst. After Heppner, we'll stay on 74 through some hilly, lonely and in places spectacular scenery on a fun road for cycling with some interesting climbs and exciting descents, all the way to US395 and the gradual descent back down to Pendleton. From there it's back along the perennial favorite canyon road to Echo, back on 395 to Hermiston and the river, then the minor matter of DRR's favorite climb, likely in the dark, back up Plymouth to the view of the night-time lights of the Tri-Cities and the descent back down Clodfelter and to Richland.

Day two visits with the Yakima River a little while before another popular local climb up Weber Canyon. Then we'll take a trip through the wheat fields of the Horse Heaven Hills before the fast and fun descent down to Prosser. You'll have done most of the climbing by then, but there's still a trip out and back along either side of the Yakima valley and a hop back over from Benton City before you're done.

Notes

You and you alone will be responsible for your own safety during this event. You will be required to sign the ride waiver.

As usual with DRR brevets, this is an entirely unsupported event. Please be prepared for long stretches between services and without cell phone coverage on day one.

There will be riding in the dark. Lights and reflective gear that satisfy RUSA rules must be used.

There will be information controls - please have a pen.

Questions? Use the contact form over there --->>
to get in touch.

Sunday, March 24, 2019

Spring 400km ACP Brevet, 4/20/19

We've had a few inquiries about it so, yes! The 400 will happen. Paul is putting together fun a new route. Watch this space. More details soon.


Organizer: Paul Whitney

Ride date: Saturday, 4/20/19

Sign in from: 05:30
Start: 06:00, Saturday
Finish by: 09:00, Sunday

Start location:
John Dam Plaza, Richland, WA 99352
Finish location: Downtown Richland
Parking is available in the big Richland Federal Building parking lot across the road and north on Jadwin Ave. Don't park in the plaza (there might be an event on), nor in the hotel parking lot across George Washington Way (they might tow you, unless you're staying there).

Sunrise: 06:00
Sunset: 19:52

Ride fee:  US$ 10.00
RUSA members only.

There will be riding in the dark. Lights and reflective gear that satisfy RUSA rules must be carried and used. There will be an inspection at the start.

There will be some long stretches without services. Please ensure you are carrying enough food and drink for your needs. Away from towns cell phone coverage is often unavailable.

There will be info controls (please have a pen).

You and you alone will be responsible for your own safety during this event. You will be required to sign the ride waiver.

Questions? You can comment below or use that form over there --->>

Register to Ride    Who's Riding?

Route Cue Sheet

Map/GPS

Wednesday, March 20, 2019

Spring 200km ACP Brevet, 4/6/2019 - Wenatchee

Last year, Shiggy put together a fun and scenic route in central Washington that we're running again this year.

Follow the Columbia River to the edge of the basin.
Mostly on quiet back roads we will travel past the Quincy Lakes on gravel, drop down Frenchman Coulee to the river, and climb back out. Head into the sagebrush steppe north of Quincy for a bit more gravel and return to East Wenatchee.

About 5300' of climbing. 14 miles of gravel (two sections). 32mm or wider tires recommended


Organizer: Shiggy

Ride date: Saturday, 6th April, 2019

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

Fee: $(donations to help cover costs accepted)
RUSA members only.

Start and Finish location:
14 Fraley Lane, E Wenatchee, WA

Sunrise: 06:30
Sunset: 19:37

There will be some long stretches without services. Please ensure you are carrying enough food and drink for your needs. Away from towns cell phone coverage may be unavailable.

There will be several info controls (please have a pen).

You and you alone will be responsible for your own safety during this event. You will be required to sign the ride waiver.

Questions? You can comment below or use that form over there --->>

Register to Ride        Who's Riding?
No entries on the line. Please register now if you haven't yet and are planning to ride.

Route cue sheet:
Google             RWGPS(pdf)


Map/GPS

Saturday, March 9, 2019

Spring 300km ACP Brevet, 3/23/19


*** Pre-Drive Update ***
Some snow remaining up in the hills and still a bit chilly on the summits but all roads and shoulders clear and dry.
***

By popular demand, our 300 this spring is, once again, the quiet and scenic Hermiston-Pendleton-Hermiston-Pendleton-Hermiston route. The original description for this route is still valid. Please follow that link, read and digest if you're planning on joining us for this ride.

This early in the season there's a small risk that there will be snow or ice on the high parts of this route. We'll be watching the weather and might cancel or reschedule if it's looking very sketchy. Whatever the weather, it'll be a few degrees colder up in the hills than at the start/finish, so you'll be wise to bring an extra layer or two.

Organizer: Norm Carr

Ride date: Saturday, 23rd March, 2019

Sign in from: 05:30
Start at:  3/23  06:00
Finish by:  3/24  02:00

RUSA members only. Free entry.

Start and Finish location:
Shari's Restaurant, 800 S Hwy 395, Hermiston, OR 97838
Shari's is open 24 hours and there's plenty of parking available.

Sunrise: 06:53
Sunset: 19:14

There will be riding in the dark. Lights and reflective gear that satisfy RUSA rules must be carried and used. There will be an inspection at the start.

There will be some long-ish stretches (40-50 miles) without services. Please ensure you are carrying enough food and drink for your needs. Away from towns in NE OR cell phone coverage is often unavailable.

There will be information controls - please have a pen.

You and only you are responsible for your own safety on this ride. You will be required to sign a
Ride Waiver

Register to Ride             Who's Riding

Route Cue Sheet

Map / GPS Download


Saturday, January 19, 2019

100km RUSA Populaire, 1/26/19

Organizer: Norm C.

Route: On RWGPS

Start:
Roasters Coffee, George Washington Way, Richland, WA
Meet from 8:00 for 8:30 start.

Cue sheets not provided unless requested in advance.

Event will be postponed in the event of icy roads.

Let us know if you'd like to join us by using the contact form on this page, or via the Facebook group