We have a new RUSA region: WA: Tri-Cities. The Desert River Randonneurs.
A warm thanks to Susan France, who sponsored our rides as part of the Oregon Randonneurs for the previous three years. During that time, we've had a large number of riders and rides. Thanks to the riders who have ridden and the volunteers who have helped. We are looking forward to great rides, and more riders.
This is a list of the riders and volunteers who have helped get Randonneuring started in Eastern Washington. We hope to see you all again. Let me know if I've missed someone:
Bill Alsup, Robert Anderson, Tom Barocan, Tracy Barill, Nat Beagley, Andrew Black, Kenneth Bonner, RB Buschman, Norm Carr, Ken Carter, Jennifer Chang, Barry Chase, Gregory Cox, James Cox, Dan Davis, Steve Davis, William Dussler, Adam George, Bill Gobie, Edward Groth, Dean Gull, Dean Gull, David Harper, Joanne Heilinger, Ali Holt, Roger Holt, Noel Howes, Chuck Hoffman, Dan Jensen, Paul Johnson, Kole Kantner, Jason Karp, Steven Kasper, Martin Knowles, Alexander Kohan, Keith Kohan, John Kramer, Jerry Lentz, Albert Lutz, Ken Mattina, Sallie McFarlane, Matt Mikul, Jim Moberly, John Morris, Vincent Muoneke, Ray Ogilview, Greg Olson, Sal Ortega, Susan Otcenas, John Pearch, Scott Peterson, Gary Prince, Cecil Reniche-Smith, John Richards, Mike Richeson, Theo Roffe, Bill Schell, Ian Shopland, Gary Smith, Cathy Smith, Eamon Stanley, Karel Stroethoff, John Vincent, Ken Ward, Paul Whitney, Julie Whitney, Chris Willett, Steve Williamson, and Peg Winczewski
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Kahlotus Othello Ridges Loop Permanent
Note: the application/approval is pending for this permanent. This is the permanent version of the first loop of the DRR Loopy 600.
This route is 237km which features a ridge-road from Pasco to Kahlotus Washington. After Kahlotus, the route goes to Kahlotus to Connell, and then to Othello. A plateau is featured from Othello to Basin City - then a run south through the agricultural lands in Eastern Washington.
Warning: there isn't a good water stop until Connell. So, the first ~70 miles require provisioning on the bike.
Ride start/end: intersection of Leslie and Gage Blvd in Richland, WA
The route is shown here.
Elevation gain/loss: 1295m/4250ft
This route is 237km which features a ridge-road from Pasco to Kahlotus Washington. After Kahlotus, the route goes to Kahlotus to Connell, and then to Othello. A plateau is featured from Othello to Basin City - then a run south through the agricultural lands in Eastern Washington.
Warning: there isn't a good water stop until Connell. So, the first ~70 miles require provisioning on the bike.
Ride start/end: intersection of Leslie and Gage Blvd in Richland, WA
The route is shown here.
Elevation gain/loss: 1295m/4250ft
Monday, May 30, 2011
Columbia Loop Permanent
Note: the application/approval is pending for this 129km excursion around the bend of the Columbia River. This is also close to the route of the middle loop in the DRR Loopy 600.
The route starts/ends at the services at the intersection of Leslie and Gage in Richland, WA. The route heads towards the Columbia River, and continues along Columbia River Park. Heading out to Pasco, the route crosses over the Snake River. The bridge offers a choice of a wide shoulder and a bike path. An information control near Wallula provides an opportunity for another view of the Columbia. Heading Right/South on US730 puts one shortly into Oregon - and a good amount of time/distance is spent along the Columbia. A stop at the Tesoro in Umatilla for refuel and refresh is followed by another river crossing, and then a climb up Plymouth Rd and rapid descent down Clodfelter to complete the loop.
About 870m/2850ft of elevation gain/loss.
The route is shown here:
The route starts/ends at the services at the intersection of Leslie and Gage in Richland, WA. The route heads towards the Columbia River, and continues along Columbia River Park. Heading out to Pasco, the route crosses over the Snake River. The bridge offers a choice of a wide shoulder and a bike path. An information control near Wallula provides an opportunity for another view of the Columbia. Heading Right/South on US730 puts one shortly into Oregon - and a good amount of time/distance is spent along the Columbia. A stop at the Tesoro in Umatilla for refuel and refresh is followed by another river crossing, and then a climb up Plymouth Rd and rapid descent down Clodfelter to complete the loop.
About 870m/2850ft of elevation gain/loss.
The route is shown here:
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
400km Results - May 2011
We had nine riders start on a day with a weather forecaster to make a West-sider drool. Then the rain came. We could see it in the West and to the South. Right where we were headed. So we had the rain. We had flats. Coffee. Candy bars. Assorted energy-food items. Great support. Numerous views of the Yakima River. Sun. Stars. Moon. Clouds. We had a 400km.
Thanks to everyone who came out to ride and to Cathy Smith, who supported the ride.
Some pictures are posted on facebook, and can be found by looking for info on the riders on May 21/22. Steve's ride report, with more pictures, is here: http://volpetales.blogspot.com/2011/05/may-21-desert-river-randonneurs-400km.html. If there are more reports, or groups of pictures, let me know so I can add them, or add the link in the comment field.
Some times/spaces:
First Last Time
Gary Smith 24:05
John Kramer 21:23
Norm Carr Zillah
Paul Whitney 25:10
Scott Peterson 22:44
Steve Williamson 22:44
Steve Kasper 19:54
Susan Otcenas 25:10
Theo Roffe 19:54
Thanks to everyone who came out to ride and to Cathy Smith, who supported the ride.
Some pictures are posted on facebook, and can be found by looking for info on the riders on May 21/22. Steve's ride report, with more pictures, is here: http://volpetales.blogspot.com/2011/05/may-21-desert-river-randonneurs-400km.html. If there are more reports, or groups of pictures, let me know so I can add them, or add the link in the comment field.
Some times/spaces:
First Last Time
Gary Smith 24:05
John Kramer 21:23
Norm Carr Zillah
Paul Whitney 25:10
Scott Peterson 22:44
Steve Williamson 22:44
Steve Kasper 19:54
Susan Otcenas 25:10
Theo Roffe 19:54
Monday, May 16, 2011
400km Pre-Drive Report - May 2011
We drove most of the route Sunday. This resulted in changing the cue sheet to better match the road signs, and expanded the control list at some of the stops. This is, I think, the final cue sheet. The route is identical to last year.
The drive on Konnowac Pass Rd (past Moxee, before Zilla) was very nice. I hope some of the riders get to this in the daylight.
The primary issue to note is that there is a detour on Track Road in Wapato. The detour is readily manageable, and early in the ride when the riders will likely still have their wits about them, so we won't alter the cue sheet to reflect the deviation. I have sketched the detour below.
View Larger Map
The drive on Konnowac Pass Rd (past Moxee, before Zilla) was very nice. I hope some of the riders get to this in the daylight.
The primary issue to note is that there is a detour on Track Road in Wapato. The detour is readily manageable, and early in the ride when the riders will likely still have their wits about them, so we won't alter the cue sheet to reflect the deviation. I have sketched the detour below.
View Larger Map
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Results from the April 2 DRR 300km
Thirteen hardy randonneurs set out from the scenic parking lot in Richland, at the intersection of Leslie and Gage Blvd. It was a windy day, even by Tri-Cities standards. The riders flew to Waitsburg with a tail-wind, and then it got interesting. Cathy Smith and Paul Whitney had a way-station set up in the excellent Pioneer Park in Walla Walla. The riders had to work against the wind from Waitsburg to Walla Walla; the reported pedaling with effort to get any kind of double digit speed down-hill. Despite, or perhaps because, of this they were all in great spirits when they arrived in Walla Walla, and most pressed on to Pendleton. The wind remained a steady companion throughout most of the remainder of the ride. As expected in such conditions, riding in a group is a near-necessary advantage. The first group came in around midnight, the next clustered around 1:00am and finally, really getting their money's worth, a couple of riders came in with 9 minutes to spare. The rider times are below. Thanks to all the participants for coming out for the day. Also, thanks to Cathy Smith for supporting the ride, and retrieving a couple of riders from Pendleton.
A few pictures from the ride are here. Steve's write-up is here.
Name Time
Chris Willett DNF
Dan Jensen 19:14
Gary Smith DNF
Ian Shopland 18:00
Jennifer Chang DNF
John Pearch 18:05
John Kramer 18:05
Kole Kantner 19:51
Noel Howes 19:00
Norm Carr DNF
Steve Davis 19:14
Steven Kasper 19:09
Vincent Muoneke 19:51
A few pictures from the ride are here. Steve's write-up is here.
Name Time
Chris Willett DNF
Dan Jensen 19:14
Gary Smith DNF
Ian Shopland 18:00
Jennifer Chang DNF
John Pearch 18:05
John Kramer 18:05
Kole Kantner 19:51
Noel Howes 19:00
Norm Carr DNF
Steve Davis 19:14
Steven Kasper 19:09
Vincent Muoneke 19:51
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Desert Rivers Region 400km - May 21, 2011
Ride: Desert River 400km
Organizer: Paul Whitney - post questions to this blog
Ride Date: Saturday May 21, 2011.
Start time: 6:00am, Registration - 5:30-5:55am. Sunrise/set 5:24/8:23
Start/End Location: Albertson's Parking lot; Leslie&Gage - in Richland, WA. 690 Gage Boulevard, Richland, WA.
Finish by: 9:00am May 22
Registration: Pre-register here.
Entry fee: $15 (+ $5 for non-RUSA members). Checks should be payable to "Paul Whitney".
Medals: Available directly from the RUSA online store.
Route Sheet: Final is here.
We will be using last year's route - with the modification that the start/end is the Albertson's parking lot. Here's the link for last year's. Stay tuned for the pre-drive report of the route.
Some night riding is almost inevitable for 400k's in the continental US. Accordingly, be sure and have:
The route extends the 200km route and continues exploring desert rivers. We take the same route out from Richland to Toppenish. From Toppenish, the route parallels the main highway on Track road, sidestepping back onto the main road before Track Rd veers right. There's a gradual climb on the south side of Yakima to Wiley City. Note: the Wiley Market has no restrooms - but, there are options before in Union Gap and after in Yakima and Selah. After Wiley City - the ride cuts across to Summitt Road, and over to the bike path system to cross to Selah. From Selah the ride goes through the Yakima River Valley up to Ellensburg - the control and turn-around point in Ellensburg is the Safeway. Then it's back through the canyon, into Selah, the bike-path, and controls on Nob Hill Blvd. From there we circumnavigate Moxee, and head down to Zillah - to take advantage of the services along the Interstate. We head through Zillah to the Yakima Valley Hwy - which changes names while passing through Sunnyside (more services), Grandview (more services), but essentially is a direct route to the Prosser control (more services). From Prosser, we essentially backtrack to Richland - w/ a good intermediate stop, if needed, in Benton City (you can't miss it:).
The longest stretches w/o easy access to services are through the Canyon between Selah and Ellensburg - this amounts ~50km.
Ride Finish: The finish will is staffed - Cathy will greet you, take your card, and offer you a Sonic Burger. All in the same great location as the ride start.
Most of the route segments are available on 'Bike Route Toaster', in order:
Richland to Prosser: http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=121177
Prosser to Toppenish: http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=113269
Toppenish to Wiley City: http://www.bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=115590
Wiley City to EBurg: http://www.bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=117165 - note that this link puts one on the main road, as opposed to the bike path (see the route sheet).
EBurg to Yakima: http://www.bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=117167
There's a bike path to be used from Selah to Yakima - instructions on the route sheet.
Yakima to Zillah: http://www.bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=117170
Zillah to Prosser: http://www.bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=117171
Prosser to Richland: http://www.bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=115613
The route starts in Richland and heads West along the Yakima river valley. Here is a view of the 'out' to Ellensburg portion of the ride:
View Larger Map
And here is a view of the 'back' part of the ride:
View Larger Map
Organizer: Paul Whitney - post questions to this blog
Ride Date: Saturday May 21, 2011.
Start time: 6:00am, Registration - 5:30-5:55am. Sunrise/set 5:24/8:23
Start/End Location: Albertson's Parking lot; Leslie&Gage - in Richland, WA. 690 Gage Boulevard, Richland, WA.
Finish by: 9:00am May 22
Registration: Pre-register here.
Entry fee: $15 (+ $5 for non-RUSA members). Checks should be payable to "Paul Whitney".
Medals: Available directly from the RUSA online store.
Route Sheet: Final is here.
We will be using last year's route - with the modification that the start/end is the Albertson's parking lot. Here's the link for last year's. Stay tuned for the pre-drive report of the route.
Some night riding is almost inevitable for 400k's in the continental US. Accordingly, be sure and have:
- A front and read light attached to the bike
- A reflective vest/sash
- Reflective ankle bands
The route extends the 200km route and continues exploring desert rivers. We take the same route out from Richland to Toppenish. From Toppenish, the route parallels the main highway on Track road, sidestepping back onto the main road before Track Rd veers right. There's a gradual climb on the south side of Yakima to Wiley City. Note: the Wiley Market has no restrooms - but, there are options before in Union Gap and after in Yakima and Selah. After Wiley City - the ride cuts across to Summitt Road, and over to the bike path system to cross to Selah. From Selah the ride goes through the Yakima River Valley up to Ellensburg - the control and turn-around point in Ellensburg is the Safeway. Then it's back through the canyon, into Selah, the bike-path, and controls on Nob Hill Blvd. From there we circumnavigate Moxee, and head down to Zillah - to take advantage of the services along the Interstate. We head through Zillah to the Yakima Valley Hwy - which changes names while passing through Sunnyside (more services), Grandview (more services), but essentially is a direct route to the Prosser control (more services). From Prosser, we essentially backtrack to Richland - w/ a good intermediate stop, if needed, in Benton City (you can't miss it:).
The longest stretches w/o easy access to services are through the Canyon between Selah and Ellensburg - this amounts ~50km.
Ride Finish: The finish will is staffed - Cathy will greet you, take your card, and offer you a Sonic Burger. All in the same great location as the ride start.
Most of the route segments are available on 'Bike Route Toaster', in order:
Richland to Prosser: http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=121177
Prosser to Toppenish: http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=113269
Toppenish to Wiley City: http://www.bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=115590
Wiley City to EBurg: http://www.bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=117165 - note that this link puts one on the main road, as opposed to the bike path (see the route sheet).
EBurg to Yakima: http://www.bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=117167
There's a bike path to be used from Selah to Yakima - instructions on the route sheet.
Yakima to Zillah: http://www.bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=117170
Zillah to Prosser: http://www.bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=117171
Prosser to Richland: http://www.bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=115613
The route starts in Richland and heads West along the Yakima river valley. Here is a view of the 'out' to Ellensburg portion of the ride:
View Larger Map
And here is a view of the 'back' part of the ride:
View Larger Map
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