Stillwater 200k Preliminary Results and Report

Preliminary results for the Nov. 6 Stillwater 200k have been posted at:
http://users.rcn.com/trosenbauer/PA200k_Results101106.pdf
... please let me know of any corrections or other issues.  Results will be sent to RUSA later this week, and then become final, pending RUSA approval.

The mid-30F's at the start were a bit warmer than forecasted.  The bright early morning sunshine made for a spectacular run down the Delaware River, with the mist and fog making quite sight to behold.  I saw at least one photographer along the way, capturing the moment.  It truly was a wonderful time to be out on the bike and enjoy the last remnants of fall -- one of my favorite time of the year.  The clouds moved in shortly after midday, and along with the stiff northwest wind, the afternoon actually felt colder than the morning.  The hot chocolate at the Millside Cafe really hit the spot (I think it was one part whipped cream to one part hot chocolate).  And special thanks to Len Zawodniak for recommending the pecan pie -- that really hit the spot.  And thanks also, to Don Jagel for leading the way with the sign-in sheets.

24 of the 24 starters made it around the course within the time limit, for another 100% completion ... congratulations to all the riders, for this excellent result.  Of note, Ixsa Gollihur recorded her first official Eastern PA completion, after coming up a bit short on 3 previous tries (one of which was the infamously cold and windy brevet this past January).  It certainly was a hard earned result, riding mostly solo all day through the head winds and a couple of hours of night riding in unfamiliar terrain.  Well done Ixsa!

Also of note, Mark Kaufman completed his R-12 series.  Mark joins Eric Keller in what has to be a very exclusive club: an R-12 series that starts with one's very first brevet.  And in Mark's case, his first R-12 event last December, was the infamously snowy one, that until January's ride, had set the standard for "Epic Winter Conditions" on the Eastern PA series.  As Mark said after that one, 'the rest should be easy, after that!'  Well done Mark!

First finisher's Rick Carpenter and Bill Fischer got around in 8:35, with Rick again riding his fixed-gear bike.  Rick writes: "...A uniquely enjoyable route through NW NJ; particularly the latter portion from Great Meadows to Columbia. Oh, and you earned my heartfelt  gratitude in excluding "The Finest Pizza Money Can Buy" - nicely done... "  Rick is of course, referring to 'Louie's Pizza', used as a controle in Great Meadows on previous events:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rick_carpenter/3462644404/in/set-72157617125699458/

Peter Phillips is now 2 for 2 with yet another broken chain (will he perhaps go for a 3-peat?).  Having inadvertently left his chain repair at home, Peter fortunately had St. Bill Olsen behind him, our local "patron saint of on-the-road bike repairs".  Bill luckily had a campy pin among his spare parts.

The DC area tandem team piloted by Ed Felker and stoker Mary Gersema were pleasantly surprised to find a "Tandem Friendly" course, after all the challenging climbs they faced this past summer on the Endless Mountains 1000k.  And fellow rider Paul Shapiro noted that the course went near some of the toughest climbs in the area -- Lommasson's Glen, Rt 519 (into Milford), Adamic, Bellis, Iron Bridge, and Millbrook to name a few. Ed has posted a great ride report (along with pictures) at:
http://thedailyrandonneur.wordpress.com/2010/11/07/pa-randonneurs-stillwater-200k-friendly-to-tandems-and-visitors-alike/
... and be sure to check out Mary's excellent blog and pictures at:
http://chasingmailboxes.wordpress.com/2010/11/07/pennsylvania-randonneurs-stillwater-200k/
Between Ed and Mary, this was one well documented ride!
Fellow DC randonneur, Lane Giardina writes: "...Thanks again for yesterday's great ride.  It was a lovely route shared with a really nice group of riders....".

-- Thanks! It's always a real pleasure when the DC folks come up for a visit.

If you have any other comments, stories, or pictures to share, you can forward them to me.

Next up, is "Le Retour du Stillwater 200k" on December 4, which wraps up the 2010 brevet season.  This is basically the same course as the Stillwater 200k, but in the reverse direction (clockwise) heading to Stillwater first.