Fleche

Team Escargo Volants at the Quakertown Finish.
Photo courtesy of Christine Newman

Preliminary results have been posted at:
http://users.rcn.com/trosenbauer/PA_Fleche_Results130407.pdf
...Results will be submitted this week, and then become final pending ACP/RUSA certification.

All 5 teams make it intact to the Quakertown finish for a 100% finish -- congratulations to all the captains and their teams for another excellent result.  The Eastern PA Fleche is now in it's 6th year, and after some pretty rough years with stormy weather, we now have a 2-year streak going that is at least rain-free.

In looking at the results, it truly is remarkable to see the same teams clipping-in year after year.  Of note, the fixed-gear Sinister Nuts, led by Bill Olsen has participated in all six PA Fleches.  And this year, with more than five fixed-gear riders looking for a spot on his roster, another fixed-gear team, "Fear of Gears", was formed under the leadership of Bill Fischer -- who also notched his 5th PA Fleche finish.  Guy Harris is another five-time finisher (and most likely would also have six finishs if not for a certain volcano that erupted a couple of years ago and disrupted his travel back from the U.K).  Sinister Nut, Paul Scearce, also has a high number of finishes at four, with several others completing their second and third fleches.  At the other end of the spectrum, an all-rookie team "Now You've Gone Too Far" led by Eric Keller gets my vote for the biggest over-achievers.  Starting in Boalsburg, PA (near State College), their route generally followed the 3rd and 4th days of the Endless Mountains 1240k.  A navigation error during the night added some 30 miles to an already challenging route.  The extra mileage necessitated the need of finding an alternate 22-hr controle, with no time to rest there.  Instead, they had to ride straight through in order to cover the last 35k of their route in the final two hours -- Nice Save!

Nigel Greene of Escargo Volants as usual, has posted an eloquent ride report at:
http://eprider.blogspot.com/2013/04/fleche-2013-just-cause.html
... and his photo album is at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/58781331@N07/sets/72157633186694529/with/8629775274/

Christine Newman, also of Escargo Volants, has posted some great pictures of their scenic route at:
https://picasaweb.google.com/canewmandvm/Fleche13?authkey=Gv1sRgCOnylb37p7C0_AE

Norman Smeal of Fear of Gears writes: "...Couldn't buy better weather for early April.   Hats off to Eric Keller's team coming from State College --  you get the accolades.  And great job to all of the other Fleche teams..."

Jeffery Butt of Now You've Gone Too Far has posted pictures of their route that follows parts of the Endless Mountains 1240k:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/94813562@N07/


The spring calendar continues on April 20th with a choice of two routes out of Milford, NJ to keep your R-12 streak going: either the Blue Mountain 200k or a brand new course: Blue Mountain 300k.  Event details of both routes have been posted at:
http://users.rcn.com/trosenbauer/R12ClubApr2.html
...  If you would like to join the roster, please send me an e-mail confirmation no later than Thursday, April18th -- be sure to indicate your preference for the 200k or 300k.

-Tom Rosenbauer
Eastern PA RBA