2011 Willard Bay & Beyond 200K Brevet Report

This spring has been unseasonably cool with tons of precipitation. Consequently, for many of us, it has been difficult to get many training miles in. The local mountains have a snowpack of 130 to 150% above normal. So I was worried about having our first brevet in weather that was not cycling friendly. I was greatly relieved to finally see a decent forecast for the weekend. The forecast was partly cloudy with a forecasted high in the mid 60s. This was a nice change. I arrived in the parking lot at 7:50 a.m. Shortly thereafter Richard Randall arrived with the intention of doing the 100-mile ride. I quickly learned that this was no ordinary mortal, rather this was THE Grizz — a guy who had ran the grueling Wasatch 100 trail run some 10+ times (that is 100 miles, NOT 100 km). I quickly convinced him that he needed to upgrade to the slightly longer brevet length ride, instead of the “ordinary” 100-mile ride. He said he would upgrade, assuming he could wear his iPod earphones!

Shortly thereafter, Yarden called me on my cell, informing that he was trapped by Salt Lake Marathon traffic and would be late. At about 9:00 a.m. all the riders, including some 50+ BCC 70- or 100-mile riders took off, heading north out of the Middle School parking lot. The temperature was about 53F and overcast. Yarden arrived about 10 minutes later and quickly started his ride also.

The seven randonneurs arrived at the first checkpoint, some 33.5 miles in, between 10:55 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. and in good spirits. The roads leading up to this point are rather rough in spots, but none had flatted. This route is rather flat and although it has many turns, it primarily cruises along some less traveled rural roads. From here, the next checkpoint is only 16 miles down the road, at a Flying J truck stop. This is also the turnaround spot for the century riders that day. It did rain a little en route to the Flying J, but that was a last of the precipitation encountered on this ride.

The riders left the Flying J, which is in Willard Bay, and headed north towards Brigham City. Along the way are some blooming orchards and few rollers as they skirt the shoulders of the snow-capped mountains above. About a mile short of the turnaround spot in Corrine, Joseph flatted and with Anthony’s help, they quickly changed out his tube, arriving in Corrine, at mile 62.9 at 1:10 p.m. Several of the other riders proceeded them into the Sinclair convenience store there.

The return trip went well, with a moderate cross wind (becoming a tail wind in spots) and warming temperatures up to about 70F. Richard (The Grizz) led out, riding solo, for all the inbound leg home, not taking much time at the checkpoints and with the others following a few minutes behind him. Jim Haley took advantage of a free draft in spots by riding behind Don and Mary Margaret on their human Cannondale rocketship tandem. Having started late, Yarden was constantly playing catch up with the other riders, arriving at the checkpoints, just as, or just after they left.

Jim, Anthony, Don and Mary Margaret are seasoned randonneurs (or a randonneuse in Mary Margaret’ case) with many brevets under their belt. For the others, this was their first organized brevet — congratulations especially to Richard, Joseph and Yarden.

Thanks to Don and Mary Margaret and BCC for sponsoring this historic event — the first brevet of hopefully many more to come, in this, the new Salt Lake City Randonneurs USA region!

Below are photos…captions to perhaps come when I get time…

Author: Rando Richard

I’m an old guy (age 69 in 2023) who enjoys aerobic, endurance sports. I call myself a cardio-junkie. Perhaps the more appropriate term would be “ultra” endurance sports. Since I was a teenager I have always enjoyed “slow twitch” outdoor sports like backpacking, ice climbing, running, mountaineering, hiking, alpine skiing and randonnée skiing (alpine touring, backcountry skiing or skimo). In 2005 I starting running with more regularity — except this time it was not for the intent of getting ready for a mountaineering trip, but as an end to itself. From 2005 to 2007 I managed to eek out two seasons of ultramarathons — that is competitive trail runs up to 50 or 100 miles. Due to a nagging ankle injury from the 80s (an accident while ice climbing in the 1980s where my lower tib and fib were badly broken), I had to cease that grueling, but rewarding activity. I then migrated into ultra distance road cycling or randonneuring. The rides are called brevets (pronounced bruh-VAY, it’s French) and are minimally supported — they are similar to ultrarunning and backpacking where one must be self reliant. Although brevets are non-competitive, they do have have cut off times to qualify as a finisher. They are usually are done in groups, which can have a competitive slant to them. Today, I continue to participate in long distance cycling including some ultra-racing, randonnée skiing (a blend of cross country and downhill disciplines) and still get out on an occasional mountaineering trip. Since 1996 I have been designing, manufacturing and selling camera bags. That is Kinesis Photo Gear (kgear.com). In 2005 I started selling cycling bags under the Kinesis label and eventually expanded it to including other sports like SUP (stand-up paddle boarding and some skimo). Consequently, it become eoGEAR — the “eo” stands for endurance outdoor. My wife and I are empty-nesters now and we live and work out in the boondocks of central Utah, half way between Salt Lake City (great powder) and Moab (great red rocks). Well, I guess that is all for now. Safe travels mate! Perhaps I’ll see you on the road or trail. — Richard Stum View all posts by Rando Richard