p.s. I will be editing this page from time to time ... Sorry, I was in a hurry

This brevet series was an idea last Spring after I offered my help to a local brevet administrator. Soon, I found myself organizing an application to become the NJ Brevet Administrator (RBA) and present it to Randonneurs USA. It was approved and then the real work began.

FIRST! Where do we begin? Princeton, of course, it's central to PA, NJ and NY ... not to mention it's classy reputation. I was partial to the American Revolution history being a DAR (Daughter of the American Revolution). The university was first choice but no luck. Don't ask how Forrestal came up, but Danielle Spilatore and her office have been the greatest help in securing permission of usage of the lot (we couldn't just park our vehicles and take off).

The Five Borough Bicycle Club provided usuage of insurance. Thank you! This is a MUST on all brevets - safety first. I chose 5BBC because of it's size, it's my club and it's secure. Two of our volunteers, Mary O'Neill and Leroy Varga are members.

A route was needed - so, who better than Sandiway Fong to contact. Many months later, I began to realize his reputation as a "seeker of the nastiest hills." This ride, I'm sure, brings new meaning to the words "Bellis" and "Adamic."

Control points needed to be found in accordance with RUSA and ACP regulations. Two times I changed the controls. Finally, my favorite, Frenchtown, worked out best. It was a hit on Saturday. Freeman's Bicycle Shop gave the BEST service - fast and high-quality with "no attitude." Buck's Ice Cream shop was also generous with rest rooms, water, tables, bench, chairs and much needed space. Two days prior to the ride, I arranged Asbury Willows as a confirmed Secret Control. As the riders saw for themselves, the delicious sweets and gourmet coffee was well worth the trip. They also generously donated restrooms and water. These are the reasons I emplasized purchasing SOMETHING from these stops. Our best comment "you are the nicest bicyclists we'ver ever met" came from Asbury Willows who receive tons of cyclists year round.

The stops could have been unmanned, convenience stores - having your brevet card stamped by a clerk (not so bad and actually "true" randonneuring) - but I wanted to make this as pleasurable and memorable for first-timers. As you learn about the other randonneuring events around the country, you find many differences. All are approved by RUSA. Those differences will be reflected in terrain, elevation, and control points. One thing will remain constant, the spirit of randonneurs and volunteers.

Route marking - sorry, it was so much work to mark the route that I chose to make the cue sheet "superb" as one rider called it. For those who did get lost (sorry!), you need to have the sheet out ALL THE TIME. There are cue sheet holders - ask another randonneur. Sally Cederquist had a really good one (I still have it).

Maps - no time to make but hope to have for the 300K. Please download the cue sheet and try to get to know the areas you'll be riding in. That's the best way - depend on yourself.

Donations - Biofreeze is a sports cream only available through the internet. I was able to get FREE product donation for Montauk Century last year and also for our brevets. It's GREAT! Use it. There will be plenty available at all controls for the 300K.

Hammer Gel gave SO much - flasks, big bottles of gel, lots of Sustained Energey (powder). Steve Born did NOT have to give us any - usually he gives product for 200+mile rides. He wanted to help us out. If you never tried it, PLEASE do so. There will be the Hammer Gel (something like GU only tons better) and Sustained Energy (mix it in one water bottle, 2-3 scoops). Go to his website - www.e-caps.com.

At our control points we had:

Advil, Water, Gatorade, Coca-Cola, Mountain Dew, Turkey and P&J sandwiches, Pretzels, Potatoe Chips, Fig Newtons, Chips Ahoy, H&H Bagels, Mayo and Mustard, Bananas

The 300K will vary slightly in food - more hydrating fruits and beverages, i.e. Tomatoe Juice.

Brevet Card - typically an RBA creates and prints his own card. Because I work in the pre-press industry in Manhattan, the cards were commercially printed for us NO CHARGE.

Some of the cards were a little worn - i.e. Robert Dinkelmann's with a huge tear! I was surprised at how well kept some where i.e. LuLu Weschler.

There were some riders who never really trained as they should have. Instead of completing the Century ride offered, some chose to continue the brevet route. Of honorable mention was Sarah Schulten, sister of the first man in (Chris Schulten). Sarah barely rode and hardly had miles. Look for her on the 300K. Unfortunately her brother popped her last long stem tube the morning of the ride, not knowing I had extras, she rode without spares. She also didn't know how to change a flat. So, if you she here on the 300K, she'll be a pro by then!

Chris Schulten,CT, is of honorable mention. I never heard his name - but heard he'd done some Boston Series'. Chris finished in 7:25. He rode in the big ring up Adamic (ouch!) with a front derailleur problem. This gave him more strength! How strong is he really? On Monday, the 15th, he ran the Boston Marathon in 3:10! I heard 2:30 is not unusual for him. I guess the brevet hurt his time.

Sandiway .... yup, Sandiway led the group out of Princeton - sorry if it was a little fast. Sandiway, naturally, came in the front pack after having 3 flats and something with his spoke.

Sally Cederquist is a newbie from New Hampshire/Massachusetts. Her accomplishment went beyond the "maybe I'll finish the easy 100 miles" to "let's try the whole loop!" I can only imagine her anxiety of not knowing what to expect! She was great! Although I did bring her back in my vehicle, I truely think she could have finished. I only wish I stayed behind to let her continue and pick her up if really needed. She got as far as Riegle Ridge (579 and 604) on the way back to Princeton. She did all the climbing like everyone.

The Latin Spice team - from Queens and Brooklyn. I thought they were joking me when I saw their registration. They also did great. They didn't make it to the top loop, but they sure did all the climbing - even 519, the long one! Leroy made a good decision: he'd close the secret control and ride back looking for the 3 yellow jerseys to "herd" them back into the group. I was to drive continuing the route. Eventually I caught up with them on 519. Good thing I put the bailout points - they navigated themselves flawlessly! Lots of credit for not getting lost.

Everyone finished before dark which almost became an issue. This is why having lights all the time is important.

Annaline Dinkleman, NYCC, came out and took charge of brevet cards and signatures. I knew from her experience that I could count on her decisions. She and Ellen Poreda (Edward Poreda's wife) left Frenctown Control #3 to open the Final Control. They were great! The best thing Annaline did was organize my car! Thanks Annaline.

Mary O'Neill, 5BBC member, arrived before me on Friday evening. She waited 1.5 hours patiently while I was caught in traffic. We put together a quick pre-registration - handing out route sheets, brevet cards, goody bags and going over the route by maps to several riders. She was the best at Registration - organizing the money and directing riders as to how to register. Also, she drove over to Frenchtown and helped direct the Control #2 and #3.

Ellen Poreda, Lawrenceville, NJ, supported the riders and her husband with Annaline - signing in riders and cards. Another great volunteer! She's very responsible - although I'd never met her, she was there when we needed her. She'll be on the 300K as well - I'm looking forward to getting to know her more.

Leroy Varga, 5BBC, RUSA and PBP and BMB, etc.... thank you soooo much. It's not easy finding volunteers to do the Secret Control and drive the route. Leroy made sure all riders checked into Asbury Willows and didn't miss the turn! He also made sure we were invited back!

All the volunteers were needed for the 200K - each did a great job - as well as I would have. That's how I like to pick volunteers. Some are new, but all really cared about the riders.

Lasty, the best part of the entire ride for me was hearing all the thanks. Annaline made a comment about the "thank yous" from riders. She couldn't believe it. Many riders forget this. Again, it's because of the spirit of randonneuring. I'm happy to be organizing great rides for great people.

See, Jersey isn't all that bad!

I hope to see many of you again next year and on future rides. Stay posted. We have rides coming up and they will be posted. All are invited!

Thanks,
Diane L. Goodwin