1000 km Routes Page

BC Randonneurs Cycling Club

   0  Abbotsford
 141  Marblemount
 299  Monroe
 343  Fall City
 389  Seattle
 422  Redmond
 456  Maple Valley
 483  Nolte State Park
 519  Orting
 610  Centralia
 655  Lacey
 738  Algona
 787  Seattle
 854  Lake Stevens
 967  Ferndale
1008  Abbotsford

(75 hour limit)

Route Notes from Ron Himschoot, August 25, 2014:

I don't know when I lost control over this ride, but it's already more elaborate than what I originally intended. It started out as an empty spot on the calendar. I have some vain and pragmatic reasons for riding a 1000K yet this year so I made some inquiries. Nobody had anything planned, which I interpreted as nobody is really interested in it at this point. The suggestion was made to just put together a route and submit it. So I did. With very little research and even less planning and almost no details I put together a route that I wouldn't have to think about. All I had to do is ride. I could break it down into two segments of 400 km and an easy 200K to the finish. I could even route it to my house so I didn't have to make reservations at the No-Tell Motel. The entire venture was designed with me in mind.

At some point other randonneurs noticed that same whole in the calendar on a three-day weekend and started making inquiries, too. My name was mentioned and my simple little ride became the Fall 1000K and I became the organizer. Next thing I know, people thinking about doing this ride are coming out of the woodwork. Plans that I made on the assumption of there being just me and maybe another rider or two are running into scaling problems. So, here's what I think is going to happen. If it gets overwhelmed it gets overwhelmed. Sometimes the best you can do is to serve as a bad example to others.

First, I've got no idea of how many riders to expect. I asked Doug to put it up on the Rando Pony so I can get a ballpark estimate. Please sign up when it becomes available.

Second, drop bags are pretty much out of the question. I've got soap and towels for showers, but I don't have your favorite energy drink mix or chafe cream. As for prescription medications, don't be absurd. I'll try to have mass quantities of something to eat with minimal preparation. If you want it warm, it will have to go into the microwave. If you have dietary restrictions of any kind, which includes lactose intolerance, vegan-ism or gluten free there's a 24-hour Safeway about 3 blocks away. The Safeway, not my house, will actually be the control. The safest place to park your bike while you sleep is in the basement accessible through the back door. Stairs are involved. Next safest is in my new but still unlocked shed out back. Finally, there's the back yard. Least safest place to park your bike is in the front yard.

Third, did I mention that the sleep stop is my small house. Two bedrooms and two bathrooms. I live alone. My housekeeping practices are in line with bachelor standards, although I try to be at the high end. That also means if you get there before I do you will have to wait. I haven't worked out the logistics for any other solution and I'm disinclined to leave the house unlocked for the weekend. I'll see what I can do, but that's where things stand at this point. Volunteer positions to hang out and let people in remain available. Remember, when I get there I still need to get something to eat and get some sleep. It will be cheap, but there wont be many services rendered. I can easily sleep 4 people. 6 if you don't mind sharing a bed. More than that and I'll have to break out the sleeping bag pads. There aren't any hotels in the immediate vicinity. Look at the maps and do a Google search if you like that option. I'm sorry if that makes me a bad host. You're welcome to come back some other time and I promise to be more hospitable.

Fourth, the cue sheet is probably correct. Nobody is doing a pre-ride to verify it. The route is mostly a known quantity, but it is mostly known to me. I didn't even know the names of some of the roads, I just know that is where I'm supposed to turn. There may or may not be street signs. Multi-use trails are involved. I know how to get on and where to get off, but that doesn't mean I can give you a clear description. I dedicated a fair amount of time and effort to make the cue sheet and maps accurate and clear, but who knows until we ride it. Both the cue sheet and the maps I used to put it together (errors and all) are on the web site. Download them and take a look. So here's what I propose: if you have doubts about the cue sheet and or maps, drop back and ride with me. I'm not that fast. But I'm not too slow, either. My friends describe me as sort of half-fast. I don't want to make this into a group ride or an Audax style ride. I can't keep my fleche team together. There's no hope of finishing if we all start and stop together. But nobody wants you getting lost in Spanaway, either.

Finally, controls. I established controls at places I thought needed a control to prevent shortcuts. I tried to find and list nearby establishments by looking at Google Maps. I have no idea whether these places are still in business or whether they will be open on Labor or Labour day weekend. I tried to provide an information control question just in case. Since I was originally putting this together for me, some of the controls are quite far apart. Abbotsford to Marblemount is a long way, but the route takes you past or near dozens of stores and cafes. Just because it isn't a control doesn't mean you can't stop. The closing times for the controls were taken from a RUSA app.

That's the extent of my organization. The rest is unstated expectations and impromptu adventure.

-