2014 Plans for Riding Brevets?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by David P. on November 12, 2013 at 5:13pm

I would happily do an urban-start brevet, or a permanent. There are no dodgy neighborhoods if you leave the city to the north, and if you want to go out west, you can get to OP from the NW side via Diversey and OP Ave. to skip the dodgy areas on the west side.

Permalink Reply by Eric Peterson on November 13, 2013 at 12:34pm

Any reason rides have to be brevets? Why not simply have a catalog of defined routes?

Setting up an actual brevet series would be a lot of work, and need approval from RUSA and also from RBAs in the region (GLR, Quad Cities). Brevets typically have most of their distance outside of big cities - even PBP does not actually start in Paris. 

Anyone can create permanents, but they still have to be officially approved by RUSA.

So again, what is the significance of a ride actually being a "brevet"?

--Eric

Permalink Reply by Eli on November 13, 2013 at 1:52pm

I am not a GLR member. I'd like to do at least some brevets next year (I have no illusions about getting to 600k), but I'm not sure if that will realistically happen for two reasons: I live in the city with no car, and the brevet season is a subset of the sailing season, which has been taking up almost all of my Saturdays during the summer for the past couple years.

Nonetheless I'd be interested in a brevet leaving from the city or near north suburbs like Evanston and Wilmette (since I am on the far north side and it is easy to get out there). I am not really interested in a catalog of defined routes--there are plenty of those already, and part of the appeal of brevets to me is the social aspect.

Permalink Reply by Duppie on November 13, 2013 at 3:18pm

for those who wonder what a permanent is (and that includes me), and what it takes to develop one, here is a link
http://www.rusa.org/permrules.html

Permalink Reply by Deet 4.5mi on November 13, 2013 at 3:30pm

I agree with Eric, I feel that a permanent is the way to go. We should sketch out a couple of options and plan a date to meet to discuss the pros and cons. Or would it be better to simply post them?

 

As for a start point I like the significance of the fountain, but we need a place that has a staff for the control. Starbucks at Monroe and Michigan?

Permalink Reply by ilter on November 14, 2013 at 6:42pm

It would be great to have a 100K or 200K route that starts nearby an "L" station, however difficult it may be to design. If we make some progress, I would be willing to test routes and cue sheets. I can drive out & ride parts of candidate routes.

Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on November 14, 2013 at 7:10pm

I like the significance of the city starts, but the number of traffic control devices (>100 each way?) between there and the first stretch of road where you can ride unimpeded may be prohibitive. "I would have finished in time, but I caught every red light on Sheridan." 

Deet 4.5mi said:

I agree with Eric, I feel that a permanent is the way to go. We should sketch out a couple of options and plan a date to meet to discuss the pros and cons. Or would it be better to simply post them?

 

As for a start point I like the significance of the fountain, but we need a place that has a staff for the control. Starbucks at Monroe and Michigan?

Permalink Reply by Eric Peterson on November 14, 2013 at 8:33pm

Stop for red lights, in Chicago, wha? 

Seriously, I expressed the same sentiment to Joe. I don't know the NS routes at all, but I do know that my EW route from Naperville to the Loop has some long sections with few stops. So if I contribute anything it would a permanent starting and ending in Oak Park, or somewhere in the Loop, that would be an EW kind of route.

Permalink Reply by Scott Chillson on November 17, 2013 at 3:39pm

Hi!

I just joined today because I saw the discussion on Brevets that start in the city. I'm a big fan of that. 

My goals for 2014 are to do some mid-week excursions to Indiana and Wisconsin -starting from Logan Square. Also, early season 100-200ks. 

Permalink Reply by Bill W. on December 3, 2013 at 8:21am

I'd love to help setup and partake in chi brevets. I spent my entire summer (weekends)ridding a 200k from 9th and mich to kenosha and back.

Permalink Reply by Lanterne Rouge on December 13, 2013 at 12:26pm

Perhaps some people want to use the ride towards their an R-1000 ( I know, I know - 60 or 100KM is a drop in the hat there.)

I might have asked in another thread - would holding a populaire nearer to city limits be an option?

Getting back to the subject question in the thread - I need to get back on track in 2014. My only big ride this year was the May 2013 200K. In 2014, I would like to complete the 200K again and try my hand at the 300K. If we're really, REALLY ambitious, maybe I can find a team with whom to do a fleche.

Eric Peterson said:

Any reason rides have to be brevets? Why not simply have a catalog of defined routes?

Setting up an actual brevet series would be a lot of work, and need approval from RUSA and also from RBAs in the region (GLR, Quad Cities). Brevets typically have most of their distance outside of big cities - even PBP does not actually start in Paris. 

Anyone can create permanents, but they still have to be officially approved by RUSA.

So again, what is the significance of a ride actually being a "brevet"?

--Eric

Permalink Reply by Garth Liebhaber on December 20, 2013 at 8:47pm

Urban and trail miles are a lot slower than the open road. For the past two years I've been commuting on Grand between Sacramento and Harlem. Thought I'd miss Damen, but I don't. Grand had good open stretches, is 25% longer but time is the same.

There is something exciting about heading out of the city on a "transport ride". I like the idea of rides leaving from and returning to the city. If they leave from the wee hours of the morning, there is little traffic.

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• Next ›
• Page