Off to Elkader 400K Brevet

15 June – Off to Elkader 400K
256.2 miles, ACP certified, start time 05:00
Ridewithgps link: here

Ride description: We’ll leave Richland Center and head toward Fennimore for our first “store stop” control at 43 miles then head through the Green River valley on quiet roads to Prairie du Chien where we’ll cross the mighty Mississippi. South from there and the inevitable climb up from the river heading toward Elkader (interesting historical footnote: Elkader was named after an Algerian resistance fighter named Abd el-Kader) where a store stop at the Fast Trak will give us the opportunity to refresh and recharge then it’s off toward Lansing for a brief stop before once again crossing the river. Another climb up the bluffs (this one at about 160 miles is a toughie!) then on to Viroqua.

Viroqua is likely to be the last stop on the route where you can eat a “real” meal if so inclined and there are a variety of restaurants along the route to the next control at the Kwik Trip. If you’re a slower rider the Kwik Trip is likely to be the last open store you’ll find on the route so if you think you’ll be wanting snacks for later now’s the time to pick them up.

After a break we’ll head through the Kickapoo river valley (with a few climbs to keep things interesting!) headed toward Ontario and our next control. Since the only convenience store in town (the Cenex) closes at 9:00 it’s unlikely that you’ll make it there before the store closes (215 hilly miles in 16 hours) so the control at Ontario is an info control near a water fountain. Unless you enjoy stopping at taverns, this is your last chance for water before the finish in Richland Center 41 miles away.

Leaving Ontario we once again ride along the Kickapoo with one last good climb at about 229 miles then a mostly downhill or flat run to the finish!

Driftless Randonneurs is based out of beautiful Western Wisconsin, where some of the best riding in the country is based.  SW Wisconsin has plenty of hills and is characterized by many hills and valleys over low traffic roads. The Regional Brevet Administrator (RBA) for this region is Greg Smith.  

The Driftless Randonneurs ride schedule for 2019 features some old favorites and some new routes and formats with the emphasis on getting qualified and prepared for Paris-Brest-Paris (PBP). All brevets start in the back parking lot of the White House Ramada Inn, 1450 Veterans Drive, Richland Center.

Details: We’ll leave from the rear parking lot of the Ramada Inn at 1450 Veterans Drive at 05:00 sharp.  Lights and reflective gear are required for this brevet and riders should arrive no later than 04:30 for registration and check in. Please advance register on link to Driftless Randonneurs.