Update 8: The Finish!

Our valiant riders had a sunny, pleasant day to descend Poudre Canyon, with only some sprinkles on the plains.

Veteran 1200k randonneur Ron Himschott is full of pep and vinegar even at the finish:

And yes, some folks clumped up and rode together at times.

Here are George Hiscox, John Flanigan (in a great sartorial choice, a Last Chance jersey), Ashton Lambie, James McKee, and Ian Shopland:

The Olsen Brothers, Mark and Bill, did not disappoint, heading straight to the banquet:

In the end, it's all about the riders - and hopefully you've had a great experience - and the volunteers, who've in many cases made the difference in your rides!

Multi-1200k finisher Irene Takahashi (of the Steamboat Springs overnight) drove back, slept a bit, and then pitched in at boisterous finish in Louisville:

We look forward to your photos and stories ... and thanks for joining us on a rewarding mountain adventure!

-jle

Update 7: Thursday Morning - The Home Stretch!

Four riders have now finished, continuing from Walden yesterday afternoon and evening.

After a very nice day both in the mountains and here on the Front Range, heavy thunderstorms returned here in the evening, leading to flood advisories in Denver and Boulder.

Kurt Searvogel tangled with hail and thunderstorms on the Plains - between Fort Collins and Loveland - and had to hole up in a firehouse in Loveland.

Vincent Muoneke, heading out later, describes a mild summer evening under a full moon - hardly needing his headlight descending Poudre Canyon - with the occasional deer for company.

Most everyone else headed out from Walden between 2:30am and 4am this morning in what looks to be a splendid, sunny day!  We expect most riders to finish in the course of the afternoon.

-jle

Update 6: Wednesday Evening

While some severe storms have continued to batter the Front Range, life was good for our riders, west of the Continental Divide, with sun, mild temps, and general cheer all around:

Paul Foster, Julie Gazmararian's husband, sent these cheerful and inspiring photos from the Grand Lake Conoco control.

Larry Ide, Julie, Carl Andersen and Ann Trason enjoy the shade at the Conoco:

It's much more serene than when Foon and I encountered it on a Sunday:

A lilting breeze, shade, and refreshments!

Paul surprised rider Julie Gazmararian by following the Rider Progress and being there to greet her.

The riders are doing well today - less climbing, more sun, the birds singing. 

And for tomorrow it's just an early-morning jaunt up to Cameron Pass, and then sailing home!

-jle

Update 5: Tuesday Evening

On the whole a good second day for our intrepid riders!  Despite a soggy weather forecast, weather over the Snowy Range and through Laramie was dry.  A few showers on Rabbit Ears Pass for earlier riders, and more of a spirited storm with hail sweeping through Walden towards evening.

As before, the violent storms have stayed east, on the Plains, around Cheyenne, south of Denver, and east:

There are many seasoned riders on the CHC 1200 - some faster, some more measured - and their progress both today and yesterday has been impressive!

Five riders had to abandon earlier in the day, and two later on.  For each individual, it's a disappointing outcome, each for his/her own reasons.  It's encouraging that they made it so far, and hopefully enjoyed the great scenery.  And so far a great "continuing" (and hopefully finishing) rate on this challenging ride.

One abandonnée, Peggy Petty of Texas, jumped in to help out the event with Linda Metcalfe, and were, according to Jim Kraychy, invaluable in helping feed the voracious randos descending on Walden this afternoon.  Thank you, Peggy and Linda!

As night falls, the precip is abating, and it looks like a quiet night for those still out on the course sailing to Steamboat.

A big thanks to Jim Kraychy, who's staffed the Walden transit control for Monday and Tuesday, and to Rick and Sherrie Isham, who staffed the Saratoga control, and bore the brunt of hungry riders arriving and departing!

-jle

Update 4: Tuesday Morning Report

All the riders had cleared Walden yesterday by 5:45, and with that, Jim Kraychy reported: "All riders accounted for through Checkpoint #4.  Nothing but crumbs left in their passing wake. The kitchen is bare. Will make another trip to the grocery store tomorrow AM."  Good to see the riders upholding true rando values in the nutrition department!

This morning, most riders left Saratoga for the Snowy Range between 2:30 and 4:15am, given themselves plenty of time to face (and enjoy) what should be the toughest day.

 

More photos from Catherine Shenk ...

 

Jim Solanick gets ready to start his 21st (?) 1200k:

  

Toshi Nemoto on his first 1200k!

 Bill Olsen on his third 1200k for the year:

John Flanigan and others at the secret control:

Ron Himschoot

-jle

Update 3: Monday's Conditions

These threatening looking colors below belie a fairly docile and beneficent day for our riders.  The storms that built up later in the day were, as per previous days, most intense here on the Front Range, which the riders escaped during the dry and sunny conditions earlier on.

Have a look west of Ft. Collins and Cheyenne to see where riders spent the latter part of today:

Riders reported some showers at Cameron Pass, but conditions at Walden have been dry, and Saratoga has enjoyed blue skies with puffy cumulus this afternoon.

All our riders have made good progress today, and why not?  With brilliant scenery up the Poudre, tasty snacks at Walden, and at Saratoga the aroma of two gourmet soups (which as I write the earlier riders are already enjoying), it's so far been a moveable feast which hopefully all the riders are relishing!

-jle

Update 2: More Pix from Start and Secret Control

Some pictures from Catherine Shenk at the start!

Mike Sturgill and Richard Stum confer about gear:

An echo (or prelude) of Paris-Brest-Paris?

Peggy Petty on her second 1200k of the year. (First was the Texas Rando Stampede.)

 JLE encourages these inaugural riders to set a good example for future riders

by maximizing their enjoyment of the CHC 1200:

Roland Bevan gliding into the secret checkpoint: