James Canyon Jaunt 200k - Great First-Ever October Brevet!

This year's James Canyon Jaunt 200k was our first brevet edging into October ... to take advantage of what can be some very nice weather!  So it was on the day in question, coaxing 23 riders out of bed for an early start.  (The JJ was actually the first RUSA Colorado Permanent, and a scenic but not harrowing candidate for early October.)

Leaves are a bit past peak in the high country but are just starting to turn on the plains, as you see here near Hygiene:

Kelly Bergkessel, John Mangin, and Jane Yant pause for a photo op while looking for the answer to the info control in front of the Jamestown Mercantile: 

After a transit of Masonville and possibility of made-to-order burgers at Sandy's in Loveland, the ride continued its sunny and wind-friendly ways.  John Mangin and Peter Hoff were typically happy riders at the finish:

Tim Dodge led his gruppetto in for their ceremonial finish.  It's Tim's first ride of this distance since his tumble (and broken clavicle) on the 400k in June.  He rode this in good form on his tricked out, custom rando bike, complete with red fenders, red saddle, and de rigueur picnic-hamper sized handlebar bag.  Welcome back, Tim!

High-powered cyclists John Flanigan, Tim Dodge, Tom Knoblauch, and Jane Yant share the smiles after a congenial day spent taking it easy on the road:

This brevet was such a success, I've put it on the schedule for next year!   Crossed fingers that the weather cooperates as well as it did this time around. 

Meanwhile, it's a great incentive, as more than one rider pointed out, to go for the RUSA R-12 Award, as you've already gotten in your October ride!

-jle