Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling - Long Distance Events

I've updated my Links page to include a lot more long distance events. If you happen to know of any other really good ones ... especially if you have ridden them ... let me know. :)

http://www.machka.net/links.htm

Note that events like the Furnace Creek 508 are under Adventure Corps, and the various 1200K events are linked under Various Randonneuring Links (the BC Randonneurs Links page). And the UMCA site has an extensive calendar of events of all sorts of distances and types. I opted not to create links on my page to any centuries or double centuries if they were on the UMCA calendar. Maybe I should say that on my Links page.

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Machka, on your links page, you have a link to "UMCA 24-hour Championship, Iowa, September".

The description, namely the Iowa part, is a bit mis-leading. I understand that the 24 hour event perhaps USED TO BE in Iowa, but the race / course is currently entirely within Illinois.

The check-in hotel / motel / inn is in Iowa. But the race is in Illinois.
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When I saw your link, I thought "oh, must be another 24-hour event in Iowa", but then found it was the event with the start / finish line at Riverdale Middle School.

I don't know where you got the "Iowa" from, but I think the event is now called "The UltraMidwest 24 Hour Challenge".

The "Buffalo Bill Stampede" name for the 6-hour TT is clearly linked to the "roots" of this event. The check-in hotel / motel / inn is in Le Claire, Iowa -- and that was the boyhood home of Buffalo Bill Cody, if I remember my midwest history / trivia.
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And if you should wonder: No, I haven't done this event. Nor do I know the organizers. But the "big loop" does go through my home town just a block from my high school alma mater. And I know most all of those roads on the "big loop", either from my youth or riding when visiting back home.

I have done that event twice, and know the organizers. It is located right on the Iowa/Illinois border. The first time I did the event in 2005, half was in Iowa and half was in Illinois. In 2006 they put it all on the Illinois side because of some issues with the Iowa portion of the route.

You are correct that the motel where most of the riders stay is in Le Claire, Iowa ... the boyhood home of Buffalo Bill Cody.

I should probably change it to read "Iowa/Illinois".


BTW - it is a very well-organized event. Definitely one I'd recommend. Rowan and I would really like to go back and do it again at some point.

. . .

I should probably change it to read "Iowa/Illinois".


. . .You, being from Australia and Canada, probably think that placing it in "Iowa/Illinois" makes sense.

I, on the other hand, think that description confusing and misleading.

Maybe this will make my point. Suppose an event is entirely in New South Wales, but the closest hotel is in Queensland. How would you describe it to Australians?

You, being from Australia and Canada, probably think that placing it in "Iowa/Illinois" makes sense.

I, on the other hand, think that description confusing and misleading.

Maybe this will make my point. Suppose an event is entirely in New South Wales, but the closest hotel is in Queensland. How would you describe it to Australians?

Queensland/New South Wales.

I do understand the concept of States ... Australia has them too, and Canada's Provinces are similar. I've also travelled extensively in the US. I've been to 34 of your States.

And I also know that the event, in its entirety, happens in both Iowa and Illinois. The check-in, and pre-ride dinner is in Iowa ... and the ride is in Illinois ... and it all happens within a few km of each other on the banks of the Mississippi which divide the two states.
http://www.ultramidwest.net/UM/UM24/24Directions.aspx

It's not a big deal, but my local group, San Diego Randonneurs (http://www.sandiegorandonneurs.com/), has posted all of it's events for 2010. All are ACP. We aren't the most well known club, but these rides are some serious business, yet very enjoyable. Bring your camera.