There is an "upstart" in the 1200K randonnČe neighbourhood! The 2001 inaugural event saw a finish list of three riders and the 2002 boasted eight finishers. At this rate of growth, it will not be long before Last Chance will over-take Paris-Brest-Paris in number of participants.

For some folks, when hearing about the Colorado Last Chance, images of long, scenic, mountainous climbs embroidered with the multi-coloured leaves of autumn flash into their minds. For other folks, the name says it all ... the last chance of the season to complete a North American 1200K randonnČe.

Last Chance, like all 1200's, has its own unique personality. The Last Chance is fueled by the creative efforts of a small but dedicated group of randonneurs from the Rocky Mountain Cycling Club lead by John Lee Ellis (Colorado Regional Brevet Administrator) and Charlie Henderson, who drove the route before the event, organizing the motels and bag drops, and then rode the 1200. The Last Chance provides a last opportunity (for DNFers, a lost opportunity) to complete just one more randonnČe for the season. The randonnČe takes riders through a unique part of "small town" USA, including the town of Last Chance (mile 118.6 of the Last Chance route).

There are no long, scenic, mountainous climbs. According to the promotional information this course was designed for tandems and fixed wheel enthusiasts. The terrain is "rolling to strongly rolling, characterized by wide expanses and areas with few trees". Recumbent riders might also enjoy this course given the constant head-side winds (we are back in Kansas, Toto!).

Although the rider will experience what feels like constant climbing, the total climbing only amounts to about 15,000 feet. However, grinding into the wind (which has no crest) with occasional, very occasional, fast tail-winds is more than the equivalent to the total climbing of the other well-known 1200s.

In addition to the terrain and wind, there are other unique features of the Last Chance:

• Small and personal - folks gathered together for an intimate pre-ride dinner which featured an informal opportunity to talk with John Hughes, Managing Director, UltraMarathon Cycling Association.
• Accommodations and restaurants abound within a very short distance of the start.
• Townsfolk along the way are friendly and curious about the event and the riders extremely variable weather . In 2001, the ride had temperatures into the 90's and finished in the low 40's with rain and snow showers around Boulder and threatening tornadoes in southern Kansas. In 2002, night temperatures were in the high 50's with some day stretches in Kansas reaching over 100 degrees.
• "Goat-head" thorn country - stay on the pavement or your tires will look like a porcupine, only a lot flatter!!
• Long distances between control points - a great deal of the course travels across what was once known as the Great American Desert. Towns of any significance are quite a distance apart and many of the control points are 70 to 80 miles apart. One needs to carry plenty of fluid and food.
• Straight-forward course - there are a few points where the rider's course instructions could be more clear, but by and large, it is difficult to get lost on the "out and back" route which mainly follows U.S. 36.
• Low traffic volume - Route U.S. 36 does not have a great deal of traffic, but does have a regular (about every 15 -30 minutes) stream of truck traffic, traveling at an estimated 65-70 mph! In some spots there are reasonable shoulders, but mostly not. The truck drivers normally provide lots of room when they pass, but because of their speed (both coming towards the rider, and when passing) the rider will experience a tremendous blast of displaced air as each truck, and often trailer, passes by!).
• Unique turnaround control - the rider mails a post card from the Kensington, KS, Post Office.
• Old west, Rocky Mountain vacation opportunity - stay awhile and explore some of the attractions of the small towns, the Boulder/Denver metro area, or the Rocky Mountains at a more leisurely pace.

Most of us know something about Boulder, Denver and the state of Colorado, but what do we know about Kansas (besides Dorothy, Toto and the Yellow Brick Road)? The riders will spend close to half their travel time in Kansas, part of the old West, with towns such with such towns as Abilene and Dodge City enlivened by such characters as "Wyatt Earp, Bat Masterson and the Dalton Gang. Kansas produced famed aviatrix Amelia Earhart who mysteriously disappeared on an early attempt to fly around the world. The riders will see interesting rock formations such as the Elephant Rock near Oberlin (mile 290.4 and 455 on Last Chance). The turn-around is at the heritage Post Office in Kensington, KS, a small town of 553 persons comprised of 280 families.

The next Colorado "Last Chance" 1200 K randonnČe is planned for 2004. Put it in your randonneur itinerary for a "two thumbs up" cycling experience!!

Twelve riders started the "Last Chance"; eight finished the 1200 K and one finished the 1000K.

Further information at: RMCCwebsite

Finishers