North Carolina RUSA 15th Birthday Celebration

Nine of the eleven all-time North Carolina K-Hounds joined a score or so of fellow RUSA members along with four non-members on Aug-17 to ride, picnic, celebrate RUSA's 15th birthday, and generally have a good time.

The two missing NC K-Hounds probably had good reasons for missing the festivities:  Joel Lawrence's excuse is / was something about just having finished riding some Endless Mountains delivering his daughter to NC State University where she is entering her freshman year; John Olmstead's excuse is / was that he now lives in Florida. 

Also in attendance was Tidewater, Virginia randonneur Jacob Anderson, who will attain K-Hound status for the first time later this this year (he has 8900+ RUSA kms credited as of Aug-23). 

Raleigh Region RBA Alan Johnson offered two rides as part of the fun:  a 200k ACP brevet, and a 100k RUSA Populaire.  Fifteen people completed the 200 on the day, plus two volunteering K-Hounds did separate solo worker's rides the prior weekend.  Ten people completed the 100 on the day, plus two volunteering K-Hounds did a worker's ride the previous day.  In addition to Alan, there were at least three other RUSA members that joined the festivities, but did not ride; there were also at least two non-cycling spouses present. 

The lowest and highest RUSA number credited with completing the 200 were:  #1287, Phil Creel of South Carolina; and #8939, Julie Clark.  The lowest and highest RUSA number credited with completing the 100 were:  #1803, Steven Andreas; and #8462, Steve Greene. [For a complete list of RUSA members credited with riding, use the "Results" function on the RUSA website.] 

Since this is the K-Hound blog, here are some finish photos of the K-Hounds in attendance. 

But first, a photo of RBA Alan, RUSA #306, in early action preparing some food for the grill.  He was soon to take his position doing his favorite thing about being the RBA -- checking people in at the end of the ride.  Alan had the second lowest RUSA # at the cookout.  Lowest #?  Alan's long-time friend and oft ride partner:  Mike O'Connor, RUSA #215.

Mick Hogan, L, and Martin Shipp, R, took over burger and hotdog burning responsibilities.  Each first attained K-Hound status in 2012.

Three-time K-Hound (2010, 11, 12)  Dean Furbish attempted to instruct Mick and Martin on proper burger burning technique.

2012 K-Hound "Ricochet" Robert Bergeron ended his ride with a big smile.  He always does.

2011 K-Hound "Turbo" Tim Lucas also ended his ride with a smile.  Or is that a grimace?  As of this date, Tim is the only North Carolinian to have earned the RUSA "Coast-to-Coast 1200km" award.

2010 K-Hound Mike Dayton managed to acquire some cramps during his 200, but was still smiling at the finish.  (Lois Springsteen should like this photo.)

Not yet a K-hound Jacob Anderson, smiling at the finish of his Populaire (I think he's angling for a "RUSA Cup.")  Jacob lives in the Tidewater area of Virginia, but we like him anyway.

2012 K-Hound Mary Florian just off her bike after finishing her 100.  Mary is our only female K-Hound in North Carolina.  (That's her super-domestique and husband Tom in the background.)

2011 K-Hound Bryan Rierson was looking a bit demented when he finished his 200.

2010 K-Hound Jerry Phelps volunteered, but had to leave before Bob showed up with his camera.  However, here is a photo of Jerry from earlier this year, in front of Clyde's Curious Critters, somewhere in Chatham County.  [This is the only photo not taken by Bob Bingham; I can't recall who took the photo, but I'm sure I have permission to use it.] 

Remnants at the end of the day.

[Thanks to Bob Bingham for all the above photos except the one noted as otherwise.  Thanks also to "Sag Ittandy" for some photoshop assistance.]