Dec-14-2014: First-Time K-Hound Bob Booth

When I started the season so late, I did not think I would reach the K-Hound status.  [However, the kilometers added up and] the odometer turned 10,000 km on a cold foggy December day on a solo ride on the East of Madison 209 Permanent.  I did not think to take a "selfie" or any photo record [during the "moment-ride, but ...] .  ...  Robert "Bob" Booth

Bob is the first K-Hound Klub member from Wisconsin. 

First-Time K-Hound:  Robert "Bob" Booth (RUSA #4957)

Date:  December 12, 2014

Where:  East of Madison 209 Permanent 
Ride Partners: none.

In the parking lot at the start of the first ride, a 200km on March 29, 2014 with the St. Louis Randonneurs.  [Photo permission of Bob.]

From a 300 km ride with my home club The Great Lakes Randonneurs.  [Photo permission of Bob.]

Congratulations, Bob!  Welcome to the Klub.

Nov-19-2014: First Time K-Hound Greg Olson

In the early summer I realized that I could come pretty close to achieving 10,000km for the year.  I usually ride between 16,000km and 21,000km of all types of cycling, so I decided to change some things and work on the K-Hound.  In October when I finished the Big Sur 600K I felt pretty confident, realizing that I was at the mercy of the Pacific Northwest weather.  The images of rain, and the Columbia Gorge winds turned into reality very quickly.  Lacking motivation I continued on, not as had hoped for, but making progress.  By mid November I had a window to just about finish up, and scheduled three perms in four days.  Unfortunately, an ice storm came in the day before the first perm, and the outlook wasn't good for cycling in sheltered areas even though the temperature was rising above freezing, so I canceled the perms.  My wife noticed me pacing around the house and knew to suggest "California is where you outta be," so on short notice I emailed Drew Carlson in Davis about riding three of his perms.  On Monday and Tuesday the temperature was in the mid to high 60's and everything was good.  [Rando-karma decided to bite me though,] Wednesday turned into rain all day, some heavy.  I was on the Calistoga Constitutional, a personal favorite.  The suggestion is to get a picture with some biking buddies, but this day there were positively, absolutely no cyclists on the road; not at Winters, not Cardiac, nor on the Silverado Trail.  So much for biking buddies.

I had time to think that maybe I was not giving the K-Hound all the credit it deserved.  It does require doing 200K pretty much every week for a year -- a real commitment.  As I mulled that over I was thinking of three things necessary to complete this journey:  (1) a plan, (2) a commitment to the plan, and (3) perm owners who are there to help on pretty short notice.  After three 200's in a row I was glad on day four that I finished on day three.  On returning home, for some reason I had the crazy idea to do another 1000k in December, [which he did].

Attached are two photo's just past passed the 10,000km mark on Cal Highway 128 at mile post 17.33, on the return to Davis.  I really wanted a picture from the summit of Cardiac about 10 miles up the road but it was socked in on the way out and worse on the way back.

Thank you to all the perm owners, you make the K Hound.

Greg Olson 

First-Time K-Hound:  Greg Olson (RUSA #2917)

Date:  November 19, 2014

Where:  Calistoga Constitutional permanent out of Davis, CA.
Ride partners:  none [well, he indicates "none" -- but somebody took those photos].

[Photo permission of Greg.]

[Photo permission of Greg.]

------ 
Congratulations, Greg!  Welcome to the Klub. 

Nov-15: First-Time K-Hound Keith Moore

"I don't remember who originally put the K-Hound bug in my ear, but at the time it seemed like an unlikely goal.  Then Susan Otcenas invited me to join her and a few other riders on her newly-created Big Guns 1016K permanent from Portland, OR to Whitefish, MT.  At that point, the K-Hound seemed to be within reach. Sadly, we DNF'd the 1016K (we finished hors delais), but the K-Hound goal remained firmly in mind.  A few extra 100K, 200K, and 300K rides, and here we are.  Big thanks to all of the great people in Seattle Randonneurs, Oregon Randonneurs, and Desert River Randonneurs.  Most of all, thanks to my patient and endlessly supportive wife Kasia!"  ...  Keith Moore 

First-Time K-Hound:  Keith Moore (RUSA #5355)

Date:  November 15, 2014

Where:  Seattle-Rainier-Elma-Bremerton 300K (reversed, Bremerton start)

K-Hound Moment:  At the 210 km point, somewhere on Highway 507 between Roy and Spanaway.  We postponed the photos until the next control in Sumner, at the 250 km point.

Ride Partners:  Theo Roffe, Bill Gobie, and Geoff Hazel.  By time Theo & I reached the K-Hound point, Bill was about an hour behind us, and Geoff had DNF'd.

Keith self portrait:  "... really conveys my feelings at this point.  It was 21:30 (14 hours into the ride), 50k to go, I was wearing every layer I brought with me, and I was still freezing. It was a tough 300k."      

[Editor's note:  I usually do NOT care for "selfies," but this one is the exception that proves the rule.  It is a much better photo than the other option offered, and if Pamela Wright ever found out that I didn't use this pic, I'd likely be in trouble.  In general, I much prefer group photos as I think that better portrays the "friends got me here" spirit that most every K-Hound will acknowledge is a major help to achieving the K-Hound award level.]  

Congratulations, Keith!  Welcome to the Klub.

Nov-23: First-Time K-Hound Patrick Herlihy

The odometer rolled over exactly 50 miles or 80 kms into the ride near the town of Esparto, California.  If I include the Super 600 (as RUSA now does), I hit my K-Hound over in South Carolina near the town of Chappells; but I'm very happy to bring up a "natural K-Hound" here in California!  ...  Patrick Herlihy

First-time K-Hound:  Patrick Herlihy (RUSA #8930)
Date:  November 23, 2014   
Where:  Rockville Ride 210K permanent out of Davis, CA.
Ride partners:  Rob Hawks (photographer & RBA of SFR) and K-Hounds Drew Carlson & Debra Banks.

L to R:  Debra Banks, Drew Carlson (peeking out from behind Debra), Patrick Herlihy.  At the "natural moment."  [Photo by Rob Hawks.]  

Post ride celebration.  Drew, Patrick, Rob.  [Photo by Debra Banks.] 

Congratulations, Patrick!  Welcome to the Klub.  

Nov-22: First-Time K-Hound Christine Newman

New Jersey K-Hounds Joe Kratovil and Paul Shapiro were my inspiration and motivation for attempting this goal.  We rode thousands of Km together and they were constantly encouraging me to go for it.  If it weren’t for their conviction that I could ride this much, I doubt I would have tried.  We had a little celebration lunch at the finish.  My wife, Eileen Bruns, and Joe’s wife, Lucy, joined us as well.  ...  Christine Newman 

• First-time K-Hound:  Christine Newman (RUSA #2861) 
• Date:  November 22, 2014 
• Where:  Capitol City 109k perm-pop (route #1989), K-Hound-moment 63-kms into the ride (i.e., on Washington St just outside Princeton University) 
•  Ride partners:  Paul Shapiro and Joe Kratovil (2/3 of the prior NJ K-Hounds) 

L to R : Paul Shapiro, Joe Kratovil, Christine Newman.  Photo at the finish in Hopewell, NJ [by Eileen Bruns]. 

Action photo, perhaps taken on Washington St. outside Princeton.  [Photo by Joe or Paul ?]

Congratulations, Christine!  Welcome to the Klub.

Oct-10: First-Time K-Hound Ian Hands

"It's funny, five years ago I made the beautiful mistake of telling Adrian Hands and friends that I was gonna grab Rando by the horns... it's almost the best silly stupid thing I've ever done! 

I can't wait to usher in 2015.  It's a PBP year to boot!  What could be better than that?! 

Don't forget what you knew as a kid... riding your bike is bliss!"  ...  Ian Hands  

First-time K-Hound:  Ian Page Hands (RUSA #6176)
Date:  October 10, 2014
Where:  2014 Taste of Carolina 1200, second day
Ride partners:  many 

L to R:  Ian Hands, Robert Bergeron (2012 K-Hound), Mary Florian (2012 K-Hound), Patrick Herlihy (2014 K-Hound in the making).  [Photo by Jenny Oh Hatfield.] 

Congratulations, Ian!  Welcome to the Klub. 

Nov-04: First-Time K-Hound Jon Gray

"Years ago when I first read about the K-Hounds of Texas and their over-the-top accomplishments, I never ever dreamed of joining their ranks. Now it’s happened. This just goes to show how far a little perseverance and encouragement from friends can get you.

After picking up the final receipt I pedaled to my favorite local bike shop, Fastrack Cycles, and thanked the guys for a great year of support, mechanical and otherwise."  ...  Jon Gray 

First-time K-Hound:  Jon Gray (RUSA #2807)
Date:  November 04, 2014
Where:   Santa Barbara Coast permanent (route #2195).  K-Hound 33-kms before the finish. 

Ride partner:  none.
 

L to R:  Luke Johnson (mechanic), Jon, Dave Letieri (owner of Fastrack Cycles, Santa Barbara, CA).  [Photo courtesy of Jon Gray.] 

Congratulations, Jon!  Welcome to the Klub.