David Roderick - 2/17/2016
Let’s get this season going! The 2016 ACP Brevet Series will start at Findlay, Ohio at the Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, 903 Interstate Drive, Findlay, Ohio 45840. I’ve spent two weekends in Findlay this past few weeks, and stayed at two different hotels, and checked out many others. I was looking for a mid-priced to budget hotel to serve as the host hotel for the series. There are several to choose from within walking distance or a five minute bike ride or drive from the Country Inn & Suites. You have lots of choices, and although I haven’t talked to Larry Graham directly, he may know of places to stack bikes and riders. More specific details pertaining to each brevet will be found elsewhere on this website.
The 200K this year will be heading north to Michigan via North Baltimore, Bowling Green, and Sylvania, Ohio. It may actually have more gain in elevation than the 300K which will be heading to Ft. Wayne, Indiana. There are very few hills or rollers to choose from, but I did notice several wind turbines. The 400K will give you a chance to “ride to Hell and back”. Yes, we will be heading for Hell, Michigan. It will be an extension of the 200K. I can’t wait for that pre-ride talk. The 600K will possibly be a big Horseshoe that covers Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana all on one brevet. That route is still undergoing some polishing. If any of you have ridden the Hancock Horizontal Hundred at Findlay, you may remember that the biggest hill was an overpass over I-75. We had hills last year, this year is flat. Next year we will be starting in Northeastern Ohio.
The dates for the series this year will be:
April 16th: 200K
May 14th: 300K
June 4th: 400K
June 18th: 600K
While in Findlay, I found a few bike shops. My favorite was Muddy River Bicycle Co. with Eric as the owner. He is looking forward to being at your disposal if you need something or a quick repair. It’s one of the best shops I’ve visited in all these years.
This season we will also be offering a Coast to Coast ACP brevet series in early July. It will be comprised of two 200K’s, two 300K’s and a 1000K brevet. Yes, Ohio has two coasts. Our series will be between Cleveland and Cincinnati.
If you need more rides, consult our list of permanent brevets and populaires. A few riders do not end their seasons. Thanks to Roy Burnham for scheduling a populaire each month, and our other permanent and populaire hosts, who have made their rides available all year.
More specific information, and registration for our ACP rides, will be posted shortly. Be safe out on the roads, and I look forward to seeing you this Spring.