Randonneurs USA mourns the loss of Audax Club Parisien Past President Robert Lepertel (1924-2013).

After much deliberation, the RUSA Board has decided it's best for the ACP to manage their SR 600k relationships with riders and route owners without our involvement.

TO ROUTE APPLICANTS: If you wish to list your route with the ACP, you'll need to work with them directly. Info on the ACP program and contacts is HERE.

Here's what we think your duties and interactions would be with the ACP, but as their policies are evolving, you should check with them:

• Getting ACP route approval for your route and cue sheet.
• Having your control card design approved by the ACP, or ordering control cards from them.
• Producing bike placards to be placed on riders' bike frames, or ordering them from the ACP.
• Making sure each rider is properly insured (RUSA insurance not an option) and has executed a proper waiver.
• Sending photographic and other ride validation evidence to the ACP on request.
• Paying your ride fees to the ACP (5 euros/ride).
• Submitting your results to the ACP at end of season (10/31).
• Getting back the homologation numbers from them and providing them to your riders.
• Making sure riders understand that they will get no RUSA credit (e.g., no RUSA Distance, R-12, etc.).
• Being aware that there may be restrictions on what shape your route may take.
• Being aware that your route may not be approved if there's already an approved route in that area or for other reasons
• Being aware that your route may be approved initially but de-approved later if another route comes along later in your area that the ACP prefers.

TO RIDERS: If you are interested in riding a US or other Super Randonnée route:

• You can find info on the program and routes available HERE.
• You will be dealing with the route owner and potentially with the ACP.
• Study the rules for support, photo validation, frame badge display, etc., as they're different from those for normal Permanents.
• Make some arrangement to be covered by insurance.
• There is no RUSA credit or result listing for your ride.

RUSA PROGRAM: We have seen a fair amount of interest in a RUSA domestic program, unrelated to the ACP one, and so we're exploring that option now.

Thanks to everyone who's shown interest in this concept, and happy riding!

The vote tally for board candidates was: Bill Beck: 135; Mike Dayton: 199; Paul Johnson: 93; Tom Rosenbauer: 123; and Paul Rozelle: 88.

In voting for the RBA Liaison, these votes were recorded: John Lee Ellis: 13; Bob Riggs: 9. Only RBAs can vote for RBA Liaison candidates.

We express our thanks to all of the candidates who stood for election this fall.

Accident Reporting as described in our most recent issue of American Randonneur is now available to RUSA members. You may now make a voluntary report by following the link under Member's Info.

Two positions on the RUSA Board of Directors will become available at the end of the year. Members may nominate two current RUSA members to run for those two positions. A nomination form is included in the Summer 2012 issue of the American Randonneur. (Please note that the form mis-identifies the current board members whose terms are expiring). A corrected nomination form is available. To submit your nominations, please mail the form to:

 Mark Thomas Randonneurs USA 13543 160th Ave NE Redmond, WA 98052 

The nominations deadline is September 15. Nominations must be received by that date.

Qualifying rides for the RUSA American Explorer Award now include RUSA populaires, permanents populaire, and sub-200km darts. This may increase the number of states that you can claim.

The RUSA Cup is earned by completing all the types of RUSA events, and riding 5000km in total RUSA events, within two years. You must complete a 200k, 300k, 400k, 600k, and 1000k brevet, a 1200k-or-longer grand randonnée, a RUSA team event (Flèche, Arrow, or Dart), and a Populaire. Permanents and foreign events (such as PBP) don't count. The award is retroactive - you may use past events.

The RUSA American Explorer is earned by completing RUSA-sanctioned rides (including permanents) in different US states and territories. Initial recognition is achieved at the 10-state level and additional states are earned as you explore the nation.

We regret that Cecil Reniche-Smith has resigned from the Board due to personal time constraints. We are delighted that Mike Dayton has agreed to serve the remainder of her term. We are grateful to both of them for their service to our sport.

The recipient of the 2011 American Randonneur Award is Mike Dayton. View photo here.

Congratulations, Mike!