Now that we've listed our 2010 calendar of brevets, some new questions have come in about PBP'11 qualifying, pre-registration, and RUSA's plans. Here's what we know now:

• What effect does riding more brevets in 2010 have? - The main effect is to help the US country quota, although the magnitude of that effect is hard to predict. We have no indication from the ACP that the pure number of brevets ridden, or total distance, will enhance a given rider's placement within the country quota and we have decided that RUSA (if asked by the ACP to help implement the American quota) will not use a rider's total brevet distance as an entry factor, either. It's not at all clear that there will be more riders than places for them. In fact, history suggests that US rider demand should not greatly exceed supply (the quota). A qualified rider will have an excellent chance to ride PBP in 2011. Any enhancement-oriented riding (e.g., an ACP SR series or 1000k) would only increase those already very good odds.
• What role will RUSA play in registering US riders and managing the US riding pool? - This is subject to the ACP's evolving plans. We have an excellent relationship with our friends at the ACP and RUSA is committed to advocate for all of our members who qualify to ride PBP, and to insure fairness for all American riders if a quota needs to be imposed.
• Finally, our advice to those aspiring to do PBP in 2011: Ride an SR series in 2010 if you can, or a part of one. It's good training and will provide a fitness baseline for 2010 upon which you can build on in 2011. Try not to stress out, just do your rides, have fun with them and relax. Or, as the French might say, "Gardez vôtre sang-froid".

We are pleased to report that Cecil Reniche-Smith has been elected and that Jennifer Wise has been reelected to the RUSA Board of Directors. John Lee Ellis has been reelected as the RBA Liaison. We express our thanks to all of the candidates who stood for election this fall.

It is time again for our annual elections. Five RUSA members (Ed Felker, Phyllis Hamilton, Greg Olmstead, Cecil Reniche-Smith, and Jennifer Wise) have been nominated for positions on the RUSA Board. RUSA member John Lee Ellis has been nominated for the position of RBA Liaison. The general board members serve three-year terms, while the RBA Liaison, nominated by the RBAs, serves a one-year term.

For a copy of the ballot and to read about the candidates, visit http://rusa.org/vote.html.

Ballots are due by October 15.

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. The General Membership List is available for viewing online at www.rusa.org. A nomination form is included in the May 2009 issue of the American Randonneur. You can find the nomination form online at HERE. To submit your nominations, please mail the form to:

 Edward Robinson RUSA Secretary 3750 N. Sam Houston Blvd. San Benito, TX 78586. 

The nominations deadline is July 1. Nominations must be postmarked by that date, or emailed no later than the end of that day.

Under RUSA's Constitution the Regional Brevet Administrators appoint one of the current RBAs to serve as an elected Director on RUSA's board. The elected RBA may not already be serving on the board. Only RBAs can nominate other RBAs. The term of office for the Director is one year.

The list of current RBAs is available for viewing online at www.rusa.org. A nomination form is included in the May 2009 issue of the American Randonneur. You can find the nomination form online at HERE. To submit your nominations, please mail the form to:

 Edward Robinson RUSA Secretary 3750 N. Sam Houston Blvd. San Benito, TX 78586. 

The nominations deadline is July 1. Nominations must be postmarked by that date, or emailed no later than the end of that day.

Effective January 1, 2009, each Permanent ride by a RUSA member will count toward the member's annual kilometer total, and thus toward the member's eligibility for Distance Awards. This includes repeat rides of a particular Permanent route. Under the former rule, RUSA members were entitled to distance credit only once per year for riding a given Permanent route; that restriction has been eliminated. For more information on the annual Distance Awards, visit http://www.rusa.org/award_rd.html.

The ACP's Jean-Gualbert FABUREL (one of its Vice Presidents) has sent an email to all of the RM member countries explaining plans to limit entries for PBP 2011. You can read his announcement HERE. RUSA is still studying the implications for our members.

RUSA Distance Award stock has arrived and will be shipped out by our volunteer to applicants in the next couple of weeks. Thanks for your understanding and patience, and congratulations on your distance achievements!

Super Randonneur Jersey Contest Winner

March 6, 2009 The RUSA board would like to thank RUSA members Dion Dyer, Bruce Chandler, Robert Higdon and Jennifer Wise for submitting designs to the RUSA Super Randonneur jersey contest. Each design was distinctly different from the next, and each contained elements representing the achievement of being a Super Randonneur. Members can view all the entries at http://sr-jersey.rusa.org/. In the end, design # 1 was chosen to be the official RUSA SR jersey. The RUSA Super Randonneur jersey will be available for sale to any RUSA member who has completed a RUSA sanctioned Super Randonneur brevet series. The jersey will be produced and sold on a pre-order basis only. Members may pre-order the jersey via the RUSA online store. The deadline to order is October 1. Super Randonneur jersey orders are expected to be filled and shipped by December 31. Questions? contact souvenirs@rusa.org.

The solution to the February 2009 Crossword puzzle can be found HERE and HERE(pdf).