Iwan Barankay,  RUSA #12742

Philadelphia, PA

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My first ever brevet was a hot 600K in NJ with two friends as my family was out of town and resultingly I had a spare weekend. It took a lot of convincing (and advance riding) for the local organizer to allow me to participate but it provided me with a whole new dimension of experiences.  Needless to say I got hooked and the following year I completed my first hilly PA SR series to then fly out to Paris for PBP ’19.  Chris Nadovich and RBA Andrew Mead from PA Randonneurs took me on as their apprentice to teach me what goes into organizing brevets and the philosophy and culture around it which led me to organize my first brevets attracting many new riders from the Philly area where I live. Since then I completed another SR series, another RM 1200, and designed and rode a good number of permanents in addition to bringing in and coaching new riders from all walks of live. My aspiration is to keep alive the spirit of randonneuring and to help increase the diversity in the ranks of our riders building on many local campaigns across the country. I am also committed to advancing what technology (e.g. GPS tracking) and reducing carbon footprint implies for us in terms of routes, events, and awards.

Questions for Iwan? Contact him at barankay@wharton.upenn.edu.

Jose Blanco, RUSA #8619

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I have over ten years of experience in the sport of Randonneuring.  During that time, I have enjoyed meeting like-minded people who share the same sense of adventure and camaraderie during our long distance rides.  Strong friendships have developed as a result and it is one of the main reasons I keep coming back each season; to share more adventures on the road with riding friends.  I’m running because I would like to help RUSA grow, help promote the sport we love in a safe environment and exchange ideas with current RUSA board members on how that can be accomplished within a national level organization.  If elected, I will work hard and contribute as best I can to meet the goals of the organization, as well as, devote the time the position requires to grow the sport via community outreach events, work with other area cycling clubs to incentivize new riders to join randonneuring events, encourage riders to reach existing and new RUSA awards, and when appropriate, work with local leaders to create a safer environment for cyclists.  I believe the sport has a lot to offer and there is a lot of potential for growth.  I would like to contribute and be part of that growth.

Questions for Jose?  Contact him at Blancoja39@hotmail.com.

Dragi Gasevski, RUSA #13193

West Bloomfield, MI

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I am honored to be nominated to serve on the RUSA Board of Directors.  

My long-distance riding passion started in the early ’80s and ever since I have challenged myself to increase my riding miles adding up to 13,000 – 15,000 miles per year. This led me to start randonneuring in 2013 as a Detroit Randonneur. A successful completion of the Super Randonneur Series in 2019 was followed by the most challenging ride of my life: the prestigious Paris-Brest-Paris.   

I recently retired from Altair Engineering as a Principle Designer. During my years of working as a designer and manager,  I have developed an ability to work with people with different viewpoints and creative solutions to solve problems.

If I am elected to the RUSA board of directors, I will dedicate my time to improving this awesome organization by volunteering, recruiting new members, bringing riders together, and inspiring all to reach their goals. I also feel it is important to encourage and empower women in randonneuring, and to educate new riders on how to prepare and ride long distances.

Questions for Dragi? Contact him at dragi.gasevski@gmail.com.

Paul Kramer, RUSA #2691

Montclair, NJ

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Here are some recent rando ruminations from this lantern rouge-regular—things I’d like to work to make happen, given the opportunity of influence on the RUSA board:

• A Host-to-Host program of brevet buddies, with a RUSA.org bulletin board facilitating randonneurs from far-apart clubs hosting each other—providing local transportation and lodging to make riding a distant brevet more affordable and friendlier.

• A Perseverance Award, for which RBAs could nominate riders who demonstrate true grit and fortitude in finishing a brevet “hors délai” due to circumstances beyond their control.

• A Senior Handicap, giving riders over 67½ (perhaps) a 2.5% (perhaps) time bonus—i.e. 20 min on a 200K; 60 on a 600K (if 2.5%)

• A 3x400 1200K: four contiguous clubs, each starting a 300K leg of a 1200K route simultaneously from four different sleep stops, each clubs’ volunteers being responsible for all 4 clubs’ riders when in their quadrant of the ride. 

• A high-quality “What is Randonneuring” TED-type presentation that any member can make use of to address potential randos in their area.

• A RUSA YouTube channel, aggregating local stories now being posted on individuals’ or clubs’ channels or blogs.

I have enjoyed randonneuring immensely these past 16 years, especially the past three as RBA. I feel my best days—and longest rides—are ahead of me. Randonneuring has allowed me to counter the narrative of ‘diminishment and loss with age’ with one of progress and bettering, and I strive to spread the word to others.

Thank you!
Paul Kramer

Questions for Paul? Contact him at RBA@njrandonneuring.org.

Scott Manning,  RUSA #9105

Jacksonville, FL

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I was nominated to run for the RUSA board by a dear friend that knows my passion for cycling and adventure. As a member of RUSA since 2013, I have been a Super Randonneur almost every year since joining. In this role, I’ve managed to complete several 1000K, seven 1200K, and a 1600K track around the United States. In addition, I have had the pleasure to volunteer at various permanents events since joining RUSA. 

My vision is not to reinvent RUSA, but to see that it is sustainable for a long time, inclusive to all people, and safe for all riders. One of the greatest joys of these events is helping a new member discover excitement in randonneuring. 

Safety is now a significant focus in my life, as I have been struck twice by distracted drivers. The first time was on a 400K ride, and the second time was while training for the PBP2019. The second car strike forced me to remain nine months off the bike. However, my passion for the sport is too great to quit cycling, so my highest priority will be the safety of all cyclists.

If elected, I will work hard to make our sport accessible, inclusive, and safe to all riders desiring to get into long-distance cycling. As a software engineer, I will help RUSA embrace technologies while preserving the traditions of randonneuring.

Questions for Scott? Contact him at scott@webprogrammers.com

Charlie Martin, RUSA# 12815

Sunnyvale, CA

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Drawn into RUSA by the audacious rides and long distances, I've remained captivated by the limitless goals, adventures, and friendships that one finds through engaging in the sport.

In 2019 I learned of a substantial need I could fulfill on RUSA's Web Team, where I've volunteered ever since. I spend countless hours on the bike discussing and pondering the way things are and how they might be better. Oftentimes these problems are nebulous, so I collaborate with others and revisit outdated policy to move things along. I seek and absorb feedback and perspectives from diverse audiences throughout the RUSA membership to build a better organization for everyone.

I contributed heavily to designing and implementing the self-serve permanents system. I created or improved the online processes for several awards, enhancing the experience for both members and volunteers. I envisioned and built the member trophy case and results summary. I provided a solution for keeping people's P-12 and R-12 streaks alive during RUSA's difficulties in 2020. I added support for Trace and Audax event types to expand RUSA's offerings. I've done quality-of-life work behind the scenes to aid our treasurer, brevet coordinators, president, and other volunteers, because they're the glue holding this whole rig together.  

Finding time to improve RUSA has been immensely rewarding. I've learned much about RUSA's inner workings through my volunteering, and I see untapped potential to modernize RUSA policy and better leverage technology. I'd be honored to contribute to RUSA as a Board member.

Questions for Charlie?  Contact him at charlie.a.martin@gmail.com.

Vincent Muoneke, RUSA# 5004

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When I did my first ride with Seattle international Randonneurs, a populaire in 2008, I was not even a RUSA member. That year I was able to complete a Series, a 1000K and a Grand Randonnee as I say "with a little help from my friends". Since then the blessings that I have received as a RUSA member are too many to be enumerated in this statement. But foremost in mind is my interactions with you.

My running here is to hopefully pay it forward, hoping that my experience on the road, in the back, occassionally in the front, happiest in the middle but most importantly on the support sidelines could guide my judgement as a Board Member.

Thank you,
 
Vinny 

Questions for Vinny?  Contact him at vmuoneke@comcast.net.

Richard Stum, RUSA# 4638

Mt. Pleasant, UT

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Bio: Ten years as the originating RBA of Salt Lake Randonneurs (now emeritus). I’m a commercial photographer with a graphic design background. Now, I’m the owner of a soft goods manufacturing company: my company designs and makes bags for photographers & cyclists.

Wish List (They may be just pipe dreams!):

I would like to see a provision for allowing more time for gravel or mixed media events, thus encouraging  more participation without the worry of a DNF.

The RUSA corporate identity is in dire need of an upgrade. A newer logo might assist in attracting younger riders. Statistically, on some brevets, it appears we are primarily a group of “grumpy old men.” 

Encourage larger digital membership-wide communications, either through a more frequent email newsletter, “mailings”, or better social media presence. This is because the print magazine (which I really like) is becoming more and more expensive to produce & distribute. 

Examine reasons for lack of participation or recruiting of new members in smaller regions. Do we need to be more flexible with the rules? Allowing EPP for brevets is a start (one small “good” outcome of COVID), but yet some non-members see our rules as overly punitive, harsh or nitpicky. 

Although very unlikely, I would like to explore the possibility of having uniform formulas for “open & close times” for both RUSA and ACP events. This would simplify cue sheets and brevet cards, thus easing the burdens for RBAs.

Questions for Richard? Contact him at richard@eogear.com.

Rob Hawks,  RUSA #2515

Richmond, CA

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Last year, I concluded my candidate statement with this: "There is a vast amount of talent among our RBAs. I want to learn from other RBAs and share what I learn with our RBA community."

There are two concepts in that final sentence I'd like to focus on in an upcoming term: RBA Talent; RBA community. Combining these two things can benefit RUSA both at the regional and national level.

In 2020 there was a fair bit of RBA turnover. In 2021 there was even more. In onboarding all those new RBAs in 2021, in circling back with some of the class of 2020, and in touching base with some long standing RBAs I got the chance to learn from other RBAs and strengthen our RBA community. As RUSA regions came out of "The Great Pause" there was a slightly altered landscape that presented both challenge and opportunity, and in some cases those challenges became opportunities and making use of new and newish technology is connected to both.

Electronic Proof of Passage (now a permanent RBA option) allowed me to learn from RBAs who had already used it, and the online meeting tool Zoom allowed me to connect with the RBA class of 2021 as we held group onboarding sessions. A RUSA wide RBA Zoom meeting for the end of the year is in the works that will expand the experience of real time meet ups with fellow RBAs, in a way that the RBA Google Group can't achieve.

Questions for Rob? Contact him at rob.hawks@gmail.com.