John Lee Ellis, RUSA #153

Lafayette, CO

Do you remember how you got into randonneuring?  For me, I had been focusing on ultracycling and other distance riding when a friend clued me into brevets. There was a series in Raleigh, a couple hours away, so I tried them out. I liked the distance and challenge, but even more the camaraderie and sense of community.  For me, that’s one of randonneuring’s enduring appeals.

I became RBA simply so that local riders (including myself) would have brevets to ride. That’s whether their goal was Super Randonneur, or Paris, or a US 1200k, or just some fun on a brevet. Our Colorado region has adopted most every event type RUSA has introduced. We have added Audax brevets, a Gravel Rouleur series, and 8k600 brevets to our schedule. And we organize three different 1200k’s - the Colorado High Country, Front Range, and Last Chance.

I believe innovation is key for RUSA’s health and growth. I helped develop RUSA’s current Permanents program and its Gravel initiative. I also serve on the RUSA Rules Committee and the Website Committee. Rules have seen important changes for riders and organizers in the last few years. The website is constantly gaining new features and new info. I have served on the RUSA Board, including as president for three years. So I know what issues the Board faces, and the Board’s potential for new ideas.

I was honored to be nominated, and if elected will devote my energy and experience to the work of the Board.

Questions? Contact John Lee at jellisx7@gmail.com

Paul Kramer, RUSA #2691

Montclair, NJ

Hello fellow RUSA members!

This coming April marks the 20th anniversary of my first 200K, and the start of my sixth season as RBA for the New York City/New Jersey region.

There are so many aspects of randonneuring that help riders stay healthy and achieve personal goals—the various medals marking rando-riding frequency, consistency, and variety of length and locale—but I have always been focused on the organized group brevet; it is the social aspect of randonneuring that attracted me to the sport and that gives me the most satisfaction.

As RBA I have done my best to expand both the number and variety of events offered in my region, from nine in 2019 to 21 currently calendared for 2025. In 2022 New Jersey Randonneurs ran our first 1200K and repeated it this past September; next season we’re offering another NJ Rando first—a 2-/3-/4-/6-/10-/12-hundred K event weekend.

My goals as RBA have always been to expand access to brevets by offering events that start and finish in all corners of the region, including ones accessible by mass transit; to bring new members into RUSA through local promotion and outreach; to maintain and expand a core group of dedicated, like-minded volunteers; and to provide the safest, most rewarding experiences for our riders.

If elected to the board, I would look forward to volunteering my time, talents, and enthusiasm to assist other RBAs and their members in achieving these same goals—and all others they may have.

Questions? Contact Paul at rba@njrandonneurs.org.

Charlie Martin, RUSA #12815

Sunnyvale, CA

I love randonneuring. I love its audacious roots and how it pushes people to explore their limits. I love the uniquely supportive community, both on and off the bike. I love the broad diversity of experiences it offers—the many ride formats, ride lengths and terrains, regions, communities, and awards—there's so much to do and explore! There's something for everyone. I'm grateful to participate in what is, and eager to help create what can be.

I've served on the board for the past 3 years. It's demanding. I have fewer hairs than when I started, but it's been worth it. I've been on the web team for 5 years, enabling me to provide perspective on how the website works and how it could be different when evaluating policies. I push for increased transparency, accountability, and communication. I approach discussions critically and insist on solid rationales for decisions.

If reelected, I'd like to polish and complete several ongoing projects. Gravel has been a success, but work remains. Website security and user settings can enable new privacy controls and streamlined administrative workflows. With SR600's and 8k600's now in the mix, I'd like to explore how the humble foot of climbing might coexist with the almighty kilometer. RUSA's marketing committee launched this year and I'm excited to collaborate on policy that would drive membership growth and retention. I've found ideas in RUSA are a dime a dozen. Driving them to completion takes effort, and I'm here to roll up my sleeves.

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

Pierre Moreels, RUSA #1975

Los Gatos, CA

I discovered randonneuring, RUSA,  Brevets and PBP back in 2003. Navigating with paper maps, occasionally getting lost, while swearing in unprintable French about my mistakes.

I have had the pleasure to ride with many of you, RUSA rides have been some of the best times in my life. I have helped fix problems on the roadside, and cried when receiving a spare tube when everything seemed lost. I have met many wonderful, dedicated RBAs and volunteers, and discovered some of the diverse randonneuring cultures across the country. If you follow the "Randonneurs USA" group on Facebook, you might have seen my posts - I like to share photos, just as I like to see photos from your rides !   

Now I would love to serve the American randonneurs as a RUSA board member. I have a lot of respect for present and past leadership members, and immense gratitude to the RBAs and volunteers who make the cogs turn.

RUSA is still very small, with only a few thousand members. Most of the American cyclists who do long rides are not aware of randonneuring and have never heard of RUSA.  I will work with the other leadership members to increase awareness of our sport and grow membership. Women participation is still a small percentage, it would be nice to see it grow as well. I have a problem-solving mindset and engineering background, having been a rocket scientist (!) at Nasa and an engineer at Facebook.

Thank you, and bonne route ! 

Questions? Contact Pierre at pierre.moreels@gmail.com.

Noah Swartz, RUSA #13453

Oakland, CA

Although I am a newer member of RUSA than some, I have committed myself fully to randonneuring over the last few years. I have been fortunate enough to travel the country to ride in a number of regions, as well as represent the US at PBP last year. This last year I have assisted the San Francisco Randonneurs with volunteer coordination, and have organized multiple projects to promote our club through custom apparel.

I believe RUSA still has many opportunities to grow. I would love to see us welcome in more members and take advantage of the enthusiasm of some of our more committed members by finding ways for them to contribute through volunteering. By prioritizing accessibility, inclusion, and safety we can encourage new riders to give randonneuring a try. I want to share the joy of randonneuring with as many people as possible, and I want to see RUSA grow and adapt rather than being stuck in its ways.

I'm hoping my recent indoctrination into randonneuring can serve me well on the board, providing a unique view into what it's like to be on the outside looking in. I love randonneuring and all it stands for, and want to make sure that other potential new members are able to experience randonneuring and all it has to offer.

Questions? Contact Noah at swartzcr@gmail.com.

Chris Argo, RUSA #11707

Lake View, AL

Upon joining RUSA in 2018, I began looking for ways to contribute. I have contributed numerous permanents and brevet/populaire routes. In 2021, the RBA for Alabama asked if I would be willing to serve when he retired. In 2022 I assumed the RBA role and worked with a local attorney/accountant to incorporate Alabama Randonneurs as a non-profit organization. We also received approval from the IRS as a 501c7 organization.

In 2023, Rob Hawks asked me to join the Brevet Coordination Team. Rob and I have worked together along with Lois Springsteen to keep the brevet calendar flowing and the results from RUSA/ACP events processed. Additionally, I have joined Rob for several onboarding sessions with new RBA’s. One of the results of my involvement is that I have been exposed to what takes place behind the scenes to help RBA’s be successful in their roles.

My educational and career path afforded me the opportunity to develop skills in several areas, including Excel/Access database design and maintenance, construction/facilities management and over twenty-five years of public speaking. I serve as a board member and associate pastor of The Crossing where my two main duties are directing the business affairs of our daycare and providing financial/accounting oversight of the church.

In short, I would consider it an honor and a privilege to serve. As the RBA liaison, I will be available to listen to your challenges, propose solutions when appropriate, encourage you when needed and advocate for you with our leadership. 

Questions? Contact Chris at chrisargo.tc@gmail.com.