BRAN-inc.org

[branadmin]

Hello BRANimals,
We will be meeting soon for our BRAN 30 wrap up meeting. At this meeting we evaluate how the tour went. We need your input. Please send us input on how we can improve, change or maintain the quality of the Bike Ride Across Nebraska. We value your opinions so if you would be so kind as to take a few minutes and give us your input we would appreciate it. This helps us so much in planning for BRAN 31.
Thank you in advance for helping us out! Our meeting is August 10th so be thinking in the next few weeks what you would like to see for next year's ride.

Thanks!
-branadmin

[Soylent Green0018]

I don't know what the additional cost would be, but whatever it is, it would be worth it to have that mobile shower trailer follow us from campsite to campsite next year!

I had the best feeling riding into an overnight town when there was someone there to greet me and point me in the right direction. All host towns should be encouraged to keep this up as it really makes us riders feel welcome and wanted. That cold, juicy slice of watermelon and bottle of water in David City was the best pick me up and welcome to a host town that I have experienced!

I attach myself to the mobile SAG people and assist them getting ready for the next day in return for a reasonable chance at a decent campsite. This year I noticed that the SAG people sometimes had less-than-optimal locations at which to park their vehicles, spread out there gear, and prep for the next day. In one location, the site roped of for the SAG people was so small and in a bottom area, that we had to seek higher ground across the street. I guess what I'm saying is that the SAG people (and those working behind the scene in general) typically miss out on much of the fanfare and activities provided by the host towns because they are getting ready for the next day, so at least make sure they have enough camping space in an area close to all the resources they need, and they will likely be more than happy.

I like the idea for future BRANs to map out and allow alternative routes that allow for longer days and more miles should the rider choose to do so, particularly if those routes are supported. These routes don't need to be created for every day mind you, but on those short, mid-week days, maybe map out a century route or two for those willing to do them. You could request that riders sign up prior to those days so that you know how much support will be needed.

In theory, gear drop off at SAC for the trip out to the beginning should have worked, but it was a total cluster... Parking was great, loading the buses was great, but trying to get several hundred cars turned around, gear out, and then getting the cars past the buses and into the parking lot was a mess! What might work better is leaving the buses over in the big lot (where we congregated at the end) and have all the cars off load along the main road (where the buses were parked and we loaded up) and then head to where they will park for the week. Maybe all that is needed are several more people waving cars and people thru and keeping them out of certain areas and moving in the right direction... I'm not sure, but something really needs to change for a more effective mobilization.

Had I known that the first bus would leave as soon as it was filled, I would have gotten on the first bus! For that matter, if buses will leave as soon as filled, then make sure they get filled in order. This will entail having people in charge of getting each bus filled in a particular order. If need be, contact individual riders to be in charge of loading their particular bus prior to BRAN, or start assigning riders to particular buses. To me this just makes a lot of sense... End the end though, despite being int he last bus (that broke down ), we still left at the posted time, so maybe this isn't all that big of a deal.

Get the applications out earlier! Like I have said before and I will continue to say, I would sign up for next years ride right now. I really don't need to know the route, the theme, or whatever to know that I am going to sign up regardless. The dates are always pretty much the same, so it is already in the calendar for next year. If this is not possible, then at least get next years ride dates posted SOON, so that (new) people can start planning. I spoke to several new, out-of-state people who told me that they almost didn't apply because the applications didn't come out until so late, and when they did, they barely got in. Just a thought...

Thanks for all you do! Without the BRAN administration and all the volunteers that take care of all the real work, BRAN would never happen. I hope that some of my comments and thoughts prove useful, but if not, then I'm OK with things staying pretty much the way they are now... I have suffered thru worse and I still come back for more!

[Granny]

When Branadmin first requested input regarding improvement of future BRAN's I didn't think I had anything to offer. We LOVE BRAN and know how hard the staff works each year to pull everything together and, if anything, it is the weather that messes things up. Oh that we could control Nebraska's unpredictable weather. However I have come to the conclusion that I struggle more on days that I don't get a good meal the evening before or that morning. I have to say that the only concern I have with BRAN is food. Being slow and old I have to start riding at first light and am at the end of the finishers. Most towns are good about having breakfast by 5:00 AM but it is not always the case. Breakfast needs to be inside, at a place you know in advance, and can find it in the dark. There were two towns this year that we did not get breakfast. One did not even plan one and the other was iffy as to what time they were serving outside in the rain. Another town was so confusing as to where the pancakes were we just got a roll at a place we found in the dark. Getting in late also eliminates the opportunity to get a snack before setting up camp and showering. Most stands pack up and leave before we arrive. I have to give Hyannis credit. This year they did a great job on meals. Their breakfast was outstanding! I think it is the job of the town contacts to help host towns and stops along the route to plan food that the riders like and that is easy for the town to provide. I feel bad each time I go to breakfast or to a food stop on the route and they are selling fresh fruit or granola bars which are available on our sags. At a food stop on the road a hot dog, chips and cold drink are what I want even if it is 9:00 AM. After riding a very difficult last day even the Rotary packed up and left before we got a hot dog and pop and that was a day we did not get any breakfast or had time for a meal on the road! What is my point? Breakfast is important and there should not be a question as to when, where or if it will be served. If possible all breakfasts in a host town should be in one location, indoors and on or close to the campgrounds. We miss BRANs where each town made their own sausages. Perhaps some riders could volunteer to stay in contact with the food committees of the towns. With internet and cheap long distance this would not be hard. I would do it. Again, let me say THANKS to the BRAN staff and committee. Without your year long dedication there would be no BRAN.
Granny
LIFE IS GOOD
God Bless Our Troops

[brokespoke]

I can’t say enough good things about the BRAN bike ride and people who organize and run it. It is a very good bike ride. I know how hard they all work to try to make it the best it can be and it shows. I loved to see the extra riders out for the 30th anniversary. If you did extra recruiting, keep it up. I worry about the age of the riders and the age of the organizers in keeping the ride going over a long period. Recruiting young riders and organizers will be important to sustain the ride. The route was exceptional this year, more of the same. The hand washing at the SAG stops is appreciated and needs to be encouraged/enforced for the good of all. I would also like some way to buy T-shirts and get them home without having to pack them all week long and still be guaranteed that the sizes I need will be available at the end of the week. Thanks again. See you next year! BS

[Soylent Green0018]

Granny, It was my fault that Ceresco did not have better food... I was in charge of getting them organized and I made the suggestion that they stick to cookies and trail mix and fore go other more expensive selections. My thinking was that we would all be thru there early and in a big hurry to get the ride done. After all, it was less than 20 miles to those free hot dogs and pop!

I totally did not take into account the slower riders or the possible effects of horrendous weather. For this I am truly sorry. I spoke with the Ceresco people and they said "next time they plan to serve up hot dogs and other real food". Seeing that there is a better than good chance that we might be riding thru Ceresco again next year, just know that I won't let the riders pass thru my town again without proper nourishment!

[Easy Rider]

As the “town contact’, I communicate with host & in between towns continuously from August to June by mail, phone, e-mail and in person. Towns are told over & over what riders like and dislike; the snack and meal times they prefer, and a way to get food to the riders OR the riders to the food and other town attractions. This applies to other things as well. However, in the end, these are suggestions and guide lines. How they interpret & what they do with them is out of our control. Some towns REALLY get it, others somewhat, and some not at all. Every town has different resources and manpower to work with. We will continue to do our best in this regard.

We will re-evaluate our Bus loading procedures with that committee. I will get more volunteers if that’s what it takes. We were told the buses would leave in groups. I like the idea of filling them in order and getting that bus going. However, assigning riders to a particular bus in advance is doubtful: a particular rider may be coming a bit later than the rest – has gotten a ride with someone else, or isn’t coming on BRAN for any number of reasons.

I agree we should strive to get the registrations out sooner. Sometimes details aren’t pinned down yet and cause a delay. We will aim for mid January. I’d like to get the Tour Guides out a little sooner also. You may have noticed the Countdown Clock has started for next year. As of today, the projected BRAN 31 start is 6-5-11. The route (and theme) has not been finalized yet. As always, there will be some new unexplored territory, along with places not visited in many years. I have a couple of alternate route days in mind. That will be a matter for Flamingo Kid and the support staff to review.

Brokespoke—I hope the MS ride went well. We’ll work on the t-shirt issue. Hopefully you’ll bring the whole gang again next year. Maybe more. Look for pictures of your posse in my soon to be released Gallery pictures. Mr. Heston – do you know something I don’t? Ceresco next year?? I did up a picture clue for next year in my Gallery pictures.
Let the treasure hunt begin!!!

Easy Rider

[Soylent Green0018]

Ceresco next year??? I can always hope can't I?

[Soylent Green0018]