He Replaces Program Founder Robert Fry on Jan. 1; More than 300 routes currently available

Permanents Coordinator Robert Fry, who launched and oversaw RUSA's successful permanents program, has announced he is stepping down.

Edward Robinson of Texas has been named as his replacement. He'll take the reins on Jan. 1.

Fry, who also serves as an RBA in Iowa, said he was retiring to devote more time to his young family.

"It has been a great honour, and gives me great pride, to have been able to help set up the permanents program for Randonneurs USA," Fry said in an e-mail to RUSA's permanent owners.

A native of England, Fry was instrumental in launching the program here, mirroring a long tradition of similar rides in France and the United Kingdom.

"The primary purpose of the permanents program is to give RUSA members additional opportunities to undertake challenging rides in a structured brevet format, and in a way that can conveniently be fitted into almost anyone's schedule," he said in an earlier interview with American Randonneur.

Permanents officially became available on Jan. 1, 2004, with the first ride taking place on March 29, 2004, in the Dallas region.

The program has blossomed under Fry's leadership.

There are now more than 300 routes in 32 states. About 2,300 permanent rides have been validated.

The interest in permanents is growing rapidly. Fry said it took RUSA members almost three years to ride the first 1,000 permanents.

"The last 1000 have taken only about 10 months," he said.

Robinson Bio

Robinson is a south Texas attorney who rode his first brevet with Lone Star Randonneurs in 2003. In the years that followed he steadily increased his involvement in the sport, most recently completing PBP 2007.

Robinson's appointment as permanents coordinator is fitting—he was one of the riders on the first official event in March 2004.

Robinson was recently approved to serve as Regional Brevet Administrator in south Texas.

"I'm also looking forward to assisting RUSA on the national level as Permanents Coordinator," he said.

When not on the bike, he tries to maximize time spent with his wife of 20 years, Dr. Laura Robinson, and the couple's adopted greyhounds and trio of "found object" house cats.

For Fry's perspective on the program's growth, see page 10.