Vermont is spelled with a capital “V”, surely no coincidence. With the loads of mountains and climbs available, it had to start with a “V”. I mean, if it was mountainous enough to draw a runaway “loose” nun who left the church for a sailor, it must be good, right? (Great nordic skiing there””Trapp Family Lodge, if you are there in the winter months as well).
Anyways, being a seventh generation “V”ermonter myself, who was raised on a family farm on Rogers’ Hill in West Newbury, VT (which was hand cleared and settled in 1763 by my G-G-G-G-G-Grandfather and still owned by my father) I have a deep love and feel for VT, liberal politics notwithstanding. So when I heard about the 200 on 100 “Dumptruck of Awesome” that was available, I just knew that I had to do it. And not only that, I knew that I had to share this beautiful “Ode to the V in Vermont” with all of my best cyber-cycling-soul mates. Okay, soul mates might be going a bit far there, but you get my meaning.
So, enough with the intro.
Break out the rollers, get on the trainers, find your winter gear; lay off the seconds, nurse that one glass of booze, hold the toasting to one drink, dodge Cupid’s chocolates and shoot the Easter Bunny because training for this bastard started yesterday and you’ll be paying for it on the 28th of June, 2012 in spades!
See you in the pre-dawn hours on the Canadian border with our eyes firmly fixed on the prize of the Massachusetts border. Let’s drive this dump truck like Mel Gibson leaving the compound in a post-apocalyptic world, baby!
Route and location details on the Cogal Event Page.
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@roger
A big yellow school bus full of awesome!
On Do No Evil maps, traveling mainly on I-91, it gives a distance of 221 miles, maybe 3 1/2 to 4 bus-hours of driving? Any thoughts on the Last Supper?
@cal
It's possible that we can fit all 15 of us on my bike.
Big yellow bus full of awesome! Love it!
Someone had suggested food an drink at Tastings Food & Spirits. Pickin's are pretty slim in North Troy, but that place actually looks quite tasty. Anyone find any other options nearby?
@Steampunk
Similarly, I can ride 25-26 comfortably for hours on end but unfortunately, I'm just starting to knock on the door of the range 27-30 while riding solo.
@CanuckChuck
Sounds good to me! We will definitely need to make reservations if we all agree to eat there on Wed night. Roger has the spread sheet and will know the number needed for the dinner reservations. I'm all for it.
@roger
Love it! My VMH will be lugging me to North Troy that Wednesday afternoon so I do not need a ride to the start. Still working on rides from the finish but I am pretty sure that I will have something lined up either going to North Ferrisberg, VT (mid-way up the West side of the state) or the Newbury, VT area (mid-way up the East side of the state).
@CanuckChuck
I think you'll find that you will fit right in. It's going to be relatively slow and easy for me, at least, b/c after 8 plus hours, it is really going to start to catch up with me. Still think we might need two groups but I am sure things will work out on the road.
@Buck Rogers
North Ferrisberg, VT is pretty much on the way back to Burlington so we should be able to give your a ride there if needed. I will have a spare bike carrier on the car.
@Buck Rogers
That will be the key: make sure we keep our excitement and testosterone in check at the start and take off at a reasonable pace so that we can keep the man with the hammer at bay as long as possible.
@CanuckChuck
I respectfully agree. Discipline will be key; we will all certainly get run over by the DoA regardless of pace. Let's ensure that we're not DOA.
7 weeks to go!
Just got the guns ship shape for the first time in 30 years. Feels great and now I don't have to "dish out plenty of hurt" because I looked like a hippy douche so you all can relax now it is going to be a mellow ride!
@Rob
Thanks for taking one for the team Rob!
First ride over 100k yesterday. Legs aren't where I hoped they'd be. Shock therapy (lots more riding) begins next week.