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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View Comments
@Rob
Right. Tempted to try to go a bit further the week after the Cogal.
May 27: 185k
May 29: 100k
May 31: 100k
June 2: 30k
June 5: 160k
June 7: 100k
June 9: 30k
June 12: 120k
June 14: 120k
...and so on. It will depend, largely, on how I feel at the end of Sunday's Cogal. If I feel comfortable, I may just maintain a simple rhythm. If no, I may look to do another week or two of harder riding. At the moment, I'm climbing well (for my weight) and recovering well. I'm a morning rider, and have no trouble bouncing around with kids through the afternoons and evenings after a 100k ride at the moment (which tells me I could be pushing harder or going further). But I'm happy with my pace at the moment. We'll see if the Ontario Cogal sobers me up.
@Buck Rogers
I'm leaving for home June 5, so we'll just miss each other, but I am softening up the French for you like a ripe Camembert.
Desperate times in gay Paree after 10 days off the bike: went to my first-ever spin class.
@xyxax
I hope you staggered in the door and muttered: "Donne-moi le steeky bidon!"
@xyxax
I hope you just put on all the friction and stood grinding for the hour? If your still in Pari why not get a city bike and do some hill repeats on the Champ de Lyse?
I do have a good re-entry ride for you back state side on the 10th, 170 k, 2000 meters so stay strong and see you in June.
@Steampunk
Zut, I needed a steeky bidon; I didn't bring water and was sweating so much that by the end I was getting a little light-headed sitting up in the saddle. I looked fucking pro though. Except for the running shoes. And not knowing what "steeky" means.
@Rob
I kept yelling "DUMPTRUCK" which struck some as odd.
A nice climby ride in paradise chez toi will do the trick nicely. Are we on for the 10th or weekend of the 16th? I'll shoot you a mail.
And kill that Lon Guyland century.
@xyxax
enjoy paris mate! will have to share the meaning of 'steeky' when you're back stateside.
I've never been to a spin class, but from what folks tell me, it's not a laughing matter as one would presume. Maybe I'll give it a go this winter.
Month is coming to an end and trying to hit 1100km. at 800km currently and need to get acclimated to this weather. Having just started cycling last fall, not really used to purposely trying to sweat up a storm on such hot and humid days.
Still trying to kick the dunkin donuts post ride ice coffee. It tastes utterly horrible, but DD has a hold of me in a fashion that's hard to break!
@roger
Thanks Roger. It's a nice job perk.
1100 km is, as the folks say in these here parts, bo-coo. Solid solid work. As is your organization of this little jaunt. For that, I say we all chip in to buy you a set of rollers to keep you out of spin class this winter IF YOU STOP DRINKING THAT FUCKING DD ICE COFFEE.
sorry, that was the jet lag talking...
@roger
I second many thanks for the great job in getting this to where it is just show up and go! For that I will treat you at every DD we pass on 100.
@xyxax</a
The 10th is on, looking forward to it! Have some escargot for me and a great trip.
@roger
Just went over 1000 k's for May yesterday. No ride today or tomorrow with lonnnggg work days but will get one more in on Thursday. I will be a few K short of 1100 for May but overall for the year I am currently at 3300 k's.
Leave for Paris Saturday and after this Thursday I will not ride again until the 10th of June. But, feeling good, no lingering injuries, now just need to nurse the form and show up strong at Paris-Roubaix and then heal up for the 2Much on 100! Love it when a plan comes together!