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
Isn't there a law about recommending any swim for any reason???
I think the punishment is hill repeats up Smuggs' Notch!
@Steampunk
@Buck Rogers
Steamy - Buckaroo, there is no transgression in subtly testing to see if an acolyte would fail the test... and our scholarly friend from the north country, as usual has passed with flying colors!
I think for all his modesty he is going to be the glue that holds this peloton together for this awesome long haul.
@Rob
Well someone's going to have to: I can't see you providing much wind resistance on that Dahon. Seriously, though, I must really be on my way if I'm passing tests without even knowing I was being tested.
I took the littlest Steampunk down to our café yesterday afternoon and mentioned to the barista, a young racer (and former student), that I was doing this 200 on 100 thing, and he looked at me as though I was nuts. And made it clear that he'd be nuts to try it. I guess that means I need to up my training regimen. Two-a-day naps it is!
Two Irishmen in a pub. The first says to the second: "Here, now. I bet you can't drink ten pints of Guinness in ten minutes." The second leaves the table and comes back in fifteen minutes, at which time he proceeds to down ten pints in ten minutes, winning the bet. "That was amazing," says his friend. "I didn't think you could do it." "Neither did I," replies the second man, "so I went to the pub across the street to give it a go before taking your bet."
With this logic in mind, my training will consist of riding 200 on 100 on June 27. This will also serve as a recon ride, so's I know where to make my break inside the final ten kilometers.
@Steampunk
I don't know, isn't that sort of like the pre-ride system Pharmie used to win 7? And if I make it to 10K to go beating you is going to be the last thing on my mind - sort of like the last thing to go through the fly's mind when he hit the wind shield...
@Gianni
Wholy moly, I do not even know where to begin - It never ever ceases to blow my mind that you 1) think of this shit 2) find it and 3) have the wrecking ball sized cohones to put it up - I guess that is why you and Frank are twins separated at birth - probably why your mother gave you both up for early adoption and even then I am not sure she ever recovered. I mean your both 1.9304 m. now... What were you at birth??
That's got to take the Vid of the year award or at least dishonorable mention? Strong work in a sort of ninth grade way (and I remember)!
@Buck Rogers
maybe allowance should be made for swimming to straighten one's self out after a massive bike ride, but only to be regarded as therapy, not as a sport
@Dr C
Was at the physio this morning. She told me that I need to get a foam roller and use it religiously after all rides. Either that or turn pro and get my soigneur on the case. No mention of getting wet.
I can barely walk after the loosening of my hamstrings.
@Dr C
I promise I am a fan and close follower of Rule #42 but boy did I blow it with that little off hand comment. I am not even sure that swimming as "therapy" should be allowed.
If you are a dedicated cyclist activities like walking and swimming become an anathema to ones body therefor you never walk because it is uncomfortable and you never swim because the water is always cold (you have only 4 1/2% body fat), you do not float (see above and your legs pull you down while you have so little upper body strength to keep you up) so the whole endeavor is completely unpleasant.
Maybe lounging post ride in a hot tube with a cool Belgian post ride recovery aid is OK?
@Rob
Big fan of the post-ride hot tub. Rollers and stretching, not so much! That said, a bit of cross-training does the body good. I take taekwondo classes a few times a week and the flexibility gained is phenomenal. Plus, you learn to kick some ass.