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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Any reason you guys are planning this ride for June 28th? A Thursday? June 23 rd is the date the 200on100.org site is planning?
@Dan
Yeah, less traffic on a weekday. We also looked into joining the group on the 23rd but with the size of our group, and the size of that group, it was a bit large for all the logistics.
Believe it or not, we are up around 15 strong and about 2 months out. Charter and lodging for North Adams, MA will have updates real soon.
@Gianni
It was just wishful thinking that you'd show! You have an excuse being half way around the world not to post up. I had forgotten that you were the instigator - should have realized that you probably planed this just to sit back and watch the show/suffering...
There is no way this will ever be "enjoyable" or at least not after the 250 km mark but it has been an awesome whip cracking inspiration that has made me fitter than all get go - not that that is insurance against my ultimate suffering.
The Keeper's was awe inspiring and chapeau to all of you for pounding the cobbles and shrinking the climbs, all in April, when no mortal has business being fit.
@roger
Tim and a mate are coming in too - both excellent additions to the roster. I have visions of this grand tour like double pace line eatting up the miles - my only hope is that I am able to sit in!
@roger
15 strong! Nice. If we have to start to double up at the B&B, I call big spoon!
@Rob
Same here, I too hope I am able to sit in.
@CanuckChuck
When did Buck start going by Big Spoon?
So here's a few numbers to consider:
Ride Start: 5:05
Sunrise: 5:07 (North Troy, VT)
Sunset: 20:36 (North Adams, MA)
Daylight hours: 15.5
Distance: ~358km
Assuming a 10 minute pitstop every 50kms or so, a couple of more substantial 30 minute meal stops, we would need to average 27km/h over the entire distance to finish by sunset in North Adams, MA, 20:30. Riding time: 13:25 hours, total time: 15:30 hours.
@CanuckChuck
@Buck Rogers
HEEEEERE'S Johnny!!!
Would you look at that, seems like a natural fit.
I've been off my bike for a couple of weeks by now, waiting for my stupid knee to heal. Everyday I remind myself that I should really be training for this.
@CanuckChuck
Stop? Why would we do that? I'd imagined breaks after each 100k, but I guess we'll ultimately see when we're on the road.