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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@CanuckChuck
Hell no! I am heading back that night, at least that is the plan as long as I am not in Dartmouth Hitchcock Hospital or whatever the closest ER is! I am not planning on spending the night in North Adams.
@CanuckChuck
@roger
Ahhhhh, FARK ME!!! The North Troy vs North Adams got me again. Sorry about that. I will NOT be staying in North Adams, I am heading back north the same night. Sorry for the confusion and thanks CanuckChuck for catching that!
@Roger
So it's you who's been calling and breathing heavily down the line? Dude: that's not cool.
It turns out my film crew/sag drivers can't make it. One of them is getting married or something equally trivial that weekend. Sorry to be a nuisance"”I was rather pleased with the fact that I'd managed to supply a car for the road. Now I'll need to rethink the second wheelset, etc.
So with 7 weeks to go:
- Route: check (95% there--will do a detailed review to ensure we get a good .tcx file for the Garmins).
- North Troy lodging: check (Thanks Roger!)
- North Troy pre-ride dinner: check. Reservation still required but location determined.
- Yellow bus of awesomeness for ride the start line: check.
- North Adams lodging: check.
So looks like the biggest open item would be SAG support and perhaps even more importantly, determining a worthy location to consume our recovery beverages in North Adams.
Anything else?
@CanuckChuck
There must be photos or it didn't happen, as the kids say. Anyone have one of those contraptions that takes moving pictures?
@Steampunk
Damn, and I just memorized all my lines.
"I come not to praise Caesar, but to bury him on the next climb".
Vini Vidi Vici!
I was going to go with "I feel like I've been run over by a dumptruck full of awesome." as an homage to Ryan. Except I'd probably be uttering it at mile 100.
And of course, "Oh, chocolate milk!"
Question for all comers: What gearing are you using on this ride?
I usually run 53/39 and 12-25, which is sufficient for most climbs out there. I did actually purchase an 11-28 but I am not sure that I will use it. What are you guys doing?