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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Congratulations!
The closest I've been to what you're experiencing now was after I completed 240km with about 2,500m of climbing. I bolted carbon fiber bike #1 to the roof rack and fell asleep in the passenger seat.
The next thing I remember was my wife screaming. She drove halfway into the garage with the bike on the roof.
The good news: the bike was fine! Wheels were even true! A year later that same bike survived the Keepers Tour.
The car needed $3,000 of cosmetic roof repair but I can't convince myself that it's more important than buying n+1.
AWESOME guys, top effort!!! Even those that had to DNF, for even attempting such a crazy feat.
I can't wait to hear the accounts and hopefully see some photos of a few 1,000 yard stares.
As has been said before, absolutely awesome effort.
Over 200 Imperial miles is some ride!
Chapeau.
Chapeau Chaps! Awesome achievement. Looking forward to reading all about it.
@ALL
Sitting in Williamstown having the first double(don't think North Adams has good espresso), this will be short because although the Guns feel good, the rest of the machine is mellow gello.
First, Roger is still an enigma to all -there is no explaining this man and the beauty of his world - which is all about how can I make every one else feel as good as possible, all with a smile and laugh as though what he is doing is the easiest and most natural thing. Need a bus for 15, food, water for a small army, don't forget the follow van, oh and what about a place to stay? All done with the attitude of, no really I owe this to you, you owe me nothing and he then rode the whole magilla like it was just a roll around the park. He is almost single handedly made this the MOST amazing event. Thank you Rogggger!!!
The above is said keeping in mind that there were 3 others without whom the whole event would have gone tits up in seconds (in alphabetical order):
Marty, Matt and Tim
More will be explained latter I am sure but suffice it to say that these guys between them probably traveled 2,000 km in three vehicles supporting/saging and that with out them each and every one of the fourteen of us would have had a very different and quite possibly most horrible day! They unflinchingly went up, down back and forth on route 100 finding us checking on us pampering us - from 5:30 am to 10:30 pm. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
I am not going to get into what you all really want to hear... It is still digesting in my tiny brain and I need to find the balance between reporting and cursing, laughing and just plain remembering what a beautiful state, road, day and company!
The only thing right now is to say that the combined brain power of All the participants left this High School grad (oh wait, Gianni did I graduate, we went to school together and he will remember, I can't...) feeling like I had a seminar with 13 Einsteins. My point is they will give you the report you crave and believe me this will be worth the wait!
@frank these fools need a straight jacket jersey symbol to commemorate the event!
@Chris
At the very least, @Roger needs a badge to recognize all he did to get this ride to happen. He's the man!
Well done! Might I suggest something like this for their badge? Smaller, of course.
As I recover from my self inflicted pain I'm overwhelmed with gratitude to those who not only made this experience possible ,they made it an experience of a lifetime. Rogers selfless fulfillment of every preride detail was mind boggling and heart warming. Matt ,Marty and Tim coordinated a network of support that was way beyond water,food and wheels. Waving us in the right direction at intersections while yelling encouragement. Yelling out the latest score of the Italy Germany game while driving past the peloton. And a moment of serendipitus grace as my water ran out with 30+ miles to go and my rear tire went flat just as Tim drove by. This ride was far bigger than pedaling a long way through a beautiful state. For me it was an experience of connection with everyone involved that will be with me for a long long time.
@Rob
"The only thing right now is to say that the combined brain power of All the participants left this High School grad (oh wait, Gianni did I graduate, we went to school together and he will remember, I can't...)"
Actually neither of us did. But none of those pussies could have done what you guys did yesterday. It's beyond my understanding how it's possible. We await a full write up when full recovery has happened, in a week. Nice work.