Categories: Cogals

200 on 100

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.

Buck Rogers

Started road racing in 1987 in VT. Raced through college at UVM and then fell away from the true path and started running. Came back to the fold in the mid-2000's. Currently riding a 2007 Eddy Merkcx Premium SL with 2009 Dura-Ace STI groupo, Mavic Premium SL wheelset, Selle San Marco saddle and Cinelli stem and handlebars, a dream of a bike for me. Recently acquired a 1992 Team Motorola Eddy Merckx with all circa 1992 componentry. She has quickly become Bike #2. Also have a Lemond Poprad CX for bike #3. Still looking for bike #4 (i.e. n+1).

Next Reverence: TRP R960 »

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View Comments

Rob says:

Jun 29 2012 at 12:31 pm

@Gianni thanks, I think @Buck Rogers has it all on Strava so I hope he gets that up.
Belgian Cobblestones says:

Jun 29 2012 at 2:59 pm

Fuck me running !!! congratulations to all.

can't wait to see the full report and pictures.

ride of the year award
Belgian Cobblestones says:

Jun 29 2012 at 3:01 pm

@Rob What is his strava accound/ user name ? nicolas jacops is mine part of the velominati strava group rule 74 violatros
Buck Rogers says:

Jun 29 2012 at 4:13 pm

@Rob

@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!

+1 Rob, and not surprisingly, beautifully said. Roger was the heart and soul of this ride, although Marty, Matt and tim are right there with him.

The ride would have been inconceivable without them (and the word does mean what I think it means!)

My left knee has swollen up like a balloon today but I have no regrets at all. My favorite moment upon first reflection is when Rob and I were riding through the streets of North Adams, bothed totally cooked, and we clasped hands a la Lemond and Hinault and just exulted in the moment. So amazing, a true life moment.
Buck Rogers says:

Jun 29 2012 at 4:15 pm

@Belgian Cobblestones

@Rob What is his strava accound/ user name ? nicolas jacops is mine part of the velominati strava group Rule #74 violatros

Ahh, I am under the user name Buck Rogers, I think. I have only posted about three rides ever and only joined this spring. I am still in VT with very sketchy computer access. I will try to post the ride once I get back to Texas in July.
frank says:

Jun 29 2012 at 4:49 pm

@G'rilla

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.

You are ready to take on your own Pedalwan, my son. You have completed the trials.
frank says:

Jun 29 2012 at 4:50 pm

@mcsqueak

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.

Yeah, i don't think anyone intentionally DNF's a ride like this; a DNF means total depletion.
frank says:

Jun 29 2012 at 4:56 pm

@Tim

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.

Tim, you pretty much summarized what constitues a perfect Cogal. That's why its different from a group ride. Its the whole experience. Chapeau to all of you.

The only thing missing from the story is the tales of hammering down in the neighborhood of 10 ales per person.
frank says:

Jun 29 2012 at 5:01 pm

@Buck Rogers

I will try to post the ride once I get back to Texas in July.

Unacceptable! We'll all have forgotten and no one will care by July. That's TWO WHOLE DAYS AWAY. And I bet you don't even mean July 1.

POST IT NOW, BEYOTCH. Its not like you have anywhere to go with that wonky knee. You can wait for the monkeys to carry the bytes from your computer over to SFO where Strava is, one at a time.
MJ Moquin says:

Jun 29 2012 at 5:17 pm

I would like to take this moment to state for the record (before @CanuckChuck besmirches my good name and accuses me of neglecting him in the dark and alone on the road) I was merely acting in the best interests of his lights and protecting them from his abusive behavior of forcing them to illuminate his way to glory.

Again, I'm really sorry and I don't know how we missed you. I still owe ya a beer (or ten).