dirt road ride – Page 6

June 8, 2009

Sunday Dirt

~67 miles with Jim and Patrick. Most of the dirt is in smooth and wonderful condition. Plenty of climbing from steep rollers to Brigham Hill Road. I wanted for a century to scout a 300k route… but we opted for close in and backroads. We never ‘race’ on our Sunday rides – but we do work hard when we have to – and we’ll work well as a group to tackle some of the busier roads and to get out of the wind. This Sunday, knowing that we were going short, I attacked nearly every false flat, hill, and climb. The goal was to redline and repeat. I wanted to feel beat by the time I rolled home.

I succeeded and felt great doing it. The form is slow to return – but it is happening. Patrick was recovering from a 4 gapper the day before and Jim was prepping for a trip to Maine – so they idled it back letting me spin like mad off the front – only to catch me over the top and have me sit in and recover while they chatted away – effortlessly I tell you – while I struggled for breath.

May 28, 2009May 28, 2009

Work and Ride

I spent three days in the Berkshires teaching at the Heartwood School. I managed two short rides to explore the local dirt. Lots of steep climbing on gravel and sand and loose dirt. I was wishing for wider tires as I was running the 28s with the Honjo’s. Wanted to get out more – but it was hard to cram a bit of catching up with friends, teaching, and riding into the time I had. I’d love to get back…

A fork in the road on the way up to Middlefield.

May 4, 2009May 4, 2009

Sunday Dirt, a Mini Epic Ride

Chatting on Baldwin, heading into the wind...

70+ miles – Mountain View out of town, Governor Chittenden Road (dirt, and a ripping descent) down to Rt. 2, Kenyon Road up and up (dirt) drop down into Richmond on the pave, then Wes White Hill (rough pave to dirt, 13% or more) along the pond into Huntington, East Rd. (up and dirt) with views of Camel’s Hump, a short stretch of pavement and then on to Shaker Mountain Road (dirt, steep, and forever), Big Hollow (dirt and a ripping descent), a bit of pave to Lincoln Hill (dirt and steep and a rolling false flat on top) to drop down into Hinesburg for refreshments and then a ‘quintessential’ Vermont stretch – Baldwin (dirt) to Drinkwater (dirt) to Prindle, to Roscoe (covered bridge / dirt) to Lewis Creek (fun descent, dirt, covered bridge) to Spear to Guinea (dirt) to One Mile Road (dirt) to Hinesburg Rd. to Ferry Rd. to Charlotte. Views of Mansfield, Camel’s Hump, the ADKs, Lake Champlain. Three major climbs, three covered bridges and 60% or more of dirt. I had an 85 mile day with ~5,700+ feet of climbing by the end.

Dropped my chain into the little ring somewhere on Shaker Mountain Road... a fast descent awaits after the left turn.

Thanks to Jim for snapping some pics as I brought the camera but left the SD card in the laptop. And a huge thanks to the boys for letting me pace it out over the steep stuff. My first Yoga class the Saturday before took its toll… plenty of power to diesel on the rollers and the pavement – not much to deal with the steep on the dirt.

April 21, 2009

Spring Dirt 1.1

Jim brought the camera out this weekend. These are a few of my favorites snitched from his photostream.

April 20, 2009April 21, 2009

Spring Dirt

Spring ride with lots of dirt – a mental boost and a gear shakedown for next weekend’s 200k. We rolled out of town from our usual start along Mountain View and the always fantastic ’seasonal’ Governor Chittenden Road. Lots of gravel and a roaring brook. On to Richmond via a closed and muddy Kenyon Road – 10% or more in grade, skinny 28’s slipping in the muck when I would stand up. Seated climbing, rear over the rear. Great views to Camel’s Hump. Down into town on the wrong side of the closed bridge, follow the river past Cochran’s and to Jonesville and then up, up, up Stage Rd. (optional as Bolton Notch was gnarly and gravelly). Flying along the highland flats to Brown’s Trace and a stop @ the Village Cup. Busy Rt. 15 then on to Tower Rd. and into Colchester on Lost Nation, Curve Hill, and others. Loop out to the bay and home. Just about 58 miles, with some great climbing and scenery. The group (4 out of 5 Flèche teammates) worked well together – each of us pacing ourselves on the steep stuff and working together into the wind pulling on the flatter terrain.

An Independent Fabrications, A. Homer Hilson, Kogswell, and Gunnar...

... all dressed in Brooks saddles - a Swallow, B17, B17N, and a Swift.

October 24, 2008

Another Fall Ride

Did a nice loop through Richmond 2 weeks ago. Was planning on riding the southern half of the 200k Permanent but opted instead to get up late, sip tea at a favorite cafe, and roll south at a leisurely pace. The landscape was a riot of color.

October 11, 2008

More Pics

Hoping to ride the southern half of the 200k route this Sunday. We are promised good weather… everything is shades of yellow, orange, and red – hopefully we’ll have a bright blue sky. More pics here, here, and here. The image above is of me climbing a short 15% grade during the first 1/3 of the ride. The real climb starts after a steep pitch to a stop sign – and then a left turn into the wall.

October 9, 2008

Dirt Road Permanent

John, Patrick, Jim and I did a test run of the northern half of a 200k Dirt Road Permanent I have been planning. We covered ~75 miles of the northern part of the route. I was cooked and the gents did well to get me back to town.

The route was 60% dirt, with plenty of sharp rollers and a few long climbs. The grades ranged from steady 5% to an 18% wall about two thirds into the route. Temps were in the 50s and even though I was dressed well (in Ibex wool) I had a persistent chill most of the day. The foliage was peak at the higher elevations – colors simply stunning. We’re hoping to ride the southern half of the route this weekend – colors should still be peak – and if we get some sun and clear skies we might get a view to the ADKs.

September 23, 2008

Stitching

Stitched together the last bit of a 200k mixed terrain ride… hopefully to become a registered RUSA permanent. Three route options range from 70 miles to 125 miles. The usual suspects will be tackling the 90 miles to verify the cue sheet in early October and I’ll get out solo to confirm the extended closing leg of the 200k route in late October.

Lots and lots of dirt – maybe 80% of the route. Plenty of climbing. Fantastic views to Mansfield and Camel’s Hump – even a quick peak at the lake and the Adirondacks. Country lanes, small towns, country stores, sheep, horses, and mountain ponds. The colors are just starting to pop – I think it will be the perfect leaf peeping ride.

August 22, 2008

D2R2

Prepping for D2R2 tomorrow. I’m in for the short course and I plan on riding the IF. Debating on what to carry – the contols appear well spaced and with the weather looking fine I may ditch the Barley and take a small seatbag. I’m pulling the fenders and lights and I’ll be sneaking on some 32s to give me a bit more tire for the dirt and loose surfaces.

I’m planning on lots of pictures and ‘getting my money’s worth’ of the ride. No racing from control to control – I’ll be happy to be out on the bike and I’ll finish at a reasonable pace.