2012 Ride Report

Tailwind!
Steve Barner

Last year, we missed a dry ride with a tailwind by one day. Things went much better this year, with a nice talwind most of the day. A storm went through late in the day, dousing some riders, but missing others. The day started warm enough that most riders skipped an extra layer or wind vest, and only briefly rose above 80 degrees.

The beautiful, temperate conditions conspired with the tailwind that started kicking up early on to cause some to set a pace that was perhaps faster than it should have been, stretching the riders out, early. The gap only increased over the course of the day, resulting in a long, three-hour span of riders crossing the finish.

Late in the day, a strong storm crossed the course, but many riders missed most or all of the actual rain. It was starting to look sketchy in Ludlow, but the rain didn't really start until we reached Weston. The rain caused the faster riders to cut breaks short at the end, resulting in one of our earliest finishes ever, with the first riders crossing the state line just after 7 pm. All-in-all, it was a great day, with lots of happy cyclists and support people. We had a very high rate of finishers this year, which speaks well of the riding conditions.

Congratulations to all the riders. Let's come back and do it again next year!

The 2012 stats (all values are approximate):

  • Starters: 40 (twice as many as last year!)
  • Finishers: 35
  • Earliest finish time: 7 pm
  • Fastest ride time: 11:07 hrs
  • Fastest average speed: 19 mph (30.5 kph)
  • High temp: 86 F
  • Low temp: 54 F
  • Elevation gain: 11,500'
  • Highest point: 2,400'
  • Total distance: 212 mi (340 km)

Awards

  • Most Valuable: Our wonderful support people!
  • First Finishers: Dave Mengle & Calvin Dowling
  • Fastest Finisher: Rory Derwin
  • Longest Blue Streak: North Shore 4Cs Club
  • Pinkest Bike: Laurie Durivage
  • Most Alike: The O'Laughlin Twins
  • Most Self-Sufficient: Vaugn Davis
  • Most Determined: Chet Huang

More photos of the 2012 ride are posted online. The ride comes early in the year, arriving before many cyclists are in condition for a hilly double-century. Start training now and plan to join us next year. You'll be rewarded by being in amazing shape for the rest of the season!

Previous Year's Ride Reports

 
 

All lined up at the border

Luckily, there's no traffic at the border at 5:30 am

Riders climbing out of North Troy

 

Line of riders

The Boston North Shore 4Cs club was a spirited presence during the ride.

Riders having fun

Morning sun on the water.
 
   

Cyclist approaching old barn

Streaking towards Stowe with a tailwind.

Cyclist riding past rock cliff

Climbing Granville Gulf...

Riders descending winding road

...and skooting down the other side

Granville Gulf waterfall

Granville Gulf waterfall

Scenic valley and large, unpainted barn

The White River valley was beautiful

Lake and road

North of Plymouth Notch

Fllod-damaged building

Not everyone has recovered from Hurricane Irene.

Waterfall at mill pond dam

The mill pond behind the Weston Opera House.

Rider at top of long climb

Every cyclist feels a sense of accomplishment...

Smiling rider at top of long climb

...when they reach the top of the Mt. Snow / Wardsboro climb

Elevation graph

GPS elevation graph, courtesy of Chet Huang
 
 
   Last edited January 22, 2013