D2r2 - 2015

[Cat3roadracer]

Registration opens tomorrow!

[nighthawk]

Keeping my fingers crossed that I'll be able to ride it this year.

[sparky33]

Reg'd for 115k and a cowbell.

[Bruce K]

Planning on 115k reg later today

BK

[moose8]

Just registered - looking forward to it. Thanks for the heads up.

[AngryScientist]

registered!

[guido]

Registered for 115k. My first one...

[marciero]

So hard to think about that when it's like a blizzard outside!
My goal is to do the 160k on tandem with girlfriend. First task is to acquire a tandem.

[R3awak3n]

Definitely registering before end of the year.

[guido]

Second actually. Unless you are still looking for the girlfriend too...So hard to think about that when it's like a blizzard outside!
My goal is to do the 160k on tandem with girlfriend. First task is to acquire a tandem.

[witcombusa]

Reminder, first price increase is coming soon...

Entry fees as of 12:01 AM on Wed, Dec 31, 2014: $110

[Peter P.]

No message.

[MattTuck]

For someone who has not ridden this event before, is the 115K the preferred 'introduction'?

Also, can I ride this on a Kirk terraplane with 28mm road tires or is that too ambitious? Or perhaps, a better question is, once I am done riding it, will I regret not choosing another bike?

[AngryScientist]

For someone who has not ridden this event before, is the 115K the preferred 'introduction'?

Also, can I ride this on a Kirk terraplane with 28mm road tires or is that too ambitious? Or perhaps, a better question is, once I am done riding it, will I regret not choosing another bike?

depends on the conditions that day, but generally, 28c tires are no problem. a few roads you'll just have to slow down a bit, but 28's are ideal for 85%+ of the ride.

[skijoring]

For someone who has not ridden this event before, is the 115K the preferred 'introduction'?

Also, can I ride this on a Kirk terraplane with 28mm road tires or is that too ambitious? Or perhaps, a better question is, once I am done riding it, will I regret not choosing another bike?

Do the 100KM - plenty for a first timer. A 'classic' course.
7K feet of climbing.

[pinkshogun]

my fitness was fair at best last year and im glad i had a touring triple. i saw a lot of fit guys with wide range doubles who were working hard while i was spinning away

[bikerboy337]

Im planning to do this year, will likely do the 100k as I'm not
Riding a ton lately, really excited...


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[MattTuck]

I see on the website that your ride can be 'timed'. Do many people ride this for time? What is the usual amount of breaks for food/drink?

[R3awak3n]

Im planning to do this year, will likely do the 100k as I'm not
Riding a ton lately, really excited...


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100k is an awesome ride and still challenging. I am trying to do it again this year, depending on how my ankle feels close to it, and will most likely do the 100k again.

[sparky33]

I see on the website that your ride can be 'timed'. Do many people ride this for time? What is the usual amount of breaks for food/drink?

I think there is more of this (riding for time, pseudo racing) in the 180K route as there is always group hammering out of the gate at 6AM.
However, most folks seem to roll out at their leisure without regard for timing or whatever.

[christian]

D2R2 is best measured in smiles per mile.

[cp43]

I see on the website that your ride can be 'timed'. Do many people ride this for time? What is the usual amount of breaks for food/drink?

My understanding is that the timing thing is in more of the randonneuring spirit than a racing one. So, it's more of a pass/fail if you make the cut off time. You may be able to get RUSA credit for the ride, if you wanted to, and make the cut off time.

I've never paid any attention to the time.

For food breaks, I'll stop at each checkpoint, and get some food, and refill on water. I'll also usually take one short stop between, to snack and regroup with my friends. I've seen people get in and out as fast as possible, and I've seen people take much more time that I take. Depends on your mood, and if you have a total time goal. You can cut a big chunk of time off your ride if you're very quick at the stops. It's easy to "waste" 20 minutes at each stop. It's not really wasted if you need the rest, of don't care about exactly when you finish though.

[MattTuck]

Gotcha, that makes sense.

There are other dirt road events up here (rasputitsa and dirty 40 for instance) that are timed, and I get the feeling more people ride it as timed events/races than ride it leisurely. So I just wasn't sure.

I think I'm aiming at the 115K, but we'll see how the season goes.

[4Rings6Stars]

Gotcha, that makes sense.

There are other dirt road events up here (rasputitsa and dirty 40 for instance) that are timed, and I get the feeling more people ride it as timed events/races than ride it leisurely. So I just wasn't sure.

I think I'm aiming at the 115K, but we'll see how the season goes.

Rasputitsa definitely had more of a racing spirit than D2R2 (but was still pretty mellow and fun). When I've done D2R2 in the past, I have taken my time and enjoyed the sights...spent 45 minutes at the lunch stop, etc. but noticed others blowing past the rest stops (on 23-25mm tires) and only stopping if they have to fix one of their 5 flats. Lots of people at all levels doing the ride at various paces.

I haven't been riding at all since the fall (new baby, new commute, bad winter, other lame excuses)... I'm planning to do D2R2 this year but it might be the Green River route if I don't start putting on some miles this spring!

[witcombusa]

So I moto'd up and rode the 180k route today. The roads are in great shape this year. They've been busy with the graders for sure. Hell even Hawk's was as low key as I've ever seen it. I hope nothing happens to change that in two weeks :no:

Good news is the covered bridge @ the crib dam is open again so that should make the lunch stop back to normal :hello:

There is some fresh blacktop in a few places that some may appreciate (not over dirt roads). All in all I had a spectacular day up there and am looking forward to the 11th running in a couple weeks. 978 already registered!

[ik2280]

Seeming like I might have convinced my teammate to do the 180k with me. Fingers crossed that it ends up happening.

[bikerboy337]

Cant wait! Planning to do the 100k as its my first time, buy considering going longer...


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[R3awak3n]

I am definitely not going to make it this year :( have a wedding that day. I am jealous of everyone that is going, oh well, next year.

[marciero]

Not making it either this year due to another commitment (which is also of the fun, rewarding type) Did last two. Also feel like I've gotten my licks in this year with rides on some similar (and in some cases the same) roads in NH, MA, VT, so dont feel quite so bad about missing. Next year indeed; perhaps on tandem.

[skijoring]

Such a great ride; relocation keeps me away from it.
I will dearly miss climbing up Old Albany Road and tasting breakfast. :hello:

[sailorboy]

Beautiful. Thanks for the update on the road conditions. Got me salivating down here in muggy DC area. I'm never really in good enough shape to go long anymore, but if you have a good group of folks to do it with you, you can handle the 180. That's my plan anyhow.

Hope to see some of y'all there. I'll be on a blue/green Zanc aluminum road 32 frame with hydro disc and Di2.

[Peter P.]

So I moto'd up and rode the 180k route today. The roads are in great shape this year.

EVERYTHING looks smooth with a suspended motobike!

Reality takes over once you get on your bicycle. :rolleyes:


-a D2R2 Veteran

[witcombusa]

EVERYTHING looks smooth with a suspended motobike!

Reality takes over once you get on your bicycle. :rolleyes:


-a D2R2 Veteran


Peter... this will mark my 11th D2R2 ride, so I have a little experience myself ;)

I also moto the 180k once or twice a year (always in the Fall), and I'm telling you the roads look great this year. :beer:

[donalrey]

There's probably one that exist but I guess I didn't really look hard enough and I didn't find one on the website. I mapped out the cue sheet on Strava for the 180km.

https://www.strava.com/routes/3024777

You should be able to download the gpx files. If not PM me...

Can't wait!

[bikerboy337]

Anyone have the GPS For the 100 and 115k? Not sure which im doing yet, but would love to have the gps for them...


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[Corso]

GPS kind of sucks the fun and challenge out of this route sheet event, no?

Looking forward to the ride. 115 again for me.

[eippo1]

GPS kind of sucks the fun and challenge out of this route sheet event, no?

Looking forward to the ride. 115 again for me.

Nah, done it twice with GPS and still managed to get off course both times :rolleyes:

Haven't had much time for any rides over an hour this year, but still think I have to do it again even though it will really, really hurt.

[cp43]

Anyone have the GPS For the 100 and 115k? Not sure which im doing yet, but would love to have the gps for them...


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You can find most (maybe all) of the routes on ridewithgps, you can export them to a GPS track from there.

These are tracks uploaded/created by riders, and aren't endorsed by Sandy and crew. So, they may or may not reflect the actual course.

Also, it's usually worth it to follow along on the cue sheet, there's more than just turn info on it. You also get a heads up on rough roads, steep climbs, easy to miss turns, etc.

[Peter P.]

GPS kind of sucks the fun and challenge out of this route sheet event, no?


Precisely. D2R2 is more than just riding a metric, century, or brevet. Following the quirky yet accurate directions is part of the fun!

[gary_a_gooner]

Did 115k last year. This is 2014's route http://ridewithgps.com/routes/5735185 Not sure if anything has changed

160k (http://ridewithgps.com/routes/9255483) this year.

Enjoy guys 'n gals!

[happycampyer]

Precisely. D2R2 is more than just riding a metric, century, or brevet. Following the quirky yet accurate directions is part of the fun!agreed. What's the fun if you don't take a wrong turn or two. It's like orienteering with GPS--kinda defeats the purpose. It's a randonnee, not a fondo. Remember that clown from RKP who complained about D2R2 because he didn't have a support car following him, spritzing him with Evian?

[eBAUMANN]

can't wait, doing the 160 route again this year, great roads and less crowded. see you guys there hopefully!

[EPIC! Stratton]

Going a bit shorter than usual this year. Riding the 100k with my father-in-law and brother-in-law. Should be a good time. See y'all out there. :bike:

[Corso]

Bounced between several groups last year, and the only time we got lost was when we followed a GPS instruction. I stopped, said "guys, we need to turn here"...looking at my route sheet. They were convinced the GPS was right...

So we did a few extra miles before getting back on track. The "lollipop" on the 115 was perfect for sending GPS groups in an endless loop, as we were not alone...No harm at all, all good fun. But I should have trusted my (larger by the years) gut.

[donalrey]

This year will be my first time riding D2R2 and I was planning on camping. Do I have to reserve a campsite in advance or will there be a designated camping area for people riding the D2R2? If I do have to reserve in advance, which campsite would you guys recommend from the list on the website?

Thanks!

[moose8]

This year will be my first time riding D2R2 and I was planning on camping. Do I have to reserve a campsite in advance or will there be a designated camping area for people riding the D2R2? If I do have to reserve in advance, which campsite would you guys recommend from the list on the website?

Thanks!

I'd recommend the $30 option on the bike reg page of camping right at the site - it's a nice communal feel and you don't need to leave the whole weekend.

[guido]

This is my first time. My SO is riding the Green River route, so i'm going to ride with her to make sure she has a good time... There will be time for longer routes next year...

[numbskull]

Any word on what the flooding in Deerfield yesterday did to the course?

[R3awak3n]

Going a bit shorter than usual this year. Riding the 100k with my father-in-law and brother-in-law. Should be a good time. See y'all out there. :bike:

the 100k is a great ride, you guys will love it.

[jbay]

Any word on what the flooding in Deerfield yesterday did to the course?I managed to ride a few of the "name" roads after work this week.

Hawks Road, which features as the last real descent on most of the courses, is actually in pretty decent condition. On the night after the storm, the first uphill section was the trickiest part of the entire road, but that was short 'n' sweet. There were some other soft sections and the usual-suspect gullies which required some attention, but overall it was pretty straightforward. Factor in tiredness, though, at the end of a long day, and some discretion won't go astray.

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5675/20551413611_49cc4be412_c.jpg (https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5675/20551413611_49cc4be412_c.jpgDead Selectmen? by John Bayley, on Flickr)

Moving on to Old Albany Road, the first climb - and then some! - on the 100km route, it had deteriorated quite a bit since last weekend, when My Better Half and I rode up it on tandem. Then, it was quite loose, but reasonably straightforward if you charged each stairstep section of the climb. However, the storm deepened the gullies which pepper the road, and most now feature loose rocks and soft dirt. And, as on the best climbs, each successive section is harder, with the final two sections being particularly difficult to clean. Factor in other people on the road and it will be very difficult.

My final feature road of the week was East Road, the descent which features on the 160km route (my personal favourite). The section before the descent is as beautiful as ever:

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5802/20545789672_f79861208e_c.jpg (https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5802/20545789672_f79861208e_c.jpgAdmiring Mt. Ascutney from afar. by John Bayley, on Flickr)

but the sign doesn't lie:

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5716/20554721815_3e9fed8786_c.jpg (https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5716/20554721815_3e9fed8786_c.jpgLiving dangerously. by John Bayley, on Flickr)

It is very evident that the road resembled a raging torrent earlier in the week and the gullies are deep, rocky and, currently, soft and slippery. Happily, it comes early in the ride, as you will definitely want your wits about you to clean the descent, especially when you factor in other riders. Fun, fun!

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5652/20368067149_cb1836c9bf_c.jpg (https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5652/20368067149_cb1836c9bf_c.jpgProof that a photo is much better than any thousand words of mine. by John Bayley, on Flickr)

I took this shot in the evening, but hopefully we'll have some similar early morning light on the big day:

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5686/19933865813_f5c61324e5_c.jpg (https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5686/19933865813_f5c61324e5_c.jpgThis light acted like a tractor beam and brought me screeching to a halt. by John Bayley, on Flickr)

I'll post an update if I manage to ride more roads en route over the weekend.

-- John

[skijoring]

I managed to ride a few of the "name" roads after work this week.

Hawks Road, which features as the last real descent on most of the courses, is actually in pretty decent condition. On the night after the storm, the first uphill section was the trickiest part of the entire road, but that was short 'n' sweet. There were some other soft sections and the usual-suspect gullies which required some attention, but overall it was pretty straightforward. Factor in tiredness, though, at the end of a long day, and some discretion won't go astray.

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5675/20551413611_49cc4be412_c.jpg (https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5675/20551413611_49cc4be412_c.jpgDead Selectmen? by John Bayley, on Flickr)

Moving on to Old Albany Road, the first climb - and then some! - on the 100km route, it had deteriorated quite a bit since last weekend, when My Better Half and I rode up it on tandem. Then, it was quite loose, but reasonably straightforward if you charged each stairstep section of the climb. However, the storm deepened the gullies which pepper the road, and most now feature loose rocks and soft dirt. And, as on the best climbs, each successive section is harder, with the final two sections being particularly difficult to clean. Factor in other people on the road and it will be very difficult.

My final feature road of the week was East Road, the descent which features on the 160km route (my personal favourite). The section before the descent is as beautiful as ever:

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5802/20545789672_f79861208e_c.jpg (https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5802/20545789672_f79861208e_c.jpgAdmiring Mt. Ascutney from afar. by John Bayley, on Flickr)

but the sign doesn't lie:

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5716/20554721815_3e9fed8786_c.jpg (https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5716/20554721815_3e9fed8786_c.jpgLiving dangerously. by John Bayley, on Flickr)

It is very evident that the road resembled a raging torrent earlier in the week and the gullies are deep, rocky and, currently, soft and slippery. Happily, it comes early in the ride, as you will definitely want your wits about you to clean the descent, especially when you factor in other riders. Fun, fun!

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5652/20368067149_cb1836c9bf_c.jpg (https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5652/20368067149_cb1836c9bf_c.jpgProof that a photo is much better than any thousand words of mine. by John Bayley, on Flickr)

I took this shot in the evening, but hopefully we'll have some similar early morning light on the big day:

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5686/19933865813_f5c61324e5_c.jpg (https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5686/19933865813_f5c61324e5_c.jpgThis light acted like a tractor beam and brought me screeching to a halt. by John Bayley, on Flickr)

I'll post an update if I manage to ride more roads en route over the weekend.

-- John

Awesome shots, John. Western Mass rules.

[happycampyer]

I can't wait. Those are stunning photos that really capture the majesty of the surroundings.

[seanile]

pro tip for positioning a cue sheet without needing to handle it often:

take a binder clip out, lay it on one side.
drill a hole wide enough to fit a top cap bolt through on the top side of the clip.
drill a hole wide enough to fit the threaded part of the top cap bolt through the underside of the clip.
make sure these holes are even so that the bolt is perpendicular to the bottom part of the clip and that youll be able to access the bolt head with an allen key while the binder clip is closed.
result:
https://scontent.fphl1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/v/t1.0-9/488276_405016799562203_29641885_n.jpg?oh=082673a49 13feff40178898a629fc492&oe=566E8592

disclaimer, your knees may hit the corners of the cue sheet if you like to climb standing up.



ALSO,
if you have shifters with cables that sprout out the sides or tops, you can binder clip the top corners of your cue sheet to those cables as they swoop back and down toward the head tube. it looks like you have a podium between your bars.

[Cat3roadracer]

The forecast is looking up. We are going to have a great ride.