dauwhe
10-09-2007, 11:53 AM
The Great River Ride is one of the most beautiful (and difficult) "centuries" in New England. It's been around for twenty years, and is run by Don Podolski out of Westfield, Massachusetts. The ride goes hither and yon through the Berkshires, often along various wild & scenic rivers. It's a bit more than 112 miles, and I'll just say there's probably not more than 1 mile of flat road on the whole route.
It's also the traditional end of the season ride for the New England Randonneuring community--it's our last chance to ride together and hang out, before we retreat into our winter routines.
My apologies to the few of you who are also on the NER list for the cross-posting. Just seemed like a good time for a non-controversial topic!
Highlights:
- seeing Tracey (Boston RBA) at the start
- the really good draft from Chip and Leo, who are both rather taller than me. Of course, they were so fast I only lasted the first four miles
- those cheap oatmeal cookies with white frosting
- endless beautiful views
- riding with Russ, Chuck, and Chuck's son Matt, who was riding (quite strongly) his third century ever
- seeing John riding well--he'd broken his collarbone at the end of the Westfield 600k brevet in 2006...
- baked potatoes!!!
- I don't know any other ride where it feels like there's this much downhill!
- passing groups of riders on the rough dirt road (only possible because I was trying to stay with Melinda and Ted)
- being hit by falling leaves
- hearing funny stories from Melinda and Ted
- my strongest climb of the year, up East River Road
- hardly being able to ride at all for an hour and a half after that effort
- seeing my first Zanconato in the flesh. Nice bike!
- catching up with Rick, and seeing his new Meivici
- DINNER! DESSERT!
Lowlights:
- not enough water in the "Great Rivers". Not like two years ago, after the flood : )
- having two waterbottles filled with Gatorade mixed from powder, one too strong, one too weak (yes, I realize there's an obvious solution, which I eventually implemented).
Warning:
- wearing a "New England Randonneurs" jersey on this ride meant that I had to explain the sport to six different people, all while out of breath on some crazy steep hill.
Trivia:
- this was my first ride of 100 or miles this year when I didn't drink chocolate milk (or hot chocolate)
Thanks to Don and Mary and everyone who made this another wonderful ride.
Dave
It's also the traditional end of the season ride for the New England Randonneuring community--it's our last chance to ride together and hang out, before we retreat into our winter routines.
My apologies to the few of you who are also on the NER list for the cross-posting. Just seemed like a good time for a non-controversial topic!
Highlights:
- seeing Tracey (Boston RBA) at the start
- the really good draft from Chip and Leo, who are both rather taller than me. Of course, they were so fast I only lasted the first four miles
- those cheap oatmeal cookies with white frosting
- endless beautiful views
- riding with Russ, Chuck, and Chuck's son Matt, who was riding (quite strongly) his third century ever
- seeing John riding well--he'd broken his collarbone at the end of the Westfield 600k brevet in 2006...
- baked potatoes!!!
- I don't know any other ride where it feels like there's this much downhill!
- passing groups of riders on the rough dirt road (only possible because I was trying to stay with Melinda and Ted)
- being hit by falling leaves
- hearing funny stories from Melinda and Ted
- my strongest climb of the year, up East River Road
- hardly being able to ride at all for an hour and a half after that effort
- seeing my first Zanconato in the flesh. Nice bike!
- catching up with Rick, and seeing his new Meivici
- DINNER! DESSERT!
Lowlights:
- not enough water in the "Great Rivers". Not like two years ago, after the flood : )
- having two waterbottles filled with Gatorade mixed from powder, one too strong, one too weak (yes, I realize there's an obvious solution, which I eventually implemented).
Warning:
- wearing a "New England Randonneurs" jersey on this ride meant that I had to explain the sport to six different people, all while out of breath on some crazy steep hill.
Trivia:
- this was my first ride of 100 or miles this year when I didn't drink chocolate milk (or hot chocolate)
Thanks to Don and Mary and everyone who made this another wonderful ride.
Dave