Day 7 + 6, Chez Gear-Lu.

Buenos Nachos!
First of all, I’m quite proud of myself that I’m posting a final blog of the year less than 8 months after we finished, however, I’m humbled by the fact that Kevin, (Who rode his bike from Albany NY to the starting line in Bedford, the entire 550 miles of the NEC and then RODE HIS BIKE BACK HOME TO ALBANY NY, VIA CT FOR A TOTAL OF 1,010 MILES!!!) finished a day before I started this post.
Im pacing myself…
We had ANOTHER amazing year, amazing time, and amazing group of riders. Every year has its challenges- Weather, mechanicals, Our riders… Erm… “Exploring alternate ways to get to the finish line” or even “Finishing at LAST YEARS finish line and then wondering where everyone was”…. Honestly, this group was great. Our mechanics were bored. our sweep vehicles weren’t searching, simply leap-frogging the pack. We had some generous businesses that opened their facilities to us for rest stops, generous businesses that were cash sponsors of our event, for our riders, or for logistics and supplies, and generous citizens who made donations to the ADA during the event, in cash, to both our riders and volunteers as we went along.
Beautiful scenery- The seacoast, farmland, the mountains, beautiful skies, and the smiling sun, casting it’s golden glow upon us as we went. New adventures, new experiences, new sights to see, with new friends- Or maybe old friends, made on NEC’s of the past. It’s what happens.

To quote our fearless leader, we ARE “The Caravan of Crazies”. We have Kool Aid. And it’s yummy.

Next year, if all goes as planned, The Caravan of Crazies will be taking off minus my wife and I as we build the house we will live in, entertain friends in, (Many from the NEC), host our grandchildren in, and one day, eventually retire in… That’s important stuff- Important enough for me to break a 24 year tradition of recklessly careening through the New England countryside with a bunch of people of questionable sanity on their bicycles… Know that while I might not be right there next to you,  I’ll be with you in my heart.

Keep the wind at your back and the downhills in front of you,
GearMan

Hola everyone!

We’ve reached our northern and western boundary, have turned the corner and are headed for home. I awoke this morning to dry pavement, and the rain started as we walked over to the local coffee shop. A couple riders didn’t want to head out into the showers and decided to opt for a ride from the volunteers, but the remainder suited up and plowed on. Rest stop 1 was at the Warren Store, a quaint general store that had a great patio that overlooks the adjacent river, and despite a little rain and a bit of road grime, smiles were the accessory of the day. The route brought them south along Route 100, which meanders alongside a river for many miles before heading out across rolling farmland. Rest stop 2 was at Pittsfield General Store, a wonderful country store with a great porch, a lunch counter featuring local meats, cheeses and produce, and purveyors of craft beer, fine wine, maple sugar products and souvenirs. From there, it was a short jaunt to the access road for Killington Ski area, where our hotel is located- If you immediately think “Hill” when you hear ski area, you’re dead-on. It’s a bit of a slog for the last 6 miles, but a screaming downhill that runs out into the flats is what’s on tap for their morning. As of this writing, many are assembled in the bar enjoying a beverage and  charcuterie’ before dinner is served- a BBQ feast with summer salads- the scent of which is wafting in through the open windows.

OK, enough teasing, it’s time for dinner!

Keep the wind at your back and the downhills in front of you,
GearMan

 

Buono Giorno fans de Cyclismo Classico!

We’re going to conduct an experiment- we’re sitting at the bar, and we’re going to write this blog post in the following fashion: Everyone in the bar is going to contribute one word, which will be in caps, to describe today’s ride- the only kicker is: Nobody can repeat a word someone else has already used.

A dry dawn quickly gave way to a MOIST weather pattern, that quickly formed PUDDLES as the riders began their CHALLENGING day, despite the PERVERTED conditions forecast.  Around the middle of the day, the rain stopped for a while, but HUMID conditions combined with a bit of exertion allowed the GRIT to stick to legs, backs and faces as we made our way to the COZY Summit Lodge.

A SUCCULENT dinner is on tap after everyone gets done washing the gravel out of their PANTIES, but a few BRAVE souls will wear their DAMP kit to the bar, to get a beverage before they SHOWER. Others might say NO to dinner and have a local place deliver a SANDWICH.

Tomorrow morning, the riders will scream down the hill they climbed at the end of today’s route like a tractor trailer with the ACCELERATOR stuck to the floor with RIVETS.

Others, who are still a little bonked from today will be un-ceremonially DROPPED like the TENDER BUTT they are as they complete their road ravaging, EPIC sprint to the nearest POOPER, so they can put an end to the PUCKER they’ve been riding with all day. Some days, all that changes is the ELEVATION and the location of the POTHOLES.

Keep the wind at your back and the downhills in front of you,
GearMan

Good morning cycling fans!

Just before 7:00, riders are in getting breakfast, I have a moment alone, so a quick update. Yesterday, just after our first group of riders arrived, we had an adolescent bear walk across the hotel driveway about 3o yards behind the Gear Truck. We never did see mom, but it was pretty cool nonetheless. Everyone crushed the Kanc yesterday, so what do they want to do first thing this morning? They want to crush Kinsman’s Notch, too! Today’s route brings them 15 miles out and through another mountain pass, and then down into the Connecticut River Valley for 40 miles of gentle rollers through farmland, before the climb into Vermont’s State Capitol, Montpelier. We’ll be staying at the Capitol Plaza Hotel, diagonally across the street from the State House, and riders will be exploring the quaint, quirky downtown area.

Water and ice are done, it’s about time for me to get going on loading some luggage.

Keep the wind at your back and the downhills in front of you,
GearMan

OK, so let’s see… Where was I… Meh, I forget… Apparently I don’t listen to me either… Our two day riders completed their adventure in the beautiful sunshine along the Maine seacoast, finished to cheering fans, some pumping music, popsicles provided by our sponsor Pest End Exterminators, and relaxation in the shade. After dinner, we loaded their bikes into the semi provided by our sponsor UPS and put them aboard a luxury motor coach, headed for home.

A pre-dawn wakeup got me an hour to myself to sort the truck, then it was off to the grind. Sent the riders out northeasterly, back to NH, and over Kancancamagus Pass, 2,855′ above sea level, which is about 10′ below where they started the day. As of this writing, two thirds have finished, and are going strong. 102 miles with da Kanc as the last 30 miles is a whale of an accomplishment.

Stuff to do, back to the grind. Check back soon,
Keep the wind at your back and the downhills in front of you,

GearMan

Hola, cycling fans!

Day one is done, but let’s step back a bit and cover everything that brought us up to this point:

As usual, traffic sucks- apparently especially so in CT. Again. At least that’s what I heard… but she used a lot of really bad words. And she was mad… and I was scared… so I made an offering of wine, genuflected, then ran as fast as I could.

That was a close one…

Early Friday, Many people met at our starting line, While others picked up our rental vehicles, gear truck, and supplies from storage. Some hectic jostling of supplies, vehicles and bodies before the rain came, and then off to check in to the hotel, then meet for dinner.

We chose to re-visit the Red Heat Tavern in Bedford, where we went last year, only this year, I had been in contact with the manager, to let him know about our group- Last year we anticipated and made reservations for 12 and almost 30 showed up- but they handled it with ease and grace. With advanced warning and a seemingly reasonable head count, He set us up with tables for 24, A great waitress, who stayed on top of everyone’s orders and beverages, and delicious offerings from the kitchen staff. A great time with great friends at a great place. Gracious hosts, I couldn’t recommend them more highly.

After a good nights sleep for everyone but me, we met at the starting line… we checked everyone in… gave them their numbers… took their luggage… showed them where to fill their water bottles, then lined them up for the big photo-ops at the “Official starting line “. They started, everyone cheered as they left… they rode 75 yards to the end of the parking lot…

And then took a wrong turn. Every. Last. One. Of. Them.

We rounded them up, headed them north, and got them here. Hot, sunny, humid.

All the riders in, we met for dinner, then an awards ceremony and fun gathering. Afterward, we mer at the Gear Truck for a raffle. As people said good night, some alone time to get things done, then, a shower- now bed.

Tomorrow, we get to do it all over again.

Keep the wind at your back and the downhills in front of you

GearMan

Hola! Howdy! Hey! Howtheheckareya?!?!

We’re doing it again! People right now, as we speak, are packing up, loading up, getting ready to take part in one of the most adventurous Tour de Cure cycling events in the ADA lineup- The most lustrous jewel in the crown of achievements not only in the ADA crown, but of the many supported charity cycling events nation-wide.

You, the rider, are probably thinking a thousand different things- Where am I… What will I… Can we… Is it possible to…

Relax.

We’ve got this. You just ride. Enjoy your vacation. Don’t sweat the small stuff. We’re here for you. “OMG! I forgot my deodorant!!” Relax. We’ll get you some. “I need sunblock!” Relax, we have it. “I broke my bike!” That’s cool, we have mechanics for that.

You just ride. We have your luggage, your snacks, your water, your logistics, and your back.

Now just have some fun.

Keep the wind at your back and the downhills in front of you,
GearMan

OK, in case you were wondering, we’re doing this again. Why? Because we like pain and we have short memor- Erm, I mean, because it’s a great time, a great ride and a great cause!
Yeah, that’s it…
If you’re new, I recommend scrolling down a bit- Don’t read last years posts, I didn’t post much and I was delirious with fatigue- This year, I have MUCH better sleeping pills.

Read the rider welcome packet that Tim posted HERE

Check back soon for more info.
Keep the wind at your backs and the downhills in front of you,
GearMan

 

Welcome cycling fans!

Another day, another route! According to last night’s weather report, it was supposed to start raining at 4AM. At 5:30, I awoke to dry roads and cloudy skies- the morning forecast showed rain moving in at 11:00 or so- so the decision was made to let the riders go earlier than our planned 8:00 start.

The rain began at 7:48.

Fortunately, the wet start didn’t last long, and by the time we’d crossed the Connecticut River into VT, it was over. Some humidity and a few passing showers lingered, but all in all a good day. Some folks explored the bustling downtown area here in the State Capitol of Montpelier, as others found some frosty libations in J Morgan’s Steakhouse here in the lobby of the Capitol Plaza hotel- The hotel frequented by VT State Senators when they are in session, diagonally across the street- while others went to do laundry, and some invested time cleaning their bikes after a long few days.

Tomorrow is our shortest day at 64 miles to Killington- many of those miles riding not only along several wilderness rivers, but heading in the same direction as the water flow.
The Summit Lodge will be our destination, a rustic, homey mountain ski lodge with a warmth and charm that make it amongst our favorite stops.

OK, shower and bed, ready or not, here I come!

Keep the wind at your back and the downhills in front of you,
GearMan

Hello all!

Road closures, reroutes, 90 degree heat, and the Kancamagus Highway- 4,800’ of climbing with the worst of it 85 miles into the day. It was a challenge to say the least, but our riders knocked it down.

It started just as we were about to let the riders  head out this AM, road work five miles out discovered by our Rest Stop 1 crew as they went to set up. Some quick thinking and a bit of spray paint- problem solved!

Everything was great all day, until… The climb. It’s been eight or so years since we’ve done the Kanc, but I don’t remember it being as tough. The heat and sun didn’t help- one rider reported a reading of 97F on her cycle computer. We had lots of vehicles circling with with plenty of water for the riders, but the heat will take it right out of you.

All safely in, showered and changed, some took to the pool, others the pub before a lovely dinner provided by the courteous staff here at The Mountain Club on Loon. A pint and some camaraderie after dinner quickly led to a hot shower and a soft bed.

We get to sleep in tomorrow- I don’t have to be to my truck until 5:45.

Keep the wind at your back and the downhills in front of you.

GearMan