August 2000

Ride Page
Here You will find the reports of our exploits for the month August 2000 more or less as they happened. If you have a ride you want listed or want to submit a report of a ride you went on, please leave me a note.
Glossary of Names used in these reports: ME (MaryEllen) Ice Princess, IP (Lynn Black); Moose Boy, MB (Kris Black); Marcus P. Marcus, MPM (Marc Lombard); Black Beauty, BB (Marsha Martin); Timster, (Tim Fowler); Little Puke, LP (Matt Putnam); Jorge, (George Katzar); His Majesty Jack, HMJ (Jack Spanbauer); Queen Nancy, QN (Nancy Spanbauer); Donna the Hon, DTH (Donna Golec); Star, (Dave Walker); Crash Test Dummy, CTD (Ed Sokoloski); Georgie Boy. GB (George Bernegger).

Wednesday 8/2: It has suddenly become very humid and I am thinking that no one will show up for tonight’s ride, but as the appointed hour arrived, I was joined by QN, HMJ, Jamie and Cathy Sargent. I loaned Cathy my Richard Sachs bike so she could get a feel for what it would be to ride a road bike, as she now has a hybrid bike. We left the shop with Jamie in the lead and I brought up the rear of the group as we rolled down High Street. We rode over to RT. 5&10 and then across the bridge into Deerfield with Jamie still at the front and myself as caboose. We kept a 20 mph average as we wheeled onto Old Main Street and soon we were cruising along on Mill Village Road. Cathy and I were falling some distance behind the leading trio and when we got to the hill, they were out of sight. As we crested the hill, we saw Jamie and QN turn around and ride back to us. I thought to myself, how nice of Jamie to come back and ride with Cathy and me. Then as he and QN were about to make the turn to fall in behind us, the most incredible thing happened. Jamie ran right into QN and knocked her off her bike, and she fell into the middle of the road. Cathy and I rushed up and asked her if we should have him beheaded immediately or maybe he should suffer a few years on the rack before being drawn and quartered. But QN, in her mercy, forgave Jamie and he was allowed to continue on the ride. After we got going again I had Jamie do some penance by leading QN and HMJ on the rest of the route, while I took Cathy on a shorter course. Cathy and I rode easily through the center of South Deerfield and I pointed out some of the local spots of historical significance (namely the place where I lived as a boy), then we headed back to Greenfield on RT. 5&10. Cathy and I kept up a pace that she could sustain and when we got back to the shop we found that we had a 17mph average for the 19 miles. Not bad for a nervous “beginner”!

Thursday 8/3: Today was the first of our new 5:30 starts for the road ride and we had 7 people show up. With the skies darkening and thunderstorms predicted Becky and Steve headed out to try to get the ride in before it started to rain. I remained at the shop with a few of the people who were in to do the 6:00 ride. After the 5:30 group left, the weather really turned sour and the lightning and thunder rolled in. I waited in the shop and wondered how the group was doing as the wind and rain picked up. About 6:30 the telephone rang and it was Steve Shattuck calling to tell us that the group was holed up at NMH, in one of their buildings. Steve said that after the group was nearly struck by lightning, they made a bee line for the nearest structure, which happened to have an open door. They said that they were OK and that they were planning to ride back to the shop. I offered to come and get them, but they wanted to get the ride in, so they rode back to the shop in the pouring rain. Along for this adventure was Jamie, BB, Corrine, Deb Schilling, the Shattuck's and Bob. They all made it back to the shop just as the sun poked through the clouds, and they were glad that the trip ended better than it started. (Editors note: I am a big fan of adventure, but I draw the line at danger, having seen first hand what can happen when Mother Nature is in charge.)

Sunday 8/6: Today's rides were canceled because I was working at the Triathlon. Also helping out was IP, MB, ME, Sue Putnam and Corrine. ME, IP, Corrine and Sue were stationed at the hill on Nash's Mill Road to hand up water bottles to the cyclists who passed on each of their 7.2 mile laps. MB drove the van back and forth on the route to pick up any cyclist who might have had a mechanical failure. I on the other hand was stationed at the transition area to make sure that the cyclists got going safely and also to make sure that they got back into the area, before starting the run segment of the race. We arrived at the site at 7:30 am and we stayed until the end of the race at 12:30. After the race ME. IP, MB and I headed back to our house and ate a lunch of hamburgers cooked on the Bar-B and fresh veggies from CTD's garden. After lunch the four of us got on our bikes and headed out for a 20 mile ride. The plan was to take the girls on the loop up to Leyden and back through Bernardston to Greenfield. We left the shop and headed out on Silver Street with myself in the lead. I kept the pace at 16 mph and everyone seemed to be comfortable with that. As we got to Leyden Road however, ME started to crab that she was getting tired. I told her that she was doing fine and to take it easy on the hills. This worked OK until we got to Eunice Williams Drive and she could see the hill in front of us. She really started to get nervous and suggested that we turn around. No way, Jose! We continued on up the hill and MB and I offered words of encouragement to both of the girls. IP seemed to take the advice to heart, but ME started to get a little irritated with the chatter and as we neared the top she told MB to "shut up". Both MB and I quieted down as we crested the hill with IP at the front of our quartet. We rode easily on South County Road and soon we were at the turn onto Frizzle Hill. This is a flat section of road that is heavily wooded on each side of the road and you do not get to see what is ahead of you, which in this case was an asset, because after the first curve the hill is right in front of you. When the girls made the turn, I should have had a tape recorder to record their groans as the hill appeared before them. I must say that after they got to work on the hill, they did a tremendous job of riding up that very steep incline. IP led and MB and I followed her and ME as they rode almost to the top of the hill. As they neared the top of the steepest section the girls were whipped and that's where they stopped to get a rest. After re-mounting our bikes, we all rode to the top of the hill and rested again while we took in the views as well as admiring the rare, pink Black Eye Susan's, that were growing in the field next to the road. After the respite, we headed down the hill toward Bernardston. As we neared the halfway point I noticed that MB was not with us, and I assumed that he had headed back up the hill to get another run down it. Nope! It seems that the dear boy forgot the shift onto a smaller cog on the cassette and when he shifted to the big ring in front, his chain froze and he had to stop and remove the rear wheel. My trio really enjoyed the descent and we were joined by MB at the bottom of the run. We all decided to take Barton Road back to the shop and after we got off the bikes the girls said that they really enjoyed the ride.

Wednesday 8/9: Tonight was a very hot and humid and I wasn't expecting a big crowd. At 6:00 only Jamie and Big Al were at the shop, and although I was delayed for a half an hour while I finished up with a customer, I eventually got out the door at 6:30. I led our trio out of the lot and down High Street and onto Sanderson Street. I rode up Mountain Road at a good clip because I wanted to test out my new tires. When Jamie and I got to the top of the hill we waited up for Big Al and when he caught on we rode to the end of the road and turned right onto Montague City Road. We encountered a group of kids on BMX bikes that were racing us along the sidewalk, and just before I made the turn, the kids ran out into the road and nearly took me down. They thought that they were pretty funny and we were really glad that they did not make the turn with us. After we got away from the kids we rode up Greenfield Road and when we got to the top of the hill Big Al decided he wanted to take a different route. Jamie and I said that we were OK with that and we headed over to Meadow Road. We rode down Meadow Road to Taylor Hill Road where we turned left and began the climb to the top of Taylor Hill. As we climbed the hill Big Al help me and Jamie with a few tips on how to become better climbers. Jamie and I thanked our new coach for his help and soon we were over the top and descending down the hill to Old Sunderland Road. We turned right and continued to descend all the way to Falls Road where Jamie and I turned left. Big Al apparently decided to take it easy and he turned right instead. I didn't know Al wasn't with us until we got to Sunderland and by that time it was to late for us to turn around, because we could see the thunderstorms forming in the west. Jamie and I took turns riding in the front as we made our way through the center of Sunderland and then over to Deerfield. We rode into the center of town and then out to RT. 5&10. We picked up the pace as we headed north and we kept an average speed of 25 mph all the way back to Greenfield. After we got onto Deerfield Street we met up with another rider who rode with us back to High Street. he turned onto a side street to go home and Jamie and I rode back to the shop. It was a nice ride although the humidity made the trip a little more difficult than I would have wanted. But after all, any ride is better than none!

Thursday 7/10: I had heard that the humidity was supposed to be lower today but, if it was, I didn't feel it. The first group went out at 5:30 with Steve and Becky leading a 20 person ride. I led the second wave from the shop at 6:00 with about 21 riders following me. We headed out of the parking lot just as Jack Allenbert was getting out of his truck. I hollered to Jack and told him to catch up. He jumped on his bike and soon was onto the back of the group. We rode over to Turners Falls and then turned left onto Ave. A and then rode across the Gill-Montague Bridge. After we crossed RT. 2, I led the crew up the hill onto Main Road. As we got onto the second rise we caught up with ME and her riders and we said hello as we passed them. As we got over the first rise the group had split in two. I rode with QN as we chased onto the back of the lead group. We had LP, Mike Beh, Greg Shea, MB, Michelle Hurley, Jorge, Dick Easton, Jamie, an myself riding in a single pace line. After we got to NMH I took the lead and rode up the hill at the front of the group. When we got to RT. 10 LP, Dick, Mike and Pat Bell rode off the front and left me to pull the rest of the line up the hill. I kept the pace high but we never really got back on until we got to the center of Bernardston. After we made the turn onto RT. 5, Pat Bell and LP took the lead and I followed with the rest of the crew behind. When we made the right turn onto West Mountain Road I realized that I had put in a hard effort and with the hill looming in front of me, I slowed a little to try to recover before the climbing began. When we got onto the hill I was passed by Michelle, Greg, Mike and Jorge on the steep beginning pitch. I paced myself as I made my way up to the first plateau, and I nearly was blinded by the sweat dripping from my helmet and the sun blazing in my eyes as I climbed over the crest of the hill. After getting onto the flatter section, I recovered a little before the last section of climbing began. I passed several riders as I got to the last section of climbing and soon I was on my way to the top of Frizzle Hill. There is one section of dirt on the climb and due to some construction there, the dirt was pretty soft in places, forcing you to sit back on the saddle and ride smoothly. If you tried to stand on the pedals, the rear wheel would either dig into the dirt or if you got over the bars, then the rear wheel would spin out, and you would lose speed. After the dirt section there is a little more climbing and then the descent. It was nice to ride downhill for a change, but because the sun was directly in my eyes and I was still sweating like a pig, I had to hold my speed down to 53 mph on the descent. After getting to the bottom of the hill I turned left onto Brattleboro road and passed Rob Lapointe. He along with Greg, Mike and Dick followed me as I led the group onto Greenfield Road and then down the hill to Leyden Road. We passed Steve, Irene, and BB as we neared the last hill on the route. I hammered up the hill and then down to Silver Street and when I turned around I was surprised to find that only Dick Easton was with me. I found out later that Greg had gotten a flat and Mike stopped to help him. After riding up Silver Street with Dick, I ran out of gas near the car wash and soon Dick was pulling away from me. I rode along at a good pace and soon I made the turn onto High Street. I rode back to the shop where a large group of riders from the early ride were hanging around in the parking lot, discussing their efforts. It is great fun to put in a hard ride and then reflect on it with others. I did however, hear one disparaging comment from BB. She said that after completing the ride she now has an new "least favorite ride" to replace the Wendell ride. I love this stuff!

Sunday 8/13: This morning I was greeted by a large crowd of riders that included Jamie, BB, Bob and Deb Schilling, Malcolm Moore, IP, MB, Tim Atherton, Steve and Becky, Jorge, and Michelle. I led the group out of the parking lot and down to Main Street where I turned onto Hope Street. I rode the usual route down to Deerfield Street and as we crossed RT. 5&10 the group split in two. I sent Jorge on ahead to ride with the front group while I stayed back and rode with the following bunch. I had Becky, Steve, IP, BB and deb with me as we rolled onto River Road in Deerfield. I coached BB as she headed up the hill and I had her rolling up the next hill like a pro. We rode along at a 17 mph pace in a double pace line with myself and IP at the front. As we got down the hill onto the flats, I kept the group together and soon we were on the first large hill. I rode with BB and IP as we followed the others up the incline and after blasting down the other side we attacked the next hill together. IP charged up the hill past Jorge's house in the large ring, with BB hot on her heals. When we got over the crest, everyone got into a tuck and we cruised down the hill and caught the rest of the riders at the bottom. After everyone was back together again we rode easily down to RT.116 and crossed over to River Road. I rode at the front of the double line with Steve as we made our way down to Bradstreet in Hatfield. We rolled up the little hill and then down to RT. 5&10 where IP gave a little "track stand" clinic for the rest of the riders. We crossed over the highway and onto West Mountain Road and began the climb into Whatley center. I rode with BB and after we got rolling along, I had her ride up both hills into town in her big ring. She and IP did a great job and although they were tired, they were not as tired as they might have been if they crawled up the hills in their granny gear. After we left the center of town we headed for Deerfield on North Street. We kept a good pace as we rolled over the last little pitch before getting into Deerfield. We crossed RT. 116 and headed up Sawmill Plain Road to Lee Road. We rode down Lee Road to Mill Village where we all coasted to the bottom of the hill. At this point IP was felling pretty fresh, while BB and the rest were looking to ease the pace some, so I led IP down Mill Village to Old Deerfield at 20 mph. IP kept right on my wheel and we turned onto RT. 5&10 and headed back into town at 21 mph most of the way. After turning onto Washington Street, we slowed down and rolled into the parking lot at the shop with a 18 mph average speed for the trip. Soon after that we were joined by the rest of our crew and shortly behind them was Jorge and his group. Everyone had a good time and we all were tired by invigorated by the ride.

The "family ride" for the evening was kind of an iffy affair. The forecast was for rain and it was sprinkling somewhat as 5:00 rolled around, but I decide to ride anyway. Aaron Stalens and Beau Brenner showed up at the shop along with Steve and Ben Goldshire and Alex Sobel. We all headed over to Montague where we were met by Curt and DTH. We headed up to the Plains and out to the Toilet Bowl Trail in a group, but by the time we got over to the trail, Beau, Alex and Ben had fallen behind the group. We sent the others on ahead, while Steve and I took the kids on the flatter part of the route. We rode out to the power lines on the high banked trails and then took the short route over to the bottom of the Willis Hill Road where we were to meet up with the rest of the gang. We waited for a couple of minutes and then the kids said that they wanted to ride up the hill. That was OK with me so we set off for the rendezvous with Curt's bunch somewhere on the hill. As the kids got onto the steeper sections of the hill they had to get off and walk and when they did they spotted some blackberries on the side of the trail. As Steve and I came up behind the boys we saw them drop their bikes and begin feasting on the ample fruit along the trailside. Steve and I passed them and headed for the top of the rise to see if we could spot Curt comming down the hill. We got to the top and waited for a while and when the boys rejoined us, we pushed on to the swamp at the base of Willis Hill. Just after getting through the muck, I noticed Curt and company comming out of the woods. We spent the next few minutes taking turns trying to ride up to the top of the hill, but only Curt was able to make it. I could not get more than twenty feet up the hill before chain suck stopped me dead in my tracks. After the kids made a few attempts at the hill, we decided to stop that stuff and head back down the hill. We rode back across the base of the hill to Red Rock and then down to the Brook Trail. At this point the kids were getting tired and we decided to ride the flatter trails back to the power lines. We rode at a steady pace and I rode in the front to make sure that everyone made the correct turns. After we got back to the Telephone Trail we rode to the bottom of the hill and then we headed back to the center of town. It was a nice night and after all the rain we have had, there wasn't all that much mud, so we all were relatively clean when we got into our cars to head home.

Tuesday 8/15: It was a beautiful cool summer evening and I was joined by DTH, IP, MB, Jack Rice and Tywor for a MTB ride to the Coke Plant. MB, Jack and I took the trail behind Stop&Shop, while the other three went over to the trails on Gill Road. After we arrived at the truck turnout we all decided to ride to Five Points together. MB and I rode in front and we had to stop a couple of times to remove fallen trees from the trails. I had my camera with me and I took several shots that I will include here as soon as I can figure out how the damn thing works. DTH and IP wanted to take Tywor on an easier route, but I nixed that idea and soon we all were heading up the Ridge Trail. I followed DTH until we got to Luke Skywalker and then I passed her, IP and Tywor and headed on to catch up with MB and Jack. I rode hard and when I got to the top of the hill MB and Jack were waiting for me. We did a loop around the top of the hill and when we got back to the top, the others were just arriving. We rested for a moment while Tywor ran off into the woods to take care of some little boy business. After Tywor got back we all headed off for the power lines. We rode over to the road and then down to Red Rock. IP, DTH and Tywor headed down the road while my trio headed down the Chute. I got about half way down and then my wheel slipped sideways into the ravine where I lost control and had to stop. I let the other two pass before getting going again. I rode over to the Hill of Doom, but I failed to make it up in two tries so after the second try I decided to rejoin the others at the top of the hill. MB, Jack and I wanted to do a longer loop and DTH, IP and Tywor wanted to head back to the shop so we split up. MB led Jack and I over to the Streambed Trail and then we rode over to the Ridge Trail. After passing Five Points we retraced our path back over to RT. 2 and from there we rode back to the shop on Gill Road. As we neared the shop we caught up with Tywor, IP and DTH and we rode in together. It was another beautiful evening. We have to take them when they come.

Wednesday 8/16: Our "secret handshake" ride went off at 6:15 as planned and I led the troops out of the parking lot and over to Turners Falls. Along for the ride was Jamie, QN, HMJ, Michelle, Susan M., MB, and myself. ME and IP went out for their own ride a little earlier. My group rode down the hill on Greenfield Road and after we crossed the canal bridge we took a right and headed over to Avenue A. We turned right onto the avenue and rode down past the Farren Hospital and then turned onto Greenfield Road (yep, another one). We rode up the hill to Hatchery Road and when we got to the top of the hill, MB said that Susan and HMJ had dropped off. I decided to swing around the detour and pick up Susan and HMJ as they came by, but Susan was not that far behind and she ended up trying to catch us and HMJ was nowhere to be seen. As we turned onto Hatchery Road again, I sent the others ahead and dropped back to get Susan. After we all were together again we headed out towards the Book Mill in search of HMJ. We turned right at the Book Mill and then left onto Meadow Road where we spotted the Bicycle World ride as they rode towards us. We headed down Meadow Road and then onto Falls Road in Sunderland. Just after we passed the water fall, I spotted a large object moving down the road ahead of us. I rode at the front of the group and as we got closer to the object, I recognized the object as HMJ. I then snuck up on him and gave him my usual greeting as I passed him. HMJ nearly had a heart attack and after we calmed the dear boy down we all headed off to the center of town. After we turned onto RT 116, I turned around and I saw that HMJ had fallen off the pace again, so I told the group to slow down and I went back to get him. After we got the group together, we saw Tom Martel crossing the road ahead of us and we hollered to him to wait up. He did and soon Tom and I were leading the group as we rode to the center of South Deerfield. After we turned to head north, Michelle got a flat and I stopped to help while Tom and HMJ headed for home. I took Michelle's tire off the rim and noticed that she had a large slice in the casing. I didn't have any patch material so I asked if anyone had an empty GU package with them. No one did but QN offered a full one and I quickly emptied the contents and then proceeded to install the patch in Michele tire. As all this was going on we saw two large groups of NCC riders pass us on their way back to NoHo. It took me about five minutes to change the tire and after some heavy ribbing from a few of the riders about the speed of the change, we were on our way again. After we crossed RT. 5&10 and headed down Mill Village, I noticed that Susan was falling

behind, so I sent MB ahead to lead the rest of the riders back home while I stayed with Susan. I rode in front and Susan followed me all the way back to Greenfield, and after we turned onto Washington Street we slowed down and rolled back to the shop together. It was another great night for a ride and we may get another one tomorrow.

Thursday 8/17: It was a beautiful evening with bright sunny skies and low humidity. The riders arrived at the shop at around 5:15 for the early ride led by Beck and Steve. This is getting to be the largest group of riders since many people want to do longer distances and still get back before dark. Tonight there were twenty-eight people who left early and eighteen that went out at 6:00. ME had a group of six people who did a 20 mile loop and I took the rest of the folks on a trip out to Wendell. I rode at the front of the group over to the traffic lights on Avenue A, I waited for everyone to catch up while the light was red and I challenged the group to do a track stand until the light turned green again. I along with several others managed to stay up and clicked in until the light changed and then we headed across the street and up the hill to Scotty's. I drifted off the front to get some rest and to see who was in the group. I counted twelve riders including me and several riders from Vermont. I wanted to ride sweep so I asked Jorge to ride at the front so that the new people wouldn't get lost or have to wait for me to catch up. As we got on the hill I rode in the middle of the pack and I noticed that Jorge who was up ahead of me was having trouble shifting. I rode up to him and then I stayed with Georgie Boy Bernegger, Mike Beh, Tom Martyn and Nathan Chase as they took off in pursuit of Al Ladd, Patrick Bell and Dick Easton. I then ended up leading the ride instead of sweeping it. I ended up riding with Al, Nathan, and Georgie Boy as we made our way down the hill. We finally caught up with Dick and Patrick and we all rode to the bottom of the hill. When we got to RT.63we came upon Corrine and Sandi Waldron as they were about to cross and we said hello as we passed them. After we got through Montague Center we headed down Greenfield Road and just after we rode down the hill we were caught by a large group led by Jorge and Jamie. We all stayed together as we snuck up on HMJ, and then I politely announced our presence, at which point His Majesty waved us through. I rode with the group and tried to prepare myself for the climb up Mountain Road. I let Patrick and Dick ride off the front with Nathan in close behind them. As we got on the hill I just tried to pace myself and soon I was cresting the knoll with George Boy and Nathan. We rode back to the shop together and we were greeted by a large group of the 5:30 riders. Everyone seemed to enjoy the ride and we were blessed by almost perfect weather. It does not get any better that this. As I was walking around the parking lot, IP said that she made it up the hill without too much difficulty, and she was pretty happy about that.

Bob,
I did my own century ride on Saturday Aug 19, left from home and went to Brattleboro via RT 142 then over to Hinsdale, Winchester and on to Warwick on RT 78, continued to Orange and then took 202 to Belchertown and RT 9 back to Amherst and 116 to Deerfield and back through Montague city to the boat for the rest of the day. the total trip was 110 miles with an even 18mph for the trip. I forgot how many hills there were on 202 from Orange to Belchertown, so that was a tough section, but other than that I felt good on the whole trip, was a great ride that covered 3 states. I have now lost 30 pounds since spring.
(The above was an e-mail from Mark Newton)

Sunday 8/20: Today was our century ride and I had enlisted the help of the Timster to get it set up. We arrived at the starting point and found only one rider waiting. We got the registration set up and soon the riders started to arrive. We had 15 riders start the ride and then we had several others join in for a lap or two. I sent the first wave of riders out at about 9:15 and a few others joined the group over the next 20 minutes. I will post the roster with the lap times in a day or so. After everyone got going I went with Timster to set up the aid station out on the highway. After everything was all set, I got ready to go out for a lap or two with the group. I waited with ME and Timster as the first group of five riders passed our location. After that group went by I saw Rob, QN, and IP comming down the road and I jumped in front of that trio and we were off. I rode at the front as we turned onto River Road and after we got out on the open sections of the road we were blessed with a marvelous tailwind. This was a great help to us and soon we were rolling along at 20 mph. As we got down the road a mile or so IP said that the pace was too much for her to sustain, so I waved Rob and QN on and I stayed with IP. Rob and QN decided to wait for us anyway and just before we got to Hatfield IP and I caught up with them. We all rode down to Hatfield and then out to RT. 5&10 where we took a right and headed north. We were greeted by a ferocious headwind and our speed dropped to 16mph. I rode at the front of the group and after Rob dropped back our group was down to QN, IP and myself. We rode together all the way to RT. 116 where we were about to take a right, when my tire blew. I sent IP and QN on ahead and I told them that I would catch up with them on as soon as I fixed the flat. After I dismounted and looked down at the tire, I saw a large slice in the casing and so I jumped back on the bike and rode it the mile or so over to the aid station. I hopped off my bike and went to work on my tire. I used a piece of duct tape to patch the hole and with a new tube I was ready to go. I knew that a lot of time had past since IP and QN had left on their lap, so I had ME and Helen take me in the van to catch up with that duo. We caught them just before they made the turn into the wind and I jumped in front to block the wind. This was their second lap and I could tell that they were getting tired so I kept the pace at 14 to 16 mph all the way back to the aid station. After we made the turn onto RT. 116, QN decided to stop, while IP and I headed on for her third lap. We rode together down River Road (where she nearly bagged a little bird that was sleeping in the road. It seems that the poor thing awoke to us thundering toward it and in it's surprise, it nearly flew into IP's wheel, and we know what happens next.) and after we got to Hatfield, I showed her some ways to stretch her muscles while she rode along. (This would later prove to be a valuable asset) We rode out to RT. 5&10 to face the wind again, and I went to the front to shield her from what was an unbelievable gale comming right at us. We rode the next two laps in the same manner and although she was tiring, she pushed on with a iron determination. We were cheered on by a large group of riders who had finished up earlier and after we finished the six-mile loop it was nice to see the people still there to cheer her finish. After IP got off her bike, ME told me that QN had decided to finish the ride and was out there all by herself. She had stopped a couple of times to get some rest, water and food. In so doing she lost the benefit of the group, and she faced the wind all by herself, another incredible feat by our three finishing women. Michelle Hurley did an awesome job of riding with the front group and eventually finishing third of the six finishers. Everyone who finished has to be very proud of their accomplishment, this is not an easy task.

Tuesday 8/22: It was another beautiful almost fall like day today, with temperatures in the seventies and no wind. Tonight I was joined by IP, MB, Beau, Mark, and Joe Sulda. I rode with IP and Beau down Gill Road then over to the Coke Plant, while MB took Mark and Joe over to the Plant on the trails behind Stop&Shop. I kept my trio riding steady as we made our way out through the swamp and then up the Ridge Trail. At the top of the Ridge Trail, IP took the lead and we headed up the Secret Trail. I stayed at the back of line and followed IP and Beau up the hill until we got to a large fallen tree that was blocking the trail. We dismounted and walked around it and then rode the rest of the way up the hill. Beau got to the top first and he dismounted and headed to the woods to take care of some "little boy" business. IP and I headed up to the water tank to await the arrival of Beau and the other riders. As we neared our usual stopping point, I noticed some money on the ground ahead of IP. I waited to see if she would see it and pick it up, but no, she just sailed right on by and stopped on top of the rock. I got off my bike and walked over to the funds and showed her my find. She was amazed that she just rode by the money without noticing it. I walked a little further and found a little more money and soon after I cleaned the area of the unwanted litter IP, Beau and I headed out for the power lines.

We were still thinking that MB and his riders would catch up to us before we got to Red Rock, but after waiting for a couple of minutes we decided to go looking for them. I sent Beau back up the power lines while IP and I headed on the Cross-over Trail to loop back up to the water tank. After we got back out to the power lines again I caught up with MB and we all headed for Red Rock. I took the "boys" and headed down the Chute while IP headed down the road. We rode from the Chute to the Hill of Doom and after not making it the first time I got everyone to give it a second try. I made it up and some of the others did as well. We then rode from the top of the hill over Double Dip and up the Streambed Trail to the four way crossing. From there everyone except IP made a run up Double Death. I made it up to the top and after everyone else arrived we set off to link up with IP who was waiting for us on the Ridge Trail. We rode down to the Ridge Trail and after a brief search of the area, IP came down the trail. Apparently we missed her as we passed on the trail above her and she waited for us to call our location to her. We headed from Five Points back through the swamp and from there we headed back across RT. 2 and back to the shop. One final note from the editor. A rider who shall be known as "Mr. 1.8" made it up all the climbs without difficulty. It seems that his tires were especially hooked up for this ride and after completing the event, he gave it a rating of 1.8, the highest possible.

Thursday 8/24: Tonight was one of the last nights that we will be able to do a 37 mile ride, if we start at 6:00. I will do a couple more 6 pm starts and then we will go to a 5:30 time. I led the group of 16 riders out of the parking lot and down to Deerfield. We kept a 20 mph pace all the way out to Stillwater Road and then the pace picked up to 25 mph as we neared the hill. We had some awesome riders along for the ride tonight, among them was Doug Dale, one of the original Team Raleigh members and a formidable sprinter as well as an excellent climber. He showed that he still had the skills that I saw almost twenty years ago in the races we did together. After we got to the top of Stillwater Hill, we re-grouped and headed for Whatley. We kept the pace fairly high, in part of the pending darkness, and also because I wanted to beat up on Jamie and GB. I rode at the front of the group as we climbed and then I waited for the last riders to make it over so that we wouldn't lose any riders. We made the climb up Haydenville Road with Mark Stotz and Doug leading the group and when we made it to the top of Strippe Road, I let that duo take the bunch up the Conway-Whatley Road, while I drifted back to keep the following riders on course. After everyone got to the reservoir, I set off in pursuit of the front group. It is extremely doubtful that I could have caught them if they hadn't slowed the pace until everyone got back on. I rode at the front as we made the turn onto RT. 116 and after I got to the top of the hill I waited for everyone (except Jamie) to catch on. We all rode down the hill together and when we got to the bottom, I made sure that everyone made the left turn onto Lee Road safely. We rode slowly until all the riders were with us and then we took off for home. We had to keep the pace up as it was starting to get dark and we needed to get back soon. After we made the turn from Main Street in Deerfield onto RT. 5&10, we rode back to Greenfield at a 23 mph pace. We caught up with Becky and Steve as they made their way back into town and we caught up with several others as we rode up High Street. We made it back to the shop just as it got dark, and everyone made it back safely. We ended up with a 20 mph average and as good as that is, we will have to shorten the routes for the next few rides.

Sunday 8/27: This morning there was a ride that left TBS at 8:00 for a 10 mile loop. At 9:00 some of those riders joined us for a longer loop. I was to lead the faster group on a 30 mile loop, while Steve and Becky were to lead a slower paced 45 mile ride. My group included Michelle, Susan, Jamie, MB, John, Mark Newton, Jorge, Tom Martel, and QN. We rode over to Turners Falls and then we headed down Ave A to Montague City. We turned left onto Greenfield Road and then rode out to Montague Center where we continued on Main Street all the way to Leverett Road. We rode at an even 19 mph average and everyone seemed to be doing pretty well to that point. As we got to the end of Leverett Road I noticed that Susan was starting to drift off the back so I dropped back and rode with her for a while. As we made the turn onto RT. 63, the group ahead started to pull away on the hill. This left me and Susan alone to try to catch up. As we neared the middle of the hill, Jorge dropped back and helped block the wind for us. After we got to the top of the hill I took over and we rode down to Amherst at a steady 17 mph. As we neared the Quaker Center I decided to cut the loop short by riding down Bull Hill Road. I thought that the rest of the riders would catch us on RT 116 after they made the trip into N. Amherst. Well, as soon as we turned off onto Bull Hill there they were, waiting on the side of the road. We all joined back together and headed for RT.116. As we made the turn onto the highway we met another rider who joined us for a while as we spun our way through the center of Sunderland. I let the riders at the front make a choice of either riding River Road or going through So. Deerfield. Everyone except Jorge, Susan and I went River Road, we took it easy as we rolled though town and then back up to Greenfield. With my usual precision, I predicted that we would see the others just as we were passing over the Cheapside Bridge, and sure enough, just as we entered Greenfield, Michelle and QN caught up with us. We all rode together back to the shop on another of our wonderful trips.

Tuesday 8/29: It was hot and humid today and when the riders showed up for the MTB ride. We had DTH, MB, IP, Tywor, Beau, Steve and myself. We rode over to the Coke Plant on Gill Road and after everyone got to the truck turnout, IP led us into the woods and I stopped at Five Points to take a picture of our group. IP led DTH and the rest of us up the Ridge Trail and then onto the Secret Trail. We rode up the trail to the halfway turn and then we cut over to Luke Skywalker where we rode up to the water tank together. At this point we decided to head over to the power lines and ride down to Red Rock. We found the trails to be in good shape and the recent rains had not done much to erode our routes. We waited for DTH and Tywor at the top of the rock and after they arrived we split the group up. MB, myself, Beau and Steve headed down the Chute and from there we rode over to the Hill of Doom. I made it up the hill the first time and when I got to the top I asked how the others had done and when they all said that they did not make it, I said "lets do it again".

Thursday 8/31: Tonight was going to be the last of the 6:00 rides for this season. As darkness begins eairlier every week we are not able to get all the riders back during daylight, so we will start earlier next week and we will