June 2004 Ride Report Page    
Here you will find the reports of our exploits for the month June 2004 more or less as they happened. I will publish any ride reports or digital photo's that I receive.  Please send them to  bikebob@crocker.com and you too can get yourself published on the web! There are several links on the homepage that will give you information about ride schedules and how the rides are run.

Amish Ride 6-4-04 Submitted By Chris Koh

The world is a different place at 4:30AM. One would think that being so close to the Solstice the sun would shine at 4:30AM. But it doesn't. My cat that usually wakes me up to let her out was asleep as I put my bike on the car. The moon was up and nearly full and it was cold and damp since it had rained the night before. This was the rain that caused me to miss my scheduled road ride the night before. I needed to ride this morning to recover some self-respect after whimping-out on the road ride that Penny and many others braved. (It's not that I mind getting wet - It's those bitty tires) So I pulled out of my driveway at 4:45 and drove to the Cumberland Farms to get a coffee on my way up to Keets road. I never realized that the Cumberland Farms ever closed. The door was locked. The disheveled employee inside looked out the window at me and then looked away. 'didn't even bother to point to the hours sign as a way of explanation. Savages Market on the ride up through Old Deerfield was also closed so I had to go caffeine-free.

At the top of Keets road I pulled into the usual spot to find Harold and MAC already there. Harold is an amazingly cheery fellow at 5AM. MAC was on a tight schedule and was anxiously awaiting Slim's arrival so we could get started. My hopes of shedding my PNG status among my MTB brethren were quickly dashed when Slim showed up, rolled down his window and said, "YO man, these aren't road rides ya know."

The trail was slick and sloppy and every brook and puddle was brimming with fresh water. The trees reached over onto the trails waiting for us to come by to dry off their bows. Not one of us (no, not even Slim) made the climb up Crystal Cave. The shinny rocks may as well have been blocks of ice they were so slick. We rode past some eerie stick structures left by the witches. I must have nodded off for a while because the next thing I remember we were out on the Eaglebrook road. I knew MAC had a schedule to keep, so I suggested we ride up the road to the cell tower to save time. This brought on several smart-ass "roadie" comments from Mr. Slim. Anyway, we road East to the gate and headed uphill. Near the top I took the single-track cutoff to the top. When I got to the road I saw that I was ahead of Slim coming up to the cell towers. I guess that was the quick way up because it was the first and last time I would be at the front. In fact Harold offered up the encouraging words "you should come more often so that I won't be the only one they have to wait for." There was a great view from the top. The fog filled in the creases in the landscape. We rode the ridge past the no-man's zone to the power lines. We went back into the woods to the left and slipped down on some cool single-tracks 'til we came to the pond. We carried across the brook and headed out to Stairmaster.

Stairmaster is a grueling but rideable "ski slope" along the power lines that cross the ridge. With each bend comes another long and steep climb. The slope was covered with dew drenched grasses. The only other time I had been up Stairmaster it was dark and it was late in the season so the slopes were bare. I rode all the way up without dismounting in my granniest of gears. I think I would have been faster if I had walked. On the way back across the ridge, Harold and I stopped for some pictures by the cell tower and lost contact with the other two. We rode down past the ski lift and onto the single-track on the other side. I crashed while trying to wheely-drop off some jumps left by the Eaglebrook kids. Harold and I rode back Crystal Cave. When we got to the parking lot the others were long gone.

On the way home I stopped at Savages for a coffee. Legendary MTB'r Marcus P. stopped in at the same time. I was feeling pretty stylish all-of-a-sudden with my mud-caked Razorback on the car and blood running down my leg. He asked me if I did the Shaker Ride. I imagine the Shakers are early risers as well (with all that furniture making they do). Marcus said he was mostly trail running these days, but hoped to get out on the bike soon.

I'm sleeping in tomorrow. The cat's just going to have to wait for me.

Deerfield Ridge was the place to be for the AMBC that's Amish MTB Biking Club). So woke at 4:15am got geared up, grabbed my cup of coffee, and out the door I went. When I arrived at the Keets RD. parking (field), there was nobody there yet, maybe because it was only 4:40am so next to arrive was Harold G. while Harold and I were sitting there waiting for our other Amish brother's we heard a slight (Whoosh) and then saw a blur go by and stop in front of us, the driver got out, and muttered the words "Hey there's no place to by coffee around here at this time", probably because most normal people are still in bed. it was Chris Koh, followed shortly after by Slim. So we all headed up the crystal cave trail on the blue dot trail, and left at the end and down the hill to the second right onto Bob's trail, which is once again wicked muddy. Left on to the blue dot trail out to the road that goes over the mtn by Eaglebrook. We then took a left down the back side of the mountain to the gate on the right, went through there and up into the woods on to the single track past the other (BOB) trail (?he had the kids help him cut?), Back out to the ski area access rd, which has been smoothed out, passed by the cell tower/lookout and rode the ridge all the way over to the power lines, then dumped back into the woods again headed towards hillside rd in Deerfield, on the way down myself and Liam wouldn't give up until we hopped a very large tree successfully. Once that was done we again headed down the ridge to the first left to the super fast ripping downhill singletrack, two words, Yea-Ha, around the pond and out to stair master, now I have never ridden in this direction before, this was my first time climbing Stairmaster, and I'm proud to say I made it all the way up (riding) while stopping briefly only one time to BREATH, Wow this climb makes me realize how much I love MTN biking, and also why I try to make time whenever possible to get out on my bike with all the good friends you make doing this awesome sport. Anyway at the point that I turned around I could see chris taking a few photos from down below, well we all made it to the top and decided to rip back to the cars the shortest, most direct route possible due to the time. No sooner than we got going I remembered I had to call home to wake my family, and everyone ripped by me assuring them I would be fine they moved on. Finished my call and shifted into my big ring and just started hammering and I actually caught up to Liam, but no Chris or Harold, so we headed down the mountain, back to the cars, turns out they stopped for some more photos atop the lookout by the cell towers. Great ride, Good time, more of you should get up early and join us. RISE AND SHINE. Submitted by Mark.

Saturday 6/5: Lake Auburn Road Race in Auburn, Maine. I awoke at 6 AM and after a quick shower and some breakfast, I jumped in the car for a 3.5+ hour drive to Maine. Normally, I would have stayed at my mother's house which is only 45 minutes from the race, but she was in Baltimore and I had dorm duty the night before. Oh well. I can handle a day trip to Maine, 75 miles up the Maine Turnpike. Luckily, I had a 12:30 PM start time. Despite arriving with plenty of time to spare, I did not get a good warm up in. As we lined up, I made sure to be in the front with a couple of my teammates. We would make a quick right turn and head up the feed zone hill for the first of four times. We were neutral until the top of the hill. So, I led the group up the hill and for a few more miles at a pace that I wanted to go to try and get a bit of a warm up. Nobody seemed to mind as we knew it would be a long, hot race. (44 miles and 80 degrees). The course was an 11 mile loop with 1200 feet of climbing. The hills were not long, but they were steep and there were plenty of them.

There were a few descents to keep it interesting, including one with a hairpin left hand turn at the bottom. We pretty much stayed together for the entire race. We dropped a few people along the way, but it came down to a field sprint at the end. I felt better in this race than I had in the previous 3 or 4, but I was still not feeling 100% so I hadn't done a huge amount of work in the race. I spent awhile at the front in laps 1 and 3, but drifted towards the back other times. One of my teammates was working hard on the last lap and she's the best sprinter we had at the race, so with a couple of miles to go, I went up front to give her a wheel so she could rest. I picked up the pace considerably with about a mile to go and kept increasing it until I was doing about 30-31 mph. I had two teammates on my wheel and the women from Gearworks had a parallel line going as well. We rounded the last little bend and inside the 200m to go mark, I was done and moved out of the way. The Gearworks women ended up taking 1st and 2nd, but my teammate Gretchen got 3rd and Martha got 5th.

I ended up taking only 7th place. I stopped pedaling a half stroke too soon and missed the 6th spot by millimeters. Oh well. Afterwards, I did not have a coughing fit and nothing came up and out of my lungs, so I'd have to say it was a success. Unfortunately, I did not have a whole lot of time to do a cool down because I had to be back at NMH for dorm duty at 7. My legs are still upset about that. Next up is the Cox Charities Crit next Sunday in Providence. Dansko is one of the host teams, so I will be working there in the morning and racing in the afternoon.

Sunday, June 6, 2004.  Channel 3 MTB Challenge.  Andover, CT.  The curse hath been lifted (even if it’s temporary!)  Today caps off 4 great consecutive days of riding…Batch on Thursday, DAR on Friday, Hawley (shhhhh…) on Saturday, and the race today.  Every day was fun in its own way…slippery, miserable roots and rocks at the Batch after torrential downpours; the graceful technicality of the DAR State Forest (maybe some of my favorite trails ever); an accidental 4 mile-long downhill at Hawley with Ana only to have to climb about 2 ½ miles back UP; a fast race course today in CT.  Jack and I arrived at the Channel 3 Kid’s Camp in about 45 minutes.  It is drizzling/sprinkling as we pass Hartford and continues to do this all through the day.  It is chilly (around 60 at the warmest) and cloudy.  Not the best weather, but better than hot.  All of our races except one have been this weather, so we’re used to it by now.   We arrive early and happen to get the most primo, VIP parking spot in the whole place…right in front of the starting line…nice!  Our race will start at 9 am, and since we register quickly, there is more than enough time to ride the course slowly, in advance of the race. 

There is hardly anyone around, so we can take it nice and easy.  The course is 4 miles long, with lots of fast downhill and one or two little grinders thrown in for fun.  Add in a handful of easy rock gardens, and the stage is set for a FAST race.  I finish the practice run not feeling fatigued at all from the last few days.  Despite my long climbs from yesterday, I feel okay.  We hang out for a while and chit chat, meeting up with familiar and non-familiar faces alike.  I meet Stephanie, Michelle’s 15-year old teammate from Dansko.  She’s riding in the expert class, she informs me.  Whew…for a second, I was worried.  Really.  She’s very nice and blushes when I tell her how talented I’ve heard she is.  As the race time comes closer, I realize that none of my 19-34 counterparts are around.  I see Jennifer’s boyfriend, and he informs me that she’s moving up to Sport.  Good…now I can do this race without worrying about her.   

We line up, as usual, and there are 6 women total…2 in 35+, just me in 19-34, and 3 in 18 and under.  Overall, there are not a lot of beginners here today.  Jack and his 5 compadres leave ahead of our group, and off the line, he has shifting trouble.  All I hear are slipping gears.  He’s last off the start and up the hill, but I’m confident he’ll make up the time.  I see him once during the first lap, as the trails basically doubles back on itself, and he is doing fine.  As for the gals, Shannon (18/under) rips out of the start…which is fine, except she’s not the strongest rider.  Although she is ahead of me and Emily, I know she will blow up soon, which she does.  I hold onto second position and try to catch Emily as we pass by the campsites.  Emily (my 15 year old buddy) and I vie for first position for most of the first lap.  Although we are not technically racing against one another in age classes, we like to challenge each other.  It’s a friendly competition sort of thing.  I am rolling along without much problem.  My legs feel a little burnt, but I know that some downhill is coming, so I push it along.  I stick all the climbs except one and catch up to Emily.  I look down and see her sneaker is untied.  I call out to her, and she debates whether to stop, but finally sees it’s really untied.  I gain a few seconds on her here, and she isn’t able to catch up with me again.   

In no time, the first lap is over.  I barrel down past the officials and shout out, “what’s the split?”  They say “23”.  Not bad for me…4 miles in 23 minutes.  Then, there is a really mean climb, but it’s over and I slow up a bit to relax.  I don’t see Emily, but I know she’s close by, so I keep going anyways.  Lap 2 is uneventful until I feel like my back tire is soft…no, no flats, please?!  I hop off the bike for a second and squeeze…whew, another bullet dodged!  I ride well, only having to dab around a tricky turn with 2 huge roots (which I stuck in the first lap).  I catch a glimpse of Emily again way behind me.  I come up the last hill and pedal down hard as I see the officials table.  The race is over, and I take first place with a time of 48:11.  Emily rolls in 47 seconds later, and the rest of the field slowly trickles in over the next 20 minutes or so.   

Jack is victorious in his class, with a time of about 43 minutes.  Overall, it is a great day, and we stay to watch the sport class off.  On the start of the second lap, it is amusing to watch many guys, foaming at the mouth, take the corner so hard that they almost skid right into a huge rock.  No one truly bites it, but there are a few close calls.  Many people start to come in as the experts/pros approach race time.  I finally get my winners jersey, and we both get medals.  Also, I win a pair of Kenda “light” low profile tires (…just right for Arizona!), and I score a bunch of chocolate Gu…I am in heaven!  No mechanicals plagued me this time, and I felt I raced well considering my riding schedule this week.  Next week: Laurel City Loop in Winsted, CT. (Submitted by Steph)

Monday 6/7: Tonight I rode with the beginner riders and we went out for a nine mile loop. The plan was for ME to lead and I was going to ride with the newest riders. I rode with Sarah, Paul and Kate(?) and we did a fairly good job of keeping up with Lori-Lee and ME until we got to the hill near the county club. At that point we stopped to get a rest and then the four of us headed out for the rendezvous point. As we neared the end of Country Club Road we saw Lori-Lee and ME coming towards us. They had already made it to the turn and were heading back. At this point I decided to continue on and sweep the longer ride while ME headed back to the shop with the four riders. I rode hard and caught up with Bad Bob and Paul on Silver Street and when I got to Country Club Road I let those guys go on and I turned left. I rode for a short way and when ME, Paul, Kate and Sarah came along I turned and rode back to the shop with them. It was a great night for a ride with cool temperatures, plenty of sunshine and no wind.

Amish Ride 6/8: 4am the alarm goes off, at least I think it's the alarm, you see I did not get to bed until after 1am so neither motivation or even movement are on my list of early morning priorities. The first thing that comes to mind when I woke were (Please god let it be raining) so I can go back to bed- no such luck, so off I go to the bike shop, coffee in hand eyes still closed, I arrive and Harold is already waiting, we mount up and were off up the ridge so we start out up the blue trail-up the ridge up to the tower and then dump down into the white trail and out to the parking area. Today I decided we would do things a little differently mainly because I cant keep my eyes open so we went up the red dot singletrack to the junction that drops you onto Bear's Den rd. followed B Den RD then took a left at the power lines and left up to the rocky ridge and over Joe's rock, down the power lines through red dot trail back out to bears den rd. then we took the road up to parking lot and dropped down behind the parking lot to the orange trail (lower road) all the way down to the switchbacks, down to the river and onto the pink triangle trail where we climbed out to the back side of Galilee and back to the cars. Short but sweet.

submitted by mark.

Tuesday 6/8: It was a very warm day today and I had scheduled the Shutesbury ride for our outing tonight. What was I thinking? I had a busy day but I managed to get my gear together early so that I would be ready for the trip. What was I thinking? I probably should have left everything to last minute and then bailed, but not the case. There were two groups for tonight, PJW and her riders went on the Sunderland Sweep 25 mile loop while I rode with Jeff and Baby Bell on the Shutesbury ride. (Well I actually only rode with them until the top of Poet's Seat, where they and Paris's cousin took off and left the rest of us to suffer.) I rode with the group for most of the way from Poet's Seat to Montague Center and I took my share of the pulls at the front, but I did not over do it as I wanted to be fairly fresh for the climb. After getting to the bottom of the climb I drifted to the back of the group and soon I was riding with IP at a reasonable pace. (Although she might have been able to drop me if she pushed much harder!) IP and I rode together until we got to Cave Hill and then we were joined by MB and Jorge. The four of us pushed on up the hill with MB at the front for the whole way. MB did all the work on the hill and then when we got to the turn to Shutesbury he just rode away, leaving me and IP at the mercy of Jorge. MB took pity on us and he waited up at the cemetery and then we all headed for the center of town. When we got to the stop sign, the rest of the group was waiting for us and we all then headed down the hill to Leverett together. The group did very well together and we all took turns at the front pulling into the wind. We rode into Deerfield and we took Sugarloaf Street to head back home. I made sure to say hello when we past Studdly Muddly's house and then we headed up North Main Street. We rode down to Mill Village Road and from there we rode at a steady pace all the way back to the shop. I was really glad that the group had waited for us in Shutesbury, as this made the ride a lot easier than if the four of us had slugged it out alone.

Tuesday, June 8th Distance - 41 Average - 19.9
Bicycles Unlimited - Shutesbury.

Well, I've got to say that one of the best things that happened on today's ride was that a small group of the fastest 3-4 riders vanished off the front of the group, leaving the rest of us to set a more reasonable pace for the long climb up to Shutesbury. The remaining group split in half just short of the Cave Hill turn, then the two groups got strung out on the final long slow climb to the top of the hill.

Those of us who arrived first took a short break, but within just a few minutes we were rejoined by the riders behind us and we all set out to enjoy the long, winding descent to Leverett.

Now that the climb was behind us, we set a high pace back off the mountain then down to Bull Hill road. I wasn't up for sprinting tonight (I'm feeling MUCH better in general, but still don't feel ready to join the sprints). I had enough fun as a spectator in the back of the group watching Homer, MB and Jamie jump for all the town lines.

We kept things brisk through South Deerfield, Mill Village rd, then Old Deerfield. Before we knew it, we were pulling off of Rte 5 onto Hope street. Another great ride for the record books. I was surprised by our just-a-tad-under 20MPH average for a ride that included the several mile Shutesbury climb.

Wednesday 6/9: Greetings, Brethren (you know, I don't mean to be sexist in my salutations, but so far the Amish rides have been one big sausage party...ladies are invited and encouraged to join us as well).

This morning, MAC and me (Liam) were joined by long-time Bob-rider Mark Newton (on his first Amish outing...now we're missing just one Mark. Where are you Mr. Lombard??). We parked the cars along Hillside Avenue in Deerfield. The plan was to ride up the road to the Pocumtuck trail off of stage rd, and from there work our way down to the bottom of Stairmaster, then up, and back over to do the climbs on Sugarloaf North. So we set off, it was a warm and sticky morning...last week on a similar ride my feet were freezing even at the end of it, but now that ol' summer feeling was setting in. We hoofed it up the road in good order (it's quite a bit of paved climbing from our cars to the trail). We then got on the Pocumtuck trail and made the hard right at Clapp's Pond trail this is a wicked fast, very tight single track descent that eventually after some bobbing and weaving drops you off at a rushing stream. A quick glance to the right and one can see the remains of the walk bridge that once made this stream crossing much easier, but for now, we shouldered our bikes and practiced our circus skills hopping across the moss slick rocks avoiding splash downs into the water or the viscous mud. Again, everyone cleared this obstacle without a hitch. We then made our way to the base of the Stairmaster-the power line climb of death. I It was still wet, and the trail still over grown with long grasses and weeds, but we're here to climb so up went go. part of the kicker to Stairmaster lies in three distinct features. 1. it's steep and long, but also undulates in such a way that you can't see the end until you reach it, this optical illusion (buttressed by ever-repeating, identical towers) beats on my cycling psyche, every time you think the end is just over the next muddy ascent you are greeted by another line of endless upward towers...it's hard to stay motivated. 2. The grass-grass is like Velcro against your wheels adding extra drag at the crest of ever climb in increasing the friction the whole way up again, it beats on you, and 3. every section of climbing begins with a sharp v-dip into a deep muddy ravine filled with water (some are streams, some are just sink holes), the negotiation of which requires effort and skill and once through them you must immediately start climbing with slick slippery wheels ugh! But we love it (I don't know why, but we do) and so we come again and again...there is no substitute or simulation for the hard mountain climb. At the top[ we regroup and shoot back down the Pocumtuck to stage rd, to hillside rd and back to the cars. Here Mr. Newton said he'd had enough and departs (thanks for coming out Mark!). Mac and Myself opt to climb up to the near top of sugarloaf north and descend down the singletrack (henceforth called Big Mac's Drop...come on the rides and you'll get things named after you too!). The climbing at sugarloaf rivals climbing anywhere in the region, a really rugged grind-different from Stairmaster but similar in strenuousness. From the bottom we rode out to the cars and left for home. A great ride, short distance and time, but a big workout, a weekly must I'm thinking. The next Amish ride will be Friday June 11 on the Greenfield Ridge. we'll meet at Bob's shop @ 5:00am Please come out and ride. ginaliam@mac.com rise and shine, peoples!!!

Wednesday 6/9: It was a very hot and humid day and there were forecasts for thunderstorms for later in the day. I was uncertain whether or not to ride so I just told those who called that we would ride if it was not raining. At 6:00 it was not raining so Rich Flye, Jack, Patrick Heider and myself left to ride the Coke Plant. Pat and I went the short route to the truck turnout while Rich and Jack took the Stop&Shop route to the rendezvous point. Pat and I arrived the truck turnout and while we were riding around waiting for Jack and Rich to arrive, Kip came along. We waited a couple of minutes and then the dynamic duo arrived. Rick, Jack and Kip went out to ride the trails through the swamp (Rich had already gotten muddy when he fell into the Stinkhole as he attempted to ride across the bridge.) Pat and I took the trail across the plank bridge and rode over to Five Points. The trails were in pretty good shape, with not much mud or fallen branches to obstruct our way. When we got to Five Points we took the Ridge Trail and rode to the top of the hill where we paused to wait for the rest of the riders to arrive. When everyone was rested we then rode up Luke to the water tank where Pat and I split from the others to ride the Crossover Trail to Red Rock. Rich, Jack and Kip rode the new trail over the top to the power lines and they met Pat and I at Red Rock. We paused briefly as the clouds were coming in fast and we could hear thunder in the distance. We rode down the Chute and then over to the Hill of Doom (which both Pat and I rode up) and after a brief stop at the top we then continued over to the Streambed trail via Jack's Pond (Which is more like an algae filled mud puddle these days.) Pat and I rode up Streambed to Deer Run while everyone else rode to the top and down the Secret Trail. The Streambed trail has gotten pretty torn up by four wheelers and so I will have to make a trip up there with the McCloud's and fix the turn onto Deer Run. Pat and I waited at the top of the Ridge Trail for the other three riders to arrive. As the thunder and lightning was getting louder and closer, Kip and Rich arrived but without Jack. Kip said that Jack was concerned about the storm and maybe he headed back already. We waited a couple of minutes and when Jack did not arrive we headed back for the shop. The storm was gaining on us as we crossed RT. 2. Kip and Rich were ahead of us on Gill Road when the storm hit, so Patrick and I rode back in a torrential downpour and high winds. I got back to the shop and opened the back door so that everyone could get out of the weather. After drying off I drove Kip home and then headed for home myself. It was nice to get back out to the Coke Plant and ride the now seldom used trails. They are in great shape and I think that I will try to get out there more often to keep them open.

Thursday, June 10th Distance - 40.27 Average - 22.2
Ending Mileage - 1488.2
Bicycles Unlimited - Whately/Hatfield

When you have a large group of riders, one of two things happens. Either you are able to form a nice disciplined double paceline (or even a long snaking single line) of people working together... or you end up with a mass of individual riders, taking up the entire road and not working as a group. Tonight's ride was the latter. What we really had was a bunch of small groups riding together in one large mass.

It was a very fast ride, but I'm sure it could have been faster (and safer) with a little more organization.

We started from Bob's with a group of about 25 riders and zipped down through Old Deerfield. I was hardly able to warm up, since sitting in the back there was barely any need to pedal to get sucked along in the group. The line was thin and fast all the way to the bottom of Stillwater Hill. The group ended up spread all the way up the climb, but we had the nice flat section once over the top to pull the group back together. By the time we crossed 116, we were together again. The next challenge came at the next town line where the sprinters went out and the entire group tried to follow their acceleration.

Next, we were in the rollers and on some broken up pavement before hitting the final little rise to the Inn at Whately. By the time we passed the Inn, the line was stretched out over 50 yards. Some idiot in a car with a trailer couldn't wait the 15 seconds it would have taken for the rest of the group to pass, so cut right across our line to turn West at the Inn. He almost ended up with some of us under his car.

The rollers South of the in were fast, on nice new pavement. I stuck in the middle of the group and was pulled up them almost without effort by the mass of riders around me. The group slowed a bit for the final mile down to Rte 5 then we were dumped onto the scarified pavement of the construction of that road.

We road this bone-jarring surface for a mile or two before pulling East and crossing the highway. The railroad tracks here are the same that always result in flats when we hit them a few roads North, but I thought we had gotten away with no losses here. I was wrong, since I didn't notice that Keith flatted on the tracks. Less than a mile later, a loud 'bang' signaled another loss to a flat as Gary pulled off.

I've got to say, I wish we had stopped for the repair but the group was out for blood tonight. I started to brake as Walter turned to go back to him, then remembered that they had started from a different starting place further South from the shop, so if I were the only person to stop, I would end up finishing the ride alone after they pulled off. So in the end I kept going.

The pace was an unsteady 23-27MPH once we hit River Road on the way North. Small groups of 3-4 riders would surge to the front then drop back when tired. Once again, I think we could have done much better as a group if we had ridden together and organized a nice rotating paceline.

But we had other things to deal with that broke up the group even further... At one point I looked ahead to see, out of nowhere, a small silver pickup truck stopped sideways in the road, blocking the entire Northbound lane of traffic AND the shoulder of the road. Fortunately, he didn't try to move and make things worse as the group slowed and flowed around him (most staying on the road and pulling around his left, with Homer and one other rider doing a 'Lance' and riding a short section of lawn to get past him).

Only a mile or so further along we had put this behind us and brought the group back up to speed when we were passed by two jerks in $200 cars that felt like they had to downshift and pass us at 60+MPH. Things worked out as they so rarely do, though, and they were met by a police car coming towards us before they had even finished passing us. He did a three-point turn and chased them down, stopping both cars on the side of the road.

As we rolled past them he was in the middle of the road asking for someone to stop for a few questions. I braked to talk to him and Homer, Jamie, Bob, MB and Tom Martyn slowed then turned to come back toward me as the rest of the group continued on.

It turned out that the only thing the policeman wanted (after first apologizing for 'disrupting' my ride :) was to know if the motorists had done anything worse than the speeding and reckless riding he had already witnessed. I told him that I was in the middle of the group so didn't notice them until they were passing us, but as far as I knew the speeding was the only offense.

I hopped back on the bike and we started to give chase to the group that hadn't stopped, still in sight ahead. Tom took a monstrous pull to try to bring us back together, He closed down 3/4 of the distance before pulling off, but I just couldn't pull past him and maintain his pace. I looked back to see who could come past me to take a turn and realized that Tom and I were alone. I started to ease up a bit, then Homer charged past to try her hand at chasing them down. She burnt up as well and ended up dropping back to us. Tom kept trying to join them and ended up getting stranded between groups for the remainder of the ride.

The five of us that remained gave up on the chase. Bob wasn't having a great ride for some reason, so we dialed it back a bit to take it a bit easier for the final half of River Road. We slowed a bit on the climbs, regrouped at the tops, then made up for lost time on the descents. Before long, we were back at the Cheapside bridge where we picked up a few stragglers from a shorter ride and rolled in to the shop where Bob gathered the group and delivered a well deserved lecture about group riding and sportsmanship (i.e.: getting the group back together after it is shattered by some event like the police stop). If the group ahead that hadn't stopped has just soft-pedaled for 30-45 seconds, we could have all finished together instead of needing to give chase for more than 10 miles.

Friday 6/11: This morning we decided to ride the Greenfield Ridge,

When I arrived at 5 already waiting was Ben L, Kip D, and Mark N, we all got geared up while waiting for Slim. Once we were all there we headed out the normal route straight up the ridge to the Tower then, down the switchbacks on the backside of the mountain where we jumped on the white trail, then just before the exit we dropped down to the left onto a nice little piece of singletrack that brings you down to Lower Road where we did the climb back up to the parking lot. After regrouping we crossed the road and followed the Ridge all the way up to our normal turn, and then down to Bears Den RD, rode up Bears Den RD to the turn that brings you down to the Power Line climb I think we all made?)- then up to and over Joes rock and over the top and then right at the bottom down to Bears Den, where we decided to climb up to the Ridge and followed the ridge to the parking lot, then last we all hammered at a really good clip down the white trail and back to the shop. Great ride. Slim is hosting tomorrow at 6am at Bachelor St, join us.

Sunday 6/13: Cox Charities Crit in Providence. This was a long day...My team was one of the hosts for this event, so we all arrived at 8 AM to help set up, marshal, register, etc. By the time our race started at 2, I must admit that I wasn't too psyched to race. Donning our new spiffy shorts, our team rolled up to the start line and found a few Argentina National Team members there along with some of the regular New England big guns. The race was very fast despite some strong winds in sections. On the 4th or 5th lap, my chain came off and although I was able to get it back on by shifting a few times, I was dropped. I chased hoping that I could catch on before we made a right turn into the wind, but I was unable. I chased for another 7 or 8 laps before getting pulled. Alas, my first ever DNF. Better luck next time, I guess. Next up is the Housatonic Hills Road Race on Sunday.

Michelle

Sunday, June 13, 2004  Laurel City Loop, Winsted CT:
  Today’s race found us heading south again, down to lovely Connecticut for the Laurel City Loop race (which was run on the Winsted Woods course due to logistical problems).  We missed the WW race 3 weeks ago on my part due to a late night prior to the race chaperoning the junior prom and then waking up to the pouring rain the next morning.  We heard at the last race that the course was pretty darn awful, but then again, I loved the Rock Garden Ramble (which everyone hated), so I couldn’t let that talk get me down.  When we got to Winsted, we had a hard time finding the venue because of the lack of signage and the fact that CT streets are just too damn confusing (hello to the grid patterns of AZ streets!)  Anyways, from the looks of things when we arrived, there were only 3 or 4 other cars and no real sign of life...did we even have the right day??  We quickly figured out that everything was fine and we were just early-ish.  For a 9 am start, we were there around 7:20… 

We registered, took a ride around part of the course and then reassembled in the parking lot as people started to roll in.  The course, contrary to reputation, was (as I expected) not the worst I’d ever faced.  A couple tough (but not overly impossible) climbs and some l-o-n-g downhill's on fire roads that were covered in very loose rocks.  I surely had an advantage on the uphills, but on the double wide descents, I was getting tossed around.  On both laps, at the bottom of said descent, my chain fell off.  Luckily, though, this was the worst of my troubles from a mechanical point of view. 

It was T minus about 15 minutes to start time, and there was a sudden burst of activity in the parking area…scores of people began to arrive, almost fashionably late, most of them in nice new, expensive cars.  Hey, I’m not passing judgment here, but it just seemed to be a pretty wealthy area.  I met up with Jocelyn and Carly, as well as Emily…all of us buddies going back to Winding Trails…the first race of the season.  There are a few newcomers, as well, but generally, the field is familiar.  4 racers (including myself) in the 19-34, two in 35+ and one in under 19.  On the line, one of the 35+ women started to get a little too talkative and a lot too overbearing…I’m sorry, chick, but nobody wants unsolicited advice about having to road ride 60 miles a day in order to be a good MT. biker when they’re trying to calm their brain for a race…yaknowwhatimean? 

The race starts on a paved parking lot, up over a little rise and then into the woods.  I am in second or third off the start, but don’t want to get anaerobic before I even hit the woods, so I hold back a bit.  Emily (the junior racer) and the annoying chick are with me to the single track, as we climb up a bit more.  Annoying Chick decides to call out “on your left sweetie”, and proceeds to pass on my right, to which I answer “you mean, ‘on your right’?”  Her answer:  “whatever”.  Up to this point, she hasn’t bothered me much, but her luck is about to run out on the next hill.  I’m grinding it out in granny, Emily and some other dude are walking.  I mean, come on, we’re all working hard here.  Then, I see Annoying Chick, out of the corner of my right eye, pick up her bike and take a diagonal shot through the woods, completely NOT on the trail.  This was not to step around a tree, etc.  Blatantly, obviously, this is no mistake.  She has just become Cheater Chick.  Emily and I glance at each other and I say, “Did you just see what I thought I saw?”  She nods.  Someone’s going to be in deep s**t!   

Anyhow, we grind on up the trails, Cheater Chick blasts away from us and is never to be caught again.  Eventually, Emily pulls away from me, too, but I decide that I’m not up to chasing her today (I should’ve followed Bob’s advice and done a quick, easy ride the night before…shame on me!), so I continue at a very slow pace, trying to maintain my lead.  The second 2/3 of the course is easy, and lap 2 goes by very quickly.  I am totally alone, though, so I have no clear way to clock my progress, no one to “race” against.  Cheater Chick finished first, Emily second, and me third (but I was first in my age class).  Honestly, I’d forgotten about Cheater Chick until the end of the race…I knew I had to put it out of my head and deal with it later or else my race wouldn’t have been as good.  Had she have played nicely with us before the race, there was a chance that I wouldn’t have said anything…BUT, then I reported her to the official for basically making her own trail through the woods.   

To make a very long rest-of-the-story short, Cheater Chick got DQ’d for the following offenses:  cutting the corner on the trail, not saying anything when she was mistakenly put in the 19-34 age group (even though I saw her register as 36 yrs old), and racing as a Beginner even though she last raced NORBA events as EXPERT.  Three words for ya:  cheaters never prosper.  I won’t say her name in this public forum (although if you want to figure it out, go to www.smartcycles.com/racing.htm)…he he he!  The look on her face when she saw the results was priceless, and then she proceeded to make a fool out of herself by swearing and carrying on in front of everyone, including her husband and kids.  Oh well!  When you’re there for the fun of racing, keep it just that…honest fun, and that’s the moral of this racing story.  Next week:  Norba Nationals #5 at Mt. Snow.  (Submitted by Stephanie)

Tuesday 6/14: It was a really nice day again today and I had a busy afternoon at the shop so I was not quite ready for the group that arrived at the shop for the 38 mile Conway ride. I hurried and was able to get my gear together and we left the shop a little after 6:00. We had 15 riders in my group with four really strong riders (Mr. Hilton, Baby Bell, Jeff and MB.) I decided to take it somewhat easy as I have had a tough couple of days at the shop so I rode at the front for only the few miles. I took up a spot in the middle of the bunch for the ride over to Stillwater Hill and if I stayed with the front group up the hill I was going to do the entire ride. If I got dropped I was going to bail and then ride with the following group that was doing the 30 mile loop. As we rode down Mill Village Road, Baby Bell flatted and I asked MR. Hilton and Jeff to stop and help him. I asked them to help tow Baby Bell back up to the group and that we would continue on. My group sped on toward Stillwater

Tonight's ride was just about perfect as far as Summer rides go. Some tough climbs that were the price we paid for some awesome downhill sections. Nobody in the group raced on ahead, so I was able to use my energy wisely instead of pushing too hard to keep up. I settled into a nice easy gear for most of the climbs and picked my way to the top without killing myself.

Monday June 28: I've ridden a lot lately but I haven't penned a ride report in some time. the morning rides ebb and flow, sometimes ionly two of us make it out, but other times we've had 6 intrepid riders out enjoying the unfolding of the day. This morning, Studly Mudly, Hammerhead harold and Big Mac met at the small parking area on Hillside Rd in South deerfield. We've all been making a point of riding the twin hills of terror (Sugarloaf North and Stairmaster) once a week. It's a damn near perfect midweek morning ride-just a little over and hour and two punishing but manageable climbs with some delightful single track (though, the road section between the two climbs is a bit of drag-oh well). We set off up hillside rd to stage rd (fairly aggressive rd climbs on a mountainbike, we saw some ladies walking their bikes up these roads later) and hopped onto the pocumtuck trail and whizzed along to Clapp's Pond trail-a really fun, prolonged singletrack descent-which leads me top the first law of mountainbike dynamics what goes down must go up!! Ergo, soon we were at the bottom of staimaster, the burly powerline climb that splits the pocumtuck range in half. The trail seemed even grassier and wetter that normal. Seriously, we've been riding this trail for two months now and there's still no evidence anyone has ridden it, the grass grows taller, slicker and more impassable with nary a discernible trail of any kind. Up we climbed, for me, the biggest challenge comes right after the steepest section (the last 15% of the climb) here the trail-right when quitting is all you can think about- becomes extra grassy-like velcro pulling at your wheels, with a few extra ditches to suck your resolve..I'm usually 50-50 quit or succeed here, this morning was a success (yea!). At the top I kicked back, and watched the clouds of mist unfurl off the trees and descend towards the river in the golden morning light...I like Mountain biking, a lot!. Big Mac and Hammerhead soon arrived and we pushed on back down the Pocumtuck, to the road and back to the cars. Today we decided to climb Sugarloaf north in the opposite direction (to maximize the single track) instead of climbing the double track on the north side of the mountain, we ascended the tight, windy, really quite wonderful single track that runs on the east and south sides of the mountain. We stopped at the lookout, and drank in the pioneer valley in all of its morning glory. From here we rode down and jumped onto Big Mac's Drop, where of course, Big Mac Himself took the lead. He was quite a bit ahead when I heard a loud yell, as I rounded the bend I saw he had shot off the trail at high speed deep into the woods, laughing he quickly remounted and shot down the trail, I didn't see him again until we were climbing out of the crossroad area and heading back to the cars. The new route up Sugarloaf was a vast improvement making this the best Twin Hills of terror ride to date Rise and Shine, Peoples

Tuesday 6/29: Tonight I planned to the Cave Hill ride as a warm up for the Warwick-Wendell ride.  There were 25 people on the ride tonight and we split into three groups. At the front of the pack was Baby Bell and Jeff along with Parrott, Jim H., Terri, and Mooseboy. I followed in a pack that included Todd A., IP, Jamie, Curt, Bruce Rogers, Keith Streeter and Ace. I was not feeling up to my usual strength so I did not do too much work on the run-up to the hill. Oh, I did a few pulls but they were short and I stayed out of the wind as much as possible. Todd Amato did most of the work on the front and he and Curt pulled the group up the hill on N. Leverett Road to the turn onto Cave Hill. When we got to Cave Hill, I rode in the middle of the pack for the first pitch, but as we neared the halfway mark IP took off and dropped all of us. She just motored off and Todd still is trying to scrape his jaw off his top tube!! We all pushed as hard as we could and soon we were at the top of the hill doing circles while waiting for the last few riders to crest the hill. We all headed down the hill together and we made the turn onto Montague Road in a bunch. After the hill I took some more pulls and we all rode the rest of the ride together. It was a great ride and we ended the ride with a 20 mph average. Pretty good for a tired old man!!

Tuesday, June 29th Distance - 33.66 Average - 20.6
Ending Mileage - 1810.9
Cave Hill

Not much to say about the Cave Hill ride. It all comes down to how fast to group goes out to Montague, and how much effort the riders put into the stretch from 63 up to the Cave Hill turn.

The good news is that Cave Hill feels shorter and shorter every time I do it. I really think it used to be longer... there are a few whole sections that I could swear have been removed somehow. Either it is getting easier every time I do it, or I am blacking out somewhere in the middle and blocking my memory of the climb. I've found lately that I've had energy to give an extra push for the final few hundred feet of the climb. It is great topping the hill with energy to spare.

Once down the other side, we set up a quick paceline to Leverett, then down to Bull Hill road. I shouldn't have even bothered for the sprint. I tried to go out from the front of the group but didn't have the legs for it. I just sat up after I was passed by some others sprinting from behind me and watched the show.

Before we knew it, we were on the flat racetrack of rte 116, through S. Deerfield then on to Mill Village road. The pace never let up through Old Deerfield, back onto 5, then North to Greenfield.