Have you had enough of fundraising to get into serious rides?
Didn't get into that other beer ride this year, but still want a summer challenge?
Or, you did get in, but you just want a second seriously hard ride?

Saturday, July 7th.  Put it in your calendar.  This is your ride.

It's not a competitive race, and it's not your typical club century, either. It's more akin to a Gran Fondo - but isn't also officially one of those.  It's a hard ride that competent cyclists likely need to train and plan for in their summer riding schedule. Ending with beer.

It's not for out-of-shape cyclists. In fact, if you can't wheel-up with a group that goes pretty hard, you shouldn't ride this.

But we do want to have fun, so the details are pretty simple. Read on....

About the ride

• 127 miles
• 3,130' of climbing with four (4) Category 4 climbs, and lots of the ups & downs that tire you out. Most serious climbing happens between mile 45 and mile 90.
• Maximum 50 riders. (Bigger than this, and the logistics requirements tip over into a bigger ride than I want to organize.
• Not officially timed; but people will likely be timing themselves. We may do this ride again next year; you may want to track your time this year so you can better your time next year.
• You'll be riding with people that will probably average above 17mph over the entire ride - including averaging in slower speeds over the climbs.
• No jerseys unless some miracle happens.
• We finish with beers at the Tap Brewery on the deck overlooking the Merrimack River.
• Since there's no money involved, and no USA Cycling endorsement, no need to sign a release / waiver before you start the ride.  Just show up and ride at your own risk.

Ride support & on-road logistics

• A sag wagon will be on the road for food & bike issues.  Probably just a station wagon or SUV (or two, depending on how many people ride) with stuff in it so you don't have to carry all your supplies.
• No pre-set tents, or big setups.

Grouping & dropping

• If we have under 25 people, we ride in one group. Nobody gets dropped; but that means you've gotta keep your speed up. Don't sign up for this ride if you don't think you can.
• If we have 25-50 people, we have the option of splitting into 2-3 groups, so some can go one faster. If you get dropped from a fast group, you can go back to the other group - where you must keep your speed up. :-)

Simple. Moderately supported. Hard.

Back to Basics.