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200 on 100 - June 2013 click here for slide show |
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 A teamhoss.net rider summits the Mount Snow climb |
SAG Support There's a mild debate within the cycling world as to whether "SAG" derives from assisting sagging riders or from "Support And Gear." Regardless, for longer rides, SAG can be indispensible. That was certainly true of the June 22, 2013 200 (miles) on (Route) 100. (Technically, the official ride site denotes the ride as "100/200," but I've never heard anyone refer to it as anything other than the "200 on 100.") I loved how the riders and drivers came together instantly to create a rolling community. Betsy did a great job sagging for me--I know that I wouldn't have finished without her unflagging, upbeat support. [Note: if you find omissions or errors in anything below, please don't hesitate to let me know at the email address above.] But the support wasn't just Betsy. Along the route, I received encouragement, water, and even light from the 4Cs SAG (the Boston North Shore's Can Crash Cycling Club; they rotated riders through the driving position), from Jon Hammer's wife Laura (throughout, when I can, I'll refer to riders by their first name and some distinguishing aspect of their kit, bike, or hometown), from Marc Richmond's wife Michaela (sp?), from the Ted Pinnacle/Charlie Colorado SAG (I didn't catch their driver's name), and from teamhoss.net (teamhoss.net; Sue got me up the Mount Snow climb!). I didn't have any interactions with the other SAG teams, most visibly the U-Haul towing Range Rover and the well-marked NRLCA SUV (National Rural Letter Carriers Association, which is basically the US Postal Service team without the EPO), but just knowing that they and others were all out there patrolling the route was incredibly comforting. So, SAG teams, thanks for your support! |
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Damn you, Marc My friend Marc Prius first brought this ride to my attention last year. He'd been hunting around for double centuries because he's kind of whacked like that. He was responsible for finding New Jersey's Longest Day, which we rode together a year ago. Funny, when it came time for put up or shut up, though, some sort of luxury tennis outing had planted itself on his calendar for June 22. While we were trying to balance fatigue, daylight, and nutrition, his only concern was string tension. And that was probably just for his hammock with umbrella drink poolside service. As an aside, one of the challenges of big events is managing the pre-ride hydration/sleep balance. Drawing on the wisdom of Bob Collarbone, I start paying attention to hydration two days in advance. Specifically, I keep a water bottle nearby and drink from it frequently. Unfortunately, that practice collides with the need to get a full night's sleep, Ambien powered or not. Damn you, Graham 
My friend Graham of the 4Cs had ridden the 200/100 last year.
Despite his ride report, I opted to give it a try.
That's how I found myself a hundred yards from the Canadian border in northern Vermont absorbing a gentle rain a bit before 5:30am.
Oh, Canada 
The day before, Betsy and I had braved the crossing for the short drive north to quaint
Knowlton.
In the process, I found myself lying to representatives of two world powers
(I've no qualms about admitting this here as the odds of any government agency eavesdropping on an electronic medium must be near-zero).
On the way north, the woman in the Canadian guardhouse asked if we were carrying any alcohol, tobacco, or weapons. "Just two Harpoons," I considered responding. Imagining an interrogation that would at best conclude that I meant the alcohol and not the weapon variety, I smiled and answered "No." Coming back into the states on our return, the questioning shifted to meats, fruits, or vegetables. Desperate not to end up in Guantanamo Bay, I neglected to mention the pound of Boar's Head turkey breast lurking in the cooler. Again, international incident averted. Segment 1 With five or so minutes remaining in the pre-start sequence, Steve Thirteen (ride organizer and completer of a baker's dozen worth of 200/100 finishes) gave us a brief pep/safety talk. With no additional fanfare, on the order of 50 of us rolled south. As is typical of any group ride, the first few miles sorted riders into at least initially compatible groups. I tucked in with the 4Cs--their rotating paceline caught us up to what I think was the lead group at around the eleven mile mark. It was clear to me from the effort that I was putting in just to hang in the draft that it would be best to throttle down. I slipped back and rode solo for 10 miles or so, then caught on with the aforementioned Jon Hammer, whom I'd end up riding with for much of the day. (Jon and Laura, from Raleigh NC, had also stayed at the B&B we had chosen, the charming/quirky North Troy Inn--it was at capacity with 11 riders/friends/family.) 
The miles ticked by as we spun through Eden, Hyde Park, and Morristown.
I was back alone as I cruised through Stowe and into Waterbury.
An observation: it seems that more than a few businesses take advantage of using the quintessential Stowe logo well south of Stowe.
REST STOP #1 was at the Waterbury Green at mile 56.
Betsy and friends/Vermont residents Patty, Dana, and Julianne met me there and helped me refill water bottles, grab a bite, and layer on the sunscreen (okay, I handled that latter task myself).
Segment 2 Jon H. and I departed together and were quickly joined by Ted Pinnacle, Charlie Colorado, and John Prouty. As it happened, I had made plans within the last few weeks to start with Ted and Charlie, but in the commotion of the rollout, I only briefly connected with Ted. Now, the five of us formed a paceline and worked together as we sped along the Mad River into Waitsfield. Ted, Charlie, and John P. stopped at their SAG vehicle while Jon H. and I joined up with the 4Cs group, with whom we'd leapfrogged along the way. We made the left turn at Bridge Street to avoid the under-construction pavement a bit further down Route 100, rolled through the covered bridge, and started to climb. After some rollers and a mostly dirt descent, we rejoined Route 100 south of Warren at the 84 mile mark of our journey. The next segment was perhaps my favorite of the day. We had almost 15 miles of descending and flats to carry us into Rochester for REST STOP #2 at the 98 mile mark. The downgrade was gentle enough to appeal to cautious descenders like me, curvy enough to be fun, and almost entirely traffic free. We blasted past the Granville Gulf Falls and as the road flattened out ten or so miles from Rochester, were caught by and hooked on with Daniel Plaid and Tom (I think) Road Disc Brakes. I'd ridden a bit with Daniel earlier--he was a strong puller on his 'cross bike with thick 28mm tires. 
After some food, water refilling, and clothes ditching on the Rochester Green, Jon H. and I were off again.
Segment 3 Next up was the Killington climb beginning at around the 106 mile mark just past Stockbridge. As Jon H. and I rolled through Pittsfield, we were tempted by several river tubing opportunities. What didn't tempt us, though, was the Death Race. As the Death Race home page notes, "You May Die." It continues, "This is the ultimate challenge. The Death Race is designed to present you with the totally unexpected, and the totally insane! This endurance race is comprised of mud runs, obstacle racing, trail racing, physical challenges and mental challenges all in a +48 hour adventure race. 90% of you will not complete this endurance race. Please only consider this adventure style race if you have lived a full life to date." Our brief encounter consisted of dodging contestants awkwardly crossing Route 100 with an armful of logs that they had just split, then stumbling up a steep hill. Apparently, Death Race tasks are designed to be as unergonomic as possible. Even after 100+ miles with three monster climbs ahead, I was happy to stay on my bike, thanks very much. 
We reached the top of the Killington climb and pulled into the parking lot opposite the Killington access road.
As Laura helped us refill our water bottles, we were approached by a group of four cyclists (two couples) from Quebec asking if we knew the area.
"Not really," we replied, and filled them in on our route for the day.
One of the guys asked if it was okay to ride with us, apologizing in advance that they might be slow "because of the girls" (well within earshot of said "girls").
Ah, the French!
As we flew down the steep Route 4 descent, it occurred to me that it may have been a tactical error for the Quebecers to park at the top.
I lost contact on the descent.
Shortly after making the turn onto 100 where 4 continued straight, Eric Virginia, Phil Virginia, and Daniel Plaid caught me and I hooked on.
We picked up Jon H. not too far ahead and cruised into Ludlow together.
While the other three turned right on 100 for the Terrible Mountain climb, Jon and I continued straight to the Ludlow Green and REST STOP #4.
(Note: Having stopped at the top of the Killington climb, we skipped the "official" Water Wheel stop #3 a few miles farther on.)
Rest, refill, relieve, and we were off.
Segment 4 
Jon pulled away from me on the climb.
About halfway up, it occurred to me that I should have perhaps asked Betsy to wait behind in Ludlow rather than drive ahead to Weston.
I reconsidered, though--with her ahead, I was less tempted to call for a ride to the top.
Several of the 4Cs passed me on the way up--that was the last of the leapfrogging with them.
They were faster, but I'd been taking shorter breaks.
I crested the summit, took it easy on the way down, and made my way to the Weston Green and REST STOP #5.
I found Jon H. battling a tire/wheel problem--I found out later that it caused him to withdraw.
His company was a big part of my having a great day--it'd be a while before I'd be riding anything but solo. Thanks Jon!
Segment 5 My parents have a place in South Londonderry, so I was in familiar territory now. I climbed out of Weston, turned right where 100 meets 11 in Londonderry, then quickly left where 11 continued straight. I followed the West River to South Londonderry and rode the several rollers to the junction of 100 and 30. Left turn, some climbs and rollers, then a nice descent down through Jamaica to the right on 100 where 30 continues straight. I met Betsy there and repeated yet another cycle of the rest/relieve/replenish routine. Then, upward. For a while, the grade was gentle, and I allowed myself to think that maybe I had misremembered the profile. I was soon joined by Tom Hoss and Dave Hoss of teamhoss.net. They paced me for a bit as we talked, then pulled away. We reconnected at a gas station/convenience store a bit ahead. I wouldn't have stopped, but I needed water. Note to self: when you dump a water bottle to lighten the load for a climb, be sure that the other one isn't empty. As I was walking in to the store to buy some water, teamhoss.net SAG driver Sue offered me some--a lifesaver! The three of us rode together some more before they stopped at a bridge to sightsee the Wardsboro Brook. 
I continued out of concern that if I stopped, I wouldn't restart.
The rest of the climb was a beast (I had in fact remembered the profile quite correctly), but I eventually clawed my way to the top of Boulder Pass to meet Betsy at REST STOP #6.
No amenities here other than those SAG-supplied, but by far the best rest stop of the day.
I caught my breath, snapped some photos, and reveled in Steve Thirteen's instruction sheet proclamation:
"If you’ve made it this far, you’re going to finish!" Note to future riders: he didn't say WHEN you were going to finish.
Segment 6 Betsy told me that Graham was about 30 minutes ahead of me. I checked the time: 8:15p and 24 miles to go. Since much of it was a descent, I thought that a 9:30p arrival was doable. Tom, Dave, Doug, and Barry of teamhoss.net plus another rider--Ayaz The Man in Black--had reached the top shortly after I did, so we were six strong as we pointed downhill. As is my custom, I lagged, and by the time the road flattened out, they were too far ahead for me to reconnect. Dusk turned to dark as I solo navigated 100 and 9. My flashing rear light protected me from cars approaching from behind (by virtue of the wide berth they were giving me, I was apparently visible enough) while my NiteRider Lumina 350 headlamp helped me sleuth out potholes ahead. I took the right off 9 to stay on 100 and finally reached the right turn onto Wilmington Cross Road. Per plan, I expected Betsy to be there, and she was, but I was pleasantly surprised to find teamhoss.net plus 1 waiting as well. I didn't know it at the time--roughly 12 miles to go. With 2 SAG vehicle lighting the way from behind, we struggled up several sharper than we wanted hills before the right turn back onto 100. 10 miles to go. The stretch on 100 seemed to take forever. After several stops to check the names of cross streets, we rolled into Readsboro 3 miles from the finish. As we stopped at the left onto Tunnel Road to let one of us recover a bit, 2 more cyclists joined us: a woman who'd recently ridden from San Francisco to Boston and a man she was riding with. Just before we set off, a car drove up Tunnel Road--it was Steve Thirteen. He turned around to go back and mark the finish line. Shortly after, we followed, now 8 strong. After a few miles snaking through dark woods, we saw the lights of Steve's car. He guided us to the sign marking the state line and we were finished. Literally AND figuratively. 
A dozen in number including the drivers, we decompressed, toasted, and talked for a while, eventually heading out around 11:30p.
Word is, at least a rider or two finished after midnight.
Great effort for them and everyone who rode!
By the Numbers
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