Who plans on showing up for Stage 9 this Wednesday (8/19)? I know of a couple people who will not be there. If we can't get everyone together this Wednesday, would there be interest in rescheduling for the following Wednesday?

Lets get a tally of who plans on showing up.

I will be there.

-- Ken
 
"If you brake, you don't win." Racer Mario Cipollini

I'd be ok with pushing it back.

Ryan

I'm ok with pushing it back

I can't make it this Wednesday, and probably not next Wednesday, either. Is a route established?

MG

Yes. Fun loop. I rode it over the weekend.

[url]http://www.team-pinnacle.org/local-loops/loop.php?loopID=358®ion=13&sport=1[/url]
 
"If you brake, you don't win." Racer Mario Cipollini

Needs to be at least 50 miles. I should have looked before I asked; there's a 50 mile loop posted, it works for me.

MG

The loop that Tim mapped out is only 37.5 miles. If we want to make it 50+ miles, then we could do an out and back on 12A down to Keene. That might be cool. You could find out how far back you are from the leaders on your way down 12A. I have mapped that out and it comes to 55 miles.

The Leadville 100 is a 50 mile out and back. Lance thought it was nice because you can see how far ahead you are and other people can see how far behind they are.

[url]http://www.team-pinnacle.org/local-loops/loop.php?loopID=359®ion=13&sport=1[/url]

-- Ken Wiley
 
"If you brake, you don't win." Racer Mario Cipollini

I think there was an agreement that Tim could choose the final route since he and Lauren had to drive up to Newport from Keene for the first 8 stages. I'm pretty sure we are not doing the 50 miler that is posted under the stage race right now.

-- Ken
 
"If you brake, you don't win." Racer Mario Cipollini

That's my understanding too. Tim and Lauren choice for this stage.

I think you guys will be satisfied with the ride it is quite good even if not 50 miles

Starts mostly flat to downhill
then multiple small ring rollers
2.5mi downhill followed by a long flat
tough climb for 1.5mi
rollers all the way in

you will get your moneys worth

Tim,

I'm sure the route you picked out is a good route, and I have no problem at all with you and Loren picking the route. I was however also under the impression the route would be at least 50 miles and was looking forward to a longer route. Initially we had kicked around the idea of doing Sir Climbs-Alot as the final stage but that proved to be too long for the group.

In addition to Ken's proposal you could also extend the route ~15 miles by making a right in South Acworth and going uphill to Acworth and then downhill into Charlestown, south on route 12 to 12a and pick your route back up in Alstead. Just a thought.

Tim, despite looking for a longer course, I'm sure the course you picked out is a great Course, so whatever you decide is fine with me.

Ryan

Just to confirm, the plan is to push back the Stage 9 to a later date.

Do we have a proposed date for the actual running of Stage 9?

Ryan

We should get it in as soon as possible or it may not happen. Next Weds Aug 26. The course also has to be added to the stage page.

Sunset 7:42....

50 miles will be 2 1/4- 2 1/2 hours. We will need start by 5:30......

We will all start at the same time.......The supermen can do 55 hard and fast.......and a slower group can battle 37.5. It took Ken 2 hours..... so its got some hills.

Can people get to the school by 5:30? the School on route 10 that is.

Looks like I may win this thing....route 10 sprint tomorrow, then finish it off on Wednesday....

PJ

have fun kids. i'm gonna be in nebraska on wednesday (woo hoo?) and still have the last 3.5 stages to complete(coit, downhill, loverin, rt10).
i'm not sure bike racing is really my bag anyways...
race on 2feet, play on 2wheels.
happy trails,
-adam

Sorry PJ, but there can only be one Loop for a single stage and currently Stage 9 looks like the 37.5 miler, any other loop doesn't count towards the stage race.

PJ, if you could extend the end date by a month so people (like myself) will have time to complete more stages, I would appreciate it.

Tim / Ken please delete all the bogus loops for 37.5 miles so there is no confusion.

Ryan

I know, You can still do the 55 miler and post your time on the 37, we might get close that way.

I can change the date, You have until Halloween.

P

Ahhh. Ok Thank you about the date.

I think I can make it, will try my best. Hoping to get there a bit early and warm up with a trip up Pitcher mountain. It would be a shame to be right next to it and not take advantage of riding it. It is freshly paved you know, smooth and quiet up, ripping fast coming back down.

I am only 5 stages behind. Hope to make up those 5 in one day very soon. Have not even been able ride the new pavement around Newport yet.
 
[img:7c60f52a7e]http://www.team-pinnacle.org/albums/bc_personal/120x90.png[/img:7c60f52a7e]

Alas, I cannot make this Wednesday due to work commitments.

I highly doubt a longer stage will create any real differences in the overall GC, and will go along with a majority vote. However, I was looking forward to a longer stage, even if we have to shift to a weekend to do it. While I'm sure the 37.5 loop would be entertaining, I don't consider it an endurance stage, something we won't otherwise have.

Something else to consider: Before the season winds down too far, how'd we like to re-run the prologue? The winner is whoever beats their initial prologue by the most time. It would be interesting to see how much progression some folks have made this season.

Cheers,

MG

[quote:c21a755b23="Gurney"]Before the season winds down too far, how'd we like to re-run the prologue? The winner is whoever beats their initial prologue by the most time. It would be interesting to see how much progression some folks have made this season.[/quote:c21a755b23]

I think that is a great idea. I'm all for that.

-- Ken
 
"If you brake, you don't win." Racer Mario Cipollini

I'm only 6 stages behind, no time to redue the ones I actually did do.

Can someone make up some route cards for tommorrow night?

When I am out of sight I will know where to turn.

Something simple. Like R 123A, L 123, R 12A, I get lost after that till I get back on 10.


Never mind, I think I got it..

Actually PJ I had some questions about the route myself.

10 -> 123a -> 123 -> 10, gauranteed a fast time. Now if you actually follow the correct route it gets a bit more complicated. I'm likely to either short cut the course or end up in Keene.

Perhaps we should do a warmup loop first, then race it.

Ryan

And even if you miss the left, you'll only end up in Keene, then you can follow Rt. 10 back.

Really, there is only one turn to get from 12A to Rt. 10. There is a long downhill after the rollers on 12A. Maybe a mile after the bottom of the hill is the left turn onto Gilsum Rd, which then turns into Surry Rd.

-- Ken
 
"If you brake, you don't win." Racer Mario Cipollini

We will definitely be all together for the beginning of 12A, so that turn won't be an issue. Like I said in the previous post, the left turn onto Gilsum Rd is about 1 mile after you get to the bottom of the long downhill. You shouldn't miss it. Then you just stay going straight on that road till you hit Rt. 10. Then, left onto Rt. 10 for a little ways. You will come to a fork in the road with a little pond. Take that left and you will go by the little Gilsum Convenience store. Stay on that road till you get to the Rt. 123 intersection in Alstead. Make the right and follow that till you get to Rt. 10 in Marlow. Make the left and back to the school.

-- Ken
 
"If you brake, you don't win." Racer Mario Cipollini

Ken you should prove how easy the course is Wednesday by riding it blindfolded.

Maybe we should post up some EFTA arrows.

-- Ken
 
"If you brake, you don't win." Racer Mario Cipollini

Ken you missed a turn in Gilsum. Left onto Main Street from Rt 10, go short distance and take left to Alstead Hill Rd, then take that to a right to 123.

I have made 8 cue cards with approximate total distance to each turn and will bring them with me tomorrow.

Ryan

Didn't really mention it because it doesn't really feel like a left turn when riding.

-- Ken
 
"If you brake, you don't win." Racer Mario Cipollini

maybe Ken and I should have taken a can of paint with us and marked the turns with arrows. If we want to push this off again I could do that, no problem. I don't want anyone to get lost.

??

Lets not overthink this, just show up and ride.
 
[img:7c60f52a7e]http://www.team-pinnacle.org/albums/bc_personal/120x90.png[/img:7c60f52a7e]

5:30 at the school.....does that work?

yep lets do it

which school NMHS or the one by Marlow?

the one by Marlow........we can meet at Richards school at 5:00 for a carpool.

Bring the leaders jersey, Looks like I will be wearing it after tonight.


PJ

Tim, no worries, it's not that complicated of a route, it's just I have never been on some of those roads and I like to be over prepared. Normally I would have at least driven the route first but I havn't had time.

Like I mentioned, I have 8 laminated cue cards with a map on one side and the directions on the other for anyone who would like one. I also marked approx distances to the top of significant hills.

FYI, I'm planning to ride down for a good warm up and will be leaving from my house about 4 pm if anyone is interested (20-22 miles depending on route).

Ryan

I have a big box of bread crumbs to tie on Tim's bike. I'll put a little hole in the bottom and we'll just follow the trail hoping no turkeys live along the route. No problem.

PJ
I like how you think. Using your Yellow Jersey standard (overall results) I am ahead of Dan, Brian and many others.
 
"there is nothing half so much worth doing as simply messing about on bikes (sic)" Grahame Greene from Wind In The Willows

To finish first, first you must finish.

FYI, do not wait for me at the High School. If I can get out of work earliy enough I plan on heading down and fooling around on Pitcher Mountain for awhile pre-stage.
 
[img:7c60f52a7e]http://www.team-pinnacle.org/albums/bc_personal/120x90.png[/img:7c60f52a7e]

I also have the power to end the whole stage race after tonight leaving me with the yellow jersey for years to come.

Mike, Whatcha got on the back for a cassette? If you got a 27, consider the 2 gapper ride..... we can be back in the clubhouse, while the others are still climbing gaps.

PJ

Mike, I highly recommend the 2 gapper with PJ for you. You won't like the 2 gaps to be honest but I guarantee it will give you perspective you just can't get around here plus I know you have the skills to handle it.

Was just checking out your Stage splits and you have improved dramatically over the race:

16.08 mph Sunapee
17.89 mph Springfield
21.58 mph Route 10 Sprint

I just bought an 11-28 so I now have a spare 12-27 you are welcome to borrow if you need it (9 speed).

Ryan

I have an 11/28 but the hills are still slow and painful for me.
Nice invite but I have a different plan for the 30th.
I have hiked through and over the gaps in my quest for the 100 highest and the Long Trail (pre cycle days) and know that you have to be a tough guy to do it on a bike. Enjoy!
 
"there is nothing half so much worth doing as simply messing about on bikes (sic)" Grahame Greene from Wind In The Willows

Thanks Tim for introducing us to some wonderful new climbs. Very fun loop indeed. Oh, and a big shout out to our buddy keeping all the Marlow hoodlums under control,

[img:98f9165293]http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t106/vata19/barney.jpg[/img:98f9165293]
 
[img:7c60f52a7e]http://www.team-pinnacle.org/albums/bc_personal/120x90.png[/img:7c60f52a7e]

Ya, nice start down 123A and 12A was a nice long climb with wicked fast downhill on the other side (scary when wet and vehicles coming up around the corners at you). I suspect reversing and going up that side would be tougher than the direction we went. The hills out of Gilsum seemed to go on for a while.

We missed the rest of you yesterday. Don't forget to turn right on Forest Rd at the blinking light (aka rte 123).

He did kinda resemble an older Barney. If you ride, park in the ball fields beyond the school parking lot and avoid loitering or trespassing charges.

Yes, as Dana said, after you make the left turn in Gilsum from Rt 10, Main St pretty much turns into Alstead Hill Rd. You climb up the big hill then do some more climbing then a series of what seem predominately uphill rollers you get to a 4 way intersection. There is a sign that Says Marlow -> & <- Alstead but there is no sign idicating this is route 123. Make sure you turn right onto Forest Rd as Dana said, you will not see a single sign anywhere on that section of road indicating its 123 but you are on the right road.


[b:c77f033731]RACE REPORT:[/b:c77f033731]

I was feeling real good on the descent to Alstead (go figure) but as soon as we turned off 123 onto 12a the real climb starts. Apparently I forgot to drop down to my small chainring. After pushing deep into the red zone for over a half mile to try and stay on the group I got dropped and in that moment of desperation I looked down to realize I was still in BIG Ring but it was WAY WAY TOO LATE at that point.

Dangling like a carrot out in front of me I watched the group slowly get further and further away as we ascended that 12a climb. As we approached the top I started to feel a bit better and closed part of the gap. I was hoping to get on a wheel before the top because I knew if I didn't it might be my last chance to do so but was unable to close the gap. The descent down the other side was a bit harry with a truck in front of me that kept hitting the brakes every time I started to pick up speed, coupled with really wet roads and a steady stream of cars in the opposite direction.

When I hit the bottom of the main descent I decided to make a last ditch effort to get back to the group and was able to push close to 40 in spots on the run out to the Glisum Rd turn off and I thought I had done the right thing when I caught a glimpse of Dana making the turn to Gilsum Rd but as soon as I turned onto Gilsum Rd, Dana started to pull away again and I was SPENT.

I spent most of Gilsum Surry Rds in mental aggony over the mistakes I had made, watching Dana pull away, and the sub 10 mph cadence that was so prevalent. The one caveat was the rain had stopped.

Turning onto Rt 10 I took a GU with hopes that something good would come out of it. I should have taken another one but I think it kept me from bonking as I was able to maintain a slow but steady cadence up the Alstead Hill Rd climb. Nearing the high Point on Alstead Hill Rd I finally started to see some speeds over 20 mph again on the rollers and with it along came a sense that might actually still have something left.

I had examined the route profile fairly well so I knew most of the rest was rollers or easy rd. After struggling with that first climb after the turn onto Rt 123 AKA Forest Rd I was able to get somewhat of a rythm going and power over a good number of the rollers on 123 but the ones I didn't make the other side on forced me into granny gear.

I was very happy to see Rt 10 and a mile up the road the finish.

Shockingly I was only 5 minutes behind the leaders after spending an eternity alone AGAIN in a group stage race.

Ryan

I had a lot of fun on this ride. The sprints at the beginning were fun, the climbs were as painful as expected and I was re-acquainted with THE Marlow PO, known to me when I was a child as Robocop.

There wasn't a whole lot going on with the Sprints. Dan came out to play a little on the first one, but nobody on the second.

On the climb, I started in the front with Tim and Brian. Next Dan comes by me and then I see Dana. I slowed up a bit and kept just enough of a tempo ride to keep Tim in sight expecting that I can make up any distance I lose on the downhill. Tim started to pull away and Brian was just toying around, falling behind me a bit, then flying by to catch Tim, then slowing up, ect... Dan stayed right near me for the climb, sort of yoyo'ing. Dana was pacing right along with us.

I was very happy to make it to the top still in contact with Tim. The group of Tim, Brian, Dan, Dana and I stayed together till the top of the initial climb on Gilsum Mine Rd. At that point, I notice Tim sit up. I look back and there is a gap to the rest of the group. Knowing that the rest of the course suits me pretty well, I attack. As I get closer to Rt. 123, I look back and see Dan in the distance. I know that we can work together and finish together, so I sit up and wait. I paced Dan to Rt. 123, take the right turn and try to pace him up the hill. When I get to the top I look back and see that I have a gap on Dan. Dan had already mentioned to me that his legs were cramping, I didn't want to leave him, but I also didn't want to get caught and I didn't know how far back anybody else was, so I went solo again. As I am coming into Marlow my legs started to cramp, so I dug deep and pushed to the school and was very happy to be done.

So, loved the loop and would be more than happy to do it again with the people that missed it last night.

-- Ken
 
"If you brake, you don't win." Racer Mario Cipollini