Anyone else doing this one?

NECS #9, Millstone Grind
Sunday - Sept. 13, 2009
Millstone Hill - Websterville, VT

The Millstone Grind is a cross country mountain bike marathon on an 8.5 mile course of classic Vermont terrain, including technical singletrack, moderate climbs, and fire road. The course takes riders through the old quarrylands of Millstone Hill. Race proceeds will benefit the Millstone Trails Association.



Registration:
Register online at active.com
$35 for all classes

Start Times:
10:00 am - Expert/Elite - 35mi
11:00 am - Novice/Sport - 17mi

Prizes:
Cash for top three in Expert and Elite
Merchandise for top three in all other categories

Contact Info:
Dan Mahoney, (802) 477-2149
Email: vtmtnbike@verizon.netThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Directions:
- Take I-91 to I-89 North.
- Take Exit 6 (South Barre/Barre Route 14)
- Follow the access road approx 3 miles.
- At 4-way intersection go straight up the hill (Middle Road)
- Go up hill approx 1 mile, take a LEFT onto Graniteville Road.
- Follow road until you reach a right turn called Websterville Road.
- Approx 1 mile later, you will come to a quarry on your right as you go up the small hill.
- Go straight onto Little John Road. The Lodge is on the left (59 Little John Road).

I'll be there...

I'm headed up today to preride the course... more news at 11...
 
www.masonracing.com
www.gtbicycles.com

I rode Millstone over the weekend - went on some of the race course but mostly explored. There is some sweet stuff there. Definitely check out "Fellowship Ring." Also, "Boardwalk" is a great finish...make sure you ride the teeter-totter.

Aaron

Some people might be interested in this. I might do it.

[quote:69c58b9b3d]Posted on the Millstone site;

For those of you training for the VT50, If you are a Sport rider you may enter the 4 lap as an expert with no upgrade or down grade like USA cycling. You will get an expert time and result along with the other experts. Your result will will not count as a sport result in over all EFTA standings, but will as an EFTA Expert.

http://www.millstonegrind.com/

We (EFTA) will not automaticly upgrade you for doing the full Monte (35 miles) marithon in this race. Lets call it an exception to the rules, but, if you are the overall, fastest off the fastest Expert I personally will upgrade you to "Biggest Sandbagger of all Time". Yah like the tandem dynamic, old fart duo of Maz and Denis will burn up the course too.

If you have any doubts or questions Ill be at Millstone Friday thru Sunday to answer them. Just see Maz or Denis at the EFTA tent. "The Maz"![/quote:69c58b9b3d]
 
"If you brake, you don't win." Racer Mario Cipollini

I expected this venue to be out deep in the woods, but the area was quite populated and only a couple miles from the center of Barre, VT.

The course was great for the forty or so minutes that I saw of it. Mostly twisting single track with a few short one to two minute climgs. There was some double track here and there on the race course. Very little real technical areas, but lot of turns. It was covered with one cables pertruding from the earth as if they had grown there like roots from trees. We rode over many of them along the way. Views of the quarries were awesome.

Unfortunately, I did not finish. On one little steep downhill I looked over at course marshall, next thing I knew I hit a rock and as I stood, noticed about a three inch gash straight up the middle of my right shin. A volunteer happened to be delivering food to the volunteer there. He put a gauze pathch on it and took me to the local hospital (CVMC). A tetnus shot in the arm and eight stitches closed the wound. I should be riding in a few days.

I'd like to get back up there and ride the trails again this fall, especially finishing up where I left off.

bummer.......reports said it was a great course with some pump style track qualities and lots of fun stuff.

Heal quickly, then we can tour the place.

Heal by Kingdom......1 week away!

PJ

I usually carry a suture kit in my tool bag just for these occasions. Clean it out with a little Gatorade from the bottle and off you go. You could have won Dana.

The scarry thing is Dan, I don't know whether you are kidding or serious.

Sorry to hear about the gash Dana.

Ryan

It was a nice clean cut right to the bone. I think the teeth on my big ring got me. I got a good look at the shin bone while the Doc was stitching it. Your right Dan, but I don't think a clamp would have held it. I'll have to pack a thread and needle so I can at least finish the race. I lost very little blood in that area, considering how big the opening was. Not sure my hand would have been as steady for the threading though.

I was wondering where you were after the race...

I too had a date w/ disaster...

Hole shot out of the gate and a comfortable lead not too far in on the course. At about 2 miles in, I'm coming around a fast left & the front end just goes away. I get ejected over the front and went shoulder first into a tree. I sit there thinking about what to do for a minute while feeling aroung my collar bone to see if it's sticking thru the skin. I determine that it's prob not my clav thats messed up as I get passed. Deciding that walking back isn't an option I pick up my bike (by this time I'm very angry to say the least) & procede to ride thru prob some of the worst pain I've felt. I ended up w/ a 2nd place finish w/ a 54 + change time. After the race I went to the ER @ APD and found out that I had separated my shoulder. I'm on the mend now, but I'll be out for a bit.

Sorry to hear about your leg Dana, I didn't really stick around too long after the race...

On a side note, the trails were sick! I pre rode the course last wed. and had a chance to ride some of the other stuff... if you haven't been there yet, get there soon!!
 
www.masonracing.com
www.gtbicycles.com

Jason, that had to be a long ride back to the finish. I see Novices decided on one lap. Had to be a long ride home as well. We seem to have growing number of dislocated shoulders in our MTB group over the years. Hope you heal quickly.

I see Brandon B was DNF, I hope he faired better than us.

Dana, I was thinking it might have been your big ring that got you. Those teeth have got me before but not that bad. The newer and sharper they are the worse it can be.

Jason, separated shoulders can be nasty, hope it heals up good and fast.

Remind me to stay away from this death trap called Millstone Grind... now where is that steep rocky technical trail I finished recently... :D

Ryan

Sorry to hear about the injuries - I hope you guys heal up quickly. I know after riding Millstone a few times I wouldn't be crazy about racing it, at least some of technical sections I have been on. It is a great place to just explore - so if anyone wants to head up sometime let me know. I've only been twice before but am starting to know my way around.

Aaron