Has anyone been out 103A since the storm? From what I have heard the big hill is in pretty rough shape. Half the road was washed out and has been backfilled with gravel.
 
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I have not been out there yet...Think I will take a drive by after work tonight. I would not be surprised if it was in rough shape.

Well, I am registered and I plan on using my road bike, so hopefully the roads are intact.

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

Well I just drove 103 and 103A and they both have some serious issues with the shoulders. Road crews have filled in with gravel and stone alot of the bad spots but that just leaves cravel and stones on the roads. On 103A right after the junction for King Hill Rd (taking a left off king hill heading towards Newbury) is FUBARed. the lane going to Newbury was completely washed out is now all gravel. Looks like part of the other lane as well. At the bottom of that hill, Blodgetts landing area lots of dirt and crap on the road. Looks like the road crews still working that area.

Most areas if you stay away from the shoulders you should be ok But a race on an open road could be interesting. There was a biker on just past Blodgettes laniding who was not looking happy with the road. He was not exactly hammering across that flat --

BTW when is the race?

May 19th

[url]http://www.ne-bra.org/pages/calendar/showCalendarDetails.asp?raceid=24675[/url]
 
"If you brake, you don't win." Racer Mario Cipollini

The official website is here: [url]http://www.bownet.org/cnaimie/ssw/lsbr.htm[/url]

Registration is here: [url]http://www.bikereg.com/events/register.asp?eventid=4625[/url]

I rode the race course today and found the roads to be in pretty good shape. There was one spot where the southbound lane is washed away for 50 ft or so (Just before the New London-Newbury town line as you travel south on Rt 103A) ... but the northbound lane is fine. There were many signs that DOT crews have been working hard to clean off the pavement and reshape the ditches. I asked one fellow who was working just south of Blodgett's Landing if he knew when that patch of washed away road was scheduled to be repaved, but he did not know.

I will keep tabs on the progress and try to get more feedback regarding the repair schedule.

If we need to, we will request special permission from the New London Police Dept to place marshals at the spot where the pavement is washed away and try to use the opposite lane for 200ft or so on race day.

Riding the loop reminded me of some races I have done where there has been sections of dirt that extended multiple miles (App Gap, Tripoli Road, and a few others). They always make for more interesting racing!

Your friendly race promoter!
Chris Naimie

P.S. Don't forget to register ... there are only 50 slots in each of the Cat 5 races.

P.S.S. I must say that I am just a little surprised that you guys are afraid of a little dirt!

I haven't riden the Lake Loop, but there was more than enough dirt on the tar and in place of tar coming down 114 from Springfield towards rt 10 the other day for my liking. Much to my surprise, neither the bike nor me had any trouble with it. So long as it's on a relatively straight stretch and people are informed about it, it shouldn't be much of a problem I'd think.

I see where people are coming from thou, if I wanted to ride dirt, pot holes, cobbles, or otherwise off road, I'd use my mtb.

Ryan

I rode the loop over the weekend and thought the road was fine. I think it would be cool if the little washed out section was left as is. My only concern would be the lack of shoulders in a few places. But as Chris pointed out, there are plenty of signs that work is happening and all will be well before raceday.
 
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I think things will improve dramatically over the next month.

Back about 20 years ago there was a criterium through the old port in Portland ME that had one stretch on cobblestones ... it was one of the coolest races I have ever done.

Ryan's comments make me chuckle ... especially when I think about the rumors I have heard regarding Ryan's Revenge :shock:

Rumors :?:

Rumors regarding its suitability for navigating on a mountain bike ... like *it is a trail that is arguably unfit for hiking ... let alone mountain biking*. Mind you that I have no idea, as I have never been foolhardy enough to take it.

(Disclaimer: I made up the quote ... for dramatic effect and to put a smile on Ryan's face!)

Chris,
I'd like to marshal somewhere off 103A during the race.
If Baker Hill Road, or there abouts, hasn't been assigned yet let me know.
Nathan
 
Alone in the woods, who stands to be King?

You're the funny one Chris.

I'm sure you'd be fine on it. The more I ride that trail the more I think it's not worthy of it's namesake. Perhaps some day I will make a trail worthy of the name "Ryan's Revenge", until then maybe we should call this one simply, "Goat".

Ryan