Northeast - Great River Ride 2008 - Westfield MA

Anyone else doing this? I haven't put in as many long rides as I'd like but I'm signed up for the 170k anyhow.
Looks like perfect weather!

I'll be there - third year in a row, doing the 170 km route. Weather should be perfect, too.

I'll be on my blue Jamis Eclipse (it lives at the not-in-laws' house in Connecticut), hope to see folks there!

Cool, I was just looking at a 06 eclipse on closeout. What size is yours and how do you like it?

Also, for the route, hows the climbing? I thought I remembered something about 7,000' which isn't too bad.

My Eclipse is a 61cm, and I like it quite a bit. Granted, it's not my primary bike - the Pedal Force lives with me in DC, while the Eclipse lives at the not-in-laws' place in CT - but it rides really, really well. If you're looking for an ultralight bike, look elsewhere; if you're looking for a steel ride with some carbon tweaking, it's a great choice. Mine is a bit of a "mutt," as I bought the frame, fork and crank/BB on eBay, and built the rest of it up with parts from my old LeMond (the frame on that bike broke, forcing a quick purchase of a new frame - thus the Jamis entering my life). So it doesn't have the Centaur kit, but a mix-and-match of Shimano stuff that works just fine (though I'm so used to Campy shifting from my Pedal Force that it's a wake-up for the first little while when I switch back to Shimano).

Still, it's a sweet bike - I'm glad that I'm riding it on Sunday.

The climbing on the route is around 7,500'. The East River Road climb is the one that most people remember (the 1.3 mile long, bullet straight, 8-10 percent grind), but there are bigger rollers between miles 65-85. But compared to a lot of the big centuries out there, it's not too bad, and there's a enough time to recover after the bigger climbs.

Awesome, I'm thinking about racing in the spring and jensonusa has one for 1300 with centaur but I already have a really nice steel bike. I need a light race bike I'm not afraid of crashing.

The route sounds good, I'll be riding this:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3069/2802538161_a636fb37d0.jpg?v=0

Without the bag and fenders though.

In your size, the Eclipse could get down to about 17.5 lbs if you worked at it. Mine is around 18.75, all told, which isn't terrible, but is a bit much compared to my Pedal Force, which is 16.1. But for racing around, the Eclips would be a fine bike: it's stiff and responsive where it needs to be, and the liability of crashing it is low. The price at Jenson is really great, given the setup - worth consideration.

Here's what mine looks like, save for the saddle:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1361/1468938109_09ccad3211.jpg

The setup isn't as aggressive as my Pedal Force, but my riding has improved over the past year. The Jamis is setup for having fun - and there's nothing wrong with that. :)

In short: great day, great ride. I felt like crap from moment one, as I was at a wedding & reception until the wee hours of the morning, thus riding the GRR on 4 hours of sleep. Ugh.

But it's all good: I had a fun time, took some pictures, and saw folks I met there last year. And the cheap Guinness at the Sons of Erin bar afterward? Yum!

Yeah it was an awesome ride, I got there late but kept an eye out for your jamis but no luck.

Those hills were brutal!

Yeah it was an awesome ride, I got there late but kept an eye out for your jamis but no luck.

Those hills were brutal!

You thought you were late? I think I saw you pulling out onto the ride just as I got out of my car in the parking field. Heheheh....

Yeah, tough hills. But such a scenic route, it buffers the pain a bit.

You thought you were late? I think I saw you pulling out onto the ride just as I got out of my car in the parking field. Heheheh....

Yeah, tough hills. But such a scenic route, it buffers the pain a bit.

I was trying to start the populaire at 7, but got a little lost on the way. You might have seen me after I got my registration stuff and went back to the car to get my gloves because it was colder than I thought.

I might do a 200 or two in the spring, but definitely want to do the dirt randonee. That sounds like fun. What other rides have you done?

I shoved off from the Sons of Erin at 8:00 on the nose.

Most of the other endurance rides I do are in the Mid-Atlantic region: Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland. This season's highlights were Mountains of Misery, the Harlem Valley Rail Ride, the Mt. Shasta Summit Super Century (in northern California), the Civil War Century and, of course, the Great River Ride. Also mixed in were some very long rides on Skyline Drive, which is always a treat.

GRR was my 12th century of the season - it's been a great year for riding. Hopefully, I can convince some of my DC-area friends to come up for the GRR next year - it's really a stunner.

I shoved off from the Sons of Erin at 8:00 on the nose.

Most of the other endurance rides I do are in the Mid-Atlantic region: Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland. This season's highlights were Mountains of Misery, the Harlem Valley Rail Ride, the Mt. Shasta Summit Super Century (in northern California), the Civil War Century and, of course, the Great River Ride. Also mixed in were some very long rides on Skyline Drive, which is always a treat.

GRR was my 12th century of the season - it's been a great year for riding. Hopefully, I can convince some of my DC-area friends to come up for the GRR next year - it's really a stunner.

Wow...just read some info on the Mountains of Misery ride.....sounds quite impressive....

How would you compare it to East River Hill from the GRR ??

The final climb on Mountains of Misery is a big challenge, to say the least! The final climb is mapped out here (http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/va/blacksburg/482383821), while the whole century route is mapped out here (http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/va/blacksburg/872247180912).

Three things really set it apart from East River Hill.

First, it's early in the season (Memorial Day weekend), so most folks don't have their climbing legs up to form.

Second, it's the final four miles of a 103-mile ride, rather than a 1.5 mile stretch in the middle of a ride.

Third, it's relentless. While not the psychological enigma that is East River Hill (i.e. being able to see the top of the climb once you reach the 1/3-way point), it's steeper (averaging over 10 percent for the duration), longer (over 4.5 miles), and is relatively exposed. The switchbacks are steep and tight, especially once you're about 2 miles in. At the 2.25 mile mark, there's a welcome group of Boy Scouts who hand out cups of ice water and Gatorade, and who will also spray you with water if you choose - really nice on a hot day.

The best part, though, is that the finish is akin to a Grand Tour stage, with a finish line, announcer, and crowd. The announcer can be heard for the last mile, and he announces your name once you get within 250 meters of the finish. It's a huge boost to tired legs to have folks cheering the last throes of the climb - even with really tired and cramp-prone legs, I was able to shift up a couple of gears, stand up, and sprint out the finish.

It's totally worth it, though, and would be a fun road trip for New Englanders who seek some lovely hills early in the year.

The final climb on Mountains of Misery is a big challenge, to say the least! The final climb is mapped out here (http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/va/blacksburg/482383821), while the whole century route is mapped out here (http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/va/blacksburg/872247180912).

Three things really set it apart from East River Hill.

First, it's early in the season (Memorial Day weekend), so most folks don't have their climbing legs up to form.

Second, it's the final four miles of a 103-mile ride, rather than a 1.5 mile stretch in the middle of a ride.

Third, it's relentless. While not the psychological enigma that is East River Hill (i.e. being able to see the top of the climb once you reach the 1/3-way point), it's steeper (averaging over 10 percent for the duration), longer (over 4.5 miles), and is relatively exposed. The switchbacks are steep and tight, especially once you're about 2 miles in. At the 2.25 mile mark, there's a welcome group of Boy Scouts who hand out cups of ice water and Gatorade, and who will also spray you with water if you choose - really nice on a hot day.

The best part, though, is that the finish is akin to a Grand Tour stage, with a finish line, announcer, and crowd. The announcer can be heard for the last mile, and he announces your name once you get within 250 meters of the finish. It's a huge boost to tired legs to have folks cheering the last throes of the climb - even with really tired and cramp-prone legs, I was able to shift up a couple of gears, stand up, and sprint out the finish.

It's totally worth it, though, and would be a fun road trip for New Englanders who seek some lovely hills early in the year.

I did the GRR in 2006...rode solo....had a great, if mixed up time.

My long post is about half way down the first page:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=222419

I had no idea East River was coming up.....climbed a shorter hill, turned the corner and there it was ! Yikes ! No used to such long and sustained steep climbs......thought I'd be back to do it again but I've yet to get there a second time. I'd like to try the Climb to the Clouds and one other one who's name escapes me for the moment, both of which are in MA.

Good Times.....I enjoys your writeups as well.

I did the GRR in 2006...rode solo....had a great, if mixed up time.

My long post is about half way down the first page:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=222419

I had no idea East River was coming up.....climbed a shorter hill, turned the corner and there it was ! Yikes ! No used to such long and sustained steep climbs......thought I'd be back to do it again but I've yet to get there a second time. I'd like to try the Climb to the Clouds and one other one who's name escapes me for the moment, both of which are in MA.

Good Times.....I enjoys your writeups as well.

Thanks! 8)

Yeah, the climbs after East River Hill are more sinister in terms of shock to the system, largely because they come after the mile 67 rest stop. Most people stop for too long after tackling East River (and indulging in the baked potatoes), so it's like starting from a dead rest with depleted stores and digestion going on. I've seen a few people on Skyline Trail, after the mile 67 stop, pulled off the road and enjoying a case of "rapid food purge" due to the combined agony of the hill, rest and digestion. Not pretty.

After the top of Skyline, though, it's a pretty downhill, and only one wall of a climb after the mile 91 rest area before the end of the ride. This year, Route 20 was in terrible shape, with a lot of potholes that made for rough riding until the crossing over the river.

In terms of challenge, I still would say Misery and Mountain Mama rank as more difficult rides here in the east (and others, like Blue Ridge Extreme and some of the rides in Vermont and New Hampshire, are up there in terms of challenge, as well). The Shasta ride I did this year is in another league, entirely: more distance, more vertical, bigger scale. But the GRR is still an awesome ride in the combination of scenery (especially with the foliage), challenge and the top-notch organizers.

But difficulty is all what you make of it. My hill training this year was intense, with a lot of workouts in the Blue Ridge and Catoctin ranges, which have steep, sustained climbs that'll prep you for almost any paved incline. There are certainly similar challenges to be had in southern New England (e.g. Route 190 climbing east out of Stafford Springs, CT, or Skiff Mountain Road heading north out of Kent, CT).

Onward to the remainder of fall - and to winter, with snow and skiing!

Totally forgot about this ride until now. I'll have to put it in the ride calendar for 2009. Sounds like you guys had a blast.

In terms of challenge, I still would say Misery and Mountain Mama rank as more difficult rides here in the east (and others, like Blue Ridge Extreme and some of the rides in Vermont and New Hampshire, are up there in terms of challenge, as well). The Shasta ride I did this year is in another league, entirely: more distance, more vertical, bigger scale. But the GRR is still an awesome ride in the combination of scenery (especially with the foliage), challenge and the top-notch organizers.

But difficulty is all what you make of it. My hill training this year was intense, with a lot of workouts in the Blue Ridge and Catoctin ranges, which have steep, sustained climbs that'll prep you for almost any paved incline. There are certainly similar challenges to be had in southern New England (e.g. Route 190 climbing east out of Stafford Springs, CT, or Skiff Mountain Road heading north out of Kent, CT).

I need to get out more.....I haven't heard about these other rides...

I found the websites of both Mountains of Misery & Mountain Mama....
Tell me more about the Shasta ride and the Vermont & New Hampshire rides you alluded to.
I'm going to look into those roads in CT that you mentioned as well as being good training for climbing too !

My main source for century rides in New England has been the CRANE website:

http://www.c-r-a-n-e.com/

..which is not working as I post this but I hope the site is just temporarily down...

Someone here posted a great list of century rides in the New England/Mid-Atlantic areas awhile back too....I'd have to look.....

Just did 50 minutes on the rollers.....gonna be a long winter :(