"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - Tour of the Hill Towns

It is time for the most challenging race in Western New England. The Tour of the Hill Towns (http://www.bikereg.com/events/register.asp?eventid=8827). This is a Mass Championship Race and is a coveted "must do" for the New England area. The sponsoring club (http://www.nohobikeclub.org/index.php)is serious about its racing and works very hard to ensure that this race provides everything except an easy ride. If you finish this ride with your group...your a bike racer...

If you are a Cat 4 or 5 this race is perfect for you. This is one you want to put on your race resume.

If you are a Cat three or above...bring your A game!

This year we have organized several bennies...

Discounts at multiple Bed and Breakfast Inns (http://www.hhbba.com). Perfect for the the racer and the spouse.
Discounts at the "Porches" (http://www.porches.com/) a hotel that also accommodates the Mass MOCA (http://www.massmoca.org/). Perfect for the cultured crowd.
Discounts at local hotels that understand that the bathtub counts as a bed...

Discounts at local breweries, (Noho Brewery (http://www.northamptonbrewery.com/), Peoples Pint (http://www.thepeoplespint.com/), Pittsfield Brew Works (http://www.pittsfieldbrewworks.com/)for pre and post race carbo loading...

PM me for details...here is the link for registration (http://www.bikereg.com/events/register.asp?EventID=8827)

The field is currently light but will fill once most people see that is does not rain everyday in New England.

What's the course like ? How does it compare to Housatonic Hills ?

Hey Greg, sounds like fun. Wish I could be there. :( Maybe it's for the best, since my fitness is pretty shot, but I was looking forward to this one. Maybe I'll make it up next year, but it's a long way. All my best for everyone in the NCC. How's your knee doing?

Signed up for the 4's.
I think I'm going to attack from the gun and blow up beautifully about 5 mins into the race ;)

Hey Greg, sounds like fun. Wish I could be there. :( Maybe it's for the best, since my fitness is pretty shot, but I was looking forward to this one. Maybe I'll make it up next year, but it's a long way. All my best for everyone in the NCC. How's your knee doing?

Too bad Grolby I thought for sure I'd see you there. Would you like to volunteer? We need some marshalls and drivers. Drivers get $$ for gas and a free lunch.

Knees doing good. Just getting back on the bike outside.

What's the course like ? How does it compare to Housatonic Hills ?

The course is good. There are a couple of spots where they have construction but we will have marshalls there to provide a heads up. I am not familar with HH, but this is a challenging course. Mostly down hill for the first half but then its all uphill from there.

Thanks for the reminder, I need to preride the course this weekend.

Too bad Grolby I thought for sure I'd see you there. Would you like to volunteer? We need some marshalls and drivers. Drivers get $$ for gas and a free lunch.

Knees doing good. Just getting back on the bike outside.

I'd love to volunteer, but I've moved to Nashville as of last week, so it'd be a bit of a hike to get back up for Hilltowns! ;) No, I will be down here doing research and racing a crit that weekend. I'm down here for a good reason, and glad to be, but I do miss the club and the races up there.

Glad to hear you're healing well. It must be great to get out on the bike again!

It is time for the most challenging race in Western New England. The Tour of the Hill Towns (http://www.bikereg.com/events/register.asp?eventid=8827). This is a Mass Championship Race and is a coveted "must do" for the New England area. The sponsoring club (http://www.nohobikeclub.org/index.php)is serious about its racing and works very hard to ensure that this race provides everything except an easy ride. If you finish this ride with your group...your a bike racer...

If you are a Cat 4 or 5 this race is perfect for you. This is one you want to put on your race resume.

If you are a Cat three or above...bring your A game!

This year we have organized several bennies...

Discounts at multiple Bed and Breakfast Inns (http://www.hhbba.com). Perfect for the the racer and the spouse.
Discounts at the "Porches" (http://www.porches.com/) a hotel that also accommodates the Mass MOCA (http://www.massmoca.org/). Perfect for the cultured crowd.
Discounts at local hotels that understand that the bathtub counts as a bed...

Discounts at local breweries, (Noho Brewery (http://www.northamptonbrewery.com/), Peoples Pint (http://www.thepeoplespint.com/), Pittsfield Brew Works (http://www.pittsfieldbrewworks.com/)for pre and post race carbo loading...

PM me for details...here is the link for registration (http://www.bikereg.com/events/register.asp?EventID=8827)

The field is currently light but will fill once most people see that is does not rain everyday in New England.

Pretty much why I haven't signed up yet...I'm watching the long range forecast. I rode the Quabbin and B2B last month, but I've begun climbing again to prepare. Today I rode solo doing loops around Blue Hills (Reservation Roads + 2 Race Loops) with two climbs to the Summit. 53 miles, 3300ft of climbing...a couple more days like today and I should be good!

-Fbmxer

Bump..Pre Reg is wide open. The weather will be fine...I promise...

I love the rain.

(I pre-reg'd weeks ago)

Bump..Pre Reg is wide open. The weather will be fine...I promise...

I signed up this morning, hope to stay near the front during the first climb.

-Fbmxer

I'm down here for a good reason, and glad to be, but I do miss the club and the races up there.

There are clubs and races in the area you're in now?

I love the rain.

(I pre-reg'd weeks ago)


I signed up this morning, hope to stay near the front during the first climb.

-Fbmxer

Great see you guys there...I scrounging for volunteers now. I'm learning that it takes a lot of people to run a race. I have to admit I'm enjoying organizing a race.

There are clubs and races in the area you're in now?

Sure, but I'm fond of the New England racing scene. It's possible to like more than one racing scene!

I am probably doing this race.

If my teammates convince me into it I will probably go. Bit of a drive for me and I suck at climbing.

Sure, but I'm fond of the New England racing scene. It's possible to like more than one racing scene!

Not exactly my point but OK. I am kind of in your situation, am moving in a couple weeks to WV. Unfortunately I only know of one "club" there and the closest race is probably 2-3 hours away. That is what I meant by there being clubs and racing in Nashville, not everyone even has that! Plus you'll probably be considered one of the "hard" guys in Nashville after training/racing in New England! :thumb: Cold here is a LOT warmer than cold there...

Cat3. mens. IN.

I'll be the one breaking away at mile 5 and getting caught on the Hawley rd. climb, trying not to get popped off the back and then struggling the rest of the race until the final false flat where I'll get popped for good.


Cant wait!!!!

-L "predictable" D

If anyone needs a pull out couch Friday night, mine is available for a six pack of quality brew.

Unfortunately I only know of one "club" there and the closest race is probably 2-3 hours away.

Eh you will get used to that. My team is ~2hrs away from where I live and I typically drive 3+hrs for races on a good day.

Any chance of a neutral feed? Would like to do the P/1/2 but don't have a feeder and don't think I have big enough pockets for 96 miles of food and water...

Not exactly my point but OK. I am kind of in your situation, am moving in a couple weeks to WV. Unfortunately I only know of one "club" there and the closest race is probably 2-3 hours away. That is what I meant by there being clubs and racing in Nashville, not everyone even has that! Plus you'll probably be considered one of the "hard" guys in Nashville after training/racing in New England! :thumb: Cold here is a LOT warmer than cold there...

Oh, I follow. Yeah, it's nice that there's a good club and race scene here. As for being one of the hard men in Nashville, well, maybe. I'm one of the soft ones this summer, just totally wilting in all the humidity!

awww man, looks like i missed the boat on this one. Cat5 looks pretty full.


damn, I had a friend I coulda stayed with in easthampton too. :(

Any chance of a neutral feed? Would like to do the P/1/2 but don't have a feeder and don't think I have big enough pockets for 96 miles of food and water...

Checking to see what we can do for you...

We are having a neutral feed, water only, for the P/1/2. Spent the better part of the morning sweeping areas of the course. We still need to sweep the descent and portions of route nine but it is all looking good.

We confirmed a 10% discount at three separate breweries for the riders. That way on your way home you can get a great local brew and good food at a discount.

Saw you out there with Austin, right before he dropped me on East Hawley road.

This race is going to hurt!

Signed up for the 4's.
I think I'm going to attack from the gun and blow up beautifully about 5 mins into the race ;)

I did that last year--took off about 7 miles in and held a one minute lead until the Climb of Death, where I got caught, chewed up, and spit out the back of the pack. It was a lot of fun.

Saw you out there with Austin, right before he dropped me on East Hawley road.

This race is going to hurt!

I bet Austin kills this thing. He's legit crazy, but strong.

Saw you out there with Austin, right before he dropped me on East Hawley road.

This race is going to hurt!

Ahhh East Hawley Road...Gotta love the pleasure the pain brings.

trying to decide on Masters or Cat4

I'm leaning towards Masters

any thoughts on which will be a smoother race?

trying to decide on Masters or Cat4

I'm leaning towards Masters

any thoughts on which will be a smoother race?

Grumpy, my sources tell me the Masters, (although faster), is the smoother race. Less accordion and a tighter pack. The fours can get scattered and broken during the course of the race.

The weather forecast is out and it's good. :thumb:

Time to register before the categories fill up.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p230/gregogarrison/TOTHTForecast.jpg

can you turn the gravity setting to "moon" please?

can you turn the gravity setting to "moon" please?

Done...Except for East Hawley Road which is permanently set to Black Hole!

trying to decide on Masters or Cat4

I'm leaning towards Masters

any thoughts on which will be a smoother race?


masters v. cat 4 does not compute

i will say to all those who've not climbed E. Hawley rd.:

it aint super steep, albeit long, so that me, even at #195 managed to not impolde on it... unlike the 10-15% kicks found in other races which own me like my boss. Now that I've said this, I plan on imploding Saturday.

If your FTP is decent, you should be fine, as long as you dont try and play Contador and respond to the pure climbers... unless you're one of them. In which case, i hate you already.

But, this is a stellar race, so come out and have some fun!!

The masters race will be significantly harder than the cat 3 race. If you can compete with the masters, go place in the 4 race and get the upgrade points.

i will say to all those who've not climbed E. Hawley rd.:

it aint super steep, albeit long, so that me, even at #195 managed to not impolde on it... unlike the 10-15% kicks found in other races which own me like my boss. Now that I've said this, I plan on imploding Saturday.

If your FTP is decent, you should be fine, as long as you dont try and play Contador and respond to the pure climbers... unless you're one of them. In which case, i hate you already.

But, this is a stellar race, so come out and have some fun!!

FTP: Sucks...
Weight: Not 142 anymore.
Climbing ability: Sucks...

Goal: To not be last ;)

The masters race will be significantly harder than the cat 3 race. If you can compete with the masters, go place in the 4 race and get the upgrade points.

not according to last year's timing.

http://www.usacycling.org/results/index.php?permit=2008-1636

I'm taking my daughter to her camp in the Berkshires on Sunday...this looks like a good beat-the-stuffing-out-of-me-the-non-climber race, but, driving out and back 2 days in a row, hmmm...I know, I know, head out Friday, have daughter watch me race, stay over and then take her to camp...my wife might like the idea of a family trip...don't ya love it when a $35 registration fee can turn into hundreds of dollars...

I'll be there Greg!

not according to last year's timing.

http://www.usacycling.org/results/index.php?permit=2008-1636

OK. I'm looking at the guys on the start list and saying that there are some really fast guys in there.

Timing is sometimes deceptive. Since tactics play out far more intelligently in the masters fields it isn't unusual for a race to be very slow at times when it doesn't make sense to go hard. The selective sections can make up for it by being far harder than

good luck!

Ok I'm in for the Masters 40+. The hotels are all too expensive though. Looks like I am driving there at 5 am.

OK. I'm looking at the guys on the start list and saying that there are some really fast guys in there.
good luck!

Yeah, some good names in that masters field. No Keltic though? I thought I would for sure see them at this race, of course still a few days to register.

Can someone give a breakdown of the course?

When are all the climbs and such?
Thanks.

is your internet broken?

Course/Race information (http://www.nohobikeclub.org/)

i will say to all those who've not climbed E. Hawley rd.:

it aint super steep, albeit long, so that me, even at #195 managed to not impolde on it... unlike the 10-15% kicks found in other races which own me like my boss. Now that I've said this, I plan on imploding Saturday.

If your FTP is decent, you should be fine, as long as you dont try and play Contador and respond to the pure climbers... unless you're one of them. In which case, i hate you already.

But, this is a stellar race, so come out and have some fun!!

Hey L,

I'll probably see you as the 3s roll off, this should be last (2nd last) race as a 5 hopefully. Good to hear it's not super steep, I haven't had a chance to recon. I was uncertain about gearing, but I think I'm riding 36x23 as my lowest gear. I might suffer on bit on the steep stuff, but I like the spacing of 12-23 on rollers.

I've been able to keep my weight around 148 for most of the season so I'll see how much this helps. I've done some solid climbing this season, but I consider myself more an all-rounder -VS- a pure climber...you've seen me sprint :D

Power numbers and FTP have been improving throughout the season so I'm looking to find a good rhythm and tap it out.

-Fbmxer

is your internet broken?

No, but my brain might be...