Nov 05, 2014 at 10:27 PM
Fuck that: Glory and Memories
Battenkill
Nov 05, 2014 at 11:06 PM
I just think he's looking for controversy with that type of move. Cat 4s used to pay 10 deep....
Especially when the opening price is $95.
Nov 05, 2014 at 11:34 PM
God. I want to do this -- I really do -- but there's something about this race that I despise (despite the face I've never done it, of course). Maybe it's the stories from years past, maybe it's shit like removing prize money. Every year I say, "fuck it, I'm doing Battenkill." Then, there's something like this that makes me think otherwise.
Nov 05, 2014 at 11:37 PM
I'm doing the old man Cat 4 race too. My compact crankset arrives via fedex tomorrow
Nov 05, 2014 at 11:46 PM
The email said the starting line has changed, there's less climbing, and the distance was lengthened to 68 miles.
2015 course
2014
Nov 05, 2014 at 11:47 PM
Go ahead, tell your grandkids you raced and lived on the east coast but never did Battenkill because there wasn't enough prize money...
I prefer a race without money, because frankly the local racers seem to do a lot of drugs every time someone puts money on the line.
Screw that, I prefer a gentleman's race.
All that written, I'm not exactly an unbiased observer.
Nov 06, 2014 at 12:48 AM
It's not about the prize money for me, it's just more of the point. I'm probably going to man up and finally do it, but I can't help but feel like it's a gimmick. I've heard amazing stories and don't doubt that it's a boss race, but saying it's for glory buys into all that EEEEEPIIIIICCCCC hype. I'd much prefer a gentlemens race, by the way. But I doubt I'd have to pay $100 to do it.
Also, I'm sure my future grandkids will be sick of cycling stories :-p
Also, I'm sure my future grandkids will be sick of cycling stories :-p
Nov 06, 2014 at 12:52 AM
Check the prices of Grand Fondos, which I think qualify as gentleman's races.
I just sent a bunch of 'cross pictures to a comprehensive list of family members (children but no grandchildren yet). Rather than telling them stories, I included a link to Svenness 3.3.
I just sent a bunch of 'cross pictures to a comprehensive list of family members (children but no grandchildren yet). Rather than telling them stories, I included a link to Svenness 3.3.
Nov 06, 2014 at 12:53 AM
It's not that Epic; Airport Road stage at Catskills is way harder.
It's just a unique and very well run race that has worked it's way into amateur cycling mythology.
It's also undoubtably the most expensive race you'll do outside of Triathlon - any way you measure it. But for folks riding multiple bikes with different wheelsets, and race budgets that approach four digits... methinks, lady, protest, yadda yadda.
Nov 06, 2014 at 12:56 AM
good pointdstokes said:Check the prices of Grand Fondos, which I think qualify as gentleman's races.
Nov 06, 2014 at 01:10 AM
Bruce van-Schalkwyk said:
The email said the starting line has changed, there's less climbing, and the distance was lengthened to 68 miles.
2015 coursehttp://ridewithgps.com/routes/6079638
2014http://ridewithgps.com/routes/3511335 Bruce, that is the preliminary route. It is subject to sudden midrace deviation. Hungry to see what it's like? Have some of my sour grapes...
The email said the starting line has changed, there's less climbing, and the distance was lengthened to 68 miles.
2015 coursehttp://ridewithgps.com/routes/6079638
2014http://ridewithgps.com/routes/3511335 Bruce, that is the preliminary route. It is subject to sudden midrace deviation. Hungry to see what it's like? Have some of my sour grapes...
Nov 06, 2014 at 02:54 AM
No one should ever do a US Gran Fondo. In fact such an event in the US should have it's own name - not copy the Italian name - but I digress.
Go to Italy and do a proper one.
Nov 06, 2014 at 05:20 PM
Never done a Gran Fondo. I've done a wielertoeristen and a cyclosportif. Wonder why the Flemish name never took off here.ian ellis said:No one should ever do a US Gran Fondo. In fact such an event in the US should have it's own name - not copy the Italian name - but I digress.Go to Italy and do a proper one.
c'mon folks. The course was never that hard, not that a hard course is necessary for a hard race (see FBF). It's a big, crazy event that people get ridiculously amped for. That what makes it special. Or a pain.
Harriman is more difficult. Ride to Nyack via River Road and Bradley and you'll get in more climbing.
That written, the cat 2 race has added distance. It's suddenly gotten more interesting.
Nov 06, 2014 at 05:37 PM
I've rode "the hell of Hunterdon" for the last 4 years ,some guys use it as a Battenkill warm up , about 80 miles , 30% gravel roads , really cheap and well run ,its get bigger every year ,but they still hand out free bear at the end .
I'll be there next year also
Nov 06, 2014 at 05:42 PM
I secretly hope somebody publishes a "Hell of the..." compilation. There are so many, and they all sound awesome.
Nov 06, 2014 at 07:36 PM
This is another one I've been meaning to do. I have family in the area and ride many of those roads often, but not usually the dirt ones. But that's an area where it's pretty easy to get 4,000 feet of climbing in a 40 mile ride.Mark Taylor said:I've rode "the hell of Hunterdon" for the last 4 years ,some guys use it as a Battenkill warm up , about 80 miles , 30% gravel roads , really cheap and well run ,its get bigger every year ,but they still hand out free bear at the end .I'll be there next year also
Nov 06, 2014 at 10:27 PM
,but they still hand out free bear at the end .Mark, I'm assuming you mean beer but like picturing a bunch of sweaty cyclists chowing down on greasy bear steaks.
Nov 07, 2014 at 11:59 AM
Yes sorry Beer, River horse brewing until last year when they had another local brewer , who's name I forgot
Nov 15, 2014 at 10:43 PM
Registration opens at 7
Nov 16, 2014 at 12:23 AM
I registered!!
Nov 16, 2014 at 12:24 AM
me too…. Cat 4 40+
Nov 16, 2014 at 02:50 AM
I've fallen woefully behind on my forum duties, so I've missed a lot of posts lately. This thread just burbled back to the top, and I am outrageously stoked that we're talking about this already.
That said, I'm only now seeing Fabian's comments about his reservations about racing Battenkill:
"there's something about this race that I despise."
"I can't help but feel like it's a gimmick."
Adam, Battenkill is the closest thing to Paris-Roubaix that you will ever race. And it's home grown. Face up to it, brother. Would LOVE to have you on the team for it next year. Sign up. Start training now.
All this prize money angst is confounding. Let's say Battenkill paid out $200 for winning a Cat. 4 field last year (it didn't). If someone asked me whether I'd rather win Battenkill for free or simply be given $200, I would not be able to answer the question, because I would have died laughing. And my answer wouldn't have mattered anyway because the questioner would have also died from the intensity and ferocity of my guffaw. So ... cash equals respect? Your winnings wouldn't buy you a pair of Speedplays. By no standard of logic. Win for the win.
Reg'd.
Nov 16, 2014 at 03:45 AM
Not sure if my troubles are from the beer or the forum -- but despite my earlier bitching I was among the first to reg at 7:01. I'm stoked to see what this race is all about and kill it.
Nov 16, 2014 at 03:46 PM
Thanks for posting the link to registration. I'm in for the 4 40+ and the field is now closed. I just got in. That filled crazy fast.
Nov 16, 2014 at 03:54 PM
Fantastic news guys. Rent a shared house nearby, make a weekend of it.
Tire choice discussion in 3...2...1...
Tire choice discussion in 3...2...1...
Nov 16, 2014 at 07:26 PM
I'm signed up.
Calling all cat.4s, better get on it ASAP. As of now 123 out of 200 spots are taken and registration has been open for about a day.
Nov 16, 2014 at 08:09 PM
I cannot believe I actually signed up for this ....
Anyway now I can officially join in the discussions about rental housing, gears and tires (only kidding about the last 2 - I have no intention of discussing those)
Nov 18, 2014 at 07:38 PM
im_nelson said:,but they still hand out free bear at the end .Mark, I'm assuming you mean beer but like picturing a bunch of sweaty cyclists chowing down on greasy bear steaks.
Nov 19, 2014 at 01:47 AM
They've expanded the cat 4 40+ field to 200…..registration for it will reopen on Friday
it's currently at 112
Feb 12, 2015 at 05:32 PM
Still a little while away, but bump up to start dialog on travel and accommodations...
These seem to be all the Kissena's signed up that I could find on the reg page. Anyone missing?
Cat.4
Ian
Whitey
Yang
Nelson
Adam F.
Jay Whalen
Josh C.
Cat. 4 40+
Peter Byyshe
Bruce v-S
Thierry
Rick
Cat. 5 55+
Joseph Iberti
Cat. 5
Sean Miles
These seem to be all the Kissena's signed up that I could find on the reg page. Anyone missing?
Cat.4
Ian
Whitey
Yang
Nelson
Adam F.
Jay Whalen
Josh C.
Cat. 4 40+
Peter Byyshe
Bruce v-S
Thierry
Rick
Cat. 5 55+
Joseph Iberti
Cat. 5
Sean Miles