Tour of the Hilltowns - Forum Archive

Jul 08, 2012 at 02:34 AM

Thankfully, I will be out of town for this bastard (I've done it 3 times).

Its a good one though, and I'm not hearing anybody talk about it, so figured I'd throw it up here.

https://www.bikereg.com/Net/16514

Most definitely a climbers race.

tito

Jul 08, 2012 at 08:35 PM

I'd totes do it if I wasn't working.

155km for the Pro-1-2's. Barf!

alyoshas

Jul 09, 2012 at 01:10 AM

I'd like to do it

alyoshas

Jul 16, 2012 at 08:29 PM

Anyone driving up there? i had plans but they fell through.

Jules

Jun 03, 2013 at 01:27 AM

This may just work for me. Anybody interested?
Check out Canadian Mike's cameo at the top of the screen... how random is that?

http://www.nohobikeclub.org/nccwp/?events=ncc-tour-of-the-hilltowns

Ryan J

Jun 03, 2013 at 04:15 AM

Ah Hilltowns...read my reports on this one.

Jules

Jun 03, 2013 at 03:19 PM

I'm reg'd

Jules

Jun 03, 2013 at 03:21 PM

Ryan J said:

Ah Hilltowns...read my reports on this one.

Ryan are your reports from 2012 or 2011? Search is still broken but I can't find them even on the "reduced to five pages" threads we have...

Ryan J

Jun 03, 2013 at 03:40 PM

Yeah I couldn't find them last night either. I think the reports are from 2009, 2010, and 2011.

Basically, I've just always done progressively more horrible at that race. 5th in the 5s in 2009 but not in the lead group. Then I got killed in the 4s in 2010 and finished like 40th. Then in 2011 I got dropped like a stone on East Hawley and abandoned.

But that's just my performance. Its a good race, although the first 20 miles before East Hawley is a tad harrowing, depending on the field you're in. It's all descending - it feels like you're never doing less than 40 MPH and the roads are absolute shit. I kid you not there were like 5 crashes in the first 20 miles last time I did that race. Carbon and bodies just flying about like shrapnel.

But after you get to East Hawley the field shreds and its smooth sailing from there on out. And you never know, they may have repaved. I'd consider doing it again depending on where I'm at that week. I'll be prepping for Catskills so it will depend how it fits into the training plan.

Jules

Jun 03, 2013 at 03:47 PM

@Ryan tell me this course isn't tailor made for you, including a ten mile uphill finish that ends with the steepest section?

You're on fuego these days - would be fun to watch you smash it.

Ryan J

Jun 03, 2013 at 04:30 PM

It is a good course for me indeed on the right day. If you wanna go I would probably tag along. It would be a good final tune up for Catskills.

jim_nelson

Jun 03, 2013 at 04:58 PM

I drove 116 and 8a last weekend. They have not been repaved. Could have been some patching work done but no new large stretches of fresh tarmac.

tito

Jun 03, 2013 at 08:02 PM

If I can sneak away from work I might be into this - I have a family friend in Hawley, too, so it might be easy on the wallet.

I probably can't take two Saturdays off in July, though - any thoughts about Hilltowns vs. Capitol Region?

tito

Jun 03, 2013 at 08:09 PM

Also...funny...my wife and I did a bike tour a couple of years ago through Western Mass, and we covered some of this race course before stopping for a day in Hawley. That descent of 116 / 8A is really beautiful - a long winding road under a canopy of bright green.

normanzo

Jun 04, 2013 at 02:23 AM

The Normanzo Challenge: According to Strava, my best time from two appearances I made upon the arduous East Hawley climb is 21 minutes and 10 seconds.

Therefore and forthrightly I do hereby offer up an unofficial contest: open to each and every Kissena rider who beats my East Hawley Personal Record, to these winners I will award a Bierkraft* gift certificate for $21.10 and to the fastest Kissena --a special prize: an autographed pair of William DC's bibs** used by this venerable clubsman in numerous races and training rides. These are highly coveted Champion System retro Kissena bibs circa 2009.

Rules and restrictions:

1. Participants must record the time on a self-propelled bicycle with no mechanical or other extra-body propulsion. Furthermore the climb must be performed as a Hilltowns race participant (any category).

2. Winners must finish the climb with the first or second group in their race, and finish the race in the top-20. This is to ensure that riders don't enter and race Hilltowns expressly for the purpose of winning this coveted prize.

3. Contestants must use 39/23 gearing.

4. At the start line, contestants must consume (and be photographed with) a half liter of Normanzo's Paleo Sport Drink. Contestants may choose from Kalf-n-Kale Klimber's Delight made with fresh Oregon calf's liver, cipollini onions, and hearty Northwest kales, or Norm's own favorite, Pedal Puddin' --that's right, made with real Blood Pudding from grass fed Hereford cattle just like the ones Norm's papa raised back in Cackalacky.

5. Contestants must race on aluminum rimmed wheels, just like Norm did when set his PR on East Hawley.

6. Rules 3-5 may be overlooked if Norm determines that you made a good faith effort to compete with dignity.

Fine print: this contest will be cancelled if and when it is determined to be contrary to the club code of conduct as officiated by the Kissena Board of Directors.

* Since Ryan doesn't drink and will inevitably crush my time, he will be awarded a $20 gift certificate to KombuchaKraft --or if that has too much alcyhol, then another celebratory beverage of his choosing. Same goes for others who prefer other beverages.

** William --hey man, I found your bibs! I know you're cool with me donating them to this contest --as I'm sure you only wear the current, approved Kissena kit. And hey man, you can win them back!

Jules

Jun 04, 2013 at 02:34 AM

Norm I'm gonna do it with a live calf strapped to my handlebars... I'll just chew at its throat periodically for FRESH BLOOD as the need arises.

And only one shoe.

normanzo

Jun 04, 2013 at 04:19 AM

That's the spirit Jules! You'll make it, I know you will!

alyoshas

Jul 14, 2013 at 02:42 PM

bump: this race is next weekend.

Adam

Jul 17, 2013 at 02:25 PM

I'm going to do this. Anyone want to co-ordinate? At present, my plan is to rent a car so 'co-ordination' means rental split.

I am as of yet undecided on going night before or day of. At present, I'm 60% leaning towards night before as it doesn't affect rental cost and a Super8 doesn't break the bank.

Anyone keen, let me know.

Ryan J

Jul 17, 2013 at 03:54 PM

I want to do it but I don't know about night before vs. day of yet.

Adam

Jul 17, 2013 at 04:25 PM

OK-we'll figure something out.

The drive is more or less the same as Capital Region last weekend, so that's what we are contending with if we do day of (of course, my journey starts an hour earlier to get to you).

I'll book a car today from my rental out here.

Adam

Jul 18, 2013 at 06:10 PM

Just reg'd

Thierry Bonnaire

Jul 18, 2013 at 06:45 PM

I wish I could have gone to this race but family events prevent me to do so. Next year for sure.

Adam

Jul 18, 2013 at 07:31 PM

Ha ha ha

Check out who finished 27th in Cat3 in 2011. I didn't know they had that icon!

http://www.road-results.com/race/1085?utm_source=nccwebsite

Ryan J

Jul 19, 2013 at 11:42 PM

Balls, I'm out. Was looking forward to this one but work calls. Occasionally life gets in the way of bike racing. I really need to get my priorities straight!

Jules

Jul 19, 2013 at 11:43 PM

Ryan J said:

Balls, I'm out. Was looking forward to this one but work calls. Occasionally life gets in the way of bike racing. I really need to get my priorities straight!

I feel ya

alyoshas

Jul 20, 2013 at 07:44 PM

Rene placed too. Times are wrong, 2 riders were up the road out of sight. I got pipped by colin tanner at the finish line as i relented my sprint. Should have gotten 4th overall but so I learn.

image.jpg

Ryan J

Jul 20, 2013 at 07:50 PM

nice work

adam?

Jules

Jul 21, 2013 at 01:13 AM

Nice work Yoshi!