I'm bringing my clown bike to Millbrook.

@wdc: wheel/tire recommendations please

 

Attention all riders!  Save this route to your mobile device!

David, I hear you about the dirt. I'm working that weekend, so I have a built in excuse, but if I weren't I might have to come up with one because, despite my love of cyclocross, I'm just not a fan of racing a road bike on dirt. That said, I've done some dirt roads that are smooth and hard packed and safer than some blacktop.

It's when the dirt roads have a nice helping of gumball sized gravel sprinkled on top when things get double-dicey...and little mini sink holes...they totally suck too. One of my favorite stage races, Green Mountain, has a few kilometers of descending dirt roads that some years are okay, others just reedonkulous. But the race itself, overall is so great that I hold my nose, and look past this crap section of the race. I also look past it, because the road race course, almost requires the passage through the dirt roads to make an interesting, manageable RR course. So many roads up there are just not paved.

All of this said, if you don't particularly care about the racing aspect of this event, and you just want to have a good time with your teammates, I would encourage you to keep that spot in Clifford's car and go up and ride the course. Race it in the pack for as long as you feel comfortable, and when you get to sections that are intimidating, go your own pace and consider it "practice."

I think what's important to remember when riding on less than ideal roads, is that you try to keep your momentum moving forward. Do not over-react, over-correct for minor squiggles and wiggles. Look a little farther ahead on where you want to go, lean that bike less than you would on tarmac when turning, and you should be fine. Make sure you have glasses on, because stones and dust and shit will get in your face.

David Yang - I second what Marc Bertucco said. Ride within your comfort zone and enjoy the day. There is no stress or pressure. THEN - when the next ride of this variety comes around (say Battenkill 2014) - you will have a leg up on other competitors, as you will have had some experience with this type of terrain and not everyone else will have.

dirt riding is fun - well - aside from that one descent last year at Battenkill where the sand was super soft and like 4 inches deep.  that wasn't so much fun.  that was damn scary.  on the other hand - softer to land on than tarmac!

@David

FWIW-I am not in racing shape, but I am going up, will try to help William a bit, and hope do the course (or a good portion of it) as a ride rather than a race.  My thinking was that I would do the large loop on William's course map (and leave out the small loop) in around the same time as (or perhaps before) the racing group.  With William's leave to do so, you are welcome to ride it with me if you feel that hanging with the pack on dirt roads may not be where your head is at yet.

@David Yang

It looks like the large loop is roughly 40 miles of the complete 60 mile course.

Thanks for the encouragement guys.

@neilx, that's a righteous idea and sweetens the pot.  I'll definitely have to rethink it.  Basically I'm a big wienie and have crashed out in races, commutes, in my living room...and paranoid about having to spend yet another summer without riding/racing.

@David,

if you can handle racing in a PP race and staying upright, you can handle a dirt road. I totally second what Josh says, and I am with you on not missing your season, but this is going to be a highlight of your season. If some of the descents are challenging just take them slower. There are plenty of us that a are riding this as a "ride" rather than trying to break rocks over each other's head's in a macho displays chest hair and clean shaven legs.

I'll be driving from BKYN as well.  Have 2 spots. let me know.

danielhubbard said:

I'll be driving from BKYN as well.  Have 2 spots. let me know.

Would love to take one of the spots. I'm 50/50 for this. Need to see if I can get out a weekend workshop. I should know for sure by end of day tomorrow night. 

Dan Reiners said:

@David,

There are plenty of us that a are riding this as a "ride" rather than trying to break rocks over each other's head's in a macho displays chest hair and clean shaven legs.

WHAT?  I REFUSE TO PARTICIPATE IN ANY EVENT WHERE MEN AREN'T SHAVING THEIR LEGS AND CRO-MAGNON SKULL CRACKING ISN'T THE END GAME.

@WilliamDC

I know you uploaded the GPS of the race route above, have you given us a street address for your place yet that we can plug into our simple car GPS (or look at on a map) just to get us there?  My apologies if I missed it somewhere along the line.

P.S.-Should I just bring the 2-way radios the day of the event or do you need them some time this week for any pre-race actiivities?

P.P.S.-Do we need to bring our own sacks for the sack race or willl you and Al be providing those?

@WilliamDC

Sorry.  Not sure how I could hav e missed this one.

"An beginners...?"

I think WDC has undersold the epic epicosity of his affair.  

You know, I'm glad that part of this discussion has focused a bit around the folks who just want to ride bikes, eat BBQ and make fun of WDC and Al as they beat the snot out of each other to prove who's the skinnier pale mountain goat that only their girlfriends and mothers can love.

Seriously though, the riding up in the Hudson Valley is literally some of the best in the country. It's just f'ing amazing up there. When I was racing for a scrappy Vassar Cycling Club back in 1991, these were some of the roads that got me hooked like a man-whore on crack on this impossible sport.

Now I wish I wasn't working this weekend, just so I could go riding with the guys who are just riding the course...

Okay, totally convinced. Count me back in.