All trip reports Trip Report Moderate to Strenuous

Tri-State Road Bike Ride

A Gorgeous, Fun and Great Day for a Road Ride!

Sunday, September 9, 2012

Brattleboro, VT

Moderate to Strenuous

Hosted by frogmeadow

The trip report

Tri-State Road Bike Ride Recap, submittted by IronmanTodd

Let’s see what movies or TV shows best describe this GO trip: Let’s go with Mission Impossible, Tom Cruise’s Days of Thunder and Gilligan’s Island!

I can now say that I truly appreciate what goes on behind coordinating the GO Adventures. I arrived at IMF HQ (Frog Meadow) Friday night. The usual professional niceties were exchanged. (C’mon we all know it was all big hugs and glad to see you Todd, but stay with the IMF movie theme guys). I had the entire house to myself which was awesome! 750-gallon wood-fired hot tub all for me!

Saturday morning rolled around and IMF HQ operatives Dave and Scott were in full GO mission mode. From the time I awoke @ 7am Dave had already been tracking approaching storms and potential tornadoes heading in from the west. After a quick team conference the decision is made to scrub the bike tour today. After Dave made the phone calls to the other IMF GO members the day was full of stored up energy for Scott. For me I was happy to tag along on his adventure.

Cue Days of Thunder! Literally! Into the passenger seat of the Frog Meadow Suzuki SX4 AWD with stick shift. And we are off down all the dirt roads that snake around Frog Meadow! So let me hit the hi-lights of this non GO Adventure: In four hours we hit the local market, had Lunch in Newfane, quick stop at an Adirondack chair store and a Farmers roadside store. Adventure complete we raced back up to Frog Meadow for a swim at Scott’s favorite pond, not the one on property but the pond at the end of the road somewhere,150 yards from one side to the other (exact location unable to report). Scott did 4 laps and I did 2 laps.

Back at Frog Meadow and over the mountains we see the skies are turning gray and black and the wind is just crazy! Great call on mission scrubbed (tour postponed) because what I thought was going to be an awesome day missed turned into high winds, rain and tornado warnings. Other members on Sunday agreed that a Saturday bike ride would have been a disaster.

Channel change to Gilligan’s Island. Let me say there are no MaryAnn’s or Gingers in this story. There is Captain Dave, Professor Scott and a crew of Gilligan’s! LOL!

Sunday turned out to be PRIMO bike weather, sunny with temps in the low 70’s, little to no wind and zero humidity. At our rendezvous point we quickly gather our gear and head south out of Brattleboro. (Ok we had a late arrival and two Gilligan’s trying to fix a flat, Captain Dave stepped in to save the day with talc and a spare tube. Not once did he hit us over the head with his skippers cap.)

Okay NOW we moved quickly out of Brattleboro! Through town, heading south onto Route 142 where we encountered a minimum of 50 other bikers who also passed on riding Saturday and chose to ride Sunday instead. Heading toward Pond Rd into Massachusetts, toward Gill, MA heading north to Northfield for a quick pit stop. The course was of moderate grade, several downhill’s for some all-out speed…topping out at 35 mph according to my cycle computer on one descent. Toward the end of the tour heading back into Brattleboro some tough inclines, granny gears for sure.

Ending back at our launch spot we headed to Frog Meadow for wood-fired hot tub relaxation and to share snacks, beverages and trip stories of a day well spent.

An awesome time was had by all!

Event photos (8)

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About this event

BASED ON GROUP CONCENSUS WE HAVE CHANGED THE RIDE DISTANCE FROM 35 MILES TO 45 MILES. ALL OTHER DETAIL REMAIN THE SAME, HOWEVER WE EXPECT TO COMPLETE THE RIDE BY 5PM NOT 4PM (AS STATED BELOW). Known by locals as the "Tri State Ride" because it goes through the states of Vermont, Massachusetts and New Hampshire, this ride is like riding through a real picture postcard. The ride is moderately hilly. Half way through the ride we will stop in Northfield, MA for snacks and ice cream.

Participants should be experienced cyclists and have road bikes, not hybrids or mountain bikes. We will be riding at a moderate pace of 14-15 mph. Maps will be provided at the beginning of the ride. We will meet in Brattleboro, depart at noon and expect to be done by 4:00.

Following the ride participants are invited and welcome to come to Frog Meadow B&B for a hot tub and dip in the pond (if it is sufficiently warm). BYOB & snacks!

Also noting that the rain date for the event is Sunday Sept 9

Who came along (6)

F GUEST MEMBER

Frogmeadow

Newfane, VT

GUEST MEMBER

Klondike

Newfane, VT

GUEST MEMBER

BTW

Middleton, MA

GUEST MEMBER

marchhall

Middleton, MA

A member

Profile hidden

GUEST MEMBER

Gr8@Alpine

Boston, MA

Comments

Frogmeadow · Aug 20, 2012

Hi Boys-

Husband Dave & I did a "dry run" of the ride yesterday and the roads are in excellent shape! Wondering what everyone's distance capabilities are, if all are interested we can easily add another 10 mi to the ride and make it a 45-er. Pls weigh in and if all are interested I will re-class/re-post the trip to reflect longer distance and we may pick up a few more guys.

Member · Aug 21, 2012

No triathlon training at all this year. The most 3 mile run 28 min. and one bike ride 30 miles with only water. So I guess 45 is doable with a movable feast on board the bike. What the hell.

Frogmeadow · Sep 5, 2012

Hi Boys-

A few s...Looks like a small (which is good!) group of 7 riders which sounds like fun....Weather trends for the weekend are positive...We have lodging availabilities at Frog Meadow both Fri & Sat night and DO NOT have a 2-night minimum stay requiremant....Following the ride all are invited and welcome to come to Frog Meadow B&B (15 min drive) for a hot tub and dip in the pond (Yes the pond is currently warm enough to enjoy). BYOB & snacks...Looking fwd to a fun day! -S&D

Frogmeadow · Sep 7, 2012

Hi boys-

Looks like a few more have joinud us...welcome!

Please shoot me your cell#'s and I'll make a contact roster to distribute w/ the trip maps on Saturday...looks like it w/b a gorgeous day! Thanks -Scott

Frogmeadow · Sep 8, 2012

Hi Guys, We are going to postpone this ride until tomorrow, Sunday September 9 same time and place. There is a good chance of severe thunderstorms today and while it is not 100% certain they will occur I don't think anyone wants to get caught in storms while 25 miles from the start point.

Tomorrow's forecast is for sunny skies and temps in the 70's Please respond to this email and let us know that you have gotten the message. Hopefully as many of you can join us tomorrow as possible!

Frogmeadow · Sep 8, 2012

PS Take a look here, If the link is not live copy and paste it into your browser http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Gill&state=MA&site=BOX&textField1=42.6403&textField2=-72.5&e=1

The trip report

Event photos (8)

Reactions

About this event

Who came along (6)

Comments

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