NECX HOTM 2015

I’m not sure why the idea of riding at least one hundred mile ride every month was so appealing to me. There’s a cathartic sense of completion to the number 100. Anyone with the right motivation can ride 100 miles, but it’s enough of a challenge, particularly in the fickle weather of New England, that doing at least one a month seemed like the perfect balance of adventurous and attainable.

I made the decision to do it in December 2014, starting with January 2015.

January 2015

The problem with coming in to this adventure cold (in every sense of the word) is a lack of scale/perspective. The ground was snowy with more to come and temperatures were firmly in the hibernation range, but I figured I had plenty of good gear, my old commuter (with custom fender mounts by Pioneer Valley Frameworks), and a direct, if unimaginative route. The plan was to ride 50 miles out to Pittsfield on Rt9, then ride back for an easy 100. Between the chemically treated slush and low temperatures, fenders proved a bad choice. Every few miles, I had to find a stick or even remove my wheel to clear out the now solidified grey mess from between my wheels and fenders. Even with that ritual, I was pedaling against the buildup as much as I was pedaling against the regular forces of the ride. I wish I had a power meter on the bike to know just how hard I was pushing, but my guess is a power meter would have been killed by the weather anyways. As daylight waned, extremities burned and I had covered around 30 miles, I had to make the tough decision on this first HOTM to turn back and accept a metric century for the day.

Ride Name Origin - The slush firmly wedged between the wheels and the fenders
Bike-Bianchi Sport SX with fenders, Michelin Pro 4 Endurance 700x25

February 2015

Out for vengeance, and wizened by January’s attempt, I went out on the early side of February, taking advantage of a predicted relatively calm day. With the same route in mind and with previous experience, I made some equipment changes. The bike was now my old cross bike with Michelin Stargrip tires and no fenders. The Stargrip is a very square tire with a nominal 35mm cross-section but notably, it’s the closest thing to a studless snow tire I’ve seen for bicycles. Originally meant for urban/commuting use, it’s not a particularly fast or light tire, but grip was very impressive in snow, ice, and everything in between.

The weather prediction turned out to be optimistic, as the further west I went, the more snow and sleet started falling. My front derailleur decided to pack up early on so this whole ride was done in the 34t ring. The hills of the Berkshires were as long as ever, but the exertion offered warmth. Conversely, the descents were punishing. Glasses had to come off to keep from immediately fogging up, so the bits of sleet were like daggers in the eyes and crosswinds buffeted fiercely on every exposed stretch.

I usually listen to music on these rides as they are long, especially in the winter. The right songs can serendipitously compliment the sights and sounds of the ride.

Some of these combinations are particularly resonant. Often, I’d end up with a specific song, and even a specific verse most memorably tied to a specific moment, and that was a good source of ride titles

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Lesson 1: 100 miles is far enough to ride out of your predicted weather in to someone else's. 

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Ride name Origin -Gustavo Cerati - El Rito (11 Episodios Sinfónicos)
Bike-Specialized Crux, Michelin Stargrip 700x35

March 2015

As the ground thawed and green returned to the valley, more people were game to go out on these rides with me so on March 7, I took out the same bike, now with a functional front derailleur, and went for a more interesting route with Tyler from Laughing Dog Bicycles. Tyler’s faster than me to begin with, so with the handicap of these monster tires, I was working much harder, in a much different way to keep up. Instead of the piano efforts of the earlier rides, there were attacks and accelerations which I wasn’t yet used to. It was one of those rides that epitomizes the idea of “it’s fun, even if it’s not.”

Ride name origin- Working like a dog on these big tires
Bike- Specialized Crux, Michelin Stargrip 700x35

As warm weather started to return with more frequency, I felt like I’d be remiss to squander these hundo opportunities. My wife’s family in the Albany area was having a birthday celebration at a Mexican restaurant out there and with a more solid, if still not absolute sense of the time commitment 100 miles entails, I decided I’d ride out.

It was a gorgeous ride, with a route that took me across the NY border on rt 43 surrounded by pastoral fields and tractors. The roads were good and the route was sunny. I felt like I was being rewarded for the earlier efforts. I was still on the cross bike, albeit with road slicks, a swap that feels like adding cruise control, and apart from a couple of stretches in the start and end, including an attempted detour through a Macy's, the route was a treat.

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Lesson 2: 100 miles is far enough to get me near Albany
Lesson 3: Food tastes incredible when you’ve ridden over 6 hours
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Ride name origin - The destination restaurant 
Bike-Specialized Crux, Michelin Pro 4 Endurance, 700x25

ApRil 2015

Growing up, I always liked the idea of riding from Western Mass to Boston, which seemed far fetched at the time. I actually started doing it in the last few years. Incidentally it's always right around that perfect 100 mile mark, and I had to be in Boston the next day, so it seemed like a nice way to get April's hundred mile ride in. It was a nice route which I made, like most of mine, with Strava's Route builder tool. Despite being in beta, it works very well. In this case, I went with the "over the Quabbin" route which did involve a bit more climbing, but pays off with much better scenery and just a generally more pleasant experience than the other option (which I proved later in the year). 

Ride name origin - Soda Stereo - Musica Ligera

Bike-Specialized Crux, Michelin Pro 4 Endurance, 700x25

Just like in the start of March, this was group ride with people faster than me. Another rude awakening to my moribund top end power, but enjoyable for the company. This time, I ran slicks and did my best to eat enough (a personal weakness) but I still worked myself over. Firmly cracked near the end of the ride, we stopped at a deli for food and I had a bottle of Coke, which it turns out really does provide remarkable energy, if briefly.

Ride name origin - The fleeting magic of a rush of sugar and caffeine
Bike-Specialized Crux, Michelin Pro 4 Endurance, 700x25

I did a third century in April because I can't resist an opportunity for self flagellation. This time, I prepared a potato recipe Jon had previously deployed to great effect on long rides. I've taken to using a handlebar bag on long rides, and though I initially bought it out of necessity, I've been thoroughly impressed by this bargain option. This bag turned out to be perfect for potato storage. The route went up to Brattleboro, VT which is a lovely town about 50 miles north, though we took a hillier route than I was used to.

I went out with a group of JAM Cycling team members and alum, who are awesome people, but also very fast people. 

Ride name origin - An inside joke about Andrei Tchmil
Bike - Specialized Crux, Michelin Pro 4 Endurance, 700x25

May 2015

May gave me an opportunity to finally ride my new custom bike from Pioneer Valley Frameworks. It’s a made to measure steel bike optimized for the way I use it. The angles are right and the chainstays are tight so it has the snap, response and fit I like on a race bike. At the same time, it’s adventure ready, with full eyelets, disc brakes and room for up to a 40mm wide tire. On climbs, it’s a trusty partner with a lively nature that belies its weight and on descents, it’s a confident falcon, communicative and progressive enough to let me exploit the grip of the 28mm Michelin Pro 4 tires. Think of it as a velvet wrapped cheetah with a backpack full of delicious marshmallows.

Having been out of the country for the first part of the month, it came down to my last opportunity to get May’s 100 in, so I did it, despite considerable heat. The route was heavy on climbing, but the 34x32 bottom gear I had chosen for this bike made even the steepest grades something I could spin up with some poise.

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Lesson 4: It might be delirium, but all the best ideas come on these rides. 

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Ride name origin - As though sailing on a windy day
Bike - Pioneer Valley Hilltowns, Michelin Pro 4 Endurance 700x28

June 2015

Colin has an annual tradition of riding the famed 6 gaps of Vermont. The route goes over Brandon gap, Middlebury Gap, Lincoln Gap, App Gap, Roxbury Gap, and Rochester Gap. I had only ever done 4 of the gaps, but I figured this was as good an opportunity as any to shoot for all 6.

The ride profile above is a testament to the brutality of this route. I had thought about riding to the start the day before, but I'm glad I didn't end up doing that. Even with the merciful crawling gear on my bike, I found myself struggling to keep moving forward at a few points, most notably on Lincoln gap. Since there's three to go after that, the fatigue sets in with greater and greater force as the climbs become only a bit less steep. 

It was the hardest ride of the year (so far) without a doubt, and I'm excited to try it again in 2016.

Ride name origin - So very cooked
Bike - Pioneer Valley Hilltowns, Michelin Pro 4 Endurance 700x28

July 2015

From the outset of this project, I wanted to do at least one double century. There’s something particularly momentous about a 200 mile ride. I wanted to know I could do it and I figured I’d get the century out of it at the very least.

Emboldened by the 133 mile gap ride the month before, I sketched out a basic route that kept elevation about as low as possible given the distance and the surroundings.

Right around mile 90, I experienced a brutal cramp in my right calf. On a 200 mile ride, particularly when it’s 90 degrees out, water alone will not do. I had experienced cramps before, but this was particularly bad, a consequence of poorly maintained electrolyte levels. This is a dangerous game, and I lucked out in that there was a small convenience store a short distance away.

I had two of the most Gatorade-ish drinks in the case and some pretzels, spun a bit longer, and managed to continue on, though the cramp pain didn't completely subside for a few days.

I used every bit of sunlight available and with periodic encouraging texts from my wife Sarah keeping me moving, I made it all the way back to Easthampton as a member of "the 200 club" 

The inspiration and advice of Matt Roy, who’s undertaken some of the most impressive rides I’ve ever seen, was instrumental to pulling off this one. Thanks, Matt

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Lesson 5: Eat your salt

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Ride name origin - 200 miles
Bike - Pioneer Valley Hilltowns, Michelin Pro 4 Endurance 700x28

August 2015

Everyone in my office had participated in the 24 Hours of Great Glen mountain bike race in 2013 and 2014, and planned to do so again in 2015. Their team, gunning for another overall victory, had already been determined and after I failed to form a B team, Sean McCarthy suggested I do the 24-hour solo race. I’d raced mountain bikes before, albeit not for that long, but learning that this would be the last time 24HOGG was put on, I decided I’d go ahead and do it.

Jon also decided to do the 24 solo, so I thought "at least I’ll have company."

I was told always to go easy, “24 hour pace” which turned out to be crucial input. There's always a temptation to push a bit harder than one should, especially on a fast course like Great Glen. On a regular 3-4 hour MTB ride, this could mean a rough time for the last 20 minutes of the ride. Extrapolating the consequences to 24 hours, it could be disastrous. 

I restrained myself, a fellow 24 solo competitor in red and black complained about the ease of the course and sprinted ahead. 

"24 hour pace....24 hour pace"

Sarah provided unwavering support, coming down to give me food, Endurolytes and coconut water on every lap.

I saw the man in red and black on the side of the course, haggard and defeated by his own hubris.

The sun began to set and I got to hang out for a lap with Chip Baker 

"24 hour pace....24 hour pace"

I spent much of the night turning in laps with Jon, who I'm pretty sure would have been considerably faster if he weren't hanging out with me, so that was nice of him. 

Jon decided to take a nap. I decided to keep going. 

"24 hour pace....24 hour pace"

I found myself in a dark place where fatigue, both mental and physical, work together with the surrounding darkness to make the mind play tricks, see things that aren't there, and miss things that are.

At some point I'm struck with a sort of highway hypnosis and I crash off a bridge, though I'm not fully aware of it until I'm on the ground next to the bridge.

I came through the timing tent and I distinctly remember Erin saying “You don’t look so good.”

Around 5 am, I went out for a painfully slow lap and thought about quitting.

Awake from her nap, Sarah brought me coffee, and gave me a kiss, and with my final burst of energy, and somewhat rejuvenated by the sun's reappearance, I went out for what I thought were faster laps.

They were only a little slower than my first lap of the race. 24 hour pace is a funny thing.

I have to thank Sarah here, without whom I’d probably still be in a ditch next to the course somewhere ❤❤

Ride name origin - The Flaming Lips - Feeling Yourself Disintegrate
Bike - Specialized Camber Carbon, Maxxis Ikon 29x2.2

September 2015

Mostly recovered from 24HOGG and in Boston for unrelated reasons, I decided to try making 100 miles happen there. I started on the notorious CRW42 loop, but even after exhausting the ride extension options I could think of, I only had around 70 miles. Still fresh and with plenty of daylight remaining, I decided to scribble a route in the suburbs. 

I visited Bryan at Apex Velo in Newton, I went up and down Summit Ave, and rolled around the woods near my elementary school. I managed to put together the distance, but let the record show, improvised routes work better in Western Mass than Eastern Mass. 

Ride name origin - 70% quality riding, 30% suburban nonsense
Bike - Pioneer Valley Hilltowns, Michelin Pro 4 Endurance 700x28

October 2015

The F2G2 is a great ride put on by the Berkshire Cycling Association for 2 years now. Having ridden and greatly enjoyed the 2014 edition, I decided a ride to the start, the ride, and a ride back would be a great way to get my 100 in.

It was crisp and autumnal weather, and the trees were started to come alive with the reds and oranges that leaf peepers crave. The route was different than the year before, with some of the climbs removed and the addition of technical sections that most people, myself included, had to walk, but it was no less enjoyable, with well stocked rest stops and warm camaraderie throughout the day.

The ride back was at leisurely pace, with the main ride’s climbing having drained me considerably, but a helpful tailwind and a largely downhill route meant it was an uneventful cap to a lovely day.  

Ride name origin - The Cure - A Forest
Bike - Pioneer Valley Hilltowns, Michelin Pro 4 Endurance 700x28

November 2015

In October and November, I did some cross racing, though my efforts were tangibly lacking in snap.

As November neared its end, I realized I needed to figure out what I’d do for my ride that month. Sarah and I went to the Poughkeepsie area for thanksgiving so I decided I would bring along a bike and ride back.

Mid-state New York impressed with gorgeous rural scenery and rolling hills. The few drivers I did see were courteous, as were the families I saw on their post feast constitutionals. The route sent me through Taconic State Park over North Mountain Rd to cross the state line into MA, then mostly on Rt. 20 which sent me right by the Lee Outlets, a decidedly less friendly place on black Friday.

I didn’t bring enough food on the ride and around mile 70 on, I couldn’t stop thinking about the perfect slice of pepperoni pizza, which local favorite Antonio’s thankfully had on hand.

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Lesson 6: Grinding legs into dust does nothing for form.

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Ride name origin - At some point on the ride, a Prius whirred by, a slice of pizza was eaten, and a falcon was spotted. I think.  
Bike - Pioneer Valley Hilltowns, Michelin Pro 4 Endurance 700x28

December 2015

For the last century of 2015, but not the last of a year of centuries, I decided to try an alternate route to Boston where my family was celebrating birthdays and I was going to pick up my new car.

My previous ride to Boston (See April 2015) took me north of the Quabbin reservoir and through pretty and hilly towns north of Worcester. This one went south of the Quabbin and while it had its sights, it was largely on dull and busy roads and went through harrowing suburbs in Christmas shopping mania.

The bike performed admirably, comfortable as always with a stability and smoothness that was much appreciated on the potholes of Worcester.

Because January only had a metric century (100k), and HOTM is about a real century every month, and not the number of rides or miles, I still had to finish off with a January century. 

Ride name origin - One more time  
Bike - Pioneer Valley Hilltowns, Michelin Pro 4 Endurance 700x28

January 2016

As I had learned the previous January, there aren't many good weather windows for a day of riding in January, so when the forecast was for mid-to-high 30s and calm winds, and there was no snow on the ground, I decided it was as good a time as any to get out there.

With the bike now wearing fenders, and me wearing all sorts of wind blocking layers (and a Craft base layer, a winter essential!), I set off for a straightforward trip up to Brattleboro, VT, ostensibly to get a sandwich. 

The bridges were icy, but the roads were clear. Fenders were still appreciated, as there was plentiful filthy water from melt along the way, and while my toes got a bit chilly, it was never unbearable. 

I got to the Brattleboro Co-op and had a much needed tuna melt. A man in front asked me to sign a petition. 

The sandwich took longer than expected, so I picked up the pace from "leisurely" to "brisk" on the way back. 

Ride name origin - That makes twelve  
Bike - Pioneer Valley Hilltowns, Michelin Pro 4 Endurance 700x28

Conclusions

I enjoyed this endeavor. 

As a challenge of endurance, commitment, and logistics, it added to 2015. I'm sure I wouldn't have done this many centuries without the structure of this venture, and I would have missed out on countless sights, sounds, and experiences on the bike. 

Most of all, I'm glad I did it to know I could; not watered down or riddled with excuses, an absolute 12 months of 100 miles.

So will I do it in 2016?

That's the plan, I do already have January done after all. Time will be a bit trickier to manage with a baby on the way, but i'll try my best. 

Thanks to Pioneer Valley Frameworks for the awesome bike, Strava for the awesome service, and most of all my patient and lovely wife Sarah who doesn’t ask why I do these things