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Return to Racing- Connecticut Masters’ Games

May 23, 2021

With no race action in 2020, we finally saw some action this past weekend at the Connecticut Masters’ Games in New Britain, CT. Approximately 100 racers enjoyed some fine weather and healthy competition at Walnut Hill Park. It is a 2022 Senior National Games qualifying event.

2021 CT Masters’ Games


The day kicked off with a 5K speedy Time Trial followed by the 10K version. I was happy with my sixth-place result in both races since I had not raced that bike in over two years. It is a fun circuit course with a couple of kickers and a nice speedy downhill toward the finish line on each of the 1.6KM laps.

Enve Racing teammate Thomas Voytek joined me in the 40KM Criterium. Fifty-two racers lined up in the afternoon heat in the high 80’s. It was a challenging, fast-paced effort, and Thomas hung tough and finished with the pack; I pulled out mid-way through, toasted. It was great to be racing again!

#AMPadventures #Irideenve #enveracing #BikeRacing #Crit #Criterium #Timetrail #raceoftruth #enve

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#AMPadventures Tour 2020

The AMP calendar is finally taking shape. I have had to make a few adjustments due to professor duties and being lucky enough draw a golden ticket Dirty Kanza 200. So I will be deferring Tour of Battenkill and Wilmington Whiteface to 2021.

We may add an event in June/July but leaving that open to support Cody in an event or two while I see how I bounce back from DK200. So as of now , this is what we’ve got.

February 15-23 Alpine Ski trip to Italian, French, and Swiss Alps – stay tuned for postings.

February 28 Future Business Leaders at Thomas College, Waterville, Maine – Presenter

March 19-22 Society for the Advancement of Management (SAM) National Convention, Nashville Tennessee.

March 30-April 3 Cycling Training Camp location TBD

May 3 Belgian Waffle Ride, San Diego, California

May 4-5 Joshua Tree National Park, California

May 6-9 OnCourse Teachers Conference, Palm Springs, California

May 15 Guilford Gravel Grind (The G3), Guilford Vermont

May 30 Dirty Kanza 200, Emporia, Kansas

June 4-12 Adirondacks, New York – Vacation

June 27 RAS Gravel Adventure, Peru, Vermont

July 17 Carrabassett Backcountry Cycle Challenge, Carrabassett Valley, Maine

August 2 Rooted Vermont, Richmond Vermont -*Waitlist

August 29 Vermont Overland, Reading Vermont

September 12 Northwoods Gravel Grind, Rangeley, Maine

October 17 The Hibernator, Burke, Vermont

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10 of the Best Gifts for Cyclists on Your Holiday List for Under $25

Finding that perfect gift is always a challenge. Especially for those who seem to have everything. While I could recommend several beautiful new bikes that your loved one would enjoy that might exceed the gift-giving budget. That said, here are some of my favorite cycling and active minded items that will nicely round out anyone’s holiday for under $25. These are in no particular order. Bold fonts contain active product links.

 

  • Splats Sunscreen – perfect for those long sunny day rides. These packets fit nicely in any saddlebag. It is SFP29, goes on smoothly without giving you all a sticky mess. I’ve found that one packet is more than enough for one coating. If you have a plastic sandwich bag, you can save for two applications, or better yet, share with your riding partner ($19.99 box of 10).

  • Chamois Butt’r® Eurostyle Anti-Chafe chamois cream. This menthol and witch hazel cream is soothing and cooling. It is my go-to product for long days in the saddle. It is available in tubes, jars, and individual packets (much like Splats Sunscreen, one packet is more than enough for one application). I took these on my Haute Route Alpe d’Huez trip and they worked like a charm.

Chamois Butt’r also offer a specific female Her’ Anti-Chafe formula for sensitive skin with ingredients that include aloe vera, tea oil, lavender oil, and shea butter.

  • Road iD offers several identification products starting around $15. There is no need for explanation here – having a wrist or shoe ID can come in handy in an emergency. There is plenty of room on the ID to provide emergency contact information and medical information. This is a great gift that will give you peace of mind when your loved one rides.

  • Smartwool® Socks – Marino wool is one of the best things going. Base layers and knee and arm warmers cannot be beat. They wick away moisture and won’t weigh you down like cotton or some synthetics. These cycling socks are a great deal and can be found everywhere. Consider them for hiking and skiing as well! Men’s $20.95 and Women’s $16.95

  • UnTapped™ Sample Pack – Made in Vermont, UnTapped provides quality nutrition products using pure Vermont maple syrup. Not only does the stuff taste great, it works! Maple provides natural sugar and is low glycemic, so you avoid that big sugar spike and crash. An organic product that has been used by some of the best in the business, including the company’s owner Ted King. I’m a believer in the Lemon Tea Mapleaid product but love the Coffee UnTapped Gel and Maple Waffle as well. A variety pack for $25 is a steal.

  • Month subscription to TrainerRoad or Zwift – with the winter months kicking in, how about a monthly subscription to a training platform? TrainerRoad $19.95 a month or Zwift $14.99 a month virtual training could be a nice gift for that grumpy cyclist sitting around waiting for spring. Give them a gift that will get them a bit of a jump start on next season!

  • Buff® – Great for cold days and dusty gravel rides, Buff® Dryflx Multifunctional Headwear comes in handy. When you want to take it off, it easily fits in a jersey pocket. $25 at Buffusa.com

  • Dumonde Tech Lite Bicycle Chain Lube – This quality lube last longer than others I have tried. As a gravel rider and someone who can’t stand a noisy drivetrain, this product works exceptionally well. A little more expensive than other brands but well worth it. You can pick up a 4oz bottle on Amazon for $16.92.

  • Pactimo Release Changing Kilt– lose the towel when changing outside your rig. This kilt has silicone grippers that keep everything where it is supposed to be. No more flashing the parking lot, you can now change in and out of your kit outside the venue and maintain a bit of privacy. Pactimo is having a Black Friday Deal currently selling this for $12.00.

This is a short list of some of my favorites. If you have any other suggestions, please leave a comment.

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Carrabassett Valley Mountain Bike Trails: Something for Everyone

New to mountain biking and don’t know where to start? Might I suggest a quick trip to Sugarloaf and the Carrabassett Valley Trail System? It’s worth the trip, regardless of your skill level.

I’ve heard so much about the Carrabassett Valley Mountain Bike Trail System that a few weeks ago Briana and I decided to take a road trip to check things out. After a good breakfast, we headed to Kingfield, Maine. It was a beautiful fall day with peak foliage, and we enjoyed the ride. Briana was excited to put her new Salsa Timberjack to the test.

If you are not aware, I’m a roadie, and we are both relatively new to mountain biking, so we were looking for something we could handle and not get in too far over our heads. I scoped out the Trail Map and noticed some intersecting beginner and intermediate trails. It looked like a good place to start. You can download the trail map here but it is also available at the Sugarloaf Outdoor Center.

Tip: Trailforks App – download the smartphone app, Trailforks. The app has live GPS routing and shows your current location as well as tracks where you have been. It’s very helpful to stay clear of the super sketchy trails and assists if you get turned around in the woods.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B3k12W0gUz5/
Carrabassett Valley Trails 2019

We parked at the Sugarloaf Outdoor Center.  Allspeed has a bike shop right there if you need anything before you roll out. We arrived at noon and quickly geared up and hit the trails. The Outdoor Center parking lot is right at the trailhead. We crossed the parking lot and dropped into Snail Trail (signage will say 101) and ripped down a nice flowing trail connecting with Rt 27 Connector (102).

We followed Rt 27 Connector until we came upon The Narrow Gauge Trial. Narrow Gauge opens to some nice gravel double track and rail trail. You could ride for miles on the Narrow Gauge if you wished. We chose to duck into a series flowy single track including Grassy Loops (201) and Golden Road (202). Nothing technical here but great practice and fun, especially for Briana on her new bike.

We spent some time riding around that area and started back to the Outdoor Center when we saw Meade Trail (205). Earlier I had a brief conversation with a rider in the parking lot and he told us not to miss Meade Trail and he was right. Meade is a fun flowy singletrack trail that follows the Carrabassett River, a beautiful Maine scenic trail. Do yourself a favor and take a rip or two on this one. The trail dumps you back out on Narrow Gauge.

When you get a chance take a trip. It is worth the drive, Carrabassett Region NEMBA does a tremendous job on maintenance and trail markings. Kudos folks. We were excited about how the day went, we tackled the easy trails and are now looking forward to going back and trying our hand at some of the harder ones. There is plenty of trails for all skill levels, so unplug and ride.

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Eliel Endurance Cargo Bib Short Review

https://www.instagram.com/p/B1dqhJ7AhWN/

In July I took part in the Haute Route Alpe d’Huez stage race. In preparation for the event I had some long days in the saddle on back to back days. I wanted a quality bib short that would provide comfort for the six hour plus riding days and also look good. This is where Eliel came into the picture.

While searching for gear online I stumbled on Eliel Cycling. They offered some real clean looking jerseys and a number of nice bib shorts. The Endurance Cargo Bib caught my eye and the reviews were very good so I ordered up a set. Little did I know how much I was going to enjoy these shorts. Now, I know clothing is subjective, but here are a few reasons why I suggest you give these a try.

  • First, it’s all about the chamois and these shorts haves the most comfortable chamois that I have every tried. It’s not like wearing a diaper. They don’t sag in the back when you’re off the bike and they stay where they are supposed to. They stayed dry even after the long hot days in the Alps, a welcome surprise.
  • The garment is seamless. You will not get ridge lines or seams that rub or irritate your skin. The fabric stays snug on the lower leg without that extreme rubber gripper some shorts have. They are laser-cut and fit true to form.
  • Something you don’t often think about is the straps. The straps on the Endurance Cargo Bib are one continuous piece of fabric, no seams. It’s silky but rugged. They don’t twist or bind-up and they help keep everything in place. Eliel really killed it on that one.
  • Finally, the reason I pulled the trigger on these bad boys was the novelty of the Cargo. The side pockets and zipper back pocket seemed like a great idea for long days. Especially on busy roads. It eliminates the need to reach to your back pocket. I put gels in the right pocket and bars on the left. It has been a game changer. The pockets are large enough to fit my iPhone 7 plus. Most importantly the shorts stay right where they are supposed to, even when loaded up.

Eliel clothing is manufactured in California and was started by racing cyclists. The research and development department actively release innovative products and sleek designs of the highest quality. The Endurance Cargo Bib Short is an excellent example. I highly recommend these bibs but they don’t come cheap. They are $260 at Elielcycling.com but well worth the investment.

Disclaimer: This review is based on clothing I purchased from Eliel in 2019. I am very happy with their products. I applied and have been selected to their 2020 Factory Team.

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Ride Report: The Hibernator

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/B3zsVe6gZOy/

Professor’s Grade: A

The Northeast gravel cycling calendar is relatively full. There is a common theme heard in our community of fear of saturation in our beloved corner of the cycling world, so why would a promoter add one more? Same basic question as why do craft brewers continue to make different IPAs? Clearly, because there are enough  people like me who will oblige and partake in one more. So when a friend asked me if I was interested in The Hibernator, a gravel event in East Burke, Vermont in mid-October, I quickly said I’m in.

The Hibernator event promoters provided a two route options; 50K with 4,500 vertical feet and 100K with 7,500 vertical feet of beautiful Vermont country foliage and off the beaten path goodness. Approximately 60 riders rolled out to a controlled mass start with temps in the high 30’s. We were soon greeted to a few miles of uphill gravel road climbing before exiting the road for some high grass bushwhacking and class IV adventure. At this point, I was wishing I threw the 650b x 47’s on the trail donkey. I did have to dismount once in the heavy mud, but I’m used to this now. I knew what I signed up for.

When we emerged from the woods it was back to climbing, a long 4+ mile climb on Victory and Radar roads until the first aid station at mile 15. I was already 1.5 hours in and quickly grabbed a Clif bar and topped off my water, then hit the road. I was looking forward to the three-mile decent, but it wasn’t as easy as I hoped. Leaf covered and hiding potential potholes in some of the old tarred road sections, I backed off a bit, but it was still welcomed after that long climb.

After a series of scenic gravel rollers and one super steep climb — my head unit was bouncing from 17%-20% elevation — I rolled into the second aid station at mile 24 at Honest to Goodness Farm. The gracious hosts presented me a pumpkin chocolate cookie, or maybe was it two? I washed it down with hot apple cider (homemade and pressed right there) spiked with Vermont Maple Syrup…OMG that hit the spot. The views up at the farm and the next few miles were spectacular.

I opted for the 50K route on this day. As I glanced down at my Garmin I realized I had less than 5 miles to go and wondered if I cut my day too short. Then I recognized where I was (a little flashback from the last couple years of Rasputitsa), and I remembered what was just ahead when I turned on to Pinkham Road. What’s one more long hill climb? I slowly turned the cranks and made my way to the finish. However, the surprises were not over. The finish included a rip down Roly Grail flow trail to Burke Mtn. It was a bit of a challenge on the gravel bike but pure fun to end an exciting day.

Does the Northeast have room for another gravel grinder? Hell yes! Race organizers Chris and Tim killed it, this was a grassroots thriller. It pushes all the buttons. Super hard climbs, white knuckle descents, class IV gnar, single track flow, and honest to Vermont hospitality and beauty.

Put this on your calendar for next October. You won’t regret it. But I suggest you come prepared and don’t take a month off before like I did!