Blue Hills Recon Ride 6:15 AM Tuesday 5/1

[jraguin]

We are going to have a Blue Hills recon ride on Tuesday AM May 1. This is advanced notice so people can get a hall pass, etc. We will be talking race strategy for the Blue Hills Road Race, so only MRC members or non-racers please.

Each lap is 7.2 miles, so we will plan on going at least 4 laps, but it easy for someone to cut it short or go longer. Chris P mentioned doing some summit intervals up the Blue Hills Access road, which is about 0.8 mile at 10% grade with no ability to get a flying start (note, not part of the Blue Hills RR). Only 13 guys have exceeded 10 mph on this according to Strava. Think pain. These intervals are optional.

We will ride out at 6:15 AM from Houghton's Pond in Milton, which is the same parking/start as the race itself. The parking lot opens at sunset so it should be open by 5:45. Supposedly there are bathrooms, although they are building a new bathhouse, so it may just mean porta-potties. If you arrive late, you could either wait a lap or try to catch us in the opposite direction.

Directions are here: https://www.bikereg.com/Net/15463
Course map is here: http://www.bluehillsclassic.com/race-course
The race goes clockwise.

[JeremyC]

You got me nervous when you mentioned .8 miles at 10%. I remember someone mentioning the climb in the race is a big-ring climb which is why I signed up :)

I'm in.

[pace21]

I'm in.

Extra credit: same houghtons pond parking lot, clip in at 5:45, roll over to access road, climb it twice then roll back to starting point. Maybe meet up along the road with folks heading out on lap 1.

[jraguin]

Bump: Reminder to people about this one. Post up if you are coming so we know.

[JeremyC]

I'm in, what time are we starting? I'd like to do the 2 hill repeats, but I'd rather not start at 545.

[rusto]

Looks like you'll have the same exact weather we did last year when we reconned this, John.

[jraguin]

Yep, it will take me almost 50 minutes to get there (more for Jeremy) so 5:45 just isn't happening. I am still on with rolling at 6:15 am.

@Chris: If you plan on still rolling at 5:45, I / we can go the counter-clockwise to meet you.

[pace21]

I'll sleep in and get there at 6:15 too.

[JeremyC]

No go guys. It's a hurricane out there. Depending on the weather, I could do Wednesday.

[jraguin]

Yep, I am out too. It is pouring out. I believe in Rule #9 and #5, but not in this.

[pace21]

Boo. Looks like a window in the radar but I don't want to fly solo. Maybe tomorrow?

[JeremyC]

Of course it stopped raining right after I went back to bed.

I may do worlds tonight, but I'm open to doing blue hills tomorrow AM.

[scott_sweeney]

Me too.