Minuteman Road Club

Who's in for Battenkill? We should try to coordinate the cat 4's into one field. Anyone got a preference on red vs. black? I'm like 90% right now that I want to give this bad boy a try... reg opens 12/21.

In...already have a reminder in Outlook to remind me to register.

In for 4's or masters. Good timing of post. It will make you think twice about that second or third plateful.

I would like to give this a go...I'll see if I can sell the permission slip this weekend.

80% chance I'll be trying to redeem myself for letting the race get away from me last year. I gambled and lost on the first big hill, then paid for it for the last 45 miles of the race. Probably be sticking with the old men in the 50+ category, but who knows...

I dig the enthusiasm....but you're all NUTS. Quite possibly the toughest road race I've ever done.

By far the hardest road race I've ever done, and I swore I'd never go back right after finishing. Eaves?

Eying it, but unsure of a few things. Those of you who have done this may know. First, what's the difference between cat 4 red/4 black? And how much of the course is dirt? What do you go with for tires & wheels?

No difference between red/black. There are just 2 cat 4 fields due to the popularity of this race.

There is a new course this year, but I don't think they cut out any of the dirt sections from last year. If I remember correctly there was 1 dirt wall that I walked up half of last year, there was another long winding dirt climb, then there was one more section of dirt that reminded me of riding in a dusty sandpit for miles and miles. Between being half in shock and three-quarters dehydrated for most of the race things are a bit foggy (or my mind is just blocking the memory out).

I road with my stock wheels and road tires that came with my road bike. I left the ksyriums at home since they were brand new last year. Some idiots show up with carbon fiber wheels and end up crushing them.

in. likely masters. wonder what it's like on a wet /cold day?

Probably more enjoyable than last year!

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaait a minute...Andrew, you had to WALK up a climb in this race??? What kind of misery is this thing???

scott_sweeney wrote:Waaaaaaaaaaaaaait a minute...Andrew, you had to WALK up a climb in this race??? What kind of misery is this thing???

Imagine the steepest paved road around here (Old Schoolhouse Road in Harvard, for eg.), add a bit more tilt, then make it soft gravel about 2-4" deep. That's misery. (But it was pretty short.)

And add a full field of 4's trying to race up it since this occurs very early in the race. It's awesome!

Sorry to be a killjoy, but I've decided not to register for this right away. Once I get into next semester and see what the workload is like, I may sign up if there's still a spot. If I miss out, there's always '10

I can't believe the 3's and 4's and some 5's are already full! This sucks! Guess I'll be heading to turtle pond if its the same weekend again this year.

I ended up in the cat 5's under 35 for the fun. I was on at 7, but registering from my blackberry. By the time I got through the payment screen, it was full (the cat 5, 35+), all 50 spots. Then I went on waiting list. Then my buddy whoise conning me in for the misery, to me to sign up for under 35, and I got in....let the good times roll...

After forgetting to register last night, I checked this AM (after yet more shoveling!) and found a nice cozy slot in the 50+ waiting for me.

It looks like the masters aren't as excited to register for this race as the younger crowd.

Totally spaced it last night. I'm in the 40+ group ride. Hurry up Cole still spots left.

I might not be able to go.

I'll try to confirm before it sells out.

my cooler and I are in for 50's.

Joe, I'm all in with my cooler and the winner of the 09 Travers.

They added 50 Cat 4 slots to this race. I've just registered.