WNR 5/4 5:30/5:35 (before the club meeting)
Posted: Mon May 02, 2016 1:54 pm
Thank you sir may I have another!
We're working on a strategy to split the main group into two as we really need A/B/C groups to keep the numbers reasonable. As a general rule we really shouldn't have more than 8-10 in each group for safety's sake. We'll be clear at the start what the plan is.
The course is tweaked *slightly* from last week (see map below). Basically at the bottom of Old Bay we stay left and proceed to Farm Road and then backtrack the first part of the course -- this avoids the whole stretch on 62 by the new traffic lights and construction. The sprint finish is where the road goes under Rt 495. There's a yellow sign that says 14'2" clearance (or something similar). That's the end of the formal ride, then just cool down back to the parking lot. Also at the beginning of the loop let's keep it reasonable and do a warm up from the parking lot until we go under 495 on the way out. This will keep it more sensible for the assorted turns that we have to make before we reach that 495 underpass. Here's a Strava segment of the "on" part of the ride: https://www.strava.com/segments/11937109?filter=overall
Remember this week BOTH the ride AND the meeting are all happening at the 110 Grill at Highland Commons. No Bolton Street Tavern.
Who's in?
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Details:
We will have 2 groups, starting and ending at the same location but with a 5 minute gap in start time. The main group will leave at 5:35pm and ride in the mode of the traditional WNR from years past. That means paceline, as hard as individually desired on the hills, regroup as appropriate, no drop, obey all the accepted rules of the road. The main change this year is that there will be a first group that will leave at 5:30pm and is encouraged to ruthlessly attack, hammer, and otherwise inflict pain on each other while not waiting for any dropped riders (but also obeying all the accepted rules of the road!). Riders dropped from the A group will be swept up by the B group if necessary. Depending on turnout there may be room for groups in between.
The route was designed with a few goals in mind, however it is new for all of us and may need some tweaking in coming weeks. The intent is to minimize main roads and traffic crossings (especially left turns after stops). I haven't been on many of these roads yet this year so stay vigilant for the usual road surface "issues". Also please study the course -- there are several spots where shortcuts are possible, most notably at mile 13/19 where Oak Hill can be cut out. Anyone is encouraged to use the shortcuts as needed but of course if you are in the main group you need to let the group know so they don't wait for you later down the road. And load up those Garmins just in case!
We'll be looking for main group ride leaders in the coming weeks. The two main requirements are to know the roads reasonably well (or have a Garmin), and be committed to leaving no one behind. If anyone is interested please let us know. It can be a different person each week but we'll identify the main group ride leader before rolling out.
Details:
Start time: 5:30pm (first group), 5:35pm (main group)
Start location: The parking lot at Highland Commons on the Berlin/Hudson town line, park to the right of Cabela's
Post ride grub: At 110 Grill (this week for the MRC monthly all club meeting)
We're working on a strategy to split the main group into two as we really need A/B/C groups to keep the numbers reasonable. As a general rule we really shouldn't have more than 8-10 in each group for safety's sake. We'll be clear at the start what the plan is.
The course is tweaked *slightly* from last week (see map below). Basically at the bottom of Old Bay we stay left and proceed to Farm Road and then backtrack the first part of the course -- this avoids the whole stretch on 62 by the new traffic lights and construction. The sprint finish is where the road goes under Rt 495. There's a yellow sign that says 14'2" clearance (or something similar). That's the end of the formal ride, then just cool down back to the parking lot. Also at the beginning of the loop let's keep it reasonable and do a warm up from the parking lot until we go under 495 on the way out. This will keep it more sensible for the assorted turns that we have to make before we reach that 495 underpass. Here's a Strava segment of the "on" part of the ride: https://www.strava.com/segments/11937109?filter=overall
Remember this week BOTH the ride AND the meeting are all happening at the 110 Grill at Highland Commons. No Bolton Street Tavern.
Who's in?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Details:
We will have 2 groups, starting and ending at the same location but with a 5 minute gap in start time. The main group will leave at 5:35pm and ride in the mode of the traditional WNR from years past. That means paceline, as hard as individually desired on the hills, regroup as appropriate, no drop, obey all the accepted rules of the road. The main change this year is that there will be a first group that will leave at 5:30pm and is encouraged to ruthlessly attack, hammer, and otherwise inflict pain on each other while not waiting for any dropped riders (but also obeying all the accepted rules of the road!). Riders dropped from the A group will be swept up by the B group if necessary. Depending on turnout there may be room for groups in between.
The route was designed with a few goals in mind, however it is new for all of us and may need some tweaking in coming weeks. The intent is to minimize main roads and traffic crossings (especially left turns after stops). I haven't been on many of these roads yet this year so stay vigilant for the usual road surface "issues". Also please study the course -- there are several spots where shortcuts are possible, most notably at mile 13/19 where Oak Hill can be cut out. Anyone is encouraged to use the shortcuts as needed but of course if you are in the main group you need to let the group know so they don't wait for you later down the road. And load up those Garmins just in case!
We'll be looking for main group ride leaders in the coming weeks. The two main requirements are to know the roads reasonably well (or have a Garmin), and be committed to leaving no one behind. If anyone is interested please let us know. It can be a different person each week but we'll identify the main group ride leader before rolling out.
Details:
Start time: 5:30pm (first group), 5:35pm (main group)
Start location: The parking lot at Highland Commons on the Berlin/Hudson town line, park to the right of Cabela's
Post ride grub: At 110 Grill (this week for the MRC monthly all club meeting)
I hear their Wachusett Brewery line-up needs some improvement.