Long Trail Century, Long Trail Brewery, Bridgewater Corners, VT
Great weekend at Killington, VT, fantastic support along the route, and a great after party at Long Trail Brewery in Bridgewater Corners, VT.
Rain, Rain and, More Rain
Left the hotel around 5:45 am. It was raining most of the night. It was also raining for the first fifty miles of my ride. It would pour, then sprinkle, then pour again. Fifty miles of this. I was the first century rider to leave, leaving at about ten after six. There was going to be a larger group leaving around 7 am, I wanted to beat them, as well as get a start on the many miles ahead of me. Last year my buddy Robert and I left around the same time, there were a few other riders leaving when we did, so it felt odd to be the first one out.
It felt great to get on the road, though the longest training ride done this year was around 42 miles the week before. I felt great, but also woefully under prepared for the climbs and miles. Within the first few miles doubts began to creep in, my legs felt tight, my breathing strained…the usual thoughts that plague someone out to conquer this many miles made their entrance. I seriously considered stopping at this point. Even though it felt great to get out and ride, knowing I had so many miles ahead of me, I still was plagued with doubt.
First Aid Station
I made it to the first aid station on route 100, in Pittsfield, VT. The staff were cheerful, upbeat, friendly, the snacks were greedily consumed. Knowing that I made the first twenty miles with relative ease gave me a much needed shot of ambition! I knew that I had 17 miles to the next aid station so would start to take the ride in chunks. Each section between aid stations would be a ride onto itself.
Being the first century rider to reach this station, I got to talk with the volunteers for a few minutes. Everyone was so nice, offering encouragement, praise, asking questions. It felt good to make it this far, the doubts began to fade. But the rain persisted.
Rain all the way into Barnard
As it was 17 miles between Pittsfield and Barnard, the next aid station, I tried to take it easy. This is a nice section, with open fields and small farms dotting the landscape. The road follows the White River for a ways, making for dramatic panoramas.
This section “ends” at Barnard, VT. The thing about Barnard is that its all up hill, about six miles of it. I wheezed.
But the aid station at mile 38 was at the top of that climb. I made it here at about 9 am. I was feeling significantly better than when i first started out, I also knew I had a wicked descent ahead of me so that helped. The friendly volunteers let me know it was about 10 miles to Woodstock, VT. I considered this the half way point. It would also be where I would start to see other riders along the road. Mostly the folks doing the 60 miler.
Mile 55
Mile 55 is the third aid station. This would be my turning point in the whole ride. I knew I had the century down once I got there, even though it’s another long climb. Finally reaching that “peak” and pulling over to rest, I felt great! Any doubts I had were gone, the scenery was fantastic, the volunteers even more so! The next 45 miles, while not exactly breezing by, were rolling behind me. I even managed to pull up on a few small groups of riders and hang with them for a few miles. It was also about this time the sun made an appearance, and decided to stick around for the rest of the day! It felt great to dry off and this only lightened the load for my remaining miles.
Finishing and After Party
As usual Long Trail Brewery put on a great after party! The grilled food is superb! It taste all local and organic, though I can’t be sure. I have to admit I had more than one grilled sausage before I left…and don’t forget the beer! Long Trail brews a nice pour, of which I partook.I really can’t say enough about this whole ride. Everything is so well put together, the volunteers are great, the food is awesome, and the route is like riding through a postcard!
