Strapped for time, very bust weekend, no internet access last night that would allow me to post to the site- I could view it, but nit post. We got everyone up to UNE earlier today, loaded the two day riders onto the buses, their bikes into the semi provided by our sponsor UPS, and they’re on their way back home to you. I’m tired, sore, and filthy. It’s a quick shower for me then straight to bed. Meeting at the truck at 5:30AM.

Keep the wind at your back and the downhills in front of you.

GearMan

Greetings and Salutations!
Tonight’s the night!

Somewhere around 6:00 or 6:30 we’re going to meet up at the Red Heat Tavern for dinner, a couple beverages, and to make new friends. If you’re in from out of town and didn’t get a rental car for your one night in Bedford, head over to the Facebook Group and post on the thread about dinner tonight and we’ll try to fit you in a car.

As it gets closer, I’ll call about getting a group table and see if they’ll take a reservation for us- Some places won’t seat people as a big group on busy nights and this is our first time there. We’ll find out…

Stay tuned!

Keep the wind at your back and the downhills in front of you,
GearMan

 

Click here to download to your hearts content.

https://ridewithgps.com/events/43780-nec-2018-routes

Greetings and salutations!

The GPS files for the GearMan and Lulu’s training ride/beachday/BBQ on Saturday 6/16 in Derry, Salem, Atkinson, Plaistow, Sandown and Danville NH are located here:

See ya soon!
Keep the wind at your back and the downhills in front of you,
GearMan

OK, granted, 11 months IS a bit of a long time to take as a recovery day, but hey- Take it out of my pay.
Needless to say, we finished last year, didn’t lose anyone for more than a little bit, and nobody died, including me. We also raised a TON of money for diabetes research, advocacy, and education- That said, there’s still more to do. So here we go again.

I’ll get working on posting more info in the upcoming weeks, check back soon.

Keep the wind at your back and the downhills in front of you,
GearMan

Hiya sports fans!

Talk about crushing it.  Two mountain ranges,  three river valleys, 5,300′ of climbing, approximately 3,000 calories burned, and: One. Hundred. And. Four miles. Monsters. Absolute monsters. 

For those who don’t ride, let me explain further- Any ride over 100 miles in a single day is called a “Century “. Many people ride their entire life without doing one… many of our riders completed more miles or more climbing than they have ever ridden before- and for many, both in the same day. 

All are safely in, just sitting down to dinner as I take a moment alone to update you, dear reader. Today marks “Hump-Day” for us. Over half the miles done, we’ve gone as far North as we will, and now it’s time to aim back towards home. Tomorrow, we head South, and it’s also our shortest day at only 65 miles- we refer to it as a “Recovery Day”. “I really shouldn’t ride today, since my foot fell off on Monday, but it’s ONLY 65 miles.”  Gluttons. 

Ok. Now I need to go eat something. 

Keep the wind at your back and the downhills in front of you 

GearMan 

Good Evening Sports fans! Glad to have you with us!
Well, it’s 10:30, I’ve just had one of the best showers in years, even though it took me most of it to figure out how to use all the different functions… These damned kids with their damned fancy showers, with the multiple damned heads and not enough knobs to work them all… Driving around in their cars with the loud exhaust, Listening to their damned Boom-Boom music, and getting all up on my lawn… Trampling it…  KILLING IT! You’re KILLING MY GRASS!

Erm, sorry, sidetracked…

What a beautiful day! Sunny, warm, low 80’s, beautiful scenery, a beautiful route, great people, great attitudes, big smiles… We started out on the eastern edge of one state, and rode to almost the center of another- Granted, we’re not talking Texas, but we’re not talking Lil’ Rhody either. There were stops for extended lunches in several areas by our riders, as it’s their vacation, and while their dinners and breakfasts are included, they’re free to get lunch wherever they’d like. Everyone finished strong, and there was a lot of relaxing going on before dinner.
During the meal, and associated announcements the rain came- what a great time for it. It rained throughout dinner, and for a few hours after… So no raffle tonight, we’ll do one tomorrow. I joined some riders in the bar (All the years we’ve been coming here, and I’ve never been inside for a drink) and had a beer as I waited for the rain to ebb a bit. I got the truck locked up without drowning, so it worked out well.
Tomorrow morning, we cross NH and into VT, to the State Capitol of Montpelier. We’ll pass the highest peak east of the Mississippi, several historic sites, beautiful mountains, rolling farmlands, and winding rivers… A day full of picture-postcard memories. We’ll finish at the Capitol Plaza Hotel- the hotel used by VT State Senators when they are in session… Nice digs.

OK, once again, I’m too tired to type more.
Check back soon.

Keep the wind at your back and the downhills in front of you
GearMan

*Editors note, this morning, I was corrected (Rightly so) by one of the  members of Team Cheetah that Mt Washington is the highest peak in the Northeast- the highest east of the Mississippi is in fact, Mt Mitchell in NC.

Don’t post while sleeping… Just sayin’.

… And I followed the paint.
And that has made all the difference

(With apologies to Robert Frost.)

Keep the wind at your back and the downhills in front of you
GearMan

Good afternoon cycling friends!

No matter what part of the United States you live in, the Atlantic Ocean is about as far East as you can get- well, at least without a Passport and a longing for Poutine. So, It’s either equip their bikes with pontoons, or hang a left and head back to NH. 

80% of the riders have finished todays ride, some are in the pool, others are in the hot tub, some are getting a massae, and still others are lounging on the grass, enjoying a cold beverage in the shade. 

More later, check back!

Keep the wind at your back and the downhills in front of you

GearMan 

Howdy, Hey, Hi, Howaya?

Man, I’m wiped. The craziest day of my week is over.  It was such a beautiful day, that it might seem odd to hear someone describe it as crazy, much less the craziest if the week… 

Everyone is in safely, two day riders have had their bikes carried off by our sponsor UPS, as they boarded luxury motor coaches for the ride back to out starting line at Parker Chomerics in Woburn. 

As of this writing, many have already completed their journey home and are safely back with the loved ones who lent them to us for a couple of days. If they’re not already back, they will be soon. Thank you for sharing them with us. 

The Seven Day crowd relaxed for a bit after the buses left, then headed in for some much needed rest. 

My eyes are crossing as I write this, so time for sleep. Until tomorrow. 

Keep the wind at your back and the downhills in front of you 

GearMan