Tag: tour de cure

Off on Your Way, Hit the Open Road

Posted on by gearman0326

Greetings one last time this year,

Hi everyone!
Another year has come and gone- A year of planning, organizing, recruiting, training fundraising, packing, anticipation; Completion, satisfaction, accomplishment, pride, courage, confidence, effort…
And it always ends us up back here, always back home with the ones we love- the ones who covered for us while we were gone, in some cases with the kids, in others with work, still others with care of a loved one- Maybe even a loved one with diabetes. And we went out there, nervous, wondrous,  maybe even a little frightened… And took those people with us in our hearts, for support. For those long climbs, those rough days,  the exhausting heat, the times where maybe, just for a second, quitting seemed like a good idea, they were there with us. We can’t quit, because they can’t either.
We had an absolutely wonderful year, and I can’t believe it’s already over… These fly by faster as the years add up. Our last day was an absolutely beautiful route from Keene over into Jaffrey, down into Townsend, through the State Park, Littleton, Over 495, and back to Woburn and our gracious Start and Finish line hosts, Parker Chomerics.
This years finish line had the usual cheering supporters of other riders, nice enough to extend applause and congratulations to an unknown rider on their accomplishment, and the cheering masses of volunteers who either cycle through and out at the end of their seven day stint, or rotate in, to relieve the weary workers of their posts as things are broken down, secured, stashed and stored for another year. I can honestly tell you that Jeff and the crew who showed up to help empty out and return the Gear Truck had their work CUT OUT for them after the “Truck Detour” I got lost- Erm, I mean “Sent down”. The back of the truck looked like a tossed salad afterwards, and I don’t think I ever got it back to anywhere close to right before the end of the week.
The finish line is always bitter-sweet, which is why we do our Final Ceremonies on Thursday night- So many people travel to this event and want to get back to their families, so they might not get to see a new friend or riding partner at the finish before they head on their way home. It’s a sense of accomplishment coupled with a sense of loss- knowing it’s over, and that you’ll have to wait another 51 weeks to start it again. It’s about knowing that it will be there again, next year. It’s about knowing that your new found family members will be there too- And about the realization that you’re one of the family now. Two or seven day rider, local or from abroad, weekend warrior or wannabe crit racer, you’re one of us now… A member of the Caravan… Bring friends, tell them we have cookies… But don’t mention the lemon-lime Gatorade.

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

STUDIES SHOW: Carbohydrates more easily absorbed by the body in liquid form

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And, well… There was a study… by some underfunded college students… and a rat died… So you should change everything you’ve been doing since the last study came out!

Greetings and Salutations, O’ Great Sultans O’ Cycle!
For those who are new to our Merry Band of Travelers- And also staying overnight Friday in the general propinquity of our Start/Finish line at Parker Chomerics; Say for example at the Red Roof Inn…
We have a long honored (And somewhat storied) tradition of doing a bit of Pre-ride carbo-loading LITERALLY right next door to our overnight accommodations at the Red Roof.
What: Beer and Margaritas to carbo-load (Liquid form) and Mexican food to provide a little “Turbo-boost” up the hills… If you follow me, as I wouldn’t want to be following you…
When: Somewhere after the early registration ends at the Start/Finish line, probably roughly 7:00.
Why: Do you really need a reason?!?!?

Don’t worry, it won’t be anything silly, we all have to be someplace really early the next morning, AND it’s not a performance we can mail-in…

Just wear a cycling themed shirt, and look for other people doing the same… It’s a busy place, so we’ll have to drag chairs over here, tables over there, but we’ll make it work…

And we can make new friends the day before everyone else gets to make new friends… So we’ll be all cool, and in a secret group and stuff.

Don’t be shy, you know you want to!
See you there!

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

Time to pack! You don’t need that… You don’t need that, either… Nope, not that… Nuh-uh, leave that home…

Posted on by gearman0326

Here’s a list of everything you need to pack for your New England Classic cycling adventure!  This year, we’ll be staying in only Air Conditioned accommodations, so you won’t need to bring your mini-fan!

PACK LIGHT!
GearMan

Mork calling Orson… Come in, Orson… Mork calling Orson… Come in, Orson…

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HIYA SPORTS FANS,
Long time, no talk… How ya been? How’s the family? Can you believe those Cavaliers?

The NEC is coming up on us faster than an eagle swooping down on a trout- Ya ready? Do you know?
Well, you have one last chance to get some training in- both in terrain and distance and group ride format as Nancy and Merle lead a ride called “Ups and Downs” this Sunday, July 3, 2016 at the Tyngsboro commuter lot and Boston Logon Express at 99 Kendall Rd., Tyngsboro, MA. Lots of hills to get you ready for the New England Classic-Tourdecure. Be there and ready to roll at 8:30.
This is a group ride for NEC riders, The Charles River Wheelmen and the Nashoba Valley Pedalers… I believe I’ve got that right… So you can not only meet some of your fellow NEC riders, but also maybe a club member from your area that you can become riding buddies with on a long-term basis.

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

Day seven, complete- Plus six…

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Hi!
So tell me… Have you ever left a dangling participle? For a week?
Yeah, I know, I’m WAY behind schedule, but I have a good excuse… The World’s CUTEST GrandSon! Some of you remember that he was born on Day 3 last year, and my darling Mrs. Lulu had to head home from the route in order to be there for the birth… Well, this year was his FIRST Birthday, naturally in the midst of the NEC, so his party was scheduled for Sunday… And making food, and Lulu baking cakes and cupcakes, and much merriment…
Then back to work.
I’m not complaining at ALL. I LOVE my job, I work for a great company, a family owned business that’s owned by a great family and I’m just so lucky to work for such incredibly awesome people- there’s just always that “Back from vacation” stretch of a few days where you’re getting back into it…
SO, now here I am, hat in hand, asking for your forgiveness for not updating you sooner.
Day seven has moments where it feels like a Jack London novel- Weathered stragglers emerging from the wilderness. Not that Keene is on the edge of the Tundra or anything, but we trade mountainous and woodland views for those of suburbia, then back to busy streets and traffic lights every 47 feet… You know, home.
Our finish line brings us back to Parker Chomerics where we started, where our cars have been marinating in a weeks worth of hot summer sun… So much for those little tree air fresheners.
Our big “To do” is Thursday night, mostly because people have lives to return to, commutes to get there, and anxious loved ones, eager to have those they lent to us return home once again… So often, it’s “Finish, get my stuff and get on the road for that (X) hour commute”… Which can seem like kind of a gyp… Until you think about it that way.
Our riders get cheered in by the volunteers and staff, and the cheering sections of other riders cheerfully joining in… We can’t all have our own personal cheering sections flown in from all corners of the… ummm… Mapquest? So it’s really great that people waiting for their rider welcome in others with congratulatory applause and whooping. DOG POUND!!!! WHOOP! WHOOP!!!
During all this great celebration of such a great achievement for the riders, the logistical reality of everything coming to an end comes into play for the volunteers… The Gear Truck mostly emptied. Vehicles that have been stocked, restocked, then stocked again over the last seven days now must be emptied… And sorted… You don’t want fresh fruit going to the storage unit, anymore than you want non-perishables going into the trash… And then everything put back into the Gear Truck for the short trip to Peabody Storage- Thankfully by someone other than me.
I get to go home before dark, and sleep. It was 13 hours straight this year, which is pretty good for an insomniac. I even took a two hour nap in the afternoon… Just in case 13 hours wasn’t enough.
Then, I made some salads for my GrandSon’s first birthday party!
Then I went to sleep again.
And we had an epic birthday party on Sunday!
Then I went to sleep again, and got up to go back to work on Monday morning.
Did I mention I work for a great company?

Thank you everyone for everything you’ve done- whether you were a sponsor, rider, loved one that lent us a rider, teammate, coworker, whatever.

We couldn’t (And wouldn’t) be able to do this without YOU. Thank You.

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

Day 6 is in the History books

Posted on by gearman0326

Hiya cycling fans!
What a day! It started off like any other day this week, ice the water and gatorade for the riders to fill their bottles, load luggage into truck, drive away… Well, there was a Truck detour on our route today- everyone else was fine, but I got sent out and around and back on an excursion that kept me behind the pack all the way to Rest Stop 1, and I’m typically just shy of mid pack by then. Hurry and rush as I might, a shortcut here and no stop for supplies there weren’t enough to get me back on schedule and the first two riders arrived before I’d even unlocked the cargo doors on the truck.

While it took a whole lot of hurrying, and some help from the cyclists and a couple of the volunteers who came in early to help, I finally got caught up by the time roughly the first third of the riders finished. Their assistance actually gave me a chance to take a break and rest an increasingly sore knee- that turned into a couple short naps that gave me the energy to get through all the hectic stuff that followed… Final night dinner and awards ceremony, finding “The Rock”, digging out the Cornhole stuff, the raffle prizes, the Kokomo Bullshirt contest, reloading the truck for overnight security… The last night is a lot of fun, but a labor of love.

We managed to get everything done at the reasonable hour of 9:30 or so, and then it was a few needed deep breaths, some trash duty, and now, updating you.

Tomorrow is our last day, and then we all head home to you, our loved ones. I can’t speak for the person you lent us this week, but I’m going to sleep all day Saturday… And I’m going to sleep right now, too.

Goodnight Sports Fans,
Keep the wind at your backs and the downhills in front of you,
GearMan

Day three? Stick a fork in it.

Posted on by gearman0326

Good evening everyone!
Wow, what a beautiful day it was traveling from the Maine Seacoast to the mountains of New Hampshire. We had a scenic route through farms, woodlands, rivers, state parks, steep cliffs, historic sites- and then we arrived at Attitash Grand Summit Hotel. After arrival, many riders opted to make an appointment with the on site massage therapist, and they filled her schedule- So, our very own Tara, also a massage therapist, broke out her table and started to do short massages for those who couldn’t get an appointment with the in house provider.

During dinner, we had a rare vintage treat- One of our riders Tom brought along an old video from a Cablevision show from I believe 1993, one of the first years the New England Classic existed. It was great to see a few familiar faces, and to look at the old bike technology as well as cycling equipment. After that, another rider, Tyler had also brought along a video he’d made- a GoPro camera mounted to his bike and recording as he rode- it was almost like being on the bike with him.

Some announcements about tomorrow’s route were made, still mostly Route 302 (If you get lost you’re an idiot) but with some changes at the end because we’re staying in a new hotel this year… Well, not a new hotel, we’ve stayed there before… but we’ve never ridden there, because we were bussed over from another hotel… because we finished and had dinner at one hotel and slept…
Oh, never mind- Let’s just leave it at “It’s a new route that we haven’t ridden before”.
ANYHOW, there’s a couple good climbs added to the end of an already tough day- Don’t quote me, but I believe it’s 97 miles tomorrow, the first 15 are up and over Crawfords Notch, past the Mt Washington Resort Hotel, and into Vermont- and as the saying goes, “Vermont ain’t flat”.
OK, tomorrow is a long day, and I’m not doing myself any favors by not getting to sleep, so bye for now.

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

What a hot, hectic, long day!

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Good evening sports fans, it’s 9:30 and my butt is kicked. the heat just plain wiped everyone out today, riders and volunteers included. High 80’s by 11:00, mid nineties by two- and not a cloud in the sky or a speck of shade to be found. Despite the adverse weather conditions, They CRUSHED it! We did have a couple of bump and bang incidents, to my knowledge no-one was seriously injured, but some road rash and bruises were distributed amongst a few unlucky souls today… Again, all are OK, and that’s the most important part.
We rode a beautiful route today, all along the NH and ME seacoast- Inland here, back out to the coast there, back inland here… It’s such a beautiful area with so much to see, you just can’t go wrong.
The last rider was in around 3:30 or so, (All except that one rider who went swimming, then stopped along the route to meet some friends for dinner) and our two day riders enjoyed a very festive finish line- Topped off with medals, pictures, team pictures, and lots of people cheering them in.
After that, came dinner- and when they came back, we loaded their bikes into the UPS Semi for the trip back to Woburn. Bikes secured, we put the riders aboard some luxury coaches for the ride back to the starting line, and eventually home to the people who lent them to us for the weekend. Family, friends, sponsors, you should be proud of your riders and what they accomplished this weekend- 150 miles in the saddle to help others. Doing something they’ve never done before in many cases, not knowing what to expect, how to know they were ready, or even if they were properly equipped- They did it because of support- Yeah, we were out on the route helping with what they needed, but even we wouldn’t have been there without YOUR support. This event happens because of you. We literally couldn’t do it without you.
Thank you.
Thank you for lending us your loved ones, for your understanding when they had to go train those long hours, for your support of them and the ride, and for caring about 28 MILLION PEOPLE living with Diabetes on a daily basis.
This wouldn’t happen without you.

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

We came in with the breeze…

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Good morning sports fans!
With today’s high forecast in the low 90’s, and an 85 mile day on tap, the riders sure weren’t dilly dallying around this morning; Breakfast, cue sheet, gone. I stocked up on water, beer, soda, snacks and then beat feet up Interstate 95 to get a comfortable lead on them- well, that and there’s no way in a sane world that anyone should be down in Kennebunkport in a 28′ box truck… On a Sunday… In July…

So at any rate, we’re here to set up, they’re coming hard and fast at us and the first riders should start arriving around 12:30 or so… So, off I go to unload and get busy!

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

I haven’t been this tired since a grizzly bear chased me for miles trying to get the fish I had just caught

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OK, that never actually happened, but if it had, that would be what I feel like right now. At least that’s what I read on the internet… So you KNOW it’s true!

I don’t usually go that far into the wilderness, and I don’t usually fish at the same fish market that Kevin does.

We had a couple of minor issues today, cramps, flats, broken stuff- but nothing that our crack mechanical staff and experienced volunteers couldn’t handle.  Once everyone was done, we had a great dinner at the campus dining hall (What a difference from when I was in school!) and a nice awards ceremony in the courtyard.  Recognition for top fundraisers, new riders, talks from a diabetes researcher and ADA Youth Leader, a really nice program, and a great job done by all. After that, a quick raffle at the truck and then a quick cleaning, and then the best shower money can buy… Now, exhaustion sets in… One eye closed as I type, but just long enough to say goodnight.

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