D2R2 2016: On the Eve of the Mystery Ride

Almost dusk at Team Shad HQ in Woo City on the eve of the Mystery Ride. All systems are go. The weather should be next to perfect, if a little hot. Almost no chance of rain, a lot of sun, hopefully some puffy clouds.

From the organizers:

First, about the spirit of the ride. We are trying to recapture some of the excitement of the first year, when, despite all the route descriptions, people still didn't know what to expect. This year's ride is very much an experiment, and we hope all of you will answer our survey afterward so we can develop the concept better for next year.

So the main course is 95 miles. The first third has the most pavement of any D2R2, though it also includes a very rough stretch and one mountain bike option. If you're on a cross bike and like gnarly stuff, you will also like that segment despite the dismounts, and certainly the history of that road is incredible; the cue sheet references a secret monument for you to read should you find it. After the mountain bike option, there is one super hard climb and then some relatively easy hills to lunch. The key is that, at the end of Stage 1, you should check your watch. If you get there before 10:30, then there is an optional loop to lunch so that you don't arrive before the food is ready.

After lunch you have a few easy miles before a hard climb. The main course has a lot of jeep track uphill, including a washed-out bridge, but there is, again, a road-bike shortcut for those so inclined. You find your way to a rest stop with watermelon and such, then a few miles mostly downhill to another water stop.

The last 12 miles, to me, are probably our finest finish ever. If you are on street tires, this section will push the limits of what you can do. However, most of the section is quite smooth and I highly recommend it because almost all of it is lined with Revolutionary-era stone walls. It's a mind-blowing trip back in time. You then make a final big descent to Deerfield on another unmaintained road, and have a brief flat stretch home to absorb what you just experienced.

And there you have it. That's what's on tap for Dubstoevsky and Wing Nut, the coalescing of months of training for one massive effort in the hills of western Mass and southern Vermont.

Tonight, a filet and pasta, lots of water, a hot shower and an early bedtime in a cool bedroom. Tomorrow, the fun starts in the car at 5:00, hurtling across the quiet, empty roadways, the Dead setting the vibe for the off beat (and off road) adventure to come. Allez!

C'mon boys, let's get it done!
Wing Nut and Dubstoevsky training for the Mystery Ride
August 7, 2016

A note on gearing. I took the Cruz Elite out for a spin today with the new 34 tooth rear gear (am running a 36 x 34) and was amazed. An enormous difference! My climbing gear now is super low and easy to turn over and I'm no longer cowed by the thought of the climbing to come (10,000+ feet).

I also bought a pair of light weight cycling glasses, the kind that change tint depending on shade or sun; unfortunately, they're not prescription so I will be losing a little sharpness of vision and will need to be extra careful on the swift downhills. But they are ventilated and should be better than the heavier, enclosed Nike sunglasses I've been using for years.

Finally, I bought a new pair of super padded cycling gloves. I'm more concerned about my hands and feet than I am my overall fitness. After 100 miles, much of it on gravel roads and worse, the feet and hands take an enormous amount of punishment.