gain, this ride turned out to be extraordinary in all aspects -- read also here for
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Py left from the NC-AFM/Yale, arriving Friday afternoon in Deerfield, a pretty nice but hot day. As he missed riding all week being at this great Conference, and missed to find time to test ride his special Stonebite Cobalt Cross/MTB bike, he went for an hour riding, starting at the RR-Inn, where already other riders were showing up as well. On his way towards the D2R2 start location, he hooked up with a few others having similar minds. At the registration tent he was positive surprised to find out that he already could sign in and got his "D2R2" package :-)
A little further cruising North along the Greenfield River to Historic Old Deerfield and back. So far so good -- ready to go. Back at the car he meet two more cyclists... after chatting a bit and being hungry by the time, looking for some good place to eat not too far, he got recommended a place in Greenfield called "Hope&Olive".
Not much further thinking, he went there and joined the others for dinner. Good and nice place, good food. Bedtime early, getting up early around 4am on Saturday.
A foggy slightly cool but far from beeing any chilly morning. The view of the D2R2 tent... condensing moisture, wet ground and grass:
Signing in at Water/Snack Station "Steady Lane" at 7:39, filling up water, grabbing a banana and some fig bars. A little jam at the sign in board, as there were only two pens and pretty soon a good crowd of riders... A few were pretty impatient and just signed and took off real quick. Well, not all, not sure how many were taking off early, Py did not spend too much time either and proceeded, it seamed the field reassembly mostly and a good group formed and caught up more or less?!?!
At least Py was about around the same riders in front as before shortly, just got used to a few "jerseys". Moving really nice, the dirt roads were well packed and in good slight moist conditions -- but the matter of fact of fresh grooming not so far ago also had it's downsides and quit some stretches with loose gravel were pacing the field for safety's sake on the down hills... Some roads become really "gnarly" as promoted on the Cue -- however, all the long down hill runs were absolutely awesome and rewarding for the work up hill -- flying on dirt at up to 45mph... a bit scary in a bigger field so -- and being aware of the fact that roads were not closed to cars. But little to no traffic.
Checkpoint "Heath" (mile 36) at 8:50
Signing in at Check Point "Heath" at 8:50, filling up water, grabbing a banana and some fig bars again. More fun awaiting, the climbs are just about to start... taking and mastering the 27% dirt climb at Archambo Rd, proceeding with the field front group as far as Py can tell, the climb still proceeds, but less steep on very loose and coarse gravel. Some thing seamed not right with his rear end feeling soft... Argrr, flat rear tire. Well, almost up, he pushed the bike up the last meters out of the forest to get a bit more light and fixed the trouble.
That's it about staying with the group in front... Took a few minutes to get that properly fixed and cleaned up with all that sand -- nothing obvious, must have been a pinch flat -- the medium pressure of about 4 bars in the 700x30C Cross Mud Pro was working fine, comfortably and with good grip -- but it has it's down sides :-( Pumping up a bit more, max 5 bars, put in 4.7 bars.
No riders in sight, the first field and group just passed by a minute ago... a bit huddling up, trying to catch up to some one. Not the field, but one other riders came in sight -- tightening some bolts of his seat. He hooked up with him and occasionally a few others later. Entering Vermont at some point of the route towards the nice
Checkpoint "Green River Covered Bridge" (mile 64) at 11:50
Signing in at Check Point "Green River Covered Bridge" at 8:50. One of the riders he remembered of the leading group must have had a fall... looked a bit dirty and banged up, but seamed fine and kept going -- Py wishes him all the best and quick recovery. Filling up water, grabbing a banana.... and proceeded with the same rider on a nice Fisher Hardtail pretty soon. A long section to the last Checkpoint Patten is to be mastered, but two options for water are in between. Starting out the long moderate climb up hill strait out of the nice covered bridge. Not much happening, the fixed tire holds OK, just keeping moving and coming back to Mass.
Optional Check/Waterstop (mile 80) at 12:40
Sign In and water refills... proceeding along the nice scenic river side on South Green River Rd for a while. Just passing by the (optional) Colrain Super Gas store... and making the way over one more Covered bridge (this time the correct route) towards the most demanding climb of the ride up to Patten Hill.
Checkpoint "Patten Hill / Little Big House Gallery" (mile 97) at 14:30
Getting last refreshments and water, a few more riders showing up. Ready to finish up -- just 15 miles to go.
Finish in Deerfield mile 112 at 15:20
... showers, a great D2R2 dinner in Historic Old Deerfield with huge delicious Burritors, Salad and Beer -- very nice :-)
And the Green River just accross the parking -- very good for one more cool down later :-)
PS: This year's 2009 D2R2 was the best ever so far -- all in all perfect, from pre-registering, start, ride to finish and dinner. Py's big big compliment and Thank You to all the D2R2 volunteers and organizers!!! 
