Keys To The Kingdom

After a failed attempt at finding a campground in Bar Harbor we decided to go in another direction.  Literally.  Burke VT.  After hearing for years how good the trails were we had to find out for ourselves.  We did it in a day trip with about 5 hours of driving and 4 hours of riding time.  Not great but not bad.

If our tires get any bigger we're going to need a bigger car

We got there, signed out life away, paid the trail fee and were on our way.  But to where?  The entry to the huge trail system seemed less than obvious the first time there.  After looking at the map a few dozen times we started to get our bearings.

There Was Wildlife

I was having a blast on the trails.  My wife was able to navigate the trails.  Even though the trail head seemed busy the trails were relatively quiet.  A lot of the trails were nicely built with banked corners for the type of ride you just can't get naturally. They are the type of trails that make you wish you were better at mountain biking.

The Trails were very nice!

5:30 Hours of driving
3:00 Hours of riding time
1:00 Hour of looking at the map (this should be much less next time)

Bottom line, it was a fun time but it felt a little like I drove a long way to ride in circles.  It must be the commuter in me that wants rides to be functional too.  It's really no different than skiing where you drive a long way to get pulled up a mountain to slide down. 

Would I do it again.  Yes, but it isn't a priority. Still a much more fun way to spend a Friday than in the office.

 

The Dempsey Challenge 2017

Thanks for all the support!  This year I raised $1375 and Kelly raised $330 with your help!  $1705 going to support The Dempsey Center to provide service and support for people going through one of the worst times in their lives.

This year I set out with the goal of riding 100 miles in less than 5 hours.  I've ridden over 100 miles about 25 times in my life but never in under 5 hours.  GOAL ACHIEVED. Well, sort of.  My actual riding time was under 5 hours but the elapsed time was closer to 6.  Other than some regular rest stops our group had 3 flat tires that took about 10 minutes each to patch up.

Hiding from the rain while waiting for a flat fix.

Other than flats there was some rain to deal with.  Drafting on bikes in the rain just isn't pleasant.   If you don't wear glasses you can't see because of the constant water and road grime being thrown up in your eyes.  If you wear glasses you can't see because of the constant water and road grime being thrown up on your glasses.  But it could have been worse.  It was a warm rain.

I rode with a group of about 9 for most of the race.  Near the end it split into 2 groups with the slower group falling behind.  For the last 12 or so miles it was down to 2 of us out in front of the pack.  The other rider was a strong rider from Rainbow Bicycle. We took turns pulling through the wind.  Mostly him pulling and me drafting but I helped when I could. I'm definitely giving him some credit for helping me hit my goal.

I actually got passed by my wife who was trying for a sub 6 hour goal while we were pulled over at a rest stop.  I left the group for a while and caught up with her to ride for a while until the group caught us.  I got back in time to put my bike away and catch her at the finish line. 

Great finish picture!

It may look like I didn't get back in time but my phone camera is 3 year old slow and it takes about a long for the camera to boot up to take a picture as it takes most windows machines to boot from power off.

Patrick Dempsey - I've sent this awesome paparazzi photo to Time Magazine - I'm going to be rich!

After the ride we ate lobster and drank beer with Team Bilodeau for almost as long as the ride took.  Great new friends that we met at the challenge last year.  Next year we will officially be joining their team

Watch this video and it will almost be like you were there.  With out the water in your eyes.

Relive The Dempsey Challenge 2017

I am happy to announce that I raised enough to get this years cycling jersey.  I don't really need a new cycling jersey but I've done this 9 years and have raised enough to get a jersey 8 of those years.  We've done good!


Thanks to: Bonny Barbara Chris Ned Eric David Marc Peter Brandon Jennifer Betty Tom Lauren Ronald Lee Ed Larry - you know who you are.

Luckily my goal wasn't to take great pictures of the event.