Marksputitsa April 30, 2019...
Posted: Mon Apr 08, 2019 4:28 pm
Good Afternoon,
Time to put the 35s on the gravel or CX bike and head north again! Marksputitsa 2.0 will be held April 30th with a rain date of May 1st starting and finishing in my driveway. Last year Cratty and PJ joined me for a day of double loop madness on the dirt roads of Marlborough, NH. The fact that Cratty said that this ride was all it was cracked up to be should be reason enough for you to come!
The course...
The course is basically the same as last year with a few new climbs added at the end. Death Blow will not be optional this year and there is a new finish climb that will bring the ride total to 90 miles and 10k feet of climbing. Here is a look at the ride from last year. https://www.strava.com/activities/1576320560/overview The loop is literally 87 to 90% dirt roads or gravel depending on your definition. There are some steep climbs that will really test you late in the ride that top out at 23% at times. Here is the updated loop that we will be doing on lap two to get the new finish. After Death Blow we will go down Troy road to meet up with the gravel rail trail. We will pop out on Route 12 for under a half mile and then climb Webb Depot Road through the old stone arch to end the ride in style. https://www.strava.com/activities/1774498614
The day...
Show up early. I made espresso for everyone last year to boost spirits. Espresso is really good! Bring food. There are stores along the way but we also stop at the house to refuel at the halfway point. We didn't crush or drop too many bombs so don't let that discourage you. What I will say is that this ride is absurdly difficult and that finishing is an accomplishment in and of itself. If you haven't been riding or really struggle on climbs this is not the ride for you.
The bike...
Anything that can fit 28s or bigger will work.
Afterwards...
Grill, beers, burgers, back porch, music. This seems like a no brainer to me but hey you may be the weird person that doesn't like any of these things. Obviously bring good beer to share afterwards and if the numbers get too big I may ask for some help in the food department.
Honestly this is a great ride! I am really looking forward to Marksputitsa 2.0 regardless of who comes. I'll be doing the ride one way or another but this is really a "the more the merrier situation."
Post up, text, or Slack me any questions. I'd honestly love to have ten to fifteen people show up this year!
Mark
Time to put the 35s on the gravel or CX bike and head north again! Marksputitsa 2.0 will be held April 30th with a rain date of May 1st starting and finishing in my driveway. Last year Cratty and PJ joined me for a day of double loop madness on the dirt roads of Marlborough, NH. The fact that Cratty said that this ride was all it was cracked up to be should be reason enough for you to come!
The course...
The course is basically the same as last year with a few new climbs added at the end. Death Blow will not be optional this year and there is a new finish climb that will bring the ride total to 90 miles and 10k feet of climbing. Here is a look at the ride from last year. https://www.strava.com/activities/1576320560/overview The loop is literally 87 to 90% dirt roads or gravel depending on your definition. There are some steep climbs that will really test you late in the ride that top out at 23% at times. Here is the updated loop that we will be doing on lap two to get the new finish. After Death Blow we will go down Troy road to meet up with the gravel rail trail. We will pop out on Route 12 for under a half mile and then climb Webb Depot Road through the old stone arch to end the ride in style. https://www.strava.com/activities/1774498614
The day...
Show up early. I made espresso for everyone last year to boost spirits. Espresso is really good! Bring food. There are stores along the way but we also stop at the house to refuel at the halfway point. We didn't crush or drop too many bombs so don't let that discourage you. What I will say is that this ride is absurdly difficult and that finishing is an accomplishment in and of itself. If you haven't been riding or really struggle on climbs this is not the ride for you.
The bike...
Anything that can fit 28s or bigger will work.
Afterwards...
Grill, beers, burgers, back porch, music. This seems like a no brainer to me but hey you may be the weird person that doesn't like any of these things. Obviously bring good beer to share afterwards and if the numbers get too big I may ask for some help in the food department.
Honestly this is a great ride! I am really looking forward to Marksputitsa 2.0 regardless of who comes. I'll be doing the ride one way or another but this is really a "the more the merrier situation."
Post up, text, or Slack me any questions. I'd honestly love to have ten to fifteen people show up this year!
Mark
