VT 6 Gaps - Saturday Sept 8, 2017

[oscarp]

Vermont 6 Gaps ride is going to be held on Saturday Sept 8, 2018.

Clip in 8:00 am from the baseball fields dirt parking lot at 237 Recreation Dr, Rochester, VT.
There is a porta potty there, the town has asked cycling groups to park there and not at the school.
Fair weather only, no rain date. If its 100 degrees out, forget it. If its raining, forget it. Anywhere in between is perfect.

This is a very tough ride. 130mi and 12k ft of climbing.
Expect around 8hrs moving and 9+hrs total time on the bike.
Plan is to ride as hard as you want up the climbs. Regroup then ride together to the next climb.
There will be a couple quick refuel stops like the Warren Country store at mile 58 and 93.
But also other possible stops like Hubbard Country store (mile 43) and cumberland farms (mile 116).

Route:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28246405

Self supported. Bring food,tubes/co2/pump/money etc.
4 gaps is doable for those you arent up to the 6 gaps torture.
I guess even 2 gaps is too.
Im driving up/down the same day, im not planning any sleeping arrangements.
Before you say it .... I know Quad CX is the next day. 6 Gap openers.

[jraguin]

Strong possibility.

[mfwestbe]

I'm not really thinking that far ahead on my calendar right yet, but I am a possibility for sure. Because why not

[Mkidd3]

Openers longer than the hole day of racing at Quad... impressive!

[Mkidd3]

Week before KT trip too..... ugh! Time to work the magic

[markreid]

6 gaps ride report when old man Dennis Marino did it with some young studs, including peter Bell:
http://dennismarino.com/pages/25/index.html

[rraymond]

In

[remad]

I wish I could.

[remad]

What gear ratio would be recommended/needed for this ride?

[jraguin]

I rode 34-28. It is tough going up Lincoln in that gear but you will be fine. Lincoln is the only really steep one.

[KTeves]

Lincoln is the only really steep one.

App Gap isn't steep for you?

[dantelman]

App gap is 11-12 percent, except the last 1/4 mile, which is 16-18%.
Lincoln is no comparison, it's a mile stretch that is anywhere from 17-25%

[jraguin]

App Gap is tough at the end and I might even have paperboyed a bit, but really that isn't very long. Lincoln is a different beast, especially since the road curves and it is hard to even attempt to paperboy as you can't see what might be coming around the corner down the hill.

[dantelman]

Correct! For the GMSR the road is close to traffic, so you can ride Belgian style and use the whole road. Lincoln is narrow and has cars coming down it, that is why it was a challenge to zig zag it when we did the VTGF. Honestly even when I got off to walk I was going nearly as fast as those riding it

[michaelcole]

Week before KT trip too..... ugh! Time to work the magic

Is that trip happening this year? I never heard about it. Actually I think I heard it mentioned and asked if it was definite but whomever it was didn't know the details.

[pace21]

Yes. Sept 14-16

[jraguin]

OK, one comment on the route to think about. The times I have done it, we started in Warren. A further drive, but it meant that we went up the toughest climb of Lincoln Gap first from the opposite direction (the east). We went up the steeper side from the east (final 1.4 miles at 14% average), vs. from the west which is more like 0.5 miles at 15%. Also I think the pavement is good on the west and not great on the east. So coming from the east you go up slowly on rougher roads, and down the backside on nice roads, vs. the other way around.

I am good with either way, but climbing Lincoln as the 4th gap and 81 miles in is definitely going to be tough.

[jraguin]

Bump. Is it still on? I have clearance to go.

[mfwestbe]

I was just about to bump this. I've still been planning on going. Weather looks like it might pan out for it. Crossing fingers

[oscarp]

YES!! Weather at this time looks PERFECT. 50/60's and sunny.
Anyone who was interested before can we get a confirmation that you are still in?

Also email me your cell number: oscarpurwin at hotmail dot com

[oscarp]

OK, one comment on the route to think about. The times I have done it, we started in Warren. A further drive, but it meant that we went up the toughest climb of Lincoln Gap first from the opposite direction (the east). We went up the steeper side from the east (final 1.4 miles at 14% average), vs. from the west which is more like 0.5 miles at 15%. Also I think the pavement is good on the west and not great on the east. So coming from the east you go up slowly on rougher roads, and down the backside on nice roads, vs. the other way around.

I am good with either way, but climbing Lincoln as the 4th gap and 81 miles in is definitely going to be tough.

The route route does go up Lincoln from the east at mile 58 not 81 ....

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28246405

[jraguin]

You are right. I am realizing my gearing is going to be tough going up Lincoln. 36-28 vs. last couple of years when I was on a 34-28. Ouch. Going to be painful.

[oscarp]

You are right. I am realizing my gearing is going to be tough going up Lincoln. 36-28 vs. last couple of years when I was on a 34-28. Ouch. Going to be painful.

Bad for you. Good for me. Might slow you down enough to keep you in sight.

[mfwestbe]

You are right. I am realizing my gearing is going to be tough going up Lincoln. 36-28 vs. last couple of years when I was on a 34-28. Ouch. Going to be painful.

Bad for you. Good for me. Might slow you down enough to keep you in sight.

You still might need an e-bike. The pirate doesn't go any slower while in pain.

[djming]

Would love to join, but just can't make it happen with back to back weekends up that way.
FYI, the descent off Roxbury saw a good amount of traffic last weekend with lots of driving over the gap to get to the Randolph circuit race.
The dirt descent is quite "washboardy" in spots and a couple of the bends on the descent had loose dirt. It is not nice and smooth (or at least was not on Friday/Saturday of this past weekend).
Just use caution.