TheHare
September 23rd, 2008, 04:41 PM
This year's annual Fall Epic will be on Sunday, October 19th.
From Pennwood State Park (Avon, CT) to Robinson State Park (Agawam, MA). About 38 miles of pretty technical. One of the best routes (this long) that can be had around here.
We meet at my house, load the bikes in the trailer and get shuttled to Pennwood. One water stop at the mid-point. Pizza back in Agawam.
Bring a blanket for your bike (in the trailer) and all the food you need for the day on the trails. It will probably be about 7 hours. We will have a feed at my house after. Please bring something to share. I will have pizza and drinks.
Be at my house between 7:00 and 7:15. We will hopefully be loaded and pulling out by 7:30...
How it works: Show up at my house – Grab everything you need for the day and get in the shuttle vehicle – Get driven to the start – Say good bye to the shuttle drivers – Hit the trail and ride for a while. You should be pretty tired by the time we get back. ;) Food will be waiting. So… your vehicle will stay at my house for the day, and will be waiting for you at the end of the ride. Also, your blanket, which protects your bike in the trailer on the shuttle down, will also be waiting for you at my house when you are done.
Hype and Lore:
This ride’s heritage dates back to the late 80’s. It was either 88 or 89, after a long season of great group riding, that include plenty of the obligatory waiting and regrouping. Everyone had been riding all season, fitness levels were elevated, and we wanted an all out ride! A group ride with no waiting. What!?!? That’s right… No waiting at corners, no regrouping. The idea was born! “The Death Loop”! Pretty much hang-on as long as you can, and then… well…your on your own. The location was Granville MA. Back then, most had an idea of which way was out, because the riding community was smaller and we most all rode together, and therefore knew the areas we rode. The Death loop was about an all day ride at a good pace, and a monster feed after. One long time rider (but out of the loop now) would always bring a huge waist pack full of baked goods to share on the trail. Injuries were pretty much guaranteed.
The tradition continued for the next 8 or so years… People moved, interests changed, and the group became smaller. :(
The ride was moved to Palmer for one or two year’s, with a much kinder-gentler tone. It was foreign turf to most, so waiting and regrouping was brought into the ride.
Then in 98 or 99, I ended up taking the ride organization over. The ride went half way back to it’s roots by starting back in Granville and the quicker pace was reinforced a bit. :burndev:
Since then, it has been a one-way shuttle-ride. The first couple years we rode from Granville, back to my house. That route was know as the “back-yard tour” because the 3 or 4 miles of trail that connected the hills to the urban park I live-on, are kind-of through peoples back yards and such. Urban sprawl has pretty much killed the connection now.
Then, in 2000 or 2001, the route changed to the current path we will use this year. This route from Pennwood to my house is quite stellar and challenging, but some of the regulars are looking for a change. So, the options are open for next year.
As for now, it will go off as usual. There are no shortcut bailouts for this ride. I will have asphalt route sheets to hand out as needed, but the start is a 25 mile road ride from my house (and your car).
Come ride this legendary route for it's final installment!
Next year we will likely go full circle and head back into the hills and burly trails of Granville, and resurrect the Annual Tradition “The Death Loop”. :rad:
Let me know if you are in.
Steve 786-3744
From Pennwood State Park (Avon, CT) to Robinson State Park (Agawam, MA). About 38 miles of pretty technical. One of the best routes (this long) that can be had around here.
We meet at my house, load the bikes in the trailer and get shuttled to Pennwood. One water stop at the mid-point. Pizza back in Agawam.
Bring a blanket for your bike (in the trailer) and all the food you need for the day on the trails. It will probably be about 7 hours. We will have a feed at my house after. Please bring something to share. I will have pizza and drinks.
Be at my house between 7:00 and 7:15. We will hopefully be loaded and pulling out by 7:30...
How it works: Show up at my house – Grab everything you need for the day and get in the shuttle vehicle – Get driven to the start – Say good bye to the shuttle drivers – Hit the trail and ride for a while. You should be pretty tired by the time we get back. ;) Food will be waiting. So… your vehicle will stay at my house for the day, and will be waiting for you at the end of the ride. Also, your blanket, which protects your bike in the trailer on the shuttle down, will also be waiting for you at my house when you are done.
Hype and Lore:
This ride’s heritage dates back to the late 80’s. It was either 88 or 89, after a long season of great group riding, that include plenty of the obligatory waiting and regrouping. Everyone had been riding all season, fitness levels were elevated, and we wanted an all out ride! A group ride with no waiting. What!?!? That’s right… No waiting at corners, no regrouping. The idea was born! “The Death Loop”! Pretty much hang-on as long as you can, and then… well…your on your own. The location was Granville MA. Back then, most had an idea of which way was out, because the riding community was smaller and we most all rode together, and therefore knew the areas we rode. The Death loop was about an all day ride at a good pace, and a monster feed after. One long time rider (but out of the loop now) would always bring a huge waist pack full of baked goods to share on the trail. Injuries were pretty much guaranteed.
The tradition continued for the next 8 or so years… People moved, interests changed, and the group became smaller. :(
The ride was moved to Palmer for one or two year’s, with a much kinder-gentler tone. It was foreign turf to most, so waiting and regrouping was brought into the ride.
Then in 98 or 99, I ended up taking the ride organization over. The ride went half way back to it’s roots by starting back in Granville and the quicker pace was reinforced a bit. :burndev:
Since then, it has been a one-way shuttle-ride. The first couple years we rode from Granville, back to my house. That route was know as the “back-yard tour” because the 3 or 4 miles of trail that connected the hills to the urban park I live-on, are kind-of through peoples back yards and such. Urban sprawl has pretty much killed the connection now.
Then, in 2000 or 2001, the route changed to the current path we will use this year. This route from Pennwood to my house is quite stellar and challenging, but some of the regulars are looking for a change. So, the options are open for next year.
As for now, it will go off as usual. There are no shortcut bailouts for this ride. I will have asphalt route sheets to hand out as needed, but the start is a 25 mile road ride from my house (and your car).
Come ride this legendary route for it's final installment!
Next year we will likely go full circle and head back into the hills and burly trails of Granville, and resurrect the Annual Tradition “The Death Loop”. :rad:
Let me know if you are in.
Steve 786-3744