COVAC Century Sunday Sept. 13th

I'm sure Daren will be sending out an email notice for this ride.
For those who haven't done COVAC (http://www.amherstrotaryclub.org/covac/), it's a 104 mile ride that starts in Hatfield Ma, travels up one side of the Connecticut River to Brattleboro Vt, over the river into NH, and back south down the east side of the river. The SAG stops (for food and drink) are very well stocked with pasteries, cookies, fruits, coffee, gatorade, and water - so be sure to register to help support them.
Registeration ends Wednesday (yes as in tomorrow at 8:59pm), so sign up early so you can help their causes and get a free t-shirt and baked potatoe at the end of the ride.
If you've always wanted to do a century but never thought you could, this is probably one of the easiest centuries this side of Iowa and Nebraska. Because it runs along side the river it is for the most part flat. The only exception being about a 10 mile stretch after the mile 50 SAG stop. As I recall, these hills are more the rolling variety you might find along 119 heading west into Rindge NH and not stuff like heading into Princeton Center or Mason NH. And because we ride as a group it's even easier as we all spend our share of time in the wind (taking pulls) helping those behind us.
I guess I should mention something I found out a couple of years ago - the first 75 miles the ride the group pretty much stays together, we wait up for anyone who has a mechanical problem and regroup at each 25 mile SAG stop.... but the pace gets turned up a notch or 3 after the 75 mile stop, we'll still wait for mechanicals and all, but it does get fast. And then for the last 10 or so miles anyone wanting to finish in the front should definately pay close attention because this is usually where the trouble makers are going to stir things up by trying to break away. Depending on who's in the mix (i.e. anyone really strong who is used to the A ride pace), you may want to sit it out and enjoy the fast pace being set by everyone else. Think of it this way, most know how much the sprint along Rt 70 can hurt. Well this is 7 miles further, 10x harder and usually into the wind.
But COVAC isn't a race, it's a long group ride where most riders are simply out to have a fun time, enjoy each other's company, enjoy some spectacular scenery and get together for the post ride dinner.
The ride ends where it began, more food and beer, unfortunately you need to pay for the beer.

In years past the plan has been to meet as a group at 6:00am in the Courtyard Hotel (formally the Best Western and now home to Coco Keys water park on Rt 31 in Fitchburg) - from there we'll drive to Hatfield as a group so we can begin the ride at 8:00.
Hopefully as many of the tuesday night and saturday morning GW regulars as possible can make it. Of all the group rides we do, this one is the best!