COVAC 2010

Up at some ridicules hour (5am) for the 2010 COVAC century. A quick check of the weather, breakfast, pack the car and I’m off to meet Big Dave at 6am in Westminster. We transfer everything from my car to his truck and were on the road at 6:07.

Arrive in Hatfield at 7:20 with cloudy skies and cool temperatures in the low 50’s. The forecast was for cloudy condition all day with a 20% chance of showers. Calm winds for the start that would then increase 5-10mph from the Southeast later in the morning and afternoon.

We queued up around 8:15 or so and I think we had the largest turnout ever for this event. I guessing around 45 riders toed the line for the start of this year COVAC century. Just before launch there was a shout out for Peter Cunningham to ensure he was at the start line. For those you who don’t know, a few years back with lifted off with Peter still in the can hence the shout out which has become a tradition each year. Funny how things like that can take on a life of their own.

Lisa Lecomte gave is the start signal/send off and we were on our way. I leave with gloves and arm warmers on and I would have worn leg warmers as well but I didn’t want to carry them later in the ride. Pockets were stuffed with food, gels and a zip lock with Accelerade in it. No room for my camera because I was pretty sure I’d the taking off my gloves and arm warmers later in the ride.

We rolled along nicely keeping the whole group together to our first rest stop. Pace was nice and the temperature had come up a little. Pretty much everyone made a pit stop and refilled their water bottles. I ate and cliff bar, a gel and washed it all down with a bottle of water. We all rolled out together with Graig and I on the front for about a mile before we decided we had enough of that headwind.

On this second segment the speed started to gradually ramp up. Faster and faster we go with a short burst up a short climb where Peter dropped his chain and had to stop and to correct it. Found out later that he had lost contact with the group and ride 15 miles by himself to the second rest stop. Meanwhile up the climb I go and just got tacked on the back to the lead bunch. The group was split in two now with the lead group really picking up the pace and having a slight tail wind now only made it seem even faster. I peel off my arm warmers and stuff them in my pockets. Starts to feel like its spitting rain, but no it’s me sweating heavily. Ernie makes a comment about me then stays off my wheel, he’s getting too wet. In sections I was very close to redline. Thankfully there were some turns where I could very briefly rest and reduce my thundering heart rate. We just about scream into the second rest stop.

This is a nice scenic rest area right alongside the Connecticut River. Again everyone makes a pit stop and refilled their water bottles. I ate another half of a cliff bar, and two gels, washed it all down with a bottle of water. The Southeast wind was picking up. I put my arm warmers on and head out early slow rolling it up the road waiting for the train to arrive. I can see Big Dave and Bruce off in the distance so they had the same idea. Juan and Ernie join me and I indicated to Ernie that I was just taking it easy waiting for the train to arrive. As we approached Brattleboro Vermont, I warned Juan about the railroad tracks that were just around the corner. We cross over the river in Brattleboro and start wondering where everyone was. What we did not know, but found out later at the 3rd rest stop was there had been a crash at the same railroad tracks we had crossed and that both John Barry and Tyler had gone down. Ken made a call to Lisa to have her come and pick up the bikes and both John and Tyler were taken to the hospital. Both had a lot of bumps and bruises with John having more serious facial injuries. Rather than stitching these up they used some Elmer’s glueall to fix him up. Seriously I’m sure they have some more high tech stuff they use.

Meanwhile while all this is going on Juan, Ernie and I continue on our way. We each take turns pulling at the front and the speed is starting to gradually increase. As we hit the hills in Northfield, I consistently lose contact. Ernie and Juan graciously slow down and wait for me to bridge up. Clearly I’m the weak link in this threesome. On the last hill I’m gapped and I bridge again and we pick up both Big Dave and Bruce right near the top. Now it’s starting to get even faster with the unstated goal of trying to get to the 3rd rest stop ahead of the train. I could feel some sprinkles of rain but for me it’s hard to tell if it’s really rain of me sweating. Big Dave verifies that it is indeed sprinkling. We arrive at the 3rd rest stop and I’m pretty tired from pulling and bridging gaps.

The train arrives shortly thereafter and it was then we found out about the crash at the railroad tracks in Brattleboro. That cast a damper on the ride with everyone wondering about the condition of both John and Tyler. I say a quick prayer while I eat all the rest of the food I brought with me. Another bottle of water and I’m good to go.

Again I leave a tad early to warm back up and wait for the train to come by. Sure enough the train arrives after a few minutes and I’m tacked on the back. Now it’s hell bent for election is it seems every mile that goes by the speed ramps up another notch. Were on some pretty flat sections now and even heading into the wind the speed is very high. By now I’m beyond being on the rivet.
Up ahead I see a split with a group of eight hammerheads heading off into the distance. The second group tries to bridge and I fall off the back of this group during this acceleration. I had had enough “fun” for the day so at mile 93 I had a 21.5mph average. Another rider fell off with me so thankfully I had someone to work with on the final miles. I don’t know who this was but I’m very grateful for him staying with me and helping me finish.

I was resting by Dave’s truck then more unfortunate news. Seems that right by the entrance to the pavilion Elaine crashed. Not sure of what or how it happened but it looked serious and like John and Tyler, Elaine was taken by ambulance to the hospital. Her helmet was cracked, her wrist may have been broken and numerous road rashes. Yet another quick prayer for a fallen rider.

We were all eating pizza when we got the good news. Elaine was very lucky no concussion and no broken bones. I always hope that on our group rides we all have fun and stay safe. Yesterday I got the former but not the later.

Yet another COVAC century in the books. Our biggest turnout ever for this event, and one of the fastest if not the fasted ever. Congratulations everyone!