Prouty Ultimate Centry & Double Century July 10-11

Plan now for the Prouty Ultimate, a 200-mile, two-day ride through New Hampshire’s beautiful countryside, July 10-11, 2009.

Day 1: (limited to 100 riders) from Manchester to Hanover: lakes shores, small towns, vistas and rolling terrain.
Day 2: (more than 3,200 riders) the Prouty Century Ride: rivers and farmland, gentle terrain, a jubilant celebration at the end. Proceeds benefit the Norris Cotton Cancer Center.

* Total ascent for the first day is 4,580 feet and 3,228 for day two, compared to 2,500 for the entire Pan Mass.
* Overnight accommodations in new, air conditioned dorms at Dartmouth College.
* Great swag, tremendous food, first aid, roving bike techs to fix flats, transport and return of excess clothing and bags.
* Minimum fundraising level is $2,500 unless you bring a buddy, an “ultiMATE,” and then it is $1,750 per person. Proceeds benefit the Norris Cotton Cancer Center with patient services for New Hampshire and Vermont and research for the world.

Info: (603) 653-3629 or 1-800-226-8744

Connecticut Valley Century

2008 Connecticut Valley Century (COVAC) Benefit Bike Ride - Saturday, Sept. 6 starts and ends at the Hatfield Pavilion, Billings Way, Hatfield, MA. This rain or shine event features rides of 100, 75, 50 and 25 miles.

Ride Fee is $25 prior to 9/3 - get a free ride T-shirt; $35 on the Day of the ride.

Registration/check-in is from 7:00 a.m.-9:00 a.m. Fee includes cue sheets, SAG stops & snacks, and an after ride Baked Potato with all the fixings. All proceeds benefit the Amherst Rotary Good Works Fund.

For more information www.amherstrotaryclub.org/covac or call Sandy at 413-665-7505.

Berkshire Brevet 300k

Berkshire Brevet 300K
Westfield, MA
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Register here.

"A hilly route heading west into the Berkshires then south along the Housatonic river to Kent CT. Crosses into eastern NY before returning to Westfield. Route is Lollipop shaped. Climbs include Jacob's Ladder (8 miles) both outbound and inbound and BashBish Falls (4.5 miles long with two short sections of steep, 18% grades)."

Berkshire Brevet 200k

Berkshire Brevet 200K
Westfield, MA
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Open to everyone.
North along the western side of the Connecticut River Valley to Southern Vermont and back. A moderately hilly route.

Register here.

"The Berkshire Brevets are a series of randonneur cycling events in Western Massachusetts. If you enjoy century rides and challenging events, you will find randonnueur cycling a rewarding experience. The randonneur season is broken into a series of brevets of 200 km, 300 km, 400 km, and 600 km, a team 24 hr., and a final event of 1200 km. The goal of the randonneur cyclist is to complete all events within time limits. You can expect about 3,000 ft. of climbing for each 100 km. Each brevet is designed to challenge and prepare the long distance cyclists for the next ride in the series and act as a qualifier for Paris - Brest – Paris (1200 km) and other 1200 Km events throughout the world. The purpose of the Berkshire Brevets is to introduce cyclists in Western Massachusetts and Connecticut to the sport of randonneur cycling and to offer alternate dates for riders wishing to qualify for 1200 Km events such P-B-P The next Paris - Brest - Paris is in August 2011.

The Berkshire Brevets are organized and hosted by the Northeast Sport Cyclists Bicycle Club and New Horizons Sports.

Randonneur cycling is long distance (endurance) cycling with minimal or no support. A brevet is not a race, although the ride is timed and some riders will seek a personal best time, the primary goal is simply to finish. The style of riding is characterized by various rules and traditions that date to 1891 in France when the first Paris – Brest – Paris race was held. When one participates in brevet events, one is part of worldwide brotherhood of cyclists, with over 116 years of history and legend."

Connecticut River Challenge

The Vermont Border to Border

Connecticut River Challenge

The first annual Vermont Border to Border Connecticut River Challenge
will be held on June 28, 2008. This one-day bike ride will cover the
length of Vermont on Highway 5, mostly along the Connecticut River.
Riders will start at the break of dawn from Derby Line and finish at
the Massachusetts border around 5:00pm. The course is relatively flat
by Vermont standards, and approximately 182 miles long.

This ride is for experienced cyclists who can maintain a 17-18 mph
pace in a group. We will stay at a hotel near the start the night
before the ride, and will ride together along the course. .

This is a completely informal event with no cost. Riders are expected
to arrange transportation to the start and from the finish, as well as
refueling. A caravan of friends, spouses, parole officers, and guys
that owe us money will set up refueling stops about every 30 miles.

Teams can divide the ride into two, 90 mile segments, with one member
driving as the other rides. Cyclists having trouble can also use the
caravan to get to the finish.

We are asking that interested participants commit to the event by June 1.

For more information, contact John Orlando at jorlando@norwich.edu, or
802-878-2860.