Conference noted::bicycle

    Ok, I'll start things off.
    
    Name: Rick Rehberg
    Date: 5/21/95
    Time to the Top:  36:15
    Comments: 
    The Auto road was closed to autos but they are trying to get it opened
    for next weekend.  Too bad, it was nice this way.
    First time this year.  Used granny gears and tried to survive.
    
    Bike: Bridgestone RB2
    Weather: Beautiful . . . a little windy in spots.
    Misc.  Hit 47 mph going East on Rt 62 out of Princeton back to Rt 140. 
    That is my fastest yet!
    
    

    Name: Chip Girouard
    Age:  43
    Bike: Merlin
    Gearing: front - 39x53  rear - 12x23 (8spd)
    Components: Campy
    
    
    First run: 6/8/95
    Condition: Overcast in the low 60's
    
    Time: 22.29 (kinda ugly)
    Goal: Sub 20
    
    Took Mile Hill Road pretty fast but died on the real steep sections on
    the Mt. (near the "Condo" - at the turn running toward the observation
    parking area - up to the summit). Had an 11 mile ride to the base which
    was fairly quick 21mph average. Maybe I should have did a slower
    warm-up... :-)
    
    Chip

name: roger nichols
age:  24
bike: bontrager
gear: 39/53, 12-24, 7sp
comp: sachs shift; shim bb,crank; mavic wheelset

first run: 16-jun-95
condition: out of shape :)
weather:   sunny, 60

time: 20:31
goal: same time on 4-july
stretch goal: sub 20 on 4-july

comments:
   bolton road is at the base, below the ski lodge/main parking lot
   if you are coming ~south from 140, its where the road forks at the blue house

   4-july is wachusett road race, final stage of longsjo stage race, finishing
      on top of mtn

   tried for back to back ascents, but second try was 21:48, oh well
   both times i made it back to bottom in < 5:30 though   8-0

    It doesn't get any better than today to try and go break some records
    coming down.  Mine are: mtn bike: 50.0mph, road bike: 54.5mph, both
    on zillion degree, no-air-density-whatsoever, south tailwind days.
    Unfortunately by the time I can get there it'll be down in the 80's.
    .02 Kratz

   Name:       Roger Nichols
   Age:        24
   Bike:       Bontrager
   Gearing:    39/53, 12/24 7sp
   Components: mixed bag

   First run:  couple weeks ago
   Weather:    BEAUTIFUL, low 70's, sunny, no wind

   Time:       22:38 - ooph
   Goal:       as before

   Comments:
      40ish miles flying start from Westford MA - i agree w/chip, shorter warmup
         is the way to go
      survived up to condo, was in trouble between 'the bog' and scenic overlook
      if you ride south from visitor gate, its LONG downhill, taking rt 62 east

    Roger you are right... the killer (besides Mile Hill Rd) are the
    rise at the "CONDO" and when you begin to reach the right hand corner
    between the The Bog and the observation area. Of course, by then you're
    toast anyway. 
    
    I rode up yesterday too. Just rode. My legs were like lead. A 20 mile
    TT on Sunday, a 32 mile recovery ride on Monday, a 12 mile TT on
    Tuesday, a 28 mile 70% effort on Wednesday, and a few intervals and
    Wachusett on Thursday.
    
    Hey, they're still lead! :-)
    
    Two days off will fix that...
    
    Chip

    Date: 6-29
    Weather: Perfect!!  Well the views were hazy but the temp was great!
    Time: 28:15
    
    Comments:  I now not only know where Bolton road is but after my ascent
    I went up it till I came to these two large dogs . . .  It has a very
    steep section.
    
    I warmed up for 2 miles.  This was not enough warmup.  Although I used
    my third chain ring (28), I avoided using the 28 gear.  
    
    Goal: Avoid using the third chain ring (considering what it is like
    after the bog that might be a stretch goal).  
    
    Time Goal: 26:xx
    
    Other comments:  After all that climbing to come to a BOG (which I
    customarily associate with low areas) is a little strange.  I
    definitely need to ride this more often to be able to deal with the
    portion after the bog.
    
    Max speed: 48 (I hit the brakes a couple of times when I really did not
    need to)
    
    I had forgotten that the 140 TT was on Tuesday and had intended to give
    that a try but went to the Mt. when I checked my direction sheet.  I am
    not sure if I should go for the TT (it would be my first) but it sounds
    like a good work out and some fun.

    Date:  6/27/95
    Weather: maybe 70 (too cool for me)
    Time: 21.04
    Age: 43 (forgot to post it in the first entry)
    
    I started out n-o-t riding for time. In fact I blew off the Rte 140 TT
    because it was so windy. I decided to do some climbing instead. As I
    settled into a comfortable cadence I noticed I was maintaining a good
    speed without a great effort. So I ramped the effort a little more...
    
    By the time I reached the base parking area I had made up the time I
    had gold-bricked from my house. I started working the Mt. aggressively,
    I didn't go so hard that I blew anytime on the climb.
    
    I ended up doing well and feeling well so I went into west Fitchburg
    (2A) and got on Rte 12 and climbed back out all the way to Winchendon.
    I ended up with 45 miles and left with quite good feeling.
    
    My wife, however, stated she wondered if I was coming home that night!
    
    Chip 
    

You know the old saying -


	"He's very good to his wife."


	".... never goes home...."

After not riding much for 2-3 weeks I was going stir crazy.  So, I headed out of Northboro 
last Sunday for a ride.  After going through Clinton and over Chase Hill into Sterling I 
seemed to naturally gravitate to Mt Wachusetts via Rt 140.  I did not keep track of the time 
over the designated course but I am sure it was well over 30 (I was just hanging on after 
the bog).  The weather was fantastic; the view was grand and the colors were pretty darn 
good!  It was very crowded as there was a "kids festival" going on and it seemed that a 
motorcycle rally just let out as there were on the order of 30 motorcycles at the top!  When 
I rode down I ended up surrounded by a group of motorcycles.  It seemed a little strange 
moving up within there formation but it was kind of a kick.  I ended up riding over 50 miles 
that day which was well beyond what I "should" have done considering my lack of riding.  But 
it was Welllll worth it!!!  (I hope you can see my smile!)

Rick

RE: <<< Note 2964.10 by PCBUOA::aki1005.ako.dec.com::rehberg >>>

Glad it was fun! Last Sunday was a day of terrific weather in Massachusetts
(I live in Westford).
						-- Tom

    Thanks Rick (please set your margins) :-)