Training Trip Report

Riders learn many important biking lessons
photography skills do not improve

Bethlehem, NH - The five coast to coast riders and some friends went on a two-day training trip in the White Mountains of New Hampshire.

From left to right: Swicka, Hannah, Sarah, Alex, LMN, Russ, and Dan

"We decided to test our stamina and grit by finding the most climbing in NH, and then by picking the rainiest, coldest weekend in Spring," said Sarah of the trip. And the riders know how to pick them - with about 110 miles in two days and five big climbs, the trip was certainly a foreshadowing of things to come.

Dan reports, "the first thirty miles were not too bad, except for the 50 degree temps, wet pavement, and 20-mph head wind. Then we got to the first climb, and it poured on us." The blinding rain prevented the climbers from overheating on the five mile uphill over Bear Notch, but cooled them off a little too quickly on the downhill. Luckily, they arrived at their campsite shortly thereafter, shivering and soaked.

The climb up to Bear Notch wound its way up wet hills

The next day resulted in partially cloudy skies, and partially dried pavement, with four more massive uphills. Everyone did great, and they arrived at the Bethlehem town line, one mile from their starting point, at around 4 PM. "With only one mile to go," says Sarah, "I thought we had done an excellent job all weekend, but we had not tested the group's ability to deal with injury. I decided to take one for the team, and on an 11% downhill, slammed my front brakes as hard as I could, flipping over the bike and head-butting the pavement." Sarah cracked her helmet and broke her glasses and rear rack, but walked away with only minor scrapes.

Everyone is glad that Sarah is OK, and everyone, including Sarah, came away from the weekend with a great handle on what bike touring takes. We are ready!

We leave on Saturday, June 14! Stay tuned for more posts, and let us know you are supporting us!