Appleblaster/Putney Weekend - June 27,28

Since last week, I got out for a few rides, on Monday I pulled out the Pantera SS from the garage and took it up the climbs in West Hatfield over Chestnut Mountain. I figured that would be reasonable preparation for the Hill Climb in Chesterfield NH on Saturday. On Wednesday, we joined the Franklin County NEMBA/Bikes Unlimited group for a cycle through the trails in Deerfield. Pretty much the rest of the week, I watched it rain from inside.

Saturday, I had a meeting in the morning which kept me out of the Cyclecross race, but I did participate in Root66's Appleblaster Hill Climb in Westmoreland NH. Although it was a small field, 2nd place is 2nd place for us old guys right?

Sunday, rain again in the morning, but I still made my way over to the Putney School where the West Hill Shop hosts Root66's Putney Race. A great course, featuring about 1000 ft of climbing per 4 mile lap, we 50+ Cat 2s were dropped back to 2 laps in hopes of an early day. There were 15 of us at the start, and I let most of the field go for the whole shot, comfortable in my ability to pick riders off on the many climbs on the course. Things were going according to plan, and I had passed 10 of the 12 guys I expected to catch when there was this nasty snap and then silence. Sure enough I had popped a link on the chain.

I can usually get these repairs done in under 2 minutes, but today nothing went right. Chain tool, OK, pin out, OK, now how to thread this through the rear derailleur - over or under that darn tab. I had it threaded wrong for one ride before so both sides show the same wear... I guess wrong, un thread it and redo it correctly. Snapping on the quick link I look down and swear quietly to myself - I had forgotten to thread through the front Derailleur!

As the next field starts passing me, I snap the quicklink apart, go through the front and pop it together again. Damn - nearly 5 minutes and the whole field has passed me by. I hope the chain holds cause it is either drop out or put the hammer down and gain a respectable finish.

I start up, and almost immediatly catch two guys on the next climb, not too bad I'm now in 13th. Two more on the last climb before the start finish, puts me just out of the top 10. I challenge myself to finding 3-4 more. Just before the last hill, I get the 3rd guy, putting me into 8th (late comment - the first two guys were DQd - official results now have me in 6th). Not bad considering the fat fingered repair.

Because we were staying with my folks Saturday night, I had the puppy with me. Nothing brings people by the tent better except maybe free beer!