Ronde 3.0 Strava segment winners

I mentioned in a previous post that Strava offered up prizes for the segment winners on our route.  Here are the fastest men and woman on the day:

Lincoln Rd: http://app.strava.com/activities/6823680#127518147

Men's winner: David Wilcox
Women's winner: Mo Bruno

Weston Railroad Bed: http://app.strava.com/activities/6823680#127518151

Men's winner: Curtis Boivin
Women's winner: Mo Bruno

(Surprise segment) Concord Lexington rail bed: http://app.strava.com/activities/6823680#127518148

Men's winner: John Bayley
Women's winner: Mo Bruno

I'll get in touch with these three gentlemen and lady to deliver their free 6 month Strava subscriptions.  Nice work everyone and thanks again to Strava for the donation!

Ronde 3.0 recap 2

Some of my pictures:

Team Awesome exiting Cutler Park

Weston railroad bed

More of the railroad bed

Hands are worked!

PPPPPP: The "winners"

Unobtainium

Very slick

Rad(shaw)

Just a typical Sunday outside The Washington Square Tavern

Cool moto style cue sheet holder

Trippy anodizing

And room to spare

Hands down, classiest bike of the day

Other's pictures and stories of April 15th:

From Matt O'Keefe: http://flic.kr/s/aHsjzvYTS2

From Stampede: http://teamstampedecycling.tumblr.com/post/21236549187/ronde-de-rosey-v3-ride-report

From Mike Wissell (don't worry, only he was harmed during the writing of this recap): http://www.backbaycyclingclub.com/2012/04/mikes-weekend-of-deep-hurting-part-2.html

From Chip: http://velocb.blogspot.com/2012/04/cx-omp.html

More from Chip: http://velocb.blogspot.com/2012/04/ronde-photo-dump.html

From John Bayley: https://picasaweb.google.com/jbayley/RondeDeRosey2012?authuser=0&feat=directlink#

From Team Awesome: http://teamawesomecycling.tumblr.com/post/21646295385/this-past-sunday-team-awesome-took-part-in-the-3rd

I wish I had known the full story while he was at the race: http://agilefahrrad.blogspot.com/2012/04/ronde-v3-and-ride-home.html

More great writeups, this time on cxmagazine: http://www.cxmagazine.com/girl-cowbell-tattoo-riding-rhonde-mo-bruno-roy?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+CyclocrossMagazine+(Cyclocross+Magazine)&utm_content=cyclocross&utm_term=cyclocross,+cycling,+bike+racing,+veldrijden,+cyclo-cross

Ronde 3.0 recap 1

Where to begin?  Thank you to everyone (135!) who took part in the third edition of the Ronde Rosey on Sunday.  The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, and judging by the amount of smiles, beers, and burgers consumed at the finish, I'd say even those I didn't speak with had a good time and earned the finish line rewards.

I hope people also enjoyed some of the new trails we incorporated this year.  Given the mild winter, it's been really fun exploring and finding some previously unknown gems and we were happy to share them with everyone.

On to the thank you's

1. Washington Square Tavern:  For the third straight year Gerry has opened his restaurant to us all.  Huge thanks to him and his staff for tolerating the chaos that we cyclists bring.
2. Chip Baker and Matt Aumiller (he doesn't live on the internet, apparently):  These two helped scout and mark the course, drum up excitement, round up raffle items, and then crushed it with their teammates.  They were just as big a part of the preparation as I was and without them, this event does not happen.
3. Cafe Fixe:  They were kind enough to donate the coffee to help everyone start off as caffeinated as possible.  Plus, the owner is in to bikes and a great starting point for various weekend group rides.  Thanks Fixe!
4. Hammer Nutrition:  We reached out to Hammer to see if they'd donate some products for the event.  They went above and beyond, donating a ton of gels, Heed energy drink, and electrolyte tabs.  Hopefully every team was able to make use of their allotment.  Judging by the speeds, I'm pretty sure the gels helped keep people moving despite the heat.
5. 47 brand:  Last year they invented the Ronde branding and made some sweet hats.  This year they raised the bar with new designs.  Bob and Ryan also made the awesome blue Zanconato hats that I've been proudly wearing/sharing the last few years.
6. Lazer:  They came through with some great jerseys, a belt, shirts, hats, and glasses for the raffle.  Plus they protect my head every time I get on my bike.
7. Ride Studio Cafe:  Coffee tastings, free coffee cards, race day tune ups, all kinds of good stuff from the folks in Lexington Center.
8. MM Racing:  Matt and Mo are corner stones of NECX so it is always an honor to have them at the Ronde.  They showed up to race, no doubt about it, but they also brought great raffle items including a set of brand new Grifo tubular tires and a special edition Cat Eye wireless computer.
9. Newbury Comics:  I didn't get to inspect the Newbury raffle bags, but judging from year's past, Roger's crew always adds great stuff.
10. Derek Griggs:  Derek donated a really sweet Ortlieb backpack and some Ryder sunglasses.  Thanks Derek, but I wish I had won that bag!
11. Mad Alchemy:  Pete makes the best stuff on the planet, bar none.  AND, he gives generously to NECX.  Thanks for the sparkle Pete!  Oh, and those socks, man I love those socks.
12. Strava:  There are still prizes to be awarded thanks to the folks at Strava.  Make sure you get your ride info uploaded by Tuesday (4/17).  The fastest male and female riders on the railroad tracks and on the dirt Lincoln Road will win 6 month premium subscriptions.
13. Firefly: Thanks for the sweet t-shirts and high end water bottles.  And, did anyone else notice the Di2 road/cx machine Jamie was riding?  So trick and probably perfect for the course on Sunday.
14. Cyclocrossworld/Todd Prekaski:  I'm not so sure my mom loves cyclocross but the t-shirts from these guys were appreciated

So what does this all mean?  How about $2200 for Bikes Not Bombs!!!

Also, I'd really like to hear from all of you that took part.  Post your recaps, links to pictures, or links to your story in the comments.  How many flats did you have?  How many derailleurs did you lose?  How many wrong turns did you make?  What was your favorite part of the course?

Ronde 3.0 critical details and more course info

First of all, thanks for the overwhelmingly positive reaction from so many of you.  The ride is officially full(er than I expected).  I'm looking forward to you all enjoying nearly 70 miles of tough riding on Sunday, all in the name of charity.  I've heard rumors of a little complaining but I'm sure those who are complaining are just doing so because they are scared, not because they plan on bringing any negative attitude on Sunday.

Here are some important details for Sunday.

1.  All riders must show at the Washington Square Tavern by 8am for instructions.
2.  All riders have to print out the waiver and sign it before the ride.  We are NOT going to have these on site, so print in advance.  No waiver, no ride.
3.  Instead of waiting for others to hold their hands and show them the way, a group of Quad Cycles riders tackled the route on their own.  They got it mostly right, with the exception of the trails around Walden Pond and leading to Rt 2.  I marked a better route there this week.  If you want to see their gps info, go here:  http://app.strava.com/rides/6550245  If you're taking Kurt's hard work, be sure to buy him a beer after the ride and perhaps a burger too.
4.  We'll have a support vehicle in Concord, armed with a bunch of Hammer products.  But, if you don't make it there by 1:30, you need to find Mass Ave and take the pavement back to Brookline.  Otherwise, you'll miss the beers, raffle, and fun (and probably be pretty unhappy).

 

Route specifics:

1. This is NOT a closed course.  There will be cars (obviously) on the roads and other trail users, including dog walkers on the trails.  Be respectful.  Remember there might be 100+ others following you, so don't ruin it for the rest of them.
2. I've ridden most of the trails already this week and marked them with pink ribbons.  
3. There are A LOT of sticks down on the trails.  These sticks can very easily rip your derailleur off.  Consider yourself warned.
4. Even though it has been very dry this spring, there are still slick bridges.  No need to risk crashing on a twisty bridge.
5.  There are some portions of the route that are NOT well marked.  They are:
1. The route from the Tavern to Skyline Park.  Research it, figure out how to get yourself to Brookline St and Skyline Park
2. In Bedford, after the old rail trail, you'll turn left towards Page Rd.  Again, research it.  I was not able to spray all of the turns there.  The GPS files will take you the right way if you're following them
3. Once you finish the trails and come through Belmont Ctr, you're on your own to get back to Brookline.  It's not that hard, but research it in advance.
6. Tristan Schneiter with Geekhouse made a cue sheet for those relying on old fashioned paper.  I am not going to print these, but you can.  Fair warning, the mileage will be slightly off, but the road naming will help orient those who need it.  https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/pub?key=0AucFs-EMlF85dFI1RjB0Y0ZVNHJaRFFxRGdVZkNHU3c&output=html

Ronde 3.0 important details and waiver form

Important details for Sunday:

1. Show up with your waiver printed and signed in advance: waiver

2. Show up with $10 cash for entry fee
3. Show up with a helmet, multiple tubes, a mini tool, ID, money, and food
4. Parking is limited in the area so either carpool, or ride over.  You can leave a small bag securely at the Tavern if needed
5. First teams leave at 8:15.  All teams need to be at the Tavern by 8am to hear critical route instructions

I've ridden much of the southern half of the loop yesterday and today.  It is supremely dry and one could get by with a big (28+) commuting tire, though I still suggest cx tires.

The trails are marked with pink ribbon, the roads are spray painted with "R" and an arrow indicating turns.

I'm working on a cue sheet, but mileage will not be 100% so you'll want to rely on the route markings primarily.

Ronde 3.0 Strava collaboration

We already shared a link to the course via Strava.  Now the kind folks at Strava have joined in to provide prizes for the fastest segment riders on April 15th.  We have 6 month premium membership rewards for the fastest male and female on the following segments:

1. Railroad bed
2. Lincoln (dirt) road

We were out there today to mark the start and finish of each of these segments, but we suggest you study them a bit in advance if you plan on going for it.  A word of caution about the railroad section.  In addition to a few road crossings, the areas where you'll cross over the tracks can be slick.  If you crash and burn, you won't get the Strava award, so be safe first, fast second.  Also, you'll have until Tuesday the 17th to get your data loaded to Strava and then we'll mail the rewards.

Ronde 3.0 team list

Sign up is closed

Here are the teams and the start times

• Everyone needs to arrive by 8am to hand in waivers and $10 cash per rider
• The route is being well marked this week
• Cue sheets with rough directions will be available too

30 teams

If you're not on the list for 2012, be sure to watch here for an opportunity to join the ride in 2013.

Ronde 3.0 sponsors piling up

First off, thanks to everyone who has committed to Ronde 3.0. The ride is full already, which is awesome. More riders than v1 and v2.

We organize the Ronde:
1. to have a fun excuse to ride cx bikes in April
2. to raise lots and lots of money for Bikes not Bombs

To help us achieve #2, the following sponsors have already committed support to the staging, on course assistance, and raffle prizes

Hammer Nutrition: These guys sent a ton of fuel for riders. There will be stuff at the start, there will be a mid ride fueling station, and there will probably be enough left over to go into the raffle and for anyone arriving in Zombie-like condition.

The Washington Square Tavern: Our staging spot, our host for the post ride raffle, and the spot for our post ride drinking/eating. Gerry has selflessly allowed us to take over his restaurant each year and poured lots of beer all to benefit Bikes not Bombs. He's doing the same in 2012, so be sure to thank him, be nice to the staff, and tip generously!

Ride Studio Cafe: A big list of goodies from the fine folks at the Ride Studio Cafe. Here is a list of what I know will be in the raffle:
2 - Coffee Tastings for 6 people - Each $250 value
2 - Get out of a Nap Free Card - 10 Free Drinks from the Cafe (each card) - Each $35 value
1 - Race-Ready Tune-up - $70 value
You'll be passing by RSC on the route so maybe you should stop in, slam an espresso and then be charged up for the last 50 minutes of trails and roads back to Brookline. But save at least a few bucks for the raffle.

Mad Alchemy: Pete has offered up a variety of embrocations and chamois cremes for the raffle. We all buy his stuff anyway, so enter the raffle and get a chance to win some instead.

Firefly: No, they're not donating a frame to the raffle, but Boston's hottest "new" framebuilders are putting some classy swag into the raffle. You can sport the Firefly t-shirt until your frame is built by Tyler, Jamie, and Kevin (all of whom are going to be out there riding with us too).

Newbury Comics: They'll be out there riding the course and suffering along side the rest of us. When it comes to raffle time, they've thrown in gift cards to enjoy.

Zanconato Cycles: I may be a little partial to Mike Z, but once you meet him, you can't help it. There will be some sweet Zanconato gear in the raffle. No frames, but show your support and win a Zanconato logo'd hat.

Twins 47: They may not be a cycling specific company, but these guys are pumping out super slick designs and products. They created the Ronde logo and are putting it on cycling and baseball caps that will be part of the auction. Serious love for the sport, even if it's not what keeps the lights on at the office.

From up north, Adam St. Germain is coming to crush the Ronde 3.0 route. Afterwards he is going to make up for the pain he causes you through his donation of Camelbak and Clif products to the raffle. If you're bonking really hard, he might even share a Clif blok or two out on the road. Just don't expect him to slow down and wait for you.

This is what I have confirmed so far. I'm still accepting offers/donations, so keep an eye out here as the list will surely grow before 4/15. Remember to bring your cash in addition to your A game so we can raise lots of money for Bikes not Bombs.