by After a year off in 2020 for the pandemic and re-route in 2021 that did not go to VT, the B2VT was back this year with a new route. It started in Bedford and ended with a new finish location at Stratton Mountain. As compared to last year’s B2VT that had us sweltering in the heat, the forecast was for a cool day with temperatures dropping.
I donned the event’s pink jersey and suited up at the start line. I met up with Rob, Benne, Jay, JT and Jarrett.
Everyone had on sleeves, underlayers, jackets and vests either on or at the ready. It was in the low 60’s at the start, with a forecast of low 50s at the Stratton Mountain finish.
A bonus this year was The Son working as part of the road crew for the B2VT. The organizers were looking for lots of support on the last climb, after he provided some early support along the route. I managed to catch a glimpse of him at his first service stop.
At mile 32 we came to first big climb: Primo. It snakes through the Willard Brook State Forest into the first rest stop at Ashby Elementary School. I was feeling good so I accelerated and pushed myself up the climb. It was a strong enough effort to earn me a PR.
At the rest stop we re-grouped and met up with Martin who had started in Pepperell. I was also able to grab The Son before he headed back on the road to help riders.
Although the B2VT labels the Ashby rest stop as the end of the first climb, the road keeps going uphill to the New Hampshire state line. Rather than racing to the line, we stopped for a photo opportunity. And had picked up Mark along the way.
It was a rolling 30 miles through Southern New Hampshire. The route is not the most scenic. But it easy to navigate. Stay on Route 119 until you turn right to head up the second big climb: Leviathan.
I hit the climb with, initially, no attempt to push myself. It was a long day and I wanted to make sure I had gas in the tank for the final climb of the ride. A few minutes into the climb I looked down at my computer and it showed I was a few seconds ahead of my personal record. So much for the plan of taking it easy. I ramped up my effort and shaved over a minute from my personal record.
I think that was going to be the last big efforts for the day. Time to save up for the final climb and it was still 50 miles away.
I encounter Stew on the road. He was looking great. Pulling and chatting on the road. Last year, at this distance, he was getting ready to stop his ride short. This year he was killing it.
The organizers called the third climb “The Burner” with 1000 feet of climbing over 20 miles. Our group didn’t seem to notice it as much of climb. It was definitely some of the most scenic roads of the route.
There was a rest stop at Townsend Lake at the top of a climb on Route 30 that was not identified before the ride. We knew there was a rest stop at Jamaica just a few miles up the road at the base of the final climb. So we pedaled on.
We re-filled our water bottles, stuffed some snacks in our mouths and prepared ourselves for 8 miles of climbing up 1400 feet of elevation. I stripped off my vest, even though the temperature had dropped into the 50s. I felt sure the effort up the climb would keep me warm. A few pats on the back and we would see each other at the top.
Off we went and immediately we started up hill. It was more gradual than I had expected. As we continued up we hit a mile long stretch of dirt road. I was on Jarrett’s wheel. JT, Martin and Benne were somewhere behind us. A small gap opened between Jarrett and me. Then the gap got bigger.
Then I saw signs for the “Revenge” as we turned left on Brazzer’s Way and up the Shattarack Road Climb. We were coming to the steepest road of the day. It averages an almost 7% grade for 1.5 miles. That’s just the average. There are sections above a 15% grade. No way I was stopping here. I knew the finish line was really close. It didn’t help that it had started raining and was getting even colder as I got closer to the base of the ski mountain. I pushed on.
Finally, there was the finish line. And there was Jarrett.
The rest of the crew came through shortly. Everyone looking worn out from that brutal final climb, but happy that they were crossing the finish line.
142 Miles
9,357 feet of climbing
8:44 in the saddle
Average speed of 16.3 mph
