Conference noted::bicycle

Where would one get a release form, and to whom would one send it?
						-- Tom

    Tom,
    
     I have a release form.  I'll bring it to next Tuesdays ride.  Perhaps
    Chip can post the address?
    
    Chip,
    
     Glad your doing this race. It will be nice to have someone pull me up
    those hills!
    
    Pete

     Sorry. Mail to:
    
                      The Manchester Exchange Club
    
                      P.O. Box 26
    
                      Manchester, NH 03105
    
     Actually I was going to keep to myself in the hopes of increasing
    my chances at a good finish :-)
    
        Chip

I've sent in my registration form, so I should be there.
						-- Tom

    
    re: -1
    
    No doubt in the "sleeper" category!
    

RE: <<< Note 2345.5 by LEGUP::SHORTT "John Shortt / 266-4594" >>>

Hi John! I thought I recognized your name when I saw it written on Tuesday's
ride sheet, but I wasn't sure. Thanks again for the good ride.
						-- Tom

    Chip,

    If I remember correctly, you did the Andover race a couple of years
    ago, too.  I did this race as well and thought it was VERY hilly.  How
    would you compare the Manchester race to Andover?

    What will you use for gearing?
    Do you think a 39x23 would be low enough for an average citizen racer
    like myself?

    Thanks in advance,

    -Buddy

     Hello Buddy. It's not even close! Andover is "downhill" compared to
    Manchester. Really.
    
     A 39x23 should be plenty. There are many, many climbs. While the very
    steep ones are relatively short, they are steep (up to 12%-15% I'd
    say). There is a long climb (1/4+ mile) that broke the lead pack up
    last year. It's only about 4%-5%, but it's a killer.
    
      Chip
    
     

    
>     A 39x23 should be plenty. There are many, many climbs. While the very
>   steep ones are relatively short, they are steep (up to 12%-15% I'd
>  say). There is a long climb (1/4+ mile) that broke the lead pack up
> last year. It's only about 4%-5%, but it's a killer.
    
Hey, is this one to more than 4 miles, or what?  If it's 1/4 miles, ie 400m
of 5-6%, we have one like that from the entrance of ETC to the carpark!!!

Sorry, couldn't resist it!          

Robin (who is wondering what gear to use in the Simpson on Saturday next -
1700m in 21km = 8%, to the top of the Ventoux)......     ;>)

Well, I don't really want to post my results, but I feel I must. I was 10th out
of 16 posted finishers in the citizen's B group. I'm a little disappointed; oh
well! I stayed with the lead group until mile 10 (out of 31) or so, but then
slipped back on one of the countless climbs. I kept the leaders in sight for
the next few miles but wasn't making any progress on them. Finally they were
gone, and I was alone. In fact, I rode the last 15 miles or so with noone else
in sight ahead or behind. At that point it felt just like one of my regular
commuting rides, and I relaxed my pace -- I didn't know what hills were still
to come, and as it turned out there were plenty. I was passed by the leaders of
the C and D groups who started 2 and 4 minutes later. That was demoralizing!
But one of them was Pete Vincent, who I knew was a very strong rider, so I
wasn't too surprised by him. (Congrats again on your finish, Pete.)

I finished with a time of 1:37 for the 31 extremely hilly miles. What a course!
						-- Tom

     Congrats to Pete as well. The course is clearly the most demanding
    citizens course anywhere. I did get dropped again! AAAARRRRRRGGHHHH!
    
     I was 3 minutes slower than last year too... The weather stunk and the
    fields were tiny. I'll bet less than half the people showed up than
    last year. 
    
     Chip