Conference noted::bicycle

    HI THERE:
    
    MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE RIDDEN THIS CENTURY FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS,
    AND HAVE'NT RECEIVED OUR REGISTRATION FORMS.  I WOULD APPRECIATE
    IT IF YOU WOULD SEND THE FORM. MY MAIL STOP IS HLO2-2/NO9.
    
    MY NAME IS MARY AYRES  NODE SHARE::AYRES

    
    How many of you noters are going from Marlboro area? I'd like to
    follow someone there.   

    Does anyone know the best way to get to Tiverton from Waltham MA?
    
    Thanks to any noters who can help.
    
    KD
    

>    Does anyone know the best way to get to Tiverton from Waltham MA?

	By bike:  I've never tried it but it looks like you can take
		Rt. 122 to North Grafton, Rt. 140 from there to Taunton 
		and Rt. 138 to Tiverton.
    
	By car: Get going southbound on I495 by any method you like.
		Exit onto Rt 24 South and follow Rt 24 to Tiverton.

    re .4	Yup, they work, each of 'em.  Coming back is tough
    if you try for a solo (no pace lines) sub 5 hour century though,
    but this is the place to do it if you're ever going to.
    
    	Reg
    
    

    re .4 No...495 will get you there but the long way.
    
    From Waltham go south on 128 to route 24 follow it to Fall River
    to rt 195 East and look for the signs.   It's an easy ride.
    

>>    Does anyone know the best way to get to Tiverton from Waltham MA?

	My extreme apologies!  Once again I got Waltham and Worcester
	switched!  One day I even joined a friend for a trip to what
	I thought was going to be Worcester...  we went to Woburn
	but the place we really wanted was Waltham.

	I'll try finding directions from WALTHAM:

	By bike:  I've never tried it but it looks like you can take
		Rt. 20 west to Wayland, Rt. 27 from there to Sharon
		some unnamed road south to Rt 106. East a little bit
		on 106 to the unnamed road south through Winneconnet
		to Taunton and Rt. 138 from there to Tiverton.
    
	By car: Get going southbound on 128 by any method you like.
		Exit onto Rt 24 South and follow Rt 24 to Tiverton.

    What time is TFCITE?  
    

    I have a slight problem and was wondering if any of the noters
    could lend a hand.  I registered to bike in the century but a 
    week before I broke my arm while biking around the Wachusetts
    Reservoir.  Is there any way I can get the tee-shirt that says
    I took part in the Century?  I promise not to wear it until I
    have bike a hundred miles in a single day.
    
    Kevin
    

    Why not go to the century anyway, explain your situation and offer
    to volunteer your services at a water stop or something.  I'm sure
    they'd give you a T-shirt-- :-)

    re .10	Its a bit late for that.  You're right of course, its
    "traditional" for helpers and workers to get a complimentary T-shirt,
    cap or other memento of the event.

    
    re .9 and .10
    
    You see the "problem" is that I already paid for tee-shirt on the
    registration form.  Although the cost was only 6 or 7 bucks, it
    would nice if the folks down in Tiverton sent me the jersey.  I
    don't often go near the place, and driving there is not worth the
    effort.
    
    Thanks for the responses, anyways.
    

        Did you write them a letter explaining the situation and asking
        them to mail you the T-shirt for which you already paid?
        
        Tom

    Nearly forgot about this entry.  
    
    .13 I took your advice and wrote a letter.  Then I forgot about
        it until three weeks later I received thhe T-shirt.  Thanks
        for the advice!
    
    

    Just got the flyer about this year's Flattest Century in the East.
    The date this year is Sunday, September 11.  The fee is $7.00 if
    you pre-register, $10.00 the day of the ride, or if your registration
    is postmarked after August 27.  Rides available are 25, 50, or 100
    miles through Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts.  If you
    want a t-shirt, that's an extra $8.00
    
    If you'd like a copy of the registration form, please send me mail
    and include your mailstop.
    
    Kathy

    The Narragansett Club put more value on revenue than on taking part
    in public events, ie: cancellation of NEAR event for Rhode Island.
    They said NEAR would impact TFCE attendance.  Meanwhile this club
    doesn't advertise, at least Seven Hill's Wheelmen's, century ride.
    
    My money can be better spent elsewhere!!!

    re .16	Sorry, Kathy and I are COMMITTED to a sub 4:45 century
    this year, WITHOUT PACE LINES.  This is probably the only place
    we can do it.
    
    	Reg
    

    Re: .17  We are?????  Then I'm in trouble!  Actually, a couple of
    us have been thinking of getting hold of the maps and doing it on
    our own (without the other 16xx people).  Anybody interested?

RE: .18.  I'd do it.  Can we make up our own t-shirt?

HOW ABOUT: "1st Annual non-TFCE FCE"

< Note 374.19 by NOVA::FISHER "Keep 'em rollin'" >
                                -< LET'S DO IT >-

> RE: .18.  I'd do it.  Can we make up our own t-shirt?

The question is...can we set it up so we can count it in the UMCA Century 
Division?

Kevin

"The question is...can we set it up so we can count it in the UMCA Century 
Division?"

You could if you published it far and wide and early enough to be a formal club
ride.  But, heck, let's just do it for the fun of it, no points, no
credits, anonymous adventurers passing through time and space.

ed, waxing poetic or spacing out?

    Whether it's counted or not it sounds like a great idea.  As long
    as most riders stick to the original ride :-) count me in on this
    special one.
    
    Bob

    re .18	Try 2,xxx other people.
    re .19	See the author of .18, there may be some shirts available
    that could be "overprinted" or something.
    
    re	Doing it on our own.  Well, if we really want the sub 4:45 time
    I doubt that we'll be able to carry enough food and water, i.e.
    we'll NEED (at least one of) the stop(s).  Course, if we don't give
    a Monkey's bottom bracket about the time, we could make it TF&SCE,
    the flattest AND slowest ?
    
    	R
    
    

    Count me in for the NTFCE-TFCE.  Can we car pool from Southern
    New Hampshire to Tiverton.....nnnnnnnaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh
    Kevin and Ed won't want to wait around an extra hour or two
    for the turtles.  How about a tortise van and a hare van to
    Tiverton in tandem....a TARE-A-VAN to the ride.  Any takers?
    
    						Jerry

    Yeah, I'd like to chip in for a ride in the tortise van.  
    
    Bob

    Let's figure out a date for the NTFCE-TFCE.  My preference would
    be to do it during the week - that still leaves the weekends free
    for mowing the lawn and all that other fun stuff.  How about during
    the last week of August or the first week of September?
    
    Maybe we could set up some "halfway" houses for the NH people? If
    we planned the ride for a Friday, you guys could drive part way
    on thursday night, stay over at the halfway house, and drive back 
    to the halfway house on Friday night, head home Saturday.  (Not
    that you couldn't do all that driving and riding in one day, but
    why do it if you don't have to.)  I'll volunteer my house.
    
    Kathy                                
         
    

    Well, the idea of driving both ways doesn't bother me but the stayover
    is a welcome invitation.  Can we pitch in for a late Spag. dinner?
    Bring own towels, sleeping bag, of course.
    
    How about Fri Sept 2 or 9?
    
    ed

    Count me in too for the NTFCE-TFCE!  Doing it on a Friday is a good
    idea.  So far, any Friday in late August/early Sept. is fine with
    me.  How early do you want to start?  I live in Chelmsford and will
    probably drive down to Tiverton in the morning.  Another possibility-
    bring tents and camp somewhere nearby on Thursday night.  
    
    Kathy-- did the NBW send you maps yet?
    
    eva

    I vote for 9/9.  Otherwise, we run into Labor Day weekend traffic.
    As far as a starting time, how about 8:00?  That gives us time to
    get there without getting up TOO early!  And we should still have
    enough daylight to ride a leisurely century and enjoy the scenery.
    
    NBW doesn't send me maps.  Does anybody have an old map they'd be
    willing to copy?  
    
    What about a rain date?
    
    Kathy

< Note 374.29 by MCIS2::NORTON >
                              -< I vote for 9/9 >-

I vote for 8/26, to avoid Labor Day and the other Sept C's.  I'll be riding 
the real TFCE on 9/11 anyway.  

Kevin

I had this inspiration last evening (well, some of us have small ideas
and call them inspirations to make us feel good).

Kathy,
Make that "pitch in for Spag. dinner" a "pledge for Jimmy Fund for your
Pan Mass Challenge."

Hey, just an idea,

ed

< Note 374.31 by NOVA::FISHER "Keep 'em rollin'" >
                -< Kevin can do it 2 times in 3 days, really. >-

Yeah, Ed.  You and I could do it 2 times in 1 day.  Why don't we schedule it 
so that we arrive at the start in time to do the 'real' ride.  Impress the 
hell out of everyone there! 8^)

Kevin

    and Reg can do it ...
    
    8^)
    
    ed

        re .33	YaBut, not if it means getting up early, or anythin
    stoopid like that.
    
    	re   a date;  I dunno, when's Labor day this year anyway ?
    			and when do the kids go back to skool ?  soon, I hope.
    
    
    	and whats the difference between brocolli & buggers anyway ?
    
    		Reg
    
    
    	Ya can't get kids t' eat brocolli

    re: .31 - Ed, a "pledge for the Pan Mass Challenge" sounds like a good
    idea to me!!  
    
    re: .34 - 4:35 unpaced?  I thought this was going to be TF(&Slowest)CE?
    
    Kathy

Re: .31, .35:  I'll send by mail.  Any suggestions for breakfast?  Good
pancake house nearby?

Kevin, Jerry and I would like to list this as an official DEC Bike Club
Century so we can send in our forms.  Top something or other on the
list win prizes.

ed

    Ed....I'll donate my old SPENCO seat cover if you'll include one
    of your old bikes........sounds fair to me.
    
    						Jerry
    P.S.  Can we set a date in August......September is full of
    C's all over the North East....besides.....I've only got one
    official C on the books and I need to boost my morale.

    Can anyone tell me how Tiverton works?  Kathy sent me a 
    registration form (thanks!).  It doesn't say anything
    about support and it says "You may begin anytime after
    6:45".  Do they time you or just send you off?  I guess
    I pictured a mass start and large pelotons going fast to
    hook on to.  What's it really like?
    
    

    They o not time you, they just send you off.  With the number of
    riders they have, a mass start would be impossible.  There was a
    steady stream of riders leaving for hours.
    
    I only went to Tiverton once, last year, and it poured.  I decided
    not to finish the ride.  For me, it just was not fun.  Maybe this
    year.
    
    /Jim Pappas
    
    

    You have to keep in mind that there are 2000 riders on the course.
    There are large pelotons everywhere, going at every pace from 15mph
    on up.  If you miss one, get on the next.  One thing to watch out
    for, however: some of the pace line action can get pretty cut-throat.
    I was amazed when I saw this two years ago: officially, at least,
    this isn't a race, but people still cut in line, sprint to try to
    drop you, or draft you for 25 miles.  
    
    MATT

    So, other than going down with some friends, is there any
    real way to hook up with a bunch who is going after the
    same time goal?  If I can get back to where I was in May
    I'd like to shoot for a 4:45 if I can find a few people
    who want to work.
    
    Hey, 2000 people doesn't make it impossible to have a mass
    start anyway.  In last year's Paris-Brest-Paris there were
    a total of 2700 people in 3 separate starts but there must
    have been 1500 or so at the 4am start I was in.  It *can*
    be done.
    

Russ,

   I'll be there looking for a sub 5-hr, tho I'm not sure that I don't want to 
go for it solo.  We'll see.

Kevin

    By a very slim margin, 9/9 looks like the favorite day for doing
    TFCE on our own.  I've got copies of the map from previous years
    (thanks Chris and Eva), and I've sent them out to all the people
    who have expressed an interest in doing the ride on our own.  If 
    anybody else would like a copy of the map, let me know and I'll 
    send you one.  Also, the ride should be arrowed by Labor Day so 
    we may not need maps at all.
    
    Kathy

We parked at a public recreation area .9 mi E of Tiverton High School
and rode to the school, looking for other likely Century Riders.  We then
waited from 7:56 till 8:01 and began the Century.

Around 9:30 the weather turned drizzly and we noted that we were
immediately going faster.

We were all done at 2 pm.

A bit wet but a rather nice day in all.

ed

    (I was the one wearing the Milan-San Remo jersey with the digital
    logos.)
    

>ed
>
>   (I was the one wearing the Milan-San Remo jersey with the digital
>    logos.)
	Wouldn't it be nice if we could all be spotted in a pace line
    of thousands due to our Milan-San Remo colors.
    	Where does one go to get a Milan-San Remo jersey?  The local
    DEC Bike Club per chance?  I'll send the denero if you'll send
    a size Extra Large.
    
    							Jerry    

    Actually the history is more interesting.  A DEC bike club in Germany
    had the jerseys made -- out of money provided by sponsors which
    included DEC -- and a friend who was in the club gave me the jersey.
    The club's goal was to do the Milan-San Remo touring event as a
    club which is why they added the M-SR label to the jersey.
    
    ed

>    included DEC -- and a friend who was in the club gave me the jersey.
>    The club's goal was to do the Milan-San Remo touring event as a
>    club which is why they added the M-SR label to the jersey.
    
HHHHmmmmmmmmmmmmmm DEC Germany sponsoring a Milan-San Remo team event
    almost implies that DEC US would consider sponsoring the BMB
    as a local DEC team event.  Just think of the positive company
    image we could project at these events.  (Ed could of worn his
    at the RAAM qualifier in adition to the BMB).  How do we, as a 
    club, go about obtaining DEC sponsorship?  Anyone have a clue?
    
    						Jerry              
    

    Hello NewEnglanders,
    
    Is this century going to happen this year? It sounds like fun.
    
    Fred Mudgett

    re: .48
    
    Do you mean "will TFCE happen?"  It must, the NBW is too greedy and the
    event is too desirable.
    
    Do you mean "will there be a Friday DEC version like last year?"  That
    all depends on whether or not we have overwhelming interest like last
    year.
    
    ed

    Hello ed.
    
    What is this too greedy stuff?  I noticed there was some contraversy
    with the last year event. I mean its only a century, do they do alot
    of commercial stuff or something. I'm from Connecticut originally
    and it would be a good excuse to visit the family and then leave
    my family with them while I ride a century! What weekend is it going
    to happen anyway?
    
    Thanks for any info,
    
    Fred Mudgett

    The NBW is reported to have tens of 1000's in the bank yet refuse to
    help put on a NEAR in conjunction with the rest of the clubs of New
    England.  One of the reasons given was that it "might reduce interest
    in their fall century."  Several clubs got upset at that as the NBW
    region would have been a great place to have a rally.  The
    participating clubs have always come away from NEAR with a small profit
    so they would not have lost anything.
    
    When they raise their price and don't need the extra profit, I call it
    greed.
    
    ed

    
    Hhhhmmmmm seems to me that I recal someone saying "Greed Is Good" !?!?
    In any event, if there's enough interest, why don't we get together
    for a ride to NEAR instead of frequenting the TFCE this year.  That
    way we can also focus our protest on the fact that NBW doesn't support
    NEAR and participate in the neat NEAR events at the same time.  Danny
    is putting together a two day 100 mile ride (60 and 40) to the U CONN
    Campus for the GSW.  It'll be leaving Nashua N.H. on Aug 9th (Wed)
    and Leaving Webster, Mass on Aug 10th (Thurs).  Unfortunately the
    Thurs ride is only 40 miles but I understand it a tough, hilly 40.
    Besides, it'll give us more time to check out the campus and such.
    I don't have the time to organize this but I'll confirm the starting
    times and dates if there is any interest.  I personally will be doing
    the 40 mile leg on Thursday.  
    							Jerry