Harpoon Point to Point

Chip loved his rider jersey and made this pic his screensaver

Ready to ride

Chip!!! Ohmigosh, he cracks me up. We had a GREAT time over the weekend riding the 25 mile route of the Harpoon Point to Point. It was Chip's first ride event and the longest mileage for him, but no kidding I think he could have handled the 50. He was strong! Rich joined us for the ride, (his third P2P), and both guys left me well behind on the hills -- the first on Back Mountain Road and the second on the dreaded three mile Brownsville-Hartland Climb. (I expected it.) For me, it wasn't my best Point to Point, and looking at my Strava stats I noted it took me 15 minutes longer to climb BHC this year. Ha!

On our drive home, Chip talked non-stop about the ride, and cycling in general, and how much fun he had. He's decided that cycling is his sport -- the way swimming is for Will, and tennis is for Zach -- and can't wait for another event. He made a plan for us to ride the P2P 50 next year and the 100 in 2016. Ambitious! It's a good thing I've restarted my training efforts, because I'm going to have to work hard next year to keep up with him. Seriously.

Chip's "selfie" of Team Cronin-Schalck at the start

The guys chose a shady spot next to some sheep
while waiting for me on a hill.

Late Summer Update

The summer is cruising along, and while I'm greatly enjoying my adventure rides with Chip, I must admit I miss the discipline of having a training plan in place. This is the first summer in 13 years that I haven't had an event to train for. It's been refreshing, but also a little empty.

My shoulder is doing ok. I have almost full range of motion now, although there are a few spots where my shoulder starts to get tight. I still have some tenderness, (it feels like a constant bruise -- perhaps from the labral tear?), and I still have tendonitis going on, but the crazy pain from the supraspinitus tear is gone.

No surgery and NO MORE PT. Have I mentioned how much I hated my physical therapist? She was awful.

Despite strenghening exercises for my rotator cuff, I find myself weak, weak, weak. I often have to ask one of the boys to open a jar of spaghetti, or carry something heavy, which is annoying. I also find that after a long ride, my shoulders and neck are sore. It's going to take some time to get my strength back.

But, I have a few ride commitments on the calendar --  The Harpoon Point to Point with Chip, (and possibly Rich and Pete), is coming up. The 25 miler up Back Mountain Road, including the Brownsville-Hartland climb, is more than enough for me right now. I'm sure Chip will crush me on the climb, but will burn his brakes on the other side during the descent, so I'll catch him there.

I'm also planning to ride the Krempels King of the Road Challenge with a few of the girls -- Alison, Cate and Kristen -- in October. Brrrrr.... it's going to be chilly in New Hampshire at that time of year!

Before KKotRC, there's still an option to ride for the EOD Warrior Foundation. The UNDEFEATED EOD RIDE is ON this year, and while I would love, love, love to honor Kevin, and join Julia, Christina, Schreck and Tim for another ride in California, there's just no way I can pull off the training between now and then. (Although I understand Schreck just dusted off his bike. Hmmmmm.) Still, while I won't be ready to ride a hardcore 200, I can definitely commit to doing some fundraising for the EODWF and possibly ride a 100 mile virtual ride here at home while the posse is riding in SoCal. (Awwwww, sad. I miss them already!)

Summer training kicking in

Hot, hot, hot!! We are loving the steamy weather, perfect for beach walks and late afternoon rides. Temps on Monday hit the 90s, but that didn't slow Chip down at all -- he talked me into a hill workout out on the neck after registering to ride the Harpoon Point to Point together!!! Chip does well on the hills, (stronger than me!), but has some trepidation on the downhill. So, we headed over to the neck to do some hills, but caught sight of a few Spiders after our first hill repeat, so hopped in line to join them for a loop of the neck, too. Fun!!!

Love the summer.

Harpoon Point to Point 2014

We had a spectacular day in Vermont for the Harpoon Point to Point, benefitting the Vermont Foodbank on Saturday. A record 800+ riders set out over three routes, (100, 50 and 25 miles) -- each a challenging route among rolling hills and a few steep climbs. I scared myself out of riding the 100 mile route, in part due to repeated emails from Harpoon noting route changes and elevation details. I knew the 50 mile route was tough all on it's own, and I had an attack of self-doubt on whether I could do the 100 or not. In hindsight, I know I could have.

While waiting for the ride to begin, I ran into Beth Patrikas (who I rode the Seacoast Century with last fall), and her friends Lynore and Peter, so I joined them for the ride. It was a fantastic route starting at the Harpoon Brewery in Windsor, heading north to Quechee and Woodstock, and turning back towards Reading and Brownsville to Hartland, (and back to the brewery). Riding in Vermont is spectacular -- through the small towns along the Ottauquechee River, down a few hardpacked dirt roads, crossing small covered bridges, and passing farms and horse pastures along the way. So gorgeous. The hills are definitely a challenge... but it's worth the effort.

After the ride, I met up with fellow Cyclopaths Anne and Drew, (and Anne's daughter, Lauren), who completed the 25 mile route and already had their first beer in hand. I quickly changed and rejoined Beth, Peter and Lynore for some food, and then located Anne, Drew, and Lauren for a post-ride beer. (Or in my case, Harpoon craft cider.)

It was a great day for a great cause, and I look forward to next year's 100 mile ride!!

Thank You for Supporting the Vermont Foodbank

Many, many thanks go out to the Cronin, Schalck and Lancy families for supporting me in this year's Harpoon Point to Point -- and for supporting the Vermont Foodbank's mission to end the growing problem of hunger in Vermont. Thank you!!!

(P.S. Next year, Rich promises to ride.)

Harpoon Point to Point on the Horizon

The ups and downs of this summer have not deterred me from the charity rides I'm committed to this year, and so training continues, and coach Shayne hasn't given up on me yet. (That I know of.)

Next on my calendar is the Harpoon Point to Point, which has become a semi-family affair. (Rich has joined me for a few of the rides, and I've always enjoyed that.) This year, my intent was to ride the 100 mile mountainous century, (elevation profile can been seen here), and that's what I registered for -- although reality tells me that I may only be ready for the 50. (Still a challenging ride.) We'll see. I could try to hammer out the 100 in three weeks, (those climbs look a little scary right now...), or convince Rich or Pete to join me on the 50 mile ride. (Love those boys.) Either way, it's all for the Vermont Foodbank, and I'll be ready to ride on August 9th.

Harpoon Point to Point Check Presentation

The Harpoon Brewery announced today that the Point to Point Ride Committee gathered at the Vermont Foodbank this week to celebrate this year's total fundraising from the August ride... $134,483! Wahoo!

Congratulations to all riders and sponsors on a great effort. Every $10 helps acquire and distribute 30 meals, so this year's fundraising will provide 403,449 meals to Vermonters in need. Job well done!

Harpoon Point to Point 2013

Harpoon Point to Point

What a great weekend to be in New England. The weather was fabulous! (Especially after the ugly deluge we had on Friday.) Three of us headed north to ride this year's Harpoon Point to Point in Windsor, Vermont, (benefiting the Vermont Foodbank) -- a smaller group than originally planned... but sometimes things don't work out like you hoped.

Anne and I were pre-registered to ride, and despite our weekend plans falling apart, we felt strongly about fulfilling our commitments to the Vermont Foodbank, as Vermont is very special to both of us.

I drove up for the day and met Anne (and her husband Dana) at the Harpoon Brewery ready to ride. My cousin, Rich, joined us as well and we had a terrific day. The route wasn't high on mileage, (compared to what I normally ride), but beating the Cat 3 hill without breaking a sweat was pretty niiiiice. (Thanks, Shayne. I guess the hill work paid off.)

A fun day and a nice ride for a terrific organization.  (Thank you, Nancy & Fred, for sponsoring my ride for the Vermont Foodbank!)

2012 Harpoon Point to Point

It was a rainy, blustery day for this year's Harpoon Point to Point ride -- and given my recent crash, I decided to forgo this year's ride. (The steep descents on those wet mountain roads can be treacherous.) I know you'd rather see the money raised for the Vermont Foodbank pass along to the organization without any major incidents... I promise to make up for it next year.

2008 Harpoon Point to Point

My cousin Rich beat me up Back Mountain Road and left me in the dust. I believe he was in a hurry to get to the brewery for the post-ride ale.