Hola Muchachos and Muchachettes!

You’re new to this whole “Multi-Day cycling” thing- (That’s OK, I was too… I don’t want to think about how long ago it was.) You need to know what to expect, and a test to prove to yourself that you’re ready.
Which is why you need to attend “GearMan’s 4^th Annual Training Ride/ Beach Day/ BBQ!

I’m going to put a challenging 50-mile route just ahead of your front tire, and you’re going to prove to yourself that you’re ready by KNOCKING IT OUT! There’s going to be flats, hills, rollers, big hills, nice down hills, and beautiful scenery as we pass local lakes, streams, ponds, farms, woodlands and golf courses. This is my favorite training route, and it’s a beautiful ride to boot! I’ve tweaked it a bit for this year as road conditions- that were supposed to be repaired last year- (!) weren’t… But the route integrity remains the same.

Why? Well, despite what you’ll hear, I’m not a sadist- I believe in you, and your ability- I want YOU to believe in you! I’m going to present you with a challenge, and you’re going to meet it!

I’ll have SAG wagons, probably a mechanic, rest stops, and whatever we need, as there’s a great group of volunteers and supporting businesses that have grown up around this ride. PLUS, thanks to their generous support of the NEC, we’ll have GU and Clif Shot-Bloks!

Once you’ve blown through the route, you’re going to reward yourself with a nice swim in a warm lake, and a day at the beach- Followed by a home made BBQ feast, prepared by Lulu and Moi, at Chez Gear-Lu, about 40 yards from the beach. We provide all the food, and only ask that you make a donation to help cover the costs. Any money left over will be donated back to the NEC. Previous years menus have included smoked country style ribs, smoked keilbasa, sweet and hot sausages, slow cooked BBQ chicken wings, Homemade baked beans, cole slaw, macaroni and potato salad, homemade pickles and relish, and of course, burgers and dogs. Have special dietary requirements? If I can’t provide it, I’ll gladly cook it for you!

NEW THIS YEAR: My own Sam Adams Boston Lager BBQ sauce!!!!!!!

What to bring:

Bike, Helmet, (Mandatory) cycling shorts (Same deal- OUCH!) related cycling gear, spare tube, frame pump, sports drink, water bottles or camel-back. I’ll have rest stops as well as places marked on the cue-sheet for you to buy water or sports drink, and have emergency water in all the SAG vehicles, but you should arrive prepared to ride.

For post-ride-festivities: Bathing suit and towel, beach chair or folding “Bag” chair, and the beverage of your choice, Adult or otherwise.

Rain date will be called for by Friday evening, and be posted on newenglandclassic.org  as well as on the facebook group page. Rain on Rain date will cancel. RSVP directly to Steve at switley[at]yahoo.com BY MAY 23rd

Feel free to contact me with any questions!
Keep the wind at your back and the downhills in front of you,
Steve
aka GearMan

We’ve got our latest and greatest newsletter floating through the inter-webs and (hopefully) into your inboxes!  If not, I’ve posted the newsletter on our Facebook group and HERE!

We’ve got the ongoing Contest for Red Sox tickets (deadline: April 19th).  We’ve also announced new cycling gear for our Red Riders (cyclists riding with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes).  Let’s not forget the push for a photo of YOU in your Tour jersey and a Sam Adam’s beverage!  So much info – so little memory space!

Enjoy the week!
~Ryan, Your-Friendly-Neighborhood-ADA-Guy

Just a reminder, that if you committed to buy a Bela’s Bikers jersey, payment is due by 9PM tonight!
I’ll be handling the distribution on May 20th at the North Shore TdC, and will gladly make other arrangements for those out of state.

If you committed to buy one but did not receive the link to the order form, contact me ASAP (Read: RIGHT NOW) on Facebook.

Keep the wind at your back and the downhills in front of you,
GearMan

For those who knew Bela, there’s a bunch of us doing the North Shore TdC in his honor, some from the NEC, some not, and one of the members of the group did an AMAZING job designing a team jersey (Photo on FB).
We need to move fast on this because we’re shopping for prices RIGHT NOW, and there needs to be enough time to get them made before the ride on May 20th. I don’t want any money yet, (We haven’t even gotten a quote yet) I just NEED to know if you want one and will commit to buying one- Not sure if it will be an “Order online”, or a “Give me a check, and I’ll give it to the guy who had them made” kinda thing… Still working out the details on that end.

While we’re still shopping for quotes, you should guess that it would cost somewhere around the price of a quality jersey.

Either comment on the post on FB, or send me an email on facebook- But please- Do it fast!

Keep the wind at your back and the down-hills in front of you.
GearMan

Check out the 3.29.12 announce new training ride info to find out more!

Check out our newsletter and Announcement video (oooh – fancy) -  Taa Daa!

3.24.12 Pot o Gold winner announced

Check out our latest newsletter listing training rides, YouTube videos walking you through your fundraising Tour Center, and a sneak peek at next week’s contest!

Here’s a quick link to training ride info.

Don’t mind me, I’ll just be over here singing praise to the warm weather… we’re haaaaving a heeat waaaave…a tropical heat waaave… the temperature’s rising, it isn’t surprising…

Happy V-Day.

See You there!

Keep the wind at your backs, and the downhills in front of you,
GearMan