 The Tour of the Battenkill in Cambridge, NY (10 April 2011) is known as the Queen of the American Classics... Rightly so! Three team mates and myself drove up from Atlanta, GA and found out just how difficult this race can be. We will start out with an incomplete but adequate history lesson about the Spring Classics in cycling. The Classics; Milan-San Remo, Ghent Wevelgem, Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix, the Amstel Gold, La Fleche Wallone, and Leige-Bastogne-Liege, mark the beginning of the cycling season as well as being the toughest one-day racing of the year. These are separate races (not part of a series) with a history all of their own in creation and prestige. Basically, they are classics because they are really difficult and really old. An example, Liege or L-B-L, was first raced in 1892 and only a few editions have been missed (World Wars). To Belgians, Leige is the most prestigious but worldwide Paris-Roubaix is considered the "Queen of the Classics." To answer the question, yes, the names are fairly indicative of the route. For example, Milan-San Remo is from Milan to San Remo and about 1mile short of a 200mile race. These races are all in the 150mile range. Some races include sectors over centuries-old cobblestone and hills, with cobbles, up to 22% gradient from 300-1600meters. These races are for the true "hard men" of cycling. Adding to the difficulty of the parcours is the weather. March and April in Europe (as well as N.E. USA) is unpredictable and possibly dreadful. |
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| Recon with team mates |
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| Part of Meeting House Road |
Many cycling races during this time of year will pull from European roots and create a course, possibly throw in a dirt road, and give it a name like Perry-Roubaix (as in Perry, GA). Nothing compares to Battenkill. The hills or the roads. The race is close to 100miles and the first major climbs are at mile 7 and 11 and do not stop till the finish. Mile 11 is the steepest at 18% and on dirt. We were honoured to cross it twice (mile 22). The whole race is filled with sharp climbs like many European Classics as well as a few steady climbs in the range of a few miles. Perfect for a rider like myself.
The race, however, was not as perfect as I would have liked. The first twenty or so miles went well. I was comfortable, good position, and in no trouble up the first round of climbs and dirts roads. As it turns out, the paved roads are what cause more mechanical problems than the dirt and gravel roads. The harsh weather has made man-eating pot-holes that, when hit at 30mi/hr, cause a flat nearly every time. As I found out, on the team recon ride and during the race. After I got a change from a wheel truck, I had to chase back to the race fairly hard and made contact just as the group hit one of the steeper climbs. I was about gassed and teetered on to the back of the group but lost contact. Tried to compose myself as best I could over the top and hunkered down to chase back again. The closest I came was about 75meters from the group on Juniper Swamp. It was a long, hard 60 miles solo to the finish but there was no way I was going to pack it up and go home before I crossed the finish line.
Despite being out of contention from the race early I really enjoyed myself. The course was brutally tough and I felt that it did suit my riding style and abilities. I would love make it back next year and give it everything. There is no doubt that I would have been a top finisher in this race.
Link to the race guide: take a look at page 13 and 21.
A picture of the race coming down Meeting House Road:
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| Packed up and leaving ATL |
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| TT bike on display at the Expo |
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| Impressive tech and paint |
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