mtbon
09-29-2005, 06:12 AM
Anyone ever do the Great River century Ride? Comments, experiences, pluses, negatives? Thanks.
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View Full Version : Great River Ride - Westfield, MA mtbon 09-29-2005, 06:12 AM Anyone ever do the Great River century Ride? Comments, experiences, pluses, negatives? Thanks. JCavilia 09-29-2005, 11:42 AM Anyone ever do the Great River century Ride? Comments, experiences, pluses, negatives? Thanks. About six years ago, and again last year. It's a demanding but beautiful ride. Official estimate is about 8,000 feet of climbing, but it may be more like 10,000. There are several long climbs and lots of rolling stuff. There are a few steep bits. The great majority of the route is very quiet, with very light traffic. Some really magnificent scenery, especially along the rivers. It's a well-run ride, with good food stops, good road markings, and great food at the end. There were a few short stretches of bad pavement last year, but not many, and long stretches had been repaved within the last couple of years and were in superb shape. The worst traffic sections are the beginning and end getting in and out of Westfield, but they're no big deal. Just for reference, I'm 55 years old, a recreational rider, commuter, and very occasional casual racer (I always get dropped). I ride about 3,000 miles most years, including one or two centuries. I completed the GRR in a bit under 7 hours including several food stops. I highly recommend it. FRENCH BULLDOG 10-18-2005, 09:32 AM Anyone ever do the Great River century Ride? Comments, experiences, pluses, negatives? Thanks. IT'S A LITTLE LATE FOR THIS HOWEVER I CAN SAY THAT THE GREAT RIVER RIDE IS VERY GOOD. I HAVE RIDDEN IT 3 TIMES AND IT CERTAINLY IS A DEMANDING COURSE. I WOULD AGREE WITH THE PREVIOUS POST ABOUT THE ACTUAL AMOUNT OF CLIMBING. 8000 FT IS A LITTLE CONSERVATIVE. 9000 OR MORE IS MORE ACCURATE. BEAUTIFUL SCENERY, QUIET ROADS, AND PRETTY FOLIAGE MAKE FOR A NICE DAY. THAT BEING SAID IT IS ALWAYS HELD ON THE 2ND SUNDAY IN OCTOBER AND IT ALWAYS SEEMS TO BE COLD, ESPECIALLY IN THE MORNING AND WINDY. DEFINITELY A CLIMBERS DELIGHT WHICH I AM NOT BUT I LOVE IT STILL THE ONLY TIME I DON'T ATTEND IS WHEN THE FORECAST CALLS FOR RAIN OR VERY HIGH WIND I,M NOT THAT MUCH OF A MASOCHIST. IF YOU RODE IT LET ME KNOW WHAT YOUR IMPPRESSION OF IT WAS |