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D2R2 2009
Deerfield Dirt Road Randonnee
AUGUST 15, 2009
Location – Historic
Deerfield Massachusetts,
surrounding farmland
and the
hills of
Western Massachusetts
Supported by:
Pioneer Gardens, Inc.
Historic Deerfield, Inc.
Pocumtuck Valley
Memorial Association
Deerfield Academy
Bement School
Eaglebrook School
FLT’s D2R2 Committee
of Local Cyclists
Your entry
includes:
Morning of the ride
Continental Breakfast
Checkpoint
refreshments/snacks
Post-Ride meal
Live Entertainment
Deluxe Hot Showers at
Deerfield
Academy (just bring your
own
soap/shampoo and towel)
A free pint of our local
Berkshire Brew
Satisfaction that
you have contributed to the preservation of
Open Space and
Farmland in
Franklin
and
Hampshire
Counties
Bring the entire
family. Area attractions for
non-riders include Historic Deerfield,
PVMA’s Memorial
Hall Museum and Indian House, Shelburne Falls,
Yankee Candle,
Art Galleries and more.
Camping available on-site.
REGISTER
Rain or Shine Event
Sorry No Refunds
Online Registration Closes on
Wednesday, August 12, 2008 at 11:59 PM ET
Early Entry Fee Through May 31: $50.00
June 1 through August 5: $60.00
August 6 to August 12: $75.00
Day of Ride: $80.00
Read what ride creator, Sandy
Whittlesey has to say about this
Epic
Ride.
Founded in 1987, the
Franklin Land Trust is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization
devoted to the preservation of the farm and forest land, and the
rural character, of western Massachusetts. The Land Trust helps
farmers and other landowners protect their land from unwanted
development. To date, the Franklin Land Trust has helped to
preserve almost 15,000 acres of open space, about 23 square miles.
The hills and valleys of the region – with their farms, sugarbush,
rambling old New England roads, and small towns steeped in history –
are a unique and precious resource which “D2R2” riders will
experience at every turn in the road. Contributions to the Franklin
Land Trust allow us to continue our efforts to protect this
invaluable resource and are tax deductible. This ride is breathtaking in both senses
of the word: 111.7 miles, 70% on dirtroads, with 15,670 feet of climbing. A more-moderate 100K ride will
leave at 9:00 AM, while a gentle 35-mile Tour of the Green River leaves
at 11:00 AM. All rides start and finish 1 mile south of Historic Old
Deerfield Village.
Everything
about this ride is extraordinary; over 12 years of planning by
Randonneur Saunders Whittlesey went into this event. Riders will enjoy
a fabulous network of secret backroads and horse-cart lanes through some
of the most scenic and historic areas of western Massachusetts and
southern Vermont. The constantly twisting route is often only one lane
wide. Rest stops with refreshments will be staffed by area volunteers.
Stone walls line the roads far more than
double-yellow lines. There are dozens of maple-tree 'allees,' over
20 miles of rushing streams, four covered bridges, and countless
farms, fields, and forests. Riders may expect hours of cycling
without a single car passing.
The lunch-break checkpoint is a little
park with a National-Historic covered bridge, timber-crib dam, and
swim hole.
Bicycles should be equipped
with triple gearing and slightly wider tires (i.e.
25c-32c). Road conditions range from smooth clay to stony
washout and puddles. Seven key climbs reach 1400-2000'
elevation, and 16 smaller pitches exceed 13% gradient, including
a 25% wall. At mile 90, riders will tackle the hidden back side
of the lovely Patten Hill District: starting at 20% grade, the
road narrows to a bumpy 8' lane and ascends 960 feet vertical in
1.5 miles to a grand overlook toward Vermont.
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