Fuel the Flame

Fuel the Flame rolled into beautiful Brattleboro at 2:11pm, under a clear sky and 72 degrees — perfect riding weather. The team averaged 16.7 mph over 100.2 miles! This was longer than expected, as we didn’t take into account detours for pit stops and our lunch break. We climbed to approx. 1,900 feet before zooming back down near sea level at the end of the day.

We had no major issues, aside from one flat tire (Mike) towards the end of the ride. The route that Adam and Harrison picked out was very scenic, dipping past lakes and over semi-paved roads for a mile or two in New Hampshire. And the lunch spot Kate, Megan and Jen picked out was classic New England, complete with a lake view.

It’s 7:00pm now, and everyone’s getting ready for a real dinner after a lazy afternoon of snacking on pizza and Long Trail brew. Time to carbo load again, as Day Two is right around the bend (see image below).

Day Two of Fuel the Flame starts out with a relatively leisurely 8-mile ride along the Connecticut River, before turning west for a 25-mile climb. We won’t top out until we hit Stratton Mountain, at mile 40 and 2,700 feet above sea level (we start at ~200). After that, everything should feel like a piece of cake — if we’re still alive enough to coast downhill for a score of miles. After passing the Vermont/New York border, it’s about 45 miles to Mike’s cousin’s lake house in Lake Luzerne, about 10 miles south-west of Lake George.

Check in tomorrow for pics and road updates from the road on Day Two of Fuel the Flame!

A scenic picnic feast on the campus of Franklin Pierce College… See pics! The crew of Kate, Megan and Jen met us with the Whalen’s Horseradish sponsor van (much spicy mustard has already been consumed) at 1030am. Its now 1110am and were soon to depart for Brattleboro - where massages and a hot tub await us.

Some stats… 62.89m, avegage of 16.8mph. 33 miles to go on day 1!

… And 1 hour from lunch. In Ashby, Mass., just before the NH border. Taking a short break after a 4-mile climb. Missing Chris for the day, as he unfortunately nurses a fever. Back on the bikes… On to Mt Monadnock!

After a massive meal of pasta with meatballs and sausage at Adam & Harrison’s (prepared by Kate & Megan), FTF is ready to go! (see pictures and audio, linked at the top of right column)

Tomorrow’s ride departs from Harvard Square in Cambridge, a (very long) stone’s throw from downtown Boston and Fenway Park. The first 20 miles takes us past historic Lexington and Concord, before heading west through Groton. We will then head north-west towards the lovely (read: painful) rolling hills of New Hampshire. After a lunch stop near Franklin Pierce College, we’ll head west again through the woods, finishing the day with a significant climb before decending into Brattleboro and the Connecticut River Valley.

Thank you to all our donors and sponsors — we’ve reached our goal of $10,000!

Fuel the Flame departs tomorrow from Somerville, MA. Please check here for links to audio and pictures as we post live from our breaks along the way!

It’s less than a week to go before Adam, Mike, Harrison, Bill and Chris head out to Fuel the FLAME, and they need just a few more bucks to reach their goal. Please consider sending out reminders to your friends and family, telling them that time is running short — FTF rolls out of Boston this Thursday morning, and arrives in Gloversville on Saturday, September 2nd!

Christopher and Harrison get a century under their belts! Continuing the Finger Lakes touring series for the summer, Christopher and Harrison spent an extended weekend riding through the rolling hills surrounding Seneca and Cayuga Lake. Sunday (8/20) was spent on a light 36-mile tour of the west side of Seneca Lake. Extra entertainment was added that day as their brother Jonathan trailed behind them, struggling to keep pace.

On Monday (8/21) they set off on a ride around Cayuga Lake. The first leg was a quick 37-mile stretch southeast into Ithaca that was both down wind and down hill–truly delightful, they report!

However, entering the northern leg, that all changed. 44 miles later the two had powered through a few killer hills and a solid head wind–significantly less delightful! They then headed west, and back to their starting point on the east side of Seneca lake, pushing hard to see what their legs could give them. All in all a pleasing 101.5-mile ride with a solid 18.3 mph average speed.

Now if only their legs can recover in time for next week’s big ride!