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About the B2B

Eighth Annual Harpoon B2B
2008 will be the 8th edition of what is now an annual event.


Because of the challenging and somewhat grueling nature of the ride (this is for serious well trained cyclists and triathletes only), for the first three years, the B2B ride was held within a close knit group of about 80 cyclists by invitation only. In 2005, the ride doubled in size to 300 cyclists, in 2006, 375 riders completed the B2B, and last year we had our largest group yet, with 500 cyclists.

 

Date: Saturday June 14, 2008

 

What: A 143 mile single day, point to point ride from Harpoon Brewery in Boston, MA to the Harpoon Brewery in Windsor, VT

 
Who: Event Limited to 600 experienced cyclists that can handle 140 miles in one day at a absolute bare minimum pace of 16 MPH. Riders must be able to fix their own flats and basic bike problems and finish the entire ride, including rest stops in 10 hours or less. Any riders still on the course at 4:00 PM will be picked up by the van.

 

Where: Ride leaves from Harpoon Brewery in Boston. Parking is available at the brewery and is not included with your registration. A bag with your personal effects will be delivered to Vermont. See the Post Ride section for more details.

 

When: Groups will begin departure at 6:00 AM. Registration will begin at 5:30 AM.

The 16 MPH riders will begin departing at 6:00 AM and riders will leave in pelotons of 25 riders every 5 minutes. The 22+ MPH riders will depart at 8:15 AM.

 

Some peletons may be divided into subgroups

  • Peloton 1- Average speed 16 MPH...(5:00 AM registration, 6:00 AM Departure)
  • Peloton 2- Average speed 17 MPH...(5:30 AM registration, 6:30 AM Departure)
  • Peloton 3- Average speed 18 MPH...(6:00 AM registration, 7:00 AM Departure)
  • Peloton 4- Average speed 19 MPH...(6:30 AM registration, 7:30 AM Departure)
  • Peloton 5- Average Speed 20-21 MPH...(7:00 AM registration, 8:00 AM Departure)
  • Peloton 6- Average Speed 22+ MPH...(7:00 AM registration, 8:15 AM Departure)

Signing up for a particular peleton is for our planning purposes. If you decide to change to a different peleton prior to the ride, it’s OK! On the day of the ride, you may switch to any peleton you like. We just want to make sure we send groups out in safe, manageable numbers, so please do your best in choosing which speed you think you will ride that day.

 

Why: The B2B ride will once again benefit several local New England charitable organizations including:

Rest/Refreshment Stops:
There are 2 planned rest/refreshment stops to stretch your legs, eat, refill water bottles with water or isotonic beverage, perform simple bike mechanics. Food and drink will be provided at each planned stop to include energy bars, fruit, Coca-Cola, ice water and Accelerade. Reststops are at Mile 50 and Mile 100.

Portable toilets will be available for your use at each stop. Please respect land owners and neighborhoods at these stops. Please use the portable toilets!

 

In addition there are several convenient stores on the route.

 

Additional Support:
Vehicles will be on course in the form of Harpoon vans/sag wagons, bike mechanics and motorcycles to help with any support along the way. As mentioned, an experienced bike mechanic will be in the van and available at some of the rest stops but may not be able to get to you right away if there is a problem. You should be able to do your own basic repairs.  Thank you Cycle Loft!

 

What to bring on the B2B

 

Plenty of support but be prepared
The spirit of the ride is that you should act like you are riding on your own. Though support is provided in the form of two scheduled rest stops with food and beverages (A bike mechanic is also available), each rider is responsible for him/herself and should bring everything necessary to complete the ride with little or no support.

 

List of items:
Each person has his or her own needs but at a minimum each person should bring:

  • 2 spare tires/tubes
  • Frame pump
  • Portable multi-tool
  • Money
  • License and Credit card
  • Cell phone
  • 2 full water bottles
  • 2-3 energy bars.