Tagging Along

This summer is just too beautiful to spend much time at the computer, which explains the paucity of blog posts. It seems like yesterday that the Rippers were heading east from Utah, and here Cub Reporter Gail (CRG) is typing on the Garden State Parkway on our way back west. Summer is hardly over, but for teachers like CRG, August brings the start of school. It is time to go home but not without a few adventures along the way.

The first, but hopefully not the last, was a last minute invite from the owner of Thesis, the maker of our bikes, to join him for the now famous, and ever popular, “Rooted Vermont” ride through the byways of the Green Mountains. You may recall that Senior Ripper rode this ride last summer, and wrote about it here. CRG was asked to tag along this summer on the 49 mile ride despite the fact that she had ridden no further than 16 miles all summer. Harking the wise words of Eleanor Roosevelt, “You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you stop to look fear in the face,” CRG said yes.

The Green Mountain State is indeed green. Lush mountains ring bucolic farms with the most magnificent barns. The corn was shoulder height and tractors were busy harvesting hay. We saw cows of many colors and impressive wood piles next to Sugar Houses. The lush valleys are connected by a system of dirt roads all named for whatever hill they are crossing.

And cross them we did. Along with a diverse group of riders assembled by the dynamic team of Ted and Laura King, along with Kristin Motley, who operate according to their mullet protocol, “Business in the front and party in the back.” More than half the entrants in this year’s ride were women. It was hard to tell if any of them were sporting mullets underneath their helmets but it was great to see groups of women riders cheer each other on.

A veteran of many long rides, we were confident that CRG could pull herself over the hills, but she was less sure of whizzing down them, especially because her brakes were a bit soft. A less than perfect sleep led to the start where a master mechanic assured her that the brakes were working well enough, and to enjoy feeling the wind in her hair.

The day was perfect for riding. The humidity was low and the dirt portions of the ride were often in shade. The rest stops were filled with fun snacks, including Untapped Maple gels, waffles, and CRG’s personal favorite, a ginger maple tonic. Her Super Grover bike jersey got lots of shout outs and the ride was over before we knew it.

Eleanor would approve. The beauty of flying down the steep hills, barely braking, the wind in our hair and huge smiles on our faces will be something the Rippers will remember for a long time. Did you try something new this summer? Let us know.

Keep moving, stay safe, have fun!