I really like time trials. There’s something remarkable about racing against the clock, and it’s not just the goofy helmets or the really cool looking bikes. When you’re riding in a peloton, you’re afforded the luxury of not having to think for yourself. Which way to go? Just follow the wheel in front of you. How fast should I ride? Just follow the wheel in front of you. What line can I take on the next turn? Just… well, you know.
This is all absent in a time trial. It’s really just you, the road, and the clock. Because you rarely know how your time stacks up against competitors while you are riding, it always seems like there’s no margin for error whatsoever. Stop pedaling for a second and you might just be losing your lead. Start hammering in the big ring and you might have just moved yourself onto the podium. Your success or failure is only apparent after the fact, once you’ve already agreed to torture yourself for what seemed like an eternity. Seems like the best outcome is a Pyrrhic victory.
Pretty rough, huh? Sounds like it couldn’t get worse, right?
You have no idea.
The annual time trial up Mount Greylock is one week from today. Not only is this a time trial, this is a time trial to the highest point in Massachusetts. And it doesn’t even start at the base of the mountain! The course begins at Heritage Park in North Adams, which means a few very steep climbs just to get to the welcome sign to the Mount Greylock reservation, kindly letting you know that you have 8 miles to go.
🙂
Here’s a very brief (chronological) introduction to the course. Anyone interested in a longer preview shouldn’t hesitate to ask me.
– Furnace street: the steepest climb is at the very beginning of the race. Don’t kill yourself here. You have a ways to go before you meet the base of Mount Greylock.
– Flats and downhill section: take advantage of this section. If you use it only as a rest period you’re wasting a precious opportunity to move at a really fast pace.
– Switchbacks: the hardest part of Mount Greylock is right inside the gates. You’ll want your easiest gear here. Take smart lines on the switchbacks and remember that there’s a lot left to go.
– Rolling-ish section: try to keep your momentum from the downhills and flats as much as possible for the uphills.
– Round the top finish: dig deep and lose yourself.
I did this race a year ago and it instantly became my favorite race. If you like climbing, time trialing, and masochism, this is for you. Otherwise, you might be disappointed. But then, if you don’t like those things, why are you biking in Williamstown?
great post! Geometry Dash
What a fantastic overview of biking on Greylock! The routes you described bring back memories of my own rides there, especially the breathtaking views at the summit. It’s a great reminder for all cyclists to embrace these local treasures. If you’re looking for some fun challenges post-ride, I’ve found Geometry Dash interesting it’s a nice way to keep those focus skills sharp!