Biking in Vermont

 Earlier this year I biked across Vermont on the Lamoille rail trail. About 10 miles from the finish, I crossed the Missisquoi rail trail. That got me thinking about riding the Missisquoi as well. I’d run sections of the trail while on my quest to run in every city/town in VT which I completed in 2021. The Missisquoi was like the Lamoille with a gravel surface but clocked in at 26.1 miles in one direction (the Lamoille is the longest rail trail in New England at 96 miles). I had booked a campsite at Lake Carmi state park which was about half-way through the rail trail. I had to laugh at the write-up about Lake Carmi calling it “the fourth largest lake located entirely within the state of Vermont”. Wow, they were really digging for some superlative! I’d decided to bike an end-to-end-to-end (52.2 miles) which would eliminate any logistics for getting to the start but would make for a long day as I’d only been biking one day a week (2 hours). I’d met up with Tom Anderson, a former CMS and GLRR teammate and rival from college days when he ran for Keene State, and he was interested in doing the ride as well. I chose the day after Labor Day for the ride with the following day in the event of foul weather.

 

I headed up to Lake Carmi on Labor Day with a couple of enjoyable runs along the way. I was not pleased to find that the lake itself was closed due to algae blooms. So much for swimming. I settled into the comfortable lean-two and was a bit surprised to wake up at 4 a.m. to steady rain. I had not seen that in the forecast. I made my way to St Albans and got in a short run as my knee was really bothering me, but I did not want to take a “zero” day. Tom was a bit late, which turned out to be good as the steady rain got lighter (and would end by about 30 minutes into the ride). I put on a bunch of layers, but Tom chose to just go in shorts and t-shirt. It was 65 degrees and humid even after the rain ended and we got a few brief views of the sun. At 8:40 we were off!

 

I warmed up quickly as the pace was solid. Tom could easily ride 5 mph faster than me (or more) but he was aware going in that my goal was 13 mph for the round trip which would bring us home in about 4 hours. I was on the pedals the entire time, no coasting. As the trail is a former railroad bed the climbs and descents are minimal (never exceeding 2%). Tom would do a couple of pedal strokes and then coast as I caught up. We’d repeat this for the whole ride. The trail was scenic with views of farms and mountains and long stretches through corn fields. There were a few road crossings of busy route 105 that required caution but otherwise it was a beautiful trail. Tom told many stories as we rolled along and I conserved oxygen just giving nods, laughs, and the occasional “yes”. We reached Richford in 1:56, so a little ahead of schedule, and stopped for less than a minute to get a picture and turn around. I had a couple of “chomps” to avoid running out of fuel but did not drink any water for the ride (never really got thirsty). I started to get tired after 40 miles when my lack of long bike rides began to show. We didn’t slow down, but my effort increased. I began counting down the miles as every half mile was marked and every half mile was a small victory. We ended up coming back in 1:56 for a total time of 3:52 which worked out to 13.5 mph. I was happy with the effort and Tom seemed to have a good time (despite me holding him back). It turned out to be a nice day and by 1 p.m. I was on the road back to camp for a LONG hot shower and some relaxation time.

 

at the turn

at the finish

I'm fourth from the left and Tom is fifth - 1984 NCCA XC Champs (11th and 10th pl)

Week ending 09/13/26

I dropped my mileage down this week in hopes of making inroads on the knee injury. Not sure backing off helped at all as my knee feels terrible. Still, it was a fun week with camping in VT and running with many friends! 

Week - 51

Month - 120

Year - 2,942

Life - 169,942

Looking back - Sept 2021

5 years ago  (September 2021) With a little vacation time in hand, I started the month off with a couple of trips to Vermont.  My first trip involved 421 miles of driving over 10.5 hours with 15 miles of running in 9 towns.  The second trip a couple of days later included 387 miles driven in 10 hours along with 17 miles of running in 11 towns.

 

 

Gorilla & VW                                                                     Quiet farm road in Vergennes

I got back to racing at the Hollis Fast Five (5km) on 09-06-21.  The point to point race is a bit unusual, the net drop of about 250’ makes it one of the fastest 5k’s out there.  I’d run the race three times in the last 11 years and ran between 29 and 69 seconds faster than my fastest time that particular year.  So, I figured 5:40 pace would be about right.  It was kind of warm and VERY humid but this was a 5k so it shouldn’t be a factor. I counted how many in front of me at the first turn and had myself in about 20^th, so that seemed right.  I felt pretty comfortable and slowly started reeling people in.  I hit the mile in 5:29 which was a pleasant surprise.  I continued to pass one or two people and was closing in on the top 10 by two miles (10:57 – 5:28).  I got two more guys in the final mile (5:41) and was in 8^th place.  I could not hold it and one of the guys I passed in the last mile went by me in after the last turn.  I cannot complain with a 9^th place finish and a 17:16.6, not a bad sign for attempting to break 18 on a flat course

1        Cameron Cook         26M    Dover NH      15:33.9

2        Vojta Ripa     32M    Amesbury MA          15:46.9

3        Jessie Cardin 25F     Stafford Springs      15:55.0

4        Michael Studer        10M    Westford MA 16:03.6

5        Jacob Wormald        26M    Nashua NH    16:05.6

6        Mark Rabasco          27M    Pittsfield MA  16:26.5

7        Jason Viera   42M    E Greenwich RI        17:04.8

8        Ian French    39M    Londonderry NH      17:16.1

9        Dave Dunham         57M    Haverhill MA  17:16.6

10      Eli Lemire     15M    Weare NH     17:21.1

50      James Pawlicki        46M    Lynn MA                 20:36.7

        Posing with NE Delta Dental CEO Tom Raffio

 

Next up (09/12/21) was the GBTC XC race at Great Brook Farm in Carlisle (MA).  I’ve run in the woods of Carlisle since my Billerica days but have only raced there twice The course featured three progressively longer loops with a great mix of ups, downs, grass, dirt, roots, rocks, and even a little bit of mud.The small field of only 32 lined up for the master’s race (everyone over the age of 40).  I like when we get to run without the open runners, it is so much easier to see the competition.  Off we went and by the first turn I counted 15 guys ahead of me, I slowly moved up and by the end of the first loop (1/2 mile) I was in 12^th place.  I caught a couple more to take 10^th place in 19:12.  HFC ended up beating us in the 40+ team scoring 23 to 33.  I was fourth man on the 40+ team and third man on the winning 50+ team, we beat HFC 24 to 31! 

 

1 16:37         TJ Unger                 43      HFC

2 17:03         Aaron Price   44      BAA

3 17:27         Lee Danforth 43      HFC

4 17:49         Tim Van Orden        53      CMS

5 18:15         Paulo Amaral 41      GLRR

6 18:26         Jason Cakouros       56      HFC

7 18:35         Steven Brightman    52      CMS

8 18:52         Arthur Besse 49      CMS

9 19:08         Rbrt McCormack      60      HFC

10 19:12 Dave Dunham     57      CMS

11 19:14 Steve Neri 54      HFC

12 19:47 Justin Renz         49      HFC

13 19:53 Steve Bosic         52      SRR

14 20:01 Dan Verrington   59      CMS  This was the 300^th time Dan and I raced each other!

17 20:25 Doug Deangelis   55      CMS                                

20 21:14 James Pawlicki    46      CMS

                             

I decided to complete my quest to run in every city and town in VT.  I had 6 runs of 3 miles each that would get the final 13 towns I needed.  I was out the door on Monday (09/13/21) at 4:30am for the nearly 3 hour drive to my first stop.  In all I ended up driving nearly 500 miles and was back in a little less than 12 hours.  Good friend Eric Morse met me in Winooski for the final 5km run in Gillbrook Nature area which gave me my 255^th Vermont city or town (or gore & grant). In all I drove 19,799 miles in 75 different trips to Vermont and ran a total of 690 miles (I only counted the first time I ran in a city or town).

 

 

Next up was SEA (State Employees Assoc) 5km race which was the finale in the CARS.  It was certainly unusual running this race in mid-September since the race is typically held in April.   I was hopeful that the final CARS series race would also be my fastest 5k of the year.  The series was pretty much wrapped up with little chance of any movement (I was in 6th in the overall category, first in the 55-59 age group, 1st in the age graded masters, and our team was in 2nd place). 

 

The field was especially small this year (130 finishers) and only a couple of guys moved up to the front.  They were starting us in four waves with the first being under 7:00's.  Off we went and I found myself in 5th place during the first loop. I Checked my watch at the half and was a little ahead of pace but not crazy fast. I hit the mile in 5:38 and 2 miles in 11:22 (5:44) and not much changed.  The leaders were out of sight. I can't complain as I closed with a 5:46 mile and was well under 18.  I ended up 5th overall and first in the 50+.  The big surprise was that I moved up to 5th in the overall in the CARS and took home $50 for that.  I also got $100 gas card for taking the age graded series (with Ernie very close behind).

 

                        Kicking for the finish                      Duct tape & Spit = Jim Pawlicki, Doug Deangelis, me

1             16:13     5:13       Cameron Cook    26   Dover, NH        MOPEN
2             16:35     5:21       Warren Bartlett   24   Loudon, NH                   MOPEN
3             17:03     5:29       Drew Tuttle                   26   Alton, NH                   MOPEN
4             17:31     5:39       Michael Eddy                 16   Madbury, NH                   M1519 
5             17:41     5:42       Dave Dunham                57   Bradford, MA                  M5559 
6             17:47     5:44       Erik Paddleford               46   Concord, NH                   M4549 
7             18:00     5:48       Jim Angell                      57   Hopkinton, NH               M5559 
8             18:24     5:56       James Brady                  20   Newbury, NH                   M2029 
9             18:32     5:58       Ernest Brake                  60   North Sutton, NH               M6064 
10           18:36     5:59       Sam Wood                     35   Laconia, NH                   M3539 
11           18:55     6:06       Matt Deschuytner 34   Canterbury, NH              M3034 
12           18:57     6:06       Doug Deangelis    55   Newbury, MA                  M5559 
13           19:39     6:20       James Smith                  63   Concord, NH                   M6064 
14           19:55     6:25       Michael Barry                65   Northwood, NH               M6569 
15           19:56     6:25       Nicholas Brady      23   Boston, MA                  M2029 
16           20:47     6:42       James Pawlicki    46   Lynn, MA        M4549 

 

I couldn’t decide where I wanted to race now that the CARS series is over.  I’d only been to Nahant twice and the little island off of Lynn/Revere seemed nice.  The course had a tough hill at ½ mile in and another from 1.5 to 2.25.  The field of 165 shot out and I found myself in fourth place in the early going. I moved up into second place on the first climb and was a step behind the leader at the mile.  Every time I edged a bit closer, he upped the tempo.  As we hit the second hill I pushed the pace and took the lead.  I could hear his footsteps fall off behind me.  I tried to really push on the downhill, it was tough seeing the finish arch ½ mile in the distance.  With ¼ mile to go he came back and flew by me.  I had nothing left and lost nearly 10 seconds in that last ¼.  I As a bonus I picked up a $50 gift card. 

 

Pl  Time        Pace   Name            City/State     Division

1  17:30        5:39   Peter Siess    Amesbury MA          MOVRAL

2  17:39.7 5:42       Dave Dunham         Bradford MA  MOVRAL

3  18:39        6:01   Steve Dickenson      Nahant MA    MOVRAL

4  18:58        6:07   Tomas  Martinez      Beverly MA    M1929

5  19:16        6:13   Alexandra Buonfiglio Revere MA   FOVRAL

13 22:16       7:11  James Pawlicki        Lynn MA                 M4049

 

 

My shoe blew out during the warm-up at the SEA race!

 

Looking back - Sept 2016

 10 years ago (Sept 2016): I raced three times over this month, a mountain race and two road races.  I started off with the Mt Greylock race which was now part of the USATF NE mountain circuit. Teammates Kevin Tilton and Dave Lapierre for the drive out.  Being part of the Mountain Circuit definitely helped the attendance as 167 turned out and more than half were USATF members. Teammate Matt Veiga shot out at the start with Tim Van Orden following.  A second pack formed, and I trailed by 15 seconds at the mile. Not much changed as we entered the park and the climb got a bit steeper.  I knew I was in 6^th place now and also knew that everyone ahead of me was CMS which meant I wouldn’t score for the team unless I moved up a place.  The weather was ideal, sunny, dry, and just a little breeze.  I ended up taking 6^th place and 3^rd in the 50+. CMS swept the team titles with take the first 6 places in the open, top 3 in the 50+ and top 4 in the 40+.

Pl       Time   Name                      Age    City, St                   Team 

1        55:14  Matthew Veiga                 29      Lynn, MA      CMS   

2        56:51  Tim Van Orden                 48      Bennington, VT       CMS   

3        57:43  Kevin Tilton           34      Conway, NH  CMS   

4        57:48  Erik Vandendries              51      Chestnut Hill, MA     CMS   

5        58:33  Ed Sheldon            52      Hooksett, NH CMS   

6        58:43  Dave Dunham                  52      Bradford, MA CMS   

20      1:10:11         David Lapierre                  52      Chelmsford, MA          CMS   

 

Next up was the USATF NE 20km championships (Seasons 20k).  My plan this year was to try and be competitive with my fellow Senior (50-59) runners.  Race day was just plain nasty, although not “hot” it was 75 degrees and the dew point in the 70’s made it about as humid as possible without actually raining.  Around the mile Jim Pawlicki strode by and I latched on.  Jim and I ran together, and he’d gap me on the uphill parts and I’d come back on the down.  I was 38:52 at 10k which was only 15 seconds slower than last year, before 8 miles it got ominously dark and then the skies opened up.  I pulled away from Jim Pawlicki on the climb after 10 miles.  I had my head up looking ahead at the line of guys in front of me when I heard Jim yell out “No!”.  I looked back and realized we missed the turn!  I started yelling “No, no, no” to the guys ahead who’d missed the turn ahead of me as I quickly reversed direction.  In all I ran an extra 50 seconds but others had it much worse. Jason Bui went back by me with 200 to go and powered to the line, I struggled in running 1:18:48 and taking 5^th in the 50+. 

Kicking for the finish

50+ (41 finishers)

1        1:12:12         Peter Hammer         50      M        BAA

2        1:18:31         Michael Cooney       54      M        WRT

3        1:18:34         Scott Anderson        51      M        WRT

4        1:18:39         Charlie Bemis 53      M        WRT

5        1:18:48         Dave Dunham         52      M        CMS

6        1:19:23         Robert Cipriano       56      M        SRR

7        1:19:52         Ed Sheldon   52      M        CMS

8        1:21:11         Martin Tighe 58      M        CMS

15      1:29:42         David Lapierre         52      M        CMS

16      1:30:54         Philip Savoy Jr         54      M        CMS

 

My final race of the month was the USATF NE 10km championships (Lone Gull):  I was gunning for a sub-36 and would be looking for teammates Ed Sheldon and Jim Pawlicki to key off of.  Right from the gun it felt “quick” to me.  Every time someone went by I’d want to latch on but it always felt just a little bit too fast.  I reached the mile in 5:40 which was right around the time I thought I could run but it felt a lot tougher than I’d hoped.  I was fortunate always having someone around me.  Jim Pawlicki caught me before 3 miles (17:15) and we strode through 5k together in 17:56.  I still felt I had an outside shot at breaking 36 if I could hold pace.  Jim took off on the final climb to the 6 mile mark (I suck at hills) and Charlie Bemis (WRT 50+) went by at the crest of the hill.  I gave all I had left but every step I lost ground.  I crossed the line in 36:11 (clock time) with a chip time of 36:06.  The 50+ field was strong and I did not crack the top 10 (finishing 11^th).  Our team took 3^rd behind Whirlaway and a strong Somerville Road Runners squad.

50+

DvPl   Name            Age    ChipTime GunTimeTown              Club

1        Peter Hammer         50      0:33:14         0:33:18         Needham          BAA

2        Greg Picklesimer     50      0:33:24         0:33:28         Brighton                  SRR

3        Pete Bottomley       54      0:34:58         0:35:04         Cape Elizabeth          Dirigo

4        Robert Cipriano       56      0:35:17         0:35:22         Brighton                  SRR

5        John Ayers    50      0:35:36         0:35:39         Hamilton                 WRT

6        Ed Sheldon   52      0:35:42         0:35:45         Hooksett                 CMS

7        Scott Anderson        51      0:35:47         0:35:52         Truro            WRT

8        Mark Reeder 56      0:35:53         0:35:57         Brighton                  GLRR

9        Douglas Martyn       56      0:35:53         0:35:59         North Andover          WRT

10      Charlie Bemis 53      0:36:00         0:36:05         Derry            WRT

11      Dave Dunham         52      0:36:06         0:36:11         Bradford                  CMS

18      Martin Tighe 58      0:37:43         0:37:51         Providence    CMS

23      John Pajer     53      0:39:56         0:40:04         Leicester                 CMS

24      David Lapierre         52      0:40:02         0:40:11         Chelmsford          CMS

26      Dan Verrington        54      0:40:03         0:40:12         Bradford                  CMS

27      Philip Savoy   54      0:40:28         0:40:37         Shrewsbury   CMS