We’re Baaaaaack
We know what you’re thinking, “When’s the next 200 Not On 100, guys?!” We know that because we’re asked that question all the time. Good news...
July 2, 2015 is your answer. Nope, not a fall endeavor as we’ve done in recent years, the super-duper-epic-mega-ride is right around the corner.
A little background. Are you new to this confusing silliness? Here’s the quick crib sheet: the year was 2011, New England cycling pals and all around great people, ProTour road racers Ted King and umpteen time Cyclocross national champ’ Tim Johnson decided to go on a little adventure, riding the entire length of Vermont, north to south, from Canada to Massachusetts, which tallies a bit more than 200 miles, nearly all of which takes place on Vermont’s Route 100. Ergo, the 200 On 100.
Tim and Ted invited their pal Ryan Kelly along for the ride. Ryan works full time during the day and moonlights as a mediocre criterium racer. You see, two days prior, Ryan had just ridden a 100 mile charity ride twice in pancake flat seacoast New Hampshire. Ryan’s invitation was initially a joke, to see him ride 400 miles over the course of two rides over three days, but he did it. The entire day including Ryan’s hysterical physical and mental breakdown is documented here for your viewing pleasure. (Oh right, you’re saying. THAT’s where I first heard Awolnation’s song Sail!)
One calendar year passed, Ted and Tim returned to their pro bike racing careers, but the seed was planted. They wanted to ride something big again. However, variety is the spice of life, so they looked to a map and chose two towns in which meant something to them, namely Burlington, VT and Portland, ME -- it’s not just coincidence that these two points are 200 miles apart. Voila, the 200 Not On 100 was born. Years passed and two more editions of the 200 Not On 100 have occurred, including a 300 Not On 100. Not for the faint of heart.
Over that time, the duo opened it up to friends, family, and cycling sisters and brethren. Of course, the pure logistics of pulling off a 200 mile point-to-point ride are tricky at best and a sore pain in the butt at worst. These guys are starting ungodly early, so one needs to trek to the starting point the evening before, not to mention a ride home upon arrival. These guys can’t stop for every hunger pang, every time someone thinks they’re thirsty, every hankerin’ to pee, and every time someone is dangling off the back. They are a roving caravan, hardly stopping in order to make it from start to finish within the allotted time that we’ll call “daylight”. Plus they ride faaaast.
Hence, opening it up for public enjoyment has been a blast because lots of people will start with the gang and help escort them out of town, others will be at the finish to help bring them to the line, people will ride five miles or fifty with them, and they’ve had plenty of people make signs and cheer along the sides of the route. That support means the world. Best yet: they had a family of four take their little airplane and follow from above! The family would spot a landing strip along the route, touch down, run to the road, and cheer the crew as they rode by. Suffice it to say, it’s a very dynamic peloton with a constant ebb and flow regarding the number of people riding.
After finding this convenient time in their busy schedules to attack this adventure, Tim and Ted racked their brains regarding route they should plot. Lots of ideas were had, but they once the idea of riding the original 200 On 100 was hatched, nothing else could live up. That original 200 On 100 adventure started it all and has been the launching point of so many fun rides and good times for these two, and so many others. This is Ted’s final season in the professional ranks and Vermont is where he found and fell in love with cycling. Tim has trained and raced in Vermont his entire career and loves it. Plus after a brief absence, Ryan Kelly is back on board. The original ride just made sense.
Want in? Here’s the route. Export it, slap it into your Garmin, and join the adventure!
A special thanks is extended to Cannondale, Mavic, 10 Speed Coffee, UnTapped, and Skratch Labs for supporting the 200 On 100 and helping make this very most excellent day a reality. We ask that you follow each of these outstanding companies on social media.
Hint 1. @RideCannondale, @Mavic, @10SpeedCoffee, @UnTappedMaple, @SkratchLabs.
Hint 2, they’re on instagram too! @RideCannondale, @10SpeedCoffee, @UnTappedMaple, @SkratchLabs.
For more fun and prizes, and we do mean prizes, follow our twitter feeds -- yup, both Instagram and the Twitter machine @iamtedking, @timjohnsoncx, @ryantkelly, plus the hashtag #200on100 -- to know where and when this roving peloton is coming to your neck of the woods. We would love to have you join the fray.
In Summary:
July 2.
6am.
North Troy, VT border crossing.
See you there.
...or somewhere along the route.
Forewarning:
This is not an organized group ride.
The 200 On 100 takes place on open, public roads. There are cars and cows and enormous frost heaves.
Ted and Tim ride fast.
The guys don’t stop very often.
The peloton doesn’t stop when you need to pee and stretch your back. They roll.
Like a good Cub Scout: be prepared. Have money, have tubes, and a pump. Maybe some Fluff for fuel.
Bike riding is a dangerous sport. You are responsible for yourself.