Terry Peloton

Tag: cycling events

  • Richard’s Ride 2021 – Celebrating the Love of Cycling in Vermont

    Steve Z. finishing up the 50 mile Gravel ride at Richard’s Ride, 2021
    Steve Z. finishing up the 50 mile Gravel ride at Richard’s Ride, 2021

    We were delighted that Terry could be a Polka Dot sponsor of the 2021 Richard’s Ride event, organized by the Richard Tom Foundation on October 9th, here in Vermont. Richard’s Ride brings the Vermont cycling community together to celebrate Richard’s life, as well as our shared enthusiasm for cycling and all that it adds to our lives. 

    The event offered something for everyone, from short family rides to quite challenging gravel rides, and plenty of options in between. The weather cooperated fully too, providing great conditions for cycling in an unusually warm October.

    Several members of “Team Terry” participated, opting for different rides to enjoy some wonderful fall cycling on Vermont’s beautiful back roads.

    All roads led back to Cochran’s Ski Area in Richmond, Vermont, with plenty of sustenance provided by generous sponsors and volunteers, ready to revive hungry riders.

    On the way there were options to explore paved road or gravel routes from 15 to 70 miles, with serious climbs thrown in. Trail lovers could opt for a 10k or 20k technical MTB ride, following Cochran’s challenging trails and single track, while kids and families had a selection of short but scenic rides to choose from.

    • Riders lined up at the start of Richard's Ride 2021
      Riders lined up at the start of Richard’s Ride 2021 – Terry’s Megan Holt in red jersey
    • Dave Howard of Terry, powering up yet one more hill on the long gravel ride, Richard's Ride, 2021
      Dave Howard of Terry, powering up yet one more hill on the long gravel ride, Richard’s Ride, 2021
    • Annie MacDonald is ready to ride the Mountain Bike Trails at Cochran's Ski Area, Richard's Ride 2021.
      Annie MacDonald is ready to ride the Mountain Bike Trails at Cochran’s Ski Area, Richard’s Ride 2021
    • A cyclist riding on a gravel road with a scenic view of Vermont's Fall foliage
      Karen Marshall cresting a hill on a gravel road, with a view of Vermont’s Fall foliage
    “Team Terry” represented in Richard’s Ride 2021

    The Richard Tom Foundation was created to promote the joy of cycling, and safer roads

    The story behind the Foundation begins in 2015, when Richard’s loss sent shockwaves through Vermont’s cycling community, and far beyond. The Foundation’s website does not dwell on that tragedy, instead focusing on the legacy of generosity, kindness, and love of cycling that Richard Tom left behind.

    Tom Broido explains more about the Richard Tom Foundation’s mission and programs

    Richard Tom leading a tour at the famous Alpe d'Huez ski resort
    Richard Tom on tour at the famous Alpe d’Huez ski resort in France, close to a legendary cycling climb often used in the Tour de France

    The Richard Tom Foundation (RTF) was founded in 2015, and has become an integral part of Vermont cycling in a short period of time. There are several factors which have resulted in RTF’s success:

    The first is because Richard Tom was such a loved and respected member of our cycling community. From decades of leading cycling tours, and being a knowledgeable bike shop staff member, he was well known and appreciated. RTF has embraced Richard’s joy of cycling and boundless energy, to create a foundation where the many aspects of cycling culture can interact and result in positive change.

    RTF’s efforts result in getting people on bikes who otherwise would not have the means to do so. This ranges from school age kids receiving scholarships to attend mountain bike camps, to individuals receiving bikes for transportation and recreation via our Bikes For Friends program, in partnership with local bike shops.

    We also support the local race community by supporting local youth racers, and being the Title Sponsor of the Richard Tom Foundation Burlington Criterium, which caps off the final day of the Green Mountain Stage Race, the long running and largest Pro/Am stage race east of the Mississippi.

    In the middle of the Criterium race day, RTF puts on the free Kids’ Crit where 9-11 year olds can ride the closed course in downtown Burlington!

    RTF’s support and partnership with Local Motion works to make roads safe for all who use them, and to run their Bike Smart program bringing bikes to schools to teach children how to ride safely.

    Richard’s Ride is our annual fundraiser and is a unique event due to the number of different types of riding opportunities offered. With 70, 30, 15 and 5 mile road rides, there is something for everyone, from hammerheads to families.

    Tyler and his daughter enjoying some hot chocolate at Richard’s Ride, 2021
    Tyler and his daughter enjoying some hot chocolate after completing their effort at Richard’s Ride, 2021

    A 40 & 50 mile unsupported and unmarked gravel ride attracts those seeking a bit more adventure on Vermont’s quiet dirt roads. The ride is staged out of Cochran’s Ski Area, a community mainstay where our riders can also enjoy mountain bike trails right from the base lodge.

    Richard’s Ride is supported and sponsored by many local businesses who also supply the many Vermont products providing rider nutrition.

    The success of Richard’s Ride, and RTF as a whole, grows from this community spirit, the essence of Richard Tom: road racers, gravel riders, mountain bikers, casual riders, families and local businesses can all get together and enjoy being outdoors in Vermont and spending time together!

    The Richard Tom Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the health and well-being of cyclists of all ages. They strive to ensure that resources are readily available for everyone to discover the adventure and joy of cycling.
    RTF also supports educational and advocacy programs to advance the cause of safe roads for all who use them.

    For more information please visit the Richard Tom Foundation website.

  • THE HOTTEST HUNDRED MILES ANYWHERE.

    For riders who like it hot, the Hotter’N Hell Hundred doesn’t disappoint!

    It sounds like one of the most uninviting challenges in the cycling calendar, but it seems cyclists can’t get enough punishment – this event is the biggest century ride in the U.S.! 

    Proclaimed as the THE CENTENNIAL RIDE FROM HELL, and A TEXAS “RIDE” OF PASSAGE, the HOTTER’N HELL HUNDRED is now a cycling fixture in Wichita Falls, Texas, close to the northern border with Oklahoma. 

    Terry customer and Athens Bike Club member, Suellen Van Der Colff, completed the event in the Terry Chill 7 short and the Breakaway Jersey in TDF Mashup. She’s picture here with a couple of club colleagues. 
     
    Other Athens Bike Club members (from left) Jeff Little, Richard David, Richard Griffin and Marc Abadie participated in the 100-miler. [clearfix]

    From the event website: The Hotter’N Hell Hundred is one of the oldest and largest cycling events in the nation. Fitness oriented riders and bicycle racers will come to Wichita Falls, Texas, from virtually every state and several foreign countries. HHH is not just one day, it is at least 4 days of challenging and inspiring activities for the entire family.

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    A community of more than 100,000 residents, Wichita Falls created a Centennial event featuring 100 miles of cycling in 100 degree heat to celebrate their 100 years.  That first year, 1,100 riders showed up and paved the way for an event that is now the largest single day 100 mile bike ride in the nation.  The event grew rapidly to a peak of 13,000 registrations in 2015. [clearfix]

    The 2019 event drew close to that many for 3 days of fun and events, including 6 road ride distances (100 Mile; 75 Mile; 100K; 50 Mile; 25 Mile & 10K), mountain biking, gravel grinding, trail running, pro races, a big consumer show/expo and a dinner and breakfast.

    Of course, the demanding conditions are a big part of the draw. From mid-May to mid-September, when high temps regularly exceed 100 degrees, shade is in painfully short supply. The course record of 109 degrees was set in 2011.

    Those temperatures and limited opportunities for refilling water bottles inspired a creative hydration solution that turned into an entire outdoor category.

    In 1989, bicycle enthusiast Michael Eidson, was competing in the “Hotter’N Hell 100.” Eidson, an emergency medical technician by trade, decided to fill an IV bag with water and slip it into a white tube sock. Then he stuffed the contraption into the back of his bike jersey, threw a thin hose over his shoulder and clamped it on with a clothespin.  Hands-free hydration was born. Of course, Eidson was able to drink as he pedaled…hands free! Other riders laughed at the idea, but three decades on the Camelbak founder clearly earned the last laugh.

    Fast forward to 2019 and approximately 8,900 riders rode in the 38th Annual Hotter’N Hell Hundred, for once enjoying cooler-than-average temperatures.  The early racers were finishing the 75-mile event before temps even reached the 80s.

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    The Athens Bike Club meets every Saturday at 8 a.m. in the parking lot of Syler Vet Clinic. Riders of all levels are welcome. For more information, contact Suellen Van der Colff at 903-675-5401 or e-mail her at Dr.V@embarq.com.