For more options
visit our SIGN UP page.
To see our past updates,
CLICK HERE.
|
MOTHER NATURE STRIKES BACK
With sections of the course closed due to severe flooding caused by Hurricane/Tropical Storm Irene, we were not sure we would be able to use our standard route. Fortunately, NYS DOT did a superb job and completed repairs on the main roads just four days prior to the start, which was well ahead of their announced schedule, and in time for us to use them.
During the race, the damage was obvious and several short sections of the course were restricted to one lane, controlled by a temporary light or flag man. In addition, riders could see homes and businesses that were affected, including some buildings that were completely torn from their foundations.
The damage was not limited to the roads, as several hiking trails in the High Peaks area of the Adirondack Park Preserve were also closed. Some have been reopened, but others remain closed or restricted.
While Irene brought weather and flooding that was somewhat extreme, it is not unusual for weather to play a major role in the Adirondack 540. And when the weather is combined with the relentless terrain, it is no wonder why the Adirondack 540 has been gaining a reputation as one of the toughest ULTRA CYCLING races around.
This year's race was no exception to that rule, and weather did play a major role. Although it was mostly dry, the temperatures were well below normal, and the low on the first night was about 30°. Riding in that type of cold requires 20%-30% more energy then riding in warmer temperatures, and most riders rode at a slower then normal pace and took more frequent breaks.
But the cold was just one obstacle riders had to overcome. Wind was another. On the first day, winds gusted up to 30 MPH and it was blustery on most of the course all day, including a very strong headwind on Hurricane Mountain, which made one of the most difficult climbs even harder.
The wind was not an easy thing to overcome either, as it seemed to come from every direction at the same time, and because of that, riders could not look forward to a tailwind on any particular section of the course. In fact, the wind was so unstable, that at one point the flags at race headquarters were blowing in a different direction then the flags that were just across the street.
All in all, it was another outstanding race, despite the conditions. Or maybe because of the conditions?
Jason Lane from Sudbury, ON, Canada, won the men's Adirondack 540 with a time of 40H:42M; and Cassie Schumacher from Akron, OH won the woman's division with a time of 45H:19M. See below for the complete results.
|
|
ADIRONDACK ULTRA CYCLING GENERAL INFORMATION FOR RIDES
• GENERAL RIDE GUIDELINES
- Due to insurance requirements, motorized bicycles are not permitted on our rides. This includes all types of e-bikes and pedal assist bikes. Riders that arrive with a motorized bicycle will not be permitted to participate in our events and will be asked to leave immediately and no refund or credit will be issued.
- Due to insurance requirements, pets are not permitted on our rides or on our ride premises by any associated person attending our events. This includes riders, volunteers, friends, family, spectators, etc. Anyone arriving with a pet and/or their associated rider will not be permitted to participate in our events and will be asked to leave immediately and no refund or credit will be issued. ADA certified service animals will be permitted in areas the general public is permitted, according to ADA regulations. If arriving with an ADA certified service animal, please have its ADA identification vest on at all times and its certification papers ready for inspection.
- All of our events start promptly and most leave from the ADIRONDACK ULTRA CYCLING BIKE SHOP. Refer to each event for its exact starting location and time. Please arrive at least a half hour before the start time to check in, get ready, receive last minute instructions and have your bike inspected. When arriving and departing, please be courteous, especially if it is early in the morning or late at night, as our starting locations are typically in mixed residential/business neighborhoods. Please do not park in another business' lot or block a driveway or the street itself, otherwise your vehicle may be towed. The shop does not have a parking lot, but there is ample street parking in front of the shop and on adjacent streets. For travel directions and parking instructions to the shop, CLICK HERE.
- Ride times are recorded "door to door," with all rest stops, mechanical stops, delays, etc., included in your official finish time. The official event clock begins at the advertised start time, whether or not you are actually riding, and all finishing times are recorded when a rider checks in with the official time keeper. If a rider dawdles at their car or changes or packs up before checking in, their time will reflect that, just as if you took a break in the middle of the ride.
- Unless otherwise stated, our rides do not have an "official" time limit, but dusk is our "soft" time limit for rides that do not involve night riding. Most riders should finish well before the sun sets, but if anyone is still riding after dark and they are coherent, riding in a safe manner, properly prepared and meet our lighting requirements, they will be allowed to continue. However, if they are not coherent and/or not riding in a safe manner and/or not properly prepared and/or do not meet our lighting requirements, they will immediately be pulled from the course.
- Drafting is allowed in all of our events and group riding is encouraged.
- Helmets must be worn at all times while cycling.
- All traffic laws, signals, signs, devices, etc., must be obeyed at all times.
- All turns, stops, slow downs, etc., must be signaled and/or called out to other riders and other traffic.
- Always ride with traffic, ride defensively and be aware of your surroundings. Watch out for other traffic and never assume another vehicle will stop or yield, even if you have the right of way.
- Riders must get completely off the road when stopped.
- Ride no more then 2 abreast and only when traffic permits, and you must single up when traffic approaches from the rear.
- Keep as far to the right as safety permits and if there is a rideable shoulder or bike lane you must use it.
- Most of our routes are unmarked. Be prepared to navigate on your own and follow a cue sheet and/or GPS device. If relying on an electronic device for navigation, please make sure you have enough battery power for the entire ride, and be aware that in cold conditions and areas where there is low reception, batteries may drain at a faster then normal rate.
- Most of our events are unsupported on the road but snacks, pocket food and drinks will be provided at the start, middle (if returning to the shop) and finish. Riders should expect to be self-sufficient and have the ability to follow GPS directions and/or a cue sheet and use convenience stores to resupply along the route. Emergency SAG will be available in extreme situations, but please note we do not consider a flat tire an extreme situation. If you are not sure what to bring or how to carry it on your bike, feel free to CONTACT US and/or view our RIDER CHECKLIST.
- Sanctioned events will have other rules and regulations specific to their governing organization. Please refer to each event's page for exact details.
- Drug testing using WADA guidelines may be performed on any entrant up to 30 days before or after the event they have registered for. In addition, any rider under suspension by any sports governing body is prohibited from entering our events.
PRIVACY STATEMENT: We do not share your personal information with any other person, club, event, business, organization, etc., without your consent, except as required to submit official results to sanctioning organizations.
If you have any questions about our guidelines, feel free to CONTACT US.
|
