Oh yes, Oh yes, Oh yes! Spring has sprung and Puxatawney Phil has gone solo off the front! Once again we find it is time for the annual two wheeled wander through the Shires of Kent and Surrey and York, the Counties of Prince George and King James and King Charles, The Burg of King William and his queen Mary. This year's event pits Team Hard-ass against Team Dumb-ass, and who is unwittingly riding for whom has yet to be determined. After 3 years of deliberation, we have received our provisional status as an instant classic from UCI (Underground Cycling Internationale). Race radios will be neither banned nor approved.
Over the past few years, riders have reached out and said "Foghorn: we want more gravel! Foghorn: we want more distance!" This year, Foghorn responds with the Third Annual. The Swamp Fox Edition. Five gravel sections, an even 200 kilometers and one boat ride. It will be 140k of civilized riding and 60k of cut throat cycling. Plus a new finishing route previously known only to the Fox.
If you have not ridden F-R before it is every bit in the spirit of the Spring Classics. Each year we push the distance a little further, and ride surfaces that are a little rougher. The lines between ride & race, between friend & foe, between tough & stupid, between road & off-road all become blurred as man & machine are stretched to their limits. Along the way, we tackle the Benjamin Harrison Bridge, the Jamestown Ferry, the Colonial Parkway, Aromas Coffee Shop, York River State Park and the gravel backroads of the Chickahominy Swamp. These are the landmarks that threaten to test & tempt the steel & muscle, the nerve & resolve, the lungs & legs of those who dare traverse the boundary. When hurt is the only thing that will ease the pain, that is Ferry-Roubaix.
A select field of veterans and capable rookies has been chosen. Meanwhile doubt, remorse and questions loom large and last years debts must be repaid in misery and suffering. Without G. Hincraftie in his pocket this year, who will bring last year's champion Scottie D. to the line? Will the Brown Jersey make a showing? Will Foghorn be able to move up the podio on home turf? Will the peloton ever reach double digits? Will Big Frank work a double shift in the morning and take the afternoon off? Can Metro stay on course? Will the girls of Aye Eta Pi sorority house be out for coffee? A few have the guns to go the distance, while the rest just may be too stupid to know the difference.
There are but three rules: No Registration, No Waiver and No Whining. As usual, Scottie D. will be enforcing.
We will make every effort to scare up some sag support, but ultimately you need to be responsible for yourself. If you would like to volunteer someone, send 'em my way. Obviously, this is on open roads and all due care should be taken. Safety first, kids. The route is 100% legal and property of the Commonwealth. There will be plenty of feed stops along the way. Come prepared for anything & everything. Minimum 25c tyres recommended, especially if you are still "a couple months out from racing weight." I do not get paid to promote a brand or product, but Continental Gatorskin Pros work quite well. Otherwise, bring a spare tube, and a backup for that, plus one extra.
See the proposed route here
Sunday April 17, 2011
5443 Ridgewood Drive New Kent, VA
We roll at 8:30, if you are late you can chase in the sag wagon
preride breakfast served until about 7:45
no specific post ride festivities are planned, but pizza is just a phone call away
your unofficial race flyer is attached
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