Laatste Ronde

"This was never about the money, this was about us against the system. The system that kills the human spirit. We stand for something. We are here to show the guys that are inching their way on the freeways in their metal coffins that the human spirit is still alive." -Bodhi 

That quote has been my mantra for the better part of decade. Honestly, that is how I have lived my entire life without even realizing it. When I first leaped into the bike industry way back in another lifetime most of the people I rode with and hung out with were rebels, non-conformists, dirtbags, trouble basically. I learned everything from them. When we decided to do the first Ronde de Rosey it was a reaction to the "system" and that system was a certain HUGE road race in NY that shall remain nameless. We had had enough of being taken advantage of and having to pay what at the time seemed like a King's ransom to "race" some of the nicest dirt roads in NY....So we decided screw the system. We aren't giving the people who are destroying the sport our hard earned money anymore. And we will do our own cool bandit version and make it better.

At the time no one was doing what we were about to do. It was pre-GPS, pre-Strava. And it was glorious. Were we the first ones to seek and enjoy the trails around these parts on CX bikes? Of course not. But we were the first ones to go all in. And to create a ride around the premise that you don't have to drive four hours from home and pay $100 to do a cool ride. Now don't get me wrong. Things have changed dramatically in ten years. There are so many legit gravel rides that are worth every penny you pay to register. I am happy to drive to VT and hand over my hard earned money to Rasputitsa or Peter Vollers or any number of gravel race promoters. The value proposition works with gravel. And they all get it. They treat the riders like kings and queens. And they all give back to the community. In the unmentioned road race you were lucky if you got scored correctly. And god forbid you flatted. No one was helping you...am I saying we ushered in a gravel revolution in New England? Maybe. The Ronde was never meant to be a race. It was meant to be an adventure with cool people. And meant to be a catalyst to grow a community and support a great cause in Bikes not Bombs. The first Ronde was just a bunch of rival CX teams smashing through the woods getting lost and breaking their bikes and loving every second of it. 

Over the years the RdR has gotten bigger. And has had its challenges. As its has grown so have we. We being Rosey, myself, Michele, Greg and all those involved. Over the years we have pissed some people off. I think it is impossible to build a community and put on an event without pissing someone off. But we have always tried to listen and to respect. I can still remember being chewed out by NEMBA about going through LLF one of the first renditions. This year was especially challenging as it seemed like it rained all Spring. We postponed which we have never done in the history of the RdR. But it was the right thing to do. The new date looked GREAT! Sunshine. Warm. Perfect. We all descended upon the Washington Square Tavern eager to set out on a great ride with a bunch of rad friends. HUP has always had a really strong showing. And this year did not disappoint. I mean look at that Team photo?! Damn. 

We rolled out from the Tavern as a team. Picked up some people out around BC and headed to the aqueducts toward Wellesley. Things got a bit dicey as we hit the first single track trails so we decided to split up into smaller groups. Team Super Wolf Blood Moon had to cut it short anyway. I had a lacrosse game to coach later that day. So the plan was always to cut the head off the route and do a RdR Lite. I am always amazed at how my friends Michele and Greg curate these routes. In the old days Rosey and I would go out and do ride, after ride, after ride with ribbons in our hands to mark the route. Now with strava heat maps and some trail wizardry and yes some trail blazing voila you have a kick ass route. This Ronde was one for the ages. Sometimes you get so used to a ride or route you sort of get complacent. I am a grizzled veteran of these rides. Nothing really surprises me. I mean if it can happen it has happened to me at this point doing gravel rides. But the gods tested us on this one I will say that. Maybe the God of Thunder was angry we postponed it. Maybe we forgot to sacrifice a goat. Who knows. But as we took the Weston rail trail toward Waltham I noticed the sky darken. I wasn't worried. The forecast was for a nice day. 

But as we rode along the trail it started to drizzle. By the time we got over the top of Prospect Hill it was now full on raining. As we descended the Greenway it was pouring rain. It was almost laughable at how insane it was. I mean water was pouring down the trail. All the granite and exposed roots made the trail insanely treacherous. We ping ponged off all the roots and rocks and just prayed we would not crash into a tree. As we rode down a group of trail runners were running up. They all were smiling and happy. Chatted with us. It was so cool to see a group of like minded trail users just laughing at these insane conditions. As we popped out onto the road we realized it was only just getting more intense. So Roger tapped into his local knowledge and we made a bee-line home to the Tavern. I don't think I have been that cold on a ride in May in my life. It wasn't Mt Shasta at the Lemurian cold. I almost died during that race but it was close. Didn't know you could get hypothermia riding in May. Weird.

When we got back to the Tavern we saw some other teams rolling in. Lots made the smart call and pulled the plug. Others suffered through the rain and did the full route. Hats off to everyone who endured those conditions. In a testament to people's skills no one got hurt, no one complained and everyone had a blast. At the Tavern I raised a pint of Fiddlehead and said Skol. Its been ten great years. I am pretty sure this is the last RdR. It is an amazing event. And one we all cherish. But it has run its course. We will of course still find ways to build and support this great community. And we will always support our friends at Bikes not Bombs. They do such important work.

A HUGE thanks to all the riders and folks who have supported the RdR. Major shout out to Rosey. That man is unreal. He has made this happen every year with a smile on his face. Always made everyone feel a part of the event and welcomed. A Huge thanks to our sponsors: The Washington Square Tavern, Mad Alchemy, Stan's No Tubes, Skratch Labs, WTB, Floyd's of Leadville, 3Cross, Feedback Sports, Ortleib. This Laatste Ronde will be the kick off of our farewell tour. Ideally this farewell tour is more Sabbath than Slayer. Keep posted for news on the 2019 Zank SSCX Series soon.