Vermont Sports, August 2015

SURFING VERMONT | IS THE HEAT MAKING YOU SICK? |

VERMONT

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NEW ENGLAND’S OUTDOOR MAGAZINE

SPORTS

The Roads Less Traveled

6

Great Gravel Rides

The Ultimate

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Summer & Fall

ADVENTURES

On Vermont’s Highest Peak

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VERMONT

SPORTS NEW ENGLAND’S OUTDOOR MAGAZINE

PUBLISHER Angelo Lynn C publisher@vtsports.com EDITOR Lisa Lynn C editor@vtsports.com STAFF WRITER Evan Johnson C evan@vtsports.com ART DIRECTION & PRODUCTION Shawn Braley C braley@gmail.com ADVERTISING MANAGER Christy Lynn C ads@vtsports.com ADVERTISING SALES Greg Meulemans C greg@vtsports.com | (802) 366-0689 Dave Honeywell | (802) 583-4653 C dave_golfhouse@madriver.com GEAR & BEER EDITORS Sue Halpern, Bill McKibben C editor@vtsports. com MEDICAL ADVISORY BOARD Dr. Nathan Endres, Dr. David Lisle, Dr. James Slauterbeck —University of Vermont College of Medicine; Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation

On a trail, somewhere near Woodstock, you'll find a forest full of bike riders on August 23. Learn why on p. 20. Photo by Ryan Dunn.

FEATURES

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Ryan Dunn, Brian Mohr, Heidi Myers, Paul & Christine Kipphut, Herb Swanson EDITORIAL AND PRODUCTION OFFICE Vermont Sports | 58 Maple Street Middlebury, Vt. 05753 | 802-388-4944 We welcome unsolicited material but cannot guarantee its safe return. Materials submitted will become property of Vermont Sports.

Vermont Sports is independently owned and operated by Addison Press Inc., 58 Maple Street, Middlebury, Vt. 05753. It is published 10 times per year. Established in 1990.

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THE GREAT OUTDOORS How to surf in Vermont, where to camp out in the Northeast Kingdom and three super cool treehouse B&Bs. P. 9

THE WINNER'S CIRCLE Grandmothers go for the gold at the National Senior Games, plus meet some of Vermont's other recent champions. P. 14

MUD, SWEAT & OBSTACLES Forget Crossfit, for a real full-body workout try head to this Vermont obstacle course or try these moves on your own. P. 17

Ski Vermont

The Green Mountain Club

DEPARTMENTS

5 THE START

Old Roads, New Races

7 SPEAK UP

New Mountain Bike Trails, New Maps, New Momentum

24 GEAR & BEER

26 WEEKEND AWAY At Play in the Kingdom of Burke

Gear Up for Cozier Camping

28 HEALTH & NUTRITION

Is it Too Hot to Trot? Plus, the Kale Controversy.

29 CALENDAR

34 ENDGAME

Pro Triathlete Jessie Donovan on Managing Pain

THE ROADS LESS BIKED If you are ready for a real off-road adventure, the Overland Adventure Ride just might be for you. P. 20 ON THE COVER: Get off the road this month and ride the Overland Adventure Ride or one of our other 6 great gravel rides.

Cover photo by Ryan Dunn

AUGUST 2015

6 GREAT GRAVEL RIDES Test your mettle against the toughest terrain and best riders or just ride some of Vermont's most beautiful dirt roads. P. 22

ADVERTISERS! The deadline for the September issue of Vermont Sports is August 21. Contact ads@vtsports.com today to reserve your space!

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AUGUST 2015

THE START

OLD ROADS, NEW RACES Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference. — Robert Frost

T

his quote from Robert Frost’s "The Road Not Taken" has become a clichéd (and often misinterpreted) metaphor for life decisions.

Forget life decisions—I’d rather use these lines as Frost himself may have intended them (with a touch of irony) as a literal direction to forget the consequences, just get off the beaten track and explore our state.

Frost was no stranger to Vermont’s dirt roads, having spent summers and falls living in a cabin up a Class 4 dirt road in Ripton, near the Bread Loaf Wilderness. Today, more than half of Vermont’s 15,801 miles of roads remain unpaved. Many are the grav-

elly remains of old roads, connecting the cellar holes and chimneys of longgone homesteads that formed a thriving farm community here more than a century ago.

In 2007, the Vermont State Legislature asked towns to find and map their lost roads. The project ended this past July. After perusing old maps, some from the 1700s and 1800s, officials in 144 towns added 600 miles of roads to the state map, mostly unmaintained Class 4 dirt roads.

Increasingly, Vermonters and others are using our lesser-traveled dirt roads to ride, run and recreate. These routes are becoming better known, thanks to a number of bike races and tours that have sprung up in the past three years: events such as the upcoming Irreverent, Overland Adventure Ride, the Deerfield Dirt-Road Randonee (a.k.a D2R2) and the Dirty40.

In fact, Vermont may soon become famous for its dirt road rides.

It says something when off-road bike racing legend Ned Overend travels to Vermont from Colorado to compete in the Overland Adventure Ride. As Over-

end says in “The Roads Less Biked,” “I think people are sick of training and racing around cars and putting themselves at risk with distracted driving.

That’s why I’ve been exploring the dirt roads around Colorado.” And, now, Vermont.

Ryan Dunn, who photographed the Overland, has been exploring our state as well. One of the five founders of one of Vermont’s most successful start-ups, Dealer.com, Dunn has been taking time to ride the old routes and trails of Vermont by mountain bike. One of his goals: to ride the length of the state on dirt, trails and singletrack. He’s nearly done it.

Thanks to the work done by the Vermont Mountain Bike Association, there are more and more trails to ride.

The singletrack in this state is growing, Tom Stuessy writes in "Speak Up", and a new map will help locals explore other parts of the state and visitors find public trails.

Whether you cover Vermont’s trails on foot or by bike, turn to our Gear & Beer section and learn what our new Gear & Beer gurus, environmen-

tal activist, author and beer afficianado

Bill McKibben and his wife, science author Sue Halpern, recommend in the way of new camping gear. The couple live in Ripton, not far from Frost’s old cabin, and spend summers exploring the backwoods of Vermont and the Adirondacks.

They have definitely taken the roads less traveled. Many times over.

—Lisa Lynn, Editor

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AUGUST 2015

SPEAK UP

NEW MAPS, NEW TRAILS AND NEW MOMENTUM

By Tom Stuessy, Vermont Mountain Bike Association

I

n the past few months, the future of several of Vermont’s best mountain bike trails has been in limbo.

Thanks to the united efforts of locals, public and private landowners and chapters of the Vermont Mountain Biking Association (VMBA), we hope to not only preserve these and other trails but to also expand them.

In the northern part of the state in East Burke, Kingdom Trails has partnered with the Vermont Land Trust in a crowdfunding effort to protect 133 acres of land that recently changed ownership, including the land used by the famous Sidewinder trail. In early August, they reached the $300,000 goal, thanks to 750 donors.

Meanwhile, in the south/central part of the state, The Sports Trails of the Ascutney Basin (STAB) chapter of the Vermont Mountain Biking Association is playing a central role in helping the Trust for Public Land acquire the former Mt. Ascuntey Ski Resort land.

Ascutney has more than 40 miles of some of the very best mountain biking in the state. When the ski resort closed, STAB and other residents of Brownsville rallied. The land is due to be purchased by the town this December. It’s going to take $900,000 to close the deal with $135,000 of that coming from public funding and crowdfunding.

Increasingly, trails are becoming a central part of a community and serve as an economic boost for the area. On any given sunny weekend, out-of-state riders outnumber Vermonters on many trails. While perspectives on this reality vary among local riders, the economic impact is tangible: a recent survey revealed that out-of-state riders travel to Vermont to ride 5.5 times a year. They purchase three meals and 60 percent seek commercial lodging.

While this brings in revenue to nearby stores, restaurants and lodging, maintaining and expanding these trails is hard work and can be costly. And that’s where the 21 VMBA chapters have united to support a statewide membership platform that supports trail grants and ensures chapters have the resources they need to

Tom Stuessy, VMBA's executive director, at Ascutney.

Photo by Evan Johnson

design, build and maintain the trails you love. VMBA membership is $49, and includes 85 benefits ranging from discounted ski tickets to bargains at your favorite bike shop. The $49 is split down the middle—$24.50 to the chapter with the other half going to VMBA. Last year, 85 percent of VMBA’s half went back to chapters through benefits programs that included insurance, trail grants, building clinics, tax services and more.

VMBA is also revitalizing the cooperative agreement with the Vermont Department of Forest Parks and Recreation, which incorporates a 10-year expansion plan. As part of this agreement, trail improvements have been made in Ascutney State Park, the Mad River Valley

Have a comment about this column or a commentary of your own? Speak Up welcomes your feedback and opinions. Visit vtsports.com to share your thoughts or to propose a subject for Speak Up, email editor@vtsports.com

and, in Waterbury, to Perry Hill trails and to a new trail in the Little River State Park.

The U.S. Forest Service has also been a strong partner of mountain biking in Vermont for years. The Waitsfield/Warren area has realized a boon of activity because of the Blueberry Lake project with more trails coming near Manchester and new proposals being submitted in the southern portion of the State Forest. And if you haven’t had a chance to ride Leicester Hollow and the Chandler Ridge loop, this new trail system in the Moosamaloo National Recreation Area near Middlebury is worth the trip.

This past July, VMBA published a new statewide trail map, which may initially generate strong opinions.

The map does a few important things: It provides visiting riders (who may not be interested in membership), with quick access to information and sales from the map will fuel a second VMBA chapter trail grant.

Now that this information is published, shops will have an easy answer to the question they get most often, “So where is the best riding around here?” As such, a local secret that may not be on the map may stay better protected.

Ultimately, riders’ participation is key to keeping Vermont trails so special. People have a number of ways to pitch in starting with membership. Trail volunteer days and attending chapter events are another: they are not only helpful, but a ton of fun. Riding a trail 100 times will never yield the same insight that can be gleaned from a few hours with a shovel in your hand.

Realizing a long-range vision for mountain biking in Vermont requires the community coming together to support riding in all parts of the state. Momentum is tough to get going, but nearly impossible to stop.

For more information about the Vermont Mountain Bike Association, its chapters and a list of retailers and bike shops that carry the new VMBA Statewide Trail Maps, visit www.vmba.org

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THE GREAT OUTDOORS

SURF'S UP, VERMONT!

E

TRY HANGING TEN THIS SUMMER ON ONE OF VERMONT’S STANDING RIVER WAVES

arly summer’s frequent rains may have been bad news for some. For others, it has meant one thing: surf’s up.

After nearly a foot of rain fell in June, Vermont’s rivers were at neardaily draw, keeping flows and the potential for river waves high. Wherever rapids form, standing waves, which break continuously in one location, come alive. River waves with the right shape and power can be surfed in a canoe, by kayak, or, I’ve discovered, on the old beat-up surfboard I finally brought back from my sister’s house on the coast.

There are several ways to get into river waves, and often it involves

AUGUST 2015

paddling alongside the whitewater section in the calm of an eddy, and then angling into the wave from just below it. Once on the wave, it’s a matter of staying balanced and steering with some good footwork, and using the paddle as an occasional brace and rudder. River waves might appear small—often shin or knee high—but their energy doesn’t dissipate the way an ocean wave does.

I often focus on a single or a small cluster of waves,“park and play” in whitewater speak, rather than running downstream.

Solid whitewater experience and awareness are essential, so if you are new to river surfing, find an experienced partner, and start small. Gear-wise,

I use an old, beat-up surfboard, wear sneakers or neoprene booties for foot protection and traction, a whitewater paddling helmet and a properly fitting PFD. I’m leashed to my board with a quick-release velcro strap, should that ever become necessary. More than anything, I thoroughly study and explore the river where I’m surfing, including its underwater environment and its banks. I never paddle and surf anything I wouldn’t happily swim, and in most conditions I go with at least one other partner.

Inflatable SUPs are a great option for the river, due to their relative durability. BIC’s 10’0” or 11’0” SUP Air models are two options to consider

for their all-around river, ocean and flat water performance. Two-piece, adjustable paddles are nice for many reasons, and make traveling with a paddle easy.

Some river surfers like to wear shin or elbow pads, too—a great idea when the river you are paddling is shallow and rocky.

Surfing in Vermont is definitely a unique experience: instead of open ocean vistas you might have cows moo at you from the riverbank. It’s an exciting addition to life’s fun bag of tricks.

—Story and photo by Brian Mohr

VTSPORTS.COM 9

THE GREAT OUTDOORS

NORTHEAST KINGDOM CAMPING

By Evan Johnson

I

f you want to get away from it all, head northeast. Just 30 minutes from Burke (see Weekend Away: Burke in this issue) and 40 minutes from Newport, Brighton State Park’s campsites on Spectacle Pond and surrounding woods have the peace and quiet you crave.

The area around Island Pond enjoyed a period of prosperity in the 1800s as the first international railroad junction in the United States. The Great Depression brought an end to the stream of loggers and railmen that visited the town and all but two of the 13 original tracks that rode into the town are gone.

Today, the deep woods and pristine ponds of the region draw anglers, hunters and nature lovers looking to get away from the buzz of bigger towns in the state. This state park is also home to the largest red pine in the state (103 feet tall with a circumference of 96 inches).

Get up early to spot loons or, if you’re lucky, a moose and enjoy the peace and quiet.

Reserve a lake-side cabin Brighton is home to 54 campsites, 24 lean-tos and five cabins spread out alongside the southern shore of Spectacle Pond. Many of the campsites are located on a series of loops, so go to www.vtstateparks.com and reserve one of 19 “prime” campsites that look out on the pond. The five cabins are $48 per night for Vermont residents and come with electricity and fire rings. Water and bathroom facilities are a short walk away. Brighton State Park is RV-friendly, but has no hook-ups for electricity and limits generator use. Many of the campsites are best suited for tenting instead of larger motorhomes.

Paddle out at sunset and listen for loons on Spectacle Pond (above) or look for rare birds at the nearby Silvio O. Conte Wildlife Refuge.

Ride the Moose Loop

Watch for rare species The diverse forests, swamps and fields of the Northeast Kingdom are home to a variety of wildlife including wild turkey, white tailed deer, moose, beavers, otters, eagles, bears, coyotes and foxes. Great wildlife viewing can be found, 10 miles away at the Silvio O. Conte National Fish & Wildlife Refuge and the Victory Forest. Nearby Nulhegan Basin is Vermont’s largest Important Bird Area and home to Spruce Grouse, Gray Jay, Cape May, Tennessee, Wilson’s, Bay-breasted and Palm Warblers and other priority species rarely found in Vermont. Bring a pair of binoculars, an identification guide and keep your eyes peeled. In the evening, enjoy the loons’ serenades.

With Spectacle Pond, Island Pond and Lake Willoughy all nearby, this is lake country.

Fish for walleye and trout

Explore Burke and Lake Willoughby

Spectacle Pond is a great place for anglers young and old to cast for brown trout, yellow perch, large-mouth bass, smallmouth bass, bullhead, panfish, and burbot. On neighboring Island Pond, look for brook trout, rainbow trout, walleye, and northern pike. Those older than 15 will need a fishing license. These are available at the park.

For exploring the Northeast Kingdom, Brighton State Park is an ideal base camp. Drive south to Burke for a day pushing the pedals on Kingdom Trails or hike the seven-mile Red Trail to the summit of Burke Mountain (or take the toll road). If you’ve already wandered around Spectacle Pond, explore nearby Island Pond or Lake Willoughby.

10 VTSPORTS.COM

Phil White who hosts Tour de Kingdom, five days of supported rides in the area Sept. 23-27, recommends riding (or driving) the Moose Loop: 67-miles of freshly-paved road that loops from Island Pond north to the border and Averill before winding back along the Connecticut River. As White says, you are likely to see “more moose on it than cars.” Other loops like the Glacial Lakes loop, which takes you to Lake Willoughby, have been mapped by the Northeastern Development Association, which has a handy PDF guide and maps at www.nvda.net/files/cycling thekingdom070413.pdf

Watch for Meteors at a Planetarium There are few better places to watch the August 11 Perseid meteor showers than at the nearby Fairbanks Museum and Vermont Planetarium. Head there or the St. Johnsbury Museum or catch a movie at the Catamount Film & Arts Center.

Park rangers also organize movie nights at the camp pavilion and the park naturalist leads nature programs.

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AUGUST 2015

THE GREAT OUTDOORS: NEWS

TREEHOUSE B&BS

Moose Meadow Lodge's treehouse, above left, has a full outdoor bathroom and shower and second-level bedroom. Above right, a cozy nook at Tiny Fern Forest looks out on the woods in Lincoln, Vt.

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lamping is one thing. Staying in a treehouse is quite another. If you want the best way to watch the fall colors, you can’t do much better than to wake up in a treehouse. Not just for kids anymore, treehouses are popping up in back yards and back woods around the state. While most are private, there are few that double as bed and breakfasts and are becoming immensely popular on AirB&B and other online rental portals.

In Lincoln, Harrison "H." Reynolds, a craftsman, retired teacher and hockey coach and his wife, Louella Bryant, the award-winning author of children’s books, built the Tiny Fern Forest Treehouse. Perched 30 feet above the forest floor and supported by four sturdy maples, the treehouse is a year-round gem of a retreat

complete with a queen sized bed in the loft, a single below, heat, electricity and a fridge. The bathroom and shower are in the main house, just 70 feet away and accessible via a ramp. “We built this using as many recycled things as possible,” says Reynolds. A master woodworker and lamp builder, Reynolds crafts truly artful furniture using old hockey sticks, skis and wine bottles. The treehouse rents for $159 a night, and can sleep up to four with breakfast, hot tub and bathroom next door. www.airbnb.com/rooms/5633 Waterbury’s Moose Meadow Lodge has a sumptuous two-story treehouse that is more rustic-chic than rustic. A true staircase leads to a wrap-around deck and a two-story log-cabin style structure with 31 windows that look out over a pond and 86 acres

of forest. Supported by mature pines, the treehouse has a living, dining and, yes, working bathroom with incinerating toilet and shower on the main floor and a circular staircase leads to a queen sized bed on the second. Open May through October, the treehouse can sleep two and costs $475 a night. www. moosemeadowlodge.com.

In Marshfield, near Molly’s Falls Pond, George “Chip” and Sabrina Milne built Trazart, a shingled house supported by tree stumps on 52 acres overlooking a little pond. The house has a full kitchen, ¾ bath and loft with a queen sized bed. Downstairs, the couch pulls out so it could sleep four. The treehouse rents for $150 a night or $750 a week. www.vermont vacation.org

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VTSPORTS.COM 13

WINNER'S CIRCLE

GOLDEN GIRLS GO FOR THE GOLD

By Elliot Burg

F

lo Meiler of Shelburne is 81, a grandmother and a world-class athlete. South Burlington's Barbara Jordan, who will turn 80 in October, is also a grandmother and a world-class athlete. In July, the two were among 49 Vermonters who traveled to Minnesota to compete in the National Senior Games.

They not only competed, they crushed it, winning 14 medals between them and setting two U.S. and world records for their age brackets.

The schedule of competition was intense. Dressed in Vermont's green and gold singlets, the two could be seen pulling small suitcases from one event to the next.

Around them, men and women in their 70s, 80s and 90s sprinted to the tape in dashes, pole vaulted, jumped, hurdled and threw discuses, javelins and hammers, all in defiance of age and gravity.

Even two men over 100 threw the javelin.

In all, Meiler competed in 10 events, including the high, long and triple jumps; pole vault, shot put, discus, hammer throw, javelin, 100-meter dash and the 4 x 100 meter relay. Jordan competed in six: the three jumps, two dashes and the relay. By the end of the Games, Meiler had won five gold medals, winning all three jumps (setting a record in the triple), the pole vault and relay and earning silver in the discus. Jordan won two running races, placed second in the high jump and third in the other jumps.

These were sports neither woman ever had a chance to do in high school or college—that was before Title IX. But they have been making up for that by training for over 20 years.

Flo Meiler, a skier and competitive water skier and tennis player, was 60 years old when her friend Barbara Jordan recruited her, asking if she would give track and field a try. Meiler had been planning to compete in the Senior Games in tennis with her husband. As she says, “I looked up to Barb all the time, she’s such a go-getter.” So she gave running and jumping a try.

“I fell in love with the long jump,” she says. In her first Games she placed fourth out of 25 and said to herself: “Wow, if I can do that now, I should get some training.” Then she took up the high jump. And the pole vault.

The pole vault is a tough event to learn on your own. It requires upper body strength and a complex set of moves. As Meiler says, though, “I’m an old farm gal. From the age of 10, I

Barbara Jordan, 79, long jumps 2.2 meters to a bronze and then edges out Flo Meiler for gold in the 100-meter dash.

Flo Meiler, 81, pole vaults her way to the gold at the National Senior Games in July.

This month, she heads to France for the World Masters Athletics Championships.

Photos by Elliot Burg

worked on a hay wagon.” To learn the technique she watched a video and then worked with coaches at Middlebury College and the University of Vermont.

Her training regimen is demanding: in the winter she does track practice on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and then weights and tennis on Tuesday and Thursday. Her goal: compete in the heptathlon, a seven-event competition this month at the World Masters Athletics Outdoor Championships in Lyon, France, August 4-16.

Meiler’s training buddy, Barbara Jordan has been an athlete all her life.

Growing up in New Jersey, Jordan be-

came a drum majorette. She later joined a circus club, coached gymnastics and then taught health and physical education classes at the University of Vermont. She still teaches at UVM and at Burlington's Miller Center as well.

In the 1980s, Jordan helped coordinate a metabolic study at UVM on the effects of physical training on the insulin resistance of aging. Two of the participants in the study were competing in the Senior Games. Jordan, then in her 50s, remembers thinking, “When I get to be your age, I want to do that too.” And she did, winning her first Senior Games in the high jump and becoming a regular on the international

14 VTSPORTS.COM

masters' circuit. In 1993 and again in 2001 she was named Vermont’s Female Athlete of the Month and in 2003 was covered in Sports Illustrated’s “Faces in the Crowd,” section.

Then, in 2013 Jordan discovered she had breast and lung cancer. She had part of a lung removed, making it harder for her to breathe. That didn’t stop her: she simply focused more on jumps and dashes rather than on longer runs. Jordan is clear on the role of sports in her life: “For your health, there’s nothing better that you can do. Plus, it’s fun.”

Part of the fun for Jordan and Meiler has been training together. But in Minnesota, when they realized they both made it through qualifying heats and would be racing against each other in the finals of the 100-meter dash, neither was prepared to pull any punches.

The two bolted from the start and then ran stride for stride down the track in a dead heat for the lead, the strain evident in their faces. They crossed the finish line at 00:00:19.55 and 00:00:19.56, separated by an incredible less than one onehundreth of a second. The final lean by both athletes looked like something out of an Olympic highlights reel: Jordan had won, Meiler got the silver.

Neither woman is ready to hang up her track shoes. Meiler points to Dottie Gray, a Missouri woman who won every running event from 50 to 1500 meters in the 90-94 age bracket at this year’s Games. “When I see her,” said Meiler, “I just can’t stop.”

AUGUST 2015

WINNER'S CIRCLE VT Women Keep Winning Vermont doesn’t have a major league football or baseball team, but when it comes to outdoor sports, there’s no other way to put it: over the last few weeks Vermont’s women have put the world on notice:

In mid-July, pro mountain biker, Lea Davison of Jericho rode like a mountain goat with its tail on fire to win the silver medal in cross-country at the World Cup in Lenzerheide, Switzerland. It was not only Davison’s best finish but the best finish of any American rider, man or woman, since Alison Dunlap won in 2002. And it came despite the fact that Davison pulled out of her pedal at the start and had to fight back from 14th. In early August, Davison finished sixth at the Mont Sainte Anne, Quebec World Cup and is getting ready to race the next World Cup event at Windham, N.Y. At the U.S. Nationals in July at Mammoth, Calif., Davison also finished sixth in the cross-country and second in the short-track cross-country.

Meanwhile, Middlesex master’s mountain bike racer Kelly Ault won her age group (40-44) in the crosscountry race at Mammoth and then placed third in the enduro event.

Huntington’s Kasie Enman, our May cover story, is once again heading to the World Mountain Running Championships after earning second at the U.S. Mountain Running Championship in Bend, Ore. Enman also had a great time at the Tushar 26.2-Mile Trail Run in Utah where on Aug. 1 she won the women’s race, and placed fourth overall, with her husband Eli in sixth.

She also was the first woman (and 11th overall) at the Whiteface Sky Marathon in late June.

Kasie Enman continues to dominate SkyRacing.

On July 27 the Lake Placid Ironman, Courtney Kaup, an amateur from Bolton, Vt., made the pros look over their shoulder as she rode in memory of her friend Richard Tom, the Hinesburg cyclist who was killed by a 17-year-old driver last spring. Kaup, a 36-year-old physical therapist, finished seventh of all women, placing third in her age group and earning a spot at the Ironman World Championships in Kona, HI, this October.

Finally, Laura Graves, whom CNN recently called “American sports newest fairytale,” just keeps getting better and better. The 28-year-old from Fayston who gave up the idea of being a hair stylist to compete in dressage, earned top five finishes in the World Cup and the World Games and, in July, earned a silver medal at the Pan American Games in Toronto.

Amateur Men to Watch Evan Russell, 22, who won the Vermont Amateur golf championship in 2014, has again earned a spot at

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the U.S. Amateur. Russell finished 16th in the New England Amateur, followed by Rutland Country Club player Garren Poirier. Russell worked at the Burlington Country Club this summer and set a new course record there with a 7-under 64.

In cycling, Norwich’s Brendan Rhim, 19, won the triple crown in April at the Collegiate Cycling Nationals, winning the road race, the criterium and helping his Furman University team win the team time trial. “In the race he will rip off your head and stomp on your skull, but before and after that he’s grinning like the Buddha, unperturbed by anything,” his coach, Rusty Miller, told Velo News. In late June, Rhim placed 20th in the USA Cycling Amateur Road Nationals in the criterium and 21st in the road race.

Olympic Sailor Lost at Sea On June 25, Olympic sailor Trevor Moore, 30, set off in a 16-foot inflatable dinghy from the U.S. Sailing Center in Coconut Grove where he worked as a sailing coach. His boat was found idling with all his personal belongings a day later at the mouth of Biscayne Bay. Despite a week of searching, there has been no sign of the North Pomfret sailor. Moore graduated from Woodstock Union High School and went to Hobart and William Smith College. He was named College Sailor of the Year in 2007 and raced in the Olympics in London in 2012 in the two-man 49er class with Erik Storck.

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AUGUST 2015

Forget Crossfit, if you want a real full-body workout, try this course.

By Evan Johnson With photos by Paul and Christine Kipphut

If you think this obstacle looks easy, think again: it requires both strength and coordination and it's just one of over 50 obstacles at Shawe Hill's 10K obstacle course in Benson.

A

s we walked toward the starting line, Rita Beardwood pointed at my ankles and laughed hard.

“Say goodbye to your socks,” she said.

Beardwood’s joke held a degree of seriousness. After several weeks of rain, anyone setting foot on the Shale Hill obstacle course was going to emerge in need of a shower and a change of clothes.

While my pristine white cotton socks labeled me a rookie, for the two men and three women clad in Lycra and crosscountry running cleats, the morning run was just another workout.

“Who knows,” Beardwood said, “You just might be cut out for this.”

After ringing a bell affixed to a pole

AUGUST 2015

at the starting line, we took off down the hill.

Made famous by mega-events such as the Reebok Spartan Race and the Tough Mudder, the modern obstacle course race has become synonymous with full-body suffering. Every year, thousands of people sign up to leap over fire pits, throw spears at targets, crawl through flooded culverts, run through exposed electrical cables and much more.

In Benson, Vt., 27 miles northwest of Rutland, course builder Rob Butler has designed one of only a handful of locations where athletes can go to train for these kinds of races. Or just simply get a full-body workout.

At 5:30 on a misty Tuesday morn-

ing, I joined a group of five athletes completing a month-long residency at Butler’s Shale Hill Adventure Farm. In addition to running the course every morning, their program included trail runs up Killington Mountain and intense workouts with athletic coaches at Middlebury College.

Along the way the residents were asked to reflect on their experiences and track their progress in videos and journals.

Beardwood, who greeted me at my arrival, was a competitive weightlifter before injury forced her to retire. She discovered obstacle racing when a friend invited her on a race.

“Everybody comes here with a different story,” she said.

Some were looking to get in shape

while others had their sights on elitelevel competition. When I met them on the tenth day of their stay, the group was starting to see some progress.

Featuring 5K and 10K loops, the courses at Shale Hill don’t just wear you down; they chew you up and spit you out. It was nothing like the muddy crosscountry meets I ran all over the state in high school or the flat and fast 400-meter races in track and field. Instead, it pounded me into the mud over 10 kilometers and then slowly roasted me as the early July sun rose above the Champlain Valley.

But I wasn’t alone while I fought my way through the no-man’s-land of hay bales, barbed wire and ropes. Running

VTSPORTS.COM 17

With relay batons dangling from their necks, racers use varying techniques to cross a pond. Below, a competitor climbs over walls while carrying logs during a Shale Hill race. alongside me through the fields, swamps and woods was Butler, the mastermind behind the course. Having designed and built the course and having spent countless hours practicing on it, Butler practically floated over the rugged terrain, dropping pointers for me as we scaled walls, crawled through tunnels and hauled five-gallon buckets loaded with rocks.

The secret, he told me, is repetition.

“When you repeat something so many times, your body begins to accept it,” he said while I waded hip-deep through a bog. “If you listen to your body and treat it right, after three weeks, the motions become second nature.”

While it’s hard to see how some of these challenges could become second nature, Butler is relentlessly encouraging; no matter your goals for the course, he’s got a way of getting you across the finish line. They guy will house you, train you and even let you demo a pair of technical cross-country running shoes. Just expect no mercy from the over 50 obstacles with such ominous names as Heinous Hoist, Pick your Poison, Haybales from Hell and Anaconda.

Sometimes the barbed wire wins.

Sometimes the rope spanning the duckweed-covered pond sends you for a dip. Vaulting an 11-foot wall like Clint Eastwood in "Escape from Alcatraz" can seem like a Herculean task. But the course doesn’t have to be all suffering and no fun, with a little preparation at

“When you repeat something so many times, your body begins to accept it. If you listen to your body and treat it right, after three weeks, the motions become second nature.” the gym or even your backyard.

Here’s the Shale Hill workout, as approved by the guy who knows it best: Rob Butler himself.

Pond Traverse At the western edge of the course is the pond traverse, which consisted of crossing the pond on 30-foot lengths of rope suspended four to five feet above the water. As Butler showed me, you can either drape yourself over the rope and slide along or grip the rope with your ankles and hands and alternate hand-over-hand.

It felt fun for the first six feet, but the

novelty quickly wore off near the middle, when I began to climb slightly uphill to the end. It’s an obstacle that requires core and grip strength as well as coordination. A few simple exercises that would have prepared me for this: pull-ups, bear crawls and knee-to-elbow crunches. Since the traverse can last longer than expected, Butler recommends you practice these workouts for duration instead of reps.

Or you could strap on a life jacket and swim the pond—we won’t judge you.

18 VTSPORTS.COM

Carries: Logs, sand and rocks There are three points in the Shale Hill course where I had to haul some heavy object for distances of up to a half-mile.

They included logs, PVC tubes filled with sand and five-gallon buckets of rocks.

Fortunately, heavy menial labor is part of life in New England. I carry and stack cords of wood, haul bags of manure out to the garden and shovel myself out of the house in the winter. But there’s no comfortable way to carry 30 pounds of rocks

AUGUST 2015

“Expect no mercy from the over 50 obstacles with such ominous names as Heinous Hoist, Pick your Poison, Haybales from Hell and Anaconda.”

in a plastic sheetrock bucket by a thin metal handle. As Butler noted, by practicing carries with varying times and distances you can get tougher. On 24-hour races when competitors complete the course as many times as possible, the carries often push to the breaking point. By lap seven, as Butler said, there’s no way around it but to stay tough and refuse to quit.

“When you commit yourself to it, you reach a point of indifference,” he said.

“What’s just another few feet of pain?”

That wall’s a lot longer than you think (as I found) so don’t forget to keep breathing and take your time.

Heinous Hoist This aptly named obstacle was the real soul-crusher: a 95-pound concrete block on a rope that racers on the 10K course had to hoist 15 feet off the ground five times. That’s a lot of heavy lifting – and it feels even heavier since it comes two miles into the race. Channeling my inner Hulk Hogan, I managed three hoists before Butler mercifully permitted me to say “uncle.”

The obstacles on this and many courses require lots of pulling (not so much pushing), which you can easily adopt in your gym training by doing pull-ups, squats and hollow-body holds.

These will strengthen your shoulders, grip strength and hip flexors.

Balance beams Requiring more balance and agility than strength, the balancing acts on the course included walking two-inch wide planks inserted in the ground and then along 20foot tree trunks that span a ravine. The aggressive treads on the Icebug sneakers I borrowed provided a good amount of stability, inspiring the briefest flicker of confidence. But as I discovered the hard way: neglect your balance and you’ll find yourself stuck.

Barbed wire crawl Fact: Barbed wire hurts. Another fact: crawling under it through tall grass or mud isn’t much fun either. It’s a deceptive challenge that most people underestimate because it involves coordinating opposite limbs; in a proper crawl, one arm extends forward with the opposite knee. Butler suggested the way to practice this is to hold the classic plank position for as long as you can and pair it with knee to elbow push-ups or mountain-climbers.

Great Wall traverse Located in a densely wooded area of the course Butler referred to as “the jungle,” the wall traverse included hand and foot holds made from wooden blocks placed at varying angles spaced apart (gripping the top of the wall is prohibited).

The wall traverse relies on grip strength, good foot placement skills and muscular endurance. Butler suggested that if you want to work on these, to practice on a low bouldering wall, paying attention to how your body moves most efficiently. A common mistake I found was to use your arms to haul yourself along. Your legs are stronger, so use them to propel you while your arms stabilize your upper body.

When you get on the wall, alternate how you grip the blocks (pinching, crimping and under-clinging) to save your strength.

Pick your poison Rising fifteen feet off the ground, this wooden ramp looked like something out of a skate park. The key here, I found, was to take off at a dead run towards it and sprint up the incline as fast as I could.

When I felt like I was about to slip, I made a vertical leap and prayed I reached the bar. Once at the top, I lowered myself to the ground by way of a rope and charged toward the last obstacle on the course.

Racing at Shale Hill rewards competitors with the opportunity to sprint up steep walls, left, until you can grab the bar, and crawl through the mud under barbed wire.

AUGUST 2015

It took me just over two hours to complete the course. As Rob and I hustled our way back up the hill, and crossed the finish line we met the group’s lone Quebecois Vincent Larochelle, who had started with us but was already showered and enjoying the morning sun in an Adirondack chair. On the day of my visit, Larochelle cranked out a couple of four-minute miles and then finished the morning obstacle course workout in about an hour.

A carpenter by trade, Larochelle has had three podium finishes at international Spartan races. With the help of Butler, he hopes to compete at the 2015 World Championships at Squaw Valley, California in October, where 600 of the fastest obstacle racers in the world will race at elevation for $100,000 in prize money.

“What did you think?” he asked, offering me a high-five.

Mud-covered, bleeding and sore all over, I managed a nod and a toothy grin.

“C’est bon,” I said. “It’s good.”

VTSPORTS.COM 19

The Roads Less Biked With events such as this month’s Overland Adventure Ride, the Irreverent Ride and the Dirty40, Vermont is attracting some of the world’s best off-road riders.

By Lisa Lynn

20 VTSPORTS.COM

AUGUST 2015

I

f you find yourself in the backwoods of central Vermont on August 23, don’t be surprised to come upon a few bike racers crouched low on drop handlebars, brushing through branches, skinny tires spitting mud and rocks as they disappear down what 100 years ago was called a road.

Among them may be cycling legend Ned Overend, the Greg Lemond of offroad cycling (and, at 59, the 2015 U.S. Fat Bike champion), or six-time national cyclocross champion and local hero Tim Johnson. They will almost certainly be followed by a peloton of fiendishly fit men and women, sporting sponsored team jerseys, racing in the Overland Adventure Ride.

The brainchild of Woodstock real estate lawyer Peter Vollers, the Overland doesn’t fit any classic definition of a bike race. It starts and finishes at Suicide Six ski area, but with only 5 percent of it on pavement, it is far from a road race. A 53-mile overland loop, it’s not really a cyclocross course (which usually involves a criterium over obstacles) either. Since most riders use skinny tires, it’s certainly not a mountain bike event.

‘Gravel grinder’ might be the best term, but as anyone who has ridden the course will tell you, “gravel” would be a polite term for the loose rocks, fallen branches, mud and other obstacles racers face.

If anything, the Vermont Overland Adventure Ride belongs to a growing category of event that has taken hold in Vermont over the past three years: backwoods, ride-anything, damn-the-mosquitoes tours such as Rasputitsa, Dirty 40, and Irreverent. These might be best described as suffer fests, except for one thing; they also appear to be a hell of a lot of fun—emphasis on the word “hell.”

“I like to call the terrain we ride Vermont pavé,” says Vollers, as he sips hot chocolate on an overcast July day at Red Hen Bakery in Moretown. “Pavé” harkens back to the European tradition of racing old roads, the most famous of which, the classic Paris-Roubaix, is a 157-mile point-to-point race, much of it on cobblestones (pavé, in French). With a nod to the Paris-Roubaix route (which was included in this year's Tour de France), Vollers has dubbed the toughest section of pavé the ‘Arenberg Forest’ and another section, ‘Koppenberg’ after the notorious climb in Belgium’s Tour de Flanders.

While parts of the Overland ride are so steep, rocky and overgrown even the best racers walk them, there are also long stretches of open fields, pounded dirt and

the best part, sag stops and a post-race party sponsored by Beanery Brewing, Vermont Smoke and Cure, Woods Syrup and Worthy Kitchen.

Scruffily handsome, with sandy hair and a few days growth, Vollers, the 1989 collegiate national champion, can talk bike racing for hours. He raced in high school and college, made the junior national team and then tried to go pro. “This was back in the '80s,” he recalls. “I did really well on the junior circuit but I just couldn’t for the life of me figure out why I couldn’t keep pace with the pros.”

The short answer, Vollers concluded: he wasn’t drinking the same Kool Aid, so to speak, that Lance Armstrong and so many other racers were.

He hung up his pro aspirations, but he never put away his racing bike.

When his son reached an age where he wanted to race bikes, Vollers looked around for a team his kid could train with. There wasn’t one nearby so he made a deal with the Killington Mountain School: He’d start a team and train the KMS kids if his son and others could ride with them.

“Those kids were all super strong and motivated but they had few bike skills,” Vollers says. "There were days when we’d be riding down Route 100 with cars whizzing by and I had 20 kids all over the road. So one day we came upon an old Class 4 (unmaintained) dirt road and I just said, ‘Guys, we’re turning left here.'” The terrain, rocks, gravel and roots brought a new challenge. It also eased Vollers’ mind. “No traffic, just woods and quiet and some beautiful country to ride through.”

This was country Vollers had already explored in his Land Rover, doing reconnaissance for his other side business of four-wheel off-road explorations, Overland Tours. “Vermont has all these amazing Class 4 roads that go through some of the prettiest parts of the state. Years ago they connected farms and you still come across abandoned barns and old foundations.”

It didn’t take much for him to piece together a bike course (available on Strava). This year, it runs from Woodstock to Barnard and back.

Vollers seems to know everyone of import in the varied circles he operates in. He reached out to Dealer.com founder and former creative director Ryan Dunn, (a veteran of Vollers’ four-wheel Overland tours), to photograph the 2014 event. He called Chris

This is why it's called the Overland Adventure Ride: even top racers walk sections.

Photo by Ryan Dunn

AUGUST 2015

VTSPORTS.COM 21

“CALLOUT COULD GO HERE CALLOUT ”

It's not all uphill pave´: with some freewheeling through the woods and the fields, the Overland features enough downhill terrain to reward the road and cross-bike set. Photo by Ryan Dun Bailey, a friend from Deerfield Academy who had raced with Vollers in high school and on the junior national team. Bailey, CEO of Hinesburg-based Vermont Smoke and Cure meats jumped in as a racer and a sponsor. Ed Keller, a managing director at Morgan Stanley (whom Vollers works with to organize an annual invite-only road bike Hedge Fondo for some of the top hedge fund managers in the world) rode in 2014. And, of course, there are plenty of entries from pro teams.

In late July, Vollers sent an email that could barely conceal his excitement: “Look who just signed up: Ned Overend.” Overend, who runs Specialized’s race team, had been looking for unique courses around the country. “It’s different from Colorado climbing with short steep climbs, a lush landscape, humidity and just the different culture of the Northeast riding scene,” he said. Plus, he added, “I think people are sick of training and racing around cars and putting themselves at risk with distracted driving. That’s why I’ve been exploring the dirt roads.”

They are the roads less traveled.

6 GREAT GRAVEL GRINDERS

C

yclocross, the sport of racing a bike over a course of trails, hills and obstacles, is officially the nation’s fastest-growing two-wheeled discipline: During the past five years, participation in cyclocross events has more than doubled, going from 32,000 to 72,000. It was only a matter of time before Vermont, with more miles of dirt roads than pavement, would jump on this bandwagon.

In the past three years, dirt road events around the state have sprung up like mushrooms and grown, drawing racers and riders from as far as California and Alaska. No surprise, considering that Vermont has no shortage of scenery and a healthy population of hammer head road and cyclocross champions such as Ted King and Tim Johnson.

Some of these gravel grinders are all out races, but most welcome riders of all abilities and are as much about the fun as they are competition. While cyclocross bikes with low gearing and heavy duty

tires are made for this type of riding, some people use road bikes with heavier 23mm tires, and still others are on mountain bikes. As Peter Vollers says, “there’s no shame in walking your bike through the tough parts.” Here’s our guide to the best of Vermont’s gravel grinders, in chronological order.

Irreverent Road Ride, Waterbury, Vt., August 15 “If you make it through the Squirrel Catcher, you should be fine,” says bike builder Hubert d'Autremont, a cofounder with cyclocross racer Adam St. Germain of the fourth edition of what is probably the toughest “gravel” ride in Vermont. The duo dubbed the first, super steep climb on Irreverent the “Squirrel Catcher” to give folks who might be tempted to try the 110-125 mile route an option to bail (there’s also a 70 mile option.). The shorter route might not be a bad idea if you are not fully prepared to ride what St. Germain has called the "ridiculous" routes he trains on. “I had been linking what I considered 'silly' dirt roads and pieces of single track into

22 VTSPORTS.COM

my traditional road training rides. I was hopping logs, riding through ravines, checking out unsigned roads that appeared on maps, and getting lost, a lot.

But what was sticking with me the most about these rides, was how much fun I was having on them,” St. Germain says in the blog, Short Handed Shovel. It’s been a fun enough ride that it’s grown in the past four years and includes everyone from tandem riders to mountain bikers. www.bikereg.com/27116

Deerfield Dirt Road Randonee (D2R2), Deerfield, Mass. August 22 The mother of East Coast gravel rides, the Deerfield Dirt Road Randonnee has been taking riders on the back roads of western Massachusetts and southern Vermont since the 1990s. While it started out as an informal ride for a group of local hard core riders, since 2005 it’s been an organized event (supporting the Franklin Land Trust) that strives to take cyclists on the “narrowest, oldest, twistiest, most scenic roads available.”

With no official start times or prizes, it’s a ride not a race with options

AUGUST 2015

The peloton at the Dirty40 takes off on a 70-mile dirt-road course across some of the most beautiful countryside in the Northeast Kingdom. of routes that range from 20 miles to 120 miles; plenty of covered bridges, farms and orchards; close to 6000 feet of climbing and an occasional live band along the course. www.franklinlantrust.org

Vermont Overland Adventure Ride, Woodstock, Vt., August 23 Starting and finishing at Suicide Six, this race (and yes, world-class racers such as Ned Overend and Tim Johnson will be at the start) takes riders over 53 miles of Class 4 roads and trails between Woodstock and Barnard. If nothing else, do it for the food (sponsored by Worthy Kitchen, Vermont Smoke and Cure and Woods Syrup) and get the bike kit: a stylish green jersey and brown bike shorts in a classic Carhartt pattern. www.vermont overland.com

Dirty 40, Derby, September 5 Big views, quiet dirt roads and open farmland are what make the Northeast Kingdom a riding paradise. That’s also what prompted Heidi Myers, Anthony Moccia, and Cassy Moulton to launch the first Dirty 40 in 2013 and then the Rasputitsa (see below). “We thought we’d get like 50 people, instead 200 showed up” says Myers of the first Dirty 40, an unsanctioned race/ride across the gravel and dirt roads of the Northeast

AUGUST 2015

Kingdom. “People showed up on everything from mountain bikes and singlespeeds to tandem bikes to road race bikes,” Myers says. Since then, the route has been stretched to cover 70 miles with 5,600 feet of elevation gain and some 13 percent grades—including the challenging “Col de Cole” “Yes, it’s a race and we have timing chips, but it’s mainly a lot of fun with a big post-race party with music and local food and brews. There’s even a prize for last place, the Lanterne Rouge.”

Though all three worked at the time for cycling apparel giant Louis Garneau, they organized the ride on their own time as a fundraiser for local Orange County cancer victims and have contributed more than $10,000 to the cause via the Halo Foundation. “We went to every house along the route and asked for their support and permission,” says Myers, adding “which wasn’t as easy as it sounds: at one place, Cassie got chased by wild pigs.”

The ride was such a success (and is now limited to 500) the trio decided to host Rasputitsa in April (see below) and Myers is now working with pro triathlete and Ironman champion Wendy Ingraham (SP) to launch the Dirty 40 Wild Ride in Castle Pines, Colorado on September 13. www.dirty40race.co

Photo by Heidi Myers

on a spring ride. In Russian, ‘Rasputitsa’ means mud season. When you host an event in April only 50 miles from the Canadian border, it can also mean “mud and snow season.” That’s a challenge that cyclocross racers can’t turn down. The first Rasputitsa held in April 2014 drew 271 riders and a stellar podium of pro riders: Ansel Dickey, riding for California Giant/Specialized, and Vermont’s Cannondale riders Ted King and Tim Johnson. The 2015 event drew 350, despite the fact that parts of the course (dubbed Cyberia) were so buried in snow cars doing recon the day before got stuck. Most racers walked their bikes through Cyberia, cheered by dancing unicorns handing out donuts.

The course is kept secret each year so you never know what to expect. www. dirty40race.com.

Raid Lamoille, Stowe, July, 2016

Raid Lamoille is more a ride than a race.

Some of the most beautiful dirt roads in the state are between Stowe and Craftsbury and form the 100K course that organizers of the Raid Lamoille, LOCO Cycling put together. Though it’s billed as a fun group ride, it’s 85 percent dirt or gravel and features some punishing climbs. The 2015 event also provided a 50K loop. www.raid lamoille.com

Photo courtesy LOCO Cycling

Rasputitsa, East Burke, 45 miles, April, 2016 How do you get 300 people to come to the Northeast Kingdom in mud season? Put on a bike race, of course. After the success of the 2013 Dirty 40 (see above), Myers and crew decided to put

VTSPORTS.COM 23

GEAR & BEER: By Sue Halpern and Bill McKibben

COZIER CAMPING

Selk'bag

L

ook at your average camping catalogue and there’s a picture of a tent pitched by a glacial lake with a broad meadow full of wildflowers. For New Englanders, these pictures are a kind of—well, dare we say it?—porn. Not the wildflowers, not the white-capped peaks, but all that flat ground. You could pitch a tent anywhere. Whereas at about 3 p.m. on a Long Trail hike one starts looking, searching at every turn, for that elusive slice of level earth. Some days the only smooth ground seems to be right on the path itself.

Even if you do find a coffin-shaped level ledge, odds are that there will be a rock or a root roughly about the place your spine will need to go. Which is why we’re fans of hammocks such as those from Eno or Hennessy Hammocks, which can take just about any stretch of forest and turn it into a campground.

They’re remarkably easy to set up: a couple of straps made of seatbelt fabric wrap around tree trunks twelve to twenty-five feet apart; you lash the ends of the hammock to them, and then, on Hennessy's attach a rainfly (which niftily comes with a couple of funnels designed to drain rain or dew into your water bottles). The bottom of the hammock is tough enough to feel secure and the mesh top doubles as a bug net.

You do need a pad under your sleeping bag in anything but the hottest weather

Hennessy Hammock

Ibex W2 because air is less insulating than bare ground. Hennessy Hammocks come in a variety of sizes and weights, with the very popular two-pound Ultralight Backpacker ($249.95), able to accommodate up to a 200-pound six-footer.

There's also a larger size. www.hennessy hammock.com

Eno's One-Link Sleep System Double Deluxe ($234.95), somewhat heavier, can sleep two, if you get cozy. www.enonation.com.

Commuting between campsites also has a distinctly regional flavor. Most East Coast paddling is on ponds, marshes and small lakes. Which means one of the

24 VTSPORTS.COM

best tools there is comes from Hornbeck Boats of the Adirondacks, whose Lost Pond boat is a small Kevlar canoe that weighs about 16 pounds and even less if you can afford the carbon fiber version.

(The classic ten kevlar model for people weighing up to 220 lb is $1,395; the classic ten carbon fiber Blackjack, a feath-

AUGUST 2015

Hornbeck Boat

VT BREWS & BARS:

Randolph’s One Main and Bent Hill Brewery

R StrongVolt erweight at 12 lbs, is $1,995.) Modeled on a 19th-century cedar strip canoe that hangs in the Adirondack Museum, the Lost Pond boat can be carried easily over the shoulder like a pocketbook—which means it’s perfect for the pocket ponds that dot Vermont and the ADK. You sit on a rigid foam seat and move through the water with double-bladed paddle, your pack in the stern, and your sleeping bag (in a dry bag) up front. This is the solo boat for our part of the world. www.hornbeckboats.

If you’re not comfortable sleeping in a traditional mummy bag, consider slipping into a Selk’bag. It’s a sleeping bag you wear—either that or it’s footsie pajamas that happen to be perfect for sleeping outdoors. It has legs and detachable feet. It has arms that incorporate mittens. It has a hood. True, you look like you belong to a new order of outer-space monks, but these suits have their uses, especially in colder weather, since you essentially never have to leave the comfort of your sleeping bag. There are two, three and four-season models, as well as a line of Marvel Comics super-hero-themed bags for kids. www.selkbagsusa.com

While you can’t read under the covers in a Selkbag, you can peel back the built-in mittens and pull out your phone to check the impending weather or add

AUGUST 2015

your coordinates and way points to the GPS app—at least until your phone runs out of power. It won’t, though, if you’re carrying a StrongVolt solar charger. Early versions of solar chargers for hikers were too cumbersome for easy packing. That’s not a problem with the StrongVolt 7W panel system ($79.99), which weighs less than half a pound and folds down to the size of an Ipad Mini (which it will power up in under two hours, given good sun).

The StrongVolt is nicely engineered with heavy duty grommets for hanging from branch or pack, carabiners included. If you’re going to depend on a GPS to get you out of the woods (which is not a great idea, but hey) or want to make sure your phone is charged in case of an emergency, then this is an increasingly necessary accessory. www.strongvolt.com

So: you’re camping in the modern world. But there’s room for some retro still, and the new Ibex W2 “weightless” wool sport shirts fit the bill handsomely.

Ibex’s proprietary weave of merino wool and nylon wicks with the ease of your oil-based synthetics, yet feels and looks good enough to wear into town.

There’s absolutely no reason not to wear these shirts—they come in long and short-sleeves and a tank top, all in vibrant colors. www.ibex.com.

andolph is not known as Vermont’s culinary hub, but it’s convenient to several gap rides and Mt. Cushman’s killer 23-mile mountain bike ride. You’ll want to work up an appetite before stopping at One Main whose sweet potato fries will make you understand the meaning of ‘Platonic ideal.’ On a sunny evening you can sit outside along the sidewalk but the big bar inside is pleasantly dark and comfortable, and it boasts a beer list worthy of Montpelier. One local favorite is the Blood Orange Imperial IPA from Bent Hill Brewery in nearby Braintree. Wait for it to warm just a tiny bit for the citrus to really hit. It has an 8.2% alcohol content (abv) and is very much worth the try. Bent Hill is, in fact, slightly bent: they also brew beers using beets and coconut, and they’ve begun growing their own hops. They pretty much exemplify the adventurous small Vermont brewer.

On the other end of the state’s beer spectrum, at least in terms of size, is Otter Creek in Middlebury, now owned by Long Trail (or, by the private equity firm which owns Long Trail).

Otter Creek has always been known for drinkable but unadventurous fare: a kind of junior Sam Adams, with the perfectly okay Copper Ale as its flagship. But new brewmaster Mike Gerhart has changed all that: Copper Ale and other regulars are gone, replaced this spring by a new lineup that centers on Over Easy and Backseat Berner. The first is a session pale ale, with an immense hop taste crammed into a beer with just 4.6% alcohol by volume. It’s the king of the weekdays; the Berner (named apparently for a dog, though it might become the unofficial brew of a presidential campaign) is even better.

Blood Orange IPA

Over Easy

Backseat Berner

It has the powerful citrus notes of, say, a Heady Topper, but you don’t have to lurk outside a beer store waiting for a delivery on alternate Thursdays. At roughly $9 a sixpack, it’s likely to become one of New England’s absolute standards.

VTSPORTS.COM 25

WEEKEND AWAY: BURKE

AT PLAY IN THE KINGDOM

By Evan Johnson

B

urke is one small town in Vermont’s wild Northeast Kingdom that knows how to play hard. On any given summer or fall day, you’ll see cars packed with mountain bikes, camping gear and kayaks hustling along the dirt roads, bound for miles of singletrack riding, deep clear lakes and Vermont’s newest state park. If you’re feeling lost, just follow the bike rack in front of you. Home to the expanding Q Burke Resort where generations of ski racers (including current World Cup slalom champ Mikaela Shiffrin) cut their teeth, Burke Mountain stands out in greeting people to the region. Neighboring hillsides yield views to Lake Willoughby and as far north as Jay Peak. While it’s just one corner of the Kingdom, Burke is a great starting point or destination for a weekend of adventure.

Ride the Kingdom Kingdom Trails, a system of more than 100 miles of singletrack and dirt trails criss-crossing open meadows, forests and hillsides, has put Burke on the map as a top destination for mountain biking in the United States. Since 1994, a volunteer staff has created and maintained a network of 70 trails, many of which remain open year-round to cross-country skiers, snow-shoers and fat-bikers, thanks to agreements with 50 private land owners.

You’ll find everything from gentle, wide trails for beginners to tight and technical singletrack for experts. For the $15 cost of a day pass or a $75 annual membership, you get access to all of it. Stop by the Welcome Center behind the Northeast Kingdom Country Store (also a good

spot for a sandwich) for passes and parking, then dive into an expansive network of trails that stretches from the Summit of Q Burke to Darling Hill near Route 5.

“What’s great about the trail network is how family friendly it’s become,” says Kingdom Trails president Tim Tierney. “When you go out on the trails, you’re not just seeing groups of riders, you’re seeing whole families.” Families with younger riders can enjoy grassy fields on the Bemis trail (a novice green circle), while more advanced riders can test their skills on the slingshot-like double black diamond Sidewinder.

If you need to rent a bike, or fix up your old one, swing by local outfitters East Burke Sports, Village Sport Shop in Lyndonville, The Village Bike Shop

Your biking playground consists of more than 100 miles of trail in East Burke, built and reserved for bikes. Big views, tight turns, sweet dirt and no shortage of barns and gorgeous scenery await.

in Derby, or Littleton Bike & Fitness in Littleton, N.H.

Hike Burke Home to Q Burke Resort, the 3,267-foot Burke Mountain dominates the skyline.

The resort’s slopes are packed with downhill bikers, but you can reach the summit by way of the Red Trail, linking to the West Peak Trail for a six-mile (round trip) hike with 2,100 feet elevation gain.

The summit’s east-facing vista rewards hikers with views of New Hampshire’s

26 VTSPORTS.COM

Pilot-Piney Range, Franconia-Kinsman Range and the Presidential range. To the north, the pointed summit of Jay Peak is visible and the Adirondacks in New York can be seen to the west. Exploring the base area of Q Burke, you’ll also be able to see progress on a new 116-room hotel due to open in December.

Explore Lake Willoughby Just ten miles from the center of Burke, Lake Willoughby with its steep shores and deep, clear-as-glass waters qualifies

AUGUST 2015

Bike racks are a popular sight in the East Burke village, outside of the Northeast Kingdom Country Store, while the Vermont Food Truck Company and Mike's Tiki Bar are the apre-ride spot of choice.

Photos: opposite top, and below by Herb Swanson

as one of the most breathtaking bodies of water in New England. Mount Hor and Pisgah rise from the western and eastern shorelines and tower over the fjord-like lake. Western Mount Hor is a roughly three-mile roundtrip hike to a series of lookouts at an elevation of 2,654 feet.

Across the way, Mount Pisgah stands at 2,785 feet tall and is reached by a longer 6.9-mile trail. Both have grand views of Lake Willoughby with open fields in the foreground contrasting with the sheer cliffs of the opposite mountains.

These day hikes can be done together for a longer outing, or connect to other trails that make up the 7,682-acre Willoughby State Forest. You can also check out Vermont’s newest state park, the 356-acre Sentinel State Park. A recent gift to the state from its landowners, Sentinel surrounds a giant, 13,000-year-old boulder (and popular picnic spot) that overlooks Lake Willoughby near the top of Hinton Hill Road in Westmore. When you’re finished hiking, take a dip at the public beaches at the north or south end of the lake. Both have restrooms and excellent fishing, boating, kayaking and canoeing.

Hide out in a cabin The Northeast Kingdom is full of campsites and cabins perfect for a summer hideout. Brighton State Park, located 25 minutes up route 5A has everything

AUGUST 2015

you’ll need to make yourself comfortably camped (see The Great Outdoors). Head to www.vtstateparks.com to reserve a cabin, lean-to or campsite with views of Spectacle Pond. For easy access to the trails and the rest of the Burke Area, the rustic Wildflower Inn is just across the road from Kingdom Trails’s Darling Hill Center. It’s family friendly (pets are welcome too) and innkeepers Jim and Mary O’Reilly can give directions to wherever you’re headed next. On Lake Willoughby, Carol Ann’s Rentals offer weekly cottage rentals for two to ten people ($600 to $2,200 per night) while the Willoughvalle Inn and Cottages offers a three-suite and seven-room inn and eight cottages along the lake ($104 - $299). Or if you’d prefer to rough it, hike to a primitive campsite in the Willoughby State Forest.

World’s softest

Eating Out Burke is a small town to be sure, but there’s plenty of good eats to be found.

For finer dining fare, head to Juniper’s Restaurant at the Wildflower Inn, which features weekly specials made with ingredients produced by local farmers. Pick up lunch from the Northeast Kingdom Country Store or the recently opened Libby’s Meat Market, offering high-quality beef, pork, chicken and seafood. At Q Burke, stop by the Tamarack Pub & Grill after a day of downhill biking for a pint and a sandwich.

For the apres-bike party, head to Mike’s Tiki Bar, located in the Burke Village. Vermont’s first outdoor tiki bar, Mike's comes complete with faux palm fronds and 27 beers on tap, including local brewery Covered Bridge from down the road in Lyndonville. Pair the big hopforward Lumbersexual session IPA or the wood-smoked malts of the La Cabane À Sucre porter with delicious burgers, flatbreads and burritos from the Vermont Food Truck Company. It’s the locals’ favorite spot to end a day of riding or start a Saturday night.

866-977-soCK CUstoMerserVICe@Worldssoftest.CoM World’s softest® soCKs Is A reGIstered trAdeMArK of CresCeNt soCK Co.

VTSPORTS.COM 27

HEALTH & NUTRITION Drink lots of fluids, especially sports drinks so you can maintain good hydration and electrolyte replacement.

Be prepared especially on hot and humid days and get adequate sleep before a vigorous race or workout.

If you take medications, be aware of what effect they may have on fluid loss and hydration. Be aware that certain medical conditions (obesity, diabetes, history of concussion) are risk factors for heat illness.

Lastly, be aware of the outside temperature and humidity and dress accordingly. —Dr. Nathan Endres

Q: “IS IT DANGEROUS TO OVERHEAT WHEN YOU WORK OUT?”

H

ere in Vermont we’re used to cool weather which means that once the mercury starts to rise, working out can seem more like a chore. Worse, it can make you sick— heat-related illness can be a major issue for athletes. Consequences range from decreased performance to death. In fact, heat stroke is the third leading cause of death in athletes after cardiac disorders and cervical spine trauma.

During any exercise our bodies produce heat, mainly in the muscles. That heat needs to be released or the body’s temperature will rise. The quickest way we lose heat is through evaporation and sweating, which is why wind, temperature and humidity affect how quickly we can cool off. Clothing also has an effect, as do body mass and amount of body fat.

Prolonged, vigorous exercise on a still, hot and humid day can be a recipe for a variety of heat illnesses, ranging from minor to severe.

At the minor end of the scale is heat edema, a swelling in the legs that can improve with simple elevation and rest.

Heat cramps are also common during or after exercise and the treatment here is rest, stretching and hydration, especially with a beverage containing electrolytes (sodium).

If it’s hot and you are dehydrated your blood pressure may slow, making you prone to heat syncope, or fainting.

If this happens, lie flat, elevate your legs and drink lots of fluids.

Much more serious is heat exhaustion. While many of us can feel exhausted when it’s hot out, true heat exhaustion is characterized by an inability to continue exercise. An athlete suffering this may or

may not collapse. Symptoms include fatigue, dizziness, heavy sweating, nausea, vomiting, headache, chills and irritability.

If this happens, make sure the core temperature is less than 104° F and there are no central nervous system changes present. In this instance, temperature is most accurately measured by a rectal thermometer. Make sure the athlete stops all activity. Transfer him or her to as cool a location as possible, remove excess clothing, elevate the legs and start rehydration. If the athlete’s condition worsens and/or temperature does not decrease with proper treatment, seek emergency medical attention.

If someone shows signs of heat exhaustion, you want to make sure they are not suffering heat stroke. This is the most serious form of heat illness and can lead to death if not recognized and treated right away. The difference compared to heat exhaustion is that core body temperature is greater than 104° F and central nervous system changes such as delirium or convulsions are present. The skin may be dry or soaked with sweat. Risk factors include obesity, low fitness level, lack of heat acclimatization, dehydration, history of heat illness, and loss of sleep. Certain medications like diuretics and stimulants can also bring this on.

Heat stroke most commonly happens early in the season during the first few practices and can worsen from day to day. Treatment is rapid whole body cooling, preferably in an ice bath.

Water-soaked towels and fanning also works, but not as well. Once stable, an athlete suspected of or diagnosed with heat stroke should always be taken to an emergency facility.

The key to heat illness is awareness and prevention. Acclimatize to the conditions; especially if your fitness level is low or you are traveling to a race in a warmer climate. Don’t ride or run aggressively in hot weather if you’re not used to it or not in shape. This process of acclimatization can take 7 to 14 days.

Dr. Nathan Endres, is an orthopaedic surgeon at UVM Medical Center and an assistant professor at the University of Vermont College of Medicine.

He specializes in sports medicine and sports-related trauma around the knee and shoulder. He treats many athletes and the athletically-minded in his practice.

He is an avid alpine skier and member of the US Ski Team Physician Pool.

NUTRITION 101: KALEGATE

Q: I heard recently that eating too much kale can be harmful, is this true?

A

recent article by award-winning journalist Todd Oppenheimer in Craftsmanship has been getting a lot of play, making some people wonder about kale. In it, he reports that molecular biologist Ernie Hubbard began seeing patients who had extremely healthy diets show up at his Marin County, Calif., clinic with signs of chronic fatigue, hair and skin loss, and other strange symptoms. After taking urine samples from 20 volunteers, Hubbard discovered a correlation between high levels of thallium, a heavy metal that occurs naturally in soils (and has been used in poisons), and the consumption of large amounts of kale, cabbage and other cruciferous vegetables. Hubbard also found a 2006 study from the Czech Republic showing these vegetables to be “hyperaccumulators” of thallium.

Should we quit kale? University of Vermont sports nutrition expert and registered dietitian Marcia Bristow, MS, RD, CD, says not so fast: "Dark green leafy vegetables and cruciferous vegetables provide an array of important vitamins and minerals, including calcium, Vitamin K and antioxidants. However, too much of even a good thing can provide negative side effects." She repeats the USDA current recommendation: "Eat 2 1/2 servings of vegetables every day." Fresh frozen and canned (reduced or no-salt added) all count. What counts as a serving? A cup of raw or cooked vegetables, 2 cups of leafy salad greens or ½ cup of vegetable juice." —Lisa Lynn

28 VTSPORTS.COM

AUGUST 2015

CALENDAR OF EVENTS Event organizers! Listing your event in this calendar is free and easy. Visit vtsports. com/submit-event, and e-mail results to editor@vtsports.com. All area codes 802, and all locations Vermont, unless otherwise noted. Featured events, highlighted in yellow, pay a nominal fee.

BIKING/CYCLING AUGUST 8/1 – 2 Bike MS: Green Mountain Getaway, Burlington, Vt.

8/15 Irreverent Road Ride, Waterbury, Vt. Waterbury hosts a bike race with two dirt loops on double track, jeep roads, Vermont pave, ATV and other rugged terrain. The “Original” loop will be between 110-125 miles and the “Short” will be close to 70 miles. www.bikereg.com/ irreverent

8/8-9 24 Hours of Great Glen, Gorham, N.H. A 24-hour mountain bike race wrapped into a weekend-long mountain bike festival. Hardcore racers tackle the singletrack and carriage roads for 24 hours while families enjoy the festival games and 24 Minutes of Great Glen kids’ race. www.24hoursofgreatglen.com

8/13-16 The Vermont Challenge, Stratton, Vt. The Vermont Challenge traverses Southern and Central Vermont over three or four days plus a one-day Gran Fondo century option for all riders. www.vtchallenge.com

8/22 Deerfield Dirt-Road Randonee, Deerfield, Mass.

Starting at the University of Vermont, this ride includes two days of out and back rides in the Champlain Valley.

On Saturday, riders choose between 50-, 80- and 100-mile rides. On Sunday, riders travel 45, 75 or 100 miles. www.bikemsvermont.org

Since the 1990s, this epic gravel ride has been drawing people from around the country to ride the back roads of western Massachusetts and Southern Vermont. Loops range from a 20-mile “family” ride to a 180K course that features grueling climbs. www.franlinlandtrust.org/d2r2

8/6-9 Windham Mountain Bike World Cup Festival, Windham, N.Y.

8/22 The Millstone Duel, Websterville, Vt.

Windham Mountain Resort hosts four days of cross-country and downhill mountain bike racing with festivities and live music in the evenings. www.racewindham.com

Riders compete solo or in teams of two or three in an eighthour race on the Millstone trail network. Riders compete against other teams as well as their team members for the fastest lap. www.gearworksproductions.com

8/8 Great Maine Getaway, Biddeford, Me.

8/22 Grafton Ponds Bike & Brew, Grafton, Vt.

This two-day coastal ride raises funds for the National MS Society and a chance to take a dip in the Atlantic after the finish. www.bikemam.nationalmssociety.org

The Grafton Ponds Outdoor Center hosts a festival with bike riding on local trails, swimming and Vermont beer. www.graftonbikeandbrew.com

8/8 Harpoon Point to Point, Windsor, Vt.

8/23 Putney Cider House Classic MTB Race, Putney, Vt.

The Harpoon Point to Point presented by National Life Group is a cycling event to benefit the Vermont Foodbank. Choose from a 25-, 50- or 100-mile ride starting at finishing the Harpoon Brewery. www.harpoonpointtopoint.com

8/15 Mount Washington Auto Road Bicycle Hillclimb, Gorham, N.H. Cyclists race 7.6 miles up the Mount Washington Auto Road to the 6,288-foot summit on an average grade of 12 percent.

Extended sections are 18 percent. The last 50 yards is 22 percent. $1,500 to the top men and women. $750 to first male and female riders to the one-mile mark who finish under 1:45.

Part of the BUMPS series. www.mwarbh.org/

The Route 66 mountain bike series returns to Putney with some new terrain and sections and three categories of 9-, 7- and 4.5mile loops. www.putneyciderhouseclassic.com

8/23 North Face Race to the Top of Vermont, Stowe, Vt. Choose to either run or bike up the Mount Mansfield Toll road, covering 4.3 miles in distance and climbing 2,564 vertical feet. Racers will experience a steady incline averaging about 11 degrees over the length of the course. www.rtttovt.com

8/29 Mount Kearsarge Hill Climb, Warner, N.H. The Mount Kearsarge Hill Climb consists of an 8-mile climb to the Mt. Kearsarge summit parking lot, including a 3.5-mile final segment with an 8.7-percent average grade and 1,738 feet vertical gain. Part of the BUMPS series. www.mtkearsargehillclimb.com

8/30 Del’s Ride, Huntington, Vt. Del’s Ride is a singletrack mountain bike event to benefit Cure AHC in support of Delaney Johnson. Six-year-old Delaney, of Essex Junction, Vermont, has a debilitating disorder known as Alternating Hemiplegia of Childhood (AHC) and epilepsy. Ride includes three loops on the trails at the Sleepy Hollow Inn and Bike Center. www.delsride.org

39TH ANNUAL

R U N A G R O U N D T R I AT H L O N

Sunday, September 20

8/23 Vermont Overland Grand Prix, Woodstock, Vt.

THROUGH 5 TOWNS IN THE BEAUTIFUL BERKSHIRES

A 53-mile dirt road bicycle race featuring 5,400 feet of climbing, seven sections of “Vermont pavé” (unmaintained ancient public roads), a Suicide Six start/finish and a street party afterwards. www.vermontoverland.com

Bike • Canoe/Kayak/SUP • Run Triathlon Team & Iron Categories

active.com and trireg.com joshbillings.com

ADK 80K RACE WEEKEND August 29 & 30 RACE WEEKEND Two Events

Sat - Trail Run Sun - Mtn. Bike Race

Next gravel road rides: August 9, September 13, October 11 & November 8

Ride westhillshop.com, Click EVENTS Rideinfo info — – westhillshop.com, Click “EVENTS”

Saturday 6am – Trail Running Race Sunday 8am – MTB & Cyclecross Races

2015

LAKE PLACID

Perfect Race for First Timers Course – 4x20k Loop.

100% on trail with 40% single track 60% double track, and over 1000 ft of climbing per lap.

Categories – M/F, mixed, solo, 2 & 4 person teams.

New for 2015! Solo 50k run division, $8,000 in Prizes & ADK Awards!

Kids & Families – 1k trail run and MTB races, live music, and barbecue.

Register: www.ADK80K.com Register early to save!

Lake Placid • (518) 523-3764 adk80krace@gmail.com

AUGUST 2015

VTSPORTS.COM 29

CALENDAR OF EVENTS SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

9/12 Kelly Brush Century Ride, Middlebury, Vt.

9/4-7 Green Mountain Stage Race, Mad River Valley, Vt. Four days of challenging time trials, gap rides and circuit races. www.gmsr.info

9/7 (Labor Day) Burlington Kids’ Crit

The Richard Tom Foundation sponsors a free “Kids’ Crit” at the Green Mountain Stage Race Burlington Criterium. A single lap around a downtown block for ages 7-5 and 2 laps for children 9-11. Roads will be closed to cars. Donations graciously accepted. www.richardtomfoundation.com.

9/5 Dirty 40, Derby, Vt. Traveling 70 miles through the Northeast Kingdom, the Dirty 40 race includes 5,600 feet of elevation gain. Neutral support and feed zones are available. www.dirty40race.com

This scenic, fully supported ride through the Champlain Valley starts and ends at Middlebury College. Ride 25, 50 or 100 miles, with options for 65- and 85-mile loops. Funds raised support the Kelly Brush Foundation’s mission to conquer the challenges of paralysis through love of sport by helping athletes with spinal cord injuries purchase specialized sports equipment and to improve ski racing safety. Tasty and festive post-ride barbeque follows the ride. Entrants are encouraged to build fundraising teams. www.kellybrushfoundation.org

9/12 Green Mountain Cycling Challenge MTB6, Pittsfield, Vt. Green Mountain Trails and Peak Races host a series of races on a 13-mile loop. Riders can opt to do one or two laps or race the course for six continuous hours. www.bikereg.com

9/13 Cabot Ride the Ridges, Cabot. Vt.

9/6 Darn Tough Ride, Stowe, Vt. The Darn Tough Ride is a road cycling event held in Stowe on the Sunday of Labor Day weekend. The ride includes the King and Queen of the Mountain Competition, and two timed hill climbs over Smugglers Notch. www.darntoughride.com

A fun and challenging mostly dirt road bike ride through the scenic landscapes and rugged terrain of Cabot and Peacham Vermont. Distances include 10K, 30K, 60 and 100K. www. ridetheridges.net

9/19 NoHo BikeFest & Tour, Northampton, Mass.

9/12 Mount Greylock Hill Climb Time Trial, North Adams, Mass.

The Northampton Cycling Club hosts an 8.9-mile time trial up Mount Greylock auto road. www.greylocktt.nohobikeclub.org

The Northampton Cycling Club hosts its eighth annual tour with supported rides of 8, 25, 43, 72 and 104 miles followed by a party. www.bikefest.nohobikeclub.org

9/19 8th Annual Bart Center NO LIMITS Benefit Ride, Manchester, Vt.

Ethan Allen Biathlon Club 2015 Summer Race Series

DATES July 9, 16, 24, August 6,13, 20 TIMES 5:00 pm - Registration 5:30 to 6:00 pm - Zeroing 6:15 pm - Race Start WHERE Ethan Allen Biathlon Club Ethan Allen Rd., Jericho, VT

NEW: See our website for NEW mandatory

Safety Clinic information Info: www.eabiathlon.org

The Bart J. Ruggiere Adaptive Sports Center offers rides of 30, 60 and 100 miles as well as a nine-mile family ride through southern Vermont and New York to benefit the center. All rides are fully supported. www.bartcenter.com

9/26 Stone Valley 50, Poultney, Vt. The Stone Valley 50 is a 50-mile gravel bike race and 25-mile ride through the Rutland County towns of Poultney, Castleton, Middletown Springs and Wells. The rides raise money for the Kellen Sams Memorial Scholarship. https://sites.google.com/a/ greenmtn.edu/sv50/home

9/23-27 Tour De Kingdom – Fall Foliage, Newport, Vt. Kingdom Games hosts five days of supported rides on both sides of the border with brilliant foliage and optional routes of varying distances. www.tourdekingdom.org

10/4 Allen Clark Hill Climb, Waitsfield, Vt. The Allen Clark Memorial Hill Climb rises 1,600 vertical feet in 6.2 miles, from the intersection of Routes 100 and 17 to the top of Appalachian Gap. The event is named in honor of long-time Mad River Valley resident, Allen Clark. The event is a tribute to Allen’s life and a fundraiser for Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports. Part of the BUMPS series. www.achillclimb.org

10/25 CircumBurke MTB Challenge amd Trail Run, East Burke, Vt. On the last weekend in October, Kingdom Trails, Conservation Collaborative and the Burke Area Chamber of Commerce present a mountain bike and cross country-running race on a 25-mile loop. www.circumburke.org

OBSTACLE RACING AUGUST 8/16 Moss Anniversary/Benson Bear Race, Benson, Vt. Shale Hill Adventure Farm hosts a 5K and 10K race on their Benson course. 5K features over 30 obstacles, 10K has over 50. www.shalehilladventure.com

SEPTEMBER 9/19 – 20 Reebok Spartan Race, Killington, Vt. This obstacle race brings amateur athletes together with Olympians to battle for a piece of $250,000 in cash and prizes. Races include the 26-mile Ultra Beast Race, 12-mile Beast Race and 3-mile sprint. Obstacles include spear throwing, pits of fire, rope climbs and more. www.killington.com

OCTOBER 10/24 Shale Hill Halloween Obstacle Fun Run 2015, Benson, Vt. Shale Hill hosts a Halloween-themed 10K and 5K obstacle race with up to 51 obstacles. www.shalehilladventure.com

“Your Full-Suspension Experts!”

AUGUST 22

10AM~6PM

MOUNTAIN BIKING • CRAFT BEER GREAT FOOD • SWIMMING • LIVE MUSIC RAIN OR SHINE

GO PLAY OUTSIDE 2500 Williston Rd South Burlington

$

TREK GIANT SCOTT YETI NINER 802-864-9197 www.earlsbikes.com

40 per person • $25 for Bike or Brew only.

Kids 12 and under Free!

GRAFTONBIKEANDBREW.COM 783 Townshend Road, Grafton, VT 05146

30 VTSPORTS.COM

AUGUST 2015

CALENDAR OF EVENTS RUNNING

9/6 GMAA Archie Post 5-miler, Burlington, Vt. Certified point-to-point course on a bike path. A free 1/4-mile kids race will be held at the Archie Post fields at the end of the 5-Miler. www.gmaa.net

AUGUST 8/8 Melissa Jenkins Memorial Fun Run, Danville, Vt. The Melissa Jenkins Memorial Fun Run is a family-friendly, 5k run/walk event benefitting a scholarship in Melissa’s name at the Danville School. www.runvermont.org

8/8 Kingdom Run, Irasburg, Vt. The town of Irasburg hosts half marathon, 10K and 5K races on a dirt road between Irasburg and West Glover. All proceeds benefit the Northeast Kingdom spay-neuter program. www. kingdomrun.org

8/9 Stowe Trail Race Series: Cady Hills 5K, Stowe, Vt. The Gold Eagle Resort is the start and finish for the second race in the Stowe 2015 Trail Race Series. Award presentations will follow the race, with prizes to the top three female and male runners in open and masters categories. www.stoweadaptive.org

8/9 Smugglers’ Notch Trail Racing Series, Vt. The series consists of 3 trail races in and around the Smugglers’ Notch cross-country trail network. Each race will feature a 4k, 8k and Kids’ Fun Run (ages 7 and under), and all races are open to runners of all abilities. www.smuggs.com

9/12 Citizens 5K Run – Burlington Cross-Country Run Invitational, Burlington, Vt. Burlington High School hosts 5K races on dirt and paved surfaces, open to runners ages 10 and older. http://bsdweb.bsdvt.org

9/16 Sodom Pond 4-Mile Race, Adamant, Vt. Rolling 4-mile dirt road course around Sodom Pond in Adamant. Race day registration only, across from the Adamant Co-op. Contact: Tim Noonan, 802 223-6216.

9/20 Stowe Trail Series: 5K & 10K, Stowe, Vt. Beginning and ending in the Trapp Family Lodge Meadow, the races follow a dirt road briefly before merging with double track cross-country trails. The 5K diverts at Old County Road and follows Russell Knoll back to the finish. The 10K continues to the Trapp Cabin and returns on the new single track trails. www.stoweadaptive.org

9/20 TAM Trek, Middlebury, Vt. Run around Middlebury on the 18-mile TAM trail. There will be 6-mile timed runs and a 2-mile run/walk. www.maltvt.org.

9/26-27 Adirondack (N.Y.) Marathon Distance Festival, Schroon Lake, N.Y.

Teams of six runners complete three legs each, starting at the Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe and finishing 100 miles later at Okemo’s Jackson Gore resort in Ludlow. www.100on100.org

Schroon Lake, N.Y. hosts a full weekend of distance racing in the Adirondack Mountains. The race weekend features marathon, half-marathon, relays, 5k and 10k races, as well as fun runs for kids. www.adirondackmarathon.org

8/20 Berlin Pond 5-miler, Berlin, Vt.

9/27 Vermont Sun Half Marathon, Salisbury, Vt.

8/15 100 on 100, Stowe to Ludlow, Vt.

This 5-mile loop counterclockwise around Berlin Pond, with a mix of flat and hilly dirt roads, is part of the CVR ORS Race Series. Race day registration only from 4:45-5:45 p.m. at the Berlin Town Clerk’s office. Contact: Jeff Prescott, jeffp_cvr@ myfairpoint.net and Sue Emmons, sue.emmons@comcast.net.

8/22 Bolton Valley 5K to benefit Vermont Adaptive, Bolton, Vt. An annual trail run at Bolton Valley Ski Area, where runners and walkers head out to make strides on the Bolton Nordic trails to raise money for adaptive sports programming and equipment. Children, ages 8 and under, are encouraged to participate in an untimed 1k Fun Run. www.vermontadaptive. org/bolton5k

8/23 Saint Albans Raid Half Marathon, St. Albans, Vt. Saint Albans hosts a half marathon on a gently rolling, outand-back course through Franklin County, Vt. Water stations are every mile. The historic race is open to all runners and relay teams of two people. www.active.com

8/23 North Face Race to the Top of Vermont, Stowe, Vt. Choose to either run or bike up the Mount Mansfield Toll road, covering 4.3 miles in distance and climbing 2,564 vertical feet. Racers will experience a steady incline averaging about 11 degrees over the length of the course. www.rtttovt.com

8/30 Howard Center Zoe’s Race, Burlington, Vt. This 1K fun run or 5K run/walk around Oakledge Park helps raise money for accessibility projects for Howard Center clients. www.zoesrace.com

Vermont hosts a 5K, 10K, and half marathon in Branbury State Park on paved out-and-back courses. www.vermontsuntriathlonseries.com

OCTOBER 10/3 Copley Hospital’s Run for the Heart, Morrisville, Vt. Copley Hospital organizes a 5K run at Oxbow Park, which connects to the Rail Trail. Runners will follow the Rail Trail back to Pleasant Street and then cross over to Portland Street to finish. www.runreg.com

10/4 Kingdom Marathon, Coventry, Vt. Kingdom Games hosts a marathon in the heart of the Northeast Kingdom on dirt roads through Coventry, Brownington, Barton, Irasburg and Glover. Course features three options: 26.2 mile, 17 mile, 13 mile with a special youth bike option on the 13 mile route. www.kingdomgames.com

10/4 Leaf Peepers Half Marathon and 5K, Waterbury, Vt. CVR’s largest event and fundraiser for the Harwood Union Boosters Club is an out-and-back half marathon on paved and dirt roads. Part of the CVR ORS Race Series, USATF certified and RRCA sanctioned with chip timing. Contact: Roger Cranse, 802 223-6997 or rcc59@comcast.net.

10/25 CircumBurke MTB Challenge & Trail Run, East Burke, Vt. On the last weekend in October, Kingdom Trails, Conservation Collaboratives and the Burke Area Chamber of Commerce present a mountain bike and cross country-running race on a 25-mile loop. www.circumburke.org

SEPTEMBER

SWIMMING

9/5 Northfield Savings Bank 5K, Northfield, Vt.

AUGUST

A certified 5K course as part of the CVR ORS Race Series.

Start and finish in front of the Northfield Savings Bank at the Green in downtown Northfield, Vermont. www.nsbvt.com

AUGUST 2015

8-16 Swim the Kingdom, Northeast Kingdom, Vt. Kingdom Games hosts a series of distance swims. August 8:

Crystal Swim, 5 miles; August 9: Island Pond Swim, 4 miles; August 10: Echo Lake Swim, 6K or 12K options; August 11: Lake Seymour, 6.2 miles; August 12: Lake Massawippi, 9 miles; August 13: Lake Memphremagogo, 6.2 miles; August 15: Lake Willoughby Swim, 5 miles; August 16: Caspian Swim, 3 miles. www.swimthekingdom.org

SEPTEMBER 9/5 In Search of Memphre, Newport, Vt Kingdom Games hosts a 25-mile international swim from Newport north to Magog, Quebec. www.kingdomswim.org

OCTOBER 10/5 Georgeville or Bust, Newport, Vt. Kingdom Games hosts a 15-mile, international swim from Newport to Georgeville, Quebec. www.kingdomswim.org

PADDLING Umiak Outfitters VTPB SUP Race Challenge, North Beach, Burlington, and Waterbury Reservoir, Waterbury Center, Vt. Umiak hosts a stand up paddle board race every Thursday through August in Burlington and Waterbury Center with the chance to win weekly prizes. Paddle against the clock and your peers in this SUP race for all ages and ability levels. Bring your board or rent one. www.umiak.com

TRIATHLON/DUATHON TRIATHLON AUGUST 8/1 Aquaman Even-Up/Ollie Even-Up, Derby, Vt. Kingdom Games hosts three varieties of triathlons. The “Aquaman” features a half marathon run, 34-mile bike ride and 3.5-mile swim. The “Ollie” includes a 1.75-mile swim, 15mile bike ride and 10K run. The event also features a sprint option with 500-yard swim, 13-mile bike and 5-mile run. www. kingdomtriathlon.org

8/9 Lake Dunmore Triathlon, Salisbury, Vt. Vermont Sun holds a .9-mile swim, 28-mile bike and 6.2-mile run in Branbury State Park and along the shores of Lake Dunmore in Salisbury. There is also the option for a 600-yard swim, 14-mile bike and 3.1-mile run. www.vermontsuntriathlonseries.com

8/16 Lake Monster Sprint/Olympic Triathlon, Shelburne, Vt. Race Vermont hosts two classes of triathlons starting and finishing at the Shelburne Town Beach. Sprint triathlon includes 500yard swim, 15.8-mile bike and 5K run. Olympic triathlon includes .9-mile swim, 27-mile bike and 10K run. www.racevermont.com

8/23 Echo Lake Road Race and Swim, East Charleston, Vt. Kingdom Games in the Northeast Kingdom holds a classic run, bike and swim to help support the Orleans County Citizen Advocacy. The bike will be held separately from the run. The event includes a swim of 1 mile or 3 miles on Echo Lake to benefit the Echo Lake Association. Taken together they offer an opportunity to do all three as part of a stage triathlon. www.kingdomgames.com

SEPTEMBER 9/20 Josh Billings Runaground Triathlon, Great Barrington, Mass.

An expected 500 teams will bike 27 miles, paddle by canoe, kayak or SUP 5 miles and run 6 miles. A party at Tanglewood with food, live music and vendors follows the race. www.joshbillings.com

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POWER PLAY SPORTS

1

35 Portland Street Morrisville, VT 802-888-6557

www.powerplaysports.com Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-6pm Sat 8:30am-5pm, Sun 10am-4pm North Central Vermont's Trek and Giant Dealer.

With over 200 new and used bikes, PPS has a bike for everyone. Service and rentals too!

EAST BURKE SPORTS

2

Whether your idea of a bike ride involves pedaling the rec path, conquering a stretch of single track, outsprinting the competition in a road race, or cruising through the country, we’ve got the perfect bicycle for all of your two-wheeled adventures – and the friendly, knowledgeable staff to help you find it. We are a full-service bike shop staffed by experts who are committed to helping you keep your bike rolling at top performance.

4

439 Route 114 East Burke, VT 802-626-3215

www.eastburkesports.com Hours: 7 days a week • 9am-6pm Located in the center of Kingdom Trails, we pride ourselves in expert knowledge and customer service. We sport an enormous rental fleet and a full service shop for on the spot repairs.

5

OUTDOOR GEAR EXCHANGE

6

37 Church Street Burlington, VT 802-860-0190

www.gearx.com Hours: Mon-Thurs 10am- 8pm Fri-Sat 10am- 9pm, Sun 10am-6pm New this year at Outdoor Gear Exchange is a fully equipped bike repair shop.

Having brought in specialists in bike tech work, this service is quickly gaining momentum. OGE also carries an extensive collection of bikes, apparel and accessories.

7

BIKE CENTER 74 Main Street Middlebury, VT 802-388-6666

2500 Williston Road South Burlington, VT 802-864-9197 www.bikecentermid.com

Earl’s has Vermont’s largest selection of mountain, road, hybrid, and kids’ bikes, clothing and accessories, helmets, shoes, and car racks. Plus an extensive women’s department, a full service department with a wide assortment of parts and tools on hand, ample parking, and a test ride trail!

12

7

www.onionriver.com Hours: Mon-Thurs 9am-6pm Fri 9am-8pm, Sat 9am-5pm Sun 11am-4pm

www.earlsbikes.com Hours: Mon-Fri 10am-7pm Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 11am-5pm

8

Rutland

20 Langdon Street Montpelier, VT 802-229-9409

EARL'S CYCLERY

302

91 125

ONION RIVER

Hours: Mon-Thurs 9:30am-5:30pm Fri 9:30am-8pm, Sat 9:30am-5:30pm Sun 1pm-4pm Take advantage of the most advanced and courteous service in our region, including a quick turn-around in our service shop downstairs. Upstairs in the sales room, we offer the best in new and used road, mountain, lifestyle, and children's bikes and new gear. We carry brands that offer superior products that balance innovation and performance with reliability and value.

SKIRACK 85 Main Street Burlington, VT 802-658-3313

www.skirack.com Hours: Mon-Fri 10am-7pm Sat 10am-7pm, Sun 11am-5pm Locally owned since 1969, Skirack provides gear, clothing and accessories for all cyclists, with full service tuning and repairs...and beautiful casual and fitness clothing.

Designated one of America’s Best Bike Shops, Skirack is just blocks from Lake Champlain. Open at 8am Mon-Sat for bike service pickup and drop-off, car racks and rentals. Road and mountain bike rentals can be booked at rentals. skirack.com. Visit today for a truly unique Vermont experience.

32 VTSPORTS.COM

GREEN MOUNTAIN BIKES

8

105 N. Main Street Rochester, VT 800-767-7882

www.greenmountainbikes.com Hours: 7 Days a week • 10am-6pm Located in the center of Vermont, the heart of the Green Mountains, we are surrounded by terrain that calls to mountain and road bikers alike. Whether you ride twisting trails or back-to-back gaps, we service, sell, and rent all styles of bicycles, featuring Kona, Lapierre, Xprezo, Jamis, Juliana, Raleigh, Santa Cruz, Transition, and Hinderyckx bikes hand crafted by our own Rochester boy Zak Hinderyckx. So STOP READING and RIDE YOUR BIKE!

AUGUST 2015

BATTENKILL SPORTS

9

1240 Depot Street Manchester, VT 802-362-2734

www.battenkillsports.com Hours: 9:30am-5:30pm everyday Full selection of men's and women's clothing.

Rentals available.

Great back roads.

Road rides Thursdays at 6:00 pm, Beginner Rides Fridays at 6:00 pm.

WEST HILL SHOP

10

49 Brickyard Lane Putney, VT 802-387-5718

www.westhillshop.com Hours: Mon-Sat, 10am - 6pm Since 1971, the West Hill Shop has been a lowkey, friendly source for bikes ‘n gear, service, and rare wisdoms. We are known regionally as the go-to place for problem-solving technicians. Our bike fitters specialize in comfort without sacrificing efficiency.

More recently, we’ve been focusing on stocking gravel road bikes, with awesome dirt road riding right out our door. Our annual (and infamous) cyclocross race has been described as “the Providence race in Carhartts.”

Come join us for us for one of our adventurous rides!

BELGEN CYCLES

11

24 Bridge Street Richmond, VT 802-434-4876

www.belgencycles.com Hours: Mon-Sat 10:30am-6:30pm Closed Sundays Belgen Cycles offers custom and stock bicycles supported by 37 years of hands on experience.

Focused on the right bike for you covering the spectrum from road to ‘cross and mountain to fat with selections from Salsa, Xprezo, Moots, Parlee, Litespeed, Lynskey and Soma.

Full service maintenance and repair including wheel building, shock work, hydraulics, base tunes and overhauls as well as fitting solutions. In business as Village Bicycle in Richmond for 17 years.

AUGUST 2015

CLAREMONT CYCLE DEPOT

12

12 Plains Road Claremont, NH 603-542-2453

www.claremontcycle.com Hours: Mon-Thu 10am-5:30pm Fri 10am-7pm, Sat 9am-5pm Closed Sundays Claremont Cycle Depot is a bike shop committed to making everyone who walks through our doors feel welcome and takes pride in our staff, products and services. Our service staff is professionally trained and certified to work on all bicycle makes and models, not just the ones we sell.

OMER & BOB’S

13

2 Stellar Locations 2 Terrific Menus

20 Hanover Street Lebanon, NH 603-448-3522

www.omerandbobs.com Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-6pm Sat 9am-5pm, Closed Sundays

, STOWE 1669 MOUNTAIN ROAD 3-3100 802-25 Just off the Rec Path • bluedonkeyvt.com

&

1O RAILROAD ST, MORRISVILLE On the new rail trail aka VAST trail

802-253-3100 • fb 10 Railroad St.

Stop for a Great Meal as part of your Bike Adventure!

Offering House-smoked BBQ & our famous Blue Donkey Burgers plus many more options for everyone.

ENJOY OUR GREAT FOOD AT BOTH BEAUTIFUL VENUES!

The Upper Valley’s bike shop since 1964. We carry road bikes, mountain bikes and kids bikes from specialty brands, including Trek, Specialized and Colnago. Featuring a full service department offering bike fitting, bike rentals and a kids’ trade-in, trade-up program.

HIGH PEAKS CYCLERY

14

2733 Main Street Lake Placid, NY 518-523-3764

www.highpeakscyclery.com Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-6pm Sun 9am-5pm Lake Placid’s source for bicycling and outdoor gear since 1983! Aside from bicycling, we specialize in rock climbing, hiking, paddle sports, fly fishing and car racks. Road bike coaching rides and professional bike fitting completes the program. High Peaks Mt. Guides Service and Adventure Cycling can set you on the right route. We also offer road and gravel cycling tours, and other schools and camps for all ages and abilities and demos for Salsa, Surly, Giant and Scott bicycles.

VTSPORTS.COM 33

ENDGAME

A PAIN TRUTH

By Jessie Donovan

A

t the end of 2013, I had raced nine Ironman triathlons and seven 70.3s in just two years. I had managed to win three, place on the podium three more times and finish 13th overall in my first Kona, Hawaii Ironman. After my last race in 2013 I was excited for more and I was dreaming up new challenges for myself.

I think I may have thrown out the idea to my coach of doing 10 Ironmans in 2014. OK, I’m sure I did. Then it all fell apart. Suddenly, I felt like I was just hanging on by my fingertips.

When you are an athlete and you have an injury you just want to hide it under the rug. It’s like a dirty little secret that you really don’t want to talk about, it feels like a sign of weakness when you just want to be strong.

For the past year I have been in pain—there, I said it.

I tried stretching, strengthening, physical therapy, massage, chiropractors, time off… but the pain in my hip and leg just wouldn’t go away. Sometimes the worst pain of all would be when I was just sitting trying to work at my “real” job as an analyst at the University of Vermont.

I couldn’t think straight and I would often feel like I just wanted to take my leg entirely off so I could get rid of the pain. What made this injury even more frustrating is that it didn’t have a name. There seemed to be no clear diagnosis beyond “nerve pain,” which seemed like such a wuss diagnosis.

I wished I just had a broken leg so I would know what I was dealing with instead of this mysterious pain that would move from one side of my hip to the other, down the outside of my leg and then the inside.

So, I did what any typical athlete will do, I did my best to ignore it and push through the pain. In November, 2014, I finished Mexico’s Ironman Cozumel in sixth place in horrible pain, blacking out in the medical tent and waking up to an IV. After spending the rest of my vacation limping after my husband and three kids I made myself a promise: I would not race again until I got rid of the pain. And then I followed these six steps to recovery.

Step #1: I took six weeks off. For the first four weeks I didn’t even walk down the driveway. People asked me if that was hard: Not at all. One thing

A Charlotte mother of three, Jessie Donovan won the pro division in the 2013 South Africa Ironman and then, even injured, managed to placed fourth in 2014, still with the fastest bike split.

“I remember asking if it would be OK to get into ultra running because that was all on trails.

Really? Hello, Jess: When they say never run again that even includes 100-mile runs on trails.”

I learned about pain is it’s exhausting.

My leg would often wake me up at night and I wasn’t sleeping well. I was stressed about how much it would hurt and, if it felt better, when it would start to hurt again. I had zero urge to do anything. I was on a mission to fix this thing and refind the happy Jess who always wanted

to go longer and harder.

Step #2: Consult doctors. After taking the time off, my hip still hurt, and I just knew it was telling me that something was wrong. I went to see a new doctor who ordered x-rays. Those came back and the conclusion was arthritis.

Not just a tiny case of arthritis but real arthritis as in never run again.

Hmmm…I had a hard time digesting this one. I remember asking if it would be OK to get into ultra running because that was all on trails. Really? Hello Jess, when they say never run again that even includes 100-mile runs on trails.

So, I did what any normal triathlete does, woke up and went to masters swimming in the morning. When I got back I remember saying to my husband “I love swimming in the morning, I just love masters. Do you think it’s OK if I just swim because I love it even if I can never race again?”

He gave me a smile and a hug and said “Jess, of course you can, why do you think everyone else is there?”

Step #3: Consult more doctors.

The next diagnosis was a labral tear on top of the arthritis, I guess arthritis can lead to that. After this news I did what any normal triathlete would do, I read about pro mountain bike champion Lea Davison’s comeback from hip surgery (www.teamusa.org/News/2014/ September/10/Lea-Davison-From-Surgery-To-The-Podium) and dreamed of my comeback.

Step #4: Get a super high-powered die-injected MRA of my hip. This, of course, took a while to schedule so in the meantime I just kept building back up my bike volume and truly fell in love with the sport of swimming.

For the first time I was swimming with a group, pushing myself to new levels and loving my time in the water each day. I had moments when I asked myself “Why am I doing this? They told me I won’t ever race triathlons again….”

But then I remembered I was just doing what makes me happy. I was still holding out hope that there were many more triathlons in my future, but in the mean time I was coming home from the pool each day with a smile on my face—not because that last swim was a means to an end, but just because it felt good and it was fun.

Step #5: Get results from the super high-powered MRA. Well, it turned out that I had zero arthritis, no labral tear, and no hidden stress fractures in my hip. But they did find something.

I had a benign ovarian cyst about the size of this little grapefruit—not what I expected. Thankfully it was a large, but simple, cyst and all fluid filled.

Finally, Dr. Najarian, a surgeon at UVM and a Charlotte neighbor operated and drained it. Twelve hours later, the pain was gone and all the nerves the cyst had been bumping into seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. I was cautiously optimistic that was the end of this injury’s story.

Step #6: Email coach and say “Now time to plan 10 Ironman triathlons in 10 weeks, this is going to be crazy fun!” Of course, that’s not really my plan; there are not actually 10 weeks in a row of Ironmans I can get to. Whatever the plan is, I’m going to make sure I continue to enjoy the journey.

Learn more about Vermont's winningest pro triathlete Jessie Donovan and follow her progress and blog at www.jessie-donavon.com

Post-script: In June, Dr. Kenneth Najarian, who performed Donovan's surgery, was struck and killed by a motorist while cycling on Greenbush Road near his home in Charlotte. Jessie Donovan and Vermont Sports dedicate this column to his memory.

34 VTSPORTS.COM

AUGUST 2015

Burke Vermont

BIKE N BREW AUGUST 8

CALEDONIA COUNTY FAIR AUGUST 26 – 30

To Burke Hollow

Farmjunk

burke green rd

Burke Cottage Rentals

Skydive

FALL FESTIVAL

white school road

bugby crossing rd

To Island Pond

SEPTEMBERTo Farmjunk 26

To West Burke

Farmjunk

GetWhite information on School upcoming events and lodging & Nose Dive vacation packages at

Upper Pond Loop

www.BurkeVermont.com White School

bugby crossing rd

Moo smith hill road

Swan Dive

darling hill road

bumps road

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pinkham road

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Pastore Point Loop

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Kevin Corliss Newport, NH, Surgery for Torn Meniscus

If this is you, we’re your sports medicine team. We’re Dartmouth-Hitchcock.

Call 1(800) 639-2864 for an appointment. Or visit lebanon.dhortho.org/sports.

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