Race Director Wrap-up for 2007

Thank you all for being with us this weekend.

I do not really know where to start.
The weather was perfect; I had nothing to do with that. REALLY!
Hilda gave us two fantastic home cooked meals.
66 private landowners, STAB, Lou Schertz, and Bill Stillson gave us some
trails that amazing.

Our Sponsors, Ascutney Mountain Resort Ibex, Men's Journal, Hammer Gel, La
Sportiva, Merrell Shoe, Harpoon, Skunk Hollow Tavern, and so many more that
have given their products and support.
This year we hand the MOST Runners, and I hope to keep growing this category
of participation. With many bikers and this many runners, I was glad to hear to
many positive comments about the shared trails.
I must apologize for the cold showers. I only found out about that late
Saturday. You all deserved better, it will NOT happen next year.

As I have always said, it is not one person that makes an event happen. We
have a wonderful race committee, pool of volunteers and a community that is
very supportive.

Many of you know this is a Fundraiser for Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports.
This is very dear to me. There are so many who would love to be out doing
what we take as an everyday recreational activity. VASS helps give this
opportunity to so many.

Please, keep your donations coming in. Your online fundraising is still on
active.com.  http://www.active.com/donate/VASS2007

or donate directly at: http://www.vermontadaptive.org/

I wish you all a very good year. I hope to see you next year the last Sunday
in September. That will be September 28, 2008.

Sincerely,
Mike Silverman
Your Host (RD)
Vermont 50 2007

Start Times

You must check-in the morning of the event to participate.

Thanks to everyone!

I want to thank Men's Journal, Travel Channel, and Sector Watches for joining us for the 2006 race. They were a great addition and I know The Vermont 50 and the participants appreciate their presence.

As for Ibex, I think of them as part of the Vermont 50 family, and I do know all the participants will be proudly wearing their wool caps thoughout the year.

I would be wrong not to mention a special thank you to Hilda Yates and her family, for keeping us fed Saturday Nite and Sunday. She does fill out bellies with some very special home cooking.

Mike Silverman
Race Director

Order your Bike Jersey before it's gone!

You still have one last chance to order a 2006 commemorative bike jersey.  Note the hot graphics that'll show you tackled one of the toughest Mt. bike races around!

Order via Active.com

 

Official Race Photos

Check out your photos from this year's race at SkiPix.com.

Photos are there and they look great!

 

New Stuff

There will be a fun race for kids again this year. This is a free event, and all participants will get prizes.

Aid Station # 8 - Goodman's - new regulation

Due to traffic and parking problems at aid station #8, we will only allow support crews to be transported by van from Ascutney Mt start/finish. All other spectators with cars will be asked to leave. This is from a Sheriff's Dept observation from the last several years. We do not want to lose this section of our race, so this is not a "request", but an enforced regulation.

Start Times

50 Mile pre-race meeting is at 5:30 am. 50k pre-race meeting is at 7:30 am.

You must check in the morning of the race to participate.

Category

Start Time

Expert - Veteran & Senior ll

6:15 am

Expert - all others. Single Speeds

6:20 am

Sport - Veteran. Senior ll

6:25 am

Sport - all others.  Clyde Sport

6:30 am

Novice. Clyde Novice. Tandem

6:35 am

Runners - 50 Mile

6:40 am

Runners - 50 K

8:00 am

 

Other Notes

Volunteers Needed

If you are coming to the race with a participant, you can always get involved with the event. We need volunteers at aid stations; there are 10 of them, and at the Finish. If you are planning to be around Saturday before the race or the Monday after, set up and clean up are always in need of more hands. Please contact our Volunteer Coordinator .

Only Racers on Course

Anyone not entered in the event is not allowed on the course. We have restrictions with the landowners and we do not want to lose the use of their lands. Please do your part and help enforce this for the future of the VT 50.

Sharing the Course

One of our strengths of this event is providing lots of support to both the bikers and the runners. Please be considerate to each other on the trail. Bikers talk to the runners when passing and runners let the bikers know what would be best for you. We want to make both athletes feel welcome.

Post-Race Dinner

Post-race dinner is not all you can eat. Please, we try to offer the biggest and best variety of home made food we can and there are many of you who finish earlier than others. The plates are big and there is lots of room to pile it on, but for $10, one round is all you get.

Back again

Each year we, the race committee, try to respond to the constructive advice you offer. We hope this year we will show you we listened. In 2003, we added 2 new events to the day, the morning College Mt. Bike Race, hosted by Dartmouth College, and a 50K Run.

As we continue to improve our existing event, we will continue to make the Last Weekend in September, a memorable visit to Vermont for all of you.

Cheers,

Mike Silverman
Race Director

To all Runner Entrants

The Vermont 50 started as a runner's race. Over the years, the number of mt. bikers has grown tremendously, and we've heard that some think we don't provide enough support, especially at the aid stations.

Since 2006, we've made a number of changes to combat that impression. Changes include, but are not limited to:

Adjusting start times to give greater separation between mt. bikers and runnersHolding back some foods and drink for runners, while still providing plenty for the mt. bikers.Making sure everyone understands that the post-race meal is not an all-you-can-eat buffet, so that those who finish later get their fair share.

Saturday Pre-Race Dinner

Dinner will be served at the Town Hall in Brownsville, which is next to Ascutney Mt. Resort.

Mike Silverman
Vermont 50 Race Director

 

Rules against Littering

Please remember to keep all gel wrappers, flatted tubes, expended air cartridges, et cetera under your control and off the course. The consequences of not doing this may be severe, not only for the violating racer, but for all of the mountain biking community if we lose access to venues.  For some, "off the course" means pitching it into the woods, but we mean "Carry in Carry Out."

 

This SAG policy for was instituted starting in the 2005 race.

There is a 12 hour limit for the race with 9 Aid Stations at ~ 5 mile intervals.  If any competitor arrives at an Aid Station after the posted closing time of the station, they will be requested, urged strongly, and then TOLD to get in the van for free transportation back to the finish area at Ascutney Mountain Resort.  Course sweepers will follow the last competitor into each Aid Station and coordinate with Radio Race Control to track each entrant. Our purpose is to NOT lose anyone in the woods!!  We ask for your co-operation from those that cannot keep up a pace of 4.16 mph (14 min, 24 second miles).  You will be able to leave Drop Bags in the basement at Cunningham's Ski Barn.  These bags will be destined for Aid Stations 3, 7 & 9.

Copyright © 1996-2007 Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports. All rights reserved.

Race Director Notes

Race Sponsors

Ascutney Mt. Resort

Bell

Ben and Jerry's of Hanover, NH

Bike Vermont

Cannondale

Hammer Gel

Harpoon Brewery

Ibex

La Sportiva

Men's Journal

Muzino/USA

Omer and Bob's Sport Shop

Sector Watches

Skunk Hollow Tavern

The Stronghouse Spa