Per custom, we went again to Western Massachusetts for one more nice weekend of motorbike driving and staff bonding! Let’s hear what some members should say about their experiences!
“Organizing fall coaching weekend was a labor of affection and when everybody lastly rolled out on Saturday morning the entire effort had paid off. Within the good fall climate, everybody responded to the difficult terrain and quite a few city traces otherwise. Whereas Will took flight up Mt Greylock, Mason and Ryan sparred within the sprints and later our resident runner, Andres, would get up early to do marathon coaching earlier than displaying us how you can journey bikes quick. Again on the home, the staff gossiped about the perfect tan traces and fortunately ate dinner to organize for Sunday’s driving. After a clever start-line change to a pleasant donut store orchestrated by coach Brad, the staff went for its “endurance” spin and gravel journey earlier than wrapping up the weekend with a staff meal at a pub within the Berkshires, the place the spirit of fall coaching weekend waits for the staff to return subsequent yr.” – Lorenzo
“I actually loved Fall Coaching Weekend. This was my first one and I had a blast. The routes have been spectacular. I’ve been eyeing a Mount Greylock summit for awhile now and it lived as much as the hype. Assembly the remainder of the biking membership was very nice and attending to group journey is at all times a privilege. I have to admit the “turn out to be a race member” candy discuss is critically beginning to work on me. Thanks a lot to the staff for planning this!” – Daniel
“Fall coaching camp was a blast as at all times! I signed up on a whim, coming off a month-long hiatus and was a bit apprehensive concerning the depth. Though I used to be rightly apprehensive (I used to be cooked), it was a blast to get again on my bike throughout probably the perfect time of the yr in western Massachusetts. It was nice to get out on a few of the nicest roads as motivation to begin up my coaching once more.” – Will
“Fall coaching camp has at all times been essentially the most anticipated annual occasion for me. Went each time since my freshman yr til now, in my senior yr (which doubtlessly is my final..) Right here was the place I fell in love with biking, which has had extreme penalties on my monetary well-being. Price it. Greylock has at all times been robust and difficult, no completely different this yr (even worse as my aim shifted from biking 225 miles to benching 225). The group and the buddies have been phenomenal as at all times, which is what I really like essentially the most concerning the staff! The sightseeing squad was mad chill this yr. Though I didn’t go down Greylock with no brake (once more), happening no matter it was within the journey journey was one thing.. The divine retribution of pretending to fall to mesh with Lorenzo, then fall for actual (6 occasions) was not anticipated. If I’m damned to everlasting struggling at MIT for 4 extra years, undoubtedly coming again, with notifications off this time so no PI could cease me from being a menace on the street.” – Vinh
“This was my second yr going to the coaching camp out west. It’s so wonderful to have a possibility to get out and journey with everybody for a few days, particularly assembly new members of the membership and folks whose schedules don’t at all times overlap with mine. This yr we had improbable climate, with a pleasant cool breeze and the timber beginning to flip coloration. I appreciated how a lot thought went into ensuring there have been rides going out at each degree, whether or not you have been seeking to cruise round and see the sights or simply needed to harm your self. I used to be undoubtedly on the cruise facet this yr after a loopy journey final fall, however nonetheless took the chance to go as arduous as doable up Greylock and set my greatest time thus far. It’s so good to get again to the home within the afternoon and listen to everybody so enthusiastic about their rides, after which exit and eat a couple of dinners price of meals. I used to be additionally excited for my first journey journey of coaching camp, which ended up together with a climb that was more durable than Greylock and a downhill I wanted I had introduced my mountain bike for. I’m actually grateful that there’s so many nice folks engaged on making this such a enjoyable and easygoing expertise yearly.” – Cian
“Fall Coaching Weekend was such a beautiful time! It was nice hanging out with this unimaginable crew of robust, supportive, humorous, and depraved smaht cyclists. We couldn’t ask for a greater setting than the Berkshires or for higher circumstances than this good New England fall weekend. We rode on quiet nation roads by way of rolling hills, on the gorgeous Ashuwillticook Rail Path, and naturally up (and down) Mount Greylock! Unbridled pleasure was in abundance whether or not we have been practising our group driving abilities, struggling individually and collectively up the mountain, or stopping only a tad longer for espresso and pastries. I’m grateful to the staff for the thought and labour that went into this: planning our lodging, our routes, and our transportation; checking in on everybody; and serving to us keep protected and simply the correct quantity of uncomfortable.” – Ehab
“This was my third fall coaching weekend (final yr I used to be sick and sadly couldn’t go) and first time organizing it as a street co-captain. The climate was good and it was so good to reconnect with previous associates and meet new ones! My rose (rose bud thorn, iykyk) of Saturday was when an enormous group of us gathered on the high of Greylock to cheer teammates on as they completed the grueling climb and reached the summit. I can’t anticipate extra adventures with the membership!” – Chen
“This was additionally my third fall coaching CAMP and I had a pleasant time hanging out with the staff sleeping in bunk beds as soon as once more and getting ready Saturday evening dinner for the staff alongside my mighty sous-chef Lorenzo. This was my first time climbing up the North facet of Mt.Greylock and it was undoubtedly a problem and whereas the little voices in my head advised me to cease I stored going. The next day a gaggle of us went on just a little gravel journey (which included a big climb rip). The circumstances of the roads weren’t splendid however we nonetheless had a blast. I’ve just lately taken a step again from coaching however this weekend was a pleasant reminder for what made me fall in love with biking within the first place. I’m grateful for the group I’ve constructed right here during the last couple of years.” – Tatem
“FTW was the proper solution to wrap up a full summer time of driving and gave us the primary style of crisp fall air. After ridding myself of marathon coaching (goodbye, trainers) and buying an influence meter earlier this yr, I used to be excited to check out my legs on Greylock for the third consecutive FTW. Not like the final two years, we arrived on the base of Greylock each dry and recent, making for a way more satisfying and speedy climb. After swearing off any extra elevation acquire on day 2, the journey group set out on a rock-and-puddle-riddled route that left us with no possibility apart from… one other climb. Amazingly, this new hill was even steeper than Greylock, however rewarded us with pretty gravel, sweeping views, and mountain-bike worthy descents. We ended the day by munching on some fluffy donuts and nerding out about science and bike tech with our coach Brad on the drive house. I couldn’t think about FTW another means!” – Jody
At fall coaching weekend I largely simply learn a brief story, The Artwork of the City Line Dash, by Rason Meece. Right here’s a fast abstract of the work. It begins with a quote from the nice Lee Lopez: “the important thing to successful a city line is to shock your opponent, particularly by ready to tell them concerning the race till you’re already doing >1000 watts.” When you’re basking within the glory of that first win, start getting ready your excuses for why you’ll proceed to lose all future city traces towards the stronger sprinter. My private favourite is to fake that every one future city traces should not as essential as the primary one or that the distinction is only a operate of aerodynamics (not the 400W dash hole). If all else fails, you’ll be able to at all times revert to a tried and true technique of inventing city traces the place they aren’t, it’s a surefire solution to concurrently shock and confuse your opponent. – Rason
Different highlights of the weekend in pictures: 
“This was my second FTW and I used to be tremendous excited for it. The climb up Mt. Greylock makes you query your sanity, why you’ll willingly join this and what your legs did to deserve this torture. However… it will get so a lot better once you strategy the highest. The views, not like final time when it was simply misty and wet, have been beautiful with Fall colours peeking by way of within the distance. Assembly up with everybody and sharing the enjoyment of finishing an enormous climb is an incredible feeling. The cafe on the highest didn’t dwell as much as the promise of delivering scorching drinks as a result of somebody determined to get married up there and let the cyclists rot out within the open, however such is life.
The descent was the perfect a part of all of it with anticipation for meals build up. We have been handled to a scrumptious dinner by Tatem and Lorenzo and everybody exchanged tales of the day. The following morning, regardless of all darkish ideas of not driving once more for some time, began with extra pleasure to journey within the crisp fall morning. My tubeless tire (recent from the store from 2 days in the past) gave in to some glass shards with the sealant miserably failing to patch the wound — nothing some good previous tube couldn’t repair. That out of the best way, we rode by way of some beautiful hills with extra fall colours and regardless of guarantees of not pushing our legs, we stored pushing our limits and had an ideal journey again to the donut store. I’m already ready for subsequent yr’s coaching weekend!” – Gohar
