The Great North Mini Gravel Ride – 4.9.22

Saturday’s weather forecast looked absolutely terrible for the Great North Gravel ride: nonstop raining all morning and through the duration of the ride. Needless to say, Jordan and I were pretty bummed. We headed to Cambridge, nonetheless. The Great North is a gravel event held in Washington County. It boasts gorgeous views of the Battenkill Valley and some sweet gravel roads in Washington County and Vermont. I had high hopes of finishing the 50 miler but the weather and my waterproof gear had other ideas.

 

Within the first 5 miles my “waterproof” socks had filled with water. I guess when the rain comes at you from every angle, even with a neoprene lining, socks are no longer waterproof. (I wore them on muddy hikes previously and they kept my feet dry!) I had little hope that my feet would dry out and warm up due to the nature of the socks, so we decided to take the shorter route at the split for the 23 miler and 50 miler.

The mud got caked onto my saddle. My waterproof Endura mtb pants are no longer waterproof either, since they soaked through completely. The only thing that stayed dry was my upper body thanks to my Showers Pass jacket. 

As bummed as I was to not finish the 50 mile route, I was glad to be be done after 23 miles. We changed out of the wet clothes, had some BBQ and enjoyed a beer at Argyle Brewery! My plan is to go back to Cambridge soon and ride the route in dry conditions! I need redemption. 

Ride stats