Vermont: family, friends, food and cross

This weekend we will drive up to Vermont and hangout with some friends, visit my sister's family and my new baby nephew Jack. Oh and to do some cross too. This will be my last weekend racing the 4s. The UNH and Lowell races will be my first as a 3.

Part of the fun of racing each weekend for me is to checking out the local establishments after the race. That's part of the reward for the training and the carrot to chase in the race. Whether it be beers @ The Moan and Dove and burritos from Bueno y Sano after Northampton or the fisherman's plate @ Woodman's after Gloucester, it makes the weekend that much more fun.

I remember in Gloucester either Rosey or Pierre telling me about Curtis' BBQ in Putney. Apparently it's BBQ School Bus off of I-91 in Putney that has been around for quite a while. I was looking forward to checking it out but unfortunately he's closed for the season. But near where we'll be staying in Chester, his daughter's runs a BBQ restaurant that I think we'll check out.

Looks like there's a chance for some snow at Putney, at the very least it will be chilly. I am looking forward to riding that course, specifically the downhill descent which I fell on twice last year. One crash was in practice, there's nothing like showing up to the start slicked in mud, proof of your technical prowess on the course. Also I recall the natural barrier (log / step up) being tough to get through smoove. I think I'll screw in the spikes for the run up this year.