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2011 NE Gentlemen's Race

VIDEO: Paper Fortress | WORDS: Gerben Gerritsen | PHOTOS: Chris Milliman  

There are great juxtapositions in cycling: the tougher the ride, the greater the rewards; the further you go, the more unknown places you will discover. Combine these and you have the 2011 North East Rapha Gentlemen’s Race. A 134 mile chain of beautiful scenery, grueling climbs, and challenging surfaces through little known areas of Eastern Pennsylvania.

At 7:30AM on May 21st, the first of 20 teams, each comprised of six riders, departed on a journey. Starting and ending at the iconic Lehigh Valley Velodrome, this could only become a memorable day. Of these 20 teams, only nine completed the entire racecourse with all six riders. Some teams finishing a man down, while others had to take a short cut to finish before sunset.

All 120 riders shared the feeling that this was the most grueling and, at the same time, beautiful ride they had ever done. In the following pages you will find accounts from four of the teams out on the course that day.

Team accounts:

Photos from the day:

A huge congratulations and thanks to all riders. A special thanks goes out to: Bill Strickland and Bobby Lea for designing the course; Bicycling Magazine for all their support; The Valley Preferred Cycling Center and the Breakaway Cafe for being fantastic hosts.