Greenway Challenge

[Surlygirl]

Hubby and I just went and watched part of the Greenway Challenge this morning. It might be fun to put together a Team Estrogen for next year.
Something to think about.
http://www.greenwaychallenge.org/

[Crankin]

I know that the AMC Worcester chapter puts together a team for this.
There's no way I could do anything but the cycling part. I have a canoe, but we do mostly "lazy" canoeing...

[tygab]

would love to do this... I saw this a while back, but too late to do any training/prep for it. I kayak, and I have a fast and small day touring boat. I also bike, and I run, but like a snail at this point (working on that).

Let's start working on a team...

Here's how the legs worked out for this year:

Segment 1: run 3.5 miles - Map of Asa Waters

Segment 2: cycle 13.8 miles - map of cycle segment 1 , description of cycle segment 1 , map of Plummers Landing

Segment 3: paddle 4.5 miles - map of Stanley Woolen - Good news! Just in - We WILL be using the canal (option 1) rather than the river.

Segment 4: cycle 13.2 miles - map of cycle segment 2, description of cycle segment 2, map of Snett Trail

Segment 5: run 3.1 miles - map of Wallum Lake

Segment 6: paddle 1.5 miles - map of Burrillville

Segment 7: cycle 22.0 miles - map of cycle segment 3, description of cycle segment 3, map of Knights

Segment 8: run 3.1 miles - map of Lincoln Woods

So, I would volunteer for a paddle segment and a bike segment, or I might be able to do 2 paddle segments if we get enough cyclists & runners. Of course only doing 1 segment would be ok too, not sure how large the teams can be.

Step up, NE'sters, and let's make this happen for 07!

[wavedancer]

I'd be up for cyling and paddling...no running for these knees!

Linda

[Surlygirl]

I believe you can have up to 9 members on a team and you need a support crew to move bikes and boats etc. Some people do the whole race but most have teams and you can set it up however you want. There were 77 teams this year. The 77 bicyclists got a police escort through Grafton and there were officers at every major intersection. Most of the first leg was pretty flat except one killer hill we couldn't believe they sent them over. There were all types from hardcore to recreational athletes and its just a fun event.
They have organizers at every transistion site and everyone claps and cheers you on. They change the course every year so it doesn't get boring. Just a good time.
Oh and I don't run either, the knees, the knees. So kayaking and biking.

[tygab]

Hmm so put another way we need 1-3 runners, 1-3 cyclists, and 1-2 paddlers.

(of course this may change as they make clear the route for next year).

Doing the whole thing myself seems a bit much though it would be awesome to achieve. So, since this is after all a cycling forum, I doubt we'll have trouble getting the cycling portion covered. And it sounds like a few of us are willing to paddle as well. So it's some women runners we may need to recruit. I think we could find a few, not too hard to do. I will add that I want to complete some sprint triathlons next spring/summer, so running one leg is not out of the question for me.

Hey, maybe we'll have enough to field a couple of teams, who knows.

So, I guess you could update me to being willing to run also. :eek:

[Crankin]

For you guys i could try the running portion. My knees are Ok, it's just the rest of my body! I run really slowly, but i could work on it. I don't know how many segments of running I could do, though. I've never run more than 3 miles and that takes me about 30 minutes... and of course I would do the cycling

See what comes up. I know someone who is a really good runner that might be willing to be on the team (she did the Marine Corps Marathon a couple of years ago)
Robyn

[tygab]

Is there still interest in doing this? I am beginning to plan out an event calendar/training schedule for 07, and if this is something everyone is serious about, I'd like to know so a) I don't plan other events around then instead and b) I figure out how it'd fit into my training and summer plans. I realize it's still a long time away, and not so crucial for early season stuff, but I am curious to see if the interest is still there.

Edit: FYI there is also a similar event called the Josh (after Josh Billings) in the Berks. It's going to be Sunday Sept. 16, 2007. I am considering doing this as a tri (bike/run/paddle).
Edit again: Date is posted for the Greenway: Sept 29, 2007
-T

[DebW]

I'd be interested. I could bike or kayak (my kayak is an 80s 13 foot whitewater model, so not a fast boat) or manage a 3 mile run. I'm not fast at anything, but not super slow either. I've also thought about the Josh Billings.

[Crankin]

When is it in 07?
I"d still be up for the bike and maybe the run

[jenxxs]

I'm interested in trying a run segment. I haven't done much running recently, but used to be an acceptable "marathon jogger." So it would be a good challenge for me to see what pace I could do for a shorter distance.

There's some possibility that I would have a work conflict, but I won't know that until probably early summer.

[petals]

I am interested in the biking or paddling. Can not do the running ( cranky ankle). I live in Maine and I am looking for different events in new England :D for the upcoming year. I have completed the Trek Across Maine X3 and need a new challenge!

Any ideas???? Recommendations?:D

[horsemom]

I am in NY, but have family in that area. I would be interested in joining a team, and would prefer to run.

Laura in NY

[tygab]

I am in NY, but have family in that area. I would be interested in joining a team, and would prefer to run.

Laura in NY

Oh yay! A runner!

Ok, I am going to try and "organize" what the responses have been:

Potential cyclists (well, in theory everyone in the thread but those who've said so):
Robyn
DebW
Surlygirl
TygaB
Petals
Wavedancer

Potential paddlers:
Wavedancer
TygaB
Petals
DebW

Potential runners:
TygaB
Robyn
Jenxxs
DebW
Horsemom

So we may have enough for definitely 1, maybe 2 teams assuming we recruit a few more to our side and/or a few people do more than one leg (I would if they were spaced sufficiently for example).

To answer Robyn's question, the date for the Greenway is: Sept 29, 2007

[tygab]

I'd be interested. I could bike or kayak (my kayak is an 80s 13 foot whitewater model, so not a fast boat) or manage a 3 mile run. I'm not fast at anything, but not super slow either. I've also thought about the Josh Billings.

I am curious about this, I've never seen a 13ft whitewater boat. Well, at least the ones I see in stores are all short and stubby. Do you do any flatwater kayaking with it?

[DebW]

I am curious about this, I've never seen a 13ft whitewater boat. Well, at least the ones I see in stores are all short and stubby. Do you do any flatwater kayaking with it?

Actually, it's a 12 footer. 13 foot was standard before I bought this boat - it was one of the first to shrink to 12 foot. And they've kept shrinking. Now they're mostly 7-8 feet, I believe. My boat has alot more flotation than the smaller ones and rides over waves and punches through holes nicely. Just not as good of a "play boat". I do paddle flatwater in it. It takes work to make it go straight, and if you stop paddling it immediately turns. Does this race require one to tag a teammate, then run and jump into the boat, pop on the sprayskirt, and scoot into the water? I used to do a relay race like that on the class II part of the Saco River as part of the Tuckerman Ravine Pentathlon.

If I get a cycling leg, I'd like a hilly section.

[Crankin]

Deb should definitely get the hilly section.... she climbs fast! My husband did the bike leg of the Tuckerman's pentathalon a few years ago. On his trial run all was perfect. Then, the day of the actual race there were 30 mph winds. He almost got blown off the mountain.

[horsemom]

This sounds like alot of fun. I will be traveling this summer to horse races, so keep me on the list, but remind me when we get closer!! I don't post here alot, but read every day...
I will be running all summer anyway, so will be in shape, I hope! This could be a blast, and a great way to meet new friends! I am sure I can drag along one or two of my sisters to crew, or lend support. :)

Laura in NY

[Surlygirl]

I think the race can be as fast or slow as people want. Some ran and jumped in Kayaks, others, just meandered, and there are always a few that end up in the drink. There seemed to be a wide range of folks racing, from hardcore to just out to have a fun day.

[plushride]

If you have any more room on the teams...I can bike, run, or paddle ...all rather slowly...but it sounds like great fun! I also have access to another kayak if needed. Renee

[DebW]

I am curious about this, I've never seen a 13ft whitewater boat. Well, at least the ones I see in stores are all short and stubby. Do you do any flatwater kayaking with it?

Found a good pic of my kayak. It's a 12 foot whitewater model from the 80s. It's a quick-turning downriver boat. Takes practice to make it go straight.

[Jolt]

I might be part of the Worcester AMC team this year--maybe I'll run into some of you! I just got an email saying they need runners, so if they don't have a problem with my speed (well, actually lack thereof) I'll probably be running one leg.

[Over50Newbie]

Hi,

I am putting a team together of over 50's. A combination of men and women.

Right now, all I need is one more runner. Is there anyone out there that is 50 or older that would like to join my team for a running segment?

Or do you know anyone that might be interested? - male or female - it wouldn't matter to us!

We are all pretty slow so speed doesn't matter. We would just like to do it for fun!

Anyone interested?

The registration deadline is September 1st, and the cost is $50.00.

There isn't a lot of time left...

Lynette

[DebW]

Oh yay! A runner!

Ok, I am going to try and "organize" what the responses have been:

Potential cyclists (well, in theory everyone in the thread but those who've said so):
Robyn
DebW
Surlygirl
TygaB
Petals
Wavedancer

Potential paddlers:
Wavedancer
TygaB
Petals
DebW

Potential runners:
TygaB
Robyn
Jenxxs
DebW
Horsemom

So we may have enough for definitely 1, maybe 2 teams assuming we recruit a few more to our side and/or a few people do more than one leg (I would if they were spaced sufficiently for example).

To answer Robyn's question, the date for the Greenway is: Sept 29, 2007

Do we still have interest in forming a team for this year? The following course info has been posted:

Start: Trailhead of the Blackstone River State Park Visitor Center Lincoln, RI
Segment 1: Run 3.7 miles
Segment 2: Paddle 2.7 miles
Segment 3: Cycle 17.5 miles
Segment 4: Run 5.4 miles
Segment 5: Paddle 4 miles
Segment 6: Cycle 14.7 miles
Segment 7: Run 5.6 miles

Total: 53.6 miles

The registration deadline is September 1. Race day is September 29.