And So It Goes!

Well here we are it's springtime 2018 and it's time for the monuments of cycling, the Spring Classics.  Each year I take on my own spring classics.  A set of rides that I do year after year on a set course.  This year I will do the same.  Here's this years schedule:

Waltz Mills /mini ridge ride

Half-a-Double Buttermore Century

Giro de' Saltsburg

Greensburg Wilkinsburg Greensburg

Snake

Quarry Mine Ridge Climb

Derry Ridge Climb

I like to start my spring classics with the Waltz Mills mini ridge ride.  A somewhat gentle 25 mile circuit out of Youngwood, PA with one long'ish climb that will have most riders out of the saddle. This ride passes a couple horse farms, and other smaller farm lands of some kind.  The course is primarily on secondary back roads with very low car traffic.

The Half-a-Double Buttermore Century got it's start after a group of local riders discovered they all enjoyed riding many of the same roads and connected them to create a 50 mile circuit that passes many farms, stretching from New Stanton, Scottsdale, Mount Pleasant, Greensburg, and back into Youngwood where the ride begins at an industrial park loop, nicknamed the "Ywoop".

The Giro de'Saltsburg, is basically a ride north of Greensburg through Delmont, and over to Saltsburg, then on up to Blairsville and back. This ride takes on three challenging climbs. On the north side of Saltsburg the road takes a few twists and turns, allowing one to use their imagination as if scaling the Alps somewhere lost in Italy, giving this ride it's distinguished name.

Greensburg Wilkinsburg Greensburg, that's all it is.  Just a ride from Greensburg to Wilkinsburg, following Rt. 993, Rt. 136, with some other urban and neighborhood roads. 

Laurelville is the home of one of the most loved ridge climbs in the area.  This climb is better known as Snake by locals.  It's distinct stretched out shape wiggles it's way up and over the ridge.  It's not the toughest climb on Chestnut Ridge, but about halfway up you will question it's recorded gradient.

Not far from the Arnold Palmer Airport in Latrobe, PA Rt. 982 runs past Quarry Road, that goes up past Hanson Aggregates on T583/Noel Road.  Here you will find a long stretch of tree covered climbing on Laurel Ridge.  But the best part is yet to come.  After dropping back down the other side of the ridge top.  Cross Bethel Church Road, over to Hoover Road and take-on perhaps the most tranquil yet challenging climbs of the Laurel Mountains.  Once at the top of Hoover you can take your pick and go North, South, or West.  Doesn't matter, because it's all downhill from their.

Looking to up your game.  Want some cycling clout.  I got three words for you, "DERRY RIDGE ROAD".  This is without a doubt one of, if not, the toughest climbs around.  Expect to feel that deep burn in your legs, and a relentless assault on your psyche.  This is one of those rides where you begin to question why you are riding a bike.  Each time I have riding this climb I hear my inner critic telling me. This is the last time I'm riding this.  Nope!  This is stupid!  I'm not having fun.  "This sucks!"  The downside is also a little tricky, so keep your wits about you.  Once on the valley below, I smile and laugh at my exasperation's.  Yes.  It's that bad.  In a good way.  You should do it.

If anything, make your own Spring Classics list and hold yourself accountable for riding them each year.  After all, it's consistency that makes any ride a monument of your cycling season.

Thanks for reading.
Jeff GUY
Velo-Magic 


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