On a hot day in upstate New York, members from OA Boston and OA NYC flew the team flag at the Hell of the Northeast, Battenkill Roubaix.

The Cat 4's got underway just after noon as temperatures hit an unseasonably high of 80-plus degrees. For anyone familiar with Battenkill-Roubaix (or, heck, even Paris-Roubaix) the race is won or lost if you're not in the front 20 riders to hit the first dirt/climb section. With two OA riders towing the line (myself and Dave Richman), the team had quite the coup when we both got in the lead group after the first hill. With a little coaxing, some swearing, and riders bridging up and getting dropped, we settled into a lead group of 22 for the bulk of the 55 miles of racing.

Being mid-April and having not acclimated to racing in 80+ weather, I was in for a shock when both of my teeny water bottles were bone dry by mile 30. With the help of a Boston homie in the breakaway (Thank you Jordan!) and Dave (I owe you one!) I was able to get a swill or two of water from the neutral water stops. Yet, as they say, if you're thirsty then it's too late: you're already dehydrated. Too true.

As we neared the crest of the final climb I saw teammate Dave get to the front of our group of 14 and lay the hammer down, which prompted my fatal error of getting out of the saddle in an inch of sand (do NOT try this at home). With the consolation that it was an OA teammate driving the PainTrain, I got dropped and soft pedalled in for 13th place with Dave taking a well-earned 7th in the bunch gallop.

Hearing all of the mechanical carnage wreaked on riders' wheels and drivetrains it's often a small miracle to finish the course. Also, looking at photos I was amazed to see just how many riders had to get off and walk sections of the dirt climbs!

Ways to win B-R (in theory at least):
-Be in the first group of riders over the first climb or be ready to ride 50 miles solo.
-Bring an extra water bottle.
-Make friends with your breakaway companions: it's a long day.
-Don't get a flat (or rip your derailleur off).
-Avoid the 3 inches of sand on either side of the road.
-Wear your MTB shoes and practice your cross mounts and dismounts for those 18% dirt grades.