New England charm in Manchester Village during the Vermont cycling record.

On May 20, 2006 I began my record attempt at the Massachusetts/Vermont border on US Route 7. After the start photos, the official Sandy Whittlesey started the clock at 6:22 a.m. and I was off toward the Canadian border. It was a chilly morning and the first few miles were up hill so I decided to cover my short sleeved jersey with a long one. I thought that I might overheat with a windbreaker and this combination was just right.

Before I reached Bennington just nine miles ahead it started to mist. I didn't mind the rain as I was still warm enough. Getting through Bennington at this early hour was easy and I made my way to Route 7A and followed it to the end, riding through the Green Mountain Forest. I rejoined US Route 7 just north of Manchester and as I made my way north it was raining lightly but steadily.

The traffic became busy as I made my way into Rutland. After a few miles of traffic lights I was again rolling through the countryside at a good pace. The next major town was Middlebury about 100 miles from the start. I arrived in just over five hours and I was feeling very good about my time.

Much of the cross state record course was wide-open time trial heaven.

I chose to ride my TitanFlex and I was comfortable the entire ride. I was not watching my computer or watch. I was getting a sense of distances by the towns that I went through. I was riding in a groove. Pushing myself and listening to my body rather than playing mind games with the technology on my handlebars. This was a very good pace and I was pleased. I was riding comfortably and felt that I could continue this effort to the end.

I also decided to have the crew provide leap-frog support. This worked very well. I would place a food order as I rode by and up the road lunch was served. I carried with me a few energy bars and Snickers and the handoffs included chocolate milk, yogurt smoothies, and peanut butter sandwiches.

The sun tried to come out above Middlebury and survived maybe an hour before the heavy rain came while I was trying to get through Burlington. It rained hard to the end and even though my thoughtful crew tried over and over to hand me my long jersey I would just ride past with a thumbs-up! I was cool but warm as long as I was working.

It poured for the last 25 miles.

I finished at the end of US Route 7 at the Canadian border after riding 181.4 miles in 9 hours 28 minutes. I became cold very quickly after I stopped working and shivered during the finish photo and all the way into the Welcome Center. That I was wet is an understatement! I looked as if I had just walked out of the ocean and rolled on the beach. I was dripping and cover with sand. As I stood I created a puddle. I took off my shoes and my socks squished water like sponges as I went into the men's room where I cleaned up and dried off. The look on the Welcome Center attendant's face was priceless and I was wondering why he was not curious as to where we had appeared from or why. He was only annoyed.

Oh, and yes..."I couldn't have asked for a better day!" Or, for a better crew! A warm felt thanks to all that made this crossing possible.

Whittlesey adds: It was a thrill to watch Russ ride so fast. His training had not been going well — he had been rather despondent that his speed was just not coming along. But on Saturday he put it all together, had a great attitude, managed everything well (particularly with the wildly varying weather), and just rode his butt off. I've never seen him ride so well in the thousands of miles we've done together.

This was a fantastic time-trial course. As much as I was familiar with all but the last 25 miles of the route, I had never considered it in the context of a long time trial. The topography is neither very hilly nor dead-flat for very long. It gives you short rollers or half-mile gentle grades, the sort of stuff that an experienced rider recognizes on sight as a chance to use different muscles or soft-pedal and eat for a minute. Other riders in the Northeast should give this route a look, because it is fast, fun, logistically simple, and just a great bike ride.

At the Canadian border.

The UltraMarathon Cycling Association - an international organization that oversees long-distance amateur cycling events - certified him as the new record-holder. A UMCA official observed his ride to ensure that he complied with all cycling regulations and traffic laws, including heeding stop signs.

Official record: May 20, 2006, South-North, 181.4 miles, 9 hours 28 minutes, 19.16 mph.
Start: US 7 at the MA/VT state line
Finish: US 7 at the VT/Canada border