Purgatory Road Race: Fair Course for All Types

http://www.mapmyride.com/us/sutton-ma/purgatory-road-race-route-13829472

Next up this Sunday for the Downeast Racing boys in blue is the Purgatory Road Race in Sutton, MA. The Pro-1-2 field will tackle the 11 mile circuit seven times, while the Cat 3 field will circumnavigate it five times. The two distinguishing features of the scenic rural course are, 1) the closed road descent thru the Purgatory State Forest, and 2) the oft repeated 1k climb of 666 Hill that leads to the finish line 600 level meters later. Purgatory, with its blend of downhills, flats and manageable uphills appeals to all manner of road racers - climbers, sprinters and rolluers. Each "specialist" can visualize a winning strategy on this course. Climbers feel that, with repeated attacks of 666, they can break up the field and whittle it down to a select few. Rolluers count on tired legs in the rest of the peleton to allow them to roll away from the field and sneak off around the corner and escape for a victory. Sprinters roll the dice and count on the field chasing down any climber/rolluer escapees AND their having the legs to successfully follow the string of riders up the closing hill and then dashing away to victory and swiftly crushing the visions of glory any spindlely legged climber or sturdy rolluer may have had. Many times it happens that the rolluer crests the hill first with the climber closing hard and the sprinter lurking in the background. Hmmmm ...... Who will cross the line first? We'll be sure to let you know.