The Raymond Loop

http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/380288753

The Raymond Loop  .... It's one of those rides whose very name causes a pause, a reflection, a  ..... concern. It hurts. Every time. No matter the state of one's condition, it hurts and, hense, the concern. When do I have to do it again?  But it's also one of those rides you know you should do. Have to do. Man thing, I guess. It's a test that must be faced. The route makers that be have scripted two Raymond Loop options, the original 60 mile Raymond Loop and the 80 mile Extended Raymond Loop, which adds a 20 mile loop at the apex of the original route.

Actually, the Raymond Loop is very scenic with lots of hills, lakes, farms, views of the White Mountains - lovely in the summer, breathtaking in the fall and utterly dreadful in the extended Maine winter elsewhere known as spring. We just rode it. Late March. 34 degrees and windy with big snow banks. The other day I watched one of those nature shows on TV. A wolf was walking across a frozen riven when all of a sudden the ice broke beneath the animal's hind legs. Splash goes his legs but the wolf scrambles with his front paws, pulls himself onto the ice and continues to amble on his way seemingly unpreturbed by the near death experience. Sometimes I feel that's how we Maine guys are. We ride sub freezing weather way too often, past snow banks, across frozen puddles and continue on nonpulsed as though it's completely normal and acceptable.

But the Raymond Loop is hard cold or no cold; wind or no wind. It's the hills. Short and punchy but continuous with five memorable virtical episodes with the most memorable coming on Valley Road. Hate that one. Straight, 17% with the top seemingly never getting closer. Then you throw in the fact you always do the Raymond Loop with a group, a competitive group, and it's full gas up the major hills. I guess you could say "uncle" every now and then but no one ever does on the Raymod Loop. Maybe if one chose to ride the Loop alone it would be pleasant. A nice country ride. Hummm ... that's a thought.