two pre-Labor Day rides: North Fork Century & D2R2

I was torn. August 28-29th, the last weekend before Labor Day. The North Fork Century, a gorgeous 100 mile ride along quaint and quiet Long Island and the epic Deerfield Dirt-Road Randonnée (D2R2) are taking place that same weekend!

Having done the North Fork last summer with my friend Sara and totally enjoyed it and highly recommend it, I decided to try something new. These two rides couldn't be more different but here are some comparisons: The North Fork starts/ends in Greenport (with a nearby campground) is on the furthest north eastern part of Long Island, a slice of NY paradise with beautiful beaches, vineyards, farm stands. It's also virtually all flat and paved for fast smooth riding! The D2R2 starting/ending in Deerfield is nestled in the hills of western Massachusetts and almost entirely off road, steep, and high up there in the list of demanding rides. Navigating the course is also a dividing point - unlike the well indicated route on the North Fork, the D2R2 (from what I hear) is VERY easy to get lost on and is all about keeping an eye on your cue sheet. It was suggested that I print out and laminate my cue sheet - I did two weeks before the ride feeling like a responsible and well prepared geek even taking a highlighter to every other line...
And then Ted, who's done the ride before, sent me a photo of his cue sheet...

OMG - forget laminating and highlighting, this has freakin geek cool written all over it!!! I'll report back after the 27th with photos and no doubt stories.  If your not familiar with the D2R2, you can read up about the course and it's creator, Sandy Whittlesey [here] on the Rapha site. Even better, see you there?!