Field Limit: To those of you who registered via our on-line late registration because you thought our field was going to be full (and it was) I apologize.  I had to raise the field limit to allow for all of the weather weenies who were looking at the forecast and then panicked when they couldn’t register.  

I said I wasn’t going to raise the limit, and I didn’t want to, but there were too many outside pressures.  Some of these people even called some of our sponsors…   I wasn’t able to get enough real work done due to all of the inquiries the past few days.  So I took the easiest way out, and buried my principles.

The best way to get people to pre-reg is to sell out your fields.   We essentially did that.  Be warned for next year that I will hold my ground firm; there will be more significant penalties for waiting until the last minute…

For those who have friends or teammates who want to ride; the first 53 who show up will be able to do so.  They won’t get goody bags, but they can ride.  Tell them to look at the BikeReg page or the HoH website registration page for details.   Rider 54 will be turned away. 

Dress Warm:  While the weather should be clear, it is going to be cold.  If you are planning on shedding any layers, make sure you can stuff them in your pockets.  We don’t have good facilities to ensure anything you leave at a rest stop or give to a SAG vehicle will make it back to you.

Field Limit: Technically, we are sold out; there are only a handful of spots left; thank you for your support!  We said we weren’t going to do it, but people (weather weenies) have been driving me nuts for the past 2 days, trying to pull favors, begging, calling sponsors, etc. trying to get in.  To stop the nonsense (and the associated hassle, so we can concentrate on Saturday), we are exploring ways of expanding the field a little.  We’ll post something to the website and BikeReg site as soon as we have it worked out. 

Bike/Parts Drive:  Don’t forget, please bring your unwanted bikes, components and accessories to donate to Second Life Bikes of Asbury Park.   Their programs can really use your support.  They serve the entire community, so everything from kids bikes to beaters is welcome. 

Early Package Pick-up Incentive:  With record attendance, it is going to take some time to get all of you to sign in and get your SWAG.  As an added incentive to get there early, Ridley Bicycles has generously donated some “We are Belgium” water bottles, the first 40 of you who check in on Saturday morning will get one.   We plan to start on time, please arrive allowing plenty of time to register and get prepared. 

Pure Energy Shop Specials:  Arounkone & crew will be there early for your last minute needs.  The following items are on sale for HoH participants:

• Road tubes $3.00 each
• CO2 Cartridges $1.50 each
• Small Coffee $1.00 each

On March 18th, our friends at the Washing Machine Post paid tribute to the spring classics story.  Look for the article titled "Buffoonery" this week, for it shall soon be in their archives. 

The 3^rd time must be the charm because 241 riders have registered on-line; thank you for your support!  Our field limit is 250, so if you have friends who haven’t pre-registered, only the first 9 to show-up will get to ride…   Registration will open no later than 7:30.  After the 9 slots are filled, people will go on a waiting list.

If you are pre-registered, you must check in by 8:30, otherwise we may consider you a no show, and offer your spot to someone on the waiting list.  If you aren’t going to make it, please let us know, so we can potentially free up your spot

Registration/package pick-up:   will be at Pure Energy 99. South Main St.  Lambertville, NJ 08530.  Please do not use their restroom.  Porto Potties are available at the staging area: River Walk’s Parking Lot at the End of Wilson St. (2 blocks from Pure Energy)  

All riders must sign a USAC waiver.  We have them pre-printed with your info in binders according to last name.  On Saturday morning, queue up according to last name, find your waiver in the binder, sign it, collect your bib number, and goody bag, and get ready for the ride. 

Parking & Directions:  See http://hellofhunterdon.com/directions

Cervo Rosso is a major sponsor of the 2011 Hell of Hunterdon.  They are donating Team Issue Cycling Caps to be given to the first 150 pre-registered participants, as well as providing some National Pride Jerseys as major prizes in the raffle.  Below is the official pres release:

Cervo Rosso announced today their support of the 3rd Annual Hell of Hunterdon a Cyclosportive ride that brings a little bit of the Northern European Spring Classics to Hunterdon County, NJ. The challenging course features 18 sections of dirt, gravel, and hardscrabble roads (covering approximately 15% of the course) as it winds its way through the scenic farmland and country towns in central New Jersey's Sourlands.

The Hell of Hunterdon was first held on April 25, 2009, as a successful offshoot of the Fools Classic, which has been held annually since 2007.  This is the third year that Kermesse Sport will host the event, which is one in a series of 3 events that celebrate and pay tribute to the European Spring racing calendar.

We are pleased to announce our partnership with Strava.  Built for Cyclists, Strava offers an on-line service that allows you to:

Get Faster
Strava gives you detailed analysis of all your rides, climbs, and favorite segments based on your GPS data. See how you improve over time.

Get Motivated
Compare your times with friends and other riders who cover the same ground. Compete without having to be in the same place at the same time!

Get Outside
Strava benefits all avid cyclists. Discover new places to ride and share your experiences with your friends on Strava.

All pre-registered participants will receive a complimentary 3 month membership to Strava.  Strava is also contributing a Garmin Edge 500, which will be the Grand Prize in our Raffle! 

Strava is setting up our route on their website, so if you ride with a compatible GPS device, you’ll be able to upload your data and compare your ride with others.

Ridley bicycles, Belgium’s preeminent bicycle brand has signed on as a major sponsor of the Hell of Hunterdon.   Their advertizing campaign slogan states, “We are Belgium”; with a slogan like that, we consider their sponsorship a solid endorsement of our vision, and are delighted to have their support.  Ridley bikes are proudly sold by Pure Energy, so you can see them for yourself at the event.   Ridley has an interesting history read more about it here and here. 

Noah Jensen, Ridley sales rep, is planning on coming from Minnesota to participate in the ride.  As harsh as our winter has been, it is nothing compared to the tundra he has to deal with.  So please, be nice to him; their sponsorship wouldn't have happened with out his support! 

You’ll work up quite a thirst during our spring classics, but fear not, River Horse Brewery in Lambertville has renewed (and expanded their sponsorship) of our series, so you can slake your thirst following the events.   River Horse is a founding sponsor of the Hell of Hunterdon, and generously have expanded their support over the years to our other events. 

Cold River Horse will be served following the Hell of Hunterdon.  Unfortunately school policy prevents us from serving alcohol at the Fools Classic and Fleche Buffoon, but we’ll make sure you get River Horse to go.

The good news is last year we outgrew the Pure Energy Parking Lot; the bad news is we’ve outgrown the Pure Energy parking lot...  Arounkone & crew have been such wonderful hosts; this event wouldn’t be possible without them, but the event is too large for their modest space.

Fortunately, Arounkone’s connections have enabled us to secure the use of a large property around the corner from them.  This year the ride will start & finish at River Walk (the address is 201 S. Main Street, but you’ll get there from Wilson St. @ Feeder St.).   Special thanks go out to Gene Albert, the owner of River Walk, and Lambertville Police Director Bruce Cocuzza for allowing us to make this change. 

We plan to have registration at Pure Energy, where you can also purchase your pre-ride coffee as well as breakfast items from Caffe Galleria, who promises that the waffle irons will work properly this year.