CJ Rudy's article below sums up the event better than we could do on our own! 

L’Enfer du Hunterdon – 2011
By CJ Rudy ©2011

If one needs a gauge of the popularity of cycling in the Delaware Valley, one needs to look no further than this year’s Hell of Hunterdon. Nearly double the amount of participants converged in Lambertville, NJ, as did last year. The starting line saw 272 registrants (plus a few bandits) roll out onto the secondary and tertiary roads of Mercer & Hunterdon Counties in this event’s third edition.

The registration area once again featured Belgian waffles catered by Caffé Galleria, and coffee offered by Pure Energy Cycling and Java House. Rider check-in and last minute purchases brought cyclists to the bike shop.  Attendees could also donate used bikes and bike parts to Second Life Bikes of Asbury Park, NJ for use in their children’s programs. . In accordance with the expansion, this year saw four waves of riders instead of last year’s three. Looking around the participants at the start one could notice the increase in women’s participation; their increase was so notable that female riders were rewarded with entry in a separate raffle (in addition to being eligible for the primary raffle).

Upon further inspection, diversity was aplenty. A tandem lined up in the final wave. Also, a rider in a simple t-shirt (it was twenty-two degrees at the start) was spotted along with a rider in mesh shorts and running shoes. Pledging retro, some riders rolled to the start donning wool jerseys to keep the wind at bay on the much-anticipated descents.

Commenting on the new start venue, Brian Ignatin stated, “The support for the Hell of Hunterdon has been fantastic. It was immediately apparent in 2010 that we had outgrown Pure Energy’s parking lot for the start/ finish venue. With the prospects of a sold out field in 2011, we knew we had to find another venue, but we wanted to remain close to founding partner Pure Energy, and the roots of the event. The perfect solution came courtesy of Gene Albert, who, after learning more about our event and our ties to the community, offered us use of his River Walk property, located only two blocks from Pure Energy. It was the ideal set-up for us.”

Owner of Pure Energy Cycling and Java House, Arounkone Sananikone, said about the 2011 Hell of Hunterdon: “Pure Energy Cycling and Java House's motto from day one has been "Preserving cycling culture!" and sponsoring the Hell of Hunterdon was an expression of my vision, and to give back to such an amazing cycling community in the spirit of the European Classics!”

Those signed up to compete in the Tour of the Battenkill found the Hell of Hunterdon attractive as it compared to what lay ahead in two weeks’ time. The dirt roads served as excellent practice for the upstate New York race. While the route was, for the most part, nearly unchanged this year, the distance and elevation gain exceeded what racers could expect in Cambridge, NY. The steep climb at mile 52 up Pine Hill Road compared to the gradient of Battenkill’s Meetinghouse Road.

Several riders had participated in the Tour of Battenkill pre-ride. Tom Outwin, a rider who completed both, favored the Hell of Hunterdon’s route. “I just attended the Battenkill pre-ride last week and frankly speaking, what you put together route-wise was much nicer and really, in my opinion, more demanding.   Of course Cambridge, NY is much more remote so there’s less aggravation with cars, traffic lights etc., but if I had to choose between the two, the Hell of Hunterdon would win hands down. “

Because of the Tour of the Battenkill’s earlier date this year, the Hell of the Hunterdon was moved up on the calendar. Registration started out amidst trepidation. Those who waited for the last minute weather forecast, trying to register at the last moment found the ride sold out at 250 participants. Due to popular demand, event organizer Kermesse Sport reluctantly worked with local authorities to open up an additional 50 spots to accommodate the procrastinators.

With clear conditions, the hardy cyclists pedaled off through unseasonably low temperatures and biting wind.  Donned in skull caps, booties, and embrocation, riders ascended Quarry Road and turned on to the first dirt section, Lakeview Road. This sector is where new riders got their first taste of unpaved roads. The packed surface was a good introduction to the seventeen remaining sectors. However, it was the second unpaved sector that was perhaps the most enjoyable. Riders found the sides of Hunter Road most suitable as it wound through scenic farmland. Two approaches were evident as cautious riders dictated the pace while some descended with gusto. Riders had to guide their rigs around a few obstacles such as bollards, guardrails, farm gates, and some jettisoned water bottles.

The camaraderie helped to distract from the effort. Speaking with two women from the Cadence team increased the morning’s enjoyment. For several miles, a small group gossiped about all things cycling. The exchanges didn’t last too long as another unpaved section claimed more victims. While punctures were less frequent this year, they still happened. Even though the day was dry, riders still had to worry about deep potholes, loose gravel, and even ice in some parts.

While the event’s distance and dirt roads were attractive aspects of the ride, the remoteness of the route proved to be the most alluring. Benefactors of the event were the Hunterdon Land Trust and the D&R Greenway Land Trust, whose land preservation efforts are largely responsible for the preserved woods and farms through which much of the route passed. Participants were able to ride without hassle for considerable miles by the rocky-forested and horse farm-lined back roads with minimal vehicular traffic.

The ride featured two well-stocked rest stops. The first rest stop was in an alcove on the side of the road in D&R Greenway’s Northern Stony Brook Nature Preserve. The second was located at D&R Canal State Park at Bulls Island, along the Delaware River. The rest stops were great places to get some unfrozen calories and to restore feeling back in one’s extremities. It also provided some relief from the beating administered by the hardscrabble roads. After the second rest stop, a glimmer of hope warmed shivering bodies with the information that the finish in Lambertville was not far away.

Worman Road, one of the last dirt sectors, pushed weary legs to the brink. It was yet another dirt road tracing a wooded stream. By this point it was exciting to see other riders. The distance, fatigue, temperature, and pace had strung out the riders throughout the county. Laying eyes on Route 29, the road leading straight back into Lambertville, was a feeling of accomplishment bordering on elation.

It’s probably what pro riders feel as they turn onto paved roads from a cobble section. Perhaps it’s the sense of smooth rolling and relaxed thought. Add the fact that Route 29 goes ever so slightly downhill for the finishing mile and one could get emotional. It was here that the great ride came to an end.

Of the overall ride experience, Doylestown rider Mike McHugh stated, “The whole ride is filled with opportunities to conquer something; not flatting or dumping my bike on the technical dirt sections, climbing Pine Hill at mile 50, and hoping that when it was all over I could remove my shoes and see that none of my toes were frostbitten.”

Greeting those who completed the route were cold bottles of River Horse beer and Café Galleria’s hot pizza. Riders could rack his or her bike, have a seat, enjoy some food and beer, and discuss all things velo late into the afternoon. Post ride is also when the raffle winners were announced. Some winners of this year’s Hell of Hunterdon winners included Robert Orr who won the grand prize Garmin 500 donated by Strava.com. Two entrants,  Lisa Fortunato and Gustavo Sanchez each won Cervo Rosso kits. Other items up for grabs were a Lazer Genesis Belgian Team Helmet, Beljum Budder Chamois Cream, Vincero Design Water Bottles 6-packs of River Horse beer, and Qoleum Sports Care products.

In the women’s raffle, Lauren Seavy walked away with the grand prize which was Belgian Chocolate donated by Belgium’s Johann Bruyneel Cycling Academy. Socks, handlebar tape, and Qoleum Bath Oil were other items reserved for the female participants.

With this ride growing each year, the Hell of Hunterdon is a must add to any calendar for next spring. The ride is full of wonderful vistas, eager participants, great sponsors, and plenty of unpaved sectors that will leave you wanting to ride it again for weekends to come. It’s only after the memories of the shaky legs after climbing off of the bike, does anyone decide to wait until next spring. Luckily, if the desire to suffer returns immediately, riders can look to the Delaware Valley’s original spring classic, the Fools Classic, which is in its fifth year of conquering many of Bucks County, Pennsylvania’s unpaved roads. For the real masochist, Kermesse Sports is launching the inaugural year for the Fleche Buffoon which showcases many of the infamous climbs in Bucks and Hunterdon Counties. This will be the only ride of the three that is completely on paved roads.

“We would like to continue to grow the event,” said Ignatin, “in a controlled manner so as to stay true to our original vision. [We’d] like to continue offering tremendous value for the participants. We believe the relaxed atmosphere coupled with the challenging ride offers an ideal way to celebrate the beginning of the riding season while paying tribute to European Spring Classics.

“We are honored that Belgian firms such as Ridley Bicycles, Lazer Helmets, and Qoleum Sports Care believe in our event and our vision. Other partners such as Cervo Rosso and Strava made huge contributions to make 2011 a success. It is our desire to bring in additional European and domestic partners that will compliment our theme while [Kermesse Sport] make additional investments to further improve our technical execution and production value of the event.”

Summing up the event, Brian Ignatin stated, “The event has grown exponentially by word of mouth. Our entrants come from several spectrums of cycling. We get serious road racers, cyclocross enthusiasts, as well as recreational riders. I think this shows that the event offers participants whatever they want to get out of it. Our post ride celebration allows everyone to mingle. Despite the disparity in abilities, there is shared respect and camaraderie among all who undertake the endeavor.” It is highly recommended to add the 2012 Hell of Hunterdon, on your calendar. However, don’t hesitate to register, as the ride is likely to sell out again. With a turnout like this, a message is being spoken that Hell rides in Hunterdon County, and it only takes the unpaved roads straight into Lambertville.