What's in a Name? ...the #300NotOn100 Photo Essay

The "300 Not On 100" is an evolution.Tim Johnson and I are good friends. We both hail from New England and we both race bikes. With a sense of adventure, the two of us sought a mega expedition and had been banging ideas back and forth before we settled on riding the 200 miles that span the length of Vermont from Canada to Massachusetts entirely on Vermont's Route 100. At the last minute, entirely kidding, we invited our friend Ryan Kelly who just 36 hours prior had completed another 200 mile, pancake flat charity ride. Ryan is a respectable cat II racer, but 200 miles is a lot for anyone -- let alone a working stiff 9-5'er like himself not even two days before. Hilarity, bonking, and chocolate milk ensued and here's the aftermath. It's worth noting that I was just starting to ride again mid-summer after a broken collarbone, so yes I am cycling chubby. That was 2011.The calendar then read 2012 and we were thirsty for more. Since we three amigos we all love New England we opted for a Burlington to Portland route, hence the 200 NOT on 100. The video from the first edition brought attention to the fact that we had a small following so we opened up the option for anyone brazen enough to ride with us in this version 2.0. With folks joining us at the Burlington departure, meeting us along the way, or receiving us at the massive BBQ at Portland's Scratch Baking Co. (which is the best bakery you haven't yet been to), the word of this 200 Not On 100 ride began to spread.It's tough to coordinate a schedule that overlaps Tim's cyclocross schedule, my road race schedule, and Ryan's work schedule. We considered a Colorado edition of the 2013 200 Not On 100, but that fell through. So just when the calendar was already approaching October where the mornings are frigid and the sun sets early, and we thought our schedules would disallow the third consecutive ride, it all fell into place! This route effectively went My House to My House. Specifically, the house where I grew up in southern New Hampshire to my family's house off Boothbay Harbor, Maine. At roughly 150 miles each way so we made it a two-day affair. Once again we opened it up to anyone who wanted to join, and while the majority of people hopped aboard for maybe five minutes or fifty miles, one intrepid soul soldiered through the entire trip. Plus all said and done we probably had 80 people join us for some part of the ride.I could talk about it for another few hours, but believe it or not, that's the super short nutshell version. Alternatively this explains it: 200 On 100 --> 200 Not On 100 --> 300 Not On 100And now what follows is a photo essay of sorts for this 2013 version 3.0.The crowd at D Squared in Exeter begins to gather. It's about 5:30am so the fact that we had a solid 25 present for our prompt 6am departure was impressive. Or else just zany. Many thanks to Loco Cycling for picking up the tab.I have the privilege to wake up and train whenever I want most days, so it's rare that I see the sun before it comes up......and immediately after it comes up.I spy Tim Johnson! Here the roving peloton zips up the New Hampshire seacoast around 6:30am. The 38F temperatures made things extra zesty at this hour of the day.Soon after entering Maine, and upon remembering that we forgot to take maple syrup shots as sustenaince for the ride, we cracked into the "Canadian Oreos". Or absurdly delicious Maple Creme Cookies to the layman.The next leg of the journey tackled the Eastern Trail. With the scent of baked goods wafting in the air, we had a carrot leading us along.The reception at Scratch Baking Co. was naturally excellent. The Portland cycling scene is flourishing and they cheering crowd lured us in. The tasty coffee and smattering of baked goods didn't hurt.Yup, not to mention the grab bag of bagels and treats to go. This is fuel for the 300 mile slog.One of the biggest rises of the day was the Bath bridge. Tim sprinted with all his might and just nipped me at the line. Meanwhile I was snapping photos though.Arrival to Boothbay Harbor meant three things: 1) we're in a rush to catch the ferry boat......2) it was time for Tim to play with the crustaceans......3) and it was definitely beer o'clock. Thanks Allagash for the tasty recovery beverages.By this point, we've just completed this section of the ride. Part uno:Day two, the saga continues. First a boat ride brought us to the Maineland. Captain Ryan plots the course.With slightly tired legs but still 150 miles to go, we welcomed the sunnier weather, and quickly resumed formation.We saw token New England convenient stores.We exchanged high fives.We crossed more bridges.And just when our energy stores were beginning to drop into the red, we opted for Portland's Duck Fat restaurant which thankfully restored proper levels of poutine. One serving wasn't enough so we wisely went with five.Plus we toasted to prosecco. Yeesh, 80 miles to go.

Two hours later and still miles to go, we charted into uncharted territory. Namely, a bag of whoopie pies from the generous Erin in Portland.The three amigos: done and dusted, the 2013 300 Not On 100 in the bag!