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Per tradition, we went back to Western Massachusetts for another great weekend of bike riding and team bonding! Let’s hear what some members have to say about their experiences!
“Organizing fall training weekend was a labor of love and when everyone finally rolled out on Saturday morning all of the effort had paid off. In the perfect fall weather, everyone responded to the challenging terrain and numerous town lines differently. While Will took flight up Mt Greylock, Mason and Ryan sparred in the sprints and later our resident runner, Andres, would wake up early to do marathon training before showing us how to ride bikes fast. Back at the house, the team gossiped about the best tan lines and happily ate dinner to prepare for Sunday’s riding. After a wise start-line change to a friendly donut shop orchestrated by coach Brad, the team went for its “endurance” spin and gravel adventure before wrapping up the weekend with a team meal at a pub in the Berkshires, where the spirit of fall training weekend waits for the team to return next year.” – Lorenzo
“I really enjoyed Fall Training Weekend. This was my first one and I had a blast. The routes were spectacular. I’ve been eyeing a Mount Greylock summit for awhile now and it lived up to the hype. Meeting the rest of the cycling club was really nice and getting to group ride is always a privilege. I must admit the “become a race member” sweet talk is seriously starting to work on me. Thanks so much to the team for planning this!” – Daniel
“Fall training camp was a blast as always! I signed up on a whim, coming off a month-long hiatus and was a bit apprehensive about the intensity. Although I was rightly apprehensive (I was cooked), it was a blast to get back on my bike during possibly the best time of the year in western Massachusetts. It was great to get out on some of the nicest roads as motivation to start up my training again.” – Will
“Fall training camp has always been the most anticipated annual event for me. Went every time since my freshman year til now, in my senior year (which potentially is my last..) Here was where I fell in love with biking, which has had severe consequences on my financial well-being. Worth it. Greylock has always been tough and challenging, no different this year (even worse as my goal shifted from biking 225 miles to benching 225). The community and the friends were phenomenal as always, which is what I love the most about the team! The sightseeing squad was mad chill this year. Although I did not go down Greylock without a brake (again), going down whatever it was in the adventure ride was something.. The divine retribution of pretending to fall to mesh with Lorenzo, then fall for real (6 times) was not anticipated. If I am damned to eternal suffering at MIT for 4 more years, definitely coming back, with notifications off this time so no PI may stop me from being a menace on the road.” – Vinh
“This was my second year going to the training camp out west. It’s so amazing to have an opportunity to get out and ride with everyone for a couple of days, especially meeting new members of the club and people whose schedules don’t always overlap with mine. This year we had fantastic weather, with a nice cool breeze and the trees starting to turn color. I appreciated how much thought went into making sure there were rides going out at every level, whether you were looking to cruise around and see the sights or just wanted to hurt yourself. I was definitely on the cruise side this year after a crazy ride last fall, but still took the opportunity to go as hard as possible up Greylock and set my best time so far. It’s so nice to get back to the house in the afternoon and hear everyone so excited about their rides, and then go out and eat a few dinners worth of food. I was also excited for my first adventure ride of training camp, which ended up including a climb that was harder than Greylock and a downhill I wished I had brought my mountain bike for. I’m really grateful that there’s so many great people working on making this such a fun and easygoing experience every year.” – Cian
“Fall Training Weekend was such a lovely time! It was great hanging out with this incredible crew of strong, supportive, funny, and wicked smaht cyclists. We couldn’t ask for a better setting than the Berkshires or for better conditions than this perfect New England fall weekend. We rode on quiet country roads through rolling hills, on the beautiful Ashuwillticook Rail Trail, and of course up (and down) Mount Greylock! Unbridled joy was in abundance whether we were practicing our group riding skills, struggling individually and collectively up the mountain, or stopping just a tad longer for coffee and pastries. I am grateful to the team for the thought and labour that went into this: planning our lodging, our routes, and our transportation; checking in on everyone; and helping us stay safe and just the right amount of uncomfortable.” – Ehab
“This was my third fall training weekend (last year I was sick and sadly couldn’t go) and first time organizing it as a road co-captain. The weather was perfect and it was so nice to reconnect with old friends and meet new ones! My rose (rose bud thorn, iykyk) of Saturday was when a big group of us gathered at the top of Greylock to cheer teammates on as they finished the grueling climb and reached the summit. I can’t wait for more adventures with the club!” – Chen
“This was also my third fall training CAMP and I had a delightful time hanging out with the team sleeping in bunk beds once again and preparing Saturday night dinner for the team alongside my mighty sous-chef Lorenzo. This was my first time climbing up the North side of Mt.Greylock and it was definitely a challenge and while the little voices in my head told me to stop I kept going. The following day a group of us went on a little gravel adventure (which included a significant climb rip). The conditions of the roads weren’t ideal but we still had a blast. I’ve recently taken a step back from training but this weekend was a nice reminder for what made me fall in love with biking in the first place. I am grateful for the community I’ve built here over the last couple of years.” – Tatem
“FTW was the perfect way to wrap up a full summer of riding and gave us the first taste of crisp fall air. After ridding myself of marathon training (goodbye, running shoes) and acquiring a power meter earlier this year, I was excited to test out my legs on Greylock for the third consecutive FTW. Unlike the last two years, we arrived at the base of Greylock both dry and fresh, making for a much more enjoyable and speedy climb. After swearing off any more elevation gain on day 2, the adventure group set out on a rock-and-puddle-riddled route that left us with no option other than… another climb. Amazingly, this new hill was even steeper than Greylock, but rewarded us with lovely gravel, sweeping views, and mountain-bike worthy descents. We ended the day by munching on some fluffy donuts and nerding out about science and bike tech with our coach Brad on the drive home. I couldn’t imagine FTW any other way!” – Jody
At fall training weekend I mostly just read a short story, The Art of the Town Line Sprint, by Rason Meece. Here’s a quick summary of the work. It begins with a quote from the great Lee Lopez: “the key to winning a town line is to surprise your opponent, especially by waiting to inform them about the race until you’re already doing >1000 watts.” While you’re basking in the glory of that first win, begin preparing your excuses for why you will proceed to lose all future town lines against the stronger sprinter. My personal favorite is to pretend that all future town lines are not as important as the first one or that the difference is purely a function of aerodynamics (not the 400W sprint gap). If all else fails, you can always revert to a tried and true strategy of inventing town lines where they are not, it’s a surefire way to simultaneously surprise and confuse your opponent. – Rason
Other highlights of the weekend in photos: 
“This was my second FTW and I was super excited for it. The climb up Mt. Greylock makes you question your sanity, why you would willingly sign up for this and what your legs did to deserve this torture. But… it gets so much better when you approach the top. The views, unlike last time when it was just misty and rainy, were gorgeous with Fall colors peeking through in the distance. Meeting up with everyone and sharing the joy of completing a big climb is an amazing feeling. The cafe on the top did not live up to the promise of delivering hot beverages because someone decided to get married up there and let the cyclists rot out in the open, but such is life.
The descent was the best part of it all with anticipation for food building up. We were treated to a delicious dinner by Tatem and Lorenzo and everyone exchanged stories of the day. The next morning, despite all dark thoughts of not riding again for a while, started with more excitement to ride in the crisp fall morning. My tubeless tire (fresh from the shop from 2 days ago) gave in to some glass shards with the sealant miserably failing to patch the wound — nothing some good old tube could not fix. That out of the way, we rode through some gorgeous hills with more fall colors and despite promises of not pushing our legs, we kept pushing our limits and had a great ride back to the donut shop. I’m already waiting for next year’s training weekend!” – Gohar
