Events: Sourland Semi-Classic 2022
(2022) The time had finally arrived to trade trainer rust for unpaved dust. Kermesse Sport’s first event of the year, the Sourland Semi-Classic, centered itself at V5 Cycles in Flemington, NJ, on March 5th. The event, modeled after Belgian spring races, is best described as the tune-up for the Hell of Hunterdon. Visiting many of the same roads in the longer Hell of Hunterdon, the Sourland Semi-Classic highlights the throughways of the preserve of the same name. Before riders could return to organized events, we had to get there. As it turns out, there was a bit of relearning to pack the team car.
Originally scheduled for the week before, but pushed into the first weekend of March on account of icy weather, the Sourland Semi-Classic found an optimal forecast. I had struggled to pack up the car, checking multiple times that each piece of essential gear was stowed. It had gone too easily, surely something was forgotten (there wasn’t). Pulling into the parking lot of V5 Cycles, riders were already circling in the freezing morning light. Some were warming up, and some were no doubt unsure what to do with themselves. Due to Covid protocols, the event was started quietly with a rolling start time. I must have missed the front group while signing in but, I found myself alone for the early miles of the ride.
The Sourland Semi-Classic route is mostly paved, but the 125 participants were also routed over five unpaved roads. The first unpaved sector, River Avenue, came three miles into the ride. Each sector possesses its own nuances. Some, like River Avenue, were classic gravel affairs with a little sticky mud on the shoulders. Later in the course, the segments were nearly unrecognizable from the last time a Kermesse event passed through. What little gravel was present had been pushed to the gutters, leaving a firm dirt crown. These segments were fast and enjoyable. The few other segments had deep sand and dirt.
Roads through the Sourland Preserve are distinctive in their narrow nature, winding directions, and surrounded by forests and glacial debris. The Preserve is one of the best places to ride in the area.
The Sourland route left me wondering what was more populous: horses or bridges. The route sliced through numerous horse farms, particularly in the middle miles of the ride where the goldenrod dormant grass reflected the sunshine struggling to beam through gray skies. Complementing these golden fields were optimistic green St. Patrick’s Day flags barely moving. Then there were the bridges: one-lane, trestle, bridges next to other bridges, and even a road that featured two trestle bridges one after another that hinged on a sliver of asphalt. The full experience happened often where bridges were positioned next to horse pastures.
Though there was scant climbing (3,100 feet) riders went up longer climbs. Ten miles into the ride, out of Neshanic, NJ, Zion Road was the first climbing test of the 2022 season. At nearly two miles in length the climb hid endless ramps that no doubt broke the rider's confidence. After an icy plunge down the backside, the route went straight back up Montgomery Road, another long climb that logged a bulk of the elevation for the day and treated riders to an unpaved summit.
Throughout the ride groups swelled and separated. A group was caught shortly after departure. Their pace did not suit me so I found another group. All the months of riding solo or indoors showed themselves as I shopped around for a group into which to integrate. There were riders heading up Zion in clusters, but I forged on, winding through the Sourland Preserve’s quiet roads and private homesteads. Here is a place where cyclists can find peace and rarely see people at their houses. The route peeked outside the Preserve for the sole rest stop only to re-enter and explore other areas of the Sourlands.
The route’s middle portion wound through numerous horse farms. The goldenrod grass reflected the sun’s rays and created a beautiful contrast with the gray sky.
The route sent riders into the town of Hopewell where the event used to start. Sourland Cycles provided the only rest stop, perfectly timed as hunger had set in. Participants were talking, most six feet apart as if it’s been burned into their personality. Hand sanitizer held sentinel at the start of the food line. A soft pretzel was taken, as well as Fig Newtons for nostalgic sake. They alway seem to hit the spot. After pleasantries were exchanged with staff working the aid station, it was back out onto the route for the final thirty miles.
Here is where the group best suited to me was located. A couple of riders navigated downtown Hopewell on the way back into Sourlands. I found myself riding next to Kurt, a cyclist I’ve run into several times in events and on the back roads of Bucks County. The Pandemic displayed itself again as he inquired about my bike, asking if it were new. I said I had it for two years, which seemed to make sense until we both recognized we hadn’t crossed paths since the last Sourland Semi-Classic in 2020. His pace was furious compared to mine, and I tried to keep up. The route mellowed a bit. Despite having to turn around to retrieve an item, Kurt still managed to finish before me.
Despite a tailwind along this flat road, this farm sign had to be photographed.
Along beautiful roads the finish came as never before. The final miles were altered, much to the benefit of those interested in seeing New Jersey’s beauty. With the smaller event, the colder temperatures, and V5 customers mingling with finishers, Sourland finishers gathered around the tables to refuel with pizza and beverages. Here is where old connections were reestablished. Here is where topics explored how people made it through the Pandemic. It was the company of kinship to show that it was great to be riding in an event again. Shortly after refueling, I made my way to the team car and prepped for departure. Even that small task seemed foreign.
There was sun and wind burn as a token for riding. There was voracious food consumption. There was also exhaustion from rediscovering pace-setting riding. But most importantly, there was excitement to be back out on roads with a group that has been separated for a long time. Shortly before the Sourland Semi-Classic, Kermesse Sport confirmed the date for the Hell of Hunterdon. Kermesse Sport’s flagship event returns April 10th for three distances of Hell. It is the day after Monkey Knife Fight, a similar event in Emmaus, PA. For all those wishing for outdoor events to promote a divorce from the turbo trainer, here is the weekend from Hell that will have one watching just how loudly they say things.
