While I've long talked about riding dirt roads and getting out into the back roads of east rural nowhere (all in an attempt to find your inner child and just plain enjoy riding your bike) there's something special about racing on dirt. \u00a0There's a modicum of uncertainty as the tires slip, the increased resistance ratchets up the pain meter and your face cakes with dust (or mud, depending) and sweat. \u00a0It's a thrill like nothing else, unless you're heading over for the Tour of Flanders or Paris Roubaix. \u00a0Since most of us aren't pros, and we don't generally have the time to fly to Europe just for a sportive….<\/p>\n

<\/a>Enter Tour of the Battenkill. \u00a0The toughest one day race in America. \u00a0America's Queen of the Classics. \u00a0America's answer to the Hell of the North.<\/p>\n

It's 63 miles of pain, 5,000 feet of grinding elevation, and about 25% dirt, gravel or broken up, nasty roads. \u00a0Combine that with an early April race day, and you could have anything from a beautiful sunny day to a greasy, nasty, gritty fight for survival.<\/p>\n

Oh what a race it is!<\/p>\n

It's no secret that this week was the release of the 2013 route, which you can see below:<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n