Borb's Triathalon
Otherwize known as the "Borbathlon"
September 13-15, 2009
Three events of daring & exertion on & around Newfound Lake, NH
Five PhDs after the 3 day event
Chronicle by Borb
It was the fifth year of the 5 year cycle, bequeathing Borb upon reaching his significant 60th birthday event to direct the Fall Classic activities.
Initially conceived as an attempt to join the Mooseman Triathlon held at Newfound Lake, the actual event was formulated to match the abilities and temperament of the PhD’s.
Biking, hiking and kayaking are core activities of the PhD’s. Thus it would be these core activities that would form the three day event dubbed the first “Borbathalon”; to be held at Newfound Lake on three glorious days in mid-September 2009.
On Sunday afternoon all converged at Borb’s cottage. After the initial greetings and settling in, things got down to the business at hand.
As we started out, the local boisterous resident ladies gathering on their porch heckling, questioning our manhood and choice of activities. Biking over beer? We assured them that would come later after the more serious first leg of the Borbathalon was completed.
The bike circuit would start with a short southerly trip to the newly minted Bristol bike trail along the Newfound river, then turned Northward past the white rental cottages and along the rocky ledges of the Western shore of Newfound Lake. 
There was a short break for fluids and to take in the panorama of the lake and mountains at the Ledges.
A large building was spotted near the top of Bridgewater Mountain. 
A continuing debate ensued over the next few days as to its purpose. The issue has not been resolved.
The rolling hills of Hebron loomed along the Northern coast. One steep hill in particular, starting at the now defunct marina, (who still owe Borb money by the way), resulted in a few 
dismounts for the ill prepared and/or those recovering from pneumonia and some unusual switchback riding. The highest recorded speed of the trip, 36 mph, was obtained on the downward slope. A second hill in Hebron resulted in additional pain and suffering. Turning right along 3A and along the Eastern shore the ride leveled out into Bridgewater with a final hill back to the cottage through the school yard. The resident inebriant ladies now well into their festivities cheered us on as Charlie pronounced “we made it”. The final tally for the event was 21.7 miles conducted admirably by the PhD’s.
After a short dip by some the dinner event commenced. On the menu was thinly sliced Pork Swiss barbecue ala Dave using the one of a kind Swiss barbecue pot-on-a-stick. 
A fire was needed, but an earlier trip to the recycling center had left the cottage devoid of newspaper. This is an essential fire ingredient at least according to some. Cell phone calls for newspaper were not returned. Paper towels and cardboard were useless. Never fear, the PhD’s are resourceful. A few Matchlite brickets ignited the wood Matt had imported from Wrentham and before long the cooking commenced. Beer, cheese, hummus, salad with walnuts, and couscous completed an excellent meal.
Following the meal a debate ensued regarding the appropriate venue for the PhD awards; when to hold it, if this was the 7th or 8th annual award, and of course blame was assigned for the lack of award preparation covering the prior year. We finally stopped debating and awards were given with appropriate fanfare. There were no prizes.
An excursion to find the perfect star gazing spot ensued, first in the street which was too obstructed, then at the WIA beach which was over lighted. Lacking a BB gun with which to shoot out the offending mercury vapor lamp, we moved on finally to the septic tank mounds above Snootyille. This was agreed to be the perfect spot for viewing Jupiter with 3 moons spotted. After some prostrate viewing of the awesome sky we returned to the cottage. Lights Out!
Breakfast ala Torm consisted of an interesting Breakfast pizza with healthy and not so healthy offerings. The lengthy bake time was offset by the tastiness of the offering. Even with the healthy appetites of 5 PhD’s on a Borbathalon half the pizza remained for the following day.
The second leg of the Borbathalon involved what some thought would be an easy hike through local hills lining the lake’s western shore. A circuit was conceived over little Sugarloaf & Sugarloaf Mountain down the col between them and then up Bear Mountain along the Elwell trail. The return was less clear and developed as we went along. Charlie was sure to inform us throughout the hike and in fact at any time of the available local caches. 
A side trip to the idyllic Goose Pond was quite a treat. Sugarloaf was strenuous but with a rewarding view at the top overlooking the lake and mountains. There was a conspicuous lack of boats and people attributed to it being Monday at the end of summer after Labor Day.
Lunch provided by Charlie consisted of tasty sandwiches and a jar of pickles. Luckily the whole jar of pickles was carried up allowing for an allotment of 2 slices each rather than the originally conceived bagged dehydrated pickles to save jar weight. Charlie never wanting to waste food exalted the benefits of straight pickle juice.
The downward slope of Sugarloaf into the col proved to be quite a surprise. It was very steep and consisted of pine needles on dirt. We nearly died, however PhD’s, have inherent mountain goat like abilities and aroma, and all survived.
We finally arrived at the valley floor. A debate ensued as to the next course of action. Charlie lobbied for the assault on Bear Mountain with its double geocache including a first to find. The others were not so enthusiastic having already experienced a great view on Sugarloaf. Matt & Borb stayed put, (i.e. failed to finish) while Charlie, Dave & Torm proceeded to the Bear Mountain summit. The climb was torturous & steep, but the reward was waiting at the summit; a first to find geocache. Another great view of the Lake was an additional reward.
After an hour of waiting, Borb awoke from his nap and he & Matt returned to the starting point on a poorly marked fire road via a bushwhack around Goose Pond. This route was dubbed the Pussy 2 route. The second party followed along via the same route, which included a harrowing stream crossing at the end of Goose Pond
All in all it was another glorious accomplishment for the PhD’s. The 6 hour excursion was 7.1 miles long or 5.45 miles for those who failed to achieve the Bear Mountain summit.
Arriving at the bottom 30 minutes earlier than the second party Matt suggested a trip to buy a single bundle of asparagus. We proceeded to the store and soon received a cell phone call to buy fireplace wood. 
Can you imagine we have come to this? Forced to buy fireplace wood because the quality of native wood provided by the event host was of such inferior quality.
While this was happening, the 2nd party proceeded to find an additional cache along the scenic west shoreline of the Lake. Upon Matt & Borb's return from the store both groups joined up and proceeded to the Newfound Boat Club for a short motor boat cruise around the lake. Oddly, a maximum speed of 35 mph was achieved with 135 horses which was slightly slower than the single human maximum cycle speed of 36 mph of the previous day. A short trip to the sand bar allowed those wishing to plunge into the lake a chance to refresh themselves.
Prior to returning to the cottage, Charlie and Torm discovered that only one bundle of asparagus and no pre-cut wood had been obtained and offered to buy additional. Dinner preparation ensued by master chef Matt. On the menu was salsa and chips which always disappear quickly, as well the previous day’s cheeses etc., the aforementioned grilled asparagus, with barbecued pork and chicken. Quite a feast!
The evening diverged into un-PhD like watching of the season opener of the Patriots or enjoying a second campfire in keeping with PhD traditions. The Patriots won in a spectacular finish in the final seconds of the game. At half time we converged in the street to view Jupiter with, can you believe it, 4 moons. Discussions regarding the third leg kayak event and the need for an early start ensued. The lake would be like glass. Lights out!
Upon arising at ~7:00 am and downing some coffee we proceeded to the beach for the start of the third and final leg of the Borbathalon. Kayaks were readied with Torm and Matt occupying a double. 
The lake was not like glass but exhibited a slight chop caused by the prevailing wind. It was decided to head for Mayhew Island with its safer close to the coast route. Upon starting out Torm & Matt were able to maneuver a collision with Borb to mischievously reset the rudder. This caused only slight adjustments to the self-proclaimed master kayaker Borb and upon discovery soon was reset. Upon passing Snootyville and the first of many encounters with loons Torm announced an “I quit”. This is a significant statement in PhD lore and results in a “Failure to Finish” award surely to be given at the 8th or 9th Annual awards ceremony. Statements blaming equipment are typically expounded during these events and this was no exception. The kayak wouldn’t track right, had a bad backrest, Matt couldn’t fit right etc on and on ad infinitum.
The three fearless PhDers Borb, Dave & Charlie continued on to Mayhew Island. At arrival we explored the newly installed zip line with its 100 foot old growth starting point on a tree platform and the landing in the lake. This is not an activity for the faint of heart and we all agreed we would not do it even if we were able.
Back on the kayaks we proceeded along the calm Southerly waters and around the island. Suddenly upon pointing north we encountered a fierce gale. The waves kicked up to at least 1-2 feet. It was all we could do to prevent swamping. Pointing Northwest at a 45o angle into the waves we pressed courageously onward and back to the sheltered coast finally arriving back to the beach. Quite surprisingly we logged 3.8 miles.
Back at the cottage we briefly rested and discussed the events of the First annual Borbathalon and all agreed it was a great time. We packed up and headed home. The last we saw of Charlie he was stopping for a geocache on 3A. There was a look of contentment on Torm’s face. We wondered if it would take them all day to get back.
