Another Allen Clark is in the books, and congrats to Jeff Johnson and Marti Shea, this year’s overall winners. Congrats, too, to everyone who came and rode — several riders were no-shows because of the threat of foul weather, but the positive spirit of those who came kept the rain away. Put Sunday, October 7, 2012 on your calendar — the date of next year’s race.

The 2011 Allen Clark race is on! The race route was totally unaffected by Hurricane Irene, and access into the Mad River Valley from all directions is possible and improving every day. If you are coming from the south or east, however, it is recommended that you take Interstate 89 to Exit 9 (Middlesex) and come into the valley from the north. Other routes into the valley are open, but there might be some rough patches and the going could be slow. For updates on road status and closures, go to the state’s official roads site, 511vt.com. See you at the race! The forecast is for cool but clear weather.

The Allen Clark Memorial Hill Climb is part of a series, the Biking Up Mountains Points Series, or BUMPS.

All the major hill climbs of the Northeast, including Mt. Washington, Whiteface, and Mt. Ascutney, are part of the series. Riders can earn points towards the season-long championship and other prizes. For more on the series, go to hillclimbseries.com. Because it comes late in the season, the Allen Clark could be a truly decisive event in the series.