NYC Century

[mushmouth]

This was a goal for the summer and it's got to get done...any NYC'ers want to throw one down? I can do it either the weekend after labor day, or two weeks later.

Off the top of my head, I don't know a long route to do it so a last resort would be a Nyack, back, Nyack and back "get it done" ride... Anyone interested, or any suggestions?

[Stu Gotz]

Yo Mush,

If you can't get anyone to join you, here are two organized ones.

http://www.nycc.org/rides_eny.shtml
http://www.transalt.org/calendar/century/index.html


I've done the Transportation Alternatives Century, and the its a fairly good ride. First 50 are enjoyable, but traffic really picks up and it gets a little dicey for the second 1/2. It is an fairly urban 100 miler.

Never done the NYCC Century, but the club is very organized and I can't believe they would put on a sub-par ride.

[Benny Profane]

Try this : http://www.westchestercycleclub.org/goldenapple/
Pretty well organized, lots of riders. My old riding territory ( I lived in Mount Kisco ). The best within an hour of NYC. If you've never been on a ride like this, don't worry, just grab a map and a Clif Bar every 25 miles. It's pretty sweet when you get sucked into a peloton for however long you can.
Take the train - it's easy, but leave time for missed departures. Should be about an hour 15 to Golden's Bridge. You must have a $5 bike pass (one time fee). Buy it in Grand Central right next to the ticket windows.
Colors should be nice that time of September.

[mushmouth]

thanks guys, i'll check these out.

[gravitylover]

If next weekend is not too early for you, I run the Tour De Putnam. It's next Sunday and there are 17, 34, 50, 75 and 100 mile road loops and hour and a half guided mtn. rides on kick*ss trails. The base area is at Putnam County Veterans Memorial Park on Gypsy Trail Road in Carmel, NY. Registration opens at 7:30 am. We have shuttles picking up at the train station in Brewster or it's about 15 minutes from the Taconic Pkwy. Last year we had almost 1,000 riders, I'm hoping to break that this year.

[mushmouth]

I'm actually going to be at my girlfriends place in Carmel next weekend, so this might be a possibility.

Are all the routes completely different? I'm asking because my girlfriend has diabetes (happened within the last few months), but would like to try a shorter distance and doesn't want to ride solo. Do you know if the routes allow for a longer distance rider to ride with a shorter distance rider and then continue on?

[Benny Profane]

Westchester does. Started a few years ago with a beginning overweight biker who is no longer that, and she had a nice loop which could be repeated while you play Superman. Only way to figure it out is to go there and check out the map. Go with a Hagstrom Upper Westchester County map (Borders, B&N), and lots of sleep.

[gravitylover]

She can definitely ride the 17 or 34 and you can do the 50 and catch up to her and ride together for the last eight miles. The shorter route has a gradual 7.5 mile climb to a Buddhist monastery with the largest Buddha statue in the western hemisphere and then it's a coast almost all the way back. The 34 has a rockin' 6 mile downhill and there is a sometimes steep 8 mile climb back up to the top of the Taconic mtns. The 50 goes over the crest of that range then drops all the way to the Hudson River. There are rest areas every 6-7 miles. The park which serves as the base area is about 2 miles from the center of Carmel. Come up and play with us!

ps; the mountain bike trails are really, really, really good too.

[mushmouth]

Update: She has a friend coming from California for the weekend so won't be spending any time out on a ride which in turn means I'm going to try the century. Do you have any details on that ride? Any idea how many others will be trying it?
Thanks for all the info so far, I'm glad I asked the questions on this board.

[gravitylover]

The 75 and 100 run with the first 50 then break off at about 45 and roll along for the next 40 or so, then there is a short but sweet sketchy downhill for a few miles just before it finishes. You go over a huge dam at one point and there is a very short stretch of dirt on the approach and exit. This is the only time during the year that the general public is allowed on the dam anymore since 9/11/01. There are a few long extended downhills that you will see your computer hit 50 if you let it roll. Great rides!
Stop by my tent (the bike shop doing free repairs at the start) and say HEY.

[mushmouth]

SOunds great and I'll stop in. Sent you a reply.

[gravitylover]

Well, this year was the best year we've had yet. 1100 riders and you and your girlfriend helped make it happen. Thanx...

[Benny Profane]

That's all good, but I just wanted to link this for your bookmarks for next year. Beautiful country, real hard century, cool town for baseball fans: http://magicalhistorytour.org/ There is a PDF map on the site, so you can try it anytime - I'm heading back in a few weeks. I'll be here for a few: http://www.ommegang.com/