March - April 2005

Spring is just about here and that means we’ve got tons of old and new rides for you to get into. The focus this time again is our patented Montauk Century and Metric Training Ride Series, a gentle way to get you ready for the main event on May 15th. In addition we have Bike-Hikes from Jim Zisfein, two new exotic cultural rides from Richard Sanford, President Ed’s Spring Series and a few other odds and ends.

About the Montauk Century Training Ride Series

This year we have made a couple of minor changes to the training ride series. Chief among these is the move of the Manhattan starting location to the COLUMBUS CIRCLE entrance of Central Park, which is the NE corner of West 59th St and 8th Avenue. The biggest reason is because from this spot we can enter the parks loop road without crossing any vehicular traffic. The Queens series starts as always at scenic Cunningham Park. There is ample parking nearby.

Complete all or most of the rides and you’ll condition yourself gradually for the Montauk Century. Our training ride series destinations remain the same, and most will be offered with a quick spin option, to accomodate the needs of our faster riding members.

Quick Spins and the No-Drops Rides

Most of the training rides will have a “quick spin” option. We can offer a quick spin as long as enough leaders show up and are willing to lead the faster group. We must have at least two leaders with each group. Quick spin rides will not use point-drop-sweep but will have leaders providing point and sweep functions, so the group must stay close together. The pace of the quick spin is determined by the leaders, but can average between 17 and 19 mph. If you are not sure if you can do the quick spin pace, please ride with the regular group. Whichever group you ride with, please follow the directions of the ride leaders, as they are looking out for your safety throughout the ride.

All trippers joining a quick spin group will be expected to know how to read a cue sheet in case they get seperated from the group. The regular group will leave a short time after the quick spin, and it’s possible that a regular group could pick up slow riders from a quick spin, but there’s no guarantee that will happen. If you are unsure about an area where the ride is heading you should take a map of the area and a railroad pass.

All training rides of that go 70 miles or farther will probably be led without drops and will likely only have one group instead of two. We list two start times in case there is enough demand for a quick spin. That means that you must be able to read a cue sheet and must be able to keep up with the rest of the group. Don’t attempt a long distance ride if you are not ready for it!

Be Prepared

If you plan on taking part on a training ride - century or metric series, you must come prepared and ready to ride. First, be sure to carry some small snacks or energy bars. You will need fuel for your engine along the way. Just a cup of coffee in the morning will not be enough to keep you going when you’re climbing these hills. Second, and just as important, is water. A 50 oz or larger hydration pack works best, in my opinion. If you prefer bottles to packs, please bring at least two. You can easily bonk or cramp up if not sufficiently hydrated, and then you’ll have trouble getting back home. In other words: drink and you won’t bonk!

Make sure your vehicle is in proper working order in advance of every ride. Check the brakes, shifters, and other moving parts. Pre-lube your chain, if it needs it. Inflate your tires to the recommended pressure before you head out and you won’t have to delay the group when it’s time for the group to depart. If you haven’t done so in the past year, give your bike a tune-up before the series gets going. I always say if your bike needs some maintenance, best to see to it in the off-season, before the shops get buried in repairs.

Next, dress appropriate to the weather. The temps in the early Spring range from the low 30s to mid 50s. Dress in several layers and wear a jersey or jacket with outer pockets that can carry your food and tools and anything else you really need. Try not to pack too much on your bike or you’ll just be carrying a couple extra pounds up all of those hills.

Now, a word about equipment. You must carry a spare tube that fits your tire, a pump, patch kit, and few small tools to make adjustments or emergency road repairs. Plan to ride as if you were going on a long ride by yourself. On our training rides it is very easy to get seperated from the group, especially if you want to join our quick spins. You should not assume that another rider or the ride leader will fix your bike if it breaks (they might but you can’t plan on it). The tools I recommend carrying include multiple sizes of metric allen wrench, a small, adjustable wrench, a small screwdriver, and a pocket sized chain tool. You can even get many of these all in a multi-tool (such as the Topeak Alien). Do yourself proud by taking one of the club’s basic repair classes. Bike repair classes will save you hassle and embarassment in the future on the road.

Once on the road you will be expected to keep up with the group. Most of the training rides will be led at a ‘B’ pace. The Quick Spin groups will be aiming for a faster pace. What does that mean? It means that you have to keep moving, ride single file and stay on the right. Don’t ride two abreast. Converse when necessary but these rides are practical and not the relaxed, leisure rides that you see offered with the happy-face icon.

The Metric Series

If you want to train for Montauk and you’re not ready for the full century event the club offers a metric century and a series of 4 metric training rides to match. This is a simpler progression from 20 to 50 miles all leaving from a variety of Manhattan starting points.

Questions or comments? Email me at daytrips@5bbc.org

Danny Lieberman
Day Trips Coordinator