May - June 2005

Pedal the back roads from the city through the Hamptons to the ocean!

Sunday May 15, 2005 – Rain or Shine

• Choose from three distances: 65/100/140 mile routes. All routes end in Montauk.
• Choose from two check-in locations: NYC Penn Station or Babylon, LI.

May is here! It's time for warm weather, sunny skies, flat roads, and the 5BBC's 2005 Montauk Century ride, which will take place on Sunday May 15, 2005. This year is the 41st anniversary of the ride, and it's going to be a gem. We'll still have a beautiful backroads route, great rest stops, full S.A.G. support, and hot showers at the finish line.

There are three big changes for 2005:

• Another rest stop. For those doing the longer distances (100 miles or 140 miles) we've added another rest stop. No matter which route you choose, we'll try to have fantastic rest stops no more than 25 miles apart.

• Leader escorts. We're offering an optional escorted version of the 65-mile route this year. Ride along with trained Five Borough Bicycle Club leaders who will keep an extra eye out for you. No extra charge for this.

• All Ed and Liz, All the Time. Ed Pino and Liz Baum, who have headed up the finish-line team for the past couple years are now in charge of the finish line AND the entire ride, and we're lucky to have them.

Registration opened on January 1, and it’s already filling up! Early-bird prices end on May 4th. Complete details and on-line registration at http://5bbc.org/montauk.

Whether this will be your first century or your annual hammer session we will help get you ready with a complete series of Montauk Century Training Rides.

On Montauk day, please be sure that your bicycle is in good working order and you have basic tools and supplies just in case. Also be sure to pack a small bag with a change of clothes, toiletries and a towel for the hot showers at the finish. We’ll transport the bag to the finish so it will be waiting for you when you arrive in Montauk.

Do you have ideas for improvements for the 2005 ride? Drop me a note and let me know what's on your mind. I'll do my best for you.

Finally – Free socks are back. Ice cream is back. I am back.

Glen Goldstein