Ride Reports

We had a great ride today and a fabulous extravaganza.

Aside from the ride leaders, we had Jay, Mike, Betty, Marshall, Rena, Rob, Ernie, Arthur, Cheryl, Mark, Rebecca and probably a few others that are escaping me for now.

We set out on three different routes.

I led the 40 mile route from NC into Suffern/Harriman with Rena and Betty.  We went down Zukor and up S. Mountain Rd.  It's the first time I've ever climbed that road.  It was tough, but we did it!  The A/B group had, I think, regrouped at the top on 45 so they were just setting off by the time I got to the top, meeting Betty and Rena.  Then 45 down to 202 and, thanks to the red light, we caught up to the A/B group again.  Then it was up 202 and the A/B group faded into the distance. 

At one point, I was going at, what I thought was, a good clip.  About 22mph, when someone, who I'd swear was Steve B., passed me so easily as though he was out for a morning stroll, and shortly thereafter, I couldn't even see him.  (Steve - was that you?)

Since the first part of the route was common to both mine and Ian's groups, we had decided to meet up at Davis Sports on 17 to see how everyone was feeling and which route they'd like to ride.  Everyone was there waiting for me (as usual) so we took a breather and I gulped some much needed water.  Jay and Mike opted in for the longer route, and Marshall, Rena, Betty and Rob wanted to do the 40 mile.  So, we headed up 17, took the detour to get to 7Lakes and proceeded into the park.  7Lakes drive was fine and we got to Sebago and went around the detours to Kanwauke circle, which was fine.  Then up 106, which was also mostly fine, except for about 3 areas that had some pretty significant gravel.  But, it was nothing that we couldn't ride through.  At Lake Welch, another barrier that we had to go around, and then it was smooth sailing down Willow Grove to Gate Hill.  They paved Gate Hill, so SWEET!!!!  And, then Central Hwy, 9W, 304 and back.

I spent a lot of time trying to catch up and keep up, which was good because I was pushing myself harder than I do when I ride alone.   No pacelining this round (though I can't wait when we can do that again!), just some good, friendly conversation with people that I really enjoy riding with along the way. 

We stopped at the library for our Extravaganza of ice cold Gatorade, spice cake, cookies & granola bars, not to mention, the conversations and reports of the day.

It was a great day!  Glad to see so many showed up and can't wait to read the other reports!

As always, I'm already looking forward to next weeks ride.

Great ride!! I really enjoyed the route especially riding through a nearly car free Harriman. It should become one of our regular rides. Starting in New City and including the South Mountain climb.

It was the first time I biked up South Mountain and I hit it hard and I paid for it later. I would describe my day like playing golf. I got par on South Mountain and 202 and triple bogeyed the remaining holes once I hit Long Meadow.  I struggled up 106 and down central highway and decided I needed to torture myself some more and climbed over Low-Tor to get home.

I need to learn to pace myself.   I started way to fast.   Here’s my new credo.  I must ride with the peloton and not be the break away.  I must not sprint uphill just because I can.

It was great idea to coordinate the ride start, for the different rides. It was nice to put faces to the names. We should definitely do it again.

Mike