Kosher BBQ Ride 6/7/2009

On June 7, a group of intrepid NYCC cyclists along with my friends Jim Z. and Ed D. joined me for a ride of some 40 miles from Manhattan through Queens then onto the LIE service road, at which point I picked up the pace a little. After our rest stop, someone asked me to "crank it" so we could make up some time. I did, but at 18 mph cruising I got too far ahead of the group. I stopped and took this photo as they caught up, then we proceeded together at a more moderate pace.

We headed out to my Mom's in Dix Hills where we enjoyed a kosher BBQ of burgers and hot dogs and knishes and more grilled up by my brother Ken. A lovely time was had by all thanks to my Mom and my brother.

After lunch, I took the group back to Hicksville station at a slower pace to keep the group together. At that point, most of the riders got on the LIRR. One NYCC B-SIG graduate, Erica, and I headed up Rt. 107 to the LIE service where we cranked it up to 18 mph until we hit traffic in western Nassau (apparently there was some problem on the LIE so a large number of cars got off onto the service road). We made our way to Queens and then found our way onto the Queens Greenway at Creedmor and eventually to the F train at Hillside and 179th just about a half-hour before sunset.

Bloomin Metric home 5/17/08

I rode the Bloomin Metric Century for the first time this year. I had a great ride.
I was supposed to ride with some NYCC C SIG graduates both on the ride and then back to NYC afterward. I originally posted a B15 ride, meaning a 15 mph moving average. The C SIGgies were supposedly able to keep up, per their e-mail. When I started out at about 16 mph I ended up losing them. Since the Bloomin is a supported ride, I rode on with the one rider who was able to keep up until he dropped back to ride slow with his friends. I stopped here and there to take photos and they caught up with me a few times.

The scenery was lovely once we left Norwalk.
Waterfall in the woods

There were quite a few cyclists. We passed through some areas with very large homes with low stone walls out front.



After the ride, I met up with several of the riders who had contacted me in advance and we set forth on a route based on the East Coast Greenway's on-road connector route. The idea was to bicycle from Norwalk to New Rochelle, have dinner and continue on. Some of the group weren't too sure about riding all the way back so I had bailout options via Metro North planned.

On our way, we stopped to use the port-a-potties and water fountains at lovely Bruce Park.



We continued on but blew a turn. Recovering took us some time. By the time we reached Mamaroneck, we were all tired and it was getting late so we opted to bail. We boarded Metro North at Mamaroneck Station and had a pleasant train ride back to the city.

Meet the Gunks 5/3/09

A great ride was had despite the on-and-off drizzle.
The weather did preclude stopping for the scenic overlook after Minnewaska. I've uploaded the GPS data to MotionBased

I managed to make it up Mountain Rest Road at about 5 mph without stopping unlike our scouting trip where I had to get off and walk at Spies Road. Some of the riders barreled ahead on the climb just before Spies Road. I passed them a few moments later around the bend, stopped by the side of the road panting and gulping water.

This is a nice area in which to ride. I think I'll build another trip in the area. I'm thinking of a ride over to Woodridge, starting in Poughkeepsie taking the 7:47 AM rather than 8:47 train.

From Gunks ride: On the road to Minnewaska in a drizzle