Northeast - Montauk Century Ride Reports

There was a thread on the TA Century, can't find it now. Seem to remember a few people posted their Garmin info there. Was it its own thread or the original NYC shoutout thread? Can't find either.

... apparently if the fit of the bike is off even by a little, it manifests itself over 160 miles.

Let's see... 6.3 meters development divided by 257.5km is.... 40,873 revolutions of the pedal nonstop.





That's what I'm afraid of with my old p.o.s. fixed conversion.

Sounds like it was some good riding though. Wish I could have been there.

You wouldn't if you saw how swollen the back of my right knee is, apparently if the fit of the bike is off even by a little, it manifests itself over 160 miles.

Let's see... 6.3 meters development divided by 257.5km is.... 40,873 revolutions of the pedal nonstop.

I have no clue, did anyone here do that with a gps? I suppose we can always just map the route.

My left knee ached from all those times I slowed down and balanced on one foot, and my thighs felt like watermelons. Curiously there were some parts that didn't hurt. Considering I have those notorious flat handlebars my wrists were just fine. I guess those Specailized BG grips work :p

where are the pics?

That's what I'm afraid of with my old p.o.s. fixed conversion.

Sounds like it was some good riding though. Wish I could have been there.

I thought your fixie looked pretty good the last time I saw it.
How's the road bike build coming along?

I did not get a chance to participate in the organized Montauk Century this year, but I found the route on www.bikely.com and i'm thinking about doing it by myself or w/ a friend in a couple of weeks, but i'm not sure about my abilities and the elevation profile.

www.bikely.com says that the elevation gain is under 700 feet...is that right? I have found other resources that say it is closer to 3000 ft.

About 3 weeks ago I rode from Boston, MA to Amherst, MA which was 110 miles and just under 5000 feet of climbing. I finished that in under 7 hours, with 6h 10m of riding time. My average was 17.7 but i was totally spent at the end, mostly because 10 of the last 13 miles were uphill :(

I'm just curious about people opinions on whether or not I should try to tackle the Montauk route (145 miles from NYC to Montauk). I've heard it is flat, so i figured the extra 35 miles won't be so bad compared to my Boston-Amherst ride, but any thoughts are appreciated. I have been training consistently since my last century so with a good week of tapering I hope to be OK

Thanks,
Andrew

I'm just curious about people opinions on whether or not I should try to tackle the Montauk route (145 miles from NYC to Montauk). I've heard it is flat, so i figured the extra 35 miles won't be so bad compared to my Boston-Amherst ride, but any thoughts are appreciated. I have been training consistently since my last century so with a good week of tapering I hope to be OK

Thanks,
Andrew

The ride to Montauk is flat for the most part. Based on my Garmin info from the Montauk ride (http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/invitation/email/accept.mb?senderPk.pkValue=92553&unitSystemPkValue=2&episodePk.pkValue=2791408), apparently you'll cover about 6000ft of cumulative elevation. Don't let that number scare you though...the only real hills that will test your legs are the bridge at mile 100 and the rolling hills in the last five miles. I'd seriously recommend you give it a go. Better yet, there's a ride this Saturday following the exact course. There's a thread for that particular ride somewhere on BF.

The route to Montauk is probably the flattest century I've ever done. As Daren said, there are some rollers and a bridge towards the end, but that's really it. I saw lots of fixies on that ride, if that gives you any indication.

+1

There's one nice bridge to climb, and then rolling hills at the end, but by that point you are so close tothe finish, it's adrenaline time.

This Sunday I took off to Montauk on whim. Took me forever, but I'm glad I got my revenge and finished. I didn't finish the first time around. I hydrated well and ate every 2 hours. In the end I was surprised to find that I dropped about 4-5lbs when I got home.

Some more things I learned this time:
1. For rides as long as this, it's better not to wear underwear underneath the bike shorts.
2. Bike shorts can give you some fabric burns if they have some rough threading at the bottom.
3. Proper hydration and nutrition will prevent me from getting tired at the end. I wasn't too tired at the end of the ride.
4. I saw the hills at the end everyone was talking about.
5. When you gotta go... yea I didn't feel too badly about taking a whiz when nobody was looking. :)
6. Doing leg work at the gym the day before riding ... not a good idea. Then again, I went on whim.
7. Stretching and leg work at the gym for a month took care of tendonitis issues. Yay!
8. Comfort is so key. I finished on my folding bike instead of my road bike. It's so much more comfy sitting upright. Plus you don't need a LIRR bike pass for a folder.
9. My two pinkies and ring fingers are still numb. And that's with gloves.
10. I need to aim for at least a 15mph pace to finish on time for the official ride.

Some more things I learned this time:
1. For rides as long as this, it's better not to wear underwear underneath the bike shorts.


NEVER wear underwear with bike shorts

Just when I thought people were trying to be bad-ass or being a fashion commando...

Dude - that's awesome, congrats!!!! I have to swap out my rear wheel and really want to have another go at it myself.

10. I need to aim for at least a 15mph pace to finish on time for the official ride.

Er... how long did 150 miles take you if you were below at 15mph pace?

Some more things I learned this time:
1. For rides as long as this, it's better not to wear underwear underneath the bike shorts.
2. Bike shorts can give you some fabric burns if they have some rough threading at the bottom.
6. Doing leg work at the gym the day before riding ... not a good idea. Then again, I went on whim.
7. Stretching and leg work at the gym for a month took care of tendonitis issues. Yay!
9. My two pinkies and ring fingers are still numb. And that's with gloves.
10. I need to aim for at least a 15mph pace to finish on time for the official ride.

Wow. That was some learning experience. Good for you!

+1 Never wear underwear under shorts.
Look into BodyGlide or some related anti friction cream.
Don't do a ton of riding/exercising the day before a ride like this. You'll burn out.
My ulnar nerve definitely took a beating on the 2 145 rides I did. You get fatigued and then start putting more pressure on your hands, etc. It's a good idea to ride hands free when possible. Gives you some temporary relief.
There is something to be said for riding a good pace over this distance. Personally, anything over 8-9 hours in the saddle yields diminishing returns. Soreness creeps in, fatigue, numbness, boredom, etc.

Er... how long did 150 miles take you if you were below at 15mph pace?

14 hours. Yes, I was dedicated. Not everyone can go as fast as you on a fixie no less!

Dude - that's awesome, congrats!!!! I have to swap out my rear wheel and really want to have another go at it myself.

My pains are gone and my numb fingers are almost un-numb. Let's go again! I have more body fat to lose! And if I'm stupid enough, I'll have a go at it with my road bike!

14 hours. Yes, I was dedicated. Not everyone can go as fast as you on a fixie no less!

THAT's dedication!! Congrats!

My pains are gone and my numb fingers are almost un-numb. Let's go again! I have more body fat to lose! And if I'm stupid enough, I'll have a go at it with my road bike!

Next weekend? 21st or 22nd?

I'm out of the country next weekend (weekend of the 21st)... Hoping for something like a weekend with 70 degree weather. 80-90 might be deadly.

Unless we start early evening and go throughout the night... You should have all the turns down now, you're a pro! :D

When do you get back?

May be able to do it this Saturday...

I have stuff on Sunday, so I can't do Saturday... I'll be back before the end of the month.

OK - let's do it when you get back.

14 hours. Yes, I was dedicated. Not everyone can go as fast as you on a fixie no less!

You're actually more dedicated than I am, anything over 9-10 hrs on a bike and I'm DONE.

For what I lack in skill I make up for in heart!

Or patience...

Sorry for reviving this thread but does anyone know where I can get an old cue sheet from 2007 or 2008 online?

Oh, hey Slvoid wassup?

Go to http://www.motionbased.com and do a search for "Montauk Century"

Thanks. But my problem obtaining a useable cue sheet is a bit more complicated. I realized that the cue sheet is really in reverse seeing that my plan is to start from Montauk or the Hamptons and ride a reverse course back to New York. So I would need to alter the route.

The solution I came up with was investing in a garmin edge 705. I bought it yesterday....kinda expensive too. My plan is to go to mapmyride or bikely or something and alter a montauk ride route to suit my needs. Then I will download it to the garmin device and follow the turn by turn directions for the 100 miles.
I don't want to do a 145 miler cause realistically that is a bit beyond my limits.......at the moment anyway. :)