"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - Gimbels Ride (NY)

I hope to try it this coming Sunday. I'll probably sit with the "slow" group. How fast is it? Anything I should know about beforehand?

BTW- I didn't post this in the Northeast forum because NO ONE goes in there anymore.

Gimbels is for Wussy. HTFU and do Nyack.

There's super short, short, and long.

I haven't done it in a while but the super short is for the elder gents - like Otto, one of the originals on the ride, he's like 70 something.

Short is for Cat 5-4 and very weak 3s (me). One hill that's like 150 meters long. Some steady slight uphill grades. Nothing serious. Figure steady 22-24, bursts up to 35-40, adjust for grade.

Long is for fit Cat 4s, 3-1. First set of hills ("Steps") is about a mile or two of repeated short climbs. Second set of hills is a more drawn out steady mile or so. I never make it to the top with the group on this one (third step seems to kill me). I take a shortcut with everyone else who gets dropped. Then it's the same route to the finish as the Short ride, including the short climb. Steady 22-26, bursts up to 35-40, adjust for grade.

If you can ride in a tight field, rub elbows, and not think it's a big deal, you'll be reasonably comfy. If you can touch wheels, know how not to brake too hard when it gets sketchy, and feel secure enough to move up or ease up, you'll be fine.

Some info:
http://www.velocitynation.com/article.aspx?ID=96&CID=59

http://www.bicycling.com/article/1,6610,s1-2-13-16136-1,00.html
Note - the "undulating circuitous climb" mentioned bends left as it starts, then bends right. And it's 150 meters long. Or shorter. This blew the author's errr I don't remember the word but I basically take anything I see written by that person with a grain of salt.

http://nytrigal.blogspot.com/2007/08/learning-ropes-gimbels-ride-for-newbies.html

http://www.joaoisme.com/2008/01/i-miss-california-and-im-freezing-my.html

and a post I did which mentions the above ex-pro:
http://sprinterdellacasa.blogspot.com/2007/10/story-egos-on-road.html

cdr

I have heard that Gimbels is a serious ball buster ride.

I have heard that Gimbels is a serious ball buster ride.

lol only if you don't ride well.

Short is not bad, any Cat 4 can do it. And me.

Long is.... tough.

cdr

lol only if you don't ride well.

Short is not bad, any Cat 4 can do it. And me.

Long is.... tough.

cdr

Nyack is essentially similar. But it is also a ball busting ride much of the time. Even when I'm in good shape it does require my full attention.

Caprediemracing - Thanks for the links, they were helpful.

This Sunday - PAIN.

hey Pablo, how was it?

hey Pablo, how was it?

Great. I sat with the "slow" group, which is 19-21 mph, and a pretty easy pace to hold on too. Gimbels is now my weekly Sunday hammerfest. Last week I "attacked" (in parenthesis because the slow ride has no attacks) and was OTF, solo for a good part of the time, pretty much until we regroup and spin the rest of the way.

I'm getting faster. I'll be able to do the regular ride sooner than later. It will be a good time.

Slynkie- You should come down sometime.

>>I'm getting faster. I'll be able to do the regular ride sooner than later. <<

Come over to Nyack and see if you can hang with the Wussies.