Northeast - Escape from New York 9/26/2009

Didn't see a thread on this so I am starting one (please merge if I missed it)

New to biking and new to BF... did a couple of Tri's this year and am debating getting my feet wet on a fun ride...

Came across Escape from NY (http://www.nycc.org/eny/)

Debating the 50 and the 65 miler (not ready for a full century yet...next year).

Anyone doing this, or have done it? thoughts on ROUTE (http://www.nycc.org/eny/index.shtml#ROUTES) ?

Here is the 65 profile (http://www.nycc.org/images/eny/Map_ENY65.jpg)

Need to get my training back in gear :)

I'm registered and riding this!

I'm registered and riding this!

first time doing it? which event?

If you only know 9W, the ENY routes will take you on some other great roads for riding through Bergen & Rockland counties.

I'm volunteering at Sakura Park at the end of the ride; hope to see some of you folks there.

Yep, first time riding it!

Probably the 65 depending on what my group wants to do.

-edit-
is there a bib packet to be mailed out for this or do we need to grab one at registration?

this looks interesting.

The 50 doesn't look a whole lot flatter than the 65. A few less small hills in the middle, but still have the huge climb at the start and finish?

If you only know 9W, the ENY routes will take you on some other great roads for riding through Bergen & Rockland counties.

I'm volunteering at Sakura Park at the end of the ride; hope to see some of you folks there.

Sounds great, the 100mile route goes through a lot of areas I've been wanting to ride.

I signed up for the century, but I haven't done much more than commute 10 miles a day since tackling the 150 miles to Montauk back at the end of May. Not sure if I'll push for the 100 or take one of the shorter routes.

Oddly enough, I haven't been over to that side of the GWB this year. I've done all my riding on LI or up in Westchester. I got tired of slogging through the city just to get over to Jersey from Astoria. Same problem with riding from Astoria out to LI, junk miles aplenty.

My training opportunities are pretty limited between now and then so I am going to take the leisurely way out and just do the 50...never done any sort of distance riding before...just a pair of sprint tri's and some 20-25 mile training rides for that...

figure I will just enjoy the ride and scenery and if I really like it shoot for the century next year

The 50 doesn't look a whole lot flatter than the 65. A few less small hills in the middle, but still have the huge climb at the start and finish?

I think those elevation profiles are overly-dramatic looking. The routes climb gradually over the first few miles (Sakura Park ie Grant's Tomb > GWB > Hudson Terrace) then go down a big descent (Palisade, I'm guessing).

Coming back, they do the reverse, but probably go up Walnut or Churchill (small, quiet residential roads - much nicer to climb than Palisade).

If you can handle 50 or 65 miles, Walnut is not something that should scare you off...

i was thinking about doing this ride, but it's the same day as the Tour of the Hamptons. i'm just curious, how's the parking going to be the day of the ride? i live on LI, and i was just wondering if i should take the train or drive to the starting point...

I think those elevation profiles are overly-dramatic looking. The routes climb gradually over the first few miles (Sakura Park ie Grant's Tomb > GWB > Hudson Terrace) then go down a big descent (Palisade, I'm guessing).

Coming back, they do the reverse, but probably go up Walnut or Churchill (small, quiet residential roads - much nicer to climb than Palisade).

If you can handle 50 or 65 miles, Walnut is not something that should scare you off...

On that note, I was slightly scared off by the elevation profile. Is it a feasible climb on a single speed? I did a 60 mile ride up to piermont a few weeks back riding single speed, and I felt like the route I followed must have bypassed that first hill. There were climbs, but nothing that seemed this dramatic. Just curious.

Anybody from LI (Nassau) going to this. I was think about carpooling into the city to save on parking fees.

Anybody from LI (Nassau) going to this. I was think about carpooling into the city to save on parking fees.
There's plenty of free parking in the area. The start is on Riverside, opposite Grant's tomb. Columbia University and Riverside Church are nearby.

On that note, I was slightly scared off by the elevation profile. Is it a feasible climb on a single speed? I did a 60 mile ride up to piermont a few weeks back riding single speed, and I felt like the route I followed must have bypassed that first hill. There were climbs, but nothing that seemed this dramatic. Just curious.

That chart looks scary - but the route itself is not! If you did NYC > GWB > 9W > Piermont - and returned the same way, you probably did more climbing than you'd encounter on the 50-mile ENY route. The climb at the end of the ride is a little steeper than the state line climb on 9W, but quite a bit shorter, and broken up - more of a stair-step climb.

Like brian, I'm volunteering, but at Saddle River and later Tenafly rest areas.

i am planning on doing the 50...are the bikes 99% road racing bikes or...what's the basic breakdown of bike styles one will see here?

Youll see people on hybrids and mountain bikes, as well as road bikes. Can't tell you the exact breakdown. The 50 mile route last year was mostly flat, with the only big climb up Walnut near the end.

well, i have access to a Fuji Absolute 2.0, but if i can get a new rigid fork (since i bent the last one) for my mountain bike (and change out the tires), i'll give it a shot that way. but i think the Fuji will make the ride much more enoyable...

The first 50 mile ride I did was on a mtn bike with slicks and it was tough. The next year I did that same ride on a hybrid, slightly easier. By year three I had a road bike and it was infinitely easier. But all three years I completed that ride although with some walking on the real steep hills. It was not the ENY however. I doubt that there is even 2000' of vertical on the 50 miler. I plan on trying the 62 mile route to Rockland this year.

I only attempted this ride once. I started at Sakura Park on a gloomy day, after having to ride to two different subway stations in Brooklyn because trains weren't running into Manhattan that day. (If I'd planned to ride up it wouldn't have been an issue but I figured I'd have enough without adding 15 more miles.)

It started to rain as I left Sakura park. By the time I reached about 145th st I was completely soaked as the rain started coming down in buckets. At 155th Street the lightning started. I got back on the subway at 168th St after waiting under an awning at a diner for about a half hour and when I sat down the water squished out of my padded shorts. Ewwwww. I found out later that after the lightning started they cancelled the ride. One bolt appeared to touch down very close to Sakura park.

for someone who mountain bikes hard for 15-20 miles at times...and this is to be a 'relatively' flatish, sauntering (10-20 mph?) jaunt of 50 miles, i am still wondering how it will go. . .

i plan to have some gels/protein bars on hand, but how is the bagel and other 'rest' stops/points handled? are there plenty of signs on hand to keep you on track? will we be sharing the road with motor vehicles?

On the 50-mile route, there will be several "leader-led" groups you can join out of Sakura Park, moving at different average speeds. If you think you can handle the distance, but are concerned about following the road markings and things like that, riding with one of those groups might be a good idea.
I think you just have to ask about it when you check in (or the options will be explained to you then)...

Looking forward to the ride on Saturday...

Question for our more experienced riders on here...

This is my first year of cycling (I used ot ride Mountain bikes back in the late 90's in SF Bay Area)...
I did a couple sprint tri's this year and have been riding 2-4 times a week since May..I ride a 2005 Specialized Allez Sport

typically my rides are between 12-24 miles (almost exclusively on the Central Park Loop)...and I average between 18-20 minutes per loop, and that time holds up for 24 miles (i.e. my lap times look like this: 19, 19, 20, 20)

I registered for the 50 mile ride this Saturday and have yet to ride further than 27 miles in any trianing ride...

Not knowing the roads, but from other posters, sounds like they are not super hilly...should I be concerned about the distance and completing? I am probably just being overly cautious about my ability

Looking forward to the ride on Saturday...

Question for our more experienced riders on here...

This is my first year of cycling (I used ot ride Mountain bikes back in the late 90's in SF Bay Area)...
I did a couple sprint tri's this year and have been riding 2-4 times a week since May..I ride a 2005 Specialized Allez Sport

typically my rides are between 12-24 miles (almost exclusively on the Central Park Loop)...and I average between 18-20 minutes per loop, and that time holds up for 24 miles (i.e. my lap times look like this: 19, 19, 20, 20)

I registered for the 50 mile ride this Saturday and have yet to ride further than 27 miles in any trianing ride...

Not knowing the roads, but from other posters, sounds like they are not super hilly...should I be concerned about the distance and completing? I am probably just being overly cautious about my ability


Pacing yourself will be very important so make sure not to put in all of your effort out early. If there aren't many big climbs you should be ok, and if you do come across any that feel tough just spin through them rather than trying to mash to the top.

I am so tempted to try this.

I am probably just being overly cautious about my ability

:thumb:

Fitness-wise, you should be 100% OK.

If you haven't been on a ride longer than an hour and a half, you may encounter some of the body position-related comfort issues cyclists typically experience when they do rides longer than they're accustomed to. Just go at a pace you can handle - ie, back it off from your average speed in the park. Take your time and enjoy the hospitality at the rest stops - you'll do fine.

Who-all is doing the 50? I think I am in if anyone would like to meet up at the start.

I did the 50 last year and was thinking of doing the 65 this time. Anyone doing the 65?

I think I'm in for the 65, I got some stuff to do sat night so I need to get back and rest up. Is there a bib packet or anything for this ride or is it just a large group ride lol

I think I'm in for the 65, I got some stuff to do sat night so I need to get back and rest up. Is there a bib packet or anything for this ride or is it just a large group ride lol

I hope to leave by 8:30am the latest, and plan on being back 3:30, 4 the latest. I plan on taking it easy, no hammerfest for me. There is no bib packet, just a wristband. The routes are well marked, and there is a cue sheet. I will most likely have the routes programed into my GPS. I understand that they have 1000 riders registered this year so it should be a fun day out on the road. There are no official ride groups. Just start and finish at your own pace.

I might still do the 50 if I can sort out my gearing. My knee is acting up and without riding these hills before I am scared to tackle them right now with a 39x26.

I need to see if my RD can handle a 30t low I have laying around.

I might still do the 50 if I can sort out my gearing. My knee is acting up and without riding these hills before I am scared to tackle them right now with a 39x26.

I need to see if my RD can handle a 30t low I have laying around.

Last year on the 50 the biggest hill was Walnut near the last 10 miles of the ride. The ride to Piermont itself was pretty flat with most of the hills coming on the return. There were a couple of good ones going through Blauvelt and Orangeburg, but nothing coming close to the Alpine Approach road, or the climb up 9W if that's how your used to returning from Piermont.

Thanks - that is encouraging. I am not too familiar with that area; I know the north hill in central park and my current low of 39.4" will get me up that no problem but a longer steeper hill might require something in the low 30" range for me at present. The 30t cog will lower me to 34.2", so hopefully I can make that work, although it might exceed the wrap capacity of my bike's drivetrain.

Pretty excited for Saturday...the weather looks perfect...low 60's at start, high 60's by 2 PM...no rain (crosses fingers) in the forecast... I will be doing the 50...look for me on my Blue Specialized Allez Sport with a Yellow Conti Front tire :) Probably with a red coat on at start and blue Pearl Izumi jersey once that comes off...

Anyone going to be doing the 65 miler?

Thanks - that is encouraging. I am not too familiar with that area; I know the north hill in central park and my current low of 39.4" will get me up that no problem but a longer steeper hill might require something in the low 30" range for me at present. The 30t cog will lower me to 34.2", so hopefully I can make that work, although it might exceed the wrap capacity of my bike's drivetrain.

I spoke too soon - it's a 32t low on the cassette...gonna tackle it tonight. This should be interesting....

Looks like a great day forecast for Saturday.

Feels like my head cold has taken a turn for the worse.

grumble grumble...

I'll be doing the 65er but my team will be riding the century. I wish I could really hit the century up however prior engagements in the afternoon requires me to cut this ride short. I'll be hitting next week's MS Bike Tour for the 100 so this week a shorter ride wouldn't be all that bad.

I'm doing the 50miler on my single speed. (46/16) Where should we meet?! I think the "big" hill is the one that goes from riverside to cabrini. Once you're on the other side the long down hills seem to be paired with long down hills so you can coast pretty far up before having to spin again. There are a few spots where I needed to get out of the saddle and mash up but it wasn't too bad.

Anybody know where I can get a decent pair of padded bike shorts for relatively cheap? I ride in my running clothes!

I'm doing the 50miler on my single speed. (46/16) Where should we meet?! I think the "big" hill is the one that goes from riverside to cabrini. Once you're on the other side the long down hills seem to be paired with long down hills so you can coast pretty far up before having to spin again. There are a few spots where I needed to get out of the saddle and mash up but it wasn't too bad.

Anybody know where I can get a decent pair of padded bike shorts for relatively cheap? I ride in my running clothes!

Try MOdells or SPorts Authority...they usually have $20-$30 cheapo shorts

I checked the sports authority in queens. They didn't have the padded ones. Maybe a trip to paragon is in order. thanks!

Anybody know where I can get a decent pair of padded bike shorts for relatively cheap? I ride in my running clothes!

Spend the extra money for good shorts. After a long ride your butt and other parts will thank you. You might also be able to find a padded liner to wear under your running shorts.

I'd come if I knew there was a really fast group doing the metric, I'm not sure I've got enough time to do the century...

if i choose to do this ride (the 50) with a fuji absolute w/flat bars, will this kill me at some point? i still am fighting off the remaining effects of flu, but if i do it, i plan to go easy and make all the stops.

of course, i might have my giant defy by tomorrow afternoon :)

I'm sure you'd be able to finish it, in these kinds of rides there are... all levels of ability going down kind of riders!

I'm sure you'd be able to finish it, in these kinds of rides there are... all levels of ability going down kind of riders!

i am probably cutting it close, but with 24 hours of rest and following dr's orders, i feel much better....about 24 more to go and i may be good to go for a nice, easy paced 1/2 century....

would've prefered a nice, lively pace, but i'd rather do it slow than not at all.

Spend the extra money for good shorts. After a long ride your butt and other parts will thank you. You might also be able to find a padded liner to wear under your running shorts.

Yes. Lots of bike shops have summer clothing clearances going on now. I just saw some great deals at a shop (http://bikerepairman.com/) on 41st street and 35th Ave. in Astoria.

Chacal. I'm in Astoria! I'll swing by there after work. Are you doing the 50?

I want to - I installed my uber wussy climbing cassette last night and am taking it for a test run after work. If it works okay, I should be doing the 50 - if so, I'll PM if you want to meet up or ride in together (Triborough Bridge?). Only thing is I'd be doing day-of Reg. so I'd have to go up to the start super early.