Northeast - Anyone planning on riding Hal's Boston Marathon ride this year?

For those out there now putting in miles, here's a ride to look forward to. For the past 25 years, there has been a bike ride from the finish line of the Boston Marathon to the start and back on "Marathon Monday". Last year, over 100 people, of all levels showed up for the ride. This years ride will be April 18th.

http://www.pr.com/press-release/221290 (last years press release)

I caught some wheels from a local team using it for a training ride and had a blast. Everyone has to be off the course before the wheelchair division starts so there is little time for lallygagging. That means the ride starts early--really early (6am). By the time we turned around at the start (after a quick photo and a snack) the barriers where up and the roads were mostly closed to traffic, with people already starting to line the route, cheering us as we road to the finish. The last stretch down Boylston St. turned into a bunch sprint which was fun. It is a great way to gain perspective on the Boston marathon without actually tying on a pair of running shoes.

On a positive note (for those who shudder at the thought of being ready at 5:45 for a 6am roll-out) you can have 52 miles under your belt before 9:30 in the morning, grab breakfast and have plenty of time left to snag a decent spot to watch the race from. I had the wife meet me at the finish with a pair of track pants and shoes but I rode with guys who simply stuffed a pair of flip-flops into their back pockets and headed off for an early pint (bars open early on marathon day) after the ride.

I'll being doing it again this year if any BF members who are into pace-line riding want to join me.

I've actually always wanted to do this. I might actually join the ride in the middle this year. I work until 6:00am in Newton so I might just get off work and try to meet the ride as it comes down Comm Ave or Route 16...then ride back out to Hopkinton.

wow, boston is lame. In NYC I'd say wel over a thousand people rode the course last year from START to Finish. it was a good time but pretty damn cold as it's early november and getting colder as opposed to getting warmer like April is.

wow, boston is lame. In NYC I'd say wel over a thousand people rode the course last year from START to Finish. it was a good time but pretty damn cold as it's early november and getting colder as opposed to getting warmer like April is.

I'd say your comparison is lame.

I said 100+ people started out from the YMCA on Huntington Ave. There were plenty of people joining the route as we rode along to the point that it felt like a charity ride. As far as "lame" goes, I would expect more cyclists out in late fall for a ride as people refuse to admit to the close of the cycling season as opposed to those who are not afraid of not only the temps, but the potholes and sand-traps that are left over after a long winter--drawing them out of "cycling hibernation" early. New cyclists are also more likely to get involved in events at the end of a season than the beginning. If the two events, Boston and NYC were at the same time in the season, you could make that claim.

Oh, and go Sox!

I'd say your comparison is lame.

I said 100+ people started out from the YMCA on Huntington Ave. There were plenty of people joining the route as we rode along to the point that it felt like a charity ride. As far as "lame" goes, I would expect more cyclists out in late fall for a ride as people refuse to admit to the close of the cycling season as opposed to those who are not afraid of not only the temps, but the potholes and sand-traps that are left over after a long winter--drawing them out of "cycling hibernation" early. New cyclists are also more likely to get involved in events at the end of a season than the beginning. If the two events, Boston and NYC were at the same time in the season, you could make that claim.

Oh, and go Sox!

Co-sign.

I'd also add that New York City is just slightly larger than Boston, and may have, you know, just a few thousand more cyclists.

I'm very interested in doing the ride this year... the is the first I've heard of it. Any info on exactly where to meet/start?

I'm very interested in doing the ride this year... the is the first I've heard of it. Any info on exactly where to meet/start?

did you read the 1st post? Gave a date, time and place. Here's the offical press release for this year's event:

http://www.americanconsumernews.com/2011/03/hals-26th-annual-boston-marathon-day-bike-ride.html

Very cool. This is the first I've heard of it as well. So no one really gives cyclist a hard time for riding the course? That's awesome. What type of pace does the main group maintain? Is the route easy to follow (know nothing about it)? Is parking hard to find near the meeting place?

There is no "main group". just a gaggle of 100+ strangers starting from the same spot. There were guys on road bikes and cycle-chic's on mixties. I didn't know anyone last year but I latched onto some riders from the back bay cycle team out for a training ride (probably a 20mph paceline). I rode fast getting out of the city to get away from the group bunch and caught up with them around coolidge corner.

As far as parking goes, I believe Hunting Ave is closed to parking from 12am to 3am for street cleaning (which means when you get there, metered parking should be wide open). It's a parking holiday that day so the meters are turned off. I plan on parking across the street from the YMCA.

Oh, and go Sox!

yep, I'm from the area originally myself!

did you read the 1st post? Gave a date, time and place. Here's the offical press release for this year's event:

http://www.americanconsumernews.com/2011/03/hals-26th-annual-boston-marathon-day-bike-ride.html



Thanks for the link, I did read your post but was hoping for a link to this years info.. so thanks!

This sounds like a great time. I might try to talk a few buddies into this. Thanks for the heads-up!

That sounds like a load of fun too bad I'm in such poor shape, I'd probably only be able to do half the ride in that time. Though if there were a group doing that, I might like to try.

Last year there were about 70 college kids who took the train out to Southborough at midnight Sunday and then rode the route one way. Not only was it pitch black, but the roads weren't blocked off so we might as well have done it any other day.

(details here (http://mtalinm.bostonbiker.org/2010/04/19/marathon/) if you're up for a few laughs.)

So maybe I will join this group this year. That said, there's no way I can maintain a 20mph paceline, so I may get myself dropped off in Medway or some other closeby town and then just ride one way.

That sounds like a load of fun too bad I'm in such poor shape, I'd probably only be able to do half the ride in that time. Though if there were a group doing that, I might like to try.
It sounds pretty informal, like everyone can go at their own speed. 52 miles in 4 hours might be a tad much/fast for my buddy and I who are planning on doing this. But we figure if we're too slow we can get off the marathon route and wander home.

Hey, maybe we should form a group of people who're going to do it at a slower pace and meet somewhere with a goal of doing as much of it as we can.

Hey, maybe we should form a group of people who're going to do it at a slower pace and meet somewhere with a goal of doing as much of it as we can.

love it. I can maintain 15-17 but I'm slow enough on the uphills that 20 is out of the question

oh, I'm crazy slow on the uphills.

so is there anything "special" about this riding group or can anyone show up before the wheelchairs depart at 9:25 and ride the course? I've mentioned this to a few friends, and their response has been why-can't-we-just-drive-to-hopkinton-and-ride-one-way, which seems like a decent idea

yeah, that sounds like it would be a good idea. Unfortunately, in my case, I live in Brookline (about 3-4 miles from where the group gathers) and have no car, so one way or another, I'd be doing a good chunk of the distance.

I may go, it sounds fun. I live in NH though. If a bikeforums group forms I'll probably do it

so is there anything "special" about this riding group or can anyone show up before the wheelchairs depart at 9:25 and ride the course? I've mentioned this to a few friends, and their response has been why-can't-we-just-drive-to-hopkinton-and-ride-one-way, which seems like a decent idea

The only "specialness'" is the fact that Hal, a well-known and respected marathon runner and coach, has been doing this ride for 26 years, rain or shine. The roads are open until the officials close the course for the marathon. Nothing saying you can't ride from wherever you want. The only caveat being the fact that once you get to Boston, you'll have to find a way back to your car since the course will be closed. If you start in Boston, this makes it a tad bit easier. :)

Plus if you get up early and roll out and back to the YMCA, you can score a t-shirt. Who doesn't ride for a t-shirt? ;)

FYI, I noticed on the official page, there is a link to a waiver pdf. Last year they didn't expect as many people as showed and as a result, ran out of waivers. Yes you can ride without one but it is bad form to do so from the steps of the YMCA since, as an organized ride, they can be held liable. Print out the form and bring it with you if you plan on riding. Here's a link to the waiver: http://mysite.verizon.net/juliosalado/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/waiver2009.doc

yeah, that sounds like it would be a good idea. Unfortunately, in my case, I live in Brookline (about 3-4 miles from where the group gathers) and have no car, so one way or another, I'd be doing a good chunk of the distance.

you are willing to ride 52 miles but can't see yourself doing an extra 3? That seems pretty ridiculous don't you think? I rode 10 miles to the start last year and the only thing I regretted was the early-ness of the hour. That being said, there was a large group that was forming up in Coolege corner when we rode past them last year. Check greenline velo's forum. Maybe they organize something.

you are willing to ride 52 miles but can't see yourself doing an extra 3? That seems pretty ridiculous don't you think? I rode 10 miles to the start last year and the only thing I regretted was the early-ness of the hour. That being said, there was a large group that was forming up in Coolege corner when we rode past them last year. Check greenline velo's forum. Maybe they organize something.

Nah, I was just responding to the person above me who said he'd planned on driving to hopkinton and was only going to ride the one way. Given my location and living car free, I was just saying that 26 miles sounded better for the shape I'm in, but wasn't really an option for me (though I could go out with the main group and take my time going back. Sorry, if I'd quoted the person, it would have been clearer.

so for those who have done this, is this a speed-demon group with Hal? I hear GLV mentioned and can only imagine this is the zero-body-fat crowd averaging 25mph for the entire 50m

so for those who have done this, is this a speed-demon group with Hal? I hear GLV mentioned and can only imagine this is the zero-body-fat crowd averaging 25mph for the entire 50m

There were people of all abilities: from roadies to beach cruisers. Groups of different abilities formed (though there were plenty riding at their own pace). The big thing to keep in mind is that you have to do the turn around and make your return long before the wheelchair class starts at 9am. If you are pokey you will be pulled from the course by race officials. Getting back to Boston will be a PIA since many of the roads will be closed to thru traffic. If you can reasonably average 16-17mph, you should have no problems.

thanks cmolway, that's very helpful. I can probably keep 16-17, though not for 50 miles. maybe I had better get dropped off halfway to Hopkinton just to be on the safe side ... or start crazy early. Civil twilight is 5:30am

From the timing of this, I would think that the ride out to Hopkington is not closed to traffic quite yet, but then the ride back probably is. Does that sound right?

yup. That about sums it up. Roads are open but since most people commute into Boston in the morning, the traffic was light heading out to Hopkington. Traffic was really, really light heading back in. Course was pretty much closed to traffic from about Wellesley to Boston on the way back. There were buses heading back and support vehicles on the road still but it was still an enjoyable ride on a bike.

I'm just catching this thread - I'll be riding this year. Excited to finally be making it, as I've wanted to join for a few years now. As others have said, I figure if I am not fast enough I'll just drop off and get back into town via another route.

I didn't see anyone else mention the midnight ride... in case people would rather ride one way, here's another option for you: http://bostonbiker.org/2011/04/07/boston-marathon-midnight-ride/

I'm just catching this thread - I'll be riding this year. Excited to finally be making it, as I've wanted to join for a few years now. As others have said, I figure if I am not fast enough I'll just drop off and get back into town via another route.

I didn't see anyone else mention the midnight ride... in case people would rather ride one way, here's another option for you: http://bostonbiker.org/2011/04/07/boston-marathon-midnight-ride/wow, that sounds like a great alternative. I was bummed to find out that my new job doesn't have tomorrow off, so it doesn't look like I get to participate this year (with a new baby, I'm getting little enough sleep as it is, so I don't think I'm going to htfu and pull an all nighter to join in). Hopefully I can get in on this next year.

I'll be there I told the boss Saturday I wouldn't be in Monday and with this Friday off nice short work week. That means I'll be getting up at 3:30am because I'm coming from out toward the western part of the state. Just look for the guy with the Pink/Black roadbikereview Lounge kit and say hi.

I did the midnight ride last year. It is fun to be riding with so many other people, though it is a younger crowd and at my age I felt out of place. Culd be different this year

Only downer was that the re wasn't marked off or anything, so it was sort of just like riding through random country at night. This year i am going to do my own thing starting with a friend in Wellesley and riding halfway back to hopkinton and then to Copley square.

I really wanted to do this, but right now with only riding for a few months, i really don't think I'm ready. I will make it next year. When I first saw this, I was thinking I had about a month or 2, but little did I know, I had less than 1 week, as I only saw it last week... :(

i'll be the one on the white and red c'dal supersix. see you there!

Just got back from doing this solo on the 'bent. Thanks y'all for posting about this ride! The trip out was...meh..... a bit of climbing and head wind. But the ride BACK! SO much fun. If you time it so that you depart Hopkington around 8:15 or so... it's a traffic free pleasure cruise back to town. Oh, I only did Newton><Newton because that's where I live... so only 40, not the full 52 miles. Hope you all had as much fun as I did!

Well I missed out. Although I had.been planning on this for month and organized friends to ride with me, I took one for the team by driving my kids to six flags when my wife didn't want to.

My buddies said it was q fantastic ride, hope it was for hall as well.

Well I missed out. Although I had.been planning on this for month and organized friends to ride with me, I took one for the team by driving my kids to six flags when my wife didn't want to.

My buddies said it was q fantastic ride, hope it was for hall as well.



I did the ride this AM, very fun. I suggest it to everyone next year.

The way out was a bit rough with a stiff headwind. My buddy and I took off with the lead group, but I got dropped on a big hill around halfway out. I then solo'd into the wind for almost 10 miles. Lame. Another group caught up and I wheel-sucked to the turn-around.

On the way back my buddy and I flew in, with a brisk tailwind and downhill speed. Great atmosphere!

Great ride. This is the second year I have done it and it was definitely as much fun as last year. The ride really is for cyclists of all skill levels as long as you can stomach the mileage. Groups end up splintering, meeting up with other groups, reforming, etc. I personally stayed with the lead with cmolway, bunch of other guys and the crazy dude Lucas (For those of you who did the ride, he was the one who had the flags on his handlebars/ skitched back up with us after he stopped to greet a friend). On the way back the course was definitely not entirely closed to traffic.

One thing that definitely happens after the turn-around is that the groups splinter even further based on how quickly people eat, talk, and turn around. Nice thing is that the ride back has so much downhill that you just fly.

For those of you who were there I say my post-ride hellos to you, I was the young guy in the bright yellow jacket riding the Redline Conquest Pro (Black, White, Red with a rear fender on it). Dad was the guy who showed off his "Barracuda foot" at the YMCA afterwards. Much fun everyone, hopefully we will see a good turnout next year.

Also as cmolway mentioned post-ride: Next time we see guys in team kits puttering along at freaking 15-16 mph at the start lets put the hammer down.

Fun ride. Launched off the front after tiring of the slow pace only to miss a turn (less than a mile before we realized our error) and spent the rest of the ride to Hopkington trading pulls with one guy as we caught back our rabbit group. Stiff, stiff headwind was a bear. I think between that, the hills and a pace-line of two we barely managed a 17mph average. Had a good pace-line of 5 or 6 and a stiff tailwind. Did the leg back in just over an hour (24mph average). Would have been faster if we didn't hit every freaking light on the way back (felt like we were doing sprint intervals).

Met a few BF'ers after the ride for coffee and carbs at the reception for the ride.

Lesson of the day learned: If you go through the trouble of lugging a backpack 52 miles so you can carry your helmet, do yourself a favor and carry it on your head instead. That way when the perfect stranger you are drafting (and half-wheeling) sits up, causing you two to touch wheels and you to hit the deck, the helmet will actually protect your noggin. Yes you looked very fashionable in your brand new CAAD10 and matching kit, but it looked decidedly un-pro to sheepishly pull the helmet from your bag and wear it AFTER YOU WRECKED.

Lesson of the day learned: If you go through the trouble of lugging a backpack 52 miles so you can carry your helmet, do yourself a favor and carry it on your head instead. That way when the perfect stranger you are drafting (and half-wheeling) sits up, causing you two to touch wheels and you to hit the deck, the helmet will actually protect your noggin. Yes you looked very fashionable in your brand new CAAD10 and matching kit, but it looked decidedly un-pro to sheepishly pull the helmet from your bag and wear it AFTER YOU WRECKED.

LOL... I was afraid that was going to happen on the way out... guess I missed it on the way back in.

My friend and I were debating which was worse: wearing big bulky headphones on a group ride (like the huge ones you'd wear at a mixing board), or wearing a big plastic barrette instead of a helmet. Thankfully when you guys went to wrong way, the rest of the lead pack was able to turn up the heat and escape from the helmet-less and aero-bar-riding-in-the-middle-of-a-group hangers-on.

And the guy with the flags attached to his handlebars... I was a bit worried these could lead to some sketchy riding in the wind, but dude was strong.

Anyway I was in an El Cyclista Kit on a black carbon generico frame; my friend had the classic Hammer kit on. Sadly we had to turn to home immediately post-ride and couldn't make the party... stupid work responsibilities. Maybe we can find another excuse to have a Bforum Boston Ride?

Now I'm even more upset I wasn't ready to go... :(

I really need to do this next year, and I will. Unless I'm dead, even then I might crawl my ass out of the grave.

LOL... I was afraid that was going to happen on the way out... guess I missed it on the way back in.

My friend and I were debating which was worse: wearing big bulky headphones on a group ride (like the huge ones you'd wear at a mixing board), or wearing a big plastic barrette instead of a helmet. Thankfully when you guys went to wrong way, the rest of the lead pack was able to turn up the heat and escape from the helmet-less and aero-bar-riding-in-the-middle-of-a-group hangers-on.

And the guy with the flags attached to his handlebars... I was a bit worried these could lead to some sketchy riding in the wind, but dude was strong.

Anyway I was in an El Cyclista Kit on a black carbon generico frame; my friend had the classic Hammer kit on. Sadly we had to turn to home immediately post-ride and couldn't make the party... stupid work responsibilities. Maybe we can find another excuse to have a Bforum Boston Ride?

Cool kit. Big fan of El Cyclista. Pretty sure I caught back up to you guys at the starting line. I was in the harpoon B2B kit riding a white Supersix. I waited around for a fast looking group to head back and ended riding in with a couple of MIT riders. It would be nice to get a decent group of fast riders together next year and avoid the slow, fredly roll-out.

I'd love any excuse to get a new ride in--where do you ride? I live north of Boston (Melrose) and work in Boston. I do a lot of rides around N. Reading, Topsfield, and Wakefield.

Now I'm even more upset I wasn't ready to go... :(

I really need to do this next year, and I will. Unless I'm dead, even then I might crawl my ass out of the grave.

you can definitely do it! two friends of mine who hadn't been on bikes for several months pulled it off. I don't even think they walked up Heartbreak Hill

I'd love any excuse to get a new ride in--where do you ride? I live north of Boston (Melrose) and work in Boston. I do a lot of rides around N. Reading, Topsfield, and Wakefield.

I would love to get a fast group ride going like the ride on Monday. Being a younger student aswell I would love it even more if the start location was not too much more then 10 miles from Boston so I would be down for any type of Boston, group ride with other BFers


you can definitely do it! two friends of mine who hadn't been on bikes for several months pulled it off. I don't even think they walked up Heartbreak Hill

Heartbreak hill is actually quite tame compared to the hill to get to the start point of the marathon. That one is more of a long 2 mile uphill with a final higher grade section in the final 500 yards. Heart break hill feels like nuthin after that (especially consider the way back was nothing but a downhill it seemed). By that point your pretty good for heart break. The real test is getting out to Hopkington, if you can do that heart break hill is a piece O cake.

I live in Cambridge currently; I mostly ride out via Belmont to the West-North-West (say west concord, sudbury, etc)... sometimes I go outbound on the Minuteman trail to bedford and ride around there (on weekdays when I'm not working). I work odd shifts and days, so I ride a lot on weekdays.

I'm working down in Milton now, so i'm thinking of riding in the Blue Hills before work sometimes. Good challenging riding (I'm not a hill person... too big... but gotta work on it).

I'm only gunning do Wells Ave more... I think I can in 2 Sundays. I used to do the CRW Sat AM ride all the time, but haven't this year.

Are you doing Harpoon B2B this year? Thats my current training goal.

I live in Cambridge currently; I mostly ride out via Belmont to the West-North-West (say west concord, sudbury, etc)... sometimes I go outbound on the Minuteman trail to bedford and ride around there (on weekdays when I'm not working). I work odd shifts and days, so I ride a lot on weekdays.

I'm working down in Milton now, so i'm thinking of riding in the Blue Hills before work sometimes. Good challenging riding (I'm not a hill person... too big... but gotta work on it).

I'm only gunning do Wells Ave more... I think I can in 2 Sundays. I used to do the CRW Sat AM ride all the time, but haven't this year.

Are you doing Harpoon B2B this year? Thats my current training goal.

No B2B anymore. Getting too rich for my (read: my wife's) blood. I ride a lot with the North Shore Cyclists (descent weeknight ride schedule for me). They do a nice 50 on Saturday out of Topsfield though I often opt for the Cycle Loft ride since it starts nice and early.

I am trying to pull together an early afternoon ride out of Boston tomorrow (2 or 3pm) if anyone is up for a ride or knows a good route that starts in Boston.

ETA: I'm thinking about doing a blue hills ride out of Boston http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/7796550. I haven't done it yet so it would be nice to ride with someone who has a decent route so I can focus on the ride and not a cue sheet.

I'm stuck with obligations tomorrow, but just tips for your route:

*The loop (sorta a figure 8) that you are doing in the blue hills is perfect, I've done it before.
*You are taking blue hill ave straight out to get there, which works but is a little busy. Its simple to navigate. I've linked a route my friends took me on to get out there, smaller streets a bit to the west (I don't suggest the part through longwood and brookline, we swung there to pick up some people)
* You have to climb great blue hill to the observatory. Its rough. On your route, its around mile 23. On the route i link, its the turn-around point. Its by far the hardest hill I've found near Boston... it feels like you are climbing a mountain when you are in the trees.

http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/29717390