Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Shooting for the Pete Ordell Memorial Ride

Learned about this ride yesterday from Bonnie and thinking of tackling the 50 mile route. Would be my first 50 miles (which happens to be more goal this year).

I think group rides are a great way to get motivated and enjoy biking.
Go for it.
Tell us how it went when you are done.

I love group rides since I am new to the area, great way to meet people.

Learned about this ride yesterday from Bonnie and thinking of tackling the 50 mile route. Would be my first 50 miles (which happens to be more goal this year).

Welcome aboard. Did you register, yet? This will be my 10th or 11th. Sort of lost count.

Understand that there are some hills between your start in Lyons and Kenilworth at about mile 23. This isn't the flat part of NJ. After Kenilworth, which has good ice cream, it's mostly flat except for a few bridges and underpasses, including the Brooklyn Bridge.

If you have registered, you should receive a set of instructions. Heed them, especially if you are taking the bus from the Art Museum. It will depart on time. I guarantee it. And definitely bring a cue sheet holder. I see that there are 4 signed up for the 50 mile route. I suggest staying together if possible. And be careful of the railroad tracks going through the port. Some of them are bumpy and at bad angles.

indy: thanks for the heads up. That would suck to get lost since I have no clue how to get back! Maybe I shouldnt go?

indy: thanks for the heads up. That would suck to get lost since I have no clue how to get back! Maybe I shouldnt go?

Do it.

Do it.

Here is the first 22 miles of the 50 mile route:

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/BROOKLYN-50

Has about 1300' of climbing. The remainder is flat except for a few bridges and short underpasses and one block-long hill in Jersey City. One important variable late in the ride is the wind. The last few years we have had a killer tailwind for the 6 mile stretch through the port area. I have done it in years when it's been just the opposite. Brutal, as there is nothing to shelter you.

Do it.

Do it.

Here is the first 22 miles of the 50 mile route:

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/BROOKLYN-50

Has about 1300' of climbing. The remainder is flat except for a few bridges and short underpasses and one block-long hill in Jersey City. One important variable late in the ride is the wind. The last few years we have had a killer tailwind for the 6 mile stretch through the port area. I have done it in years when it's been just the opposite. Brutal, as there is nothing to shelter you.

Did a 50 miler two weeks ago with 1400' of climbing. It was slow, but doable. And I did it with 22/21 as my low gear, but I would suggest having lower gearing as that was really tough in some spots.

i think its something I just need to work at for next year. Hills and I dont play nice in the sand box. The fact is that I need to lose some weight and get stronger.

i think its something I just need to work at for next year. Hills and I dont play nice in the sand box. The fact is that I need to lose some weight and get stronger.

I think it would be fun for you. You should do it.

i think its something I just need to work at for next year. Hills and I dont play nice in the sand box. The fact is that I need to lose some weight and get stronger.

Hills just take more time. Gear down, have fun.

Just do it.

Led a small group of six total. Had a great time. Only three people who let from New Hope finished ahead of us. Averaged nearly 14 mph for the 93 miles, which is pretty darn good considering the amount of slower street/trail riding involved. We only had to lift our bikes over one tree that had still not been cleared after Irene. There were signns of flooding, but no water on the roads. Wish it had been less humid, but there were cold beers were waiting for in a cooler on the sidewalk of the Nu Hotel, which was the end point.

Here is what one D rider wrote:


Good evening. As probably the only D rider biking to Brooklyn (50 mile
route) I want to thank Art and Sergio and anyone else that was involved with
this ride. The cue sheet provided more detail and I didn't get lost behind
the Newark Airport for the first time in 5 years.

"I rode with [Bill] so I rode faster than my usual dallying pace and we
were able to get to the hotel at 4:20 pm; we would have been there 20
minutes earlier but we just missed the 14th St. ferry. He is a terrific guy.

"I love this ride. As a committed D rider - C rides but at a D pace - this
ride is excellent because it has lots of rolling hills in NJ that plateau
for a minute then continue rolling so I get a break then start grinding
again. I love the Watchung Reservation hill, riding through all those small
towns, and cruising down streets totally covered by trees...along
water...through parks, then into the industrial yards behind the airport. I
personally enjoy riding in traffic in Hoboken and in NYC and Brooklyn
because we are going faster than the traffic and have flexibility that they
don't. The Brooklyn Bridge is the *last* hill and is a trip because of the
amount of happy-looking, photo-taking pedestrians on the other half of the
bridge, forcing you to really be alert.

"The liquid refreshment, Samantha, and the hot shower at the Nu Hotel were
great. San Pellagino with Limon was divine. There are so many excellent
restaurants in close walking distance. I heard some unbelievable jazz."

This isn't a smell the roses ride for me, so I took very few pics. But here are two from the bridge.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/davez2007/6119582875/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/davez2007/6119582669/



I encourage everyone to challenge themselves on this and on other rides. Go
a little further and ride a little faster and see yourself growing as a
biker. I decided to do the 75 mile ride next summer because my experience
with myself and my bicycle was so gratifying, stimulating and enjoyable that
I want to have more of it.

The insert photo function doesn't want to play nice with my Mac. Here are the links:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/davez2007/6119582669/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/davez2007/6119582875/

thanks for the report Indy! Will catch this ride next year.