Bicycling Magazine Fall Classic
 

Anyone doing this ride on October 6th?

With 2 weeks to go until the ride is anyone in?

My wife and I are riding - will be doing the 50.

What a great ride. The hills were a killer compared to the flatter terrain we are used to but we did it. The ride had two KOM (King of the Mountain) hills which were pretty crazy.

We were there. Me and 4 other guys. It was a great ride. We did the 50. I enjoyed the KOM climbs. The route was awesome as was the countryside. Weather was just right. No sun but cool and foggy. Great support all throughout the race by the course marshals. My only complaint is that the 25 mile rest stop was completely wiped out when we got there. No water, No Food. After shelling out the $74 registration fee I was expecting a little more than that. Made the next 5 to 10 miles a bit of a struggle until we found a general store to refuel. The final rest stop was well stocked which made up for it.

If anyone is reading this and does organized rides, when you are passing someone tell them which side you are passing them on and give them plenty of room. There were a couple of times I was passed on the left and righ so close we could have rubbed shoulders. It's just plain dangerous for you and the rider you are passing especially when you are both moving along at 20 - 25 mph!!!!

BigUgly,

I agree - the 2nd rest stop being wiped out really bothered me. Aparently there was a crash and the re-stock van stopped to help. However I understand there was an ambulance on scene and the restock van was on it's way. Problem is, they should not have run out of food knowing how many riders were passing through that stop. I think they should have also had some form of sports drink available instead of just water. I had powder packs of sports drink with me just in case, but it's the point after paying $60 (we registered early). There was a well water pump behind one if the buildings that a lot of us were using to fill our water bottles. I was concerned that I'd get sick from the water but it turned out to be fine. I have done other organized rides and they were much better stocked at the rest stops.

At the lunch, they ran out of the sandwich my wife ordered. We were told that people were just taking what they wanted. Well then why did they give us a color coded bracelet to ensure people got the food they ordered?

I am not trying to complain as my wife and I did have a great time, but I guess we got spoiled by the MS rides that are well stocked and sponsored by companies that load up the rest-stops with sports bars, gels, sports drinks, etc.

Justin,

We did hit the water pump behind the shed at the 2nd rest stop as well and had the same concerns. Having only water is not a good thing, I definitely needed some sugars. I too have been spoiled by the Livestrong rest stops which were awesome and placed where you needed them. Actually the first rest stop was in the same location as the 30 mile rest stop for the Livestrong ride but only had water and some unknown foods that the person running it didn't know what they were (I know he was doing is best and is a volunteer, they were great as he filled up our bottles for us). I would rather them spend the registration money on the rest stops and skip the lunches after the ride. The 3rd rest stop had NOW bars, bananas and some other stuff which was perfect.

All in all, we had a blast and will be back next year as the route was absolutely one of the best rides I have been on. I like the socks they gave us in the goody bag as well, they are really comfortable.

ya - the socks are comfortable... wore them today on a club ride!

Next year take a look at the Black Bear Century in Delaware Water Gap, PA. I did it in '11 and '12. It was cancelled this year due to the government shutdown as the rest stops are on NPS property. Fantastic ride with several distances, including at least one that goes to High Point State Park, the highest point in New Jersey. You might even see a bear. People have spotted them at least the last three years. If you have never ridden in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area you don't know what you are missing.

We make a long weekend out of it. There are roll your own rides you can do on Friday and/or Sunday. You can also drive to the Lakota Wolf Preserve. The Day's Inn on U.S. 209 is close enough that you can ride to and from the start, and it has a great, heated pool enclosed in glass.

I know this is 6 months after this event but couldn't help putting my 2 cents.

I did this ride in 2012 and it was the best supported ride I ever experienced. There were flag people at every corner, so there must have been 75 of them min. There was plenty of food at end including the free beer and souvenir cups. It sounds like someone dropped the ball with organizing it this year but the 12 ride was very well done.

We had lousy weather in 12 but we too made a weekend trip out of it. The night before there was an October fest at the steel works factory and there is an awesome brewery on main street you HAVE to try . I will attend the 2014 event again if able to.

This Ride has been proposed as the venue of the 7th Annual Ride of the Fifty Plus Forum. See this thread: "Fifty-Plus Ride in Pennsylvania - October 9-11, 2015." Age rquirements are not enforced.

Same state, but different location.
Introducing Bicycle Times Adventure Fest - October 9-11, 2015

Thanks for the correction; wouldn't want to show up at the wrong Ride. :o

That looks like a great ride!