cmolway

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.

https://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.

godshammgod

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.

motobecane69

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.

cmolway

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!

godshammgod

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.

JandersUF

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?

cmolway

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

https://www.americanconsumernews.com/...bike-ride.html

guy2600

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?

cmolway

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.

motobecane69

yep, I'm from the area originally myself!

JandersUF

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

Johnny Rebel

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

himespau 

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.

mtalinm

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 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.

Johnny Rebel

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.

himespau 

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.

mtalinm

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

himespau 

oh, I'm crazy slow on the uphills.

mtalinm

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

himespau 

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.

Felipe the Ant

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

cmolway

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: https://mysite.verizon.net/juliosalad...waiver2009.doc

cmolway

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.

himespau 

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.

mtalinm

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