Official Thread for the 50+ 5th Annual Ride
10-01-12, 06:27 PM
#26
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One thing that came up during the discussions this year was the geographical center of the country, which by my crude reckoning (drawing a line for corner to corner), is just west of Kansas City. Being from the midwest, I could consider whatever came up as a option since I'm midways away from anyplace.
10-01-12, 06:49 PM
#27
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FWIW, I kinda like the ride suggested by Jim. It works for me. It starts about 14 to 16 miles from the Amtrak station, and train fare from ROC is only $100 R/T. Lodging seems plentiful and is relatively cheap.
The ride looks like you could cut 38 miles from the 103 for a 65. I have a hard time with any activity for more than 4 or 5 hours and I'm not fast enough to do a century in that time, so a metric option is ideal for me.
Google maps shows lots of bike path options for touring around the area before and after the event too. I like that Google routes me right though the middle of Boston Common on the way from the train station to the bike path along the Charles. Seems like an interesting way to get from point A to point B.
The ride looks like you could cut 38 miles from the 103 for a 65. I have a hard time with any activity for more than 4 or 5 hours and I'm not fast enough to do a century in that time, so a metric option is ideal for me.
Google maps shows lots of bike path options for touring around the area before and after the event too. I like that Google routes me right though the middle of Boston Common on the way from the train station to the bike path along the Charles. Seems like an interesting way to get from point A to point B.
10-01-12, 08:16 PM
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As far as reaching Eugene goes, we're in the middle of one train line (Coast Starlight) that connects SoCal with Seattle and at the end of another (Cascades) that connects Eugene to Vancouver, B.C. Our airport is barely worth mentioning, but there is light rail service to the Portland Amtrak station from PDX and then train service from Portland to Eugene. As always, there is the option of using a car. Eugene is on I-5, the major north-south artery of the West Coast.
10-01-12, 10:49 PM
#29
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I should have mentioned that Eugene does have thirty or forty miles of bike paths, all flat, along the Willamette River and Amazon Creek, and nearby Cottage Grove has an extensive path system around Dorena Lake (It's a bit of a ride between the two cities, but there is the option of a bus or car). Those are both fit for folks who like to ride gently, or even walk, to a picnic.
As far as reaching Eugene goes, we're in the middle of one train line (Coast Starlight) that connects SoCal with Seattle and at the end of another (Cascades) that connects Eugene to Vancouver, B.C. Our airport is barely worth mentioning, but there is light rail service to the Portland Amtrak station from PDX and then train service from Portland to Eugene. As always, there is the option of using a car. Eugene is on I-5, the major north-south artery of the West Coast.
As far as reaching Eugene goes, we're in the middle of one train line (Coast Starlight) that connects SoCal with Seattle and at the end of another (Cascades) that connects Eugene to Vancouver, B.C. Our airport is barely worth mentioning, but there is light rail service to the Portland Amtrak station from PDX and then train service from Portland to Eugene. As always, there is the option of using a car. Eugene is on I-5, the major north-south artery of the West Coast.
10-02-12, 07:23 AM
#30
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Marc
10-02-12, 07:28 AM
#31
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One of the issues Jim was struggling with was lodging. Are there going to be reasonably price options for people unaccustomed to Boston's rates?
Marc
10-02-12, 08:24 AM
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Thanks DF, YES, I was suggesting for "2013", it's a yearly ride and it's as Centraly Located as any other event in Kansas! Have a most excellent day!
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Take Care, Ride Safe, have FUN! :)
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10-02-12, 01:39 PM
#33
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I would love to join next year. Anywhere on the EC makes it doable, WC not so much. Looking to ride the Assault on Mt. Mitchell (SC into NC) next May so that's one road trip for the bike habit already. Either way I will bookmark and hope I can make it. BTW... Boston would be sweet!
10-02-12, 08:20 PM
#34
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Regarding distances to the Annual Ride, what has been our experience in the four previous Annual Rides? I don't know about the First and Fourth Rides, but on #2, seenoweevil drove over 900 miles one way, the Kentons about 250 – 300, the four from Ohio travelling together about 500, and myself about 370 (according to Mapquest). Other riders were mostly local. For the Third Ride, I drove about 800 miles one way, but also as part of a family visit to Michigan. The two Ohioans traveling together drove about 215 miles. The other riders were all from Michigan, though notably Irwin cycled there, about a 2 -3 day ride as I recall.
I don't know if anybody has flown with a bike, and that seems a bit much for a three day weekend at a somewhat arbitrary venue. So I suggest that about 500 miles is one way an approximate maximum distance to travel for an Annual Ride.
I have bookmarked this thread for future reference, since the summer of 2013 is so far away.
I don't know if anybody has flown with a bike, and that seems a bit much for a three day weekend at a somewhat arbitrary venue. So I suggest that about 500 miles is one way an approximate maximum distance to travel for an Annual Ride.
I have bookmarked this thread for future reference, since the summer of 2013 is so far away.
I understand the issue with early summer rides, but July riding last year was a recipe for excess heat exposure - all through July!
Seriously, I think we need a west coast ride. We're leaving them out. I can't commit I'll be set to travel there, but it's fair.
Last edited by Road Fan; 10-02-12 at 08:32 PM.
10-03-12, 02:41 PM
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10-13-12, 06:41 AM
#37
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The wife and I are planning to be in Portland between 6/27 and 7/7, so if this does become west coast ride and it happens near Portland over those dates then I'll be in.
Still love the idea of the Boston area too.
Still love the idea of the Boston area too.
10-13-12, 08:21 AM
#38
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Yep. Some people are thread killers, others are thread promoters. Sorry about that! 
(As we are discussing 2013, it is likely that there may not be a lot of discussion all the time. Somehow, we manage to muddle through, though).
(As we are discussing 2013, it is likely that there may not be a lot of discussion all the time. Somehow, we manage to muddle through, though).
10-14-12, 06:37 PM
#39
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…Jim from Boston has already mentioned the Boston area.…One of the precepts of the first annual ride was to have options for all levels of riders, from spouses who barely ride to choices for the advanced rider. I don't know if this is still a concept worth keeping, but it is certainly worth discussing.
FWIW, I kinda like the ride suggested by Jim. It works for me. It starts about 14 to 16 miles from the Amtrak station, and train fare from ROC is only $100 R/T. Lodging seems plentiful and is relatively cheap.
Originally Posted by qcpmsame
If Boston gets the okay I (we are) am back in.
Originally Posted by kenmcchord
Boston would be sweet!
Originally Posted by irwin7638
One of the issues Jim was struggling with was lodging. Are there going to be reasonably price options for people unaccustomed to Boston's rates?
Originally Posted by Not2old
Wow, what happened....did I kill the thread???
Originally Posted by DnvrFox
(As we are discussing 2013, it is likely that there may not be a lot of discussion all the time. Somehow, we manage to muddle through, though).
THE RIDE:
This will be the fourth annual ride sponsored by a cycling advocacy group, MASS BIKE (presumably they will organize it for 2013). This year, the date was not announced until May or June for the ride on July 28, and usually it is around the last weekend in July.
As they describe it: “All rides (8, 26, 47, 62 and 100 miles) will traverse the heart of American Revolutionary history, from Paul Revere’s Ride through Lexington and Concord, to nearby battlefields. Longer rides visit the towns and villages that sent the first Minutemen. After the rides, everyone is invited to stay at Lexington High School for lunch and socializing. Lunch will be provided by Redbones! [A local, well-regarded BBQ joint that’s bike-friendly—they even have valet bike-parking.
] The terrain, IMO, is gently rolling hills.For details, see: !https://massbike.org/summer-century-family-ride/
BOSTON:
Besides the Ride, the downtown of Boston is presumably a second point of interest to draw riders. The MASS BIKE Ride itself starts about 15 miles west of downtown Boston. So if visitors would like to maximize their time here, they would have to consider where to stay to encompass both the ride and touring the city.
Because the downtown is compact and walkable, the major sites can be seen within one day or less. I have taken visitors on a satisfying four-hour walking tour of about five miles. We live just on the outskirts of the downtown, in Kenmore Square, less than about two miles from the Boston Common.
LODGING:
In general, hotels in Boston proper and vicinity are more expensive than in the Midwest, though the rates decrease farther from downtown. There are some hotels near the starting point of the ride, Lexington, MA. I have perfunctorily searched for campsites, and the few there are are pretty far from Boston and Lexington.
The cheapest alternatives are that perhaps we could provide floor or couch space for a few riders (not more than four), but this is not a promise. A new Boston Youth Hostel has opened in downtown Boston so you might want to check availability (bostonhostel.org). There are several colleges in the area, but I don't know what their policies are about rentals of dorm rooms. There are also fraternities and sororities, which I think allow alums to stay short-term. Finally, perhaps some visitors have friends or relatives in Boston and environs who could accommodate them for a summer weekend.
Last edited by Jim from Boston; 10-14-12 at 08:22 PM.
10-14-12, 08:16 PM
#41
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Great post, Jim From Boston. I'm from the south shore (Hingham, if you're familiar with that) and I always love finding a reason to return.
Could we approach a hotel for a block of rooms at a reduced "group rate"? Possible idea, I have a friend that has use a similar approach with a hotel for a family function, and this could get us affordable rooms for those that want to participate.
Thanks for the post.
Could we approach a hotel for a block of rooms at a reduced "group rate"? Possible idea, I have a friend that has use a similar approach with a hotel for a family function, and this could get us affordable rooms for those that want to participate.
Thanks for the post.
10-14-12, 09:12 PM
#42
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Great post, Jim From Boston. I'm from the south shore (Hingham, if you're familiar with that) and I always love finding a reason to return.
Could we approach a hotel for a block of rooms at a reduced "group rate"? Possible idea, I have a friend that has use a similar approach with a hotel for a family function, and this could get us affordable rooms for those that want to participate...
Could we approach a hotel for a block of rooms at a reduced "group rate"? Possible idea, I have a friend that has use a similar approach with a hotel for a family function, and this could get us affordable rooms for those that want to participate...
10-14-12, 09:37 PM
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Knowledge of the cost of accommodations this far in advance will prompt me to budget for the trip, and I do like a destination within a reasonable driving distance. At five hours, Boston fits the bill for me and I really would like to see the city. I'm in for Boston.
10-14-12, 10:01 PM
#44
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Knowledge of the cost of accommodations this far in advance will prompt me to budget for the trip, and I do like a destination within a reasonable driving distance. At five hours, Boston fits the bill for me and I really would like to see the city. I'm in for Boston.
10-15-12, 08:42 AM
#45
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I'm very good at saving up for something specific. I'm very bad at dipping into existing savings on a whim. Which explains why I have existing savings.
And I'm all for seeing what sort of calamities may befall Miss Kenton on the ride.
10-15-12, 09:15 PM
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10-15-12, 09:25 PM
#49
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11-10-12, 10:11 PM
#50
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I just wanted to keep this thread alive and kicking. I work a job where I have to plan my vacations a year in advance, and if I am interested in making this trip I will need to have some advance notice.
Is there an idea when this may happen? This will be the first 50+ ride that I will participate in so I'm not sure how you guys have handled the planning in previous years. Anyway I would still love to see this happen in Boston, so hopefully the planning may begin sometime soon.
Thanks, hope this works out.
Is there an idea when this may happen? This will be the first 50+ ride that I will participate in so I'm not sure how you guys have handled the planning in previous years. Anyway I would still love to see this happen in Boston, so hopefully the planning may begin sometime soon.
Thanks, hope this works out.