DnvrFox

Fortunately (or unfortunately) there is no 50+ annual ride organizing committee or the like. Generally, by default, someone volunteers to take on the duties of organizing, etc. There are no time lines. I organized the first one- since then I have not been able to participate.

irwin7638

The sooner we can nail down a date, the better. Since inclinations seem to be for the East or West Coast, it would help us all with travel plans to make some commitment early. The Boston ride is good in my book, it will fit my travel plans for late July and early August.

Marc

Jim from Boston

Of course, the Mass Bike Summer Century and Family Bike Ride is not the only organized ride in the Metro Boston area, but IMO best suits the various needs of the Fifty-Plus Annual Ride, as expressed in previous posts about earlier rides, and from my experiences on the Second and Third Annual Rides. I will keep looking for other possibilities, and keep on top of the Mass Bike Ride. Maybe I can agitate them to fix a date early.

Nonetheless, the last weekend in July is a good possibility

Jim from Boston

For a detailed history of the Annual Fifty-Plus Rides, see the Fifty-Plus Forum sticky, "A Chronicle of the 50+ Annual Rides":

With this post cataloging the personal narratives:

DnvrFox

Yes, I started that thread.

Road Fan

No, historically these threads float in and out of the limelight. They they rise again from Limbo to haunt you again, and make you see the words you wrote but may not remember.

They're almost undead, you can't kill them.

Road Fan

Jim, please agitate for as much early insight as you can get regarding the date. I think one reason the turnout was so low for the 3rd Ride in Ann Arbor was that I did not solidify plans early enough to enable many of us to set aside the work time, and to plan a long drive.

However, I was very happy to meet everyone who did make it to Ann Arbor!

Daspydyr 

Gran Fondo and Mini Fondo in Las Vegas in April. There are a few things to do in Vegas.

https://www.active.com/cycling/las-ve...s-2013#Summary

kenmcchord

Jim,
If I can be of any assistance please let me know. I have no idea what goes into making this ride happen, but I am willing to help and I will be in the Boston area from time to time next year. Of course this implies that Boston is the choice, which although would work for me personally, shouldn't necessarily be assumed at this point.

Jim from Boston

Hi Ken,

Thanks for that offer; DnvrFox's thread appeared soon after your post. In my experience on the 2nd and 3rd Annual Rides, and watching the 4th one materialize via various posts, usually several bids are made by individuals for already-organized rides in various locales, and those interested just show up. The attendees make their own travel and accommodation arrangements. The “organizer,” usually suggests a meeting place for the 50+ subscribers to congregate.

IMO, the 2nd Annual Ride in the New York Finger Lakes set the standard for the Annual Rides, and I think was the first Ride associated with an Organized Ride by an Outside Club. tsl (of Rochester, NY) was well-regarded as the “Host,” but besides giving advice about the ride on which he had previously participated, he otherwise was the nucleus around which us BF’ers congregated. The schedule and routes, and the venue complete with campsites, bunkhouses and meals were provided by the organizing club.

The 3rd Annual Ride in Chelsea, Michigan was similarly hosted by Road Fan (of Ann Arbor, MI). Whereas the Finger Lakes ride was a three day weekend event, the One Helluva Ride was a one-day Saturday ride. Road Fan did organize a Friday afternoon ride to fill up the weekend, and I think we all dispersed on Saturday. Notably, a few subscribers, who were eager to attend this ride couldn’t make it, most due to unexpected medical issues.

I followed the progress of planning the 4th Ride; I think Irwin 7638 (also from Michigan) kicked it off. There were a variety of suggestions, and Irwin’s proposal, the Harpeth Ride in Tennessee was the choice. He originally suggested a venue located as centrally as possible in the USA, but not necessarily known to him personally. He did a great job researching it out though. It appears that was a particularly well organized ride; but again, the individual riders made their own arrangements. There was some discussion about more than one 50+ Annual Ride, but none others materialized.

My experiences on the 2nd and 3rd Annual Rides were memorable, and worth the 400 and 800 miles, one-way, I drove to get there. A benefit to me in having a Boston Ride is that I save two vacation days in travel time. As a Michigan native, I can tell you that visiting New England is a particularly unique and exciting experience, and personally I really enjoy showing visitors around. Furthermore, I would think that there are a lot of Fifty-Plus subscribers living within a reasonable travel distance of Boston, though it is eccentrically located in the continental US.

One concern I have voiced in discussions about “organizing” a Ride is that of legal liabilities incurred. That’s why I think it is mandatory to have the Annual Ride in conjunction with an Organized Ride by a reputable Cycling Organization. For a good discussion of such considerations, see: Personal Liabilities Leading Local Rides?

So my offer is something like this: “Hey guys, I’m signing up for a great organized ride in my town; anyone else want to sign up too? How about meeting up before, and afterwards?”

PS to kenmcchord: What’s that on your head and in your hand in your avatar? My best guess is a party hat and a bottle of champagne.

kenmcchord

A few years ago my wife was on FB when I walked in the door from a ride. She was dying laughing at a group called "can this poodle wearing a tinfoil hat get more fans then Glen Beck". For some reason I decided to make a tin foil hat for me and my cat Elvis, my wife took the picture and posted it on that page. Elvis was not so happy to be wearing the tinfoil hat but he was the nicest kitty we've ever had and he suffered through. For some reason this seemed funny at the time.

Esteban58

Awesome... If I didn't value my limbs I'd try that with my cat...

Road Fan

I'll refrain from pledging fealty to either champion until I see which way the wind is blowing ...

Jim from Boston

Today I called the MASS BIKE office and spoke to the Ride Director, and he admitted they were slow in organizing last year. However, for this year he said the date is Saturday, July 27, and would be officially announced in February. He said he would be delighted to have riders from the Fifty-Plus Forum.

Boston and environs is a very confusing, yet so-charming place, that I would not want first-time visitors to spend their time reconnoitering and getting lost, so I am offering myself as “host, “checkpoint, “advisor," or whatever.

Here’s my preliminary suggestion: I anticipate that visitors who trek up to Boston would also like to visit the city and environs, as well as socialize with our compatriots. I had hoped to make myself available for a few extra days, from Thursday, 7/25, til Monday, 7/29 to provide flexibility for travel plans. I checked our company’s vacation schedule, and someone else is off through Friday, 7/26. I could be available mid to late Friday afternoon and thereafter, and possibly late afternoon-evening on Thursday, for any early arrivals. I have requested vacation days Monday, 7/29 through Wednesday, 7/31.

So a tentative plan is:

This is all tentative and flexible, but at least the date is pretty reliable, and will be officially announced in February. I look forward to further plans as the Ride Date approaches.

miss kenton

miss kenton

Neither my harshest critics nor my husband's fondest admirers would fall into his ranks after the Great Lakes Debacle, Road Fan. But you needn't worry about taking sides, the change of administration has been swift, decisive, and peaceable. As a matter of fact, I don't think he has realized it has happened yet.

irwin7638

I sounds like good move for those of us who can make it. It works right into my calendar, I'm in. I may be able to make one in Wisconsin also if that materializes.

Marc

Beverly

The Boston ride sounds great. I'll see what the rest of the Ohio group has to say about another road trip!

Road Fan

This was an incident at the Finger Lakes? Not one of the Great Lakes?

Jim from Boston

Thanks for your reply. I would hope that we could re-create, and perhaps transcend the ambience of the second Annual Ride at the Finger Lakes. The "campfire" fireside chat at your campsite was memorable (though Boston would be a more urbane experience).

miss kenton

Oops! Yes, Finger Lakes, not Great Lakes.

miss kenton

I certainly think that's possible! I really look forward to another 50+ ride and visiting Boston, too (especially the establishment that is home to the Boston Creme Pie!).

jdon

I will attend just to meet the Saint, Mr. Miss Kenton.

miss kenton

Jim,
From what you've posted about last year's ride, I am guessing that the ride start will be at Lexington High School again. I am browsing maps and hotels and it would appear that Belmont is midway between Lexington HS and Boston, yes? Does that seem like a reasonable area to look for hotels?

miss kenton

Dudley, if you think that I will allow you and Mr. Miss Kenton alone together for a New York second (or in your case, an Oshawa half-hour) to conspire against me, you've got another thing coming!