help choosing an upstate New York century for next year
 

I'm planning on doing the UMCA's Larry Schwartz Year Rounder challenge next year (2008), so I'm putting together a list of twelve centuries, mostly in the southeast. But I need to go to Albany on family business next year, and would like to do a century when I'm up there. I'd like recommendations for centuries in that area. I know the Catskill area pretty well, but I'd consider anything near the Hudson, or up into the Adirondacks.

Does it have to be an organized century??? Or can you just go out and ride 100 miles and call it a day?

I've done a very nice century in the catskills before as organized by the Lark in the Park celebration. (100 year anniversary of the park), it was somewhat organized by some DEC rangers with the auspices of some local cycling club and was very nice. I have the cue sheet somewhere.

I will do the Orange County backcountry roads century as it's close to me, it's the Orange County Bike Club... and takes place in Orange County (duh!)...

Jay

Weekend after labor day: http://webmhcc.org/rn/modules.php?na...ate=1189224000

3/4 century, but in the adirondacks: http://www.ididaride.org/

There was also one held in Woodstock/Ulster County about 2 weeks ago.

There is a provision for doing self organized centuries, but I haven't looked at the rules around that option very closely. There are so many organized centuries I figured it'd be easier just to hook up with organized one.

The Saratoga century looks promising for next year.

Saratoga Century is a GREAT ride -, I will be doing it again next weekend.

The Harlem Valley Rail Trail Ride (July 29) was excellent (bikenewyork.org). Great route, great support, beautiful scenery, climbs, riding through 2 NY counties, 3 states, etc. Well done. Route takes you through the eastern sections of Columbia & Dutchess counties as well as Massachusetts & Connecticut.

The Woodstock Century (Aug. 26) is a much smaller ride but lots of fun. Excellent route, good support, cheap registration, amazing views around the Ashokan Resevoir & Ulster County. (midhudsonbicycle.org)

Coming up Sept. 23rd is a 50 mile ride in Kingston that benefits a small Cancer clinic. Great ride, fast, rolling hills, inexpensive, and decent support. (bikeforcancer.com) 50 mile route goes from Kingston to New Paltz and back.