Air

Because the LIRR doesn't want a rush of bikes on the trains. Also there's a whole new level of getting people back to their cars if they drove. And the train to South Hampton I don't think would get you there when you'd need to be there.

drainyoo

You're not getting what I'm saying. Everyone that went to Bablyon drove there. They had all the 100, 66 and 30 mile riders meet there. Instead of doing that, have the 100 milers go to Babylon, 66 milers to Mastic and the 30 to South Hampton. That way you avoid all that transportation nonsense. The only transportation they would need at that point is on the way back. Much simpler and makes a hell of a lot more sense. And get rid of the Penn Station meeting point. Keep that only for the 145 milers. It seems like Glen is trying to accommodate way too many people but at the same time causing so many logistical problems by doing so.

Air

So I'm in NYC, and I want to get to Babylon for the 100 mile. I don't have a car and I'm not allowed to bring my bike on the train that day. How do I get to Babylon?

Coming back means another layer of complexity - instead of two possible drop off points for the trucks you now have four and more chances of something going wrong.

Penn is a good place to start - you're forgetting that many people come in all over and it's a large transit hub that people can get to and equidistant for most people in the city. Also easier to load large amount of people on because it's the last stop. For someone in Brooklyn getting to Jamaica would be hellish by subway.

drainyoo

I dunno, that's your problem. I don't see why Glen should have to support everyone. What about people who live out of state? Maybe Glen should set up transportation for the entire North East. If you can't get out there then don't ride, I dunno. Maybe keep one shuttle from Penn to Babylon. Either way it still doesn't explain why all the riders have to meet at Babylon or Penn and not at their real starts. I drove to Babylon when I could have easily driven to South Hampton and skipped all that transportation nonsense.

cparekh

That is probably a bad idea for Glen. His ride depends on numbers, and if you restrict it only to people who own cars and bike racks, you're going to lose a lot of people. While this may make sense for a lot of people, it would severely reduce the numbers for Glen driving up the cost of the ride significantly.

It is not about the start, but about getting people back at the finish. Your proposal opens up the need for the four separate sets of bike trucks and luggage trucks instead of two. Because trucks are not divisible, this would require more trucks and drive up the cost of the ride--beyond what many are willing to pay--especially for the 30 mile ride.

Stacy

I was under the impression that this ride is intended, largely, for city people who don't own cars. That's why transportation, showers, and food become such an integral part. Of course Glenn isn't going to discriminate against people who do own cars and want to ride but, there are several smaller and less expensive rides to Montauk organized by local bike clubs that are perfectly accessible to people with cars.

drainyoo

Im not sure how it would require more trucks when you eliminate the transportation in the morning. All you need are trucks for when the ride is done. Less trucks.

drainyoo

I dunno man, the Babylon parking lot was packed with people who drove there. Everyone at Babylon had to drive there because the LIRR wasn't allowing bikes on the trains. A large majority of the riders started in Babylon so I would think mainly people with cars were riding.

cparekh

The number of luggage trucks goes from 2 to 4, and the number of trucks with bikes likely has to increase because you're unloading at four stops instead of two, because they will be emptier.

DSchlichting

I think that impression may date from the AYH/early 5BBC days when most Montauk participants did not have cars. Otherwise, what does owning a car have to do with anything? Better to use the organizer's transport and not drive.
But Glenn is not running a service; he's running a business. Whatever is his breakeven, anything sold above is pure profit. So he should maximize his volume.
I was not at this event, but the symptoms are typical: 1.) support systems do not expand to accomodate larger numbers of participants, 2.) no backup: one $15/hr driver does not show and an out of control chain of events follows, exacerbated (I'd guess) by: 3.) inadequate communications within the event staff.
When you start one of these business, you first run on a shoestring. The trick now is to recognize as you grow when to spend the money on more trucks, a skilled loading/unloading crew, etc.
A good lesson for any of us who ever have or ever will work on special events

HarmonicD

Yeah, and the lines for registration and getting on the train were full at Penn Station as well. While drivers did pack Babylon, many people from the city started their day out at Penn.

cparekh

My guess is that more people start at Penn Station than at Babylon. This is only based on my observations from the 5BBC Montauk Century, but it's the best guess I have. Air might know some numbers.

Stacy

Not counting the 100 mile riders who got there by train from Penn Station, or the 66 and 30 mile riders who transfer at Babylon for the train to Shirley/Mastic Some of those people may well own cars but prefer not to drive after pedaling all those miles. Some get picked up by friends an family at the finish. If Glenn eliminated the transportation from New York City he'd probably lose half of his riders.. maybe even more.

Bacciagalupe

Well, I missed it this year.... Gotta say, I'm glad most of y'all had a good time, but from what I'm reading I'm pretty much warded off the Montauk ride. The only person who gets to scratch up my frame is me!

drainyoo

The transportation is fine, that's not really issue here. The issue is making me go to Babylon to put my bike on a truck, get on a train to South Hampton to meet my bike. That just doesn't make any sense to me. There should be an option where I can drive directly yo South Hampton and skill all that nonsense. That process took up too much time.

Stacy

It's a complicated ride. Maybe too complicated.

Air

The 30 mile ride is already a losing option - meaning Glen has to rely on the other routes to cover the difference for that route. I'd bet that one is the first to go before he raises prices - depends how many people sign up for that one.

henria86

hey.. finally got them pics up

stevesurf

Nice shots Henri!!! Notice that Matty finished after I administered the blessing.

mattyknacks

Yes, thanks for the assist.

Avatar

I've got the cue sheet scanned as a PDF... Does anyone have a website to store it?

Air

You can attach it in a post here - look for the paperclip icon in advanced posting.

bikegummo

Anybody heard specifically from Glen yet (not the form letter that went to everyone, but a specific letter in response to an email)? I got the feeling he was a stand-up guy, but I've still heard nothing. Really frustrating. My friend who actually had a beautiful bike severely damaged also hasn't heard anything.

It probably goes without saying that I should've done the other Montauk ride.

Air

He will get back to you - if you write an email make the subject descriptive (66 Miler requesting refund) or something like that. If you just respond to his original email I bet it will get a bit lost in the shuffle.

Meh - the issues the 5BBC ride have stem from making it a fund raiser and being cheap. The problems Glen had was incompetence on the part of the people he hired. If I only do one next year it will more than likely be Glen's over the 5BBC.

bikegummo

Appreciate it, Air. I have sent 3 emails with the subject REFUND REQUEST and received nothing. My friend has had the same luck, with a similar subject title. Argh.

Thanks just the same though. Something will show up, I hope.