Lucky07

Post yours here.

Here's mine:

The weather was amazing. After a week of rain predictions, I was prepared for a cold, wet ride. It did spit a bit, but that was the extent of the rain I saw. Really nice day.

I rode the 145 for the first time & managed to keep a decent pace for most of it. Hooked up with a couple of informal pacelines & we kept up a good clip. After 100+ miles though, my ass was not happy. No pain, but pretty sore. I tried to stand as much as possible for the last bit and that helped somewhat. I was very happy to see the finish line.

Now for the list of pratfalls:
Woke up insanely late. Slept right through my alarm. Got up to Penn Station well after 5. Saw none of the BF peeps. Grabbed a cue sheet and took off.

Got lost following some guys in Williamsburg. Which is funny because I lived there for 6 years. I should have known better to follow a Frenchman and a German.

In Queens I stopped for a red light & a rider behind me slammed into my rear wheel. He hit me so hard, he knocked himself off his own bike. He was ok & apologised & we rode off. After a minute I noticed a 'thip, thip, thip' coming from the rear wheel. Pulled over & saw that it had been knocked slightly out of true. Adjusted the brakes a bit so the rim wouldn't rub, but once I was back on the bike, heard the sound again. Gah. Figured I'd find the bike mechanic in Babylon & have him look at it.

Once I got out of Queens, I took a wrong turn following some guys who it turned out, weren't on the Montauk ride. That was a good long detour. Lesson learned. Again. Follow the cue sheet, not some random riders.

Right around then I got my first flat. Huge shard of glass in the front tire. I'm getting CO2. It's no fun pushing a hand pump one hundred times... (X3)

Got to Babylon & the mechanic had a few people waiting with their bikes. He took a quick look at mine & said it was rideable. He offered to true it, but had to deal with the other bikes first. That was going to be a 30-45 min wait. 'Screw it' I thought & kept riding.

Shortly after Babylon, TWO more flats. One small piece of metal in the rear. 10 minutes later a pinch flat in front after hitting a rock kicked up by another rider. I congratulated myself on a personal best for flats in one ride. Unfortunately, I was out of tubes. Called SAG & they showed within 20 minutes. They dropped me off at a shop in Shirley & I got a couple of tubes. They trued the rear wheel a bit, so it was better. Thanks John G. for the lift.

Between the late start, 3 flats, getting lost, waiting for SAG & the trip to the shop I killed any chance had for finishing early.

Still, I enjoyed the ride. Amazing weather & beautiful scenery. Met with some cool people. Tom, (tall guy, white Sirrus) and Saul (black Roubaix), nice riding with you guys. I'd definitely want to try to ride with a group for Glenn's ride. It gets monotonous listening to yourself for hour after hour.

Air

Well, Avatar and I started off around 4:30 or so. Planned on taking our time and kept a 15 mph pace - first person who passed us was at the first rest stop. Avatar had his backpack with him because they didn't have a truck at the start at that time, I was able to find someone I knew to throw mine in a truck at Babylon.

First people who passed us were at the first rest stop. I tell ya, that rest stop for the 145 was the best in terms of food - the biscotti were awesome! The other ones were out of Gatorade and had some muffins and white bread (along with the smattering of fruit)

Saw Svloid around the 30 mile mark, it was funny because we were talking about him and I look up and there he was! We kept to our pace and kept trucking. Keeping his backpack on him until Babylon took a toll on Avatar though, overworked. After the 60 mile mark his tendenitis started flairing up, around the same time my rear wheel went out of true [from other threads I broke 6 spokes on a ride three weeks ago on the rear, got a replacement which wasn't tensioned right and almost destroyed it on a ride to Coney Island. Retensioned and away we went. Maybe I can get one those cement wheels like the Flintstones, it certainly couldn't slow me down any more!] Put new brake handles on that had QR so I released the brake on the rear so it wouldn't rub. [Too bad I didn't see you Lucky - I actually brought a spoke wrench!]

Somehow he missed the 80 mile reststop in Westhampton (I think) and was on Dune Rd. I raced to catch up and found I wasn't fatigued at all, felt as if I was starting fresh. I kept at around 22mph on Dune Rd but didn't see him, got a txt that he was SAGed. About a mile from that bridge I finally broke my Century cherry (7:19) - w00t!

So now the race was on to stay ahead of the truck. But then that bridge came up - wow. Granny geared with that headwind all the way to the top, took some pics and thought about waiting for the truck right there because damn it was a nice spot. But looking down Dune Rd I couldn't see them so I kept going. Had to stand up going downhill, painful!

I kept a really good pace and was surprised at how much energy I had. I was really hungry though and knew a bonk was coming - had a powerbar but that was it in terms of food (I keep saying this but next time I really have to stop and eat someplace - eff the reststop snacks). Also thought I might be able to squeeze out the last 30 miles on a deficit. Then I passed a girl with a flat who looked utterly fustrated. I stopped, thinking there was enough time to fix the flat and keep ahead of the truck but there were three punctures and I got to the finish line in the bus of shame.

HOWEVER, there was plenty of good things about this ride that I didn't feel disappointed. The weather was absolutely perfect. I was concerned about a mechanical or bodily breakdown and neither came (well, besides the rear wheel but it was rideable). Not only did I get to the Century mark with plenty of energy, my body doesn't feel beat up (today dehyrated but not beat up), muscles and joints are happy, butt could use some lovin'. And the thing I'm most happy about is that my wrists didn't hurt - I was struggling with the fit of that roadie since I got it. The trekking bars with the grips and grip tape I put on (oh, about an hour before the ride) was heaven. It's nice riding without being on the breaks the whole time!

Now that the distance was conquered I can concentrate on getting my speed up. The heart monitor I found was great in terms of keeping in a comfortable zone - I used to glance at it in terms of curiousity but now I see where certain areas can be sustained for much longer periods of time. Of the 8:17 hours I rode I only spent 5 mins above 80% of max, 2+ hours below and 6+ in between. The first time I attempted a Century in September I spent about 65% of the time above 80% of max and then crashed hard and had to limp back.

All in all - awesome day!

timmhaan

wow, the first two to write both did the 145 route. i'm seriously afraid of any mileage over 100. i did a 112 mile "century" once and i could really feel diminishing returns on my happiness after hitting 100. not sure an extra 45 would be too fun (probably better than taking the train through).

good job on getting through despite all the mechanicals.

Scorer75

Did the 100 mile Montauk Century (why does that sound weird?) with a friend, who only slowed me down slightly. I wore my BF jersey, but not one person from BF said hi. Maybe it was because you were all way behind me doing the 145?

First time in my life I ever rode with real riders in a paceline though, what a treat riding in a real paceline is!!!

My first experience in paceline riding was a group from the NYC cycling club. We did about 14 miles with 3 other riders making a group of 5 and were riding 22-24 mph for a 14 mile stretch.

We thought we would take it easy the last 25 miles as we planned on averaging around 16mph for the century and left the last rest area already averaging 17.3. Ended up catching a fast group making a paceline of 10 or so people doing 24-26mph. When I was pulling, I actually spun out my top gear of 48-12, never done that before.

Ended up finishing 102 miles in 5:40 at 17.7 mph.

I've got to say that the rest stops (maybe it was different the later you showed up) had the most amazing assortment of food imaginable.

The Babylon rest stop/starting point had more food than some supermarkets I've been in. Doughnuts, bagels, all types of fruit, coffee, Gatorade, nuts, gels, bars, it was endless.


Two others had apples, bananas, oranges, strawberries, pb&j sandwiches, PB&J graham cracker sandwiches, Gatorade, vitamin water, assorted chocolates (including Snickers!!!), twizzlers, Swedish fish treats, and a bunch of other food I missed.

A hot pasta meal with showers at the end, hello, NYC Century operators, are you listening?

Lucky07

Air, I had a spoke wrench but I don't have a clue how to true a wheel. I definitely have to teach myself that skill. Sorry I missed you guys. I was probably an hour behind you by the time I kicked off.

Scorer, Pacelines are definitely the way to go on rides like that. Especially on flat windy terrain.

Tim, Personally I was really unprepared for the 145 distance. My longest ride this Spring was probably 65 miles. Between work & family I haven't been riding much, so I definitely paid for it after 100 miles. I think if I had logged a few longer rides in the past few weeks, I would have been in much better shape by the end of Montauk. Riding out of the city was alot more fun than taking the train. And the rest stops were fully stocked, even as the day wore on. It was worth doing. I'm up for the 145 in Glenn's ride. At least I'll have a decent base for that...

Air

Yeah - that shower was pretty nice. I didn't bother drying off, just air dried - not sure but I think I saw heaven.

spdrcr5

I rode the 100 from Babylon with Team in Training. Had an absolute blast and agree with Scrorer75 on the rest stop food selections. They were really good. The only stop I didn't like was the last one which only had tap water which wasn't too good. The bottles water was all fruit flavored... I don't want that garbage, I want plain bottled water!

The fresh oranges were a great relief at every rest stop. They gave a nice boost of energy and tasted amazing. The PB&J and some of the other things were good too.

I was in a group of 10 TNT riders for the first half of the ride then we split up at the half way point and rode with 5 others.

We were averaging 17.5 most of the ride. Dune Rd I led a small group of 3 of us at 24+ for more than half of the road. That was a great feeling. I still had a few more gears but didn't know my speed or anything because I stupidly left my Garmin at home. On Gin Rd I led my fellow TNT'ers on a 26+ sprint that entire road. We had a great time. My Coach said he was able to coast for almost a mile behind me! I didn't mind because I was getting so much of a boost and energy knowing my Dad was riding with me the whole way, pedaling was just effortless all day long.

Climbing the bridge after Dune Rd was a breeze after all of the climbing we have been doing every weekend since Feb in our training. Can't wait to tackle Tahoe in 2 weeks.

We finished the ride in about 7.5 hours including stops and about an hours worth of mechanical issues, including a 3 inch spike/nail that went head first through the tire, both sides of the tube and embedded itself into the wheel! This happened above 23 mph! My buddy got lucky and didn't crash. That took a while to repair.

Overall we all enjoyed the ride and are looking towards our next one. So happy the weather held out.

I didn't see one BF jersey all day.

Air

Did anyone see the dog in the trailer? So cute - they pulled her the entire 145 miles!

spdrcr5

No, didn't see that. Instead we saw many rude and discourteous riders who never said they were passing you, cut across your wheel and were riding in their aero bars... in pace lines! Now I know why people shouldn't be using aero bars in group rides... most couldn't handle a tricycle let alone a Tri or TT bike! Many of them were not too stable, especially when trying to pass you at 20+.

Hambone

I did the 100. My cousin Ramone (some of you met him on the NYC Century -- He rides the fixed gear Aegis) and I drove to Babylon. We rode together for the first ten miles or so but his 22mph pace was a bit much for me so when we got seperated a little I was ok catching that first red light and knowing I wouldn't see him till Montauk.

My goal was to break 6 1/2 hours. My secret fantasy was 6 hours but an avg speed of 16.66 over 100 miles seemed a bit aggresive for an uber clyde like me. I don't ride with others so I had decided before hand that I wasn't joining any pacelines. (Too much time on the Roadie section has made me anxious about my ignorance of "paceline etiquette.")

The stars (and the wind) were in my favor though. I finished at 17.3mph avg with a total riding time of 5 hours 51 minutes. Best part was I made the 3:30 pm train and got to kiss the kids goodnight.

I had one idea which I would share: I took a Sharpie and wrote my name (TED) on my left calf before I headed out. It was a great idea b/c I got a bunch of shoutouts as I rode by folks. (Funny, none of the people who passed me said anything...)

ps: I love that Treasuer Hunters Club!!

Hambone

I saw one person in a BF jersey. It was at the first stop and my head was kind of out of it. I figured I'd see you after the potty. I should have put "Hambone" on my other calf...

Stacy

Who knew it could turn into such a beautiful day? I spend so much time on Saturday taping and wiring some old fenders to my bike and packing plastic bags for my perishable electronics that the Rain Gods must have cancelled the rain out of spite

Took the 4:55 am train to Babylon which broke down in Woodside and got us to the start line over an hour late. All in all I had four missed turns which added an extra ten miles to my ride.When I wound up in the middle of the town of Southhampton, filled with families eating ice cream I knew something was off. I also managed to skip the Westhampton Rest Stop, wound up on Dune Road, and then backtracked to the rest stop.

It seemed like every other rider was flatting on Dune Road but I thought I was immune to that stuff with my Armadillos. Sure enough, maybe 10 miles later, my front tire began to go soft. So I hobbled along to the nest rest stop where the mechanic took care of it for me What a pleasure!! Not only did the mehanic fix it much faster than I could have, but I got to rest my weary bones in the meantime.

Just as my trip odometer turned tp 100.5, around 5:30pm the SAG van appeared in front of me with friendly faces warning me to get in the van if I needed to take the train. I was still 10 miles from Montauk, with those three hills separating me froom the finish line, so I decided to take them up on their offer. There was just enought time for a hot shower, beer and pasta, and to pick up my free Montauk socks.

I came across the dog and his people several times along the route, at Rushmeyers, and at Penn Station. I wonder if he had to pay for his own train ticket

So if the train hadn't been late, or if I hadn't taken all those wrong turns, or if I hadn't gotten a flat... Oh well, there's always next time

sukram

This was my first time doing the Montauk Century, an excellent ride! Great weather, so glad it held! And I have never fixed so many flats in a single day... for someone else.

Rode the 100 miles. That train delay in the morning let me catch a few extra winks. Started off fine in Babylon, but wow, did I see a lot of people fixing flats. Yes... I do ask if people need help. 10 miles after the start I happen across two riders, one on the phone w/SAG and another with a flat (rear tire). They didn't have a pump or CO2, so, out came my pump and I changed the tire for them. I pulled out what looked like a flat staple. I also patched the other tube, just in case...

Rode with them for a bit to make sure they got to the next rest stop OK and just continued on with them for a while. Then she started slowing down, she had another flat (rear again). Well, we had already used the only spare tube they had between them (they ran 700x23s, my tires are 28s, my spare tubes may have worked in a pinch), so I was ready to pop in the patched one... luckily another nice fellow came on by, checked out the tire & rim (well, I had already done that, but he didn't know) and gave us a new tube. Nice. In it went. Another nice guy (thanks Mark T.) stopped, letting us know he was pretty much the un-official sweep and noticed a bit of glass I missed. We patched the other tube (now we had 2 patched tubes, just in case) and we were on our way.

Another rest stop, just as it was closing around 2PM. Way too close to the SAG sweep, but I couldn't just cruise on ahead of them to let them succumb to SAG... Off cruising again, but not for long really. Obviously, the front tire was getting jealous of all the attention the rear tire was getting. She was slowing down again for a bit, we checked the rear tire, it was fine. Rode 10 feet when our other team member pointed out the obvious... it's the front tire you idiots.

You know the drill. Those glass magnets (cheap Contis) were a real pain. In went a patched tube, and we patched the other tube, 'cause, well, at this rate it was just a matter of time. We finally hit Southampton when I missed a cue marking (I was happily just cruising into town) when I realized they had fallen behind too much, I couldn't see them. I waited a bit, asked two other riders if they saw anyone back there when they let me know I missed the cue. I rode back... and, well...

THE SAG SWEEP!

The van was nearly full, I was fearful, I had never been swept up by SAG before. Rumor had it the SAG team would whisk riders into the van, and make them eat the extra goodies from the last rest stop until they didn't have a chance to ride again. The nicer bikes they would sacrifice to the cyclings gods while the others were chained to signposts and left to rust while vandals slashed the tires and stripped the bike.

OK, so we had 3 flats and they weren't quite keeping up with me, but no, not the SAG. But I relented, and let them throw me in the van for 5 miles to the green thumb rest stop.

At this point it was either ride like a fiend to keep away from SAG or get swept up again. Well, the girls told me it was OK if I went on ahead of them, and I missed a cue (but corrected myself a bit down since I kinda know the 'hood), waited on them for 10 minutes at one point, but, well, didn't see them. There was no way SAG was going to sweep me up again. So, off I went knowing SAG would help them out if need be. Rode the last 30 miles on my own happily cruising at my own (kinda brisk) pace. Started passing a few riders here and there hoping they'd be fodder to keep the SAG off my tail! Even took a picture of my bike at the Montak sign on the way into town...

5 miles short of the century, so I just rode home. Got buzzed by a cab (WAY too close) going up 8th, should have heard the expletives spewing forth from my mouth... I was tired...

Overall though, a good day. I don't regret stopping and helping them out, very nice people and was good to have company since I usually just fly solo for these things...

Air

There was a group of a guy and two girls that I passed about four times with flats - you?. Lots of glass flats it seems.

I was looking at my tires at one point wishing they were skinny and light like everyone else's - but the extra weight and width for the puncture resistant tires outweighed getting some flats. I don't even pay attention to glass anymore.

Stacy - I must have passed you when we were in the SAG bus along that last bit.

sukram

Almost definitely, yeah. The girls had 2 red bikes and I had my Bianchi Volpe. I saw a lot of people with flats Sunday. No flats for me yesterday, I use panaracer tserve for messenger tires, puncture resistant.

Lucky07

Oh, anyone see the small cottage in the last part of the ride with a "Go Away" sign posted out front & a dead deer at the end of the driveway? That was great.

Stacy

Yeah but I think we were in spearate vans. Too bad. We could've been SAG buddies

I suspect I picked up something on Dune Road even thought my Armadillos didn't actually go flat until Gin Lane. Dune Road goes underwater from time to time. Maybe all that white stuff was shells?

BrooklynRider

We had an excellent time! Great perfect weather!

Last minute a friend decided to ride this with me from Babylon. We stayed at my folks in Huntington the night before and took off out of Babylon in full Fred style at around 6:40am. My friend had kacky shorts and thermals underneath. I had gold and blue basketball shorts on and a blackT-shirt. Later a sleaved dark green poly shirt. And a big rack trunk full of stuff I won't bring next year! My 22lb bike ballooned to 40lb with all the useless nonesense (powerbars, pump, clothing, boombox, flaregun, life-raft, shortwave transimtter, mylar blanket). I didn't know that so much food was available at the stops. My first time and all. And I'm more used to loaded touring so didn't know what to expect.

We saw a lot of pour folks with flats the whole day. We had no flats. I shot some rocks into the rails like slingshots. Armadillos are heavy, but heck. Next year I won't even bring a spare tube...

Babylon had excellent snacks. The next reststop had good snacks. Too much sugar stuff IMO. The peanut butter girls had PB all over their hands. Hat's off to them, the unsung heroes!

Sadly, the 75 mile stop had no Humas or P&J. Right when I wanted something savoury. The fruit was welcome as usual. My friend had ice-cream and almost immeadiately regretted that... Actually, those liter sized Smartwater's were excellent. Got a couple. The bottles fit the cages perfectly and have the pull-out spouts!

My Knee got really sore around mile 45 or so. Major drag. FYI
https://physicaltherapy.about.com/od/...Bstretches.htm

That bridge was rough. Got to the top for a view and we helped a gal with a stuck derailed chain. Took 3 of us and a Leatherman to pull the chain out from around the bottom-bracket! Glad to help.

Met one BF folk. Charlie on the train back. Sharpie on the calves is a great idea!

Made it in about 6 hours. Average speed was 17. Max was 29. Sit-bones killing me. Hand numbness and ITBS. Otherwise in great shape. Bike suffered minor damage in the truck. Handlebar tape was torn up, but I'm going to put a second layer on anyway. Carbon forks were unscratched.

I may do the next Montauk Century in June. Is there an official site or sign up?

Hambone

Thanks. I live on the NYC Marathon route and I love how everybody with their name on their shirt gets cheers so I thought I'd give it a go.

You're a better man than I. The ride in this am I got about half way and thought about getting on the subway. MY taint taint feeling so good.[/QUOTE]

The Montauk Ride. It is June 2nd. Yeah, Glen posted the info a while back.

www.theridetomontauk.com

slvoid

Mine was ok. I ended up taking the fixed gear with a 48x16. Ended up finishing the 145 mile route with an average speed of 17.6mph

I met up with another bikeforums member, Daren, right around 5 and we left as soon as we were able to. The first 30 miles were kind of soggy but after that, dried up a lot. I ended up taking an impromptu bathroom break around mile 130 and he kept going but I have to thank him for dragging my carcus through long island.

Lesson learned: Nonstop pedaling for 9 hours with all those stupid stops and turns might seem fun, but it's not... and a 6 inch saddle to bar drop along with track geometry makes for one insanely uncomfortable ride. No saddle sores but my ass bones hurt to sit on even on the lirr train ride back.

June 2nd, I'm taking the road bike!

EDIT: Oh yeah, I saw air and had a very brief conversation with him before we kept going. Pulling long skids on the wet ground was really fun, as was scaring roadies behind me sh*tless everytime I skidded and went sideways.

Sucks to hear about everyone's issues. Daren had a front wheel flat about 2 miles from babylon and managed like, 15mph all the way in to get it patched up and didn't crash, props for riding it out.

Air

We had a grand time - was cursing that my flask was in the checked bag though.

Yeah - Dune was covered with crushed shells. From living near the water the gulls like to drop them on the roadbed - easier to grab the meat than aiming for a rock.

BrooklynRider

There was a beach straight ahead at a turn around mile 85 (for 100 milers) maybe 9th segment before Montauk Highway. Tony shores towards the main rolling hills to Montauk. Off tour. Gorgeous. A few folks sunbathing but those waves... Mature folks in cars park briefly for the view. Puzzled at the bikers.

The water was blue green and an obvious V-shaped surfing crest about 120 meters out. Anyone go off-tour to see that one? 15 minute parking for the view? Gorgeous.

Can anyone point to the approximate way-point on the cue sheet for that?

Might take the laser there before it warms up for surfing...

slvoid

I was doing around 24-26 on the flat sections if I had a wind on my back. So... if you saw a dude on a fixed gear passing you with no aerobars but his forearms resting on the tops of my drop bars, that would be me.

The most frightening thing I saw was this guy in my group who would unclip in every time we approached a light and like, keep riding for 5-6 minutes after that with road shoes, look pedals, 1 foot unclipped riding on the BACK of the pedal. Every time we'd hit a bump, he would slide off.

Avatar

Since I missed the Westhampton stop completely, it seems that the markings might not have been clear.

By the description, I think you might have been my SAG buddy.

cparekh

I was talking into moving up from the 65 to 100 on the Friday before the ride. Being that the longest ride of my life was 42 miles for the Five Borough Tour, needless to say I was hurting by about the halfway point. Eventually, I learned that the trick is to slow down and enjoy all the views. I don't have a cyclo-computer, but I think I averaged about 15 mph (I finished in just over 7 hours), but I stopped a few times. The main thing was that my wife bagged on me, and I had to ride alone. That meant a lot of singing (I seemed to have a penchant for The Gambler that day) to myself and not getting pulled along by anyone. The best part was, like the sleepy idiot I was, I left my cue sheet in my bag. I didn't get lost, as the markings were good, but I had no idea how much distance I had left. At one point, I thought I had gone about 70 miles. I asked someone else, how much to go, and they replied 53 or so. Crap. Next time I won't forget my cue sheet.

The rest stops were awesome, and I certainly had my fill of the Blue "Gatorade". Ate lots of oranges, and several of the PB&J graham cracker things. On the way back, I happened to sit next to BrooklynRider, and we got to chat all the way back. As a bonus, I got to partake in his Jolly Ranchers. Those were quite the treat for a dry and dehydrated mouth.

I rode my 12 mile round trip commute to work today, and man were the quads sore. Next time, I'll Sharpie up the legs so that other BFers can find me.

Keep Cranking,

/cp