Maybe I'll bus down to NYC, then ride back to Boston with you all. Also, I might be moving to a place with lots of floor space, and even some doors that shut for those who might need, er, privacy.

I was just thinking the same thing. Im starting training for the Trans-NH MDA ride in June and I'll be riding any chance I get. We'll see how this turns out and maybe you guys wouldn't mind some extra company.

what's up red it's jd

thought I'd post here to say that I too think I am interested in bussing out to NYC for this...

the 12 monkeys race is now the second weekend of March.
SO lets vote should we move this ride to the third weekend in march
OR should we do it the last weekend of Feb and be really hardcore!

opinions?

end of march, third or fourth weekend.

so the question is, do we want to make this the third weekend event. Monster track, 12 monkeys and than NYC to Boston, or is it gonna be best to have a rest weekend inbetween and hit this up 4th weekend in March?

Either is fine by me, I've already delayed my time off to one day in Feb and two in March so I can take the friday and monday of the ride.

im down for either weekend. i've been sending out some emails checkin on routes and whatnot.

awesome. so what's gonna be the generally accepted way of packin stuff. I figure if there's anough people to spread tools out, it could be just bring your bag with your clothes in it type of trip. might get a lil' uncomftorable, but I dont feel like travelling heavy.

i might bring a spare t-shirt but mostly its going to be tubes tools water food some rain gear and maybe an extra warm layer just in case

but i think packing as light as posible would be the best option

if we are all dirty and smelly then none of us will notice it!

three out of the 4 of us who did the BANG BOSTON (Philly to Boston) Ride are on here. Me, Stet and MattGarfield (Jeremy, the guy who hangs out at the Last Drop doesnt have an account). We all hooked up our bikes with racks (used some metal attachments, should all be described on the site) since we dont have eyelets or anything like that. Taking the weight off of our bodies and putting it on our bikes really helped. We all did the ride on flip flop hubs, 48/17 fixed, 48/20? free... I cant remember if it was 20 or 22. Anyway, having the freewheel was REALLY nice when going through connecticut since you are either riding UP a huge steep hill or DOWN a huge steep hill. Riding that fixed is just not fun by the 80th mile. Anyway, I would do it all again and probably will this next summer... the group of us are already planning another ride, probably further this time, and probably south.

Dont try and push the mileage... it gets stressful and you dont get to enjoy the scenery... the best part about this trip was hanging out with awesome people, and meeting OTHER great people along the way. We decided that the last few days would be easy riding days and made a lot of pit stops for sweet treats and to talk to random people (including getting interviewed for a local paper). If you have any questions that arent answered on the site, send me a PM and I will do my best to answer.

HAVE FUN!!!!

yeah, sounds like the kinda trip i'm thinking. the century on the first day is the bulk of the riding, but it's all flat out long island. then two chill days with some nice relaxing on block island and hanging in providence and boston. the route i'm thinking skips connecticut.

i'm confused though why you Bang Boston folks would have used a larger cog on your freewheel side than on the fixed. seems like you'd go with more gear inches for freewheel. maybe not though...

as far as packing i'm thinking we can pool a tool kit. the bang boston site has a good general list of stuff to bring, as do most cycling books.

crap, i'm late to meet someone... later!

Probably so they can gear down for the uphills, but not have to deal with spinning out on the way down.

Oh yeah I should mention I'm totally down for this. I'd vote for late march so that we wouldn't need to carry bulky clothing. As for a pooled tool kit, I have a Topeak Road Morph pump which is the nicest mini-pump I have ever used and I think would be perfect for this trip. So consider the pump covered.

yeah, that's what i assumed, but i personally think i'd like to be able to mash a bit more while being able to coast... fewer inches on the free side is probably the better idea though.

i'm doing this

and none of y'all can stop me

unless you're "pain" or "fatigue"

which are my only weaknesses

among numerous others

so now we are looking at the weekend of March 17th(fri) to the 19th(sun) or the next/last weekend in March (24th to 26th)

personally my vote is to make this a third weekend event. two great races in two weekends and then a nice long brisk group ride up to boston the next sounds like fun to me.

although having it the last weekend in Feb. (24th to 26th) and making it an un-official pre monster track event could be kinda fun...

I have relatives in Long Island and family in Providence and Boston. If you live closer to Long Island than mid-city Manhattan. I would go with the previously sugguested route, it will be shorter since you will cut the time in Conn. in half, which is a good thing since Conn. (IMHO) is a rather boring state.

or you can avoid Conn. completely by going to block island and then go to the south portion of Rhode Island. the ferry is obviously going to be a slow ride, but it's fun to bring a bike on a boat. Just bring a blanket if you want to sit outside.

imo, the less time in connecticut the better. and i'm officialy gettin psyched about this ride. time to put a few long days in before than. maybe tommorow will turn from a piermont day into a nyack day afterall.

Ok, I'm getting some help with routes from an amazingly helpful fellow named Steve who is very familiar with the area, and I want to check on the route.

Is everyone cool with Long Island, all the way out to Montauk, a ferry from Montauk to Block Island, and then from there to the mainland and up to Providence, and from there to Boston? This really seems like it would be the best route to me, really chill and enjoyable.

Then the other question is, do we want to take the ferry from Block Island to Newport or Point Judith? I'll ask Steve if he has a recommendation. He says it's the same length from either of those places to Providence, so I don't think it matters unless someone has a personal preference.

Also, he asked if we knew of a particular spot he should end us up in Providence. Seeing as we dont have anything set yet, I ws just going to tell him somewhere central in the city. Sound good?

that sounds awesome soo far. So I guess we should already start on a checklist for things we need. As far as tools go

[ ] pump
[ ] chain tool
[ ] wrenches (sizes?)
[ ] tire irons
[ ] tubes
[ ] patch kits
[ ] first aid kit
[ ] gps (anyone actually have one of those things??)
[ ] maps
[ ] hex wrench set
[ ] scantily clad cheerleads (not you msngr, but your pants back on)

feel free to add on as I'm about to head out and not quite awake yet.

point judith is way cooler and more rural.

lockring tool and chainwhip?

Steve also said depending on the day he might be able to be a back up sag wagon and bring parts and tools to us by car if needed. awesome guy.

i've talked to a few non-forums folks who are interested in this as well. We should try and set the date asap and get a head count. third or forth weekend in march?

awesome, so i say point judith then.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN THIS RIDE, PLEASE RESPOND

What dates are best for you?
[ ] March 17th to March 19th
[ ] March 24th to March 26th

Please let you opinion be known before the weekend is over so we can finalize it.