Howdy Boys and Girls,
Here’s a list of some of my favorite rides in the NY/NJ/CT area for 2010, plus a few legendary rides located out of town. If you prefer you can download a copy by clicking here.
Please note:
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•This is NOT a complete list of every ride everywhere -- these are just some of my personal favorites.
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•MOST of these rides are NOT run by me -- my own rides are highlighted in red.
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That means that if you want info on someone else’s ride, give them a shout (contact info below) -- I’m sure they’ll be glad to hear from you.
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(This is the most polite way I can think of to state, “Please don’t call me at home at 5 a.m. to ask me what time The Seagull Century starts, since I don’t run that ride!”)
OK? OK!
Glen
BIKE RIDE CALENDAR 2010
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APRIL
April 10
The 12th Annual Blessing of the Bikes
FREE
All Faiths (or lack thereof) Welcome
OK, it’s not technically a ride, but it’s STILL my favorite bike event of the year. Wear your usual cycle clothing and bring your bike INSIDE the spectacular Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine. The reverend will say a few kind words and then sprinkle our bikes with Holy Water. There is a moment of silence to remember those cyclists we’ve lost in the past year, a chance for everyone to ring their bicycle bells in celebration of cycling, and we’re gone. This event is FREE, but we do pass the hat for a completely voluntary donation as you leave. One hundred percent of that money goes to the church for the good work they do in the neighborhood.
April 25
Nassau to Suffolk Bicycle Challenge
Well marked courses through the coastal roads of North Shore's Western Long Island. Food, water, and free bike inspections at the start. Four well stocked rest stops. Roving sag wagon. Raffle at the end of the ride.
MAY
May 2
BIKE NEW YORK
212 932 2453
Ride 42 miles car-free through New York City as part of the largest recreational cycling event in America.
May 16 (Note new date!)
Pedal for the Planet
www.adventuresbydesign.net/12.html
A FREE guided mountain bike ride for kids (10 and up) and their parents to celebrate Earth Day takes place at Stillwell Woods Preserve in Syosset from 12-2pm. Lots of give-aways and schwag to be raffled off. Demo bikes and helmets will be available for those who don’t have their own or want to try something new. Bike mechanics will be on duty to make minor repairs. All levels welcome. Co-sponsored by CLIMB, Trips for Kids Metro NY, The Bicycle Planet and Adventures by Design. “By introducing kids to the sport of mountain biking, we hope not only to foster a generation of active children, but ones who have a sense of adventure, a connection with nature and respect for the environment.”
May 19
Ride of Silence
7:00 p.m.
Central Park, (and hundreds of locations world wide)
http://www.rideofsilence.org/main.php
Join cyclists worldwide in a silent slow-paced ride (max. 12 mph/20 kph) in honor of those who have been injured or killed while cycling on public roadways.
The Ride of Silence will begin in North America and roll across the globe. Cyclists will take to the roads in a silent procession to honor cyclists who have been killed or injured while cycling on public roadways. Although cyclists have a legal right to share the road with motorists, the motoring public often isn't aware of these rights, and sometimes not aware of the cyclists themselves.
Starting point: Central Park West, at 110th St ( otherwise known as Cathedral Parkway)
Route: South down West Park Drive, and arrive at Tavern on the Green ( West 67 St.) about 7:20 to allow others to join who may not be able to get to the northern end of the park by 7.
Then around the rest of the loop back to W.110th St. Those wishing to ride around the park twice ( another 6-7 miles) may do so, darkness permitting.
Some of us will meet at V&T Pizza afterwards, Amsterdam Ave at 110th St. All welcome.
May 23
The Bloomin Metric
Sound Cyclists Bicycle Club's 33rd Annual Bloomin' Metric® bicycle tour will once again be offering three great scenic rides in the Spring of 2010 - 25 miles, 75 kilometers and 100 kilometers.
As in the past, a portion of the proceeds from the entry fee for Bloomin' Metric® 2010 will be donated to help support a worthy organization involved in the sport of cycling.
JUNE
June 6
Tour de Brooklyn
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Bike Boat Bike
SBRA invites you to cycle Long Island's East End. Tour through the woodlands, fields, and shoreline of the North and South Forks. Take the ferry to Shelter Island. Cycle through the scenic coves and byways of beautiful Shelter Island. Ride with friends, family or join a group and make new friends. Whether your preference is social, scenic viewing, or fast recreational cycling, we are sure you will enjoy the tour.
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Stewart State Forest Bike Tour
www.stewartstateforestbiketour.com
info@stewartstateforestbiketour.com
The 11th Annual Stewart State Forest Bike Tour, formerly called Bike the Buffer, takes place on the Stewart State Forest lands, New Windsor NY, and is designed for mountain bikes, BMX, and hybrid bicycles. The ride offers three loops, each geared for different levels of experience, from beginner to expert. Besides a fun ride, we've got TONS of cool stuff planned for the start/finish. This is the only ride to benefit SPARC, the Stewart Park and Reserve Coalition (SPARC), an all-volunteer citizens organization created over 20 years ago to protect 7,000+ acres of Stewart Airport buffer lands, and preserve them for future generations.
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4th Annual Ride The Ridge Bike Challenge
The High Meadow School, located in Stone Ridge,
New York, will hold its 4th Annual Ride The Ridge Bike Challenge to raise funds to benefit the new High Meadow Performing Arts Center.
Bicycling Magazine has identified Ride the Ridge to its nationwide readership as one of the best cycling events in the month of June!
The Ride the Ridge Bike Challenge invites riders of all ages to
participate in one of four road rides:
* The 50-mile Shawangunk Ridge Ride
* The 30-mile Countryside Ride
* The 12-mile Bud Clarke Memorial Ride
* The 5-mile Family Ride
All bike routes go through Ulster County in the beautiful Hudson Valley beginning and ending at the High Meadow Performing Arts Center located on Rt. 209 in Stone Ridge, New York. All rides will be supported by S.AG. Wagons, directional signs, and strategically located food/water stops. A satisfying lunch will await riders at the Finish Line.
June 12
Tour de Cure - Long Island
American Diabetes Association
June 13
Mansion Ride for Autism
16-45 & 62 miles. 9th Annual Autism Charity Event. Visits Famous Mansions on Long Islands North Shore Gold Coast.
June 19
Ride to Montauk
Glen here, your tour director and humble servant since 1997. Pedal from the city through the Hamptons to the ocean. This ride is flat, Flat, FLAT, with superb rest stops, the best support, a wonderful back-roads route, free hot showers at the finish line, free massage, free post-ride meal...
June 26
Tour de Cure NYC
American Diabetes Association
http://main.diabetes.org/NYCTourdeCure
The New York City Tour de Cure is back and here to stay. Please join us in the campaign to STOP DIABETES. In order to improve the lives of 23.6 million people in the US, and 1.2 million here in NYC diagnosed with diabetes your help is needed.
We have a new spacious start/finish location at Pier 92 located on W. 54th Street and the West Side Highway. The 2010 Tour will offer a 15, 30, 55 and 100 mile routes. From the moment you arrive you will receive the red carpet treatment NYC style. You will be sent off with a great breakfast and fresh coffee. Fabulous rest stops await you along the routes and an exciting fun-filled start/finish line upon your return. As you cross the finish line you will be greeted by our grateful staff and volunteers cheering your arrival with lunch, refreshments, massages, music and much more.
June 27
Long Island Harbors Ride
212 932 2453
Explore the harbors and hills of Long Island's famed North Shore on a route of 26 to 100 miles.
JULY
July 11
Tour de Queens
July 18
Bike the River Valley
Glen here, your tour director and humble servant since 1997. This is a NEW ride -- I’ve been working on it for YEARS and can’t wait! We’ll pedal over the new Walkway Over the Hudson car-free bridge, to FDR’s home, the Vanderbilt Mansion, the Mill’s Mansion... and that’s all before the first rest stop! From there it’s on to the Frank Gehry-designed theater at Bard College before crossing over the Hudson again on our way to the Kingston waterfront. Of course along the way we’ll have amazing rest stops, pie and more pie, and free hot showers at the finish line. Optional transportation available from NYC to the ride and back for your bike and you.
July 25
Harlem Valley Rail Ride
212 932 2453
Enjoy a fully supported ride on the car-free Harlem Valley Rail Trail and through the scenic countryside in New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts.
July 25-31
RAGBRAI
You must do this ride at least once before you die -- completely lives up to the hype in every way -- G
AUGUST
AUGUST 13
The Farm Ride (Early Arrival Day)
Optional early-arrival day for The Farm Ride. A short pedal to optional dinner in town; the real pedaling starts on August 14 (see below.)
Two days of riding through farmland in beautiful Amherst, MA. Full century on Day One (66 or 100 miles) plus a new 25-mile route. A post-ride meal at a local farm featuring food that was still growing the morning of the ride, plus beer from Harpoon Brewery. A series of beautiful optional rides on Day Two. Stay on the University of Massachusetts campus. (Dorm rooms or hotel). Transportation available from NYC.
AUGUST 14
The Farm Ride continues
Two days of riding through farmland in beautiful Amherst, MA. Full century today (66 or 100 miles) plus a new 25-mile route. A post-ride meal at a local farm featuring food that was still growing the morning of the ride, plus beer from Harpoon Brewery. A series of beautiful optional rides on Day Two. Stay on the University of Massachusetts campus. (Dorm rooms or hotel). Transportation available from NYC.
AUGUST 15
The Farm Ride continues
Two days of riding through farmland in beautiful Amherst, MA. Full century on August 8 (66 or 100 miles) plus a new 25-mile route. A post-ride meal at a local farm featuring food that was still growing the morning of the ride, plus beer from Harpoon Brewery. A series of beautiful optional rides on Day Two. Stay on the University of Massachusetts campus. (Dorm rooms or hotel). Transportation available from NYC.
August 15
The Ramapo Rally
The Ramapo Rally, sponsored by the Bicycle Touring Club of North Jersey (BTCNJ), will again have rides for everyone "from families to fanatics" There are flat to rolling rides of 12 and 25 miles for families or less ambitious riders, plus rolling to moderately hilly rides of 45, 62, and 100 miles for stronger riders. Finally, there is a hilly 125-mile ride for strong riders seeking a real challenge.
The routes explore scenic and country roads in Morris County, among the best in New Jersey, including the Splitrock Reservoir and Black River Wildlife Management Area. Well-staffed and supplied rest stops, strong SAG support, and a light meal at the finish complete a great ride. Of course there will be a free gift for early registrants, to be announced. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Camp Sunshine, a camp for multiply-handicapped children and young adults, located in Ridgewood, NJ.
August 22
Discover Hudson Valley Ride
http://www.bikenewyork.org/rides/dhv/index.html
212 932 2453
An incredible new ride through scenic and historic landscapes, complete with a crossing of the world's longest pedestrian bridge, the Walkway Over the Hudson. Start/finish in Poughkeepsie, convenient to the Metro-North Railroad Station. Ride options: 18-100 miles.
August 29
The Eighth Annual North Fork Century
Pedal along the beautiful north fork of Long Island past farmland, vineyards, Orient Point, and Long Island Sound. The 50- and 66-mile routes are flat, flat, FLAT! The 100-mile route has a couple hills that you can handle. Fresh corn, Briermere Farms pie with whipped cream made on the spot, wine tasting, ice cream, FREE custom Sockguy CUSHY socks for early sign-up, post-ride meal, hot showers, and a few surprises. Shuttle available from NYC.
SEPTEMBER
September 5
The Golden Apple
www.westchestercycleclub/goldenapple
This is a five level ride, self paced, 25, 50, 75, 100, 125 mile route, all starting and stopping at Goldens Bridge, NY.
September 12
Twin Forks bikeMS
bikeMS Twin Forks is a unique ride that highlights the many great and historic sites of Long Island’s North and South Forks. Enjoy historic rest stops while cycling through beautiful wine country and spectacular waterfront views. Cyclists make their way across the Forks via the North and South Ferries with a route on Shelter Island connecting the two. Don’t miss this exciting journey to explore the many great features Long Island has to offer.
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NYC Century
6,000 Cyclists, 5 route options, the #1 best way to see New York City.
Choose Your Distance, Ride Your Pace: 100, 75, 55, 35 and 15 mile routes.
The Century is your ride—as challenging or relaxing as you choose, but always fun and rewarding. All routes have been carefully designed with your safety and enjoyment in mind. No matter which route you choose, you will be fully supported by experienced marshals and mechanics along the route and plentiful food at scenic rest stops. Plus on ride day all riders will receive a commemorative organic cotton t-shirt. Sign up before August 15 you'll be eligible to use the express start on Ride Day.
September 24 - 26
Braking the Cycle
Braking the Cycle is a gorgeous, fully supported, 3-day ride from Boston to New York City. The first seven years have net over 2 million dollars for the Center’s lifesaving HIV/AIDS services.
September 25
Escape New York
The New York Cycle Club
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Bike the Night/Breakfast at the Beach
TENTATIVE
We’re not ready to announce this one just yet, but start thinking about it. This ride will start at 11:59 p.m. Ride on quiet country roads. End with breakfast at the beach at dawn. More news soon!
September 26
Twin Lights Ride
212 932 2453
Start the fall cycling season with a ride along the back roads of
Monmouth County, New Jersey. Optional ferry transportation from Manhattan.
OCTOBER
October 3
Bike MS Traffic Free NYC
212-463-9791
Bike MS, now in its 26th year, is the only cycling event that circles Manhattan traffic-free and provides a car-free ride through the Lincoln Tunnel. Limited to 5,000 participants, Bike MS NYC sells out each year and, in its 25-year history, has raised more than $25 million to fund research, programs and services for people living with Multiple Sclerosis. Riders can choose from 30, 60 or 100 mile routes, with varying levels of challenge for cyclists of all skills.
October 9
The Seagull Century
October 24
Tour de Bronx
Contact Molly Sullivan/Transportation Alternatives
212-629-8080
10:00 a.m. Two routes: 25-miles (best for families) or 40-miles (best for experienced riders). It's a one-of-a-kind experience and a great way to see the Bronx. Registration required. Helmets for kids 14 and under required. FREE.