cc_rider

I sure can. Still have some left from the party-pack I bought last year. Multi-color but mostly yellow.

oboeguy

I'll look for a bike with a baloon.

porkchopsoda

I plan on doing the 55 if its not raining. If anyone wants to do a post ride pub stop for a pint or two, shoot me a pm.

hkboy313

hey yall, it was actually pgoat! where is he on this forum anyways??

ant8tna

Anyone have any tips, ideas, info, etc on parking in the area? We're coming in from CT for the 100 and the first metro north train in the morning does not get in until after 6:00am, so it seems we're gonna be stuck driving into the city in order to make it to the start on time.

cc_rider

I always park on Riverside Drive, next to Grant's Tomb. Because it's all parks and churches and colleges in that area, there is plenty of street parking that time of morning. Easy 2 mile ride to the start.

SBinNYC

Parking and traffic around the start will be problems.

The first train on the Harlem Division arrives at 125th at 5:47am. It's a local all the way from Southeast (Brewster North). It makes all stops except Mt. Pleasant (cemetary) and those in the Bronx. Drive from CT to the Harlem Div. station of your choice.

Even the first New Haven Divison train arrives at 125th at 6:08am. It's a local from Stamford. The first train from New Haven doesn't arrive until 6:28am.

The 125th Station at Park (4th) Ave is much closer to the 110th St & Powell Blv (7th Ave) start than Grand Central. You also save 8 minutes travel time on the train. They usually operate M7 coaches on the Harlem Division. These coaches have handicapped areas that hold bikes a lot more easily than the old coaches used on the New Haven.

ant8tna

Thanks for the info guys. Still not sure what the plan is yet though. We've discussed the idea of driving to White Plains and taking the Harlem line that gets in at 5:47am, but are concerned that it won't leave us enough time to get to the start point and check in before 6:00 (we didn't register early enough to get the packet before ride day). Since this is our first time doing this event (actually my first organized event ever), can anyone fill me in on how big of a deal it would be if we weren't able to get to the check in until 6:00 and how long the process wold take (would we be able to start riding by 6:15?). Thanks again!

cappuccino911

hmmm, usually these events are on saturdays which I can't do, this one is sunday but its the first day of football season!!! This is a tough call! the longest ride i've ever done was 55miles to nyack and back a few weeks ago, I'm sure I can easily handle the 75mile ride since there aren't any hills in nyc nearly as bad as the ones on 9w. The question is will I be done to get back home in time to watch football?

SBinNYC

The 125th St Station is 1.3 miles from the start. According to DeLorme, the riding time is 8 minutes.

Sunrise won't be until 6:33. You're better off super charging on coffee and doughnuts and zooming off at first light than speeding blindly in the dark before sunrise. Of course, you may miss the first crashes from the crowd that wants to finish first by starting at 6am on the dot. If you feel any guilt by not sharing that experience, just pretend to breathe hard as you pass by the wreckage.

ant8tna

So, in other words, the 6:00am start time is more of a recommendation than a requirement? Perfect! Thanks! I'm more than willing to experience the early morning crashes by huffing and puffing on the way by

zacster

At 6am or so on a Sunday morning parking WON'T be much of a problem. I drove to the start and parked on 5th Ave & 98th St. The only other people around were doing the ride and in the grand scheme of things in NYC that's a drop in the bucket.

That said, I'm starting in Prospect Park, about a mile from my house.

Air

I'm roving the 100 - if I get up in time (*cough cough*) I'll come by and say hi to you guys!

hkboy313

oh boy, why does it look like beautiful weather just until our TOUR!! I guess this would be a fun experience but little more dangerous because the chance of rain/ t-showers... o well, bike it rain or shine

cc_rider

ARRRRRGHHHHH

Rain or shine, but not car crash.

Was all packed and looking forward to the ride, then yesterday I had a major fender bender. No one hurt and car is drivable for local trips, but I don't trust it for 600 miles at highway speed. This accident is sucking up time at work (which I didn't have to spare) and a problem with one of the projects means that my pleasant 4 day break would be reduced to a drive up Saturday night and back Sunday night. Plus I'd need to rent a car to get there.

Reluctantly going to have to cancel my trip. Really bummed about it, since I'd been looking forward to it all year and this was effectively my summer vacation.

Consolation will be to do a longish local ride. Maybe I'll start at 6:30 am and see how far I can get by 2:00.


PS - If someone in the DC area is headed up and needs a ride packet and tag, I can let it go cheap.

oboeguy

Bummer! Plus we're sunk without your balloon as a rallying point.

2ndGen

Hey guys. I'm riding Sunday.

It's going to be my 1st Century and
I haven't prepared one minute for it.

I just found out about it the day before yesterday,
slept on it and registered yesterday. I' committed.

Anybody riding out of The Bronx?

NightHawkHat

Actually, there is plenty of light at the 6am start. They've worked it out pretty well. If you arrive at 5:30 it will be dark but by 6 there is ample gray light. I've never seen any early crashes. The crashes come later when people are exhausted.

NightHawkHat

I don't think you'll have trouble finding a parking spot. Enough people are still going away for the weekends that parking isn't that big of a deal on a Sunday. cc's suggestion of parking on Riverside is an excellent one. I'd look for a spot closer to 110th street, which will shorten your ride to the start.

There will be no car traffic at all at that time of day.

One thing: once the ride begins, you will have a hard time driving around Riverside drive below 110th or crossing 110th. It will be your car vs. a few thousand bicycles. Plan to park before 6am.

2ndGen

Looks like possible rain in the afternoon.

Papa Tom

So bummed I'm gonna miss stationing the sports drink bar at Astoria Park this year. Last year, I worked the hose and mixing jugs for several hours - SICK AS A DOG - so I didn't get to really chat with many of the riders. I had fun being part of the event anyway, and hoped to return this Sunday. Unfortunately, I got sucked into providing music for a street festival out here in the burbs that day.

Have fun, everybody. I hope you have some good weather.

cc_rider

If you have a Fed Ex account I could ship you one.
Have fun, guys. Wish I was joining you.

hkboy313

aww man! well the important thing is that yall were ok! i'll bike for you cc rider

im doing the 100 not sure how we're all gonna meet now whos interested PM me...

oboeguy

More motivation to finish quickly! The cooler temps should make for a quick ride, I hope.

FYI, I'll wear either my BF jersey (yellow and blue) or my new NY Yankees jersey. I don't want to ruin the latter in rainy conditions so if the final forecast calls for a hint of rain, it'll like be the former. I still expect to start with the first group.

2ndGen

Absolutely...I'll be racing the rainfall.

.


I'll look for you...I'm supposed to leave with the first group as well.

Good news. Looks like the rain is being pushed of until "after" 3:00pm.
If I can keep my 16mph avg, I should be able to make it by 3 (including breaks).

But rain or shine, I will ride it out.