Birthday Ride
05-17-24, 05:57 AM
#1
Birthday Ride
For my 60th Bday this past Monday, I wanted to "ride my age".
For those of you in the NYC suburban area, I rode from just North of the NJ border in Rockland, up Strawtown/Sickletown (the eagles are back, in the nest on Strawtown road at the top of the hill (rise? it's a pretty gentle hill) where you can overlook the reservoir, but I didn't see them on this ride), then over S. Mountain road to 9W, 9W for a short bit to Clove Rd, drop down into Haverstraw, North along Riverside/etc./Beach road, up Tomkins to meet back up with 9W, up 9W then over the Bear Mtn Bridge, up 9D to Snake Hill Rd, over to Rt 9 then down to 403, take that back over to 9D, then back home, but instead of turning right on S. Mountain off 9W, continue S on 9W, take 304 over to Old Haverstraw Rd/Kings Hwy, then over Old Mill Rd back to Sickletown/Strawtown and home.
It ended up being 67 miles total, so I made my goal. Saw a few riders, some poppies in bloom, the "castle" on the ridge East of 9D (I think it's actually a monastery?), and a Baltimore Oriole on 9W where it passes the Iona island bird sanctuary. The leaves on the trees are pretty much fully out now, and the flowering trees are still (mostly) doing their stuff. A quick stop at the Cove deli on the way back for some more fluids and a banana.
The pavement on 9W North of Tomkins Ave in Stony Point all the way to the Bear Mountain Circle is getting really, really bad, especially so between Tomkins and the big hill just before the lower Bear Mountain entrance road. I hope they do something about it. Even with the dump trucks using the road I had to take the lane inseveral many places. Fortunately, traffic wasn't too heavy. There's also construction/maintenance on the Bear Mountain Bridge, so no shoulder, you're in the lane. Again, traffic was light so going East (against the wind that day) there were no cars behind me, and coming back with a tailwind I was able to go fast enough that the cars behind me didn't get too impatient.
That's all, just thought I'd break up the endless lube, tubeless tire, "what is the best...", etc., etc., etc... posts.
For those of you in the NYC suburban area, I rode from just North of the NJ border in Rockland, up Strawtown/Sickletown (the eagles are back, in the nest on Strawtown road at the top of the hill (rise? it's a pretty gentle hill) where you can overlook the reservoir, but I didn't see them on this ride), then over S. Mountain road to 9W, 9W for a short bit to Clove Rd, drop down into Haverstraw, North along Riverside/etc./Beach road, up Tomkins to meet back up with 9W, up 9W then over the Bear Mtn Bridge, up 9D to Snake Hill Rd, over to Rt 9 then down to 403, take that back over to 9D, then back home, but instead of turning right on S. Mountain off 9W, continue S on 9W, take 304 over to Old Haverstraw Rd/Kings Hwy, then over Old Mill Rd back to Sickletown/Strawtown and home.
It ended up being 67 miles total, so I made my goal. Saw a few riders, some poppies in bloom, the "castle" on the ridge East of 9D (I think it's actually a monastery?), and a Baltimore Oriole on 9W where it passes the Iona island bird sanctuary. The leaves on the trees are pretty much fully out now, and the flowering trees are still (mostly) doing their stuff. A quick stop at the Cove deli on the way back for some more fluids and a banana.
The pavement on 9W North of Tomkins Ave in Stony Point all the way to the Bear Mountain Circle is getting really, really bad, especially so between Tomkins and the big hill just before the lower Bear Mountain entrance road. I hope they do something about it. Even with the dump trucks using the road I had to take the lane in
That's all, just thought I'd break up the endless lube, tubeless tire, "what is the best...", etc., etc., etc... posts.
Likes For noimagination:
05-17-24, 07:09 AM
#2
Banned
It's a cool tradition! Unfortunately it requires more commitment each year.
Likes For shelbyfv:
05-17-24, 07:35 AM
#3
Senior Member
For my 60th Bday this past Monday, I wanted to "ride my age".
For those of you in the NYC suburban area, I rode from just North of the NJ border in Rockland, up Strawtown/Sickletown (the eagles are back, in the nest on Strawtown road at the top of the hill (rise? it's a pretty gentle hill) where you can overlook the reservoir, but I didn't see them on this ride), then over S. Mountain road to 9W, 9W for a short bit to Clove Rd, drop down into Haverstraw, North along Riverside/etc./Beach road, up Tomkins to meet back up with 9W, up 9W then over the Bear Mtn Bridge, up 9D to Snake Hill Rd, over to Rt 9 then down to 403, take that back over to 9D, then back home, but instead of turning right on S. Mountain off 9W, continue S on 9W, take 304 over to Old Haverstraw Rd/Kings Hwy, then over Old Mill Rd back to Sickletown/Strawtown and home.
It ended up being 67 miles total, so I made my goal. Saw a few riders, some poppies in bloom, the "castle" on the ridge East of 9D (I think it's actually a monastery?), and a Baltimore Oriole on 9W where it passes the Iona island bird sanctuary. The leaves on the trees are pretty much fully out now, and the flowering trees are still (mostly) doing their stuff. A quick stop at the Cove deli on the way back for some more fluids and a banana.
The pavement on 9W North of Tomkins Ave in Stony Point all the way to the Bear Mountain Circle is getting really, really bad, especially so between Tomkins and the big hill just before the lower Bear Mountain entrance road. I hope they do something about it. Even with the dump trucks using the road I had to take the lane inseveral many places. Fortunately, traffic wasn't too heavy. There's also construction/maintenance on the Bear Mountain Bridge, so no shoulder, you're in the lane. Again, traffic was light so going East (against the wind that day) there were no cars behind me, and coming back with a tailwind I was able to go fast enough that the cars behind me didn't get too impatient.
That's all, just thought I'd break up the endless lube, tubeless tire, "what is the best...", etc., etc., etc... posts.
For those of you in the NYC suburban area, I rode from just North of the NJ border in Rockland, up Strawtown/Sickletown (the eagles are back, in the nest on Strawtown road at the top of the hill (rise? it's a pretty gentle hill) where you can overlook the reservoir, but I didn't see them on this ride), then over S. Mountain road to 9W, 9W for a short bit to Clove Rd, drop down into Haverstraw, North along Riverside/etc./Beach road, up Tomkins to meet back up with 9W, up 9W then over the Bear Mtn Bridge, up 9D to Snake Hill Rd, over to Rt 9 then down to 403, take that back over to 9D, then back home, but instead of turning right on S. Mountain off 9W, continue S on 9W, take 304 over to Old Haverstraw Rd/Kings Hwy, then over Old Mill Rd back to Sickletown/Strawtown and home.
It ended up being 67 miles total, so I made my goal. Saw a few riders, some poppies in bloom, the "castle" on the ridge East of 9D (I think it's actually a monastery?), and a Baltimore Oriole on 9W where it passes the Iona island bird sanctuary. The leaves on the trees are pretty much fully out now, and the flowering trees are still (mostly) doing their stuff. A quick stop at the Cove deli on the way back for some more fluids and a banana.
The pavement on 9W North of Tomkins Ave in Stony Point all the way to the Bear Mountain Circle is getting really, really bad, especially so between Tomkins and the big hill just before the lower Bear Mountain entrance road. I hope they do something about it. Even with the dump trucks using the road I had to take the lane in
That's all, just thought I'd break up the endless lube, tubeless tire, "what is the best...", etc., etc., etc... posts.
What chain lube did you use? Are you running clinchers or tubeless? What's the best saddle for this type of ride?
Likes For Bald Paul:
05-17-24, 10:04 AM
#4
Likes For noimagination:
05-17-24, 10:13 AM
#5
At the end of the year I subtract the beginning odometer reading from the final to get an idea of mileage for the year, but that's about it.
05-17-24, 01:30 PM
#7
I'd like to make the loop, and from the Bear Mountain Bridge take Rte 202 up and over that knob then down through Westchester to the TZ Bridge and back to Rockland over the TZ. However, I've only ridden Rte 202 East of the Bear Mtn Bridge in the company of lots of other riders (the MS tour that starts in White Plains and goes over the TZ). Have you ridden that route during a normal day? Is it doable, or is the traffic too much?
05-17-24, 04:40 PM
#8
Newbie
Happy birthday! My Big 6-0 is tomorrow, and I'm celebrating by doing a 64 mile training ride with my Team in Training group. They're just about ready to ride the 72 miles around Lake Tahoe on June 2!
05-18-24, 06:49 AM
#9
Senior Member
My upcoming birthday will be 71 for me. But I recently did a 70-mile ride. So hopefully I can complete a birthday ride.
05-18-24, 08:55 AM
#10
Grupetto Bob
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05-18-24, 02:56 PM
#11
Senior Member
I went into NJ over the GWB yesterday for the first time since the new bikeway was opened. Usually though if I go that way I only go as far as Nyack and yesterday didn't make it past Strictly Bikes in Fort Lee, but as I've gotten older (69) those 70 mile rides have become non-existent. Maybe I need to give it a try again, as the R/T to Nyack is 70 from my house in Brooklyn.
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05-19-24, 01:19 PM
#12
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noimagination -- GREAT RIDE 
noimagination wrote -- " ...The pavement on 9W North of Tomkins Ave in Stony Point all the way to the Bear Mountain Circle is getting really, really bad, especially so between Tomkins and the big hill just before the lower Bear Mountain entrance road... " Roads were in much better condition for us back in the 80's.
Sunday ride with guys back in the early '80's used to be Hackensack - Bogota - Ft. Lee up 9W/202 to Bear Mtn. Carousel area and back. BUT we were in our 30's
Moved to FLAT land SW FL in 1986 so doubling age was easy for Birthday rides. My 70th Birthday ride of 141.25 miles -- https://www.strava.com/activities/3741404995
Have had some major health issues and just rode a 100 miler for my Dad's 99th Birthday + 1 extra (born in 1925) if he was still alive.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11074746037 -- segment 1 @ 40.04 miles
https://www.strava.com/activities/11078490218 -- segment 2 @ 60.06 miles
FULL MOON on Thursday so will try for 100 miles.
noimagination wrote -- " ...The pavement on 9W North of Tomkins Ave in Stony Point all the way to the Bear Mountain Circle is getting really, really bad, especially so between Tomkins and the big hill just before the lower Bear Mountain entrance road... " Roads were in much better condition for us back in the 80's.
The problem, as I see it, with birthday rides is that they are relatively easy when young and increasingly more difficult when hitting the 70s and 80s. I believe it is all backwards with 60 being the dividing line. Before 60, you should ride your age plus 10 or 20 miles, and after, reduce by 1 mile for each year.
Have had some major health issues and just rode a 100 miler for my Dad's 99th Birthday + 1 extra (born in 1925) if he was still alive.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11074746037 -- segment 1 @ 40.04 miles
https://www.strava.com/activities/11078490218 -- segment 2 @ 60.06 miles
FULL MOON on Thursday so will try for 100 miles.
Last edited by OldTryGuy; 05-19-24 at 01:27 PM.
05-19-24, 01:21 PM
#13
Should Be More Popular
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05-23-24, 06:23 PM
#14
pan y agua
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unless you switch to metric😁
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You could hit a tree and die.
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05-30-24, 02:25 PM
#15
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Great job! I did my first Birthday Ride on my 50th birthday. I took off from work to do it. It was also my first half century ride. That day, I said I wanted to do an annual birthday ride until at least 75. I hope I do it. I just turned 59 last month, but I've been training for a much longer ride. I need to do my 59 the weekend after I do my long ride coming up next week.
06-01-24, 11:33 PM
#16
Grupetto Bob
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06-06-24, 07:05 PM
#17
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I turn 60 in Dec, luckily it cooler so as I have gotten older, that cooler weather is much appreciated.
08-31-24, 02:56 PM
#18
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Will do the 71 tomorrow. Wondering what the highest number achieved and posted on BFs is.
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08-31-24, 04:50 PM
#19
Anyone ride their age in dog years?
08-31-24, 05:19 PM
#20
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09-07-24, 05:56 PM
#21
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My longest ride to date is 224 miles (on gravel). 455 miles, even paved, I think is going to be a stretch.
__________________
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
09-08-24, 10:14 AM
#22
Good on ya! For years I've been riding my age. Last year at age 73 on my Mongoose titanium road bike (ten days later I was hit by a cargo van - shattered pelvis, off bike for 3 months) - 'graduated' from healing by doing a century in June this year. This birthday probably ride the Serotta CSI or Legend. Whatever you do, keep up the effort - it really doesn't get that much harder. Here's a pic from 2022 (didn't take one in '23):
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09-08-24, 02:05 PM
#23
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