Tried something different this week. Drove up to Piermont where I rode up the (mostly) back roads to Bear Mountain and then crossed over towards Peekskill and rode around the Croton reservoir and taking the Cuomo bridge back to Piermont. Just under 73 miles and just under 5 hours of ride time

I am not familiar with the roads south of Peekskill so I generated a starva route based on heat map data onto my Wahoo Bolt. It worked pretty well with the exception of a short stint into Peekskill which had too much fast traffic for my tastes. On the other hand I ended up going over the Croton Dam and discovered the North County bike path which was a pleasant ride, especially after all the up and down through Weschester. My only difficulty was missing some turns on the Bolt's small screen. Might have to consider a Wahoo Roam if I am going to use the mapping feature again.

I climbed up Perkins drive and saw Colin flying down the descent. He recognized me which surprised me given how quickly he was moving. I had a hard time recognizing him given all I saw was a blur of fast moving beardedness. 

I have to say that I am really disappointed but the Cuomo bridge bike/pedestrian path. The planners made a huge mistake making it so narrow. Maybe they never expected the number of people who would use it (especially on a nice weekend day during a pandemic) but it is only wide enough to be a bike path OR a pedestrian path. Both bikes and pedestrians are shooting left and right to pass each other. It feels like an accident waiting to happen. There are similar issues on the Brooklyn Bridge, but the sad thing is that they opened the Cuomo bridge this year and could have easily made it safe and enjoyable for all. That is all. I'm going to go yell at kids to get off my lawn.

https://www.strava.com/activities/4371705818

Went a little bit longer this weekend, there might have been some motor doping involved.

@Jules All that drafting a car?  Cool.  That's way beyond Bordeaux-Paris level of commitment.

Solo dad with three kids. Some day I'll tell the stories...

Jules said:

Solo dad with three kids. Some day I'll tell the stories...

Do tell.  

Got a late start, which is getting to be more critical when sunset is at 4:20.

Bumped in to some guy who I recognized, but name escapes me.  He was so happy to see someone to ride with, he changed his route and we did four or five miles together, talking the whole time.  

Made it home at sunset, pretty much to the minute.  And exactly four hours as well.  

https://www.strava.com/activities/4410262290

Only time for a three-hour ride today.  Was hoping to get in four as I'm dialing the efforts back this week and switching over to my Merckx to get into the winter frame of mind.

I was moving pretty well, which would have meant getting in a few more miles at the end, but flatted in 9W.  Which was a bummer.  But then, an old riding buddy rolled up, and we talked while I changed the flat.  Which was an awesome surprise.  He told me that he heard his mother-in-law gasping for air as he was getting dressed for his ride, which is why he was out when he was.  She was taken to the ER, but because of Covid, no one could stay with her in the hospital, which gave him license to ride.  I guess it was that kind of day overall.  Not cold, but super windy. Very few people were out riding.

https://www.strava.com/activities/4439861497

Feeling uninspired this morning , planned for a rainy day
but made myself head out to Shirley Chisholm , misty morning ,
Still so much fun ,It feels like I’m in 
Marin county sometimes😁

Early run at Cunningham. Trails were moist but grippy. Roots and logs were a bit slippery. 

Alright, @jim_nelson, you can't just post a pic of a thing like that and not say anything about it.

what is in the Alu Cab! 

Gee, you guys noticed.... 

That's my get out of dodge rig complete with water tank (spray hose for cross races), propane fireplace, solar, awning, fridge, etc... The top pops up to make a bed (like an old style VW camper). The inside is pretty much bare at the moment but I will be building in some benches with storage, table, sink and other goodies. Here's a shot at the installer's shop from last weekend when I picked it up to give you an idea how the pop top works.

@jim_nelson where do the bikes reside?

Trying to dial it back this weekend.

Rode to Piermont, out to the end of the pier.

And because I am trying to change it up, I brought a camera so I could share a snap of my bike at rest in the wild.



(since you're asking, my saddle is leaning on the Tappan Zee Bridge.)

As much as I like Nate's work, a 1UP is on the way. Plenty of room inside for a couple bikes right now but only until I get some benches built. 

Love to see that Merckx on the road every year JP.

Jim - so much hotness!
JP - I think the Chainring-to-Straight-Block ratio on that is pure sprinter

JIM YOU ARE SO WINNING!

jim_nelson said:

As much as I like Nate's work, a 1UP is on the way. Plenty of room inside for a couple bikes right now but only until I get some benches built. 

Love to see that Merckx on the road every year JP.

If ever a bike would benefit from some tan walls ,its the Merckx!

Any Intel on roads over the GWB?

Mark Taylor said:

Any Intel on roads over the GWB?

Sorry, not this weekend.

The GWB was opened yesterday.  Stuff to do meant I ran and walked instead of riding.  And today, I couldn't get out until it started snowing/raining, so wasn't sure it was wise to go over (rare moment of wisdom). 

Typically, the roads are usually better-cleared in Jersey sooner.  

Hey all- I’m going to be in central jersey this upcoming weekend (near Bedminster and Basking Ridge) and will be bringing my cyclocross bike. I have a bunch of road routes in the area but was wondering if anyone has some more gravely routes that they’ve liked

Matt Budofsky said:

Hey all- I’m going to be in central jersey this upcoming weekend (near Bedminster and Basking Ridge) and will be bringing my cyclocross bike. I have a bunch of road routes in the area but was wondering if anyone has some more gravely routes that they’ve liked

Don't have any rides to recommend there, but maybe check out the Hell of Hunterdon route, which has its share of dirt and gravel.

Define "Central Jersey"?

This a ride I did from New Hope, PA, bordering the Delaware literally less than a mile from NJ:
(be mindful, it includes two river crossings, and some unmaintained roads which might or not be awesome in full winter)
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/34618623

This is revised version of Hell of Hunterdon, where I cut some distance from the OG, I am yet to ride this, so caveats, all in NJ:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/34542712

This is the OG Hell of Hunterdon 2019:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/32117271

This is the OG Fool's Classic 2020:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31752681

Thanks! I’ll be in basking ridge (so near the bedminster, far hills, short hills area). I’ll check out those links!

I had my first long outing since wrapping up covid and it went really well! The route through Queens was slower than ripping up 1st avenue but it was way less hectic. 

Headed out early , couple of weeks since I took the road bike out and was feeling Great!
then I saw the flags showing the big tail wind
great to fist bump Eloy on the GWB heading home

I sort of did what Rob did on Sunday.  Took the Trailway home instead of the roads.
And stopped to snap a pic of the Mercx in the middle of the Hudson.

JP those wheels are begging for some gumwalls.

Finished the #festive500, and with that probably riding for 2020.

Was fun running into Mark and JP while out, also sweet to see so many going on similar rides thanks to Strava,

Confess that on day 3 though I might not finish the festive thing, but then the weather these last couple of days made it kinda easy. 

Here's hoping for a better 2021 that we can ride together as a club. Cheers.

Some photos from the festive miles: