Jul 21, 2013 at 08:00 PM
Hate that I missed meeting up this morning. Had some bad oysters last night at dinner. I'll spare you the details. Not a pleasent evening. See you guys out at the park this week.
Group Ride (Sat & Sun)
Jul 22, 2013 at 03:32 AM
To the contrary Ryan it was great riding with you, I just needed another ten minutes or so of chill time. I certainly appreciate the encouragement to hit up Ash/Tweed. I was feeling pretty good on the way home, even the last few miles here in BK where I have in the past got quite tired.
Hope everyone had a great weekend, see you in the park this week!
Jul 24, 2013 at 11:01 AM
Hi All,
Is anyone doing a 'to Piermont and back' ride this weekend from GWB?
cheers
Jul 24, 2013 at 11:55 AM
Hey @Ingrid,
There is the regularly scheduled group ride on Sunday morning that leaves the Brooklyn Bridge (Brooklyn side) at 8 am and the GWB (NJ side) at 9 am, which is great fun. If you ever want to head out on Saturday, post something on this thread and there will surely be a few takers (assuming it's not a big race day).
Hope that helps, and congratulations again for racing at FBF yesterday!
Jul 24, 2013 at 01:06 PM
Jul 24, 2013 at 01:31 PM
@Ingrid, Sunday is L&C race at the park so I'm assuming the usual hammerheads (and non-hammerheads like myself) will be racing.
Saturday morning looks promising, though some of us do the "family men" ride and start out at 6-630a to get back into Brooklyn by 10-11a depending on everyone's schedules.
Also if interest is low (low, looooow) for my super casual foodie ride on Saturday, I may roll up a portion of it into a return trip from Piermont/Nyack. Will keep everyone posted.
Saturday morning looks promising, though some of us do the "family men" ride and start out at 6-630a to get back into Brooklyn by 10-11a depending on everyone's schedules.
Also if interest is low (low, looooow) for my super casual foodie ride on Saturday, I may roll up a portion of it into a return trip from Piermont/Nyack. Will keep everyone posted.
Jul 26, 2013 at 03:45 AM
Alrighty, looks like I will be heading out early then hitting up at least one or two bakeries or sandwich shop heading back to Brooklyn.
Anyone else up for 630a at BB?
Anyone else up for 630a at BB?
Jul 26, 2013 at 05:39 PM
I'm up for a Saturday ride , flexible with the time
Jul 26, 2013 at 06:36 PM
Jul 26, 2013 at 06:49 PM
I'm 50% for joining the 8am BB ride tomorrow. Hopefully will see you guys.
Jul 26, 2013 at 07:23 PM
would this be the continued discussion for a sat 8am ride?
cheers. SOrry for not responding sooner 
Jul 27, 2013 at 12:51 AM
See you at 8
Jul 27, 2013 at 01:32 AM
Assuming a miraculous lift to the Triangle Ride doesn't materialize, I'll be at BB at 8. Five Alpine repeats for me, so I'm assuming I'll part ways with the rest of y'all on River Road.
Jul 27, 2013 at 01:40 AM
Riding long tomorrow on Saturday. 5 hours. Inland Jersey. Time negotiable if anyone is interested in endurance paced ride that will leave you tired because of the distance alone. Nice climbs along the way. Let me know
Jul 27, 2013 at 04:55 PM
Feel better Ingrid
Jul 27, 2013 at 04:59 PM
thanks! 
Gonna have a nice black eye... Will do some loops in PP later today after i take a break.
Gonna have a nice black eye... Will do some loops in PP later today after i take a break. 
Jul 27, 2013 at 05:51 PM
What happened? Everyone ok?
Jul 27, 2013 at 08:18 PM
That crazy old lady who dive bombs the 8am pace line up in the windy/bumpy part of the path worked her magic, then rode off. We weren't pace lining but the path was crowded, and Ingrid touched wheels with Chloe (yet another Kayt prospect) who had to get out of the way of the crazy lady.
Two takeaways:
1. When the weather's this nice, leave at 7 a.m. or earlier to minimize Manhattan chaos.
2. Don't be shy about singling up (and suggesting others do as well) when there is a lot of traffic on the West Side bike path.
Jul 27, 2013 at 08:29 PM
Riding up the West Side Highway path this morning, on a particularly narrow stretch, the second half of the group was a little bunched up when a kamikaze old lady on a bike comes plowing towards us. The rider in front of Ingrid braked to avoid hitting the oncoming rider, and Ingrid did so a bit too late. She landed on her side, and her face got some of the road, too.
After a unsuccessful visit to a bodega on near-by 96th street, we hit up a Walgreens for some Neosporin and chocolate milk. We were also close to a bike shop, where Ingrid got her bike fixed (her back wheel was bent). Many would have been too shaken to ride back, but Ingrid--the trooper that she is--rode back to Brooklyn, albeit at a more conservative pace.
Guys, you have way more experience than I do, so back me up here: this stuff happens. We can be thankful when it's surface injuries, and we become better, wiser riders as a result. In this case, we felt fortunate to be close to "civilization" and more importantly, that the injury wasn't one that required an ambulance.
@Ingrid, I hope that in addition to a slow ride in the park this afternoon (which is so awesome that you're doing), you'll be relaxing with some bad TV and an icepack for most of the day. Take care of yourself and see you out there again soon.
Jul 27, 2013 at 08:52 PM
I'm happy to hear that everything turned out well and that Ingrid was okay.
Sounds like a great group that went this morning and I was actually a bit envious on not being able to join. I'm planning to head to the park in a little bit for some easy riding if anyone wants to join.
Jul 27, 2013 at 08:58 PM
@Ingrid, hope you heal up quickly.
Whitey, Mark, Dale, and his friend Chris kept going. Whitey split off at Alpine to do repeats. Mark dropped off at Alpine. I was left to fend for myself against the Pain Monsters known as Dale and Chris. Think stomach bug - which has reared it's ugly head again - drained me of any reserve energy and I was having a hell of a time keeping up with the two fast dudes. Hit up Piermont, forgot to turn up while doing tweed/bradley/nike and ended up riding to Nyack and heading back on 9W.
By the time they split off to go over the QBB, I was barely able to pedal. After the Manhattan Bridge I fell apart and could barely pedal faster than 10mph. Just 2 miles from home, I saw Four and Twenty pie shop and limped inside for a slice of pie and a large cup of milk. The calories felt good, but while it was delicious, wasn't helping my intestinal cramps. Crawled back home at 10mph. Showered, thought about eating, but collapsed into a heap on the couch instead.
Bonking is fun!
Jul 27, 2013 at 09:06 PM
Saw a couple of Kissenas on my way out to the land of Jersey around noon today. WDC and Mueller on secret training, then a few minutes later, Keith riding with OTHER PEOPLE on double secret training. Today's ride, I kept it simple with no improvised road explorations and upped the tempo a bit from my usual lazy Sunday pace.
In part, I did this so I can say, with confidence, that this is a really excellent ride that is no more than 4 hours bridge to bridge and I'm betting with a few folks this could be a 3.5-3.75 hour ride easily. It takes in some really neat roads, plenty of climbing (both novelty--a 25 meter stretch of steep pavé--and legit--7+ minutes of up, up, up.) Plenty of places to stop for refueling along the way too.
Anyway, just wanted to put it out there in case you are tired of the usual Piermont/Nyack and/or Apple Orchard routes.
Jul 27, 2013 at 10:01 PM
Glad you made it home Ingrid and are able to ride again this afternoon. Enjoyed the ride Dave, sorry i missed the stop at the pie shop. I cant say i'm too excited about this mid-ride milk trend that seems to be starting... Marc, i'd love to do that ride pretty much any weekend, sounds great.
Jul 27, 2013 at 11:12 PM
My disciples, some of you may wonder: why is Alex so slow? Alas, this question can only be answered with a fuller understanding of Zazen.
Disciples, some of you may wonder, why does Alex own a 26lb steel bike with disc brakes when he mostly just pretends to race in the park and really just gets dropped by chubby cat6 dudes with grip shifters and that awesome 11yr old? Ah yes, my disciples, this is a question that an be answered.
Group ride leaving from Nottingham, NH, 6am, 70% dirt. Let me know if you're joining and I'll wait at the local Dunkin's.
Disciples, some of you may wonder, why does Alex own a 26lb steel bike with disc brakes when he mostly just pretends to race in the park and really just gets dropped by chubby cat6 dudes with grip shifters and that awesome 11yr old? Ah yes, my disciples, this is a question that an be answered.
Group ride leaving from Nottingham, NH, 6am, 70% dirt. Let me know if you're joining and I'll wait at the local Dunkin's.
Jul 28, 2013 at 02:58 AM
@Ingrid very sorry to hear about the spill. Hope to see you out again sooner rather than later. Be sure to keep the road rash moist with most anything EXCEPT "Silvadeen" which has silver in it and can cause scarring.
@Kayt yes these things do happen, and as they say it's not a matter of "if" only "when"
That said, there are always good lessons to be learned from a near miss or a crash. Here are some that jump out:
1) we know that path, and we know that crazy lady/blind turns/manhattan crowds - Single File should be the rule there not the exception
2) if you find yourself in a spot where you don't feel your skills (or someone else's) are up to the level needed don't be afraid to pipe up. Everyone needs to practice in a productive environment. As many will attest I spent years descending at the back of every group ride until my skills/courage were up to the task.
I'm sure everyone is asking themselves what they could have done differently - when you have your answers be sure to make a real note of them. Let's take the lessons to heart (whatever they are) especially since Ingrid paid the tuition in skin.
Jul 28, 2013 at 03:31 AM
Even though I have done it innumerable times, riding up the west side bike path in a group is often a harrowing experience for me, especially at the back of the group. A couple of low points in my experience:
- First time for Norm - he hits a solid metal bollard with his knee and goes down. We take him to the drug store and get bandages and ibuprofen and send him home on the train.
- Last year I hit a bollard - but fortunately the flexible kind on springs and although I fell down I was happily uninjured though miffed that the person in front of me didn't point it out.
- February ride many years ago with a strong tail wind and an eager group sends me sliding out on an icy patch on the curvy section just before the boat basin. After dusting me off, the group continued at break-neck speed until I totally lost it and started screaming at everyone to slow the f*ck down.
My suggestion, if the group feels sketchy, go to the front where it is safer and you can control the tempo. Or gap yourself off the back and wait until they realize they are being jerks (they will undoubtedly do so and then wait for you and feel bad).
@Ingrid: ice it.
Jul 28, 2013 at 03:33 AM
We have to do something about this crazy woman . . .
Jul 28, 2013 at 12:58 PM
We have to do something about this crazy woman . . .Isn't there some head to head track event that we could recruit her for?
Jul 28, 2013 at 01:23 PM
You know -- and I think Keiran will back me up on this -- I'm pretty sure all track events involve riders traveling the same direction around the track. It might be a safety thing.Jules said:We have to do something about this crazy woman . . .Isn't there some head to head track event that we could recruit her for?
Jul 28, 2013 at 01:36 PM
Tall bike jousting in Bushwick?