Mar 16, 2013 at 02:26 PM
I'm not sure if anyone has mentioned it yet, but John Eustice is promoting the Putnam Cycling Classic for the second year. This is not a race, but falls into the fondo-esque category of a competitive-ish ride. I did it last year and the route (78 miles) was superb and tough. It starts in Cold Spring, so you can take a train from Manhattan right to the start/finish line ($22). As you would expect at an event like this there was wide disparity in rider levels, but I can tell you that at the front of the pack (where I stayed until the climbing started) there were a lot of the usual suspects from the New York City masters racing and that the field sorts out quickly (like in the opening minute or two). While like any event of its type, it's a little like playing "dress up racer," it was far less annoying (to me) than the over-hyped faux-talian silliness of the NY Gran Fondo. The climbing is impressive and ultra steep in sections. The figures for this year's course include over 6k feet for 78.6 mile course and almost 3k feet for the 39 mile. It may not be racing per se, but you can definitely get some work in. (All you have to do is be willing to ignore promoter John Eustice's history of being an apologist for dopers. 
) Also, it's not cheap at $95. Still, a tough course, initially on closed, and then on quiet, roads. It's worth considering if you're not racing that weekend or want a break from the routine
https://www.bikereg.com/Net/18280
) Also, it's not cheap at $95. Still, a tough course, initially on closed, and then on quiet, roads. It's worth considering if you're not racing that weekend or want a break from the routinehttps://www.bikereg.com/Net/18280
