Harbor Ride

Bike New York started running a Long Island Ride three or four years ago. I did the first one with Zev (where he bonked after about 70 miles. That was a long time ago; he now rides a couple of times a week in the hottest, hilliest place imaginable. Bonking is no longer an option).

Registration opened at 7 and I was actually the first one on line. However, they refused to give out cue sheets until 7:20 and only the 100 mile ride. Realizing that even my considerable charm was not going to persuade the volunteer to change her mind, I left on my own at 7:10 sans cue sheet. (The ride started a block off Exit 53 of the Long Island Expressway. With my GPS, I figured that, worse comes to worse and I get lost, even I can find my way back).

The withholding of the cue sheets was stupid. It was brutally hot and people wanted to get on the road as early as possible. Also, like me, other people like to get their rides over so they can do things like chase a 5 year old around the block on her new bike).

The ride was generally fine, mostly rolling hills with the highest gradient I remember seeing at 12% (I haven't downloaded the data yet so I'm not sure). I did the 52 miler and added 9 miles of my own. In total I burned about 3,000 calories and climbed about 2700 feet.

I had planned to do the 78 miler but it was just too hot and I knew that the extra 18 miles in the soup would have wrecked the rest of my day. I had to take care of Meira for a while, take my mom out for a bit and do a few other things.

Impressions: The street marking were inadequate. You could go for miles without seeing a sign. As well, you could pass two or even three intersections (including large ones) without seeing an arrow. Also, the rest stops (I only stopped once but heard from others that they were more or less the same), were very poor. Very little real food (almost nothing at the end). Thank goodness for Hammer Nutrition products, without which I would not have made it.

All-in-all, I think I would have had as much fun, and as good a workout, if I had just done my usual Sunday morning ride (plus I would have been on the road by 6:45, avoiding the heat that much more).