Last Sunday I rode in the NYC Century Bike Tour for the first time ever. In fact, it was the first time I’d participated in any organized group ride and I wasn’t sure what to expect. The ride is billed as “Biking to Support Biking”, conceived by Transportation Alternatives as a way raise awareness about bikes in the city and work towards making bicycle commuting safer and more accessible for everyone. Well, after riding 100 miles of New York City streets I’m convinced that their work is paying off.
TA's Century, 100 miles on a Brompton
The start times are staggered depending on how far you are planning on going. Shooting for 100 miles I found myself with about 200 or so other riders departing from the Central Park start at 110th and Malcolm X at 6:05am. We made our way though the deserted streets of Sunday morning Manhattan and crossed the Brooklyn Bridge just as the rose and streaked the sky pink and blue. Prospect Park was our first stop.
I found myself, as usual, tagging along with the fastest road riders and trying to prove what I myself am already convinced of: that my Bromtpon M6L can keep up with even the fastest road bikes. This was an interesting way to start the 100 mile ride. I knew that I couldn’t keep up with them for the whole way so I figured I’d just push along until I couldn’t ride anymore, take a break, and then finish the ride at a nice relaxed pace. My Brompton ended up taking me a lot farther than I expected to go.
We stopped in Prospect Park long enough for me to gobble down an orange and then sped off in front of the 75 mile starters. Riding with these roadies was fun because I got to learn some of the etiquette of riding in a close group. Plus they were pretty dumbfounded that was able to keep pace. I got lots of funny comments like, “I’m surprised those little wheels haven’t caught fire yet!” and “What are you trying to do, put on more miles than the rest of us?” But by the time we made it to the second rest stop I had earned a measure of respect (along with my nick name for the day, “folding bike guy”).
Speeding along the wind blown stretch by Rockaway Beach finally did me in and I had to wave goodbye to the carbon fiber and titanium racers. It was nice to slow down and enjoy some of the scenery, plus we hadn’t stopped for more than a minutes in two hours of intense riding. I was glad for the change of pace.
This is where the ride really got cool. It seemed like everyone I was riding next to was just as excited about the day as I was. This made it easy to start up a conversation with whomever I happened to be next to. Everyone I spoke with was very impressed by how safe the roads around the city felt and expressed their joy at being able to see so much of it in one day.
All in all it was an amazing experience. I competed the ride at 2:50pm, making it around 9 hours of riding in total. I was happy to be part of such a cool event and be reintroduced to one of my favorite bike foods at the rest stops, the peanut butter and jelly sandwich (probably ate 6 of them in total).
If you get a chance to be part a group ride like the NYC Century Bike Tour I would definitely recommend taking it. It’s a great way to meet people with similar interests and share the joy of a long bike ride. The next long rides up on my plate are the Brommie Yummie 3.0 (this weekend! Sunday the 19th!) and maybe the Tour De Bronx (another ride organized by Transportation Alternatives).
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
Just curious. How long did it take you to complete the century on the Brompton?
I started at 6am in Central Park and got back around by about 2:50pm. That makes it around 9 hours or so. I did the first bit with those fast roadies and then crashed to a more reasonable and relaxed pace. Did you ride the Century too?
No, I didn’t ride the century. I’m impressed that you were able to keep up with the roadies for a stretch. I find that I’m about 1 to 2 mph slower on my Brompton than my road bike.
Yeah it was quite a trial for me. I love riding fast and something about starting so early when my mind was a bit dull seemed to make it easier. I agree that I would probably be a bit faster on a road bike, especially with one or two slightly higher gears, but I also appreciate the agility and quick acceleration of my Brompton. If you’re into taking a racing approach to your Brompton you should participate in the Brompton US World Championship next summer. You may even win a trip to England! I’m going to be “training” for it in the mornings through the spring by doing loops around Central Park. We should organize a morning group ride some time.
I’d like to do the Brompton US Championship next year. I had wanted to go this year, but the date didn’t work for me. Doing a morning group ride would be great, but I live in Nashville. I’ll let you know if I’m coming to New York and you let me know if you ever get to Nashville and we can get a ride going.
Showoff…
Just kidding! It’s pretty impressive – two 100+ rides on the Brompton. Let me know when you start your morning laps…
It would be fun to do the laps right? I have never done more than 2 personally so I think I’d have to build up to it. The Brompton US Championship was only a 6 mile course but mostly up hill I take it? Maybe I’ll write a post letting people know when “Brompton Training Season” is open.
I went for a ride on the bike trail with my friend Steve last night. We rode side by side, and I was on the left side, so I had to drop back when we approached riders traveling in the opposite direction. After a couple of miles, I surged ahead instead of dropping back, and then continued to “stretch my legs,” which are getting stronger with every new ride. Soon I found myself riding alone until I reached the end of the trail, where I stopped and waited for my friend.
After five minutes of waiting, Steve had not arrived, and it was apparent that he had stopped skating up the trail. I started riding back, following a group consisting of two male skaters and a female cyclist for some company. Half an hour later, I arrived back at my car, to find Steve sitting and resting on the front bumper.
As I had predicted many weeks ago, he told me that after I passed him on the trail, he started feeling “tired” and turned around to go back to the car. Steve is a professional athlete, and even with the advantage of an electric bike, I considered this moment to be a sort of “rite of passage” for me in the progress of my recovery. Hopefully, in the weeks ahead, Steve will forget about being passed, and I will remember to stay behind him. Riding with a buddy is more fun than riding alone.
It sounds like a great ride Dave. I with you all the way on riding with a partner. There is nothing cooler than cruising down the road deep in a good conversation. Riding bikes with people also tends to take your mind off how much you’re working and keeps your spirits up. I’m glad to hear you’re getting stronger all the time, congratulations! Enjoy the fall weather and keep up the momentum.
Just curious – what was the distance to the first rest/peanutbutter sandwhich stop?
Yes, it’s fun to be out riding anytime, you get the chance to slow down and enjoy the view. I gotta get out for more rides.
The first rest stop was Prospect Park, 15 miles in. I wasn’t sure how long it would be until the next rest stop so I brought a peanut butter and jelly sandwich from that one with me. It turned out I didn’t have a second to eat it with all the riding. In fact, I didn’t really eat until I got to Kissena Park in Queens around mile 40 or 50.
Wow, 100 miles on a Brompton? Even though crazy Bronx hills?
I actually just finished the Tour de Bronx (40 miler) this past weekend (on a Dahon Mu SL, which I actually purchased from NYCeWheels a few weeks ago) and those Bronx hills were brutal. But I’m looking forward to doing the 5 boro and NYC Century next year.
Hey congratulations Chris. Right on! I’ve been too busy to get in on any of the fall group ride action. The SL must have been a great ride and fast too! I’ll see you on next year’s Century.
OK cool, sounds good Dane! Being a music major I’ve always wanted to get out to Nashville anyway.