March - April 2006

Is it Spring yet? No, not yet? OK, well, it is just around the corner, I trust. Spring means it’s time for everyone to get back on their bikes. Spring means it’s time for spring cleaning and spring training. What’s that? You’re not ready to do 80 miles at the beginning of March? Relax, we have all different kinds of training rides. Some are for the well-seasoned veteran who may want 60 miles in early March and some for the new club members who are ready for shorter distances.

This year’s training series consists of 3 different kinds of rides. First, there’s the club’s traditional training rides. These 14 rides start from either Cunningham Park in eastern Queens and head east along Long Island’s North Shore, or at Columbus Circle - Merchant’s Gate entrance to Central Park, and head North and West from the George Washington Bridge. These rides will vary from an early season 25 miler to the 90 mile trip to Eaton’s Neck just prior to the Montauk Century.

Our second training ride series is our expanded (4 distances) Metrics, beginning in April and concluding with a 60 miler to Ridgewood, New Jersey on Mother’s Day. Our third and newest training ride group is a set of 3 trips, called the “L” rides. These are for our veterans who would be bored on that early season 35 miler. Whichever of our training rides you do, please tell us which ones you like best.

What’s all this about Quick Spins? Well, traditionally the 5BBC training rides have offered two groups on most of the trips. One for those of us who pedal 12-16 mph and a faster group that wants to pedal 18mph or faster. If that sounds like your average speed, then please join the quick spin groups, otherwise you will be more comfortable with our regular rides. Please don’t expect to ride paceline on these rides. If you’re used to doing so with other groups, that’s fine, but many of our members may not be, and it could be hazardous to the uninitiated.

Be prepared before you start any of the training rides. Best to bring some pocket food or energy bars. It’s good to have an extra energy source on longer rides. One cup of coffee in the morning is probably not sufficient, once you hit the hills. Second and just as important is water. Riding with a 50 oz hydration pack doesn’t cramp my style and keeps the engine well greased.

Make sure your vehicle is working properly before you hit the road. Check your brakes, shifters and other moving parts. This will make the ride’s 2-minute bike check a breeze. Lube your chain if it’s dry. Check tire inflation and you won’t be filling them while everyone is waiting for the ride to start.

Check the weekend weather reports and dress appropriately. Early March could have temperatures anywhere from the mid-20s to high 60s. It’s a good idea to have an extra layer if you’ve got a place to put it. Pack or carry the tools you think you’ll really need. You really should have a spare tube that fits your tire, a pump, patch kit and an allen wrench. Get a multi-tool to save space and weight.

Once on the road you will be expected to keep up with the group. Most of the training rides will be led at a brisk “B” pace using point-drop-sweep. The Quick Spin groups will be aiming for a noticably faster pace, and often without drops. If you’re more comfortable riding with drops then you should join the regular group. In either case, you should keep moving, ride single file and stay to the right side of the road at all times.

Danny Lieberman
Day Trips Coordinator
daytrips@5bbc.org