May - June 2008

Stony Point: A Training Ride for the Ages

Portrait of the Stony Point cycling group with Colonial officer.
Photo by Gerry Regan.

Steve Sakson & myself had the honor of leading the 80+ mile (actually 85) training ride to Stony Point. We had at 16 people at the start (mile 0.00). Bicycles ranged from hybrids, road touring bikes, regular road bikes and carbon fiber racing bikes.

The ride got under way before 8:30am. There were some wrinkles that needed to be resolved. Some of the trippers proved to be Quick Spin quality. Unfortunately, the ride only had regular group leaders.

Realizing the futility of pulling rank, I quickly suggested that they can go ahead of the group and meet at certain points of the ride as an ‘away’ team. This worked very well to the benefit of all. The main goal, according to one fast rider, which I agree was, to have fun.

Upon reaching Bergen County, on Rt 9W (mile 10.81), we encountered several New York Cycle Club groups: an "B" STS, on Rt. 9W (mile 10.81) and several "A" SIG groups, one we met at West Nyack Rd. (mile 28.50). We had steady strong riders in the group. None faltered with the hills getting to Haverstraw and Stony Point. We were reunited with the impromptu Quick Spinners at the designated food stop at Patriot Square mall (mile 40.39).

Several of the trippers were training for 145 mile Montauk Century as well as triathlons. One guy rode a fast Trek Madone bike yet carried a monster digital camera in his Camelbak. Several people woke up real early to make this ride--they came from Long Island & Westchester County!

We all rode together, one happy family, to the Stony Point battlefield park (mile 41.68), which is a historic Revolutionary War site. Background: In 1779, it was an advantageous millitary position occupied by British troops in the war. American colonial troops, commanded by Major General “Mad” Anthony Wayne, climbed the steep hills, took the fort, in a night raid. Besides a Stony Point Quick Spin led by our own Susan Rodetis several years ago, and a mid-1990s day trip led by the former 5BBC leader Bipin Batra, no regular training group has ever rode to the battlefield, until now.

We got there about 12:45pm, which is a testament to the trippers themselves, who were strong riders to get to this point. We had one blowout flat which was taken care of (~mile 20.87, before Oak Tree Rd.) In the past, previous Stony Point training rides, lunch stops, usually Patriot Square mall, was the midpoint, eating amidst sprawl. For a change, we were able to eat our lunch in more pleasant scenic surroundings. Once in the park, we left our bikes on a rack to walk several yards to have lunch with great views of the beautiful Hudson River, well deserved after hard cycling. Then a unique delight- -a tripper was able to get an American Colonial Army re-enactor, pose with us for pictures, around the park. The Stony Point lighthouse, which would have provided even better views, was closed due to the nesting of Eagles found there.The museum was available with historic exhibits.

When we left the park, we took group shots at the entrance's stonewall arch entrance. We had to throw out our garbage at a Haverstraw park dumpster (our rubbish stop), due to Stony Point park's no trash rule. We rode along the Hudson, leaving the busy residential portions of Rt. 9W instead taking Rt. 110 (mile 43.46). Again, I gave another opportunity to the impromptu Quick Spinners to take off, this time at the end of Maple St. (mile 47.32) leading to Rt. 9W (mile 48.53) and eventually Rt. 303 (mile 50.10). We of the Regular Group rode there, too, at our own pace. About 10 miles later, we enjoyed a nice rest/refreshment stop at West Shore Plaza (mile 57.90). When we left, we had another flat (same guy who had it at Rt. 9W). More rest time as I had a group of trippers taking naps, one even had a massage at a nice grassy lawn with Dandelions and other wild flowers.

Then we had an encore flat, the third of the day, as we waited at the Paris Ave. turn (mile 62.00). Funny, the French road had several Italian bread shops. Jim Zisfein took time out to get a treat. We were speedy enough to get to the Tenefly Bicycle Workshop (mile 69.10) which opened past 5pm to accomodate us. Of course, we made timely purchases, with our 5BBC bike shop discounts (We didn't need member-ship cards. They took our word for it.)

After the last climb at Churchill Rd. (mile 70.80), we were home free. We got to the GWB by 5:30pm. If we didn't had those three flats, we could have got there at least two hours earlier. Back in Manhattan, some of us rode the last miles (unofficially--the ride ended) back to the start, Steve & I let the trippers set the pace, after being led by us all day. We let them have the glory of riding in front. But the turn to 72nd St. was questionable-- the road was carved up for repaving.

Our cycling feat made us a rough and roughed bunch of cyclists. We got to the near fini (mile 85) by 6pm. Thanks to Steve Sakson (esp. sweeping the ride and helping with the 3 flats) and the trippers, regular & impromptu quick spinners, making this ride a memorable one. This is probably the best long distance training ride I ever led. Good vibes, intrepid cyclists who didn’t quit, desire and drive made the day memorable.

by Alfredo Garcia

At the stone arch entrance of Stony Point Battlefield Park. 16 of the 18 strong 5BBC training ride group. Everyone knew this ride was SPECIAL. As a unique ride of challenge and enthusiasm, this ride was elevated to the cult status of an Extreme Montauk Training Ride. Photo by Ben Karassik.