SAVE THE DATE !!! The 45th annual Montauk Century will roll on May 17, 2009. See you there!

The Montauk Century 2008

Details

Please review this page right before the ride for any important changes or updates.

Q: How do I register?

Advance registration has closed, but on-site registration opens Sunday 3:45 am at our Penn Station check-in location and 6 am at the Babylon LIRR station. Registration fee will be $100 cash, plus (if still available) $20 for optional return transportation.

Q: Can my little brother ride with me?

Riders under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Q: I changed my mind about riding the Montauk Century. Can I get a refund?

Sorry, but the answer is no refunds, and there are no exceptions. We purchase support services well in advance of the ride based on how many riders are signing up. That system can't work if people cancel registrations.

You can, however, sell your spot to another rider. You are welcome to use our bulletin board for this purpose. If you sell your spot, just have the new rider come on ride day to the Manhattan or Babylon check-in, give both his/her name and your name, and sign the legal waiver for the ride.

Q: What if it rains?

We're not intimidated by a few raindrops and hope that you won't be either. The Montauk Century will roll on May 18, rain or shine. Check the weather forecast for the day of the ride and dress appropriately.

Q: What if I don't have a bike?

No bike? No problem! We recommend Bicycle Habitat (244 Lafayette St, Manhattan, 212-431-3315) for your bike rental needs.

Q: Where do I go on ride day?

• Check-in is where you go on ride day to get your helmet tag, bike tag, and baggage tag if you didn't get these by mail. It's also where you pick up your cue sheet, grab a bite to eat, and give us your baggage to take to Montauk.

• We offer two check-in points: Penn Station and Babylon.

  • The Penn Station check-in is on the northeast corner of 31st Street and 8th Avenue, Manhattan. Subways: A C E 1 2 3

  • The Babylon check-in is at the Babylon LIRR station.

• 65-milers and 100-milers can check in at either Penn Station or Babylon.

• All 145-milers must check in at Penn Station.

Q: When do I check in? When can I start pedaling?

• We suggest that you check in early. A few minutes of extra sleep isn’t worth the crush that latecomers have to put up with.

• 65 mile tour:

  • Penn Station check-in is from 6:00 AM to 7:00 AM. After check-in, you ride the train to the start line at Mastic-Shirley while your bike travels by truck. At Mastic-Shirley, you can start pedaling whenever you're ready, or you can join the optional escorted ride to Montauk.

  • Babylon LIRR Station check-in is from 7:00 AM to 8:00 AM. After check-in, you ride the train to the start line at Mastic-Shirley while your bike travels by truck. At Mastic-Shirley, you can start pedaling whenever you're ready, or you can join the optional escorted ride to Montauk.

  • There are no check-in facilities at Mastic-Shirley. If you arrive at Mastic-Shirley without having checked in at Babylon or Penn Station, you will not be permitted on the ride.

• 100 mile tour:

  • Penn Station check-in is from 3:45 to 4:30 AM. After check-in, you ride the train to the start line at Babylon while your bike travels by truck. At Babylon, you can start pedaling whenever you're ready.

  • Babylon LIRR Station check-in is from 6:00 AM to 7:00 AM. After check-in, you can start pedaling whenever you're ready.

• 145 mile tour:

  • Penn Station check-in is from 5:00 AM to 6:00 AM. After check-in, you can start pedaling whenever you're ready.

Q: Can I check in for the ride at Babylon, but return by LIRR to Penn Station (or vice-versa)?

Yes, you can. Just indicate your preferences when you register for the ride.

Q: Can I change my mind after I register as to just which tour I want to ride?

Yes, you can. Just make sure you put your bike on the right truck before you get on the train to your start line. Baggage is no problem because all baggage trucks go to Montauk.

Q: Can I bring my bike on the LIRR?

• On the day of the Montauk Century, NO BIKES WILL BE PERMITTED ON ANY LIRR TRAINS. That's not the 5BBC who is setting that rule, it's the LIRR and their security people. As a former NYC mayor would have said, don't even think about it.

• We have trucks! Relax, enjoy your train ride, and leave the trucking to us. If you check in at Manhattan (Penn Station) for the 100- or 65-mile tour, or Babylon for the 65-mile tour, you will ride the train from check-in to start line while we lovingly transport your bike. And with our optional return transportation, you will board the train in Montauk and meet up with your bike in Babylon or Manhattan.

Q: When do I get my cue sheet and ride tags?

These items will be distributed at check-in.

Q: Do I have to shlep my baggage to Montauk?

No! Pack a bag and leave it with us when you check in. It'll be waiting when you arrive in Montauk. Suggestions of things to bring in your bag: change of clothes, towel (remember, free showers are available!), and your favorite shampoo and soap. Please do not place money, medications, or other valuables in baggage.

Q: What things should I carry on the bike?

You should bring water, any medications you need, tools for minor bike repairs, money for emergencies, rain gear, and ID with emergency contact number. If you have a cell phone, please bring it. And you must wear a helmet. No helmet, no ride, no refund.

Q. Do I need to make special advance arrangements for the escorted 65-mile route?

Nope! Register for the 65 mile ride, check in on ride day at Penn Station (6:00-7:00 am) or Babylon (7:00-8:00 am), and join the escorted group at the 65-mile start line. There is no extra charge for this service.

Q: What’s the terrain like?

Except for a few rolling hills during the last five miles or so, the terrain is flat. That’s what makes the Montauk Century one of the most pleasant centuries in the region. Besides that, the prevailing wind on Long Island makes your chances good for having a tailwind all the way.

Q: Will I get lost?

Some riders will get lost, for sure. They always do. Here are some suggestions for keeping yourself on course:

• Pick up a cue sheet at check-in. Attach the cue sheet to your handlebars so you can read it as you're riding.
• Watch for our vivid pink "M-and-sideways-C" Montauk Century road marks. These are painted before, at, and after every turn.
• Ignore road marks from other rides.
• Don't rely on following the rider in front of you. S/he is just as lost as you are.

Q: What if I break down or can't finish?

• We won't leave you in the lurch. Our "S.A.G." (Support and Gear) team is available to get you out of trouble. Use your cell phone (or flag down another rider) and call our S.A.G. service at the number printed on your cue sheet.

• You won't miss the last train out of Montauk. Provided, of course, that you let us help you. Before the sun sets, we will sweep the route to make sure every rider gets to the finish line in plenty of time to catch the train.

• Special note for the 145-mile riders: There is no S.A.G. service west of Babylon. If you need to end your ride before you get to Babylon, you can take the NYC subway or the LIRR going back to the city. This is the only exception to the LIRR "no bikes on trains" rule. You can retrieve your baggage from our office at Hostelling International, Amsterdam Ave. and 103rd St., Manhattan (phone 212-932-2300 ext. 115) on Monday, May 19th, 7-9 pm.

Q: Will there be food?

• Will there be food! Remember, this is the 5BBC; we ride to eat. Food is served at the check-in points and at rest stops located approximately every 25 miles. Plus, your ride fee includes a delicious dinner at the finish line festival with choices for vegetarians and non-vegetarians.

• Did we say delicious dinner at the finish line festival? Believe it! You have never seen a spread like this at any bicycling event. Our buffet dinner includes penne pomodoro, rigatoni with sausage and broccoli rabe, mesclun salad with a variety of dressings, pasta primavera, chicken caesar wraps, and grilled seasonal veggies wrapped in a whole wheat tortilla. And there's more! Outside over open pit grills we are serving up grilled chicken breast, grilled burgers and hot dogs with all the fixings, and grilled corn on the cob. You can enjoy your meal in the comfort of Second House Tavern's dining room, or al fresco on the beautiful grounds overlooking Fort Pond.

Q: How do I get home?

If you want to get back to New York City or Babylon after the ride, there are two ways you can do it. One is to get back on your own (ride a bike, have a friend pick you up, take a private jet or helicopter, etc).

The other is to buy a ride from us. When you register, just be sure to purchase return transportation. While you travel by train, your bike travels by truck, and you will reunite with your bike at Penn Station or Babylon.

Q: I plan on being picked up at the finish line. Where is it located?

The finish line is located at Second House Tavern, 161 Second House Road, Montauk NY 11954.

Q: What happened to Ruschmeyer's? Why did the end move?

The end is in the same location. The old property, Ruschmeyer's, was sold to the operators of a new restaurant, Second House Tavern, which is named for Second House Road. The new owners are looking forward to hosting the 5BBC at what has become our traditional finish line and providing us with a delicious dinner menu (see above) and more amenities than ever.

Q: Where do I park?

On ride day, there will be no parking at Second House Tavern (our finish line). The road in front is reserved for pick-ups only, and the driveway is completely off-limits. The best place to leave your car is at the Montauk railroad station, which is less than a mile from the finish line and is the place where everyone else will be catching the train home. You can also park in the dirt lot just before the finish line on your right.

Q: Where can I buy a Montauk Century jersey or T-shirt?

These are in very short supply; what we have left you can purchase at the finish line. Prices are jersey $65, T-shirt $20.

(jersey front)

(jersey back)

(T-shirt)

Q: When do the trains depart Montauk for return to Babylon or Penn Station?

We really don't want you to know that, because we're afraid you will hang out at the finish line festival until the last minute before train departure. Don't do that. Lots of stuff happens down at the train station: you will need to give us your bike and get your train ticket, and there will be waiting lines – especially if everyone arrives at the same time. Please leave the finish line at least a half-hour before train time, even though you can get to the station in approx. 10 minutes pedaling time. Please start pedaling towards the station no later than 3:00 for the 1st train, 5:00 for the 2nd train, and 7:00 for the last train.

You did ask what time the trains depart. Since you can easily pull up an LIRR schedule, we might as well tell you ... the trains depart at 3:37, 5:37, and 7:34. Now you can forget those numbers. And it's not our fault if you leave the finish line late and miss your train.

Q: What if I want to stay overnight in Montauk?

Our volunteers stay at the Atlantic Terrace and I can recommend it as being clean, comfortable, and cheap. Sunday night in May is not exactly peak season but you should make motel reservations in advance.

If you have any other questions, just drop me a line!

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The Montauk Century. The tradition continues. The Montauk Century, sponsored by the Five Borough Bicycle Club, is the only Montauk ride with a 44-year tradition of excellence.