Ever look at a map of the Jersey side of the GWB? So many controlled-access highways, it looks like a plate of spaghetti. Learn some inventive ways to navigate those noodles while taking a roll/stroll through the lovely green "meatballs" amidst the highways: Flat Rock Nature Preserve, Overpeck County Park, and Teaneck Creek Conservancy. Find out what mysteries lurk behind Strictly Bicycles, and discover one of the easiest climbs up the Palisades. There are two brief (~1/2 mile) stretches where we will dismount and walk through nature trails--be prepared! For folks not planning on marshaling or riding in the Five Borough Bike Tour, which is happening the same day.

If you've been wanting to do a self-contained multi-day bike tour but didn't know where to start or weren't comfortable about just giving it a try, then this is the class for you. This mini-SIG will start with a 2-hour indoor class during the week. A few days later there will be a typical 5BBC day trip but with discussions at various points about bike touring. The following week we will do a loaded trip (with the weight and bags that would be used on a tour, and with more teaching during the trip) to the same place to see the difference carrying gear makes (Hint: it's not as hard as some may think, just a bit slower). The optional graduation the following weekend will be a loaded weekend trip.

The SIG will cover the details of bike touring (what to bring, how to pack it, etc.) as well as some mental attitudes (this is very loosely the Zen part) that can help you enjoy the ride. Since we will be riding with our touring gear on the 2nd ride and actually using what we brought on the weekend, when you are done with this SIG you'll have the experience of actually having done a multi-day bike tour.
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The rides will be members only and registration is required. Limited to 12 members. Day rides on Saturday 5/10 and 5/17 at 9:00 AM starting in Manhattan. Weekend trip will be over Memorial Day weekend starting 5/24.

This will be the first of two day rides in the Bike Touring SIG. It will be a relaxed teaching ride where we will examine the bike you plan to tour with and discuss anything that could be changed to make loaded touring easier. There will be some discussion and question and answer time at lunch. You must register and contact the leader to find out the start location (somewhere in Manhattan).

Off Road Vistas ride. It's almost May 10th, the perfect day to honor a railroad that belongs to history. Take a ride on the Old Put Railroad and see what was. Lunch is at a waterfall spilling from a lake over a dam. After we go far enough north, we'll turn around and take the original NYC watersupply, the Old Croton Aqueduct, back south. There's nothing like wheeling through the woods. Hybrid or mountain bikes are strongly suggested.