RENEGADES: October 2010

Saturday, October 30, 2010

Renegade Saturday

We had a nice turnout today at base camp, with Locomotive, Gus, Dubya, Beast and rookie Jae, who is fast feeling better after having recently broken a rib (he took a spill on the trail the day after I recruited him). The air was brisk but clear and it made for some great riding.

We did our usual LIE/West Hills, Huntington route. We started about 5 minutes behind the 8:00 T-group, but we got right up to them on Woodbury Road, just before turning onto Sunnyside. Not bad, considering we weren't really pushing.

We skipped the climb of Lawrence Road, but went onto Snake. Gus was getting dropped on most climbs, since he hasn't been riding much lately, and told us not to wait for him, so before we reached Huntington he was on his own. The remaining 4 of us rode very well together.

We took a short break at the Syosset 7-11 and finished off with the usual campus loop. There's something about those rollers that invariably compels us to start racing each other. Dubya just took off and in no time he was out of sight. Jae and I were more or less even and he needed to be shown where the exit was, so we stuck together. Loco was slightly behind, but suddenly blew past me on the finish stretch to the gate (he has a way of sneaking up on you, like midlife crisis).

We finished off back at base camp after 60 miles at about 17 average and feeling great.

Same time and place tomorrow: 8:00 at Bob's. As far as I know Big A and Loco are in. Anyone else?

Let me put it this way. Why ride with the Honey Bees when you can ride with us instead?

Beast

Saturday, October 23, 2010

This Lone Renegade

I took advantage of the bettering weather on Thursday afternoon and
did a short coast hugger, just to keep my legs busy. There was a
strong breeze blowing from the north, so I kept alternating between
slogs and zips, as the shore zig-zags north and south. Then, of course
there is the alternating ups and downs of the terrain. Didn't see
any other riders on the road. Managed to get back before pitch black.
Totaled 50 miles.
____________________

This morning I met the 8:00 T-group. A mild version, kind of easy. The
strongest guys and gals weren't there.
At some point, while waiting at a red light, someone commented on how
well my orange tires matched my jersey, saying "he must be from
Italy." I answered back "I AM from Italy. It's all about style." Good
cackles all around. Next thing I know, a guy pulls up next to me and
starts chatting with me in Italian. I think the name was Francesco.
He's from Sicily, has lived here for the last 25 years and used to
race "mountain bike." Now he has a bad back and only rides road once
each weekend with this group. Guess I'll be seeing him again. At the
wall he turned back and went short.
The group just kept on Woodbury and turned left at Stillwell. Usually
I turn myself inside-out to keep up with the leaders at the top of the
climb, but as the top of the climb approached today it wasn't much of a
struggle. I simply cranked up the juice and passed most of them. I
think I could have caught the one guy up ahead, had I not let him get
quite that far away on the climb. He was riding a gorgeous brand new
Madone, black, yellow and white, with deep rim carbon wheels, painted
to match the frame. It looked blazing fast standing still.
As we rode Wheatley back toward the LIE I was thinking that this might
me my opportunity to actually win the sprint finish in Little Neck,
since I kept finding myself in the front, pulling the whole group, or
even way off the front, just by getting down to work. I figured I just
needed play it smart and not burn myself out during the last segment.
On the westbound LIE it was more of the same and I kept having to
remind myself not to burn myself out. After we crossed Lakeville and
worked our way up and over the next rise in the road, one of them
urged "ataque, ataque." The handful of riders I kept in front of me
quickened their pace. It seemed like a prelude to a sprint. I bolted
and gave it all I had.
As I approached the finish I looked back and there was no one behind
me. It's not that I blew everyone away. They just weren't interested
in a sprint finish race. How disappointing. This is no way to win a
sprint finish.
Only 40 miles at 17.5 average.
____________________

It doesn't sound like any other Renegade is coming out to play
tomorrow. Either out of town, for one reason or another, or busy doing
some other fun stuff. Perhaps I'll test myself with the 8:30 group.
Now that's a challenge!
Beast

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Re: Chain Drop

That's waaaaaaay too much double-entendre even for this forum... OK,
maybe not for this forum.

Ori

Re: Chain Drop

Once upon a time, when I was rescuing a damsel in distress on Cleft, who was in a sad state of chain drop, I lifted up her rear and spun her crank after shifting her gears. All told I did not get my hands dirty. She was very appreciative.

Isaac

Re: Chain Drop

What's the big deal? You just need to pull a quick 180 without
unclipping... oh, right... I forgot, not your forte... never mind.

Ori

RE: Chain Drop

Only problem is you will probably come to a dead stop on a steep hill with a
dropped chain. It's still better than getting your hands dirty.

Bob

Re: Chain Drop

Same here. Im proud to say i learned something from Isaac.

Barry

Re: Chain Drop

Very good suggestion, just in case your chain drops while you're
already up the steep. Turn around, ride your brakes on the down and
perform the operation using gravity instead of momentum.

Thanks, Anita. Even after all these years, there's still something new
to learn.

Ori

Re: Chain Drop

I seldom comment but I like keeping my hands clean. If you're not caged in, you can circle back and pick up your chain on the downhill. Just don't cut off a good climber coming from behind!

Anita

Re: sub-renegade triple crown

Sounds like I would have definitely enjoyed this one too, though, knowing me, I would have tried to hang with the fast group, just to get dropped a few miles in. I hope next year it won't conflict with any other long ride.

So some of those guys ride faster on the roads with their trail bikes, upright seating and knobby tires then we do on our high end road bikes, eh? Was it 28 on the flats or the downs?

Were you able to get anyone's Garmin upload?

BTW, there's nothing "sub" about you (certainly not your size). You just need to ride more. Once a Renegade, always a Renegade (in other words, you'll be on this email list until hell freezes over).

Ori

RE: Chain Drop

You make it a habit to eat a lot of ginger whenever you get Japanese food.

Bob

Re: Chain Drop

Very good question.

The simple answer is that you can't.

The full answer is that you want to anticipate the shift and drop to
the small ring before you hit the steep.

It's a good habit to get into, just like downshifting before you reach
the red light and have to come to a full stop. Then you'll already be
in the right gear and ready to pounce, or at least you won't be
struggling to get back up so speed.

Ori

RE: Chain Drop

This is very good to know. Quick question: How does one pedal
"gingerly" while on a very steep slope?

David

sub-renegade triple crown

WARNING: Everybody can skip reading this except for Orie.

The triple crown is an informal ride consisting of three single-track mountain bike trails. The first trail is the 14 mile Glacier Ridge in Farmingville (LIE exit 63). The second trail is Rocky Point (LIE exit 66) which is 21 miles long and is in the town of Rocky Point. The last trail is in Middle Island (also LIE exit 66) and is called Cathedral Pines. It is an 11 mile loop.

Planning and notification for the ride is via word of mouth and the CLIMB message board (http://www.climbonline.org/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl). I expected about 20-30 people to ride. There are two ways to do the ride. You can drive from trail to trail or you can ride your bike from trail to trail. 46 miles of mountain biking is enough for me so I drove from trail to trail. Those that rode from trail to trail added about another 20 miles on the road.

The ride started at 7:30 in Glacier Ridge. I showed up my usual 10 minutes late after getting 3 hours sleep because I could not get my wife to leave a Halloween party in Coram until 1:30 AM. She was drowning her sorrows with a few bottles of wine and I was happy to oblige. I was right on time. There were about 25 people getting their bikes ready and picking out the right clothes. I went with a long sleeve shirt for the first trail. While I was getting ready a pack of about 35 mountain bikers rode into the parking lot. This was the group that was riding trail to trail. They parked at Cathedral Pines (the ending trail) and rode to Glacier Ridge en masse. I heard a couple of them whining that they really hammered it hitting speeds of 28 mph at times. That group consisted of mostly very strong riders including some of the top mtb endurance racers of Long Island and NYC. But this was just a fun ride and not a race. A few more people drifted in. We posed for a group photo. This took a little time since we were now a group of 65 mountain bikers. We broke up into two groups. The fast group and the medium chill group. This sub-renegade went with the medium chill group. We went a little slower than the usual DTC (day-time-crew) pace probably around 8 MPH. Our group was about 15 people. We did the first trail with out stopping and no mishaps. There were one or two broken chains but that did not stop our group. 14 miles done. We pulled into the parking lot for one of my favorite parts of an epic ride. The rest stop. Jackie (the head of the DTC) had a trunk full of goodies. Sodas, apples, bananas, oatmeal cookies and pretzels. Note that there is no organization supporting this ride and no fees. I had my own PB&J, some oatmeal cookies and some pretzels. Everybody rested for quite a while (20 minutes or so) and then the riders took off to ride to Rocky Point. 5 or 10 minutes later I drove to Rocky Point. We broke up into fast and medium chill groups again and started the Rocky Point trail. The pace was a little slow for me but I knew we had a lot of miles to do so I wasn't complaining. We also took a bunch of stops. One of the hills is called Shorty. It is a short steep hill with a rough surface. We were a mix of geared and single speed bikes. I did not expect us all to make it up the hill but a miracle happened and we all made it. After the last stop Jackie led the group with a very zippy pace thru the tight single track all the way to the end. I asked her what she ate at the last stop and she said she had a hammer gel and felt like a different person afterwards. We rode to where the carpoolers cars were parked for another rest stop. 21 more miles done for a stop of 35. The group was smaller now because some people went straight to Cathedral Pines and some people had to leave because of other commitments. We had another long break of close to 30 minutes. I heard some people complaining how they were hurting. The fast group was really pushing it. I had another PB&J, banana and pretzels and then we drove to Cathedral Pines. At this point I switched to s short sleeve shirt. Cathedral Pines is probably the easiest of the three trails. We had a nice cruise thru this trail. I felt pretty good after the total of 46 miles although somebody said I was walking funny. Next year I hope to ride from trail to trail. About 25 of us went to the Mill House for some beers and lunch outside on the deck. What a gorgeous day it was.

Arthur

RE: Chain Drop

Isaac told me of this trick awhile ago, and I have used it successfully many
times since. It really works. Thanks for the pre-caution about being
gentle with it.

Bob

Chain Drop

I wanted to share with the group this brief illustrated guide I just
received.

Just so happened, Dubya dropped his chain at some point last Sunday at
the bottom of a climb. This page explains very nicely with pictures
and arrows ("and a paragraph in the back o' each one..." Hey,
Thanksgiving isn't too far off) how to handle a dropped chain without
stopping, dismounting and getting your hands dirty.

Basically it's about using the front derailleur to do the work instead
of your hands. After all, that's what it's there for. The trick is to
do it gently and slowly, with finesse, or you might cause some damage
instead. It's really quite simple. Try it next time you drop your chain.

Ori

Monday, October 18, 2010

RE: Dubya's Port Jeff Century (Full, Not Just Near)

Thanks Dubya for an outstanding ride, and for sharing your family with us.
I'm aching all day with the memory!

Loco Bob

Re: Dubya's Port Jeff Century (Full, Not Just Near)

Hey guys - Congrats. Sounds like it was a helluva ride. Sorry I missed it. Was sick all last week - today was my 1st day back to light spinning. Next time, I'll pilot the support truck.

Barry

RE: Dubya's Port Jeff Century (Full, Not Just Near)

Great update -- everyone rode "very" strong yesterday!! (I was also glad
to hear that Todd tackled that formidable hill in PJ.)

I'd love to do this ride again -- and I certainly hope others can join
us. We'll also see if we can identify some good backroads from Cold
Spring Harbor to the first turn-off point on 25a to Sunken Meadow Rd.

David

Dubya's Port Jeff Century (Full, Not Just Near)

Any of you guys who COULD have joined us today but, for whatever lame
reason chose not to, you missed a FABULOUS ride.

Stitches, Beast and Locomotive meet Dubya and Freshman Todd in Cold
Spring Harbor. From there we headed due east. Loco must have had
something to prove, or was really pissed off about one thing or
another, because as soon as we hit the first climb out of CSH he took
off like there was fire blowing out of his ass. Most of us managed to
keep him in check, but poor Todd was left wondering whether he hadn't
made a terrible, horrible mistake. In no time he was off the back on
every climb, and if you're at all familiar with 25A, you know it
resembles the back of a sea monster with its tongue stuck in a wall
socket.

The first part of the ride kept us on 25A for 11 miles, until we
finally turned off into much more pleasant — yet by no means less
challenging — secondary roads. At the turn-off we waited for Todd to
catch up, at which point he graciously urged us not to waste our ride
waiting up for him. In the end he bravely followed the route on his
own for part of the way and headed back home on the south shore for a
very respectable 65 miler.

After surviving the early chill it was time to peel off our wind
shells and stuff them in our pockets. The rest of the day it was
perfect temps. The wind didn't really pick up until the second half of
the ride (but it was probably just our 180), and it wasn't anywhere as
strong as on the previous day.

I have to say, northern Suffolk has some beautiful roads for riding,
with relentless rollers, picturesque villages, generous water views,
lots of uninhabited woods and very little traffic to worry about. We
did keep returning to 25A a number of times for some short segments,
but it was never as busy as in Nassau. The route profile looks
uncannily like the business end of a lumberjack's saw blade, with a
few flats thrown in to break up the pattern just a little bit.

In Port Jeff we were treated to bagels, PB&J, courtesy of the entire
Dubya family. That is Mrs. Dubya and the four Dubya Jrs. We're lucky
to have them contributing so selflessly to our little club. After this
much appreciated snack, we climbed "the wall" out of PJ, definitely
the steepest piece of road for the day. OK, so I got dropped on that
one. Sue me. Still, I was able to recover every time and I was always
the fastest descender whenever I had enough room to get around
Locomotive. For that I credit mostly my aero tuck and my lack of
common sense.

Although, the initially planned route only added up to 95 miles,
Locomotive — who's been all over the island over his long and
illustrious career diagnosing property owners' woes with mold and
other building contaminants — was able to successfully improvise some
detours that added the required mileage to make it a full century.
Really nice parts too, not just junk miles.

We all felt great, rode well together and rode strong for most of the
route. We had the usual amount of gratuitous amusement poking fun at
each other's idiosyncrasies. We took one more break at the furthest
point in the day's route, in Wildwood State Park, outside of Wading
River, where a church group was having a picnic and group prayer. Then
we had one last break in PJ on the way back.

Finally, within the last 10 miles, some of us started fading in and
out. At first Locomotive started falling behind on the climbs on
account going too hard early on and due to cramping, but after
ingesting a large amount of antacids for their purported potassium
content (potassium from Kazakhstan, where they produce superior
potassium... Borat fans will get this) he made a full comeback toward
the end. Stitches had been one of the strongest climbers for most of
the ride, but he dropped out of sight for the last handful of miles.
By the time we were back in Huntington I was feeling like I was near
the end of my reserve and tapping into fumes. While Loco and Dubya
pulled ahead over the very last hill, I fell back a bit, but was able
to keep them more or less in sight (I was probably hallucinating) and
no more than a minute ahead. Stitches pulled into the parking lot only
a few minutes later.

We covered 103 miles of mostly well paved roads, averaged about 16.5
and finished off with more bagels, cream cheese and lox, courtesy of
Stitches. Definitely worth doing again, not just once a year, but two
or three for sure. Any buyers?

Next up at the keyboard: Big A and his account of the Triple Crown. I
still haven't gotten around to trying that one. I did once do with him
a popular winter trail ride way out east known as "The Death March."

Beast.

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Music To Go

This would be much safer than ear buds, and it actually looks great on
the bike.

Saturday, October 16, 2010

Saturday: Near Century Warm-Up Ride

Finally some season appropriate weather. It was Pooh's Blustery Day. More of the same tomorrow.

Big A was driving his son to the high school for PSATs and got to wish me luck when we came across each other.

I thought I was a few minutes late, but when I got to the LIE there was another rider still waiting for the group as well. They actually rolled by some 5 minutes late. It was an unusually small group, only 6, instead of the usual 20-30 that typically show up by this time. I guess they started late because they were waiting to see whether any more riders would show up at the triangle. I recognized a couple of strong guys from previous rides, including Tuck. I could tell it wasn't going to be easy.

On the way out we were just flying, thanks to a strong tail wind. Of course I knew the way back was going to suck.

By the time we reached the wall we had picked up a few more, doubled the size of the group and did the usual Woodbury/108/Turkey route. By the time we were back on the second pass of 108 it was down to about 6 of us again. I got dropped the first time on the last uphill section of Stillwell. I caught them back at the end, thanks to some cross traffic that held them up for me. In Syosset we caught a green light and didn't even slow down to smell the Stók.

Onto Muttontown, Brookville, Wolver Hollow and left at Chicken Valley. That's where I got dropped again, this time for good. Too much headwind to fight off on my own. Distance by then was about 34 miles and my average by that point had climbed to 19.5. Not too bad. From that point I just took it easy to save myself for tomorrow and enjoyed the fall colors for the rest of the ride.

Good Luck to Big A tomorrow with the Triple Crown.

It should be a decent sized group of us meeting in CSH. Stitches is back and will be joining us. I just hope he goes easy on me.

Beast

Thursday, October 14, 2010

RE: Sunday Appears to be a Fine Day for a Great Bike Ride

I would do it, but I have to go to the West Coast on Sunday morning. Have a great ride.

From: Robert Leighton
Subject: RE: Sunday Appears to be a Fine Day for a Great Bike Ride

Looks like a great ride through some really pretty places. I’m definitely in. I can drive from GN and take people with me. I’d leave at 7:30 for an 8 am start. We may need to add another 5.8 miles somewhere. J

Loco Bob

From: Wargin, David
Subject: Sunday Appears to be a Fine Day for a Great Bike Ride

My Fellow Renegades:

It appears that we're going to have a terrific riding day this coming Sunday. The plan is to meet this Sunday at 8am in Cold Springs Harbor. From there, we will ride to Wading River and back. We can meet at the local parking lot on Route 25a just north of where 25A intersects with route 108. It's on the right side traveling north, before you get to the firehouse and across from the inner harbor marina just before Flora Street. (I am borrowing these directions from Bob and Ori.)

Below is a link to the route we plan to take. However, between now and Sunday I may make a couple slight adjustments.

I realize some of you are traveling, but I certainly hope others can join us. This will also be Todd's inaugural ride with us. (The poor guy also has an upcoming marathon.)

Let me know who's in and out -- that way we don't leave anyone behind. The more, the better!

As an added incentive, expect food somewhere along the way!

Cheers for now.

Dubya

http://www.mapmyrun.com/view_route?r=798128627535410138

RE: Sunday Appears to be a Fine Day for a Great Bike Ride

Loco Bob

From: Wargin, David
Subject: Sunday Appears to be a Fine Day for a Great Bike Ride

My Fellow Renegades:

Below is a link to the route we plan to take. However, between now and Sunday I may make a couple slight adjustments.

I realize some of you are traveling, but I certainly hope others can join us. This will also be Todd's inaugural ride with us. (The poor guy also has an upcoming marathon.)

Let me know who's in and out -- that way we don't leave anyone behind. The more, the better!

As an added incentive, expect food somewhere along the way!

Cheers for now.

Dubya

http://www.mapmyrun.com/view_route?r=798128627535410138

RE: Sunday Appears to be a Fine Day for a Great Bike Ride

You bet!

From: Manas, Todd (New York) [mailto:Todd.Manas@towerswatson.com]
Subject: Re: Sunday Appears to be a Fine Day for a Great Bike Ride

I'm in!

Dave. If I could get a lift to the meeting spot that would help me.

TMM.
Todd Manas
todd.manas@towerswatson.com
(c) 516.521.5746

From: Wargin, David
Subject: Sunday Appears to be a Fine Day for a Great Bike Ride

My Fellow Renegades:

Below is a link to the route we plan to take. However, between now and Sunday I may make a couple slight adjustments.

I realize some of you are traveling, but I certainly hope others can join us. This will also be Todd's inaugural ride with us. (The poor guy also has an upcoming marathon.)

Let me know who's in and out -- that way we don't leave anyone behind. The more, the better!

As an added incentive, expect food somewhere along the way!

Cheers for now.

Dubya

http://www.mapmyrun.com/view_route?r=798128627535410138

Re: Sunday Appears to be a Fine Day for a Great Bike Ride

I'm in!

Dave. If I could get a lift to the meeting spot that would help me.

TMM.
Todd Manas
todd.manas@towerswatson.com
(c) 516.521.5746

From: Wargin, David <david_wargin@standardandpoors.com>
Subject: Sunday Appears to be a Fine Day for a Great Bike Ride

My Fellow Renegades:

Below is a link to the route we plan to take. However, between now and Sunday I may make a couple slight adjustments.

I realize some of you are traveling, but I certainly hope others can join us. This will also be Todd's inaugural ride with us. (The poor guy also has an upcoming marathon.)

Let me know who's in and out -- that way we don't leave anyone behind. The more, the better!

As an added incentive, expect food somewhere along the way!

Cheers for now.

Dubya

http://www.mapmyrun.com/view_route?r=798128627535410138

Re: Sunday Appears to be a Fine Day for a Great Bike Ride

Out. Will be mtbing Glacier Ride, Cathedral Pines and Rocky Point that day.

On Thu, Oct 14, 2010 at 4:00 PM, Wargin, David wrote:

My Fellow Renegades:
It appears that we're going to have a terrific riding day this coming Sunday. The plan is to meet this Sunday at 8am in Cold Springs Harbor. From there, we will ride to Wading River and back. We can meet at the local parking lot on Route 25a just north of where 25A intersects with route 108. It's on the right side traveling north, before you get to the firehouse and across from the inner harbor marina just before Flora Street. (I am borrowing these directions from Bob and Ori.)
Below is a link to the route we plan to take. However, between now and Sunday I may make a couple slight adjustments.
I realize some of you are traveling, but I certainly hope others can join us. This will also be Todd's inaugural ride with us. (The poor guy also has an upcoming marathon.)
Let me know who's in and out -- that way we don't leave anyone behind. The more, the better!
As an added incentive, expect food somewhere along the way!
Cheers for now.
Dubya
http://www.mapmyrun.com/view_route?r=798128627535410138

- Arthur -

Re: Sunday Appears to be a Fine Day for a Great Bike Ride

Looks mighty tasty. Thanks for organizing this, Dubya!

See you this Sunday.

Beast

On Oct 14, 2010, at 4:00 PM, Wargin, David wrote:

My Fellow Renegades:
It appears that we're going to have a terrific riding day this coming Sunday. The plan is to meet this Sunday at 8am in Cold Springs Harbor. From there, we will ride to Wading River and back. We can meet at the local parking lot on Route 25a just north of where 25A intersects with route 108. It's on the right side traveling north, before you get to the firehouse and across from the inner harbor marina just before Flora Street. (I am borrowing these directions from Bob and Ori.)
Below is a link to the route we plan to take. However, between now and Sunday I may make a couple slight adjustments.
I realize some of you are traveling, but I certainly hope others can join us. This will also be Todd's inaugural ride with us. (The poor guy also has an upcoming marathon.)
Let me know who's in and out -- that way we don't leave anyone behind. The more, the better!
As an added incentive, expect food somewhere along the way!
Cheers for now.
Dubya

http://www.mapmyrun.com/view_route?r=798128627535410138

Sunday Appears to be a Fine Day for a Great Bike Ride

My Fellow Renegades:

Below is a link to the route we plan to take. However, between now and Sunday I may make a couple slight adjustments.

I realize some of you are traveling, but I certainly hope others can join us. This will also be Todd's inaugural ride with us. (The poor guy also has an upcoming marathon.)

Let me know who's in and out -- that way we don't leave anyone behind. The more, the better!

As an added incentive, expect food somewhere along the way!

Cheers for now.

Dubya

http://www.mapmyrun.com/view_route?r=798128627535410138

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Re: Columbus Day Weekend, Second Half

Their names are Pain and Suffering. They're the reason why we ride.

On Oct 12, 2010, at 6:24 PM, Robert Leighton wrote:

See what we miss when we lead? Where did you find those buns?

From: isaacsei@optonline.net [mailto:isaacsei@optonline.net]
Sent: Tuesday, October 12, 2010 6:19 PM
To: Oriel Mor
Cc: Arthur Finkel; northshorerenegades.chainring@blogger.com; Jae Cho; David J. Shereck; David Wargin; Anita Christofferson; Barry Feirstein; Greg Keller; Gus Condiles; George Uribe; Bill Eisenberg; Robert Leighton; Mitchel Lang; Larry Nipon; Todd Manas; Jan Lemerman; Yihao Ou
Subject: Re: Columbus Day Weekend, Second Half

What Ori did not include was the encounter we had with a pair of female riders who were doing the traditional pre Columbus day naked mile just before the bumpy. See pic. We had a hard time passing them for obvious reasons. Ori later complained that it brought down his average speed for the day.
Sometimes you just need to stay on the rear.

----- Original Message -----
From: Oriel Mor
Date: Tuesday, October 12, 2010 2:38 pm
Subject: Columbus Day Weekend, Second Half
To: Isaac Seinuk , Arthur Finkel , northshorerenegades.chainring@blogger.com, Jae Cho , "David J. Shereck" , David Wargin , Anita Christofferson , Barry Feirstein , Greg Keller , Gus Condiles , George Uribe , Bill Eisenberg , Robert Leighton , Mitchel Lang , Larry Nipon , Todd Manas , Jan Lemerman , Yihao Ou

> Quite uneventful, really. Sunday morning I was met by Isaac. We
> rushed
> to the LIE to hop on the T train. They were just ahead and,
> unlike the
> previous day, we were able to catch them within a few lights.
> The
> usual sizable group. No trouble staying with them during the
> first part.
>
> At the wall I chose to follow some riders I had ridden with the
> day
> before and we found ourselves in a group of only 6. But this
> time, as
> soon as we hit the first rollers east of Sunnyside I got
> dropped. As I
> looked back I saw that Isaac was way behind. The group kept
> straight
> on the LIE and I knew it was only going to be a struggle for me,
> so I
> hung back with Isaac and we did one of our usual shortish rides,
> since
> he needed to get back early.
>
> From 108 we went up Moore's and Sandy. Right at the foot of
> Moore's
> Isaac managed to fall into a mud filled ditch. Messy. I had just
> heard
> some chain skipping noise behind me as I started the climb and
> didn't
> know that anything out of the ordinary had happened until Isaac
> made
> it to the top of the climb and filled me in. After Sandy we had
> a
> short stop at the 7-11 and got Stóked.
>
> We finished off with Muttontown, skipped the campus and back by
> way of
> Wheatley.
>
> Glad Isaac came out to play.
>
> I didn't ride yesterday.
>
> Beast
>
>
>

RE: Columbus Day Weekend, Second Half

See what we miss when we lead? Where did you find those buns?

From: isaacsei@optonline.net [mailto:isaacsei@optonline.net]
Sent: Tuesday, October 12, 2010 6:19 PM
To: Oriel Mor
Cc: Arthur Finkel; northshorerenegades.chainring@blogger.com; Jae Cho; David J. Shereck; David Wargin; Anita Christofferson; Barry Feirstein; Greg Keller; Gus Condiles; George Uribe; Bill Eisenberg; Robert Leighton; Mitchel Lang; Larry Nipon; Todd Manas; Jan Lemerman; Yihao Ou
Subject: Re: Columbus Day Weekend, Second Half

What Ori did not include was the encounter we had with a pair of female riders who were doing the traditional pre Columbus day naked mile just before the bumpy. See pic. We had a hard time passing them for obvious reasons. Ori later complained that it brought down his average speed for the day.

Sometimes you just need to stay on the rear.

----- Original Message -----
From: Oriel Mor
Date: Tuesday, October 12, 2010 2:38 pm
Subject: Columbus Day Weekend, Second Half
To: Isaac Seinuk , Arthur Finkel , northshorerenegades.chainring@blogger.com, Jae Cho , "David J. Shereck" , David Wargin , Anita Christofferson , Barry Feirstein , Greg Keller , Gus Condiles , George Uribe , Bill Eisenberg , Robert Leighton , Mitchel Lang , Larry Nipon , Todd Manas , Jan Lemerman , Yihao Ou

> Quite uneventful, really. Sunday morning I was met by Isaac. We
> rushed
> to the LIE to hop on the T train. They were just ahead and,
> unlike the
> previous day, we were able to catch them within a few lights.
> The
> usual sizable group. No trouble staying with them during the
> first part.
>
> At the wall I chose to follow some riders I had ridden with the
> day
> before and we found ourselves in a group of only 6. But this
> time, as
> soon as we hit the first rollers east of Sunnyside I got
> dropped. As I
> looked back I saw that Isaac was way behind. The group kept
> straight
> on the LIE and I knew it was only going to be a struggle for me,
> so I
> hung back with Isaac and we did one of our usual shortish rides,
> since
> he needed to get back early.
>
> From 108 we went up Moore's and Sandy. Right at the foot of
> Moore's
> Isaac managed to fall into a mud filled ditch. Messy. I had just
> heard
> some chain skipping noise behind me as I started the climb and
> didn't
> know that anything out of the ordinary had happened until Isaac
> made
> it to the top of the climb and filled me in. After Sandy we had
> a
> short stop at the 7-11 and got Stóked.
>
> We finished off with Muttontown, skipped the campus and back by
> way of
> Wheatley.
>
> Glad Isaac came out to play.
>
> I didn't ride yesterday.
>
> Beast
>
>
>

Re: Columbus Day Weekend, Second Half

Columbus Day Weekend, Second Half

Quite uneventful, really. Sunday morning I was met by Isaac. We rushed
to the LIE to hop on the T train. They were just ahead and, unlike the
previous day, we were able to catch them within a few lights. The
usual sizable group. No trouble staying with them during the first part.

At the wall I chose to follow some riders I had ridden with the day
before and we found ourselves in a group of only 6. But this time, as
soon as we hit the first rollers east of Sunnyside I got dropped. As I
looked back I saw that Isaac was way behind. The group kept straight
on the LIE and I knew it was only going to be a struggle for me, so I
hung back with Isaac and we did one of our usual shortish rides, since
he needed to get back early.

From 108 we went up Moore's and Sandy. Right at the foot of Moore's
Isaac managed to fall into a mud filled ditch. Messy. I had just heard
some chain skipping noise behind me as I started the climb and didn't
know that anything out of the ordinary had happened until Isaac made
it to the top of the climb and filled me in. After Sandy we had a
short stop at the 7-11 and got Stóked.

We finished off with Muttontown, skipped the campus and back by way of
Wheatley.

Glad Isaac came out to play.

I didn't ride yesterday.

Beast

Monday, October 11, 2010

Re: Columbus Day Weekend, First Half

I knew you'd say that. ;-)

Seriously, though, you should have been there. It was quite a rush.

On Oct 11, 2010, at 9:44 PM, Robert Leighton wrote:

So now we're not "The Right Group"??? :-(

Only kidding!

-----Original Message-----
From: Oriel Mor [mailto:oriel61@gmail.com]
Sent: Saturday, October 09, 2010 11:33 PM
To: Isaac Seinuk; Arthur Finkel; northshorerenegades.chainring@blogger.com; Jae Cho; David J. Shereck; David Wargin; Anita Christofferson; Barry Feirstein; Greg Keller; Gus Condiles; George Uribe; Bill Eisenberg; Robert Leighton; Mitchel Lang; Larry Nipon; Todd Manas; Jan Lemerman; Yihao Ou
Subject: Columbus Day Weekend, First Half

Late Thursday night. I get a cryptic, coded email from Big A. I can't
fully understand all of it, but I understand enough. Trail ride Friday
morning. Sounds good enough for me and I respond affirmatively.

I haven't touched my mountain bike in many months. Better check it
first. I pump my tires (they're almost flat), lube my chain (it sticks
when pedaling backwards), check the shifting (not great, but does what
it needs to do without falling apart), suspension feels right. Good
enough to ride. I love the way my dual suspension works on the trail.
I tried a single-speed 29er once. I still like my rider better, with
its standard 26ers.

Turns out we're meeting the DTC (Day Time Crew, our MTB riding group
out east) at Rocky Point (exit 66 on the LIE + 10 minutes north), for
a double loop, about 30-35 miles in total, mostly flat. They're
planning a training ride for the "Triple Crown," a ride consisting of
liking together three of the usual trail parks in that area of
Suffolk: Glacier Ridge, East Setauket and Cathedral Pines. I would
consider joining it, but it's the same day as our planned Port Jeff
near century.

I had only been to RP once before, a few years ago, and really enjoyed
it. This park is relatively large and you don't sense any nearby
habitation whatsoever for the entire loop. You only cross the road
that cuts through it twice and that's it. The rest of the ride is
nothing but trail, vegetation and sky, even in those parts where you
can see quite far past the trees. And it's fast, with a number of
long, straight stretches, breaking up sections of twisty. Some of
those straights are so narrow between the tall vegetation that there's
barely enough space for my handlebar. Zipping through those sections
feels a lot like those chases scenes in the Ewok forest from "Return
of the Jedi," with a small gap just in front of me and nothing but a
green blur in my peripheral vision. I haven't been to RP more often
for a few reasons, not least of which being the distance and the fact
that for half the year it's closed to riding and open to hunting, with
a slight overlap in the calendar between the two activities — which is
quite insane, when you think about it — right around this time of the
year. My first time there I actually spotted a bow hunter walking
around during my ride. He was probably cursing us for making so much
darn noise and scaring off his quarry.

With the DTC, we typically break into fast and slow groups right off
the bat. I joined the fast group, got dropped within the first mile
and did the entire first loop by myself. There are a good number of
intermediate and advanced sections that break off from and rejoin the
main loop. I must have missed at least a couple of them because I
found myself getting passed by a couple of guys from the fast group
that had already dropped me, one of them twice. Either that or I was
getting lapped on an 18 mile circuit.

After regrouping and recovering in the parking lot we did the second
round short, sticking to the main loop. This time, for some reason, I
was able to stay with the leader for almost the entire loop. I got
dropped just one mile from the finish. He must have just been a little
tired from the first round and didn't ride quite as fast the second
time. I finished the ride in 32-1/4 miles at 11.1 average. I typically
ride a 9.5 mph or so pace on our usual hilly rides.

After the ride we enjoyed a nice lunch, beers and BS on the deck of
the nearby Millhouse Inn. Perfect ending.

Happy Birthday, Arthur.

_____________________

Later that afternoon I get a call from George. He needs to go to a
ball game with his kids in the morning, would like to start the ride
at 6:45 and finish by 10:00. Sorry, George, but I need the ride to be
epic to make me get up that early. Nothing personal. Hopefully you can
join us at a regular time next weekend.

_____________________

It's Saturday morning and there's no one else that joins me at 8:00. I
want to catch the T riders but I'm running a few minutes late. I make
my left at the LIE, look behind me and, sure enough, I get a glimpse
of a group approaching. I just sit up and let them catch me. Turns
out, they're a half-dozen latecomers to the T ride and they hammering
to reach the main group just a minute or to ahead of us. Hey, I love
to chase. I'm in.

We all work together fairly hard to make it. We keep spotting the main
group just ahead as they pull away from an intersections, but we keep
hitting red lights just as we reach the crossings, with traffic coming
across and holding us up. It must have gone on like this for about
10-12 lights. We finally make our catch around Hicksville by South
Oyster Bay Road, and barely slow down to rest.

After the left at the wall, I let the half-dozen fastest guys pull
away (I can tell I wasn't going to be able to hang with them) and stay
with the second fastest (no slouches here either). We go down
Woodbury, 108 (about 10° colder, I have to pull my arm warmers back
on), Cold Spring, Turkey and the typical way back. On Turkey is where
the "selection" starts. I have to give it everything I have to stay in
contact with the front. Eventually it's down to a dozen or so of us
riding together, including a couple of young women, one of them in a
"Army Triathlon" kit. There's also that guy on a Lightspeed with a
camelback and his jersey tucked inside his shorts. He's a very strong
rider; I just wish he didn't look quite so dorky. I hate to be dropped
by guys who can't dress properly.

At the sprint finish, as it turns out, it's only Army Tri, Tucked
Jersey and myself. No one else seemed interested in racing, even
though they're all strong enough to give it a go. I can't go any
harder at the climb that follows the Lakeville light and manage to
stay with the two of them past the crest. It's now Army, then Tuck,
with me on third wheel. I can tell Tuck wants to attack from behind
and I keep a close eye on him, planning to try and take him the same
way.

Sure enough, he attacks more or less when you'd expect him to. I jump
to stay on him. Tri has a lot more to give and I can't even get past
her. In the end she passes Tuck and wins the sprint. An impressive
performance. Not surprising, since she dropped me on the climbs a few
times. At least I'm faster on the downs, not even sure why. Perhaps
it's those 6-8 extra pounds that I find so hard to lose.

Nonetheless, I finish the ride at 47-1/3 miles. Pace (ready for
this?): 19.2! Even I'm shocked. Just goes to show you how much faster
one can go with the right group, even if you don't really know them
that well.

Beast