We were so surprised to see him. The last time Chris was in Piermont, he saw Greg Schilds - also on that same ride. Hummmm, coincidence!

Also seen in Piermont - racer went down (Union Square dude) while going over railroad tracks. He road away though.

In Nyack, no bike racks in front of Runcible Spoon yet! Wilson Vasquez was sighted with friends inside. Rice Crispie treat and banana break.

Back to the road....9W all the way home - I must be out of shape - 4 mph up the first hill out of Piermont.

After all the hills, I could finally pick-up some speed - the small amount of Gu wasn't enough - I should have eaten the entire package - oh, well. I'm too lazy to stop and finish it!
NYACK - 55 miles
Sunday, Jan. 14, 2001

Why is this page pink?
Linda, one of the riders (look at the lady with the pink feather scarf), rode her "pink Seven" for the first time on this ride.

Temperature was 32F by 9:30 a.m. in Central Park. I was wide awake by 5-5:30 a.m. (thanks to vitamins and joining a new gym). To my friend, Chris' surprise, I arrived on time to the NYCC A18 ride. My reputation has been saved! What a great day to bike - only the sun was missing!

By the way, Chris (animal) Pile did one Central Park loop before starting the ride.
I was glad to arrive in Piermont - the group ate at Runcible Spool Too (new location). Chris Pile and I decided to get a few extra miles - especially since we have a 200K Brevet on the 28th of January in West Palm Beach, Florida. We rode River Road despite info I was given "stay away from River Road - take 9W." Who wants more hills? Not me that day! Chris wouldn't have cared. The great thing about riding with Chris is that he's easy-going - he can ride any terrain, any speed and still be pleasant. I felt bad that this wasn't a faster ride - especially since he's use to Gimbels.

At Piermont, we saw "Max" - who Chris rode with on Mike Yesko's 2000 Memorial Day ride (Dover Plains to Bennington, 100 Mile Century Loop, Bennington to Dover Plains). Max wears woolen jerseys - usually a "cap" too.

 Careful on GW, water, water, water.
The pot holes are still on the road (can't remember the name) between Cabrini and Ft. Hamilton. Riverside Drive is GREAT!

Chris, of course, had to do 2 laps in Central Park to finish off the ride. I was cold and was carrying my stem and a Christmas present inside my jacket, so I had to go home.

We stopped by Bicycle Renaissance, a favorite place to stop after a ride, and had my original, ITM Big One installed. Chris bought a pair of Perl Izumi winter gloves - great bargain! AND it matches his jacket.
LEADER
Gary McGraime - NYCC


START
9:30 a.m.
Loeb Boathouse - Central Park
Just north of 72nd Street Traverse on East Drive

ROUTE
GW
L Hudson Terrace
R Palisades Ave
R Knickerbocker (aka 501)
R Oak Tree Dr
L 9W North
R Ferdon
Straight Into Piermont

FOOD
Runcible Spoon

 RETURN ROUTE
9W South
L Palisades Ave
R Hudson Terrace
X GW Bridge
R Cabrini
L ??
R Ft. Hamilton
R 165 St
L Riverside Dr
L 72nd St
S Into Central Park

HOME
A few other NYCC riders were meeting at the Boathouse also - riding a faster pace - hoping to catch the Giant's game - unfortunately, they caught flats on St. Nicholas and GW Bridge.

501 was a good choice for a beginning of the year ride. It was mostly flat - slight inclines. As we went farther north into New Jersey - the temperature seemed as if it was dropping. Our toes were cold. Wind Tec is what I cover shoes with. My fingers were fine - wearing Swix cross country skii gloves. Poor Chris - his holey 10-year old gloves were acting like an AC unit.