Still not sure what to do on April 3rd? Come on the inaugural (and perhaps only!) Jersey Shore CR group ride. It will be terrific! No foolin'.
Some additional details to assist you in planning:
The distance for the out and back route is 22 miles. The route is substantially flat. The worst hill is a highway overpass thing that must be traversed twice.
The optional extra distance loop on the return that includes the climb up Mt. Mitchell and the long downhill into Atlantic Highlands totals 29.8 miles. I could climb Mt. Mitchell last year with a 39x28 low gear, and I'm a rotten climber. A lowish fixed gear should be able to make it, but I recommend derailleurs, if only the make the downhill more enjoyable. There are several sharp turns on the downhill where you lay the bike way over if your charging hard. There is only the one really bad hill (Mt. Mitchell), but I would describe the inland loop as rolling until it rejoins the seaside route at mile 26.
The start point is 7 Presidents Oceanfront Park in Long Branch NJ. The park is 6.5 miles east of exit 105 on the Garden State Parkway along NJ Route 36. Directions can be found at
http://www.monmouthcountyparks.com/
If anyone in the Metro NY area doesn't want to drive and can ride a 60 to 63cm frame, I'd be happy to pick you up at the Little Silver train station on the Jersey Shore line and lend you a bike. Bring your pedals. I only have three bikes here, so first come first served. It might even be possible to bring your bike with you on the train on Saturdays, but I don't know what's allowed and you're on your own for that. Unfortunately the ferry boats from Manhattan to the Jersey Shore don't start running early enough in the day to do us any good.
So far we have 4 riders coming, and scheduled bikes include a Masi 3V, a Mitch Kneller and an Ephgrave. It should be a nice, low key affair. Come join us! Post ride parking lot informal parts swap and then lunch in a local bistro afterwards.
Tom Adams, Shrewsbury NJ