The annual iBOB Croton Aqueduct trail ride will take place on Sunday, November 18th -- it's only the fourth edition, but it has the feel of a classic ride, one that I look forward to every autumn. Details are below in Tom McMahon's e-mail. I missed this ride last year because I was out of town that weekend, but I definitely plan to be there this year, and I hope to see some of you in the CR/BVVW crowd.
The last time I did the ride two years ago, we had mostly an assortment of lugged steel, with quite a few Bridgestone/Rivendell bikes and some other vintage/KOF bikes.
Skinny tires are not recommended -- 700x28C tires should be all right, but wider is better. The trail is packed dirt, pretty well-maintained, but can be rough in places, covered with stones or tree roots. I'll be on 27x1 1/4" Panaracer Pasela TG's inflated to about 50-55 psi.
This is a social ride -- no one gets dropped. And it's quite flat, with the exception of one short hill. If at any point you don't want to continue, you're close to a Metro-North station to get you back to the city.
Mordecai Silver NYC
-----Original Message----- From: Tom McMahon [mailto:myibobemail@aol.com] Sent: Wednesday, October 31, 2007 7:43 PM To: iBOB bob Subject: The Fourth Annual NYC-area iBOB Ruff Stuff ride!
Hi Gang,
I'm a bit late on it this year, we usually shoot for mid-late October, but better late than never, eh? So, it's once again time for another Fall Classic: The Fourth Annual NYC-area iBOB Ruff Stuff ride up the Old Croton Aqueduct Trail, on Sunday, November 18th.
The OCA trail is a dirt path set atop the 1830's aqueduct that runs from the Croton Dam down to NYC. It's flat, almost all hardpack and gravel, peaceful and pretty. It's about 30 miles long, one way. Lots to see - ruins, mansions, forests, suburban backyards, Son of Sam's secret seance spot, Sing-Sing Prison, and the infamous Rambou-gobbling Bridge of Sighs! Google it for lots more history, or e-mail me for what little I know.
The itinerary will be the same as always. We'll meet at 8am at the info kiosk in the center of Grand Central Station, take the IRT 4 subway to Woodlawn, pick up the trail in nearby Van Cortland Park, and ride on up. We'll pick up lunch to-go at a deli in Ossining (bring bags or a musette), and carry it up the trail another 5-6 miles until we literally hit the wall at Croton Dam Park. There, we'll eat lunch, hang around a while (bring an extra layer or jacket, it may be cooler than in years past) and then head back down the trail to Ossining (at least, we can continue further south, or not) for Metro North train back to Grand Central.
Equipment? Well, a buddy of mine did it on his Litespeed with 700 x 23's once, but said he wouldn't wanna try it again. Goon K. usually goes fixed on his Quickbeam, I'm sure Mordecai will do the same if either can make it. Though it's far from "technical" MTBing, there are scattered rough spots and loose patches, some exposed roots, and a lotta curb hops, so a set of reasonably chubby tires are a good idea. Other than that, anything goes, whatever works, - road, 'cross, MTBs, new stuff, old stuff, one gear or 30...
Since the trail runs pretty much parallel to Metro North's Hudson Line, there are lots of options available. We're never more than a few miles from a railroad station, so you can take a train or drive up part of the way, meet us somewhere along the trail, and bail out almost anywhere. You oughta have (they ask, sometimes) a $5 MTA bike pass - if you don't have one, I'm pretty sure you can purchase it at the station that morning, or e-mail me in advance and I'll pick one for up you (I work just a couple blocks away).
It's always a good time, and I'm sure that tradition will continue. It may be a bit cooler, due to the later date, but the fall foliage should be in full bloom, so it'll be prettier. Note - heavy rains that leave the trail mostly muddy will cause postponement. I'll post any updates here.
Hope to see you there!
Tom McMahon New York City
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