As I presented my idea to the PFW Board at their February, someone asked me a very legitimate question: Why??? Why, exactly would you want to organize a double century? 100 miles not enough for you? ...and doesn't the Central Jersey Bicycle Club ( http://www.cjbc.org/) offer their "Longest Day" double century at just about the same time of year?
The short answer is that I enjoy long distance riding, and I think (hope!) there might by enough interest in the local cycling community to justify organizing a double century.
The long answer, well...
My wife Barbara and I have come to enjoy some "ultra" distance riding over the past three seasons on our Burley - we're randonneurs (http://www.rusa.org/.) We have completed quite a few brevets (long distance rides) on the tandem, including organized rides of 600 km on three separate occasions (I'll leave it to you to convert that to miles...) We participate in these rides most often with the Eastern PA ( http://users.rcn.com/trosenbauer/) and NJ Randonneurs (http://www.njrando.com/.) We thoroughly enjoy ourselves on these long distance adventures, but there are several reasons regular, sane folks might balk at trying a brevet; most notably, the often severely challenging courses and the prospect of riding at night. Barb and I would like to share our love of long distance riding with other like-minded cyclists, in a less intimidating format. We want to make it as "easy" and enjoyable as possible for aspiring "ultra" riders to take on the challenge of riding 200 miles in one day.
It's true that the CJBC does hold their well established "Longest Day" double century annually in June, but that ride has some inherent logistical obstacles that might prevent some riders from giving it a try. The fact is, you've got to arrange to get yourself and your bike to the start at High Point and arrange to be picked up in Cape May at the end of the day. The point-to-point nature of the course almost requires that you have some sort of support team to help you through the day, and to be available should you run into difficulty along the way. I'm not trying to bad-mouth the CJBC ride or position the Garden State Double as competition for the "Longest Day," just offer a "kinder, gentler" alternative the won't present such a problem getting to and from the start and finish points.
The Garden State Double aims to offer a scenic, not-too-terribly-severe ride that gives riders an opportunity to ride 200 miles in a single day, and finish with smiles on their faces and a "Super-Sized" sense of accomplishment.
Why...?
...for the fun it!!!
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Announcing...
the inaugural edition of the Garden State Double Century!!!
First the basics:
Date: Saturday, June 20, 2009
Start Time: 5:15am sharp!!!
Location: Mercer County Park, West Windsor, NJ, Ice Skating Rink parking lot
Ride Organizer / Leaders: PFW member and experienced randonneur Ron Anderson is organizing the event, and plans to lead a "B" paced group together with his wife / stoker Barbara.
Ride Pace: This will be a multi-paced ride. Ron & Barbara will lead at a "B" pace. We are seeking volunteers to lead B+ and A groups. Due to time constaints and available daylight, no rides slower than B pace will be offered.
Course: The ride starts and finishes at Mercer County Park, West Windsor, NJ. Tentative plans call for a northern loop to Frenchtown and Whitehouse Station followed by a southern loop deep into Burlington County, with a bailout option near the halfway point. Every effort is being made to put together a scenic, "rider friendly" course, with no gratuitous climbing. The main obstacle in this day will be simply the mileage, NOT the leg-breaking climbs.
The Garden State Double Century is being organized as a regular Princeton Free Wheeler weekend club ride (though on a grander scale than normal!) As such, there will be no entry fees, and minimal support will be available on course. Riders are expected to be self sufficient during the day, and reasonably sure of their ability to complete the course before sunset. The course will be routed so as to offer opportunities to purchase food and drink at regular intervals along the way. Cue sheets will be made available to all riders either by e-mail, or through this blog in advance of ride day. All riders will be expected to carry and use the cue sheet. Riders are required to be Princeton Free Wheeler members.
This here blog will be your central source for any and all information, and updates regarding the Garden State Double Century. Check back every so often, as I plan to make regular updates, and announcements as additional details of the ride are ironed out. If you have a question or comment you would like addressed in a public forum, feel free to contact me using the "Comments" section of this blog. You may also direct questions to the ride organizer, Ron Anderson by e-mail at rwanderson@optonline.net.
I'd also like to publicly acknowledge and thank John Powers and Neil Cherry, both PFW regulars and veteran distance riders, for helping me get my idea for a PFW double century off the ground. John served as my liason to the PFW organization, and Neil is a mapping / routing whiz, who continues to help me refine my original draft of the route. Both men helped me consider and address logistical issues that come with organizing a ride of this length. I'm sure their continued support will help me put together a memorable ride. Thanks go out, also, to the PFW Board, who listened to my idea at their February meeting and extended their encouragement and support.
First the basics:
Date: Saturday, June 20, 2009
Start Time: 5:15am sharp!!!
Location: Mercer County Park, West Windsor, NJ, Ice Skating Rink parking lot
Ride Organizer / Leaders: PFW member and experienced randonneur Ron Anderson is organizing the event, and plans to lead a "B" paced group together with his wife / stoker Barbara.
Ride Pace: This will be a multi-paced ride. Ron & Barbara will lead at a "B" pace. We are seeking volunteers to lead B+ and A groups. Due to time constaints and available daylight, no rides slower than B pace will be offered.
Course: The ride starts and finishes at Mercer County Park, West Windsor, NJ. Tentative plans call for a northern loop to Frenchtown and Whitehouse Station followed by a southern loop deep into Burlington County, with a bailout option near the halfway point. Every effort is being made to put together a scenic, "rider friendly" course, with no gratuitous climbing. The main obstacle in this day will be simply the mileage, NOT the leg-breaking climbs.
The Garden State Double Century is being organized as a regular Princeton Free Wheeler weekend club ride (though on a grander scale than normal!) As such, there will be no entry fees, and minimal support will be available on course. Riders are expected to be self sufficient during the day, and reasonably sure of their ability to complete the course before sunset. The course will be routed so as to offer opportunities to purchase food and drink at regular intervals along the way. Cue sheets will be made available to all riders either by e-mail, or through this blog in advance of ride day. All riders will be expected to carry and use the cue sheet. Riders are required to be Princeton Free Wheeler members.
This here blog will be your central source for any and all information, and updates regarding the Garden State Double Century. Check back every so often, as I plan to make regular updates, and announcements as additional details of the ride are ironed out. If you have a question or comment you would like addressed in a public forum, feel free to contact me using the "Comments" section of this blog. You may also direct questions to the ride organizer, Ron Anderson by e-mail at rwanderson@optonline.net.
I'd also like to publicly acknowledge and thank John Powers and Neil Cherry, both PFW regulars and veteran distance riders, for helping me get my idea for a PFW double century off the ground. John served as my liason to the PFW organization, and Neil is a mapping / routing whiz, who continues to help me refine my original draft of the route. Both men helped me consider and address logistical issues that come with organizing a ride of this length. I'm sure their continued support will help me put together a memorable ride. Thanks go out, also, to the PFW Board, who listened to my idea at their February meeting and extended their encouragement and support.
Wanna Do The Double???
Wanna do the double???
Are you a certified mileage junkie? Organized centuries getting to be old hat? Looking for a bigger challenge?
If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, then reserve Saturday June 20, 2009 on your calendar for the inaugural edition of the PFW - Garden State Double Century.
The Garden State Double will be a regular PFW weekend ride leaving from the Mercer County Park Ice Skating Rink parking lot at 5:15am on Sat. June 20. This will be a multi-paced ride organized by PFW member and experienced randonneur Ron Anderson. Ron and his wife / stoker Barbara plan to lead a "B" paced group on their Burley tandem.
So, circle June 20th on your calendar, and start logging those base miles... this promises to be a double sized helping of fun!!
Are you a certified mileage junkie? Organized centuries getting to be old hat? Looking for a bigger challenge?
If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, then reserve Saturday June 20, 2009 on your calendar for the inaugural edition of the PFW - Garden State Double Century.
The Garden State Double will be a regular PFW weekend ride leaving from the Mercer County Park Ice Skating Rink parking lot at 5:15am on Sat. June 20. This will be a multi-paced ride organized by PFW member and experienced randonneur Ron Anderson. Ron and his wife / stoker Barbara plan to lead a "B" paced group on their Burley tandem.
So, circle June 20th on your calendar, and start logging those base miles... this promises to be a double sized helping of fun!!
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