Quick Start Guide

Electronic gadgets often come with a Quick Start Guide, also known as, “If you won’t read the instruction manual, at least read this one page, you lazy bum, before you break something.”


SO... one of our riders gave us this great idea: a Quick Start Guide.  If you don’t want to read all of this lovely yet annoying web site, here’s the minimum you need to know to have fun on the ride.*


When Is the Ride

Saturday May 11, 2024


How Long Is It?

There are five routes -- your choice:

13 miles • 40 miles • 50 miles • 70 miles • 100 miles



When and Where Do I Show Up on Ride Day?


If you are taking our optional transportation:

5:00 a.m. sharp.  (Yes, it's too early.  Yes, we're nuts).

NEW LOCATION: Between W. 34th St and W. 35th Street on the east side of 12th Avenue


If you are getting to the start line on your own:


ALL routes start and end in the same place:


Orient Beach State Park

40000 Main Rd

Orient, NY 11957

Driving directions here.


Parking

There is plenty of parking at the start line. Entering the park costs $8 -- cash or credit card. (Having exact change in cash will make things a lot faster for everyone!) We don't get any of that money -- it goes to the park, and those folks deserve it -- it's expensive to keep a place like this going, and the staff is super-nice to us.


Check-in is from 7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. ONLY. (If you're doing one of the longer routes we recommend that you try to start closer to 7:30 a.m.)  If you are doing a short route, you can still start at 7:30 a.m. if you wish, but please note that we do not start serving the post-ride meal until noon, so even if you are a super-slow relaxed rider you might finish extraordinarily early...


If you want to do the escorted version of the ride

Meet at the Orient Beach start line at 8:30 a.m. If you take our optional transportation from Manhattan you will be on time for this.


What Time Can I Start Pedaling?

There is no mass start -- you can start to pedal as soon as you check-in


The Route Map & Turn Sheet

We do not release the route map or turn sheet in advance. A couple days before the ride we will also distribute digital copies of the route sheet for those who want to navigate with their smartphone or bike-mounted GPS.


Is the Route Marked?

Yes.  Details here.


Are There Rest Stops?

Yes. Every 11 - 25 miles apart with all the goodies -- food, water, sports drink, energy bars, fresh fruit, mechanical support...  There is no rest stop on the 13-mile route, but we promise to stuff you with goodies before you leave and when you return.  Details here.


How Do I Register?

There’s ONLY one way -- click here.


Anything Special I Need to Know?

We ride rain or shine -- no rain date, but we offer optional rain insurance here.


Helmets mandatory

Bring a cell phone if you can


That’s it!


G

____________________

*A friendly note from Glen, your tour director and humble servant who loves you no really.  


If you decide to just read this one page and skip the rest of the web site, that’s cool... see you on the ride!


BUT... if anyone emails to state:


“I read the one-page summary, but how come there wasn’t any info on [some topic that is covered clearly in excruciating detail elsewhere on this web site]?”


...that person will be immediately transferred to our help desk in a faraway country.


Of course if you DO read the web site, or at least TRY, and STILL can’t find the info you want, by all means drop us a note! I’m always glad to hear from you and will answer your question personally.


OK?  OK!


Ride Hard • Have Fun • Don't Act Like a Jerk.