2016-05-28 - Bear Mountain
I woke up at 3:30 AM after 6 and a half hours of sleep but barely had enough time to do everything I needed to do and get ready for the bike ride to the top of Bear Mountain. I left at 6:30 AM to bike the 11.5 miles to Strictly Bicycles, our designated starting location. I arrived a bit early before 7:15 AM and was surprised to see Alan. Alan had originally planned the ride but had an operation the day before and so was thinking about staying home.
The others were a bit late but by 7:45 AM, we were joined by Shing, Bernard, and his son Alec. We biked a bit up to Shing's car to refuel on some water where to our surprise, Pankaj and his friend another Alec also joined us. I hadn't seen Alan and Pankaj for a year and was glad to meet the others.
We rode together up and down the rolling hills of 9W and Bicycle Route 9 until we hit a downhill section where a few of us rode ahead. We had already lost Pankaj who is not as fast a rider as us. Stopping at a intersection where there are two different ways to choose from, we waited a while before realizing the others behind us had taken a different route through the park. We eventually all met up in Nyack for a rest stop.
The others were a bit late but by 7:45 AM, we were joined by Shing, Bernard, and his son Alec. We biked a bit up to Shing's car to refuel on some water where to our surprise, Pankaj and his friend another Alec also joined us. I hadn't seen Alan and Pankaj for a year and was glad to meet the others.
We rode together up and down the rolling hills of 9W and Bicycle Route 9 until we hit a downhill section where a few of us rode ahead. We had already lost Pankaj who is not as fast a rider as us. Stopping at a intersection where there are two different ways to choose from, we waited a while before realizing the others behind us had taken a different route through the park. We eventually all met up in Nyack for a rest stop.
We continued on as a group towards Bear Mountain and was surprised to see Pankaj. He had been biking alone without stopping in Nyack. We briefly talked to him before passing him again. Bernard led most of the way as he lives nearby and is familiar with the area. He took roads to avoid traffic at certain places and it was great. Near the bottom of Bear Mountain we took another rest break to refuel and use the bathroom.
After that was the steep long climb to the top. Bernard shot off, closely followed by Alan. I thought about the other time I had biked up Bear Mountain with the NYCC B-SIG 17 group last year. Knowing how difficult it is, the distance we had left, and the 22 mile Shorewalkers hike from GWB to Nyack I planned to do the day after, I was more moderate in my pace. Bernard's son passed me at one point and Shing and Alec stayed behind me. Shing had some issues with his chain falling off while shifting and really needed to get it tuned up.
We stopped at the top to regroup, take photos, and get drinks from the vending machine. Personally, I found the ice cold powerade a huge aid.
After that was the steep long climb to the top. Bernard shot off, closely followed by Alan. I thought about the other time I had biked up Bear Mountain with the NYCC B-SIG 17 group last year. Knowing how difficult it is, the distance we had left, and the 22 mile Shorewalkers hike from GWB to Nyack I planned to do the day after, I was more moderate in my pace. Bernard's son passed me at one point and Shing and Alec stayed behind me. Shing had some issues with his chain falling off while shifting and really needed to get it tuned up.
We stopped at the top to regroup, take photos, and get drinks from the vending machine. Personally, I found the ice cold powerade a huge aid.
The ride down was nice and fast, using brakes to stay behind the slower cars. To our surprise we saw Pankaj cycling up! We waited a bit at the bottom to see if Pankaj wanted to turn around and join us but he continued up. The ride back to Nyack was tough due to the heat. I learned later that temperatures rose above 90. We stopped to get snacks and water at one point. Shing was in very bad shape by this point and we also lost the older Alec who had a flat, caught up with us, and then missed a turn. Bernard took us through beautiful winding roads on Bicycle Route 9. Alan sped up ahead at one point, me not being able to keep up with him on the uphills. He reached Nyack first. Bernard, Alec, and I stayed together and Shing got there a few minutes after us.
The heat was too much and we all decided to bail out. I ended up riding about 77.5 miles in total. Bernard called his wife to come drive us from Nyack back down to the George Washington Bridge. We managed to fit all 5 bicycles and 6 people in a Honda minivan! From the bridge, Shing drove me all the way home. During the car ride, Shing offered me triathlon tips and I tried talking him into doing the NJ State Triathlon with me.
With no time to spare when I got home, I showered, changed, and got ready for Tracy and Greg's wedding. Other than the heat, it was a great ride and we definitely plan to do the full version sometime later this year.