My 2016 Bike List

I am current out on my last big ride of 2015, but while I was away I figured I would post my biking "wish list" for the coming year. This may be somewhat premature - I may come back from this ride and decide that cycling really wasn't my thing after all.


TD Five Boro Bike Tour - May 1, 2016


Ah... to be able to bike around New York City and not worry about taxi cabs, pedestrians, car doors? Well, I don't worry about that on bike trails, but on the streets it's a dream that becomes reality in limited times like this event. Forty miles to explore the streets... the bridges... the city.


Discover Hudson Valley Ride - June 26, 2016


Bike New York, the same group that organizes the Five Boro Bike Tour also hosts this ride. But unlike the Five Boro, the routes follow along roads open to traffic. So if you're new to road biking, be careful. I'm still wary of it, but it's not too bad when you know there are others out there with you. There are five mileage options to choose from (15, 33, 55, 75, 100) and a festival waiting for you at the end.


Cycle the Erie Canal Bike Tour July 10-17, 2016


I've heard from several people this is a "can't miss" ride. Buffalo to Albany along the Erie Canalway for the most part on trail. Now I've gone as far out as Rotterdam Junction on the trail, and the sections in Cohoes and Albany. But ultimately I want to complete the whole trail. And if New York was smart, they would finish the trail and make it one continuous road free route. Hear that Cuomo? Finish the trail!


Berkshires to Boston Tour September 14-18, 2016


Yeah... I'm pretty sure I want to do this again. Only this time with a better bike. I know now what to expect and there will be familiar face. So yeah. Definitely have to go back.


And there will be smaller rides. Day longs. S24O. Whatever I can fit.


What about you? Any rides planned for next year? Anyone interested in biking as a group?

Berkshires to Boston Bicycle Tour

I think the theme for this summer and fall for me will be biking. As in two wheels. Motor free. Pedal power. I'm not really sure how this reinvigorated interest in the bicycle came to be, but I will freely admit the last few months have really sucked. Lots of taking on more than I can chew; my personal life faltering; and a need for an escape. What better way for freedom than with my own two feet? Running? Eh, makes my knees hurt. Driving? My can can be a gas guzzler. And then there's my bike.
And my other two bikes.

Yes, I have three bikes. Overboard? Maybe. But one I got for free, and the ten speed I've delegated as my training bike. The hybrid is the star and chill as much as he or she wants. I haven't decided if it's a he or a she. No name, just bike. But maybe it will get one this summer.

Anyways, I'm on this biking kick and researching all the bike paths/rail trail in the area. I forget what exactly I was looking for, but I came across the Berkshires to Boston bike tour. Still relatively new (it only started back in 2013), participants bike roughly 240 miles over four days from Western Massachusetts to Boston, just in time for that city's bicycle celebration "Hub on Wheels." Riders can choose to stay at the campgrounds each night or stay at a participating hotel if they don't really feel like roughing it. There are meal options where they supply you with most of your meals, or just breakfast or dinner. There's even a pre-tour bike ride to Mt. Graylock, the state's highest peak! If you can't get away for the four days, there's a weekend option. For an additional feel they bus the riders (and their gear) from Boston back to the starting point.

I am foregoing the warm up ride (have to work), but I will do the tour in its entirely. My plan as of now is go to work, get in a workout before heading over to Hancock, MA to meet up with group. As part of the registration fee Wednesday night's dinner is included. I chose not to get the meal plan for two reasons... okay, three:

1. I'm not really a breakfast person, so I can't see shelling out $60 for a bunch of stuff I won't be interested in. I'll just grab a coffee on the route.
2. I going through towns in Massachusetts I never think twice about. I'm going to explore and enjoy what's out there. Eating included.
3. Registration fee plus the ride back to Hancock was over $400.00. Even though I'll be buying stuff along the way, I want to try to save as much as I can.

Even though I'm biking with a group, I'm doing this by myself. Which doesn't make it so scary since there are other people doing this too. Strangers, yes... but doing the same thing. Who knows, maybe some readers out there are signed up or interested in signing up. If so, woohoo! Always good to see a familiar face. Or maybe not familiar face but whatever. You know what I'm saying.

The prices, sadly, have gone up. To register for this tour is now $398 (full)/$235 (weekend). The ride back may still be $65, you'd have to check the website for that. And if it seems pricey, know this is what you get for it (full registration, C&P job from the website):

• Marked route each day
• Camping accommodations on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.
• Shower and sanitary facilities in each campground
• Baggage transportation each day
• Sag support each day
• Mechanical support on route and in camp
• Seven rest stops
• Wednesday night dinner at Hancock Shaker Village and opening night entertainment
• Hub On Wheels registration
• Rider Guide
• High-quality printed route map and guide
• Rider registration bag with useful tour and take-home items.

Freebies! And I think you get stuff from the Hub On Wheels as well. 

Anyways, check out the Berkshires to Boston website. If you are doing this, post in the comments. If you're not but have done something similar (supported or unsupported), leave a comment as well.