About us
The mission of this group is exactly what the name implies, we want to provide good company and a positive atmosphere to experience those things that, for whatever reason, you either weren't able to do before or don't get to do often enough. To work toward that, we try to offer a wide variety of things for you to do with us. We try to cater to the interests of as many people as possible. But we are few and you are many, and this means to do what we want as well as possible, we need your help. Feel free to email me with any suggestions you might have. We won't do everything, but I can promise that we'll give everything fair consideration. This group is special because of its members, and I look forward to meeting and building new experiences with as many of you as possible. Hope to see you soon!
Upcoming events
2
Not So Urban Athletics: Bike the Jersey Shore
Long Branch Train Station, 3rd Avenue, Long Branch, NJ, USWhat comes to mind when you think of the Jersey Shore? If you said Snookie, The Situation, and fist pumping then you REALLY need to turn off the television and join me on this cycle tour to see a side of the Jersey Shore never shown on television. This ride is a meetup favorite so let's do it again.
The plan...
We'll gather at the New Jersey Transit train station in Long Branch to begin our adventure. From here we'll ride a few blocks over to the shoreline and begin our journey Southward. We'll take in the sights as we ride down the coast and watch the neighborhoods change -- starting with the town of Deal and its uber-wealth and seaside mansions, through Asbury Park, the home of The Boss and one-time resort destination [and home of Purple Glaze, one of the best donut shops in Jersey], to Ocean Grove, a curious and beautiful Victorian Christian settlement, on through to scenic Spring Lake.
We'll have a late lunch in Spring Lake and if we are feeling a bit lazy and want to hang out, we can park our rides and spend an hour or two on the sand shooting the breeze and enjoying the weather. The last part of our ride will bring us back to Long Branch to depart for home.
The important stuff...
• By RSVPing for this event, you agree to the following waiver of liability https://bit.ly/3atj0C5
• This is going to be a casually-paced ride of about 30 miles. Most of the ride will take place on flat terrain in bike lanes and on quiet roads but there will be parts with some automobile congestion. You must be comfortable riding in a group and in traffic. Helmets are required.
• Leave your evening open as this event could take 4 hours or it could take 12 hours. Our time is limited only by the amount of fun the group is having.
• Dress for physical activity.
• Bring money for lunch or a snack.
• Make sure your bike is in good working order before the meetup and bring a lock in case we need to leave our cycles.
• Rain or similar un-favorable weather cancels the meetup.
• Check your email the evening before for last minute meetup updates as well as my mobile phone number which will be sent to those who RSVP.
• Please DO NOT RSVP if you do not seriously plan to attend as space is limited. No flakes allowed! If you RSVP and I notice that you have a number of no shows or have a history of last minute cancellations, you will be removed.
How to get there...
By Car
You can use the coordinates 40.297145,-73.988331 in your GPS to guide you, but the station is on 3rd Avenue in Long Branch. Parking at the station lot is free on the weekends and there is also plentiful on street parking.Mass Transit
(If you take the train be sure to CHECK the NJT website BEFOREHAND for current guidance/restrictions.)You can catch the 7:53 AM NJT train #7225 from New York Penn Station and you will arrive in Long Branch at 9:30 AM. Train fare is $19.20 each way. NOTE: NJT rules indicate that only two bicycles are allowed per train car so be sure to arrive at Penn Station early enough to make sure you will be among the first in line to board the train in case there are other cyclists traveling.
Access a map of the ride route HERE.
5 attendees- $29.78
Not So Urban Athletics: Group Camping at Vermont's Kettle Pond State Park
Kettle Pond State Park, Vermont Route 232, Groton, VT, US*** You must submit your payment to move from the waitlist to a confirmed RSVP ***
What sounds more appealing? Spending the Fourth of July stuck in the steamy asphalt jungle, fighting with several thousand other New Yorkers to maybe get a glimpse of the all too brief East River fireworks. Or celebrating the nation's birthday camping in Vermont's beautiful Groton State Forest? Take a look at that photo above and decide for yourself. Yeah, thought so.
Join me and a couple of dozen of your soon to be good friends as we head up for a holiday weekend of group camping at Kettle Pond State Park; an undeveloped waterside wilderness in the Vermont highlands.
In the park you can swim in the pond or sun yourself on the beach, fish, or if so inclined play a little ball or Frisbee. The park is one of seven in Groton State Forest, the second largest state forest in Vermont with over 26,000 acres to explore. You'll have access to all of them and their 17 miles of hiking trails and other amenities, such as canoe rentals and miles of mountain biking trails. Or perhaps head into the nearby towns of Montpelier or St. John's and explore their quaint downtown areas. It's your weekend to do as little or as much as you like.
The plan...
We'll arrive Thursday afternoon at the campground to set up our tents and other gear. From here we can do as much or as little as we'd like. In the evening we'll cook and have a communal meal over an open fire, and spend the rest of the night doing the usual camping activities -- partaking in adult beverages and stuffing our faces with snacks, playing games, and shooting the breeze.
Friday and Saturday we'll get up and make breakfast, then the days are yours to play as you wish. In the evening more campfire cooking, socializing, and merry making will be had, until we nod off.
Sunday we awake to enjoy our last meal together, break down our campsites, then head home.
Cost...
$29.78 per person for the campsite fee. The cost is for THREE nights of camping. Payment is via Venmo.
Space is limited so until I receive your payment your RSVP is not confirmed and your attendance is not guaranteed. Once I have confirmation of receipt of your payment I will move you to confirmed RSVP status.
Refunds will be given only if the meetup is cancelled or rescheduled.
Food plan...
To keep it simple, everyone is responsible for bringing what they would like to eat and drink. We will be cooking dinner Saturday; breakfast and dinner Sunday; and breakfast Monday and it will be semi-communal, meaning bring what you would like to eat for yourself but perhaps also enough to share with a few other people. Simple to cook but interesting items are best.
What else do I need to know?
• I've reserved five group lean-to campsites. Each lean-to site has a fire ring or fireplace with grill for cooking and a picnic table.
• The campground has port-a-let restroom facilities and clean running water. We are not auditioning for Survivor here.
• Meetup will be cancelled only in the event of a zombie apocalypse or locust swarm of biblical proportions. Possibility of rain or any other precipitation and we still camp.
• By RSVPing for this event, you agree to the following waiver of liability https://bit.ly/3atj0C5
Directions...
From I-91N (Exit 17):
Take a left onto US-302 west, go 8.7 miles. Turn right onto VT-232N. Travel 7.5 miles and Kettle Pond is on the left. The park is about 4.5 hours driving time from Manhattan.We'll need to carpool to the campground. When you RSVP, please indicate if need a ride. Or if you plan to drive, where you are coming from and how many passengers you can take. We'll then figure out our carpooling options, please be proactive and contact a driver directly rather than just saying where you need a ride from. Gas and tolls will be shared among all the passengers.
Groton State Forest hiking information HERE.
1 attendee
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