Eighth annual 26 mile intermediate MTB ride for Marathon Sunday - COVID safe!!

IMPORTANT SATURDAY MORNING UPDATE:

Meet at 7:45 am.

First ride starts at 8:00 am.

Rain is forecast to start around noon on Sunday so I want to start early enough to finish before the rain. If you still want to start with your group at 9, feel free to do so. But be aware you may be finishing in the rain or have to bail out early to avoid riding in the rain.

*******************************************************************************

Meet at 8:45 am. (CHANGED to 7:45 - see above)

First ride starts at 9:00 am. (CHANGED to 8:00 - see above)

SPECIAL SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE RULES will apply this year. Normally, the big group naturally breaks up into smaller groups with the faster, stronger, more advanced riders up front and the more intermediate riders behind (PLEASE, NO BEGINNERS THIS YEAR!!!). To be sure we don't become a super-spreader event, everyone should form their own small (6 people or less) group, perhaps with people you normally ride with, and we will stagger the starts by a few minutes with the more advanced riders going first. Try to organize your smaller group BEFORE Sunday morning to expedite the starts. For those who cannot group up, don't worry; we'll manage it Sunday morning. Please try to include at least one person in your group who has done this ride before so they can lead you through both parks and cover the full 26+ miles.

DON'T FORGET TO TURN YOUR CLOCKS BACK 1 HOUR ON SATURDAY NIGHT giving you 1 extra hour!

This ride is to honor those that would normally be running in the NYC Marathon on this same day. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, the NYC Marathon is cancelled this year. But we can still ride.

We did this the last 7 years so let's do it again.

Last year (2019), 32 riders started with 14 completing all 26.2+ miles.
In 2018, 22 riders started, 14 finished.
In 2017, 22 started, 10 finished.
In 2016, 30 started, 13 finished.
In 2015, 17 started, 11 finished.
In 2014, 24 started, 7 finished.
In 2013, 16 started, 6 finished.

Here is a link to last year's ride. Check out the pics and all of the comments:

https://www.meetup.com/njmountainbiking/events/265962994/

This is really 2 rides: one at Deer Park (about 11 miles) and one at Stephens (about 15 miles). Our rides are normally no drop rides but because we have to cover a long distance, if you have a major mechanical or are lagging way behind, we may have to drop you so be sure to bring maps of the parks so you can find your own way. Our pace won't be blazing, but moderate and steady with only a few stops to regroup.

We'll do Deer Park first followed by Stephens. (DON'T DRIVE TO THE NORMAL DEER PARK PARKING LOT!!!! PARK AT STEPHENS!!! SEE DIRECTIONS BELOW.) We usually get back to the cars from Deer Park at around 11:30 and start the Stephens part around noon or a little later if people were lagging behind at Deer Park.

Park at the big gate at Stephens. We can access both parks from there and return to the cars for water and food and a quick break in between rides.

ONCE AGAIN, DON'T FORGET TO TURN YOUR CLOCKS BACK 1 HOUR ON SATURDAY NIGHT! If you forget, you'll be an hour early! So our 9 am start is really 10 am on the previous day's time.

Directions from Route 80 West bound:

Take Exit 25 (Route 206 N toward Stanhope/Newton)

Take the first right toward International Trade Center/Waterloo Village

Follow the exit ramp around in a loop and make the first right on Continental Drive

At the stop sign at the end of Continental Drive, turn left on Waterloo Road

Follow Waterloo Road for roughly 2 miles. During this 2 miles, you will pass Waterloo Village on the left, the Boy Scout Camp entrance on the right, and go under the Route 80 overpass. Kinney Road (sometimes spelled Kinny) will be on the left. There is no street sign at the corner but there is a sign a little before the turn. So turn left on Kinney Road, drive over the small bridge and park near the big gate on the left. Don't block the gate unless you want to risk getting a ticket!