Some insight into the New York cycling scene

[traak]

Hey folks.

 

 

 

After living and cycling in and around Joburg from 2003-2006, I moved to Chicago, where I didn't ride a lot at all. My fitness level went from being an "A" seeded guy to "not-good-at-all". It was only this year (after another move to New York), when I re-discovered my passion for road cycling.

 

 

 

One wouldn't think, that NY is a good place for riding. At least I didn't. However, it turned out that Central Park in Manhattan and Prospect Park in Brooklyn are ideal spots for early morning weekday rides. And that only 20km north of downtown Manhattan, you find quiet, winding, undulating roads through idyllic forest areas, along the Hudson river.

 

 

 

So, a couple of months ago, when I discovered, that all my cycling kit didn't really fit all that well anymore, I got on my bike again. Since then, I've been riding 4 times a week, doing long rides on the weekend. I've found a couple of groups, which go out regularly. There are also a couple of clubs, like Club 100 etc.

 

 

 

There are quite a lot of charity events for cyclists, which are not quite races. But they are organized with marshalls and rest stops on the way. I found out that those are a great way to discover the city. Last Sunday, I did the NYC Century Bike Tour, which is a 100 mile event, through all parts of New York City. It was a very nice experience and I met a lot of new folks.

 

 

 

As for racing, it's interesting to see, that South Africa's amateur racing scene is much ahead of the US. South African riders should be grateful for the fact, that there's at least one race per week (usually with partial road closures) during the summer months. There are only occasional races in and around New York. Also, there's no national seeding system and no timing of the events. Races are timed by hand with video cameras on tripods. They have 5 categories of racers, with Cat.5 being the slowest guys. There's a staggered start. You have to do at least 10 races a year to progress into Cat.4. From there, results count. Only a certain percentage of the best Cat.4 riders make it into Cat.3 and so on and so forth...

 

 

 

I haven't gotten back to racing (yet). Don't feel the urge to compete in an organized way. Still, when I'm on that climb, and somebody overtakes me, I gotta catch him :-)

 

 

 

I still miss riding in SA - don't think it's much safer here. NY traffic is as mad as Joburg traffic.

 

 

 

 

 

That's it - maybe it was interesting for some of you.

 

 

 

 

 

Take care out there.

 

Torsten

 

 

 

P.S.: Some pictures and stories: www.indoorpicnic.com/category/cycling

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Dibles]

It is interesting to hear how the racing scene works on that side of the world.

 

That's quite a ride you wrote about on the link!

 

Thanks for sharing it with us Torsten.

[SwissVan]

 

Thanks for the view from NY, would be great to see some pictures taken on some of your rides...

I agree with your comments about the amateur racing in SA compared to what I have experienced here, SA does have it all in that regard.

 

 

[Willehond]

I spent six months in Manhatten BC (Before cycling) and never thought you could actually ride safely there!  Too much hooting and hectic taxi's, so I am impressed that you are gettingout there and doing it.

 

The cycling culture in Holland is obviously much more alive than in the US, but even here the timed races are few and far between.  Racing is quite intense and small, but there is also no national seeding for the average cyclist.

 

Went for a recon ride yesterday north of Eindhoven and enjoyed the quiet country roads and tolerand drivers on the very flat roads.  A joy to train on, but I also struggle to find races to do every weekend.  The guys in SA are lucky.  Seriously.

 

Torsten, if you need to come and ride in Holland and need an excuse, shout and I'll organise you some SAP meetings as cover

[traak]

Willehond: you work for SAP?

 

 

 

I grew up in Germany - very close to the dutch border. (Aachen), so I'm very familiar with the area you're in. The only challenge is finding hills

 

 

 

 

 

 

[traak]

?

 

Thanks for the view from NY' date=' would be great to see some pictures taken on some of your rides...

 

I agree with your comments about the amateur racing in SA compared to what I have experienced here, SA does have it all in that regard.

 

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[/quote']

 

 

 

swissvan: here's the link to some of the cycling related stuff. Only one set of pics from New York so far. I'll post some from the mentioned century soon.

[ezzy.j]

You are so right traak and all you other overseas correspondents - hard to admit, but it's not all roses outside of SA - and SA has the best amateur racing (both i.t.o. organisation and competition level) that I am aware of - and even the Pro thang in SA is EXCELLENT!

 

Take a bow all you South Africans - I put it down to the SA work ethic and can-do attitude!

 

My son is in SA right now, chasing a pro dream - we found that Australia is just backward  when compared to SA, in a "promoting cycling" respect.

 

Beat your chests about that too.

 

Hope that's given all you folk in SA some consolation.

[GFishy]

You are so right traak and all you other overseas correspondents?- hard to admit' date=' but it's not all roses outside of SA - and SA has the best amateur racing (both i.t.o. organisation and competition level) that I am aware of - and even the Pro thang in SA is EXCELLENT!

 

?

 

Take a bow all you South Africans - I put it down to the SA work ethic and can-do attitude!

 

?

 

My son is in SA right now, chasing a pro dream - we found that Australia is just backward https://www.bikehub.co.za/smileys/smiley5.gif" height="17" width="17" align="absmiddle" alt="Confused">?when compared to SA, in?a "promoting cycling"?respect.

 

?

 

Beat your chests about that too.

 

?

 

Hope that's given all you folk in SA some consolation.

[/quote']

 

 

 

Atleast I read this before I booked tickets to come to Aus for races...LOL

 

Here is like no races here...Triathlons etc but no road races...

 

I'll rather fly to SA and do Rooiwal than a triathlon...

[Dirtbreath]

if SA racing is so far ahead where does it go wrong?

 

Do you commute at all traak?

[tazman]

Hey there traak, if all goes the way I'd like I might be joining you next year in NY. I'm applying for a position at Metro Hotel in Manhatten.

So here's holding thumbs 'til then.

[Willehond]

Willehond: you work for SAP?

I grew up in Germany - very close to the dutch border. (Aachen)' date=' so I'm very familiar with the area you're in. The only challenge is finding hills


[/quote']

 

I rode through Aachen a week or two ago!  What do you mean it's flat, that's the Dutch Alps!  I moved from Maastricht (where I work), to Eindhoven last week, but still ride near Aachen (or Aken as the Dutch call it) in the afternoons.

 

Willehond2008-09-11 08:29:50

[SwissVan]

 

DB - IMO it's this very reason that traak mentioned, SA races cater more for the fun/amateur riders than for the elite level riders, whereas overseas (well here in switz anyway) they cater more for the elite level and not so much for the part time / fun rider.

 

Ive done a few "fun" rides here which if you looked at the riders taking part they would easily be comparable to the top vets (Road and mtb) in SA. 

 

I dont think there is a swiss word that combines fun and race...

 

 

[Willehond]

 

DB - IMO it's this very reason that traak mentioned' date=' SA races cater more for the fun/amateur riders than for the elite level riders, whereas overseas (well here in switz anyway) they cater more for the elite level and not so much for the part time / fun rider.

 

Ive done a few "fun" rides here which if you looked at the riders taking part they would easily be comparable to the top vets (Road and mtb) in SA. 

 

I dont think there is a swiss word that combines fun and race...

 

 

[/quote'] ditto

[AndreZA]

Thank you guys, I always find it interesting to read about how SA compares to other countries. Normally only the work and politic issue get discussed but the "hobby" stuff don't get mentioned.

 

 

[Dirtbreath]

Hey Swiss. I think cycling in Europe cant be compared to anywhere else but I was wondering more about the States, Oz, South America.

 

I walked New York for one solid week and only found 2 bike shops. So disappointed when most of the stuff was for commuter bikes. I was hoping to find some mtb bling and gadgets.

 

Central Park is amazing!

[SwissVan]

Hey Swiss. I think cycling in Europe cant be compared to anywhere else but I was wondering more about the States' date=' Oz, South America.

 

I walked New York for one solid week and only found 2 bike shops. So disappointed when most of the stuff was for commuter bikes. I was hoping to find some mtb bling and gadgets.

 

Central Park is amazing!

[/quote']

 

Well thats definetly true when it comes to bike shops... there are 9 bike shops within 5 km of where I live, 6 of them are good quality top of the range brand shops, the other 3 lean more towards commuting and low range mtb's.

Population of the canton is +/- 109 000 in an area of +/- 240sq km

 

So I guess you could say we are spoilt for choice...