The big idea & ride agenda

Back by popular demand! But first, a quick why. Welp, over the last few years I (Jaryn) have been piecing together a bunch of back and forth trips with a combination of bike / car / train rides and have come to fall in love with both the route itself and the juxtaposition between riding bicycles between two very different places. 

Like anything, when we here at BBB come to really enjoy something we feel the need to share it with our friends. From there Empire Trail State of Mind was born. Last year was led with the mindset of 'fully unsupported' as a bit of a play on words and this year will be more of the same. We are going incorporate a bit more planning into the finish zone changing situation (last year we all changed in the van) and a few more 'sag wagon' vehicles just to cover our bases but things will still stay pretty lean. 

That said we'll have some basic food / hydration / support at a couple of aid stations along the way, roughly at mile 30ish and mile 65ish, TBD.  If riding your bicycle with a bunch of other merry pranksters on a long and winding path that ends in the middle of the heart of NY, this is for you. See ya out there !

Please Read Important Updates Below !!!

• August 27th 8pm Great Barrington shop: Pre Ride Info Session
• September 1st 
  • Wassaic Train Station Parking Lot 
    • 7:15am: Arrive at Wassaic Station Parking Lot
    • 7:30am: Coffee & Donuts. Distribute SAG Drivers Contact Info. Load bags into Van.
    • 7:45am: Riders Meeting
    • 8:00am: Ride leaves
    • 3pm - 6pm: Arrivals. 
  • Arrivals:  Specialized NYC - Upper West Side  
    • 3pm - 6pm: Change clothes / Eat Food / Walk around Central Park
    • 4pm - 6pm: Load bikes into van for transport back to GB Shop
    • 7pm: Van leaves NYC back to BBB GB
    • 7:09pm: Group Train Ride from Grand Central to Wassaic - Buy tickets ahead of time on Metro North APP 
      • Other Train Options from Grand Central to Wassaic: 3:09pm / 5:09pm / 7:09pm
    • 10:30pm: Bikes arrive back at BBB GB
    • 12am: We close the doors to BBB GB. All bikes not picked up by midnight will be available for pickup at BBB GB anytime during store hours starting Tuesday September 3rd.

FAQ's

Where should you park your car?

• Totally fine to park your car at the Wassaic Train Station lot. Wayyy more fun to organize amongst yourselves to carpool from The Berkshires. We cannot accommodate parking at BBB GB.  We will tow all cars left at BBB GB . . . just kidding.  We recommend parking at the Big Y parking lot in Great Barrington when carpooling.

What time will the sag wagon get to Grand Central ?

• The SAG Wagon will plan to arrive in NYC around 3pm. You will need to hold onto your bike until then, and will not be able to get your clothes out of the van until then

Why are we starting from Wassaic ?

• We are starting from the Wassaic Station Metro North Parking Lot in Amenia so that people can take the train back whenever they’d like to and their cars will be there waiting for them.

How do I get my bike back from the Sag Wagon?

• Your bike will be labeled with your name on it and will return to Great Barrington late Sunday night.  We will hang around until midnight Sunday Night for bike pickups. After that, bikes can be picked up anytime during GB BBB business hours starting Tuesday 9/3/24

What time does the train leave from Grand Central to Wassaic ?

• Trains run from Grand Central to Wassaic @ 3:09pm / 5:09pm / 7:09pm

How do I get back to Wassaic?

• We will all be taking the Metro North Railroad from Grand Central to Wassaic. Because riders will all be riding different speeds, everyone will be allowed to get on whatever train they would like. We recommend downloading the Metro North App ahead of time so you can buy tickets on your phone. Approximately $25 one way.  Reminder that your bike won’t be back to the GB shop until approximately 10:30pm.

What pace ?

• We will be organizing riders roughly based on ability levels. Groups will be able to split into smaller groups if riders would like as long as you have the route. Any riders not expected to make the last train will have to hop in the car at the last aid station or fend for themselves back from NYC. If you cannot see yourself averaging > 14mph then you may be out of reach of the ‘time cut’. Please email jpierson@berkshirebikeandboard.com if you have questions about this.

How much does this cost ?

• $30

Where are we going to eat ?

• There are a million wonderful places to eat in NYC. Because we will all be arriving to NYC at different times we are not going to plan on one meal all together.

What should you bring ?

• You should bring EVERYTHING you need to ride your bike from Wassaic to NYC as if you were unsupported. Yes we will have a support van but the spirit of this ride is ‘unsupported’. You should have . . . cash, flat tire repair kit w/ tube, proper gear depending on the weather, change of clothes if you so choose, food, plenty of H20, etc.

How will you know if there is anybody going who is planning on riding your speed?

• Welp, bring a friend ! Beyond that, we are starting a Strava Group Chat that everyone can post in about what their potential plans are and their expected speed so we can start to dial in all of our expectations.

How are we all going to ride down the bike path at the same time on a weekend day?

• We’re not. We will split up into multiple groups of 10 - 12 riders based on ability level. We will make sure to have these groups spaced out by the time we get onto the bike paths. MAX SPEED on the bike path is 18mph, we will be sure to adhere to these guidelines to stay safe and keep other walkers / riders on the bike path safe. SLOW DOWN to 15mph or less when passing anyone in either direction, and stop at ALL ROAD CROSSINGS.