STS Week 0 – Central Park Laps - Recap
Saturday, April 8, 2023 - Recap
Figure out your ride speed…
24 Miles
Saturday, April 8, 2023
The goal of "STS 0" is for people to know their ride speed. Knowing your ride speed is important as you participate in club rides throughout the year. You'll avoid problems and have the best experience if you go on rides that best match your ride speed.
The STS 0 ride involves timing yourself as you go around Central Park FOUR times. Each lap is ~6 miles, so the ride will be ~24 miles in total. However, "ride speed" is your speed on the flats, and there are hills in Central Park. So you might think that someone who takes 2 hours to go the 24 miles would be a 12 mph rider, but they're actually a 13-14 mph rider since time is added to compensate for the hills.
We defer to the NYCC's timings for this ride as they've been doing these rides for a very long time. Here's their breakdown of times for each speed:
22 mph = 1h 10m or less
21 mph = 1h 10m to 1h 13m
20 mph = 1h 13m to 1h 16m
19 mph = 1h 16m to 1h 20m
18 mph = 1h 20m to 1h 25m
17 mph = 1h 25m to 1h 30m
16 mph = 1h 30m to 1h 38m
15 mph = 1h 38m to 1h 48m
14 mph = 1h 48m to 2h 00m
13 mph = 2h 00m to 2h 14m
12 mph = 2h 14m to 2h 30m
11 mph = 2h 30m to 2h 50m
It's important to do all four laps since "ride speed" is the speed you can maintain over a long distance, not the speed at which you can sprint. Also, if you're not used to going longer distances, 24 miles is long enough to make you realize that you may not have prepared for the ride properly (e.g., you didn't bring enough food and fluids to make it the full 24 miles.) It's much better to learn that lesson in the safety of Central Park than it is in the middle of New Jersey!
If you can't make the scheduled time for the ride, it's a good idea to do the ride on your own at a time that suits your schedule.
If it's easier to get to Prospect Park, you can test your speed there as well. Do SEVEN laps around Prospect Park and then refer to the following table to determine your speed:
22 mph = 1h 5m or less
21 mph = 1h 5m to 1h 10m
20 mph = 1h 10m to 1h 15m
19 mph = 1h 15m to 1h 20m
18 mph = 1h 20m to 1h 25m
17 mph = 1h 25m to 1h 30m
16 mph = 1h 30m to 1h 35m
15 mph = 1h 35m to 1h 40m
14 mph = 1h 40m to 1h 47m
13 mph = 1h 47m to 1h 55m
12 mph = 1h 55m to 2h 5m
There are no better or worse ride speeds – just different capabilities and styles of riding. This metric will help you choose which rides you will enjoy the most.
If you find that long rides don't suit you (yet), you may want to consider our "Intro To Road Cycling" series that will help you build the skills you need to be a more confident cyclist.
Ride Details
| Series | Included with Spring Training Series 2023 |
| Distance | 24 Miles |
| Start Location | Sent to registered members |
| Date | Saturday, April 8, 2023 |
| Meet Time | Sent to registered members |
| Start Time | Sent to registered members |
| Level | All Levels |
| Speed | All Speeds |
| Ride Organizer | Peter E. |
Riders
Peter E.
Tony M.
Christian T.
Christopher M.
Billy D.
Jonas L.
Chris G.
Mario C.
Brett M.
Thomas S.
Marc L.
R S
Robert S.
Stephan P.
Chris H.
Nico C.
S V
Sheryll V.
A P
Ana P.
J R
Joseph R.
Valcy E.
Peter S.
Robert D.
M G
Matthew G.
Nicole K.
Oz A.
RIDES AND EVENTS CALENDAR
SAT
14
JAN
WED
18
JAN
WED
01
FEB
SAVE THE DATE - NYC LGBT Sports Network Spring Season Kickoff
SUN
12
FEB
THU
16
FEB
SAT
18
FEB
SUN
26
FEB
SUN
05
MAR
SUN
12
MAR
SUN
12
MAR
SUN
19
MAR
SUN
19
MAR
SUN
26
MAR
THU
30
MAR
SUN
02
APR
FRI
07
APR
SAT
08
APR
SAT
08
APR
SAT
15
APR
SUN
16
APR
SAT
22
APR
SUN
23
APR
TUE
25
APR
SAT
06
MAY
SAT
06
MAY
MON
08
MAY
SAT
13
MAY
SAT
13
MAY
SUN
21
MAY
SUN
21
MAY
TUE
23
MAY
SAT
27
MAY
SAT
03
JUN
SAT
03
JUN
SAT
03
JUN
THU
08
JUN
SUN
11
JUN
SAT
17
JUN
SUN
18
JUN
SUN
18
JUN
SUN
25
JUN
SAT
15
JUL
SAT
22
JUL
SAT
22
JUL
THU
27
JUL
SUN
20
AUG
SUN
27
AUG
SUN
03
SEP
SAT
23
SEP
SUN
01
OCT
FRI
06
OCT
SUN
08
OCT
WED
11
OCT
THU
19
OCT
SAT
21
OCT
SUN
22
OCT
SAT
28
OCT
SAT
11
NOV
SAT
18
NOV
SUN
19
NOV
SAT
02
DEC
SAT
02
DEC
SAT
09
DEC
SAT
09
DEC
SAT
16
DEC
TUE
19
DEC
WED
28
FEB
THU
07
MAR
MON
18
MAR
THU
04
APR
SAT
06
APR
SAT
06
APR
THU
11
APR
SAT
13
APR
SUN
14
APR
SUN
14
APR
SAT
20
APR
SUN
21
APR
SUN
21
APR
SAT
27
APR
SUN
28
APR
SAT
04
MAY
SUN
05
MAY
SAT
11
MAY
SAT
18
MAY
SAT
18
MAY
SAT
18
MAY
THU
30
MAY
SAT
01
JUN
SAT
01
JUN
SAT
01
JUN
SUN
02
JUN
SUN
09
JUN
THU
01
AUG
MON
02
SEP
RIDE LEVEL KEY
A - Speed Freak - Fast paceline ride
B - Steady Eddy - Moderately paced ride
C - Easy Rider - Gentle paced ride
The 'Ride Speed' indicates the target cruising speed on flat roads.
Comments:
Anthony G.
April 3, 2023
I sadly cannot make it up to Central Park on Saturday however if anyone is interested in doing seven loops around Prospect Park, lmk!
Peter E.
April 3, 2023
Anthony, as much as I'm sorry I won't get to see you on Saturday, I'm thrilled that you are offering to do the Prospect Park alternative with people.
Anyone in Brooklyn who can't make it to Central Park on Saturday should join you.
Joon P.
April 3, 2023
Anthony, I'll be at Prospect! Brooklyn girlies 🤩
Chris A.
April 3, 2023
haha I'll be at Prospect too 🤜🏼
Peter E.
April 4, 2023
For those interested in riding in Prospect Park instead of Central Park, we have this alternate version. Please RSVP to whichever one you would prefer.
Benjamin T.
April 5, 2023
I'll be at Prospect Park - this is my first time training!
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