It's Time To
Get Back In The Saddle! 

Ride Dates: April 9th to June 11th

 

 

STS means SPRING TRAINING SERIES...

 

Whether you're training for a big event ride like the OutCycling Pride Ride (Sunday, June 19th) or just need to get back in the saddle after a winter off your bike, STS can help you achieve your cycling goals.

 

Series Summary
 

Rides are fun, friendly, and informal. The routes follow quiet roads as much as possible. These routes give the STS rides a more relaxed, social feel. STS offers a variety of routes and choices each week so all riders can find a group that best suits their ride speed and duration.

 

While the rides are no-drop (meaning you won't get left behind), we do not have formal "leads or sweeps," and we ask all riders to be comfortable navigating with RidewithGPS (we provide) and fixing flats on their own. If you are unsure what any of that means, don’t worry — it’s not complicated and we will help you get up and running in online workshops before the series starts.

 

Ready to Ride? REGISTER NOW

 

 

Training Objectives & Types Of Rides
 

Rides are tailored each week to accommodate as many different types of riders as possible. Our core training plans, which are based on the most common riding styles, are listed below:

 

• Rides building from 30 ➜ 50 miles at 12-15 mph*
  Ideal for intermediate cyclists who want a relaxed ride, but still stay healthy and in shape. These rides are very casual and friendly, but you'll get a workout.
  
  
• Rides building from 40 ➜ 65 miles at 14-17 mph*
  Great for riders who are starting to build up to longer rides, but don’t want to live in the saddle. These rides are perfect to build up to a "metric century" (100 km, ~62 mi).
  
  
• Rides building from 50 ➜ 80 miles at 15+ mph*
  Good for advanced riders who love long rides, but like to keep their speed moderate and relish the scenery. Riders will have the option of choosing add-on miles each week for those who would like an extra challenge.

 

* Speeds shown are typical speeds "on the flats." They are not the average ride speed shown by your GPS app.

 

Shorter Distance Options are available on many of the rides for people who prefer shorter rides or simply don't have the time for a longer ride that day. Many of the shorter distance options require a train or subway ride on return to the City. In the list of rides to the right (or below if you're on a mobile device), when you see 🚇after a mileage number it means that distance involves a subway return. When you see 🚆after a mileage number it means that distance involves a commuter train return (MetroNorth, NJ Transit, LIRR).

 

If you are new to Road Cycling and are uncertain about riding outside the city, you can sign up for the "Introduction to Road Cycling" rides, which are a series of formal training sessions the first three weeks of the series. The Intro Series covers all the fundamentals, like how to handle traffic, how to ride in a group, how best use your gears, fixing a flat on the road, etc. After you complete those training rides you can ride with the larger group the last three weeks.

When possible, STS will also offers Hill Climber options: 

These are will be add-on route extensions to one of the core rides and are for people who love hills. If you see ⛰after a mileage number in the list of rides on the right, it means there's a hill climber option available and that's the distance for hill climbers.

 

Please know your speed and be certain you can keep up with the stated speed of the rides you sign up for. As stated above, we are a no-drop club, but finding the right group ensures that everyone has the most pleasant and safe ride they can.

 

You are not tied to any one training plan. It's completely understandable that one Saturday you may be full of energy and want to do that long, fast ride and the next you may be tired and just want a shorter, slower ride to unwind. Listen to your body and do what suits you best each week.

 

 

What Happens Each Week…

 

Rides generally take place on Saturday each week, starting Saturday April 9 and run through Saturday May 21 (with a bonus 7th ride on June 11.) Rides will pushed to Sunday in the event of bad weather.

 

"Week 0" Self Timed Ride (April 9) - you will ride around Central Park four times as quickly as you can without it being unpleasant. The elapsed time will translate into your ride speed. Knowing your ride speed will make sure you pick rides that are right for you throughout the series. Get to know your fellow riders in Central Park afterwards.

 

Knowing your speed is important because we ride informally, meaning rides do not have leads and sweeps. So in the first couple weeks you'll get a sense of who is compatible with your speed and style of riding and then it's usually best to stick with that group throughout the series and "buddy-up." Though riding with a slower group is always an option if you're willing or prefer to slow down for any given ride.

 

Weeks 1-5: Training - you'll gradually build up distance (and speed) depending on your particular goal as explained below.

 

1. (NJ) Market Diner + Piermont, Nyack or Rockland Lake
2. (NY) Bronxville & Larchmont + Scarsdale, Rye or The Bronx
3. (NJ) Rockland Lake + Nyack and/or Saddle River
4. (NJ) Saddle River Trail + S. Mountain Road or Market Diner
5. (NY) Bronx River + Rye, Armonk or Pound Ridge

Route specifics are subject to change as the ride date approaches

 

Week 6: Ride & Picnic - a more relaxed, social week with plenty of food and fun.

 

"Week 7": A bonus ride - We're adding an additional ride this year – to Oyster Bay. It will take place after Memorial Day and before Pride Ride. It involves more urban riding than the other weeks, and a bit less structure overall. 

 

 

So lots of options for all types of riders. Sign up today.

Price

*Included with 2022 Peloton, Breakaway, and Beyond Memberships.
Members, sign in to RSVP for rides.

Not a Season Member? Join OutCycling now or sign up for the series here.