Micro-Tour 01: Camp Glen Grey, New Jersey
"As a novice in the group, it made all the difference in the world to have people willing to teach, lead, guide, support, and fix my flat tire and chain falling off the wheel and... and... and... all while smiling along the way. Without that, I think I could have easily grown disheartened. Instead, I found myself grateful for community I walked into and could gain a sense of accomplishment along the way, all while looking forward to learning more in the future. "
Introduction
718 Micro-Tours are a quick way to escape the city on the weekend, on your bike. Meet at the shop on Saturday, meet new friends, ride to our destination, eat, camp, and return to the shop on Sunday. No work is missed, but worlds are opened up.
These are free excursions, designed to provide an excellent format for a newer rider to explore adventure cycling in a safe, fun environment.. In addition, an advanced rider will enjoy discovering new destinations and new friends to ride with.
These flash trips are considered "unsupported". No hotels, no lobster, no one ferrying your bags across the river on their head. It's you, your bike, your gear and some fantastic like-minded people. If this sounds good to you,
The Ride
The ride was scheduled for 40 miles ( Ride Map Here), with a large group leaving from 718 Cyclery , and meeting up with another group on the George Washington Bridge. The ride included 1.755 feet of climbing.
Ride Map created in Google Maps and exported to GPS formats
718 Staff had made 2 reconnaissance rides in the weeks leading up to the ride, so the group was prepared.
Group preparing to leave 718 Cyclery Saturday morning
The 40 person
group
was broken into 6 smaller rider groups, each with a leader. Four 718 employees provided event
marshaling
Crossing the Brooklyn Bridge, Saturday morning
The group rolled through New Jersey, crossing over major interstates and loits of train tracks
Rides making their way through commercial New Jersey
There were a few "
mechanicals
" along the way..including 3 flats and a split hub flange.
Flat tire
We had a 20 mile pit-stop in Hackensack, and a 30 mile one in Ridgewood
Mile 30 Pit-stop in Ridgewood, NJ
The main group arrived at
camp
around 4pm, with some groups arriving
sooner
and later.
We camped st McMullen Field at Camp Glen Gray...water and latrines were ver close by
