Ride Schedule | How to Prepare | FAQ | Ride Leaders

Hazon’s New York Area Summer Rides are free, fun rides of varying lengths and difficulty. We have rides which explore New York City and rides which go to the surrounding suburbs. Our free rides are a great way to:

• Find out what Hazon is all about
• Train for the 2012 New York Ride
• Connect with old friends you met on a previous ride
• Spend a day exploring new places…by bike!

FREE Summer Rides in 2012:

• June 3 – Rockaways (Round Trip: 35 miles from Brooklyn, 55 miles from Manhattan)
• June 17 – Bike to the Beach (Multiple start location, option to ride one-way or round trip.  More info here)
• July 22 – Nyack (Round Trip: 45 miles from Manhattan over the GW Bridge)
• August 12 – Westchester Trail (Round Trip: 35 miles from Manhattan)

Please note: destinations and mileage may change the week before a ride.  Make sure to check back each week.

RSVP for a Sunday ride (not required, but encouraged!)

What you should bring on a Hazon summer ride:

• A helmet (mandatory – no one will be allowed to ride without a helmet)
• Water bottle
• Sunscreen
• Food or money for food – you should have something to eat about every hour – a few bites from a sandwich, a powerbar, etc.
• Spare tubes – we usually have people on the rides who can help you fix flats, but you are responsible for having spare tubes.
• Bike bell (required by NYC law)
• Extra layers (recommended)

What you should do to prepare for a training ride:

• Eat a good breakfast! Banana Pancakes with maple syrup is ideal.
• Fill up your water bottles
• Come to the starting location on time

Frequently Asked Questions:

What if I’m not training for anything – can I still come?
YES! Summer Rides are fun rides – everyone is welcome, whether you’re getting ready to ride a century in the NY Ride or not. Please respect ride level categorizations – a long country ride is not appropriate for a beginner rider. However, there is no requirement that you be ‘in training’ for anything at all.

What if I AM training for the NY Ride – will summer rides get me ready?
YES! Training rides are a great way to get in shape, get used to sitting on your bike seat for long periods of time, and slowly working your body up to a point where it can ride 125 miles in two days – or more! If you are a new rider, start with some skills classes, and work up through the Urban Rides and then the long country rides, which will be similar in distance to the NY Ride itself.

If I have not been on a bike yet this summer, can I come?
If you have not ridden in a while, we strongly suggest you look for beginner rides in the New York Area or ride with friends to get comfortable on your bike.  We suggest riding loops in Central Park or Prospect Park to get comfortable.

Where can I rent a bike?
If you do not have your own bike, most bicycle shops will rent a bike for a day. Check out a list of bicycle shops near the JCC Manhattan here.

Questions? Contact us!
Rachel Yerkey, Training Ride Coordinator – rachel.yerkey@hazon.org

Ride Leaders

Our Rides are led by volunteer ride leaders. You do not need to be an expert cyclist to lead a ride – we need leaders of all levels. Ride leaders will help start the ride, and help direct the ride according to the cue sheet. Ride leaders are not expected to provide food, water, or mechanical support, but are expected lend a hand when possible and to provide encouragement and help less experienced riders.

If you would like to be a leader, contact Rachel Yerkey. We would like to have two volunteers for each Ride (and Bike to the Beach). If you lead 3 or more rides, you can receive cycling gifts from Hazon.