2014 A-STS: Spring Training Series for A-riders
No registration is required to participate in the A-STS series.
Please sign up for individual rides in the Upcoming Rides section of the website..
The A-STS was started 13 years ago by SIG graduates who wanted to enjoy challenging weekly Saturday rides through the spring. We do our best to find beautiful, safe and exciting routes, extending classic ride destinations to include less well known countryside north of the City. We often finish our rides with a friendly pint and some good food.
Starting Saturday, March 1st, we begin a 12-week series of rides that will cover around 960 miles. Early rides are at moderate speeds over shorter distances and with limited vertical gain. Progressively, the pace, distance and vertical will increase, with the last ride a Catskill epic of 103 miles with 9,000+ feet of climbing.
We value camaraderie and friendly support. Participating in the A-STS does not require you to register for the series or to ride every week. Come and go as you please. Guests are welcome, too. And you don’t have to be a SIG graduate—but you should possess that skillset. We do not teach skills. We assume you are an experienced, safe rider. You should be able to follow a cue sheet, be comfortable in a tight pace line, and be self-sufficient if necessary.
A word about ride dynamics and pace. The baseline pace is A20. On the road, we like to keep the groups to a maximum of 15 people so we usually end up with two main groups. Some riders are capable of higher speeds. Those individuals are welcome to breakaway and meet up at regroup points or rest stops. If there is sufficient interest, a more formal faster group, such as an A23, might develop.
We do NOT have a “no drop” policy. We regroup regularly but will not change the ride to accommodate a cyclist who is having a bad day or can’t keep up with the group. Many but not all rides have bailout points. Garmin files are available for all routes.
Sign up for weekly rides on the NYCC website where you’ll find a link to the ride’s Garmin file. It’s always a good idea to check the NYCC message board for last-minute ride information.
Helmets are mandatory. You will also need a Metro North bicycle permit. No aero bars, please.
The A-STS is a cooperative effort. We always welcome input, feedback and anyone willing to lend a hand. If you think you might be interested in helping, or have questions that weren’t answered above, please contact us at [email protected]
