Ride the Ridge 2014
Riders in the 8th annual Ride the Ridge (RTR) Bike Challenge had beautiful conditions Sunday morning. The yearly fundraiser for the High Meadows School in Stone Ridge offered a 50, 30, and 11 mile course and a kids’ ride.
RTR is the first big ride of the season and is considered a “tune-up” ride before the big century rides start, according to Paul Rakov, event coordinator.
The 50 mile course is the most popular with 170 riders. It is named after Bud Clark one of the RTR’s originators. He was an avid rider and had a daughter at High Meadows School. He died 3 years ago and the ride was named in his memory.
Eye of the Tiger by Survivor played as riders headed out for the 50 miler.
About 60 people took part in the 30 mile ride, approximately 45 for the 11 mile, and around 50 parents and kids rode for the family ride around Stone Ridge.
“All of the rides saw more riders this year than last year, anywhere from 10-40% growth,” Rakov said.
Marko Cynamon, of Hurley, rode the 30 mile ride. He enjoys the beautiful country side and camaraderie. The route is great and the support is good.
“Oh, it’s the nicest country ride, its done really well,” Cynamon said.
Charlie Defraia, of High Falls, is one of the original planners.
“This is our chance to bring the High Meadows community together with the outside community,” Defraia said. “People hang out here for house after having food and talking about the ride”.
All the pre-registered riders get a t-shirt. This year’s shirt features a new design with a picture drawn by one of the High Meadows School’s students.
RTR is the first big ride of the season and is considered a “tune-up” ride before the big century rides start, according to Paul Rakov, event coordinator.
The 50 mile course is the most popular with 170 riders. It is named after Bud Clark one of the RTR’s originators. He was an avid rider and had a daughter at High Meadows School. He died 3 years ago and the ride was named in his memory.
Eye of the Tiger by Survivor played as riders headed out for the 50 miler.
About 60 people took part in the 30 mile ride, approximately 45 for the 11 mile, and around 50 parents and kids rode for the family ride around Stone Ridge.
“All of the rides saw more riders this year than last year, anywhere from 10-40% growth,” Rakov said.
Marko Cynamon, of Hurley, rode the 30 mile ride. He enjoys the beautiful country side and camaraderie. The route is great and the support is good.
“Oh, it’s the nicest country ride, its done really well,” Cynamon said.
Charlie Defraia, of High Falls, is one of the original planners.
“This is our chance to bring the High Meadows community together with the outside community,” Defraia said. “People hang out here for house after having food and talking about the ride”.
All the pre-registered riders get a t-shirt. This year’s shirt features a new design with a picture drawn by one of the High Meadows School’s students.
Ride the Ridge Challenge
The 8th annual Ride the Ridge Bike Challenge will head out from the High Meadow School, Stone Ridge, this coming Sunday, June 1, 2014.
The challenge has something for just about every different level of bike rider. There is the 50-mile Shawangunk Ridge Ride, the 30-mile Countryside Ride, the 11-mile Bud Clarke Memorial Ride, and the 5-mile Family Ride. Follow the links for the routes.
Parents and children will enjoy a 5-mile Family Ride from the school through the scenic back roads and neighborhoods of Stone Ridge. Much of the route has light rolling hills with a couple of challenging hills. (Category D riders)
The 11 Mile Intermediate Scenic Ride route is intended for experienced riders. Bikers will meander southward along the winding Rondout Creek next to the remnants of one of the historic Delaware & Hudson Canals. The journey, which is intended for experienced road riders, is mostly flat terrain with some light rolling hills, and offers glimpses of the majestic Mohonk Mountain House atop the ridge. (Category C riders)
Advanced riders taking the 30-mile Countryside Ride will journey a loop from the historic houses of Stone Ridge, along the Wallkill River, and by the original stone Gatehouse for Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz. The ride offers flats, rolling hills, and some steep, but short, climbs with fantastic views of the Trapps Ridge and Smiley's Tower on Skytop. (Category B riders)
Expert riders taking on the 50-mile Shawangunk Ridge ride will tackle the ascent up the West Trapps of the Shawangunk Ridge towards Minnewaska State Park. The views of the Catskill Mountains and Hudson Valley are spectacular. A thrilling descent follows as riders hit speeds up to 50 mph! Riders make their way past the Trapps cliffs as they head back to Stone Ridge along the Wallkill River. (Category A and strong Category B riders only)
Pace Categories:
A avg 18 plus mph
B avg 13-18 mph
C avg 8-13 mph
D avg less than 10 mph
The ride, which is not a race, but a challenge, is being held as a fund raiser to benefit the new High Meadow Performing Arts Center which is part of the High Meadows School.
The school is an independent school based on the philosophies of John Dewy. Teachers are the researchers in their classroom and are in collaboration with each other and the child to find the best way for that child to learn. They observe each child so that they can understand his/her rate of development and approach to learning.
At the start/finish there will be exhibits and food for sale. Lunch is provided for all riders at the finish.
This ride has the reputation of being very well supported and as a great training ride.
“We have some very health conscious parents who are great cooks,” Nico Veroli, parent and race coordinator, said. “Each rider gets a Ride the Ridge t-shirt”.
This year the school is unveiling a new t-shirt design with a drawing by one of the high meadow children.
The challenge has something for just about every different level of bike rider. There is the 50-mile Shawangunk Ridge Ride, the 30-mile Countryside Ride, the 11-mile Bud Clarke Memorial Ride, and the 5-mile Family Ride. Follow the links for the routes.
Parents and children will enjoy a 5-mile Family Ride from the school through the scenic back roads and neighborhoods of Stone Ridge. Much of the route has light rolling hills with a couple of challenging hills. (Category D riders)
The 11 Mile Intermediate Scenic Ride route is intended for experienced riders. Bikers will meander southward along the winding Rondout Creek next to the remnants of one of the historic Delaware & Hudson Canals. The journey, which is intended for experienced road riders, is mostly flat terrain with some light rolling hills, and offers glimpses of the majestic Mohonk Mountain House atop the ridge. (Category C riders)
Advanced riders taking the 30-mile Countryside Ride will journey a loop from the historic houses of Stone Ridge, along the Wallkill River, and by the original stone Gatehouse for Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz. The ride offers flats, rolling hills, and some steep, but short, climbs with fantastic views of the Trapps Ridge and Smiley's Tower on Skytop. (Category B riders)
Expert riders taking on the 50-mile Shawangunk Ridge ride will tackle the ascent up the West Trapps of the Shawangunk Ridge towards Minnewaska State Park. The views of the Catskill Mountains and Hudson Valley are spectacular. A thrilling descent follows as riders hit speeds up to 50 mph! Riders make their way past the Trapps cliffs as they head back to Stone Ridge along the Wallkill River. (Category A and strong Category B riders only)
Pace Categories:
A avg 18 plus mph
B avg 13-18 mph
C avg 8-13 mph
D avg less than 10 mph
The ride, which is not a race, but a challenge, is being held as a fund raiser to benefit the new High Meadow Performing Arts Center which is part of the High Meadows School.
The school is an independent school based on the philosophies of John Dewy. Teachers are the researchers in their classroom and are in collaboration with each other and the child to find the best way for that child to learn. They observe each child so that they can understand his/her rate of development and approach to learning.
At the start/finish there will be exhibits and food for sale. Lunch is provided for all riders at the finish.
This ride has the reputation of being very well supported and as a great training ride.
“We have some very health conscious parents who are great cooks,” Nico Veroli, parent and race coordinator, said. “Each rider gets a Ride the Ridge t-shirt”.
This year the school is unveiling a new t-shirt design with a drawing by one of the high meadow children.
