How can next years Tour de Putnam be better?
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- August
- 25
I’ve received a few comments and emails with suggestions to make next years event even better.
From Lloyd in Rockland.
We were planning on registering for the T de P as a family, but this was not allowed. Definitely NOT a family ride.
Lloyd I heard this from a co-worker as well who thought about signing up her family of four and felt $100 was to much. A family plan seems like a great option for a ride like this. Does anyone know what rides provide this option?
I’ve been surprised that the different ride lengths on many of the large rides do not have higher or lower costs as well. Someone who rides 15 miles doesn’t enjoy the same amount of benefit as the century rider. There’s clearly a base cost for the organization, t-shirts and the after the ride food. But I know I ate and drank more along my 75 miles then someone who rode 15.
From Ben
I was disappointed that the energy drink was Tang rather than a “sport drink†such as Gatorade because the later also has vital electrolytes.
Great call Ben, Tang didn’t hit the spot with me either. Cramps are my ride killer and I also need a proper energy drink. Hymm, isn’t there a large local company that makes energy drinks?
From David
For example on the the 50-mile route, there were no bathrooms at food stops until mile 30 or so.Also, unlike the food stops at those other three rides, there were no sandwiches like peanut butter and jelly, unless you made you’re own—again, unlike the other three rides, where prepared food is awaiting the participants.
Then, at the end, while there were tasty sandwiches to eat, there were no sweets whatsoever. Compare that with, say, the Westchester club, which serves up cookies and wonderful scoops of Ben & Jerry’s.
David, I’m not sure on the 50 mile ride where the bathrooms where. I know the bathrooms were open and available at Fahnestock Park, this was not a food stop but listed on the queue sheet, at about the ten mile mark. But another bathroom on that loop could be nice addition.
I thought the rest stop food was perfect, one of the rest stops I stopped at did make the sandwiches and others didn’t. Since everyone manning the stops is volunteering, I wouldn’t mind making a sandwich if I needed. In my case I slapped a wad or peanut butter on a Fig Newton. See the other post from a volunteer’s point of view.
Sweets on the other hand hit the spot after a tough ride and are well earned. Something a little more fun then another granola bar. But the lunch hit the spot for me, a terrific wedge and pasta salads, but I’lll bet if there was a cookie there I’d have enjoyed one. Maybe there’s a bake sale opportunity for one of the volunteer groups to raise money. Say if the Dutchess/Putnam REACT group or local fire department had bags of cookies or cakes for sale I’d have been happy to pay a bucks to support those who supported us.
What do you think would make this or other group rides better?
Did anyone experience safety concerns during the Tour de Putnam? That’s always the number one concern.
I also wanted to say the t-shirts are top notch and the fact that we had wide-selection of attractive colors to choose from was a real bonus.
This entry was posted
on Monday, August 25th, 2008 at 3:50 PM by Randall Wolf. 
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I read many nasty comments placed by annoyed motorists on the LoHud article. Many were about cyclists not staying in single file, and on the shoulder. Motorists must learn that cyclists only need to ride single file when a car needs to pass, and that it is usually considered legal and OK to ride double or out in the road until a car approaches. Some cars are not as easy to hear approaching as others. A light toot (as opposed to a nasty blast) while still back some distance would work best for all concerned. In addition, the shoulders on yesterday’s ride were, as usual, loaded with gravel and weeds growing out into the roadway. It would be far better for cars and bikes alike if shoulders were cleared of brush and debris so that they were ride-able. Not to bite the hand… so to speak, Westchester is much worse.
On the Tour de Putnam website: “No children under 12. No bike trailers or child seats.”
This ride offers 15, 30, 50, 75 and 100 mile options which is perfect for a family of varying ages and capabilities. I’ve done several rides with my family, pulling trailers and single wheel bike-alongs and my kids always have a blast. This is a perfect way to introduce youngsters to the joys of cycling.
The family rides that we’ve enjoyed in the past have had varying registration costs depending on the length of the ride and/or a maximum price cap on family registrations.
Any suggestions for local rides that are family friendly?