This has been done sporadically in the past (last one I recall was just Chris M. and myself a couple years ago), but I would love to do another Gunks.com Tour de Gunks mountain bike ride late summer or early fall.

This would not be the road/off road combo some folks suggested last year. Rather, I envision a total Carriage Road tour taking in perhaps 40 or more miles of Carriage Road, followed by "recovery drinks" at our favorite local establishment.

If we do it in August we can so a swim stop at Awosting, but fall is nice also.

Just wondering if there is any interest out there ?

Tim S.

I think it is a lovely idea, would love to do it! I have not biked on those trails in a couple of years so it would be a nice day out. And not just because of the recovery drinks we will have earned.

recovery drinks, you should try the Tour de Laramie. 21 bars you bike to and at each bar you drink either a beer, shot, or mixed drink. 1996 champion here. i have some wild stories from that day.

I don't own a mountain bike, but would gladly rent and join in if you post the proposed day. Sounds like a blast.

Champion drinker or champion rider? I must look that one up. My dad would come over to do that - makes a change from the Five-Borough Bike Tour.
I ran a trail marathon in June where a friend staffed an aid station and had a bottle of beer for me every time I ran through

I would do this with you. I think we could get Chris M to join again - he's been riding.

Saturday I ran from the VC (walked the stairmaster), right on UC left on Laurel Ledge (amazing) left on Coppes View, right on Eagle Mountain, around Lake Mohonk, right on Huguenot Drive, up Sky Top CW and back, Huguenot to Woodland Bridge, Kleine Kill to Oakwood back to Overcliff Road around to the top of the stairmaster. I put it at 15 miles. Went to the Deli and nearly busted a gut drinking so much but oh so worth it!

There are some great views in both directions.

Tour de Gunks lives.

F.

Lisa - which trail marathon did you do?

Fraser, I ran the MipMuck Trail Marathon near Mansfield, CT. A true trail race - rocky, rooty, muddy.
The route you ran sounds lovely. Mountain-bikeable too (avoiding thread drift) except maybe the Stairmaster. I have front suspension but lack that skill.

There is a GCC meeting August 12, after or before which I'd be up for a long run or bike (or climbing for that matter) if any one is interested in any of the above. I need to confirm times.

It is August! Time to set a date?
I can do Sunday August 12, also the 19th or 20th or 25th or 26th.
Bike/run/drink?

I cannot do the 12th or the 25th, so that's why I had planned on the 19th. Plus, I don't do the running thing (biking and drinking are just fine, though !)

I mean it is all about ME, ME, ME, ME, ME right ?

Seriously though, it's either the 19th or sometime in September for me.

The 19th works for me. Biking works for me. Drinking works for me.
It is all about ME ME ME too!

All I do is give...I will pencil in the 19th. Shall we say West Traps at 9 or so?

09:00 it is! I will either be biking to NP Sat. evening and staying the night or getting bus to New Paltz from NYC with my bike Sunday morning. Either way 09:00 is good.

0900 works for me, but should we make the meeting point the steel bridge ? Seems a bit easier to congregate and stay out of the way there.

Don't forget appropriate swimwear and lunch for an Awosting break.

TS

Steel bridge, check. Swimmies, check.
Are we mostly going to be on carriage paths and trails? Just checking so I know to put on mountain bike tyres.

That was my plan, lots of miles (40-50 ?)on the carriage roads. I'm open to suggestions though. The complete tour, Trapps, Bonticue, Mohonk MH area, Minnewaska...

TS

Lots of miles sounds good! It will be nice to tour the entire area.

Can we do another one in the fall with all the pretty colors?

IBBY!
Dizz

Anyone going to be in New Paltz for a few beers on the Saturday night? I understand this is the best form of carbo-loading the night before a day of strenuous activity.

Reminder:

The Tour de Gunks is scheduled to depart from the steel bridge at 0900 (sharp) on Sunday 19 August. We will not wait for stragglers, but if you let me know you're coming and we like you, we might make an exception .

If you show up late, try my cell (302) 229-6034. Maybe we'll get reception, maybe not.

Bring swimwear and food for a lunch stop at Awosting.

And money to buy me beer after

If you're in town on Saturday night, give me a call for the pre-ride beer drinking, I mean carbo loading, location.

Tim S

Tour de Gunks 2007 Summary

We had the usual number of riders (2). Fraser and I had a great time, on a nice cool day (so cool, we skipped the dip at Awosting).

We even helped a very small child with some chain suck issues. Fortunately Fraser and the child spoke the same language (French, that is).

We did almost 40 miles of Carriage Road (with a small stretch of single track thrown in for good measure) and toured The Preserve, Minnewaska, and Mohonk Mountain House property, stretching from Castle Point to Bonticue.

Route Summary:
Start at steel bridge.

Up Awosting Falls Carriageway past Awosting Falls, Sunset Carriageway to Lake Minnewaska, Upper Awosting Carriageway around Lake Awosting up to Castle Point, back down Castle Point Carriageway to Minnewaska, back past Awosting Falls to steel bridge and lunch (approximately 21 miles).

Undercliff Road to Laurel Ledge, hike a bike and single track to Cedar Drive, Bonticue Road to Spring Farm, through Mountain House to lower end of Farm Pond Road (oops), back uphill to Oakwood Road, back across Rhododendron Bridge to Undercliff Road, then back to West Trapps lot (approximately 18.5 miles).

A very nice day indeed.

Tim S

Lisa doesn't need recovery drinks... she needs to recover from her drinks.

Oops, I drank the recovery drinks BEFORE the ride not after.
Note to self......

Well, I did not say anything (being the gentleman that I am ), but come to think of it someone did "call in sick" on Sunday

T

And at 09:00 Sunday morning I would still have been at risk of being arrested for Biking While Intoxicated.

I appreciated you being such a gentleman, Tim, unlike others.....