Second-annual Century Ride takes place Sunday

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September 13, 2008

'We'd like to get to the point where there's 1,000 people riding'

By MICHELLE BESAW The Press Republican Sat Sep 13, 2008, 12:15 AM EDT

PLATTSBURGH -- Amid the bang of muskets and the sounds of music, people will don brightly colored jerseys and mount their bicycles Sunday for the second-annual Century Ride.

As part of the Battle of Plattsburgh festivities, the scenic bike ride will again pull people from all over the state, country and Canada to pedal through the North Country's towering mountains and sparkling lakes.

SCENERY A DRAW

Founders and organizers Tom Gerner and Tracy Gryger, who also head the area's Adirondack Cycling Team, say the road conditions entice people to take part in rides through the North Country.

The diverse scenery is also an attraction to riders, Gerner added.

But it's not just the cosmetic appeal bringing people together. While the mountain and lake views are perks, Gerner and Gryger agree that the ride attracts tourists and provides healthy activity and social opportunities, all right here.

Since Gryger started biking again four years ago, she has found she has more energy and is enjoying the outdoors.

And Gerner said many of his closest friends have developed from riding.

"People who ride bikes are generally just nice folks," he said.

With help from additional organizers, Gerner and Gryger will actually get to take part in the ride this year, one of the only differences from last year's event.

The route is essentially the same, Gerner said. The only real change is that century riders and half-century riders (56 miles) will start at the same time, instead of the hour delay they had last year.

"It's more exciting to see a bigger crowd start off," Gryger said.

RANGE OF AGES

The ride begins at 8 a.m. at U.S. Oval and continues through Plattsburgh, Rouses Point, Ellenburg, along Chazy Lake Road and back around the Old Base to Plattsburgh.

Gerner says the slowest point will be up Plank Road.

But "the toughest part is getting back on the bike after the rest stop," he joked.

As of Thursday, 64 people, ages 12 to their 70s, had registered, about 30 more than this time last year.

Many people, Gerner said, wait until the day before to sign up, often to have a better idea of the weather. Last year, 113 people ended up riding.

"We're able to pick a route where people aren't encountered with a lot of cars," Gerner said. "Our theory is, we have this wonderful infrastructure of roads that aren't used as much."

Interested participants can register up to an hour before the ride commences. The cost is $35.

"We'd like to get to the point where there's 1,000 people riding," Gerner said.

SUPPORT

Gryger said she has had phone calls from people in Montreal, Saranac Lake, Massachusetts and even a man from Georgia.

"The awareness is out there from the club."

And Tom agrees. "Rides are routinely twice as well attended as last year," he said, adding that even more women are picking up the sport.

"We've got a credibility this year that we didn't have last year," Gerner said. But "it (the century ride) wouldn't be possible without volunteers and sponsors."

Both Gryger and Gerner said they're happy with the local support, especially from Patrick Achey from Microtel Inns & Suites, who sees great potential in the Century Ride.

"The real reason we do it is to ride," Gryger said, smiling.

"We don't want to ignore the selfish component," Tom joked.

mbesaw@pressrepublican.com