One-hundred miles of North Country

The first annual Century Ride's success excites the idea of expansion for North Country cyclists

Story by Michelle Besaw

Gray skies were no match for the number of bright jerseys pedaling effortlessly around the oval to the start line where orange and yellow balloons blew in the wind anticipating the rain.          

Of the 117 registered riders, 113 men and women showed up, sporting their best riding clothes. They remained mounted on their road bikes, awaiting the start of the first Century Ride in Plattsburgh. A hum of excited voices overpowered the opening speech as riders donned their riding packs holding sustenance for the exhausting 100-mile ride through the scenic North Country.   

There were various veterans and members of the Adirondack Cycling Team (ACT) at the ride. Eric Petersen, one of the youngest amateur cyclists, embarked on his first Century Ride.

"A lot of people said it was one of the nicest organized rides."         

During the six hour and fifteen minute journey, he enjoyed the captivating views of the North Country, as the team of riders headed north along the Canadian border and south along Chazy Lake. The rain monopolized two hours of the ride but did not hamper the scenery.

"We live in one of the nicest areas in the country," said Peterson, whose friends have since started calling him Eric "Pedalson."           

After tearing his ACL in an ultimate Frisbee accident, Peterson labored through hours of physical therapy where riding a bike was imperative to strengthen his knee. Bored with the lack of scenery on his stationary bike, he decided to pursue road biking. Peterson reassembled his dad’s old bike and hit the roads. After just one season of riding, he successfully completed the Century Ride.

"I'm still sore today," he added, three days after the ride.            

Hopefully, the first Century Ride will not be the last as plans to maintain the annual event are underway.

"One of our goals is to get people from the capital city area," Peterson said. "When people realize how nice it is, it will get bigger."

The ride was sponsored by local businesses, including: Wooden Ski and Wheel, Viking Ski Shop and Maui North. It was organized by members of the ACT in an attempt to increase the number of riders in the North Country.            

The planning stage took about a year after ACT co-founder Tom Gerner set his ideas in motion. "It's good for the area," he said. Area bike shops have sold more bikes since the ACT was established, and the Century Ride could accrue more interest in bike shops.

At the time of pre-registration on August 15, twenty-five riders had signed up. "We were hoping to just break fifty," Tracy Gryger, ACT's co-founder, said. By the day of the ride, they had 117 riders, mostly from the North Country area. Several from Montreal and one person from Atlanta, Georgia registered. "I’d love to see it hit 500 people in a couple years," Gryger added. The cycling tour in Montreal draws thousands of cyclists.   

"You can cover more ground. I like the rhythm of riding, the distance, the things you can see."              

The ACT has attracted thirty-four new members since its twenty-member start eight years ago, building a team of seventy-four members. Gryger said families are now signing up.  The ACT takes non-competitive rides on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

While they may change the weekend of the Century Ride next year because of the Battle of Plattsburgh, organizers will keep the same route.

"The roads are good here," Gryger said. "If the roads are bad, the experience is terrible."  

Peterson said he heard roads on Vermont's Mad River Century Ride weren’t as nice. He added that there were rumors of angry and dangerous motorists.

Gryger said there weren’t any complaints from motorists during the ride. In fact, riders were pleased with the roads. "The feedback we got was that it was beautiful and there weren’t a lot of cars," she said.       

While it is stressed that the ride is not a race, the fastest completion time was four hours and fifty-eight minutes. Gerner said average biking speed is twenty miles per hour depending on terrain. Top speeds downhill can reach over fifty mph.

Gryger said changes for next year are minimal. "A lot of people said it was one of the nicest organized rides," she added.

Simple changes will include more rest area stops, and food options. During the race, there was one sign that had been taken down, causing some confusion for riders. Next year, marked areas will be monitored.

There was also an instance on Plank Road where a bull had escaped from the fencing and blocked the path of one cyclist who had to literally put his bike between himself and the bull. One minor change was to "tell people not to ride red bikes," Gerner joked.  

In order to increase participation, both Gerner and Gryger agreed that there needs to be more marketing, such as posters in Montreal and bikes shops within three hundred miles, and ads in newspapers and on Channel 5. Also, they are working with Microtel Inns and Suites to make accommodations for cyclists traveling long distances.            

Gerner started riding at the age of fifteen on a $100 bike that gave him fifteen years of solid riding.

"For me cycling works," he said. "You can cover more ground. I like the rhythm of riding, the distance, the things you can see."           

He contributes the increase in road biking partially to the success and trendsetting of Lance Armstrong. He added that many people refer to biking as the new golf.

"It’s the fountain of youth," Gerner said. "Cycling is just fun."

Finding support from the community for the Century Ride was not an issue, although Gerner and Gryger both admitted they expected more local sponsorship. Nonetheless, both the Recreation Department and the Highway Department were supportive and gave permission.

"We have had a lot of people really embrace what we’re doing," Gryger said. "Everyone along the way was really helpful. Everyone wanted to see it happen."

Who taught you how to ride a bike? How old were you?