rons bikes blog dot com

Hi everyone — it’s nearly time for our annual bicycle induced foliage bath here in southern Connecticut. 5 days to go! here you will find some updates and info you might like and consider etc.

first off, if you haven’t received this important document to fill out via your email, then please fill it out now. it is a good amount of important info you might be pondering.

I have all the routes complete — just need to dial in the detail on the ridewithgps files I will be sending out and posting here before Thursday.

we will be hitting the fall foliage peak window here with a good amount of accuracy. this weekend’s rides were very scenic and colorful, but there is still a good amount to go. the holes in the canopy left by the barren sugar maples are a little bit of a bummer (such a wet year gave them a leaf fungus), but the white oaks are still green and beginning to change over as I type. a number of cool nights and warmer days this week should kick start the rest.

We do currently have a rainy forecast partly rainy maybe some sun (it’s improving!) for this weekend — this will be the 5th rainy weekend in a row here — what are the odds??? it will be warm at least — mid 60s and only 50s at night. Well a lot can change between now and then, so we will keep our fingers crossed. we’ve had this event in the rain before, and it goes just fine — added bonus this year is that there are many roofs at camp. It is difficult to plan events like this around the weather since there is a considerable amount of expenses and time that go into it before hand — sorry, we aren’t offering refunds if you decide not to come. thanks for understanding.

we have 475 campers and 25 day of riders registered — we went that big 2 years ago at the farm, but only 375 showed up. we will see what we end up with this year, but regardless its a great size to make some meaningful social connections with folks who have cool bikes and cool brains. love this group — 7 years running and ya’ll just keep getting cooler!

there is roofed accommodations packed into the bunks if we were all to cram in there for about 350, but I would personally bring a tent and set up in one of the many quiet camper options in the woods. maybe a lean-to. again I reiterate that camp spots are first come first serve — so if you aren’t bringing a shelter and want to sleep under a roof that isn’t your car, then get there on the earlier side. you can show up anytime after 3:00 on Friday. We have parking attendants on call until around 10pm on Friday, so please try and not come any later than that!

the folks heading out on the 80 mile ride on Saturday are recommended to depart before 7:00am in order to make it back before dark, so keep that in mind for your choice of ride. most other rides will take off between 9-10. There will bet a sign in and sign out sheet — be sure you are with someone who knows where they are going or have your own navigation device. there are a lot of turns out there and a lot of woods and dizzying fall colors.

plan to pack food on your bike — Jess the farmer is making some to go stuff for you to grab on Saturday morning, but there aren’t any aid stations out there on the rides — you will go through some towns with resupplies that I will denote on the gpx maps, but just want everyone to be calorically prepared.

there are two good grocery stores within 5 miles of camp. one north, and one south. Stop and Shop in Madison CT has a good organic section and plenty of veg/vegan options if you need to stock up before heading to camp. the other is Robert’s Food Center 5 miles to the north. It’s a bit more mom and pop, and still has some good organic and vegan options. it will be tough to get your car in and out once you arrive, so I would recommend visiting these fine establishments before arrival, or riding your bike to them after you settle in.

I will be making routes from all the train stations ya’ll might be arriving at — those will be released by Thursday.

okay I think that’s it for now! really really really looking forward to the magic!

talk soon :::

Ronnie