HOW TO RIDE THE HUNDRED MILES TO MONTAUK
MAY 21, 2013

Last weekend we set off on a trip that has been two years in the procrastinating. Two years of three-beer-buzz proclamations like "YEAH LET’S DO IT!!" and “I’M TOTALLY IN.” Two years of rallying troops and hassling bike-averse friends to get bikes and crowing about the glorious prospect of tackling the one hundred miles on two wheels. But for one various reason or another over our past few years in New York, our Montauk Century just never materialized.

There are a lot of reasons not to ride a hundred miles. Even two geared-up pedal-happy riders like ourselves can find the distance daunting, the potential mishaps numerous. On top of the mileage, we decided to camp at the destination, adding weight and logistics to our load.

But with a little planning, a little training, and a lot of clif bars it can be a seriously enjoyable adventure out of the city.

1. Know Your Route:

We opted to circumvent the hectic traffic conditions in the city and took the early morning train from Brooklyn. We set off from Babylon by 8am, charged with oatmeal and a full night’s sleep. We navigated as the ancients did – anticipating turns by the tip of a tiny digital arrow, measuring miles by calculated wheel rotations. The beeps and waypoints guided us down the southern fork trail into Long Island, dipping in and out of route 27A, the Montauk Highway and the Long Island Railroad tracks. Surprisingly, we were met with miles upon miles of smooth pavement and wide shoulders. When we got tired of riding alongside traffic, we cut away from the highway to snake along the back roads - sailing through suburban throughways, soaking up the privilege, oohing and aahing at the pristine villas.

2. Stop Often and Eat Plentifully:

A happy stomach means happy legs, and happy legs mean an uncranky girlfriend, which gives way to a much more pleasant ride. Which is to say, feed your girlfriend. After devising a super high-tech form of rolling communication (two bell rings for “I-could-go-on-riding-like-this-forever,” and one bell ring for “STOP-goddammit-my-knee-cap-it-is-broken”), we managed to stop every 10-20 miles to refuel on our REI-acquired bounty. When that wasn’t enough, we were fortunate to stumble on the glorious Citarelli Italian Deli, and their foot-long meat monsters.

3. Camp at Hither Hills

Determined to score a spot at Montauk’s Hither Hills campsite this year, we opted for a pre-Memorial Day trip to avoid the crowds and jumped on the reservation portal the minute it opened for the season. This meant chilly and foggy late-May conditions, but when we rolled (or oozed, really) onto the campgrounds at the 97-mile mark, it was blessedly quiet. We staked our tent at the foot of the dunes and rode down the road until we rounded out our century (cheating? Nah…) That night, we spent a windy and thunderous evening in the tent - cooking on the damp ground outside the tent door, our drenched bikes propped up sturdily in the blitz. But the real luxury offered by the campsite was the public restroom, complete with hot showers, which meant we got to strip off the jerseys, shorts, and socks that we’d been riding and camping in for the past two days. Crucial, especially when you’re stuck in a wet tent with your riding partner for nights on end.

4. Pad the Schedule for Exploring

Montauk is seriously lovely. We spent our mornings trekking down the beach in the fog, filling our pockets with bright shells and pebbles, and chasing seagulls away from our gear. Bike trips into town were hilly and misty, but effortless and cool. We got recommendations from the locals running the campsite and rode through town to reach Inlet Seafood on the water. We probably gobbled up a century’s worth of calories in just one brownie sundae.

5. The Train Back Only Takes CASH

And you’ll want to bring some unless you plan on making the mad 4 mile sprint back into town to visit the nearest ATM while the last train of the day is pulling into the station.

Next trip: Once our thighs recover, we’re setting out to explore the Northern Fork route and zip up to Shelter Island.