Join us for our A-rider Spring Training Series (STS), a graduated training program of early season rides for experienced cyclists with developed group-riding skills who want to improve their strength and endurance. For 2008, there are two programs: the A-23 STS and the A STS. Both groups offer camaraderie and friendly support in a progression of organized group rides over some of the most beautiful and challenging terrain in the area to prepare you for our unforgettable, all-day epic rides to places far from Nyack. For those who want a challenging ride but don't want to go the full distance, some routes feature halfway bailouts. Check the ride listings in the NYCC Bulletin or the online ride listings for STS ride details. Always check the NYCC message board for last-minute ride information.

You don't need to sign up for either group or attend every ride. All riders are expected to pay attention to cue sheets, take their pulls up front, and be self-sufficient in the event they find themselves riding alone. Helmets are mandatory; aerobars and ATBs are out. If you are still honing your group riding skills and are uncomfortable in rotating pacelines, we urge you to join an A-level SIG program and join an A-level STS next year.

A-23 STS
Participants in this series are skilled riders, comfortable in pacelines, who enjoy challenging, somewhat open-ended rides (as to speed, 23+ on the flats) and progressive training. Throughout the series, routes become longer (starting around 70 miles, ending in excess of 100 miles) and faster over increasingly challenging terrain (up to 10,000 vertical feet of climbing). The A-23 STS provides excellent training for the Etape du Tour, Grand Fondos, mountainous multi-day bicycle trips and hill climb races. The starting group typically breaks up according to ability and participants are encouraged to undertake additional training midweek. Most rides start or end outside the city and use mass transportation, making for a full-day commitment to complete the entire ride, although shorter options are included when practical.

A-23 STS rides are held each Saturday starting March 1st culminating with a final ride on May 17th. Three weekends include a Sunday ride in addition to the Saturday ride. For further information about the A-23 STS, please contact Hank Schiffman or John Zenkus.

A STS
In 2008, what had been called the STS 19 will more appropriately be labeled simply the A STS. This is an outgrowth of recognizing that during the last couple of years, the participants the STS 19 was attracting were in fact riders who typically broke into 2 general groups: those who gravitated toward a pace of about 19-20mph, and a faster group that tended to maintain closer to a 20-22ish pace.

Ron Roth and Gerald Seppey will lead the series along with a rotating group of co-leaders. As in prior years, early rides will be at more moderate speeds, over shorter distances. Progressively, the pace and distance will be cranked up over more topographically challenging terrain. A STS rides are held each Saturday starting March 1st and ending on May 10th.For further information about the A STS, please contact Ron Roth or Gerald Seppey.

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