Tag: Midnight marathon bike ride

Recovering From An All Nighter

Sunday was an all night bike ride after you add travel and waiting into the mix. 3200 people joined into this unorganized ride which four years ago boasted having 500 riders. We got to ride through the starting area in Hopkinton but the police had cordoned off the finish at 1:30 because Mark Walburg was filming a movie about the bombing four years ago. 2016 Midnight Martathon 003

I finished the ride before 3 AM but it was close to 4 AM when I finally found my car.  I normally had a good sense of direction but was so narcoleptic, I ended up on Washington St. at Downtown Crossing three times.  I was chasing riders who I though were going back to the area where we loaded our bikes on trucks only to realize they were riding to their homes.  Finally I came across two guys riding and asked if they were going to South Station. “No, that’s the other direction” one said.  “Turn around, take a left on Washington and you will see signs direction bikers to the station.” I had passed that sign twice and never looked up to read it.

I was a zombie all day Monday and just kind of hung around the house so physically tired that my whole body was sore. I did get out to do a short ride to fulfill my 30 days of biking and was in bed by nine.  Tuesday morning I was still feeling droopy until I forced myself into a walk with the dogs.  That did the trick and the effects of the Midnight Marathon Ride had passed.  I got in a few good miles doing errands and ended the day with a bike ride to Tuesday night yoga.  I struggled at yoga because  I hadn’t been to a class in two weeks and had done a lot of biking during that stretch while in Austin.  I am looking forward to doing it all again next year.

Boston Midnight Marathon Bike Ride

2016 Midnight Martathon 003

Before the runners, come the bikers.

In the dead of night, hours before the Boston Marathon road race started, a group of locals experienced the historic route differently — via bicycle.

The ride has become a tradition since Boston University student Greg Hum launched it in 2009. It starts in Southborough and follows the Boston Marathon route from the western suburbs into the city hours before thousands line up to run the race, and offers cyclists two options of route length.

“The streets are quiet, and riding bikes at night is quite magical,’’ Hum said. ”It’s also an awesome experience if you’re riding your bike down the course. You get to use your imagination, like the audience and being in the marathon.’’

He previously described the ride, which takes two to three hours for most bikers to complete, as tranquil, yet invigorating. “In the city, there’s heavy traffic all the time, and you’re always navigating your way around cars,’’ Hum said. “But once you get to the suburbs, especially at night, there’s very little traffic. It’s very quiet and peaceful for most of the ride.

I got a really late start and five miles from home I realized that I didn’t bring any bike lights.  I was tempted to just say eff it and go home.  I did yell the F bomb a lot as I raced home, packed the lights and beat feet it to Boston.  I had a 50 mile drive and it was 8:11. Packing our bikes on the truck took place from 8:30 to 9:30.   I made it with a few minutes to spare.  Every year I get stressed out about riding at midnight. No rhyme or reason to it. It just happens. Every year once I’m in Boston, I’m really glad I came.

BOSTON MIDNIGHT MARATHON BIKE RIDE from John Sullivan on Vimeo.

Are You Riding Boston Tonight?

Tax time
Tax time. Also Day 17 of 30 Days of Biking

 

A Message from Greg Hum, BostonSoS, and friends:

Hi Everyone,

A few things about tonight:

  • Please arrive at 98 Necco St, Boston, for loading between 8:30pm-9:30pm
  • After you load, walk over to South Station, two blocks away, and buy your commuter rail ticket to Southborough Station (zone 6). You may also purchase a ticket with the MBTA mobile app.
  • Please make sure you have enough food and water for the ride. you’ll have some time after you drop off your bike and before the train leaves to get what you need.
  • The commuter rail train departs at 10:40pm. 
  • Please dress warm and pack an extra layer tonight. Temps will dip to about 45 degrees tonight on the route, so plan accordingly.
  • Charge your cellphone and have a backup plan in case you get stuck. 

If you need to get in touch with us tonight during the ride:

  • Put our Midnight Marathon Ride Hotline Phone number in our cellphone: (617) 294-9472. If you have questions during the ride or get stuck and need helping finding a ride home, please give us a ring.
  • You may also e-mail us at MidnightMarathonRide@gmail.com
  • We’ll have volunteers taking calls and responding to e-mails.

See you on the ride tonight!

Cheers,

Greg Hum

midnight-bike-81

Ride Originator.

 

Grab Life By The Handlebars

I do a lot of really unique and cool bike,  but there are three that stand out this year.
The NYC Five Boroughs Bike Tour. 32,000 of us bike the 5 boroughs of NYC crossing 5 bridges.

The Erie Canal from Buffalo to Albany.  Just two of us on a week long bike tour.

The Midnight Marathon Bike tour. Riding the Boston Marathon Route at Midnight. Continue reading “Grab Life By The Handlebars” →

One Day Bike Events

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There are a few local one day bike events that any biker rider worth their salt should have on their to do list.  There is one local “bucket list” ride that everyone should do at least once.

Continue reading “One Day Bike Events” →

Midnight Marathon Bike Ride

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CLICK HERE for TV Coverage video

For the seventh year, Greg Hum and friends organized a bike ride on the Boston Marathon route.  Riders, for a small fee, congregate near South Station in Boston to load their bikes on panel trucks  After loading, the participants walk to South Station to catch the commuter rail to Southboro and unload their bikes from the trucks.  Two routes are offered for the ride back to downtown Boston.

The first, which adds a couple of miles and a challenging hill, takes the riders to the starting line of the marathon in Hopkinton, MA.  For those who don’t want to ride the hill, a shorter, flatter options takes them on a four mile loop around the hilly section where they join the marathon route in the original starting town of Ashland.

A cool, overcast night made for a beautiful night to ride the 2015 marathon bike.  Boston is a very diverse city and the bike ride displayed that diversity in age, nationality, culture, fashion as well as transportation modes.  Along with those on bike, there were skateboards, roller blades and a few runners.

All along the route, there was evidence of the preparations for the main event happening a few hours later, Street sweepers, police, barricades, the press and security were increasingly evident as we approached downtown and the finish line.  Unlike 2014, the bike rider were able to ride across the start and finish lines as tensions begin to ease from the 2013 bombing.

2015 Midnight Marathon Bike from John Sullivan on Vimeo.

This Weekend’s Rides

SATURDAY: 18April

  • The East Bay Bike Path Cafe RideIMG_1566

East Bay Bike Path – from Fort Hill to Bristol Bagel and back (27 miles)

Leaves Fort Hill Parking Lot at 10:00 AM

Contact John Nery for more details

  • Fall River Bike Group
    “It was a long and grueling winter but the good weather is here finally. That means it is time to get out and enjoy the weather on our bikes. For the first ride we will go on the East Bay Bike Path for a nice, slow, leisurely ride to get our legs back to normal. Here are the details:
    Bike Fall River 1st Ride
    When:        Saturday, April 18, 2015 – at 9:00am
    Where:       East Bay Bike Path
    Directions: Take Route 103 through Somerset, Swansea and Warren.  Once in Warren look for the Dels Lemonade on the left and take the immediate left, Railroad Avenue, after Dels.  Park along the left”

Join us this Saturday, April 18th at 1:30 pm to kick off the Bike Newport group riding season with “Tour de Newport Daffodil DaysJonqulles” – part of the Newport Daffodil Days Festival! Get up and close and personal with many of the 385,000 daffodils now planted throughout Newport on this daffy bike ride supporting the Daffodillion project. We’ll take a ~5-mile tour of the plantings, the gardens at the Hillside private estate, and end up at the Ballard Park “Bouquet Bar” and Flower Market where live music and nearly 20,000 daffodils will greet us. Ride rolls out at 1:30 from Touro Park on Bellevue.

SUNDAY   19 April

  • Narragansett Bay Wheelmen

    Saturday 04/18/15 – NBW Cafe Ride (weather permitting)

    • East Bay Bike Path – from Fort Hill to Bristol Bagel and back (27 miles)
    • Leaves Fort Hill Parking Lot at 10:00 AM
    • Contact John Nery for more details

    Sunday 04/19/15 – NBW #166 Foxboro 55

    • 23, 36 & 55 Mile Rides
    • Leaves from La Salette Shrine, Attlleboro, MA
    • more details HERE

    Wednesday 04/22/15 – Blinky Ride (weather permitting)

    • On a seasonal weather hiatus
    • Alternates with EBBP (East Bay Bike Path) 27 miles
    • Alternates with BBP (Blackstone Bike Path) 20 miles
    • Leaves 5:30 pm
    • Contact Rod Breault for more details

    Casually Employed Series

    • Varies – takes place on Weekday to take advantage of weather
    • Bicycling, Hiking or Skiing
    • Contact Jan Harbutiak for more details

Leaves Soutboro at midnight.  Check out the facebook page for details

Pro Tips For Midnight Marathon Ride

Pro Tips

If you are confused about how this ride works let me try to clarify & offer up some pro-tips:

THE RIDE ITSELF:
– We all meet at Southborough Station at midnight on Sunday night (Monday morning). We roll out as soon as the midnight train arrives & is unloaded. Approx 12:15-ish and ride up to the Marathon starting line and then ride the Marathon Route into Boston. It’s amazing.

GETTING TO SOUTHBOROUGH STATION:
Option 1: Get dropped off by some sucker / friend / taxi / your mom.

Option 2: Drive yourself and get your car the next day. Don’t ask me where to park, you’ll have to figure that out yourself.

Option 3: Ride your bike to Southborough Station. There are several “packs” of riders doing the out & back ride. A big group from Ride Crazy Boston will be doing the out & back. They setup their own event page with detailed information here:https://www.facebook.com/events/721826097940836/

Option 4: Do the “Truck ‘N Train Combo”. We will transport your bike out to Southborough Station via moving truck, and then you take the normally scheduled commuter rail train to Southborough Station. Everything you need to know about the Truck ‘N Train combo can be found here:https://www.eventbrite.com/e/midnight-marathon-truck-n-trai…

TIPS FOR THE RIDE:
– The ride is self supported, meaning: Be sure to bring a spare tube and a basic kit of tools in case you have a bike malfunction. If you don’t have a spare tube that fits your bike, go to your local bike shop and get one before the ride.
-If you haven’t ridden much this year, get your bike shop to give your bike a quick safety check if you. You can also do an ABC Quick Check like in this short video: https://vimeo.com/64578975
– If you don’t know how to fix basic bike problems, then ride with someone who does.
– LIGHTS LIGHTS LIGHTS LIGHTS LIGHTS LIGHTS. The more the merrier, but be sure to at least have a front that is white and a rear that is red.
– Helmet… I’m not gonna get all preachy on this matter. I will be wearing mine because I think its a good idea. Use your own judgement, but consider that it will be dark outside, there will be train tracks to cross… and a bunch of other riders with varying levels of skill.
– Bring gloves, and wear layers so you can adjust your clothing to the desired warmth. You’ll be cold if you end up standing around, and warmer once your legs are pumping.
– Snacks are a good idea. I say bring some snacks. It’s a community event, so bring some extra snacks to share… with me.
– Hydration is a good idea. Bring something to drink. Your body will thank you later.
– It’s not a race, its a ride. I recommend riding at a pace where you can chill with some friends, chat up that good looking cyclist next to you, or get a group sing-a-long going. “Sweet Caroline” as we roll past Kenmore might be a good fit.
– Bring a map of the marathon route in case you get separated. A smart phone with a map app works pretty well too.

AFTER THE RIDE:
– Pancakes, Coffee, Muffins, Bacon etc. Boston Common Coffee Company on Washington Street in Downtown Crossing will be setting up a tent outside their store so you can stuff your face with early morning eats. It’s just under a mile from the finish line (map: https://goo.gl/maps/xp6DQ). We can’t hang out at the finish line for security reasons, so just pedal on a bit more and celebrate your achievement with delicious food. BCCC is donating all the proceeds of the pancake breakfast to The Home Away Fund which helps provide assistance to families dealing with epilepsy.

– BCCC is buying all the food tonight, so please get yourself a ticket NOW to ensure they get enough food:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2015-midnight-marathon-ride-pa…

More From The Midnight Marathon People.


ATTENTION PANCAKE EATERS!!! I will be heading out on Wednesday to purchase batter, syrup and other items for the breakfast. PLEEEEEASE if you are going to join us sign up before then to make your arrival run as smooth as possible. Here is the link to purchase tickets

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2015-midnight-marathon-ride-pa…

Last year we had over 250 riders come in for breakfast and its looking like a great night!

2015 Midnight Marathon Ride Pancake Breakfast
Midnight Marathon Riders, What better way to complete your journey from Hopkington to Boston then a hot Pancake Breakfast!!!! The Home Away Fund will be hosting a post-ride Charity Pancake…
EVENTBRITE.COM

Midnight Marathon Bike Ride Is Registering Now

full moon bike over boston


If you bike, you gotta do this ride.  It’s so cool and so unique it would be a shame to miss.   It’s at midnight but so what.   There is no traffic and lots of cops and workers on the sidelines prepping the route for the marathon making this a very safe ride.   I’ll be there early after leaving people at Logan.

I’ll be going early making a stop at Logan before hand.  If you want to meet up with me, find me at South Station.  There will be a lot of people but not so many we can’t find each other.

Be sure to register NOW if you want your bike transported to Hopkington.  It’s thirty bucks. There is also a pancake breakfast for $15 and the commuter rail to Southbough to meet your bike is about $6.

The Midnight Marathon Bike Ride is back for 2015!

This year’s Midnight Marathon ride will be just like last year’s, meaning

*It’s going to be awesome, but just like always, this ride is on open public roads and is NOT supported, so you’re responsible for bringing friends, dressing appropriately, your own safety. If you get a flat, you’ll need to be able to fix it on your own.

*We’re organizing a “Truck ‘n Train” option for you, meaning you purchase a ticket from us to transport your bike on a moving truck from South Station to Southborough, and you take the Commuter Rail to Southborough to pick up your bike (which means you also purchase a commuter rail ticket separately) Tickets for “Truck n’ Train” are available here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/midnight-marathon-truck-n-train-2015-tickets-16468641149
Not to mention, any leftover proceeds will go to a local bike organization of your choice!

*There will be a PANCAKE BREAKFAST charity fundraiser organized independently of us by our friends at Boston Common Coffee Company. Trust us, you’ll want pancakes after the ride. Tickets are LIMITED, buy tickets for the breakfast here..It helps a great deal to know how many people are coming for this, so we ask you to please buy tickets BEFORE WEDNESDAY, 4/15 if you know you’re in for some sweet, sweet, post-ride pancakes: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2015-midnight-marathon-ride-pancake-breakfast-tickets-16434064730

*VOLUNTEERS: WE NEED VOLUNTEERS to help with various things, including loading bikes in and out of trucks, flagging people down at tricky train track crossing on dark roads, providing unofficial ad-hoc support, AND facilitating a delicious pancake breakfast. Want to help make Midnight Marathon happen? Please sign up on our volunteer form here:http://bit.ly/1EiT9aa

Can’t wait to see you all out there!

Greg Hum, BostonSoS, and friends.