don.al.rey

var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-16991611-1']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })();

[thespecializeddigest]

The last of the leaves have fallen but the roads are staying golden.

[thespecializeddigest]

No photos of bicycles but just roads.  It’s definitely one of the biggest climb I’ve done.  Pikes Peak is a 20 mile (32 km), 7,000 ft (2,100 m) climb that tops of at 14,000 ft (4,200 m) above sea level!  Let us know the biggest climb that you’ve done. 

Donalrey

[thespecializeddigest]

The fog rolling in thick as we ascended well above 10,000 ft.

[donalrey]

Duck down!

[thespecializeddigest]

The Shawangunk Mountains or simply known as The Gunks, are glacial formed ridges that runs through Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and extending all the way up to New York.  Within these ridges lies a system of carriage roads and dirt trails.  Over the weekend, Amir, George, and myself set off to explore some of these roads around Minnewaska State Park and Mohonk Preserve.  We rode over 50 miles going up and down these ridges.  With its sweeping view, unlike anything you will see around New York, this has to be one of my favorite places to explore as of late.  

[thespecializeddigest]

Here’s what my summer’s been looking like in no particular order.  So far, so good. I hope you all are getting in some good miles, sleeping underneath the stars, and finding some time to get lost.

 @donalrey

[thespecializeddigest]

Recently a lot of the riding that I’ve been doing over the weekend requires taking a train up and taking the train back. I know a lot of cyclists are quick to judge when I tell them this but just try it once and I guarantee you it will change your life. Well, not really but you’ll definitely be riding on some of the most beautiful roads NY has to offer.

[thespecializeddigest]

Kicking off the official first day off summer just right! 

[thespecializeddigest]

When your favorite Ukranian from Barcelona visits America for the first time you make her carry the American flag for nearly a hundred miles. That’s what you’re suppose to do, right?

[thespecializeddigest]

Over the weekend we headed out of New York onto Connecticut and finally over to Massachusetts on a 3 day bike packing trip.  Although only 180 miles, it really did feel like we were thousands of miles away from Brooklyn.  Summer vibes is definitely in full effect.

@donalrey

[donalrey]

Heading into the weekend...

[thespecializeddigest]

Despite the hashtag, LA doesn’t really suck for cycling. The weather is almost always perfect, it has some monstrous climbs and a ton of fire roads to discover. About a week ago I got to squeeze in a couple of days in LA and I was lucky enough to snag a Tarmac from Cynergy Cycles for me to play in. And as expected it did not disappoint. Until next time LA…

[thespecializeddigest]

I watched some friends ride their bikes really fast yesterday.

[thespecializeddigest]

Some new roads explored over the weekend.  And as the sun came out some layers were shed and the smiles came out.  Here’s to warmer days ahead.

Don 

[thespecializeddigest]

Tired of riding the same old roads, these past couple of months I’ve been taking the train about an hour and a half north of the city searching for some new roads. Last weekend was no different as I showed an old friend some new roads.

[thespecializeddigest]

A quick spin upstate for Mark’s birthday. Not quite what we expected on a spring day.

[thespecializeddigest]

Do you even VIAS bro?

Happy Friday