UPDATE:  Unfortunately trying to move the ride to Sunday to accommodate the LIRR issues, caused more problems then it was worth.. So despite the LIRR not being a reasonable option on Saturday due to massive track work on Saturday, the ride will occur on Saturday September 14th, meeting at 10;45 AM  at the North Ferry terminal in Greenport.  Sorry for the ping ponging, but this is it.  Unfortunately because of the track work the LIRR is not a reasonable option.  If you cannot drive or be part of a car pool, the other alternative is the Hampton Jitney bus.  If you take the Jitney you must make a reservation and call them to say you are bringing a bike.  The Jitney has a bus going to the North Fork that leaves from 44th Street near Grand Central at 8:00 Saturday morning and is scheduled to arrive in Greenport at 10:35 (there are other earlier stops from 96th St as it goes down Lexington, check the their website for more information AND PLEASE CONTACT ME IF YOU ARE TAKING THE JITNEY.    Please read the revised description below.  Again sorry for these changes as we adapt to the LIRR work.

Let's take advantage of an early September weekend morning and head out early to the East End to explore the magical beauty and excellent riding on Shelter Island, an island without a traffic light.  The ride will meet at 10:45 AM at the North Ferry terminal in Greenport by the LIRR station and the stop for the Hampton Jitney bus.  Because of the LIRR track work there are two options to get to the start.  One can attend via car and carpools.  Or one can attend via the Hampton Jitney bus from Manhattan (the Jitney generally allows bikes, but you should confirm and reserve indicating you have a bike and purchase your ticket in advance). If you have questions regarding the transporation options email me. 

The ride will be 30-40 miles and provide an overview of the island.  We will stop at various points to enjoy special views. Ride is listed as moderate, but we will keep a steady pace, but won't rush. But, please note it is hilly, frequent hills that are mostly fun with some good downhills, but some steep grades. Operative words above - "frequent hills".  

IMPORTANT Please eat a good breakfast and bring substantial snacks to tide you over, as we may or may not be making a food stop and if we do it is likely for ice cream.  It is recommended, that you bring picnic lunch for yourself. The picnic will be late in the ride 2:30-3:00 depending on pace.  Near the end of the ride, we will stop by my place on Shelter Island where we will eat the lunch you bring. There will a period of hanging out on the deck and we will have snacks and drinks.  There will be a kitty jar for contributions to help cover the cost of the drinks and snacks.  After hanging out, we will make our way back to the ferry via a route with some amazing views and homes.

RIDE REQUIREMENTS:  you must register for the ride AND CONTACT ME directly in order to participate. This is necessary to coordinate lots of logistics, including letting me know how you will get to Greenport. Feel free to contact me with questions.  If you have a car and can take someone ( or more than one person) and their bike, PLEASE, PLEASE CONTACT ME, as we have folks who would like to get a ride out and/or back.  Shelter Island is extremely beautiful, but not convenient, so it does require coordination. In addition to bringing snacks and your picnic lunch, please bring plenty of water, money for the ferry, the kitty and your transportation, and an upbeat inquisitive attitude.  

Finally, one could decide to make a weekend out of it and either come out Friday night, or stay over Saturday at a B&B or hotel on the Island or on the Northfork and enjoy more than the ride overview of Shelter.  Let me know if you decide to do that and need some recommendations.