There is a reason that most people go around Staten Island, rather than through it.  The middle of Staten Island is one of the hilliest areas of NYC.  And that's right where we are going.  This ride takes us through Gyrmes and Todt Hills, and we then climb up Emerson Hill, where to my knowledge, no 5BBC ride has gone before.  Descending Emerson Hill we will stop by and visit the house of Don Corleone of Godfather fame.  The ride then takes us past the New York Farm Colony.  We will be doing a compression stop by a hole in the fence for those who want to explore this interesting ruin.  After the Farm Colony, we climb up the back side of Lighthouse Hill, before heading back going through Richmondtown and La Tourette Park.  This trail is "hard pack" dirt and gravel.  From there, we hit the Richmond Avenue bike trail and head home.  As with most hilly rides- the views will be worth the climb.

This ride is listed as an Advanced Moderate Ride.  Although it is rather short, there is over 1000K elevation with some 10%ers thrown in there for fun.  We will NOT be making any formal stop where we can get food - SO IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT YOU PACK YOUR OWN LUNCH AND FOOD.  Bathrooms will be where [if] we can find them.

We will be following club Covid protocols requiring masks and social distancing when we come to a stop.  If you register for the ride, and are unable to attend, please make sure to de-list yourself so another club member can take your spot.  Cue sheets and ride with GPS files will be sent a day or two in advance to those who are on the ride.