Jane and I participated in the fifth annual FANY ride, July 24-30, 2005. FANY stands for many things such as "Festival Across New York" or "Five hundred miles Across New York," or whatever you'd like! In any case, it's pronounced "fanny," as in what gets sore after 500 miles on a bicycle!

Jane and I drove to Niagara Falls on Saturday, July 23, and set up camp and registered. Jane drove our van with our camping gear while I rode across the state with the other riders. We returned from Saratoga Springs, NY, at the end of the ride on Saturday, July 30.

This is the fifth FANY ride. The 2001 ride had only about 25 riders. In 2002, there were about 60. Unfortunately, we missed 2003. In 2004, there were about 130 riders of which about 40 were taking advantage of the "hotel option," which allows you to stay in a hotel each night rather than set up camp. Another new feature that year was the "Sore FANY option" in which riders SAGged to the midpoint each day and then rode from the midpoint to the overnight town. In other words, about 250 miles total instead of 500 miles. I think about a half dozen riders were doing this.

In 2005, the ride reverted to a camping only ride with a hotel ride promised for September. Also, the Sore FANY option was eliminated. (Not enough demand?) About 90 riders participated.

An improvement in 2003 was arrows taped to signpoles along the route, showing when to turn. This year, the arrows were replaced by colored ribbons tied to whatever was handy. "Always keep the ribbons on your right."

I had a much better ride this year than last. Probably many things contributed. To start with, I had no broken finger or other broken bones! The weather was better. I was in better shape having repeatedly ridden a 65 mile route with 3500 feet of climbing; more climbing than any FANY ride day and only about 23 miles short of the most mileage (actually, I think what all the training did was make me able to go up hills slower without falling over!). We got up at 5 am every day, so I didn't come in so late. Only three flats and no broken spokes or other damage. Finally, shifting was much better this year, I only threw the chain off once and a quick adjustment solved that problem.

The rest of the story is in the photo albums below. Click on a thumbnail to see the photo album for that day. Note that the group photos and the map overlays are large files. All the rest are moderate sized files. If you want to see all the thumbnails on a single page, which will take a long time to load, look at the super album. Note that the album links on the individual pages, return to the daily albums, not the super album.

I really need help with the names. When the ride had only 25 people I could remember everyone's name. With 90, I can't. I should have been writing them down, but I didn't. If you know a name, email me at groth@pupgg.princeton.edu. Thanks, and don't be shy!

	Saturday, July 23, 2005 The day before the ride at Niagara Falls
	Sunday, July 24, 2005 Niagara Falls to Brockport Cue sheet: 88.0 miles, GPS: 88.2 miles, Climb: 1323 feet Sunny in the morning. Occasional sprinkle in afternnon. Slight headwinds in afternoon.
	Monday, July 25, 2005 Brockport to Penn Yan Cue sheet: 79.9 miles, GPS: 82.4 miles, Climb: 3176 feet Sunny and hot. Slight tailwinds when heading east.
	Tuesday, July 26, 2005 Penn Yan to Baldwinsville Cue sheet: 70.1 miles, GPS: 71.0 miles, Climb: 2403 feet Sunny in the morning. Hot and humid all day. Thunderstorms after 5:30 pm.
	Wednsesday, July 27, 2005 Baldwinsville to Booneville Cue sheet: 78.1 miles, GPS: 78.0 miles, Climb: 3001 feet Rain for first 20 miles. Rain, headwind, cold and most of climb in last 20 miles.
	Thursday, July 28, 2005 Booneville to Speculator Cue sheet: 62.2 miles, GPS: 63.6 miles, Climb: 3027 feet Foggy and damp in the morning. Beautiful afternoon.
	Friday, July 29, 2005 Speculator to Lake George Cue sheet: 67.4 miles, GPS: 68.6 miles, Climb: 1761 feet Foggy and chilly in the morning. Beautiful in the afternoon.
	Saturday, July 30, 2005 Lake George to Saratoga Springs Cue sheet: 51.3 miles, GPS: 44.6 miles, Climb: 1634 feet Foggy and chilly in the morning. Beautiful afternoon.
	The group photo with numbers superposed. The key is an Excel spreadsheet. If you find a blank next to your number, send me an email at groth@pupgg.princeton.edu and tell me your name!
	Maps and Profiles

If I learn of other photo albums of the ride, I'll post links here.