Challenge Information and Courses

The 2021 Challenge is impacted by COVID-19.  So we decided to make the CC better than ever.  We are offering three course this year.

CABIN CHALLENGE--78 Miles
Cabin Challenge Route--https://ridewithgps.com/routes/33231060
There will be one aid station...around mile 45 plan accordingly.  The aid station will be at the intersection of Sundown Road and Sugerloaf Road.  The KOM/QOM will be the lowest combined times of Mohonk and Peekamoose.

FONDO--34 Miles
Fondo Route--https://ridewithgps.com/routes/33230693
There will be one aid station...around mile 15 at the Kripplebush-Lyonsville Firehouse.
The KOM/QOM will be the lowest combined times of Mohonk and Peekamoose.

Cabin Challenge Full Monty 101 miles
Cabin Challenge Extreme Route--https://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/4073095303
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There will be two aid stations.  We have not figured it all out yet.  Stay tuned we are on it.  This ride promises the full Cabin experience.

General Info
The Blue Hill Cabin Challenge is a serious ride for serious cyclists. The ride is not easy .  There are three routes.   The CC Full Monty...you get everything....mostly pain. The CC is serious.  The Fondo....you can drink beer the entire time.  The rides are often steep and full of Cat 1-5 climbs.  The Blue Monster is a 6 mile long sustained climb.   Throughout the ride you will encounter beautiful Catskill Mountains, pristine mountain streams, and local characters who might have just walked out of a Dickens novel.  The ride starts in New Paltz, NY and ends in the town of Claryville, NY.   In 2020 and again in 2021 we will also finish in New Paltz.

This is a supported ride.  There will be aid stations, equipped with a bevy of culinary delights, fresh fruit, gels, bars, water, sports drink, etc.  That being said, you should show up with water and food, this is a hard core endeavor and you should make adequate preparations.  There will also be a sweep vehicle.  However, you need to be able to support yourself.  

​Can you change a tire?  If the answer is no...start practicing or reconsider this ride.  We are serious.

​Check the Announcements section below for updates on Aid Station locations as ride day approaches.

"This is no time for ease and comfort.  It is time to dare and endure" 
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- Winston Churchill

The Rider

You will see lots of wild life during the Challenge

The Ladies of the Cabin Challenge.  We are currently selling calendars.

The cost of participation is $65 per person.  This will cover your swag bag, shirt, and post-ride meal.  If you are having family join you at the finish the cost is $20 per person.  Kids under 10 eat for free, compliments of the Cabin. 

If you know of somebody who you think would be interested in the ride, but unsure if they can finish, please contact the Ride Director.  Bottom line:  You have to vouch for them.  The Cabin Challenge is like the Mafia.  You vouch for them, they are your guys.  If they turn bad or become real tools, you get called in.  Getting called in is bad.  That's how it is. 

Riders will be sent off in flights starting 6am with the Cabin Monty, the Cabin Challenge at 7am, and the Fondo at 930am.  Riders will be able to adjust their departure time to suit their needs.   Please discuss this with the RD There will be two flights of riders.  One flight will start the ride at 8:00AM and the second flight will start a half hour later at 8:30AM.  This year the ride will start in New Paltz.  Each wave will go out with a bag pipe send off.  That's how we do it.  Well we will try....our bag piper graduated and now thinks its not cool to rock the bagpipes.

The Finish

Finish Line---Claryville Art Center

Unfortunately we will not be finishing in our usual spot...The Claryville Art Center and Blue Hill Lodge.  This year the ride will start and finish at 14 Morningstar Drive.   The post ride celebration will be provided by our friends at the Main Street Bistro.  It will be over the top....like everything we do....legendary and spectacular.  

There are three sets of awards given out:  the Cabin Grit award, King of the Mountain (KOM) and Queen of the Mountain (QOM).  The Cabin Grit award is given to the individual that the ride director feels embraced the spirit of the cabin that day and demonstrates an all around solid, prodigious effort.  The Cabin Grit award is given to the rider who best embodies the spirit of the Cabin....badassery, perseverance, camaraderie, and true grit. The KOM and QOM awards are given out to top male and female riders who make it up the blue monster.  Sorry, no bribes here - you gotta be legit.  While we enjoy giving out awards and encouraging a competitive atmosphere, this is a ride - not a race, and KOM & QOM awards are doled out purely as a congratulatory measure.  Don't get too crazy out there and try not to be too serious about awards.  Finally, the Ride Director has been known to give out random awards.

Some past winners claim to have received a burlap sack of broken Soviet appliances instead of their actual award.  The Ride Committee has no comment.

Lance Armstrong reacts to news of another Cabin Challenge

Announcements

Registration opens on March 15th at 12:01am.  We sell out pretty quick so don't be a slacker!

​Price $65  

​Register here:  www.bikereg.com/cabin-challenge

"The ride was worth twice what I paid for it"
           - Mitch Alter
             2017  Cabin Challenge True Grit Recipient

"The journey of a million miles begins with a single step"
- Lao Tzu

Inspirational video....

Judge Bacon grinding up Peekamoose.  Note the riders in the background employing the serpentine method.  Serpentining is effective whether climbing a steep mountain or fleeing from gunfire. 

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Jeff Weiss and Looch riding across the Ashokan Dam. A few minutes later Looch would conviently turn around to investigate a murder in New Paltz. I guess he will finish the Blue Monster later

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​Check out the event page on Facebook; Follow us on Twitter @cabinchallenge