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Challenge Information

The Ride - Click the map to get more detailed info on any part of the course

The Blue Hill Cabin Challenge is a serious ride for serious cyclists. The ride is roughly 60 miles of steep, often sustained, Cat 1-5 climbs. Along the way 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.

This is a supported ride. There will be three 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"

- 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 and the Blue Hill Fly Fishermen.

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.

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. Ride start is the New Paltz Middle School parking lot. Each wave will go out with a bag pipe send off. That's how we do it

We will offer three rides
Fondo---First 30 miles of the traditional CC. You will need to get your own ride to the finish.
Cabin Challenge---60 miles. Last 17 miles you climb 4000 feet.
Cabin Challenge Extreme---full CC with a 7.5 mile out and back along the West Branch of the Neversink.
The price is the same for all

The Finish

Finish Line---Claryville Art Center

The ride will start at the New Paltz Middle School. The Claryville, NY Art Center will be the finish and site of the post ride meal and ceremony. The post ride meal is legendary and will be spectacular. All riders are encouraged to attend the Post Ride celebration. The finish line in Clayrville is approximately a 1-hour drive from New Paltz. It is an easy drive and directions will be provided.

There are typically 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.

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

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