August 2019 - BICYCLING
MHCC Century Weekend
Riders heading out on the 50-mile ride at the 2018 Mohawk Hudson Cycling Club Century Weekend. Dave Kraus / KrausGrafik.com
Mohawk Hudson Cycling Club
Celebrates 50 Years with its Signature Event
By Bill Little
This year’s MHCC Century will again be based at the historic Dutch Barn at Altamont Fairgrounds. Dave Kraus / KrausGrafik.com
It’s only a few short weeks now until the Mohawk Hudson Cycling Club’s annual Century Weekend on Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 7 and 8 in Altamont. If you haven’t registered yet, time is running out. Century Weekend is a ride event for everyone including 12, 25, 50, 62.5, and 100-mile routes that show off the best of upstate New York scenery in Albany County. Follow up your rides both days with a catered lunch from Delmar’s awesome Four Corners Luncheonette. Then relax, trade stories about your rides, and enjoy a complimentary craft brewed draught from Brown’s Brewing in Troy (for adult riders only).
This ride is also one of the best deals for your money. Ride both days for an affordable advance registration price through Sept. 5. Also, there’s a special low-dough offer for casual riders who only want to do the 12-mile “Piccolo Century” through Sept. 5! After that, prices increase slightly for all rides.
Plus, this is MHCC’s 50th anniversary – 1969 to 2019, can you believe it, and the club wants to celebrate, so all registrants for any length ride will be given a pair of MHCC 50th anniversary socks when they return to the Altamont Fairgrounds after their ride – you have to check in at the registration desk to get them! Socks will be also available for sale at the post-ride check-in desk as well for non-members, volunteers and other club fans. This year’s scenic routes all start and finish at the Altamont Fairgrounds, in Albany County, at the historic Dutch Barn. The 100-, 62.5- and 50-mile routes will go through the scenic southern Albany County communities of Westerlo, Berne, Rensselaerville and Knox.
Riders can participate one day or both days for a single day’s registration fee – discounted for club members – so pick the one that you like the most and enjoy a lovely fall weekend of riding. Riders doing the 25-mile and 12-mile “Piccolo Century” rides will pass through the village of Altamont and its rural surroundings with striking views of the Helderberg Escarpment. Full rest stops will be provided at approximately 20-mile intervals for all the ride routes. The rest stops have food, drink, and real bathrooms – no porta-johns!
The MHCC Century folks have been working hard since last winter to make this year’s event a fun way to get in a lot of riding with a big group of fellow riders. Day of registration is available. Pump up the tires and get riding!
Volunteer help is valued to make the weekend a success as there’s a lot to be done. As a volunteer, ride for free and get lunch and a craft brew. Consider riding one day and volunteering the other. Family and friends are also welcome to volunteer and donate their free registration to a club member. To volunteer, go to bikereg.com and search for the ride.
Support Albany Bike Rescue by bringing your used bicycles or parts to donate at the Century Weekend. ABR is a very important and successful charity returning bikes to the road for those who need them. Your donations are needed and will be much appreciated. Visit them at albanybikerescue.org. (bikereg.com)