Photo by Holly Ladd
Day-Before Check-In and Bike Loading
On ride day we transport most bikes and cyclists for free from the place where you do morning check in to the place where you actually start to pedal. You should just take my word for that, but if you really want to lose your mind, you can read the full explanation in excruciating detail here.
ANYWAY... you can make that whole process faster and easier by taking advantage of Day-Before Check-In and Bike Loading. This is optional, it costs $20, and you can sign up for it during online registration.
What’s the advantage of loading my bike the day before?
Shorter check-in lines in a more relaxed setting compared to ride day.
Get some extra sleep on the morning of the ride -- you’re all ready to go!
Where and when does day-before bike loading take place?
Two locations:
MANHATTAN
Friday September 13, 2024
3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Behind the Jacob Javits Convention Center
12th Avenue between W. 34th and W. 35th Street on the east side of 12th Avenue.
Who can load their bike in Manhattan the day before?
• 155-mile riders using the Manhattan start line on ride day. (We can NOT pre-load bikes for 155-mile riders starting from Brooklyn on ride day.)
• 108-mile riders
• 73-mile riders
BABYLON
Behind the Babylon LIRR station
Sammis Avenue and Colt Avenue
Babylon, NY 11702
You can see a map here.
Friday September 13, 2024
3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Who can load their bike here the day before?
• 108-mile riders
• 73-mile riders
These are the ONLY route distances where you can load their bike the day before.
Will registration be on sale at day-before check-in?
Yes, if the ride is not sold out yet. Cash or credit card only. No checks.
Please note what we are happy to help you register for the ride at day-before check-in, but online registration is less expensive -- it will close on Wednesday September 11th at noon.
Do I need to bring my rider I.D. wristbands to day-before bike loading?
YES. Wristbands will be mailed out for free before ride day. If you don't have your wristbands we are happy to provide a duplicate at day-before bike loading, but why not skip that line? Bring your wristbands if you have them.
I already finished my homework -- can I go outside and play now?
Sure.
I’m checking in a bag that will be trucked to Montauk for me with a towel and a change of clothes so I can enjoy the free hot showers at the finish. Can I check in my bag the day before?
No.
Why?
Because what usually happens is that if someone checks in their bag early they inevitably come running back 30 minutes later -- “I MUST get into my bag -- my [house keys, wallet, drugs, eyeglasses, kitty] are inside. It shouldn’t be hard to find my luggage in that pile of 300 bags -- my bag is BLACK!”
This is why we have you hang on to your bag right until you’re ready to pedal.
Can I pick up my T-shirt or racing jersey the day before?
No. All clothing will be waiting for you at the Montauk finish line. There will be no clothing sales day-before. There will be clothing sales (subject to availability) at the finish line.
We DO offer our Express Lane service where we mail you your clothing before the ride. You can sign up for the Express Lane during on-line registration. If you’ve already registered and now decided that you want the Express Lane service after all just drop us an email here.
Can I load my friend’s bike the day before?
Yes. Bring their wristbands with you if at all possible.
Where and when do I get my bike back?
On ride day we will transport you at no charge to the place where you actually start pedaling. All the information on when and where to show up on ride day can be found here.
WARNING!
Once your bike is in a truck, you can NOT change routes, or you will find that your bike is in one location while you are in another!
What if I load my bike the day before and then realize that I can’t attend the ride?
You are totally screwed. This presents some interesting challenges!
If possible, get to the place where you would actually start pedaling on ride day and retrieve your bike (even if you won’t be able to pedal that day). Those locations are:
108-mile riders:
The Babylon LIRR train station
7:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m.
73-mile riders
The Mastic-Shirley LIRR train station
9:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
50-mile riders
The Hampton Bays Water District
18 Ponquogue Avenue
Hampton Bays, NY
9:00 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.
25-mile riders
The Bridgehampton LIRR train station
9:45 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.
If you miss that opportunity your bike will go back to our office, located a convenient 200 miles from anything. We will help make arrangements to ship your bike to you at an insane price. (So a note from your doctor explaining that you were unable to pedal on ride day will not sway us one bit. We’re just that mean and lazy.)
Bikes will be held for 30 days maximum and then something horrible will happen to them that we haven’t figured out yet.
