GG> does seem like an excellent means of
> controlling a group of riders and I'm going to
> try it on the next ride i lead down here.

Isn't it usual everywhere? Well, I've never heard of the Drop System
except by participating in cyclotouristic day trips that start in New
York City. Maybe it's a New York invention of recent years, but all the
gangs of a dozen to a hundred seem to take it for granted here.

Many cycle clubs are for the smart and the strong, rating their riders as
A and B according to their skill with drafting and pacelines. I don't
deal with that kind of crowd at all, and don't know whether they would
feel insulted at the implication that they are sheep who will get lost
without a shepherd. Sometimes I'm among the fastest and smartest in my
group, and am glad to help the others by the Drop System. In a more
advanced group where I turn out to be one of the slow and dumb, it's no
problem accepting help from my shepherds.

GG> I'm also going to explore Staten Island and the Jersey connection
based on your commentary.

It's easy from the north, which is how I started by crossing the George
Washington Bridge. You can also do it solo, or by joining one of the
bike groups that meet almost every weekend morning at the GW Bridge Bus
Station.

I hear the 2005 edition of the official NYC bike map is at the shops
today. I'll have to snag one tomorrow. Too bad there are no similar
maps for distribution at every bike shop in Connecticut and Long Island.