General Cycling Discussion - Bike New York * Any comments?

Hi!
Last year I saw an ad for Bike New York, which is a 60 mile bike ride through all the bouroughs of NYC. I just recieved my application to sign up for it. Has anyone done it before? After I signed up, I've heard mixed reviews (the bad ones basically saying that it's outgrown itself, and that there are too many bicyclists that are not used to riding carefully). If anyone is interested, they have a website:
http://www.bikenewyork.org/

I'd like to hear what others have experienced. I've been planning on doing something similar, albeit very early (like 4-6 am on a nice saturday/sunday this summer) with a group of likeminded bicylists. I'll wait and see what people say, and decide for myself.

Thanks!
Dave

Hi Dave,

I have been riding in the 5 Boro Bike Tour for the last 6 years. Even though this tour has approximately 40,000+ cyclists, I DEFINITELY plan to ride again this year. I love the fact that this is the one day that you can ride your bike on the forbidden FDR/Harlem River Drive, West Side Highway and over bridges usually closed to cyclists. Yes....it is too crowded and too many inexperienced riders, but that in my opinion is all part of the territory.
If you are thinking that this is the day you are going to break your time record, think again. This is more like a fun experience that you do once a year.
Try it this year and if you don't like it, you never have to do it again.
Just remember, since us riders close down many streets and highways, think again about driving that day!

Good luck Dave and hope you ride!

Marcy

I would love to see pictures from this event! 40,000 cyclists riding in NYC, wow :)

Joe,

Hopefully this works....

Check out these pictures:


http://www.bikenewyork.org/frameguide.htm

I've done the ride three years now, and it is a rush. You have to really concentrate, there are so many people, you can't take your eyes off the road for a second. And last year was especially fun because we got there very late, rode at the back of the pack, and ended up waiting 2 hours for the Staten Island Ferry in the baking sun. Thank god the NYFD was on hand to hose down all us cyclists who were about to pass out. It was like being in a third world country - we were trapped with thousands of cyclists all packed in with no where to go, and the powers that be hose us down with FREEZING water, and you couldn't do anything about it. But, I have to say, it perked me back up, cause I was fading fast. But all in all, I'll be back there again this year - I love it!

If you love riding in the City traffic free - think about the NY MS Ride in September. Much smaller than the 5 Boro (maybe 6K?) and there are 30-60 and 100 mile routes. The 60 goes through the tunnel - that is an amazing feeling. Good luck!

i did it 3x, 1998, 1999, 2000. I stopped going because the day of the ride was at the start of my finals week at college. I loved every minute of it. it was great to see that many riders take over NYC. It was tough at times because some of the climbs were soo long and steep that most of the people got off their bikes and walked the rest. This usually happened on the way up onto bridges, but the ride down was FUUUUUUUUnnnnnn. My top speed going down the bridge was 48mph...damn it was FASsst. I highly recommend it to anyone that enjoys riding. It is a long ride..close to 50 miles from start to finish. My first time out i had massive cramps in my quads and i had to stop and take frequent breaks. But that was back in 1999 and i wasnt very knowledgeable in nutrition and the line. I will definetly do it again when i can.

I can't believe it-somebody resurrected a 2.5 year old thread!

i cant believe that.

I can't believe it-somebody resurrected a 2.5 year old thread!

holy crap...did i do that?!?!?!?

OH MY GOD. I KNOW WHAT I DID!!!

I was searching for threads with the word "pictures" and i guess this came up. But i didnt realize that i was still on the search results page and saw this thread added my comments. I thought it was a new thread. I didnt even look at the date.

Damn...im freaking stupid.

Well... I may be late but here's my advice. There are a couple of STEEP hills in Bike New York and you must make sure that you can see about 50 feet in front of you when going down.

Why?

It's during these hills that people start dropping water bottles and cameras and you certainly don't want to run over those!

sounds like an adventure.... maybe i'll do it this year!!

bike ny was the first bike ride i did since i was 16 (now 25) and i was way out of shape, there was not one challenging hill whatsoever, my mother did it fine and she was on a comfort bike. it is an awesome ride but there are too many people, the rest stops have nothing but peanut butter crackers and you are constantly stopping and waiting for roads to close, it is a great way to see ny but dont expect to be challenged at all.

>>>>there was not one challenging hill whatsoever, my mother did it fine and she was on a comfort bike.<<<<<<

There were a couple of challenging hills. Probably the most challenging was going over the Varazano bridge. I saw many rodies on the side or walking their bikes. I was able to do it on a comfort bike (folder) in FIRST GEAR!. That's the trick to Bike NY. You have to shift down on those hills early or you'll be walking the bike up the bridge!