Touring - NYC 5-Boro Ride, 5-7-06

HI All...new guy here to the forums...was wondering if anyone has done the NYC 5-Boro Ride? I'm going for the first time this year. Any suggestions, tips or pre-ride gatherings? Thanks!

for info on the ride: http://www.bikenewyork.org/BNY-TOUR.htm

-Scott

I've done it a few times over the years, and I'll probably be doing it this year. It's fun. It's not a particularly strenuous ride, and it's pretty crowded, especially at the beginning before the crowd thins out, but it's fun.

Any suggestions, tips or pre-ride gatherings? Thanks!


If you’re in the area, you should definitely do it. My only suggesting would be to get there early and try to get to as close to the front as possible. I believe they have a VIP option which puts you in the front, so if you have the $ I’d recommend going that route.

Welcome to the bikeforums.
There was another thread with some info
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=181766&highlight=bIKE+yORK

Planning to be there. Sent my money in but haven't gotten my packet yet.
Been on the tour the last two years and had a great time.

Some advice -
Get there early to get a good place in line. (within 10 blocks of the start is considered good)
Be patient with the crowds. Usually thins out in Central Park.
Stay alert, some of the other riders are novices and some of the roads have potholes and cobbles.
If you can hold out until the second rest stop for a toilet break, you can save a lot of waiting in line. (ps - take advantage of the facilities at Battery Park ahead of time)
Eat and drink, you already paid for it. (note - the food and drink at the park is not free. Fill up your water and grab a little extra food at the last rest stop in Brooklyn.)
Be prepared for a wait for the ferry back to Manhattan.

I've done it the last two years. Great fun. Very crowded. Very crowded. Best to get in the mindset of a long leisurely ride. Lots of novices. Be prepared to go very slow and be on the watch for people swerving, veering and generally not paying attention. Don't try to go zipping past people as you are asking for accident. Its not a race. Saw a terrible accident last year in Central Park where some jacka$$ tried to run accross the street in the middle of thousands of bikers speeding along. Biker ended up flying off his bike and hitting a lamp post. One other point - the Ferry back to Manhattan. My girlfriend and I decided to lay around in the park and enjoy the music they provide after you cross the Verizano and sort of let the crowd waiting for the ferry thin out. It doesn't thin out. While we did have a very nice time in the park, we did not have a nice time with the 3+ hour wait to get on the ferry after that.

....One other point - the Ferry back to Manhattan. My girlfriend and I decided to lay around in the park and enjoy the music they provide after you cross the Verizano and sort of let the crowd waiting for the ferry thin out. It doesn't thin out. While we did have a very nice time in the park, we did not have a nice time with the 3+ hour wait to get on the ferry after that.
Last year one of the ferries broke down. The tour organzers are promising to have more boats running this year.
The festival is nice, but I plan to skip it (maybe a quick run at the food tent) and get to the ferries early. Plan is to keep on riding, probably around the Manhattan Greenway. Should be good for around 80 miles total for the day.

One other point - the Ferry back to Manhattan. My girlfriend and I decided to lay around in the park and enjoy the music they provide after you cross the Verizano and sort of let the crowd waiting for the ferry thin out. It doesn't thin out. While we did have a very nice time in the park, we did not have a nice time with the 3+ hour wait to get on the ferry after that.

Here's a better solution.

Instead of waiting for the ferry, you could have crossed over the Bayonne Bridge into Bayonne, New Jersey. Take the Hudson Bergen Light Rail at 22nd street ($2.00) over to Exchange place in Jesey City. Then take the Path train ($1.50)over to the World Trade center. I suspect this whole trip would have taken about 2 hours but it would have been much better and interesting than waiting at that park for 3 hours.

HI All...new guy here to the forums...was wondering if anyone has done the NYC 5-Boro Ride? I'm going for the first time this year. Any suggestions, tips or pre-ride gatherings? Thanks!

for info on the ride: http://www.bikenewyork.org/BNY-TOUR.htm

-Scott

Here are my suggestions.

1. Central Park ---- There's fast downhill that makes a sharp right. Be careful and slow into that corner and watch for others taking it flat out.

2. 59th Street Bridge ---- The bridge has a metal floor that is horrible. Don't fall or slip on this floor. Did I mention how many flats I've seen at the end of this bridge?

3. Expressway ---- I forgot the name of the expressway in Brooklyn but it's near the end of the ride, just before you hit the Varazano bridge. It's a huge downhill and there are ambulances at the bottom. Why are they there? Because all the water bottles, cameras and junk people are dropping on the way down from that huge hill, that's why! Make sure you have a clear view when going down that expressway and ride behind no one.

Thanks all...I appreciate the comments. -Scott