Northeast - 5 Boros ride (Bike New York) 5/6

Is anyone planning on going to Bike Nyc aka 5 Boros ride on May 6th? Early registration ends this Friday and it's $42 to register. I need to find a ride to and from the event... of course I will pay gas and bring snax.

Craig

As an FYI the Chinatown bus allows bikes in the luggage area - I've seen people do that up to Albany and Boston a few times.

Wow I had no idea, do you need to do anything more than take the wheels off? Thats great news , thanks

Some bungee cords and usually have to reserve a specific time so they know to leave room. Get there early too (but check their website).

And you shouldn't need to take the wheels off - they fit standing up underneath.

I'm saving up for some other trips - how is the whole marshalling/volunteer experience on this ride? Worth it?

I haven't done the ride before but I checked the volunteer checkbox cause I can bring basic tools and fix things for people (I actually enjoy that). Thanks for your advice.

No problem!

Wow... $42 to reg?? I recall when it was $15. Haven't done this ride in a long time - due to crowd and A..holes thinking it's a race. You might want to consider doing the Golden Apple in Westchester or the Bloomin Metric in CT.

$42 now is a lot cheaper than ride day.
I'll send mine in tonight.

hey lebowitz! It's a very different ride from the DC 50 State ride, but it's a lot of fun.

Yeah, jump on the Fung Wah bus from Chinatown to Chinatown. Cheap, you can toss your bike in the luggage thing underneath and grab some roast pork buns and coffee before you head to the start of the ride which is pretty damn close to Chinatown. Bring a U-lock to lock your wheel to the frame so your bike is useless if it gets jacked (it shouldn't) and wait til everyone throws their luggage in, then throw your bike on top of their luggage. And yeah, I'll be doing it again this year cuz I shot my mouth off about doing it last year so now some friends signed up and expect me to ride w/ them.

i'm in! first time since 2003. did it on a mountain bike then. this time will be on my first road bike.

really looking forward to it..

cc_rider: thanks for the advice, I'm definately doing 50 states this year. It brought me right to the tougue falls asleep / hypoxia brink last year, but I've been biking all year and hopefully I will see some results

cc_rider: Did you do the Vasa Ride that WABA sponsored?

cc_rider: Did you do the Vasa Ride that WABA sponsored?
Missed that one. Just coming off a 3 month bike-break due to a broken collar bone (biking, of course :D)
Was that the ride sponsored by the Swedish Embassy?

I wish the 50 State ride wasn't always the day before the Reston Century. Last year I only rode the first 15 miles of the 50St as part of a warm up for Reston. Would like to do more of it, but Reston is one of my regular events.

The BNY5B is also one of my regular events. Good excuse to vist my parents in NJ. Plan to park in Fort Lee, bike across the GW Bridge and down the west side as a warm up. If I can get in line by around 7am, I should be only 5 or 6 blocks from the start line. That position has worked the past few years to stay ahead of the crowd.

Bring comfortable walking shoes for this ride!

Wow... $42 to reg?? I recall when it was $15. Haven't done this ride in a long time - due to crowd and A..holes thinking it's a race. You might want to consider doing the Golden Apple in Westchester or the Bloomin Metric in CT.

I could swear ir was no more than $35 when I did it two years ago - and that semed like plenty at the time. There's only so many oranges and bananas you can eat.

Missed that one. Just coming off a 3 month bike-break due to a broken collar bone (biking, of course :D)
Was that the ride sponsored by the Swedish Embassy?

I wish the 50 State ride wasn't always the day before the Reston Century. Last year I only rode the first 15 miles of the 50St as part of a warm up for Reston. Would like to do more of it, but Reston is one of my regular events.

The BNY5B is also one of my regular events. Good excuse to vist my parents in NJ. Plan to park in Fort Lee, bike across the GW Bridge and down the west side as a warm up. If I can get in line by around 7am, I should be only 5 or 6 blocks from the start line. That position has worked the past few years to stay ahead of the crowd.

Be aware that the GWB south side bike path is closed for now, but MAY be open in time for the ride. The north side has lots of stairs (193 I think, up and down).

Be aware that the GWB south side bike path is closed for now, but MAY be open in time for the ride. The north side has lots of stairs (193 I think, up and down).
Yeh. I saw that on another thread.
I might try a dry run on Saturday - Fort Lee and the GW to Central Park, etc.
If the bridge is a problem, I'll drive in and park on Riverside like last year.

I just sent registration. This going to be my first time :) I just hope that my allergies this year won't stop me from going...

I just got my registration package for the event with the red bib and info mag. Can't wait...

I registered to marshall...we'll see.

A marshall, eh? Sounds official. Do I get anything for bribing you?

Figure it would be a fun experience. The marshalls helped me out BIG TIME on the NYC Century (through Transportation Alternatives) when my chest seized up (probably asthma attack) and rode with me and a few others to Astoria. Though this one would be an easy one to help out on.

Those bibs are so lame - I really wanted to ride in my team kit :)

Those bibs are so lame - I really wanted to ride in my team kit :)
What bibs? They send those to everyone? How do they know my size? :D

What bibs? They send those to everyone? How do they know my size? :D
The bib is just a rectangle of cheap cloth with a head-hole and a piece of elastic on each side. It has the ride logo, sponsor logos and a place to stick your rider-number tag.
The bib is your ticket into the rest areas, across the bridges, etc.
If you try to ride thru a checkpoint without one, you'll get pulled over and made to pay or get out.

Red bibs, eh? Better than the green from last year.

The bib is just a rectangle of cheap cloth with a head-hole and a piece of elastic on each side. It has the ride logo, sponsor logos and a place to stick your rider-number tag.
The bib is your ticket into the rest areas, across the bridges, etc.
If you try to ride thru a checkpoint without one, you'll get pulled over and made to pay or get out.

Red bibs, eh? Better than the green from last year.
Oh that thing... I thought you were talking about bib shorts :)

Two weeks after faxing in my registration, the ride packet arrived yesterday.
The vest is VERY red.:eek:

i went to my parent's house and saw my younger brother's registration packet.
that was the same reaction i had when i saw the vest :)

anyone else NOT receive their packet yet?

I don't register until the day of the event. I'm never sure if I'm going to do it until I wake up that morning. At this point I'm not doing it unless my kids (14, and 10yo twins) want to do it also, and the 10yo that wants to do it broke her shoulder a few weeks ago and probably won't be ready.

anyone else NOT receive their packet yet?
11 days, nothing... No charge on card, no packet in the mail :(

It is possible that the decision will be taken not to do "day of tour" registration. This is due to ever increasing size and resulting road and facility capacity restraints as well as better utilization of marshals. Keep an eye on the web site.
Good luck with the shoulder injury.

Is it true you can't wear a backpack? How about a Camelback? How accesible are the SAG trucks?

Is it true you can't wear a backpack? How about a Camelback? How accesible are the SAG trucks?

From their website

Carry only what is necessary in panniers (saddle bags), handlebar bags, and/or bags that attach to the back of the seat. Backpacks are not recommended; if used, they must be very small. Bags are subject to search. Please cooperate if federal, state, or city officials ask to see the contents of your bags.

Yup, just found it in my entrants materials.
Thanks.

From their website: Carry only what is necessary in panniers (saddle bags), handlebar bags, and/or bags that attach to the back of the seat. Backpacks are not recommended; if used, they must be very small. Bags are subject to search. Please cooperate if federal, state, or city officials ask to see the contents of your bags.
I can't imagine that a Camelbak will be a problem.

What are they going to do, search 30,000 cyclists?

Anyone riding with a normal-sized Camelbak has nothing to fear. That blurb about "searching" people is mumbo-jumbo that some lawyer wanted inserted. Don't sweat it.

Is it true you can't wear a backpack? How about a Camelback? How accesible are the SAG trucks?
I've worn my camelback and had no trouble.

Packs and the like are not a problem. In the 5BBT planning after 9/11, these issues were raised by the various authorities who must approve the operation of this event. This included the local pollice, and also the Feds: the Festival area at Fort Wadsworth is National Park Service property. Think what you want, someone did consider that there could be a wave of suicide biker bombs. And consider that the planning for the 2002 tour began only a couple of months after 9/11, well, you can understand.
In the end, the agreement was that each rider must be registered and each must have a visible identity as a registered cyclist, hence the serial numbered stickers. This is enforced by checkpoints. Those of who have ridden the event have seen the 3 checkpoints. At the last one, on 92nd Street, anyone not registered is not allowed onto the VZ Bridge, thus not allowed onto NPS property. May seem a bit draconian for a BIKE RIDE, but that is our world today.

I did the 5BBT last year for the first time...had a lot of start / stops as others have indicated...many more than I thought there would be! This year I'm swapping out my clip peddals for platforms and bringing a lightweight fleece vest for the start (it was FREEZING last year). Suggest arriving early to get in the front group...like the first 5 blocks or so...otherwise you are stuck behind the bulk. Skip the first rest stop and keep going to the second...helps to put distance between you and the pack and lets the groups spread out. I totally enjoyed the ride last year and would love to have a pre-ride drink or so with some fellow BF riders on Sat evening...anyone wanna put a party together?

I'm way upstate and doing a bunch of pain in the butt travelling to get there. Leaving Saturday for girlfriend's sister's house in Conn., early early 5BBT train into GCT, etc. + return trip. Won't get home up this way 'til late on a Sunday...I might have a drink now just thinking about it lol.

Packs and the like are not a problem. In the 5BBT planning after 9/11, these issues were raised by the various authorities who must approve the operation of this event. This included the local pollice, and also the Feds: the Festival area at Fort Wadsworth is National Park Service property. Think what you want, someone did consider that there could be a wave of suicide biker bombs. And consider that the planning for the 2002 tour began only a couple of months after 9/11, well, you can understand.
In the end, the agreement was that each rider must be registered and each must have a visible identity as a registered cyclist, hence the serial numbered stickers. This is enforced by checkpoints. Those of who have ridden the event have seen the 3 checkpoints. At the last one, on 92nd Street, anyone not registered is not allowed onto the VZ Bridge, thus not allowed onto NPS property. May seem a bit draconian for a BIKE RIDE, but that is our world today.

If people wanted to get real creative, they could fill their bike frame with C4, and nobody would be the wiser...

I agree, the whole situation is pathetic.

I could be up for drinks.

fyi, if you're not yet registered...


**********************************************************************
Registration Closes April 28 for Commerce Bank Five Boro Bike Tour
**********************************************************************
For the first time in its 30-year history, the Tour is filling up
early. Due to overwhelming demand, and to ensure that there's enough
room for all riders, registration will be closing on Saturday, April
28, at 4:00 p.m. Registration will not be accepted next week or on
Tour Day.

The only way to sign up is in person at Bike New York or Bicycle
Habitat this week; online, mail, and fax registration is already
closed. Sign up by Saturday so you don't miss out! If you're already
signed up, please check with your friends to be sure they are too.

Registration Details >
http://r.vresp.com/?BikeNewYork/2e3eeac3e0/906022/0df996b7ea/f347648

This ride is apparently good for at least one thing -- pulling closet cyclists out of the woodwork. I've avoided it before, but this time I'll be out there with a bunch of my coworkers in a thinly veiled attempt to recruit a few of them for the TransAlt and MS rides later this year.

This ride is apparently good for at least one thing -- pulling closet cyclists out of the woodwork. I've avoided it before, but this time I'll be out there with a bunch of my coworkers in a thinly veiled attempt to recruit a few of them for the TransAlt and MS rides later this year.
Devious :p


I could be up for drinks.
Won't be around Saturday, but will probably be in line for coffee at the Dunkin Donuts on Broadway near Reade about 7:20 Sunday. My treat if you can find me and remind me.;)

AM or PM? :) The marshalls have to be at the park at 5:30 or something gawd-awful. That's why I'm thinking of going out Saturday night and just go right there.

AM or PM? :) The marshalls have to be at the park at 5:30 or something gawd-awful. That's why I'm thinking of going out Saturday night and just go right there.
An all nighter???:eek:
That'll put you in real good shape to ride.:D

Sorry, I should have specified.
7:20 AM ;)
Plan to be in line around 7 am, somewhere close to Duane or Reade. That start position has worked for me before.

I did it during the TA ride. Of course - that probably contributed to that asthma attack at mile 50...(I didn't mean to be up all night, just had a never ending list of stuff to do).

cc_rider How close we're you to the front at Duane/Thomas. Last year we met up with some folks at ground zero and got stuck walking into central park. This year we were thinking about cheating a little and catch onto the pack as it goes by my buddies apt. a little further up on Ave of Amer.

dpara - WTC is a bit far back. I was waiting at Duane, and we scrunched up a little just before the start. From where I was, I only had to walk as far as the start line. After that I rode all the way. It was a little tight until Central Park, but then it opened up.
Started at Duane the year before, and Reade the year before that. Ride was about the same.