Road Cycling - Bike New York & Trunk Q's

Hi.. I was wondering, If anybody is or has done the Bike New York 5 buro ride..? I wouldn't be surprised because its the biggest cycling event in US.. Anyways this year is my first year I am doing it with my dad (I have to because im under 18).. To anyone who has done it, what is to expect? From pictures it seems like it might be tough in the begining riding elbow to elbow, anyone have experience with this?

Also I just ordered a trunk bag with fold out panniers from topeak, anyone have one of these, do they make a big difference on your bike, like aerodynamics, or weigh you down, ill prolly never have more than 10-15 pounds in them... thanks, Ryan

Hi.. I was wondering, If anybody is or has done the Bike New York 5 buro ride..? I wouldn't be surprised because its the biggest cycling event in US.. Anyways this year is my first year I am doing it with my dad (I have to because im under 18).. To anyone who has done it, what is to expect? From pictures it seems like it might be tough in the begining riding elbow to elbow, anyone have experience with this?
Ryan

I have done it a number of times and am registered to do it again this year. It's worth it just to see a billion bicycles. It is very crowded, particularly at the beginning. My friend and I registered (very important) and will meet up with the group as they come up town. I love riding on the highways that only take cars and look forward to crossing the Verazanno bridge and seeing the skyline.

All in all it's and easy ride and can be lots of fun. Just watch out for all the people who haven't been on a bike in a year. Enjoy.

When is it?

"When is it?"

Bike NY (http://www.bikenewyork.org/BNY-TOUR.htm)

Hi.. I was wondering, If anybody is or has done the Bike New York 5 buro ride..? I wouldn't be surprised because its the biggest cycling event in US.. Anyways this year is my first year I am doing it with my dad (I have to because im under 18).. To anyone who has done it, what is to expect? From pictures it seems like it might be tough in the begining riding elbow to elbow, anyone have experience with this?

Also I just ordered a trunk bag with fold out panniers from topeak, anyone have one of these, do they make a big difference on your bike, like aerodynamics, or weigh you down, ill prolly never have more than 10-15 pounds in them... thanks, Ryan

I am doing it for the first time this year. I am looking forward to it as an easy first event of the year. I was just bummed by the fact that I will have to carry whatever I need for afterwards (i.e. lock for my bike since there are not facilities to watch it, sneakers to change into after the ride). Does anybody have any experience with the ride who can tell me how I do not have to carry all this stuff?

I am also doing it for the first time this year as a warmup ride for the NJ MS 170 "Coast the Coast" I think it will be alot of fun and I am looking forward to it. I am riding with our company bike team we just formed this year.

I am doing it for the first time this year. I am looking forward to it as an easy first event of the year. I was just bummed by the fact that I will have to carry whatever I need for afterwards (i.e. lock for my bike since there are not facilities to watch it, sneakers to change into after the ride). Does anybody have any experience with the ride who can tell me how I do not have to carry all this stuff?

You dont really have to bring too much. A couple of water bottles and some energy bars or GU packs. There are plenty of refreshments at the rest stops and the last time I did it, a picnic at the end. I never carried a lock, you could just bring a light one if you are nervous about the few secs that you have to duck into the porta potties. Be advised you will be walking the bike at the beginning and entering Central Park and maybe at some of the bridges because its so crowded. Have fun!

You dont really have to bring too much. A couple of water bottles and some energy bars or GU packs. There are plenty of refreshments at the rest stops and the last time I did it, a picnic at the end. I never carried a lock, you could just bring a light one if you are nervous about the few secs that you have to duck into the porta potties. Be advised you will be walking the bike at the beginning and entering Central Park and maybe at some of the bridges because its so crowded. Have fun!

I am not worried about ducking into a porta potty. I am worried that if I want to walk around the picnic in Staten Island to various booths or to get lunch, I either lock up my bike or wheel it around. Also I did not want to walk around with my bike shoes on. Is it really that crowded that you cannot even ride at certain points?

Is it really that crowded that you cannot even ride at certain points?[/QUOTE]

Yes, unless you get there real early and sprint from the start, but why rush it, relax and enjoy the event.
Some riders go on parallell streets to avoid the crush, but then these steets are not closed to traffic.
Ya gotta do this ride at least once. I have done about six of them but not the last three...actually doing it this year as a friend has asked me to accompany him. I see you are located on LI. Consider the Montauk Century on May 16th...real scenic ride along the South Shore.

See Ya on the road

Is it really that crowded that you cannot even ride at certain points?

Yes, unless you get there real early and sprint from the start, but why rush it, relax and enjoy the event.
Some riders go on parallell streets to avoid the crush, but then these steets are not closed to traffic.
Ya gotta do this ride at least once. I have done about six of them but not the last three...actually doing it this year as a friend has asked me to accompany him. I see you are located on LI. Consider the Montauk Century on May 16th...real scenic ride along the South Shore.

See Ya on the road[/QUOTE]

I was considering it but it is early in the season for a century. I am probably going to do the Gold Coast Century in July and the North Fork Century in August.

The rest stops suck, cheese and PB crackers at best. THere are plenty of places to stop though. THe worst part is the wait for the ferry on the ride back to NY. I am thinking of parking in Staten Island and taking the ferry so at the end of the day i can just get in the car and go home. It will backfire if the S.I. Expressway is trafficky.

The rest stops suck, cheese and PB crackers at best. THere are plenty of places to stop though. THe worst part is the wait for the ferry on the ride back to NY. I am thinking of parking in Staten Island and taking the ferry so at the end of the day i can just get in the car and go home. It will backfire if the S.I. Expressway is trafficky.

Yeah...I forgot about that. You might have to wait for a ferry or two if you do the return trip at peak time. This is the one time my living on SI has an advantage. (Otherwise riding on Staten Island generally stinks because of the congestion). Last time I did the ride they were letting the riders out in stages from the final rest area so the streets getting to the ferry would not get too congested.
That sucked cuz I just wanted to pedal home. The last rest stop was in a gated area (Fort Wadsworth) so it was kinda like being penned up cattle. :mad:

Yes, unless you get there real early and sprint from the start, but why rush it, relax and enjoy the event.
Some riders go on parallell streets to avoid the crush, but then these steets are not closed to traffic.
Ya gotta do this ride at least once. I have done about six of them but not the last three...actually doing it this year as a friend has asked me to accompany him. I see you are located on LI. Consider the Montauk Century on May 16th...real scenic ride along the South Shore.

See Ya on the road

I was considering it but it is early in the season for a century. I am probably going to do the Gold Coast Century in July and the North Fork Century in August.[/QUOTE]

I was considering it but it is early in the season for a century. I am probably going to do the Gold Coast Century in July and the North Fork Century in August.[/QUOTE]

Lennyparis,
Have you done the Gold Coast previously? The North Fork is on my to do list but I didn't know about the Gold Coast. Looks nice as it goes through some nice towns. I was wondering how congested the route gets.

Lennyparis,
Have you done the Gold Coast previously? The North Fork is on my to do list but I didn't know about the Gold Coast. Looks nice as it goes through some nice towns. I was wondering how congested the route gets.[/QUOTE]

I have not done it before. I just took up serious cycling last year. I have only done the Discover Long Island ride (up/down Wantagh Parkway) and the Washington DC Tour of Hope (with Lance Armstrong) last October.

I am looking forward to some more rides. The North Fork seems good since it goes through some nice areas and is probably pretty flat. My brother in law invited me to join him on the Gold Coast this year; this one is hilly but seems like a good challenge. He loved it last year. I don't think either of these should be congested. The roads are not closed but they are not on main, congested routes.

Thank for all the feedback guys!

Gold Coast. Looks nice as it goes through some nice towns. I was wondering how congested the route gets.
Not congested at all. Quiet, sometimes hilly route. Last year it was not well marked, but still fun.



The North Fork seems good since it goes through some nice areas and is probably pretty flat.
NOT FLAT! The north shore is the hilly part of Long Island.

Not congested at all. Quiet, sometimes hilly route. Last year it was not well marked, but still fun.



NOT FLAT! The north shore is the hilly part of Long Island.

Isn't the east end of Long Island, even the North Shore, kind of flat?

Isn't the east end of Long Island, even the North Shore, kind of flat?

Quite right. I was talking about the part that the Gold Coast travels through.

Nothing flatter than the east ends.

Hi.. I was wondering, If anybody is or has done the Bike New York 5 buro ride..? I wouldn't be surprised because its the biggest cycling event in US.. Anyways this year is my first year I am doing it with my dad (I have to because im under 18).. To anyone who has done it, what is to expect? From pictures it seems like it might be tough in the begining riding elbow to elbow, anyone have experience with this?


I'll probably be doing Bike New York for the rest of my life... Here's my advice.

1. Don't race - I always see some of the racers getting hurt each year. Leave the Lance Armstong mentality at home. There are too many children and families on the road and they are unpredictable. If you want to race, don't attend Bike New York.

2. Use the Rest Stops - For years, I made the mistake of riding the entire tour without stopping. This is more of an event than a bike tour. I've met a lot of interesting people at the stops and it made the event more enjoyable. Sure the food isn't great but it's free. I ate everything.


3. Be careful on the Down Hills - There are several down hills in Bike New York including one as you get to Brooklyn. DO NOT draft behind anyone down these hills. I'M SERIOUS! You must see at least 50 to 100 feet in front of you. It's during these down hills that people get injured as water bottles start falling everywhere and you have to avoid them at all costs. Running over a water bottle means road rash or broken bones. You have to be aware of the road as I've seen cameras, keys and bike pumps.

4. Use the low gears -- I drop to the lowest gear on the bridges. Spin up those hills. Don't use up your legs going up those hills or you'll regret it big time. I did this once and it made the 34 miles feel like 134 MILES!

I'll probably be doing Bike New York for the rest of my life... Here's my advice.
Steve,
A couple more question for you,

- What time would you consider optimal to arrive at the assembly point ?

- Can (non-riding) friends and family meet you at the festival/arrival in S.I. ?
Thanks for all the tips...
Here is wishing us all great weather and a pleasant ride!
NYCommuter.

You dont really have to bring too much. A couple of water bottles and some energy bars or GU packs. There are plenty of refreshments at the rest stops and the last time I did it, a picnic at the end. I never carried a lock, you could just bring a light one if you are nervous about the few secs that you have to duck into the porta potties. Be advised you will be walking the bike at the beginning and entering Central Park and maybe at some of the bridges because its so crowded. Have fun!

I have heard from people to bring sneakers to walk around in after the ride. What do people do change to sneakers they carry in a backpack or walk around in their bike shoes?

I have heard from people to bring sneakers to walk around in after the ride. What do people do change to sneakers they carry in a backpack or walk around in their bike shoes?

I did this yesterday and the pace was so slow. People were weaving left and right to get up the ramp to the bridges. I am glad I did it once but never again. It was too crowded and dangerous with people weaving all over.

I did this yesterday and the pace was so slow. People were weaving left and right to get up the ramp to the bridges. I am glad I did it once but never again. It was too crowded and dangerous with people weaving all over.

What time did you get to the ride ? I arrived early and was almost in front... had a great time. Except for being held up in Astoria, the ride was not too crowded... I had fun!
I was at the festival by 11:45 and took the second ferry back (missed the first one by a minute...)...
There is no doubt I will do this again... hoping the weather will be better...

you need to get there early and get near the front, i was done at around 11:30 or so and my mother who is a little slower was done at 2:00.

What time did you get to the ride ? I arrived early and was almost in front... had a great time. Except for being held up in Astoria, the ride was not too crowded... I had fun!
I was at the festival by 11:45 and took the second ferry back (missed the first one by a minute...)...
There is no doubt I will do this again... hoping the weather will be better...

I arrived downtown at about 6:50am, go to my place at about 7:05am (just past Ground Zero) and waited to start until about 8:40am. We came to a complete halt several times (getting into Central Park, going onto 59th Street and Gowanus Bridges). I finished after 1PM. My computer said 10.6MPH; that is really slow and I was always stuck behind bikers who paid no attention to anyone around them. They were weaving all over the place. Anytime any roadies try to move faster and pass there they were hogging up the road. They made the ride dangerous. If when my kids are older they want to ride in this event I will do it again.

there needs to be some kind of thing where they thell tell people that are slower to always satay to the right and faster riders to stay on the left, this would make it safer.

there needs to be some kind of thing where they thell tell people that are slower to always satay to the right and faster riders to stay on the left, this would make it safer.

I was thinking the same thing about 100 times yesterday. To assume that 30,000 riders (most of whom are inexperienced) can ride where ever and rock back and forth is nuts. They should also limit the registration or stagger the start more. 30,000 people all lined up to start at 8am is also nuts.