bratan

Oh that thing... I thought you were talking about bib shorts

cc_rider

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

seriouslysilly

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

mkdevo

anyone else NOT receive their packet yet?

zacster

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.

bratan

11 days, nothing... No charge on card, no packet in the mail

DSchlichting

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.

mtdecap

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

dendawg

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.

mtdecap

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

Bacciagalupe

I can't imagine that a Camelbak will be a problem.

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

Blue Jays

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.

cc_rider

I've worn my camelback and had no trouble.

DSchlichting

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.

SMN21601

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?

mtdecap

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.

GuitarWizard

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.

Air

I could be up for drinks.

mastershake

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

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.

cc_rider

Devious

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.

Air

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.

cc_rider

An all nighter???
That'll put you in real good shape to ride.

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.

Air

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).

dpara

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.

cc_rider

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.