henria86

see u guys an girls there at dd..
in merlin cr works an red giro helmet

grunzster

Someone please post that the weather was crap this morning, so I feel at least a little better.

dendawg

I woke up a 8, it was overcast but not raining. I wasn't riding it anyway, and the ride put off any hope I had of doing a few laps of the park before going to work.

obersts001

I got back home about 45 minutes ago -- I'll try a full trip report.

Pre-tour
I moved to Manhattan 14 months ago, and got into biking about a year ago when my health clearly needed more attention than I was given it. Since I live close to CP, I started doing laps on a hybrid 3-4 times a week, got up to an average of 70-75 miles per week, and lost somewhere around 25 lbs by late September '07. Winter put 5-6 lbs back on me, though, and it was only since March that I been riding riding more than once per week this calendar year.

I had made the 5BBT a goal for this spring and did the early registration in February. For the past two months I have been riding 2 or 3 times a week, mostly rides in CP in the 12-20 mile range. Last Sunday I took a 27-mile ride, my longest since September. But then the long-term weather reports started to appear, and I knew that I was not going to ride in a thunderstorm. Also, I found out that friends from out of town were flying in on Friday and staying with my wife & me for the weekend. As of yesterday, it still didn't look good. We had other people over last night, drank and ate things not ideal for pre-ride training, and didn't get to bed until after 1 am. I figured that I'd wake up early, see it pouring rain out, and crawl back into bed.

Not-so-early start
The Tour starts at 8 in Battery Park, but I didn't wake up until 7:30. I was surprised to see that the rain was over, and while foggy, it wasn't that bad out: 50 degrees, a little bit windy, but expected to clear up in the afternoon. So I had a plan: ride to the entrance of Central Park, wait for the leaders to go by, and then just blend in. Sure it misses the first five miles and riding through the Midtown canyons, and I'm sure that some purists would see me as some sort of criminal for not following the "rules", but there was no way that I was going to ride down to the entrance in time. Besides, the one thing I have heard about the 5BBT is that the middle to end of the pack while going past the start is, well, unpleasant. So I put on bike clothes and headed over to 59th Street.

Central Park, 8:15 am
I was clearly not the only person with this brilliant idea. Several dozen riders were standing around, and I was surprised to see a bunch of riders just going straight into the Park and not waiting for the "official" start. So I rode in. There is no bike area in the universe that I know better than Central Park, and it was nice to ride along the East Drive with no horse-drawn carriages (or their droppings), and fewer runners / walkers / gawkers than the average weekend afternoon. Down Harlem Hill and on to Powell Blvd.

Harlem, 8:25 am
Near the north exit of CP, the NYPD motorcycles arrived. They passed by me but then slowed down a bit to a 17-18 mph pace, and the limited number of riders around had police escort for a few miles. This was pretty much smooth sailing with almost no one on the road, and nearly all of the streets closed. Police stopped us once to let traffic through near 135th Street. A few quick turns and we were into the Bronx.

Bronx, 8:35 am
This is the obligatory "we need to go into the Bronx so that we can say we cover the entire city" section of the route. On the way off the Madison Avenue Bridge, I saw a big group of riders behind a barrier to the right of me. As I passed them, a tour official took out a bullhorn and yelled, "stop so that the marshals can lead!" Ah yes, finally, busted for the early start. I slowed down, the marshals went past, and everything was fine. There was nothing else memorable about this borough - auto body shops and that was about it.

Manhattan FDR Drive, 8:40 am
We go around a helix on to the FDR going south. This was cool. For those of you who don't know NYC, the FDR Drive is the primary north-south artery in Manhattan on the east side, hugs the East River, and is normally a clenched-teeth drag strip for NYC drivers. With not a car in sight, I let loose for the first time and ride over 20 mph for most of the duration. My underside starts to feel a bit numb.

Queensboro Bridge, 8:50 am
The first real "hill" is the Queensboro Bridge on-ramp. You might know this as the 59th Street Bridge (Simon and Garfunkel, "Feelin' Groovy"). Even though I'm riding on a hybrid and still terribly overweight, I pass by a big group of people who are struggling up the ramp. This makes me feel good - maybe I can ride a bike well, at least compared to the average person. I break 30 mph on the downhill part of the bridge. Welcome to Queens.

Queens / Astoria Park, 9 am
This part of Queens is only slightly more interesting than the Bronx. There's a car wash that is open and taking customers (boy are they going to be annoyed when the big crowds start to arrive), but otherwise there's not much in the way of scenery. I make it to Astoria Park at about 9:15, the unofficial halfway point, maybe two minutes behind the marshals. Oranges, bananas, water, Larabars, pretzels, DJ music. There are signs that say that we will be held at Astoria Park until 10:05 am, so I find a bench and sit for a while, reading the news on my Blackberry and calling my wife to tell her that I made it to Queens. Lots of other people eventually arrive, some wearing funny hats, nearly everyone wearing funny tight clothing.

Break
Part two to follow...

obersts001

Astoria, Queens, 10:00 am
They hold up the Tour so that they can better manage traffic on the BQE, so we all had to wait in Astoria Park and its view of the Triboro Bridge. The wait didn't do a lot for me: I was wearing two layers under a windbreaker, and was sweating when we got to the park. It was colder waiting than riding, and a bit windy near the East River, so I was itching to get back on the road. They let us go a few minutes early and we rode through a very pleasant residential neighborhood, where may of the residents were out to watch & greet us. After a few minutes we went over the Pulaski Bridge and into Brooklyn.

Northern Brooklyn, 10:15 am (here my times get really fuzzy)
The northern edge of Brooklyn is Greenpoint / Williamsburg, aka Hipsterville, USA. We were close to, but not right on, the East River. There are lots of new condo developments in this area, and there were a few people out with coffee, trendy shoes, and bewildered looks on their faces.

Brooklyn DUMBO, 10:25 am
I like this neighborhood. More people out and watching the Tour than anywhere else, and very friendly. I waved to a lot of kids on shoulders around here. When you turn left toward the East River and you have the Brooklyn Bridge to your right and downtown Manhattan right in front of you, it's a highlight. If I had a camera, I would have stopped here.

Brooklyn Navy Yard, 10:35 am
This is not an area with which I'm at all familiar, and there was not a lot of activity, but the riding was easy. This may be before DUMBO; can't remember because by now my butt was chafing.

Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, 10:40 am
This is one of the "marquee" sections of the 5BBT, taking over a major highway, but it wasn't nearly as interesting to me as the FDR. It's a bit hilly, which was fine, but there's not a lot to see as you're riding by. I would've preferred to see, I don't know, Bay Ridge? There were also many, many potholes. The construction crew working on the highway stopped work and watched the bikers go by -- your tax dollars at work! A few riders were letting loose and treating it like an A-23 ride, but I was still passing more people than were passing me.

Belt Parkway, 10:55 am
Off the BQE and on to the Belt, which was a lot more interesting because it hugs New York Harbor. There were a bunch of walkers and riders on the greenway that separates the Belt from the water, and several wavers. On the opposite side of the highway were kids playing baseball, though one game had stopped to watch the proceedings. The Verrazano loomed in the distance. Right before the ascent, I stopped at the last break point before the "festival".

Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, 11:10 am
This, I had read, was the biggest challenge of the tour -- from sea level to 22 stories up. Truth is, I thought the Queensboro was harder. This was longer, certainly, but its massive length turned it into a long slow climb, instead of anything approaching steep. The marshal at the center of the bridge had a megaphone and was saying "Welcome to Staten Island. WHHHHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!" I hit 32 mph on the descent into Fort Wadsworth. As we hit SI land, the sun pops out for the first time all day.

Staten Island Fort Wadsworth, 11:20 am
This was the "festival", that is, the place where the sponsors try to sell you things. It was not crowded by the time I got there (I never completely lost sight of the lead police cars), but there was a line of people at most of the vendors. There were people with signs that said "Congratulations! You Made It!", which is deceptive since it's a few more miles to the Staten Island Ferry. I pick up a free Snapple t-shirt and start to head out toward the ferry.

But wait! The marshals are holding people back because the roads on SI are not yet closed. They tell us that they will open the roads to bikes at 11:45. This finally happens at 11:55.

Staten Island, 11:55 am
The route to the ferry is mostly industrial, but I do overhear one woman on the sidewalk say "oh finally, they're starting this stupid thing". This becomes a bit of a race for some people, even though we will all make the same ferry.

Staten Island Ferry, 12:05 pm
I was gently pushed up to the 2nd level of the ferry by an attendant, which I initially resisted but turned out to be quite nice. I stood outside, watching the Status of Liberty go by on the left and Governor's Island on the right.

Lower Manhattan, 12:40 pm
Mad rush out of downtown as cyclists ride in all different directions, scaring tourists and annoying cops. I get myself over to the West Side Greenway and leisurely make my way back up to the Upper West Side, entering my building at 1:15 pm. The ride from Battery Park to the UWS makes up for the fact that I shirked the start of the race.

In total, 45 miles in 5:15, with really just a shade under three hours of real riding. It's sunny and warm now, so I think I'll stretch my legs a bit and take a walk!

grunzster

****!

cc_rider

Sorry, grunzster. It was a nice day after all.

Felt better today, especially after the couple extra hours of sleep. Didn't leave Ridgewood until 8:10 (watched the start on TV). Drove down 17 and 4 and across the GW. Parked on Riverside around 140th and joined the tour at 125th (I knew where the toilets were ) at about 9:00.
Skipped the first two reststops to wait in middle of the "second start" crowd at Astoria.
Stopped at the next three reststops, loading up on oranges. Made it across the Verrazano and into the Festival by 11:50 (beat my last year's best of 12:02). Did a quick walk about to pick up some of the free stuff, and was headed to the ferry by 12:10. No wait for the ferry this year, but a 20 minute wait while the boat finished loading. And it was pretty cold in steerage. Was back in Manhattan a little after 1:00.

The ride back up to Riverside was fun. Zigzagged thru downtown, Chinatown, Lower East Side. Found several places I was looking for, and made a lunch stop at a little Japanese carryout I had heard about called Otafuku. I can't get okinomiyaki in DC, and what this little place makes is worth the trip.
Went over to Washington Square for a while, then picked up the tour route - up 6th and thru Central Park. Finished with Broadway and Riverside back to the car by 4:00.

Much better day than I expected. It was getting toasty near the end.
Ended up with 54 miles, but an average of only 11.6 mph.

Air - good to see you. Hope it wasn't too lonely out on that bridge.

zacster

I did the ride with my 11yo daughter. Its a good ride to do with kids, not so much fun if you're already doing long rides on your own. I didn't get to Ft Wadsworth until about 1:30, and was in Manhattan at 3.

My daughter has never gone more than 15 miles on a bike, so this was a big ride for her. She has a pretty nice road bike (Spec Dolce Vita), in fact nicer than 95% of the bikes I saw on the ride, and could keep up until we got on the Belt Pkwy, where she started to poop out. She still wanted to go over the Verrazano, even though we live in Brooklyn.

Still a nice ride on what turned into a nice day.

startxitxover

it was awesome! my bike totally sucks though....might just have to spring for a lighter bike. any used bike sites?

i averaged about 10mph. not bad. the verazzano bridge kicked my behind big time. it was pretty good for me up til the belt parkway/brooklyn and then i was feeling done. thankfully i found a tiny bit of motivation somewhere in me to continue.

and i didn't really train before this like i had wanted to....but i made it! but what was up with the walking over the queensboro bridge?

-cat

jyossarian

So it didn't rain at all. The streets were wet, but that's about it. Met up w/ my friends, rode, splintered, re-grouped, high fived Air, another marshal on another forum and a 5 yo girl in SI. Ate oranges, bananas, Larabars, kebabs and ended the day at the WFC sitting outside, eating a pulled pork sandwich and looking at the water. Not a bad way to spend a Sunday.

bquine

My first time, and it was great. A few notes:

1. I got there around 7:15 and it was pretty cold standing around for the next hour or so, despite the fact I was wearing full length mountain bike pants and a medium weight cycling jacket. By the BQE, though, I was definitely sweating and had to open up.

Whatever the temperature, once the ride started the weather was great.

2. Starting in the middle of the pack, there's always: A) a family with a kid, B) a pack of people on cruisers, or C) someone just plain slow, riding right in front of you...whether or not you've just made an effort to pass one or all of A, B, or C a few seconds before.

Don't get me wrong: this is great. Not only does it make you slow down and see the sights, but you feel like Eddie Merckx being able to drop lots of people with the flick of a brifter whenever you feel like it. Especially on hills.

3. Riding this thing alone is scary. Not because of the ride itself, but because you need to trust your bike to strangers when you need to relieve yourself. I brought my nice bike and found a friendly couple to watch over it at Fort Wadsworth; still, every second in the Porta Potty I felt like I had left thousands of dollars lying on the grass outside, waiting to be ridden away. Hey, more reason to recruit some of my friends for next year.

4. Yeah, I'll be back next year.

lammius

I met up with some friends outside the PATH station and we lined up just north of Duane and Church Sts at 6:45. It was foggy and quite chilly. When we finally got started, I was surprised how smoothly the ride went. We cruised along at a steady but slow 8-10 mph, but I expected more stop-and-go. We hit the queue to enter Central Park at 53rd St at around 8:35. The FDR portion was, as obersts001 said, very cool.

We didn't have to climb up the 59th St Bridge approach, due to the emergency situation that had occurred there by that time (around 9:10). Everyone dismounted and walked up the bridge, except one jerk behind us who stayed mounted, pedaling and slamming his breaks before colliding into us and everyone else walking. He also refused to move right for police and littered his energy bar wrappers. Grrrrrrr...

We arrived in Astoria Park around 10:20ish. Out came the sun! Quick restroom break and some sliced oranges, a wave to the dancing Commerce Bank logo, and off we went. The segment through LIC, over Pulaski Br., and really all the way to the BQE moved very nicely. Nice wide streets. On the BQE a nasty spill occurred in my vicinity at the Prospect Expwy split. We encountered another queue at the Belt Pkwy split around 11:20. The climb up the Verrazano wasn't bad, although the narrow space (due to construction) for the initial portion was a bit frustrating. Once it opened up we could get some more speed. We entered the festival at noon and decided to head right to the ferry terminal. There seemed to be more people out spectating in SI than anywhere else, even a small block party on one street.

I saw friends off at the terminal and then headed west along Richmond Terrace toward the Bayonne Bridge. Over the Bridge and onto Bayonne's main drag (Broadway), stopping for a refuel at a hot dog spot. Up Kennedy Blvd and I was home in Jersey City by 3:00.

From the ride's official start til my return home, 7 hours, 57 miles. My first 5 Boros tour, and I'm looking forward to next year!

TiberiusBTkirk

it's cool you guys had a great time,
I'm awoken by Cousin Brucie every year at this time as I live on Church street.
from my window, the crowd looked thinner this year. and very little talking on the PA.

jeebusaurousrex

I was one of those jerks that blasted through it (well the portions where you could), even on the folding bike, sorry. I was by myself and had lots of fun keeping pace with left lane riders. I saw that one poor guy on the 59th street bridge being carted away by the paramedics. Looked like he had a heart attack or something, but his head was taped down...hope it wasn't a serious spinal injury or anything.

BTW did anyone else witness the cop macing the homeless dude near the entrance of CP? That was crazy. Apparently bikers ran over him while he was asleep under cardboard on the sidewalk. He was obviously rudely awakened, irate, drunk, and just a bit mentally deranged. Started slamming a cane against a parked car until the cop snatched it away and simultaneously shot a stream of pepper spray into the guy's face.

mikeE46

ye,..I was plaining to take my MTB but when I check the weather morning, it was ok, so I took my roady and had fun all day long.
it was really nice to ride bunch of guys.

I was a guy who ride BMC

geofitz13

#*@%!!

I would have been coming about 175 miles, and with the forecast, decided to bail. Bad decision.
Sounds like you guys had a great ride!
There's always next year. And I probably won't even look a weather forecast!

BrooklynRoadie

I actually saw you @ Astoria Park Rest area.... Me and my friend where on a Specialized Tarmac and Raleigh Team Bike waiting in line for the bathrooms. BTW you on any e46 forums?? Dont normally see people cars in there sigs.

derath

hey all,

We had a pretty good ride yesterday too. We came in saturday night and stayed with a friend in Brooklyn. All three of us (my wife and I as well as our friend) got up and out the door at about 6:!5. We rode to the ride, which was some of the most fun of the day. Riding through prospect park and over the brooklyn bridge at sun up.

We lined up at the corner of Church and Chambers street.

Other than the few annoying backups it was a nice ride.

We skipped the last part of the ride, cutting off just before the ride got on the BQE. We instead headed back to Brooklyn. Stopped to clean up and load the car and then went to a nice little place for brunch. (got Eggs Benedict)

By the way if you saw a couple on a Fuji Tandem that was likely us. I saw a fair number of tandems. But not another Fuji.

-D

mikeE46

Yes,
I'm E46 forum member.
I think I saw you too, but there were too many Specialized bikes.

obersts001

The guy who had a heart attack on the Queensboro was "clinically dead" but revived by a fellow cyclist using CPR: https://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/...wes_his_l.html

He was talking and breathing on his own at Mount Sinai. Here's to hoping he fully recovers!

OneSix

It was me and brother's first year, I regret not knowing about this sooner. The day started out foggy but it ended with sunshine. My brother and I got sunburned. I was on a Trek 7.3 FX with fake drops and my brother was on 7.2 FX. We could have end it at Caesar bay, and go home from there. Since it was our first time we pushed it all the way. We're definitely going to do this again and drop some of our friends. We're planning to do the Tour de Brooklyn at the end of the month and maybe the Century ride in September. I'm hook on biking, i hope I'll stick to it and lose some weight. Being 5' 4" and fat is not good. lolz

startxitxover

now that i've sat with my thoughts about the tour for a while, and it was awesome.

awesome parts were definitely talking to an awesome guy on a recumbent bike. seeing a guy with one leg biking. seeing a guy with no use of legs using a hand powered recumbent. reminiscing through the streets of manhattan. the nice hill at the end of central park. the tunnel on the fdr. the music at astoria park. the path along the water leading to the verazzano. the downward half of the verazzano. the festival. seeing a small child beat me to the festival. not being last!! (hah!)

there were a few not so awesome parts. like the ummm...how do i put this nicely...........JERKS. the weekend warriors who somehow decided they were going to WIN the bike TOUR. i don't know how many people would squeeze right in between myself and my friend who were biking maybe 2 feet apart....or would squeeze by me on the right side between a shoulder and myself. and no warning of course. only ONE person said "on your left" the whole ride. i thanked her and told her i wished i had prizes to give out for being a decent human. oh and then the guys on mountain bikes doing some sort of slaloms in between people really fast that made one lady almost fall. and the guy in the yellow jersey that had no peripheral vision! every time he got near us we would just barely avoid a collision with him on turns. and finally, the sunburn i got on the back of my neck =( .

but all in all i'd do it again. next year i hope to stop along the route in brooklyn to eat and check out the stores!

jpbrew814

I was there, and I was one of the people wearing a rat on my helmet. It was much too crowded for my liking, and the number of people who didn't know what they were doing pissed me off.

derath

Hey I saw you! We got to walk up the Queensboro bridge! Along with the guy playing the radio.

I was wondering if there was some sort of hierarchy to the Rats, since some stood higher than others.

We were just to the right of you walking a tandem.

And yea it was too crowded.

-D

OneSix

were you the ones with rat wearing a helmet on helmets?