ChiroVette

If you try to enter a Federal building without proper clearance, you will be stopped. If you walked into the Federal Reserve, for instance, you would be denied access to any area you did not possess clearance for. Same for a police station or prison. If you walked into a movie theater without paying and try to bypass the ticket holder you will be stopped. You would only face legal consequences in these instances if you ignored the warnings to stop or tried to force your way or sneak in.

If you wander onto a course without the bib and were not stopped or denied entrance, then certainly the cops and officials running the event have the right to ask you to leave AND if you refuse issue you whatever legal sanction is permissible. But I question whether or not it is legal to give you a summons just because you crossed a few innocuous wooden dividers that do not have the power of law, in and of themselves. You could always claim you entered at the beginning where there were no dividers, or that you saw a whole bunch of people riding and decided to "join in" and were never once asked for ID or registration material. I don't know if you have done the bike tour before, but I can assure you that not every single place where someone can enter has forbidding blockage or signage. People can, and have, simply joined the ride unencumbered.

Seems to me that a cop would have a hard time defending the ticket in court when there are so many places to enter an event like this without any sort of blockage or foreboding warnings. Then again, who wants to take a day off of work and fight the summons? My point is only there seems to be too much access to a tour like this, creating at the very least dubious enforcement ability.

My point is not that I will do this, because I value my time too much to fight over a ticket or to try and push the envelope on this, only to say that enforcement may be a tad tenuous, other than a cop having the intrinsic right to demand that you leave, and if you don't then you would be subject to a ticket because you have then been warned.

ChiroVette

Double posts Mods please delete!

Sy Reene

Exactly my concern.. see post #44 in this thread. As I mentioned, I guess I'll have to bring some sort of cable lock. Unfortunately with the no backpack rule, it makes this a hassle/inconvenience (wind it around my seatpost?). Also want to bring some regular walking shoes for when the event ends in SI and I have to commute home; same issue of where to put them with a no backpack policy.

yankeefan

The vast majority of summons issued by NYPD foot patrol are frivolous at best. The cops know you'll eagerly plead guilty by mail to avoid missing days from work. Ironically, if you were ever to show up to court to fight the summons the cop who issued it will likely not even be there (they are required to), simply because they didn't expect you to try and fight it. Its way cheaper to pay whatever fine it is they are asking for.

yankeefan

Well as ChiroV suggested, you can try meeting up with someone else in this thread and make a pact to watch each other's bike. A cheap cable lock around the seatpost would suffice if you're just taking a quick potty break, but there is also the hassle of having to walk around and find somewhere to lock your bike, not to mention weight and (lack of) aerodynamics a lock would pose. Are you using road cleats or MTB? If road, you can pick up a pair of Kool Kovers to wear over your cleats to make them slightly more walkable.

Sy Reene

Surprised nobody thought of registering a "Team BF" for this ride. Maybe I'll end up buddying up, for now I plan on something along these lines (5ft). There have to be trees or something I can lock to for the 2 minutes needed.

Already have speedplay KoolKovers.. it helps, but still.. I might bring some Teva type sandles -- shove them (duct tape maybe) into one of my water bottle cages perhaps (since I presume I wont have issues finding water stations on this ride).

yankeefan

That lock should be good as long as its thick enough to require tools to cut. There's a $5 dollar bike lock being sold at the 99c store at the end of my block and I swear I can use the teeth on a regular door key to saw through it. It actually looks kinda similar to that lock.

I would have been totally down for wearing matching Team BF kits if I wasn't already *required* to wear the jersey for my charity team. We definitely gotta get BF registered as a charity for next year's ride, and instead of fund raising requirement we can have a new user referral requirement lol.

I'm not sure about the water station logistics, possibly someone else who has done the tour already could comment on this? I imagine long lines and dwindling supplies, so carrying two bottles could mean less time standing in line. But if water isn't an issue I'll happily leave a water bottle at home (less weight to haul up the Verranzo).

davlafont

At each of the rest areas there were Plenty of Potties (I stood in line three deep maybe) and lots of free fruit and snacks being handed out. I don't remember the how hydration was handled. I feel like there was bottled water; I don't remember filling my own bottles or emptying them. There was one place in Brooklyn on the approach to the Verrazano Bridge that was strictly water cups being handed out marathon style. The other rest stops were carnival atmosphere. I packed some shoes to change into afterward, a pair of water shoes one might wear swimming in a river etc. They folded up small enough to strap under my saddle bag.

Sy Reene

Good to know. Literally about 20 minutes ago, water shoes occurred to me as well (might even fit in rear jersey pocket, though I wear a size 13 which doesn't help). What was your impression of bike security at the porta-potties?

davlafont

Honestly, I didn't worry about it. I was with a fellow rider, but we basically propped our two bikes together and stood in line. As I said before, there probably were thieves amongst us but the odds are really in your favor by virtue of the sheer number of bikes all around. I keep the same mentality at ski mountains. I lean my skis against the rack with hundreds of other skis and I enjoy my lunch. If carrying a chain or a U-lock will make the event more enjoyable by adding peace of mind, then that's what you should do.

yankeefan

After speaking with a colleague who has done the tour before, I've decided I'm gonna leave the lightweight rig at home and bring my 30lb tank -- I might even ditch the SPDs and run platforms+staps. He basically said it was a slow ride with lots of stops (and crashes), so no need to show up geared up for a Cat 4/5.

leob1

Which bike to ride? Bring a lock and chain? Fella's you got bigger things to worry about on this ride. The best possible start wave is the first(except for VIP and charity). We, my wife and I, started in the first wave in 2012, we didn't stop unless we wanted to. And I got to sprint up the VZ bridge with out screaming 'MOVE RIGHT' to many times.
in 2014, we started in the next to last wave, that sucked. ANY rise in the road caused a log jam from people that had to stop and walk. And it seemed that nobody understands the 'slower riders stay right' concept. People would just decide they needed to get off and walk, so they just stopped in the middle of the road with no concern about what was behind them. I spoke with the head of Bike NY about this, Don't know if it would do any good.
Last year the real danger was people texting and taking video with their phones while riding. I saw many crashes, and was almost in one, by people doing this. It's defensive riding at it's worst.
Do you need a lock? Only if you stop at one of the bar on Staten Island for a few beers at the end(highly recommended), you may want to put a token lock on your bike. What kind of bike to bring? I rode my Roubaix last year. Riding from the back, not the best choice, it would have been better if I started from the front. But it was new, and I just had to take it up the bridge, THAT was fun. My trek 7.5 is a much better choice all around, better to see being more upright, and still plenty fast enough for this ride. SPD's over Looks, you will do some walking at one point or another.

There are always guys that have to do every ride as fast as humanly possible, not a good idea for this ride. Relax, take it as it comes, and enjoy riding with 30 thousand friends.

velofinds

This can't be good. Already I'm anticipating an experience that will be equal parts great and crappy, or perhaps more skewed toward the latter

yankeefan

My tank has a rear rack so I'll probably tie my U lock to it so I can chill and hang around in SI until the crowds leave. Of course this means I've already conceded my KOM . Its okay though, the more I hear about this tour the more it becomes apparent that this isn't going to be a Strava type of ride. I still do plan on enjoying myself -- its good to ride every once in a while without being fixated on making sure I hit the correct numbers. Hell I might even ride my fixie if I finish the conversion in time.

SBinNYC

There's a slightly different procedure for narrow roadways like the 59th St Bridge or Cats Paw Hill. Walk on the sides (left or right), ride in the middle. We found just walking to the right across a following rider's path, was enough for the following riders to stall out.

rumrunn6

I was going to but I'm not the type to ask family, friends, neighbors and colleagues for money

davlafont

Now you're catching the spirit. I used to drive my high performance car at racetrack events ("Track Days" or HPDE if you're familiar...). One year, I had the good fortune to do a "Parade Lap" at Laguna Seca in Monterey California. It was strictly a follow-the-leader affair at a brisk but entirely un-challenging pace. I still grin just thinking back to the sights and sounds of the experience. Enjoy the ride for what it is: a fun day in the City from a unique point of view.

streetstomper

You don't have to do any fundraising. That's only for people who want to be in the charity start wave or want to help a charity. Everybody else just pays the registration fee, or at this late date, buys the package off Craigslist.

rumrunn6

wow ok thanks I did not see that when I was looking it over I'll have to look into it further. I don't see that option on their website - only links to other charities which many seem to be full of participants.

streetstomper

You didn't see that option because standard registration sold out a couple of months ago. Look around on Craigslist a few days before the tour. Somebody who can't ride will probably be selling their package.

Sy Reene

Ok, so got my start-time email today.. I'm in wave #3 ; how painful of an experience will this be starting this far back?

yankeefan

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBH01jBVLdk

velofinds

SBinNYC

Wave #3 has the benefit of having the road swept of glass, tacks and other road debris by the 15,000 bikes that went before. Make sure your tires are properly inflated before you start. Most people get pinch flats which are due to insufficient pressure.

This isn't a race; there are no prizes for being on the first ferry. Not being near the front means you will not be held at Astoria Park or Fort Wadsworth. That should save you up to 45 minutes of non-riding time. Don't use this time for a brunch at one of the trendy bistros along the route. You won't have time. The first wave passed them before they opened. The first wave enjoyed no such perks for being early.

The entire route is 40 miles long. That will take 2 hours 40 minutes @ 15 mph which is the front pace limit. Add in the mandatory 45 minute wait times at the rest stops and it comes to 3 hours 25 minutes. If you go 12 mph with the 3rd wave, you will pass many riders. Your riding time will be 3 hours 20 minutes. However you will start 1 hour after the first wave. You will arrive at the ferry approximately 55 minutes after the first rider. You will be on the 3rd or 4th boat. It's still next boat out at that time and state room accommodations are still available.

There are two cutoffs to be aware of. You want to get over the Queensboro Bridge (16 miles into the route) by 11:15. Otherwise, you will go directly to the Con Ed Rest Stop and you will not pass the Astoria Park Rest Stop. This shortcut will eliminate about 4 miles. The NYC views from this rest stop are on a par with those from Astoria Park. You also want to get to the BQE entrance (28 miles into the ride) by 2:00. The only way you won't make this cutoff is by spending too much time at one of those trendy DUMBO bistros.

Regardless of where you are within the ride, it's important to stay alert of riders ahead and along side you at all times. Announce your intentions, if you are passing riders, moving to another lane or stopping. If you see a road hazard yell that out as well. That's all normal bike etiquette. Enjoy the ride, even if you don't work up a sweat.

davlafont

I just got an email from MarathonPhoto alerting me that my pic from last year will expire soon. It brings to mind two things:

Now I remember that my biggest challenge was clothing. Because of the season, it's hard to know what to wear to be comfortable from the early morning chill to the potential high noon workout at mile 35-40. What makes it hard is the prohibition on bags and backpacks. On my first Tour I wore a windbreaker jacket and I rode much of the tour with it tied around my waist. :thumbs down: Last year I layered a long sleeve technical tee under a looser short sleeve jersey. That worked well and if the temps had gotten high enough, I could have stuffed the long into the back pocket of the short. I don't remember doing that though (my ride partner was not as well conditioned so we never pushed the pace to my sweat level. His on the other hand...). My advice is to consider your clothing management given the lack of bags.

Also, They asked that everyone wear the official event helmet cover in addition to displaying the registration number clearly. Obviously there was less than 100% compliance (just like the no bags prohibition) but if you plan to be compliant, know that you'll have that piece of apparel.