Hey NYC - Something to Look Forward to: The 2011 TD Bank Five Boro Bike Tour

[Oramas]

Cold days make for chilly bicycle commutes for the Bike New York staff recently, but just thinking about the upcoming 2011 TD Bank Five Boro Bike Tour warms us up! We're already hard at work putting together the 2011 tour, including more entertainment along the 42-mile route and the chance to ride in support of nearly three dozen charity partners (more below).

The tour takes place in May, which might seem far off, but it will be here before you know it. Coming even sooner is the date to register: February 1, 2011. Don't forget to visit our website and register early that day: We expect to sell out in record time this year!

What: 2011 TD Bank Five Boro Bike Tour
When: Sunday, May 1, 2011
Who: 32,000 cyclists, hopefully including YOU!
Where: 42 miles through car-free streets in NYC
Registration: Tuesday, February 1, 2011, at 10:00 a.m., online only

[zacster]

Register early. It sells out fast. I've bought the tickets on Craigslist the last two rides.

[David325]

I'm totally going to be there, and I'm dragging as many friends as possible. I rode it last year, and it's an amazing experience.

[FISHERGUY]

We have several riders coming from South Jersey. We are thinking of chartering a bus! If anyone is interested please email me.

[Aeneas]

Did the ride last year, had a good time, will do it again, hopefully with more friends this time.

[cyclistJP]

I am looking forward to this; never been a real avid cyclist, but it certainly looks fun, and a way to see the city. I will not forget to register, and hopefully there will some quarter for me.

[RhythmRider]

I did it last year for the first time…it was great! BTW I am 51yrs old and I plan on doing it again this year!

[bktourer1]

After doing this 6 times within the past 10 years, I'm giving it a break this year. If its you first time sign up early and get to the startung point REAL early. Have fun!!!!!!

[cyclistJP]

After doing this 6 times within the past 10 years, I'm giving it a break this year. If its you first time sign up early and get to the startung point REAL early. Have fun!!!!!!

How early should one be there?

What is an ideal bike for this tour? I have a mountain bike, but it is quite heavy; but by tour day I could possibly have a folding bike.

[julesray]

I can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Come on Spring!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[TiberiusBTkirk]

Great photo! I live right there!

[Commando303]

How much is it, this year (2011)?

[boymonkey]

How early should one be there?

What is an ideal bike for this tour? I have a mountain bike, but it is quite heavy; but by tour day I could possibly have a folding bike.

An ideal bike is something you'll be comfortable riding. Most of the ride is fairly flat. Only "hilly" sections are the bridges which I wouldnt even call hills. If using your mtn bike get some non knobby tires for em. Lots of stopping and going in the beginning, but the route opens up afterwards. I did it last year on a fixed gear and had no problems. I saw a few people doing it on a unicycle so Im sure you would have no problem on a folding bike.
I got there around 6am and was stuck somewhere in the middle.

How much is it, this year (2011)?

They bumped the prices up to $75 bucks (Yikes!) I'll still do it again this year though. Its fun weaving in and out of the massive amounts of people and a good reason to introduce new people to cycling.

[missjean]

Did this 2 years ago - started the ride in drizzle and it was pouring rain by the end but we still a great time.

[Commando303]

An ideal bike is something you'll be comfortable riding. Most of the ride is fairly flat. Only "hilly" sections are the bridges which I wouldnt even call hills. If using your mtn bike get some non knobby tires for em. Lots of stopping and going in the beginning, but the route opens up afterwards. I did it last year on a fixed gear and had no problems. I saw a few people doing it on a unicycle so Im sure you would have no problem on a folding bike.
I got there around 6am and was stuck somewhere in the middle.


They bumped the prices up to $75 bucks (Yikes!) I'll still do it again this year though. Its fun weaving in and out of the massive amounts of people and a good reason to introduce new people to cycling.

Yeah, I just checked their Web site. It looks as if I'm the only onw complaining about the cost, but I'm pretty sure I'm right in doing so: The charge appears to go up by ten or fifteen dollars, every year. In 2005, I think it was $35.00; 2009, it was $50.00; 2010, $60.00; now (2011), $75.00. I know I'm missing a few years in between (and, of course, those before '05), but I feel it's ridiculous the organization casually bumps up prices this way to let people ride a bike — surely, the fee-increases outweigh the rate of inflation.

Unless they start to charge (what I agree are) reasonable rates to participate in this event, I'll avoid the "Five-Boro Bike Tour," and peddle down the street any other day of the year...

[Stacy]

$75.00!!!! I knew I wasn't going to be happy about the price.
Yeah, first time I rode must've been in 2005 and it was $35 so they've more than doubled the price in six years.

[cyclistJP]

An ideal bike is something you'll be comfortable riding. Most of the ride is fairly flat. Only "hilly" sections are the bridges which I wouldnt even call hills. If using your mtn bike get some non knobby tires for em. Lots of stopping and going in the beginning, but the route opens up afterwards. I did it last year on a fixed gear and had no problems. I saw a few people doing it on a unicycle so Im sure you would have no problem on a folding bike.
I got there around 6am and was stuck somewhere in the middle.


They bumped the prices up to $75 bucks (Yikes!) I'll still do it again this year though. Its fun weaving in and out of the massive amounts of people and a good reason to introduce new people to cycling.

Thank you for the information. I hope to have a folding bike soon, and would definitely like to break it in on the tour. I just hope for no flats, because I have no idea how to patch one up or even worse replace it. 6 am sounds awfully early in order to get to the lower tip of Manhattan. I wouldn't want to ride the train at 4:30 am, so is there a good bike route there once I cross over from Queens on the 59th bridge?

$75 seems quite high, but the tour seems like so much fun, it probably is worth the fee.

[v70cat]

I did it about 4 years ago. It was a long walk to Central Park and the $75 price is a lot, think I will pass.

[FrankieV]

The price is quite high although it is a unique cycling event.
This is the first year I've seen so much advertsing for the event.
I've seen it in print, mail and even TV.
Makes no sense spending all this money on advertsisng since it sells out earlier and earlier every year.

[Commando303]

The price is quite high although it is a unique cycling event.

I agree it's "unique," but I don't feel that justifies such high charges ("V.I.P." passes — which really are just a way to sell at exorbitant rates, a bunch of tickets to people who couldn't get theirs, early enough — are listed as being $300.00 [http://www.bikenewyork.org/rides/fbbt/register.html]). The admission fee ought to reflect what it costs to organize/fund the event: taking the entrepreneurial initiative to sell tickets for as much as you can while still getting full-booking might be good economic strategy, but it's nothing to be celebrated by those who wish to participate.

(Sorry, FrankieV: I'm not trying to pick a fight with you — I'm just mad — .)

[zacster]

I've always liked doing this ride even though I've probably done it 10 times by now. I usually can drag one of my kids along and they enjoy it too. I'm buying two tickets online this year once they go on sale, not waiting too long and then having to go on craigslist and hoping I can find two.

Is it worth $75? That's getting pretty expensive. I'm sure the city wanted more money to service the event, and the organizers had to pay, and that's probably the biggest expense.

Would I travel to do this ride? That I don't know because I don't have to (nor do most of you reading this board). It isn't a long ride, it isn't a fast ride, it isn't a real tour. But there will be people from all over the country so maybe they think it is worth it. I always hope that the people that travel to the ride also had other plans as I myself would be disappointed with it as a ride. But then again, I live in Brooklyn and I cross the Gowanus all the time, if not on a bike. People think that's an incredible view, I just shrug. I also ride CP all the time. So for $75 I'll do it, but to spend $500 to get here I'd say no. I also said no to Seattle to Portland double century a few years ago when I bought the ticket early, but then realized it would cost closer to a grand to get there and pay for hotels.

[Dahon.Steve]

I'm going to pay for this tour as usual. I may not go if it rains but at least my money goes to a worthy cause. The 5BBT is not really a tour of the Bronx or Brooklyn. In fact, the tour only touches the Bronx and rides on the highway when going through Brooklyn! A real tour of the Bronx is something like the Tour de Bronx which actually goes through the entire city.

My advise is bring your most comfortable bike and PLEASE watch out of those water bottles rolling on the floor when going down hills or ESPECIALLY the highway section!!!!!!

[cc_rider]

It has gotten pricey.
After riding the tour for the last 8 years, I think I'll take a break. Maybe do the Tour de Chesapeake instead, and wait for the NY Century.

[boymonkey]

I think my favorite ride of the NYC tours is the Tour de Bronx, mainly because its free and its a nice ride. Did the NY Century last year and was disappointed, so not sure if I'll do it again.
Like I said before, I'll pay for the tour this year but I dont know at what price I'll stop paying. Maybe when they hike the price next year I'll stop. If I can get a couple more friends interested in riding bikes with me however, paying the price is worth it. Last year I went with a group of 8, this year I got a number people pumped to ride some bikes and we're up to around 12.

[David325]

Oh yeah, some advice for the rest of you: DON'T go to the start! I heard that if you don't arrive ridiculously early you'll be standing around for a long time, then it's all bump-n-shove. Last year, I waiting at Central Park for the group to come through, then just joined in. No waiting, just riding! And, when you're done, you've got the greenway on the east side of manhattan to get back to where you came from. That's what I did, anyway.