Thanks, appreciate the info. I've booked a room at the Doubletree on Stone St, which is near the start. Hopefully, that will work out. As far as patience and crowds, I'm OK with that and in no hurry to finish the ride. The plan is to ride a mountain bike, an old Trek 950, with city tires instead of my road bike. That way I can take a handlebar bag and wear SPD shoes with recessed cleats.
How is the ferry ride back from Staten Island? Is that any problem, given the crowds?