skiahh

Anyone doing this ride? They somehow got my address and sent a flyer for this; it looks like a blast!

cc_rider

I plan to be there.
I rode the last two years and had a great time.

monster173

I'm registered but a little nervous. Mixed reveiws. Seems like mostly because of the large turnout.

Tina

cc_rider

The crowd can be a bit intimidating. I think we had 35,000 last year, but you usually only see a "small" number of bikes at any one time. A couple of times I had a nearly clear road ahead.

Best to get as close as you can to the start line. Last year I got there around 7am and was in a "good" position, maybe 8 blocks from the start line. Some people lurk farther up the route and as the leaders pass they join near the front. Once you get into Central Park, the crowd starts to thin and the pace picks up. After the Bronx there is more space to ride, just a few bottlenecks.

Worst crowding is at the start, at the first rest stop and on the ferry back to Manhattan. I plan to skip the festival and catch an early boat back so I can keep on riding.

It is a great ride.

same time

Ah, the Five Boro Bike Walk.

It's a fun ride, very crowded at the start. Wear shoes you can walk in, and use a bathroom before the start so you won't be stuck in the jam in midtown with no place to go. After the first rest stop, the crowd thins out so stick with it - the ride is a great way to see the city!

flipped4bikes

It's a lot of cyclists. As posted, the start can get quite crowded. I ended up going up a parallel street and jumping in front of the staging area. Yep, cheated. And things slow down before you enter Central Park. Things really clear up after that, other than bridge crossing and a security checkpoint. They actually have bouncers looking for anybody trying to ride for free!

x2 on peeing before setting off. Ended looking for a place to whizzz before CP. Too much coffee!

some_guy282

I also plan to ride again this year. Did it last year and it was great.

scroogemon

When our group (DC bike messengers) used to ride to NY every year (6 or 7) for the five boro, we figured out the best way to ride and have fun was to wait in Battery Park until almost everyone had left. Then we rolled out and never caught up with the crowds, passing hundreds of stretched out people per minute and not stopping until that park before the ferry return.

Dahon.Steve

I'll be there unless it rains! Yes.. I hate riding in the rain. ;-)

Here's my advice.

1. Use the Rest stops to load up on food ---- I made the mistake the first time and did the whole thing without stopping. It was an awful experience. Eat as much food as you can and take some home!

2. The Queens Borough Bridge ---- That bridge is horrible and you'll always see people getting flats because of the metal grid. Just be careful you don't fall down.

3. Highway portion in Brooklyn ---- Always make sure when you're going down that final portion that you are not behind someone else! People are dropping water bottles, cameras, keys and you cannot run over these things. Again, make sure you have a clear view of that downhill because they're always scraping someone off at the bottom.

Central Park ------ There a section in the park that's fast downhill with a sharp right turn. Be careful there because that's practically a hairpin if you're flat out.

Remember, this is not a race but a leisure ride. I was able to complete the ride two years ago on a 16' wheel, 3 speed Dahon Piccolo folding bicycle. Goto www.Dahon.com if you want to see the type of bicycle that is. I've seen children complete this ride in training wheels, bmx, Razer scooters and roller skates. It's not a hard or fast ride but remember to have FUN!!

mcolesjr

I've looked at this ride for years. I registered last year, but didn't go. This will be my first year for the ride. I will do it alone, then maybe bring my son along next year. Just concerned about bike traffic. I plan to be there early.

See ya there,
Melvin

cc_rider

If the crowd of bikes starts to get to you, just imagine them all naked.