billm45s

Given the "need" for a lottery. I understand the $6.00 lottery fee, well sort of. Without a fee, there would be nothing to discourage people from submitting multiple applications through different emails, friends, relatives etc. The $6.00 lottery fee means only those who are serious will apply. Still BNY should better communicate their reasoning, particularly as regards long time riders.

What bothers me more, especially when you consider folks who are maybe only a few hours away (disclosure not me, I live in NYC), is the requirement to pick up the bib at the Expo in advance. This to me seems a big inconvenience to riders from upstate NY, PA, southern Jersey, DE, MD and parts of New England, who usually drive in very early the morning of the event.

The 5BBT is a unique and special event. I am a volunteer. I think everyone should do it at least once. But, if you are primarily looking for an early season well run ride event, why not also consider the Icicle Metric at the end of March or the 5BBC Montauk event on May 20th.

Stacy

I'd guess the majority of riders are from out of town. Some even come from out of the country. Both times I rode the 5BBT there was a large contingent of Canadians with little flags atop their helmets. Forcing riders to pick up their packets at the expo, with valid photo ID, means many riders will have to spend at least one night at an expensive New York hotel. I wonder how many of those hotels are bike friendly.

It'll also make it much harder to sell packets on Craigslist - which seems to be the thought behind this. If for any reason you can't do the ride (I once suffered a sprained wrist the day before the ride) you'll probably be out the money.

Even if Bike New York wants to discourage multiple entries they could still apply the lottery fee towards the registration fee.

Stacy

A couple of years ago I put a $60 limit on the amount I'd pay to ride. Still plenty of choices out there.

FrankieV

Bike NY is listening!

Regarding packet pickup:

We recognize that this may create logistical problems for many potential riders.
Given your feedback on the issue, we will be offering proxy packet pickup at Bike Expo New York.

Cyclerock

I think i.d. is required for tour packet pick up, making it difficult for someone to buy someone else's registration.

Cyclerock

What fraud and scam are you referring to?

Stacy

Yes I see they'v added that to the updated website along with the ability to enter the lottery in groups. Even so, if everybody registered in groups of 10 (the maximum they allow) that's still 3,200 or so people who will have to be in NYC a day or so before the event to pick up the packets. It's hard to imagine that many people sold their registration on Craigslist to justify the inconvenience and expense.

According to Twitter their website has already crashed today due to the number of people trying to register.. so I guess not everyone sees this as a deterrent.

Cyclerock

I wouldn't mind organizing a 'word of mouth' ride the same day, riding in 4 boroughs, avoiding the 5 Boro ride. It wouldn't be traffic free, but it would be free. I'd use the NYC Greenway path system.

Stacy

Unless you kept it close you could wind up with everyone who lost the lottery.

duckbuster

I did the ride last year and thought it was a pretty neat ride, kinda slow but we found ways to burn through the crowds. I won't be going this year cuz of the whole lottery thing. I usually go with a friend, what if I get in and he doesn't? Then I'm stuck by myself. Also the packet pick up thing is just dumb, being from out of state, I hardly think I'm going to spend money to spend one night in NYC when I live two hours away. Once again something that was cool has been ruined by folks that way over think things.

FrankieV

They've addressed both of your concerns.
See my post above dated 1/13/12.

BridgeNotTunnel

I won a spot!

I'm registered!

It's my first time, and I'm likely riding alone. Hopefully alone I can do some conservative weaving and keep my pace up.

I saw guys on the tour stopping at my corner deli last year; I guess that means I might be able to pitstop home, sweet.

For people who lose the lottery I believe there is still VIP and sponsored options.....

I might call their 800 number to see if my mini speaker is "allowed"?

jvr2

Me and my buddy who registered separate got in, we have done it 3 years in a row so its more tradition then something we just can't miss at this point.

It always gives us very funny memories and things to talk about. First year torrential rain the entire ride; almost got hypothermia after. Second year blazing heat and we had much fun thinking about getting H1N1 riding in a group of 30k people. My buddy also managed to have his phone die, us lose each other before the Verrazano but somehow find each other again after the bridge at the festival. And last year was the 2 hour wait on the BQE!. Never a dull moment lol. You really have to go into with a positive "I'm going to have fun no matter what" attitude. I have to admit after every ride (more like when I'm coming up on the Verrazano lol), I wonder to myself why am I here again? But by the time registration comes back around I'm texting my buddy and asking, are you in?

Regarding your mini speaker. You do not need to ask about that. Plenty of people ride the whole thing with a boombox attached to their bike. There was one group in the 2010 ride that was pulling a platform that had like a dance floor and stripper pole attached with music blazing. Do what you want.

Also, I had another friend get into the ride as well (she has never ridden before) so I'm thinking maybe not many people didn't get selected?? Anyone out there not get a notice yet that registered for the lottery?

BridgeNotTunnel

Thanks for the heads up regarding the speaker.

I wasn't sure how casual the event was.

Filming with my GoPro sounds like it's going to be even more fun than I realized.

I've only done one ride over forty miles, and that included 5900 feet of climb. I think I'm fit enough for the ride right now but I would like to motivate to trim a few pounds off my clyde behind (265 lbs right now) to lighten the load.

I'm glad I bought a portable usb charger for rides over 4 hours. I can charge my phone (running sportypal gps can kill the battery) or my speaker as long as I have double A batteries.

Thankfully I have twelve rechargeables at the ready.

Stacy

Reminds me of the time I broke a derailleur cable just before the Verrazzano Bridge and my cyclecomputer fizzled out from the rain

Planned Parenthood of NY joined the list of charities. Anyone interested in raising funds for Womens Health should email abigail.deatley[at]ppnyc.org

Dahon.Steve

OH my god, you reminded me of that horrible 2 hour wait on the BQE. I decided NEVER more will I ride this event! I suspect the 5 Boro Bike Tour will hit $100.00 dollars in 5 years! It's not worth it because you only tour Manhattan for the most part and ride highways the rest of the way. Tour of Brooklyn and Bronx use the streets and are more like real tours.

Dahon.Steve

Three hours waiting for the ferry!! Holy Cow!

You should have ridden to the Bayonne Bridge (20 minute ride) crossed into New Jersey, then taken the Hudson Bergen Lightrail back to Exchange place. Then take the Path into Manhattan or better yet, just park in Staten Island. Three hours! Goodness.

Stacy

I was tempted but we were held behind police lines with no clear word as to when the next ferry would arrive.I was aware of the Bayonne Bridge route but at the time I had never ridden it. They kept promising to bring in a second ferry. Eventually the crowd became agitated and began to yell at police "You don't own us!" Certainly not the most pleasant ending to a long day. Bike New York issued an email apology several weeks later and promised to correct the problem next year.

Cyclerock

Using the NYC bike map and google, you can bike from Staten Island to the Hoboken path train. (Check to make sure bikes are allowed on the train there. New rules may have been implemented). That will bring you to the World Trade Center in a matter of a minutes. The bike ride is pretty straight forward. I've gone that route several times. Once at Liberty State Park, you reach Jersey City by this little wooden bridge, (unless there was a change. I haven't done the ride in a few years). Check to make sure bikes are allowed.

Dahon.Steve

As I understand, they intend to avoid problems like the one at the BQE by holding the pack to avoid gridlock. Oh that's great! Now instead of being stuck in one location for 2 hours, I'm going to be stuck in several locations for 2 hours!! Fail.

Shinjukan

I've been closely following the posts on forums like here in BF about this 5 Boro Bike Tour in NYC and now I'm seriously having second thoughts as to whether I should do it or just make a pass in favor of other more serious bike events. I joined my pals when they applied for the lottery, and we all got selected. But sadly, I only have until this Tuesday (21st) to secure my spot. The multiple-year experiences that you all had makes me think if it's really worth spending the $75 registration, then add the incidentals like lodging, food, gas, tolls, and of course the all-important time. If it's still going to be borderline chaotic similar to what some of you described in the past, then I can foresee it's no different than going to Times Square on New Year's Eve then getting stuck in Manhattan till 6am on New Year's Day trying to get back to Jersey. I've done it once and I'm relieved it's been checked out of my Lifetime Travel Goals.

Coming from Chester County, Pennsylvania I really have to be 100% sure I wanna do this without any regret.

Decisions, decisions.

BridgeNotTunnel

Ah, the beauty of actually residing within the 5 boros....

According to the map, my block is definitely part of the route.

BrooklyntoNYC

well this will be my 1st time doing this tour for $55, $20 went to the T.A for renewal.. I'll meet up with a co-worker and do the tour with his friends.

bktourer1

I've done this ride 8x since 2000 and loved it. The best one had to be after 9/11 as the cyclists cheered for the construction workers and the workers for us at the WTC.
There was great respect on both sides of the fence.
8x time is enough for me & the price has gotten too high.
There was a time where you could register the same day down at Battery Park, or at the bike show.

BridgeNotTunnel

Let's hope more people feel the way you do, and those of us new to the ride will be less crowded.

Secretly I hope for rain, that would thin the herd as well I'm sure.