lootcorp

I agree - these new policies are really a crock. I've posted several comments on the security policy webpage asking (very politely) about getting a refund. Those comments were deleted and never saw the light of day. This is another reactionary security policy implemented so the organizers can tick off a box on their checklist and tell everyone, "See? We take this VERY SERIOUSLY!"

Don't know what's stopping someone from stuffing a fanny pack with explosives...or how any of this protects us from spectators/pedestrians who are not subject to these rules. Or why they are still allowing cargo and baby trailers which are much larger than a backpack. Or why they are still encouraging people to wear costumes (!) on their Facebook page. Hmm, maybe I'll go dressed as a giant backpack, think they'd like that?

I'll still ride because it appears there will be no refunds and I can keep my gear at my friend's apartment in the city...but I'll be damned if Bike NY ever sees another penny from me. They can take their ride and shove it -- regardless of if they were directly responsible for these new policies (as opposed to NYPD), the way they've handled the situation is unforgivable.

Stacy

When I mentioned my $100 rack top bag I forgot to include the value of its contents which normally exceed the value of the bag.

It doesn't really matter who developed these guidelines or who will enforce them. Cyclists will suffer regardless of whether it's BNY, NYPD, etc. Depriving some individuals of their basics needs during an eight hour day might very well put their health at risk.

lootcorp

FYI - just got an email from "Kathy" @ BNY in response to a message I sent them inquiring about refunds. They said if riders want to cancel they can convert their event fee into a charitable donation that is tax deductible. Not ideal, but better than nothing.

Also, they are saying these ARE allowed:

-any fanny pack or waist pack with capacity of 420 cubic inches or smaller
-any secured bag with capacity of 420 cubic inches or smaller
-multiple water bottles secured to your bike or body
-multiple bags fitting the above size requirements securely fastened to your bike and which are not backpacks
-bungee cords to fasten clothing/jackets to your bike

This seems to make the policy even more ridiculous. I can have multiple smaller bags now, as long as they aren't backpacks? How does this provide any extra security??

mjco04

I'm in! First time doing this!

EddNog

The ride was a total blast!!! Here's a link to my Strava record from the ride. We ended up stopping a lot to wait for a friend who came along that's way out of shape, but it was fun regardless and we're all really proud of him for riding the whole 40+ miles with us!

-Ed

CodeBrown

Nice! What device do you use for the strava app? I wanted to track it with my iphone but was worried about battery life.

EddNog

I use an iPhone 4S with the Wahoo Fitness bike case with the Wahoo Fitness extended battery, plus the Wahoo Fitness Bluetooth heart rate monitor and Wahoo Fitness Bluetooth speed & cadence sensor. Pretty much an all-Wahoo setup. All I need is a Bluetooth power meter and I'd have the perfect setup; the only problem is that the only Bluetooth power meter on the market right now is that Stages Power Meter that only measures left side power and doesn't support a higher SRAM crank than Rival, and I use Force.

-Ed

Ferdinand NYC

Stacy and Lootcorp are right: this rule-change was a lot of nonsense, and was a reactionary move. This sort of police overreaction doesn't make anyone one bit safer; indeed, it makes us more vulnerable to official violence.

This blew it for me; I just didn't go. I had already lost my money; I wasn't going to compound the harm by losing my time as well. (I didn't bother making it a tax-deductible donation; I use the EZ form and take the standard deduction.) I was only lukewarm about the whole thing, anyway; I was doing it in the first place only to accompany a friend. Luckily, that friend was also disgusted about the rule change, and also decided not to go.

I can imagine that the City or some other authority forced this on Bike New York. But, still, if Bike New York can change their bag policy at the last minute, then they could have changed their refund policy at the last minute as well. In the end, these chumps ripped me off.

leob1

Well Ferdinand, you and you friend mis a really good ride. There where lots of security, but they in no way interfered with any of the riders that I saw. Pretty much everybody I saw and spoke with was having a good time. Bike New York, and the NYPD did a GREAT job running this event, beging to end.

Ferdinand NYC

I doubt I would have enjoyed it. I usually carry a messenger bag with all my stuff in it; and my friend (who is a new cyclist) had planned to bring lots of snacks. It would have been a hassle for both of us to change our plans on this.

I'm glad you had a good time. But the prospect of riding with a throng of 30,000 people along a prescribed route was never attractive to me in the first place. I'm quite happy that I didn't go.

zacster

I did the ride and all I kept thinking is that those losers actually won. The security was completely over the top. In the past we had ride marshals that were supposed to prevent non-paying riders from entering the 59th St bridge, feeling groovy all the way, this year we had police with assault weapons.

Otherwise the ride went pretty quick for us, and we were home by 2.

Maybe next year we'll have to ride naked.

stedanrac

I'll add kudo's for the ride organizers. This was the first time I did this ride and it was just great. I was astounded at the logistics and how well they handled that large crowd. The rest areas were marvels of efficiency. We anticipated long lines to get a ferry back, but the wait was only about 10 minutes. We really had a great time.

tsw910

my wife and I had a blast doing it and it was our first time on a ride like this! riding through 5 boros on the roads I travel often but this time I was on 2 wheels and the view was fantastic! the rest areas were great, the food/snacks were awesome .. never bother eating what I've brought with me!

too bad y'all feel that way about the "rule changes" .. but i am just glad that the "little" rules changes didn't affect me at all!

tsw910

and by the way .. those LOSERS didn't win .. cuz 30,000+ riders showed up!

EddNog

Couldnt possibly agree with you more! Definitely doing this again next year!!!

-Ed