Bike Forums - Five Boro Bike Tour, Ride, Walk, Stand

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It was my first time doing the 5 boro bike tour and I loved it. I was at the front of the 2nd wave and didn't experience many stops. Central park was a little congested as well as getting out of the first rest stop.

My friend and I enjoyed the ride quite a bit. We were slotted to the last group and felt like it, since we're both experienced riders and that didn't seem to be the norm. But it was a lot of fun riding through the city and I especially liked the Queensboro Bridge and riding through Manhattan. The wind on the back 1/3 or so of the ride was pretty brutal but I would still do it even if that was the norm. The Verrazano was too windy and clogged with slow riders to be as enjoyable as I had hoped, but still not bad.

It would be nice if they would stagger the starts by ability level, though I imagine a lot of lying would occur. Has that been tried before? They do this in the City to Shore every year and it seems to work well, though there are probably 25% as many riders as the 5 Boros Tour.

All in all, it was a great time. Thanks everyone for the tips.

For the NYC Century they stagger the start not by ability but by distance, which amounts to almost the same thing. The 100 mile riders start first, then the 75 milers, etc...

It does work to keep the serious riders away from the purely recreational ones. When you get to Astoria, after being with a like minded group the entire day, all the groups congregate there and you feel the tone of the ride has changed, from an endurance type ride, to an easier one. We all cross the Triboro bridge together, but then the 100 milers go up to the Bronx while the others go to Manhattan, and you're all alone together again.

This was my 2nd year on this bike ride and I still love it!! I love the fact that I can enjoy the scenic ride with my wife and some friends (some serious riders and new comers) I did hear alot of complaining going on from a handful of riders, but most of them are out there for ONE PURPOSE! to get out and enjoy this ride!!! Yes, there were some stops and some congestion .. but so what?!?! big deal, none of which took more than a few minutes to clear (maybe we were in the 2nd wave)

Come on people, you paid $90 for it .. why in the world would you want to rush and race through everything when there's no prize or $$ at the finish line? There are so much things to see and enjoy! and its CAR FREE throughout the entire ride. Ok, it does seem like there are more slower riders this year than last, but if you slow down a bit and took in the sights .. they wouldn't be so slow :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1nterceptor (Post 16728674)

http://www.bikeforums.net/folding-bi...l#post16728662

Nice video. I like the one with the Brompton in the portable toilet.

This was my third time and this time I did it on my Birdy. Not a lot of folders this year. I saw some Bromptons, some Terns, a few Dahons, and other brands. I was hoping to see some Birdies but I was the only one.

I thought this year was a bit too cool and windy. The weather on Saturday and today was way better.

Quote:

Originally Posted by leob1 (Post 16729936)

Yes there where.
My wife and I rode last year, we started in the first wave, after the VIP($$), and charity riders($). We had clear roads the entire way, we only stopped when we wanted to. Moderate lines for food and the bathrooms, and getting into and out of rest areas.
This year we started in the last wave. We stopped and walked more times than I could count. EVERY up section had a bottleneck at the bottom. People can not understand that 1) there are 10,000 people behind them, and, 2) walkers and slower riders should keep to the right.
And people don't want to realise that they can't ride a bike and text\take pictures. I saw one idiot with one had on the bars, looking down, weaving back and forth. I saw trouble so I hung back. Somebody else didn't, and dhe weaved right into the passing rider. Down they went. Then of course her friend slams on his brakes and stops right in the middle of the street.
Funny thing, going up the biggest hill, the Verrazano Bridge(my favorite part of the ride) had no delay at the bottom, and I didn't have to scream at anybody to move over.

Yup! This sounds like the Five Boro Bike Tour. I remember years ago when there was only one bottleneck and that was at 59th street. Ah, the good old days.

I'm glad to see that no one passed away on this ride. It's good to see people are still enjoying it. The real fun part is going through Manhattan because the rest of the ride is almost highway. I'm doing the Tour de Brooklyn on June 1st. Now that's a real tour of Brooklyn and not a highway tour.

I did the Tour de Brooklyn one time and even my young kids complained it was too slow. I never tried it again. I also did the Tour de Bronx a few times and had a good time, except the last time the ride leaders got lost. I haven't done it since, but it was a fun ride for a number of reasons.

Quote:

Originally Posted by zacster (Post 16738387)

Same for me. Tour de Brooklyn was so slow, I ventured off on my own.
In my opinion the best borough tour is the Tour de Bronx. I do it every year.

I see this is an old thread - but does anyone know how to sell their packets? I registered for two spots for 2016, but am most likely unable to attend now and would like to sell our spots. Any guidance would be appreciated. Thanks!

You will still have to pick up the packet, but after that nobody will check whom the number belongs to.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mfitzger333 (Post 18593215)

Craigslist, Facebook, New York Cycle Club message board.

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2911/...5821168f68.jpg FIVE BORO BIKE TOUR by 1nterceptor, on Flickr