Bike New York Sunday 3rd May '15

Brockwan

Brockwan

Member
Anyone else doing the 5 Borough tour on Sunday? Put some slicks on the ol' mtb and I'm looking forward to doing the tour.

My first time so not sure what to expect. Cant see any info on there being water/bike service stations along the way.

No bags with shoulder straps are allowed. Pretty upset by that really, I do see the fear why though but still. Hoping to get away with a waste pack instead.
 
First. Yes I am. I have a rack on my bike. Going to,attach a milk crate to it with zip ties. This Is ok.
If you get out late there will be walking on the hills it will be,crowded. Lots of rest stops. I did it on mtn bike with slicks you will be fine. It's fun, just take it all in and enjoy it.
 
I'll be there with a couple other people. Going for packet pickup tomorrow. 3 of us are assigned to the pink start wave. I have a rack I may tie stuff to if needed. Probably will just do what I did last year though and stick with 2 bottle cages, seat bag with tube/patches/quick link, frame mount pump, baggy shorts, and a 3 pocket jersey. Had more than enough carrying capacity.

As far as the ride, a lot will be determined by your starting wave like Bob said. It in the starting packs it might be pretty constant. Later waves get bogged down a lot at bridge crossings and rest areas. There are a couple rest areas and a few additional water stations on the course. They were marked on the map off of the Bike New York site. It is pretty stress free for the most part, with the exception of occasionally needing to dodge less experienced or observant riders.

Couple pics from last year. The one is the start wave by the WTC.
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Thanks for the reminder. I won't be participating, but need to head into the city in the morning so need to plan according for this every year.
 
rick81721 said:
^ Looks horrible - you couldn't pay me to ride in that dump
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Really not too bad after people get spread out some. Skipped a few rest stops last year since they can be a bit hectic, and the spots where everyone gets cluttered can be annoying. It was fun, but not sure I will bother again next year. Going with a friend who has done it multiple times already.
 
Although the one consideration I made this morning was just the novelty of bringing the fatbike instead and blowing past some people. Think that would be amusing.
 
moray42 said:
Although the one consideration I made this morning was just the novelty of bringing the fatbike instead and blowing past some people. Think that would be amusing.
Click to expand...

Bring the fat bike, if you want attention. My friend did it last year on his puglsey. He was like a rock star. Everybody was digging it.
BTW, if you see a guy riding a blue puglsey with a rear rack, that would probably be him. I will be the guy on the bike in my avatar.
 
If I had planned bringing it in advance maybe, but would be a bit of a pain with the bag restriction. Don't feel like carrying bulkier fat tubes in a pocket as backup, and not sure the rack I have would work too well on that frame. You saw the frame bag I use when we were at the mtbnj Allaire ride Bob, but that would be a no go for the 5 borough.
 
Backpacks, panniers, frame bags, and seat bags over a certain size were banned by request of the nypd after the Boston marathon bombing. Just a safety precaution due to the size of the event and number of people around.
 
5AMs on most Sunday mornings are relatively car free in Manhattan
going to give that a try this year with an Xtracycle so that I can haul groceries from Chinatown over the GW bridge
probably wouldn't get very far from NYPD with saddlebags this Sunday
 
Looking to be glorious weather too. I just have my under saddle bag and waist pack that has a small pocket and water bottle.
Just need a few necessities just in case. phone bank card and DL. Bike mini tool, spare tube, puncture kit to lend, chain quick links and derailleur hanger. mini pump on frame. Should be good with just those bits
 
Just left packet pickup and they do say frame bags are ok, but think mine is likely over the size. May snag the top tube bag off the fat though for a bit more room. They really streamlined pickup this year. Line went super fast compared to last year. Less than 10 minutes max.
 
Pulaski now closed both directions
Driving in and out is now hell
Saturday night back was horrible
 
recap -

Had the 7 am start time. I did much more riding that last year's late start.
Since I live in NJ, drove to the Staten Island ferry and took it to the start. Then at the end, we just had to ride back to the car.

The start was a little slow then it picked up.
The weather was beautiful.

The range of bicycles was staggering, from old cruisers/mtn bikes to custom road racing machines. Most notable: hand cyclist, Gary fisher sugar (i have one, never see one in the wild), old tricked out mtn bikes from the 90's. The high end tandems. An old army green bike that looked like a klien mantra, but it folded. An elliptical cycle, we saw 2 last year riding together, I wonder where that other one was?

The music/entertainment on the route was great.

Would I do it again? This being my 3rd one, probably not. I am looking for another group ride to do. Might look into doing a gran fondo.
 
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