Five Boro Bike tour Registration is Tue Jan 12

[bobco85]

Have they figured out the congestion issues? I did the tour a couple of years ago, and from a buyer-beware perspective, this is what I think of it:

The good

• amazing views and the ability to explore parts of NYC you’d never be able to do any other way (even in a vehicle)
• riding on roads, highways, and bridges that are off-limits to cyclists the other 364 days of the year (365 for this year, obviously) is pretty awesome
• it’s really a special experience to have and well worth the $94
• NY Bike Expo is awesome to attend

The bad

• if you don’t shell out $325 for the VIP experience, you will not be in the first wave
• if you’re not in the first wave, you will be doing a lot of walking/standing as well as riding
• due to the congestion, the 40 mile course may take over 5 hours to complete, and this does not include the congestion at the Staten Island ferry to get back to Manhattan (add another hour)

To me, it’s like being in Times Square for New Year’s Eve. I did it once, it was a special experience, the memories will last me a lifetime, and I will probably never do it again because there’s a lot of hassle involved.

[consularrider]

The year I did the 5 Boro (2008), I skipped the Battery Park start and waited at the entrance to Central Park for the first wave to arrive and then joined in the first gap. Don’t know if you can get by with that any more. Still not in a rush to go back and ride with 40,000 (or whatever the limit will be) others.

[jrenaut]

Did it once, good experience, won’t do it again. It’s full of people who have never done any sort of group ride before – riding 9 wide to block a 4 lane road at 8 mph and such.

It is a really cool way to see NYC though. I’ve been to the city a few times, but you get to see all sorts of areas you aren’t likely to otherwise (unless you live there or something).

The no bags/backpacks/etc rule is ridiculous. Are they going to enforce that? They’d need the entire staff of the NYPD doing nothing but confiscating backpacks along the route. And even if they could ban them perfectly effectively, it’s not like it would make anyone safer or make the ride better.

[cvcalhoun]

No hydration packs? With 5 hours or more of riding, in close quarters with a zillion other cyclists? I’d think they’d be risking some medical issues.

[kwarkentien]

The no packs has been in place for years now. It is loosely enforced. But there are water stops every few miles so it’s not an issue to be without a Camelback.

As to the assignment to waves, it’s not true that you need to be VIP to get wave 1. My first year I was in wave 1. My second year I was in wave 3. I will agree that if you wind up in the later waves, you will have congestion, which can be as severe as a Monday morning on the LIE or BQE. If you do opt for VIP, you are guaranteed to be at the front of wave 1 but it’s a hefty sum for the privilege.

As a native NYer, it is an awesome experience. Riding my bike on the FDR, 59th St Bridge, BQE/Gowanus, and Verrazano Narrows Bridge was a real thrill.

[consularrider]

I’ve gotten two emails today reminding me that the 5 Boro registration is open. When I hit the registration button it took a while and then told me my projected wait time was 13 minutes. Good thing I had no intention of registering. I guess I was just slowing it down for everyone else.

[Rootchopper]

I registered and I am going. Any hints on hotels to stay in on Staten Island?

[dbb]

@Rootchopper 131919 wrote:

I registered and I am going. Any hints on hotels to stay in on Staten Island?

The two times I rode I stayed on Manhattan. The ride down to Battery Park in the early morning is pretty neat. Might be less hassle and more fun than Staten Island.

[Rootchopper]

I am concerned about getting there with the bike and getting home. NYC kind of freaks me out. Also, I’ve never ridden the SIF so that in itself will be fun.

[Raymo853]

I did it a few years ago, maybe 2007? It rained and rained and rained. And was cold. I loved it. Getting to see so much of NYC from a bike at bike speeds was great. However, I do not have plans to do it again. I think it is need to do once event.

I agree do not find a hotel in Staten Island for this event. Manhattan is the place to stay to speed getting to the start and benefit from the free Staten Island Ferry ride back to Manhattan.

[dbb]

OK. Because the ride ends on Staten Island, those heading back to Manhattan get a ride on the Staten Island Ferry. My concern would be riding down to the ferry at the crack of dawn (and whether the ferry runs that early) to get to Battery Park. I don’t recall seeing a bunch of hotels on Staten Island.

[accordioneur]

I did the Five Borough Bike Tour in ’87 and again in ’88. Back then there was no Lycra® in evidence and there were no commemorative jerseys. I can’t recall if I wore a helmet. I’d bet money that no one had more than 10 speeds. Ahh, the good old days.

[rcannon100]

@Rootchopper 131929 wrote:

NYC kind of freaks me out.

Nothing good comes out of that island.

[IMG]https://thezipdownlow.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/newyork.jpg?w=500&h=333[/IMG]

[consularrider]

@accordioneur 131968 wrote:

I did the Five Borough Bike Tour in ’87 and again in ’88. Back then there was no Lycra® in evidence and there were no commemorative jerseys. I can’t recall if I wore a helmet. I’d bet money that no one had more than 10 speeds. Ahh, the good old days.

Guess you missed me in 1988 (heading to the Staten Island Ferry at the end of the ride). They did have the jersey, but you had to order in advance.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]10459[/ATTACH]

[bikesnick]

@dbb 131964 wrote:

OK. Because the ride ends on Staten Island, those heading back to Manhattan get a ride on the Staten Island Ferry. My concern would be riding down to the ferry at the crack of dawn (and whether the ferry runs that early) to get to Battery Park. I don’t recall seeing a bunch of hotels on Staten Island.

We have done the ride several times. There are good hotels near Newark (New Jersey) airport. On the morning of the ride, there is a short drive through Staten Island to parking at the ferry. (Yes, the ferry runs early.) After the ride, you are back at your car and do not have to take the very crowded ferry back to Manhattan.
I have heard that some people have gone to breakfast at restaurants about a mile past the start line. Then after the first group of dignitaries ride past, they join in. Also, others have said to wait for the last groups to leave the start line and the crowd is much less.
The last time we went, we stayed in Manhattan and rented bikes.

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