BikeSnobNYC, 2022 Five Boro NYC Bike tour promo video on Platypus. Reviews of prior tours requested.

[Roberta]

Here's a promotion that Bike Snob NYC did with Terry Barentsen.  Looks like fun.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=as_9Pj_AD3A

Is it worth it?  Most reviews I've heard basically say it's fun one time, but wouldn't do it again. 

Roberta

[Dave S]

Yes, absolutely do it... once.  It's a great way to experience the city that you'll always remember.  He's spot on regarding all the cool places you get to ride on with your bike that is soul-crushing in a car.  

That said, there are SO many people that depending on where you are in the pack, it's unrideable at times (mostly sharp turns and the approaches to bridges).  Getting to the start is a bit of a hassle.  There are special path trains and ferries.  I recommend parking/starting at the finish (Staten Island) and taking the ferry in the morning instead of dealing with it afterward.

I've recommended it to a few folks who then made me do it with them again and those times the PITA factor outweighed the magic that only exists the first time.

Dave

[Robert Hakim]

I was lucky that a bike shop employer took me on a Five Borough Ride, and it was absolutely fantastic. It was years ago, and I still cherish the memories and the tour bib. I would absolutely do it again! I don't know if I would do it in consecutive years but it is a unique experience and highly recommended. The Verrazano Narrows bridge is steeper than it looks! 

-Robert 

[ascpgh]

Roberta,

Do it and take a friend. 

Arrive early-ish to the start, that was the basis of my only hesitations of doing it again, we had trouble finding the rental outfit we had arranged for a bike m wife wanted to use. Ride with amazement and awe through streets of a city you'd never seen like this before and respect the limitations of being amongst so many other cyclists (no sudden stops or turns). Riders will begin to be stretched out by the time you're out of Manhattan. There are multiple facets of this ride to appreciate besides the strictly cycling part. Have those on you day's bucket list and you'll be hooked. I'm good riding very slowly, I think that's a Rivendell handling check box and it was useful in the beginning.

As Dave points out, Drive to and park in Staten island at the terminal lots and take the ferry over to Battery Park first thing in the morning and be ready to queue up at the start area. We stayed in Newark the night before, just made things easier with included on-site included parking and restaurants. An easy trip to the ferry terminal in the morning, a very simple exit for our departure (I had a longer drive that you will). the convenience of proximity to the start of this event is only the sweet song of Lorelei and those staying in town longer.

I reported previously that during the ride my orange Rambouillet was called out repeatedly. I was told how well it fit me and how nice it was that my wife (and many proximate riders of much more expensive "modern" bikes) seemed irked by the repetitive attention. "Are these the people you email on those bike lists?" my wife asked. It was enlightening to see how many normal riders participated, very few displayed the "I'm going to crush this" attitude, or were bent on trying to set a fastest known time imprinting the fun event with their minority raciness. 

Take advantage of every organized rest stop. We did not and as it became hotter and the route merged onto the Gowanus Parkway, an elevated limited access roadway, going south toward the Verrazano Narrows Bridge, my wife was out of water, snacks and bonked (too casual with event prep, "It's only 40 miles"). Plan to have some goodies and extra water in your bag as well as necessary weather preps be it sunscreen or rain gear and insulating layers. It's a day and things happen.

We couldn't hang around for the post ride entertainment too long since I had to work in the morning so we loaded up and had an easy exit from Staten Island and the five and a half hour trip home. 

Sorry none of these are high quality, but you get the idea. From a folder recovered as thumbnails only.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Uo5FPXmHE2wsTRhZA

Andy Cheatham

Pittsburgh

On Thursday, February 3, 2022 at 1:14:23 PM UTC-5 Roberta wrote:

[Steve Cole]

I still think of the time I did the 5-borough ride as the most fun I've had on a bike.  It was not hot the day I rode.  When we reached the Verrazano Narrows Bridge, we rode on the lower deck in the shade and, honestly, I was very cold.  We arrived the day before, stayed in Manhattan and rode around the city all day -- fun!!!  At the end of the ride on Staten Island, I met another rider who cycled the 50 miles on an Atlantis.  Years later, I purchased my own Atlantis, recalling how beautiful I thought the Atlantis I saw that day was.  If you love cities, don't love cars, what better thing to do than ride carless NYC streets.  There were loads of cyclists on all types of bikes.  Still, I never felt crowded.  If you have the time, go for this.  And, be prepared to smile at your great good fortune.

Steve Cole

Arlington, Virginia

[Pam Bikes]

My friend has signed up for this year.  Maybe we should all plan on going one year.  I'll give you her report afterwards.  She's renting a bike but I'd only want to do it on mine.  

[Bob Ehrenbeck]

Hi Roberta,

It's a load of fun (I've done it twice, many years ago). The ride through Manhattan is amazing, but since it's right after the mass start, it's super packed and you need to be on guard against collisions from inexperienced/distracted riders. But after the pack spreads out, it becomes really enjoyable -- and one gets to ride on roads that would be either illegal or suicidal otherwise!

Also recommend leaving your car at or near the Staten Island ferry terminal.

Bob E

Cranford, NJ

[Roberta]

I was all set to sign up (my first big group ride years ago was so much fun), but I realized I won't be able to make it this year.  Sad...  Pam--I love the idea of a bunch of us meeting up to do this together.  I've done bike tours in San Francisco and NY's Central Park, but this would have been the next level.  Perhaps next year for me.  In the meantime, I hoping that many of you share your pictures and ride reports.

[Bicycle Belle Ding Ding!]

Me too, Pam! Rivendells only. I have no idea how I’d get the logistics to work, but If I’m riding the Five Borough Tour, it’s going to be astride a Platypus!

Leah

[Minh]

not sure if it was intentional or the angle of the camera, but that bit at the beginning where he's squeezing thru traffic gave me so much anxiety.  i'm living in NYC now and i've always wanted to do this but the crowds and logistics.  i feel a little too old for that much adventure....

[Alex Wirth- Owner, Yellow Haus Bicycles]

+1 on all the advice given so far.  It's definitely worth it.

I would add that if you're like me and don't really feel comfortable in big crowds, don't hesitate to stop at bars/coffee shops for a refreshment/rest.  The rest stops were overwhelming-ish for me and stopping at a cafe with outdoor seating was more relaxing (while watching all the riders go by :-)

DIY snacking is better than waiting in big lineups.

DON'T take the ferry back at the end, absolutely park at the finish.  

Done with a friend is great.  Done with a small group is great.  Trying to do it with a big group was challenging according to friends of mine.

ADVENTURE!

Alex in Rochester, NY