Hi Franz,
I'm happy to hear you want to join the Five Boro Bike Tour. Great!
Here's why I asked you to contact me before registering for the ride.
Riders start from the starting line in five different waves. The first wave leaves at 7:30, then the next four waves leave at 45 minute intervals. You don't get to choose your wave--it is assigned by the organizers. Therefore, for everyone in our group to all be assigned to the same wave, we have to be part of a "team". So, when you register do this:
1) When asked, indicate that you are part of team "Shenandoah"
2) For start time preference, choose "Early as possible"
If you do that you are guaranteed to start with our group.
Also while registering, you can disregard the the bit about a $60 fee for your Rider Kit. There will be no fee. Also, on the "Add Ons" page, buy whatever you want, or nothing at all. But be careful that you don't inadvertently make a $10.00 donation to Bike New York. (They get me on that one every year.)
And here are some other things you might want to know:
1) You will have to arrive in New York on Saturday night. Most of us stay at the Hampton Inn and Suites at 1120 South Avenue on Staten Island. You could do the ride on Sunday and then drive home, but that would make a very long day. We usually stay at the Hampton on Sunday, too, and drive home on Monday.
2) On Saturday night we like to go out for a group dinner. You're welcome to come along, or make your own dinner arrangements if you prefer.
3) On Sunday morning, we drive a short distance to the Staten Island Ferry and park there. There is plenty of safe, free parking on the street. We then ride our bikes to the Ferry and take it across the bay to the start point at Lower Manhattan. Then we're on our way. The tour ends on Staten Island at the Ferry terminal, so we cycle from there back to the cars.
Please note that this is not a Winchester Wheelmen event. You don't have to be a member, and you should feel free to bring along fiends, family, or whoever.
So there you go. Do not hesitate to ask whatever questions that come to mind. And thanks for joining us.
Roger