sh00k

Registration opened a week ago for club members and it opened to the general public today.

Just wondering who's planning on going

Leebo

Some issues in past years, giant crowds of not moving bikers?

demoncyclist

It used to be a great ride, and worth the trip from Boston. Security has gotten so tight that there is a severe limit on what you are allowed to carry on your bike, which makes it more difficult to shed layers as the day warms up- no place to stash clothing, or carry food if you want something specific that they don't have at waterstops (my wife has very specific dietary restrictions and allergies). That, coupled with the overall deterioration of manners in a very large group of riders forced us to reconsider. Then they added the whole lottery thing to even be able to register. It will be a long time before we even consider it again.

sh00k

Yes there were issues with stopages but i don't think it detracted from the overall fun of it. and the stops (two that i experienced) were maybe for 15-25 minutes max due to the sheer volume of riders. at least, that was my experience. my trick is to take it slow and leave the start line later than most people. I'm going with a group and we plan to start the ride closer to 930.

As for the backpacks, the last time i did the ride was in 2014 and i saw many people with backpacks. they say you cant bring it but with however many thousand riders, i dont think there are cops/route helpers that would stop you. besides, you have a medical reason for carrying it so it's absolutely warranted.

i am doing the ride for fun with a group of friends and plan on stopping several times along the route for selfies/food/etc. the tough part for me is trying to pick which bike to use - my trek fx 7.4 hybrid or my emonda sl6 lol.

martianone

Agree ! I think our first 5boro was the 20 th, this year is 40 th - it was at one time a fun ride. We live in a very rural area, for us it was a family ride in a big city. We went last, a couple years ago, so called security changes made it less spontaneous than previous years. My partner and I were considering going this year (sans now mostly solo kids), decided it wasn't worth the hassle.

leob1

Mostly not true, the past few years I've ridden I had a rack on my bike, had no problems putting my jacket on the rack with a bungy.(last year nobody wanted to take anything off) You could also put any food in a bag and strap it to the rack.
They only did the lottery one year, it's been FCFS the past couple of years.
It's NYC, and 30k people, some folks are bound to be rude, but overall I've had no bad experience with people.

Heyspike

I'm in, we have a group of guys, may ride fatties.

sdmc530

I am doing this next year, always wanted to do this ride. Dates didn't work this year but next year. I just wish it wasn't a 22 hour drive over to NY!

Dahon.Steve

The One Boro bike tour is back! If you never rode it before, do it.

However, its really only a tour of Manhattan as you see almost nothing of the Bronx. The Queens and Brooklyn section are highways only. The Staten Island section covers just the tip and that's all.

You can see the same thing for free by riding your bike from Battery Park all the way to the tip of central park using bike lanes.

It sold out so you'll have to buy your vest on Craigs list. Unless you want to spend $340 dollars for VIP! I can't believe the even is now $100.00 dollars for what you can do for free.

sh00k

I absolutely respect your opinion but i feel the $100 is for the experience. I absolutely agree that you can do the ride on your own for free but, for me, i find value in paying $100 and to be able to ride on very famous/crazy busy streets/highways in the city with absolutely zero car traffic. as it is now, i dont ride on the road - i only ride bike paths and my neighborhood loop which has almost no car traffic.

for a more serious rider, you are right, you barely touch the boroughs so whoever wants to explore them in detail can do that on their own. for the casual rider like me that was born and raised in nyc, im fine with the route as it is

sh00k

got both my trek fx hybrid and trek emonda sl6 road bike serviced/tuned up today in prep for this season. i am not sure which i plan on riding in the tour but im leaning towards the emonda.

hopefully the weather will clear up / warm up enough so that i can get at least 2-3 30 mile practice rides in before the big day!

rydabent

Question-------------------What prevents anyone from just showing up and riding? In the case of a massive ride like this with lots of people, I think I would take my trike for sure. Easy to stop and start all clipped in.

fastk9dad

Isn't this basically a 40 mile ride? How much gear are people taking that require a backpack or other storage? I presume they allow you to fill up your bottles at a stop, then a few bars/gels/snacks in jersey pockets. A jacket can be rolled up and stuffed in a jersey pocket.

BobbyMo

I am in. None of the ride in Queens is on highways (aside from crossing on the bridge). Half of the ride in Brooklyn is also on surface streets, not highways. Its pretty hard to 'see all the boroughs' on just a 40 mile ride. If one wants to really see the boroughs, then the NYC Century is the way to go (although it does not cover Staten Island at all).

FYI - riders without credentials, helmets, etc are ejected by marshals and the police each year. Marshals are instructed to alert the police for riders not following the 'bag rules'. There are also points where police are looking for exactly that. They will stop you and confiscate your bag. Obviously, its to help prevent a terrorist attack similar to what happened in the Boston Marathon and to help keep everyone safe. Riders can have baskets; just not large opaque bags. There is a size limit that is certainly large enough to allow medicine, extra clothing, etc. Panniers for a 40 mile ride? No.

rydabent

What are the "bag rules", and explain further how police identify out law riders.

Also what if a cyclist is simply riding to work on the route. Isnt this a free country?

Hokiedad4

There are cops and volunteers everywhere. Without a bib and plate, you'd stick out like a sore thumb. You wouldn't get past the start.

There are two ways you can participate. One is to join a charity team. The second is to volunteer, but becoming a ride marshall, which is the most coveted volunteer position, is nearly impossible. So if you volunteer, you'll most likely end up handing out bananas or something.

Hokiedad4

The bag rules are on the web site. No backpacks or panniers. Handlebar bags, top tube bags, seat bags are fine. These are NYPD rules and are the same for all big events since those ******** decided to blow up the Boston marathon.

Hokiedad4

Exactly. You don't need to bring much of anything.

This is my third year and, not being a city person, find the experience really unique.

jefnvk

If it is anything like Tour de Troit, a 30 mile mass event that happens here ever year, police will pull people without numbers off the course.

It is a closed course, it is really no different than trying to drive down the roads with a car.

BobbyMo

FAQ | Bike New York

Why would I do that?

The route is closed to traffic. That includes you and your bike if you are not a paying rider or a volunteer.

It hasn't been, in my opinion, for well over 100 years. But seriously, what kind of childish question is this? The tour isn't free. Anyone can be part of it next year if they pay the entrance fee or volunteer. The tour is fun; its the largest in the world and sells out in 2 days. If one doesn't like the rules, they don't have to be part of it. There are plenty of other places to go bike riding on that day.

BobbyMo

Also, regarding volunteering, there are plenty of positions still open. These include course marshals. Course marshals are fixed position volunteer opportunities. However, once the end of the tour approaches, course marshals are free to join the tour with their bicycle. Its not for everyone. You need to be there at about 5AM; then handling crowd control duties until the ride starts. After that, you support the riders. There could be rider assist marshal positions open - not sure. There are also many rest-stop volunteer positions open (banana passers).

drewha23

I purchased registration for the bike tour to ride with my friend My niece has an engagement that Saturday out of town, and I won't make it bake for the event.

Let me know if you're interested in purchasing the tickets to ride.

Need5BoroPacket

Hello. I am interested in buying one of your packets for an extra family member going. Please contact me by replying to this post. I would appreciate it. Thanks.

Need5BoroPacket

Hello. I am interested in buying one of your packets for an extra family member going. Please contact me by replying to this post. I would appreciate it. Thanks.

neildam

do you still have the packs for sale - i'd like to purchase the 2nd one.