Question: What do martinis, fuchsia mohawks, trumpets and pipe cleaners have in common?
Answer: The 5 Boro Bike Tour, of course.
Founded in 1977, the original Tour reflected the more wild and wooly aspects of the City back then. Its 250 riders were encouraged to bring along "A kazoo, or even a guitar,"* if they wanted (no suggestion as to how to carry the latter). A rag tag group of bicycle clubs met at the Unisphere in Queens for the 50 mile course. And helmets? You're kidding, right?
Answer: The 5 Boro Bike Tour, of course.
Founded in 1977, the original Tour reflected the more wild and wooly aspects of the City back then. Its 250 riders were encouraged to bring along "A kazoo, or even a guitar,"* if they wanted (no suggestion as to how to carry the latter). A rag tag group of bicycle clubs met at the Unisphere in Queens for the 50 mile course. And helmets? You're kidding, right?
By now the Tour has achieved legitimacy. Pared down to 40 miles, it now includes 32,000 riders and is sponsored by TD Bank. But fortunately, it still retains some of that original wacky spirit, which is what makes riding it such fun.
The first thing I notice is that the crowds, huge while standing still, are not so bad once we get going (we're divided into four "waves" with staggered starts, which helps). The second thing I notice is the creative approach to biking attire.
Yes, fuchsia mohawks.
The first thing I notice is that the crowds, huge while standing still, are not so bad once we get going (we're divided into four "waves" with staggered starts, which helps). The second thing I notice is the creative approach to biking attire.
Yes, fuchsia mohawks.
And trumpets...
Who also have an accompanying sound track. In this case New York, New York, followed by the Looney Tunes theme.
My favorites, of course (are the trees mirroring the martinis, or vice versa?).
My favorites, of course (are the trees mirroring the martinis, or vice versa?).
There is a method to this madness. Many people ride in teams. This way, they can keep track of each other on the course (much better than a t-shirt). There are as many approaches as there are teams it seems:
Flags.
Flags.
Pipe cleaners (this was an actual team).
Don't ask.
Lots of cameras. And don't forget this year's biggest craze: the giant Selfie Stick:
Here is our course:
We proceed up 6th Avenue.
Starting to collect around Radio City.
And again as we approach Central Park.
(We know ahead of time this will happen - word on the street.)
But once we get going, it's a lovely ride.
But once we get going, it's a lovely ride.
In fact, I'm surprised at how easy the riding is. Having had a couple of experiences with group rides (over 90 cyclists on a narrow path), I have been expecting the usual number of hot-doggers, which make me nervous as hell, and a good number of inexperienced riders (who make everybody nervous). But I'm pleasantly surprised to find most everyone's manners in top form, and even the inexperienced cyclists behaving.
Up we go through Harlem (yes it is a perfect day).
Up we go through Harlem (yes it is a perfect day).
Over the Madison Avenue Bridge (Google it).
And briefly into The Bronx along 138th.
The Bronx is the only borough in NY that really gets short shrift on the Tour, which is rather a pity - I'm assuming for traffic co-ordinating reasons. I'm hoping this will change on future rides.
Thanks to my adventures on my folding bike, Lucille, I already know this territory. But what's new is riding full out on major arteries - a whole other experience in enfranchisement. Like crossing back over the Third Avenue Bridge.
The Bronx is the only borough in NY that really gets short shrift on the Tour, which is rather a pity - I'm assuming for traffic co-ordinating reasons. I'm hoping this will change on future rides.
Thanks to my adventures on my folding bike, Lucille, I already know this territory. But what's new is riding full out on major arteries - a whole other experience in enfranchisement. Like crossing back over the Third Avenue Bridge.
And riding along the FDR. The sense of empowerment is unmistakable.
You can't help wondering: if there were no cars, couldn't we actually manage pretty well on bikes? Even given some of the distances? Because with the streets to ourselves (and maintained as well as they are for cars), we could proceed so much more efficiently. We could own it!
Of course there's Winter….and the need for delivery trucks and…Well, maybe we could allow certain days for them just like they're doing for us today. Wouldn't that be special...
We follow the FDR all the way down to the Queensboro Bridge. The Queensboro (if you've never ridden it on a bike), is the most commercial of all of NYC's bridges. It's buzzing with commerce 24/7 - it never stops. You really notice it on the Queens side: you can hear the traffic 6 blocks away. To ride it as a cyclist is both a deafening (and polluted) experience. Don't get me wrong; we're grateful for the bike lane - but today?
Today, it is quiet and clean. And for the first time, riding the main road over the bridge, we can truly appreciate how beautiful this bridge really is. It looks like it's been cleaned since I last rode it.
Of course there's Winter….and the need for delivery trucks and…Well, maybe we could allow certain days for them just like they're doing for us today. Wouldn't that be special...
We follow the FDR all the way down to the Queensboro Bridge. The Queensboro (if you've never ridden it on a bike), is the most commercial of all of NYC's bridges. It's buzzing with commerce 24/7 - it never stops. You really notice it on the Queens side: you can hear the traffic 6 blocks away. To ride it as a cyclist is both a deafening (and polluted) experience. Don't get me wrong; we're grateful for the bike lane - but today?
Today, it is quiet and clean. And for the first time, riding the main road over the bridge, we can truly appreciate how beautiful this bridge really is. It looks like it's been cleaned since I last rode it.
Bike New York (along with its valiant volunteers) has done a phenomenal job of organizing this ride. But even Bike New York cannot promise us unlimited open streets; these things have to be synchronized with the City's traffic grid. That's the reason (I'm gathering), that after a trip up 21st Street, we are shuttled into Astoria Park (conveniently a rest stop) and held in a sort of open pen...
As you can see, many of us would prefer to skip the resting. It's perhaps the most frustrating leg of the Tour. But eventually we're on our way south through Brooklyn, via the Pulaski Bridge.
Normally a narrow and grim passage for bikes and pedestrians alike...
Normally a narrow and grim passage for bikes and pedestrians alike...
Today the bridge hosts us royally.
Hallelujah!
Down through Williamsburg we go.
Down through Williamsburg we go.
Around the Brooklyn Navy Yard past DUMBO and along the waterfront.
Everywhere we go, we are greeted with people congratulating us and cheering us on (not that most of us need it. Given our d'ruthers, we'd ride twice as far if the roads were clear for us).
On a more practical level, there are volunteers and repair stations at the ready for the cyclist in need, which is comforting - especially for those not riding in a team.
When we hit Brooklyn Bridge Park, there is another rest stop, and this time my team, "Biker Ladies," ("Biker Sluts" was already reserved) takes advantage of it.
After which we find the road wide open on the BQE.
When we hit Brooklyn Bridge Park, there is another rest stop, and this time my team, "Biker Ladies," ("Biker Sluts" was already reserved) takes advantage of it.
After which we find the road wide open on the BQE.
The BQE?! What must these drivers think? We know what some of them think, because they honk a supportive greeting from time to time (I think that's supportive...). After all, wouldn't you rather be on a bike on a day like this?
We ride the highway, past Bay Ridge and Dyker Heights (home of the famous Christmas lights**) following signs to Staten Island till we pass the final exit in Brooklyn.
Yes, that's an actual traffic sign that says, "Leaving Brooklyn, Fuhgeddaboudit." Brooklyn has always had a strong up-start attitude: bigger than Manhattan but with an inferiority complex. Which is gradually turning into a superiority complex (can't we all be friends?).
And then the Verrazano heaves into view:
And then the Verrazano heaves into view:
The Verrazano Bridge is the longest suspension bridge in the country. More famous to New Yorkers for being the starting place of the NYC Marathon (though it very nearly became a tunnel). ***
The 5 Boro Bike Tour is the only time cyclists get a chance to ride the Verrazano - there is no bike lane here. There has been talk of adding one, but I'm wondering if that would be such a good idea; it tends to be both windy and cold. Today the temperature palpably drops as we make our way across.
The 5 Boro Bike Tour is the only time cyclists get a chance to ride the Verrazano - there is no bike lane here. There has been talk of adding one, but I'm wondering if that would be such a good idea; it tends to be both windy and cold. Today the temperature palpably drops as we make our way across.
From here, there's a final rest stop in Fort Wadsworth Park and then a 5-mile stretch through both industrial...
And leafy neighborhoods in Staten Island.
To the Staten Island ferry, where the hold-up is not unexpected.
For us it's 45 min. But we're rewarded with Popsicles...
And the always-glorious ride back to Manhattan.
It's been a great tour (though we may go for an earlier start next year). Here are "The Biker Ladies." K and R...
It's been a great tour (though we may go for an earlier start next year). Here are "The Biker Ladies." K and R...
And the ever notorious L.
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