Gothamist: 5 Boroughs by Bike This Weekend

R_Street_Rat

Mon, 05 May 2008 10:20:05 -0500

I rode in the 31st 5BBR yesterday. It was a fantastic event. I was disappointed by the brief foray into the Bronx though. But anyone who says there are only white riders hasn't ridden. Riding up Fifth was fantastic - the numbered streets just clicked off like clockwork. Central Park was a blast. The Bronx was a blur. FDR came and went. Q'boro was a challenge - that's a basass bridge. Astoria was a neat find. Nestled in between Hells Gate and the Triboro, it sits on a great piece of land. VZ was the crowning achievement. If you made it up that incline, you're doing well. Remember, that's already almost 40 miles into the ride. I'll be back next year.

Spiritof76

Fri, 02 May 2008 18:43:49 -0500

I never rode it since it was mostly a pay event, why pay when I could ride the majority of the course for free? Because you're not squeezed over to the side of the road by speeding traffic during the tour? With cars excluded from the course, it's a nice change to be able to ride anywhere in the street without worrying about being run over. Not to mention the lack of exhaust fumes. And can you ride the Verrazano or the Belt Parkway any other day of the year? The photo contest is a joke. They show a couple of small shots on the website as the winners. A better selection of shots is on Flickr.

bobchadwick99

Fri, 02 May 2008 16:20:25 -0500

bikers don't quite have total right-of-way. there are a couple cross-streets in midtown where they let cars go through. you end up walking (well, mostly standing) with your bike for about an hour until it's your turn to go through.

Tim N.

Fri, 02 May 2008 15:55:23 -0500

The NYC Century (Transportation Alternative's ride) in September goes through the boros, including most of the Bronx (Port Morris, Ferry Point, Parkchester, Pelham Parkway, ending up in Van Cortlandt Park before heading down Broadway and back to Central Park). Much better representation of the Mother Boro on that one.

JacqueMehoff

Fri, 02 May 2008 15:50:38 -0500

the 5bbt has been around for over 25 years, never seemed to bothered anyone. for most, I assume it was over by 1pm on a Sunday. I never rode it since it was mostly a pay event, why pay when I could ride the majority of the course for free? I usually went for the Pepsi Challenge at CP.

Rocknrope

Fri, 02 May 2008 15:47:27 -0500

Spiritross, no different than the NYC Marathon, which spends probably all of 5 minutes in the Bronx.

Lord Stompo

Fri, 02 May 2008 15:43:48 -0500

Could it be the fact that you're an asshole?

Lord Stompo

Fri, 02 May 2008 15:43:42 -0500

Could it be the fact that you're an asshole?

Ph

Fri, 02 May 2008 15:02:56 -0500

You know, something about that really pisses me the fuck off and makes me even more inclined to harass bike riders while behind the wheel. I can't put my finger on what it is though.

drewo

Fri, 02 May 2008 15:02:18 -0500

I like the "maniacal food delivery guy" portion of the ride where they funnel all the riders onto a 2 block stretch of sidewalk on the Upper East Side.

Ph

Fri, 02 May 2008 14:59:35 -0500

Seriously, I was about to say that spiritross, but then again, look at the pictures. Its all white people. Now really, what do you expect?

spiritross

Fri, 02 May 2008 14:34:44 -0500

Five Borough tour, it rolls for about 2 blocks through the Bronx Willis ave bridge to 3rd ave bridge they should be ashamed

jack9

Fri, 02 May 2008 14:27:14 -0500

Actually, it starts in Battery Park, not Central Park.

Papercutninja

Fri, 02 May 2008 14:19:58 -0500

So annoyed with myself. I forgot to register for it this year.