July - August 2007

It wasn’t easy, but we have a full summer schedule for you. As you can see, there are a few really special rides out there. We have some old favorites and a few new favorites. And one very special series - 3 rides in a single day. If you can complete all 3 rides listed on Saturday, August 11th, you will earn a special prize, offered by leader (and current Bicycletter editor, Alfredo Garcia). We also have an ice-cream ride, a Lincoln Tunnel ride, and tons of beach rides.

What time is it? It’s time to start riding! Controversy broke out on the 5BBC Message Board this month when a tripper posted about how sorry she was to miss a ride that had left on time. Well, some people argued in favor of schmoozing, and some against.

Count me in the against column. Now I know I have not had the best record for starting on time. But unfortunately it happens far too often that a 5BBC ride will actually begin riding much later than the posted time. And it is a negative feedback loop.

Trippers will show up late, thinking that all rides start so many minutes after the posted time. This is a problem and we all have to do our best to start on time. It’s the leader’s responsibility to get things moving on time. Some leaders will even show up after the posted time. Well the time to have coffee or a doughnut is well before the posted time.

Message to leaders: keep an eye on the clock and start your rides when you say you will. If an expected tripper is late, that is their problem and not yours. You will be commended for starting on time. Don’t drag out the opening ceremonies. Leave on time and your trippers will be happier, that is guaranteed.

Message to trippers: do your best to arrive early. It is not fair to the other riders to arrive late. It is also not cool to call the leader and tell them that “I am coming so please wait for me.” Try to calculate your travel time, and that may include subway delays if there is track work going on. Check your bike before you leave or better yet, the night before. Most importantly, check your tire pressure and fill them up to the recommended pressure. The last thing anybody wants to happen is to get a flat on the way to the start of a ride.

Message to everyone: if the 5BBC has a reputation as the club that starts late, we all have to work to fix that. I know that some of our leaders are always going to start on time. The rest of us have to improve and commit to starting on time. If your plan is to schmooze instead of to ride, get there 30 minutes early and you can kibbitz, but when the leader calls the group to order, you better stop and be ready to start rolling.

Danny Lieberman
5BBC Day Trips Coordinator