Five Borough Bicycle Club

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Saturday, March 6, 2010

Day Ride

MONTAUK TRAINING RIDE #1: HICKSVILLE

10:00 AM, Cunningham Park, 35 miles

Not in shape for a 100 mile ride yet? That's OK, neither are we. Start preparing now for the Montauk Century with our training ride series - each week the rides get a little longer. Bring your bike locks and money for lunch. Leaders: Ed Pino, Liz Baum

Day Ride

A VIEW OF THE NARROWS

10:30 AM, Prospect Park, Picnic House, 15 miles

This is picturesque and nautical view of lower NY Bay with some views of Sunset Park and Bay Ridge. Bring lock, bring or buy snacks. Rain or snow or temp below 32 one hour before meeting time cancels. Leaders: Terry Chin, Bob Castro

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Day Ride

MONTAUK TRAINING RIDE #2: ENGLEWOOD

9:30 AM, Columbus Circle, 35 miles

Another early series training ride with a short distance and an easily attainable goal. Enjoy the view from the GW Bridge on the way over to New Jersey. Leaders: Brian Hoberman and Jim Zisfein

Day Ride

UNDER AND OVER THE HUDSON

9:30 AM, City Hall, Manhattan, 30 miles, mostly flat w/one big hill

Stretch your legs along a long shoreline stretch from Hoboken to the G.W. Bridge. Lunch on Amsterdam Ave. with your choice of Italian, Asian, or Eastern European cuisine. Back down the Hudson to City Hall. Bring a lock & $ for lunch and carfare (for the "under Hudson" segment). Leaders: Ed DeFreitas and TBA

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Day Ride

MONTAUK TRAINING RIDE #3: WEST ENGLEWOOD

9:30 AM, Columbus Circle, 40 miles

The Montauk training series takes us over to Jersey again, but a little farther than last week. Leaders: Jim Zisfein and Andrea Casertano

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Day Ride

MONTAUK TRAINING RIDE #4: SANDS POINT

Cancelled Due To Weather

10:00 AM, Cunningham Park, 35 miles

One of the nicest spots to visit on the North Shore in Nassau County. The series rides get harder next week, so start training now! Leaders: Bring your bike locks and money for lunch. Leaders Ed Pino, Liz Baum

Day Ride

GET BACK IN SHAPE #1: SCARSDALE

10:30 AM, RING Garden (Broadway & Dyckman St, Manhattan), 25 miles

This is the first of a ride series to help us get back into shape after a winter of relative sloth. Follow the Bronx River bike path, enjoy the geese, ducks and swans and peaceful babbling brook on our first outing. Lunch will be indoors in Scarsdale. Bring MTA bike permit just in case. Cancellation: starting temp below 40F, wind chill below 25F, icy roads, or 50% chance of precipitation. Call Maggie at 212-567-8272 after 8 am if still in doubt about weather conditions. Leaders: Maggie Clarke & TBA

Day Ride

THE HILLS OF PROSPECT PARK

Cancelled Due To Weather

10:30 AM, Popeyes (Christie & Canal), Manhattan, 15 miles

We'll make some significant stops (who's buried in Prospect Park?) in this Olmstead and Vaux Park. Bring lock, bring or buy snacks. Rain cancels. Leaders: Terry Chin, Ed DeFreitas

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Day Ride

MONTAUK TRAINING RIDE #5 to NORTHVALE

9:00 AM, Columbus Circle, 45 miles

A little longer and a little hillier than last week, but just as scenic. Bring a lightweight lock, $ for lunch, and an MTA rail pass just in case. Leaders: Brian Hoberman and Jim Zisfein

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Day Ride

BROOKLYN SOJOURN

9:00 AM, City Hall, Manhattan, 40 miles, mostly flat.

Electric cars aren't new. Beautiful brownstones, but not in the expected neighborhoods (do you smell a bargain?). Nothing weak about Weeksville. A piece of Brooklyn Dodgers history and maybe more! All in a Brooklyn sojourn. Bring a lock & $ for lunch. Leaders: Ed DeFreitas and TBA

Day Ride

MONTAUK TRAINING RIDE #6: LOCUST VALLEY

9:30 AM, Cunningham Park, 50 miles

Start gearing up for the longer distances! Visit the quaint town of Locust Valley on Long Island's "Gold Coast." More info at www.locustvalley.com. Bring your bike locks and money for lunch. Leaders: Ed Pino, Liz Baum (regular), Dennis Griffin (quick spin)

Day Ride

GET BACK IN SHAPE #2: CLOSTER

10:30 AM, GWB Bus Terminal, 25 miles

Not in shape yet? Venture into Bergen County, NJ, on Irv's very pretty route through the `burbs of Bergen to the Closter Diner for lunch. Cancellation: starting temp below 40F, wind chill below 25F, icy roads, or 50% chance of precipitation. Call Maggie at 212-567-8272 after 8 am if still in doubt about weather conditions. Leaders: Maggie Clarke & TBA

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Day Ride

SPRING WAVE BREAK

11:15 AM, Prospect Park, Grand Army Plaza, 15 miles, leisurely pace

Spring is the time when you begin to think about preparing for your exams, and going before boards to defend your thesis. But to Chris and his surfing dudes, when you go in front of his boards you're not thinking statistics, grammar or even page references, you're thinking waves, wax, sun, and sand. Williamsburg might not seem like a surfer's paradise but head into Mollusk Surf Shop and those Spring Exams will quickly become Spring Break. Whether it's Waikiki or Rockaway Beach, find out about surfing for all seasons and how surf boards are made. Lunch at a local Williamsburg eatery. Rain, snow or icy conditions at start cancels.Leaders: Richard Sanford and Andrea Casertano

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Day Ride

FOUR BORO BIKE RIDE

9:00 AM, City Hall, Manhattan, 35 mostly flat miles

Sorry Staten Island - we promise to dedicate an entire ride to you. But we need enough time to give justice to (and have lunch in) Arthur Avenue, deep in the heart of The Bronx, along with Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, and the Triborough Bridge that hooks most of them together. Bring a lock and $ for lunch. Leaders: Ed DeFreitas and TBA

Day Ride

RIVER ROAD IN SPRING

10:00 AM, GWB Bus Terminal, 30 hilly miles

Our annual "River Road in Winter" ride through Palisades Interstate Park (NJ) got frozen out this year, so let's rename it and try again. In the early Spring you can still enjoy unobstructed views of the cliffs and across the Hudson River, and most of the road will still be closed to cars. Lunch and hot chocolate at State Line Lookout Inn. Bring or buy lunch, and bring a lightweight lock. Leaders: Jim Zisfein and Fred Dieckamp

Saturday, April 3, 2010

Day Ride

MONTAUK TRAINING RIDE #7: WESTWOOD

9:00 AM,Columbus Circle, 50 miles

Out in the far corner of Bergen County, where the farther you go, the prettier it gets, lies the scenic hamlet of Westwood. Bring a lightweight lock (this is the suburbs, not Sixth Ave) and money for lunch. Leaders: Purnell Lancaster, Brian Hoberman (regular), Dennis Griffin (quick spin)

Day Ride

MONTAUK METRIC TRAINING RIDE #1: HICKSVILLE

10:00 AM,Cunningham Park, 35 miles

Yes, we did this ride back in March, but we're re-using it as a training ride for those of you who want to ride the metric century in Montauk. That's a hundred kilometers, only 60% of a hundred miles so you can start training a month later. Bring your bike locks and money for lunch. Leaders: Ed Pino, Liz Baum

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Day Ride

BROOKLYN RESIDENTIAL TOUR #1

10:00 AM,Popeye's (Christie & Canal), Manhattank, 20 miles

Explore some of the quieter sections of Brooklyn. We'll ride the through Borough Park, Bay Ridge, Windsor Terrace and more. Bring lock, bring or buy snacks. Rain 30 minutes before starting time cancels. Leaders: Terry Chin, Ed DeFreitas

Day Ride

GET BACK IN SHAPE #3: White Plains

10:00 AM,RING Garden (Dyckman St and Broadway, Manhattan), 32 miles

Heading north again on a very pretty route through the burbs of lower Westchester. Lunch at a White Plains diner. We have a choice of lovely bike paths along the upper Bronx River and lakes and lovely residential roads with immaculate landscaping. Bring MTA rail pass just in case. Cancellation: starting temp below 40F, wind chill below 25F, icy roads, or 50% chance of precipitation. Call Maggie at 212-567-8272 after 8 AM if still in doubt about weather conditions.

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Day Ride

MONTAUK TRAINING RIDE #8: CENTRE ISLAND

9:00 AM,Cunningham Park, 65 miles

One of our favorite destinations - when you're out along the breathtaking shore you might find the hills not as daunting as the last time. Leaders: Ira Najowitz & Manny Sanudo (regular), Dennis Griffin (quick spin)

Day Ride

BLESSING OF THE BIKES PLUS PIERMONT

8:45 AM,HI-AYH, 50+ miles, mostly flat, some hills

Cyclists need all the prayers they can get. At 9AM we'll go to the Church of St. John the Divine for the annual Blessing of the Bikes. Then we'll head to Piermont, for lunch, enjoy views and count our blessings. Cycling pace 10-15mph, depending on terrain. Bring $ for lunch. Visit www.theblessingofthebikes.com for information on the Blessing. Leaders: Alfredo Garcia and TBA

Sunday, April 11, 2010

Day Ride

MONTAUK METRIC TRAINING RIDE #2: ENGLEWOOD

9:00 AM,Columbus Circle, 30 miles

Medium-paced ride over the GW Bridge and the hills of Bergen County. Bring a lightweight lock and $ for lunch. Leaders: Ed Ravin, Andrea Casertano

Day Ride

WOODLAWN CEMETERY TOUR

9:00 AM,HI-AYH, 30 miles

Join the celebration of living history at New York's second oldest cemetery. Visit both memorials to the past and an outstanding venue for reflection, peace, and beauty. We might even get a guided tour. Leaders: Ed DeFreitas and TBA

Day Ride

GET BACK IN SHAPE #4: EAGLE ROCK

10:00 AM,WTC PATH station, concourse level, bottom of escalators, 35 miles

Take it easy on this short but challenging ride out to South Orange, Millburn and then through a nice park climbing up to Eagle Rock, a stupendous view of all of Manhattan, Brooklyn and Newark. Bring your camera and hope for clear conditions. If it's warm enough we'll have a picnic there at the WTC memorial at the overlook. Towards the end of the ride, we'll go through Cherry Blossomland and maybe get an early preview of the blossoms. Bring $ for carfare and lunch. Cancellation: starting temp below 40F, wind chill below 25F, icy roads, or 50% chance of precipitation. Call Maggie at 212-567-8272 after 8AM if still in doubt about weather conditions. Leaders: Maggie Clarke & TBA

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Day Ride

MONTAUK TRAINING RIDE #9: ROCKLAND LAKE

9:00 AM,Columbus Circle, 70 miles

Go into the northern reaches of Rockland County and the town of Congers. If you've been training with us you should be ready for all the hills on the way to Rockland Lake State Park. Bring a lightweight lock and $ for lunch. Leaders: Brian Hoberman and Jim Zisfein

Day Ride

RIGHT UP YOUR ALLEY TOUR

10:00 AM, City Hall, 19 leisurely miles

Big Streets, Big City. Not so fast you jet setter! Slow down. From tucked away hidden streets to underground passageways this is one tour that will "a-mews" you. You'll look at these places and ask, "Is this New York?" You bet it is! You'll want to park your horse and carriage there, do the minuet, swing in a tree house or dig a hole in search for Indian head pennies. We'll hit alleys in Manhattan, all with distinctive personalities, all with distinctive histories. Lunch will be uptown in Harlem Heights. But this is not a bike ride in the classic sense but a ride to classy (and maybe not so classy) places. Bring lock and money for lunch at a local eatery. Rain at start cancels. Leaders: Richard Sanford and Bob Castro.

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Day Ride

MONTAUK TRAINING RIDE #10: SUNKEN MEADOW

8:30 AM,Cunningham Park, 75 miles

Now this is a truly great ride. Never mind the training aspect; it's just fun all the way to the beach. Please remember to bring your MTA Bike Permit in case you need to bail out! Leaders: Ed Pino, Liz Baum, Ira Najowitz (regular), Dennis Griffin (Quick Spin)

Day Ride

MONTAUK METRIC TRAINING RIDE #3: CITY ISLAND

9:00 AM,Columbus Circle, 40 miles

Lots of Greenway riding and lunch at everyone's favorite fast food fish place alongside Long Island Sound. Leaders: Danny Lieberman and Ted Kushner

Day Ride

GET BACK IN SHAPE #5: IRV WEISMAN CHERRY BLOSSOMS / LITTLE FALLS

9:30 AM,AM WTC PATH station - concourse level, bottom of escalators,

This scenic highlight of the spring season takes us through Cherry Blossomland outside Newark not once, but twice. This is one of the largest collections of cherry trees in the country. We'll also go through the magnificent estates in the Montclairs and depending on weather and our conditions, lunch in either Upper Montclair or Little Falls. Cancellation: starting temp below 40F, wind chill below 25F, icy roads, or 50% chance of precipitation. Leaders: Maggie Clarke, Fred Dieckamp

Stony Point, just south of Bear Mountain, is one of the most strenuous and challenging trips in the training ride series. This ride is very hilly, so don't attempt this unless you are ready for some hard work! Leaders: Alfredo Garcia, Steve Sakson (regular), Dennis Griffin (quick spin)

Bike along New Jersey's shore between Asbury Park and Matawan including Sandy Hook, part of the Gateway National Recreation Area. 25 miles of the 40-mile route is car-free paths and trails. The newly opened bay shore trail segment linking Highlands and Atlantic Highlands is a major "Oh Wow!" spot. Except for getting in and out of the NJ Transit station, this ride may be the Flattest Ride Ever. Bring a light-weight bike lock, $ for train fare ($21) and lunch, and sunblock. Trails suitable for both road and hybrid/ATB bikes. Leaders: Marina Bekkerman and Richard Brause

Take the backroads through the pretty suburbs to Nyack, via Tappan and Piermont and then along the Hudson river to Nyack. We might even take the Tallman Park bike path through the woods on the way (be prepared for an unpaved path). Leaders: Maggie Clarke & TBA

Are you a supercaptain, captain or marshal? Would you like to see where your post is? All are welcome. Come on the ride that will show you the route. This is a regular ride on regular city streets - no highways, no VZ Bridge. Bring or buy lunch. Leaders: Steven Taylor, Ed Pino, Liz Baum, Danny Lieberman and others

We found a way of touring the city that's 50% traffic free, thanks to the city's ever-expanding bicycle route network. We'll utilize the completed portions of Manhattan's East and West Side bike paths, four of the city's bridge paths, and of course our magnificent Staten Island Ferry. We'll wind up at Cargo's for a late lunch - bring a few snacks to tide you over. Bring a lightweight lock and money for lunch. Leaders: Ed DeFreitas, Jesse Brown and Rodney Millard

Not for beginners. This ride is hilly and technical and you must be able to keep a good pace. No Point/Drop/Sweep today, and we ride as one group, no separate quick spin. Pack some snacks for the trip, in case you need the extra energy, and plenty of water so you don't get leg cramps. Warning, not for beginners. Leaders: Dennis Griffin, Ira Najowitz

Today's the day of the Five Borough Bike Tour, sponsored by our sister organization Bike NY. Even if you don't want to ride with 20-30 thousand of your closest friends, please consider doing what many other 5BBC members will be doing - volunteering their time (on the bike or off) to help make this amazing ride happen. Please visit www.bikenewyork.org for details.

Take a large loop through the manicured burbs of lower Westchester, north through the country estates, to near the Kensico Reservoir (an extra loop along it if we feel our oats) and back around through White Plains and Scarsdale. Lunch will be a picnic on a grassy knoll near Silver Lake, and then the lovely Bronx river route back. 50% chance of rain or temps below 40 F cancels. Leaders: Maggie Clarke & TBA

Annual leisurely evening ride in celebration of Bike Month NYC on Manhattan's Greenways. From Central Park, take the West Side path all the way down and back up on the East Side path. Rain date May 12. Ends at 9:30 PM. Co-listed with The Weekly Cyclists, Times Up! and NY Cycle Club. Leaders: Trudy Hutter & John Chiarella

The scenery of the North Shore expands on this beautiful trip and the main century event is just one week away. If you can handle this 90 miler you'll have no problem with the full century coming up. No point-drop-sweep on this final training ride, one group only, no separate quick spin. Leaders: Dennis Griffin & Ira Najowitz

Don't know how to fix a flat? Don't want to stay indoors to learn how? Take a fun ride to the beach or other scenic destination for a laid-back, open air class on bike repair. Optional park benches nearby if you'd rather sleep through the 1-hour class. Leaders: Ed Ravin & Dan Finton

This is the ride that mommy and daddy have been waiting for all year. It's a kid's party and one-mile bike tour through the East Village, sponsored by the East Village Community Coalition and escorted by the NYPD. The 5BBC will provide bike check and repair services starting at 10AM. To see an earlier parade, go to http://vimeo.com/2448954. On this ride, adults must be accompanied by a little kid. Leaders: Bob Castro and Sharon Behnke.

8:30 AM, GWB Bus Terminal (W 178th St & Ft Washington Ave), Manhattan, 50 miles.

Glorious views of the natural world await; come ride with your friends, a great day is promised. Mountain bike or hybrid needed for trail portion of ride. Leaders: Jesse Brown and Rodney Millard

Our metric series concludes with an old standard - Piermont, NY. Enjoy the hills, green pastures and river views. We'll visit the pier that extends nearly a mile into the mighty Hudson. Bring lunch money and a camera Leaders: Brian Hoberman and Danny Lieberman

Off to Westchester and then Connecticut. The ride gets hillier as we go, but the lovely residential roads with immaculate landscaping just get better and the mansions get larger as we go through the backroads of Greenwich. If we're lucky we'll do the loop of Old Greenwich Point park that juts into the Long Island Sound, and end up at Stamford Station. Leaders: Maggie Clarke & TBA

Wheel through the woods on the two long-distance off-road trails that run from the Bronx through Westchester County. Start with the former Putnam Line railroad and return via the Old Croton Aqueduct, a dirt trail that runs over NYC's original water supply tunnel. Hybrid or MTB bikes only. Bring or buy lunch. Leaders: Ed DeFreitas & TBA

10:45am (for 11am ferry), South Ferry, Manhattan, ferry terminal bike waiting area. 25 miles & one really steep hill

Tour some of Staten Island's cultural and architectural icons, including the Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art and the Alice Austen House. In addition to her prolific work as a photographer of New York in the 1800s, Ms Austen was also an avid cyclist in an age when women didn't usually indulge -- a very special woman! We'll also pass a still-active lighthouse and the only private house in New York City designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. The route includes quiet streets and off-road bike paths (suitable for all bikes). Bring $10 for museum admissions. Bring or buy lunch. Leaders: Richard Brause & John Chiarella

These were rides in March-April 2010. Click here for upcoming rides.

These are upcoming rides. Click here for rides archive.

Cancelled Due To Weather

Cancelled Due To Weather