Five Borough Bicycle Club - New York

[5BBC - New York's Five Borough Bicycle Club]

These were rides in May-June 2010. Click here for upcoming rides.

These are upcoming rides. Click here for rides archive.

Please note that helmets are required on all 5BBC rides.

Indicates relaxed pace, easy ride

For more information, please see:

Ride locations - where do we meet?
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Saturday May 1, 2010

MONTAUK TRAINING RIDE #12: LLOYD NECK

8:00 AM, Cunningham Park, Queens, 85 miles

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

Sunday, May 2, 2010

BIKE NEW YORK

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.

GET BACK IN SHAPE #7: SILVER LAKE

9:30 AM, RING Garden (Broadway and Dyckman St, Manhattan), 45 miles

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

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

MANHATTAN EVENING RIDE

7 PM, Plaza Hotel (59th St & 5th Ave), Manhattan. 18 miles.

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

Saturday, May 8, 2010

MONTAUK TRAINING RIDE #13: EATON'S NECK

8:00 AM, Cunningham Park, Queens, 90 miles

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

THE FIX IS IN #1 - CHANGING FLATS

10 AM, Grand Army Plaza entrance to Prospect Park, Brooklyn, 30 miles

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

KID'S ART BIKE PARADE

11 AM, Tompkins Square Park, Manhattan

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.

Sunday, May 9, 2010

HUDSON RIVER AND OFF ROADING IN PIERMONT

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

MONTAUK METRIC TRAINING RIDE #4: PIERMONT

9:00 AM, Columbus Circle, Manhattan, 50 miles

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

GET BACK IN SHAPE #8: STAMFORD

9:30 AM, RING Garden (Dyckman St & Broadway, Manhattan), 40-45 miles, leisurely paced (10-12 mph)

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. This is a leisurely-paced, all-day ride. Leaders: Maggie Clarke & TBA

OFF-ROAD VISTAS: THE "OLD PUT" AND THE OLD CROTON AQUEDUCT

9:30 AM, Van Cortlandt Park (Broadway & West 242nd St, Bronx), 40 miles.

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

LIGHTHOUSE HILL

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

Saturday, May 15, 2010

THE FIX IS IN #2 - BIKE FIT AND ADJUSTMENT

10 AM, Grand Army Plaza entrance to Prospect Park, Brooklyn, 30 miles

Another fun ride with an outdoor bike repair class during lunch break. We'll visit the beach or another scenic destination for a laid-back, open air class on how to adjust your bike seat, handlebars, and position for the maximum efficiency and minimum pain. Optional park benches nearby if you'd rather sleep through the 1-hour class. Leaders: Ed Ravin & Steve Jackel

Sunday, May 16, 2010

5BBC MONTAUK CENTURY

The 5BBC's main event - ride 65, 100, or 145 miles to the far end of Long Island. See http://5bbc.org/montauk for more information.

BROOKLYN BIKE JUMBLE

10 AM, Manhattan Bridge (Forsythe & Canal St, Manhattan), 25 miles

There's a bicycle show at the Old Stone House Park in Brooklyn today - dealers from all over NYC and the East Coast will be there to sell bikes, bike parts, bike clothing, and anything else bike related. The 5th Ave Street Fair is nearby in case you want to shop for things not bike-related. We'll also visit some new Brooklyn waterfront parks and bike paths. Leaders: Ed Ravin & Debbie Ebert

Sunday, May 23, 2010

RIDGEWOOD NJ QUICK SPIN (15 MPH+)

8:30 AM, GWB Bus Terminal, Manhattan, 50 miles

Shopping anyone? An early season quick-spin adventure test. Leaders: Jesse Brown & Rodney Millard

HUDSON RIVER MUSEUM

9 AM, Plaza Hotel (59th St & 5th Ave), Manhattan, 35 miles.

It's a museum! It's a planetarium! It's a restored mansion full of Hudson River School art! It's a restaurant overlooking the Hudson River and the Palisades! It's all of those things and more, as you'll find out when you visit today. Medium pace (12-15 mph). For more info on the museum and current exhibits, see www.hrm.org . Bring or buy lunch, and bring $5 for museum admission. Leaders: Ed Defreitas & TBA.

BIKE TO THE SOUTH POLE

9:45am (for 10am ferry), South Ferry, Manhattan, ferry terminal bike waiting area. 25 or 45 miles (optional early return)

Bike around Staten Island and by "around", we mean around. We focus on the quiet neighborhoods, including miles-long paths (suitable for all types of bikes) in the island's parks and waterfronts. No major hills but we're rarely on the level. Bring lightweight lock and $ for lunch at a Bavarian Inn, and carfare for optional early return via SIRR after 25 miles. And yes, we will visit the South Pole ... at the southernmost point of New York State. Leaders: Richard Brause & Andrea Casertano

Saturday May 29, 2010

WANDERING TO WAVE HILL

9 AM, Columbus Circle, Manhattan, 30 miles with a few hills

Enjoy an extended spring visit to a treasure in the Riverdale section of the Bronx: Wave Hill. Once a private estate, it is now a secluded oasis overlooking the Hudson River and the Palisades (See www.wavehill.org). Our route will pass through picturesque parks in both Manhattan and the Bronx. Bring a lightweight lock, bring or buy lunch. Leaders: Brian Hoberman & TBA.

Sunday, May 30, 2010

THE PRINCETON 90 QUICK SPIN

8:30 AM, 33rd St & 6th Ave PATH Station, Manhattan, 90 miles

Almost a century at quick-spin speeds (15 mph or faster). Let's just do it!

NEAR BROOKLYN

9:30AM, City Hall, Manhattan, 20 miles

The twin cities of New York & Brooklyn danced with each other for fifty years before the wedding. We'll get some snapshots of that time & others. This European invention we call New York didn't always look this way. Then, maybe, end up at a bike friendly pizzaria near Bowling Green. Leaders: Ed DeFreitas & TBA

Monday May 31, 2010

THE FORTS OF QUEENS

9 AM Kew Gardens (Union Turnpike & Queens Blvd), Queens, 40 miles, fast pace

Do a fast-paced (15 mph or more) double loop of Queens County, starting with Fort Totten in NE Queens and circling over to Fort Tilden in the Rockaways. Back roads & safe streets. Leaders: Dennis Griffin & TBA

HISTORICAL GREENWOOD CEMETERY RIDE & WALK

10 AM, Manhattan Bridge (Forsythe & Canal), Manhattan, 20 miles

Famous people are just dying to get into this place! Leonard Bernstein, Boss Tweed, Tiffany, Greeley, Ebbets, Eubie Blake and a whole bunch of other A-list names are waiting for you to visit the Green-Wood Cemetery, arguably NYC's first "green" public space and the inspiration for Central Park. Bring comfortable walking shoes and a decent bike lock. Leaders: Terry Chin, Ed DeFreitas

Saturday, June 5, 2010

QUEENS TREASURES

10:00 AM, Cunningham Park, Queens, 30 miles

More a tour than a ride through Queens, hitting some of the borough's unusual or forgotten places. Many stops. Bring money for lunch. We plan to visit the Botanical Gardens, a 2,000 year-old Roman column, a Kung Fu temple, the Lemon Ice King of Corona and more. Back around 4 PM. Leaders: Randy Horowitz and TBA.

Sunday, June 6, 2010

UP, UP AND AWAY

8:20 AM, Grand Central Terminal (for 8:47 train to Croton-Harmon), 45 hilly miles

Another beautiful and hilly 45-mile ride through quiet and scenic northern Westchester County. After we enjoy the ups and downs, we'll stop for some awesome ice cream at the Blue Pig just before taking the train back home. Bring MTA bike permit, snacks and $15 train fare. Bring or buy lunch. Return to NYC will be between 5-6 pm. Leaders: Brian Hoberman & TBA.

THE LOTTERY RIDE (QUICK SPIN 15+ MPH)

8:30 AM, Pelham Parkway & White Plains Road, Bronx, 67 miles

Three states, three lotteries, three chances to help balance the NY, NJ, and CT state budgets. The odds are only 1 in 45,057,474 that you'll get the NY jackpot, but it's a probable 12 to 7 you'll enjoy this quick-spin, fast-paced ride. Leaders: Jesse Brown and Rodney Millard

BRONX PERIMETER

9:00 AM, HI-AYH (W. 103rd & Amsterdam Ave), Manhattan. 35-40 miles.

Our tour of Da Bronx passes in revue of Yankee Stadium (both of them?). This is the only borough that is entirely in the mainland USA. The rest are all islands. We'll visit the wilds of Riverdale, touch on Westchester, pass Co-Op City, a fort tucked under a bridge with an astronomical observatory, pass near the isle of the unclaimed dead and more. Mostly flat with some hills. Leaders: Ed DeFreitas & TBA.

Saturday June 12, 2010

THE CARRIAGEWAYS OF MINNEWASKA

60 VERY hilly miles (6000 ft total climb) 7:20am (for 7:47am departure), Grand Central Terminal (information booth)

Why be down in the dumps when you can be up in the Gunks? Lift your spirits in the Shawangunk Mountains of Ulster County -- provided that you can lift your bicycle over a vertical mile on a 60-mile ride, and you're willing to forsake the paved road for the unpaved carriageways of Minnewaska Preserve. Highlights include mountain laurel in bloom, spectacular Awosting Falls, and Poughkeepsie's "Walkway Over the Hudson", the world's longest and highest bridge dedicated to bike/ped use. Bring or buy lunch, MTA bike permit, and $29 carfare. We recommend minimum tire width 1-1/4" or 32 mm for off-road riding. Leaders: Jim Zisfein and Richard Brause.

GOLD COAST PRELUDE

7 AM, Kew Gardens (Union Turnpike & Queens Blvd), 75 miles quick spin. OR 7:25 AM Penn Station, 50 miles with LIRR assist (point/drop/sweep)

Head out to Syosset and then to the town of Huntington and through the Huntington Bay area. Great scenery, excellent roads. On the way back, we'll eat in Theodore Roosevelt Park on Oyster Bay. This ride will have two sections - a quick spin from Kew Gardens for the full 75 miles, and a shorter ride with LIRR assist. LIRR schedules not available at publication time, so please check the 5BBC web site for the exact meeting time at Penn station for the shorter (regular point/drop/sweep) ride. Bring MTA bike permit , spare tubes, and a good attitude. Bring or buy lunch. NOTE: ride times have been updated since original listing. Leaders: Dennis Giffin & Susan Rodetis (quick spin), Andrea Casertano and Susan Levine (Penn Station)

Sunday, June 13, 2010

KOSHER BBQ RIDE

9:00 AM, Bridgemarket (E. 60th St & 1st Ave), Manhattan, 60 miles, 12 mph, return via LIRR from Hicksville. Quick spin: 9:30 AM, Bridgemarket, 80 miles, 17-18 mph (no point-drop-sweep), return to Queens for subway

Our destination is Dix Hills and a delicious, freshly grilled Glatt Kosher BBQ lunch of burgers, hot dogs, and knishes in the backyard of Dana's Mom's house. Bring $16 for lunch plus $7.75 train fare, MTA rail pass and Metrocard, bike repair tools including 2 spare tubes, and lights in case of a late return. Please RSVP in advance to dhudes@hudes.org so that we may have enough food. Leaders: Ed DeFreitas and Lee Ann Van Wyck (regular), Jesse Brown and Dana Hudes (quick spin)

Saturday, June 19, 2010

CLEARWATER HUDSON RIVER REVIVAL (PART 1)

8:30 AM sharp!, Grand Central Terminal, 25 miles, rolling terrain with one big hill

Our 22nd annual day-long summer retreat to this classic folk music festival returns with rides both days of the festival (Saturday and Sunday)! We'll board Metro North's 8:45 am train to White Plains, then cycle to Croton Park (with return trip to NYC via train). Enjoy music, dancing, crafts, activists, stories, souvenirs, and of course, food. Scheduled performers include Steve Earle, Railroad Earth, Steve Forbert, Toshi Reagon, and Tao and Pete. For ticket info see www.clearwater.org or updates at www.mta.info for train/festival package deals. Limited number of discount tickets ($45) will be available via leader. Festival & bike ride are rain or shine; free bike parking available thanks to Times Up (www.times-up.org). Bring MTA bike permit, $20 for train fare, more $ for admission and food, and sunscreen. Leaders: Ted M. Kushner, Brian Hoberman, Susan Levine

EXPLORE JAMAICA BAY

9 AM, Grand Army Plaza entrance to Prospect Park, Brooklyn, 35 miles

Ride to the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge where we will walk the trails, check out the wildlife and enjoy a picnic lunch. Bring lock, binoculars and money for lunch. We don't want to ruffle your feathers, but if you also pack a birding field guide, you'll really find this a treat! This day trip will officially end at Floyd Bennett Field, but the cue sheet will include the route back to Prospect Park. The more adventurous riders will camp overnight in Floyd Bennett Field. For more information, or to reserve an overnight spot, see 5bbc.org/weekend . Leaders: Richard Sanford and Bob Castro

Sunday, June 20, 2010

CLEARWATER HUDSON RIVER REVIVAL (PART 2)

7:30 AM sharp!, Grand Central Terminal, 25 miles, rolling terrain with one big hill

We'll once again "retreat" to this classic folk music festival, with a one hour earlier start time! We'll take Metro North for the 7:45 to White Plains, then cycle to Croton Park (with late return to NYC via train). Enjoy music, dancing, cr afts, activists, stories, souvenirs, and of course, food. Scheduled performers include the legend ary David Bromberg & Angel Band, Lucy Kaplansky, Dan Bern, Shawn Colvin, Jay & Molly, Tao and Pete. For ticket info see www.clearwater.org or updates at www.mta.info for train/festival package deals. Limited number of discount tickets ($45) will be available via leader. Festival & bike ride are rain or shine; free bike parking available thanks to Times Up! Bring MTA bike permit, $20 for train fare, more $ for admission and food, and sunscreen. Leaders: Ted M. Kushner, Brian Hoberman, Susan Levine

HARRIMAN STATE PARK (QUICK SPIN, 15+ MPH)

8:30 AM, GWB Bus Terminal (W 178th St & Ft Washington Ave), Manhattan, 90+ miles

Bear Mountain, we're coming back, 'cause we love to ride! Quick spin pace. Leaders: Jesse Brown & Rodney Millard

FLAT ROCK NATURE PRESERVE

9 AM, City Hall, Manhattan, 30 miles, one big hill.

This is a bike to hike ride to a not well known but beautiful nature preserve. It's privately run, includes a nature center and you can lunch alongside a pond and take an unsupervised nature hike. Bring a lightweight lock, bring or buy lunch. Leaders: Ed DeFreitas & TBA

Saturday, June 26, 2010

THE FIX IS IN #3 - FLAT FIX REDUX

10:00 AM, Columbus Circle, Manhattan, 25-30 miles

After riding from Columbus Circle to Inwood Hill Park mostly along bike paths, we will teach people how to fix flats, patch tires, and - special bonus! - how to adjust the seat and handlebar heights (for those bikes that have adjustable handlebars). Rain cancels. Bring or buy lunch. Leaders: Dan Finton and TBA.

Sunday, June 27, 2010

LONG ISLAND DREAMING QUICK SPIN (15+ MPH)

8:30 AM, HI-AYH, 103rd St & Amsterdam Ave, Manhattan, 50+ miles

Just tooling along, enjoying this precious life at a quick-spin pace. Leaders: Jesse Brown & Rodney Millard

ARTFUL BIKING

8:40 AM, Grand Central Terminal (for 9:07 departure to Darien), 35 hilly miles

Take a scenic bike ride to the Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum in Ridgefield, Ct (www.aldrichart.org). Bring $18.50 for train fare, $7 for museum admission, MTA bike permit and bike lock. Return to NYC will be between 5-6 PM. Leaders: Susan Levine & Andrea Casertano

QUADRUPLE BYPASS

10 AM, City Hall, Manhattan, 25 miles

Double cross? Too easy. Triple cross? It's been done. How about a quadruple cross? There are four East River bridges, and we're going to ride them all on the same day. After cycling over the Brooklyn, Manhattan, Williamsburg, and Queensborough Bridges, we'll head back downtown to a bike-friendly eatery. Leaders: Ed DeFreitas & Jim Zisfein.

Saturday, July 3, 2010

PS1 WARM UP RIDE

4:30 PM, Plaza Hotel, Manhattan, 12 leisurely miles

It's a blast. It's a bash. You'll be in hipster heaven, and feel totally trendy. Join us as we head to PS1 for "Warm Up," where art, architecture, and music all come together at one of the hottest and liveliest exhibitions of the summer. It's MoMa in Long Island City! (How revolutionary is that!) Dinner will be after the performance/exhibition at a local restaurant. Bring $10 admission plus lock and money for dinner. Bring lights for the ride home. Rain at start cancels. Leaders: Richard Sanford and Phil O'Reilly.

Sunday, July 4, 2010

AROUND AND OVER THE HUDSON

9 AM, City Hall, Manhattan, 40 miles

See NYC from a ferry, the Bayonne Bridge, Liberty State Park, and Hoboken. Then stretch your legs along a long Hudson shoreline stretch to the G.W. Bridge (with the one big hill). Bridge the Hudson back to NYC. Pass Seinfeld's (who?) old haunt and choose your lunch cuisine, Italian, Asian or Eastern European, all on one Amsterdam Ave block. Follow the Hudson River line back down to City Hall. Bring a lock and $ for lunch. Leaders: Ed DeFreitas & TBA

GARDEN CITY

9AM, Doughnut Plant, 60 miles

We'll mark our independence as we take a quick trip out to historic Garden City, Long Island, using backroads and quiet streets. An excellent lunch stop is planned. Remember to bring your sunscreen, a camera and some $ for lunch. You'll be back in time for the fireworks. Leaders Danny Lieberman, Andrea Mercado & Diane Goodwin.

BICYCLE BEACH BUMS

10 AM, Grand Army Plaza entrance to Prospect Park, Brooklyn, 30 flat miles

Combine your two favorite activities - bicycling and visiting the beach! This leisurely paced ride will go from Brooklyn to a quiet beach in the Rockaways, mostly along quiet streets or bike paths. Bring or buy lunch, bring beach stuff (sunscreen, swimsuit, towel, sheet, pail, shovel, Frisbee, flip-flops, etc), and a lightweight lock. Can't make it today? We're running this ride every Sunday in July and August - same start time, same place. Leaders: TBA

Monday July 5, 2010

BROOKLYN RESIDENTIAL TOUR (PART 2)

10 AM, Manhattan Bridge, Manhattan, 25 miles

Explore some of the quieter sections of Brooklyn. We'll ride through Fort Greene, Prospect Heights, Park Slope, Windsor Terrace, Sunset Park, Bay Ridge, and more. Bring lock, money for lunch. Leaders: Terry Chin & TBA

Click here for next month's ride schedule