We (mostly walk and) Bike New York

On Sunday, Chris, Sarah, Jeff, two non-blogging friends Larry and Hector, and I went to New York City for Bike New York's Five Boro Tour. The 40+ mile ride travels from Manhattan to the Bronx, Queens then Brooklyn, and ends at Staten Island. Most photos courtesy of Chris (click to enlarge for full effect).

Sarah and Jeff on the train platform, looking marvelously awake at 4:30 am!

  Chris and I, looking scared to be awake at 4:30am (photo courtesy of Larry)

  Hector, looking small here at 4:30 am because I cannot figure out how to make this photo larger at 11:10pm (photo courtesy of Larry)

Larry, his usual cheery self, even at 4:30 am (photo courtesy of Larry)

Our plan was to meet up with Squidknits and her family, after we arrived at Grand Central Station, and ride to the start line together. Unfortunately, the 4:32am (!) bike train had been cancelled with no explanation, so we arrived about 45 minutes late. We didn't want the Squids to end up at the back of the line like we did, so we told them to head down without us.

How many bikes can we fit on the train? A lot.

March of the Cyclists on a Mission

Taking Over Grand Central

Have you ever seen 42,000 cyclists in one place before? Me neither.

One of the fun things about the day was seeing the items people strapped to their helmets so they could identify each other if they got lost. We saw plastic dinosaurs, crabs, soda cans, red feather boas a la the Romans, faux gerbera daisy stems, pinwheels, balloons, national flags from different countries. But this was one of our favorites (Jeff in right front with plain helmet):

And they're off!

Because we were at the back of the line, there was a lot of congestion at stoplights and intersections, and we were constantly having to stop and walk the bikes as much as we were riding them. It got very frustrating -- a few times people stopped short in front of me and I had narrowly missed hitting them.

Walking the bikes through Central Park. "Squidknits? Jersey Knitter? Where are you????"

More walking

Because we were delayed with all the walking, the rest stops would close just as we arrived. We barely had time to use the facilities or grab a banana before we were barked at to leave, forget getting any rest. It was nearly inhumane. The views over the bridges were amazing, however. The  Queensborough Bridge was super-windy; my favorite was the Staten Island bridge -- maybe because once I crossed it, I knew I had completed the ride? Here are Chris and I (in bright yellow) and Sarah in blue on the bridge (photo courtesy of Larry):

As soon as we got to Staten Island, we got right in line for the ferry to go back to Manhattan. We waited at least an hour, maybe more. The wind off the water was pretty chilly. Here is Lady Liberty, framed by the car deck of the Staten Island Ferry. Chris takes awesome photos.

Once we got to shore, we still had to ride up a zillion blocks on the bike path to 42nd street, and walk with the bikes half a zillion more blocks across to 5th Ave. By this time, I was really and truly contemplating throwing my bike into the East River and giving up cycling a nice hot dinner or at least a cup of tea! I had to settle for some fruit and a square of coffee cake, standing up on the train home.

Chris was able to complete the ride last year with a friend and be home by mid-afternoon. This time, we all got home at about 9:30pm. Though we hadn't had a real meal all day, we were too tired to eat. It sounds like Squidknits and her family and Jersey Knitter had similar experiences (click on Sarah's and their names for their versions & photos). This is one ride that you have to do just for the experience, so you can tell the war stories afterward. But it's not for the faint of heart.

Comments

[Ina]

Sorry we couldn't meetup. I hope there will be other opportunities in the future.

What a long, grueling day you had! This is the first time I've had such an unsatisfactory experience in Bike NY. I made sure to provide feedback to the organizers.

[Cookie]

Please tell me those perky at four-thirty in the morning people got cranky later on.

At least, you can say you've done it, right?

[Karen]

Wow, that is a long day! Congratulations on finishing it!

[Cindy]

Please tell me that you didn't do all that walking in bike shoes.

Sounds like a great experience!!! Kudos for doing it!!!!

[Julie]

Great photos! Too bad you had to spend so much time walking your bikes.

[Chris]

Wow, 42000 bicyclists?! Yikes. It sounds cool, but alas, the death march aspects... Maybe they will be better organized (and less mean) next year?!

I particularly like the first picture of you and Chris, putting on brave faces at o'dark hundred.

[Greeley]

You all look great and the masses of bikes are amazing but they need a better plan! Maybe shifts like the marathon? I can't imagine all that walking in my sidis. Ugh.

Oh well, definitely an experience with fellow members of cycling humanity.

p.s. you should have a surprise in your mailbox soon!

[Sonya]

Wow! They definitely need a better plan. Bike walking is a lot less fun than bike riding.

[Nancy]

Wow! What a day! Thanks for the photos.

[Beth]

Wow! That's a lot of bikers!!!

[Kristen]

You've certainly had the experience and I can see how once would be enough! It makes you appreciate solitary and small group rides. :-)

[--Deb]

It sure sounds like a full day, that's for sure--wowzer!

[Asaknitter]

Wow, what an excellent event!

[tiennie]

Wow - what a day!

[Patty]

Wow! What a wonderful day! With your pictures I felt like I went along with you guys.

A great site to behold 4,200 bikers.

[Jen]

I agree with Patty - your post is fantastic - I felt like I was there! But without the exhaustion...

[Brigitte]

Well, it's good to get any ride under your belt! At least you had a great day, because had it rained...

Great pictures! I really, really hope to get a good bike ride in this weekend. I've only managed a few small rides to the grocery store, etc.

[hege]

Wow, glad you lived to tell the tale :) Great job!

[Felicia]

What an adventure! Looks like fun :)

[Devorah]

Sorry we missed you! You guys had a REALLY long day. We feel for you!

[Sarah]

Wow, what an epic day! My husband did this ride a couple of years ago, and randomly ran into some cousins he hadn't seen in a decade. He also mananged three flat tires, and had already given some of his repair supplies away to other misfortunates, which meant that I spent the day zipping around on the subway to intercept him at various points with new tubes. Congratulations on your accomplishment!