These were rides in March - April 2004. Click here for current rides.

Here we list only a selection of 5BBC day rides. All 5BBC rides are described in Bicycletter, our bimonthly newsletter-magazine, which Club members can read here. If you are not a 5BBC member, you can join - or rejoin - by printing and mailing in the membership application. Prospective members can obtain a sample issue of Bicycletter by leaving their names and addresses on our voicemail at (212) 932-2300 x115.

Indicates relaxed pace, easy ride

Click here for more information on our day rides.
Click here for more information on ride locations.
Click here for the "DayTripper Column" (periodic yammerings from the Day Trips Coordinator).

Is my ride cancelled? For late-breaking news, including weather-related cancellations, visit the 5BBC Message Board.

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

Saturday, February 28th

Montauk Century Training Ride #0 WAVE HILL
9AM, Plaza Hotel, 25 miles

The pre-season opener or the prelude of our training series heads to Wave Hill in nearby Riverdale in this prelude to the upcoming series. Bring a lock, lunch, and water. There are hills on this ride, but they’re gentle. Pace: brisk like an early spring breeze
Leaders Brian Hoberman, Steve Sakson, Danny Lieberman.

Sunday, February 29th

THE WORLD’S GREATEST PANCAKES : FROSTBITE SERIES (13) BLOWOUT!
9:30AM City Hall or
10:30AM parking lot near St George Ferry Terminal and ballpark 30 miles

The Frostbite Finale is all about pancakes and the best are always freshly cooked at the Broadway Diner in Bayonne, New Jersey. These pancakes are as good as the marvelous views from the top of the Bayonne Bridge you take to get to them! Return to Manhattan either by ferry boat or PATH train. Bring locks and $ for lunch.
Pace: relaxed. Terrain: flat as a pancake.
Leaders: Ed DeFreitas, Ed Pino, and others.

TEMPERATURE REGULATORS
10:30AM, White Plains Road and Pelham Parkway, 40 miles

The Temperature Regulators will take you to either White Plains, Rye, or Byram, CT at a QUICK SPIN pace that is sure to keep you warm. Co-listed with NYCC.
Pace: 15+ mph. Leaders: Jesse Brown and Neile Weissman.

Saturday, March 6th

MONTAUK CENTURY TRAINING RIDE #1 - ENGLEWOOD
9AM Plaza Hotel, 30 miles

Get outdoors and take off to nearby Englewood. These early bird rides will be brisk and a blast. Are you ready to start training? Get off your indoor trainer and onto your wheels. We might offer a quick spin if enough leaders come out. Be sure to bring a lock, spare tube, pump, and an energy bar. There is some hill climbing but you can do it.
Leaders: Stephen Jackel, Mark Trainor.

Sunday, March 7th

MONTAUK CENTURY TRAINING RIDE #2 - HICKSVILLE
9AM, Cunningham Park, 35 miles Quick Spin group: 8:30AM

Hicksville is our destination - a fast dash to a comfy diner not too far away. A quick spin might be in the offing if enough leaders meet us in Cunningham Park. Remember to bring that lock, spare tube and pump. Did you remember to fill your water bottles? OK, it’s not too far and the road is relatively flat.
Leaders: Diane Goodwin, Wentworth Price (quick spin), Ed Pino, Liz Baum, Randy Horowitz.

UNDER AND OVER THE HUDSON - SPRING SERIES
9:30AM, City Hall, 30 miles

Stretch your legs along a long shoreline from Hoboken to the G.W. Bridge (with the one big hill). Bridge the Hudson back to N.Y.C. Pass Seinfeld's (who?) old haunt and choose your lunch cuisine from Italian, Asian and eastern Europe. It's all on one Amsterdam Ave. block between West 110th & 111th Streets. Then, we'll follow the Hudson River line(really, ask Ed why.) back down to City Hall. Bring a lock & $ for lunch. Moderate pace.
Leaders: Ed DeFreitas & TBA.

TEMPERATURE REGULATORS
10:30AM, White Plains Road and Pelham Parkway, 40 miles

The Temperature Regulators will take you to either White Plains, Rye, or Byram, CT at a QUICK SPIN pace that is sure to keep you warm. Co-listed with NYCC.
Pace: 15+ mph. Leaders: Jesse Brown and Neile Weissman.

Saturday, March 13th

MONTAUK CENTURY TRAINING RIDE #3 – SANDS POINT
9AM, Cunningham Park, 35 miles

Our trip today includes some rolling hills as we get closer to the North shore. You’ll still need to have a good supply of water and some energy bars to keep the engine stoked. It might be windy near Long Island Sound.
Leaders: Steve Sakson & Randy Horowitz.

CHINESE FARMERS RIDE - REVISITED
10AM, Plaza Hotel, 20 miles

Well, the bean sprouts didn't freeze, but we would have. Our previous ride is on again! Yes folks, we'll find how Farmer Chen grows all those bean sprouts for the Big Apple. Since this farm's underground, and a jade's throw from Canal Street, you can keep the John Deere home and unhook the plough. After we check out the harvest, we head for lunch, right in farm country... Chinatown, New York, USA. Bring lock and lunch money. Pace - Easy with language fun along the way
Leaders: Richard Sanford and Ken Williams.

Sunday, March 14th

MONTAUK CENTURY TRAINING RIDE #4 – ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS
9AM, Plaza Hotel, 40 miles
Quick Spin group: 8:30AM

This is not quite the same ride as we did last week, there’s more to see and an extra loop or two to increase the mileage. The same big hill challenges you on the way to the diner. You can best it faster now that you’ve done it before. Did you fill your Camelbak before you left the house? Good, but don’t forget that spare tube and energy bar, just in case.
Leaders: Diane Goodwin, Wentworth Price (quick spin), Brian Hoberman (regular), Andrea Mercado.

BROOKLYN SOJOURN - SPRING SERIES
9AM, City Hall, 40 miles

Electric cars aren't new. Beautiful brownstones not the expected neighborhoods (smell a bargain). Nothing weak about Weeksville. And, oh yeah, a piece of Brooklyn Dodger history. And, maybe more are the points in a Brooklyn sojourn. Bring a lock & $ for lunch.
Moderate pace.
Leaders: Ed DeFreitas and TBA.

TEMPERATURE REGULATORS
10:30AM, White Plains Road and Pelham Parkway, 40 miles

The Temperature Regulators will take you to either White Plains, Rye, or Byram, CT at a QUICK SPIN pace that is sure to keep you warm. Co-listed with NYCC.
Pace: 15+ mph. Leaders: Jesse Brown and Neile Weissman.

Saturday, March 20th

MONTAUK CENTURY TRAINING RIDE #5 – NORTHVALE
9AM, Plaza Hotel, 45 miles
Quick Spin group: 8:30AM

Spring is here and we’re going inland. The hills are playful and keep coming back as we challenge them. Take something windproof and water repellent, just in case. Did you pack a snack or energy bar? Information on Northvale can be found at www.boroughofnorthvale.com
Leaders: Stephen Jackel, Joann Gonchar (quick spin), Nancy Asquith (regular), Mark Trainor.

Sunday, March 21st

MONTAUK CENTURY TRAINING RIDE #6 – GLEN COVE
9AM, Cunningham Park, 50 miles
Quick Spin group: 8:30AM

Spring has finally arrived, but will it be wet or dry? One thing you can be sure of is hills a plenty out to Glen Cove and back. Pack light but be sure you’ve got your essentials.
Leaders: Diane Goodwin (quick spin), Ed Pino, Liz Baum, Bob Castro.

LONGER RIDE TO A SHORT PIER - SPRING SERIES
9AM, Plaza Hotel, 50 hilly miles

Yeah, Yeah. Everybody goes to Piermont! Big deal! But, do know why? Who cares! Just as long as it's there for cyclists knock themselves out getting there. So come, enjoy. Have a doughnut on the way back, maybe. You worked hard. You deserve it. Moderate pace.
Leaders: Ed DeFreitas and TBA.

TEMPERATURE REGULATORS
10:30AM, White Plains Road and Pelham Parkway, 40 miles

The Temperature Regulators will take you to either White Plains, Rye, or Byram, CT at a QUICK SPIN pace that is sure to keep you warm. Co-listed with NYCC.
Pace: 15+ mph. Leaders: Jesse Brown and Neile Weissman.

Saturday, March 27th

MONTAUK CENTURY TRAINING RIDE #7 – WESTWOOD
8:30AM, Plaza Hotel, 55 miles Quick Spin group: 8AM

We’re riding even farther inland this time, past the reservoir and deep into the Pascack Valley. And that means more hills, but by now you can conquer them easily.
Leaders: Steve Sakson (quick spin), Brian Hoberman (regular), Ken Williams.

Sunday, March 28th

STATE LINE LOOKOUT
9AM, GW Bridge Bus Terminal, 33 hilly miles

There's been a landslide in the Undercliff area blocking Henry Hudson Drive (a.k.a. "River Road") in New Jersey's Palisades Interstate Park. Will it still be there? Let's take a look, maybe some photos. If we can get past it, we continue on River Road to Alpine, otherwise we turn around and head up Dyckman Hill Rd. to join Palisade Av. In either case, the destination is State Line Lookout Inn, the highest point in the park, where we'll have lunch. Bring lunch or $ for it, and an appetite for a healthy workout. Moderate pace.
Cue sheet and last-minute weather/ride info: zisfein.com/5bbc/lookout
Leaders: Jim Zisfein (jzisfein@yahoo.com) and Lee Ann Van Wyck.

THE FOUR BORO BIKE RIDE - SPRING SERIES
9AM, City Hall, 35 miles

Sorry, Staten Island. We promise to dedicate an entire ride to you. We want to have enough time give justice to Arthur Avenue, deep in the heart of the Bronx. On our way, we'll pass through Brooklyn and Queens and cross the Triborough Bridge into the Bronx. Lunch along Arthur Ave., an Italian enclave. Belmont Ave is the origin of the "Dion & The Belmonts" name. Look around for others. Then, back to Manhattan along the East River to City Hall. Bring a lock and $ for lunch.
Leaders: Ed DeFreitas and TBA.

TEMPERATURE REGULATORS
10:30AM, White Plains Road and Pelham Parkway, 40 miles

The Temperature Regulators will take you to either White Plains, Rye, or Byram, CT at a QUICK SPIN pace that is sure to keep you warm. Co-listed with NYCC.
Pace: 15+ mph. Leaders: Jesse Brown and Neile Weissman.

Saturday, April 3rd

MONTAUK CENTURY TRAINING RIDE #8 – CENTRE ISLAND
8:30AM, Cunningham Park, 60 miles
Quick Spin group: 8AM

Is Centre Island really an Island? Is it in the center of Long Island? And are there any Oysters left in Oyster Bay? This is the last of the point-drop-sweep training rides! Get ready for the longer rides and don’t forget to change your clocks before Sunday.
Leaders: Diane Goodwin (quick spin), Nathan Faust, Ed Pino (regular), Liz Baum, David Seto.

RAIL-TRAIL TO THE END OF THE LINE
9:30AM, Van Cortlandt Park, West 242nd St & Broadway, Bronx, 30-40 miles

Follow the remains of the Putnam Line railroad as it slowly turns into a long-distance bicycle trail between the Bronx, Westchester, and Putnam counties. The southern part of the trail isn't paved yet, and is fraught with obstacles, so hybrid or mountain bikes are required. Bring or buy lunch. We'll keep riding north until we run out of steam, and switch to a Metro-North train (bring permit and $ for fare) for the ride home. Terrain: mostly flat with some rough trail.
Leaders: Ed Ravin and TBA.

Sunday, April 4th - Daylight Time Begins!

MONTAUK CENTURY TRAINING RIDE #9 – ROCKLAND LAKE
8:30AM, Plaza Hotel, 70 miles

Spring ahead to this faster ride. The quick spin group on this ride will be combined with the Bike New York MASI training mission. Not ready for the super-fast team? That’s OK, the regular group will maintain a more moderate pace but won’t leave drops. Are you ready? Pack a map of Rockland County along with your patch kit and energy bars.
Leaders: Diane Goodwin (quick spin “MASI”), Steve Taylor, Jesse Brown.

MONTAUK METRIC TRAINING RIDE #1 – HACKENSACK
9AM, GW Bridge Bus Terminal , 20 miles

Want to prepare for the Metric Century? Or if you’re only just getting back in the saddle, join me for an easy workout to nearby Hackensack. We visit an old WWII era submarine and cross the Hackensack River. Please remember to bring a lock, spare tube, and a pump, of course. Pace: moderate.
Terrain: some hills.
Leaders: Danny Lieberman and Ed DeFreitas.

Saturday, April 10th

MONTAUK CENTURY TRAINING RIDE #10 – SUNKEN MEADOW
8AM, Cunningham Park, 75 miles

Will we catch a glimpse of the Easter bunny on a trip out to this state park in Smithtown? Just so long as you fill your camelbak, pack enough energy bars and of course a spare tube or two along with that pump. We will use point-drop-sweep.
Leaders: Steve Sakson (quick spin), Ed Pino, Liz Baum, Bob Castro.

Sunday, April 11th (EASTER SUNDAY)

EASTER JAM: MANHATTAN LOOP RIDE
10AM, South Ferry, 30 easy miles

This is a simple ride really, just a loop around Manhattan taking advantage of all the new bike paths and lanes that have been installed in the past few years.
Terrain: almost entirely flat. Moderate pace.
Leaders: Danny Lieberman, Jesse Brown, Ed DeFreitas.

Saturday, April 17th

MONTAUK METRIC TRAINING RIDE #2 – ENGLEWOOD
9AM, Plaza Hotel, 30 miles

Englewood is our second stop in the Metric progression. One big climb and a fine diner make this the perfect short trip. Also be sure to bring your lock, a spare, and pump.
Leaders: Brian Hoberman and Christian Cervegnano.

PALISADES BIKE HIKE: PEANUT LEAP CASCADE
9AM, GW Bridge bus terminal, 25 mile ride, 4 mile hike

Terrain: some hills (both ride and hike). This is the first of a series of Palisades Bike/Hikes, for which I credit 3 inspirations: (1) those majestic palisade cliffs (if they don't inspire you, nothing will), (2) Ed Ravin (who gave me the idea for a bike hike), and (3) the Pharaohs of ancient Egypt (get someone else to do the heavy lifting). In this case, the "heavy lifting" will be done by Eric Nelsen <enelsen@njpalisades.org>, historical interpreter for the Palisades Interstate Park Commission, who will lead our troop of 5BBC riders on a hike through this extraordinary park and explain its history. All I promise is get you to and from State Line Lookout, the hike start point. See www.njpalisades.org/slo-hike.htm#Peanut for more information about this hike. Bring a bike lock, comfortable walking shoes, bag lunch, and water.
Pace: ride, moderate; hike, slow.
Ride leader: Jim Zisfein <jzisfein@yahoo.com>.

Sunday, April 18th

MONTAUK CENTURY TRAINING RIDE #11 – STONY POINT
8:30AM, Plaza Hotel, 82 miles

This is a highly technical ride as well as long distance, so please be prepared for the hills. You must be able to follow the cue sheet on your own. You must bring snacks and enough water or you could easily bonk along the way. There won’t be any drops and the pace will be fast. This ride is not for beginners.
Leaders: Jesse Brown and TBA.

WESTCHESTER BIKE/HIKE #1 ROCKEFELLER STATE PARK PRESERVE
9:30AM, Van Cortlandt Park, West 242nd St & Broadway, Bronx, 35 miles

Visit a scenic forested preserve just north of Tarrytown, and wander on foot through its paths and adjacent farm roads. Plenty of trees, lakefront trails, and cows, cows, cows. Bring footwear for walking if you want to explore the area. Bring or buy lunch. Early return viaMetro-North available. Terrain: rolling with a few steep hills. This is the first in an occasional series of Westchester County rides, where we take a scenic ride to an even more scenic park or preserve where we can peruse the forest on foot during the lunch break.
Leaders: Ed Ravin and TBA.

Saturday, April 24th

MONTAUK CENTURY TRAINING RIDE #12 – LLOYD NECK
8:30AM, Cunningham Park, 85 miles

The series is reaching that crescendo of long distance rides - and Lloyd Neck is certainly one of the favorites. Once again this is for experienced riders. Be sure to pack enough fuel and water for your engine. No point-drop-sweep!
Leaders: Steve Taylor, Steve Sakson, Bob Castro.

Sunday, April 25th

PALISADES BIKE HIKE: CLINTON POINT
9AM, GW Bridge bus terminal, 15 mile ride, 8 mile hike

Terrain: some hills (both ride and hike). Less biking, more hiking. Maybe for this jaunt we'll call ourselves the 5BHC. We ride on Henry Hudson Drive "River Road" to Englewood Basin. There, we meet Eric Nelsen <enelsen@njpalisades.org>, historical interpreter for the Palisades Interstate Park Commission, who will lead us on another hike through history. This is a long hike, 8 miles in 4 hours, so be sure to bring comfortable walking shoes, and also bring a bike lock, bag lunch, and plenty of water.
Pace: ride, moderate; hike, slow.
Ride leader: Jim Zisfein <jzisfein@yahoo.com>.

Thursday, April 29th

PRERIDE TO NYC BICYCLE SHOW :
CHOCOLATE FACTORY IN STATEN ISLAND
10AM, Central Park Loeb Boathouse, 25 miles

We'll be taking the ferry to Staten Island and visit the Superior Chocolate factory (www.superiorconfections.com). You won't be able to see them make the chocolate but you'll be able to buy it at a very reasonable price. We'll stop off for a picnic lunch in charming Willowbrook Park. We'll get back to Manhattan at approx. 4:30 PM to attend the annual NYC Bicycle Show (NY State Armory, 26th St. at Lexington Ave) which opens at 5:00 PM. Print out a discount entrance coupon from the show's site (nycbicycleshow.com) Rain at the start cancels the ride. Pace is 12-14 mph. Mostly flat terrain.
Co-listed with The Weekday Cyclists and NYCC.
Note: Bring a good working bicycle, water to drink, spare inner tubes, lunch or money for it, a helmet (and wear it), bicycle lock, bicycle lights (optional) in case you stay at the show and you have to ride home in the dark.
Leader: Trudy Hutter.

Saturday, May 1st

MONTAUK METRIC TRAINING RIDE #3 – CITY ISLAND
10AM, Cathedral of St John the Divine (Amsterdam Ave & West 112th St), 40 miles

City Island is one of my all-time favorite destinations, and it just so happens to make a great medium distance urban training ride. This ride will start immediately after the Blessing of the Bikes event held at the Cathedral of St John the Divine. Enjoy lunch right on the sound! Brisk pace. Please note: New starting location!
Leaders: Danny Lieberman (daytrips@5bbc.org) and Eileen Kapp.

Sunday, May 2nd BIKE NEW YORK – NO CLUB RIDES TODAY !

Saturday, May 8th

MONTAUK CENTURY TRAINING RIDE #13 – EATON’S NECK
8AM (not 8:30 as listed in Bicycletter), Cunningham Park, 90 miles

This is it – the finale. All that hard work will finally pay off and you’ll be able to tackle the hills of the eastern North shore. Warning: cue sheet only ride, so you better be able to read and follow directions closely! No point-drop-sweep today. You must be able to keep up with the leaders in order to complete it on time.
Leaders: Jesse Brown and Ira Najowitz.

MONTAUK METRIC TRAINING RIDE #4 – PIERMONT
9AM, Plaza Hotel, 50 miles

I can’t think of a better destination to cap off the metric series than the charming town of Piermont, NY.
Leaders: Brian Hoberman and TBA.

Sunday, May 9th (Mother’s Day)

PALISADES BIKE HIKE: WOMEN'S FEDERATION MONUMENT
9AM, GW Bridge bus terminal, 20 miles ride, 4 mile hike

Terrain: ride - lots of hills, hike - mostly level. Yes, it's time for another 5BBC-PIPC bike hike. It's Mother's Day, and for the occasion, Eric Nelsen <enelsen@njpalisades.org>, historical interpreter for the Palisades Interstate Park Commission, will lead us on a hike from the Park Headquarters in Alpine to a monument honoring the New Jersey State Federation of Women's Clubs. Without the efforts of these women, we might not have a Palisades Interstate Park today. The bike portion of the bike-hike will take Henry Hudson Drive ("River Road") which I hope will have reopened after this winter's landslide. Bring a bike lock, comfortable walking shoes, bag lunch, and water.
Pace: ride, moderate; hike, slow.
Ride leader: Jim Zisfein <jzisfein@yahoo.com>.

Saturday, May 15th

HOW TO RIDE UP ANY HILL AND HOW TO CONQUER ANY LONG-DISTANCE BIKE RIDE, A FREE CLASS FOR BEGINNERS
12 NOON, Central Park Boathouse, less than 10 miles

Do you walk your bike up some hills? When you ride with friends, are you always at the back of the pack? Do you hurt at the end of a ride? Nervous about doing a long ride?

Bring your friends to this free one-day class. The class is NOT about building up your muscles or working out -- it's about going at your own pace, and learning to use the gears on your bike to make riding more fun for you.

We'll be learning at an easy relaxed pace -- no long-distance bike racing today! Inexperienced or confused cyclists welcome. Bring your "dumb" questions!

MANDATORY: You must bring a bike helmet, and a bike with at least five speeds that is in good working order. (You don't need to know how to use the gears, but you MUST be sure that they work BEFORE the class -- ask a friend or mechanic to inspect your bike). You must be able to pedal a two-wheeler. Meet at the Boathouse in Central Park at noon.

Class ends at 3 p.m. Rain cancels. Leader: Glen Goldstein. Questions before the class? email to prez@bicycleshows.us

Sunday, May 16th

MONTAUK CENTURY and METRIC
5AM, Penn Station, 65-140 miles

See our Special Event writeups elsewhere in this newsletter!